BIOGRAPHY AND BACKGROUND

Hilary Kay's obsession with antiques began when she was a child. She joined Sotheby's in 1977 and the following year, when 21, she became Sotheby's youngest ever auctioneer. When she left Sotheby's 22 years later she held the position of Senior Director running several expert departments as diverse as motor cars and musical instruments.

Hilary is one of the most familiar faces on BBC TV's long-running Antiques Roadshow having joined the programme in 1979. Recently she presented a landmark series for BBC One, Brilliantly British, exploring the lives of Thomas Chippendale, Josiah Wedgewood and William Morris. Hilary has also featured in many other television and radio programmes including The Apprentice, The One Show, 20th Century Roadshow, Going for a Song, Call My Bluff, The Great Antiques Hunt, Hidden Treasures and X Marks the Spot.

Alongside the toys and dolls with which she is most frequently associated, Hilary's expertise includes scientific instruments, mechanical music, textiles, nauticalia and rock 'n' roll memorabilia. A self-confessed 'rock chick', Hilary conceived and held the world's first ever auction of rock 'n' roll memorabilia in 1981, and she wrote the first book to appear on this subject, Rock 'n' Roll Collectibles. Her other books include Treasures in Your Home (editor David Battie), 20th Century Collectibles (editor Tim Wonnacott), How to Spot a Fake (editor Lars Tharp), Is it Genuine? (editor John Bly) and The Wedding with Paul Atterbury.

Hilary is now an independent consultant, broadcaster, lecturer and writer on the subjects of antiques and collectibles. She developed and heads the corporate entertainment company Art and Antique Events (www.artandantiquesevents.com), which provides arts and antiques-centred entertainments to the corporate and private market. In 2006 Hilary devised a stage show "Have you had it long, madam?" which toured Australia and New Zealand to a rapturous reception. The show is currently on tour in Great Britain. More info at (www.haveyouhaditlongmadam.com).