Dickson

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:06Welcome to the programme that loves to rummage around your house, finding things we can auction

0:00:06 > 0:00:09so that you can raise money for a special project.

0:00:09 > 0:00:12The home we'll be visiting today seems to have been taken over

0:00:12 > 0:00:14by family heirlooms!

0:00:14 > 0:00:18The question is, which of those things will be leaving the house

0:00:18 > 0:00:20and what will the family spend the money on?

0:00:20 > 0:00:23Find out in today's edition of Cash In The Attic.

0:00:42 > 0:00:45'Coming up on Cash In The Attic,

0:00:45 > 0:00:49'I unearth a flowery secret about today's family.'

0:00:49 > 0:00:53- Is your mum a hippy, really? - Yeah. Of course she is!

0:00:53 > 0:00:57And an infantry sword gives our expert James ideas above his station.

0:00:58 > 0:01:03I can now dub you Dame Amanda! How does that feel?

0:01:04 > 0:01:08Come auction day, he takes refuge in classic quotations.

0:01:08 > 0:01:12Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, loads of money. We like that.

0:01:12 > 0:01:15'Be there for the final crack of the gavel.'

0:01:16 > 0:01:20I'm in Wootton Bassett, just the other side of the M4 from Swindon,

0:01:20 > 0:01:24and I'm about to meet Amanda, who's ready to clear out the clutter.

0:01:24 > 0:01:28But she's also a collector. I think we're going to have a bit of a dilemma!

0:01:31 > 0:01:34Amanda Dickson and her husband Andrew have been married for 24 years.

0:01:34 > 0:01:37They have three daughters, Elizabeth, Anna and Sian.

0:01:37 > 0:01:41Eldest daughter Elizabeth will soon be giving them their first grandchild.

0:01:42 > 0:01:46Amanda wants to raise some money to whisk her old man away

0:01:46 > 0:01:48for his 50th birthday treat.

0:01:48 > 0:01:51Helping her search the house for items of value

0:01:51 > 0:01:52is middle daughter Anna,

0:01:52 > 0:01:56now in a gap year after finishing her GCSEs.

0:01:57 > 0:02:00James Rylands is our expert today.

0:02:00 > 0:02:03He started his antiques career at Sotheby's,

0:02:03 > 0:02:07and he's just the man to get our search for collectables underway

0:02:07 > 0:02:09while I meet our hosts.

0:02:09 > 0:02:13Wow, that is quite a collection of miniature bottles!

0:02:13 > 0:02:15Is this why you've called in Cash In The Attic?

0:02:15 > 0:02:18- You going to get rid of them? - No, can't get rid of them.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21If we're not going to sell the perfume bottles,

0:02:21 > 0:02:24what sort of things will we be finding today?

0:02:24 > 0:02:28Things that's been left behind from my husband's grandparents.

0:02:28 > 0:02:33Anna, how do you feel about Mum getting rid of the family heirlooms?

0:02:33 > 0:02:37I don't mind. It's up to her and my dad what they want to do.

0:02:37 > 0:02:39- So, what are we raising the money for today?- A cruise.

0:02:39 > 0:02:44My husband's 50th. He used to be in the Air Force and travelled a lot,

0:02:44 > 0:02:46and a cruise might just give him that bit boost.

0:02:46 > 0:02:49Get him over the trauma of being 50, is it?

0:02:49 > 0:02:51THEY LAUGH Something like that.

0:02:51 > 0:02:54How much is this going to cost, do you think?

0:02:54 > 0:02:58We don't know the initial, but obviously £500 to start us off.

0:02:58 > 0:03:01Well, that'll certainly get you out of Southampton Dock,

0:03:01 > 0:03:05but we won't get anywhere unless we find the things you want to sell

0:03:05 > 0:03:08and get a value on them, and I've got just the man for you.

0:03:08 > 0:03:14Tell James there's going to be a rummage, you can't keep him down. Shall we go and find him? Come on.

0:03:17 > 0:03:20Looking around the house, I see all sorts of things scattered about,

0:03:20 > 0:03:24so there's plenty to look at, and it doesn't take James long

0:03:24 > 0:03:28to find something that might be worth taking to the sale.

0:03:28 > 0:03:31See, I told you James enjoyed rummaging!

0:03:31 > 0:03:34You couldn't keep him away. What have you found in the cupboard?

0:03:34 > 0:03:38In amongst all your bits and pieces, this nice little wristwatch.

0:03:38 > 0:03:42If you look on the dial here, you can see "Eterna".

0:03:42 > 0:03:43That's the name of the maker.

0:03:43 > 0:03:46They've been around for quite a long time.

0:03:46 > 0:03:47The firm was started in 1856

0:03:47 > 0:03:52by two chaps, called Josef Girard and Urs Schild,

0:03:52 > 0:03:56and originally they started making pocket watches,

0:03:56 > 0:03:59and they were based in Grenchen in Switzerland,

0:03:59 > 0:04:02which at the time was an area of very high unemployment,

0:04:02 > 0:04:05so it was great that they were able to start a factory

0:04:05 > 0:04:07to employ lots and lots of local people.

0:04:07 > 0:04:11- So, whose watch was this, Amanda? - It was my husband's father's.

0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Did your husband ever wear it?- No.

0:04:13 > 0:04:17- Were you ever tempted to wear it? - No. It's not that feminine for me.

0:04:17 > 0:04:20It's actually got quite an interesting ending,

0:04:20 > 0:04:23the story of this company, because in the 1990s,

0:04:23 > 0:04:27Eterna, the firm, was bought by Porsche,

0:04:27 > 0:04:29- the car manufacturers.- Really?

0:04:29 > 0:04:32And they now market what was the Eterna range

0:04:32 > 0:04:34as Porsche watches.

0:04:34 > 0:04:38And what I love about this, it's utterly timeless,

0:04:38 > 0:04:40and that helps when it comes to value.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43For something that was just lurking in your cupboard, Amanda,

0:04:43 > 0:04:47- I think we can put something like £40 to £60 on this.- Really?

0:04:47 > 0:04:50- Yeah.- On something like that? - I'm not sure...

0:04:50 > 0:04:53I've it a bit of a thing, and I can't seem to make it work,

0:04:53 > 0:04:56- but I'm sure somebody can get that sorted out.- What do you think?

0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Could someone mend that for you? - I can try.

0:04:59 > 0:05:01Will it make a difference to its price?

0:05:01 > 0:05:04Oh, definitely. If it doesn't work,

0:05:04 > 0:05:07people will think, "How much will this cost to get fixed?"

0:05:07 > 0:05:10If we can get this working, that will help the price.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13We should put that away and see what else is lurking

0:05:13 > 0:05:17- in cupboards in this house. - Yeah.- Yes. Let's go.

0:05:17 > 0:05:21A timely start to the day, but a cruise doesn't come cheap,

0:05:21 > 0:05:24so we need to keep up the momentum.

0:05:24 > 0:05:27It's difficult to know really where to start.

0:05:27 > 0:05:31'I strike lucky with this mid-1960s portable radio,

0:05:31 > 0:05:33'known as a Dansette Chorister,

0:05:33 > 0:05:36'and mass-produced in a variety of colours.

0:05:36 > 0:05:40'Teenagers of the day would've grooved to their first Beatles

0:05:40 > 0:05:44'or Stones songs on radios like this. It has a retro look

0:05:44 > 0:05:47'that's in fashion at the moment, but it does need a little TLC,

0:05:47 > 0:05:50'so James values it at £30 to £50.'

0:05:52 > 0:05:55- So, Anna, what have you got there? - Um...

0:05:55 > 0:06:00Oh! That's a great magician's trick. The disappearing tablecloth!

0:06:00 > 0:06:02Do you know where it's from?

0:06:02 > 0:06:05- By the looks of it, China? - You're absolutely right.

0:06:05 > 0:06:08You're going to get my job shortly.

0:06:08 > 0:06:12Well, it's absolutely from China, and you've got little clues here.

0:06:12 > 0:06:15- You can see this little Chinese writing here.- Yeah.

0:06:15 > 0:06:17It's a brass tray table,

0:06:17 > 0:06:22- and I would think that it's probably about 100 years old.- Really?

0:06:22 > 0:06:25Yeah. Yeah. About 100 years old.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28The sort of thing that would be brought back by someone

0:06:28 > 0:06:32maybe travelling over in the Orient early in the 20th century,

0:06:32 > 0:06:35- when China was just beginning to open up...- Oh, right.

0:06:35 > 0:06:37..and a bit of Western trade was going on there.

0:06:37 > 0:06:41- I like the fact that it hasn't been over-polished.- That's true, yeah.

0:06:41 > 0:06:45So obviously your mum or you haven't got out the old polishing cloth.

0:06:45 > 0:06:50If you did polish that, it would take away some of the age for me.

0:06:50 > 0:06:53The fact that it's got a slight tarnish on it

0:06:53 > 0:06:57means that you can pick out a lot more of the detail on here.

0:06:57 > 0:07:01What are we going to put? How many weeks' pocket money is that worth?

0:07:01 > 0:07:06- I wouldn't know, to be honest. - How much pocket money do you get?

0:07:06 > 0:07:09- Well, I've got a Saturday job, so... - How much do you earn

0:07:09 > 0:07:12- on an average Saturday? - Um, about £20, so...

0:07:12 > 0:07:17OK. I think this should be worth a couple of weeks' wages for you.

0:07:17 > 0:07:20I'd say we'd probably put something like £35 to £50 on it,

0:07:20 > 0:07:22- something like that.- Oh, my word!

0:07:22 > 0:07:24- Yeah?- That's amazing, actually. - Well, it is.

0:07:24 > 0:07:28I think I'm going to ask you to conjure up a few more lots for me!

0:07:28 > 0:07:31See what else you can find for me. Off you go.

0:07:31 > 0:07:36Amanda took on the main parental role when their children were young

0:07:36 > 0:07:39and Andrew was away working in the RAF.

0:07:39 > 0:07:45I've a hunch that her children's wellbeing wasn't Amanda's only concern.

0:07:45 > 0:07:49- That accent of yours has got nothing to do with Wootton Bassett.- No.

0:07:49 > 0:07:51South Wales. ANGELA LAUGHS

0:07:51 > 0:07:54What's a girl from South Wales doing in Wootton Bassett?

0:07:54 > 0:07:58- Marrying a guy from the Air Force. - And you've been married how long? - 23 years.

0:07:58 > 0:08:01- You've got three lovely daughters. - We have.

0:08:01 > 0:08:04- Family's very important to you, isn't it?- It is.

0:08:04 > 0:08:06We're expecting our first grandchild, so...

0:08:06 > 0:08:08Another one to the family!

0:08:08 > 0:08:12And also you've in a way added to your family,

0:08:12 > 0:08:15- because you were a childminder for many years, weren't you?- Oh, yes.

0:08:15 > 0:08:20They bring lots of fun, laughter. Brilliant.

0:08:20 > 0:08:23Tell me about this holiday that you're planning for your husband.

0:08:23 > 0:08:27You want to take him on a cruise. Why is this so special to you?

0:08:27 > 0:08:31He's always travelled abroad, but it was always to do with work,

0:08:31 > 0:08:35so by having a holiday on a cruise,

0:08:35 > 0:08:38it'll be something for him to sit back and relax,

0:08:38 > 0:08:40cos I think he deserves it.

0:08:40 > 0:08:42And so do you.

0:08:42 > 0:08:45I don't know about me so much! THEY LAUGH

0:08:45 > 0:08:48He's got to put up with me!

0:08:48 > 0:08:49THEY LAUGH

0:08:50 > 0:08:54I'm sure that Andrew will appreciate Amanda's thoughtful gesture.

0:08:54 > 0:08:58But with a £500 target, we'd better keep up the search.

0:08:58 > 0:09:00Anna's doing a great job,

0:09:00 > 0:09:05finding two Santini figures which were given to her father by his mother many years ago.

0:09:05 > 0:09:10In Italy, people have a santini in their wallet or on their car dashboard,

0:09:10 > 0:09:13as the name also refers to a small saintly image.

0:09:13 > 0:09:17This adds £15 to £25 to the cruise fund.

0:09:18 > 0:09:22Ooh, Angela, I can see you've taken yourself back to your youth.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25This is a rather pretty little character, isn't it?

0:09:25 > 0:09:27Anna holding the dog.

0:09:27 > 0:09:31Angela, I'm not talking about that nice little girl,

0:09:31 > 0:09:32charming though she is.

0:09:32 > 0:09:35I was actually more interested with this baby chair.

0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Oh, the chair I was sitting on! - Yes. Baby's chair.

0:09:38 > 0:09:42Absolutely! Where does this one come from, Amanda?

0:09:42 > 0:09:44- It's inherited from Grandpa. - Grandfather?- Yes.

0:09:44 > 0:09:47It's sort of multi-purpose, isn't it,

0:09:47 > 0:09:51because you wouldn't have been able to sit just on the chair.

0:09:51 > 0:09:54- You have to have it on that little table.- Absolutely,

0:09:54 > 0:09:58and if we were being really posh about this, we'd call it a metamorphic piece of furniture,

0:09:58 > 0:10:03because what happens is that baby can sit up here on the seat at table

0:10:03 > 0:10:07with the grown-ups, but if baby wants to have a meal by himself,

0:10:07 > 0:10:13then, the chair lifts off and he can sit with his own little table to have a meal by himself.

0:10:13 > 0:10:17Not with the grown-ups. Originally there would have been an iron rod

0:10:17 > 0:10:19that ran up and fixes the chair on,

0:10:19 > 0:10:23so that when baby's in one of his more extravagant movements,

0:10:23 > 0:10:25couldn't then topple off the table onto the floor.

0:10:25 > 0:10:28In its day, it would've come from a very good home,

0:10:28 > 0:10:31and it was quite a sophisticated piece of furniture in many ways,

0:10:31 > 0:10:35so I would think, conservatively,

0:10:35 > 0:10:38- we can probably put something like £60 to £100 on it.- Really?

0:10:38 > 0:10:41- How does that sound? - Brilliant!- Well, baby price!

0:10:41 > 0:10:44- THEY LAUGH - Start... Start low,

0:10:44 > 0:10:47and you never know what might happen in the auction room.

0:10:47 > 0:10:52When the high chair gets to auction, the bids come in thick and fast.

0:10:52 > 0:10:5455. 65.

0:10:54 > 0:10:57£65 I'm bid now. £65. 70. Five.

0:10:57 > 0:11:00Find out just how high they go later.

0:11:02 > 0:11:05'Taking James's lower estimates, we're on track

0:11:05 > 0:11:08'to make £165 so far,

0:11:08 > 0:11:12'which means we're not even halfway towards Amanda's target yet.

0:11:12 > 0:11:16'Daughter Anna finds something that could get us further along.

0:11:16 > 0:11:19'It's a boxed 12-piece fish-cutlery set,

0:11:19 > 0:11:22'which belonged to her dad's grandfather.

0:11:22 > 0:11:24'Silver plated and with mother-of-pearl handles,

0:11:24 > 0:11:28'these blades could bring £30 to £40 to the cruise kitty.

0:11:29 > 0:11:33'We have Andrew's grandfather to thank for our next discovery.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36'It's a collection of cut-glass tableware,

0:11:36 > 0:11:39'and James thinks these should bring in around £10 to £15.'

0:11:43 > 0:11:47Andrew's grandfather certainly had a good eye.

0:11:47 > 0:11:50He served as a Royal Engineer in World War I,

0:11:50 > 0:11:53and whilst our host remembers him as a well travelled man,

0:11:53 > 0:11:56sadly little else is known about him.

0:11:56 > 0:12:01But perhaps our next find will give us some more information.

0:12:03 > 0:12:07Amanda, I think I know what's inside this box.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10Yes, I do. Excellent! Where did it come from?

0:12:10 > 0:12:13- Andrew's grandfather.- It was. Right.

0:12:13 > 0:12:17Right, right, right. OK. That sort of figures,

0:12:17 > 0:12:21because I can see on the bottom 1917,

0:12:21 > 0:12:25so First World War. And do you know what it is?

0:12:25 > 0:12:27Some kind of compass?

0:12:27 > 0:12:30Well, it is a compass, you're right, but it's a bit more than that,

0:12:30 > 0:12:34because it's actually got, as well as having north, south, east, west,

0:12:34 > 0:12:37it's got one or two other little sort of gizmos on it.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41Vernier was a 17th-century French scientist,

0:12:41 > 0:12:43and he invented a new way of taking sightings

0:12:43 > 0:12:46to establish angles and distance,

0:12:46 > 0:12:49involving this sight which just flips over there,

0:12:49 > 0:12:53and you can actually...establish a very accurate sort of position.

0:12:53 > 0:12:58But what I love about it is, they're always fantastic quality.

0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Do you have any idea on value? - I wouldn't have a clue.

0:13:01 > 0:13:05Well, in some ways, they should be worth more,

0:13:05 > 0:13:09- but my feeling is that we should put between £30 and £50 on this.- Really?

0:13:09 > 0:13:12But it's actually not a lot of money

0:13:12 > 0:13:15for what essentially is, A, a bit of military history,

0:13:15 > 0:13:19but B, a superbly engineered piece of equipment.

0:13:19 > 0:13:23So let's hope that someone, or two people in the auction,

0:13:23 > 0:13:27get as carried away as I've just got describing it to you,

0:13:27 > 0:13:30and it fetches pots more! Now I'm going to navigate through your house

0:13:30 > 0:13:33and see if we can find something else.

0:13:33 > 0:13:35When Andrew left the RAF,

0:13:35 > 0:13:38he and Amanda decided to invest in a hobby

0:13:38 > 0:13:41that would make up for the time that they'd spent apart.

0:13:43 > 0:13:45So, you've found our van, Angela?

0:13:45 > 0:13:48And the flowers that go with it!

0:13:48 > 0:13:51This is absolutely fantastic, Amanda!

0:13:51 > 0:13:54- How long have you had this van? - We've had it about five years.

0:13:54 > 0:13:58- Was it like this when you bought it? - No. My husband and a friend, Paul,

0:13:58 > 0:14:02did the carpentry, and we did all the interior ourselves.

0:14:02 > 0:14:05Do I take it you'd like to have been a flower child of the '60s?

0:14:05 > 0:14:08- I'm afraid so. - Is your mum a hippy, really?

0:14:08 > 0:14:13- Yeah. Deep down she is. I think so. - Do the family have holidays in this?

0:14:13 > 0:14:16We have holidays, go to van fests, have a good time.

0:14:16 > 0:14:18- What do you do at van fests? - You go to shows,

0:14:18 > 0:14:21and meet people that do things with their vans

0:14:21 > 0:14:23and see what's going on.

0:14:23 > 0:14:26I know you want to do something special for your husband.

0:14:26 > 0:14:30Is it going to be a '60s kind of celebration?

0:14:30 > 0:14:34- No.- No? - No. He's just reaching the age of 50,

0:14:34 > 0:14:36- and it'll be nice to take him on a cruise.- Yes.

0:14:36 > 0:14:40- And leave the '60s behind for a while.- Yes.

0:14:40 > 0:14:42And then come back to the van afterwards.

0:14:42 > 0:14:44- Of course! - Would you ever get rid of it?- No!

0:14:44 > 0:14:47THEY LAUGH

0:14:48 > 0:14:52Very groovy, and it certainly takes me back a few years.

0:14:52 > 0:14:54But we need to get back to rummaging.

0:14:54 > 0:14:57James is busy inspecting some jewellery,

0:14:57 > 0:15:01and Amanda has come across something else belonging to Andrew's grandfather.

0:15:01 > 0:15:06This box contains six World War I honours,

0:15:06 > 0:15:09including the Defence Medal, and some miniature replicas,

0:15:09 > 0:15:12about a quarter of the size of the originals.

0:15:12 > 0:15:16James salutes them with an estimate of £80 to £120.

0:15:17 > 0:15:22The search for collectables is going full steam ahead here in the Dickson household.

0:15:22 > 0:15:24James makes the next find.

0:15:24 > 0:15:27Could this be one to add to our auction haul?

0:15:29 > 0:15:31Amanda?

0:15:31 > 0:15:34What is this doing in your wardrobe?

0:15:34 > 0:15:38Don't know. You put it anywhere, don't you?

0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Do you know what it is? - Dish.- It's actually...

0:15:42 > 0:15:44..a butter dish.

0:15:45 > 0:15:50I'm just looking at the hallmark on it. It's a silver butter dish.

0:15:50 > 0:15:53Nice hallmark there on the rim. It's hallmarked Birmingham,

0:15:53 > 0:15:57made in 1901. So nice little Edwardian thing.

0:15:57 > 0:16:00And then in front here, you've actually got the butter knife.

0:16:00 > 0:16:04That's what tells you what it is. So in Edwardian times,

0:16:04 > 0:16:07social standing was very, very important,

0:16:07 > 0:16:12and something like this would have gone a long way to establishing your social station in life.

0:16:12 > 0:16:15You can imagine the Edwardian dining table

0:16:15 > 0:16:19groaning with silver salts-and-peppers, mustards,

0:16:19 > 0:16:22butter dishes like this... But even better is the fact

0:16:22 > 0:16:26that it's fitted in this fantastic quality leather and gilt-tooled case.

0:16:26 > 0:16:28So, family thing?

0:16:28 > 0:16:30Grandfather's.

0:16:30 > 0:16:32So, that would figure with the date of 1901,

0:16:32 > 0:16:36you know, things like that. Well, he obviously didn't use it much,

0:16:36 > 0:16:40which is to your benefit, because the better condition it is,

0:16:40 > 0:16:42the more people will pay for it. What's it worth?

0:16:42 > 0:16:46Well, for something just lurking in the back of your wardrobe,

0:16:46 > 0:16:50- I'd say that £30 to £50 has got to be a bonus, hasn't it?- Brilliant!

0:16:50 > 0:16:54- Off it goes to auction?- Of course. - Off we go to find something else!

0:16:56 > 0:17:00I think Andrew's grandfather would be pleased his items are being sold

0:17:00 > 0:17:03so that his descendants can have a trip of a lifetime.

0:17:03 > 0:17:08'This watercolour also once belonged to that distinguished old soldier.

0:17:08 > 0:17:11'He fought in both wars,

0:17:11 > 0:17:14'and perhaps he was thinking of the forces' sweetheart,

0:17:14 > 0:17:16'Dame Vera Lynn, when he bought this picture.

0:17:16 > 0:17:18'Her famous song The White Cliffs Of Dover

0:17:18 > 0:17:21'was intended to lift the spirits of British soldiers.

0:17:21 > 0:17:27'Our expert believes the picture could be worth £35 to £70.

0:17:30 > 0:17:32'Our rummage day is drawing to a close.

0:17:32 > 0:17:36'Can we find anything else to add to the auction haul?

0:17:36 > 0:17:39'Perhaps James is on to a winner with his next discovery.'

0:17:39 > 0:17:43- Ooh, Amanda, this has caught my eye! You feeling lucky?- Yes.

0:17:43 > 0:17:47Well, let me say I can now dub you Dame Amanda.

0:17:47 > 0:17:50- How does that feel? Yes?- Brilliant!

0:17:50 > 0:17:52I'm not going to take this all the way out,

0:17:52 > 0:17:54because it really is a fearsome weapon.

0:17:54 > 0:18:01This is an 1897 infantry-pattern sword,

0:18:01 > 0:18:03and it was...

0:18:03 > 0:18:08an adaption of an earlier sword, so produced through the centuries,

0:18:08 > 0:18:13if you like, when the sword was one of the main weapons for soldiers.

0:18:13 > 0:18:17It's actually incredibly well made, and if I show you...

0:18:17 > 0:18:19Do you see the handle there? It's called shagreen,

0:18:19 > 0:18:24which was either shark or ray skin. It's got a slightly raised finish,

0:18:24 > 0:18:27which gives you a good grip when you're holding the sword.

0:18:27 > 0:18:31If I tell you the value on this is probably somewhere between...

0:18:31 > 0:18:34- £100 and £130...- For a sword?

0:18:34 > 0:18:35For a sword.

0:18:35 > 0:18:39And the reason it's actually quite a lot, twofold.

0:18:39 > 0:18:44One is that it would cost you an awful lot more to buy something like this new today.

0:18:44 > 0:18:49But secondly, serving officers in the British Army today,

0:18:49 > 0:18:51when they start off as young subalterns,

0:18:51 > 0:18:54and have just graduated from Sandhurst or wherever,

0:18:54 > 0:18:57they actually have to have one of these,

0:18:57 > 0:18:59so I think it's likely that it'll actually be bought

0:18:59 > 0:19:02by a young army officer...

0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Oh, right!- ..for use, and you've still got all the leather fittings.

0:19:05 > 0:19:10It just needs a bit of tidying up. It's actually quite a nice example

0:19:10 > 0:19:13of an 1897 infantry-pattern sword.

0:19:13 > 0:19:16Whoa, James! I know we've got to raise money,

0:19:16 > 0:19:21but is this your new technique for getting money out of the auctioneer?

0:19:21 > 0:19:25- Stand and deliver? - I've just knighted Amanda,

0:19:25 > 0:19:28- rather than threatening her. - It's a splendid sword!

0:19:28 > 0:19:30Is this something that's going to auction?

0:19:30 > 0:19:33- It is, very much so.- How much do we think we might make on it?

0:19:33 > 0:19:36Well, I put £100 to £130 on it.

0:19:36 > 0:19:41That is such good news, because I've actually been doing some sums.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44I've looked at everything that James has looked at today,

0:19:44 > 0:19:47and taken the lowest valuation that he's put on everything.

0:19:47 > 0:19:50You want to raise £500.

0:19:50 > 0:19:52Well, I can tell you that, at the lowest estimate,

0:19:52 > 0:19:54we should be able to make...

0:19:54 > 0:19:57£480.

0:19:57 > 0:19:58OK.

0:19:58 > 0:20:01I know that's £20 less than you want,

0:20:01 > 0:20:03but when you get to the auction,

0:20:03 > 0:20:06you've only got to have two people bidding against each other

0:20:06 > 0:20:10because they want one of your items, and we'll make that money up.

0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Are you both excited now about going to auction?- Yeah.- Oh, yeah.

0:20:13 > 0:20:17- Let's go! - And if we don't get the extra £20,

0:20:17 > 0:20:20we'll send James in with the sword.

0:20:20 > 0:20:23Send him into battle to get the extra money.

0:20:23 > 0:20:25THEY LAUGH

0:20:25 > 0:20:28Swords ought not to be left lying around your home,

0:20:28 > 0:20:31so do keep items like this out of reach of children.

0:20:31 > 0:20:35Your local auction house will advise you on how best to sell militaria,

0:20:35 > 0:20:39but with luck, this one will make a stirring auction lot,

0:20:39 > 0:20:42alongside these fascinating pieces.

0:20:43 > 0:20:46The metamorphic Victorian high chair which comes apart

0:20:46 > 0:20:50when baby needs a table for tea. James thought this would appeal

0:20:50 > 0:20:53to the bidders with a price tag of £60 to £100.

0:20:53 > 0:20:58He was also taken by that early 20th-century Chinese brass table,

0:20:58 > 0:21:01but gave it a conservative estimate of £35 to £50.

0:21:03 > 0:21:05Finally, the Swiss Eterna wristwatch

0:21:05 > 0:21:08was valued at £40 to £60.

0:21:08 > 0:21:12If Amanda gets it working, we could be in for an exciting time

0:21:12 > 0:21:14come auction day.

0:21:16 > 0:21:18Still to come on Cash In The Attic,

0:21:18 > 0:21:22James gives us a little taste of his refined upbringing.

0:21:22 > 0:21:24Let me tell you, fish doesn't taste the same

0:21:24 > 0:21:27unless you eat it with a proper fish knife and fork.

0:21:27 > 0:21:29'And I let slip a little secret.'

0:21:29 > 0:21:32- I can't resist a man in a uniform. - No!

0:21:32 > 0:21:35'Find out how it all goes when the hammer finally falls.'

0:21:40 > 0:21:44Well, it's been quite a few weeks now since we were with Amanda

0:21:44 > 0:21:46and her daughter Anna at their home in Wiltshire,

0:21:46 > 0:21:49where we discovered all sorts of stuff.

0:21:49 > 0:21:52We brought everything here today to the Chiswick auction rooms

0:21:52 > 0:21:56in West London, where we hope we're going to be able to raise £500

0:21:56 > 0:22:00towards a very special birthday treat for Amanda's husband.

0:22:00 > 0:22:04All we need now are bidders who'll be prepared to buy their items

0:22:04 > 0:22:06when they go under the hammer.

0:22:07 > 0:22:10There are some really fine pieces for sale in this auction,

0:22:10 > 0:22:14where, as usual, the bidders are on the lookout

0:22:14 > 0:22:15for a truly special purchase.

0:22:15 > 0:22:19And James is looking at something that just might appeal to them.

0:22:19 > 0:22:22You could do a lot of damage with that, young man!

0:22:22 > 0:22:24It's a bit worrying. I just love the quality of them.

0:22:24 > 0:22:28They're always incredibly well made. They really are.

0:22:28 > 0:22:31And this one's got a bit of family history to go with it,

0:22:31 > 0:22:35- so that'll help it.- And beautifully decorated on the blade.

0:22:35 > 0:22:37Every time I've seen a swashbuckling film,

0:22:37 > 0:22:41it never occurred to me that the blades had decoration on, as well.

0:22:41 > 0:22:45- You never want to get up that close to them. You could be in trouble. - Too right!

0:22:45 > 0:22:48So, a bit of history, a bit of quality,

0:22:48 > 0:22:51and to buy these new, very, very expensive.

0:22:52 > 0:22:55That sword, along with most of Amanda's other mementos on sale,

0:22:55 > 0:22:58all came through the family.

0:23:00 > 0:23:05So, one last look, Amanda and Anna, before they go under the hammer.

0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Are you sorry to see them go?- No.

0:23:08 > 0:23:10- Move on?- Move on.

0:23:10 > 0:23:13Your husband's grandfather was a remarkable man, clearly,

0:23:13 > 0:23:16because he started as an ordinary foot soldier,

0:23:16 > 0:23:18- but became a lieutenant colonel. - He did.

0:23:18 > 0:23:22- So he rose up through the ranks. - He must have been a very brave man,

0:23:22 > 0:23:25especially to be involved in the conflict for so long.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28And we've not just got the medals. We've got the miniatures of them,

0:23:28 > 0:23:32- so what have you put them in at? - That's important. £80 to £120,

0:23:32 > 0:23:35- so fingers crossed!- Fingers crossed. - Lots of people who collect medals.

0:23:35 > 0:23:41Hopefully they're here today. Shall we go and take our places so that we can start the auction?

0:23:41 > 0:23:45Today's auctioneer gets the sale started.

0:23:45 > 0:23:47£400...

0:23:47 > 0:23:50'Amanda's first lot takes to the stand.

0:23:50 > 0:23:53'It's the collection of cut-glass tableware

0:23:53 > 0:23:55'that came from Andrew's grandfather.'

0:23:56 > 0:23:58- Have you never used this in the house?- No.

0:23:58 > 0:24:02- It's just been an ornament. - So just on a shelf somewhere?

0:24:02 > 0:24:06- And nothing you fancy having, Anna? - No. It's too delicate.

0:24:06 > 0:24:10Too delicate. But actually, at £10 to £15,

0:24:10 > 0:24:13- that's got a real fighting chance. - It's not a lot of money,

0:24:13 > 0:24:16- so onwards and upwards. - THEY LAUGH

0:24:16 > 0:24:19What are they worth? £10 to go. £5 to go,

0:24:19 > 0:24:21for the glassware. Surely for a fiver, somebody.

0:24:21 > 0:24:25Anybody want the lot for a £5 note? Oh, dear. Not a good start.

0:24:25 > 0:24:28Could pass the lot for £5. Nobody want it for a fiver?

0:24:28 > 0:24:30Sorry. Pass the lot.

0:24:30 > 0:24:36Good heavens! That's amazing! Not sold, even for a fiver!

0:24:36 > 0:24:40'Oh, no! Not a whiff of interest from the bidders!

0:24:40 > 0:24:42'Not the best start for Amanda,

0:24:42 > 0:24:45'so I hope her next lot brings success.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48'It's the silver butter dish in the form of a shell.

0:24:48 > 0:24:52'Angela's grandfather is the man we must thank for this.'

0:24:52 > 0:24:55James, silver always does well at auction, doesn't it?

0:24:55 > 0:24:59Absolutely, because the melt price is very high at the moment,

0:24:59 > 0:25:02so you've always got that as a starting point.

0:25:02 > 0:25:06But I love these little scallop-shaped butter dishes.

0:25:06 > 0:25:09From a practical point of view, they're a nightmare,

0:25:09 > 0:25:11trying to scrape the butter out of them,

0:25:11 > 0:25:14but we're about to make that somebody else's problem,

0:25:14 > 0:25:16hopefully at a good price.

0:25:16 > 0:25:18£20 for the butter dish. 20 I'm bid. Thank you.

0:25:18 > 0:25:2122. 22, further away. 24. 26.

0:25:21 > 0:25:25- 28.- Great! £28. 30 already.

0:25:25 > 0:25:2832 here. 35 I'll take.

0:25:28 > 0:25:32- Ooh!- 32 here. In front of me at 32. Anybody else at £32?

0:25:32 > 0:25:3434. 36.

0:25:34 > 0:25:37- Couple of people who want it. - 42? £40.

0:25:37 > 0:25:41It's with you at 40. Yeah. With you at £40.

0:25:41 > 0:25:43- 42.- New bidder!

0:25:43 > 0:25:4545...

0:25:46 > 0:25:48£45. Nearer to me at 45.

0:25:48 > 0:25:50Yes. 48.

0:25:50 > 0:25:54£48 with you, Albert. At £48. Anybody else?

0:25:54 > 0:25:56£48, all done.

0:25:56 > 0:26:0048! Just £2 short of James's top price on it.

0:26:00 > 0:26:04- That was a good price!- It was. - That was quite exciting, wasn't it?

0:26:04 > 0:26:07- It was! - They say butter wouldn't melt!

0:26:07 > 0:26:09THEY LAUGH

0:26:09 > 0:26:11Very good, James!

0:26:11 > 0:26:14I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief

0:26:14 > 0:26:16that we've banked some respectable money.

0:26:17 > 0:26:22Next, a memento that was a gift from Andrew's mother.

0:26:22 > 0:26:25We have two Italian Santini figurines,

0:26:25 > 0:26:29and their joint estimate is £15 to £25.

0:26:30 > 0:26:34What's it worth? I'm sure you've viewed it. Start me £10 the lot.

0:26:34 > 0:26:38£10 for the little Diana figure. £5 for it.

0:26:38 > 0:26:41Five I'm bid in front of me. At £5. £6 I'll take from somebody else.

0:26:41 > 0:26:44The two figures for a fiver. Doesn't seem a lot of money.

0:26:44 > 0:26:47At £5, is all I'm bid. I'm going to sell them.

0:26:47 > 0:26:50- At £5. They're going for £5. - HE BANGS HAMMER

0:26:50 > 0:26:53Oh! £5 is all we got for them,

0:26:53 > 0:26:55but you're not having to take them home.

0:26:55 > 0:26:57No. That's a bonus.

0:26:58 > 0:27:01We're on a bit of a seesaw here. One minute we're up,

0:27:01 > 0:27:04then we're down. But at least they sold.

0:27:04 > 0:27:08And now we're back to something from Andrew's grandfather,

0:27:08 > 0:27:12his World War I compass in a case. Will this get us back on course?

0:27:15 > 0:27:21Grandfather obviously had a very eventful First World War,

0:27:21 > 0:27:24because we've got his pocket compass coming up now.

0:27:24 > 0:27:28None of us can even dream of the horrors those guys went through

0:27:28 > 0:27:32in the First World War, and a compass was a very practical thing.

0:27:32 > 0:27:36When you went over the top, you needed to know where you were going,

0:27:36 > 0:27:39and it's amazing - this one has survived, in good condition,

0:27:39 > 0:27:43and still with its original leather box, which is great.

0:27:43 > 0:27:47Bit of interest in it. I've got a starting bid of £10.

0:27:47 > 0:27:50With me at £10. £12. 14. 16. 18.

0:27:50 > 0:27:52£18 in the corner. At 18.

0:27:52 > 0:27:5520 everywhere. 20 I'll take from there.

0:27:55 > 0:27:5722. 24. 26.

0:27:57 > 0:27:5928. 30.

0:27:59 > 0:28:03No? £30, standing, there in the cap. At 30. Anybody else?

0:28:03 > 0:28:0532.

0:28:05 > 0:28:0735. Let's go. 38.

0:28:07 > 0:28:1040. 42.

0:28:10 > 0:28:1245.

0:28:12 > 0:28:16£45 in the middle, then. At 45. Anybody else? In the cap, at £45.

0:28:16 > 0:28:20You all done and finished? £45 it goes...

0:28:20 > 0:28:23- That was a good price! Yes! - I think we're happy with that.

0:28:23 > 0:28:26Obviously now people know where they're going,

0:28:26 > 0:28:28because they've bought the compass.

0:28:28 > 0:28:30THEY LAUGH

0:28:30 > 0:28:35That is a great result, just £5 under James's top estimate.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38Maybe there are some militaria collectors here today.

0:28:38 > 0:28:43That could bode well for the sword and the medals coming up later.

0:28:43 > 0:28:49So, next up we've got the set of 12 silver-plated fish knives and forks.

0:28:49 > 0:28:53Did you ever use these, Amanda? No? Well, my parents' generation,

0:28:53 > 0:28:55they'd never have dreamt of having fish

0:28:55 > 0:28:58without getting out the old fish knives and forks.

0:28:58 > 0:29:02Beautifully presented in a case. Have you looked at these, Anna?

0:29:02 > 0:29:05- Do you like them? Have you ever eaten with them?- No.

0:29:05 > 0:29:07Let me tell you, fish doesn't taste the same

0:29:07 > 0:29:10unless you're using the proper fish knife and fork!

0:29:10 > 0:29:13We've got £30 to £40 on them, in their original case,

0:29:13 > 0:29:16so let's hope there are some more traditional buyers here.

0:29:16 > 0:29:20I have seen several people looking at them very intently.

0:29:20 > 0:29:24They could be about to bid for them. We'll soon find out.

0:29:24 > 0:29:28I've got a little bit of interest. I'm bid straight off £35 for them.

0:29:28 > 0:29:31With me at 35 for the fish eaters. At 35. 40.

0:29:31 > 0:29:3345, with me. 50.

0:29:33 > 0:29:3755. Still with me at £55, for those fish eaters. 60.

0:29:37 > 0:29:4065. 65, still with me. On the book at 65.

0:29:40 > 0:29:4470, fresh bidding. 75 with me. 80 in the room, against commission.

0:29:44 > 0:29:47£80 for those fish eaters. At £80. You all done?

0:29:47 > 0:29:49At £80 and going, then. £80.

0:29:49 > 0:29:52Fantastic! That's double what we thought they'd make, James!

0:29:52 > 0:29:55Isn't that wonderful? There are still people who have standards!

0:29:55 > 0:29:58THEY LAUGH

0:29:58 > 0:30:02Well, you would know, James! There are obviously some bidders here

0:30:02 > 0:30:04who also recognise quality when they see it.

0:30:07 > 0:30:09I wonder what they'll make of Amanda's next lot?

0:30:09 > 0:30:14It's her Dansette transistor radio, in need of some restoration.

0:30:18 > 0:30:21We're back to the swinging '60s now,

0:30:21 > 0:30:25because we've got this wonderful little Dansette transistor radio.

0:30:25 > 0:30:27- He's off already!- We were there!

0:30:27 > 0:30:30- He's off!- I love this.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33It's a great blue colour. It's got everything going,

0:30:33 > 0:30:36and this sort of retro thing very much coming back in.

0:30:36 > 0:30:40- We were there first time round! - We were, James.

0:30:40 > 0:30:43What's it worth? I'm sure you've viewed it. £10 for it.

0:30:43 > 0:30:45£10 for the little radio, surely.

0:30:45 > 0:30:48Nobody interested? £10? £5 for it, then.

0:30:48 > 0:30:51£5 I'm bid at the back of the room. Jolly good. At £5.

0:30:51 > 0:30:55£6 anywhere? At £5, by the mirror there. Are you all done at £5?

0:30:55 > 0:30:58It's going to be sold for £5. A maiden bid of £5. It's going.

0:30:58 > 0:31:00- £5 and going... - HE BANGS HAMMER

0:31:00 > 0:31:05Well, it's £5 that you've taken out of the garage, really, isn't it?

0:31:05 > 0:31:07- Absolutely. - And you weren't using it.- No.

0:31:07 > 0:31:11- And it didn't have batteries in it. - No.- Bet they didn't know that.

0:31:11 > 0:31:15- They've got to buy batteries, James. - That'll cost more than a fiver!

0:31:15 > 0:31:17- Exactly. - THEY LAUGH

0:31:17 > 0:31:21'It seems only one bidder wanted the job of restoring that old radio,

0:31:21 > 0:31:25'but I'm sure they'll get hours of pleasure from it once they do.'

0:31:25 > 0:31:28'So, I wonder how the kitty is looking so far?'

0:31:30 > 0:31:35Halfway point, only one no-sale, which I am still speechless about.

0:31:35 > 0:31:38I can't believe someone wasn't prepared to pay a fiver

0:31:38 > 0:31:42for those glasses and that jug. Nevertheless, they have stumped up

0:31:42 > 0:31:44on everything else we've had to sell today,

0:31:44 > 0:31:47and we're not quite halfway there yet.

0:31:47 > 0:31:50We're up to £183.

0:31:50 > 0:31:54But we've got all of that World War I stuff

0:31:54 > 0:31:56from your husband's grandfather,

0:31:56 > 0:32:00and there is an interest in medals and World War I memorabilia,

0:32:00 > 0:32:03so we hope we'll do better in the second half, James.

0:32:03 > 0:32:06Everything to come. Everything to play for. Can't wait!

0:32:06 > 0:32:10If you'd like to try your hand at buying or selling at auction,

0:32:10 > 0:32:14do bear in mind that there are charges, including commission.

0:32:14 > 0:32:17These will vary from one saleroom to another,

0:32:17 > 0:32:19so it is always worth enquiring in advance.

0:32:21 > 0:32:24The bidders here do seem to recognise quality,

0:32:24 > 0:32:27but you'd need to look very closely at an item James has spotted,

0:32:27 > 0:32:30just to be sure that it's the genuine article!

0:32:32 > 0:32:34That's a very pretty little thing, James.

0:32:34 > 0:32:37Do I get a whiff of imperial Russia from this?

0:32:37 > 0:32:41You should get a whiff of Imperial Russia,

0:32:41 > 0:32:45because the auctioneers have said that it's actually stamped Faberge.

0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Oh, yes. - In Cyrillic, on the bottom there.

0:32:48 > 0:32:52But I think, given the estimate they've put on it

0:32:52 > 0:32:56- of 700 to 1,000, I don't think they think it's by Faberge.- No!

0:32:56 > 0:32:59The great Carl Faberge. You remember the idea,

0:32:59 > 0:33:01that he produced for the Russian royal family

0:33:01 > 0:33:04in the early years of the 20th century

0:33:04 > 0:33:07Imperial Easter eggs, and they are now hugely expensive.

0:33:07 > 0:33:09Like?

0:33:09 > 0:33:12- Certainly north of £1 million each. - Ooh!

0:33:12 > 0:33:13What do we think?

0:33:13 > 0:33:17I think it's going to exceed its estimate of 700 to 1,000.

0:33:17 > 0:33:20- Oh, very pretty! - Good Easter egg for someone.- Yes!

0:33:21 > 0:33:23Crikey! James turned out to be right there.

0:33:23 > 0:33:28That wonderful piece actually sold for £3,800!

0:33:28 > 0:33:31Just goes to prove that, if you keep your eyes peeled,

0:33:31 > 0:33:34sometimes you really can find something quite exceptional.

0:33:35 > 0:33:39Amanda has six items left, including those World War I medals

0:33:39 > 0:33:41and sword, for which we've got high hopes.

0:33:41 > 0:33:44But her next lot on the podium

0:33:44 > 0:33:47is the Chinese brass-topped occasional table

0:33:47 > 0:33:49that used to sit in Anna's bedroom.

0:33:50 > 0:33:52You'll be happy to see it go?

0:33:52 > 0:33:55Definitely. It gets in the way a bit.

0:33:55 > 0:33:57But it's practical! Didn't you ever use it?

0:33:57 > 0:34:00- No. Didn't know what to use it for. - I know why.

0:34:00 > 0:34:04- Because you don't want to polish it any more.- Now you know.

0:34:04 > 0:34:07Little table there. Start me at £20 for it, surely.

0:34:07 > 0:34:10For the little table. For 20. 22, 24.

0:34:10 > 0:34:1526, 28. £28 for the table. At £28. 30 to my left.

0:34:15 > 0:34:1730. Anybody else? £30.

0:34:17 > 0:34:19To my left at 30. You all done at £30?

0:34:19 > 0:34:21£30 and going, then.

0:34:21 > 0:34:22Great!

0:34:22 > 0:34:24- Just below, but still OK.- Yeah.

0:34:25 > 0:34:30I think both Anna and her mum are pleased with that result.

0:34:30 > 0:34:33Money in the pot, for something they hardly used!

0:34:33 > 0:34:36Next up, an English-school watercolour.

0:34:36 > 0:34:40Not militaria, but the white cliffs of Dover may have some resonance

0:34:40 > 0:34:42with collectors.

0:34:43 > 0:34:46Start me at £20 for it, for the watercolour. £10 to go, then.

0:34:46 > 0:34:49£10 for the watercolour. Ten I'm bid. 12, 14, 16.

0:34:49 > 0:34:53£16 is all I'm bid for that. At 16. £18 here.

0:34:53 > 0:34:56In front of me at £18. Anybody else at £18?

0:34:56 > 0:34:59At £18 here, with the gentleman in the striped shirt.

0:34:59 > 0:35:02You all done and finished? At £18 it goes...

0:35:02 > 0:35:04What a shame that the watercolour sold for so little!

0:35:04 > 0:35:07Only four lots left,

0:35:07 > 0:35:11and with that target of £500 still some distance away,

0:35:11 > 0:35:14everything rests on all of them doing well.

0:35:15 > 0:35:18Something quite rare in this sale now,

0:35:18 > 0:35:23because so much of what we've been selling came from your husband's grandfather,

0:35:23 > 0:35:26but this is one item at auction that didn't belong to him, isn't it?

0:35:26 > 0:35:30It's the 1930s wristwatch. So, where did this one come from?

0:35:30 > 0:35:33- His dad. - And does your husband not wear it?

0:35:33 > 0:35:36- No.- I think you were saying it still works, doesn't it?

0:35:36 > 0:35:39- It does, yes.- What more do you want?

0:35:39 > 0:35:41What have we got on it? £40 to £60,

0:35:41 > 0:35:44and people love to be seen with something

0:35:44 > 0:35:46that says retro, that says quality,

0:35:46 > 0:35:49that doesn't say modern and horrible battery!

0:35:49 > 0:35:53£20 to start me, surely, for the watch. For 20. I'm bid 20.

0:35:53 > 0:35:5622. 24. £24 for that watch. It doesn't seem...

0:35:56 > 0:35:5926. 28. 30. 32.

0:35:59 > 0:36:0034.

0:36:00 > 0:36:0336. 38.

0:36:03 > 0:36:05- 38 to my left.- Nearly up to our 40.

0:36:05 > 0:36:09- All done at £38?- Oh, hang on. - New bid at 42, do you want?

0:36:09 > 0:36:1342. At £42. £42, I'm going to sell it, then.

0:36:13 > 0:36:19- Over our lowest estimate. Well done! - Just pipped through, didn't it?

0:36:19 > 0:36:21That's a great result for Amanda,

0:36:21 > 0:36:24and a good price for the winning bidder.

0:36:24 > 0:36:28The classic high chair is up next, for £60 to £100.

0:36:28 > 0:36:31It belonged to Andrew's grandparents,

0:36:31 > 0:36:35and converts into a table and chair as the child grows.

0:36:36 > 0:36:39So, was it used by children in your family? Just remind me.

0:36:39 > 0:36:41Oh, yeah. My husband sat in it when he was small,

0:36:41 > 0:36:43his sisters and our children.

0:36:43 > 0:36:48- Anna, I bet you don't remember sitting in this, do you?- Not at all.

0:36:48 > 0:36:51- And you clearly haven't sat in it since.- No!

0:36:52 > 0:36:54£50. £50 to go.

0:36:54 > 0:36:5750. Five. 60. Five. £65 I'm bid now.

0:36:57 > 0:36:59£65. And 70. Five.

0:36:59 > 0:37:0280. Five. 90. Five.

0:37:02 > 0:37:04£95 I'm bid.

0:37:04 > 0:37:08100. 110. You want 120, madam? 120. In the room at 120.

0:37:08 > 0:37:11- £120 in the room now. - Fantastic!- 120. Anybody else?

0:37:11 > 0:37:16£120. I'm going to sell it, then. £120 it goes.

0:37:16 > 0:37:20That's a terrific price. Your top price was £100.

0:37:20 > 0:37:22- You were on the button. - Double the low estimate.

0:37:22 > 0:37:26Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, loads of money.

0:37:26 > 0:37:29- We like that! - THEY LAUGH

0:37:29 > 0:37:31What a great price for that high chair!

0:37:31 > 0:37:34I'm sure it will become the centrepiece

0:37:34 > 0:37:36of another family's kitchen for years to come.

0:37:38 > 0:37:41So, we reach Amanda's last two lots,

0:37:41 > 0:37:44the militaria handed down through the family

0:37:44 > 0:37:48from a grandfather who clearly had such a distinguished military career.

0:37:48 > 0:37:53And first up it's the infantry sword that's now more than 100 years old.

0:37:55 > 0:37:57When we arrived today,

0:37:57 > 0:38:02I found James absolutely swashing the buckle with Grandfather's sword.

0:38:02 > 0:38:07They cut such a dash, these guys, with their Sam Browne belts and then a sword on the side.

0:38:07 > 0:38:11- And the medals.- And medals as well. - Can't resist a man in a uniform!

0:38:11 > 0:38:13Well, YOU can say that.

0:38:13 > 0:38:15THEY LAUGH

0:38:15 > 0:38:1950 I'm bid. Thank you. 55. 60. £60 is all I'm bid

0:38:19 > 0:38:21for that sword, now? Not enough. 65.

0:38:21 > 0:38:23Thank you. 70.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26- Come on.- Going up!- At 75.

0:38:26 > 0:38:29- At £75 in the middle of the room. - 75.

0:38:29 > 0:38:32I can sell it at £75. You all done? 80, fresh bidding.

0:38:32 > 0:38:3485.

0:38:34 > 0:38:3690. 95.

0:38:36 > 0:38:39£95, my original bidder. At 95.

0:38:39 > 0:38:43At £95. You all done? £95 and going. 95.

0:38:43 > 0:38:44Thank you, sir.

0:38:44 > 0:38:47£95, just £5 short of our lowest estimate.

0:38:47 > 0:38:49But not a bad return.

0:38:49 > 0:38:52I thought that was going to sell for 60 quid!

0:38:52 > 0:38:55- Really? - The cut-and-thrust of bidding

0:38:55 > 0:38:58eventually brought it nearly up to where we wanted to be.

0:38:58 > 0:39:00So 95. Not bad.

0:39:00 > 0:39:05At last! Their heirlooms do seem to be doing rather well.

0:39:05 > 0:39:07So how will those medals do?

0:39:07 > 0:39:12They're from both World Wars, and include some miniatures.

0:39:12 > 0:39:17There is quite a market for medals, especially from the First World War,

0:39:17 > 0:39:21and we've got the ones coming up from your husband's grandfather,

0:39:21 > 0:39:24your great-grandfather, Anna. But also, tucked away on the end,

0:39:24 > 0:39:29we've got a Second World War medal which shows that he served again

0:39:29 > 0:39:31in the Second World War!

0:39:31 > 0:39:34None of them are gallantry medals, but a nice collection nevertheless,

0:39:34 > 0:39:35so £80 to £120.

0:39:35 > 0:39:38And they've got the miniatures with them.

0:39:38 > 0:39:40Yes. That's important, as well.

0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Interest in the lot.- Good, good! - I'm bid £60 straight off.

0:39:44 > 0:39:46With me at 60. Five. 70. Five.

0:39:46 > 0:39:4980. 85.

0:39:49 > 0:39:51- 90. Five. - Lots of people bidding.- Going!

0:39:51 > 0:39:54100. £100 there. At £100.

0:39:54 > 0:39:56110 there, fresh bidding. 120.

0:39:56 > 0:39:59- 30. 140.- Over our top estimate!

0:39:59 > 0:40:0260. 70. 180. 190.

0:40:02 > 0:40:04No? 190 in the middle of the room. 190.

0:40:04 > 0:40:06Fresh bidding, 200. 210?

0:40:06 > 0:40:08No? £200 there. 200.

0:40:08 > 0:40:12Anybody else? At £200, at the bar. For £200. You all done?

0:40:12 > 0:40:15£200 and going, then. 470. Thank you.

0:40:15 > 0:40:19Wow! What a terrific result! What do you make of that, Anna?

0:40:19 > 0:40:22- That's really, really good.- £200,

0:40:22 > 0:40:26for your great-grandfather's war medals.

0:40:26 > 0:40:29Well, I think it's great. You can't put a price on bravery,

0:40:29 > 0:40:32but that was a pretty good attempt. And worth every penny.

0:40:32 > 0:40:35There's no doubt that that excellent final sale

0:40:35 > 0:40:38has made all the difference to Amanda's total.

0:40:38 > 0:40:41'So, time to reveal the final sum!'

0:40:41 > 0:40:45I did tell you the second half would be a lot more fun and exciting

0:40:45 > 0:40:47than the first half,

0:40:47 > 0:40:51because we had all that wonderful World War I memorabilia.

0:40:51 > 0:40:55The medals - were you amazed that they went for £200?

0:40:55 > 0:40:58- Yeah, definitely!- That was a terrific result, wasn't it?

0:40:58 > 0:41:01And then, of course, Grandfather's sword.

0:41:01 > 0:41:06£95. Well, it has all added up to a wonderful total,

0:41:06 > 0:41:09which is actually more than the £500 that you wanted,

0:41:09 > 0:41:11which means you can have the £500 holiday,

0:41:11 > 0:41:15and you'll have some left over to spend on the new granddaughter,

0:41:15 > 0:41:18because your grand total is...

0:41:18 > 0:41:20- £688!- Oh, wow!

0:41:20 > 0:41:22Oh, good!

0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Have you ever been to an auction before?- No.

0:41:25 > 0:41:28- What's this experience been like? - Brilliant.

0:41:28 > 0:41:32Well, £688 - that's a full 188 more than you expected.

0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Have a great party!- Thank you. - Absolutely. Well done.

0:41:39 > 0:41:44Amanda certainly hasn't let the grass grow under her feet.

0:41:44 > 0:41:48She's already booked that birthday treat for her husband Andrew.

0:41:48 > 0:41:50'We're going to Cyprus.

0:41:50 > 0:41:53'My husband's been there when he was in the forces,

0:41:53 > 0:41:56'so it's like going back in time for him.'

0:41:56 > 0:41:59I can't wait! I wish it was this weekend we were going.

0:41:59 > 0:42:02That's the two dips, the red-pepper hummus.

0:42:02 > 0:42:06Whenever they visit new places, they like to sample the local cuisine,

0:42:06 > 0:42:10so Amanda's come to a Cypriot restaurant for a taste of things to come.

0:42:10 > 0:42:14This is very nice. It's lamb, some spices. Very nice.

0:42:14 > 0:42:17I'd like to make it myself.

0:42:17 > 0:42:21'The dips - well, that's the first time I've tried hummus,

0:42:21 > 0:42:26'and I will, er, put it on my menu in the house from now on.'

0:42:26 > 0:42:28If it's like this out there, I'll be fine.

0:42:41 > 0:42:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd