White Cash in the Attic

Hello, welcome to Cash In The Attic.

Often someone in the family is mad-keen on collecting, but there comes a time when enough is enough.

That's the case with the lady I'm about to meet.

She's hoping that amongst her items, and there are plenty, there'll be some treasure. Let's find out.

Coming up on Cash In The Attic,

a rare collection of 17th-century porcelain that tickles our expert's fancy.

-This is the genuine article.

-Oh, it is.

Wonderful.

And a modern copy of the Little Domesday Book,

that divides opinion when valued.

-How about that?

-I'd never tell you your business, but I don't think we'll get that.

I love a lady that puts Jonty in his place.

It should happen more often, it really should.

So whose prediction will prove right on auction day?

-Got there.

-Well done.

-We can all relax.

We got there.

Find out with the final crack of the gavel.

Today I'm in Lowestoft on my way to meet a family

who are hoping their big clearout

will raise enough money for a dream holiday to a musical state. Ah-ha-ha.

Meet music fanatic Eileen White, originally from Ireland.

She moved to England at 18 before marrying Roger, a sergeant-major in the Army.

When he retired, the couple settled here in Lowestoft,

and Eileen set up a cleaning business

which is now run by their grown-up children David and Cathy.

After a lifetime of collecting,

Eileen's decided to part with some of her treasures

to fund a trip she's been longing to make.

With help from her son David,

and our very own all-singing, all-dancing antiques expert Jonty Hearnden,

we're hoping to make Eileen's dream a reality.

-You must be Eileen.

-Oh, I am, yes.

-Nice to meet you.

-Who's this fellow?

-This is my son, David.

-How are you?

-Nice to meet you.

So why have you called in the Cash In The Attic team?

Well, I'd like to visit Graceland and see Elvis's grave,

and I'd like to go to Nashville for some good country music.

So I'd like to raise some money to do that.

I've got so much stuff cluttering up the place. What can I do?

-Cash In The Attic.

-You're a wise lady. We're always the best bet.

How do you feel about Mum wanting to go to Elvis's home?

Er, I can think of better things to do with the money.

I knew you were going to say that! How much do you need?

Well, £1,000 would be brilliant.

Eileen's been planning her pilgrimage to Graceland for years.

But for now, the King and his palace will have to wait.

There's someone a lot closer to home for us to look up to.

-Eileen, meet the tallest man in the antique world.

-Eileen, hi.

-Oh dear, yeah, somebody get me a chair.

-You need one with him.

I've found these three baskets,

but I suspect you know exactly where they're from.

Oh, I do, yes, I do.

Go on then, tell us.

They're from County Fermanagh, from the Belleek factory in Ireland.

Am I right in assuming you're a collector of Belleek?

Yes, I am, to a certain extent now. I did collect an awful lot more

and I've got boxes of it, but it's time to move some of them on.

Belleek is very popular.

It was very, very desirable 15 years ago,

but the market has somewhat waned on some Belleek,

and that's simply because it's very, very delicate, very fussy.

Now, a little basket like this really does look like a basket.

It doesn't look like porcelain at all, it's so fine.

And this will have been made, because it's first-mark,

the mark we've got on the underside here, between 1863 and 1890,

Whereas this one here is a lot later, a lot later mark on the back.

These are relatively contemporary. This one's the star of the show.

-The real deal.

-For all three, we're looking between £150 and £200.

Are you happy about that?

Oh, yes, I've known for some time

that Belleek will not realise the prices it did, even five or seven years ago.

I don't want it sitting around, hoping the prices are coming back.

I would just rather shift it now.

This is a lady who knows exactly what she wants, and she wants it now.

£150 is a good start, isn't it?

-Yes, if I could have it yesterday, I'd be delighted.

-She's trouble.

Come on, let's carry on rummaging. We need to get you to Nashville.

I don't think we're going to have any trouble persuading Eileen to part with her collectibles.

She heads for the bedroom and digs out three ladies' wrist-watches,

all by the Swiss watchmaker Roamer.

She bought them at a charity auction.

and Jonty thinks they could add another £80 to £120 to the kitty.

You might want to take a look at this.

A tantalus. Where was this from?

Um, I think Eileen bought it in an antiques fair in about 1998.

She wanted things that reminded her of growing up, and I think my nan had one.

Do you know how old this is?

By the looks of it, around about the '20s, maybe?

I would suggest this is just pre the First World War.

The quality is there to be Edwardian.

After the 1920s, people really,

I suppose, put their drinks in cocktail cabinets,

so fashions for tantalus like this had waned.

Whereas in the late 19th century and early 20th century,

um, often alcohol was served and displayed

in tantaluses just like this. They're always under lock and key.

I noticed that. I'm assuming it's because, well,

that maybe the servants or something couldn't get to it.

You're absolutely right.

It's a really good thing to put in the sale

because they're always good sellers.

We're looking at £80 to £120 here.

-She'll be pleased with that.

-I'll drink to that, too.

Oh, no, I can't, on second thoughts. Excellent, let's find some more.

As the search continues, Eileen's busy making finds,

and I head out to the garage,

where I find a collection of books, including an encyclopaedia,

and a set of bound copies of the Strand Magazine.

Jonty thinks they could fetch £50 to £75.

In the kitchen, David digs out another piece of Belleek.

This time, a 19th-century kettle in the shape of a sea urchin.

Jonty hopes it'll make £100 to £150 when it goes under the hammer.

Oh, there you are, Eileen.

-Here I am.

-Looking at your jewellery.

The jewellery I no longer want,

and I've hardly ever worn, and I think it's time for it to go.

We've got these two pieces. One's a brooch, one's a bracelet.

I bought these in Harrods.

Apart from the fact I love teddy bears,

I play accordion occasionally.

But when you put it on there, it bangs against the keys,

and they can damage the keys, so, sadly, the teddy bear's got to go.

This is a lovely piece, as well. It's to be worn up on a shoulder.

-Looks better against black.

-Look at that.

-Lovely diamante stones.

-Pretty, isn't it?

They are costume jewellery.

-Can we put this into the auction?

-Oh, yes.

It's not going to be worn so it's a shame to leave it around.

We'll put Mr Lion back in the box.

This has caught my eye. Tell me about this bracelet.

I bought that at an auction in Acle, oh, about four or five years ago.

Let me just pick this up and have a look.

I think it's nine-carat gold, or 18 carat. I'm not sure.

-But it's white and blue sapphires.

-That really is very charming.

If this is all to go to the auction,

I think, conservatively we're looking at £250, £350.

And hopefully, we'll get a lot more than that.

A promising valuation, Jonty,

but will his hopes for the jewellery become a reality?

180. 190.

200. 220.

-I can't believe that.

-I have 240.

We'll find out soon if this bidding frenzy continues.

GAVEL BANGS

We're making really good progress today,

and have already discovered collectibles with a potential auction value of £610.

So as we're more than halfway towards our target,

I think it's a good opportunity to learn a bit more about the lady of the house.

-Music means everything to you, doesn't it?

-Yes, I couldn't live without it.

I couldn't get through the day without music,

even if it's only listening to music or singing along.

Where does that love come from?

My grandmother played harmonium,

my grandfather played clarinet in the Dorsetshire Regiment.

And their daughter, my mum, was a fabulous classical pianist.

My father was a wonderful, wonderful tenor.

So that was their love of music brought them together.

When I was 18 and I didn't have a boyfriend,

he would take me out with him on a Saturday night

to the various pubs in Dundalk,

and say, "The daughter's going to play and I'll sing."

I used to play sing-along stuff and big-band sound

from the '40s and '30s and '50s.

Then I got into rock and roll,

Johnny B Goode, Frankie And Johnny, Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock.

So what would it mean to you to get to Graceland?

Well, Cathy went to Graceland a few years ago

and brought me back the book about it.

She said, "Mum, you've got to go. You loved Elvis."

I was the right age when Elvis came along. He was my pop idol.

There's no doubting Eileen's passion for music,

but it's enthusiasm for rummaging we need today.

We throw ourselves straight back into the search

and dig out an album of photos,

which Eileen picked up from a car-boot sale for just £2!

Jonty thinks it was a canny investment,

and gives them a £20 to £40 price tag.

David continues his search upstairs,

finding a Worcester tea bowl and saucer,

and a transfer-printed saucer from the late 18th century.

Jonty thinks they could make upwards of £180.

Tell you what, the goodies are just pouring in.

Jonty, I'd like you to have a look at these.

Got a bit of washing up?

Yes, but it's not for a dishwasher. It's Lowestoft porcelain.

Wonderful.

How exciting to find Lowestoft porcelain in Lowestoft.

-That is perfect 18th-century stuff.

-Yeah.

Where's this from?

I bought the three items at an auction in the town,

about, ooh, eight or nine years ago.

Now, by definition, Lowestoft porcelain is over 200 years old

because the factory closed at the end of the 18th century.

So in the late 18th century or in the 18th century,

British ceramics were really inspired by the Orient.

That's why the decoration on the outside looks like it's Chinese.

Because that's where all ceramics came from.

It was only at the beginning of the 18th century

that we in this part of the world understand how to make porcelain.

These are very, very desirable objects.

Because they're so rare.

Let's assess their value.

I notice we've got a little hairline fracture.

-There is. I bought it like that.

-Which will affect its value.

For the smaller bowl, we're looking at £150, £200 at auction.

For our damaged jug, the same sort of price, £150, £200.

But for our larger, six-inch bowl here,

what, £200 to £300.

So if you add all that up, that's a bare minimum,

£500, possibly even on a good day, £700.

Has that put a smile on your face?

Big smile. That gets me a couple of steps nearer to Graceland.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Eileen.

This bodes well, and haven't we entered a real Aladdin's cave today?

Upstairs, David's looking through an impressive collection of rings,

and picks out two to add to our auction haul.

One is an 18-carat gold diamond crossover,

while the other is a nine-carat gold with a claw-set centre.

They'll be heading off to auction with a price tag of £180 to £220.

Jonty's having a final look upstairs

and decides to add this old teddy to our growing list of items for sale.

Manufactured in Germany, it's known as a Growler

because it's supposed to talk when shaken.

Well, er, this one doesn't. It's obviously tongue-tied.

It should still make £40 to £60.

Jonty Hearnden, this is your life.

-Have you ever seen anything so big? Check this out.

-My life story's not that big.

Eileen, why have you got the Domesday Book?

That's a good question.

Well, because my mother's people came from Clare in Suffolk,

and I live in Suffolk, I'm researching the family.

I thought I'd get the Domesday Book to see if we went that far back.

So I scouted through it, found nothing, put it away,

and forgot about it.

Well, it's interesting that here, we've got a copy of Little Domesday.

When this was commissioned by William the Conqueror, in 1086,

20 years after that very famous invasion,

there were in fact two books written at the same time.

One was called Little Domesday,

and that's of modern-day East Anglia.

The rest is of England.

So if we look on the inside here,

this is a replica of the actual document itself.

So are you now willing to part with this?

I have to part with it. I've got a computer instead.

Oh, how modern you are, Eileen.

It is in very good condition.

I think if we were to put something like £150, £250 as an estimate,

I wouldn't be surprised if we made more than that.

I would never tell you your business but I don't think we'll get that.

-Really?

-I love a lady that puts Jonty in his place.

It should happen more often, it really should.

Our rummage has come to an end. Is it all doom and gloom?

You wanted to raise £1,000 to get you to the States.

I can tell you, if we take Jonty's lowest estimate

on all the items that we found today,

we're hopefully going to raise something in the region of £1,780.

-So almost double.

-Very nice.

That'll get me more than one night in the Heartbreak Hotel.

It will, won't it? Oh, yes, it will.

Now, that's what I call one satisfied customer.

We've seen quite a performance, and not just in terms of antiques.

Hoping to rock the crowd at auction,

we have three highly decorative, yet incredibly fragile porcelain baskets.

valued at £150 to £200.

The rich assortment of jewellery

that includes the stunning diamond and blue sapphire bracelet.

So let's hope they'll dazzle the bidders,

and we exceed their £250 to £350 estimate.

And the amazing collection of 18th century Lowestoft porcelain.

With an estimate of £500 to £700,

they could guarantee that Eileen will be singing all the way to Memphis.

Still to come on Cash In The Attic,

we see another side to Jonty Hearnden.

Isn't he masterful when he uses his voice like that?

Yeah, can you move?

But not even our experts can thaw the frosty reception

that some of our items receive.

I think a few people are just here to keep warm.

They're not doing anything.

Will Eileen get through the sale without being all shook up?

Find out when the hammer finally falls.

GAVEL BANGS

That was a fantastic rummage. Let's hope for an equally good auction.

We've brought Eileen's items to TW Gaze in Norfolk.

She's hoping to raise £1,000 for that dream trip to Graceland, Elvis's home.

Let's hope the eager bidders are here.

This popular auction house close to the centre of Diss

has been holding regular sales for over 150 years.

There's a strong turn-out today. Hopefully, that's a good sign.

Eileen and David have arrived,

and they've already found their highest-valued lot in the sale room.

Eileen, don't drop that. It will break Jonty's heart.

All he's gone on about is this bowl. Steady on.

-Are you looking forward to selling it?

-Yes.

I've enjoyed it and it's time to let go. I've got other pieces.

We don't have to wait long for our first lot of the day.

It's a collection of photographs, if you remember,

which Eileen bought for £2.

We're hoping for at least £20.

Ten is bid. 12. 15.

18. 20, I have.

Two, 25. Eight, 30.

35, new bidder.

35's downstairs. Eight, anyone else?

Lift the hammer at £35 a bid. Eight, is there now anyone else?

Sell away at £35.

GAVEL BANGS

-That's a steal!

-That's good.

But how much did you pay for that?

£2.

"It's a steal", she says.

Eileen may think that's cheap,

but it's still a mighty return on her initial investment.

All in all, a pretty good result.

Now, I wonder what the room will make of her teddy. He's called Growler.

Jonty, I look around and don't see many children, so who's going to buy the teddy bear?

But it's not children, it's adults that buy them to collect.

What did you pay for it?

About 10p in our money.

10p. Well, we should make a profit on this one. Let's find out.

25, eight, 30.

32, 35, eight's away from me at £38 on my left.

40, new bidder.

42, 45, 48.

50.

50. Five, anyone else?

We're doing quite well on that 10p investment.

At £50.

GAVEL BANGS

-£50.

-Well done, that's fabulous.

-He's going to a happy home.

-You're not growling now, are you?

No, I'm not growling now.

Nor should you be, as he sells bang in the middle of Jonty's estimate.

Next up is the collection of books. We're looking for £50 to £75.

All the volumes, there you see it. Is there 22, anyone?

22, 25, 28, 30.

At £30 it is. Two, anyone else?

At just the £30. 32, 35.

Any advance anywhere?

-GAVEL BANGS

-No, can't quite sell those.

Casualty. Unsold.

-Oh dear.

-Didn't sell.

Despite some interest in the room,

the auctioneer felt they were worth more than the bidders were offering.

And it's the same story with the tantalus, which also falls short.

At just £40, I'll take two on the tantalus at £40 a bid.

Now two, is there?

45, 48, 50. Five.

60 here. Take five, is there? £60 a bid with me now.

Five, is there anyone else? Tantalus. Surely more. At £60.

GAVEL BANGS

-Can't quite sell that one.

-It's unsold. It's unsold.

Two no-sales in a row means we need a good result.

Could the three ladies' watches by Swiss manufacturer Roamer

trigger a change in our fortunes that we so desperately need?

I do have interest on my sheets.

It is low, though, and it starts me at £50.

I'll take five. 50 is bid. Five anywhere?

Five, I've got. 60? 65. 70.

Five is yours.

£75, selling away. Any advance?

GAVEL BANGS

We have a sale.

That's the thing is getting the sale.

Thank goodness for that.

a much-needed addition to the Memphis holiday fund.

The bidders do seem to be acting very cautiously with their cash today

but maybe they're saving it for something really special.

How about this highly decorative kettle from the Emerald Isle?

Five, 60, five, 70.

Five, 80, five, 90.

Five, 100.

-It's gone.

-10, 120.

30 is yours. 130 bid, gallery.

-40 anywhere?

-That's good.

-Yes.

140? 150. 160.

-That's really good news.

-170.

Do you want 180 in purple?

180, new bidder downstairs.

It's 180 down here. Take 90, are you sure?

We will sell away at £180.

GAVEL BANGS

I knew if the right people were here, Belleek would fly.

And fly it did, selling for £30 over the higher estimate.

We're halfway through the sale, but with just £340 in the kitty,

we're a long way off our £1,000 target for Eileen's stateside trip

So let's hope our luck improves.

If you're thinking of trying your hand at buying or selling at auction,

bear in mind that commission will be added to your bill.

Your local auction house will be able to advise you on the details hidden in the small print.

Our sale continues with the not-so-Little Domesday Book.

65 bid. 70 anywhere?

70, five, 80, five,

90, five, 100, 110. 20, 130?

One more, surely, at 130? I'll take 40.

-£130 a bid, 40, I'll take.

-Come on.

£130 now, is there 40, anyone else?

At £130, can't quite sell that one.

The top bid was £120. Shall we sell?

-Yes.

-Mr Auctioneer, can we sell at £120, please?

Certainly, if you're happy to do so.

£120, sir?

-£120.

-Thank you for doing that.

-Saved the day.

Isn't he masterful when he uses his voice like that?

-Yeah, I'm standing over there. Can you move?

-Very powerful.

Well done, Jonty. That saves Eileen from having to carry that enormous book home.

Plus the sale gives our Memphis holiday fund a much-needed boost.

From the bulkiest of our lots to the daintiest.

And we're hoping the Belleek buyers from earlier are still in the room.

We're looking for upwards of £150 for the three baskets.

Next up, the three Balleek baskets. Very delicate, Jonty.

That's Belleek for you.

As you see, we're at 60, I'll take five.

60 is bid. Five anywhere? Belleek at £60 a bid.

Five, I'll take. £60. £65, £70,

five, £80,

five, £90,

five, £100?

-Oh, here we go.

-120.

Take five if it helps. 125, it is. At 125.

130? 130 it is. I'll take 40. Away from me, then at 130.

Is there 40 now?

GAVEL BANGS

-Got there in the end. Happy?

-Yeah, I'm happy, yeah, I am.

-They're gone.

-That's not bad, is it?

You know, I had such high hopes for those baskets.

Still, Eileen is happy with £130,

and that's what counts the most. It's more porcelain up next,

this time by the ever-collectable manufacturer Worcester.

Jonty valued the collection at an impressive £180 to £220,

and Eileen has decided to protect it with a £180 reserve.

The ceramics are there at £90 now. Five, is there?

Surely at five. £100?

That's £100. All quiet at £100? Surely more. £100.

-GAVEL BANGS

-That's ridiculous. It hasn't sold.

Ouch. We weren't expecting that.

Today's sale is proving to be anything but predictable,

so it's anyone's guess how the bidders will take to our collection of jewellery.

The auction house has chosen

to sell Eileen's sapphire and diamond bracelet as a stand-alone piece,

so this lot now contains just her costume jewellery,

with a revised estimate of £80 to £120.

It's on my left standing at £95. Any advance anywhere?

-GAVEL BANGS

-£95, it is.

That's within estimate,

and a good sign that the jewellery collectors are in attendance.

What will they make of Eileen's gold rings?

We're hoping they'll at least reach their lower estimate of £180.

And it's also the reserve.

At just £90, at five, £100, take ten.

Surely more, at just £100.

-GAVEL BANGS

-We can't quite let that go.

There are quite a few people just here to keep warm, to be honest.

For someone with four unsold lots to take home,

Eileen is still smiling, bless her.

She has just two lots left to sell,

and our Graceland travel fund is a long way from being met.

So the pressure is now on

for us to make this crowd sit up and pay attention.

It's time to unveil the name of Lowestoft.

At just £300 on the Lowestoft there.

We start at £300, I'll take £20 anywhere.

£340, £360, £380.

380 is with me. 400, I'll take at 380 bid.

400 now is there? Surely more?

440. 460.

-480.

-It's going.

-I have 500.

I'll take 20 if it helps. At £500.

-520.

-They're on the telephone.

560 is on the phone. My bids are out. At 560, is there 80, anyone else?

At £560 a bid. Any advance anywhere?

At £560 we'll sell away to the phone. Any advance, anyone?

GAVEL BANGS

-Got there.

-Well done!

-We can all relax.

We got there.

We can relax for him. It's you we were worried about.

-Thank you, darling.

-Don't worry about him. He knows what he's doing.

That's debatable.

I'm not sure about Eileen, but I had my heart in my mouth for that sale.

But it's a great result,

and we take a massive step forward towards our target.

There's just one lot left to sell before we can relax.

It's the stunning diamond and sapphire bracelet,

now offered as a stand-alone piece.

Jonty thinks very highly of it,

and we're looking for upwards of £170.

There we are, super piece this, as you see it.

And bids are in.

140, 150, 160.

170, 180

190, 200, 220.

-I can't believe that.

-220 bid, I have 240.

250. 260? 260 is bid.

270, 280.

-I want it back now.

-No!

-280 is here with me.

At 90, anyone else? 280 I have.

90, I'll take, as you see them. All done?

GAVEL BANGS

-I'm speechless.

-Amazing, isn't it?

-Tell me again what that was.

-£280.

Talk about finishing off our sale on a high.

What an incredible result.

I never thought I'd see the day, but yes, Eileen is speechless.

But not for much longer,

as it's time to reveal just how well we've done

at the end of a memorable sale.

-It's been a roller-coaster.

-Real highs and lows as well.

Absolutely.

You wanted £1,000 to go to Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee.

Um, I can tell you that you can go, and come back, and maybe go again.

You've raised £1,525.

-WAHEY!

-Isn't that brilliant?

-Well done.

-Thank you so much.

You see, you can go now, whether you want to or not.

Having recovered from the thrills of her day at auction,

Eileen is at home in Lowestoft

putting the finishing touches to her travel plans

and the pilgrimage to Graceland in Memphis USA.

We plan to visit Elvis's grave. That's the big thing for me.

I was a huge Elvis fan,

and never had the opportunity, like so many people, to see him.

And have some great memories.

If you want to raise money and you've got antiques at home,

why not apply to be on our programme?

Just fill out a form on our website.

Good luck. We'll see you next time on Cash In The Attic.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd