Keen Cash in the Attic


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Welcome to Cash In The Attic, where we search out

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treasures hidden at home and helps you sell them at auction.

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I'm pretty excited about today, because we've come to Caterham in Surrey

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and this little baby is probably what the town is best known for.

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Designed in the 1950s, this racy little sports car was created by the legendary engineer, Colin Chapman.

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He named it the Lotus Seven and 50 years on, his design remains in production as the Caterham Seven,

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a testament to a man who is regarded as one of the greatest innovators in motorsport design.

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Well, you know, it would be rude not to take it for a spin,

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so I'm off to find some antiques and collectibles to take to that auction.

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Coming up on Cash In The Attic...

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-What can you see through the eye of a needle?

-Wow!

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That's amazing.

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Jonty gives some nifty fashion tips.

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But look at that, do you see how that contrasts and makes so much change to a garment?

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It completely makes the difference.

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-And when things get sewn up at the auction...

-Brilliant.

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-How about that?

-£150.

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It's kisses all round.

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So will it be tears or cheers when the final hammer falls?

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I'm on my way to the outskirts of Caterham

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to meet a lady who's after a new set of wheels,

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and she's called in the Cash In The Attic team to help.

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Jean Keen and her husband Steve have been married for 36 years.

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They have two grown-up children - 30 year-old Matthew, and Laura, who's 28.

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Jean and Steve have lived in Caterham for over three decades

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and over those years, they've moved three times.

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At the moment, they're happy and settled in this modern detached house just outside town.

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Jean's a retired teacher and an enthusiastic gardener, while Steve has a busy career

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in the oil industry, which takes him all over the world.

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There's exciting news in the Keen household because Jean and Steve are

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about to become grandparents for the first time, and that's why we're here to lend a hand.

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-Huh! What time do you call this? You're late!

-How are you?

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Good, but you missed a great opportunity there.

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I have been in the most fabulous sports car.

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I didn't realise you were a girl racer.

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Not really, but I'd love you to have been there. But there would have been a problem,

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because it was very small and you're quite big.

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Yes, it would have had that problem. Why are we here today?

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Well, there is a bit of a link, because the couple here, they want to buy a sort of baby car.

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-Sounds interesting, shall we get inside?

-Yeah. You look around, I'll meet the family.

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Hello? This looks very nice.

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-Good morning.

-Good morning, nice to see you.

-Jean?

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-Yes.

-Steve.

-I wasn't sure you were going to be here, that's brilliant.

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I wasn't sure either, but very pleased to be here.

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You called us in, didn't you, Jean?

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Yes, I did call you in, because unfortunately, my mother died three months ago

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and she had all these things that she'd bought over the years while she was married to my father,

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and hidden them in boxes under the bed.

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So I've been going through the boxes and I know that she knew

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she was expecting a second great-grandchild in June,

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and she'd have loved the idea of some of the collectibles being sold

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to go towards spoiling the great-grandchild.

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So let's be clear, you're going to have a grandchild, and we're going

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to raise money from your mother's possessions to buy something?

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-So what are we going to be raising the money for?

-The money's going towards a pram for the baby.

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So, Steve, how much money do you reckon we're going to need for this wonderful pram?

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Unbelievably, I think it's about £800.

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-No!

-Yes, unbelievable, isn't it?

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It seems a tremendous amount for a pram system.

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-So, it's £800 for a luxury pram for your first grandchild.

-Yes.

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Let's go and look round. Which way shall we go?

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-This way.

-You show me round. Gosh, it is lovely.

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Jean and Steve have a comfortable home with room for their growing family.

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It has a wonderful garden with plenty of space for youngsters to play and explore.

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It's great to have Jonty on board today.

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His expertise should help us tot up a healthy target.

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He's been working in the antiques trade for over 20 years,

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so he's just the man to spot a gem that's worth taking to auction.

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I must say, your house is lovely.

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And here he is, look, Jonty.

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-Hello!

-Here's Jean and Steve.

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-Hi.

-And he's at work already.

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I've found some lovely little boxes here.

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Now, take a look at this one particularly.

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I'll just open up the lid.

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Lift that to the light.

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That's some form of agate, but the light shining through it is extraordinary.

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It's wonderful. But I've got all sorts of things here.

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Now, this is an ebonised snuff-box.

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With mother-of-pearl inlay.

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It's zinc-lined to keep the snuff dry.

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Date-wise, that is probably 150 years old, maybe a little bit earlier,

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because in the Victorian times, the decoration would have been more elaborate.

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Here you have a stylised flower head, and if that had been Victorian, that might have been a sprig of flowers.

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Even the border itself, this tiny border here,

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would have been, again, a lot more elaborate.

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So this is quite possibly more like 1830 in date.

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I think that's quite effeminate, actually.

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I think you're right.

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It could be quite possibly for females as well, because they took snuff, as well as the gents.

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This one here...

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is beautiful. Look at that casket form.

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It has tortoiseshell on the outside, so it's veneered with tortoiseshell.

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-Is it?

-A little domed trunk.

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A bit of damage there, but on the underside, it would have also had four tiny little feet as well.

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So that's what those holes are on the reverse.

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That is not 150 years old, that's more like 200 years old.

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Is it really? Good grief!

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As far as value is concerned, they need to be sold together.

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Someone will buy the whole lot and the estimate will be £80 to £120.

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-Gosh.

-So, happy with that?

-Brilliant.

-Good, yeah.

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Well, that's a fantastic start.

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Jean tells me that one reason her mother liked these so much

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was the intricate detail on the boxes.

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They are highly collectible,

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so I'm hoping a buyer will be just as impressed

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when it comes to sale day.

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It's always worth taking a peek under a bed, and I'm intrigued

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by this interesting little collection I found hidden there.

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Jonty tells me these fasteners could fetch at least £40 at the auction.

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Downstairs, Steve is musing over a parrot, but has Jonty stumbled on a family heirloom?

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Steve, look what I found here.

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Now, I found this in the hallway here.

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I wondered whether this is something you might want to take to auction?

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Yeah.

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So where is it from?

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It was Jean's mother's.

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She was actually using it as a bedside table.

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Really? It's quite short for a bedside table, bedside tables tend to be slightly higher.

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But as you are probably aware, this was never really designed to be a bedside table, because if you open

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up the front here to reveal a rather dusty, dirty interior,

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because inside there was stored your household coal.

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So this is known as a coal pedonium, made about 100 years ago.

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During the 19th century, every fireplace would have had some kind of coal scuttle beside it.

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Often they would be open so you could actually see the coal.

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But by the turn of the century, they made furniture so the coal could be hidden.

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All of a sudden, perhaps, it became unfashionable to have coal on view.

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So it allowed the servants to recharge, because if you open it up again,

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you can see we have a bucket inside with two handles.

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So this bucket could be taken out as well as applied in.

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It also should come with a shovel. Here we go.

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Here is the brass shovel, and this is in very good order, because sometimes

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these are in very bad state after 100 years because of use.

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But that's in very good condition.

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A piece of furniture like this is not worth a great deal at auction, but it's still worth taking.

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Value I suppose, £30 to £50.

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That's good, yes.

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-So, are you happy for this one to scuttle off to the auction sale?

-Yes.

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Excellent. Let's move out there and carry on.

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A novel use, then, of a coal scuttle, but why not?

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Off to auction with a £30 to £50 price tag.

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I wonder what its next owner will make of it?

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Steve's been busy, he's come across this collection of pretty hat pins that also belonged to Jean's mother.

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Jonty's given them a price tag of £60 to £80.

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Never one to resist something soft and cuddly,

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I take a good look through these toys.

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I wonder if they're for the baby.

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Jean's on a roll, she's been searching through the kitchen and now she's after some expert advice.

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Hi there, Jean, found any gems?

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How do you tell the difference between plated silver and proper silver?

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Those are EPNS, what have we got in here, first of all?

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Can I have a look at everything, first of all? What's in here?

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These are sugar tongs.

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-Look at these.

-Quite a few pairs.

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-Absolutely.

-I'm not sure how you can tell which is silver...

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Which is which.

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Let's first of all see if I can find anything in here that looks like it's solid silver.

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All I'm looking for is that sideways lion.

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We're not looking for any other marks at all.

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If it's got a lion of any other shape or description, it's not solid silver.

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You're just looking for the sideways lion.

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-Let me have a look.

-I didn't know that because...

-Have a look at this. Can you see the second mark in?

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That means that this pair of sugar tongs is solid silver.

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This is dated 1900 or thereabouts.

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This pair of sugar tongs is as good as 110 years old.

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Did you know your mum had 16 pairs of sugar tongs?

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Absolutely no idea at all, because only a short while ago,

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one of my friends said did my mother collect sugar tongs? I said no.

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Then obviously I found these in the box, so it's quite ironic that she obviously did.

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If there are any other tongs that are solid silver, then the price would go up.

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But at the moment, if this is the only pair we're looking at at auction here, £80 - £120.

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OK, that's not bad.

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-Happy about that?

-Yeah, thank you.

-Let's go and find some more stuff.

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Well, I wonder if her friend would be interested

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in bidding for them at the auction?

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At £80 to £120, they sound like quite a bargain to me.

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Jonty is taking a good look around. You never know what you're going to find.

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Steve is not doing too badly either.

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The house is full of things that belong to Jean's mother.

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I'd like to find out more about her love of miniature collectibles, so Jean is the best person to ask.

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So this is a picture of your mother and father on their wedding day.

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She's a beautiful woman, I must say.

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We seem to be talking so much about her today.

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What kind of woman was she?

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My memories have always been of her reading books.

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She would never sit and watch television.

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In fact, she believed greatly in education and encouraged us all

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to work towards passing the 11-plus.

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She would give us extra coaching at home.

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So she must have been very proud when you became a teacher.

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She herself became a teacher.

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When I went to university in '69,

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she started a teacher-training course in Southampton.

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She graduated the same day as I would have done,

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but we went to her graduation instead of mine in Birmingham,

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because we felt hers was more important.

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Obviously it had been hard for her, she'd had to do different exams

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before she got on to the teacher training course.

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-She actually started work the same time as I did.

-What was your dad like?

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To be honest, when he went off to sea, my mum would say, "Thank God he's gone!"

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I think today, if it was today, they may not stay together, I don't know.

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I think things were different then.

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So do you think the collecting, going out and getting bits and

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pieces and hiding them away was your mum's kind of rebellion?

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I think it was her declaration of independence, definitely.

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Have you inherited this trait, are you a collector?

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Yes, I probably am becoming like my mother.

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With any luck, Jean could now be reaping the rewards of her mother's rebellious streak.

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Hopefully, it will give us enough funds to buy that top-class pram for their grandchild.

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Steve has found these interesting button hooks and shoe horns.

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Button hooks were a Victorian invention for fastening garments

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and pulling buttons through the stiff leather of shoes and boots.

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They are collectible items and popular worldwide, so a price tag of £20 to £30 seems very achievable.

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Downstairs in the kitchen, Jean digs out a four napkin holders, again belonging to her mother.

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They are valued at £30 to £50, and Jean would rather let them go

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than leave them tucked away, gathering dust.

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We still have a way to go to reach our target, though.

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Jean is eager to provide the very best pushchair money can buy.

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She's hoping the antiques her mother left her will do the job.

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I've got quite a collection of bits and pieces here. Jonty, come over here.

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Where are they from? What are they?

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I don't know what they all are.

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I do know that I found some of them in the lid of one of the boxes.

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This in particular

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was with some of Mum's sewing accessories.

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If you look through that eye of the needle, cos it's a needle case...

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-It's amazing, they are six scenes of Edinburgh.

-Oh, my goodness!

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My mum came from Scotland.

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There's Holyrood.

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Wow!

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That's amazing!

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-I don't understand how they get in there.

-Don't ask me!

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Obviously, the way that is done is the glass that's there is a form of magnifying glass,

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because you've got a set of nearly all the castles in Scotland.

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It's all magnified. The whole point is that it's a play on the eye of the needle.

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I'm assuming on the inside if you unscrew the top... Look, there we go.

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Loads of little sewing needles there. This is Indian, Indian ivory.

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Really, how do you know that?

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You can tell that by the style of the carving. If you look at the shape, it almost looks like an Indian pillar.

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These would have come into the country in the late 19th century, the second part of the 19th century.

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These were sold as tourist pieces.

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The reason why these were imported in the first place

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is because all of a sudden there was a demand for cheaper tourist pieces.

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It was all due to the fact that the railways opened up the country.

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So all of a sudden, the working classes as well

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as the middle classes and upper classes could go and travel around the country to different places.

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All of a sudden, there was a demand for cheaper pieces to be brought back.

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In there, here we see all those lovely, historical buildings of Scotland.

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But that could be changed to anywhere within the UK. That's wonderful.

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That is mid to late 19th century. I think that's lovely.

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As far as value is concerned, this whole collection,

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including these propelling pencils, need to be sold as one lot.

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Value, we are looking at £100 to £150.

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Really? Including the needle case?

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Yes. Isn't that good? I call that tres bon!

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A fascinating insight into British colonial history.

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If we can realise that valuation at auction, we'll all be delighted.

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While I do my best to add a little glamour to the search, Jonty is still hunting around.

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Under the stairs, he finds three wooden writing boxes, valued at £40 to £60.

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We seem to be uncovering gems at every turn, and it looks as if the boys have struck gold...

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Or should I say, silver?

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-What do you think of this?

-What have we got?

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A bit of silver. Right.

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-I'm assuming these are your mother-in-law's.

-Yes.

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This is rather sweet - do you know what this is?

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I'm not sure.

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I thought it might be for toothpicks.

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No, it's a vesta case. To put tiny little matches in.

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The reason why matches had to be stored in metal cases like this

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is because the matches themselves were very volatile.

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You store your matches in there, like so.

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Along the underside it has a little stripy bottom. It's the striking mechanism just down there.

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The reason why it's got a little eye there, it was designed to be hung round the neck.

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Because of its design, it's rather feminine, I imagine this would be for a lady.

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It's really sweet. But there's no hallmarks on it so I'm assuming that

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is not solid silver and therefore is less value, a lot less value than something that is solid silver.

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What have we got here?

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Just from the shape of these two, these will be small cigarette cases.

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Look at the style of this one.

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It's quite 1930s. We need to see whether there are any hallmarks.

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There's a faint mark on the inside there. Have you ever looked at these at all?

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A little bit, but not in great detail.

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They're worth putting in together in one lot. It's worth putting those in and you are looking at £60 to £80.

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That's pretty good. Find me more like that and you'll be my best friend.

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These are usually highly collectible,

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so we are optimistic that they will reach Jonty's estimate.

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We need just a few more items if Jean and Steve's grandchild

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is to be perambulated in style!

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Next up, a little more smoking memorabilia.

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Jean finds a mixture of cigarette holders worth £20 to £30.

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Jonty assures me there's plenty of collectors for this kind of thing -

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that's great news for us.

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While he cracks on with the search, I'd like the low-down on the best way to show a baby a good time.

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It's been a while since I last pushed a pram.

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I'm quite envious, because you're going to be grandparents,

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and I'm of an age when it really ought to be happening to me, but not so far.

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How you feeling about it?

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Really excited, because it's our first grandchild.

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Now I'm not working, I'll be able to spend more time with Laura and the new baby.

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How did you two actually meet?

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We met at Birmingham University.

0:19:440:19:47

I'm originally from Southampton and Steve is from the Bristol area, Somerset.

0:19:470:19:53

Tell me about this pram, it sounds amazing. All-singing, all-dancing.

0:19:530:19:57

I understand it's more like a system than a pram, not like the one I had.

0:19:570:20:03

It's a three-in-one pram that also goes into a car seat

0:20:030:20:10

and shopping trolley to go underneath, all sorts of accessories.

0:20:100:20:15

-They are quite some systems, really, rather than just one item.

-What do you think of it, Steve?

0:20:150:20:21

-It sounds far too sophisticated for - I shouldn't say it - for Jean to handle.

-You just said it!

0:20:210:20:27

I'm sure Laura will manage, because she's very practical.

0:20:270:20:31

Hopefully, it will be just that little bit extra special.

0:20:310:20:35

And make her think of her great-grandmother.

0:20:350:20:37

We're coming to the end of our day here,

0:20:370:20:40

and pulling up our rummaging sleeves for one last push.

0:20:400:20:44

Jonty has come across some fashionable pieces in the garage.

0:20:440:20:48

Come and have a look at this.

0:20:510:20:52

What have you got?

0:20:520:20:55

-Look.

-He's like a little magpie himself.

0:20:550:20:59

What have you been gathering?

0:20:590:21:01

Look at these. We've got four trays of assorted buckles.

0:21:010:21:05

-Have you done this?

-They were in one of the boxes of my mum's.

0:21:050:21:09

Every time I took a piece of tissue out, there was another layer of buckles. I think there's over 100.

0:21:090:21:17

This is extraordinary. Why would anyone get all these buckles?

0:21:170:21:21

Did she know this was a collection she wanted to make or did she get them all in one lot?

0:21:210:21:25

She wouldn't have got these as one lot.

0:21:250:21:28

She may have bought a few.

0:21:280:21:31

Talking of wonderful things, this buckle here

0:21:310:21:35

is solid silver. We have the hallmarks just down here.

0:21:350:21:39

We have four or five cherubs embossed on the front of this.

0:21:390:21:43

Look at that, can you see how that contrasts, it makes so much change to a garment?

0:21:430:21:48

It makes the difference.

0:21:480:21:50

This is solid silver, wonderful. Look at the contrast on this tray here.

0:21:500:21:56

Look and see how those styles have changed.

0:21:560:21:58

It's extraordinary. You go from the very OTT-ness

0:21:580:22:01

of the silver buckle to the simple, linear lines of the Art Deco period.

0:22:010:22:07

That's the reason why people are so inspired by designs like that today.

0:22:070:22:10

Let's talk value.

0:22:100:22:12

Some will be worth pence, some will be worth tens of pounds.

0:22:120:22:15

It must be sold as a collection.

0:22:150:22:19

-The value will be between £100 and possibly £200.

-It's incredible.

0:22:190:22:24

-Isn't that amazing?

-I'm staggered.

0:22:240:22:27

Honestly, I don't think I would have given you £10 for the lot.

0:22:270:22:32

It shows you what I know, I know absolutely nothing.

0:22:320:22:36

Steve, come here, I want to see if you have any idea of the value of this lot.

0:22:360:22:44

I have no idea, but I suppose the trays are worth a little bit, a few pounds.

0:22:440:22:48

I'm not sure about the buckles, they just look like bits of old...

0:22:480:22:53

I think so, too.

0:22:530:22:55

This collection is worth between £100 and £200.

0:22:550:22:58

-Wow!

-It's brilliant, isn't it?

0:22:580:23:00

-Amazing.

-It's a great last find of the day, because that is the end of our rummage.

0:23:000:23:05

We were looking for £800 for the pram.

0:23:050:23:10

It hasn't gone quite as well as we might have hoped, we haven't actually made the target.

0:23:100:23:16

Based on Jonty 's lowest estimates, we reckon that at auction, you should make £660.

0:23:160:23:23

-Wow!

-That's incredible.

0:23:230:23:27

-I hope your mother would think that was a great cause and a great result.

-I think she'd be thrilled.

0:23:270:23:33

She'd love it, too, to think

0:23:330:23:35

they could all be on show and be seen for once.

0:23:350:23:40

We'll see you at the auction. Thanks so much.

0:23:400:23:42

Our search has uncovered quite a few memories for Jean as well as some rather unusual treasures.

0:23:420:23:48

With any luck, it will all add up to a splendid pram for the new baby.

0:23:480:23:53

There's a huge variety of items to help them on their way, all thanks to Jean's mother.

0:23:530:23:59

There's the snuff and pillboxes that Jonty found,

0:23:590:24:04

worth between £80 and £120.

0:24:040:24:07

The vespa cases that Steve found tucked away with a value of £60 to £80.

0:24:070:24:13

Best of all, the sugar tongs.

0:24:130:24:15

Fingers crossed they bring us at least £80 to £120.

0:24:150:24:20

Still to come on Cash In The Attic...

0:24:200:24:22

It looks as if Jonty may be in Jean's bad books.

0:24:220:24:27

Look, she's giving me these looks. She's giving me a hard time.

0:24:270:24:31

But perhaps he's about to be forgiven.

0:24:310:24:34

-That's very good.

-Result.

0:24:340:24:38

So will Jean and Steve raise enough cash for their grandchild to travel in style?

0:24:380:24:43

That certainly unlocked a few memories for Jean.

0:24:480:24:51

What a collector her mother was.

0:24:510:24:53

Today we've brought all the treasures we found in Caterham to Chiswick Auctions in west London.

0:24:530:24:59

Remember, Jean and Steve are on the brink of becoming grandparents and want to raise £800

0:24:590:25:04

for an all-singing, all-dancing pram for the latest addition to their family.

0:25:040:25:09

Let's hope the bidders here are crying out for more when their items go under the hammer.

0:25:090:25:14

As ever, come auction day, the room fills quickly and early as the clientele look over the items.

0:25:140:25:20

Serious traders on the lookout for a bargain rub shoulders with

0:25:200:25:24

happy-go-lucky buyers who want something out of the ordinary.

0:25:240:25:27

There's usually something for everyone.

0:25:270:25:30

Let's hope they've come prepared to part with their cash, so Jean

0:25:300:25:33

and Steve can buy that top of the range pushchair for the new arrival.

0:25:330:25:38

And Jonty is already here.

0:25:380:25:39

-Good morning.

-Hi, Jennie.

0:25:390:25:43

The pillboxes, I love those.

0:25:430:25:45

We've got collections, collections, collections.

0:25:450:25:48

We've got these boxes, the sugar tongs, buckles, buttons.

0:25:480:25:52

It just goes on and on and on.

0:25:520:25:54

-She was a veritable magpie, Jean's mum.

-Quite extraordinary.

0:25:540:25:58

We are looking for true collectors here today.

0:25:580:26:02

Yes. This is the root of any general auction sale like this.

0:26:020:26:07

There are dealers that love items like this, just like I do.

0:26:070:26:10

-They should do well, even though they're tiny.

-Absolutely. But the amazing part of it

0:26:100:26:14

was Jean made it clear that her mum never had much money to spend on these items.

0:26:140:26:19

And some of these items are really very good quality indeed.

0:26:190:26:23

Yeah, some of them are a bit damaged, which is why Jean's mum could afford them.

0:26:230:26:27

I suppose that will affect the price.

0:26:270:26:29

Like in any genre of collecting, the items which are in mint condition

0:26:290:26:34

will fetch good sums of money and everything else becomes also-rans.

0:26:340:26:37

That's the reason why we are selling collections like these boxes as one lot.

0:26:370:26:42

Let's see how they go. I think Jean and Steve might have just arrived.

0:26:420:26:47

Mixed thoughts on our fortunes today.

0:26:470:26:49

As always, it depends on the mood and taste of the bidders.

0:26:490:26:54

We can only watch and hope.

0:26:540:26:56

I wonder how Jean is feeling about parting with so many of her mother's possessions.

0:26:560:27:02

-Good morning.

-Hi, guys.

0:27:040:27:08

It's the big day.

0:27:080:27:10

-Yes, quite exciting.

-Checking out the tongs, too.

-We could have done with these at the weekend.

0:27:100:27:15

-Why's that?

-Because we stayed in a barn in Norfolk where there were sugar lumps.

0:27:150:27:19

We didn't have any sugar tongs.

0:27:190:27:22

And my mother had 16 pairs.

0:27:220:27:24

-And they're all here!

-You're not allowed to keep one back, not now!

0:27:240:27:29

-I realise that.

-Do you feel OK about selling everything?

0:27:290:27:32

I won't mind seeing them go.

0:27:320:27:34

Anyway, it means someone might actually enjoy using them or even looking

0:27:340:27:38

at them if they don't use them, instead of being hidden in a box.

0:27:380:27:41

Did your mum buy any of her items at auction?

0:27:410:27:44

No, she wouldn't have done that because she kept them secret from my father.

0:27:440:27:48

She would have just bought them as and when she saw them in a shop when she passed by.

0:27:480:27:54

Steve, have you ever been to an auction?

0:27:540:27:56

I think I might have gone with my parents a long time ago, but never since. It's quite exciting.

0:27:560:28:02

We are just in the right place. We are in a general sale,

0:28:020:28:05

and all your mum's items are perfectly placed in this auction sale.

0:28:050:28:09

-Let's hope we do very well today.

-Let's go and find a place, because it's about to start.

0:28:090:28:14

If, like Jean and Steve, you've got a special reason to raise some cash and are

0:28:150:28:19

thinking of heading to auction, please remember that commission and other charges may apply.

0:28:190:28:24

So check the details with the auction house.

0:28:240:28:26

As today's auctioneer gets proceedings under way, we take our place ready for our first lot.

0:28:260:28:32

It's the wood and coal scuttle that Jean's mum once used as a bedside table. There's imagination for you!

0:28:320:28:39

Jonty gave it a value of £30 to £50.

0:28:390:28:42

For the pedonium, £10. I'm bid there for £10.

0:28:450:28:48

£12. 14. 16.

0:28:480:28:51

18. 20.

0:28:510:28:53

20 there.

0:28:530:28:55

22. 24. 26.

0:28:550:28:58

28? Is that a bid? £26.

0:28:580:29:01

Anybody else?

0:29:010:29:03

£26 it can be sold. £26 it goes.

0:29:030:29:07

That's disappointing, cos it was all there, good quality item.

0:29:070:29:10

Not quite the £30 we'd expected, but it's not a bad start.

0:29:100:29:15

I'm not sure that Jean is too happy, though!

0:29:150:29:18

Hopefully, she will be smiling after we sell the next item,

0:29:180:29:21

those three writing boxes that Jonty discovered under the stairs.

0:29:210:29:26

Estimate - £40 to £60.

0:29:260:29:29

We've got your three little boxes coming up.

0:29:290:29:31

They are down here as sewing boxes, but you're not sure.

0:29:310:29:34

No, I thought they were writing boxes.

0:29:340:29:36

That's where mum hid lots of her little collections.

0:29:360:29:39

-What do you reckon?

-I put £40 to £60 on the three of them.

0:29:390:29:44

-Ready?

-Think so.

0:29:440:29:47

What's it worth? Start me for £20 for the three, surely.

0:29:470:29:50

For 20, I'm bid. 20. 22. 24.

0:29:500:29:53

£24 is all I'm bid for those.

0:29:530:29:55

26 there.

0:29:550:29:57

26. 28. 30.

0:29:570:29:59

32. 34. 34 in the blue there at £34.

0:29:590:30:02

Anybody else?

0:30:020:30:04

At £34. Not much, but I can sell them for 34. They go for 34.

0:30:040:30:11

Just underneath.

0:30:110:30:13

-It's OK.

-Pretty close.

0:30:130:30:15

Well, we're all disappointed by that sale, but we must stay positive.

0:30:150:30:19

There are plenty of items to go.

0:30:190:30:21

Hopefully the next lot will make a decent profit.

0:30:210:30:25

These napkin holders are valued at £30 to £50.

0:30:250:30:29

£16. They have been sold.

0:30:320:30:35

Oh, dear. Jean's not happy with that result, either.

0:30:350:30:38

But there's a precious collection coming up next.

0:30:380:30:41

The pillboxes. I think this is one of your mother's jewels.

0:30:410:30:44

It's a beautiful collection, in my opinion. Absolutely lovely.

0:30:440:30:48

I've put £80-£120 on them. There's a little damage on a few,

0:30:480:30:52

but I'm sure they will sell. Here they come.

0:30:520:30:56

£40 for the tortoiseshell. I'm bid £40 there in the middle of the room.

0:30:560:30:59

And five. Somebody else?

0:30:590:31:01

45. £45 then? Not quite enough.

0:31:010:31:04

At £45. Anybody else at 45 then for the tortoiseshell?

0:31:040:31:08

For 45 then. £45. Not sold either, I'm afraid.

0:31:080:31:11

-Didn't sell.

-I know. We're not doing too well.

-No, that's disappointing. I wanted them to sell for more,

0:31:110:31:18

but the buyers aren't here.

0:31:180:31:19

And there's not a lot you can do about that.

0:31:190:31:22

Jonty's right. The buyers just aren't out in force today.

0:31:220:31:25

But the auctioneer didn't sell them for less than their worth,

0:31:250:31:29

so Jean can put them into another sale

0:31:290:31:31

and hope for better luck next time.

0:31:310:31:33

But we have lots more little gems left to tempt the bidders.

0:31:330:31:36

This is a little collection

0:31:360:31:38

of your Mum's cigarette holders, essentially.

0:31:380:31:41

Great little dealer's lot, this. I put £20-£30 on this. Should sell.

0:31:410:31:46

What's the lot worth? £10, surely. Somebody start me.

0:31:460:31:49

I'm bid straight off immediately, £10. And 12 I'll take.

0:31:490:31:52

Maiden bid of £10. Anybody else?

0:31:520:31:55

£12 there. 14. 16.

0:31:550:31:58

18. £18 in the pink there. At 18.

0:31:580:32:01

Anybody else? At 18, it goes for £18 then.

0:32:010:32:04

-£18.

-Well, again, that's just under estimate.

0:32:040:32:08

Everything is just a few pennies...

0:32:080:32:11

Look, she's giving me these looks! She's giving me a hard time.

0:32:110:32:15

-She believes in you.

-Steve, protect me!

-No, it's fine.

0:32:150:32:18

Because my brothers would have thrown them out, so it's fine.

0:32:180:32:22

That's better. Only £2 under Jonty's estimate.

0:32:230:32:26

And it's all money towards that pushchair fund.

0:32:260:32:29

The vesta case and two silver cigarette cases.

0:32:310:32:35

In the region of smoking again, which isn't that fashionable, I suppose.

0:32:350:32:39

But these are very nice pieces.

0:32:390:32:40

Yes. I think this, because it's silver as well, is a really good lot.

0:32:400:32:46

I put £60-£80 on the collection,

0:32:460:32:50

so this time I'm hoping we're going to get above

0:32:500:32:53

the bottom end estimate.

0:32:530:32:54

-Good lot there. Is it worth £30?

-Good lot, he says.

0:32:540:32:57

I'm bid £30 upstairs. And five? 35 everywhere. 40. 45. 50. And five.

0:32:570:33:04

60. And five. 70.

0:33:040:33:08

£70 up there. At 70.

0:33:080:33:10

Anybody else want to come in? I'm going to sell it for £70.

0:33:100:33:12

At 70 it goes. At 70 it is.

0:33:120:33:15

There we go. That's between the estimates there.

0:33:150:33:18

We're now in the middle. See, we're climbing up.

0:33:180:33:21

We're going up, not down.

0:33:210:33:22

Good news at last.

0:33:220:33:25

It's been such an unpredictable day so far

0:33:250:33:28

with most items selling under Jonty's estimates.

0:33:280:33:31

But that's the nature of auctions. You can never guarantee big sales.

0:33:310:33:35

As the halfway point approaches, it's time to check our progress.

0:33:350:33:39

OK, we're halfway through.

0:33:390:33:41

It's been quite a rocky ride, hasn't it, so far?

0:33:410:33:43

Yes, certainly has. Up and down.

0:33:430:33:46

Well, you never know what's going to happen at auctions, as we warned you. You want £800 for that pram.

0:33:460:33:51

At this halfway point, obviously we'd like you to have 400.

0:33:510:33:54

I'm afraid you haven't got 400.

0:33:540:33:56

At this stage you've got 164.

0:33:560:33:59

-OK. Might buy the shopping trolley.

-Might be a wheel.

-Yeah.

0:33:590:34:05

Look, there's more to come. Let's go gather our strength.

0:34:050:34:08

-Let's have a little bit of a break.

-I've got something to show you as well.

0:34:080:34:11

Have you? Oh, sounds interesting. Years of expertise have trained

0:34:110:34:16

Jonty to see bargains that we might walk straight by. Today he's got his eye on this.

0:34:160:34:20

There's a little chair here I want to show you because, for my money, this says quality.

0:34:200:34:28

A chair like this would have been made in the early 19th century. Made of mahogany.

0:34:280:34:33

All those different colours of mahogany.

0:34:330:34:35

You've got the faded mahogany at the top, down to the darker tones down at the bottom, which is all correct.

0:34:350:34:41

Now, this chair was inspired by classical designs.

0:34:410:34:45

When I say that, if you look at the shape of the leg at the front, that's a sabre leg.

0:34:450:34:50

But there's a twist to this chair and that's this little rope-back here.

0:34:500:34:55

This was inspired by the Battle of Trafalgar.

0:34:550:34:58

Often known as a rope-twist back or a Trafalgar back to the chair.

0:34:580:35:04

OK. So that the date it around...

0:35:040:35:06

A chair like this would have been made around possibly 1810, 1815.

0:35:060:35:10

I would never ever have guessed that that was 200 years old, I must say.

0:35:100:35:13

What's it worth now, do you reckon?

0:35:130:35:16

That's the amazing part about auctions.

0:35:160:35:18

That's why people come to sales like this because you can always find a hidden gem.

0:35:180:35:23

This is one of them. But this chair is being sold with two other chairs.

0:35:230:35:26

You can pick single chairs like that up for next to nothing.

0:35:260:35:29

In the auction catalogue, the three chairs are estimated between £60 and £80.

0:35:290:35:35

Now, if it's a set of 12, for instance, the auction value for that set of 12,

0:35:350:35:41

if they were in good condition, would be in excess of £10,000.

0:35:410:35:45

They're rare simply because chairs would have disintegrated naturally.

0:35:450:35:50

So large sets are extremely difficult to come by.

0:35:500:35:53

Your little expert eye up there.

0:35:530:35:54

Very good. Come on. Let's get back to the auction.

0:35:540:35:57

The sale is still going on and the rest of the Keens' items are due up soon.

0:35:570:36:01

Next, it's one of our star pieces.

0:36:010:36:03

The collection of needle cases and pencils.

0:36:030:36:07

We were all fascinated by them, especially the one with the intricate magnified image.

0:36:070:36:12

I hope the bidders like them as much as we do and are prepared to dig deep into their pockets.

0:36:120:36:19

Another wonderful collection of your mum's.

0:36:190:36:21

We've got some ivory and the propelling pencils.

0:36:210:36:24

I put £100-£200.

0:36:240:36:27

I'm fascinated to see what the room thinks of this lot.

0:36:270:36:30

What am I bid for that? Start me at £50 for the lot. Surely for £50.

0:36:300:36:34

50 I am bid straight off. And five.

0:36:340:36:36

55. 60. 65. 70. 75. 80. 85. 90. 95.

0:36:360:36:42

100. 110.

0:36:420:36:44

£110? At £110 for that lot. At 110.

0:36:460:36:50

For 110 it goes, all done at 110.

0:36:500:36:53

-Very good.

-A result.

-Again, spot on.

0:36:530:36:57

I thought that was going to go for a lot more, but you should still be very happy with £110.

0:36:570:37:02

What a terrific result. £10 over the lowest estimate.

0:37:020:37:07

That'll be a tremendous help towards our target of £800.

0:37:070:37:13

Next, the hat pins that Steve discovered.

0:37:130:37:16

They're a very pretty lot, so they should attract a buyer.

0:37:160:37:19

Mind you, I've been wrong before.

0:37:190:37:21

Now, these are fun. These are hat pins and the great thing

0:37:210:37:25

about your mum's collection is that they're all so very different.

0:37:250:37:29

That's the reason why I put £60-£80 on the whole lot. They should sell very well.

0:37:290:37:34

Little bit of interest in this already. I'm bid £35, but need a little bit more.

0:37:340:37:38

At £35...

0:37:380:37:40

40 I'll take. Need a bit more then.

0:37:400:37:43

35. Anybody else want to come in for a 40? £35.

0:37:430:37:47

Not quite enough then at 35.

0:37:470:37:49

No. We're going home with everything!

0:37:490:37:53

Well, they just don't want these collections.

0:37:550:37:58

-It's curious, it really is.

-Amazing.

0:37:580:38:00

Just when I thought I was getting the hang of this antique lark!

0:38:000:38:04

I better keep my thoughts to myself for the rest of the sale

0:38:040:38:07

and just see what happens.

0:38:070:38:09

Onwards and upwards as the next item is brought before the room.

0:38:090:38:13

It's the set of button hooks,

0:38:130:38:15

which we hope will add £20-£30 to our total.

0:38:150:38:17

And when the hammer falls...

0:38:170:38:19

£20 it goes then. £20.

0:38:190:38:22

-That's fine. Steady as she goes.

-They're right on estimate at £20.

0:38:220:38:28

Will the collection of buttons perform just as well?

0:38:280:38:31

£22. Still not quite enough. £22 then.

0:38:310:38:35

Another disappointment. Jean's mother probably bought them

0:38:350:38:38

because she liked them rather than as an investment,

0:38:380:38:42

but it would be nice to see them go for a good price.

0:38:420:38:45

Now, I wonder what the sugar tongs will do. I'm longing to see how your tongs go.

0:38:450:38:49

-All those lovely tongs which are very, very pretty.

-Yes.

-Good.

0:38:490:38:53

Well, let's see if we can get £80.

0:38:530:38:55

Yeah, there's one solid silver sugar tong in there, the rest are plated.

0:38:550:38:59

I've put £80-£120 on the whole collection.

0:38:590:39:02

So dealers here should make a profit on that.

0:39:020:39:05

What's it worth? £40 to start me.

0:39:050:39:07

30 to go, then. 30 I'm bid. 35.

0:39:070:39:11

40. £40.

0:39:110:39:13

We are stuck at 40.

0:39:140:39:16

Not quite enough then for 40.

0:39:160:39:18

-Not sold.

-Sorry. Unsold.

0:39:180:39:20

That's not sweet, that's sour.

0:39:200:39:23

Ah, well. Never mind.

0:39:230:39:25

Our last item of the day is a selection of beautiful buckles that Jean's mother lovingly collected.

0:39:250:39:32

They have a high value of £100-£200, so I'm on tenterhooks.

0:39:320:39:35

We really need this to do well.

0:39:350:39:39

Now, this is going to do well. I am certain of it! The collection of buckles.

0:39:390:39:44

I was talking to the auctioneer earlier and he was very impressed with your buckles.

0:39:440:39:48

-Was he?

-Yeah, he was.

0:39:480:39:50

-And so I think you estimate of £100 might be OK.

-Well, we're hoping so.

0:39:500:39:55

I haven't done very well for you so far, have I?

0:39:550:39:57

Yeah, it's been a rocky ride, but we'll see.

0:39:570:40:01

Let's see if we can get £100 for them.

0:40:010:40:03

The Georgian buckles.

0:40:030:40:05

Now, I have got a bit of interest on these, I'm glad to say.

0:40:050:40:08

And I can start the bidding already at £110. Which is a good start.

0:40:080:40:13

110. 120. 130. 140. 150.

0:40:130:40:21

At 150, they're still cheap.

0:40:210:40:23

At 150, I'm going to sell them then for 150.

0:40:230:40:27

-Great.

-Great.

-How about that?

0:40:270:40:31

-Excuse me?

-I can't believe it.

0:40:310:40:35

Thank you.

0:40:350:40:37

Well, how about that? No-one saw that coming.

0:40:370:40:42

It's been a tough day so far,

0:40:420:40:43

but that sale has really lifted the mood.

0:40:430:40:46

All that remains now is to work out just how much

0:40:460:40:49

Jean and Steve have made.

0:40:490:40:51

Well, that was the final item. It's all over. Your big day.

0:40:510:40:55

-How are you feeling?

-Bit numb, really, actually.

0:40:550:40:59

Because some things I'm really pleased with and some things,

0:40:590:41:02

I'm a bit surprised that they didn't go, but never mind.

0:41:020:41:06

Considering they were just bits and pieces Mum collected over the years and hid away,

0:41:060:41:11

it's quite good to think they did have some value. Or some of them did.

0:41:110:41:16

It's been a great day, so what's the final score?

0:41:160:41:20

What's the damage? OK, well, you were looking for £800.

0:41:200:41:23

You know that quite a few things have gone unsold.

0:41:230:41:26

We don't know why. They just didn't want those collections.

0:41:260:41:29

You can take all those pieces home with you, but you have made a very respectable £444.

0:41:290:41:36

That's not bad. Half a pram.

0:41:360:41:38

-No, that's great.

-That is very good, yes.

0:41:380:41:41

Considering it was just little bits and pieces that on their own didn't seem to be worth very much.

0:41:410:41:48

So that's pretty good. That's good.

0:41:480:41:51

A few weeks later, grandmother-to-be Jean

0:41:540:41:57

and her expectant daughter Laura get together to assemble their new pram.

0:41:570:42:01

It's all the more poignant because everything we sold

0:42:010:42:04

at the auction once belonged to the baby's great-grandma.

0:42:040:42:08

She would have really been pleased that the cash was used

0:42:080:42:11

to go towards buying something really good for her great-grandchild.

0:42:110:42:17

So, all they await now is that special delivery from the stork!

0:42:170:42:22

I think my mother would have really enjoyed the fact that

0:42:220:42:28

some of her secret collections were sold at auction, that they were put to good use.

0:42:280:42:35

You never can tell what's going to happen at auction,

0:42:380:42:41

but I'm sure Jean's mum would have been delighted to know

0:42:410:42:43

she had played a part in helping buy that new pram.

0:42:430:42:46

If you'd like to raise some money and think you may have

0:42:460:42:49

antiques or collectibles hidden around your home, then why not apply to come on the show?

0:42:490:42:54

You can find all the details online -

0:42:540:42:56

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

0:42:580:43:02

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0:43:120:43:15

E-mail - [email protected]

0:43:150:43:18

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