In his biography, Hagelstam, who became known from Antiikkia Antiikkia, tells how he learned the Finnish language as a war child in Sweden, and how his grandfather’s brother adopted him at the age of 14.
The 82-year-old Hagelstam became familiar with the popular television series *Antiikka Antiikka*, where experts evaluate the monetary value of old objects brought by people in different locations.
The program started in 1997 and was carried out for several years. At its peak, it had around 700,000 viewers, so even the experts who toured Finland were recognized, especially in the provinces.
– Not so much in Helsinki, this is a more anonymous place. But yes, there was a feeling in the small towns that you knew everyone in the town, Hagelstam recalls.
Are antiques a good financial investment?
According to Hagelstam, nowadays it is difficult to define what is meant by antiquity.
– It used to be easier, but nowadays it means a bit of what your grandparents or parents had in their cupboards and warehouses. It encompasses quite a lot and is actually a general word.
But how good an investment is an antique? The antique dealer doesn’t have a clear answer to that, but he gives one instruction: you should be careful when buying.
– I would say that the best deal is made when buying. Then you should be careful. But of course it requires experience and professionalism. I’ve always said that it’s awfully easy to buy, but it’s only when you sell that you realize if it went right.
According to Hagelstam, buying is easy, as long as you put the money on the table, but that’s when you should be strict and know what you want.
And they say you should never ask the merchant if the investment in the item would be profitable.
– If the merchant says it’s worth buying, then it’s not worth buying, Hagelstam laughs.
A Swedish-speaking Finnish child learned Finnish in Sweden
Early childhood experiences included time as a war child in Sweden. Hagelstam went there speaking Swedish, but returned to Finland speaking Finnish. In Sweden, he was in an orphanage with Finnish-speaking children and caregivers. In particular, a boy named Mikko became Hagelstam’s close friend.
– Mother’s father had died earlier and he had been such a decent family support person. And then this bohemian and a lot of world adventurer felt that now it was his turn to take responsibility, and he then started with me.
Hagelstam stayed in his own home and with his own family, but spent time at his adoptive father’s summer place, visited him in Paris and also received a monthly allowance from him.
Hagelstam describes that he learned about different social classes early on.
*Watch the entire Half-past seven interview here:*