Touch of Gold
$79.99
The Reminiscences of Geoffrey Munn
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Description
A Touch of Gold is the life and work of Antiques Roadshow presenter and jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn.
Born and bred in Sussex, Geoffrey Munn, Antiques Roadshow presenter and jewellery expert, came from a traditional rural background but only weeks after leaving a country Grammar School in 1972, he was plunged into the vortex of the London art world. It was the beginning of the career of a lifetime at the famous firm of Wartski, whose showrooms scintillated with gem-set necklaces, tiaras and three of the famous Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs. In a colourful and witty narrative, Geoffrey relates his daunting but delightful encounters with HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, HRH Princess Margaret and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. In their wake, Geoffrey met a rich variety of luminaries, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry, Elton John and Vivienne Westwood. This is certainly a rapid and amusing read but it is also unique study of a narrow and fast-changing society. AUTHOR: Geoffrey Munn, OBE, MVO, FSA, FLS, is best known for his work as a jewellery expert on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. Munn began working for Wartski when he was 19, specialising in the jewellery of Fortunato Pio Castellani, Carlo Giuliano and Peter Carl Faberge. He eventually became the managing director of the firm, which is the official jeweller to HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales. SELLING POINTS: . The life and work of Antiques Roadshow presenter and jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn . A witty and star-studded memoir that recounts Munn’s journey from rural England to the heights of the art world . Contains Munn’s encounters with royalty and celebrities, from HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby to Elton John
Reviews
"For our final Coronation special, just before the big day itself, Carol sits down with historian and TV presenter Geoffrey Munn, to discuss precisely what jewels will be part of the Coronation regalia and the history of the event itself." - If Jewels Could Talk podcast "TV jewellery specialist Geoffrey Munn has fond memories of selling to the rich and famous and hunting down lost jewels" - The Sunday Telegraph "Secrets of a Royal jeweller: For five decades GEOFFREY MUNN was the Windsors' go-to man at the jeweller behind Kate's wedding band and jewels worn by The Queen, Princess Margaret and many more." - Mail Online "In this dazzling memoir revealing his encounters with royal and celebrity clients including the Queen Mother, Sir Elton John, Dame Joanna Lumley and Frank Sinatra, Antiques Roadshow presenter and jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn reflects on his stellar career, having spent more than five decades bejewelling some of the biggest names in the world." - Hello! "His is a warm, charming pageturner of an autobiography: from start to finish full of fascinating characters, incredible and amusing anecdotes, self-effacing humour and wry asides, beautifully detailed observations and, of course, stuffed with great nuggets of jewellery and art history." - The Jeweller Magazine Join Geoffrey Munn for breakfast and a talk at the Goldsmiths' Fair, London on Friday, October 6th 2023 - Goldsmiths' Fair Geoffrey will be talking at the Southwold Literary Fair on Sunday, 5th November 2023 - Southwold Literary Fair "An expert on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, his new memoir, A Touch of Gold: The Reminiscences of Geoffrey Munn, includes a chapter on collectors and collecting." - The Antiques Trade Gazette "The Way to Princess Margaret's Heart? Jewelry, of course. An excerpt from a new memoir recalls how an interest in adornment led to an unforgettable royal run-in." - Town & Country "Discover delightful anecdotes from Faberge expert Geoffrey Munn's time at Wartski in 1970s London, featuring encounters with royalty, Hollywood icons, and the pursuit of Imperial Eggs." - The Jewellery Editor "Antiques Roadshow presenter recalls his Sussex schooldays: Jewellery specialist, historian, writer and BBC Antiques Roadshow presenter Geoffrey Munn recalls his Sussex schooldays in his new memoir." - Sussex World "In this colourful and witty narrative, Geoffrey Munn, OBE, MVO, FSA, FLS, best known as a presenter on BBC's Antiques Roadshow, reflects on his career in the London art world, spanning over 50 years." - Arts & Collections magazine "A witty autobiography of Faberge expert and Antiques Road Show jewellery specialist Geoffrey Munn, who arrived in London in the 1970s to work at Wartski, the renowned dealer in Faberge objets d'arts." - The Jewellery Editor
