Michael Hogben
| Michael Hogben | |
|---|---|
| Born |
6 November 1952 Folkestone, Kent, England |
| Occupation |
Auctioneer Antiques Dealer |
| Spouse(s) | Lesley (2000–present) |
| Children | 5 |
Michael Hogben (born 6 November 1952), is an auctioneer and antiques dealer, who has appeared in the BBC series Bargain Hunt and his own series "Auction Man."
Famed for his often eccentric style but complete enthusiasm, Hogben's personality and all-round expertise in his field has been successfully transferred to both television presenting and expert authoring.
Biography
Born in Foord Road in Folkestone, Kent, Hogben's mother died when he was five leaving him, his brother and sister with their father. Hogben purposefully failed his Eleven plus examination to attend the same school as his brother.
After both brothers had left school, Hogben's father decided to emigrate to Australia leaving the two boys to fend for themselves. Hogben left school at 15 to work in a fashion shop, and within a year was running one himself. At age 17 Hogben came into a small inheritance, which he invested in opening a fashion boutique called "Mickey Finn" (named after a drug-laced drink), which over the next ten years he expanded with 8 outlets over Kent. He also invested in Kent's first wine bar – "McCartney's" – in Dover.
Having studied art and antiques, five years later he opened his own auction house in Folkestone, which then traded for the next fifteen years until he sold it in 2004. Michael has, for the last 7 years, been involved in on line antiques valuation service, as well as his growing media work. Michael also offers a fine art nationwide valuation service, and helps out with many local and national charity events. In late 2012, Michael was appointed head valuer and auctioneer for a new auction house, Westenhanger Auctions, situated at Westenhanger railway station Westenhanger, Kent.
Television
Hogben became a Bargain Hunt expert when four of the earliest shows visited his auction rooms to sell contestants items. The producer liked Hogben's style so much, he was offered a regular position. After screen testing for but deciding against presenting Flog It! for the BBC in favour of his business, Hogben's style made him a choice for his own primetime show, which was created in the BBC series Auction Man. Focusing on his auction rooms, the show revealed how the auction room worked, focusing mainly on Michael and his family, and staff. The show also showed viewers tips on spotting auction bargains, as well as the characters, celebrities, sharp customers and the unscrupulous dealers, running for two series. Hogben has also presented 30 shows for Channel 4 in a daytime show called Name Your Price. Hogben also appears on David Dickinson's ITV1 show Dickinson's Real Deal.
Personal life
Hogben married his wife, Lesley, in 2000 after living together for many years. Comedian Vic Reeves was best man. The couple live in Kent and have 5 children.
Court case
In 2006 Hogben was accused of the theft of two paintings that he had valued and that subsequently went missing. It was reported that in 2005 Hogben had valued the paintings at £100 each for a client and had sent them to James Braxton at Brakett's in Tonbridge Wells Auction House to be sold, but they never arrived. The owner contacted the police and a two year legal battle ensued. Hogben was unable to work and while the case was heard and almost bankrupted defending himself from the accusation as the case was eventually dismissed for lack of evidence, the judge told Hogben that the case was now over and that he was obviously an innocent man.
Bibliography
- "Michael Hogben: A-Z of Antiques and Auction" -
- "101 Antiques for the future" -
- "Collecting Under the Radar: Tomorrow's Antiques"(Red Rock Press)American only-April 2009