Field Cash in the Attic

Welcome to Cash In The Attic.

We're on the trail of treasures in your home that we can help you sell at auction.

I bet you can't guess where I am today!

I'm at Gosport on the south coast of England

and this is part of our military history.

It's called Fort Brockhurst.

This is one of five forts built in the 1850s and '60s

to protect Portsmouth and its vital harbour against a French invasion.

Largely unaltered, you can still see the parade ground, gun ramps and moated keep.

The fort was acquired by English Heritage in 1984.

Now refurbished, it serves as a museum and store for a treasure trove of objects

excavated from sites in the south-east and south-west of England.

Well, there's certainly no shortage of treasures here at the fort.

Let's hope that trend continues as we go in search of antiques and collectibles

we can take to the auction.

On today's Cash In The Attic, some intriguing historical war-time pieces.

That's a nice part - "Issued daily, shells permitting."

"Shells permitting"! Isn't that amazing!

Jonty has a few surprises up his sleeve.

The date is more like 1815 to 1820.

I didn't think it was that old!

And at auction, not everything goes our way.

-Please!

-Nobody likes them!

-Higher than that!

But by the end of the day, will it be smiles all round?

Find out when the final hammer falls.

I'm on my way to meet a retired regimental couple.

They've called us in to help them raise money

for a very special trip.

Retired Major Dick Field has called us in because he wants to give his wife, Kate, the trip of a lifetime.

They live in this house, packed with a surprising array of historical items

collected over his long army career.

We're also hoping that Dick's twin sister, Lou, can join us later

to help us with our search for collectibles.

-Hi, Jonty!

-Good morning. How are you?

I'm good. I've been at an old military fort doing a bit of history.

-Is there a connection between that and the owners of the house?

-Yes.

-They've both served in the military.

-I'm looking at this odd house name.

-Any connection there?

-Go on, pronounce it!

-I can't do that at all.

-Oi-noy-hoy! I don't know! Far East, do you think?

Very Far East, as far as I can see!

Let's find out. I'll go and meet them and you go look for bits and pieces.

-Ah, there you are. Hello!

-Hello!

-Hello, Jennie.

-Hi!

I met Jonty outside. He's gone to have a look around already.

We were both fascinated by the name of your house.

Was it "Oi-hoo-noy-hoy" or something?

-"Hoy-an-hoy".

-Oh! We thought it was somewhere you'd served.

No, it's a bit of a joke. It stands for "Ours Is A Nice House Ours Is".

What's it all about? Why am I here?

Kate's been a fantastic wife to me. She put up with me being away a lot,

bringing up children and so on.

It's her 60th birthday next year

and I just want to say "thank you"

and take her to America for a holiday.

-Why America?

-We're going to visit friends and we'll soon have family over there.

Our son is marrying an American girl. Her mum lives in Denver

and has given us an invitation to stay with her.

-Fantastic.

-We'll have a few days with her

and a short time with our other friends near Las Vegas.

How much money, then, Dick, do you think we could raise?

We hope to raise about £500.

£500.

-So you're going to Las Vegas?

-We are, indeed.

So this could be for the old slots!

Fantastic! Shall we get started?

-Let's do it!

-Right!

That trip sounds amazing.

But if Dick and Kate are to get anywhere near America, we've got our work cut out.

I've spotted cupboards rammed with loads of interesting pieces.

But Jonty's here to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

He's spent his whole life in the antiques business and loves a fine piece of furniture.

So not surprisingly, that's exactly what he's laid his hands on first.

-There he is, looking around.

-I found this table tucked in the corner.

-Does it have a history?

-Yes, it came from my great-aunt's flat.

She lived in a Victorian flat block near London Bridge.

I was taken there when I was eight after she died for my father to choose some furniture

as a memento.

He chose this and a small pedestal desk.

Are you aware that it turns into something else, apart from a side table?

-Yes, it turns into a card table.

-You know that. OK, let's have a look.

-Swivel the top like that.

-All in working order.

This is a place where you keep your cards and dice.

And you fold it over to reveal a card table.

-It's not in the best nick.

-No.

There's a major problem with this card table.

Once this would have been a very fine-looking card table.

-How old do you think it is?

-I'm guessing about 1880, 1890.

It's a lot older than that.

-Really?

-A lot older.

-Really.

-The date is more like 1815 to 1820.

-Gracious me. I didn't think it was that old.

-A table like this

is made with veneer.

Veneer is very tiny strips of timber placed onto another surface.

That's how you can get this shape and also the inlay work as well.

You can tell very clearly that it's Regency

by looking at the base.

You've got the stylised Acanthus leaves on the knuckle, or join.

Just there in the middle.

Further down, you've got these outswept legs, which are sabre legs.

Sabre legs, again, very popular during the Regency period.

Is it worth taking to the auction? What's the value?

If this table had been in mint condition, at auction,

it would be worth in excess of £1,000.

But it needs so much doing to it.

The baize needs replacing, repolishing,

hundreds of pounds need to be re-invested in it.

That has to be reflected in its value. Therefore,

this table is worth more like £100 at auction. OK?

-So in the catalogue it will read 80 to £120.

-OK.

-More than I expected.

-I appreciate it needs work doing, money spent.

-But that's fine.

-That's a great start. Very well done indeed.

I'll fold that away in the corner and we'll look for more stuff.

Good man. Lead on. We'll find something else.

I was surprised with the valuation of the card table. It was more than I expected, given its condition.

But I was more surprised at its age. I didn't realise it was nearly 200 years old.

So, happy for it to go to auction.

What a surprise.

And a good start to the day.

In true military fashion, we're all setting about the task in hand.

Dick has found a hidden stash.

He's hoping this might tickle Jonty's fancy.

Jonty, look at these things I've dug out of a cupboard.

Items of silver we'd put away.

Wow. What have we got here?

Everything in here is silver, actually.

A little christening mug there. That's rather sweet. Where's this from?

That's Kate's father's christening mug.

Lovely solid silver. Initials R.E.S. Whose was this?

It's Robert Edward Stafford.

Lovely.

That's really sweet. Perfect condition.

-Are all these items for resale?

-Yes, absolutely.

-What have we got?

-What on earth is that? A little bracelet?

-I served in Oman,

training the Sultan's army for a little while.

I went down the local market

and being a magpie, I spotted it and thought, "That's a nice souvenir."

It certainly looks silver, but again, because it's not hallmarked,

you can't sell that as silver.

-White metal.

-Yes. Yeah.

Now, this is lovely. Look at this.

A little charm bracelet.

Look at all those charms.

-Whose is this?

-That's Kate's charm bracelet.

The chain was given half to her and half to her Uncle Doug's daughter,

and it was actually a watch chain.

He gave half to each

and Kate has collected, over the years, the charms to go on it.

All these look like they're silver.

-Yes, they are.

-Lovely.

There's 21. So a little key when she was 21.

Charm bracelets were popular in Victorian times.

Queen Victoria loved her charm bracelets. So everybody wanted one.

They're back in vogue right now

because for some time they've been out of fashion.

Now is a very good time to sell.

The more saleable of the charms are the ones with moving parts.

Look at the little teddy with the moving arms.

Very nice indeed.

This is a dealer's lot, OK?

It will be sold as a collection. Let the dealers decide what they want to buy and what they'll pay.

They can decide what they'll sell them for.

-Auction value 80 to £120.

-Excellent.

-Brilliant.

-Any more collections for me?

-Come this way. Let's go!

I wonder what other collections Dick and Kate have hidden away?

Let's hope they're just as interesting.

I'm not sure Jonty will consider my new friends a collection!

But Kate has uncovered this selection of porcelain mice

from Beatrix Potter, Brambly Hedge and Bunnykins.

Together,

they add another 40 to £60 to our total.

What a magical start to the day!

I think we deserve a little break!

-Yes.

-Good idea!

At our age, walking around all day!

-You were both in the army. What did you do, Kate?

-I was nursing.

I was training to be a midwife.

-What was your rank?

-I was a lieutenant.

-And Dick was?

-He was a sergeant.

-Does that mean that you had to salute your lady?

-Yes.

-Excellent!

-Only for a short time!

-Not for long!

-Because you became a major.

-I did eventually.

So life in the army, throughout your married life,

what was that like?

Did you both travel the world together?

Sadly not. It was mostly me travelling the world and the family at home.

I would go off somewhere, come back,

go off somewhere, come back.

The children called me "Uncle"!

I'm sure not! That sounds quite tough.

-It was tough.

-Yeah. It had its moments.

Hence the need for a good holiday for Kate for her 60th. She's earned it.

It must have been very tough for you, Kate, back home, bringing up the children

-while he was away so much.

-Yes, you get yourself into a little routine.

You allow the children to do things they wouldn't necessarily do

because they weren't old enough. But when Dad comes home,

it's "Why is he allowed to do that?" "Why is she doing that?"

But you have to do that in order to carry on with the daily routine.

-You're both retired now?

-No, I still work a couple of days a week.

-As?

-I work in a ladies' dress shop.

-Dick, how is it at home? Do you miss the military life?

I retired from the military in '95. I went to work for Victim Support

and ran the witness service in Surrey.

Yes, there's always elements of the military you miss.

I had a good career and really enjoyed it.

But you move on, you make another life. We've moved down here

and we're near our relatives so it's really good.

I like it, too. I'm having a lovely day here. But there is work to do!

We cannot sit and chat. Lead on, Kate.

It's a quick march back to our rummaging before Jonty notices we've taken a break.

If we don't report for duty, he'll have us on a charge!

I'm amazed by the amount of collections Dick and Kate have.

-Jonty?

-Surely there must be some value in one of them?

-What do you think of these?

-Oh, let's have a look.

-Right. OK, any of these yours?

-One was mine.

That one was my grandmother's.

-Can I have a look at that one?

-You can.

A little cluster of diamonds in the top there.

Platinum studs.

That houses the diamonds themselves.

If you look at the actual ring itself, that's gold.

That's probably 14-carat gold.

Or a nine-carat gold. Can't really see because it's wonderfully worn away!

-Yes!

-But again, just looking at the style,

it's probably early 20th century.

-And I see we've got an eternity ring here.

-Yes.

That belonged to one of my sisters-in-law who died a few years ago.

And that was passed on to me. It's slightly too small for me so obviously I can't wear it.

-And a few dress rings as well here.

-Just a few, yes.

Eternity rings of course are where the decoration runs all the way round the outside.

If we look at this ring, it's very similar to your grandmother's ring.

We have diamonds inset into the ring

with those tiny platinum studs again.

Very similar. These eternity rings

are traditionally given on the birth of your first child.

-So all this collection can go to the auction sale?

-They can indeed.

We're looking predominantly at a collection of gold rings.

Some are dress rings.

We've got two, four, six, eight.

At auction?

-Three to four hundred pounds.

-Wow! That's amazing!

Fantastic! Yep.

Excellent. Got anything else like this?

-We might have. We'd better go and look!

-Come on.

I was very pleased with Jonty's estimate of the rings.

Not really too much sentimental feelings about them.

I'm quite happy for them to go to auction. No problem.

Three to four hundred pounds for the ring collection is amazing.

We're bounding along in our quest for things to take to auction.

Guess what? I've uncovered another collection.

This assortment of earrings, some handed down through the family

and some bought at antique fairs.

They add a healthy 50 to £80 to our kitty.

I think Jonty's feeling left out! But not to be out-done, he's pulled together some interesting items.

-Dick, Jenny.

-I was rummaging upstairs. What have you found?

I've got a wonderful collection of Boer War memorabilia.

Where's this all from, Dick?

I've collected them from various sources.

The interesting one is the glass plate. I went to a local auction

and I bought a box of china for a couple of quid.

-And when I got home, I found that in the box.

-You found it when you brought it back?

I just took a punt on it and there we were.

This is known as carnival glass. Very popular at the time.

Very cheaply made. Mass produced. Designed to be almost given away.

-I see.

-So that's the style, very typical of the turn of the century.

You've got wonderful Boer War memorabilia.

Particularly, I have to say, this Mafeking Mail newspaper.

Almost like a newspaper cutting. A whole newspaper.

-That's up my street.

-Wonderful, isn't it?

It's a newspaper produced at the siege of Mafeking.

The Mafeking Siege was one of the most singly most celebrated parts of the Boer War

by the British. It made Baden-Powell a national hero.

-Do you know all about the siege?

-Yes, he's mentioned in the paper.

-Look, "214th Day of Siege"!

-The interesting part about this

-is that the siege actually ended on the 17th May.

-Right.

-Really?

-This is right towards the end of the siege.

-I must read that.

The siege started in October of the previous year.

That's quite extraordinary.

-The nice part on there is, "Issued daily, shells permitting."

-Shells permitting! Amazing!

There's another fascinating part about the Boer War here.

It's essentially the second Boer War, which was 1899 to 1902.

-Correct.

-This is a framed, what looks like a picture,

-but are you aware this is a silk hankie?

-Absolutely.

This is very interesting.

This song, The Absent-Minded Beggar,

was sung up and down music halls and theatres at the time

to raise funds for the wounded of the war.

We need to sell this as a collection.

Somebody will pick this up, a dealer or collector.

-We're looking at 80 to £120.

-Very good!

-Is that OK?

-When you think what I paid for them, it's excellent.

-I don't know what you paid!

-Very little.

-Really? So that's a definite profit?

-I wouldn't think I've spent more than 20 or £30 on the whole lot.

You're a shrewd one, absolutely.

-Any more collections for me to see?

-One or two pieces.

-Show us. Which way? That way.

-This way.

We've had a lot of fun collecting them and researching them.

But now they just sit in a cupboard

and it's time for them to go and somebody else to get the pleasure.

And to think some of those pieces date back more than 100 years.

We're on fire here today.

We can't help turning out more and more interesting pieces.

I like this Wade figurine of Tramp.

Dick and Kate are happy to let him go with Mrs Apple from Brambly Hedge

and Beatrix Potter's Hunca Munca.

They give us another 60 to £80.

I wonder if Mr Fox here will be chasing them off?

Looking around your house, I could not but help notice

a picture of you and the Princess Royal, Princess Anne.

Yes, tug o'war is my big sport

and I used to run a competition for Princess Anne.

-Does she tug, pull, whatever the expression is?

-No,

but she supports it. It's the Princess Royal's tug o'war

and I used to be the secretary and organise it and run it for her.

It's a great part.

Do you take part in the tug o'war?

-I wasn't a good tugger, but I was a better coach.

-Ah!

Were you at the back, the front, the middle?

I was near the front cos I'm only little!

When you're not mingling with royalty, I know both of you love to go to auctions and car boot sales.

-When did all that start?

-I suppose over the last ten, 15 years,

probably more than when we were younger.

-We've got more into it.

-So what sort of things are you looking for there?

A variety of things. Miniature pictures, little pieces of silver,

trinket boxes, little pieces of glass.

-I like all sorts of things like that.

-So, Las Vegas,

what are you looking forward to most about the trip?

I don't know that I can say one particular thing.

There's lots of things about it we're going to enjoy.

We're staying with friends who live an hour's journey from Las Vegas.

They've got a few things lined up. They have a party lined up for me.

They said, "You won't know anybody there, but you're having a party."

I hope you have a grand time in Las Vegas and all through the States.

It's grand sitting out here in the sun.

-I'm tempted to stay. Shall we leave Jonty to it?

-Yeah!

No, we can't. Let's go and see what he's up to.

He's got too much on his hands. Reinforcements have turned up just in time.

Dick's twin sister Lou has finally arrived to help us sort through more of their collections.

Straightaway we found these necklaces,

many of which have been bought at car boot sales and auctions.

That's another 150 to £250.

And it looks as if Lou has got straight into the swing of things.

Jonty?

-What have we got there?

-I found this.

Isn't that lovely? A little miniature we've got.

-Do you know where it's from?

-Yes, they found it in a box of stuff they bought at auction.

They paid £2 for the whole box.

-No!

-Yeah.

-Wonderful.

Now, it looks like this is a little hand-painted miniature.

In the 18th and 19th centuries artists travelled the country

and knocked on doors to see whether they could paint the owners and the family of the house.

It looks late 19th century.

So she could be 1880, 1890, quite possibly.

The only way to tell whether this is an original or not

-is to take it out of its frame. Shall we see if we can do that?

-Yes.

If it's a facsimile, it'll have no value whatsoever

but if it's a genuine watercolour, a genuine miniature,

then we're talking value.

That's a lovely original leather frame. That's beautiful. Now.

Can you hold out your hand? There we go.

If I give you the frame like that, nice and delicately,

let's have a look at that.

This is interesting. See the signature down in the corner?

That's completely covered up by the frame ordinarily.

That wouldn't be there if this was a facsimile.

I'm very delicately putting my fingers across the surface of that.

That is an original watercolour. She looks quite beautiful.

-She is beautiful.

-I think this is charming.

So at auction, I think she's worth

60 to £80.

-Very good!

-It's a great find.

-Yep.

Well done. I'll put that back down there

-and we'll do some more searching.

-OK.

I was very surprised when Jonty valued that miniature at 60 to £80.

And if it means that my brother and Kate can have an extra drink while they're on holiday,

that's fantastic!

No sooner has Lou arrived

than she's disappeared again!

She's obviously remembered she left the iron on at home!

We're powering on towards the end of the day. Dick is in his garden shed.

He and Kate have worked hard

to put this enormous collection of Murano glassware together.

Murano is an island just off the shore of Venice

and glassware has been made there since the 13th century.

However, in the 1950s and '60s, demand rapidly increased

as tourists travelling to the area searched for souvenirs.

Jonty values this collection at 80 to £160.

Back in the house, we're all having one last rummage.

And could Jonty literally have struck gold?

That's very neat indeed!

Guys, don't worry about that.

-Have a look...

-I thought it was rather nice! But there we are.

It is pretty, but I've found something that is absolutely beautiful.

-Take a look at this.

-Ooh, a hunter!

It is a hunter pocket watch.

We've got this dust jacket on the outside.

-That is so beautiful.

-Beautiful.

-Pristine condition.

-Is it gold?

-Yes. It's 14-carat gold.

-Wow!

-Presumably, Dick, you know all about this?

-Yes, I do.

Yes, I bought it for myself as a retirement present.

-Where did you get it? From a jeweller's?

-No, off an internet auction site.

-Did you?

This is really beautiful. Just have a look at the chasing on the outside.

There's so much detail. At the top here is a little mill.

Down below it we have these flowers

with decoration all the way round the outside.

This pocket watch would have been made about 100 years ago.

If we look at the workings in the back here,

you can see just at the top it says it's made by the Elgin Watch Company from America.

The Elgin Watch Company at the time were one of the biggest in the business.

They were into mass-producing not only pocket watches

but also wrist watches later on as well.

But I have to say that the difference between earlier pocket watches

which will be all hand made,

all the mechanisms here will be made by machine at this time.

So there's a difference in value. How much did you pay for it?

-£300.

-OK. I've been um-ing and ah-ing about value.

As soon as I saw it, I thought, "Wow!"

I immediately think, "What's the value?"

I don't know whether at auction whether we could possibly get your money back.

In fact I would put more of an estimate of 200 to £300 on it.

-How do you feel about that?

-Yes, that's OK.

I would like a reserve of 200, but yeah, that's fine.

I hope that when it comes to the auction,

I'm completely wrong about my £200 estimate.

-Let's hope it's a lot more.

-He's often wrong!

Good. Let's tell Kate about that cos we've finished rummaging now. Kate?

You can stop searching up and down round your house.

-Jonty found this wonderful hunter. Do you like it?

-I do. It's lovely.

But for love of a good woman, your husband is willing to give it up.

-Aw!

-That's very sweet, isn't it?

-It is indeed.

You were looking for £500 at the start of the day

for spending money for your birthday celebration.

But based on Jonty's lowest estimates, you will make your target of £500 and some!

-You should make £1,180.

-Really?!

-That's amazing!

-Wow!

-That is amazing.

-I never expected that.

-No.

-Fantastic.

Yeah, that would be a bit more than spending money.

It would. It'd pay for the tickets!

What a day!

I'm not sure I've ever seen so many collections in one house.

Just some of those heading to auction are...

The box of silver that Dick had hidden away in a cupboard.

We hope someone will pay 80 to £120 for that lot.

The impressive assortment of rings that Kate uncovered in the bedroom

could give us the princely sum of 300 to £400.

And there's Dick's retirement pocket watch.

I'm so impressed with him selling it to give Kate the holiday of a lifetime.

We all hope it'll reach 200 to £300.

But we'll have to wait until auction day to see if any of these items will sell.

Still to come on Cash In The Attic: Jonty's feeling very confident.

This is gonna sell. I'm sure. Convinced. Absolutely convinced of it.

-Ooh!

-Famous last words!

And sales start very well.

-Listen to this!

-Wow!

But will we still be cheering when the final hammer falls?

It's a couple of weeks since we were at Gosport with Dick and Kate.

Today we've brought their collectibles to Lawrences Auctioneers at Crewkerne, Somerset.

They want to celebrate Kate's 60th birthday in some style

in Las Vegas.

They need at least £500 in spending money for the trip.

Let's hope they hit the jackpot today when their items go under the hammer!

The doors have just opened and the auction house is starting to fill

with people looking to bag a bargain.

They look as if they know their onions and I've spotted someone who most certainly does.

-Jonty, good morning!

-Jennie, how are you?

-Dick's watch.

-I think that is beautiful.

-Yes, it's a really good quality item.

He's got a reserve on it which makes absolute sense

-because this is a very fine quality item.

-It's beautiful.

-It deserves a good buyer. Are we in the right place?

-This is the right sort of auction room.

We've got an eclectic mix of goodies.

I particularly like his Boer War collection. All the plates.

I think that will do very well as well.

Fingers crossed all goes well for them and they have a great time in Las Vegas.

-Let's see if they've arrived.

-OK.

There's a fantastic buzz in the room.

I feel good about our prospects today. I wonder whether Dick and Kate feel the same.

-Good morning! Hi!

-Lovely to see you.

-Good to see you again.

How do you feel about selling your Boer War memorabilia and everything else?

-Things have to move on. We might collect something else.

-Ooh!

Dick, we've been looking at your pocket watch.

-I assume you've put a reserve on it?

-Yes, I put a reserve

at your bottom estimate of £200.

-Great.

-Do you think it'll make it?

-I hope so. It's a really nice watch.

-How are you feeling, Kate?

-Quite excited, yes.

-A great deal of anticipation.

-Good.

-We want to get you to Las Vegas with lots of spending money.

-Absolutely.

Let's find a spot for the auction. Come on.

If you're planning to buy or sell at auction,

bear in mind you'll face charges such as commission.

Check with your auction room for details.

I can see that our bidders are ready.

I hope they're willing and able to part with their cash for our items.

Time for our first lot.

This lot is a collection of porcelain mice.

-Whose collection was this?

-They're mine. One was my mum's.

-The little lady mouse.

-Is this part of your collection

-or all of it?

-Of the mice collection, yes.

-All the bits are going?

-Yes.

-Right.

-40 to £60 is what we're looking for.

-Excellent.

-AUCTIONEER:

-'Interest here. I have to start at £32. At £32 with me.'

35. 38.

40. At £40 in the room. I see a new bidder. 45.

48. 50. Five. 60?

Five. At 65. All done?

I sell at 65.

-KATE:

-Excellent!

-That's a good result.

-Brilliant.

-Happy with that!

-Yep!

What a fabulous start. £5 over Jonty's highest estimate.

We're nibbling away at that £500 target.

Everyone in the room seems very on the ball.

Let's hope they recognise the quality and historical importance of our next lot.

This is going to be fascinating. I can't wait. All your Boer War memorabilia.

I find it unquantifiable, how much it's gonna make.

-You say 80 to 120.

-That's what I put on it, but I've seen a lot of people looking at it.

Dick, I'm pleased to see that you were brought up very well

because you brought a clean hanky to the auction room!

-Oh!

-But framed!

-Absolutely, yeah.

Two bids very close together. I have to start at £75.

-Straight in.

-At £80 in the room.

At £80 in the room. All done?

Selling at 80. All done?

-That's good.

-I got very excited

with a bid of 75 and then it ended!

It was short and sweet, but we've hit Jonty's lowest estimate.

And everyone's happy.

I'm pleased with the price the Boer War items made.

I didn't think they'd make that much.

There was no personal attachment to them.

They were just items I'd bought. So I was happy with that.

From one collection to another.

It's time for that box of silver Dick had hidden in a cupboard.

Jonty's estimate, 80 to £120.

Interest here.

-Commissions. I have to start at £75.

-Ooh!

80. Five?

90. At £90 in the room. At 90.

All done? I sell at 90.

Well, that's not a bad result for something tucked away, gathering dust!

I'm very pleased to get £90 for the silver collection.

That was £10 over the bottom estimate.

Again, I didn't expect to get that much, so very good. Pleased with that.

The room is bulging at the seams with people wanting a bargain.

Let's hope someone wants a fine collection of rings.

We're reckoning on 300 to £400 for these.

This is the big one. Your rings.

-They're from your side of the family.

-Both sides of the family.

OK. And we reckon they might fetch?

I put 300 to £400 on it. We've got so many, haven't we?

I'm crossing everything now!

-Let's see what happens.

-£300, we want.

-I have to start at 140. At 140 with me.

-More!

-At 140.

All done? Selling at 140. All done.

-Unsold.

-Oh, no!

-Unsold!

-Oh, well.

We won't be having any chips in the casino, then!

On the other hand, you're taking the rings back with you.

It might have been silly to let them go for 140.

Yes. We can try again.

Well done, the auctioneer, on that one.

The rings live to fight another day.

But now we need some big hitters

to keep us on track to hit that £500 target.

And we've got more jewellery coming up.

Jonty, will we make £150?

Well, I hope so. The rings have just not sold

so it doesn't bode particularly well.

But let's be positive rather than negative.

I've put 150 to £200 on it. Let's see what happens.

Interest here. Commissions.

I have to start at 180.

£180.

..200. 210. At 210 in the room.

210. All done?

I sell at 210.

-There we go! How about that?

-Wow!

That makes up a bit!

That's more like it. £210 towards that holiday of a lifetime birthday present for Kate.

The people of Somerset are treating us well.

OK, we're half-way through now.

-You were very nervous at the beginning.

-I was a bit,

-but I'm fine now. It's good.

-You wanted £500 to take to Las Vegas.

And at the halfway point,

you've got an astonishing £445!

-Excellent!

-That's not bad, is it? Yes, excellent.

I'm quite surprised, actually. I had to double-check.

Let's take a break. I'm gonna look round and see what I can spot.

Good idea. Let's go.

What a wonderful end to the first half of the sale.

The bidders aren't going anywhere. They're here for the duration.

What are you doing here, Jonty?

I'm in the store room of the auction room, a great place to find all sorts.

-What have you found?

-This lovely little box.

What do you think this is made for?

Well, would it be something a queen might keep her crown in?

You could do. Do you think the queen has her crown in one of these boxes?

-It wouldn't fit in there.

-Have a look at this.

Do you know what those compartments are for?

Now I think it's a beehive!

No. This is a knife box. You store your cutlery face down

with the handles facing upwards.

-I've never seen anything like it.

-No?

-No.

-How old is it?

-These are always late 18th century.

This is a late 18th-century knife box.

-What's it made of?

-Mahogany. It's the era of mahogany.

The closer you look, the more detail there is.

On the top, the stylised inlaid decoration.

And down the front, have a look at the front.

This cross banding is rosewood.

Boxwood stringing,

and the little, I suppose, ebony dots, stylised dots.

And again a nice boxwood string

that joins them all up,

with a little arrow head at the top.

What do you reckon? Will it go for a song?

If it was in mint condition, a lot of money. The market demands pristine condition.

If you look closely, there's quite a bit of damage to the front.

-So in the catalogue this would be 400 to £600.

-Really?

-Amazing, isn't it?

-That's almost the target we're looking for.

-Back to our auction.

-Back to business.

Alas, the knife box won't go under the hammer for a few weeks.

Let's hope the bidders appreciate its true worth.

That's what we're hoping for with our remaining pieces from Dick and Kate's house.

We've recharged our batteries and are raring to go.

It's eyes down for the collection of glassware Dick had in his garden shed.

-We want 80 to £160 for these.

-Where did you buy these?

At car boot sales, auctions, antique fairs.

I presume you didn't pay very much for any of them?

Tried not to!

I have to start at £30.

£30 with me.

Five. 40. Five. 50.

Five. 60. Five. 70.

- Five. At 75. 80. - Keep going!

At £90 seated. 90. All done? I sell at 90.

-£90.

-It's good.

-Not too bad.

-Got to be optimistic about it.

-That's fine.

A tidy little sum.

We're straight back into the swing of things with another £90.

There's no stopping the bidders in this room.

What will they make of the miniature watercolour portrait?

I have to start at £55. 60.

Five. At 65 in the room.

65. All done at 65.

-65.

-That's all right.

-Not bad.

No messing about with that lot.

That's £65 more towards the Las Vegas trip.

All our items are flying today and there's plenty more to come.

Next up, Tramp and his friends from Brambly Hedge and Beatrix Potter.

Kate, are you fond of these ornaments we're gonna sell now?

Quite fond of them, but again, it's something else that needs a new home.

-OK.

-They don't fit in with other things we've got.

Ornaments like this sometimes really take off.

-So at £60 I think it's...

-See what happens.

Interest here. I have to start at £45.

45 with me. 50. Two.

55. At 55.

In the room. All done? ..58.

60. At £60 to the lady.

60. All done? I sell at 60.

-How about that?

-That's not bad.

-60.

Yeah, that's the estimate.

Bang on Jonty's lower estimate.

We can't put a foot wrong today.

Dick and Kate have clearly been collecting well over the years.

Next up is the card table dating back to 1815.

It's seen better days. The baize and veneered surface are in need of restoration.

But I wonder if anyone will see any potential in it?

We want 80 to £120.

Interest here. Commissions.

I have to start at 120.

120 with me.

At 120 with me. All done?

Selling at 120.

How about that?

-£120.

-Top of estimate.

-Straight in.

Jonty's estimate was spot on and it keeps the cash rolling in nicely.

That dream holiday and the bright lights of Las Vegas are drawing ever closer.

We're nearing the end of the auction.

We've only got two items left to go under the hammer.

Earlier on, Kate's collection of rings didn't sell but her necklaces did.

I wonder how her earrings will fare?

Jonty's estimate, 50 to £80.

Kate, I hope you've got lots of earrings at home,

cos you're about to say goodbye to these.

-Why have you chosen these to go?

-They're ones I haven't worn for a long time.

I just thought they needed to go.

-OK.

-They need a new home.

-I have to start at £20.

-Higher than that.

At £20. Are you all done?

-Selling at 20.

-Nobody likes them!

-OK.

-I think that means unsold.

-Yeah.

Jewellery is so unpredictable today.

But we still have plenty to smile about.

Our final item

is Dick's retirement pocket watch that he's selling for the sake of Kate's birthday present.

-How are you feeling, cos the pocket watch is coming up.

-Nervous again.

-Why does this one make you more nervous?

-It's such a beautiful item.

Such good quality. I'm nervous that people won't recognise that.

-That's why you put the reserve on.

-Absolutely.

This is gonna sell. I'm convinced of it. Absolutely convinced.

-Ooh!

-I hope so!

-Famous last words!

-Here we go.

Interest here. Lots of commissions.

I have to start at 240.

-It's gone!

-250. 260.

270. 280.

290. At 290 in the room.

300. At £300 standing. 300.

Are you all done? Selling at 300.

Yes! Brilliant!

Well done. Congratulations, sir.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-That's a very good result.

-Brilliant.

-That's so good.

-Yes.

What an amazing end to the day.

£300 makes Dick his money back on the watch

and must also bring our total to a very nice amount.

I can't wait to work out the figures!

You knew at half way that you were doing pretty well.

You wanted £500. You're going to be 60 and... It's horrible, isn't it?

-Don't talk about it!

-I am, too!

Go off to Las Vegas, lucky you!

Well, I can tell you that your birthday present you'll take with you is...

£1,080!

-My word!

-Wow!

Fantastic!

-Fantastic!

-You've topped the thousand!

Brilliant!

It's been a pleasure. We've had fun working with you.

Happy birthday, Kate!

-And you when it's yours.

-Enjoy your trip.

-Thank you very much.

Kate's birthday trip isn't happening for another year

so in the meantime, she and Dick want to make sure they can hit the ground running in Las Vegas.

They pop down to their local casino to learn what it's all about.

Place your bets, please.

-Oh! 13.

-13.

-Nowhere near it!

Unlucky for some and unlucky for Kate.

But if at first you don't succeed...

All on the one.

No more bets, thank you.

It's an odd!

A win, already!

It looks as if they're into the swing of things.

I am overwhelmed with his gesture to celebrate my birthday.

It wasn't one I was looking forward to, but I am now!

A little flutter at the local casino has got Dick and Kate excited for what's to come.

It's gonna be great, it really is.

-Certainly is.

-What a way to celebrate your 60th.

Don't keep saying that!

-Just "my birthday".

-You're worth it, darling.

You're worth it and I'm really pleased we've raised enough money

-on Cash In The Attic to take you out there.

-Fantastic.

A fabulous result for Dick and Kate.

What a way to mark a very special birthday.

If you'd like to raise money for something special

and you have some antiques hidden around the house,

then why not apply to come on the show?

You can find the form on our website:

Good luck, and maybe see you next time on Cash In The Attic.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd