Harvey Cash in the Attic

Welcome to Cash In The Attic,

programme that helps you search out those hidden treasures in your home and then sell them at auction.

Today I'm in North London and I stopped off to enjoy this rather splendid Georgian country house.

Hendon Hall was built in 1756 and is believed to have been the home of David Garrick,

the famous 18th-century actor and manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

After a number of years as a school, the hall was turned into a luxury hotel,

and it was here that the England football squad stayed in 1966, the night before winning the World Cup.

Well, let's hope we'll be able to find antiques and collectables

which will give a star performance when they go under the hammer at auction.

Today on Cash In The Attic, it's family affair. What a team! Mother and daughter, already hard at work.

With girls who aren't afraid to speak their mind.

-I think it's worth a lot more.

-50 quid?!

I know what Swarovski crystals cost if you have to buy something.

At the auction, Jonty is almost lost for words.

-500!

-HE GASPS

-My word!

Find out why when today's collectables go under the hammer.

I'm off to meet a fashion-conscious,

hard-working mother and daughter who've called in the team

to help them raise money because they think it's time they had a bit of pampering.

Christine and her daughter Jo have collected many antiques over the years.

Now their home is packed with a wide variety of items, so it should be a very interesting day.

Morning, Jonty.

-What are you doing up there?

-A bit taller than you for a change.

I'm glad to see you looking really dapper today, because we're about to meet two ladies who are designers.

-Good. I hope they've got some stylish antiques.

-I'm sure they will. Let's see what they've got.

Christine, Jo, what a team! Mother and daughter.

Already hard at work. So why have you called in Cash In The Attic?

I'd like to declutter because I have so much stuff. I'm getting too old for dusting every day.

Have you earmarked some stuff?

The things I like have been put away, but there are some nice bits that can still go.

What are you going to spend the money on?

Health farm, massage, treatments.

Body, face, the lot. Hair, nails.

And how much do you reckon it'll cost?

If we get £500, I'll be happy.

It takes more than fingers crossed to raise £500, it takes "Roll up your sleeves and let's get to work",

-so why don't we do just that?

-All right.

-Let's go.

Christine's treasures will keep us busy rummaging all day.

But to be sure the girls enjoy their luxury pampering experience, we have to make £500.

Jonty's the first to find something worth admiring, amongst a glorious collection of glass.

-Jonty. Christine and Jo.

-Hi.

-Hi.

That's a handsome-looking jug, Christine.

-Where did that come from?

-I was engaged to a guy that lasted three days, from Sunday to Tuesday.

He told me I could keep the ring, and I thought, I don't want to wear his ring, so I took it to the shop.

I said, "I don't want any money but I want to take goods to the value of the ring."

This is a claret jug and they usually come in this style.

They usually have a cut-glass base,

and more often than not you get silvered tops to them,

in varying styles, and that is how you can date them, by looking at the design they've used,

usuallyb on the top.

Looking at the style of this, this has a very 19th century feel,

but I believe it just to be a bit later than that.

I would suspect that this claret jug would be made in the 1920s.

Because it's not silver, we're looking a figure of £40-£50, maybe £60.

If it's going to stop me polishing, it has to go.

It's a start, that's for sure, but I think your pampering is

going to cost a bit more than that, so let's see what else we can find.

Estimated at up to £60, this traditional early 20th century silver-plated claret jug

has given us a great start.

With so many antiques, it's difficult to know where to start or what to choose from.

So let's hope we'll enjoy the sweet smell of success with Jo's first discovery.

Jonty, check this out. I believe that's good name.

Lalique, Paris. Let's have a look.

-It looks like it's never been used.

-I doubt it has.

Perhaps we can get it out. Rene Lalique was one of the most influential

art glass designers of the 20th century.

-Originally he was designing jewellery...

-Right.

..but he was then asked to design scent bottles,

so his signature label is this frosted, often opalescent glass.

Let's have a look on the underside.

-This is etched "Lalique, France," on the underside there.

-Right.

-Yes.

-So that's very nice to see.

-It's good news that this has never been...looks like it has never been used.

-Good.

It's great we have the box,

and I suppose value at auction would be, I suppose, between £40-£60.

-Will Mum be pleased with that?

-I doubt it!

-HE CHUCKLES

Right. Let's pop it back in the box. Let's see what else we can find.

Rene Lalique died in 1945, but the firm he founded is still active today,

so I wonder if this latter-day piece will attract interest.

As the rummage continues, Jo shows us that she's on the ball

with two carved soapstone Buddhas.

The laughing Buddha symbolises luck and generosity -

will he bring us good fortune?

Downstairs, I am curious about my next find.

Christine, in your work room there is this absolutely beautiful lump of crystal,

but the name on the bottom, Swarovski,

is a very important name in the crystal world, and I bet Jonty knows a lot about this.

Jonty, come and take a look at this.

-This beautiful lump of crystal.

-Look at the colour. It's quite extraordinary, isn't it?

And yes, the name "Swarovski" on the underside.

One of the biggest factories in production today, selling glass,

and it was Daniel Swarovski who founded it. He comes from modern-day Czechoslovakia, which is Bohemia,

which is where all that wonderful glass came from,

and because he had a march on everybody else, his business really took off,

and it's gone from strength to strength.

How much do you think it is worth, Jonty?

If I was to look into my crystal ball and give you a value,

-I suppose we are looking at £50-£70.

-I think it's worth a lot more.

-What makes you think that?

They are very limited editions and it was worth then £300.

-So this is something you seriously want to think about, whether or not you take it?

-Yes.

So, if you're going to think about that, Christine, you need to put that away somewhere safe,

and we'll wait until auction day.

If it's not going to come to auction, we'll have to find some other things!

Back to work, guys.

Christine clearly loves her glassware.

First, the Lalique and now the Swarovski, also dating from the early '70s.

Their age, less than 40 years old, may explain why the items are worth

less in Jonty's eyes than Christine was hoping for.

Here's hoping these three striking glass ornaments WILL help to boost our funds.

They are estimated to fetch between £40-£60.

As you can see from this beautiful garden, Christine enjoys working as a designer,

so it's time to find out a little more about her career.

This is a good old rumpus room, you have plenty of stuff in here to take a look at, clothes...

Is this a little bridesmaid's dress? Is this one of your creations, Christine?

Well, it's something I'm altering at the moment for a little girl.

You used to be a designer of wedding dresses and evening dresses, how did you get into that?

By chance, actually. I went there as a quality controller.

This was in a dress manufacturer?

Sample machinist, then the designer walked out and I said, "Don't worry, I'll help you,"

then I started designing.

I had no idea what I was doing but it was a success.

Jo, you've picked up your mother's creativity, because you design jewellery?

Yeah, I make jewellery, this is a piece of it

and they will be simple like this, or I will do an intricate beaded necklace.

After all that hard work for both of you, I think you deserve a real good break.

What sort of thing do you think you are going to enjoy when you go on this break?

I want a massage, really, the whole back and shoulders,

because you know the way you sit, you end up stooping over, so I'd like to be loosened up.

Well, we'll have to do a bit more rummaging to find something that will make that £500,

-so I'm going to leave you to the box and see what else I can find.

-All right, darling.

Christine and Jo are very independent, hard-working women.

I want to make their dreams come true, so we'd better keep our search up to scratch.

We soon turn up these gold pendants,

including a gold half sovereign, estimated to fetch £75-£90.

The rummage also produces another beautiful piece of glass.

This delicate scent bottle, with a cut-glass top and silver neck, is valued at £30-£50.

In the living room, Jonty is pulling out all the stops with his next discovery.

This is great. Look at this decanter and stopper.

-It's lovely, isn't it? Is it Art Deco?

-Yes. The style, these lines.

Straight lines, Art Deco.

When it comes to decanters, when it comes to glass you have got to check for condition,

because often the stoppers have been lost, or they've been chipped or damaged.

-This looks absolutely fine, so check the body...

-Oh-oh!

Whoops. We have a chip down at the bottom.

That's quite a large chip.

So instantly, we've cut this decanter and stopper by half.

The market would go crazy for this if it was in mint condition,

-but because we have the chip, the damage, we are only talking £30-£40 here.

-Really?

Simply because of that break.

-Put it in the sale?

-Go on, then.

-Yeah.

-If that's only £30, we have some more work to do.

Come on.

What a shame this decanter has been damaged, because the market for Art Deco is very healthy at the moment.

We have quite a collection of interesting items on the roster so far,

but if we're going to get anywhere near that £500, we need quite a few more.

And it's not long before Christine digs up

this intricately engraved silver spade.

We hope it will reach £25-£30.

We're almost out of time, but with the girls' day out at stake,

we need at least one more valuable item. Let's hope Christine's next find is just the ticket.

-Look what I've got.

-What have you got there?

I think I saved the best for last.

-Saved the best till last. What do we have here?

-What a lovely picture.

-What do you know about this picture?

-Well,

I thought it was Madonna and child, then I was told it is

young John the Baptist but I am not sure which is which.

This is the seated Madonna and child.

This is literally one of the most famous pictures in the world.

When I say most famous,

it's probably one of the most reproduced pictures in the world. And the original...

I know what's coming!

The original is by Raphael, high Renaissance painter from Italy,

so the important thing is to check whether it's original copy.

When I say original copy, is it an oil painting?

So let's look across the canvas, and what we're looking for

is the layers of paint, the brush strokes. Can you see, it's relatively even,

relatively smooth? Now that's an indicator that it's not an oil painting,

so therefore this is a facsimile of a kind.

Sadly I can't put a lot on it. I suppose it'll be around the £50 mark.

-£50?!

-Yes. You've obviously got a huge disappointed look.

-Very. £50? You sure?

-Yes, it's gonna be that kind of figure.

-We could always put a reserve on it.

-Yes, I think, yeah, definitely.

You don't have to tell us what the reserve is now, we can sort that out at the time,

-but you're happy for it to go to auction with a reserve?

-With a reserve, yeah.

Jo? Do you want to join us?

-Hi, guys.

-Unfortunately, Jonty has bad news on the picture,

because your mum was hoping she had a valuable oil painting,

and it hasn't turned out that way.

-Sadly, it's only worth about £50 at auction.

-50 quid?!

-I know.

I thought we were both going to be retiring on that!

I'm fraid at the moment if we take away the picture and the paperweight, it comes to £300.

-Right.

-Very disappointed.

If we add the paperweight at its lowest estimate, it's 350,

and if we add the picture at its lowest, at £50, it's 400.

-Right.

-So we're still £100 short.

So I think what we need to do is

to look round the house, see whether or not between now and the auction

-there is anything else we can take to auction, that will give you that extra £100.

-OK.

And we'll see you at auction.

Poor Christine and Jo!

I do hope our valuations haven't been too disappointing for them.

But as we all know, anything can happen at auction!

Among the items going under the hammer are the beautiful 1920s

glass clarat jug with the silver-plated stopper.

In pristine condition, this early 1970s frosted Lalique glass scent bottle,

still in its gift box, estimated to fetch up to £60.

The beautiful Swarovski crystal paperweight, made in 1972, which could bring in up to £70.

And finally, a copy of the famous painting by Raphael, of the Seated Madonna,

which Jonty estimates could fetch £50-£80,

though I'm sure Christine would prefer more.

Still to come - which of our items find favour with the bidders?

-You're going to get your £80.

-£75...

How much will Jonty's gamble cost him?

If it makes £500, the meal's on me.

Find out, when the hammer falls.

Well, it's been a week or two since we joined Christine and Jo

at her home in North London, looking for all those antiques and collectables

that we could sell today her today at Gaze & Son auction rooms at Diss in Norfolk.

Remember, she wants £500 so the two of them can go off and spend a relaxing day at a luxurious spa.

But unfortunately on the rummage we didn't quite make the total,

so let's hope we do get some really good bidding today, or the girls could end up taking an early bath.

This auction house in Norfolk attracts antique enthusiasts from far afield,

and today's collectables are certainly catching their eyes.

Thank goodness Jonty is here to help us through what could be a nerve-wracking day.

-Jonty, morning.

-Hi.

-I have to admit I'm a bit anxious about our auction today.

I'm glad you're the first one to say that because I am, too!

The problem is that Christine thought some of her items

were worth a lot more than you were prepared to value them at.

And as a consqequence it was difficult to find the £500 that she needs.

Yes, because we've got some damage on them as well.

Damage, all sorts of things,

and the Madonna and Child, I think she was convinced it was an oil painting.

Let's see what she has decided to do with her things.

Remember, when you're selling or buying at auction, you must budget for VAT

and the commission that will be added.

Your local auction house will give you more information.

I really hope the girls make enough to enjoy a day of blissful pampering,

but with all these fabulous antiques on display, we'd better go over the Christine

before she's tempted to buy something.

-Morning, Christine!

-Hi, Angela.

-You haven't got Jo, your daughter, with you...

-No, Jo has a cold,

-so Anne, my sister-in-law, is standing in for Jo.

-Have you been to an auction before?

-No, it's the first time.

-Oh, really?

-What have you decided to do with all of your items?

I've put a reserve on two of them.

-Two? OK. What are they?

-The Swarovski paperweight and the Madonna and Child.

-What have you put on them?

-Five on the Madonna and three on the...

-£5?

£500, Jonty, come on.

£500! My word!

I think we're going to have a bit of drama today, girls, so shall we take our places in the auction?

-Let's go.

-Come on.

It's looking likely that Christine may be taking two of her reserved items home,

but auctions can be unpredictable, we'll have to wait and see.

We take our positions and watch our first least controversial lot go under the hammer.

Lot 121, that comes back to the front.

We have the late 20th century Lalique scent bottle with its box.

Look at that, nicely presented for you.

-You happy to see it go, Christine?

-Yes, definitely.

-OK. Let's see what we get on this one.

I start at £22. At 22, 25, 28, 30,

32, 35, 38, 40, 42, 48, 50, 55...

55 with me. 60 bid.

65, 70, gallery, at 75 below.

I'll take 80. At 75, make no mistake where we're at.

She's up to 75!

Hammer comes down on 75.

-£75, how about that?

-Very good.

If all our items keep coming in over estimate,

it may just be that Christine has the last laugh today.

But we need the rest of our items to fare just as well if we're to reach that target.

Let's hope our second lot will do us proud.

Here we have a nice decanter with a geometric design and you have put £30-40 on it.

It would have been worth a lot more without that chip,

do you remember I pointed that out? It's still a charming thing.

-Let's hope it's going to go for a bit more.

-I start at £28.

Interest shown at 28. I'll take 30.

At 28 now, the decanter at 28.

Any advance? 30 on the phone. 32...

35. 38... 40 is now the telephone. At 40 the telephone and I'm out.

At 40 the telephone. I'll take two if it helps. At 40, are you all done?

With that chip, uh! Without it, it would have been worth an awful lot more money.

On the nose of Jonty's highest estimate.

But will we be as lucky with the pretty Dutch silver spade?

At £35 the room is quiet.

At 35 and selling...

-£35.

-That's good. Very good.

-You pleased with that?

-Yes.

-Well done.

Great news. Not only is Christine delighted,

I think we're all relieved.

Today's buyers are warming up but how far will they be prepared to go for one of Christine's

most favourite and cherished items?

-You have got great hopes of this, haven't you?

-I have.

-So great, you put a great reserve on it too. A weighty reserve.

-Yes.

-What is it again?

-£300.

It's a limited edition!

-So if it doesn't make £300 you're taking it home?

-Back home.

And remember the good old days.

-Let's see what it does.

-£100, surely. Anybody want that one?

Nobody in at 100.

-You are taking it home.

-Yes.

You didn't want to part with that.

Christine clearly loves this crystal, and I'm glad we won't be splitting them up.

Next up are these striking glass ornaments...

At £38 on commission, any advance?

..which fly out of the room for a very respectable £38.

With half of our items already gone, things haven't gone too badly.

However, with a no-sale on the crystal paperweight, the pressure is on our remaining lots.

Next, Christine's pay-off from her three-day engagement...

-You ready to sell this one?

-Yes.

-You're not going back on your word?

-No.

-No more reserves?

-No more, no more polishing.

-OK. Here it comes.

Interest on the sheets, and I start here at £28.

£28, I have.

-And 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 42...

-Going up quite rapidly.

..45 and I'm out. 45 is now in the room. Where's the eight?

Any advance on 45? 48, new bidder.

And 50. 55, 60.

60 on my right. Any advance on £60? To my right,

I've lost you all ahead of me at £60...

Jonty's top estimate!

-Very good.

-He's the man.

We should put champagne in it.

Another excellent result and Jonty's estimates are proving to be spot on,

but will our good fortune continue with the two soapstone Buddhas?

At 38 to my right and selling...

-I'm pleased. Pleased?

-Yes.

At nearly twice the estimate, it's smiles all round.

The paperweight aside, today has gone better than we all thought.

However, it's time to unveil the Seated Madonna.

Jonty, do we think we've got someone in the room that might pay £500 for this?

-No.

-In a word!

Girls, if it makes £500, the meal's on me.

-You're on.

-All right?

We'll remember that.

-We will.

-Here she goes...

I did have interest at £50, but we'll leave that. Start me at £300.

£300 on the print, there.

£100, I'll take if it helps.

£100, she's gonna start.

No? No bid? No interest?

-You're taking it home.

-You see, I want to take it home.

Christine, she did have interest at £50.

Are you sure you didn't want to sell it at that?

Definitely. I want to take it home.

It was always unlikely that the high reserve would appeal,

but at least Christine and her beloved painting will stay together.

There's still a chance, though, that we might strike gold with the next lot.

At 95, any advance?

-How about that?!

-£95.

What an amazing result. Mother and daughter are still in

with a chance of making to it the beauty spa.

Apart from the two items with reserves, our other items have sold as expected, so there's a lot

riding on our last collectable - the silver-topped scent bottle, if we're to make the £500 target.

I hope we get the sweet smell of success, Jonty and Christine, because we have that very pretty

little perfume bottle that was in the shape of a barrel, wasn't it?

-Time for it to be sold. Here it comes...

-30-50 is what we were looking for.

-I like 80.

Interest on the sheet is shown and I start here at £28.

-30, 32...

-28, she's started at.

35. 38. 40. 42, 45. 48, 50. 55...

She's up to 50 already.

55 now. At £55 only on the barrel... Scent bottle there at 55.

60. 65. 70. 75...

-You are going to get your £80.

-75 on the scent bottle.

Are you all done at £75?

-No. £75.

-You're not disappointed with £75?

-No.

And Jonty said the top price might be 60. You did well on that one.

It seems we saved the best till last, but has it made us enough to pay for a day of luxury pampering?

So the hammer has come down for the final time, it's the moment of reckoning, Christine.

-Right. Tell us.

-You wanted £500 for the Madonna and Child, £300 for your paperweight...

That would have given you another £800 on top of whatever it is you have already made.

As it is, you started very well on the other things you sold.

Those two perfume bottles went for £75 each, which is above what we thought we might get for them.

You and Jo, and you might be able to take Anne along as well, you should have a nice time at the spa

because what you've actually made is £456.

That's very good. Thank you.

-Very good.

-So I think you should tell Jo what you've made.

Share it with Anne and have a wonderful time at the spa.

We will. Thank you very much.

One week on, and Mum and daughter waste no time in heading down to their local health and beauty spa.

We're gonna go and have our lovely massage and with any luck, Jonty will be down for the final rub!

You'll be lucky, girls!

You've come to the right place for total indulgence.

What better way to round off a perfect day than to take the waters - and the bubbles?!

Well, what a relaxing day at the spa for Christine and Jo - after all that tension in the auction room.

If there's something you'd like to raise money for

and you think you have things in the house you'd like to sell at auction,

get in touch with the programme.

All you have to do is fill in our application form on our website...

Come and join us on Cash In The Attic.