Kidd Cash in the Attic

Welcome to Cash In The Attic, the show that takes your unwanted antiques and sells them at auction.

Today, we're going to be helping a family raise money for a rather special renovation.

'Coming up on Cash In The Attic,

'our expert James tells us what Doulton were once famous for.'

Sanitary wear. They were making things like sewerage pipes and loos and things like that!

'And his musical interlude.'

-You can do your very own Jingle Bells.

-We did try!

Santa's Sleigh might be a bit more difficult!

'And will our auction prove as enchanting as he hopes?'

-Just wave the magic wand. It'll be fine.

-I've brought him as your fairy godfather.

'Stay with us until the final hammer falls.'

Today, I've come to Hemel Hempstead

to help a mum give her son a place of his own.

'Sandra Kidd has one son, Daniel, who's 16 years old.

'He's been almost entirely home-schooled by his mum and only recently started going to college,

'doing a life skills course. He now wants more independence

'at home, so we've been called in.

'On hand to help with the rummage today is Sandra's mother, Rita,

'and joining me is expert valuer James Rylands,

'who used to work for Sotheby's.

'While he sets to work, I head off to meet our hosts.'

-Good morning. Hello. You must be Daniel.

-Yes, that's me.

-What are you doing behind there?

-Gingerbread men.

-Making gingerbread men.

-Yes.

-Can I have one later?

-Yes, you can.

-Thank you. Now, who called in Cash In The Attic?

-I did.

-Ah, OK.

-So why did you call us in?

-Because we wanted to raise some money

to give Dan a new log cabin for a den.

Dan, tell me about your log cabin and what you want it to be like.

-Do you want it to be big or small?

-Big.

-Right.

-Yes.

-Do you want a sign on the door saying "Keep Out"?

-Yes!

-I've already been barred!

-Have you?

-Yes.

-Aww!

-How much are you looking for us to help raise?

-If we could get

£500 or anything really

to help towards it, £500 upwards would be nice.

'Well, I can see there are lots of bits and bobs dotted around here.

'It's taken James no time to find his first find of the day.'

James, the others are looking for items, but you've found something.

I've found quite a nice collection of jugs. Where did they come from?

-My grandparents, from both sides.

-Both sides.

-Yes.

-Which one do you think is your favourite?

-Erm... This little one.

-Good girl!

You have actually chosen the nicest of all.

It's actually made by Doulton, which in terms of 19th-century ceramics,

is probably one of THE most famous names.

They did start in the early part of the 19th century

with a John Doulton, but they weren't really well known

particularly for this sort of decorative wear.

-Do you know what they made most of?

-No.

-Sanitary wear.

They were making things like sewage pipes and loos and things like that,

which was a big necessity then, but later on in the 19th century,

they started making art pottery and I can sort of date it

because on the bottom, it's got Doulton Lambeth,

and I know that in 1901, they got given a Royal warrant

and after that, they called themselves Royal Doulton.

Probably 1880s, 1890s, something like that. But very collectable.

We've actually got a big collection here

that goes right the way through from blue and white in the 1850s

through to 1900, then these Art Deco jugs up at the top.

-I'm going to put something like £50-£100 on the whole lot.

-OK.

-Anything helps.

-Look at it this way, it's another log in Dan's cabin!

-That's what's important.

-He'll be volunteering to build it.

-I'm not a lumberjack, let me tell you.

'Rita's searching one of the bedrooms and comes across an old box which needs a closer look.

'It contains a Magic Lantern, a forerunner of the slide projector,

'plus a small collection of slides.

'Magic Lanterns have been entertaining people for hundreds of years,

'but this German model is from the early 20th century.

'Rita's husband remembers it being in his family since he was a child.

'The estimate for auction is £40-£60.'

-Ooh, what have you got there?

-It was an old picture

that was in my mother-in-law's loft, but it was all in pieces

and we had it professionally put together

and that is how it is now, but we've never really been able

to find out really much about it.

Very interesting. It's certainly got some age to it.

I'm just looking because I can actually see a tiny signature

at the bottom, but even with my glass,

it's very difficult to read.

Basically, it's a nice marine scene

and would probably have been painted in the middle of the 19th century.

-So it's 150 years old.

-Yes.

-Now, do you like it?

Yes, I do. You've got to really look at it to see the detail.

But in a way, that's the joy of a picture like this

because there's lots going on, it absorbs the interest.

So value-wise, I think as a nameless picture

without an attribution, I still think we'd be talking about

-between £100-£200.

-Oh, that's a start, isn't it?

'But as the artist's signature is difficult to see,

'will it put the bidders off?'

140. 150. 160. 170. 180. 190. 200. 210...

'Clearly not! Find out how much it makes later on.'

-..pounds.

-GAVEL THUDS

'As the search in Hertfordshire continues,

'we decide to tackle one room each to make sure every object is thoroughly examined.

'And with five pairs of eyes and hands at work here,

'nothing will escape our notice.

'In a wardrobe, Rita recognises a patchwork quilt,

'which has been in her Dad's family for years.

'He remembers it being on his bed when he was a child.

'They think it must be over 100 years old. It's handmade and large,

'so there are many hours of work gone into making it. It could raise £30-£50 at auction.

'Going by James's lowest estimate so far,

'we stand to make £220 towards that new log cabin for Daniel,

'so we still have quite a way to go.

'Daniel is Sandra's youngest son.

'She and husband Stuart have five children between them.

'They're all very supportive of the plan to set him up with a new den.'

As the others are looking around, I thought I'd catch up with you.

Firstly, Daniel, behind you there, is that your den?

-Yes.

-Is it? It's a very nice, big room, isn't it?

-Yes.

-What sort of things do you get up to in there?

-I like to make things.

-Yes, your mum was saying you like to make things.

-Yes.

-And you've started college recently.

-Yes.

-What's that like?

-It's nice.

-Do you enjoy it?

-I enjoy it.

-Because your mum taught you at home for a long time.

-Yes.

-Do you miss your mum?

-Yes.

-Yes. Miss lots.

-Aww!

So the den, obviously you've got something there at the moment,

-what's wrong with what you've got? Why do you need this new one?

-It's falling apart.

He couldn't go up in it this winter, I don't think.

I don't think it would last. It smells damp as well, which wouldn't be good for his chest.

-What would you like to replace it with?

-We've looked at log cabins

because they're insulated better.

And hopefully, he'll have it more as a grown-up space.

It's his bit of independence. He can move things where he wants,

without me telling him off for moving my furniture around,

but we can also keep an eye on him, what's happening and where he is.

'We obviously need to get a move on

'if we're going to get that den for Daniel.

'Luckily, James isn't one to let the grass grow under his feet.

'He's taken a shine to this sizable collection of blue and gold banded crockery.

'It's part of a dinner service made by Myott and Son,

'which was a wedding gift to Sandra's Nan.

'There are similar pieces by Grimwades and Wedgwood.

'Some of them are chipped but the collection is so large, it gets an estimate

'of £80-£120.'

Now, Rita, I'm sure you're quite used to silver service,

so look what I've found here.

This is inscribed "RJ Ward, to commemorate 25 years' service

"with the Rickett family, 9th February 1971."

-What's that all about?

-That's my father.

He was a gardener to this big house and he grew wonderful flowers

and it was a huge garden, he did all the vegetables and everything for the family.

He must have worked very hard for them to give him a silver salver, which is what this is.

He must have done. I can just see the hallmark here.

It's hallmarked in Birmingham in 1967,

but I can see... CSG - that's Charles S Green & Co,

the name of the company that made this. And they were...

They started actually in about 1905.

It was a real nice, small family business

because Charles's wife Winifred did all the company's early designs.

The idea of these silver salvers go way back to the 17th century

when they first became popular, but they were a real status symbol.

It's got a bit of weight to it, which is good

because silver is quite expensive at the moment.

I'd probably expect this to be worth £40-£60, something like that.

-Are you happy with that?

-Yes. Yes, I am.

It's more money in the pot. Let's see what else we can find.

'Sandra's grandfather was really well liked by his employers

'and she's come across some more solid silver items given to him.

'This hip flask has the initials of his employer engraved on it.

'There's an inkwell too. They're hallmarked in Sheffield in the '30s.

'The estimate for the two together is £70-£100.

'I spot an old wireless in the lounge.

'It's been in Sandra's father's family since the 1940s

'and still works, so they don't want to let it go.'

-BELLS RING

-Sounds like I'm in church!

What's going on here?

-Ringing some bells!

-Where did they all come from?

My Dad, he was a builder. He was converting a large house into flats.

And these were going to be thrown away,

so he was going to put some wooden handles on them,

so I could play with them. I just got to play with them.

-Do you know what they were used for?

-He said they were servants' bells.

I don't know whether the biggest bell was for the most important person in the house or...

In the big Victorian house, you'd have the servants' quarters,

which would be downstairs and then there would be a board up

with the names of each reception room or bedroom or whatever it was

and then a bell underneath, so if the lady of the house

was in the green drawing room and she required tea in the afternoon, she'd ring the bell

and a complicated system of wires

would go down, it would ring and then the parlour maid or butler

-would go upstairs. Do you like these, Dan? Do you play with them?

-Yes, I do.

-What do they remind you of?

-They're like Jingle Bells.

-Jingle Bells.

-You could do your very own Jingle Bells!

-We did try.

Santa's sleigh might be a bit more difficult,

but they're good fun and I think we'll put them at £20-£40,

knowing that there's a bit of a project here for somebody

because somebody will either rig them up, or just like your dad

nearly got round to doing, putting wooden handles on them.

'Sandra's father, Eric, apparently built the house she grew up in,

'so it's no wonder he never managed to put the handles on those bells.

'He also collected antique golf clubs with hickory shafts.

'These were made before 1935

'when steel shafts took over in popularity.

'There are more than 20 here, many from car boot sales.

'They could prove a hit in the sale room with an estimate of £50-£75.'

Ooh, you've discovered me. I'm guilty. I've got your all your jewellery out here, Sandra!

You've got quite a little stash here. Where does it come from?

It's just a little box that came from my nan's.

You've got quite a collection here. What have we got? One, two...

three, four watches, and basically they all date

to the early part of the 20th century.

Although they're interesting, that's not really where the value is.

It's actually the gold I'm interested in here.

I've had a quick rootle through here

and you've got all this broken jewellery,

but the good news is that it's all hallmarked. 18 carat gold, that one.

This, I was looking at, which is the Albert or the watch chain...

-So where did this come from?

-That belonged to my granddad.

Your grandfather. Well, every one of those links is 9 carat gold.

The good news, for you, is that gold is doing very well at the moment.

And the fact that a lot of it is broken doesn't matter.

-We're probably looking at £250-£350.

-Wow! That's a few logs.

-That is a few logs, even the odd window for Daniel's log cabin!

-That's right, yeah.

So although it doesn't look much,

-it's funny, that's proved to be a real...gold mine.

-Hello!

-Oh, there you are!

-You've found some gold, I hear.

-We have. You know, all that glitters IS gold! We like that.

-That's great.

We wanted to raise £500, didn't we? And it's all for your den, isn't it?

-Yes.

-It's going to cost more, so if we made any extra, that'd be good.

So you might be pleased to hear

-the value of everything going to auction comes to...£730.

-Oh, good!

-Gosh!

-Half a den, nearly.

-Yes, absolutely.

-Maybe it'll be a DIY den!

One with lots of windows!

'We've found some fascinating pieces and I hope they all sell well.

'There's a German made Magic Lantern

'which Rita's husband remembers being in his family for many years.

'£40-£60 is the projected figure.

'And there's the 1930's hip flask and inkwell,

'which were given to Rita's father when he worked as a gardener

'for a large house. They're both solid silver

'and should reach their £70-£100 estimate.

'And James really liked the 19th century nautical painting,

'which came from Rita's mother-in-law.

'We couldn't make out the artist's name, but it could reach £100

'when it goes before the bidders.

'Still to come on Cash In The Attic, one of our sales leaves Sandra floored.'

-Have we really sold it for £35?

-I think swings and roundabouts.

-How do you feel?

-Gutted! Absolutely gutted!

'But another lot goes through the roof.'

-Higher, higher, higher!

-410.

420. 450. 460...

'We're in for a roller-coaster ride until the final hammer falls.'

It's been a few months since we saw Sandra, Rita and, of course, Daniel,

and they were looking to make money so Daniel can get a place of his own

at the bottom of the garden.

We've brought them here to Sworders auction house in Stansted Mountfitchet,

so let's just hope the buyers help us achieve our goal.

'This Essex auction house holds regular general sales.

'The treasures that Sandra, Rita and Daniel have brought along should fit in well, including the jewellery.

'but it looks like one of the gold chains we found won't be going under the hammer.'

-I see you're wearing what's one of our lot numbers.

-Ooh, that's our star lot!

-I did say

-I wasn't sure.

-So you've decided to keep it.

-Yes.

I took Daniel on holiday and I played bingo a couple of evenings and I won twice.

-Did you? How much did you win?

-£275.

-I thought you were going to say millions for a moment.

-Anyway, £275, so you decided to keep it.

-I'm going to keep it and hand it down to my daughter.

-I don't blame you. That's really nice.

-Bingo necklace.

-Absolutely!

-You look nervous. Are you worried?

-Only that we won't sell anything.

Don't worry, Sandra. Just wave the magic wand. It'll be fine.

I've brought him as your fairy godfather, so we'll be fine!

Right, come this way and we'll get into position. I know. Come on.

'If James can't work his magic, perhaps Sandra's luck will rub off on us today.

'It's eyes down for a full house when our first lot goes up -

'that solid silver salver, assayed in Birmingham and given to Daniel's great-granddad on his retirement.'

We want £40-£60. Do you think it will sell for that, Daniel?

-Yes? Good!

-Confidence, that's what we like!

At 55. 60. 5. 70. 5. 80. 5.

-90. 5. 100.

-Woah!

-£100, I'm bid. I'll take 10, if you want it.

-I'm selling then at £100.

-'That resounding result

'bodes well for our next lot,

'the silver inkwell and hip flask,

'more gifts given to Daniel's great-granddad by his employers.

'These beautiful 1930's pieces were hallmarked in Sheffield.

'At £70-£100, let's hope the bidders like them as much as James does.'

On a cold day like today, hip flask for a quick nip,

should go down quite well.

At £50. 55. 60. 5. 70. 5.

80. 5. 90. 5. 100.

-110. 120. 130, bid's in the room.

-Oh, that's great!

-140.

150.

On the pillar, the bid at 150. You're out on the right.

-£150!

-£150.

Wow! That's not bad at all, is it?

I tell you, Lorne, I think the hip flask must have been full!

'Our fund for Daniel's den is certainly filling up nicely.

'It's time now to see what our bidders make of Sandra's jug collection,

'dating from the 1850s right through to the 1930s.'

Have you got a lot of empty spaces now, as a result?

-Yes.

-Is that quite nice?

-Yes!

It is quite a big collection. The real value is on the Doulton one.

-That really is a collector's piece.

-20.

20, I'm bid. 22. 5. 8.

30. 2. 5. 8. 40. 2. Lady's bid on my left of 42.

45 anywhere? At £42.

42, that's not a lot for all those jugs, is it?

'£8 under our bottom estimate.

'Perhaps our Magic Lantern will light up the saleroom.

'It's complete and boxed, although it has seen better days.

'Hopefully this won't affect our £40-£60 estimate.'

£35 only. 8, anywhere?

I'll sell them at £35.

'Another treasure that falls short of expectations.

'Maybe we can ring the changes with one of Daniel's favourite lots,

'those Victorian servants' bells.

'£20-£40 would do us nicely.'

40? 20? 10? 10, I'm bid.

At £10. 12, anywhere? 12. 15.

-Selling them at 15... 18. 20.

-Ooh! We're there.

-Selling at £20.

-Well, Quasimodo obviously wasn't here, was he?

All those bells for £20. Crikey!

I'm sure I recognised the buyer.

-I know his face rang a bell.

-Oh, no!

'Well, I suppose someone had to say it, James.

'We're around halfway through our lots,

'so it's a good time to check on our progress.

'So far, we've made £347.

'Well shy of our £500 target.

'But there's plenty to look forward to.

'If you're considering selling your treasures, it's worth remembering

'certain charges, such as commission, will apply.

'Your local saleroom will advise you on the costs involved. Our next lot

'is our handmade patchwork quilt valued at £30-£50.

'This has been in the family for years and has sentimental value,

'so Sandra's opted for a reserve at the bottom end of James's estimate.'

20, I start. At £20. 22.

4. 6. 8. 30.

2. 5. 8. 40.

2. 5. 8. 50.

5. 60. £60 to the lady. 5 anywhere?

At £60.

-£60.

-So double your reserve.

-Yes. Yes.

'It's always good to see a valued family heirloom

'get the attention it deserves in the saleroom.

'When Sandra's dad's golf clubs, estimated at

'£50-£75 go under the hammer,

'the bidders are equally quick off the mark.'

£90 in front of me. At £90.

'That £90 result is well above par

'and it seems there's no stopping us today.

'Surely our next lot, the huge collection of crockery, will make its presence felt

'in the crowd. At £80-£120, it should prove

'a fantastic buy for one of our bidders.'

10 is all I'm bid. 12. 15. 18. 20.

2. 5. 8. 30. 2. 5?

-At £35.

-No!

Selling, then, at £35.

Someone got a bargain.

Have we really sold it for £35?

Yes. I think swings and roundabouts.

I mean, that is a bargain.

-How do you feel about that?

-Gutted. Absolutely gutted.

'£45 under our bottom estimate.

'And just when we thought we'd got the measure of the crowd.

'Perhaps that mysterious oil painting

'of a Victorian clipper in full sail will bring us a better result. But unfortunately,

'though the auction house doesn't shares James's confidence in it.'

The auction house hasn't attributed this

to any particular artist, which is a bit of a pity.

Because of that, they've come in at less than us.

We were looking at 100 plus, they're hovering around 70.

I think it's a nice, decorative 19th-century marine picture,

-so I've still got high hopes for this.

-Good.

I start the bidding at £100.

-I'll take 10 anywhere.

-Great! Good!

-At 100.

Or the maiden bid will take it at 100. I'm selling at 100. And 10.

Look, Dan, there's our picture.

130. 140. 150. 160.

170. 180. 190. 200. 210...

-Somebody knows what it is.

-..230. 240.

Commissions are away at 240.

250 anywhere? Selling, then, at £240.

'There were buyers present who spotted the value of that painting.

'But they were too camera-shy

'to tell us what was so special about it.

'After that fabulous result, I can't wait to see

'how our final lot does for the family.

'Even though Sandra's decided to keep hold of the gold necklace,

'James is still sticking to his estimate

'of £250-£350

'for this collection of hallmarked gold watches and jewellery.'

100. 100.

110.

120. 130. 140. 150.

160. 170. 180.

190. 200.

210. 220. 230.

240. 250.

260. 270.

-It's taking ages to get there.

-280. 290. 300.

-310. 320. 330...

-Go on.

..340. 350. 360. 370...

-Are you really excited?

-Higher, higher, higher.

..410. 420. 430. 440. 450. 460. 470.

480. At £480. Take 490 anywhere.

-Go on.

-Selling by the doorway at £480.

-That was without my necklace.

-That was without the necklace.

It's worth even more now, isn't it?

'Well, what a thrilling auction its been here in Essex today.

'And it's time to reveal the grand total.'

Now, we've done quite well. You wanted £500 as a contribution towards Daniel's den.

The good news is you've actually banked...

-£1,252.

-Oh, wow!

-Brilliant!

Absolutely brilliant, that is!

'A few weeks after the auction

'and finally it's time to start looking at new cabins

'to replace Daniel's tired old den.'

He's got used to the independence he gets

by having his own sort of space with the shed at the bottom of the garden.

-Where's your TV going?

-In here.

-Just there.

-'I'm excited.

-You're excited'

about being able to do your models

and your painting without me nagging you.

You're going to have a sofa in there, aren't you, so you can chill?

-Chill and relax when I'm bored.

-Chill and relax when you're bored.

-Yeah.

Thanks to the auction, Daniel's going to get a fantastic new den.

If you've got some antiques and collectables lying around your house

you'd like to sell at auction to raise some money,

why not get in touch with Cash In The Attic?

You'll find more details at our website, which is:

And I'll see you again next time.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]