Howard Cash in the Attic

Welcome to Cash In The Attic, the show that finds treasures in your home and helps you sell them.

Today I'm in the heart of the Cotswolds here in Gloucestershire and this is the Somerset Monument,

known locally as the Hawkesbury Monument.

It was built to commemorate the life and achievements of General Lord Robert Somerset,

the son of the Fifth Duke of Beaufort and a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo.

This impressive landmark was built in 1846 in a bold, Italian style

and stands proudly on the ridge of the Cotswolds escarpment.

The national trail here stretches for more than 100 miles from

the historic city of Bath to the Cotswold market town of Chipping Camden.

The tower is still privately owned by the Beaufort family,

who famously have their ancestral home nearby in Badminton.

Well, if you're a seasoned walker, it's just a stroll down the hill

from here to my destination today, the village of Hawkesbury.

Coming up on today's Cash In The Attic...

an antique that leaves me slightly baffled.

So is this for a human and not for an ox or two?

..another that really tugs at the heartstrings...

I don't think my dad would ever forgive me if I sold that.

..and not all our items find new owners at auction...

-You could take it home and do your ironing on it!

-Yes, on the train!

So how will we have fared when the final hammer falls?

Well, I've made it to Hawkesbury and I'm about to meet

a very hardworking lady who's longing for a break.

It seems she wants to swap the rolling hills round here

for the rugged landscape of Scotland.

This period cottage in South Gloucestershire is home to retired head teacher, Liz Howard.

She is a passionate supporter of the local community, from the WI and gardening groups

to taking part in amateur dramatics with her friend, Jenny, who lives nearby.

Liz has a wonderful collection of inherited antiques

and she's called us in to help turn some of them into cash

for a well-earned holiday.

Hey, you look very at home!

-Come on, yes, come on in!

-Oh, thank you very much!

-What a fantastic house!

-It is picture-perfect, it really is!

This is a lovely part of the country.

What I know about the lady we're going to see is that she used to be a headmistress, so...

-OK...

-Yeah, you've got to behave today!

Otherwise it will be detention. I'll try and find some good stuff.

-Let's do that.

-OK.

What a lovely, lovely garden!

-Hey, who's Liz, which one is Liz?

-Hi, Jennie, nice to meet you.

Hi, and you are?

Hi, I'm Jenny, Jennie!

Jenny, Jennie... this is going to be a good day. And you're the gardener, are you?

-Yes, yes.

-This is fantastic!

I love gardening. It's all been re-landscaped about three years ago and it's just about at its best.

Why have you called me in?

Well, I'm hoping to raise some money to go to Scotland.

It's 25 years since I visited Scotland for the first time

and I fell in love with it and Killin, Loch Tay, that sort of area

and I hope to perhaps spend some money on a really nice hotel overlooking Loch Tay

and also do some, perhaps, hill-walking.

How much money do you think you need?

Well, probably about £500 would cover it, but if it is anything extra, it will be a bonus.

Has Liz got some nice pieces, do you think?

-Is she a bit of a hoarder?

-Yes, I think she is.

She is, definitely. There's some really nice things...

nice tables and chairs which I quite fancy and yeah, some nice antiques.

-And do you know much about antiques?

-No, not at all.

Aha! Well, I know a man who does and I think we ought to go and find him!

-Oh, great!

-Paul's here already, so let's get cracking.

Let's get cracking.

Getting this busy lady some time away sounds like a good idea to me,

and with such a beautiful home to search through,

I think we're in for a treat and I'm sure that Paul will feel the same.

In fact, it looks as if something has already caught his eye, although I'm not exactly sure what it is!

-Hello!

-You found him!

-How many pints?

-A few gallons either side, I think!

-What a great thing!

-It's brilliant, isn't it, yes!

-What is it?

-Do you know what it is?

-Oh, yes, yes.

-There we are.

-What is it?

Been used many times. It's a yoke.

You put it around your shoulders and you have your pails of water

or milk there and it's a nice, easy way of carrying water and milk...

Well, it was, 150 years ago, not so much now when you've got taps.

So it is for a human and not for an ox or two?

No. I'll give you a demonstration here.

It goes on your shoulders and you're right...

either side here we'd have two buckets and it's a great way of carrying things.

Often used by ladies.

They used to sell milk, door to door and the farming ladies

would go around the village and try and sell the milk.

It's a great country item,

it's very visual, and if I said at least £20 up to £50,

I would expect it to go for that sort of price?

Yes, that sounds good.

If you could get it to 50 or more,

that would be even better, but that's sounds great.

That was a good start. I think you're being mean with your estimate.

It's going to make more.

-It would be great if it did!

-Let's go and find some more things.

Yes, let's.

Well, what an unusual item to start our day

and give us our first few pounds towards that trip to Scotland.

Upstairs, Jenny has found a gorgeous teddy bear.

Liz has had it since she was just 10 years old,

but she's decided to part with it

and Paul sends it to auction with a price tag of £30 to £60.

Next door, Liz has another item she thinks our expert might like.

-Paul.

-Uh-huh?

What do you think about this?

Oh, wow! Look at that!

Has that come with the house? It looks ancient, doesn't it?

Almost as old as the house.

Yeah, look at that!

Well, if you have a look at the construction of this, it's wonderful.

It's very sturdy, very durable, it would outlive me and you

and it's lasted 300 years, and it will last another 300 years

and it's known as a stretcher table for these four planks along the bottom...

They're the stretchers, they hold it together and give it its strength.

And if I open the drawer here, you can see just the age.

For the last 300 years, people were putting things in that drawer,

you can see across the top, and this is actually oak-lined

and what you'll find with copies is they put a pine lining in the back and just do the fronts.

This is all original, it's dead genuine.

What a cracker, it really is!

That's a very functional piece of furniture

and it's absolutely perfect for a room like this and for a house like this,

so I think you must be looking at £300, maybe £500, that sort of price, then.

Yeah, that sounds good!

Is it sentimental? Are you sure you're willing to part with it?

Yes. Like anything, you know, furniture, you're always sad to get rid of any furniture,

particularly things like that has memories when you were young

and it was at the cottage, but you can't take it with you,

so I might as well sell it and use the money now

for the family and for myself while I'm still here and alive.

That's just the right attitude.

The 17th-century table really is an amazing find, and Paul comes up trumps as well

when he finds these signed original paintings which he hopes could make £20 to £30 at auction.

He seems on top form, so I leave him to it and catch up with our two busy ladies.

You two seem very involved in village life?

Yes, too involved sometimes, Jennie!

They say you need an eight-day week in this village, and you do.

Yeah, I think since Liz has been retired, she's never been as busy, she's so involved.

-How long have you been retired?

-Last July.

Oh, I see! It's quite new?

Took early retirement.

I bet you wonder how you ever found the time to work!

Exactly!

What was it like being a school inspector, which you were at the end.

Yes, an adviser and education consultant.

It was fun, I used to enjoy working with colleagues, head teacher colleagues and advisers.

That's what I miss, actually, talking to interesting colleagues on education.

Tell me a bit more about this love of Scotland?

Well, I went 25 years ago for the first time.

It's somewhere you go and you feel as if you've been there all your life, but you haven't.

I just love it, particularly up in the Highlands, the mountains and walking, hill-walking.

As it's 25 years, I thought we could go up, my friend Sam and I,

because she's Scottish, from Paisley

and we'd stay in a really lovely hotel we've had our eye on,

on the side of Loch Tay.

-Aah, you know where you're going!

-Yes.

-Perfect.

-Right opposite Ben Lawers, one of the Munros in Scotland,

which we climbed and stay there for a couple of nights

and go and climb Ben Lawers, hopefully...

Well, part way up, I think!

I don't think we've got the energy to go right to the top.

Well, we need all our energy right now if we're going to get Liz that £500.

Luckily, Paul has spotted a lovely oval tilt-top table

which he values at a very respectable £30 to £40.

Meanwhile, Liz and I are tackling one of the bedrooms.

I see you found the music box!

I have! Isn't it lovely? It looks so old.

Yes, it is. I think it must be, oh, last century sometime, I think.

-Does it work?

-Yes, it does. Let's see if we can get it going.

MELODY PLAYS

-It plays four tunes.

-Oh, I see, yes... one, two, three, oh!

I think it's lovely; it's really, really nice!

-Can I hear some music?

-Yes, you can!

You'll love this, you will, it's gorgeous.

These are one of my favourite things.

I think these are wonderful items, they are, and this one is running.

It's been a while since I've seen one working. Normally they've all frozen up.

Well, that's great. It's called a cylinder music box.

So is this like a family heirloom, then?

Well, I've inherited it. I think it was through my grandfather.

He worked for the Liverpool City Mission

for many years and in his role as minister, he used to be given gifts from his parishioners

and I think this might have been one of the gifts.

-Wow!

-But I'm not absolutely certain.

This is great to find, an old original like this, a good, genuine, late-19th-century box.

The one I picked up recently was about £130, so if I said around that sort of figure, sort of £80 to £120

and see how that goes. I mean, does that sound all right with you?

-That sounds very good, yeah.

-Is that music to your ears?

-It is!

He couldn't resist, could he? But with another £80 towards the Scottish trip,

I'll let him off for now.

Liz also decides to send this large drop-leaf table to auction.

It used to belong to her grandmother

and Paul values it at a fantastic £180 to £250.

In the study, his artistic eye has helped him make another find.

I've had a real shock here. I thought this was just a print, but it's an original painting!

-Oh, yes!

-Where has this come from?

Well, it's come from my mum who inherited it from this lady herself.

Never! So you actually knew who the lady was?

Yeah, yeah. Her husband was artist Phil Hyde from the Liverpool School.

He looks very competent.

The way that the artist has done the face or features here is fantastic, I think, I really do.

-You've never had it valued before, or...?

-No, no.

Right, well it's a difficult one, really. I mean if I was to err on the side of caution,

I think its value as a decorative piece, it's a nice watercolour,

-it's a great subject, I think you're looking around the £100 mark.

-That sounds fine.

-Right.

-Perhaps put a reserve on something for that, and see if we can get a bit more.

-Yeah.

I'd like to find out more about the artist.

We'll get it into the auction for now, get a reserve of £100 on it

-and then hopefully see more on the day.

-Brilliant!

Well, it's not often I get taken by a painting, but I am taken with that one.

Well, Paul is certainly a fan and with another £100 in the holiday kitty, I think I am too.

This house is a real treasure trove and there is another addition to our coffers

when Liz decides to sell this Georgian pine chest,

which Paul values at £50 to £70.

It's almost the end of our day in Gloucestershire, but not before Paul has made one final find.

Ah, now then, Liz, Jennie.

What you got?

Well, I've found a grandfather clock. I bet you haven't seen that before, have you?

Wow, that is very, very handsome, isn't it?

I did notice it earlier and I wondered if it was something which would catch your eye.

Well, it certainly is. I mean I love these grandfather clocks.

Is this like a family piece or has it been in the family a long time?

Well, it's got quite a few stories attached to it.

My dad used to be an estate agent in the Wirral in the '50s

and he used to haunt the auction rooms

and I think he was at one auction

and this clock was left and the auctioneer said.

"For goodness sake, Frank, give me half a crown for it!"

which he did, and he came home with the clock,

which he very proudly got going and it's been going ever since.

The technical term for it is actually a "long-case clock"...

we only refer to them as being a "grandfather clock"

for the simple reason there was a story actually in the Victorian times where there was a clock in a pub

and there were two brothers who owned this pub and owned this clock and one brother died and the clock stopped,

so they wound it up again and it went for a little while.

The second brother died, the clock stopped and never went again

and they made a song about it called "Grandfather's Clock".

-Yeah.

-And that's where the term comes from!

-Right!

Now this really is a lovely clock.

I mean it's got everything going for it. It's in nice condition,

the dial is original, it's running, it's late-19th century.

-I mean value-wise, it's gone from being half a crown today...

-Yes...

So at today's value, a good quality visual clock like this with the double weights will bring around

the £1,000 mark, so if you said sort of £600 to £1,000,

a big chunk of your target if you wanted to do it.

-It's up to you.

-I'd have to think about it carefully.

I don't think my dad would ever forgive me.

I would be surprised to see it here.

However, that does actually bring us to the end of our day's rummaging.

Well, if Paul's right, and he normally is, I have to say,

then we hope that at auction you will actually make...

£810.

Oh! That's excellent!

-Fantastic!

-Yeah!

-That's great!

-Very good.

So let us know about the clock and we'll see you at the auction.

All you have got to do now, ladies, is pack everything up,

-because we don't do that, do we?

-No, we don't, come on!

We've had a brilliant day here with Liz and Jenny

and what a wonderful items we're packing off to auction.

There's the 19th-century music box,

which we're hoping will charm with its estimate of £80 to £120,

and the unusual wooden yoke,

which Paul valued at a rather modest £20 to £50,

but we'll have to wait until the auction

to see whether Liz parts with that beautiful clock,

with a whopping £600 to £1,000 estimate,

it could turn a humble hike into a five-star holiday.

Still to come on Cash In The Attic...

some last-minute auction advice from Paul.

Don't scratch your nose... That's sometimes taken as a bid.

And Liz has to face taking some of the items home...

-It's worth more than that.

-Yep.

-So he's right not to sell?

-Yeah.

But will the successful sales be enough to reach our target when the final hammer falls?

It's a few weeks since we were at Liz's lovely cottage and today we've brought everything

we've found here to Chiswick Auction Rooms in West London.

Now, Liz is after £500 if you remember,

so she can go for a walking holiday up one of the Munros of Scotland...

That's a big hill, or a small mountain, whichever way you look at it.

Anyway, I'm hoping we won't have an uphill struggle today when our items go under the hammer.

Well, we seem to have some early birds here today, and they're all looking pretty keen.

One man who is always on time for auction is our expert, Paul Hayes, and today is no exception.

-Hi, there!

-Hello, how are you?

-You're looking at the little lady?

Yeah. I think this is beautiful.

I've tried to research the artist.

He did do exhibitions at the Walker Gallery, which is in Liverpool.

But there's nothing outside the Liverpool area

and it is really all about the artist, but I think she's lovely!

I think we might need it, cos I don't think Liz will bring that clock.

No. Do you know what?

I wouldn't be surprised. I mean I found with clocks and watches they do tend to become part of the family...

People get very attached to them. It's not like a dinner set or an old painting or something.

-It's something personal.

-Yeah, it is.

Anyway, let's see. Maybe I'm wrong...

and I think they might have arrived, so let's go and find them.

As the dealers and collectors continue browsing,

we find Liz and Jenny saying their goodbyes to one of Liz's much-loved items.

Good morning, Liz.

-Hi, there.

-And Jenny.

-Morning.

-This is my favourite item of yours, the music box.

-I think it's just stunning.

-Yes, it is.

-Lovely!

Oh, dear, Liz, you look a bit sad.

Well, only because it's a bit of...

part of you that's now going to be sold to somebody else, that's all, really.

-Are you having second thoughts?

-No, no.

Good girl! Now, Paul wanted to ask you...

Yes. We were wondering whether you brought the grandfather clock?

-No, I haven't.

-We're not really surprised, actually, but I assume everything else is here?

No, not the teddy, I'm afraid.

You decided to keep that, did you?

Yeah, well I rang my sister in Australia

and although it's mine, it's hers emotionally

cos she loved it to bits when she was little and she said,

"You can't sell Biggy Bear!" she said, "You can't."

Biggy Bear!

How old is your sister?

About 48!

-Oh, dear. And how are you feeling, Jenny?

-I'm excited.

This is my first auction, so yeah, really looking forward to it.

They are fun, sometimes a roller coaster.

They can be. One little tip, don't scratch your nose... That's taken as a bid!

-Particularly your ears.

-You might get a bike!

-Let's go and find a good place then we can watch it. Come along.

-OK.

Now, if you fancy buying or selling at auction, then don't forget that the sale room will add charges

such as commission to your bill, so make sure you check the details with your local auction house.

The bidders are all ready and waiting

so we find a spot in the corner and prepare for the action to begin,

and our first lot is soon up.

I love these oils on card, because you actually found these at an auction, didn't you?

Yes, they were in an old chest, which is full of artist's materials

and prints and pictures which we sat on, so none of the girls could look in it. We got it for 15 shillings!

So it's real recycling!

Back to the auction they go, OK. We want £20.

I mean, they're a nice lot.

Someone would buy these just to mess about with them, maybe frame them up so yeah, £20 upwards.

Let's see if you can make a profit.

Start me at £20, see how they go.

£20. I'm bid at £20, give me 22, at £20, take 22, 25, 28, 30,

32, 35, 38, 40, 42, 45.

£42 there. 44, 48, 50, 5, 60. Your bid at £55. Take 60.

At £55 all done at 55 and going...

at £55 then, your last chance.

Sold at £55.

-Woo!

-That's good, that's brilliant!

-That's a real result!

-Yeah!

That's a great return for Liz's 15-shilling investment

and the first step towards our target of £500.

Second under the hammer

is one of our favourite and most unusual items...

it's the wooden yoke that Paul valued at £20 to £50.

Now's your chance.

£20 for it. I'm bid £20. Who will give me 22? At 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38?

Yes, or no? At £35, your bid at £35. I'm selling at £35. Are we done? Last chance.

-Oh!

-That's all right.

-That's all right.

It's another good result

and another few pounds banked towards that Highland holiday.

So, will our next lot also get the sale room buzzing?

It's certainly an emotional lot for Liz.

This was part of your childhood.

Yes. I can remember playing "Oh, Come All You Faithful" on Christmas Day.

So how do you feel about the fact it's going out of your life, we think?

A bit sad, but as long as it makes a good profit, I shall be pleased.

Lot 59 now. We have the music box, now, the 19th-century mahogany music box and start me at £100 for it.

Come on, start me at £50 for it. We're in at £50, 55, 60, 5, 70, 5, 80, 5...

At 85 looking for 90 £85. 90 back in. 5... £90 are we done?

At £90 and gone then.

Last chance and gone at £90.

There you go! That's in the middle there, isn't it?

-Yes... it was a good bargain there.

-Yes.

It's not a bad result, but I think it tugged at Liz's heartstrings,

and a few more pounds might have eased the blow somewhat...

but there's no time to dwell on it, as that lovely painting

by the Liverpudlian artist is about to be put on the rostrum.

Will it reach Paul's valuation of £100?

The Phil Hyde watercolour.

£100 to start me.

£50 for it.

£30 for it, see how it goes. I'm bid £30, £30, take 32.

32 there, take 35.

38, 40, 42, 45, 48... You're at £45.

Do you want 48? 48, 50?

Yes, or no? At £48, here with me at £48, take 50, at £48. Are we done at £48 and selling all done.

Ooooh!

Well, that is disappointing, isn't it, £48, but...

Well, we'd all hoped for more

but the painting just didn't catch the bidders' attention today.

With any luck, it's just a blip

because we've still got four lots to go

and it's the furniture section up next.

We're hoping to sell your dining room table, now...

-Yes.

-But this is quite special, isn't it?

-Yes. It's one my granny did her ironing on!

-Oh!

I know you're quite fond of it, so you've put a reserve on, haven't you?

Yes, a flexible one, so it's up to the auctioneer's discretion really if it goes.

£180, so, fingers crossed.

OK, so you reckon, Paul, 180?

Yeah, I mean that's the minimum really.

I think you're right.

It's a good-quality item, it's got nice hairy-paw feet!

The mahogany period Pembroke table, number 780A.

780A for the Pembroke table.

Is that worth... £100 for it? £100 for it, £100 for it?

-They'll withdraw it.

-If no-one is going to start me at £100, I'll pass the lot.

No-one's here to £100, then?

No bids of £100, surprising!

-That's a bit of a disappointment, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

-What are you going to do?

Perhaps leave it in next week and see if it will go.

I'll have a word with the auctioneer and with Paul afterwards and see what they advise, really.

-You could take it home and do your ironing on it!

-Yes, on the train!

Oh, well, it is a bit of a hole in our target.

-Yes, it is!

-Never mind!

Liz is putting a brave face on things,

but it is a big blow to our Highland fund.

Will our large Elizabethan table suffer a similar fate?

17th-century oak side table.

Is that worth £200 for it? Start me for it. £200 for it.

£200 for it. I'm bid at £200, give me £210, at £200 take 10.

That's the bid so far at £200. Take 10 at £200, 10 or not?

-At £200 are we done?

-He won't sell it.

-At £200 disappointing.

Any interest at £200, then?

Are we done at £200? Come and see me after.

Well, he hasn't sold it.

-He hasn't sold it.

-Yeah, it's worth more than that.

-Yeah.

-So he's right not to sell?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

We've had two unsold furniture lots today

and have another two furniture lots to go.

Our highly-valued tables may not have sold,

but perhaps our more modestly-priced tilt-top offering

will be what the bidders are looking for.

We're hoping for just £30 to £40.

Tiny little table, is that worth £50?

£50 for it, should make that.

£50 for it, £30 for it?

I'm bid at £30, £30, give me 32. At £30, bid me at 32, take 2.

32, 35,

38, 40, 42, 45, 48, yes, or no?

48, 50, 5. I'm bid £50.

At £50 then last chance. At £50 all done, £50 and going.

Your bid at £50 all out.

-£50, that's good.

-Within the estimate.

Yeah. Phew! That's a long overdue addition to our holiday fund.

We've just one lot left...

the large wooden chest which Paul valued at £50 to £70.

A Georgian pine chest. It's got the original paint and patination on

which makes it quite desirable.

£50 for it. Should make much more.

£50 for it. £40 for it.

I'm bid at £40, 42, 45.

48, 50, 5, 60, 5, 70, 5.

70 I'm bid, I'll take 5, at £70, 5 I'll take, all done.

At £70 cheap, and going for £70. Are we done?

-Very good!

-You did empty it out, didn't you, before you came?

-Yes!

Excellent! Selling for the top-end estimate, it's a relief for us all.

After those successful final sales, it's time to see

whether our roller coaster day has ended on a high note.

Now I know you've been quite worried about making your target.

£500 you want to go up that Scottish Munro.

Well, you haven't made the £500 I'm afraid. You've actually made £348.

That's not too bad.

With the items that have been sold, that's pretty good.

-So, are you happy with your £348?

-Definitely, yes!

-And have you enjoyed yourself?

-It's been fascinating. I've had a really good day.

A few weeks later and Liz is finally taking that well-deserved Highland break at Loch Tay,

60 miles from Glasgow, along with her friend, Sam,

and it looks as if it's bringing back some happy memories.

I came to Scotland for the first time 25 years ago and just fell in love with it,

so this is 25 years going back to visit the places that I enjoyed most in Scotland.

After a relaxing night in a luxury hotel, the ladies head off to explore the Scottish countryside.

Liz is clearly loving having some time to relax and to reflect on her auction experience.

Everything has turned out really well,

you know, the rummage, the auction, the money it made has enabled me

to come up here and it's turned out excellently, brilliant!

It's going to be a holiday I shall remember for a long time,

so perhaps we'll come back again in another 25 years

and you can film us crawling on all fours up here, no, in our wheelchairs, I suspect!

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