0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Cash In The Attic. We come into your home,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07help you look for antiques and collectables
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and then sell them with you at auction.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14Today I'm in Cheshire and, to quite literally get a flavour of the county,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I stopped off in Northwich
0:00:16 > 0:00:21to visit a museum that is dedicated to a rather surprising commodity.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27It's salt, and if you think this stuff is confined to cooking
0:00:27 > 0:00:31and the dinner table, you need to think again!
0:00:31 > 0:00:37From preserving food to the production of polythene, salt has more than 14,000 uses
0:00:37 > 0:00:41and the Salt Museum, founded over 100 years ago by two locals,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44celebrates the long history of mining in the area.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Believe it or not, Northwich was once dubbed "The Salt Capital of the World"
0:00:48 > 0:00:54and today, Cheshire is the only county that continues to produce the stuff on a large scale,
0:00:54 > 0:00:59mining the rich deposits that lie deep beneath the Cheshire plains.
0:00:59 > 0:01:06And if that's whetted your appetite, there are lots of other exhibitions on display here in the museum too,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09but now we have to go and earn our salt as we go in search
0:01:09 > 0:01:14of a whole wealth of antiques and collectables to take to auction.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Coming up on Cash In The Attic, some fantastic finds.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Why are they packed away like this? Why aren't they out on display?
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Some mixed feelings...
0:01:44 > 0:01:48It's tempting, yes, but can I have a little think?
0:01:48 > 0:01:50And some great results!
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- The temperature is low today, but the bidding went up...that's good! - That's fantastic!
0:01:54 > 0:01:58But will we still be smiling when the final hammer falls?
0:01:59 > 0:02:02I'm in the heart of Cheshire and I've come to visit a couple
0:02:02 > 0:02:05who have called in the Cash In The Attic team
0:02:05 > 0:02:09to help them de-clutter so that they can raise money
0:02:09 > 0:02:12to fund a rather overdue break.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17This semi-detached house in Knutsford is home to former nurse Alison Sherwin
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and her beloved Chihuahuas Harry and Monty.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22She also shares the house with her partner,
0:02:22 > 0:02:28Gary, a transport manager by day and a biker nut at all other times!
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Having met just over a year ago, they decided to take the plunge and move in together.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38Alison collected a wealth of antiques and furniture with her late husband Maurice,
0:02:38 > 0:02:43who passed away five years ago, but with a house move and a new start on the horizon,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Alison has decided that it's time to clear the decks and start afresh.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Good morning, John.- Good morning, Angela. How are you?- Extremely well.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54We've got a family today that have got some really lovely pieces of furniture.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57I think you're going to really enjoy yourself!
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- It'll be a walk in the park for me today, won't it?- Let's walk to the front door first, shall we?
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Hi, Alison and Gary!
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- Hi!- I was going to say, why have you called in Cash In The Attic?
0:03:11 > 0:03:14But I can see why you've called us in!
0:03:14 > 0:03:16You're surrounded by boxes full of stuff!
0:03:16 > 0:03:22- Where's it all come from, Alison? - It's come from where I used to live, mostly.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28I lived in a large farmhouse and we had loads of space there
0:03:28 > 0:03:33but now I've no room to hang my pictures
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and it just has to go.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Time for a change, clearly.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- Yes.- So, Gary, what are we raising the money for?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Alison's never been to London before.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43She's never been to London?
0:03:43 > 0:03:48No, so we'd like to take her to London for a bit of sight-seeing, retail therapy,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- maybe take in a show, restaurant. - That carries quite a high price tag, doesn't it?
0:03:52 > 0:03:58- How much do you reckon that is going to cost you, Gary? - £500-ish, maybe a bit more.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- £500-ish?- That would be good... a little bit more would be nice.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Do you think we've got £500 hidden away in all these boxes?
0:04:05 > 0:04:11- I'm sure somewhere there must be, yes!- There's only one way to find out, isn't there?
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Mmm-hmm.- And that is to say...
0:04:13 > 0:04:18overture and beginners, please, and curtain up on Alison's West End debut!
0:04:18 > 0:04:24And I suppose we'd better go and find John as well, because he's the man with the key. Come on!
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Well, if Gary and Alison are going to raise the £500 they need in order
0:04:28 > 0:04:32to have a big weekend in the Big Smoke, we're going to need to get cracking!
0:04:34 > 0:04:39Fortunately, expert John Cameron is just the man to shine a light on the gems that we're looking for.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43His face has already lit up at the sight of this lamp!
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Morning, John.- Hi, girls.- I know I promised you lots of furniture
0:04:46 > 0:04:50but there are lots of other lovely things here, too, like this fabulous oil lamp.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Isn't it lovely!- This is wonderful! You see quite a few of them around
0:04:54 > 0:04:57but that's probably one of the nicest shades I've seen for a very long time.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02This particular piece here really is of the Victorian period.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07You know you could almost see somebody curled up reading Martin Chuzzlewit beside the fire
0:05:07 > 0:05:11with this oil lamp. This is a typical Victorian piece. I really love the shade of that.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15It's a typical form, we have a heavy base to make sure it's stable,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18a classical column, again, a feature you see on a lot of them
0:05:18 > 0:05:22and then you have this font, or the reservoir as it's sometimes referred to,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24holding the paraffin in there,
0:05:24 > 0:05:29but my favourite part about this oil lamp has to be this really decorative shade.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Look at the work that's gone into this, and all done by hand.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37We've got this lovely etching around here with this contrast of matt and clear glass acanthus leaf
0:05:37 > 0:05:43running all the way around, but look at that rim. That has had to be crimped by hand.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47They would have had a special pair of iron crimpers that did that shape by hand.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50The glassworker did that. But this is a lovely lamp.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55I really do like that. Pop that back on there like that. Well...value-wise,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59I would say today somewhere between £50 and £100, something like that.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01So is it something we can take to auction?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Yes.- We're sending it to auction, definitely.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Shall we see what else we've got in the house?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Then we're going to find some furniture for you soon, John!
0:06:10 > 0:06:13It's a very pretty item
0:06:13 > 0:06:19but is a working oil lamp, it needs to be lit
0:06:19 > 0:06:22and I don't like the smell, so it can go.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26£50 towards the travel fund is certainly better than a bad smell.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30And while John continues to sniff out items to take to auction,
0:06:30 > 0:06:35Gary is hoping that this Georgian washstand with blue and white bowl
0:06:35 > 0:06:37will clean up when the hammer comes down.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42It could be adorning someone else's house soon, for around £60.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45And whilst rummaging out in the hall, Alison finds something
0:06:45 > 0:06:48she hopes might put in a show-stealing performance.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54John, I've found this. Would this be anything to send to auction?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Interesting! What have we got in here?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Ooh, a harmonica!
0:06:58 > 0:07:00What's the story behind it?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02That was my husband's.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- Did he play?- No.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10I think we all have aspirations of becoming harmonica players. I've had a bash myself
0:07:10 > 0:07:13but the sound I made made the cats run to the next street!
0:07:13 > 0:07:18This is a Hohner, a pretty good make, in fact, they don't come much better than the Hohner harmonica.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23This one is called the 64 Chromonica, and that is because, if you have a look on here,
0:07:23 > 0:07:28they've numbered the chambers 1 to 16, so if you imagine we can blow the air through causing one note,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32or giving us one note, drawing it back gives us a second note,
0:07:32 > 0:07:33giving us 32 notes in total,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36but by using this lever on the side here,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40if you press that, you open up a second series of chambers.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44That doubles up, that gives us then 64 notes out of this harmonica.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50I mean value-wise, not huge sums, I would say £20 to £40, something like that. We might get a bit more,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54but somewhere in that region, so it won't get our train fare to London,
0:07:54 > 0:08:00- but we might buy our theatre programmes with that. So would that be OK?- Yes.- Are you sure?- Mm-hm.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05- Jolly good! Well, it's not bad, but we're not there yet so we've more rummaging to do!- Right.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Hopefully the harmonica will be music to the ears of the bidders
0:08:09 > 0:08:13and get Alison closer to that first ever trip to London.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Whilst John leaves no stone, or commode, unturned,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Gary gets lucky with the crockery in the dining room.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23This red and gold Wellington china tea set is taking up a lot of space
0:08:23 > 0:08:27when it could be making us £30 to £40.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30While the others continue the search, I find Alison
0:08:30 > 0:08:34for a quick chat about how she has come to own all of these items.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36So this is the house
0:08:36 > 0:08:40where so many of the things you've got here came from.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Your late husband designed this house himself, didn't he?- Yes.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46He was a tetraplegic. How did that happen?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49It was a farming accident.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51When he was a teenager,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54he was gored by a bull.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56He must have been a remarkable man!
0:08:56 > 0:08:59He actually ran the farm from his wheelchair, didn't he?
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Yes. There was nothing that would stand in his way.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06If he wanted to do something, he would do it,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10he would find a way and we had some wonderful times together.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14We went to Paris...
0:09:14 > 0:09:19we went on a cruise, we've done all kinds of things together
0:09:19 > 0:09:23and he never let his disability get him down at all.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24And he had a motto, didn't he?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28He did. He said, "Never look back, go forward."
0:09:28 > 0:09:32So was it through Maurice that you increased the interest
0:09:32 > 0:09:35that you had already in antiques and collectables?
0:09:35 > 0:09:39I went to auctions prior to meeting Maurice.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I always enjoyed an auction
0:09:43 > 0:09:48and he inspired me to collect more, really.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53We used to enjoy going around the antiques shops and looking.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57And you've now also got an interest in this with Gary as well. You go to car boot sales?
0:09:57 > 0:10:03Yes, we do. Spend all day at the car boot sales on nice days, yeah.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06I've picked up some nice bits and pieces.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09You've mentioned that you went to Paris, you've been on a cruise.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12How come you never went to London?
0:10:12 > 0:10:13I don't know why!
0:10:13 > 0:10:17I missed out on an opportunity 18 years ago.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21My brother was fond of doing competitions,
0:10:21 > 0:10:27it was a hobby of his, and he actually won a theatre weekend trip to London.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Unfortunately, I had to opt out
0:10:30 > 0:10:35and I got fed up of hearing all about the London trip.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40They'd been to see Phantom Of The Opera and how good that was
0:10:40 > 0:10:45and dinner at the Ritz and picked up in a fancy car, and...
0:10:45 > 0:10:50We're only going to get that if we find a few more things in these boxes around the house,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52so we'd better get back to work.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Luckily, while we've been gassing away, the boys have been keeping busy.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01As John inspects some of the china, Gary spots this set of four prints
0:11:01 > 0:11:04showing hunters on the prowl for partridges.
0:11:04 > 0:11:10John thinks they could get us £80 to £120 closer to that £500 target.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15In the dining room, Alison is rooting through some more boxes, chock-a-block with crockery.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18But it is something else that has caught my eye.
0:11:18 > 0:11:25Alison, this is an absolutely lovely piece of furniture, this corner cabinet, it's just beautiful!
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Yes, it's one of my favourites, this.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Where did this come from?- This came from the farm where I lived before
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and was one of my late husband's very favourite pieces.
0:11:36 > 0:11:43He loved this cabinet and I do too as it houses all my expensive glassware.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48John used to be a cabinet-maker and I know he's going to love having a closer look
0:11:48 > 0:11:53at this piece of furniture, so John, do you want to come and join us and take a look at this lovely cabinet!
0:11:53 > 0:11:55I agree, Angela, it's a very nice cabinet.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Very nice, indeed. Any idea of the date of this piece?
0:11:58 > 0:12:04Not exactly, no. I know it's old, but how old, I don't know.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09Corner cabinets like this we tend to associate with the Georgian period, the 18th century.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15They turn up in fairly good numbers and you get them from the early part, right into the 19th century.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17This one here is one of my favourites, the bow-front,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22as opposed to the corner cabinets that just have a straight panel door across.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27A lot more work goes into this and what I love about this is the natural beauty of the timber
0:12:27 > 0:12:33and here we can see they've used mahogany and the only other decoration is this very subtle
0:12:33 > 0:12:37boxwood stringing and some motifs up in that top frieze around there. A very nice piece of furniture.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Lovely, isn't it? What sort of value would be on that, then, John?
0:12:41 > 0:12:46A plainer, provincial oak piece you might get for as little as £50 to £100 these days,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48which might surprise you.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52This one, I would still say about £150 to £250, something like that.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Is this something you might take to auction?
0:12:55 > 0:12:59It's tempting, yes, but can I have a little think?
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Absolutely! Thinking time needed on that one.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08- Yes.- Which means we've got to use the rest of our time very profitably and see what else we can find.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- Shall we see what else you've got tucked away in these boxes?- OK.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16If Alison decides to take the cabinet to auction, it could really
0:13:16 > 0:13:20help fund their trip, but in the meantime, we need to keep searching.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23It's certainly no time to be sitting around taking a break
0:13:23 > 0:13:27unless of course, like me, you've found a little two-seater mahogany sofa.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30These teddy bears will have to find a new home
0:13:30 > 0:13:34as John thinks it will bring in £80 to £120.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Gary has seating on his mind as well,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40as he uncovers a piano stool which seems to be missing a piano!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43John!
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Hello, Gary. - What do you think of this?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48That's an interesting piece. Anybody musical in the family?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- Only me in the shower!- Well, that's music to my ears, anyway,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55because it certainly means we can consider it for auction.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Well, as we know, it's a piano stool.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Date-wise, looking at the construction and timber, I'd say it's stained walnut,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04I'd put this at about 1900/1910, so it was an Edwardian piece.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07This X-frame here is a pretty unique design.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11It does give you strength, it's a sturdy piece of furniture
0:14:11 > 0:14:14but it also enables you to be able to adjust this seat.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17If it seems a little bit too high, just adjust it there
0:14:17 > 0:14:21and you can see it goes down to a slightly lower level.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26Now, sadly today, the piano is no longer the focal point for entertainment in the home.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32Once, everybody had a piano, and at least one member of the family could play. Sadly that's lost.
0:14:32 > 0:14:38Today we've got computer games and televisions and so many more other things to keep us occupied
0:14:38 > 0:14:40that our musical skills have sadly faded away
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and the piano and stools have as well.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- Value-wise, I reckon we're looking at about £40 to £60.- That sounds OK.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- Will that strike the right chord with Alison?- We hope so.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53As you can see, it's cluttering up the room so let's get rid of it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Good. Carry on rummaging, we've got some way to go.- Thanks very much.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01If Alison and Gary's future is going to involve a special weekend in London,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03there's certainly no room for sentimentality.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07While Alison comes up empty-handed from these boxes,
0:15:07 > 0:15:12John manages to snare this pair of hunting pictures in their original frames,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15which could put another £30 in the pot.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19But whilst we've been busy inside the house, one person has managed to sneak out
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and I've got a pretty good idea where I might find him!
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- Gary!- Hi!- Might have known I'd find you out here with the pride and joy!
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- Yes, the other woman in my life! - The other pride and joy, exactly!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- You are a real motorbike fanatic, aren't you?- Yes, I am, yes.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36When did you start riding bikes?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Off-road stuff when I was probably about six or seven.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- So what sort of a bike is this? - This is a Suzuki 1400 Intruder.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47So do you manage ever to get Alison on the pillion on the back?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Occasionally, when she feels brave enough!
0:15:49 > 0:15:53I don't see her as a motorbike type, but you're converting her, are you?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Yeah, and she has been on the back of bikes before she met me even
0:15:57 > 0:16:01so she has been on bikes before and she's been on this a few times.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Of course, one of the things you do do together is go to car boot sales,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07don't you? What do you get out of that?
0:16:07 > 0:16:12I think with Alison it's having the rummage and finding things that might be worth something.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Nine times out of ten, they're not.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But with me it's the interaction with different people on the stalls
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and taking to different people
0:16:19 > 0:16:23and basically rummaging and having a good look around.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- You want to do something special for her, don't you? - She's a special lady.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31She's waited 18 years for this trip to London. We'd better not let her down.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Shall we see what else we can find to fund it?- OK.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39While we've been chewing the fat outside, the others have been motoring along nicely inside.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Alison has found this carved oak banjo barometer
0:16:42 > 0:16:47which John thinks will pressure the bidders into parting with £30-£40.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Meanwhile, furniture fan that he is,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53John can't but help stopping to admire this piece in the hallway.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Alison, can we consider this side table here for auction?
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Um...yes.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03I sense some reluctance there. Is it something you're fond of?
0:17:03 > 0:17:08I do like it very much, but I'm willing to let it go.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12It can go, great! Well, any idea how old it is?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14100 plus?
0:17:14 > 0:17:19It's a bit older than that. I'd say at least 200 years old. It's a Georgian piece, it's made of oak.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24We can tell from these beautiful medullary rays running right through the oak. That's unique to oak.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28They have used, which is always a nice feature on provincial pieces,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32they've cross-banded the top with mahogany, I like that.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Moving down to the front here, again, typical Georgian features to the drawers here.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39This cop-beading, see that? And it's nice that it's all there.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43That tends to get knocked off and chipped, it seems to be
0:17:43 > 0:17:46in pretty good condition. And these square tapering supports.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Woodworm does love oak but it seems to have escaped here so this piece
0:17:49 > 0:17:52hasn't been affected and seems quite sturdy.
0:17:52 > 0:17:58- Good.- What you have lost is some of these little spandrels, these carved shaped brackets in the corners
0:17:58 > 0:18:01which add a bit of support. You've lost a couple of those,
0:18:01 > 0:18:06but other than that for a table that's over 200 years old, it's not in bad condition.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Nice side table, could be used as a desk.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Value-wise, I reckon we're looking at about £120 to £160.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Would you be happy with that? - Yeah, that's OK.- Good, good.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20Let's get on before you change your mind. The others have been a long time upstairs.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- Shall we see how they're faring?- Yes.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26I like so much of my furniture but there's so much of it
0:18:26 > 0:18:32that I've decided that I've got to be a little ruthless and it has to go,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34hopefully to a nice home.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36That's the spirit, Alison!
0:18:36 > 0:18:41And as Gary searches for that elusive final item to take us over the target,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45it's John who thinks he might have found something small but perfectly formed.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50- Hi! You've found my miniatures, then! - I have Alison, I have indeed.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53I haven't finished with them yet but why are they packed away?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Why haven't you got them out on display?
0:18:55 > 0:19:00Well, they were hung around the fireplace in the other house.
0:19:00 > 0:19:06It was quite large. Here, they don't look so good there, so I'm afraid,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08yes, they were left boxed up.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13Now, looking at those, if we can imagine a time before text messaging and the internet,
0:19:13 > 0:19:19before photographs even, when one's loved one went on a voyage or went away in the army,
0:19:19 > 0:19:23people seldom had anything to remind them of something visual
0:19:23 > 0:19:26so they would commission portrait miniature painters
0:19:26 > 0:19:28to give them a portrait of their loved-one.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31We've got miniatures and we've got the silhouettes.
0:19:31 > 0:19:37You see the silhouettes there? They were always a cheaper alternative, much easier to produce.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41In terms of value, those are a lot less than your average miniatures.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44We've got an army officer, a naval officer
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and this chap here in the centre
0:19:47 > 0:19:51and he's been beautifully rendered, that's really a nice execution of the sitter.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57If we look at the back, we've got that lovely plaited lock of hair in this original locket frame
0:19:57 > 0:19:59and in the centre, this wonderful anchor
0:19:59 > 0:20:04which is set with sea pearls implying that this chap has a naval connection.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05I really like that.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Any idea what they might be worth?
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I think...
0:20:11 > 0:20:13probably around £200?
0:20:13 > 0:20:17I think £200 to £300 is a good sensible starting price as an estimate.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20It would certainly tempt bidders in, but with this one in particular,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23I would hope it would make a bit more than that,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25but I think that's a good estimate, £200-£300.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29£200 to £300 did I hear you say for these lovely miniatures?
0:20:29 > 0:20:33We've got a variety here. £200-£300 is where we'll pitch them at auction.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35I've done a bit of mental arithmetic,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and if we add up everything that John has looked at today
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and take his lowest estimates,
0:20:40 > 0:20:45and if we take that beautiful corner cabinet that you have in the sitting room,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48it comes to the grand total of -
0:20:48 > 0:20:51bearing in mind you said about £500 -
0:20:51 > 0:20:55we might be able to raise as much as...
0:20:55 > 0:20:58£890! But without the cabinet, then it comes to -
0:20:58 > 0:21:03because you said about £150 for that - it comes to £740.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06You can still do serious damage to the plastic with that, can't you?
0:21:06 > 0:21:12- Mm-hm.- But of course, we don't know! This may be the end of Act 1 of Alison's West End debut,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16but we've got Act 2, the big drama, coming next, when we go to auction!
0:21:16 > 0:21:21It's been a very successful rummage as Alison and Gary hope to raise the cash
0:21:21 > 0:21:24that will, with any luck, raise the curtain in London.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29Helping us light up the auction room on the day will be the oil lamp,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31which could make £50 to £100.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35The Georgian side table taking up valuable space in the house
0:21:35 > 0:21:37should made way for around £120.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40And the star lot, the miniature portraits and silhouettes
0:21:40 > 0:21:44featuring the naval-themed portrait with the lock of hair in the back.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49They'll hopefully adorn another fireplace soon for £200 to £300.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52But will Alison and Gary decide to bring
0:21:52 > 0:21:54the mahogany cabinet from the dining room
0:21:54 > 0:21:58and make it first class all the way to London's West End?
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Still to come on Cash In The Attic,
0:22:01 > 0:22:05it's surprises galore, as some items fail to ignite the room!
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Not sold, I'm afraid. No bids at all!
0:22:09 > 0:22:11While others pretty much catch fire!
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Yes, suddenly I've come all over hot!
0:22:16 > 0:22:21So will the road to London be paved with gold when the final hammer falls?
0:22:21 > 0:22:22Your bid, sir, thank you.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32We all had a great time with Gary and Alison helping them to de-clutter their home
0:22:32 > 0:22:37and in the process we found some wonderful collectables and furniture that we were able
0:22:37 > 0:22:41to bring here to Liverpool today to sell at Cato Crane Auctioneers.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Now, the couple want £500 so that Alison can take her first ever trip to London
0:22:46 > 0:22:50and, at the same time, take in a long overdue West End show.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Who knows what dramas are going to unfold today
0:22:54 > 0:22:57when her items go under the hammer?
0:22:57 > 0:23:00There's real quality on display here today and, as ever,
0:23:00 > 0:23:05plenty of bidders anticipating the treasures to be found.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Before the room fills up, I find John having one last look at the miniatures.
0:23:09 > 0:23:15Ah, John, you're looking at my favourite piece of Alison's collection.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I am convinced that he was a naval surgeon.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23I just think he's got a lovely sort of bedside-manner face. I like him!
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Very dapper! I think he's our star lot.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I'm hoping our miniatures make big money for us here today.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Alison also had some wonderful furniture in her house, didn't she?
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Do you remember that lovely corner cabinet in which she kept all the glasses?
0:23:36 > 0:23:41- She seemed attached to that. Do you think she's brought it?- I suspect she probably hasn't brought it.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Where would she put all the glasses? The only way to find out is to go and ask her!
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Come on, then.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51John and I are both fans of the miniature portraits,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55so let's hope that bodes well for the sale ahead.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58While the bidders look at the lots they hope to take home,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01we find our family saying goodbye to some of theirs!
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Alison and Gary, having a final look!- How are you doing?
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- All right!- It looks very handsome, doesn't it?
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It is my favourite lot, I do love that shade on there.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It is absolutely beautiful.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Any sort of last-minute pangs
0:24:14 > 0:24:17now you're seeing it all in the auction room and that it's going to go?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- I'm just feeling a little nervous, really.- Yeah, it's just...
0:24:21 > 0:24:26- Nervous of the auction or nervous of seeing things going?- Both!
0:24:26 > 0:24:31You've been to lots of car boot sales. Have you never been to an auction before, either of you?
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- I have been to auctions before, yes.- Yeah, but never actually to sell anything.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Only to buy? - Buy, yes, not sell!
0:24:37 > 0:24:41There's an unanswered question that Angela and I wanted to find out.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- Have you brought the corner cabinet? - Um...no.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- Where would you put the glasses? - Exactly!- But you've brought lots of other things?- Yes.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54You've got those lovely miniatures, some very nice pieces of furniture and John's star item -
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- the lamp.- Yes.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00We've got to get you down to London at last.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04But the trip you're going to make now is just from here to that corner over there
0:25:04 > 0:25:09because the sale room is starting to fill up and we need to take our places. Come on!
0:25:12 > 0:25:17If, like Alison and Gary, you are new to selling items at auction,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21remember that commission and other charges may apply, so check with the auction house.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23It's a packed room today,
0:25:23 > 0:25:28but we managed to find ourselves a corner from which to watch proceedings and in no time at all,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31the first lot of the day comes up for sale.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36It's the barometer which John has valued at £30 to £40.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40OK. Nice barometer, ladies and gentlemen. The wheel barometer.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41What's it worth?
0:25:41 > 0:25:45£20 is bid, then, come on! 20, £20 is bid, thank you. 20.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- 30. 40.- Wow!
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Any more than £40? 45 is bid now.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54£45. All done and I'm going to sell at £45... Is that your bid, sir?
0:25:54 > 0:25:57£45, all done at 45 now.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58£45.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- Great result! £5 over your top estimate!- Happy with that!
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- The temperature's low, but the bidding went up.- Fantastic!
0:26:05 > 0:26:09£45 is a great start for Alison and Gary
0:26:09 > 0:26:14and puts them firmly on the road to London. Hopefully the bidders will make a similar
0:26:14 > 0:26:17song and dance over our next item.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- Harmonica playing doesn't really go with riding a bike, does it, Gary? - I hoped John would give us a tune.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26You're very kind, but if I had to busk for a living, I'd starve!
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I'd certainly lose a few pounds, anyway!
0:26:28 > 0:26:30£20 for it.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33£20, come on, give me £20 for the mouth organ. £10 to start you off.
0:26:33 > 0:26:3610 is bid, 10. 15.
0:26:36 > 0:26:3920 down there. I'll take 22 now, if you like.
0:26:39 > 0:26:4322, 22 the lady's bid, 22.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46All done at £22. Any advance on 22?
0:26:46 > 0:26:50We're going to sell it at £22 now.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54With the harmonica selling a couple of pounds over John's estimate,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56it seems the bidders are biting in the room today.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I wonder if they'll be snapping up our next item!
0:26:59 > 0:27:05Now, you've put a reserve of £40 on this pair of framed hunting scenes.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Why have you done that, Alison?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I am sorry to see them go, to be honest.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I love the colours and I bought them
0:27:13 > 0:27:15about 25 years ago
0:27:15 > 0:27:20at an auction so it will be interesting to see what they do go for now.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24What do we say on these? Always popular. £20 to start me off.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26£20, £20, are you bidding? £20 is bid.
0:27:26 > 0:27:2820, I've got 25.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Do you want 30, Nick? 30. 35, 35 is bid.
0:27:32 > 0:27:3340 with you, Nick? 40.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36All done at £40 with Nicola's bid at 40.
0:27:36 > 0:27:42All done at 40 now, all done and sold, your bid at 40.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45The prints sell right on the reserve
0:27:45 > 0:27:47and right in the middle of John's estimate,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50but it puts us well on the way to the £500
0:27:50 > 0:27:54that Alison and Gary need for that trip to London. Next up,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57we've got our fingers crossed there are musicians in the room
0:27:57 > 0:28:02who will be happy to house this lonely piano stool at £40 to £60.
0:28:02 > 0:28:0620 if you like to start. 20 is bid, 20, 5, 30,
0:28:06 > 0:28:095, 40 there with you, sir. 40 is bid.
0:28:09 > 0:28:145, 45, 45, 50 with you now, £50.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17All done at £50. Are you coming in again?
0:28:17 > 0:28:22£50 is bid, the gentleman standing right at the back, £50.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25That's another sale right in the middle of John's estimate.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26He's doing well so far,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28which means we're well on track.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Let's just hope the next item will keep up our good run!
0:28:32 > 0:28:35No more tea parties at your house then, Alison and Gary,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39because you're selling this nice Wellington china tea set.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41- Yes.- Why is that going?
0:28:41 > 0:28:45There's nowhere to display it and that's all I would do with it -
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- display it. I wouldn't use it. - Why not?- It's too pretty.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51And I'm too clumsy!
0:28:51 > 0:28:53What do we say, £20 for it?
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Come on, £20 anyone? No bidding at £20?
0:28:57 > 0:28:58No bidding whatsoever?
0:28:58 > 0:29:03Come on, 20. 10 I'll start you off at. No interest in tea sets today?
0:29:03 > 0:29:04Not sold, I'm afraid.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06No bids at all.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12- What a shame!- Never mind!- Just when you think interest in tea sets can't get any lower, you're proved wrong,
0:29:12 > 0:29:16because we have seen the prices dripping down and going down for some years,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19but sometimes it's surprising when you can't even get a bid for it.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21- Yeah.- It's terrible!- Amazing!
0:29:21 > 0:29:24The buyers aren't falling over themselves for china today
0:29:24 > 0:29:26and we notch up our first failure.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30It's one of the lower-valued items, but it does mean we're more nervous
0:29:30 > 0:29:32as the next item comes up.
0:29:32 > 0:29:38Now I rather hope for all of you that the brass lamp is really going to light up the room now.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41You may not have liked the smell that it made,
0:29:41 > 0:29:46- but I bet you'd like to get, what? At least £50 to £100 on it? - Yes, I would.- Yes.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49But no sort of last-minute thoughts about this, Gary?
0:29:49 > 0:29:51No. We've put a reserve on it of £50,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54but hopefully it will make more than that.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57What do we do with it? £30 is bid, I should think so!
0:29:57 > 0:29:59£30 right away, 30. 30,
0:29:59 > 0:30:0240, 50, I've got 60.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Do you want 70, madam? £70 is bid.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06All done at 70? 5...
0:30:06 > 0:30:125, 80? £80. I'm going to sell now, make no mistake, at £80,
0:30:12 > 0:30:14lady's bid at 80.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17A nice object, all done at 80.
0:30:18 > 0:30:2350 to 100 is what John thought it was worth, 80 is what it went for.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- Good price? - Yes, that's OK, yes, happy with that.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29So it's a solid finish to a solid first half of the auction,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33with the lamp easily beating John's lowest estimate by £30.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Time now to add up the numbers, and see how well we've done so far.
0:30:37 > 0:30:43We're heading towards that £500 to take you on your trip to London, your first trip.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Are you getting excited about it now?
0:30:45 > 0:30:46Yes, I think so! THEY CHUCKLE
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- And are you enjoying the auction? - Yes, it's good.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Only one item not sold, remember, but we have managed to make...
0:30:53 > 0:30:58£237 and we've got a couple of very high-priced items still to come,
0:30:58 > 0:31:04so you can take the weight off your feet and contemplate a lovely weekend in the West End. Come on!
0:31:05 > 0:31:08As Alison and Gary head off for a well-earned break,
0:31:08 > 0:31:10John is not resting on his laurels.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15He's got great advice to make sure if you're looking for a perfect piece at auction,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17you don't end up with a dud.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19So what are you going to show me, John?
0:31:19 > 0:31:24This piece of furniture. Have you ever bought anything and when you've got it home realised
0:31:24 > 0:31:26it had faults and then wanted to take it back?
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Fortunately not, but I know lots of people do!
0:31:29 > 0:31:32It does happen a lot at auction - you can't bring it back.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37It's caveat emptor - buyer beware. Once the hammer goes down, you've bought it as seen.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40That's very relevant when talking about pieces of furniture like this.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44It looks fine from the front, but we don't know what's going on at the back.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47We've no idea if there's any woodworm in the back,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50we don't know if the sides of this piece have been bleached,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54or we don't know if any of it is original or unoriginal inside,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57so I always say to people, don't be afraid to get the porters
0:31:57 > 0:32:00to get this out so you can have a look and if there is nobody around,
0:32:00 > 0:32:03pull out the drawers - once you've got the drawer out,
0:32:03 > 0:32:06you can have a good look in the back there.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08If it has got woodworm, it will show on both sides.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11The feet at the front - you've no idea whether
0:32:11 > 0:32:14it's got original feet at the back or any feet.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17This could be propped up against something. I've seen that happen!
0:32:17 > 0:32:22Obviously the answer is if you go to an auction and you want to buy a piece of furniture,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25try and go the day before when it's viewed,
0:32:25 > 0:32:27or at least early on the day of the sale,
0:32:27 > 0:32:31so that you really can have a very close look at the piece that you're buying.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I couldn't have put it better!
0:32:33 > 0:32:38Well, with so many lovely items in the sale room, it's difficult not to get sidetracked,
0:32:38 > 0:32:39but as the auction continues,
0:32:39 > 0:32:44we're back in place, just in time to see our next item go under the hammer.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46It's the Georgian side table,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48which was one of four taking up room in the hall.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53John thinks it could make £120, but to make sure
0:32:53 > 0:32:57it doesn't go too cheaply, Alison has put a reserve of £100 on it.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Is it a bit special to you, this table?
0:32:59 > 0:33:04Yes, I do like it, it is a pretty table that I had in the hall
0:33:04 > 0:33:06along with the other three,
0:33:06 > 0:33:10and it is quite attractive, but one had to go at least.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13So, £50 is bid, yes, 50.
0:33:13 > 0:33:1560, I've got 70.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17Do you want 80? 90?
0:33:17 > 0:33:20100, 100? I've got 90 here.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22100. 100 is bid now.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26100. I'm going to sell now at £100.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28It's going at £100.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33Five bids on it at £100, now all done.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37£100, dead on your reserve.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Happy with that?- Yes. Yeah.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42That's the second time that the bidding
0:33:42 > 0:33:44has reached the reserve price today
0:33:44 > 0:33:45and not a penny either side.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Fortunately, it's another £100 for the fund.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51There's certainly interest for furniture,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54so let's hope that continues for our next item.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58This is a reproduction piece, an example of when demand gets high for something,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01as it did for Victorian furniture in the '80s,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03we start to see imports coming from the Far East.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05With the passage of 20-plus years,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09they can deceive some people who think they're actually period pieces,
0:34:09 > 0:34:10but it's a repro piece,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13it does need some reupholstering money invested in it as well.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17£50 for it, start me off somebody, £50 anywhere.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19It will fit in. £50, 50.
0:34:19 > 0:34:2060. 70.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- Oooh.- 80. 90 with you now. Are you bidding?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- £90.- £90!- 100 anywhere?
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I'd like to get up to 100. £90 is the bid.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33All done at 90, I will sell, if that's all right? At £90,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36down here at 90.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Middle of our estimate, not too bad.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39Pretty good!
0:34:39 > 0:34:42The reproduction settee goes £10 over the lowest estimate
0:34:42 > 0:34:43and Alison and Gary
0:34:43 > 0:34:48are edging towards the £500 they need for their London weekend.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53Hopefully, the bidders will get them even closer by battling hard for the next item -
0:34:53 > 0:34:56the complete set of four partridge shooting prints,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59which we're hoping will fetch £80 to £120.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01There we go, a nice set of prints.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05What do we say? £50 to start me, 30 if you like.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07£30, 30. Any interest?
0:35:07 > 0:35:1230 is bid, 30. 30. 40. 45.
0:35:12 > 0:35:1450. 55.
0:35:14 > 0:35:1760. 65.
0:35:17 > 0:35:1965. 70. 75 we can do.
0:35:19 > 0:35:2375, £75 now.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27£75 all done.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Sold at £75.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- OK with that, £75?- Yeah. - £5 under estimate, we were almost there!- I'm OK with that.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37A couple of interested bidders in the room take the prints
0:35:37 > 0:35:40to within £5 of the estimate - it's another good result.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45'Up next is our second item of Georgian furniture...
0:35:45 > 0:35:47'the washstand and bowl.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51'John thinks that someone might find a use for it for £60 to £70.'
0:35:51 > 0:35:55- Presumably you've never used this as a washstand, Alison?- Oh, no, no.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57We usually throw our car keys in the bowl!
0:35:57 > 0:36:01What do we say if we start the bidding at £40 for it?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05It's not expensive. £40 anywhere? 40 is bid. 40.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07£50, 50.
0:36:07 > 0:36:0950 anywhere?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11All done at £50.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14£50...the best we can do at 50?
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Not sold.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18Sadly, not sold, which means...
0:36:18 > 0:36:22at least you've got somewhere to put your keys when you go home!
0:36:22 > 0:36:23Exactly!
0:36:23 > 0:36:25So it's back up the motorway for
0:36:25 > 0:36:28the washstand-cum-car-key-holder! Nevertheless,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30all is not lost, as, without question,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32our star item is up next.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35If these miniatures do as well as we hope,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Alison and Gary will be sampling the delights of London very soon indeed!
0:36:39 > 0:36:43I've really got a soft spot for the gentleman who has got the anchor behind him.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47Interestingly, a couple of people who have looked at this have said,
0:36:47 > 0:36:51"Do you think that could be Nelson?" Had that ever occurred to you?
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- No.- No, it didn't.- No... I mean, I always thought Nelson lost his eye quite early,
0:36:55 > 0:36:57and had rather a sort of cadaverous face,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00and I think that man, as I've already said to John,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03has got rather a nice sort of bedside-manner look to him.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Will you be sad to see these go?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Mmm, yes, I will.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Interesting lot. I'll be on the telephone for these.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Telephone bids.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- That's a good sign! - All weak at the knees?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18We'll start the bidding off at £100 to start us off, please,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20100 is bid.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23100 here. I've got 150 with you.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26150, are you bidding? 150.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29200. 220.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32240. 260.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34280. 300.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36All right?
0:37:36 > 0:37:38300. I know you have a bid too. 300.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41320, sir? 340?
0:37:42 > 0:37:44360, 380,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46400, 420...
0:37:46 > 0:37:49(Aah, 420!)
0:37:49 > 0:37:51440. 460. 480, sir?
0:37:51 > 0:37:53500...
0:37:53 > 0:37:54- Is he going to nod?- 520 now.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56He's nodding!
0:37:56 > 0:37:58540, still with you. 560, sir?
0:37:58 > 0:37:59580.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03£600. 620 we'll take now.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05600 is bid here.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- He's nodding again! - 620 is bid here, 640, sir?
0:38:08 > 0:38:11660?
0:38:11 > 0:38:12Crikey!
0:38:12 > 0:38:15£660 we're asking for. 660 is bid.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18680. £700 now?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- They want him badly! - They do, don't they?
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- I told you he had a lovely bedside manner!- You did!
0:38:24 > 0:38:28- 680 is bid in the room.- All eyes are on the man on the telephone.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30700 with you. One more. 700.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34720, sir? 720 is bid. 740.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38No?
0:38:38 > 0:38:40720 is your bid now.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43All done at £720.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47For the last time, all done at £720.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Fantastic!
0:38:49 > 0:38:55- Oh! What do you say to that? - That's amazing!- That's fantastic!
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- Great!- That's fabulous! - Somebody wanted him badly!
0:38:58 > 0:39:02I think somebody may have had an argument who either the artist was or the sitter,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05because once you have either of that information,
0:39:05 > 0:39:07it kind of doubles and trebles in value.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10The quality was definitely there, it generated interest,
0:39:10 > 0:39:14- the rest was in the hands of the auction.- It's all about research.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17What a fantastic result for that one item!
0:39:17 > 0:39:20- Yeah, that was fabulous!- Wow!- Oooh.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Yes, I'm so excited, I've come over all hot!
0:39:28 > 0:39:32It's a truly stunning result for the miniatures,
0:39:32 > 0:39:33'which take us by surprise!
0:39:33 > 0:39:38'A telephone bidder and a gentleman in the room fought it out to push the price up
0:39:38 > 0:39:41'more than £500 over the lowest estimate,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45'and in one fell swoop, Alison and Gary have beaten their target,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'but just how far over have we gone?'
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- Remind us of how much you wanted to raise?- £500.- £500!
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Well, you know you've made more than that
0:39:54 > 0:39:57because the miniatures made more than that,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00but have you any inkling as to how much you've made in total?
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Just a little over £1,000?
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Oh, this is going to give you such a wonderful weekend in London!
0:40:06 > 0:40:09£1,222!
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Wow. That's brilliant!
0:40:12 > 0:40:17- So what kind of a weekend do you reckon you're going to have now, Gary?- A very nice one!
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Maybe see two shows! ALL LAUGH
0:40:25 > 0:40:27After that incredible result at auction,
0:40:27 > 0:40:32Alison and Gary have taken no time at all to arrange a lovely couple of days in the capital.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36It's been an epic 18-year wait for Alison,
0:40:36 > 0:40:40and she couldn't be more delighted!
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Made good money at the auction, very pleased with that,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45over the target, and now we're here to spend it.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Looking forward to the show tonight.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Having never been to London before, first things first, it's onto a tour bus
0:40:51 > 0:40:56for a whistle-stop circuit of all the biggest attractions.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Oh, that's fantastic!
0:40:58 > 0:41:03'I loved the Houses of Parliament, going over the Thames -'
0:41:03 > 0:41:05absolutely awesome.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09With the sites ticked off, it's time for the main event.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Alison was supposed to see Phantom Of The Opera all those years ago,
0:41:12 > 0:41:16and tonight, she finally gets to make that dream come true.
0:41:16 > 0:41:22It's been absolutely amazing seeing just about as much as we could see
0:41:22 > 0:41:26in a couple of days, and now really looking forward to seeing the show.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30This is the highlight of it all, so just can't wait to get in there,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34get seated and just relax and take it all in.