Antique Quest Chronicles: A Matching Miners Lamp Found at Talbot House Antique Center

In this episode of Antique Quest Chronicles, my journey takes me to Dorking's historic West Street, home to a cluster of antique shops and the renowned Talbot House Antique Center. Amidst a series of challenges—including a missed train and high-priced treasures—I uncover a matching brass miner's lamp to pair with a find from Hungerford.

A missed train, an unexpected hitchhike, and a hunt through Dorking’s antique haven led to an extraordinary discovery. Join me as I explore Talbot House Antique Center and secure a rare matching miner’s lamp with a fascinating connection to South Wales’ coal mining history. A true treasure for collectors and history enthusiasts alike!

In the previous chapter of the Antique Quest Chronicles, I recounted my hunt in Hungerford. Like all antique hunters, I had high hopes for a profitable journey, but sometimes hope alone isn't enough. While the items I found in Hungerford would just about cover the trip’s expenses and leave me with a small profit, I had a full day ahead of me to explore further. I needed to find another location with a good concentration of antique shops to ensure the trip would be worthwhile. Crucially, the town had to be en route to Gatwick Airport, where my flight awaited later that evening.

Using the method I detailed in The Art of Planning a Successful Antique Treasure Hunt, I pinpointed my next destination: the small town of Dorking. Known for its West Street, lined with numerous antique shops, Dorking seemed promising. With my plan in place, I purchased train tickets and embarked on the second leg of my quest.

A Detour to Betchworth: A Missed Stop and a Serendipitous Ride

The train journey from Hungerford to Dorking (Deepdene) involved two changes—one at Newbury and another at Reading. As the train approached my final stop, I was busy checking the route on my phone from the station to Dorking’s West Street. Absorbed in the map, I completely missed my stop and soon realized I was on my way to the next station: Betchworth.

Upon stepping off the train in Betchworth, my immediate concern was finding the next train back to Dorking. My heart sank when I saw the display board—there wouldn’t be another train for an hour. With my evening flight looming, I couldn’t afford such a delay. Hitchhiking became my only option, but I wasn’t even sure which direction to head.

I asked the station master for help, and he pointed me toward the road where cars headed into Dorking. He did warn me, though, that hitchhiking success was unlikely. Fortunately, he was wrong.

Not far from the station, I noticed two women standing by a car. I approached them politely and asked if they could give me a ride into town. To my relief, they kindly agreed. During the short ten-minute drive, we had a warm and engaging conversation about my journey, my passion for antiques, and how I’d ended up stranded in the middle of nowhere. They also told me that Dorking, like Hungerford, was a wealthy area—a detail I dreaded hearing, as it likely meant high prices at the antique shops.

Soon enough, they dropped me off at the heart of West Street, and my antique hunt resumed.

Exploring Dorking: A Town Steeped in History

Dorking is a small market town located 34 km (21 miles) south of London. Its name suggests Anglo-Saxon origins, and over the centuries, the town has expanded, attracting affluent residents and businesses. Notably, the famous writer Daniel Defoe spent part of his childhood here, and the Dorking breed of domestic chicken takes its name from the town.

The Hunt Continues: Challenges and Discoveries on West Street

I started my hunt with enthusiasm, visiting three or four antique shops in quick succession. Unfortunately, my fears about high prices were confirmed. Many items were priced so steeply that there was no room for resale profit if I were to bring them back to the continent. In one shop, I came across a remarkable camera obscura dating back to before 1870, but with a price tag of £80, there simply wasn’t any margin left for resale. In another shop, I found beautifully hand-painted playing cards—three separate sets, each a work of art—but none of them was complete, missing the full 52 cards and the two jokers. Regretfully, I had to leave them behind. Feeling discouraged, I pressed on.

Eventually, I stepped into Talbot House Antique Centre, a four-story Georgian townhouse run by Joanne Pickend. The center boasts over 50 dealers offering a diverse selection of art, antiques, and collectibles. To my delight, the prices here were pleasantly lower than those I had encountered in Hungerford—a surprising and welcome change. Talbot House Antique Centre has even been featured in several antiques television programs, adding to its reputation as a must-visit spot for collectors.

I was warmly greeted upon entering and began exploring. The selection was impressive—many unique pieces caught my eye. However, most were either too large for my already-packed backpack or of such high quality and price that they exceeded my budget for this journey.

A Miner’s Treasure: The Perfect Find

On the third floor of the antique center, I spotted something remarkable: a brass miner’s lamp identical to the one I had found earlier in Hungerford. What a discovery! A matching pair of items is always worth more than a single piece.

This particular brass paraffin lamp was used by the British Coal Miners Company in Wales, specifically at the Aberaman Colliery. The history of the colliery adds to the lamp’s value:

• Founded: Aberaman Colliery was established in 1845 by Crawshay Bailey.
• Historical Significance: In 1866, the colliery was acquired by the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company and became home to South Wales' first Mines Rescue Station in 1909.
• Nationalization: After decades of operation, the colliery was nationalized in 1947 and ceased operations in 1965.

A lamp like this typically fetches around €93 on the market. I was thrilled with my find.

Learn more and make it yours today!

At the cash desk, I asked for a discount and was delighted to be offered 10% off for paying in cash. The lady at the counter was curious when I mentioned that I already had another matching miner’s lamp in my backpack, but as it was a busy day, we didn’t have time for a longer chat. The lamp was carefully bubble-wrapped, and I placed it in my bag, nestled alongside my other treasures.

Wrapping Up: A Race to Gatwick

After hours of exploring Dorking’s antique shops, I realized it was time to head to Gatwick Airport. With my flight looming - and the certainty of another manual inspection of my hand luggage due to its weight - I couldn’t afford to linger.

A short train ride from Dorking (Deepdene) station brought me to the airport, marking the end of my South England antique quest.

Next Stop: The Black Sea

In the next episode of Antique Quest Chronicles, I’ll take you to the pearl of the Black Sea—the stunning tourist city of Varna. Along with its sunny weather and seaside charm, I discovered three antique shops with valuable treasures. Until then, happy hunting!