Meet our experts

Nick Mellors has worked in antiques since the early 1980s and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Vintage Cash Cow. Leading the team of product experts, Nick is on hand to train, advise and inform his teams to ensure every customer gets a specialised and fair price. 

“I joined Neale’s fine art auction house in Nottingham as a trainee auctioneer and value in 1983, and later completed a professional qualification at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

 Following 16 years of auctioneering, I took over an antique warehouse in Newark which was a real buzz.All of this eventually led me here to Vintage Cash Cow. I really love seeing all the lovely antiques that come through the door from people across the country, my favourite moments are those when I get to appraise a unique antique I haven’t come across before.”

 

Watch expert, Andy has over 20 years of experience working in the world of watches and clocks.

“What I love about working with vintage watches is seeing all of the rare and unique pieces. My personal favourite? You can't beat a classic, vintage Rolex.”

Annie is heading up a team of people and together they identify mounds of metals, particularly gold.

“Before working at VCC, I was a jewellery specialist at a jewellers for four years, and during this time, I fell in love with Edwardian style and mourning jewellery. If your item looks like it's made from gold, I'd love to see it. The best pieces tend to be older and feature exceptional craftsmanship. Don't worry if it has no hallmark; we have a special XRF gun to decipher every metal's elemental makeup."

 

Fascinated by antiques - silverware in particular, Joanna has over 10 years of experience in the antiques and reselling world. 

“Working for Vintage Cash Cow is a dream come true, especially being able to handle such incredible pieces - a personal highlight was an antique Cartier desk calendar. Working with such an incredible team, and inspirational experts like Antony and Nick - as well as the wider team who are all totally incredible in their own fields.

 

Steve has one of the largest personal medals collections in the country, so it goes without saying that he has acquired a vast knowledge of their history and worth. Moreover, he is able to estimate their value at a glance. 

“I was first introduced to medals and war memorabilia as a young child, I had several aunties and uncles who served during the war so I heard many stories and saw many items that were actually brought back from the war. Some of those items are now a part of my collection. 

Medals and Militaria are more than just items to me, sadly most of the people who owned them are gone, and their stories are gone too. So their stories and memories can live on through their items. My favourite pieces are  WW2 RAF medals- Bomber command medals from pilots and aircrew.”

 

Sky's love of jewellery began at a young age after discovering her relative's costume jewellery at home. She hasn't looked back since.

“I was always interested in the colours and textures of the costume jewellery in my house as a child, which stayed with me as I grew up and has developed into a life-long career. One of my favourite things about working at Vintage Cash Cow is seeing such a large variety of costume jewellery, be it jade, amber, pearls, sapphire or bakelite - no two days are the same."

 

Nick's interest in coins started at a young age when he would decorate his bedroom with sequences of consecutive-year pennies. Since then, Nick has spent his career working with antiques, collectables and old coins.

“I studied ancient coins at University where I learned how to read and interpret symbolism through my degree in Classical Civilisation and English. I love how old banknotes can tell us so much about sociology, culture history and geography. A personal highlight at Vintage Cash Cow would have to be offering a customer over £5000 for their coin collection - and having them accept it!”

 

Camera expert and photographer Mia has over 8 years of experience working with cameras, but it all started when as a child she won the Young Photographer of the Year prize. 

“I have always loved taking photos, from a young age and won the I won ‘Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year, which inspired me to study photography at Leeds University and understand much more about film, photography and different types of cameras and formats."

What excites me about the cameras that we see come through Vintage Cash Cow is, despite the incredible amount of cameras that we receive each week, I still get completely excited when I see something new or rare or even in a really nice condition. Days when I can sit and test the SLR cameras are my favourite because I’m so interested in the mechanics and I find it surprisingly therapeutic."

 

Qualified Gemologist and diamond grader, Karen’s love of jewellery began at a young age when her friend introduced her to the world of Geology. 

“I was absolutely fascinated with gemstones and rocks and the different colours and shapes of the earth’s beauty. I just had to know more about them. Which led me to study with Gem-A and become a gemologist. One of my favourite things about working at Vintage Cash Cow is seeing such a large variety of jewellery, from Victorian antiques to branded Tiffany’s and Hermes right up to everyday costume jewellery from all over the world. It’s incredible.”

• Gemologist & Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain (FGA)
• Diamond grader (DGA) Diploma Diamond Course with Gem-A

Stevie has worked with vintage items for the past 25 years and it's only fitting he's our electronic games expert, as his birth coincides with the introduction of them to the market. 

"I've been into it since I was around 4 and my passion slowly grew to become my career. Being to see the value in this stuff, and make it into my actual job is my career highlight. Nostalgia is a powerful beast. 

I like all the weird and wonderful items. The God hand on the PS2 and Deadly Premonition (a more bizarre Japanese version of Twin Peaks) also on the PS2 are among my favourite vintage gaming pieces."

 

"Self-confessed toy lover, Emma has over 10 years working in the antique industry. Her passion for old toys and games knows no bounds.

“I never really grew out of playing with toys. What’s not to love about sparking that sense of nostalgia when finding something from your childhood?"

 

Nick Mellors has worked in antiques since the early 1980s and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Vintage Cash Cow. Leading the team of product experts, Nick is on hand to train, advise and inform his teams to ensure every customer gets a specialised and fair price. 

“I joined Neale’s fine art auction house in Nottingham as a trainee auctioneer and value in 1983, and later completed a professional qualification at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Following 16 years of auctioneering, I took over an antique warehouse in Newark which was a real buzz.All of this eventually led me here to Vintage Cash Cow. I really love seeing all the lovely antiques that come through the door from people across the country, my favourite moments are those when I get to appraise a unique antique I haven’t come across before.”