During the October 12 episode of the long-running ZDF afternoon program Bares für Rares, expert Dr. Bianca Berding revealed to host Horst Lichter that French luxury brand Hermès originated in Krefeld, Germany, when founder Thierry Hermès was born there as Dietrich Hermes in 1801. Sellers Adrian Koll and Timo Middendorf brought an undamaged Hermès ashtray to the studio, securing an 180 euro sale through dealer Markus Wildhagen after expert valuation estimated the piece between 150 and 200 euros.
Thierry Hermès and the Krefeld Roots
The conversation in the television studio shifted before valuation when Dr. Berding introduced historical background regarding the origins of the prominent French fashion house. Berding explained that the company’s founder entered the world under the name Dietrich Hermes in the German city of Krefeld, noting that the region operated under French rule at the time. That historical governance shift led to the adoption of the French version of his name, Thierry Hermès, before he eventually established the luxury enterprise in Paris.
Host Horst Lichter expressed immediate astonishment at the revelation, prompting the art expert to confirm the historical documentation with an emphatic response. The item brought forward by the two participants from Wermelskirchen was an intact porcelain or ceramic ashtray associated with the luxury label, serving as the physical catalyst for the historical discussion.
Valuation and Studio Negotiations
Sellers Adrian Koll and Timo Middendorf entered the television appraisal segment with a clear financial target for their branded piece, hoping to realize 250 euros for the accessory. However, Dr. Berding noted that similar models appear with some frequency on the secondary market, leading her to establish a more conservative market estimate between 150 and 200 euros.
Dealer Julian Schmitz-Avila initiated the bidding inside the sales room at a modest 50 euros. Active competition pushed the figures upward until Elke Velten-Tönnies placed a bid matching the lower boundary of the expert appraisal at 150 euros. Pointing out that the offer merely touched the bottom tier of the official valuation range, the sellers held out for a higher bid, which prompted Markus Wildhagen to raise the offer to 180 euros and successfully close the transaction.
Format History and Broadcast Context
Broadcast continuously on Germany’s ZDF network since August 2013, Bares für Rares has established itself as one of the network’s most reliable ratings performers in afternoon syndication. Television personality Horst Lichter has anchored the program since its inception, utilizing his distinctive mustache and affable interview style to guide participants through the appraisal and sales process alongside a rotating roster of certified antiquities specialists and professional art dealers.
The program routinely combines antique evaluation with light historical education, drawing regular audiences who watch participants negotiate the market value of inherited goods, estate finds, and specialized collectibles. The appearance by the two Wermelskirchen friends added another verified transaction to the long-running program’s broadcast history while offering viewers an unexpected piece of fashion history regarding one of Europe’s oldest operating luxury design houses.
