ANTIQUES ROADSHOW EXPERT CLIVE FARAHAR'S CO-STAR WIFE AND HEARTBREAKING STRUGGLE

Antiques Roadshow's Clive Farahar, the show's first book specialist, has been a part of the popular programme since 1985. Born in 1950, Clive specialises in fine and rare books, manuscripts and literary property.

He lives with his wife Sophie Dupre, who also features as an expert on the BBC show, Clive began his career at Francis Edwards Ltd, one of London's oldest antiquarian booksellers, where he became a partner in 1979.

From selling books on a market stall, he now operates his own business, Clive Farahar Rare Books and Manuscripts, while also writing and lecturing.

But away from the cameras, he's faced crisis including financial struggles and the loss of home, reports Birmingham Live. Clive is happily married to Sophie Dupre, a manuscript specialist who also graces the Antiques Roadshow. The couple share a daughter.

Sophie was previously the head of the autograph department at Francis Edwards Ltd in London before she ventured out to establish her own business, selling autograph letters and manuscripts to institutions and private collectors. She is renowned for her expertise on Royal manuscript material.

But when the pair first got together, things were rough.

Reflecting on the tumultuous times that nearly led to financial ruin, Clive Farahar shared a candid insight with The Bookdealer back in June 1994. He recounted the fateful summer of '76: "Then, in the long hot summer of 1976, I met my wife, Sophie Dupre, the manuscript specialist, and nearly went bankrupt as a result of taking too much time off."

The narrative took a darker turn when Clive Farahar spoke of the 'nasty legal battle' that ensued during his career. After moving to London for a promising partnership at Francis Edwards, things quickly spiralled due to an ill-timed expansion into a recession.

Clive divulged the harrowing details: "I became a partner in Francis Edwards and it was a very exciting time with lots of ideas in the air. In particular, we launched a book investment scheme. Of course, we didn't know at the time that we were expanding into a recession. The money and the books began to run out, and we got to a point where we could no longer manage. The bank gave us a month to carry on trying, but it was no good and the receivers were called in."

The book investment scheme not only strained finances but also embroiled Clive in a bitter legal dispute. He explained the gravity of the situation: "But we also got involved in a nasty legal battle with ABMR when it published an article by Christian Verbeke, containing some rather disparaging remarks about the scheme. The legal costs were enormous on both sides and, in retrospect, I don't think we should have bothered to take up the battle. The scorn of our elders would have disappeared in time."

Clive, while speaking to The Bookdealer, recounted the crushing circumstances following their dismissal from Francis Edwards: "We were also out of a home, having lost the money we had invested in Francis Edwards, most of which had been put up against our house in London. To cut a long story short, we had to get out and moved down to our present house in Calne [Wiltshire] which we were able to buy rather cheaply."

Subsequently, he resurfaced as manager at Francis Edwards before setting up his own venture when the company relocated.

2024-06-26T08:16:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd