Rarities from Greifswald: Bidding war for an 18th century safe!

Rarities from Greifswald: Bidding war for an 18th century safe!

A young couple from Greifswald recently caused a stir in the popular ZDF format “Bares für Rares”. Lisa and Tom Kavelmann had a real treasure with them: an old travel safe that was once inherited from their father. Moderator Horst Lichter, who lightens up the proceedings with his charming demeanor, even had to ask where Greifswald is exactly - an amusing anecdote that shows how far Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is anchored in the national consciousness.

The safe, a beautiful piece of cast iron, dates back to the 18th century. Its fireproof properties and the original key make it a real rarity find. Expert Annika Raßbach estimated the market value of the safe at around 500 to 800 euros, while Lisa expressed a desired price of 400 euros. The dealers' interest was quickly aroused when Wolfgang Pauritsch entered the ring with a bid of 150 euros.

Bidding war for the safe

What followed was a fiery bidding war that viewers watched with excitement. Ultimately, the safe was sold for a whopping 510 euros, and the proceeds will be shared to fill Lisa and her sister's travel budget. Beautiful little stories like these are what have made the “Cash for Rares” format a real hit on German television since its introduction in 2013. Every viewer can find out about the history and value of antiques and perhaps even discover a treasure in the cupboard themselves.

The show has become a staple of pop culture. According to the online magazine Promisklatsch, viewers not only enjoy the sales negotiations, but also the interesting reviews of the objects, which often tell exciting stories. Lisa and Tom's safe wasn't the only special item presented in the last broadcast.

More rarities at “Cash for Rares”

• Ein Vulkanisierkessel, der in Zahnarztpraxen bis in die 1960er Jahre Verwendung fand. Besitzer Karl-Heinz hoffte auf 80 Euro, Expertin Raßbach schätzte ihn jedoch auf bis zu 200 Euro.
• Ein Armband aus 750er Gold mit 0,5-Karat-Diamanten, das für beeindruckende 2.600 Euro den Besitzer wechselte.
• Ein viktorianischer Reisetresor von Henri Bauche wurde ebenfalls für 510 Euro verkauft, was die große Nachfrage nach solchen Raritäten unterstreicht.

Ultimately, such stories have the potential to not only entertain traders but also inspire viewers. Horst Lichter and the team of experts do an excellent job of arousing interest in antiques and conveying their importance. Who knows, maybe a new treasure will soon be found in one of the next editions of “Cash for Rares”?

An interesting change for everyone involved was the humorous exchange between Roman Runkel and Jan Cizek, which lightened the mood and ensured hilarity. The fact that people laugh in such a context is just as typical of the show as the dealers, who are equipped with commercial skills.

“Cash for Rares” definitely has more to offer than just the opportunity to receive sales offers: it is a place for encounters, stories and knowledge about things that have often been waiting in drawers or in attics for a long time. How far such rarities have traveled and what stories they can tell remains part of their fascination.

Read more about the background of the show, the dealers and their favorite pieces Northern Courier, Express and Celebrity gossip.