Neeham Cash in the Attic

Welcome to Cash In The Attic, the show that finds the hidden treasures around your home

then helps sell them at auction.

Today, I'm in Northamptonshire, a county blessed with plenty of stately homes,

including this one, Kelmarsh Hall.

This elegant 18th-century house is set in 3,500 acres of beautiful gardens and its own working estate.

The building is comprised of a central hall with pavilions to the north and south.

Later additions to the Georgian architecture of Kelmarsh include a gorgeous Victorian ballroom.

So, let's hope we find plenty of stylish antiques and collectibles

that the bidders will have grand designs on, when they go under the hammer at auction.

Coming up on today's Cash in the Attic...

Jonty turns detective.

I need to know if you could throw any light on who these gentlemen are.

While I turn green with envy.

Do you know, I've always wanted one of these. Always.

That's fantastic!

But how will it turn out at auction?

-Disappointing.

-No bids.

-No bids.

-I can't believe that!

-I know!

Will we make our money? Find out when the final hammer falls.

I'm on my way to meet Bridget Neeham and her friend, Lynne.

They've called in the Cash In The Attic team

to help them raise some funds for a theatrical night out.

Bridget and her friend, Lynne, have a huge passion for musicals and theatre.

In fact, they're both members of the local operatic society.

Their dream is to raise plenty of cash to enjoy an all-singing, all-dancing night on the town.

-Good morning, Jonty.

-Morning, Lorne. How are you?

-I'm fine, thank you.

Two lovely ladies today. They're raising money for something a bit dramatic.

OK, sounds interesting.

I'm hoping to find out more but in the meantime no rehearsals on valuations, just a top performance!

-You know me. Always get top performance from me.

-Huh! Well, you are my leading man!

-Good morning, ladies.

-Good morning.

-Right, so Bridget. I take it this is your home and your clutter.

-It is.

What's made you decide to have a clear out?

I have collected an awful lot of bits and pieces over the years

and I need to actually get rid of some of them.

Well, if we're going to de-clutter and get rid of some of this stuff,

have you got anything in mind to spend the money on or is it just moving house?

Well, Lynne and I like to go to the theatre because we're into amateur operatics,

so we're hoping to go down to London and go and see a show.

Oh, that's a great idea!

And also I'd like to take my daughter and my grandchildren back to Germany,

where my daughter was born and where my husband was born, and to meet some of the family.

-How much are you looking to raise?

-Erm, probably about £700.

OK, well look, if we're going to raise £700 towards you two ladies

having a very nice night out in London AND a trip to Germany,

-we better crack on. Come on.

-Yes.

With two big activities to fund, fingers crossed there are plenty of valuable items to be found.

Our keen antique hunter, Jonty, is already hard at work, sniffing out antiques with top selling potential.

-Jonty, there you are. Found something already?!

-Yes, I have, look at this.

That's jolly handy.

-How about that?

-Beautiful.

That's a beautiful little pendant, a gold pendant on a really lovely weighted chain,

but I need to know if you can throw any light on who these gentlemen are.

I inherited it from my Godmother and I believe it's a photograph

of her father and the other one, probably his brother.

If you look at the style of the pendant, it's very, very simple.

If it had looked more, say Victorian, more busy as far as the decoration's concerned,

I think it would have had less value.

-The great thing also, if you see the depth of the glass itself, it's all bevelled so it has real weight.

-Yes.

-Was it originally a pendant? It looks like a pocket watch chain.

I don't know. I actually bought the chain.

Well, I think it's been very cleverly put together.

It matches and looks very comfortable together. So, well matched, you!

Not so long ago

I would have valued this at way less than £100,

but now you're looking at £100, £150.

-That's nice to know.

-Ooh!

So, how do you feel about selling all this?

-It's intriguing, that you actually wear it...

-I do.

It's not like it's been tucked away and not used.

Erm... Oh, a little bit... not quite sure.

OK, why not think about it and let us know on auction day?

-It's not a problem...

-Yes.

-It is though, in terms of getting our target off the ground!

-Not doing myself any favours, am I?!

-No, we've got only £700 left to go.

We want to make 700 and we've got 700 left to go.

We'd better crack on, girls.

-OK, then. Let's see if we can find more treasure of some description. Come on!

-I'll put that down.

This gold pendant has been lovingly restored but with it being so special to Bridget,

it may not be an ideal start for our theatre fund.

In case she decides not to bring it, we need to get busy elsewhere.

Bridget soon comes up trumps,

finding a collection that could pull at the bidders' heartstrings.

Jonty, what about these puppets?

Oh, wow!

Let's have a look, see what we've got.

-So, we've got five in all.

-Yes.

-But this looks like a Pelham puppet.

This one is a Pelham puppet and this is supposed to be Gretel.

-OK. Can I have a look?

-Yes.

She's in very good order.

-Look at the condition of her clothes!

-Mm, I know.

But I suppose she must be... She has to be a good 40 years old.

The Pelham puppets were first made just after the war,

but really by the time that this puppet was made, we're talking early '60s.

-The business had really developed and expanded.

-Yes.

I notice you've go four others there. Where are they from?

Yes, they were just four that I purchased from somebody I worked with and I forgot all about them.

So, what I suggest we do,

-because it's our Gretel here that has the value...

-Yes.

We'll put them all in one lot together

and collectively we have a lot that has to be worth, what? £30 to £50.

-Great. That's good!

-So, thanks greatly for showing me.

-I'll put Gretel safely back in the box.

-Yes, put her back to bed.

-OK. Leave her there.

-Thank you.

-Wonderful.

-Well, I think we've done this room. Shall we go and try another one?

-OK, lovely, thank you.

Launched by Bob Pelham in 1947, the puppets quickly became a great success.

40,000 had been sold by the end of 1950.

The Pelham Company was also known for mass producing puppets

of Muffin the Mule, Andy Pandy and Kermit the Frog.

Fingers crossed the collectors at auction will be like puppets on a string for us

and pay top dollar for Bridget's items.

These two cast iron table canons and carriages

could fetch up to £60.

Jonty's out in the garage and needs some answers from Bridget.

Girls, come and have a look at this amazing vase.

So, what's this doing in the garage?

Erm...because I'm trying to sort out and downsize at the moment

so I'm starting to think about packing if I sell my house.

-Is it something you like, Bridget?

-I do actually.

I like the design on it, I think it's very pretty.

-If you look at the stylised decoration on the outside.

-Yes.

-Can you see that everything is applied?

-Yes.

So, if you have a look at our rather large bird of prey there, you see he rattles.

-Yes.

-He's literally just screwed on, which is the standard form and the standard way it's decorated.

By looking at the decoration, looking at the busyness of the stand, again this is an applied stand.

It's very busy, which also means that it's probably late 19th century,

so it's the second half of the 19th century.

As far as value's concerned, I don't know if you've really noticed

and had a close study of our bird of prey here,

but he's lost his claws

and, as it's almost like a central focus to the design of the vase,

I think that will affect its value.

-But, it's still worth a very, very hefty £150, £250. That sort of ballpark.

-Oh, right.

-So, £150, that's not too bad at all, is it?

-Yep.

OK, let's go back in and see what else we can find. Come on!

It was interesting to find out more about the vase. I didn't know anything about it.

I'm pleasantly surprised but I shall be reluctant to see it go because I'm quite fond of it.

Still plenty to cover in this great home and Jonty's next find has no emotional ties for Bridget.

This engraved brass tray, influenced by the Far East,

could fetch £40 to £60.

Jonty is clearly absorbed by his work,

which gives me a chance to enjoy a chinwag with our floor-tapping ladies.

Ah! Here you are!

I wondered where you'd got to. What are these boxes about, then?

This is my souvenir box from the shows that we do.

I keep all the programmes

and we all send cards and little presents to each other, the people who are in the show.

They're little mementoes. Usually they've got some significance, don't they?

-They pick a theme out.

-Yes, to do with a song in the show.

So, tell me, Bridget, how many shows have you done?

Well, I've only done seven.

Yes, I've done seven. I started really late because it was something I always wanted to do

but I moved around, being in the Air Force.

Until I came to Wellingborough and met Lynne, who was doing the operatic society.

-I said, "Would you like to audition with me?" And you said, "Go on, then."

-I did.

-So...

-And there we are!

..I started late but I've enjoyed it for the last seven years.

-How much of your time does this take up?

-September to March, probably just two evenings a week.

-The nearer it gets to February it starts to get to three or four.

-About six month's work.

What did you think when she said she wanted to do Cash in the Attic?

She asked had I heard of it and I said "Yes."

Then she said, "Would you like to join me?"

I thought Lynne would be good to have beside me cos she knows me well.

We've been on holiday together and our families know each other very well.

-I haven't really got any secrets much from you, have I?

-No!

And I wasn't embarrassed about her looking in my cupboards and finding all sorts of things!

I must admit, I think both ladies, you're putting on a jolly good performance

but we're not going to raise the money you need looking at this stuff,

so, we should put that back nice and safely and track down Mr Hearndon, wherever he is.

Close friends for eight years, Bridget and Lynne's love for the theatre knows no bounds.

I really hope we can help them on their way to a top West End show

and any money left over will fund the family trip to Germany.

Speaking of which,

this German pottery punchbowl with six drinking cups

will make a useful contribution.

It's decorated with scenes, in relief, of deer in a forest

and Jonty values it at between £30 and £50.

If only we could lay our hands on some items with higher price tags.

Maybe Bridget's next find will be just the ticket.

Jonty, I've just found something else. This pocket watch.

-Oh! Can I have a look?

-Yes.

Well, we've got a lovely fob chain as well.

-So, whose is this?

-My husband's.

-Where did it come from?

From his uncle in Germany.

OK. We've got the maker, Levrette, here.

That's Swiss made but I have to say this pocket watch

is in excellent order, there's not a scratch or blemish on it.

This is 14 carat gold which is another indication that it's Continental, and it's very late.

-We're talking, without doing any further research, it has to be 1920s, 1930s.

-Oh, right.

But have a look at the fob chain as well.

That's wonderful! And I love this at the end, this little pistol here.

There's a hole at the end so there's probably a lead there

so, at some point this would have been a propelling pencil. So, can we sell it?

Yes, I'm sure he'd be happy.

-Sell it for the girls.

-Yes.

-What a husband!

Very generous, isn't he?

Value-wise, it's £200 to £300, it's that much of a good news story.

Wow! That is good news.

Well, I won't put it in my pocket because it's off to the auction room.

As the search goes on, Bridget makes another great find with this collection of white metal cutlery.

Sets like this are often found at auctions

but it could still fetch up to £60.

Then there's this wonderful, early 19th century barometer in mahogany,

with a satinwood wheel.

It has an engraved silver dial, a mercury thermometer

and a healthy price tag of between £90 and £150.

With the curtain about to come down, I think I've found today's most exciting item.

Do you know, I've always wanted one of these. Always!

That's fantastic! Where did you get this from?

-That was my Godmother's as well.

-Was it really?

-Yes.

Well, let's see if Jonty's got a view on it. Jonty!

-He's supposed to be up here.

-What have we got? Oh, the clock!

Wow! It's a Vitascope clock.

-It's so of its time. Now, it looks very Art Deco.

-Yes.

There should be a label on the back. There we go...

Yeah, there we go, can you see that?

-And it's actually got a patent number there as well.

-Yes.

Let's turn it around so we can see the full fascia.

-It looks like it's an old TV screen as well, doesn't it?

-Mmm.

But the casing here... HE KNOCKS

-is of plastic. It's Bakelite.

-Hmm.

Now Bakelite was used in the '20s and '30s prolifically but it was first patented in America in 1907.

It's also in this green.

This green colour is unusual so it's going to attract an awful lot of interest in the saleroom.

So, what sort of value are we talking about?

Well, I would conservatively put £250 to maybe £450.

That's very good and very interesting cos I was offered £300 for it when I had it restored.

-Wouldn't it be exciting if we could get more for you?

-It would, it would. Maybe my ship will come in!

Well, it's fantastic but we're going to have to call time, I'm afraid, because we have run out of time.

You wanted to raise £700, Bridget, do you think you've got that much?

I don't know. I haven't been totting it up!

OK, well I've added it all up and the value of everything going to the auction comes to £870.

but I have to say I haven't put that lovely locket into the figure.

-If you did bring that, that would be another £100 taking us to £970.

-That would be lovely.

Are you looking forward to the auction?

-Yes, very much.

-Yeah?

-Definitely.

Good because the next time we see you, the clock and all the other bits will be in the saleroom.

-Lovely!

-Great!

-I'll look forward to it.

Bridget's home has given us a wonderful range of items to take to the saleroom

so let's take another look at the most interesting ones.

The bygone puppets, including the wonderful Pelham edition of Gretel.

Together they could make between £30 and £50.

The stunning Japanese bronze vase with fine relief panels,

valued at £150 to £250.

The Art Deco Bakelite mantel clock,

framing the model of a ship at sea.

That could bring on £250 to £450.

Finally, and incredibly close to Bridget's heart,

is her godmother's gold pendant but we won't know until sale day if Bridget's prepared to part with it.

Still to come on Cash in the Attic, joyous moments...

-Yes!

-Wow!

-Fabulous! That is great!

And an unexpected reaction...

-OK, so it's going home.

-It's going home with you.

-Are you pleased about that?

-I am, actually!

Will we make it or will it be curtains for Bridget's theatre plans?

Find out when the final hammer falls.

It's been a few weeks since we had a good look through Bridget Neeham's Northamptonshire home

With her friend, Lynne, we found plenty of antiques and collectibles to bring here,

to Chiswick Auction Rooms in West London.

Now, remember, they're avid theatre fans and are looking to raise £700 so they can enjoy a trip to London,

taking in the theatre, the stage and maybe an overnight stay.

So, let's hope we can make the money they need today when our items go under the hammer.

This auction house always has a good turnout and has lots of interesting antiques for sale.

I wonder, though, if there'll be anything quite as unique as this Bakelite mantel clock.

It's put a gleam in Jonty's eye.

-Morning, Jonty.

-Lorne, how are you?

-I'm fine. This is lovely.

I'm a bit disappointed it's not plugged in though.

Yeah, it needs to demonstrate the movement.

And also the light. It makes so much difference

but I assume anyone looking at it knows what it is and knows what happens if you plug it in.

-What do we want for this?

-We need about £300 for this so it's a huge part of our target today.

I also love that Japanese vase. Do you remember, with all the dragons around the outside?

Yes and that's prominently on display in a beautiful cabinet.

-Yeah, a bit of damage on that so I'm not sure about it.

-OK. All right. What else took your fancy?

-The most important thing is, has she brought the necklace?

-Yes.

That's the big critical point. I need to know.

-Shall we go and find out then?

-Is she here...?

-Nice tie, by the way!

If you're interested in going to auction,

remember your purchases are subject to commission and possibly other charges.

Contact your local auction house for all the details.

Bridget and Lynne are taking a last look at their treasured items.

Ah-ha! Good morning, ladies.

-Good morning.

-Hello there, good morning.

-Hi!

-I think I have the answer to your question, Jonty.

-I've spotted it.

I see you're wearing that beautiful pendant so I assume you're not selling it?

No. No, not on your life.

-Have either of you been to auction before?

-I have.

No, I've been to flower auctions but not...

OK, maybe a bit different.

-So, you're the seasoned pro?

-That's right. Very exciting!

So, shall we go and make you the cash you need to come back down to the smoky city?

-Yes.

-Come on then.

-Great idea.

It's no surprise Bridget decided to keep the gold pendant.

Luckily she has plenty more items to grab the bidders' attention.

Auctioneer, Tom Keane, has some thoughts about which of 'em could be winners.

William's Bakelite clock. My favourite of their lots. Stylish, different, we don't often get them.

Good condition. Should fly away.

Let's hope he's right and that all Bridget's items go through the roof.

The auction's about to start. First up...

the wonderful collection of puppets.

Gretel is a very good character

because that's the Pelham puppet and you've also got the other puppets as well.

-Yes.

-So, Gretel's gonna make the money for us.

What it's worth?

£30, £30? £20.

No bid at £20 on the puppets.

-Talking about collectibility and there's no bids!

-I know!

No bids at £20 then? Disappointing. No bids.

-No bids.

-No bids.

-I can't believe it.

-Oh, no!

-That's unbelievable.

A little bit surprised but at the end of the day

I can let the grandchildren play with those so I'm not worried.

That's the spirit, Bridget.

Good to see that an unsold first lot isn't going to get her down.

There are many more wonderful items to go under the hammer.

Fingers crossed the next lot will win over today's crowd.

Lot number 52 now. 52a this is.

Number 52a in your catalogue, a collection of white metal cutlery.

Odd description, Jonty.

Yes. You call anything white metal that's non-solid silver.

So, often Continental silver will be described as white metal.

-Start me, what, £30? £10.

-Come on...

I'm bid at 10, take 12, at 10, take 12, at £10...

12, I'll take 12, 12, 15... 18, thank you. 20, 22, 25, 25, 28, 30... At £28 seated. At £28.

Are we done at £28? Take 30. At £28, all done?

At £28, you all bid and gone?

Disappointing again.

-Mm.

-Never mind!

Mm, below estimate but at least we got a sale.

It's a tiny step closer to bagging those theatre tickets.

Will that pair of cast iron table canons and carriages

fare any better?

We're hoping for at least £40 for these.

The bid is at £28, lot 184, at £28, all done at £28 and gone? A cheap lot at £28 and sold.

C'est la vie.

Today's collectors are not really showing us their money

and this auction is becoming a bit of an uphill struggle.

Bridget is not too distraught and there were no emotional ties tested, unlike our next lot.

Lot 142a now. An early 19th century mahogany and satinwood line inlaid wheel barometer.

142a in your catalogue.

Is that a nice example, Jonty?

I noticed you put a fixed reserve of £150 on it.

Yes. I'm very fond of it actually. I shall be very sad to see it go, so...

Well, if we don't make the £150, nothing is lost.

No because I'd be quite happy to see it home.

OK, here is comes.

-This is it, yes?

-Yep.

-OK.

Start me at £50 for it, see where it goes.

£50, I'm bid at £50. 55 I'll take. £50, I'll take 5...

55, 60, 5, 70, 5, 80, 5, 90, 5.

It's all right cos you'll either get the money or it'll go home so don't worry.

100, 110, 120, 130,... £120, 130, I'll take 130, thank you.

140... £130, the bid's at £130. I'll take 140, £130. Are we done at 130?

See me afterwards, sir. I'll see if I can sell it to you.

-OK.

-It's going home with you.

-It's going home.

-Are you pleased about that?

I am, actually.

Bridget is pleased to take her barometer home

but the outlook isn't bright for the remainder

if we don't attract some sales.

I really hope the punters go for Bridget's engraved brass tray.

At £35, all done at 35?

-Saves all that cleaning.

-It does.

No grumbles about that sale!

At just £5 below estimate the funds are slowly starting to build.

Most of Bridget's remaining antiques are the ones that Jonty estimated with higher price tags.

As our time-telling yacht sets sail,

let's hope the tide turns in our favour.

-A fantastic piece all round.

-A wonderful object, but more importantly,

if we get our £300, we could all be laughing.

-Hopefully.

-It could be stage, lights, camera, action.

-Yes!

Somebody bid £300 for it.

£300... Start me at £300, £200 for it.

I see £200 down here, I'm bid £200, take 10, at £200, take 10.

Bid's here at £200, give me 210 for it, bids in at £200, I'll take 10.

210, I'm bid at 210, 220... 220, 230.

Bidding's slow. 230, 240, 250...

-It's creeping up...

-It's coming up!

280, 290?

It's a no, at £280, bid's at £280. I'll take 90.

At £280, I'm selling, all done? Last chance at 280...

You're missing it. At 280, you've got it. 280...

-How do you feel you about that?

-Fine, that's fine.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, it's good.

-It is sailing out the room.

-Yes.

We had hoped for a little more for the Bakelite clock,

but it sold over estimate

and that £280 is a great boost for our theatre fund.

If the remaining lots sell well, Bridget may still have money for that trip to Germany.

Mention of that European country brings us to the pottery punchbowl and cups, up next.

£20, are you all done at £20 only? £20.

-That seems very cheap to me.

-Yeah, it is but, again, not incredibly popular at the moment.

Another low sale but £20 in the pot is not to be sniffed at.

Two lots left and fingers crossed the bidders go for broke.

Next to go before the room is the pocket watch, courtesy of Bridget's generous husband.

It's a lovely item but it sits locked away,

never seen by anybody so I'm hoping it'll find a nice, good home.

And, what's that worth? £100 for it.

£100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200...

and 10, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280?

£270, I see your bid at £270. Who else wants to come in at 270?

Are we done? Last chance at 270. Are we done at 270? Thank you.

-Wow!

-Yes!

At last, a sale we can be ecstatic about.

Bridget's husband's sacrifice has definitely lifted the proceedings.

Let's just hope Lady Luck stays with us for our last item.

Lot number 166a, the Japanese bronze Meiji period export ware vase, 166a.

-I'm a bit concerned, we've got a bit of damage on it...

-Yes.

..but it should still sell well. Here it comes.

Start me at £100 for it. £100 for it, I'm bid £100, I'll take 110.

Here we go, this is interesting.

120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, and 10, 220.

Gosh!

220, back in, 230, 240, 240, 250, 260.

Yes!

270, 280... 270 bid. 280 I'll take, at £270.

Who wants to come in at £270? At 270, all done? At 270, last chance and gone then.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Fabulous! That's great!

Despite a slow and disappointing start,

the auction ends in style

with two very happy sellers.

I'm intrigued to see how much the girls have made today.

OK, now you wanted £700. I'm really pleased to tell you, you've made more than that.

You've got £931!

-Wow! Well, done!

-Thank you.

-Well, done, Bridget.

-That's really great.

-So, I reckon that's going to more than cover a very nice meal and a trip to London, don't you?

-Yes!

With the money raised, Bridget and Lynne hot foot it back down to the capital

to enjoy a night out at a top West End musical.

Here we are in London. We've arrived at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

to see the wonderful show, Wicked, which we're really looking forward to, really excited about,

as the follow up to our auction to spend some of that wonderful money that we made.

-That's right.

-Fabulous.

It's clear the girls are set for a perfect evening and this is only the beginning.

Bridget still has to organise a family trip to Germany.

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

It looks like they've thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

-Superb!

-Absolutely fabulous!

-Thank you, Bridget.

No, thank you, Cash In The Attic!

Well, it looks like Bridget and Lynne found themselves centre stage

with a night to remember after that great time in London.

If you'd like to do something similar or have another project

that you'd like to get friends and family included in,

then why not apply to come on Cash in the Attic?

We'll help sell your antiques and collectibles

and you can apply at the website...

See you next time and good luck!

For more information about Cash In The Attic,

including how the programme was made,

visit the website at bbc.co.uk/lifestyle.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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