Behind the "Bares for Rares" dealer Ludwig Hofmaier lies a sad experience.
Because once his trailer exploded and his belongings burned.
Pulheim – In the world of the popular ZDF flea show “Bares für Rares” there is not always an idyll, despite the good mood and joy about rare antique treasures.
A few eventful years lie behind the former dealer Ludwig “Lucki” Hofmaier (81).
Because in 2019 his mobile home and with it a part of his life went up in flames.
Caravan burned down: "Bares for Rares" star Ludwig Hofmaier narrowly escaped death
Anyone who has tuned in to "Bares für Rares" regularly in recent years knows Ludwig Hofmaier who is always in a good mood and with brightly colored shirts and suspenders.
Born in Bavaria, he was an integral part of the show from 2013 to June 2020 and was able to add many a rare object to his collection.
A year before he left the successful format, however, he suffered a severe stroke of fate.
When Ludwig Hofmaier was traveling on the A8 motorway in May 2019 with his caravan, which he used as a shop and business premises, the vehicle suddenly caught fire. The former Bavarian artistic gymnastics champion was able to park at a service area and escape with his wife from the vehicle, but the car was lost – and because gas bottles were stored in the camper, there were even explosions.
The biggest "Bares for Rares" treasures
Ever since the very first episode of "Bares für Rares" premiered on ZDF on August 3, 2013, the bargain-loving dealers have acquired a few real treasures - at breathtaking prices.
In 2019, Cosima Birk and her daughter Stephanie Huber received 42,000 euros for a piece of jewelery containing splinters of wood from the cross of Jesus Christ.
In 2021, Marlies Fischer received 30,500 euros for a lithograph by the expressionist painter Otto Mueller, of which only 20 exist worldwide.
In the same year, Sabine Riemer was delighted to receive 29,000 euros for a gold-plated drinking vessel from the court of the Russian Empress Catherine the Great.
So you notice: visits to the flea market and rummaging around in the attic pay off.
(Source:
berliner-kurier.de
)
"Life must go on": "Bares for Rares" star Ludwig Hofmaier lost rarities on fire
At that time, the flames not only devoured Ludwig Hofmaier's caravan, but also many of his valuable antiques.
The objects that he had acquired from "Bares for Rares" were not included, but there were rare coins and hand-carved figures.
Speaking on Facebook after the incident, he said: "I'm doing well given the circumstances.
I'm glad I'm still alive.
In terms of health, everything is fine.
Life must go on."
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Terrible experience for "Bares for Rares" star Ludwig Hofmaier: A few years ago his mobile home burned down
© ZDF/Guido Engels;
IMAGO/7aktuell (photomontage)
Collectibles that have been curated for years are lost forever in a fire - a true horror experience for Ludwig Hofmaier.
At least he can now look back on seven exciting years at "Bares for Rares" - and who knows: the next antique treasure might be waiting just around the corner.
Most recently, two brothers at "Bares for Rares" laughed at the dealers and broke off the negotiations.
Sources used:
tz.de, berliner-kurier.de
List of rubrics: © ZDF/Guido Engels;
IMAGO/7aktuell (photomontage)
