0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to Cash In The Attic. This is the show that searches out the hidden treasure
0:00:05 > 0:00:08around your home and then, of course, we sell it at auction.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13So, whether you're looking to raise funds for a pet project, a holiday,
0:00:13 > 0:00:18or just a little treat for yourself, this is definitely the show for you.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42On today's Cash In The Attic - John shows off his knowledge of 18th-century furniture...
0:00:42 > 0:00:47Similar to this in Chippendale's directoire and other cabinet makers' books of the period, like...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51You're such a name-dropper, aren't you? Chippendale this, Chippendale that!
0:00:51 > 0:00:56Come sale day, you could think we were in the stands at a football match, not an auction house.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Get in there!
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Find out what happens later in the show.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Today I've come to Wiltshire
0:01:06 > 0:01:09and the historic cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Now, apparently, people have lived here in the city for around 900 years.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16I don't think the lady we're going to see today
0:01:16 > 0:01:21has got anything quite that old, but then again, you never know.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27Linda Salter is mum to two grown-up children, Ed and Jen.
0:01:27 > 0:01:34Ed still lives with Linda in this Edwardian house in the centre of Salisbury. And Jen lives nearby.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Family is at the heart of a lot of what Linda does
0:01:36 > 0:01:40and she's really interested in finding out more about her ancestors,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42so she's compiling a family tree.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44That's what she wants to raise the money for.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Her grandfather, George Francis Holme, was an
0:01:48 > 0:01:53avid antique collector, and Linda's inherited a lot of his things.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Linda's son, Ed, is helping today.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58And I'm very pleased to have John Cameron with me.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03His knowledge of antiques will be invaluable, and we're all really keen to get on with the search.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Wow, This is very impressive.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Tell me about this, then.
0:02:07 > 0:02:14Well, my grandfather had this made as a replica for his office desk.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17I would guess, possibly, in the '30s or '40s.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21I'm not exactly sure when, but it's well used. I use it all the time.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25John, what do you think of this desk? I think it's a nice size.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26It isn't a bad size. I did have a look.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Let me put Ted down there. I've been looking at him. I had a look and it is quite deep.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36That's good, we've got a cupboard round there, which is a nice sign.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38It is a timeless design, really.
0:02:38 > 0:02:44The pedestal desk of this form has been around for well over 250 years and would have appeared,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48similar to this, in Chippendale's directoire and other cabinet makers' books of the period.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50You're such a name-dropper!
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Chippendale this, Chippendale that.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56A few published books back then, Vile & Cobb, people like that.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59So I've certainly seen this type of desk in them.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Because it's a partner's desk and not your plain, simple pedestal desk
0:03:02 > 0:03:06that would go against a wall, that does increase its value.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10I think, today, I'd be looking at about £150 to £250.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12How do you feel about that?
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Obviously, you still use it. - Yes, I do.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18But is that money enough to incentivise you to sell it?
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Yes, I think that seems an appropriate amount, yes.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25All right, OK. That's a good start towards our total, isn't it?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27We're doing quite well so far, I must say.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Shall we see what else we can find?
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- You grab this end... - No, I don't think so!
0:03:33 > 0:03:36It's always good to start the day on a triple-figure estimate.
0:03:36 > 0:03:42I've come across a chair which will Linda says was always with her grandfather's desk.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46John reckons it's from the same period, the 1930s or 1940s,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and values it at £40 to £60.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55John Cameron is well used to hunting out valuable items,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58especially rare sporting collectibles.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Odds are he won't be finding any of that in Linda's wardrobe.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04What she does have hidden on the top shelf
0:04:04 > 0:04:06is a collection of nine carat gold jewellery.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12These three rings and two brooches get a valuation of £70 to £100.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Going by John's lowest estimates so far,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18we stand to raise £260 at auction.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20So we're just over the halfway mark.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25In the lounge, Ed wants John to cast his eye over some watercolours.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- What do you think of these? - I know the artist, Gerald Ackermann.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Do you know anything about the pictures, Ed?- I don't, no.
0:04:32 > 0:04:38I think they've been in the family quite a long time, but more than that, I'm afraid I don't know.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Let's take one down and have a look.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43One's a landscape, this one, little boating scene.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Here we are, Gerald Ackermann, it's signed.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47Anything on the back?
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Interesting. Sailing at Blakeney.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55That's interesting because that was his hometown up in Norfolk.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57He studied at the Royal Academy
0:04:57 > 0:05:00where he won the Landseer scholarship.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03And then he went travelling around the UK.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Now I'm thinking about it,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09I think Mum might have the original bill of sale from the London Fine Art Society.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Would that be useful?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Very useful, it's part of the provenance.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18And he did have exhibitions at the Fine Art Society, and they did sell a lot of his works.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20When these sell at auction,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22they often come with the original bill of sale.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26I would have no hesitation putting these two together in auction
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- with an estimate of £400 to £600. - Really? As much as that?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Impressed by that?- I am indeed.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I thought maybe £100, but certainly not that amount.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Mum will be really happy with that. That'll be brilliant.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42So, when they get to auction, will those original coastal scenes cause some waves?
0:05:42 > 0:05:47220, 240, 260, 280.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Find out if they really do whip up a storm.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57As our rummage in Linda's house continues, John spots two pictures.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02They're not in the Ackermann league this time, but pastel landscapes by Linda's grandfather.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06The frames are gilt and, for this reason,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09John gives them an estimate of £40 to £60.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11We're doing really well here today
0:06:11 > 0:06:16and I think we should have no problem helping with Linda's family research fund.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19So is this the family tree, then?
0:06:19 > 0:06:24Yes, yes. That's roughly where we're at, at the minute.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- So where are you, Edward?- Here.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31You see me there, yes. It's interesting to see the family layout with me there at the bottom.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32So how far back,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35how many generations back have you been able to trace so far?
0:06:35 > 0:06:40I think three to four, depending on the actual evidence.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42About four, I think.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46So is the plan that you want to go back even further, then?
0:06:46 > 0:06:47I'm not sure.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52I think, for me, it's perhaps going to be more interesting
0:06:52 > 0:06:58to find out more about their lives, more about their relatives,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00the things they might have done.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03But I think probably the most useful thing to me would be
0:07:03 > 0:07:05to be able to go up to the National Archives,
0:07:05 > 0:07:10which I think has now moved to Kew, and look at other documentation
0:07:10 > 0:07:14so that I can get more reliable evidence to move back with.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16OK. Well, if we are going to get the money
0:07:16 > 0:07:19you need to go to the National Archives, and Ed as well,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21I think we need to track down John Cameron
0:07:21 > 0:07:24and see whether he's got anything else that we can sell. Come on.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30John's been really busy, and he's found more of Linda's grandfather's stuff.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34This one is a Victorian writing box which he might have even worked on.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37At auction, it could draw in £20 to £30.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Linda's house is a joy to explore.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45There are fascinating items everywhere you look.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Ed thinks this 3-D sculpture seen in a carved frame could be valuable.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55John reckons it's made of ivory but, as it was produced before 1947,
0:07:55 > 0:08:00it's legal to sell in this country and should fetch another £20 to £40.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04And Linda's wondering if this collection of Venetian glassware
0:08:04 > 0:08:06would be worth taking along to auction.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09At £30 to £40, it would certainly help pay
0:08:09 > 0:08:12for a train ticket to the National Archives.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Grandfather George had some incredible literary connections,
0:08:15 > 0:08:20including some of the great names from London's Bloomsbury Set.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22What have you got there, Linda?
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Well, it's a letter that seems to be signed and handwritten.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31Who is this? Is that Edith Sitwell, the author and poet? Yes, it is.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34This is the headed paper of the family home,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Renishaw Hall near Sheffield, in Derbyshire, I think.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Do you know anything about the letter?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Well, the person it's addressed to his my grandfather, who was
0:08:43 > 0:08:46chief librarian at the Royal Society of Medicine.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52And it looks as if she's asked for a book from that library for research.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54So this is a letter of appreciation, thanking him.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Probably best known for her poetry,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00in particular some of her works during the Second World War.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Visually, she was somewhat of an eccentric, quite tall,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07about six foot tall, and resembled Queen Elizabeth I.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13She would walk around in velvet brocade gowns and gold turbans with lots of jewellery.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17There are collectors of this sort of thing, letters and manuscripts.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Particularly, someone would be interested who is a fan of her work.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I think, at auction, it should at least be estimated
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- at about £30 to £50, something like that.- OK.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Well, that seems pretty good, really.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Glad you found that, interesting thing, but we're nowhere near
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- our target, so let's see what else we can find.- OK.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Let's hope there are some fans of this eccentric writer
0:09:37 > 0:09:39when we get to auction.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43Next, I come across something that may appeal to enthusiasts
0:09:43 > 0:09:44of all things oriental.
0:09:44 > 0:09:50It's an ornate silver coloured box which Linda found with a collection of other metal items.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55They're all from India and guess who they belonged to? Grandad George.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58John thinks they should fetch the £20 to £40 mark
0:09:58 > 0:10:00when they go before the bidders.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04In the bedroom, John spotted these two carved wooden chairs
0:10:04 > 0:10:07that have been in Linda's family for generations.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11They're 19th century, and with the right price tag,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13they could appeal to someone.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15So they get a £50 to £80 estimate.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19We've done so well here today and I want to tot things up.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22But, before I do, I can't resist one last rummage.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- Hello.- What have you got there? Is that my salary?- Gold, gold, gold!
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Well, I'm hoping. - These are interesting.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31You've got a silver dollar there, 1888 in date.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33It weighs about an ounce.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36They've been minted, the dollar, since about 1798.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Although today, most of the actual ones in circulation are nickel and not silver.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43They still issue commemorative silver ones.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45So probably about £10 in value, that.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48About an ounce. These are half sovereigns.
0:10:48 > 0:10:54What have we got? 1912 and 1914, so just before the First World War.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58On the obverse there, we've got the monarch, hence the name sovereign.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00King George V, that is.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04And on the other side, we've got the famous George and Dragon.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07What sort of value would we be talking about?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09I know you said the dollar would be about £10.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12The half sovereigns, at auction these days,
0:11:12 > 0:11:17they are making about £55 to £60 each.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20If we were to say £120 for those, tenner for that,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23£120 to £150, they'll definitely sell at that value.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Brilliant. That's really good.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Right, we've run out of time, so unless you got a pot of those
0:11:28 > 0:11:31hidden somewhere that you haven't told me about...
0:11:31 > 0:11:35You wanted to raise £500, didn't you, into some family research,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37and maybe a little bit for the garden.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- Do you feel that we've come near that figure?- I'm honestly not sure.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- I really don't know. - Ed, what about you?
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Hopefully we're on our way to that, but I'm not really sure, no.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Well, actually, we're a bit better than that.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53The value of everything going to auction comes to £990.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- That's absolutely fantastic. That's really good.- £10.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Just another tenner and we hit 1,000.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01That's absolutely great. Thank you very much.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06What a fantastic result for Linda. If we hit our estimates,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09we're in for a very good day at auction.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And some of the things we will be taking to the sale include:
0:12:13 > 0:12:16the mahogany partner's desk which was a reproduction
0:12:16 > 0:12:19her grandfather had made of the one he worked on
0:12:19 > 0:12:20at the Royal School of Medicine.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25That should make £150 to £250.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28And the letter from Edith Sitwell to Linda's grandfather.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Hopefully there will be some poetry fans in on the day,
0:12:31 > 0:12:36so this will achieve John's estimate of £30 to £50.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38And those Gerald Ackermann watercolours
0:12:38 > 0:12:40with the original bill of sale.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Let's hope they fetch the £400 to £600 price tag
0:12:44 > 0:12:45that John has put on them.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Still to come on Cash In The Attic:
0:12:51 > 0:12:54some of our items look even better in the saleroom.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Do you know what, I saw those when I came in this morning,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01and suddenly they've taken on a life of their own here.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And the auctioneer sets a challenge to the bidders in the room.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Bid me.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08100 bid.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Find out how they all get on when the final hammer falls.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21Now, it's been a few weeks since we met Linda and her son down in Salisbury.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23She called in Cash In The Attic
0:13:23 > 0:13:27to raise £500 towards researching more family history.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32So we brought her antiques here to John Nicholson Auctioneers in Surrey.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34We're just hoping that because this is a Saturday,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37there's plenty of bidders here with money to spend.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41This sale room in Haslemere in the heart of affluent Surrey
0:13:41 > 0:13:44holds regular antique and fine art auctions.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48This Saturday one gets very busy and there's a real buzz of excitement in the air.
0:13:48 > 0:13:54Linda's already here looking at her items for what she hopes will be the last time.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Good morning. Hello. Where's Ed? Haven't seen him.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59No, he couldn't come today, so I'm his replacement.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- OK.- If that's OK. - Of course it is, absolutely.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- Have you been to auction before? - No. I'm looking forward to it.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I'm looking forward to seeing what these will sell for.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12I love the scenes. Arundel here, and what's this?
0:14:12 > 0:14:16This is sailing at Blakeney, which I believe is in Norfolk.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Yes, absolutely. They're lovely, aren't they?
0:14:19 > 0:14:21They are wonderful. Great,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24because his biggest fans love the Blakeney scenes around Norfolk.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27But also, he travelled well, so it's not unusual
0:14:27 > 0:14:30to see a nice Sussex or even a Surrey scene in there.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We've got a lot of interesting lots, we've got jewellery,
0:14:33 > 0:14:38we've got those lovely chairs as well, which really stand out over there, I must say.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- So, are you looking forward to it? - Er, yes.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Slightly nervous now it's happening, but yes, looking forward.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I'm sure it will be fine. We've just got to make that £500,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51so come on, let's go and get in position.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52One thing Linda forgot to tell us
0:14:52 > 0:14:55is that she's left behind the chair
0:14:55 > 0:14:58that went with her grandfather's pedestal desk.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03She's replaced it with a sewing basket, which means we are £10 down already.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Hopefully we'll make that up on other items.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Her first lot to come up today is the carved relief ivory scene
0:15:10 > 0:15:13which was valued at £20 to £40.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It's a little bit like Rembrandt's The Night Watch,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19one of those kind of scenes, the Dutch exterior.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22There are some debate as to whether it was bone or ivory.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24I didn't take it out of the case.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I've gone for ivory, the auctioneers have said bone.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29I think it's ivory and I think it's very dusty.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32£10 bid.
0:15:32 > 0:15:3612, 15, 18, £20 bid.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Five, I'll take.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42At £20, five, anybody?
0:15:42 > 0:15:45At 25. Your bid, sir.
0:15:45 > 0:15:51- At £25.- £25, that's good, that's good.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54You're not going to miss this piece, then?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57No. It was a bit dust-gathering.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- It can gather dust for someone else now.- Yes.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Straight out of the blocks with £25, just over John's lower estimate.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08I wonder if we can get the same level of interest in a letter
0:16:08 > 0:16:12written to Linda's grandfather by the poet, Edith Sitwell.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- She's an interesting character. - Certainly was rather colourful.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21I had a chat with one of the auction staff here who happens to be passionate about poetry.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24This is the one lot she really wants to buy.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26But I'm not sure her wages will cover it. So let's see.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28We want £30 to £50 for it.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33This signed letter by Edith Sitwell.
0:16:33 > 0:16:3520 bid.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Five. 30. At 30.
0:16:38 > 0:16:3935, 40 now.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45At 40. At £40, your bid, sir.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48At £40. I'll take five from anybody.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Your bid, £40.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Wonderful.- £40.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- Bang in the middle of my estimate. - Are you happy?
0:16:55 > 0:16:56- Yes, I am.- Good.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Well, it seems there were at least two Edith Sitwell fans bidding.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Next is the collection of decorative metal items from India.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07John hopes they may make £20 to £40.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09£10 bid.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- 12, 15, 18...- We've got £10.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16£20 bid. Five, I'll take.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19At £20. Five, anybody?
0:17:19 > 0:17:23At 25. Your bid, sir.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26At £25.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31£25, a bit more than you thought, John.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32Get in there!
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Well, Linda is certainly delighted with that
0:17:37 > 0:17:39and I think John's quite pleased, too.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43The next lot of Linda's to come up is the small Victorian writing box.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46We are looking for £20 to £30 for it.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Selling, £35.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52£5 over the top of John's estimate.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The bidders here certainly seem to like Linda's items.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Next up are the two pastel landscapes
0:17:59 > 0:18:02which have an estimate of £40 to £60.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- £40 bid.- £40!- 50, I'll take.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08At £40. 50 now.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12At 40. 50 anywhere?
0:18:12 > 0:18:18At £45. 50 anywhere? Your bid, £45.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23£45, there we are. A little bit better than expected, wasn't it?
0:18:23 > 0:18:24And the £45 question is:
0:18:24 > 0:18:27did they want them for the pictures or the frames?
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- We may never know. - I don't wish to know that!
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Oh, John, I'm sure the buyer was attracted
0:18:34 > 0:18:38purely by Linda's grandfather's artistic flair.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Our next lot is the green and blue Venetian glassware.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46John reckons that lot should raise at least £30 to £40.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- £20. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Well, that's the first one today not to reach John's estimate.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54So how are we doing so far with Linda's fund
0:18:54 > 0:18:57for more research into her family tree?
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Now, you wanted to raise how much?
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- £500.- OK, you'll be delighted to know that, so far, we've made £190.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Yeah. That's pretty fair.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08OK, I think we should do quite well this afternoon.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10We've got... Let's have a look,
0:19:10 > 0:19:15a sewing box, jewellery, gold sovereigns. Oh yes, no problem.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21If you've been inspired by Linda's auction experience, do bear in mind
0:19:21 > 0:19:24that there are various charges to be paid, such as commission,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26on items both bought and sold.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28These fees vary from one saleroom to another,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32so it's always worth checking them out in advance.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35We need Linda's next six lots to bring in £310
0:19:35 > 0:19:37if we're to make our target.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Next up is the collection of gold rings and brooches,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44which John hopes will make £70 to £100.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47So you put all these things together in one lot, John?
0:19:47 > 0:19:51That can help. If you put lots together, you generate a bit more bidding
0:19:51 > 0:19:53with people interested in particular items.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56It should make somewhere between £70 and £100.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58OK, well, let's see.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00There we are, £50 bid.
0:20:00 > 0:20:0460, I'll take. 60. 70.
0:20:04 > 0:20:0780. There's the bid at 80.
0:20:07 > 0:20:1190, I'm looking for. Third row at £80.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Your bid, third row, selling at £80.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- £80. Is that OK for you?- It's OK.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22A little bit disappointing, but yes.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Well, it did exceed John's lowest estimate,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27so I don't think Linda should be too disappointed.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Now it's time for the sewing basket
0:20:29 > 0:20:31that Linda brought in at the last minute.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34At £15.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Well, at least it made something.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41The next lot is much more typical of one that should do well here.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44The silver dollar and two half sovereigns.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The estimate is £120 to £150.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50As you are probably aware, gold and silver prices now
0:20:50 > 0:20:55are going through high peaks and troughs, so probably the best time to sell, John?
0:20:55 > 0:21:00Well, we certainly have seen a lot of buying and selling of gold at auction in recent months,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04so it is something we tend to be able to predict fairly accurately.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I still like to be cautious with my estimates. Should be OK here.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12And I'm bid 50. 60. 70. 80. 90. 100.
0:21:12 > 0:21:1310, I'll take. 15 with me.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18120. 130. 140.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21At 140, the lady's bid.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25100 against you, sir. At £140.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29£140. So even a little bit more there.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31That is a good result, isn't it?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Just £10 under John's top estimate,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and a good amount to add to the running total.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44Our next lot is the two 19th century carved oak dining chairs.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48I saw these when I came in first thing this morning,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51and suddenly, they've taken on a life of their own.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53They do look really, really good here.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56With a bit of re-upholstering, they could be stunning.
0:21:56 > 0:21:5910. 20. 30.
0:21:59 > 0:22:0140. 50.
0:22:01 > 0:22:0660. 5. 70. 5. 80. 5.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Your bid, sir. At 85, second row.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14At £85. Your bid, 85. 90 anywhere?
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Had its time. There, sir, at £85.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Wow, £85!
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- I think that's really good. - Yes, that's good.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27It means someone else out there has noticed the quality of these.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Yes, they need a bit of work, but, once they have that work, they're going to be stunning.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Obviously, the buyer was thinking along the same lines as me.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Maybe the chairs will finally get the appreciation they deserve.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41We have two lots left. The penultimate one
0:22:41 > 0:22:43is the mahogany pedestal desk,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46commissioned by Linda's grandfather for his home.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50John valued it at £150 to £250.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54100 bid. 10, I'll take.
0:22:54 > 0:22:5620 with me. 130. 140.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02150. 160. 170. 180. 190. 200.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07220. 240. 260. 280.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10300, your bid. At £300.
0:23:10 > 0:23:1220, I'm looking for.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16That is the bid. At £300.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Now, that's impressive.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Double your estimate there. £300.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- It's fantastic. - Great. I'm really pleased with that.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- It's excellent.- Really good.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30Well, that impressive sale must mean we've reached Linda's target now.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32But we don't have time to celebrate just yet.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34The final lot today
0:23:34 > 0:23:38is the pair of original Gerald Ackermann watercolours.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41They have the whopping estimate of £400 to £600.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45I've got a phone bid. I'm 200 bid.
0:23:45 > 0:23:5020, I'll take. 220. 240.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53260. 280.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56300. 320.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59340. 360.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02380. 400.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05420. 440.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Yes! 440.- 460. 480.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13500 on the phone.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16At 500. 20 anywhere?
0:24:16 > 0:24:21At £500, the bid's on the phone.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26Selling at £500.
0:24:27 > 0:24:34- £500.- That's amazing. - Are you happy with that?- I'm happy.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I think Linda and Jen are so stunned by that sale,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40they're lost for words.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Now, I think that was really interesting.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45We had lots of different items there, didn't we?
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Jewellery, pictures. And I have to say, they all did really well.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51- Yes.- Are you pleased?- Yes, I am.- OK.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Now, how much did you want to raise?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- £500.- We've done a bit better than that.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- We've actually raised £1,310.- Wow!
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Ha-ha! Wheeyyy! Excellent!
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- So it's nearly three times what you wanted.- That's absolutely brilliant.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09What are you going to do with the extra money?
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- Um, oh... - Or should I be asking you
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- what you're going to do with the extra money?- No!
0:25:20 > 0:25:24A couple of weeks later, and Linda's at London's Olympia
0:25:24 > 0:25:26for one of the biggest genealogy exhibitions.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Her friend, Jackie, has come along to keep her company.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36The money I raised at auction is going to go to renewing
0:25:36 > 0:25:39memberships of things and perhaps enhancing them
0:25:39 > 0:25:42so I can search more thoroughly for different things.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Being able to afford to buy more different certificates.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50And possibly the odd trip to somewhere like, perhaps, Northampton,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53or Edinburgh! Or, you know, but...
0:25:53 > 0:26:00But it opens up a few more options and it's been really interesting, so yeah, really good.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05Linda's attending a seminar to gain a fascinating insight
0:26:05 > 0:26:08into the national census and how to get the best out of it.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12She leaves armed with a bag of ancestry guides.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd