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0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello and welcome to the show that finds the antiques and collectibles

0:00:05 > 0:00:08gathering dust in your attic and turns them into cash.

0:00:08 > 0:00:11Today, we're helping one mum to do her daughter a good turn.

0:00:30 > 0:00:33Coming up on Cash In The Attic,

0:00:33 > 0:00:36expert John lets slip his sheltered upbringing.

0:00:36 > 0:00:37Was he a bookbinder?

0:00:37 > 0:00:42- No, he was a bookmaker. Horse racing.- Oh, dear!

0:00:42 > 0:00:46And the valuation of some silverware is just too hot to handle.

0:00:46 > 0:00:49- Really?- Are you surprised? - For a kettle?

0:00:51 > 0:00:54At auction, what on earth is John talking about?

0:00:54 > 0:00:57I've got to start you at three dimmer switches.

0:00:57 > 0:01:01All will be revealed when the hammer falls.

0:01:01 > 0:01:05Today we're in North London to help one family clear out their home

0:01:05 > 0:01:07so that they can repair another.

0:01:07 > 0:01:09Diane Cox has two children.

0:01:09 > 0:01:12Son Matt, who will be helping with the rummage today,

0:01:12 > 0:01:14and daughter Alex.

0:01:14 > 0:01:17Diane was married to Richard for almost 30 years,

0:01:17 > 0:01:20but sadly he passed away in 1996.

0:01:20 > 0:01:24The family home is a flat in North London

0:01:24 > 0:01:26and Diane now lives there on her own.

0:01:26 > 0:01:30Two years ago she took up a new hobby - building a doll's house.

0:01:30 > 0:01:33We'll hear more about that a bit later.

0:01:33 > 0:01:36Joining me is our expert John Cameron,

0:01:36 > 0:01:39who is not only a graduate in fine art valuation,

0:01:39 > 0:01:42he's also a chartered surveyor.

0:01:42 > 0:01:45Maybe he could take a look at Diane's doll's house.

0:01:45 > 0:01:47While he starts the hunt for collectibles,

0:01:47 > 0:01:50I go and meet our hosts.

0:01:50 > 0:01:51Ah, hello.

0:01:51 > 0:01:54- Hello, there.- Hi.

0:01:54 > 0:01:57I've left John already having a good look round,

0:01:57 > 0:02:00so obviously it's important to find out why we're here.

0:02:00 > 0:02:05I want to try and raise some money to help my daughter

0:02:05 > 0:02:08- with rewiring her house. - Does she live locally?

0:02:08 > 0:02:10- She lives in Birmingham. - Why isn't she here?

0:02:10 > 0:02:14Because she's a nurse and she's working today, I'm afraid.

0:02:14 > 0:02:18What are we going to be looking at then to help towards this?

0:02:18 > 0:02:21Anything at all, because she did get a couple of estimates.

0:02:21 > 0:02:23How much do you think it might cost?

0:02:23 > 0:02:25Going to be in excess of 2,000.

0:02:25 > 0:02:28Crikey. Are you looking to make all that here today?

0:02:28 > 0:02:33If I could raise half, that would be a good way towards it.

0:02:33 > 0:02:35If we say £1,000 is the target then.

0:02:35 > 0:02:38- So, Matt, do you live nearby? - No, I live in Bedfordshire.

0:02:38 > 0:02:43- You've come down to help?- I have indeed.- What a lovely son, isn't he?

0:02:43 > 0:02:44He is, yes. He's very good.

0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Are you getting anything out of this?- I very much doubt it.

0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Still negotiating. - I'm very impressed.

0:02:50 > 0:02:55- I get a day off work.- I thought there'd be something somewhere!

0:02:55 > 0:02:58So we need to make £1,000. Shall we go and find John?

0:02:58 > 0:03:01Might I suggest if you have a look for some of these things,

0:03:01 > 0:03:03that would be great. Come on then, this way.

0:03:03 > 0:03:08Diane has lived in her flat for 30 years and it's full of stuff

0:03:08 > 0:03:12she's inherited from various members of her family.

0:03:12 > 0:03:14- Ah, John, have you found something already?- I have.

0:03:14 > 0:03:18An interesting little Victorian oil on panel by, I think,

0:03:18 > 0:03:20Alexander Rosell.

0:03:20 > 0:03:22What's the story with this?

0:03:22 > 0:03:24It belonged to my mother.

0:03:24 > 0:03:29The story goes that my grandfather was a bookmaker

0:03:29 > 0:03:31and somebody owed him some money and couldn't pay,

0:03:31 > 0:03:37and he accepted that as pay-off for the bad debt.

0:03:37 > 0:03:40- It's a lovely topic. Do you like it?- I do like it.

0:03:40 > 0:03:44I'm very fond of it but it does need cleaning

0:03:44 > 0:03:47and I can't afford to have it cleaned.

0:03:47 > 0:03:50Sadly these days, often the cleaning is more expensive than

0:03:50 > 0:03:53the picture is worth, and that's probably a case in point here.

0:03:53 > 0:03:56Not a huge amount is known about the artist other than

0:03:56 > 0:04:01he was working in this country around about the 1880s to the 1920s.

0:04:01 > 0:04:05He seems to specialise in these cosy, sentimental Victorian interiors.

0:04:05 > 0:04:09Very typical of this work, and again this figure here,

0:04:09 > 0:04:12this mother looking down lovingly at that baby in the rocking cradle

0:04:12 > 0:04:16is quite typical. That's reflected in the title, A Ray of Sunshine.

0:04:16 > 0:04:18So what sort of value are we talking about, John?

0:04:18 > 0:04:22In this condition, I'd be looking at around £200-300 at auction.

0:04:26 > 0:04:28It'd be interesting to know whether the £200 now,

0:04:28 > 0:04:32if you looked at it, would be equal to what he was owed for the books.

0:04:32 > 0:04:33Was he a bookbinder?

0:04:33 > 0:04:38No, he was a bookmaker, which is a turf accountant to do with horses.

0:04:38 > 0:04:43- Oh, I thought you meant a book as in...- Horse racing.

0:04:43 > 0:04:47I've led a sheltered life, haven't I?

0:04:47 > 0:04:51Diane's grandfather sounds like a fascinating man.

0:04:51 > 0:04:54I wonder if we'll come across any more of his possessions here.

0:04:54 > 0:04:58In the spare room, John has found an attractive vase.

0:04:58 > 0:05:01It's late 19th century and is Chinese cloisonne ware.

0:05:01 > 0:05:03A fusion of bronze, glass and metal.

0:05:03 > 0:05:06It's one of a pair that were given to Diane

0:05:06 > 0:05:09for looking after an elderly aunt.

0:05:09 > 0:05:13They generally do well at auction and get an estimate of £50-100.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17Matt, what about the actual dresser we're looking at here?

0:05:17 > 0:05:20What's the story with this? Something Mum would get rid of?

0:05:20 > 0:05:24- I think so, yeah. - Where did it come from?

0:05:24 > 0:05:27As far as I know, it belonged to one of my father's sisters.

0:05:27 > 0:05:28It was too big for her needs

0:05:28 > 0:05:31at the time so they swapped it for a sideboard.

0:05:31 > 0:05:34- Any idea how old you think this is? - No clue at all.- Have a guess.

0:05:34 > 0:05:36I really wouldn't know where to start.

0:05:36 > 0:05:39Obviously older than me, but other than that, no idea at all.

0:05:39 > 0:05:42It's made to look a lot older than it is.

0:05:42 > 0:05:46If you look at the actual style of decoration, it's a dresser,

0:05:46 > 0:05:50which we see in any great quantity in the 1600s and 1700s -

0:05:50 > 0:05:51in oak, they tend to be.

0:05:51 > 0:05:54The actual type of decoration on it,

0:05:54 > 0:05:57in particular, the carving on the drawer here on the frieze,

0:05:57 > 0:06:00that's known as arcading or stock fluting.

0:06:00 > 0:06:04Then you've got lunette carving down on that front piece there.

0:06:04 > 0:06:06Then this reeding. It's something that would have all

0:06:06 > 0:06:09been done by hand a couple of centuries ago,

0:06:09 > 0:06:12but this piece here is probably only about 50-60 years old.

0:06:12 > 0:06:16It's something we often refer to as Old Charm or Priory style.

0:06:16 > 0:06:19If it's something Mum would be happy to get rid of,

0:06:19 > 0:06:21we can certainly send it to auction.

0:06:21 > 0:06:25- No great sums of money, though. £30-50.- OK.

0:06:27 > 0:06:31Judging by your face, I don't think you'd give it houseroom?

0:06:31 > 0:06:33- Not personally, no. - What don't you like about it?

0:06:33 > 0:06:36I think it's just a little too old

0:06:36 > 0:06:39and a little too dark and cumbersome for my tastes.

0:06:39 > 0:06:42All right, £30-50, let's carry on.

0:06:42 > 0:06:47Matt might not like it, but let's hope when we get to auction,

0:06:47 > 0:06:49someone else does.

0:06:49 > 0:06:53Matt turns his attention to some ornaments in the lounge,

0:06:53 > 0:06:56but it's another piece of furniture that really catches his eye.

0:06:56 > 0:07:00It's a square occasional table on castors. Made of mahogany,

0:07:00 > 0:07:04it's Edwardian in age, and its simple, almost rustic look,

0:07:04 > 0:07:06means it's Arts and Crafts in design.

0:07:06 > 0:07:08It used to belong to an aunt of Diane's,

0:07:08 > 0:07:11who gave it to Max when he moved out.

0:07:11 > 0:07:14He's since moved in again and has ended up at his mum's.

0:07:14 > 0:07:19John gives an estimate of £30-50, but when it gets to the saleroom,

0:07:19 > 0:07:23will the bidders love the Arts and Crafts design?

0:07:23 > 0:07:255, 60, 5, 70,

0:07:25 > 0:07:285, 80, 5, 90.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31I wonder how much they'll like it.

0:07:33 > 0:07:38As the search continues, going by John's lowest estimate so far,

0:07:38 > 0:07:39we stand to make £310

0:07:39 > 0:07:43when we take the things we've found to the saleroom.

0:07:43 > 0:07:46Not quite at the halfway mark just yet.

0:07:48 > 0:07:53My search in the living room unearths a 1920s silver compact

0:07:53 > 0:07:55which belonged to Diane's aunt.

0:07:55 > 0:07:59It has a good name on it - Garrard's of Regent Street in London.

0:07:59 > 0:08:02There's also a very novel silver pincushion

0:08:02 > 0:08:04in the shape of a roller skate,

0:08:04 > 0:08:06which is unfortunately a bit battered,

0:08:06 > 0:08:08plus a silver and pearl folding fruit knife,

0:08:08 > 0:08:10which belonged to her late husband.

0:08:10 > 0:08:14John thinks the three together could bring in £50-£60.

0:08:16 > 0:08:20Diane? Can I talk to you about the family silver?

0:08:20 > 0:08:23I zoomed on it straightaway, but I thought it was plated.

0:08:23 > 0:08:26On closer inspection, we can see it's hallmarked.

0:08:26 > 0:08:28Where did it come from?

0:08:28 > 0:08:30It belonged to my mother.

0:08:30 > 0:08:35I think they were given to her as a wedding present from her father,

0:08:35 > 0:08:38who obviously had quite a bit of family silver.

0:08:38 > 0:08:41I've got to ask you, were these the only two pieces you remember,

0:08:41 > 0:08:43or was there more to the set?

0:08:43 > 0:08:46I think originally, it must have been a set,

0:08:46 > 0:08:48because one of my mum's sisters

0:08:48 > 0:08:52actually had a teapot and sugar bowl and jug,

0:08:52 > 0:08:54which were the same designs.

0:08:54 > 0:08:56So I think originally, it was a set.

0:08:56 > 0:08:58But my mum never had the other pieces.

0:08:58 > 0:09:00- What a shame you don't have all of them.- I wish I did.

0:09:00 > 0:09:03You've still got two very nice pieces.

0:09:03 > 0:09:06This is the kettle, as it were.

0:09:06 > 0:09:09We've got the water jug for putting the water in

0:09:09 > 0:09:11and then transferring it back to the teapot.

0:09:11 > 0:09:14This, for me, is the nicest bit. It's the kettle and stand.

0:09:14 > 0:09:17We've got three pieces here - the kettle on the top, the vessel,

0:09:17 > 0:09:20the stand, and underneath, a little silver spirit burner.

0:09:20 > 0:09:24I have looked, and all the hallmarks correspond, which is great.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26Things can get lost, especially the burners,

0:09:26 > 0:09:28and you end up with a replacement.

0:09:28 > 0:09:31To have the corresponding marks is quite nice.

0:09:31 > 0:09:35And so a nice piece. Two bits there. Nice and weighty.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37If we were to put those into auction,

0:09:37 > 0:09:40I reckon we'd be looking at about £500-£600.

0:09:40 > 0:09:43- Really?- Are you surprised? - For a kettle?

0:09:43 > 0:09:45THEY LAUGH

0:09:45 > 0:09:46That's fantastic! I am surprised.

0:09:46 > 0:09:49- And the jug. - Yeah. I'm very surprised.

0:09:49 > 0:09:52A pleasant surprise, I can see by your face.

0:09:52 > 0:09:55It is a pleasant surprise. Oh, that'll help.

0:09:55 > 0:09:56- So, can we sell them?- Yes.

0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Yeah?- Yes, I think so. Yeah. Yeah. Definitely.

0:09:59 > 0:10:04Diane's grandfather was obviously not short of a bob or two,

0:10:04 > 0:10:07being able to buy his daughter such an expensive wedding gift.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10And when you consider he had nine daughters and four sons,

0:10:10 > 0:10:13that's an awful lot of weddings to fork out for.

0:10:13 > 0:10:16Family is, of course, very important to Diane.

0:10:16 > 0:10:17So it's understandable

0:10:17 > 0:10:20she wants to help her daughter Alex with some repairs.

0:10:20 > 0:10:23- And do you see much of each other? - Oh, yes.

0:10:23 > 0:10:28She comes down here on a regular basis and I go up there, as well.

0:10:28 > 0:10:30But because she's a nurse,

0:10:30 > 0:10:35her shifts are not always compatible with sort of a weekend off.

0:10:35 > 0:10:37What did you think about the idea

0:10:37 > 0:10:39of helping your sister out with this repair work?

0:10:39 > 0:10:41Well, I think it's a great idea.

0:10:41 > 0:10:43She's obviously nursing. It's not a huge wage.

0:10:43 > 0:10:46She lives alone, so she couldn't afford to do it herself.

0:10:46 > 0:10:47So it's nice.

0:10:47 > 0:10:49Do you think you'll miss some of these things?

0:10:49 > 0:10:53If this has been home for 30 years, you're used to seeing them around.

0:10:53 > 0:10:55It is going to be a wrench.

0:10:55 > 0:10:58But I have given it a lot of thought

0:10:58 > 0:11:01and to me, the timing is right.

0:11:01 > 0:11:03But you have got some lovely pieces.

0:11:03 > 0:11:06That's obviously going to help us reach this £1,000 target.

0:11:06 > 0:11:09Shall we go and see if John's found anything else?

0:11:09 > 0:11:11Yes. I'm ready for it. Yes.

0:11:12 > 0:11:14I think it's very generous of Matt

0:11:14 > 0:11:18to let his sister benefit from the sale of all the family heirlooms.

0:11:18 > 0:11:22They're obviously all very close. So there's no need for pistols at dawn.

0:11:22 > 0:11:25You look armed to the teeth there, Diane.

0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Let me relieve you of this. - You might be interested.

0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Where did these come from? - They belonged to my late husband.

0:11:31 > 0:11:35He had them before I met him.

0:11:35 > 0:11:36I don't really know where he got them.

0:11:36 > 0:11:39I can see from this, this is a percussion lock.

0:11:39 > 0:11:41And this is an antique weapon

0:11:41 > 0:11:44which doesn't have a current calibre.

0:11:44 > 0:11:46You couldn't go out and get the bores for this to fire it,

0:11:46 > 0:11:49so it's perfectly legal to sell at auction.

0:11:49 > 0:11:52Looking at the rest of the gun,

0:11:52 > 0:11:55condition of the barrel is quite poor.

0:11:55 > 0:11:58It's very pitted. It's purely just a decorative piece.

0:11:58 > 0:12:01In this condition, it's still something we could send to auction.

0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's a decorative piece. No great value.

0:12:03 > 0:12:06£50-£100, something like that.

0:12:06 > 0:12:08That looks equally interesting.

0:12:08 > 0:12:10Let's have a look at that.

0:12:10 > 0:12:15I can see it's a bayonet, but let's take this out carefully.

0:12:15 > 0:12:16Brass-ribbed handle there.

0:12:16 > 0:12:19Along the top edge here, we can see it's been engraved.

0:12:19 > 0:12:21- There's some French writing. - Oh, yes.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25I can just make out it's an Etienne. And it's 1874.

0:12:25 > 0:12:28It's a grass 1874 patterned, French bayonet,

0:12:28 > 0:12:31which was when this pattern was designed.

0:12:31 > 0:12:34Not necessarily when the bayonet was made.

0:12:34 > 0:12:39OK. Having seen that, I thought that was the age of the bayonet.

0:12:39 > 0:12:41It was possibly not long after that,

0:12:41 > 0:12:43but the bayonet stayed in general issue in France

0:12:43 > 0:12:45for a number of years after that.

0:12:45 > 0:12:47It could've been the turn of the last century.

0:12:47 > 0:12:51At auction, similar money to the rifle, really. I'd say £50-£100.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54I might be tempted to put them together, create competition

0:12:54 > 0:12:57between somebody who wants that and somebody who wants that.

0:12:57 > 0:13:00- So about £100-£150 for the two. - That sounds good.

0:13:00 > 0:13:02- You'll be glad to get rid of them, I'm sure.- Yeah.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06- It's a worry.- We're getting there, but we're not quite there yet.

0:13:06 > 0:13:08- So, come on, let's carry on. - Lovely. Thank you.

0:13:08 > 0:13:12The bayonet in particular should be handled with caution

0:13:12 > 0:13:15and obviously kept out of reach of children.

0:13:15 > 0:13:17In an oak-cased ammunition box,

0:13:17 > 0:13:20John is surprised to find lots of old glass bottles.

0:13:20 > 0:13:22They're from the 19th century

0:13:22 > 0:13:25and were collected by Diane's late husband Richard.

0:13:25 > 0:13:27Bottle collecting is a fast-growing hobby

0:13:27 > 0:13:30and there are bottle clubs all over the country.

0:13:30 > 0:13:33Amongst these is a stoneware ginger beer bottle,

0:13:33 > 0:13:35which is very sought after.

0:13:35 > 0:13:38John gives them all an estimate of £10-£20.

0:13:39 > 0:13:43In the spare room, Diane finds an unusual little collection.

0:13:43 > 0:13:45They're ceramic half dolls which were given to

0:13:45 > 0:13:48her husband's sisters when they were children.

0:13:48 > 0:13:50They were made in their thousands, mostly in Germany,

0:13:50 > 0:13:53and were designed to disguise or decorate

0:13:53 > 0:13:58a variety of household objects, such as pincushions and tea cosies.

0:13:58 > 0:14:01Or just to stand around for decoration.

0:14:01 > 0:14:04This little set should fetch £30-£50 at auction.

0:14:04 > 0:14:07John? Lorne? What do you think of this?

0:14:07 > 0:14:10- It's rather flash.- Very impressive.

0:14:10 > 0:14:12And it's another piece of silver.

0:14:12 > 0:14:14You've got silver everywhere in this flat!

0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Where did this come from? - This was my mother's.

0:14:17 > 0:14:20- I think, again, it was a wedding present.- Right.

0:14:20 > 0:14:22It's an impressive wedding present. Have you used it?

0:14:22 > 0:14:25Only just to put sweets in or nuts

0:14:25 > 0:14:29at Christmas and party times and things like that.

0:14:29 > 0:14:31It's obviously a table centrepiece,

0:14:31 > 0:14:33but beyond that, what is its function, John?

0:14:33 > 0:14:36You're right, it's a centrepiece. In France, they call them epergnes.

0:14:36 > 0:14:40It would've had probably cut flowers in here, in the tall trumpet bars.

0:14:40 > 0:14:43And sweets or something like that around in these hanging baskets.

0:14:43 > 0:14:46I've seen them in glass, typically in the Victorian period.

0:14:46 > 0:14:48Often, you see them in silver plate,

0:14:48 > 0:14:51but you don't tend to see them in hallmarked silver.

0:14:51 > 0:14:54And we can see this one here is all silver.

0:14:54 > 0:14:56Can you tell me where it's from, from the hallmark?

0:14:56 > 0:14:59This piece has hallmarks which tells us it was assayed,

0:14:59 > 0:15:03so it was tested for its purity, in the London assay office.

0:15:03 > 0:15:05We've got the leopard's-head mark.

0:15:05 > 0:15:08And the date letter tells us it's 1929.

0:15:08 > 0:15:10That changes every 20 years.

0:15:10 > 0:15:13They change the font of the letter and the shape of the stamp.

0:15:13 > 0:15:18All these baskets, are they all individually hallmarked?

0:15:18 > 0:15:21Yes, they do all correspond, and each piece would all be hallmarked.

0:15:21 > 0:15:25Anything you have in silver, if they have detachable parts,

0:15:25 > 0:15:28they should all be hallmarked. That's a good thing to check.

0:15:28 > 0:15:31What sort of value would that have now, as an object?

0:15:31 > 0:15:33Well, it's nice and weighty.

0:15:33 > 0:15:36I reckon we're looking at £300, maybe £350-£400.

0:15:36 > 0:15:39Certainly £300 at the lower end.

0:15:39 > 0:15:40Ooh! What do you think of that?

0:15:40 > 0:15:46Well, I had no idea, really, of what its value was at all.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49So it's a nice surprise, yes.

0:15:49 > 0:15:52I can't believe the amount of quality pieces

0:15:52 > 0:15:55Diane has tucked away in her flat.

0:15:55 > 0:15:58I'm half expecting to find solid silverware in her doll's house.

0:15:58 > 0:16:01- Ah! There you are!- Hello.

0:16:01 > 0:16:04- So this is the doll's house I've heard about.- Yes.

0:16:04 > 0:16:07So tell me how long you've been working on this.

0:16:07 > 0:16:09Oh...at least two years.

0:16:09 > 0:16:12Really? Well, can I have a look?

0:16:12 > 0:16:14Wow! Look at that!

0:16:14 > 0:16:17Right. Oh, look!

0:16:17 > 0:16:19You've got your dinner service all ready to go.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22I've got my dinner service ready to go on my dresser.

0:16:22 > 0:16:26Oh, yes! So, does this all come in kit form and you put it together?

0:16:26 > 0:16:28This was...the house was the kit

0:16:28 > 0:16:32and then I was bought all these other pieces.

0:16:32 > 0:16:36The pieces of furniture were as kit form.

0:16:36 > 0:16:40I've got to ask, what's in your attic?

0:16:40 > 0:16:41- Oh, look!- Cash in the attic!

0:16:41 > 0:16:43Yeah, you've got lights in there.

0:16:43 > 0:16:47Yes, I've got the lights all ready to go here,

0:16:47 > 0:16:49ready for when my house is finished.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52It can be lit up like Blackpool illuminations.

0:16:52 > 0:16:55I mean, that looks more complicated for the doll's house than it does

0:16:55 > 0:16:58if you wanted to actually rewire a house.

0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Who are you going to get to do that? - Matt!

0:17:00 > 0:17:04Maybe he can do Alex's house when he's learned how to do this.

0:17:04 > 0:17:07So how long do you think it might take you to finish?

0:17:07 > 0:17:11Probably another two years, but then there's no hurry!

0:17:11 > 0:17:16- It gives me something to do and I enjoy doing it.- It's fantastic.

0:17:16 > 0:17:19If we're going to get your daughter's house rewired, then we

0:17:19 > 0:17:22need to find some more stuff unless you're thinking of selling this.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24When it's finished.

0:17:24 > 0:17:27It isn't yet, so if we're going to get your daughter's house rewired,

0:17:27 > 0:17:30- we need to find some more stuff we can sell.- Good idea.

0:17:30 > 0:17:35What a talent Diane has. I know it's from a kit, but I'm very impressed.

0:17:35 > 0:17:39Matt knows just where his mum still keeps some of his old toys.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42The box set of three vintage model cars

0:17:42 > 0:17:44were a gift to his father from him and Alex.

0:17:45 > 0:17:48But the box die-cast Corgi rescue truck

0:17:48 > 0:17:51is something Matt has had since he was a baby.

0:17:51 > 0:17:54In fact it was given to him when he was born!

0:17:54 > 0:17:56He's happy for it to go with the others

0:17:56 > 0:17:59to try and achieve between £20 and £40.

0:18:03 > 0:18:07Diane. I've just been admiring your silverware.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10Now I can't help but notice they're all engraved trophies

0:18:10 > 0:18:13for greyhound racing, so who was the dog trainer?

0:18:13 > 0:18:17Well, again, it was my grandfather who was the bookmaker.

0:18:17 > 0:18:21He owned greyhounds and he used to race at various greyhound tracks.

0:18:21 > 0:18:23These were trophies from his winning dogs.

0:18:23 > 0:18:28- The same chap that I thought was a bookbinder...- That's right.

0:18:28 > 0:18:29Did he race them?

0:18:29 > 0:18:32He actually had greyhounds, yes, and used to race them.

0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Did you ever go to any of the races with him?- No, I didn't.

0:18:35 > 0:18:40- He died actually before I was born. - He was obviously quite successful.

0:18:40 > 0:18:43I think he must have been to have won a few trophies.

0:18:43 > 0:18:45There are some nice pieces here.

0:18:45 > 0:18:48If I have a look at them... These three are silver.

0:18:48 > 0:18:51This one is silver-plated and cut glass.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54Interestingly, that's my favourite piece. It's a wine bucket.

0:18:54 > 0:18:57You could get a nice bottle of wine in there. I'd give that houseroom.

0:18:57 > 0:18:59Love this, got some great work in there.

0:18:59 > 0:19:02A real tour de force and an academic piece

0:19:02 > 0:19:05when you're talking about quality of silversmithing.

0:19:05 > 0:19:07Lovely cast and applied handles.

0:19:07 > 0:19:10Nice and scrolling arabesque border there, panelled sides,

0:19:10 > 0:19:12and the raised body and spreading foot.

0:19:12 > 0:19:17Lovely heavy tray there, with a border. This, another nice trophy.

0:19:17 > 0:19:21Plain-ish decoration and these are dated to around the late '20s -

0:19:21 > 0:19:24'29, '30, '31. That era.

0:19:24 > 0:19:27Do you think these are something we could sell at auction?

0:19:27 > 0:19:29Yeah, I'm happy for them to go.

0:19:29 > 0:19:32Look, why don't we get the others in here, before I tell you what

0:19:32 > 0:19:35I think they're worth individually and collectively. Shall we?

0:19:35 > 0:19:39- Yeah.- Lorna, Matt.- Yeah?

0:19:39 > 0:19:42We've just been chatting about Diane's family trophies,

0:19:42 > 0:19:43the greyhound trophies,

0:19:43 > 0:19:46and she thinks this is something we can send to auction.

0:19:46 > 0:19:50- OK, good. What are they worth? - Well, we've had a good look at them.

0:19:50 > 0:19:53If I take them singularly and give you the total.

0:19:53 > 0:19:57The plated ice bucket, £50-£80.

0:19:57 > 0:20:00£250-£300. £250-£300.

0:20:00 > 0:20:02And this little one in my hands, £100-£150.

0:20:02 > 0:20:07Collectively, we're looking at about £650-£700 plus.

0:20:07 > 0:20:12- Oh, wow.- Are you happy with that? - Yeah. Yes, I am.

0:20:12 > 0:20:16- No second thoughts. - No, I don't think so.

0:20:16 > 0:20:19- It was obviously more than you were thinking, Matt.- Certainly, yeah.

0:20:19 > 0:20:23- That's nice, isn't it?- I would be happy with half that, to be honest.

0:20:23 > 0:20:27Would you? Oh, right, bear that in mind!

0:20:27 > 0:20:31Obviously, this morning we were looking at trying to make £1,000

0:20:31 > 0:20:33towards the £2,000 needed for Alex's rewiring

0:20:33 > 0:20:34in the house in Birmingham.

0:20:34 > 0:20:38You might be pleased to know then that the value of everything

0:20:38 > 0:20:39going to auction comes to...

0:20:39 > 0:20:44£1,970.

0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Oh!- So, we're nearly there.

0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Oh, my God!- You're genuinely shocked, aren't you?- Yeah.

0:20:54 > 0:20:58Well, we really do have some impressive things to take to auction

0:20:58 > 0:21:00and I can't wait to see how they all do, including -

0:21:00 > 0:21:03the two wedding gifts that were given to Diane's mum,

0:21:03 > 0:21:06that striking George V solid silver

0:21:06 > 0:21:10centrepiece which should reach £300-£400,

0:21:10 > 0:21:14and she was also given that George V solid silver spirit kettle,

0:21:14 > 0:21:16burner and hot-water jug.

0:21:16 > 0:21:19I hope they'll sell for at least £500.

0:21:19 > 0:21:22What about Diane's grandfather's greyhound racing trophies?

0:21:22 > 0:21:24They're solid silver again

0:21:24 > 0:21:28and should run away with £650 minimum on sale day.

0:21:29 > 0:21:31Still to come on Cash In The Attic,

0:21:31 > 0:21:36a childhood song springs to mind with one of Diane's lots.

0:21:36 > 0:21:38Maybe it was cos there weren't ten green bottles

0:21:38 > 0:21:39and they weren't sitting on a wall!

0:21:39 > 0:21:44And Matt tells us why his boxed Corgi is in such good condition.

0:21:44 > 0:21:47- I wasn't allowed to play with it! - You weren't allowed to play with it?

0:21:47 > 0:21:51What condition will we be in when the final hammer falls?

0:21:56 > 0:21:59Now, it's just over one month since we visited Diane Cox

0:21:59 > 0:22:02at her house in North London and together with her son Matt

0:22:02 > 0:22:05we found some very nice silver items which are among the pieces

0:22:05 > 0:22:08we've brought here to Chiswick Auction Rooms in West London.

0:22:08 > 0:22:10Remember, she wants to raise enough money

0:22:10 > 0:22:13so her daughter can get her home rewired.

0:22:13 > 0:22:17Let's hope today there are plenty of silver dealers in the room.

0:22:17 > 0:22:18And the good news is that

0:22:18 > 0:22:22since we last saw Diane, silver has gone up again in price.

0:22:22 > 0:22:25We could be in for a very exciting time here.

0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Good morning.- Hello.- How are you all? I haven't met you before.

0:22:29 > 0:22:33- I'm Alex.- Oh, so it's your house that needs rewiring. How badly?

0:22:33 > 0:22:37- Very badly! - Are you looking forward to today?

0:22:37 > 0:22:39I am, yes, bit nervous, but...

0:22:39 > 0:22:41So you've come along today

0:22:41 > 0:22:44- to see what budget you've got for the job, have you?- Yes.

0:22:44 > 0:22:46Don't know at the moment. We'll have to see.

0:22:46 > 0:22:49- How have you been since we saw you? All right?- Fine. Yes.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52And no second thoughts about any of the items?

0:22:52 > 0:22:55I didn't bring the wooden dresser. I changed my mind on that

0:22:55 > 0:22:59because for the valuation of it, I felt I would rather keep it.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02Right, shall we go and see how much money we can make you?

0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Let's see if we can get your house rewired.- Yes.- Come on, then.

0:23:05 > 0:23:08The dresser not being here means we're £30 down before we start,

0:23:08 > 0:23:12but I don't think we need to worry with all of that silver they have.

0:23:12 > 0:23:14The first of Diane's lots to come up

0:23:14 > 0:23:17is the collection of old bottles in an oak ammunitions box.

0:23:17 > 0:23:21- What's the story behind that one? - They belonged to my late husband.

0:23:21 > 0:23:23I think he had them for many, many years.

0:23:23 > 0:23:27Probably dug up when he was working on different cinema sites

0:23:27 > 0:23:28and stuff like that.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31Bottles dug up from dumps can fetch thousands of pounds,

0:23:31 > 0:23:33can't they, if they're the right ones, John?

0:23:33 > 0:23:37There's a big collecting area for bottles, ginger bottles,

0:23:37 > 0:23:41medicine bottles and old advertising ware, much of which is dug up.

0:23:41 > 0:23:45They're looking for scarce labels, nice designs and rare pieces.

0:23:45 > 0:23:48But you can guarantee, if ever there are roadworks where

0:23:48 > 0:23:51there used to be a canal, and a lot of roads went into the old canals,

0:23:51 > 0:23:55you always find these bottle diggers hanging around.

0:23:55 > 0:23:59I don't know what quite to say to that! We want £10-£20 for it.

0:23:59 > 0:24:01I couldn't go much lower than that.

0:24:01 > 0:24:04It's a cheap lot but I gathered that when I unpacked them,

0:24:04 > 0:24:06you didn't want them around the house.

0:24:06 > 0:24:10No, they've been in the shed for years and so it's time they went.

0:24:10 > 0:24:13£10 to £20, we've done you a favour.

0:24:13 > 0:24:17£10 the lot, please, for bottles. Anyone want them for £10?

0:24:17 > 0:24:21For the green bottles in the oak box, somebody surely. Nobody?

0:24:21 > 0:24:23At £10, I'm bid. Thank you.

0:24:23 > 0:24:26All done, £10. 166.

0:24:26 > 0:24:29You literally got £10 for those.

0:24:29 > 0:24:31Yes, they have gone.

0:24:31 > 0:24:34- They didn't like my bottles.- No, they didn't like the bottles, did they?

0:24:34 > 0:24:37Maybe it was cos there weren't ten green bottles

0:24:37 > 0:24:39and they weren't sitting on a wall!

0:24:39 > 0:24:41But at least they're sold

0:24:41 > 0:24:45and it's put something in the kitty towards Alex's rewiring.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48The boxed toy cars are up next for £20-£40.

0:24:48 > 0:24:51This includes the Corgi major aerial rescue truck.

0:24:51 > 0:24:55- These have got to be yours, Matt. - I think they may have been.

0:24:55 > 0:24:57Yes!

0:24:57 > 0:24:59I'm guessing it's not yours, Alex? No.

0:24:59 > 0:25:01Well, it seemed to be in pretty good condition.

0:25:01 > 0:25:05- I wasn't allowed to play with it! - You weren't allowed to play with it?

0:25:05 > 0:25:07- Don't you just hate those toys? - Is that true?- Yes!

0:25:07 > 0:25:10Ooh, it is true?! Why wouldn't you let him play with them?

0:25:10 > 0:25:13It was given to him when he was still a baby

0:25:13 > 0:25:18and there's small parts on it, so Dad wouldn't let him have it.

0:25:18 > 0:25:20He obviously never got to play with it.

0:25:20 > 0:25:23- He used to put things in his mouth, you see.- Even now?

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

0:25:25 > 0:25:27Low estimate, start me £10 for the lot.

0:25:27 > 0:25:29I'm bid £10.

0:25:29 > 0:25:3012 now.

0:25:30 > 0:25:3414, 16, 18.

0:25:34 > 0:25:35£18 here.

0:25:35 > 0:25:38£18 in the leather chair. At £18, anybody else?

0:25:38 > 0:25:40For the two items, for £18. Are you all done?

0:25:40 > 0:25:44I'm going to sell it then, £18 and going... 199.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47- OK, so £18.- A bit disappointing, isn't it, really?

0:25:47 > 0:25:50- You should have let him play with them now.- I should have done.

0:25:50 > 0:25:53If he had, it wouldn't have even made £18.

0:25:53 > 0:25:56I wonder if the winning bidder will play with it.

0:25:56 > 0:26:00Coming up next is the Arts and Crafts mahogany square table,

0:26:00 > 0:26:02given to Max by his great-aunt.

0:26:02 > 0:26:05How will it do here for £30 to £50?

0:26:05 > 0:26:06Seems cheap, really.

0:26:06 > 0:26:09It doesn't seem a lot of money. I hope it will get the bidding going.

0:26:09 > 0:26:11There's lots of Edwardian tables around

0:26:11 > 0:26:14but that is a nice example in good condition.

0:26:14 > 0:26:16I'd be hoping to make top estimate at least.

0:26:16 > 0:26:17With me at £50. 55 now, 60.

0:26:17 > 0:26:1965, 70,

0:26:19 > 0:26:2175, 80,

0:26:21 > 0:26:2285, 90,

0:26:22 > 0:26:2495, 100.

0:26:24 > 0:26:26£100, still with me at £100.

0:26:26 > 0:26:28And 10 if you like, at £100 for the table.

0:26:28 > 0:26:30All done?

0:26:30 > 0:26:32£100, it goes then for £100.

0:26:32 > 0:26:35- Doubled our estimate there. - Brilliant.

0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Happy with that? - Absolutely, yes.

0:26:40 > 0:26:44I don't think Diane expected that old table

0:26:44 > 0:26:45to attract so much interest.

0:26:45 > 0:26:49Now, it's time for the late 18th century flintlock gun

0:26:49 > 0:26:51and the late 19th century French bayonet,

0:26:51 > 0:26:54which all belonged to Diane's husband.

0:26:54 > 0:26:56I don't suppose you'll miss these, Alex?

0:26:56 > 0:26:59- It is one of my favourites out of everything.- Oh, really, why?

0:26:59 > 0:27:01What appeals to you about it?

0:27:01 > 0:27:02I just liked it.

0:27:02 > 0:27:07I like old military guns and stuff.

0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Presumably the rewiring's a bit more important?- Yeah.

0:27:10 > 0:27:13All right, John, you've got 100-150 on this.

0:27:13 > 0:27:15That should be OK.

0:27:15 > 0:27:18The gun's been converted from a flintlock to a percussion lock

0:27:18 > 0:27:20but it is 18th century.

0:27:20 > 0:27:21I put it together with the bayonet

0:27:21 > 0:27:24because these will appeal to the same sort of buyer.

0:27:24 > 0:27:27So 100-150, I think that's good for those items.

0:27:27 > 0:27:30£80 straight off, with me at £80, and 5 I'll take.

0:27:30 > 0:27:3485. 90 with me, do you want 95?

0:27:34 > 0:27:3695, come on, come on.

0:27:36 > 0:27:38100 there. 110, 120.

0:27:38 > 0:27:40- 130, 140.- (Oh, God!)

0:27:40 > 0:27:42£140.

0:27:42 > 0:27:43There at 140, anybody else?

0:27:43 > 0:27:45It's back in, it's back in.

0:27:47 > 0:27:48No, it's got to be 150.

0:27:48 > 0:27:50150.

0:27:50 > 0:27:52150 here then, at 150.

0:27:52 > 0:27:55At £150, anybody else, 150?

0:27:55 > 0:27:59£150. Bang on your top estimate there, John. Well done.

0:27:59 > 0:28:01Well done!

0:28:01 > 0:28:03Are you all right about it, Alex?

0:28:03 > 0:28:05Would you rather have held on to it, do you think?

0:28:05 > 0:28:07No, I'm pleased with what it got.

0:28:07 > 0:28:08We all are.

0:28:08 > 0:28:11It was a good idea of John's to put them both together

0:28:11 > 0:28:13to attract at least two bidders.

0:28:13 > 0:28:17Now it's the sale of the first of Diane's family silver -

0:28:17 > 0:28:22the 1929 George V centrepiece, which was a wedding present to her mother.

0:28:23 > 0:28:26Is this one of the pieces you felt quite sad about letting go?

0:28:26 > 0:28:32It is cherished and it's one that Alex particularly likes as well,

0:28:32 > 0:28:35remembering it from... well, growing up with it, really.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38Well, I know you like it, but...

0:28:38 > 0:28:41it's expected to make £300-400

0:28:41 > 0:28:43and that's a lot of money, isn't it?

0:28:43 > 0:28:45Yeah, that's why we decided...

0:28:45 > 0:28:47It had to go. OK.

0:28:47 > 0:28:49Do you think we'll make that, John?

0:28:49 > 0:28:51It's a nice piece and I overheard two dealers

0:28:51 > 0:28:54talking about it before the sale and one commented to the other

0:28:54 > 0:28:57that he thought that was the nicest piece of silver in the sale.

0:28:57 > 0:29:00We can hear the auctioneer now opening the bidding.

0:29:00 > 0:29:02I'm going to start you at three dimmer switches.

0:29:02 > 0:29:04THEY LAUGH

0:29:04 > 0:29:07Start me this, a couple of hundred pounds, surely?

0:29:07 > 0:29:09I'm bid straight in at £200.

0:29:09 > 0:29:12210, 220, 230, 240,

0:29:12 > 0:29:14- 250...- Come on.

0:29:14 > 0:29:17..280, 290, 300 and 20.

0:29:17 > 0:29:19340.

0:29:19 > 0:29:22- 360...- It's going at £340.

0:29:22 > 0:29:24380 there.

0:29:24 > 0:29:26One more, please.

0:29:26 > 0:29:28400 and 20.

0:29:28 > 0:29:31440, 460, 480,

0:29:31 > 0:29:34500. £500 here.

0:29:36 > 0:29:39£500 then, at £500.

0:29:41 > 0:29:46£500! Are you pleased with that? Yes? Are you all right?

0:29:46 > 0:29:49- Did you realise that you had £500 sitting there?- No.

0:29:49 > 0:29:51That's just the start.

0:29:51 > 0:29:53I didn't.

0:29:53 > 0:29:54- Are you OK?- Yeah.

0:29:54 > 0:29:57Breathe deeply through your nose, we've got a lot more to sell.

0:29:57 > 0:30:01- I'm just wondering what my mum would say.- I think she'd be delighted.

0:30:01 > 0:30:02She would, actually.

0:30:04 > 0:30:07I'm sure she'd be happy to know that her granddaughter Alex

0:30:07 > 0:30:10will be benefiting from something the family no longer needs.

0:30:10 > 0:30:13The two Chinese cloisonne vases quickly follow.

0:30:15 > 0:30:19- What do you want for these, John? - I've got 50-100 on them. Not bad.

0:30:19 > 0:30:22They are early-20th century. There's not a huge amount of age to them

0:30:22 > 0:30:25but they're in good condition and with cloisonne,

0:30:25 > 0:30:27once damaged, it's almost impossible to repair,

0:30:27 > 0:30:30so I think that estimate reflects their condition.

0:30:30 > 0:30:32And were these another family piece?

0:30:32 > 0:30:36They belonged to an aunt of mine and she gave them to me

0:30:36 > 0:30:39when she no longer needed them because she went into a care home.

0:30:39 > 0:30:45I've had them for a while, but they don't suit...

0:30:45 > 0:30:46my taste any more.

0:30:46 > 0:30:49They've been looked after cos they are a matching pair,

0:30:49 > 0:30:52and you haven't lost one through damage over the years.

0:30:52 > 0:30:54Let's see what we get for them.

0:30:54 > 0:30:55Start me, 30 to go.

0:30:55 > 0:30:58£30 for the vases, I'm bid at £30.

0:30:58 > 0:31:0132, 35,

0:31:01 > 0:31:0238, 40.

0:31:02 > 0:31:03Come on, chaps.

0:31:03 > 0:31:04£40.

0:31:04 > 0:31:07Anybody else, at £40? 42.

0:31:07 > 0:31:0845.

0:31:08 > 0:31:11£45 here, at 45.

0:31:11 > 0:31:12A new bidder.

0:31:12 > 0:31:1448, 50,

0:31:14 > 0:31:1655, 60.

0:31:16 > 0:31:18We're getting there, it's just slow.

0:31:18 > 0:31:2070, 75.

0:31:20 > 0:31:23£75 further away then, anybody else?

0:31:23 > 0:31:25£75 for the pair of vases. 75.

0:31:25 > 0:31:30£75. That's pretty good, bang in the middle of your estimate, John.

0:31:30 > 0:31:32- Happy with that?- Yeah, that's OK.

0:31:32 > 0:31:34- Good, good.- That's fine.

0:31:34 > 0:31:37That was another very good result there

0:31:37 > 0:31:39but we did start off with a few low sales.

0:31:39 > 0:31:42So how are we doing for reaching our goal?

0:31:42 > 0:31:45We've got a bit of a break before our afternoon session,

0:31:45 > 0:31:48in which you've got some very large pieces of silver coming up.

0:31:48 > 0:31:50You wanted £1,000 for this rewire job.

0:31:50 > 0:31:52How do you think it's gone so far?

0:31:52 > 0:31:55- I don't know. Tell us. - I want you to have a little guess.

0:31:55 > 0:31:58Do you think we've done well or not?

0:31:58 > 0:32:00- I'm quietly confident. - Quietly confident.

0:32:00 > 0:32:03You have every reason to be quietly confident,

0:32:03 > 0:32:06because so far we've made £853.

0:32:07 > 0:32:09Wow, that's good.

0:32:09 > 0:32:11Which takes the pressure off the afternoon.

0:32:11 > 0:32:14So, shall we have a bit of a break before we have to come back in?

0:32:14 > 0:32:17Come on, then, follow John.

0:32:17 > 0:32:20Now, if you've been inspired by Diane's progress here,

0:32:20 > 0:32:23and would like to have a go at selling at auction yourself,

0:32:23 > 0:32:27do bear in mind that commission plus VAT will be added to your bill.

0:32:27 > 0:32:30This charge varies from one saleroom to another,

0:32:30 > 0:32:33so it's always worth enquiring in advance.

0:32:33 > 0:32:37A general auction like this one is a great place to sell

0:32:37 > 0:32:39a wide variety of things, like Diane is doing.

0:32:39 > 0:32:42It attracts dealers who have a trained eye

0:32:42 > 0:32:46and are ready to spot anything out of the ordinary.

0:32:46 > 0:32:49- John!- Lorne! How lovely to see you.

0:32:49 > 0:32:53- Love of my life! Where've you been? - Looking at this jug.

0:32:53 > 0:32:55- Oh, very nice. I like the colours on that.- It is nice.

0:32:55 > 0:32:59It's a Royal Patriotic jug made by Samuel Alcock.

0:32:59 > 0:33:01We've got everything we need to know here.

0:33:01 > 0:33:05- There we are, it's the Royal Patriotic jug.- Which was for what?

0:33:05 > 0:33:07It was for the Crimean War.

0:33:07 > 0:33:11We have a scene on this side,

0:33:11 > 0:33:14wounded soldiers in battle in the Crimea.

0:33:14 > 0:33:16If we turn it round, we have a weeping mother

0:33:16 > 0:33:18and some children here.

0:33:18 > 0:33:21But the jug was issued in about 1855,

0:33:21 > 0:33:23right in the middle of the Crimean War.

0:33:23 > 0:33:27You can see just down here, January 1st 1855.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30- Was the point of it to raise funds to help families?- Exactly.

0:33:30 > 0:33:34The jug was sold to generate funds

0:33:34 > 0:33:37for children who had lost somebody or somebody who had lost a husband.

0:33:37 > 0:33:40It is in extraordinary condition, isn't it?

0:33:40 > 0:33:42It does look remarkably good, and I have to say,

0:33:42 > 0:33:45when I picked it up, I thought, brilliant, I haven't seen one of

0:33:45 > 0:33:47these in a long time, they are quite scarce these days.

0:33:47 > 0:33:49However, I've just noticed

0:33:49 > 0:33:52a little hairline crack right down there from the rim.

0:33:52 > 0:33:55So, the auctioneers have got this in at 150-250.

0:33:55 > 0:33:57It's great. They don't turn up often.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00It'll be interesting to see how well it performs here today.

0:34:00 > 0:34:04We'd better put it back somewhere safe, hadn't we? Come on.

0:34:04 > 0:34:06Honestly, it was like that when I found it.

0:34:06 > 0:34:08Well, it didn't do too badly here,

0:34:08 > 0:34:12reaching just £10 under its lower estimate.

0:34:12 > 0:34:15As the sale of Diane's items resumes,

0:34:15 > 0:34:18her Victorian oil painting is the next to go before the bidders.

0:34:18 > 0:34:20It was given to her grandfather

0:34:20 > 0:34:23in payment for a debt when he was a bookmaker.

0:34:23 > 0:34:27Nice picture. Not the best time in the marketplace for these,

0:34:27 > 0:34:28but I brought my estimate down.

0:34:28 > 0:34:32I think ten, 15 years ago, this would have made £400-600.

0:34:32 > 0:34:33It's not terribly commercial.

0:34:33 > 0:34:36I'm hoping it's going to make £200, because it's lovely.

0:34:36 > 0:34:39I'd love to know how much money he was owed.

0:34:39 > 0:34:41I would love to know.

0:34:43 > 0:34:44Yes, because whatever he was owed,

0:34:44 > 0:34:46you're going to get the benefit of it, aren't you?

0:34:46 > 0:34:49And I am sure you'll be pleased to hear I have one, two,

0:34:49 > 0:34:50three, four bids on the lot.

0:34:50 > 0:34:56- I can start at £200.- Straight in at 200.- So we've sold it, definitely.

0:34:56 > 0:34:59230, 240, 250, 260.

0:34:59 > 0:35:01£260 it is.

0:35:01 > 0:35:04At £260, anybody else?

0:35:04 > 0:35:05At 260.

0:35:05 > 0:35:10260 it is, then. For 260 I'm going to sell it. 260.

0:35:10 > 0:35:12£260.

0:35:12 > 0:35:13I wondered if we'd get a bid.

0:35:13 > 0:35:16It is one of those things, it'll either sell or it won't.

0:35:16 > 0:35:20Well, this result definitely brings a ray of sunshine

0:35:20 > 0:35:25into the Cox family, and their ambitions to make £1,000.

0:35:25 > 0:35:28The second collection of silverware is up next,

0:35:28 > 0:35:31including a compact which belonged to an aunt of Diane's,

0:35:31 > 0:35:35a fruit knife which was her late husband's, and a novelty pincushion.

0:35:35 > 0:35:38Right, we know the silver dealers are here today,

0:35:38 > 0:35:41which is good news for us. But forget them for the moment.

0:35:41 > 0:35:43What I think is going to be interesting

0:35:43 > 0:35:46is to see who else is interested in your little roller skate,

0:35:46 > 0:35:48because that has got to have been

0:35:48 > 0:35:50one of the most viewed items here today.

0:35:50 > 0:35:53Whenever it went into the cabinet, someone else wanted to view it.

0:35:53 > 0:35:55Let's hope that translates into sales.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58Overall, we've put 50-60 on that, John?

0:35:58 > 0:36:02- I've put 50-60. It should eclipse that, shouldn't it?- I hope so, yes.

0:36:02 > 0:36:03Who'll start at £50 for the lot?

0:36:03 > 0:36:06I thought I might be bid in front of me. Anybody else?

0:36:06 > 0:36:11At £50 for the roller skate. I can't believe it, it is so cheap.

0:36:11 > 0:36:1455 now, 60, 65, 70.

0:36:14 > 0:36:1775, 80.

0:36:17 > 0:36:21£80 in front of me for the roller skate. £80. Anybody else?

0:36:21 > 0:36:24It doesn't seem a lot. At £80, I'm going to sell it, then.

0:36:24 > 0:36:27Selling it for 80. £80.

0:36:27 > 0:36:29£80, so it didn't translate.

0:36:29 > 0:36:30All those people looking at it,

0:36:30 > 0:36:33I thought it would have gone for more, John.

0:36:33 > 0:36:36I thought it might, because as you say, very unusual,

0:36:36 > 0:36:37but I guess at the end of the day

0:36:37 > 0:36:40there's only so many collectors for it out there.

0:36:40 > 0:36:43And it was over the top of the estimate,

0:36:43 > 0:36:46so we shouldn't be at all disappointed at that result.

0:36:46 > 0:36:48Some more silver follows.

0:36:48 > 0:36:52The George V spirit kettle with burner and water jug.

0:36:52 > 0:36:56Everything you could possibly want for afternoon tea, I would suggest.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59- This is another family piece, isn't it?- Yes, it is.

0:36:59 > 0:37:01How do you feel about this lot going?

0:37:01 > 0:37:04About the same as I felt about the other.

0:37:04 > 0:37:06Yes, this was my mum's, and again,

0:37:06 > 0:37:09she had them as wedding presents, and...yeah.

0:37:09 > 0:37:14Well, I know you've put £500-600 on it when we did the rummage, John.

0:37:14 > 0:37:18But the auctioneer in the catalogue has put 650-1,000.

0:37:18 > 0:37:23- And you've put £650 reserve on it, haven't you?- Yes, discretionary.

0:37:23 > 0:37:25All right, well, let's see what happens.

0:37:25 > 0:37:29And I'm glad to say there was a bit of interest in this straight off.

0:37:29 > 0:37:33I'm straight in at £500, and 50 I'll take. £500. And 50.

0:37:33 > 0:37:36550 is bid now.

0:37:36 > 0:37:39600 I'll take from somebody else. At £550.

0:37:39 > 0:37:41With me at 550.

0:37:41 > 0:37:44At £550, is that all?

0:37:44 > 0:37:46At 550, I am not selling it, I'm afraid.

0:37:46 > 0:37:50The auction house put 650-1,000.

0:37:50 > 0:37:53You put the reserve of 650 in, discretionary.

0:37:53 > 0:37:56But the bidding only got to 550.

0:37:56 > 0:38:00So it was just below the discretionary reserve,

0:38:00 > 0:38:02which is why it hasn't sold.

0:38:02 > 0:38:06- But how do you feel about it not selling?- That's OK.

0:38:06 > 0:38:09It was a wedding present to my mother,

0:38:09 > 0:38:12and it's just something that's always been around.

0:38:12 > 0:38:17And, again, like the other piece, constantly cleaning it and so on.

0:38:17 > 0:38:20So, yes, it's sentimental to me.

0:38:20 > 0:38:22I think we've done well enough so far.

0:38:22 > 0:38:25We can sustain that for the moment, can't we?

0:38:25 > 0:38:29A shame, though. I said 500-600, so it got up as far as my mid-estimate.

0:38:29 > 0:38:33- So there we are.- I'm sorry, John. - You big show-off!

0:38:33 > 0:38:36Well, that £550 would certainly have been welcome.

0:38:36 > 0:38:37But while it is disappointing,

0:38:37 > 0:38:41it's a much-loved family piece that they can still enjoy.

0:38:41 > 0:38:44And they can always sell it at another time, should they choose.

0:38:44 > 0:38:47Next, it's the small collection of half dolls

0:38:47 > 0:38:50which belonged to Diane's sisters-in-law.

0:38:50 > 0:38:53They were used to cover pincushions and powder boxes.

0:38:53 > 0:38:56The estimate is £30-50.

0:38:56 > 0:38:59There are two bids on the book. I'm straight in at £35.

0:38:59 > 0:39:0235, and 40 I'll take for the pincushion dolls.

0:39:02 > 0:39:04At £35, all done?

0:39:04 > 0:39:05On the book, then, at £35...

0:39:05 > 0:39:0840! 45 with me.

0:39:08 > 0:39:11£45, on the book with me at 45. Are you all done? £45.

0:39:11 > 0:39:14Ooh, they almost reached John's top estimate,

0:39:14 > 0:39:16so another good sale there.

0:39:16 > 0:39:19The final lot is another precious family heirloom -

0:39:19 > 0:39:22her grandfather's greyhound racing trophies

0:39:22 > 0:39:24made of highest-quality silver.

0:39:24 > 0:39:27We're all hoping they bring in a price

0:39:27 > 0:39:30that smashes all our expectations.

0:39:30 > 0:39:32Well, John, you put 650-1,000 on that.

0:39:32 > 0:39:34That was based on them collectively.

0:39:34 > 0:39:36I wasn't sure whether they would

0:39:36 > 0:39:39split them up and sell them as individual lots or not.

0:39:39 > 0:39:41But they've kept them together,

0:39:41 > 0:39:43and kept my estimate together, so they should sell.

0:39:43 > 0:39:44Let's hope so.

0:39:44 > 0:39:48Start me £500 for the lot, please. £500, and 50 I will take.

0:39:48 > 0:39:50At £500. All done? 550.

0:39:50 > 0:39:52600. And 50.

0:39:52 > 0:39:54700. And 50.

0:39:54 > 0:39:57800. And 50.

0:39:57 > 0:39:59900. And 50.

0:39:59 > 0:40:01£1,000. 1,100.

0:40:01 > 0:40:041,150. 1,200.

0:40:04 > 0:40:07£1,200 now. £1,200, anybody else?

0:40:07 > 0:40:11At £1,200, I am going to sell it, then. 1,200.

0:40:11 > 0:40:13GAVEL BANGS

0:40:13 > 0:40:17Oh, my goodness. What do you think of that?

0:40:17 > 0:40:19- Fantastic!- I really...

0:40:19 > 0:40:22Well, I am quite gobsmacked at that amount, aren't you?

0:40:22 > 0:40:27- Are you happy with that? - Absolutely delighted!

0:40:27 > 0:40:30Diane's shaking so much, she could hardly speak.

0:40:30 > 0:40:33That sale surpassed the target she was hoping to reach in one go.

0:40:33 > 0:40:36I can't wait to tot up the total

0:40:36 > 0:40:38and tell her how much she's actually made.

0:40:38 > 0:40:42- Can you remember how much you wanted to raise?- £1,000.- That's right.

0:40:42 > 0:40:45I thought that was a bit probably underestimating

0:40:45 > 0:40:47the cost of having the house rewired,

0:40:47 > 0:40:49but any contribution helps, doesn't it?

0:40:49 > 0:40:51So, you might be quite pleased to know

0:40:51 > 0:40:55that the value of everything we've sold today comes to...

0:40:55 > 0:40:58£2,438.

0:41:02 > 0:41:06So, do you think you'll be able to get all the work done now?

0:41:06 > 0:41:07I hope so.

0:41:07 > 0:41:10Pretty sure that should cover it, I reckon.

0:41:10 > 0:41:13And don't forget, you're still taking

0:41:13 > 0:41:15that family silver kettle home.

0:41:15 > 0:41:17We didn't even sell that.

0:41:17 > 0:41:19So you've got all that money,

0:41:19 > 0:41:21and you've kept one of the heirlooms,

0:41:21 > 0:41:23which is quite nice, isn't it?

0:41:23 > 0:41:25- That's lovely.- Did you ever think you'd make that much?

0:41:25 > 0:41:28No. It's been...

0:41:29 > 0:41:31It's been an eye-opener, hasn't it?

0:41:35 > 0:41:37Well, it took a while to find a date

0:41:37 > 0:41:40that suited both Alex and the electricians,

0:41:40 > 0:41:42but finally the work has started,

0:41:42 > 0:41:44and just in time, by the look of things.

0:41:44 > 0:41:49I didn't, I suppose, anticipate such cold weather

0:41:49 > 0:41:54when we instigated this rewiring.

0:41:54 > 0:41:58But I am going to be happy, because I know she's going to be safe.

0:41:58 > 0:42:00I have waited a long time for the rewiring.

0:42:00 > 0:42:04It was financial, mainly, so Cash In The Attic has really helped.

0:42:04 > 0:42:08The work will take three days in total, so is Alex pleased,

0:42:08 > 0:42:10and how is it all turning out?

0:42:10 > 0:42:14It's a bit of a shock seeing my house like this,

0:42:14 > 0:42:16but in a couple of days it'll be back to normal.

0:42:16 > 0:42:21Yes, I have taken a week off work to come and help her sort out

0:42:21 > 0:42:23and make good afterwards,

0:42:23 > 0:42:26because there's going to be a lot of decorating to do, as well.

0:42:26 > 0:42:28So that's something to look forward to.