John Bly

John Bly has been an antique dealer since 1956, and is one of the world's leading authorities on antique English furniture. His family firm, John Bly Antiques, has been in Tring, Hertfordshire, UK, since the beginning of the 19th century, and was formally established by his grandfather in 1891. Bly was born on 27th May 1939, married Virginia Fisher in 1967, and has two sons. Educated at Berkhamsted School, John Bly is also a Lecturer, TV presenter, public speaker, restorer, valuer, fund raiser, editor and columnist. He was the presenter of the TV series, Looking At Antiques 1971-72, had his own show for Anglia TV 'Heirloom' 1975-92, fronted BBC Crimewatch 'Alladin's Cave' 1984-89, BBC2 Heirs and Graces 1989-90, and was Furniture Specialist on BBC Antiques Roadshow 1979-2018 and BBC4 Secret Knowledge 2013. His own production company, Posh Films with Lady Victoria Leatham, was responsible for the highly acclaimed networked two-part TV programme 'Treasure Houses of Britain'. As a columnist; Antiques Monthly (USA) 1975-82, and from 1989-2001 had Q & A weekly features in the Saturday Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday and The Lady. Contributes to magazines including Collectors' Guide, Antique Collecting, Chic Chat and lifestyle magazines including networked Fishmedia Group 2007- . John Bly's lectures include Dupont Winterthur Museum; Art Institute of Chicago; University of Birmingham, Alabama; New York Historical Society; Palm Beach Historical Society; San Francisco Historical Society; Museum of Art, Milwaukee; Governor's Mansion, Springfield Illinois; Key West Museum; Rosary College, Chicago; Temple Sinai Sisterhood, New Orleans; Galesburg University, Illinois; V & A Museum, London; and visiting lecturer on cruise ships. His publications are Discovering Hallmarks on English Silver 1969, 3rd edition 2000; Discovering English Furniture 1971, 3rd edition 2010, Japanese edition 1993; Discovering Victorian and Edwardian Furniture 1973 (edited and compiled); Is It Genu