0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to the show that searches your home for hidden treasures
0:00:05 > 0:00:06which we then sell at auction.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Most people at some time in their life
0:00:08 > 0:00:12inherit various heirlooms, but which ones are valuable
0:00:12 > 0:00:14and which ones can you afford to throw away?
0:00:14 > 0:00:18That's the question everybody asks, and today we hope to find an answer.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Will we find some very valuable heirlooms
0:00:21 > 0:00:24on today's Cash In The Attic? Time to find out.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48'On today's Cash In The Attic, a 19th-century train timetable
0:00:48 > 0:00:51'gives us a glimpse into the glamorous world of Victorian travel.'
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I love the way they list all these really important people,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58then we get "Third Class", and there's not a word!
0:00:58 > 0:01:00And Jonty gets into his Peckham mode
0:01:00 > 0:01:04when he assesses some gold-sovereign jewellery.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Somehow there's a Del Boy feel to wearing a sovereign.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08What do you think?
0:01:08 > 0:01:13On auction day, our experts' estimates are slightly out.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Jonty, you got that one wrong!
0:01:15 > 0:01:18But it's great when you get it wrong that way round.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Find out if all comes right when the hammer falls.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I'm going to sell it for 50.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Today I've come to Buckinghamshire to meet Keith Davies.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31He's called in the Cash In The Attic team to help him raise some funds
0:01:31 > 0:01:36for one of his sons, who's flown the nest and gone to study abroad.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Keith is the only son of a wartime globetrotting couple
0:01:40 > 0:01:44who liked to pick up a souvenir from every place they visited.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Keith's parents have now died, and he's inherited their collections
0:01:48 > 0:01:52and those from their siblings, too. This means his home,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55which he shares with his wife Penny and sons Leslie and Mark,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58is absolutely full of exotic and eclectic items
0:01:58 > 0:02:01from the four corners of the world.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Keith's son Leslie now has the family travelling bug,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and is in America. Keith's wife is at work today,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10so it falls to his youngest son to help with the rummage.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14And joining me is our expert antique hunter, Jonty Hearnden.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Mind your feet! Whoo!
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Oh, look! It's got a real cottage feel!
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- Oh, look at the beams! - Mind your head on those.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I haven't got a problem, look. I'm so little!
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Jonty gets to work straightaway. He's certainly got his work cut out,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35as I've heard this family want to raise £1,000.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Tell me, who are you looking at there?
0:02:39 > 0:02:43These are photographs of Leslie. Just looking and reminiscing, really,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47of the old pictures of him before he went to America.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52He's gone off to study and do a university course,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and we're looking to raise some money to pay for his fees
0:02:55 > 0:02:59and help towards the fees, because it's so expensive in the States for education.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- Do you miss Leslie, I take it? - Oh, yes. Yes, we do.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06It's four months, five months... 1st of August he went,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and we miss him big time, yeah.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- What are you studying?- Film studies.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- Are you enjoying it? - Yeah, it's really good.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17It's really good fun. I've got lots of friends, and it's good fun.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20So we need to raise £1,000 for Leslie's tuition fees in America.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Let's see if Jonty's found anything yet. Got a lot to get through!
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Keith is lucky to have so many international collectables
0:03:29 > 0:03:33with fascinating family provenance. They come thanks to his parents,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36and we'll find out more about how they acquired them later.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40It doesn't take long before Jonty finds something from their travels.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44This is a lovely room. Ah, there's Jonty!
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- I have been hard at work. - What have you found?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I've found a lovely little case here. This is a cigarette case.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- And a cigarette box. - Right.- Inside this one here
0:03:55 > 0:03:57is a picture. Who's that?
0:03:57 > 0:04:00That's a photograph of my mother. This was a cigarette case
0:04:00 > 0:04:03that was given to my father,
0:04:03 > 0:04:08I presume as maybe a wedding gift, or maybe an engagement gift.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11And it says here, "To my darling Les, all my love, Nan".
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Mum, from a very young age, was always called Nan.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- It was Nan Davies.- Lorne, I've been looking for a hallmark on here,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and I haven't been able to find one, but I do have a little number here -
0:04:22 > 0:04:24833.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Now that obviously means that this case is solid silver,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29but it wasn't made in the UK.
0:04:29 > 0:04:35This possibly could have come from the Egyptian-jeweller friend
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- that they had. - All sounds very exotic!
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Yeah. When it comes to selling an object like this in an auction sale,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45we cannot call it solid silver, by law.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49We have to call it white metal. Whereas this box is.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53If you look on the side here, lovely crisp, clean hallmarks,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and it's got the inscription "Thomas Hugh Davies".
0:04:56 > 0:05:00That was my grandfather. That was a gift from the company he worked for,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- for long service.- So, where do we stand in terms of the value
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- of these items, then? - The problem we have is,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08it's been incredibly personalised,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12so therefore they just have to be sold for their weight.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15But, having said that, they're still worth £60, £80.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18OK. Well, let's hope we can take these to auction
0:05:18 > 0:05:21and get £60 to £100. That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- We're a tenth of the way there. - It's gone up!
0:05:24 > 0:05:26THEY LAUGH Optimistic!
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Absolutely! Well, why not? They're both lovely objects,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and to get £100 - let's be positive.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35I really like Keith's enthusiasm.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Let's hope it does make nearer the £100 mark for him.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41In the bedroom, Jonty finds a cameo brooch and ring
0:05:41 > 0:05:45which belonged to Keith's aunt Ethel from Sunderland.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47These examples are from the early 20th century,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51but are quite good quality, so Jonty values them accordingly
0:05:51 > 0:05:53at £80 to £100.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58And Keith looks like he may have struck gold already.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- Ah, Jonty!- Yeah?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Look what I've got here!
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Two fabulous pocket watches.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- So, where were these from? - That's Grandfather's,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and he gave them to me when I was about 13.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17And the smaller pocket watch was from my great-aunt Maggie.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Let's have a look at this gent's one first.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Have you ever looked at the back of it?
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Yes. Little engravings on the back. - OK.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29This is interesting. This is not a British-made pocket watch.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32This is an American one, because we can see here
0:06:32 > 0:06:34that it's the American Watch Company,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Waltham, Massachusetts.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39They were a very big watchmaker.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42In fact they made millions of watches
0:06:42 > 0:06:46in the late 19th century. They went out of business in the 1950s.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49The great news is - I've just had a look on the back here -
0:06:49 > 0:06:51this is what they call ten-carat gold,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56which we don't use in this country, which is very good news indeed.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Tell me about this small ladies' pocket watch.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03I would presume that was, sort of, late 1800s, type of...
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- Over 100 years old. - Well, you're about right,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and you can tell that by looking at the decoration on the outside.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Look at all the chasing on the reverse and on the side here.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It's very, very busy, so this has to be late 19th century,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20possibly early 20th century. Let's see if we can get to the back of it.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Ah! That's really very good news indeed.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26I suspected so. Because this casing here is nine-carat gold.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30But look at the condition of that on the inside! Isn't that wonderful?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- That's almost mint. - Why should it not be?
0:07:33 > 0:07:35It's always been enclosed.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38That ladies' pocket watch is in very good condition,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41this not so, so as far as value is concerned,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45on a poor day we're looking at £200, but on a good day,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48as much as £400, so that's a very good find.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- That's excellent.- So, rather than being stuffed in a drawer,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54you could turn that into a really useful...
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- Bit more tuition fees coming our way! - That could be very useful for you.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02These family heirlooms from Keith's adventurous parents
0:08:02 > 0:08:05certainly have an international theme.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09In the bedroom, Keith has come across something from his childhood.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It's a toy van made by Budgie,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15one of the British die-cast toymakers of the 1960s.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Keith assumes he didn't play with it much as it's in very good condition.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22It comes with its box. It's not as valuable as other well known makes
0:08:22 > 0:08:26such as Dinky and Matchbox, so it gets a slightly lower valuation
0:08:26 > 0:08:28of just £20 to £30.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Thanks to Keith's family's collecting eye,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34it looks like we may be able to help son Leslie
0:08:34 > 0:08:37with a good portion of those tuition fees.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40We've seen some really lovely items,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and most of them seem to have come from your mum and dad.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47A lot of those are from rather glamorous locations.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49So, tell me about the connection there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52I think Mum left home when she was about 16 and went dancing.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55And then, as war broke out,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Dad was in the Pioneer Corps in Palestine.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03And when they had leave periods, they would go to places like Cyprus.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Went to Cyprus, met Mum.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09They got together in about '43,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12then about 1944, I think, they got engaged,
0:09:12 > 0:09:16and all the time they were travelling around the Palestine,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19the Middle East, Egypt,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22and all those, in those days, far-off places.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25It does all sound quite exotic and glamorous,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- but there was a war going on. - Yeah. It was difficult for them
0:09:29 > 0:09:31as a young couple that had met,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34because Mum was entertaining the troops,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Dad was obviously with the Pioneer Corps,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41and I think they had this relationship,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44a distant relationship, lots of letters to-ing and fro-ing,
0:09:44 > 0:09:48before they got together and finally got married in Jerusalem.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51What are your memories as a little boy, then?
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- You're an only child, aren't you? - Yeah. I was an only child,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56although that's sometimes a disadvantage.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59As a child, Mum would always be there.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03She was always there, because they didn't work in those days.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Mum was a housewife. When I went to secondary school,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Mum reincarnated herself, I suppose,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14because she started a dancing school, so she went back to dancing.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18What are your thoughts on these objects now, given the family connection?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Sentiment. It's nice to have it,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25but the trouble is, they're all items you're not going to be using.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29They're going to stay in a drawer, never use them.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31No-one's ever going to see them,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34so we're not actually gaining any pleasure from it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Shall we go and see if Jonty's got anything to add to the pile?- Yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Jonty's exploring one of the bedrooms.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47But has Mark laid his hands on another one of those intriguing family heirlooms?
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Hi, Jonty. I've found something of interest for you.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Good. I'd like to hear.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- A ring and a pennant-type brooch. - Yes, OK.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Oh, wow! They've got sovereigns inset inside them,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03in the middle there. Where are they from?
0:11:03 > 0:11:05They were originally my great-aunt's.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09She used to wear them quite often. The brooch she would wear daily
0:11:09 > 0:11:12with scarves and things like that. We're not sure she wore the ring,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14but she did wear the brooch.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It was very fashionable, in the late 19th century
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and throughout the 20th century, for many people
0:11:20 > 0:11:23to convert their sovereigns into jewellery.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27You were simply wearing your money, wearing your wealth.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30If you could afford to buy a sovereign, or a half-sovereign,
0:11:30 > 0:11:35why not turn it into a ring, because it is solid gold after all.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38But somehow there's a touch of the Del Boy about them.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40I certainly wouldn't be caught wearing that.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- You sure? - No. It's not for me, I'm afraid.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- So can we sell this pair? - Oh, for sure. Yeah.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49They're not strictly a pair. I imagine they were converted
0:11:49 > 0:11:51probably at the same time.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54In the brooch, the half-sovereign here is 1905,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56so that's Edwardian,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and this one is a similar age. This is 1914,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02so the beginning of the First World War.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05We're selling just at the right time,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09because the market is really at an all-time high as we speak.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Five years ago, I would value these
0:12:12 > 0:12:15at between £60 and £80. In today's market, at auction,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- we're looking between £150 and £200. - Brilliant!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- So that is very good news. - Good job you came now, then!
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Good job you showed them to me!
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- I'll give those back to you for safekeeping. We'll carry on.- OK.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Obviously half-sovereigns are half the weight and half the gold content
0:12:31 > 0:12:33of a full sovereign.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37At auction, will the gold have the Midas touch with the bidders?
0:12:37 > 0:12:41110, 120, 130, 140.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- Will it reach Jonty's estimate? - 150. In the room at 150. 160.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Will it go higher still? Find out later.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52All that excitement is still to come.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55But as our rummage continues here in Buckinghamshire,
0:12:55 > 0:13:00going by Jonty's lowest estimates, so far we stand to raise £510
0:13:00 > 0:13:02at auction. So we're doing quite well.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'In my search, I spot these two old teddy bears
0:13:07 > 0:13:09'that belonged to Keith's mother.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12'He unearthed them when he was clearing her house after she died,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15'so they're at least 50 years old.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17'Unfortunately they're not very valuable,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20'only getting a £20 to £30 estimate from Jonty.'
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Here we are, Lorne. - Oh, what have you got there?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Jonty?- Let's have a look.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33This is a silk time-bill, it's described as,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35and it's an old Indian train journey
0:13:35 > 0:13:37that took place in 1876, I think.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- That's right. Yes. - For the Prince of Wales'...
0:13:41 > 0:13:45journey through from Delhi to Lahore.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48So, is this, like, an itinerary, then,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51a train timetable that he was going to use
0:13:51 > 0:13:53to get to where he was going?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56I'm not sure whether it's a timetable, but if you look here,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59it has all these carriages, and it tells you who's...
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Who's in every one. - Oh, yeah! Carriage!
0:14:01 > 0:14:04I love the way they list all these important people,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07and then we get "Third Class", and there's not a word!
0:14:07 > 0:14:10You have second class, third class, and that's it.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- That's it. They won't mention those. - THEY LAUGH
0:14:13 > 0:14:16How did this come into your possession, then?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18This probably came from my great-uncle Rich,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22who was a bit of an eccentric and went travelling around the world
0:14:22 > 0:14:27in the mid-'60s, and went from Victoria Coach Station to Bombay
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- on a bus. - I think that was just insane.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- He did rather stupid things. - He got there, did he?- Yeah!
0:14:33 > 0:14:36I can only presume that he's picked this up on his travels,
0:14:36 > 0:14:40because he certainly wouldn't have been alive
0:14:40 > 0:14:42in that sort of timetable date.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Now, the condition is pretty poor, because it's made of silk,
0:14:46 > 0:14:51and silk does perish quite badly. Now, this is a rare item,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54but it doesn't necessarily make it incredibly valuable.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57I just find it fascinating, and a lot of other people will, too.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59So what sort of price do you think?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I would put £20 to £30 on it,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and just see what happens in the auction sale.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05I think we go for it.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Perhaps this is what is known in the trade as a sleeper -
0:15:08 > 0:15:13something that could surprise us with a high result on auction day.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Jonty makes the next discovery in the hall -
0:15:15 > 0:15:18two French spelter figures of children.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Again, they came from Keith's parents,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24who became interested in making money from antiques when they retired.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27But a lot of the items they bought were never sold on,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29and were left for Keith to inherit.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Jonty reckons this pair should attract some attention
0:15:32 > 0:15:35at £50 to £80.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Keith's son Leslie is the person we're raising the money for today.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43But, as he's now living in America, I get the low-down on him from his brother Mark.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46So, this was Leslie's bedroom before he went away.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- It's big, isn't it?- Nice and big. He got the bigger room of the two.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- SHE LAUGHS - Right. So, what's this?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57This is a wakeboard. It's the snowboarding equivalent of water-skiing.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00You're behind a boat, and you get towed at 30 miles an hour,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and it's all about doing the biggest, baddest trick you can do.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- Your parents must have a fit. - Not the best thing to watch your child do,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10but as a participant, it's exhilarating. It's great fun.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- This all looks quite expensive. - Oh, it's very expensive.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16The kit itself here is about £500, £600 worth,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20and if you add on your memberships and each time you go out behind a boat,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- it all starts to add up. - You've got lots of medals here.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- These are Leslie's medals? - Came second in one competition,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29third in another, and the best one we have of him
0:16:29 > 0:16:32is Best Crash award, where he completely totalled himself
0:16:32 > 0:16:36in a competition and had memory loss for a day,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39so we had a lot of fun taking the mick out of him.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43What has he gone to America to do? Is it linked to this sport?
0:16:43 > 0:16:46He's doing physiotherapy, and it connects with this,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50because in wakeboarding there's a lot of impact injuries,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52and it helps to know a good physiotherapist
0:16:52 > 0:16:55once you get out of those crutches and get walking again,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57so it's quite linked, really.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59It's been quite tough for your mum and dad.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02They get quite emotional talking about it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Every time Les comes up in conversation, they're welling up.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09But they're pleased for him because this is an avenue for him to follow.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- So they were pleased. - And what has it been like for you?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Obviously you grew up together, share the interest in this sport,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- and now he's not here. - Yeah, it was weird.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20We used to go down the lake together,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23we're on the same football team. We've done a lot together -
0:17:23 > 0:17:25same school, and he's always been there,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29but then he's gone, and it's quite strange adapting to that
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- and getting used to it.- What are your plans for going out there?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Hopefully in August the whole family will be going out,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38so it'll be good to get back together again.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It will be. There'll be lots of tears then.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43I'm sure there will be. Lots of hugs and kisses.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48There'll be tears if Jonty doesn't find some more stuff to sell. Let's see how he's doing.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I'm not sure where our expert's got to,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55but Mark makes an interesting discovery downstairs.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58It's a Victorian cast-iron doorstop
0:17:58 > 0:18:00in the shape of the puppet, Mr Punch.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03It belonged to Keith's great-aunt Maggie,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07who worked as a governess for families in France and England.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Jonty values it at £30 to £40.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The house is just full of interesting objects
0:18:14 > 0:18:16collected by Keith's parents and family,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20and Mark is keen to show Jonty yet another one.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Jonty, this could be of interest. I'm sure we could sell this at the auction.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Let's have a look. Wow! OK... So, where was this beauty from?
0:18:28 > 0:18:30It came from my great-aunt, and she's passed it down
0:18:30 > 0:18:33with the other things you've found today.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37I notice here that it's perpetually at quarter past three,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40but it's not even that. We're missing the minute hand.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43This is a late 19th-century French mantel clock.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47It's a classical style, so it's classical referencing,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50but you've got all these other 19th-century details,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54so if you look at the plinth which is surrounding this marble base,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58all of this gilded decoration is very 19th century,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01that sort of heavy, OTT feel about the whole thing.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03So if we turn it on its side here,
0:19:03 > 0:19:09we can see that the detailing on the back is the same as the front,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11and there's a reason for that. On a mantel shelf,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15particularly in France, you would have a mirror on the mantel shelf,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18so it would reflect the back of any clock,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21so it was important that the back was as detailed as the front.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24So, do you remember the clock working?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It used to. It used to sit on the fireplace,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30and my brother and I were playing in here with a tennis ball,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33and accidentally hit the glass dome that surrounded it and smashed it,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37and it's never been the same since, really.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40You're right. Clocks like this would have come in a dome case,
0:19:40 > 0:19:44and not only was that design but had a practical purpose,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47to stop all the dust laying on top of it,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49so all the movement would have been dust-free.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52As far as value is concerned, what do you think?
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- I'd be guessing around the £40 mark. - It's worth a lot more than that,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58double that, so in the catalogue,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01the auction estimate would be between £80 and £100.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04It's a pity that we don't have the hand.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07It's replaceable, but not to worry about that,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09because dealers just want to buy something
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- they know they can trade with almost straightaway.- Excellent!
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- Very good find. Onwards and upwards! - Let's go.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20It seems Mark's great-aunts had a great eye
0:20:20 > 0:20:24for collecting quality items. In the bedroom,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27it looks like Keith might have found something sparkling,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29but there's no stopping Mark at the moment.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34In the snug, he's come across something else that has family connections.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37It's the war medals that were given to Keith's father
0:20:37 > 0:20:42and his great-uncle Oswald for their services during the wars.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46These war medals, however, are fairly common,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48and that is reflected in Jonty's estimate
0:20:48 > 0:20:51as he values them at £50 to £80.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- So, how have you found today, Mark? - It's been really good.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Are you surprised at some of the stuff your mum and dad have got?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- I haven't seen half of this before. It's been in boxes.- Hello!
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Oh, do I see diamonds? - We do.- Oh, hello!
0:21:05 > 0:21:07And whose ring is this?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10This is actually my mother's engagement ring.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Your mother's? This looks like a man's ring to me.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16No. This is definitely Mother's engagement ring.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20It was made for her by a jeweller in Cairo
0:21:20 > 0:21:22who was a personal friend of hers.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24That's a proper knuckleduster! Excuse me.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- We're being polite. Can I have a look?- Certainly.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- So, how many diamonds have we got in here?- Ten.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Yes, you're right. We've got eight smaller ones,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36and two large ones on the ends.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40And those diamonds are inset in a very fine platinum ridge.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45The band itself, the ring itself, is gold, probably nine-carat gold.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Mark, what do you think about this? - It's certainly different.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52I couldn't give it to someone as an engagement ring.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- I think it would be given back. - It has a very modern feel.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- When do you think this was made? - This would've been 1944.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00They were married in '44, in December,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03so round about '43, '44. It was an engagement ring,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07but they met and married fairly soon after meeting.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10For a lady in that period to be wearing a ring like that
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- would have been very unusual. - It's very avant-garde.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15It's completely different to the style of jewellery
0:22:15 > 0:22:19that would've been made just before the war and straight after the war.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22We know there's ten diamonds in that ring,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24but do we know the carat weight of them?
0:22:24 > 0:22:27That'll make all the difference, won't it?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30I would hazard a guess between two and three carats.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34We would have to properly assess the clarity of those diamonds,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37because I think they're not the best,
0:22:37 > 0:22:41but as far as value is concerned, an auction value is concerned,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44we're looking at between £500 and £600.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- What do you think about that? - Superb. I think that's good.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I'm quite pleased that we've got nearer our target,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and £1,000... Nearer to £1,000.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Well, it certainly has taken us a lot nearer our target,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59because, as you say, you wanted £1,000
0:22:59 > 0:23:03towards Leslie's education, or the fees for him studying in America,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07and thanks to the ring, the value of everything going to auction
0:23:07 > 0:23:11comes to £1,260!
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Oh, really?- That's pretty good. - That is good, isn't it?
0:23:14 > 0:23:18- That's fantastic. - The ring's made all the difference.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20How wonderful! That's great.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24There was certainly a Middle Eastern flavour to our items today.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I can't wait to see how they all do when we take them to auction.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30There's the two gold pocket watches.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Will they tick all the boxes for the bidders,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35with an estimate of £200 to £400?
0:23:37 > 0:23:40The early 20th-century sovereign ring and pin
0:23:40 > 0:23:44which belonged to Keith's aunt. With the price of gold being so high,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47they should reach their £150 to £200 estimate.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51And not forgetting the silk train timetable,
0:23:51 > 0:23:56for the Prince of Wales's journey from Delhi to Lahore in 1876.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59His valuation was only £20 to £30,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02but who knows what it might fetch on the day.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Still to come on Cash In The Attic - I think Jonty is punch-drunk
0:24:11 > 0:24:14after the sale of the Victorian doorstop.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16That's the way to do it!
0:24:16 > 0:24:19And what has us reacting like this?
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- That's just bizarre.- I'm stunned.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I'm absolutely stunned.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'All will be revealed when the hammer finally falls.'
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Now, it's been a few weeks since we met Keith and his son Mark,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38and we found some lovely items in their home,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42including that Indian railway timetable with a royal touch,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45and the Egyptian ring. We've brought those and other items here
0:24:45 > 0:24:48to Chiswick Auction House in West London.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Remember, Keith's looking to raise around £1,000
0:24:51 > 0:24:53so he can send the money to his other son, Leslie,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56for his tuition fees in America.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Let's hope today the bidders are feeling very adventurous
0:24:59 > 0:25:01and help us make our money.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04These general auctions take place every Tuesday.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Today there are almost 800 lots,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11and dealers and experts alike are eyeing up everything on offer.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Keith and Mark have never been to an auction before,
0:25:16 > 0:25:20and I wonder if they're feeling anxious about how well all their family heirlooms will do.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24- Hi, guys!- Hello. - Hello. How you doing?
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Wonderful, auctions. I love them. You're got your doorstop here,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and in here... Anyone for a chocolate?
0:25:31 > 0:25:35- They're actually still in the tin! - Put those away, quick.- From 1900!
0:25:35 > 0:25:39Can you believe it? Amazing. Are you looking forward to the auction?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42I'm a little bit nervous, not knowing what's going to happen.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44So we'll wait and see.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I'm not nervous, but we never know what will happen at auction either.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- How are you feeling, Mark? - It's going to go well.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53We'll make a lot of money and it should be good fun.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57The show is underway, so let's hope Mr Punch gets us a good audience.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Come on!
0:26:00 > 0:26:04The auction room is packed, and with all the lots available online too,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08let's hope there'll be plenty of interest in Keith's belongings.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12The first to come up is my favourite - that Victorian train timetable
0:26:12 > 0:26:14with the royal connection.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17You've still got a low estimate on that, for what it is.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It's a simple document. There's a bit of damage.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22That's why I put £20 to £30 on it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25But the truth is, nobody knows what it really is worth.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Right, OK. Let's see, shall we?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30There's interest in this straight off, I'm glad to say.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32I'm bid £20. Straight off with me at 20.
0:26:32 > 0:26:3322, everywhere. 22.
0:26:33 > 0:26:3625. 28.
0:26:36 > 0:26:3730. 32.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40£32, the middle there. 35.
0:26:40 > 0:26:4338. 40. Five.
0:26:43 > 0:26:4550. Five.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47£60 with Terry.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Anybody else? 65 here. 70.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Five. 80. £80 there, further away. At 80.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Anybody else? At £80. I'm going to sell it for 80.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01- There it goes. - £80! That's really good, isn't it?
0:27:01 > 0:27:03How about that? That put a smile on your face.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- Jonty, you got that one wrong! - It's great when you get it wrong that way round!
0:27:07 > 0:27:11'What a great start! More than double Jonty's top estimate.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15'Let's hope this sale bodes well for the rest of Keith's heirlooms
0:27:15 > 0:27:18'coming under the hammer today. Next up are the two teddies
0:27:18 > 0:27:22'that belonged to Keith's mum, priced at £20 to £30.'
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I think I've looked after them,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27and Jonty seems to think I've over-loved them,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29so they are a little worn.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33I would rather see an over-loved teddy bear than an under-loved one.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Let's see what they make.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37£10 to go for them. Surely, for £10?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Ten I'm bid there. In the middle, for £10.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42And 12 I'll take from somebody else. At £10.
0:27:42 > 0:27:4412. 14.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47£14 here. At 14. Anybody else?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49At £14. 16, standing.
0:27:49 > 0:27:5118. 20.
0:27:51 > 0:27:5322. £22, then.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55With the lady at 22. At £22. You all done?
0:27:55 > 0:27:5722. And going for 22.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00£22! That's £11 a bear.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Oh, how do you feel?
0:28:02 > 0:28:06I find it really sad when I see my childhood stuff go.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10I guess after the excitement of the first one, we've got to have a few downers!
0:28:10 > 0:28:13'It was still within Jonty's estimate, though,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15'so not too disappointing.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18'The next lot is the boxed Budgie van.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21'Keith didn't play with it very much, so it's in good condition,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24'and its price is £20 to £30.'
0:28:26 > 0:28:29£10 for the lot. Ten I'm bid. 12 there.
0:28:29 > 0:28:3114. 16. 18. 20.
0:28:31 > 0:28:37- 22. 24. 26.- There's lots of bidders in the room today. Fantastic.
0:28:37 > 0:28:3934. 36. 38.
0:28:39 > 0:28:4140. Five.
0:28:41 > 0:28:4450. £50 in the doorway, then. Anybody else, at £50?
0:28:44 > 0:28:47- £50. I'm going to sell it for 50. - Excellent!
0:28:47 > 0:28:51- Happy with that? - That's good.- That's not bad, is it?
0:28:51 > 0:28:54'£20 over the top estimate is very good indeed,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58'and the box certainly helped. Keith seems delighted with that sale.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01'Let's hope we can keep that smile on his face with the next lot,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04'the inscribed silver cigarette box and case.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07'The estimate is £60 to £80.'
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Start me at £30 for the lot. Surely, for 30?
0:29:11 > 0:29:14I'm bid 30. Five.
0:29:14 > 0:29:1640. Five.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20£45, not quite... £50. With Albert at £50.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22And five. 55 in front of you, Albert.
0:29:22 > 0:29:2460. £60 with Albert.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28Anybody else at £60? At £60, and going, then, for 60.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31'We're doing pretty well here today.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34'The bidders certainly seem to like Keith and Mark's lots.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38'Now, how will that Victorian cast-iron doorstop do,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40'in the shape of Mr Punch?'
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Question for you - how do you know that it's antique?
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Because there are loads of reproductions of these around.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50You can tell it's original because it has all the original paintwork.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55It's Victorian paintwork. That's how you can tell the difference.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57What do we want for this? £30 to £40?
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- It's worth every penny. Don't be surprised if he makes more. - Right. Let's see!
0:30:01 > 0:30:04There's a bit of interest in Punch. I've got a £30 left bid.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07With me at £30 for Punch. 32. 35.
0:30:07 > 0:30:1138. 40. 42. 45.
0:30:11 > 0:30:1248. 50.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- 55. In the room at 55. 60. - Lots of hands going up.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19- Look at this. - £60 in the blue. 65. 70.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Five. 80. Five.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22£85. With 85.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Anybody else? At £85. 90.
0:30:25 > 0:30:2795.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- £95, then. At 95. - HE BANGS HAMMER
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- Now, that's the way to do it! - That's amazing! £95.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- That is good! - Pretty good for a doorstop.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41'Incredible! More than double the top estimate.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44'Mr Punch certainly knows that's the way to do it at auction.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47'Keith's next lot is the collection of war medals.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50'Let's hope they can repeat Mr Punch's performance
0:30:50 > 0:30:52'at £50 to £80.'
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Be sorry to see them go, but what am I going to do with them -
0:30:57 > 0:30:59leave them in a drawer and never look at them,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02so we'll see what happens.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04I'm bid £60. Straight off with me at £60.
0:31:04 > 0:31:0665. 65.
0:31:06 > 0:31:0870 with me. 75. 80 with me.
0:31:08 > 0:31:1285. 90 with me. 95 in the room. Against commissions at 95.
0:31:12 > 0:31:13- Wow!- Wow!
0:31:13 > 0:31:17At 95. 100 there in the middle. Are you giving up?
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- 110.- Great.- 120.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21120 in the middle of the room. At 120.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23In the hat, at 120.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- At 120, then... - HE BANGS HAMMER
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- What a result! - That was great!- Another good one.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- We're on a roll, aren't we? - It's going well.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35'We certainly have the sort of items the buyers are looking for today.'
0:31:36 > 0:31:40We're halfway through the lots we're going to be selling.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45So far we've made £427, so almost halfway there.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- Your items have done really well. - We're second-half players, as well,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51so bring on the second half!
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Jonty's got something he wants to show me,
0:31:53 > 0:31:57so shall we leave you to get the sausages, as Mr Punch once said?
0:31:59 > 0:32:01If you've been inspired by Keith's success
0:32:01 > 0:32:07and would like to raise money at auction, remember there are charges to be paid, such as commission.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12These vary between salerooms, so it's always worth checking in advance.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15While Keith and Mark take a break, Jonty's gone all teetotal
0:32:15 > 0:32:20and is itching to show me something that reflects the tea-drinking tastes of a bygone era.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26We're having a break, so I thought I'd invite you for a cup of tea.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Well, yes. A rather glamorous cup of tea,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32because it's even featured on the front of the catalogue.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35The distinctive decoration style of this tea caddy
0:32:35 > 0:32:37tells us this is Tunbridge Ware,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41and it's an amazing amount of work that's gone into this caddy.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45The way this is done is that the people who put this together
0:32:45 > 0:32:50had very long sticks, and cut them up into tiny, tiny shreds.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53So here on the top here we have this castle,
0:32:53 > 0:32:58and running round the outside we have this band of flowers and swags.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00It really is stunning.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I like the shape of this. It's not just square on the sides.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05It actually bends. It's wonderful.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Yes. That's a very Victorian shape, as well.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11That's why you can sometimes date boxes
0:33:11 > 0:33:14just by the style or the shape of the box itself.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17So the date of this would be around the middle of the 19th century,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20so we're looking at 1850, 1860.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24It was very popular as a Victorian icon,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26and it was all produced in Tunbridge in Kent.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28That's the reason why we have the name.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33If we open up the inside, you can see the colour it would originally have been.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36So the outside has just faded naturally.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- So what sort of estimate has it got? - In the catalogue it's £300,
0:33:39 > 0:33:45which I think is about the money, because once upon a time, these were very expensive in auction sales.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48But I just wanted to show you a bit of quality.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Well, that distinctive piece pulls in the money,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54as it sold for £480.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57We're back in position, ready for Keith and Mark's next lot,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00the 19th-century French mantel clock.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03It's valued at £80 to £120.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09I'm assuming you won't be sad to see this one go. Am I correct?
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Not really. I think my dad was more upset when I broke the vase on it.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14If we get some money for it, I'll be happy.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18Bit of interest in that straight off. I'm bid £70.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20At £70. 75. 80.
0:34:20 > 0:34:2385. 90. In the corner at £90. Anybody else?
0:34:23 > 0:34:2795, fresh bidding. £95. You all done?
0:34:27 > 0:34:31At £95. Near the mirror, £95 and going.
0:34:31 > 0:34:3395...
0:34:33 > 0:34:35£95! That's not bad, is it?
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Happy about that? That was in the middle of the estimate,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41but we've been used to selling way over the top!
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- Spoiled us, hasn't it? - But it is... That's good.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47'So, a good start to our second half,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50'and we've still got lots of jewellery and gold to come.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54'But up next is the pair of spelter figures of children.'
0:34:54 > 0:34:56You do see these come up from time to time.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Yes. They were very popular in the turn of the century,
0:34:59 > 0:35:04so they're about 100 years old, and most of them are made in France.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09My great-grandmother had a pair of these, but she was from the East End of London.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Right. We want £50 to £80, then? Let's see what we can get.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Interest in those, surely. Start me at £30 for them.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18£20 for the spelter figures. Unusual subject. For £20.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Does nobody want, for 20? 20 here. 22.
0:35:22 > 0:35:2525. 28. 30.
0:35:25 > 0:35:2932. 35. £35, near to me. At 35.
0:35:30 > 0:35:3238. 38 in the middle of the room.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37At 38. At £38. Is all I'm bid at 38? I'm going to sell them at £38.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40At £38. All done? £38.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- Disappointing.- Shame. - We were doing so well,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- and that was just slightly lower. - Is it disappointing,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- or are we getting spoilt?- I think we're getting a little spoilt.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- What do you reckon, gents? - Possibly, yes.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55'Well, that's a shame. The pair of spelter figurines
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'are the first item today to disappoint.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03'The next lot is the half-sovereigns.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05'This year, gold has hit record highs,
0:36:05 > 0:36:08'so now's a great time to sell and cash in.'
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Right! Now, here we go. Into proper money now.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17We've got two half-sovereigns set in a 15-carat ring,
0:36:17 > 0:36:21and a 15-carat pin brooch. Now, where were these from?
0:36:21 > 0:36:25These are from my great-aunt Maggie, and she used to wear the brooch
0:36:25 > 0:36:27with a scarf, and I remember her, as a child,
0:36:27 > 0:36:32when we used to visit her in Banbury, she would have this brooch with the scarf on.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- So, what do we want for these, then? - Prices are going up.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37All of a sudden, £150 to £200.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41I've got interest in these straight off. I'm bid £100 for them.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43With me at £100. 110. 120.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45130. 140.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- 150. 160, everywhere. 160. - Everywhere!
0:36:49 > 0:36:51180. 190.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53200. And ten.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55220. 230.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57240.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00240, further away. At 240. Anybody else?
0:37:00 > 0:37:03At £240. 240 is the bid.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- £240!- £240!
0:37:06 > 0:37:09The vast majority of that money
0:37:09 > 0:37:12is in the fact that gold has risen so much,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14because literally, in the last 18 months,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16it's more or less quadrupled.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20'I think Keith is just delighted that they've sold
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'for such a good price - £40 over the top estimate.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28'The next lot is more jewellery, an early 20th-century cameo brooch and ring
0:37:28 > 0:37:32'that belonged to Keith's other aunt, Ethel, who lived in Sunderland.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35'We'd like to get our £80 to £120 for these two.'
0:37:36 > 0:37:39What are they worth? Start me at £50. Surely, for 50?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41The two cameos, for £50. Does nobody want them?
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- I'm bid £50.- £50. OK.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47£55. All I'm bid now, at 55?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50At £55. Not quite enough, for 55.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53At £55. No? Not sold. Sorry.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- We have an unsold. - My goodness! Not sold!
0:37:56 > 0:37:59I never thought I was going to be saying that to you today.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- In fact, there we are. - Bit of a surprise, isn't it?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Bit of a shock.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07'Well, the auctioneer obviously used his discretion,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10'and decided that the two cameos were worth more than the £55
0:38:10 > 0:38:12'offered in the room.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15'How will the next lot fare? It's the two watches,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17'on sale for £200 to £400.'
0:38:18 > 0:38:21For my money, this is one of the star items,
0:38:21 > 0:38:24the two watches. We've got the gent's pocket watch,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27the American one, but the beautiful ladies' one, as well.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30I think they've got to go, because they'll only stay in a drawer,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33but the little one is beautifully engraved,
0:38:33 > 0:38:38and I do like it. I'm beginning to think I'm going to miss it,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41but what's the point of having them in a drawer?
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Start me, £100 to go for the lot. £100 for them, surely.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- £100. 110. 120. 130. 140.- Come on!
0:38:48 > 0:38:50£130? Is that 130?
0:38:50 > 0:38:52At 130 for the watches.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54£130.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55130, not quite enough.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- Gosh!- Unsold!- That's unbelievable.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- Unbelievable!- We've gone right back. - What happened there?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- No interest in the room whatsoever. - That's just bizarre!
0:39:06 > 0:39:09I'm stunned. I'm absolutely stunned.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13'Poor old Jonty! He was so sure those watches would fly.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16'But at least the auctioneer didn't let them go for a silly price,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19'and Keith can try and sell them on another day.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23'And now we have the final lot. It's that large Egyptian engagement ring
0:39:23 > 0:39:26'with ten diamonds, that was Keith's mother's.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29'Jonty valued it at £500 to £600.'
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- Have you put a reserve on that? - I think we did,
0:39:35 > 0:39:39because I was concerned that it might go for not enough
0:39:39 > 0:39:41as to what I thought it was.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43- So there is a reserve on it. - Do we know what that is?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- It's a discretionary reserve. - Discretionary. OK.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49The auctioneer is selling. Let's see what happens.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54Is it worth... Start me, 400. 400 for the ring. Surely, 400? And 20.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55- 440. 460.- Come on!
0:39:55 > 0:39:57£460 for that ring.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00At £460. 460. Anybody else?
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- At 460. Not quite enough, 460. - SHE GASPS
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- No!- Oh, my word!
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- £460, and it's not sold. - We were doing so well,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13and all of a sudden we've come to a full stop.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15What do you think about the ring not selling?
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Everything that we thought was going to do really well hasn't done well,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23and some of the items we were not expecting to do well
0:40:23 > 0:40:25has done fantastic.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30'I think Keith has just summed up how unpredictable an auction can be.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33'But you have to take the good with the bad. What we need to know now
0:40:33 > 0:40:37'is whether our unsolds have affected our target.'
0:40:38 > 0:40:42Well, you wanted £1,000, didn't you, to send over
0:40:42 > 0:40:44to the tuition in America.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47We've got two major things that haven't sold -
0:40:47 > 0:40:50the gold pocket watches and the gold ring.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- But you have made £800. - Much better than nothing,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57because we've still got those items, and I know we can put them somewhere,
0:40:57 > 0:41:02and I'm sure we will get our thousand or more, so that's fine.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. - It's like a roller coaster.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Is it like this when you're body-boarding?
0:41:08 > 0:41:13It's a bit different. I'm keeping my hands in my pockets so I don't buy anything silly,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15but it's been a really enjoyable day.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Hi. How are you?
0:41:20 > 0:41:24A few days later, Keith and Penny break the news of their earnings
0:41:24 > 0:41:26to son Leslie by webcam.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Mark and I went to the auctions,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32and we've managed to raise you a healthy amount of money.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36So when I send this £800 over to you,
0:41:36 > 0:41:42don't spend it on anything other than your tuition fees,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45and look after the money carefully.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48"Thank you very much. I really appreciate it."
0:41:48 > 0:41:50That's fine, son. You're welcome.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Leslie originally went to the States on a gap year,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57but decided to stay, and is now studying physiotherapy in Texas.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- Mind how you go!- See you soon. Bye!
0:42:00 > 0:42:04What he's doing now is a life ambition for him.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07He's got some good results. He's got some good grades.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10It looks as though he's going to stay the distance,
0:42:10 > 0:42:14and it's fantastic, so I'm over the moon. Proud, really proud.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- Me, too.- You, too?
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd