0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to the show that searches for all the unwanted items in people's homes.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09We then get them all valued, sell them at auction, and the family benefits from the cash.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Well, sometimes we have a clear-out because somebody else
0:00:12 > 0:00:15nudges us into it, and sometimes because we want a fresh start.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19The lady we're meeting today is going for the latter option, so
0:00:19 > 0:00:23let's hope she's got lots of lovely items to sell on Cash In The Attic.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46Coming up on Cash In The Attic,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49our expert makes a rather bone-chilling discovery...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Quite macabre. I don't even know what those...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55I don't want to know what those do, do you?
0:00:55 > 0:00:59..and a letter possibly penned by the great man himself.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Winston Churchill's letter to Jane, look.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Let's have a look. Wow!
0:01:03 > 0:01:08And later, the bidders need a bit of persuading.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- 32... At £32...- Oh, come on!
0:01:10 > 0:01:12It's worth more than that.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Find out what happens when the final hammer falls.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20I've come to Stoke Mandeville near Aylesbury to meet Evie and her sister Jan.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Now, I've heard that Evie is looking for a rather stylish make-over,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27so let's hope Cash In The Attic can help her raise the funds.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Evie Nightingale has worked as an accountant for the last 30 years,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33but her true passion lies in fashion and design.
0:01:33 > 0:01:40At the age of 21, Evie worked in London, making gowns for a high-end fashion designer on Bond Street.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43After a few years in the trade, she decided to pursue
0:01:43 > 0:01:47other interests, and a career in accountancy took over.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50She might have stepped away from the runway, but recently
0:01:50 > 0:01:53she started a new project that has sparked the designer within.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59Today, her sister Janice is going to help her find some interesting and hopefully valuable collectibles
0:01:59 > 0:02:02that will help raise the money for her new endeavour.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- Ah, good morning. - Morning. Lovely to see you.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07I'm joined by our expert Paul Hayes.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Ah, good morning, ladies.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10- Hello.- How lovely to see you.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12- So you must be Evie.- I'm Evie.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- And you're sister Jan.- That's right.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Right, OK. So what made you decide to call in Cash In The Attic?
0:02:17 > 0:02:22I've got a room upstairs that is a junk room and it's developed into a dumping ground, and I want
0:02:22 > 0:02:28- to restore it as a bedroom, and I've decided to do it in the Art Deco style.- Ah, interesting.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30What made you choose Art Deco?
0:02:30 > 0:02:34It's just a period that I've always enjoyed. I just like it.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- I like all the lines and the colours and the glamour.- So what do you think of this project, Jan?
0:02:38 > 0:02:40I think it's a wonderful idea.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45I know she's got lots of things that she won't mind seeing the back of, and so I think, if it helps her
0:02:45 > 0:02:49achieve her aim, do up the room like she wants to do it, I think it's wonderful.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55- How much are you hoping to raise? - Well, I can spend as much as I make, but £500 should do it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57OK. Well, that's a wonderful idea.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Shall we go and see whether Paul's found anything to sell yet?
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- Yes.- Come on, then. Follow me.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Evie has lived in this lovely four-bedroomed detached house
0:03:07 > 0:03:09for the last 12 years.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12There are lots of items which were collected by her late husband David
0:03:12 > 0:03:16and our Paul Hayes has got the search under way.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Ah, hello. All right?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Have you found something for us to sell already?
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Well, I found these - what do you call those? Sweet-meat dishes.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- What do you use them for?- I'd always called them hors d'oeuvres dishes.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- And I just say they're fishy.- Yeah!
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- Cos they've got fishes on them. - Well, I don't think they've actually been designed for fish,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39but I can tell you who they've been designed BY. Do you know who the artist is on these?
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Clarice Cliff.- Clarice Cliff! Isn't that fantastic? It's one of the household names, isn't it, really?
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- Where did these come from? - They were a wedding present in 1959.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Were there always the five or...?
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- No, I think there were six. - Right, OK.- Yeah.
0:03:52 > 0:03:59What was unique about Clarice Cliff, though, is that she put a real Modernist view on her work.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Her style used lots of geometry, lots of bright colours,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and it was totally different to what was happening at that time.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09The Victorian era in particular was very dark, very fancy, you know,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13and she came up with the whole lighter approach to ceramics and she became very famous for it.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18But 1959 isn't quite her Art Deco period. It's a bit late for her.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20This is more likely her factory than herself
0:04:20 > 0:04:22that would have worked on an item like this.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24But these are beautifully done
0:04:24 > 0:04:26and they fit in with the Modernist style nowadays.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28If we said around the 100 mark...
0:04:28 > 0:04:30If we put these in at £60-£100
0:04:30 > 0:04:33just to see how they get on, I'm sure somebody would take a shine to them.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Yeah, that would be great cos I don't want them.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38OK, well, that's around a fifth of our total
0:04:38 > 0:04:39which is pretty good going,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42so shall we go and see if we can find plenty more fish in the sea?
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Yes.- Come on, then. Follow me.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47I head straight for a 1920s oak bureau
0:04:47 > 0:04:48with some very attractive inlay.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51This belonged to Evie's father.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Paul valued it at £40-£60.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58As Paul and I are rooting through the house,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02we discover that someone else has joined our search party.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- Ah, hello.- Hi.- Firstly, who are you?
0:05:07 > 0:05:08This is Katy. She's my granddaughter.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Oh, right, OK. So you've come to help out your grandma, have you?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- Yeah.- Come to help with the rummage and the sorting-out
0:05:14 > 0:05:16and lifting heavy items.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Well, you've found something very interesting there. Do you like it?
0:05:19 > 0:05:20Yeah, I think it's pretty
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and it's been here ever since I can remember, really.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Ever since I can remember coming to this house.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26So, Paul, what do you think?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Cos that's Victorian, isn't it? - Exactly. Dead Victorian.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32It's a bit of social history, actually. This is a by-product.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35In the 19th century, they made lots of green glass bottles,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37mainly for lemonade or for white wine,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39that sort of thing.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44At the end of the day, they'd be left with lots of remnants of the glass,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46so they'd make them into these items here,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49and it's called a dump, a Victorian dump.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Now, I've heard in the past that they're paperweights,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54but I've also been told they were actually doorstops.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57That's right. The large examples are always doorstops.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00This is debatable, actually. Is it a paperweight or is it a doorstop?
0:06:00 > 0:06:04But in this particular example, what you've got is a floral decoration.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Sometimes you get them with just bubbles.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08And this one's actually inserted like a foil, a metal foil.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- Yeah, it's lovely, isn't it? - But the bigger ones were doorstops.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- What, the bigger ones like...? - Exactly. Look at that.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- Where did that one come from?! - Same place.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19I think you'd cover the whole piece of paper with that.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- Do you like them?- I like them, yeah. I think that one especially.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25That one's a bit too bulky for me, but I think that one's very pretty.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Quite heavy as well.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Here, I'll take it. Such a big girl's blouse!
0:06:29 > 0:06:31What you do have to look for is condition.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34This one has a scratch there which is not a big problem.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I think someone's used it as a hammer at some point.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- I think it got knocked on the floor. - That's probably what's happened.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43So that's slightly detracted it, so I think if these were going to auction,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47if I said £60-£100 for the pair, give them a chance...
0:06:47 > 0:06:49That's fair, yes. Yes.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- So these can go to auction? - Yes, definitely.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Excellent. Do you know what as well? You're right. It is very heavy.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Come on, I'll leave him to it.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02While we're on the glass theme, Katy has found some rather attractive
0:07:02 > 0:07:0720th-century millefiori paperweights that Paul estimates at £30-£60.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12In the garage, Evie digs out a miniature cricket bat
0:07:12 > 0:07:14which belonged to her late husband David.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Produced as a souvenir item,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20it commemorates the 1948 Australian cricket team,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23known as the Invincibles.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26The signatures are facsimile copies
0:07:26 > 0:07:30but it still gets a £20 to £50 price tag.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Paul, what do you think this might be?
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Ah, look at that. I think that's actually like a surgeon's kit.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- They're scalpels, aren't they? - Can you see those scalpels?
0:07:38 > 0:07:39- Look at that.- Yeah.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Now, these were very prominent in the 19th century.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46There were lots of...not amateur surgeons,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49but people that took a real interest in surgery.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- I think this is more sort of 1890,- 1900. Oh, goodness.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54It's the time of Dr Crippen
0:07:54 > 0:07:57and all these sort of strange things that were going on.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01And you know what's wonderful about this era, though, is that lots
0:08:01 > 0:08:03of the knowledge that we've taken from medicine
0:08:03 > 0:08:06was actually discovered by amateurs, very talented amateurs.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10But this looks to me like an autopsy kit.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12This is wonderful, isn't it? Quite macabre.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15I don't even know what those... I don't WANT to know
0:08:15 > 0:08:17what those do, do you, really?
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Oh, dear me. People are obsessed with this type of thing.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Anything that proves how we got to where we are now with medicine, people go for.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Not the sort of thing you want to use every day.- No!
0:08:27 > 0:08:29No, but a real historian...
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I think Evie would be quite happy for that to go some place else.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Well, look, there's a big interest in it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38If I said sort of £50-£80, does that sound all right to you?
0:08:38 > 0:08:39I think that's fantastic.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44Well, these gruesome instruments may be a cut above the rest to Paul,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46but let's hope the medical enthusiasts at auction
0:08:46 > 0:08:48will be equally impressed.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49I'm bid at £40, at £40, take 42.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52At £40 bid, take 2 at £40. 42, thank you. 45?
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Two doctors are in. 45, 48? 48, 50?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02As our rummage continues in Evie Nightingale's home,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04her granddaughter Katy has found
0:09:04 > 0:09:08a very attractive set of cigarette cards from the 1920s and '30s.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Belonging to Evie's late husband David,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14these were originally put into packets to stiffen them up.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Now they're very popular with collectors.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18Along with a set of postcards,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Paul thinks the whole lot could make £50-£80 at auction.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27While Paul and Katy are intent on finding more items,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I take the opportunity to find out what life
0:09:30 > 0:09:35was like working on some of the most iconic fashion designs of the day.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38You had a glamorous start to your career. Tell me about that.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43I started work when I was 15 and did an apprenticeship as a gown-maker
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- in one of the fashion houses in London.- So what was it like working somewhere like that?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Well, I went to work early in 1952,
0:09:51 > 0:09:56and that was just a year before the Coronation, so it really was all systems go.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00It got very exciting very quickly because we had people who were going
0:10:00 > 0:10:05to be in the abbey coming in ordering their coronation gowns.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10What made you decide to take the decorating of the bedroom into this whole Art Deco project?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Well, that was a chain of thought, really.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17Feeling very isolated and lonely in my big bed in the big room,
0:10:17 > 0:10:22I thought I could have a single bed in the spare room
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and it grew from there. Well, it needs decorating.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28"I know - I'll do it in the Art Deco style."
0:10:28 > 0:10:30And it just caught hold of me.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33It just seemed like a brilliant idea once I had the idea.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35I just don't want to let it go now.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38So what's retirement like, then?
0:10:38 > 0:10:39Wonderful!
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Better than going to work, yes.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46While we've been chatting, Paul has been rummaging upstairs and has
0:10:46 > 0:10:50spotted an open-face pocket watch dating back to the 1920s.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54It's gold-plated and he values it at £20-£30.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Janice finds a collection of three porcelain figurines
0:10:58 > 0:11:02that Evie bought in the 1950s - two Royal Doulton,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04and another by Royal Worcester.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Paul thinks that they're bound to be collectors out there
0:11:07 > 0:11:09who'll part with £40-£60 for the three.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14Ah, now then, Evie. I found a lovely old spoon here.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- Where has this come from, do you know?- Oh, it's been knocking around for years.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21At first I thought it was just an ordinary brass spoon, but it's not.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25This is silver gilt and it's an exact copy of THE Coronation spoon
0:11:25 > 0:11:29that's used to anoint the King and Queen of England. Isn't that amazing?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Oh, gosh, that's fantastic, yes, yes.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35It's the oldest relic that survives from the old Royal regalia.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37It actually was used to crown King John...
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- Oh, really?- ..in, I think, 1199.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- There you go. How's that?- Good Lord! - But you have all the designs.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45You have the Celtic rope twists, can you see on the back here?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47The lion's head represents power.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50You've got all sorts of symbols going on here.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54The original version was used for the Queen at the present coronation.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55Do you remember that?
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- Yes, I certainly do.- Right. - I watched it on the television.
0:11:59 > 0:12:00Wonderful. What they would do,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02they would actually dip this in anointment oil
0:12:02 > 0:12:06and then the Queen herself would have some on her head,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- some on her hands and some on her heart. Isn't it fantastic?- Yes.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13The reason I know it's solid silver are those hallmarks.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Can you see that? - No, I don't see those.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Just on the edge there, you see?
0:12:17 > 0:12:22And this hallmark here tells me this was made in 1902, so I should imagine
0:12:22 > 0:12:25it's been bought in celebration of the coronation of Edward VII
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- who was crowned in that year. - Oh, I see.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Isn't that fantastic?- Yes, it is.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32If we can send this to auction, if you wanted to sell it,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I would think maybe £60-£100 to give it a chance.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- How does that sound? - That's lovely, yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Smashing.- All right? Should stir things up well for the auction!- Yes!
0:12:42 > 0:12:47Evie has decided that these fish servers, along with a collection
0:12:47 > 0:12:50of silverware that once belonged to her parents,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53can go off to auction with a price tag of £40-£60.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- Winston Churchill's letter to Jane. - Sorry?
0:12:58 > 0:13:03- Winston Churchill's letter to Jane. Look.- Let's have a look.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Wow! So who was Jane?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Who was Jane? - Have you found anything?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I think we'd better ask Evie - who was Jane?
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Jane was David's aunt, his father's sister.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16So, Evie, where is this from?
0:13:16 > 0:13:18I just found it.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I just came across it amongst some papers that I was looking through.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22I'd never seen it before
0:13:22 > 0:13:24and it was that close to going through the shredder.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Crikey. Now, Paul, it looks like it's on pukka paper and authentic.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- What do you think? - It looks dead right to me, actually.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33What a fantastic item.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Arguably, he's Britain's greatest leader.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39He had a lot of influence during the First World War,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44He was a very accomplished writer and did sketches, a wonderful artist.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48The guy is an absolute genius and a legend,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51and if you read this here, it says,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55"I am deeply touched by your kind contribution to my birthday present
0:13:55 > 0:13:59"and grateful for your good wishes. Winston Churchill."
0:13:59 > 0:14:00Isn't that fantastic?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03What I love about this, actually, is it's on official headed paper -
0:14:03 > 0:14:0710 Downing Street, Whitehall SW1, so it's official.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10So you're looking at a time either when he's been Prime Minister
0:14:10 > 0:14:12or he's been at 10 Downing Street, possibly
0:14:12 > 0:14:15as Chancellor of the Exchequer, so some time about that time.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17What a wonderful thing to have.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18How do you value something like this?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21His sketches can go into thousands of pounds.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Yes.- I think, just for the signature alone,
0:14:24 > 0:14:25on Downing Street paper,
0:14:25 > 0:14:31- if I said £300, maybe up to £400, how does that sound?- Good Lord!
0:14:31 > 0:14:33I think that's fantastic.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38It makes me go wobbly when I think how close I came to tearing it up!
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Well, it's a great help, I must say,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44because you wanted £500 towards your Art Deco bedroom project.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47This is going to help substantially and bring the total value
0:14:47 > 0:14:49of everything going to auction to £770.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Good Lord!- Wow!- Including this?
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- Yes, absolutely. So that's quite a nice little total, isn't it?- Yes.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Well, I for one am relieved that this letter survived intact.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Even though this looks like the genuine article,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05we'll need to double-check it with an expert for authenticity
0:15:05 > 0:15:07before we can be absolutely sure.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09We've had a fascinating day here,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13and there are some fabulous items heading off to auction.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15That unusual set of 1950s Clarice Cliff bowls
0:15:15 > 0:15:18from the Wilkinson factory. With a subtle design,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21we're hoping someone will take them home at £60-£100.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28The captivating, late 19th-century surgeon's kit.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Surviving over a century, it was cutting edge
0:15:31 > 0:15:34in its time and has a price tag of £50-£80.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36And the silver anointing spoon.
0:15:36 > 0:15:43A piece celebrating English history that will hopefully raise £60-£100.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Still to come on Cash In The Attic,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48our surgeon's kit breathes life into the auction room.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51I'm just pleased they've gone, to be honest with you!
0:15:51 > 0:15:52It made me feel quite ill!
0:15:52 > 0:15:55And the Churchill letter sparks a bidding war.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57When they hold their hands up like that,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59they're very determined bidders.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Find out what happens when the hammer falls.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Now, it's been a few weeks since we met Evie at her home in Aylesbury
0:16:10 > 0:16:13and she had a passion for all things Art Deco,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16so we sorted out some antiques and collectibles to bring here
0:16:16 > 0:16:19to Chiswick Auction Rooms in west London.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21She's looking to raise around £500
0:16:21 > 0:16:25so she can redecorate her bedroom in the Art Deco style,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28so let's just hope the buyers are feeling very generous
0:16:28 > 0:16:30when our items go under the hammer today.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34There are over 500 lots on view in this west London auction house,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38so that means that plenty of buyers have been perusing over Evie's items.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Unfortunately, we're without Paul today,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46which leaves me on my own to break some bad news to Evie
0:16:46 > 0:16:47and her granddaughter Katie.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- Hello, ladies.- Hello. - I've been looking for you.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- How are you?- Good, thank you. - Yes? All ready for auction day?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Yes, I'm fine. We're ready.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Now, we might be ready but we've got a little bit of disappointing news.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- You've already heard, haven't you? - Yes, I had a phone call.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05And what did they say to you?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08They said that it's not an original, it's a copy,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10or "facsimile" was the word they used.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Now, I have to say, looking at that,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15it looks like an original to me, but hey, I'm not an expert
0:17:15 > 0:17:19and the auctioneers here are, so a bit of a disappointment, really.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Big disappointment, but never mind.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- We'll live with it.- So what are you going to do with this now?
0:17:24 > 0:17:29Oh, yes, I still want to sell it if possible, because I don't want it,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32so if it can be sold, every little helps towards the fund.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35The auction's going to start fairly soon.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Shall we go and get in position?
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- Yes, let's do that.- I'll get you a catalogue and you can show me what you're looking at.- OK, thanks.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45The auction house has reduced the valuation of the letter to £40-£60
0:17:45 > 0:17:49which is a significant difference from our original estimate.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I just hope we haven't lost our chance to reach Evie's £500 target.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57The auction is already under way and Evie's first item is about to cross
0:17:57 > 0:18:02the auction block - the miniature cricket bat valued at £20-£50.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04£20 for it.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06£10 for it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:1010 I'm bid, at 10, 12 in the doorway. At 12, you're 15, 15, 18? 18, 20?
0:18:10 > 0:18:14£18... Whose hand is that over there?
0:18:14 > 0:18:17£20 there, thank you. 22? 22, 25?
0:18:17 > 0:18:2125, 28? 28, 30? 32, 35...
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Here we go. That's a bit more like it, isn't it?
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- Yes.- At £32, all done?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29All out. £32 and going...
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- OK, £32. Are you pleased with that? - Yes, very pleased.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33That's a good start.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38Our next lot is a rather nice find which we hope will net our top-end estimate from the bidders.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Most people know Clarice Cliff from all the bright colours, the fantastic and the bizarre ranges.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- This a hors-d'oeuvres dish, isn't it?- Yes, more subdued colours.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50It is, but having said that,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52I think that could go quite nicely in a modern home.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55And not quite complete if I remember rightly.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58No, there's one dish missing, one of the small dishes.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01It was a big one and six small ones, and now there's only five small.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04210A, the Clarice Cliff,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06and for this 210A where shall we start?
0:19:06 > 0:19:09At £50 for it? £40 for it?
0:19:09 > 0:19:13It's Clarice Cliff. £40 for it. £30 for it, make me work.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17I'm bid at £30, 30, 32, 35, 38,
0:19:17 > 0:19:2040, 42, 45, 48,
0:19:20 > 0:19:2250, 55?
0:19:22 > 0:19:2550 bid. At £50, take 55.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- Anybody want 60? 60, 65...70... - Oh, a bit more.
0:19:30 > 0:19:3470, 75? £70 bid, at £70, I'll take five.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36At £70, all done?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39£70 all out? We'll do 72 for it if anybody else wants to come in.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41£70, 72, back in. 75?
0:19:43 > 0:19:45You want 75?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49No. £72, going. £72 all out? £72.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- £72!- I'm pleased with that. - I should think so.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55I didn't have many hopes for it.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- What will you put your peanuts in now?- An empty yoghurt carton!
0:19:59 > 0:20:03She'd rather add that money towards her bedroom remodel.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08The next lot had a good showing and we were happy to see someone
0:20:08 > 0:20:12take home the 20th-century, gold-plated pocket watch for £20.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16They're here as a nice little collection for anyone that likes paperweights or glass.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20We've got "glass paperweight with coloured canes and two other weights".
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Now, one of them's Caithness but the other two are very nice quality too.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Did you get these at the same time?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I think the other two are older,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29but very pretty.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34Paul's put £30-£60 on them. If they sell for £30, it's only £10 each, so I'm pretty sure we should get that.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37£30, £20? A bid at £20.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40At £20, then, take 22.
0:20:40 > 0:20:4122, 25 there. Want 28?
0:20:41 > 0:20:46I've got three people bidding. 28, 30, 32 over there. 32, 35, 38?
0:20:46 > 0:20:5038, 40, 42, 45, 48?
0:20:50 > 0:20:53£45. At £45, all out?
0:20:53 > 0:20:57£45, 48 or not? £45 and going. All done? £45, your bid.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Evie's handsome Edwardian bureau proves popular too...
0:21:02 > 0:21:05All done at £40 then?
0:21:05 > 0:21:09..selling bang on estimate at £40.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Will the silver cutlery make it three successes in a row?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14We're looking for £40-60.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Start me at...£50 starting bid.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Thank you, bid at £50. At £50, take 55 now.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- That's good.- 55, 60?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Five, 70, five?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30£70 bid. At £70, take five.
0:21:30 > 0:21:3375. 80? Five? 90, five?
0:21:33 > 0:21:3890 bid. At £90, take five. At £90 in front of me. Are we done for £90?
0:21:38 > 0:21:40All out for £90 and going... £90.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42£90!
0:21:42 > 0:21:47That's a great result for the cutlery and takes our halftime total
0:21:47 > 0:21:50to an impressive £299.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51With six more lots to sell,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55hopefully that £500 target is within easy reach.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58If you'd like to raise money at auction for something special,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02do take note that auction houses usually charge a commission fee.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Fees vary from saleroom to saleroom,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07so it's best to enquire well in advance.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11As the sale continues, the trio of figurines sell just over estimate.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15£45 - you've got them. £45.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Topping up our kitty by another £45.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Now we're up to the doctor's kit.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Let's hope the bidders today have a stronger stomach for this than I have.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26People are dying to get these!
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- £50?- Ha-ha! Boom-boom!- £40?
0:22:29 > 0:22:34I'm bid at £40. At £40, take 42. £40 bid there, take two at £40.
0:22:34 > 0:22:3642, thank you. 45?
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Two doctors are in. 45, 48? 48, 50?
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- 55, 60, five, 70...- Wow!- ..five.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48£70, £70, take five if anyone else wants them. At £70 and gone. £70.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50£70!
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- That's good.- That's a lot more than I would've thought it might go for.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54That's good, yeah.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- Are you pleased with that? - Yes, very pleased.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Oh, yeah. I'm just pleased they've gone, to be honest with you!
0:22:59 > 0:23:01They made me feel quite ill.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I'm not sure I want to know what the buyer is going to do with that,
0:23:04 > 0:23:10but I'm really glad we were able to make a good sale for Evie.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Now, our next lot continued to bring home a decent return.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Evie's late husband's collection of 20th-century cigarette cards
0:23:16 > 0:23:21stirred up the crowd and eventually sold for £68.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- Your bid. £68, 466.- Now we come to a lot that would have been
0:23:25 > 0:23:30destined for the rubbish bin if it hadn't been disguised as decoration.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32I absolutely love these things.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34You do see them come up at auction quite a bit,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36but I just think they're fantastic.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39They're these Victorian glass dumps. Now, where did you get them from?
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- Oh, I think those were inherited from an aunt.- Right.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46And for these, £50.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49£40? I'm bid at £40. At 40, anyone want 42?
0:23:49 > 0:23:5142, 45, 48? 48, 50, 55...
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Come on!
0:23:53 > 0:23:54- More.- 50 bid. At £50, I want 52.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Somebody else going to come in? The bid's there at £50, take two.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00At £50, all done? At £50 for the dump weights.
0:24:00 > 0:24:01At £50, is that all? Then going.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04All done at £50. It's gone then for £50.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05Oh, that was a bargain.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Well, every pound counts today
0:24:08 > 0:24:12and Evie's silver anointing spoon finds a new home too...
0:24:12 > 0:24:1442 and going. 42 and gone.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18..albeit for slightly less than Paul's £60 estimate.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22We've just one lot left now - the Winston Churchill letter.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Although not penned by the great man himself,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27we're still hoping for £40-60.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Number 290A is a facsimile letter from Churchill in Downing Street,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33giving thanks for a birthday present.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38Number 290A, a facsimile, and £50 for it?
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Is it worth £20 for it?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44£20 for it. No bidders? I'm bid at £20, at 22?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Who else wants it at £20?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Take two at £20.
0:24:50 > 0:24:5322, 25, 28, 30,
0:24:53 > 0:24:5732, 35? At £32...
0:24:57 > 0:24:59When they hold their hands up like that,
0:24:59 > 0:25:00they're very determined bidders.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03£32, all out? Your bid at £32, going at £32 and going...
0:25:03 > 0:25:07£32. Now, what do you think of that?
0:25:07 > 0:25:12Well...yeah, OK. That will do.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Well, I'm glad someone is paying homage
0:25:15 > 0:25:17to one of England's greatest leaders.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Now, earlier, we were well on our way to meeting Evie's target
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and I'm hoping that she'll be happy with our final outcome.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Right, well, I have to say that's it.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29We're done and dusted.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33You wanted £500, didn't you, to recreate that Art Deco look for your bedroom.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Do you think we've made anything like that amount?
0:25:36 > 0:25:37Um...not quite.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Right, OK, and what do you think, my dear?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Um, I think about that, yeah.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Yeah, about £500.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Her total is £606.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Oh, that's brilliant. Oh, that's good.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- Yes, pleased with that. - A bit more than you hoped?
0:25:51 > 0:25:55A bit more than I expected, yes, so, all in all, I can go shopping now.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Evie's been hard at work transforming this previously
0:26:02 > 0:26:07cluttered space into the Art Deco bedroom of her dreams.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Today, Evie has come to some London antique shops,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12looking for some Art Deco glamour
0:26:12 > 0:26:17to add to her own home-decorating project.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I've found lots of things that I really like.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23The lamps were gorgeous but more than I could afford to pay,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26but they have got some lovely, lovely things.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Lovely furniture as well. So I will be back.