Shackleton Cash in the Attic

Welcome to Cash In The Attic,

the programme that loves to help people raise money for a project or a treat

by finding things in their home that we can take to auction and sell.

People often ask us to help when they're downsizing.

But what to keep and what to get rid of, that can be a tricky one.

Coming up on Cash In The Attic, a good valuation doesn't always mean an easy trip to auction.

-Are we ever going to get it out?

-That's the problem, because we've had a porch put on.

A bit of family history adds weight to our total.

If I said at least 150, 200?

-That's not a bad price, is it?

-Very good.

-Very nice.

And at auction, one sale has us all bowled over.

That's amazing. Well done.

-That's great news.

-Terrific.

Find out more when the hammer falls.

Today I'm in West Yorkshire to meet Wendy,

who wants to return a couple of family heirlooms to their former glory.

At 69, Wendy Shackleton is constantly on the go.

Now retired, this part-time lollipop lady is a self-proclaimed fitness fanatic,

and makes it her mission to lead a healthy lifestyle.

From scouting to badminton, Wendy is quite the sports enthusiast.

She met her friend Maureen at an aquaerobics class.

Besides staying active, Wendy also has a fondness for antiques.

Over the last 40 years, she's amassed quite a collection.

But now it's time to clear out the clutter,

because Wendy is moving house.

Today I'm joined by Paul Hayes, who will decide what's good to go to auction.

And this crisp winter morning is all the more reason to get inside

and start hunting.

Hi, Wendy. Who have you got in the house with you today?

This is Maureen.

-Hello.

-Good friends, obviously.

How long have you two known each other?

About five or six years.

So you know this house quite well.

Well... Quite.

-Tell me why we're here.

-I called Cash In The Attic because I want to downsize.

So you're going to downsize. We've got lots of things you've inherited.

What are we raising money for?

Two chairs that want re-upholstering.

How much do you think that will cost?

About 800.

-£800?

-Yes.

-Maureen reckons there's plenty of stuff in the house.

-Definitely.

Let's go find Paul Hayes, I'm sure he'll agree with you. Come on.

It's clear that Wendy is quite a collector,

so I'm sure we're not going to have to look too hard to find things to send to auction.

Paul's already been drawn

to a very grand piece of furniture in the dining room.

-Hello.

-I'd like you to meet Wendy.

-How are you, Wendy?

You can't miss that piece of furniture, can you?

-You certainly can't.

-It's enormous. Where did this come from?

It came from a cottage where this old lady lived.

When my husband was working there, she said, "Could you take it away,

"as it's too big for this house."

So, how did you get it in here?

Well, there was about five or six workmen brought it in through the front door.

Managed to worm it in and get it here.

Are we ever going to get it out?

That's the problem, because we've now had a porch put on.

ANGELA CHUCKLES

Is it worth taking to auction, Paul?

This is a type of buffet sideboard.

On here would be all your wonderful plates and tureens

to have a special occasion in the dining room.

-Kedgeree.

-Wonderful. The big dishes and so on.

This one is a Jacobean revival.

It's a whole cacophony of designs that were built in the 17th century.

So you have these wonderful Baroque-style figures, this floral decoration

that was often found on architecture of the day.

In here would be your cutlery, and in the bottom, this hasn't got one unfortunately,

you'd have an ice box, for your wine. A lead-lined box.

Then these conch shapes filled with flowers and fruit.

The whole thing's very lavish, very over-the-top.

The original versions of these would be carved from oak,

look very similar, but over the past 300-400 years they would have become black and ebonised.

This oak is too new, too golden.

So you're looking at sometime in the late 19th, early 20th century.

If we did think to take it to auction, what do you think we might get for it, Paul?

You're looking at £200 if it does get to auction.

-£200.

-That's all, I'm afraid.

Why don't we go and look through this amazing house - there are so many rooms here -

and see what else we can take to auction and have a think about this at the end of the day?

It certainly is a big undertaking to try and get it to auction.

But with an estimate of £200-£300, Wendy might decide it's worth it.

Wendy.

I've found some fantastic watercolours.

Who did these? Do you know who S Ward was?

Not myself. My father-in-law could have told you, probably.

That's who we got them from.

These are wonderful. Do you know where the subject is?

That's in Bradford.

That's City Hall. The corner of City Hall.

When you get these paintings of cities

and town centres, the amount of changes that have happened over 100 years.

It's fascinating. It's called topographical.

You've got shops here that were around in 1880-1900,

that have long since gone. This is a little capsule of time. It captures that moment.

I love this gentleman here with his cart.

Is it a milk cart? Is he a rag-and-bone man?

He's outside the tinner and brasier's.

What you've got here are four very nice watercolours.

The subject matter is great. They've been in a damp place.

They all have. There's a little bit of foxing here. See that?

Little tiny brown marks that looks like a fox has run over the surface.

You can't get rid of that.

If you try to wash that away, the waters will run and the picture's ruined.

I think these are fantastic, they're all views you can't see any more.

I'm sure someone that knows Bradford well would love to buy these.

If I said £200 up, how does that sound?

Yes. Fine. Yes, fine.

Paul's clearly a fan of these landscapes and thinks they should spark some interest at auction.

100 quickly. £100. One hundred and ten, if you like.

At £100 and 110 now..

Find out if the bidders are just as impressed.

7344...

We're only two finds into our rummage and already halfway to Wendy's £800 target.

I've found a set of 12 silver spoons dated 1904.

Bearing a London hallmark, these spoons belonged to Wendy's great-aunt.

Paul thinks someone will take them home for £30-£50.

Speaking of silver, Wendy has suggested this large serving bowl.

It's a modern piece, modelled after a 1930s design.

Paul thinks he can get the bidders interested for between £50 to £70.

Are we having tea?

-That's a nice set.

-Isn't it lovely?

When did Wendy get it? Do you know?

I think she was given it for her silver wedding. From her in-laws.

I love these silver services. They're fantastic.

This is known as a four-piece silver set.

We have a teapot, which is this one here, we have a hot water jug, a sugar basin

and a cream jug. That's more often than not as you find them.

This one you're looking about 1940, late 1930s-1940, that sort of time.

It's a very traditional design. It's called a squashed melon in the antique trade.

It goes back to the Georgian times.

It's very simple, very plain. The Victorians were all for over-decorating things.

This is a very elegant, stylish style.

-These, actually, are often mistaken for a coffee pot.

-Right.

If this was a coffee pot, the spout comes from the bottom up to the top,

to allow the taste from the coffee to percolate and help you to taste the coffee.

But the water jug is just a tiny lip at the top.

-You learn something every day.

-Do you know why they have these ivory handles?

-So you wouldn't burn yourself.

-Exactly.

This would get red hot and your hand would be protected.

You do have to be careful, ivory has to be made pre-1947,

before we can sell it.

I know this set dates from about 1940-1942, so we're fine with this one.

-What a lovely set.

-Beautiful, yes.

So they can go to auction. You've got some heavy examples.

Silver is doing very well indeed.

I think you've got over 20 ounces in each of those big items.

If I said £300-£500? Is that a surprise?

-I think she'd be very pleased about that.

-You think so?

-I do indeed.

An outstanding valuation. Let's hope the bidders find this set just as enticing.

Paul gives this handsome oak chest the once over.

It was made in the 1930s, but in a Jacobean style, and Paul values it at £50-£80.

While Paul and Maureen keep up the hard work,

I take a moment to find out more about Wendy's restoration project.

So, Wendy, these are the chairs that you're wanting to keep and re-upholster.

-Yes, it is.

-They're lovely. They look extremely comfortable.

What can you tell me about them? Where do they come from?

From the sister-in-law.

She had them and then she was downsizing into a flat,

so she couldn't get them in.

She had them re-upholstered to another suite we used to have.

But now, the springs have gone in this one.

It looks a bit sad, doesn't it?

How did it get in that state?

Perhaps the grandchildren jumped on it,

when they were younger.

-It's tough making a decision about what's going to go.

-It is, very tough.

Don't the family want any of it?

Most of them don't want anything.

I keep asking them but nobody comes forward and says, "I'll have this."

So it's going to auction instead.

May as well have the money.

Well, the chairs are staying, let's see what's going.

Once we get back to work,

Maureen comes across a 9-carat gold brooch.

It's a modern reproduction of a Victorian design,

complete with amethyst details.

Paul thinks he can secure a buyer if he sets the price at £30-£50.

And there is another gold and amethyst brooch heading to auction, too.

This time a 1950s one in a floral design.

It gets a £50-£80 price tag.

Paul. Wendy.

Yes?

When you come into your house, the porch is full of brass.

I can understand you don't want to clean this, but where did you get it?

It came from the in-laws.

They're rather nice.

I did spot these earlier. This one's for roasting chestnuts.

You put the chestnuts in there and put them straight in the fire.

The heat of the fire would go around the whole item.

The bedwarmer, on the wall, is a bit different.

That would be filled full of hot coals.

That would be left in your bed.

When you took it out, your bed was nice and warm.

Anything brass or copper could be highly polished and would go above your fireplace.

The fire was the focal point of any Victorian home,

so these would look marvellous in the glow of the fire.

I love this one, actually.

It says "Sherry" on it. Is that a measure?

You'd put that into one of those big wooden casks?

It looks like a measure.

They often made these

with these metal bottoms because you put them into a fire.

You'd have like a hot toddy.

But that does look like a measure, with a copper bottom.

That's where it comes from.

This has a coat of arms.

-Does that mean anything to you?

-No.

How much might we get if we took all these pieces?

You've got a big bedwarmer there and some other pieces.

-If I said £50-£80, as a parcel, how does that sound?

-Yes.

-At least you won't have to polish them any more.

-Great.

I'll put them back on the wall and let's see what else we've got.

We've already added a collection of watercolours.

On the wall I spy another set of landscapes.

These three framed pieces recreate

the wild scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.

Paul is sure someone will want them for £40-£60.

Wendy comes up with a cruet set from the 1930s.

Made by Mappin & Webb by craftsmen in Sheffield,

it's valued at £50-£80.

In the bedroom,

Paul and I are having one final look for anything else that might go to auction.

-Wendy? Maureen?

-Where are you?

-Come and join us a second.

Now look, we've just found this rather lovely little bracelet.

-Is it something you might auction?

-Yes.

OK. Paul, take a closer look at it. Where did it come from?

It was my husband's grandfather's watch chain.

My husband had it cut into three for my three daughters.

-Oh, right.

-Right.

-It's got some age to it, then.

-It certainly has.

What I was testing was not to see if it fits me.

But to be sold as a bracelet, they have to be a certain width,

because these can be cut down and cut down

until it's too small to use.

Normally you'd find the same length again, then held together with a T-bar.

The idea was it would go either side of your waistcoat to give a W effect.

Is that rose gold, Paul?

It certainly is. What happens is that

if this was made from 24-carat gold, pure gold,

it would be far too soft, so they mix it with other metals.

Because they mix it with copper, that gives it its rose-gold effect.

If you look at my wedding ring, they're two different colours.

-What carat would it be?

-This is nine carat, 9.375.

Perfect. If we took it to auction, what do you think we might get?

If I said at least 150, 200?

-That's not a bad price, is it?

-Very good.

-Very nice.

It's a nice note on which to end,

because if we take all the things that Paul has looked at today and take his lowest estimate

and add that £150 to it,

then I know what you were hoping to raise was £800,

but with luck and a following wind, we should be able to make £1,200.

There you go.

Except... Now there's a big but, actually.

The but is as big as that big piece of furniture downstairs in the dining room.

Because it's probably going to be difficult to get out.

So let's say 1,000, because we ought to take £200 away.

If you can get it to auction,

1,200 we hope, but if not, 1,000.

But we're still making your target.

Very nice, yes.

Let's see what happens when we go to auction

-and see if you bring the furniture and six strong men with you.

-Yes.

-Yes.

Even if Wendy does leave the sideboard at home,

we've got some interesting lots that will help us to achieve that target.

The silver 1940s-style tea set should go a long way towards it,

if it makes the £300-£500 that Paul has predicted.

The four watercolours - these late-1800s Bradford scenes

will surely appeal to local historians.

And finally, the gold Albert chain turned bracelet.

It may be modified, but it's sure to catch the bidders' interest.

So find out how much these

and Wendy's other items will raise on auction day.

Still to come on Cash In The Attic,

disappointment as one lot fails to stir up much interest.

I think we'd better leave them where they are.

What a disappointment!

One of our finds serves up a very welcome starting bid.

Various interest in this one.

And I'll start it straightaway at £700.

700...

But watch the outcome when the hammer finally falls.

It's a couple of weeks since we were with Wendy in West Yorkshire,

where we discovered some items with local and family history in that enormous house of hers.

So we've brought everything here today to sell at auction at Silverwoods of Lancashire,

and we hope she'll be able to make that £800 target.

But now we have to wait for the bidders to come.

These auction rooms always attract an enthusiastic crowd of buyers,

so hopefully Wendy's goods will spark some interest when it comes to the bidding.

Wendy and Maureen are admiring that silver tea service.

I hope they haven't changed their minds about selling it because it could really do well.

Hello, Wendy and Maureen.

-Planning an early-morning cup of tea?

-Yes, please.

THEY LAUGH

-How are you feeling today?

-Very excited.

-We've got some lovely things in.

-We certainly have.

Those little watercolours are superb,

and the auctioneer is quite excited by your silver tea service, so fingers crossed.

What I haven't seen here is that enormous sideboard

that was in your dining room.

Just couldn't get anybody to get it out for me.

It was that big, it was just a problem.

But we've got other lovely things,

-so shall we take our places? People are starting to arrive.

-Yes.

OK.

If you'd like to raise money by selling at auction,

remember that sale rooms may charge fees such as commission,

and prices vary, so enquire in advance.

As the auction gets underway,

our first item is the brass kitchenware.

£30, 32. 35? At 32, right in the middle of the room.

All done at £32, the only person with Brasso, at 32...

ANGELA CHUCKLES

Yes, throw in a bottle of Brasso.

That's a slow start, but it's early days.

The set of 12 spoons are next under the hammer.

All done at 32...

And they sell just over Paul's estimate.

That's another £32 in the pot.

But will the fruit bowl continue our successful silver streak?

Now you've got all this antique silver

with one item which is quite modern.

This is that little fruit bowl, and it's Sheffield 1982.

Was this bought recently, or was it given to you?

It was given to us as a silver-wedding present.

-And was that in 1982?

-It was in the '80s, yes.

THEY LAUGH

£40. 40 and five, 45.

50, five, 60, five, 70, five,

80, five, 90, five,

100, and ten,

120, 130?

At 120 on my left, then.

At £120, we're looking for 130. Have you all done and thought?

At £120 this time.

7333.

-Is that a result?

-That's great, isn't it?

-Oh, yes.

-Wow, there we go.

-Starting to get exciting now?

-Yes.

Well, that definitely proves

that all that glistens needn't be gold.

Next up for auction is the tea service, in pristine condition.

It has quite an Art Deco feel, it's late '30s, 1940s,

with the ivory handles, very attractive item,

and it weighs 57 ounces, which is quite a lot.

It's a very heavy example. That attracts the silver buyers.

Right, various interest in this one.

And I'll start it straightaway at £700.

700, 700, and 50 if you like.

At £700 and 750 where?

At £700 and 750 for this set.

At 750, 800.

800, and 50?

No? I've £800, then.

On the pad at £800, a commission bid,

make no mistake, I'm selling here.

At £800...

It's amazing, isn't it? Well done.

-That's great.

-Terrific.

-That is double your highest estimate.

-Over double, wonderful.

-Just shows silver is very much in, but it was in lovely condition.

-It was. Mint condition.

Wow, that certainly exceeded our expectations.

At £800, the tea service alone has just made Wendy's target.

It looks like her plan to re-upholster the two chairs can go ahead.

But there's still plenty more to come.

Wendy's final silver serving is the Mappin & Webb cruet set.

At £40, 42.

45. 48 now.

At £45 in the room.

All done at £45...

-Just under.

-Not quite our estimate, was it?

But a good price for it, still.

-Take that with a pinch of salt.

-You're clever, aren't you?

-No, that's why I'm here.

I knew I could rely on you to find a bad pun in there, Paul.

We're only halfway through, and we've sailed past Wendy's £800 target with £1,029 in the pot.

With six lots still to sell, who knows where we'll end up?

A very nice Victorian brooch now in the shape of a scimitar.

Again, not one that you want to wear, Wendy.

No, it's another one that I wasn't keen on.

My husband bought it for me but I didn't like it,

so it's been kept in a drawer.

-You must have very full drawers.

-I have.

20 bid, 20 and two, at 22.

22, 25, 28.

Sounds quite low.

32, 35, no?

At 32 sat down in the room. 35 from anybody else?

35, 35, 38? 40 again?

Somebody online bought that.

42, at 40 online.

At £40 and 42 from anybody else, then?

-All finished now at £40...

-There you go.

A great result for that brooch,

and hopefully the start of a gold rush for Wendy and Maureen,

as the next item is the 15-carat gold brooch.

£42...

Despite the brooch failing to make Paul's estimate,

most of our gold and silver items

have been a hit today.

The next items are my favourite of yours, the watercolours

of Bradford city centre.

-They're in the catalogue as possibly being Lancashire, Paul.

-I know!

-They don't know their geography.

-No, Bradford's in West Yorkshire.

That could offend a whole host of people, so we'll cross that out.

What I like about them is that you've got the guy pushing the wheelbarrow,

maybe a rag-and-bone man, a saddler's shop.

Things you don't see any more.

£100, 100 and ten if you like.

At £100 and 110 now.

I don't believe that. These are my favourite items.

At £100 and 110, anybody else?

He's not going to let them go.

Are you all done? At £100...

-I think we'd better leave them.

-Unsold.

-They're not going to sell.

-What a disappointment!

At least Wendy can take these pictures home, as they did look attractive on her staircase.

The three rural landscapes do find a new home.

All done at £28.

Albeit a bit short of Paul's £40 estimate. With poor results

on the paintings, perhaps the furniture will provide a better outcome.

This is a nice blanket box.

How would you describe it?

-Blanket box.

-What about you?

Ottoman.

-Just to spice things up.

-I'd say it's a box.

-A box.

At £60 the blanket chest.

At £60, 65 where?

At £60, and 65 and help yourselves. 65.

£70 now? At 65, and 70?

All done at £65...

Hey, how's that?

We may have disagreed on what to call it,

but we're all happy with the result.

It's Wendy's final lot now, that lovely gold bracelet,

with a sizeable £150-£200 estimate.

Straight in at 100, 100, 110.

At £100 and 110 now for this bracelet.

110, 120, 130, 130, 140, 140

and 50, at 140 on my left, where's 150 for it?

150, 160, 170,

-180, at 170 now.

-Still going up.

At 170 on my right, then.

At 170, anybody else want to dabble? All done at £170...

-There you go.

-Good price for it.

-That's great, isn't it?

-You pleased with that?

-Yes.

What a great end to the day.

Time now to find out what Wendy's made in total.

You want to cover those beautiful chairs.

Well, I think you can cover the chairs and some,

because we've made a total of £1,374.

That's lovely!

Having made her target at auction,

Wendy wastes no time in having her chairs re-upholstered.

They're a vast improvement on what they used to look like,

and they're now back in pride of place in her living room.

Cash In The Attic gave me the motivation to sell my items

and to get some money towards the chairs.

I'm very pleased now that I've got it done.

I think they look very nice.