Glasgow 49 Flog It!

Scotland has produced an outstanding number of individuals - Lulu, music, Billy Connolly, comedy,

Andy Murray, tennis. The list goes on and on.

And a surprising number of them come from Glasgow. Today Flog It joins that illustrious list.

Straddling the River Clyde, Glasgow's historic shipping industry brought with it great wealth,

reflected in its grand 19th-century architecture, boulevards, monuments and public spaces.

Today's location is the magnificent Kelvingrove,

Glasgow's purpose-built museum and art gallery, first opened in 1901.

It is Scotland's most visited attraction and the most popular museum outside of London in Britain.

That is quite an achievement. Today, hundreds of Glaswegians have brought antiques and collectables

-and all of them want the answer to that all-important question.

-ALL: What's it worth?

Hoping to uncover some treasures to match our magnificent venue are experts Will Axon and James Lewis.

-The line is growing at the back.

-It is.

-See that walking stick?

BAGPIPES PLAY

Our items today cover the full spectrum of human ingenuity and talent, including...

this exquisite early timepiece,

this rare memento from a music legend

and these classic Italian views of Vesuvius.

But which one makes over £1,000 at auction? Stay tuned to find out.

So, Robert, welcome to a spectacular venue,

the Kelvingrove museum. I've never been here before and I'm very impressed. Have you been?

Yeah, many times. I grew up in Glasgow, so I've been many times.

You've brought along today three fishing reels. Are you an angler?

Yes, I used to do a lot of fishing. I've cut back a bit, but still love fishing, anything to do with it.

-So you actually used these at some point?

-No, never.

-Ah! You never used these ones.

-You've got your own more up-to-date kit?

-Yeah.

-10 to 2, isn't it?

-All in the...

-The secret is see when you cast?

Just pause for a second or two and then go forward. You don't go like a whip.

-Lift the line, let it straighten...

-And then get it back in there.

-..then you get it perfect.

-Let's look at these three reels. Probably the best-known name is Hardy.

-Yes.

I've had a quick look and you've got a Hardy here.

-A Hardy St George, I think.

-Yes.

-The Hardy St George.

They were based in Northumberland and what we had was the landed gentry from south of the border

making their way up to the wilds of Scotland for hunting and fishing.

-And they would call in to Hardy's on the way.

-And get their equipment.

-Stock up. exactly.

And then take it off to Scotland. They were perfectly positioned.

So we've got a Hardy. That's good.

-Then I think I noticed a mark on another one there. Glasgow.

-That's a Glasgow reel maker.

-Yeah, Horton.

-I've never really heard of them.

-But again a good solid reel there.

A bit of local connection. And this one, we can't find a mark.

-It's probably a secondary reel.

-Sure.

-A spare reel in the angling kit, as it were.

-We've got to come down to value.

-Yeah.

-I'm thinking

that the Hardy is probably going to be worth about £100, £150.

Mm-hm.

-Then you're probably looking at maybe £50-£80 on that one.

-Mm-hm.

And a bit less on this one. Totting them all together, you've got a couple of hundred pounds.

-Better than lying in the cupboard.

-You're my kind of man, Robert.

-I'll put a reserve on them for you. Reserve them at £200 and I'll see you at the sale room.

-Great. Thanks.

Now from something from the early 2th century to a collectable that's a lot more up-to-date.

-David, I have to tell you, this is a real Thriller.

-It's a beauty!

-Sorry. I couldn't resist it.

-I was going to say, "Is it Bad?"

-Dangerous?

-It's a great thing to have on Flog It.

-Thank you so much.

-A powerful image.

It's great to see it signed. What's the story?

My wife and I, after 30 years in the army, moved down south to Hampshire.

In a little village called Brown Candover. I was a great fan of Michael Jackson's.

I heard the Dangerous tour was cancelled. He was wanting to get away for a wee bit of a break.

So he came to live in this little valley where we were working.

We befriended a Portuguese couple who lived across the road.

They approached me one day saying, "I won't see you for two weeks. We have some VIPs coming here

-"and I've signed this secrecy document not to say who it is."

-It was him?!

-Michael Jackson.

I didn't know at the time, but Tony said to him, "David and Jennie love your music

"and have been unable to see you." He said, "I'll sign this for them."

This was a photograph I got from Michael as well, taken with Tony's friends.

This was his family.

-How amazing.

-Isn't it? This is 20 years ago. It's absolutely fantastic.

-Well, where to start with this? I've sold a lot of Michael Jackson memorabilia in the past.

-Yeah.

Now a Michael Jackson signed poster, it's got a great image,

it's a fantastic size. And, in a way, one of the things that makes it genuine

-is the fact that it's signed and personalised to you.

-Yes.

-But...that is against it in terms of value.

-Of course it is.

Because not everybody wants a Michael Jackson signature with David written on the front.

So what's it worth? It's important to put that story in the catalogue.

-Really?

-Of when and where it was done.

-Uh-huh.

-And how.

-Right.

-Keep it simple.

-Uh-huh. OK.

It's something that I think is worth £300-£500.

-Fantastic. Absolutely.

-Let's give it the chance.

-Absolutely, James.

-Thanks.

And that's all you can ask for from the King of Pop.

Now it's Irene with some classic 1930s porcelain.

Quite a piece you've brought in. Very showy, with the gilding and the scrolls and so on.

-What do you know about it?

-It's a Royal Worcester fruit dish.

-Spot on. Is it something you bought?

-No, no, it's come through my husband's side of the family.

We don't know much about it. It always sat on the sideboard and was always full of fruit.

-Excellent use for it.

-When my mother-in-law died in the year 2000, it came to our house

-and it sits in the hallway on a console table.

-Very nice.

Don't throw your car keys in it! That's how you get the damage.

Collectors of this type of ware, this Royal Worcester, they're quite a fussy lot.

-They're very keen to make sure that all the gilding is in good order.

-There's no chips.

-That's the main thing. Beautifully painted, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-All done by hand.

-I know. It's lovely.

-And this is Kitty Blake, the artist.

-We've got a nice signature here. And her speciality was the berries.

-Yes.

Apparently Kitty was a livewire and she would never be seen without red lipstick and a cigarette.

-Oh, good.

-Sign of the times, isn't it? It's come from your mother-in-law.

-Is it something you like?

-Yes, we do like it. We actually do.

-So what's the reason for bringing it along today?

-We've got quite a number of items at home.

-I know my daughter wouldn't want any of the items we have.

-Not her thing.

-"Oh, put that in the skip."

-Get her to give us a call!

-So that's why we're doing it.

Unfortunately, on most occasions we have to say, "Look, these pieces aren't terribly commercial."

But in this instance, you've ticked a few boxes.

You've got a good factory, it's collected, people are out there looking for pieces. It's signed

by an artist who's known, so I was going to suggest to you that a sensible estimate

-is going to be that £200-£300 mark. Does that fit in with your thoughts?

-Yes, it does.

OK, good, good. So let's reserve the piece. Stick that reserve at £200?

-Or 250, no?

-You can't have it higher than the bottom estimate.

-OK.

-What I'll say is we'll fix it at 200.

-OK.

-But I'm pretty certain you won't have to take it home.

-Good.

-I'm sure we're going to find a new home for it.

-Good.

That dish is a composite of craftsmanship, a real little gem.

Surrounded by hundreds of people and hundreds of antiques,

I don't know what to look at next, but our experts do.

They have now found their first three items to take off to auction and there's some real gems there.

Here's a quick recap of all the items going under the hammer.

There's no shortage of anglers in these parts and Robert's fishing reels should have a wide appeal.

Pop memorabilia is never easy to value, but David's story adds valuable provenance

to his Michael Jackson poster.

And in perfect condition and with all the requisite ID,

Irene's Worcester fruit dish is a sparkling little gem.

For our sale, we're in the West End at Great Western Auctions.

It's antique and general sale today. There should be a lot of interest.

Let's go inside and soak up the atmosphere. And here's our auctioneer, Anita Manning!

But time is of the essence and we've got a lot to get through.

Anita heads straight to the rostrum. I've just been joined by Robert and Will and three fishing reels.

One's a Hardy, the Rolls Royce of reels.

-Now you are a keen angler.

-Yes.

-And I know you fly fish a lot.

-What's the biggest fish you ever caught?

-Probably...

-Salmon?

-An eight-pound salmon.

-My biggest fish is a five-pound carp.

-Good work!

Yeah. Let's test the breaking strain with these reels. Going under the hammer right now.

-I can start the bidding at...

-Come on.

£150.

We need someone to help it up.

Any advance on 150? 160.

170. 180. 190. 200.

210. 220. 230.

It's on the books

at £230.

-Commission bids.

-He's not here - he's fishing!

All done at 230? All done at 230? 230.

-That's it. £230.

-Good.

-Yeah? Pleased with that?

-I'm giving it to charity anyway.

-Oh, are you? Which charity?

-Do tell us.

-It's going to go to Tear Fund.

-It will go a long way.

-Excellent.

-Thank you very much.

-Thanks. Nice talking to you.

A great start, but now for a change of tempo.

Going under the hammer we have some pop memorabilia for Michael Jackson fans.

A signed poster belonging to David, who's standing next to me now.

The story behind this poster is fabulous. £300-£500 on this.

Let's find out what the bidders here in Glasgow think. Going under the hammer right now.

Signed by Michael for David and his wife Jennie.

What can we say? Michael Jackson, iconic figure of the 20th century.

£500? 500?

300?

Will you start me at £200?

150, then.

150 bid. 160. 170.

180. 190.

£190.

200. 220.

240. 260.

280. I'll take 10. 290.

300.

£300.

With you, sir, at £300.

Good.

-That's a very good price.

-With your name on it.

All done at 300? 300.

-Anita's done really well.

-I was a bit bullish with the estimate.

I'm a bit of a Michael Jackson fan and got all excited. She did well.

Close, but it's gone. Next up, Irene's Worcester dish.

-I know your daughter wanted this to go where?

-In a skip!

-Royal Worcester in a skip?! Doesn't sound right.

-Shocking.

The youth of today!

-I think it's got everything the collectors are looking for.

-Hopefully, they're here right now.

-We can't do any more.

-It's all down to Anita and the bidders.

We're handing over to Anita on the rostrum.

530 is the Royal Worcester oval comport. It's painted by Kitty Blake

who was one of the most prestigious Worcester paintresses.

And I can start the bidding at...

£180.

We're only one bid away.

190. 200 with me.

-210. 220.

-A telephone bidder.

-230. 240.

-And a commission bid.

-250. 260.

-It's creeping up.

270. 280.

With pieces like this, they can phone up, they know the model number. All they need to know

is the condition and then they're happy to bid away.

-330. 340 with me.

-Looking good.

- The bid's on the books. - It's 340.

At £340 for the Kitty Blake. Any advance on 340? All done at 340?

-340.

-That's a good result.

-Yes.

-That's a very good result.

-It's a very good result.

There you are. That's the end of our first visit to the auction room. Lots of happy faces.

Welcome back to Kelvingrove and one of their magnificent exhibits - the Supermarine Spitfire,

first introduced into the RAF in 1939 and, alongside the Hawker Hurricane, played a major role

in winning the Battle of Britain.

From the heroes of the skies, it's time we swooped down on our experts to see what they're up to.

Now James has spotted something we don't see every day.

Norman, Flog It is not normally somewhere where I see a lot of oil paintings.

I guess mainly for the reason that they're easy to put a hole in

and there's a hole! That hasn't been put in today?

-No, some time ago.

-Good. They're not framed, which indicates that they're not on the wall.

No, they were hanging on the wall when my parents had them.

-I got them about 35 years ago from my mother.

-So they're family pieces.

-Were either of your parents fans of Italy?

-Not particularly, no.

I think it was just a fad that she liked them and bought them.

We know it's Vesuvius. And do you know that scene?

-I'm imagining that's looking at Capri.

-Yeah.

-The other way over.

-Absolutely.

Here's the signature down at the bottom right and then bottom left.

Giuseppe Carelli. A well-known artist.

Well known for painting subjects exactly as these.

Vesuvius erupting is probably the most common scene of any Italian picture

-in existence. They are everywhere.

-That figures.

So they're not rare scenes, but they are well painted.

-And the artist is a very well-known artist.

-Right.

-They're a bit grubby, a little tear.

-I didn't dare touch them!

But these, without question, are paintings that will attract a lot of interest on the telephone.

-Right.

-Any ideas of value?

It would be a total guess. £500.

That's a very educated guess, that one, I think.

They need a little bit of work. And a clean. They would come up beautifully.

So I think £500 is probably not what they make. I think £500 is what we should put on as a reserve,

-at the bottom end.

-OK.

-And £500-£800, I should think.

They might even make £1,000 or above. So I think they'll do well.

-And fingers crossed the right people are on the phones and internet.

-That would be rather nice.

I agree with James. They have potential with a capital P.

Richard, you've brought along an eclectic mix here, all in silver.

-Is this a collection you've accumulated yourself?

-No, it's stuff that's been in the family.

My mother collected some stuff. The small box is one of her pieces.

The card case belonged to an aunt, my mother's sister.

-The cigarette box belonged to my father.

-Right.

-When he smoked.

-And this is a small collection of silver threepennies.

-Right, OK.

Let's go through the pieces in turn. I'll have a look at this three pence holder.

Unscrew the top here.

I can see the date there. 1909.

People will obviously think that sometimes coins aren't worth a great deal, maybe their face value.

But when you get coins of this date, sort of pre-1921,

-the silver content of the actual coin is quite high.

-Uh-huh.

There's a bit of weight there and silver's sold by weight.

It's worth keeping these in the lot, but they won't generate as much interest as the other pieces.

Just put those to one side and concentrate here.

You've got the silver cigarette case. Early 20th century,

first quarter 20th century, looking at the decoration.

-It seems to have had a hard life.

-It's been used!

-Well used.

Bar what they're worth as per their weight,

they don't really have much commercial value.

The next one down, we've got this wonderfully engraved, very typical of the time

calling card case.

What I like about it is the shape, similar to hip flasks.

-Yes.

-Again, not a particularly rare thing, but nice, clean, good example.

Then from your mother's sister to your mother herself.

-Do you know what these are called?

-Vignette?

-A little vinaigrette.

-Vinaigrette.

-That's right.

-Vinaigrette.

By far the oldest piece on the table. This is late 19th century,

-but this is about 1816, I believe. So it's got some age to it.

-Quite old.

And what it was, you'd have a little sponge in that second section and that was scented with perfumes.

If one was walking past, say, a less respectable part of town,

where the gutters weren't as well-kept or managed as maybe uptown was,

then the ladies would hold this to their nose and instead of taking in the fumes from the sewers,

they would be taking in the delectable sweetness of the perfume.

-You can close it and that would retain the scent inside.

-Yes.

They're not particularly rare. You do see them a lot, but as a good, standard vinaigrette,

-it's probably got to be worth up to £100 on its own.

-Oh?

-Most of the value is in it.

The cigarette case, not huge money because of the condition. I think that'll be weighed in.

Then the little card case. A good, clean example. And the threepence pieces.

So I'm going to put a valuation on of about £100, £150. That sort of level.

I don't know how you feel.

-Yes, that sounds quite good.

-Good.

Now the hard work is all down to Anita to wield her gavel and knock it down at a couple of hundred quid!

-That would be great.

-Exactly.

Now is that a twinkle of excitement in James's eye?

In these modern days of technology, it's so easy. Look anywhere and you'll see a clock.

On your wrist, on the wall, on your mobile phone.

But in the 18th century, it was far more complicated.

You'd have the sun dial in the market square or your back garden,

but a gentleman of some standing would have something like this.

John Butterfield, when he was working in Paris in the late 17th century, around 1680, 1690,

invented the Butterfield dial. And that is what we have here.

The idea is that we have this little section here which works in the same way as a sundial.

You lift that up so that it points directly into the air, at a right angle,

and you use the compass to point it in the right direction.

And you will see that it casts a shadow over the time.

But this isn't a piece of equipment that you could travel around with because the angle of the gnomon

is particular to the angle of longitude of the town that you're in.

-So obviously your family weren't travellers.

-No, I'm the only one who's really travelled abroad.

I'm over here four months of the year and I live in the States the other eight.

-What took you over to the States?

-A man! My husband.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

-But your heart's still here.

-Always! My heart is in Scotland.

How wonderful. Let's have a look at this.

-The lovely thing also is that it is in its original fitted case.

-Oh.

-Have you never taken it out?

-Never.

OK, well, you can have the pleasure of this.

OK, fold the gnomon flat.

And turn it over.

-Wow!

-Can you read it?

-No!

Simon...Beauvais. Maker.

So some time,

probably...300 years ago, approximately,

Simon Beauvais was sitting in his little workshop making this.

-Wow.

-For a gentleman probably with a long, curly wig

and a velvet jacket.

And it contains in this lovely little case.

So...do you know what it's worth?

-Absolutely no idea.

-If I said £60-£100,

-would that be all right for you?

-Yeah. Well...

-That would be the wrong decision.

You shouldn't say yes!

-It's worth £300-£500.

-Wow!

-It's a good little thing.

-It's a lovely little thing.

-Let's see if we can read it.

What time does that say?

Auction time!

What a wonderful day we've had at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery,

a place packed full of fine art and antiques. Our experts have now made their final choices.

We've found antiques for auction, so it's time to say goodbye to Kelvingrove as we head off.

Here's a quick recap of all the items going under the hammer.

With some TLC, these classic Italian seascapes would add continental flair to any wall.

Richard's super little silver selection has a wide appeal and I'm sure will be snapped up.

And Jane's sundial would not be out of place in the museum. A superb example of an early timepiece.

Back at the auction, Anita's been taking a closer look at the Italian paintings.

-Anita, the sale is looking fabulous.

-Yes!

-Absolutely fabulous. So much fine art.

I can see our two Carelli oils. Are they well viewed?

Our website has been very busy. They have been viewed worldwide.

OK, James has put £500-£800 on them. Have you found out anything more? Any more research?

I was a wee bit worried when they came in. They looked like the typical 19th century

-tourist pictures that were sold in the harbour.

-Sure.

Signed Carelli, but Carelli is a very popular Italian name, so I looked at them.

We had Giuseppe Carelli, Gino Carelli...

-Right. So you're not sure?

-I'm not.

So what I've done is I've sat on the fence a little bit. I've catalogued it as G Carelli.

-You think £500-£800 is still a good opening gambit?

-£500-£800.

I'm happy enough with it at this point. They could go further.

James has said all he can and so has Will. It's now down to you to get the top end of the estimates!

-I'll do my very best - and enjoy it!

-That's the tricky bit.

Giuseppe, Giorgio or Gino - we'll find out later.

First up, though, it's one for the purists.

If the sun were shining, we could tell the time with this lot. The sundial belongs to Jane.

It's exquisite. I know James fell in love with it.

What a thing. It's the best thing not only on the show today, but in the whole sale room.

-Exactly what I was going to say! I absolutely love it.

-I can't say any more about it.

-It's just divine.

-If the rules weren't that we can't bid...

-I'd be bidding against you.

It would be us two fighting over it!

-Here we go.

-This is it.

-A little Butterfield brass pocket sundial.

£600?

400? Will you start me at 300?

200? 200 bid.

It's on the floor at 200.

220. 240. 260. 300.

-320.

-Sold.

-350.

Two bidders down the front.

350. 350.

380.

Any advance on 380? 400, back in.

-Come on.

-At £400.

It's with you, sir, at £400.

Any advance on 400? All done at 400?

400.

-£400.

-£400. It's gone.

-Bang in the middle.

-Ah, it's gone.

-Are you happy?

-Yes, yes.

-Whoo!

There is commission to pay on that, but put that towards something that you will treasure.

Sometimes it's hard to sit on your hands and that was definitely one of those occasions.

Next up, a cracking item - a collection of silver. It belongs to Richard.

It's a nucleus for anybody's collection. Not a lot of money, but a lot of silver there.

-The thing that caught my eye was the little threepence holder.

-Yes.

-There's about 60?

-57.

I didn't count them! Let's put it to the test right now.

A very nice little mixed lot there. I can start the bidding at...

-I can start at £100.

-Straight in.

-Straight in and sold.

110. I'll take it from the floor. 110. 120. 130. 140. 150.

160. 170. 180. 190. 200. 210.

220. 230. 240.

-Here we go.

-240.

-This is more like it.

-240.

-More commissions.

At £240. I'm out as well. Commission bids out.

At 240. Are you all done at 240?

-Excellent. Well done.

-£240. No messing about there, was there?

Now we'll put those Italian oils under the hammer. We all love them. G Carelli or Giuseppe?

-Anita has catalogued them, as we saw earlier, as G Carelli because she's not sure.

-OK.

-They're Giuseppe.

-Well, I hope they are.

-We'll see, won't we?

-Yes.

-If they make above estimate, then they are.

-We're looking at £500-£800.

-I've got a lot of confidence. And my valuation was conservative, I thought.

-I'm with you!

Fingers crossed. They're going under the hammer right now. Keep watching.

G Carelli.

Fishing boats in the Bay of Naples.

A pair of oil on canvas. I'm holding bids on the books.

-I can start the bidding at £400.

-Straight in.

Look how many phone lines are booked. All lined up.

I have two bids.

420. 450.

I'm letting it loose. 480. Jennifer was in first. 480.

-They're worth more than that.

-500. With Paul.

I'll have 50. 550.

-What do you reckon? 12?

-Somewhere around 12.

-600.

650. 700.

-750.

-I think it's Giuseppe, don't you?

-Now 800.

-It would be nice to see over £1,000.

-850.

-This looks promising.

-Very promising!

950.

-- 1,000.

-There's 1,000.

-- Oh, dear!

1,050.

-Claire's out, Paul's out.

-Think about it!

-Come back to us.

-1,100.

1,150.

1,200.

Very good. There's the 12.

-1,250.

-That's what I thought it was going to make.

-1,300.

-Oh, it's made more.

-1,300. It's with Claire. Claire's the last phone left.

At £1,300. 1,300.

All done at 1,300? 1,300.

-Yes! Sold - 1,300. Put it there!

-Well done.

-Fabulous.

-Thank you very much.

Good call, both of you. And the wife's here as well.

I know she enjoyed that moment. We certainly did. Worth waiting for.

I hope you enjoyed the show. We've run out of time from Glasgow. Thanks to Anita and our experts.

See you again next time for many more surprises.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd