The great art collectors of the world open their doors in a new series which reveals unseen treasures. Among them is a leading collector of Islamic art – who has amassed 35,000 pieces – England’s foremost collector of Old Masters, and the Manchester businessman who started out selling vacuum cleaners and ended up with 2,500 works by Modern British artists. It has made him one of the world’s top 200 art collectors. Also in the series, a fabulous collection of Venetian glass, images from the dawn of photography, and exquisite pocket watches spanning 300 years.

The great art collectors of the world open their doors in a new series which reveals unseen treasures. Among them is a leading collector of Islamic art – who has amassed 35,000 pieces – England’s foremost collector of Old Masters, and the Manchester businessman who started out selling vacuum cleaners and ended up with 2,500 works by Modern British artists. It has made him one of the world’s top 200 art collectors. Also in the series, a fabulous collection of Venetian glass, images from the dawn of photography, and exquisite pocket watches spanning 300 years.