0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello. We're delighted you've been able to join us for the programme
0:00:04 > 0:00:06that turns old treasures into new dreams.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10And let's face it, moving house is a bit stressful at the best of times.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12But today, we're going to help one lady lighten the load
0:00:12 > 0:00:15and hopefully find her some cash in the attic.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39'Coming up on Cash In The Attic,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43'a little-known secret about our expert, John, is discovered.'
0:00:43 > 0:00:44What's happening to you?
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I have seen you play with tractors, cars, all sorts of things.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- But not dolls.- Keep it quiet. I've got a reputation.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Not much of one, but I still have a bit of a reputation.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54'What's wrong with the man?
0:00:54 > 0:00:58'And he's taken a dislike to a little man sitting on a Japanese teapot.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- He looks a bit moody about something, doesn't he?- He does.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05He hasn't got a nice expression, has he? He's like, "What am I doing up here?"
0:01:05 > 0:01:10'At auction, will there be heartache over some 18th-century poetry books?'
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Now, are you going to be sorry to see these go?
0:01:13 > 0:01:14No. They're dust collectors.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16HE LAUGHS
0:01:16 > 0:01:19'Will they still be laughing when the hammer falls?'
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Now, today we're having a lovely day out
0:01:23 > 0:01:25because we're on the Kent coast.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29And the idea is to help someone downsize from a family home
0:01:29 > 0:01:30to a more manageable bungalow.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Mind you, I'm not so sure that "downsizing" is the accurate phrase
0:01:34 > 0:01:36because once we help her de-clutter,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40she's going to use the proceeds to fill her new house with furniture.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43'Val Cripps has lived in her current house on the Kent coastline
0:01:43 > 0:01:45'for the past 37 years.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'She's decided it's just too big for her now,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'and this is why she's roped in her good friend, Paul,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53'to help with the clear-out.
0:01:53 > 0:01:54'They both work as prison officers,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57'so I had better be on my best behaviour!
0:01:57 > 0:02:01'Fortunately, John Cameron is here with me to assess all we find,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04'and work out what might raise some good money at auction within these walls.'
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Val and Paul, how are you?
0:02:08 > 0:02:09Hello.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Very nice to see you. And this, of course, is John, our expert today.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Actually, it's a bit funny today because we're wondering,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17as you're both in the prison service,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19do we get locked in today? Do you keep us here all day?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- Is that the idea? - No, you'll be fine.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25But you're going to go off and have a look at some very special things.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- OK. I'll see you in a bit. - Fantastic. See you then.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30So, did you guys meet, then, in prison?
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Well, we sort of know each other from work.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Val works in one prison. I work in another prison.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38But we meet at a quiz that we do every week.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- Quiz night, like at a pub? - Quiz night, yeah.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- But you're mates as opposed to partners?- Yes.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Oh, yes. We're mates. Yes, definitely.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Now, why did you decide, Val, to call in Cash In The Attic?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Well, I wanted to downsize, and I've got all this stuff
0:02:49 > 0:02:51hanging about. It's everywhere.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56I want to get a smaller house and I wanted to get rid of all my bits and pieces that are hanging around,
0:02:56 > 0:02:57so I can have a bit of space.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Is it going to be strange being friends, you rummaging around her house?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Yeah, it will seem a bit strange. But I'll be careful where I'm rummaging.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- WOMEN LAUGH - I've got to send you off, actually, Paul,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- and see what you can find.- OK.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- So, I'll let you disappear. - Thanks very much.- It's good.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15And Val, overall, how much money are you aiming for?
0:03:15 > 0:03:16£400, um...
0:03:17 > 0:03:20..so that I can maybe buy another piece of furniture.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- So, just for a freshness and a change.- Yes, a change. Yes.- OK.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- So, you've got good muscles there.- Mm.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- All ready for work?- Yes.- All right.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- Well, let's see what John's got up to.- Ooh, yeah. Let's go and look.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35'Val describes herself as an amateur antique collector,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37'and even used to deal at one point.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40'She says she has nearly 40 years of stuff around the house,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43'but I think she must keep it all under lock and key
0:03:43 > 0:03:45'because it looks very neat and tidy to me.'
0:03:47 > 0:03:48Aha, John! In the bedroom.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Now, what's happening to you?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54I have seen you play with tractors, cars, all sorts of things.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- But not dolls.- Keep it quiet. I've got a reputation.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Not much of one, but I still have a bit of a reputation.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- But what a beautiful doll there. - Well, interesting doll.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05What's the story as far as you know, Val?
0:04:05 > 0:04:07It was bought as a present for me
0:04:07 > 0:04:09because my husband threw away my old dolls,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and I told him he had to buy me an old doll back.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Why did...- "Why did he throw them away?" They said in unison.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Because we were clearing out the loft and I had two black bags,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21one of rubbish, one of all my very old dolls,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23and he went down the skip.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And when I looked in the bag, he'd taken the wrong ones.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- Is that why you divorced him?- Yes.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30THEY LAUGH
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Now, when did your passion, though, for dolls begin? Like, when did the collecting begin?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37I started... Well, this must be about 15 years ago.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I just liked them, and I feel sorry for some of them
0:04:40 > 0:04:43that had broken hands or whatever,
0:04:43 > 0:04:44and started collecting.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Did you take them to the Doll Hospital and have them all fixed?
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Yes. That one I had re-strung on here.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53It's interesting. The first thing I do when I look at a doll is turn it around,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56look at the back of the head and see if we've got the maker's mark.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58And we do have one on here. See the initials, AM?
0:04:58 > 0:05:02That's Armand Marseille, probably the most famous doll manufacturer,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04who was actually Russian, from St Petersburg.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- Oh, didn't know that.- Yeah, he moved to Thuringia in Germany,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10a very well-established area for doll-making
0:05:10 > 0:05:12where he purchased a porcelain factory,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and a few years later, started producing the heads
0:05:15 > 0:05:17of these bisque heads of the dolls.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20A huge centre for production in Germany at that point.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Now, turning to the body now, which is what I was looking at when you came in,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I don't see any wear here at all.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28And what I think may have happened is that
0:05:28 > 0:05:30the doll has got terribly poorly,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and it's had a trip to a doll hospital
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and has been replaced with a new body.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37How much do you reckon it might fetch?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Well, I still think she's a nice doll. Pretty-looking doll.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I'd like to think she'll make something like £70-£90.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Something like that.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46Well, that's a good first find and I know...
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I'm sure there are lots and lots and lots of other things to look at,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52so put your doll DOWN, John,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55reluctantly, and come and have a look at some other things.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Come on, Val.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57'I'm worried about him.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02'It looks like Paul, though, has his work cut out, going through his stack of paintings on the landing.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04'But he pulls out a couple of prints
0:06:04 > 0:06:06'that Val has had since she was 19.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09'They're both riverscapes in the style of
0:06:09 > 0:06:12'the early 20th century Belgian artist, Henri Cassiers.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15'The person who painted these works, however,
0:06:15 > 0:06:16'is unknown in the art world,
0:06:16 > 0:06:21'and the estimate of £20-£30 for the two reflects it all.'
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Now,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26this looks an interesting little teapot.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27What's the story with this?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Where did this come from?- Bruges.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I went over there on a day trip and they were having, like, a boot fair.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34And I spotted it, and I thought,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36"That's got to be old."
0:06:36 > 0:06:38And I asked how much was.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Five euros.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- So, I snapped it up.- Five euros!
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I think you did well there.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- So, you thought it looked old.- Mm.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46How old did you think it was?
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Well, I thought it was like '30s,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51cos it had on it "Made in Japan."
0:06:51 > 0:06:53And I thought it was foreign.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57You clearly know what you're doing, don't you?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00"Made in Japan", places it in the '20s. When you look at marks,
0:07:00 > 0:07:05you can see that, if it just said "Japan", we'd have probably placed it before the First World War.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10In between the two World Wars, it starts saying "Made in Japan" or "Made in France", what have you.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15But, after the Second World War, there's still a lot of ill feeling towards Japan, places like Germany.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18It would just say "Foreign," so that it didn't affect their export market.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22When you look at the piece, apart from it being an elephant,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- with this little man sat on the back... He does look a bit moody about something.- He does.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30He hasn't got a nice expression. It's like, "What am I doing up here?"
0:07:30 > 0:07:32But if you look at those flowers on there,
0:07:32 > 0:07:38- that's quite interesting, because they remind me straight away of Carlton Ware.- Oh!
0:07:38 > 0:07:42And there's a link there because they were copying Carlton Ware, Japan.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46It's a nice thing, and I certainly think it'll do better than your five euros.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- I wouldn't be surprised if we got 20 or 30 quid.- That'd be nice.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Happy with that? - Yes, I'm very happy with that.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54I think John will be very happy, actually.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Because Paul has come across five more dolls.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59They all have bisque heads - they are unglazed -
0:07:59 > 0:08:03to give them that realistic skin-like matte finish.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Once more, they are part of the collection Val has amassed over the years.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10She says she would really like to pass them on to her family
0:08:10 > 0:08:12but, sadly, nobody wants them.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16One of them is by that famous doll maker, Armand Marseille.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20And the estimate for the lot is £100-150.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22And, when they get to the saleroom,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26will their quality impress the bidders?
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Including one by Armand Marseille. The magic name.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Start me 100?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Start me 50?
0:08:33 > 0:08:38We'll just have to wait a little longer to find out where that sale finishes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42As the search of Val's house continues,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44going by John's lowest estimates up until now,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47we stand to make £210 at auction.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50So we're just over the halfway mark.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51As well as downsizing,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Val's also planning to retire soon, and spend more time with the family.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Including someone she is keen to introduce me to, right now.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- This is Jack?- Yes. - Nice to meet you, Jack.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- I should imagine he's great company for you.- He is very good company.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Is he literally like a lapdog, does he hang around you all day?- Yes.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- He follows me around everywhere. - I like that.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I was going to have him when I retired,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18but I'm pleased I've got him now.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- You wouldn't be without him? - I wouldn't.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22So, are you looking forward to retirement?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I am looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Being able to go on nice walks
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and not thinking, I've got to rush back to work.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31How often do you see them?
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Er...two or three times a week.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36One only lives in the next road. Another lives 10 minutes away,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- so I can walk there with the dog. - That would be my absolute dream,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42to have my grandchildren just up the road.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44I'd go and see my grandson and play football,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47and my granddaughter, she does the horseriding.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Does she have a pony of her own? - Yes.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Yes, she has.- What fun is that?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Sometimes she brings him up here to see me.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- GLORIA LAUGHS - What? Into the garden?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Yeah, he munches a bit of the front lawn for me!
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Now, I live in Kent,
0:10:02 > 0:10:04but I'm not familiar with the Isle of Sheppey.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07What's it like living here? You've been here 37 years.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10It's very nice.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12A nice community. Everybody knows everybody else really.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15A lot of people are related.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18The neighbours are very friendly around here. They all look after each other.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20You like that sense of community?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22I do, it makes you feel safe, I think.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24You've got someone you can call on, if need be.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Right at the beginning of the programme,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- you said you'd like around £400. - Yes.
0:10:29 > 0:10:35I would just like to buy a smaller chair that I'd wish to go in a smaller house.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38No doubt, this one will probably pinch it from me!
0:10:38 > 0:10:39GLORIA LAUGHS
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- And no doubt you will give Jack pride of place, I should imagine. - Yes.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- I think we'd better see how the boys are getting on.- Oh, yes.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- Do you want to come with us, Jack? - Yes.- Why not, come on. - Let's go and see.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52I like Jack.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And John has come across a ruby case cut-glass table lamp and shade.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It was made in what was once Czechoslovakia.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02And it's in the shape of a mushroom.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Val's daughter bought it for her when she changed the colour of her lounge.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08But Val says it just won't look right in her new bungalow.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11The estimate is £60-80.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13John.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15What do you think of this?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It certainly looks like something we can take to auction.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22But it looks like it's got pride of place here, on the mantelpiece.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25What's the story? Will Val mind us selling it?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29I think it's just a clock someone gave to Val quite a while back.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I'm sure she would. I don't think it's got a sentimental value to it.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35OK. Well, it looks like a French clock to me.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Certainly, date wise, put it in the 19th century.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Very typical of these Mannerist scrolled columns at the side here.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43The first thing that strikes you about these clocks is
0:11:43 > 0:11:46they weigh an absolute ton. But it's not solid marble.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50You've got a reconstituted stone base underneath here which houses the movement.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Then it's been clad with these marble panels,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55with the white Carrera marble and the rouge marble.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Typical white enamelled dial, with Roman numerals.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Two winders here, which tell us, one, that it tells the time,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and two, it strikes, more than likely, a bell.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Turn it round and have a look.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Nice gilt metal putti on the top there, putti figure.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15We can see it's missing the case that houses that in,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18what we call a sound fret, it allows the sound of the bell to resonate out.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20That's gone. Not a major thing.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22We've got the bell there.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Inside, we can see the top of the pendulum.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27There's a maker, it'll be a Parisian or French maker,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29which were very popular at the time.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33So, we do see a lot of these clocks at auction. Condition always varies.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36A little bit of staining to the white marble, but not too bad.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Value wise? Quite reasonable, actually, if you want to buy one of these.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44At auction today, I'd estimate it at about £70-90.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45Hopefully we'll get 100.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- Still a lot of clock for your money. - Yeah, it is. It's extremely heavy.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- We won't play catch with it!- No.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Let's see what else we can find. - OK.- Come on.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58So, you might say, a timely boost to the chair Val wants when she downsizes.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Now, some Devon pottery has grabbed Paul's attention.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04It's a tea set in the shape of cottages,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08and it was given to Val a couple of years ago when a friend emigrated.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11John puts a value on it of £20-30.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Come and have a look at these. I just love these books.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- I know, John, you love them, all leather bound.- Yeah, I do.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22I'm a sucker for good bindings. Poetry here.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Anderson's Fairy Tales there. Is that John Gay?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28What's the story with the books?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I used to collect them, right from about 16,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I used to go around the old bookshops and collect the poets.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35I liked leather-bound books.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Val, did you buy them as much for the colour and the bindings as the poetry?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Or do you just love poetry?
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- The books, the feel, and the poetry. - Yes.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Is there a big market for leather-bound books these days? - There are.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I've got my favourites in my hand already, the John Gay, The Poetical Works.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57People collect books for a number of reasons - the content, the authors,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01the press and the bindings. These are all very important factors when you're looking at books.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05But these do have decorative bindings, they are quite nice.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07And, the condition of this one in particular is rather nice.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12Beautifully bound in Morocco here, with gilt tooling, Greek key around there.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16And look. Judging that this is hand-woven paper.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Gosh. I'd never have known that, never have known it at all, till you pointed it out
0:14:20 > 0:14:22in all the years I've owned them.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25And the date of it, 1777.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- Wow.- Look how clean those pages are.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31It's been looked after. We've got the other two there as well, look.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Those, for me, are the best books there.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I'd put them in all together as one lot,
0:14:37 > 0:14:38and I'd be looking at about £50-100.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Did you know the John Gay books, were quite valuable?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44No. No, I just knew they were John Gay, I just wanted to buy them.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Here we have The History of America,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48you might as well put it in the collection.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50THEY LAUGH
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Val's obviously a romantic at heart.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57So let's hope her books capture someone else's attention at auction.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02John decides to thoroughly explore the bedroom, and comes across some tiny brooches.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Five of them are nine-carat gold.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09There are also some that aren't hallmarked, so they'll be sold as yellow metal.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Val isn't sure where they came from,
0:15:11 > 0:15:16but she's very pleased with the estimate of £30-50.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19We're having a great time plundering your house and finding all sorts of goodies.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22While I have both of you together, knowing
0:15:22 > 0:15:24that you're both in the Prison Service,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27I'm anxious to know what the reaction was within the ranks, if you like,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29when they heard you were on this programme?
0:15:29 > 0:15:34They said, "You're going to be a star now, we'll have to ask for your autograph.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36"We can't wait to see you on there."
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Because of the nature of the job, and because you're in long-term business,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41is it a very stressful job?
0:15:41 > 0:15:42Not as a job, as such.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46You have to be aware of things that's around you all the time,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48keeping an eye on things.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51I enjoy my job. I'm very lucky.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I get to meet different people every day.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56It's quite a nice environment to be in.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00People might find that almost hard to understand,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02a nice environment?
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Prison has changed so much now from the early years.- In what sense?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09The biggest change is the rapport the staff have with prisoners now.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13It was very much a "them and us" attitude years ago.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18But now, that's changed. More interaction is encouraged amongst staff and prisoners,
0:16:18 > 0:16:23in order to help them rehabilitate and socialise with people,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and lead a better life when they get released.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29That's what I like to hear, two people who are happy in their jobs!
0:16:29 > 0:16:33So now we come to the kings and queens of the pub quiz.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34How does it all operate?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37There's about six of us.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39It's for charity.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42We just try and win every week.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- But usually we are second or third. - We never win.- We never win.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51I wish Val would store knowledge, like she does bits and pieces around house,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53then we'd probably win!
0:16:53 > 0:16:55'No pressure there, then!'
0:16:55 > 0:16:58John is definitely determined to find something amongst Val's possessions
0:16:58 > 0:17:02which will prove to be a winner, come sale day.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Hello, John.- Hello, Val. - What are you doing in my garage?
0:17:04 > 0:17:08I've found two rather interesting lamps, what are they doing there?
0:17:08 > 0:17:13I've been downsizing, so I've put most of the things in the garage.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- Don't you like them any more? - No, they don't go, I've gone modern.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- Gone modern?- Yeah, minimal.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20You can imagine how dusty they are, look.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22They are a little bit dusty.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25What's the story? Is there anything you can tell me about them?
0:17:25 > 0:17:29I bought them many years ago when I used to buy things,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32then sell them on and get something I really liked.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- And I like them. I wanted them on my fireplace.- OK.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- Do you know much about them?- Not a great deal, I just like the ladies.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42They are rather nice, aren't they?
0:17:42 > 0:17:47They are made of spelter. You know what spelter is, it's a soft alloy of zinc and lead.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50It's usually used to imitate bronze,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52but it's much softer than bronze,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56so it doesn't quite hold the detail, the sharp detail, like bronze does.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01It's often referred to as a cheaper or poorer man's bronze.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Where would you date them?
0:18:03 > 0:18:04'30s?
0:18:04 > 0:18:09Actually, they're a bit earlier, I'd put them at about 1900, 1910, that sort of date.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- They're very much in the Art Nouveau style.- Yes.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16Which lends heavily from organic motifs,
0:18:16 > 0:18:17lots of flowing drapery.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20We can see they're very much in that style.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23What do you think this is?
0:18:23 > 0:18:25They took their inspiration from a lot of flowers.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28That looks to me like some sort of foxglove almost,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30the actual flower that she's holding.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32They're quite nice.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34I like the way they're holding aloft the lamps.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37They've got their original ebonised wooden bases, which is nice.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38I'm guessing they're working.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- So, something we can sell.- Right.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Today, at auction, I'd be looking at about £50-70.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- Are you happy with that? - Yeah, that's fine.- Jolly good.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- Let's get them inside and get a duster on them.- Yes.- Come on.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54What a great discovery John made in the garage.
0:18:54 > 0:18:55I can't resist having a peek myself.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59In preparation for her move, Val's already boxed up some porcelain
0:18:59 > 0:19:03from one of the highly regarded Staffordshire pottery companies.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07It's a set of Carlton Ware, and there are about 45 pieces in total.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Apparently it started as a birthday present to Val, and has been added to over the years.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15She says they can just stay in the box and go to auction.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20And it gets an estimate of £80-120.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22John, would you like to have a look at this?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- The box?- There might be something of interest inside it.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26It's a nice box, isn't it?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- Is there's some stuff inside it? - Yep. Lots of things.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32OK, wow, interesting bits and pieces there.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Is this leftover stock or stuff you've part collected yourself?
0:19:36 > 0:19:41Things I've collected over time, and put in a little box for my grandchildren to look at with me.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44We got some interesting bits in here, lots of costume jewellery.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46What's in this little box here?
0:19:46 > 0:19:48That's interesting.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50A collection of micro mosaics.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Any reason why you've got micro mosaics?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54I just thought they were pretty.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55So, I started to collect them.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58But you know how you grow out of these things? That's what I did.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00These were tourist pieces, if you like.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02They came from Italy.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06They're little mosaic pictures made in tiny piece of glass.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10You have got an odd little collection of bits and pieces here.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12You wouldn't know really whether to separate them.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17I hear an awful lot of ooh-ing and ah-ing going on.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- My goodness, what a box of goodies! Have you been on a raid, Val? - SHE LAUGHS
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Just hiding in my bedroom.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It's fantastic, I love all of these.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Little shoehorn. Are these silver?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- They are silver handled, very hollow silver handled.- Oh, right.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33We've got some micro mosaics, some costume jewellery,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36some glove stretchers, all sorts of bits and pieces in there.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Are you going to put all of this into the auction as one?
0:20:39 > 0:20:43It's arguable if you'd separate them or sell it as one lot. You always end up with bits and pieces.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46I sometimes think it's good to sell a bit of rough with the smooth.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49So I sometimes say, make a job lot, and see how we get on.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- Even the box, in my opinion, is going to be worth £20 or £30.- Yes.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56The auction house may decide to separate those.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I'm going to put an estimate on it, I think, today,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00this has got to be making about 100-200.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- Let's hope you get the 200 bit.- Yes.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Some of those silver pieces look gorgeous in there, terrific.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- I'm quite shocked at that.- Are you?
0:21:08 > 0:21:13I guess you would like to know how much, according to John, you're going to get at auction.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Hopefully get.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17We started off the day with you looking for £400
0:21:17 > 0:21:20that would buy you a lovely chair.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Today, I think you've got the lottery, a mini lottery.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Because, instead of £400, you have got
0:21:25 > 0:21:27670.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- My goodness!- Nearly £700. - I can't believe it.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- I'm so pleased. - You must be.- I can't believe it.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37You don't add it up as you're going along.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39I didn't expect that much, myself.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42You may not have been adding it up but, hey, I was!
0:21:42 > 0:21:43THEY LAUGH
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Anyway, it's been a lovely day, thank you for all your hospitality. We'll see you very soon.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- OK, thank you.- Thank you.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Poor Val, I think she was lost for words for a minute.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Fingers crossed we reach that figure for her at the sale room,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56with the help of
0:21:56 > 0:21:59that very heavy French marble clock.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Will the estimate of £70-90 chime with the bidders?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And, the large collection of Carlton Ware porcelain
0:22:06 > 0:22:08which started as a birthday present for Val.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13We're hoping the estimate of £80-120 will generate some interest.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16And, of course, not getting Val's collection of dolls.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Two of them are by Armand Marseille.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20They should make...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Still to come...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Is John causing Val to have second thoughts
0:22:30 > 0:22:33about selling her ruby coloured glass lamp?
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- It would go nicely with you and I today, wouldn't it?- It would, yes. - We've coordinate perfectly.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And did he excite a confession about her spelter lamp?
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Condition wise, do they need anything doing to them at all?
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Yes, there's paint on the leads.
0:22:46 > 0:22:47HE LAUGHS
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I knew that. I was wondering if you were going to tell me that.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54It's an auction full of smiles, when the hammer finally falls.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02We had a great day out on the Isle of Sheppey with Val and her good mate Paul.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05You may remember that she wants to raise around £400
0:23:05 > 0:23:09for a new piece of furniture when she downsizes in her home.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14Now, we've taken all her things to the John Nicholson Auctions in Surrey
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and, sadly, I can't be there today, in two places at the one time.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21But I'm going to leave her in the very capable hands of John.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23And I'm not the only one who couldn't be there
0:23:23 > 0:23:25because Val's friend Paul couldn't make it either.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29But, as the general auction here takes place on Saturdays,
0:23:29 > 0:23:35let's hope these weekend bidders are feeling in a holiday mood when Val's lots come up.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41- Hiya, Val.- Hello.- Do you have any second thoughts about selling your doll collection?
0:23:41 > 0:23:43You have a little bit, don't you? But they've got to go.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Apologies for purging your house of nice things.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Is there anything you're looking forward to seeing in the sale today?
0:23:49 > 0:23:52I think my little box of unusual bits and pieces.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I'd be interested to see how that goes.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57With those lovely micro mosaic brooches, as well.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58- A little bit of gold.- Yep.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01A nice clock. We should be all right for hitting our target today.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04But you never know, it's all in the hands of the auction and the punters today.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08We're going to need a bit of luck if we're going to hit that target today.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I think we ought to find ourselves lucky spot.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- Yes, let's do that.- Come on, then.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17The auctioneer has already started with the sale.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21And it doesn't take long before the first of Val's lots comes up.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25It's the ruby coloured cut-glass lamp and shade.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- What was the story with this? - My daughter bought it from me,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31because she thought the colouring would go right in my room.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33But it doesn't.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- You're getting rid of it because it clashes with the colour?- Yes.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38It would go nicely with you and I today.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43We've coordinated perfectly. Perhaps if we had the lamp there, it would be all right.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45We're looking to £60-80 for it. Confident?
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- Yes, I am, very confident.- Let's see what the auctioneer thinks.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Start me,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55it cost a lot of money, that. I'm 20 bid. 30, 40.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59£40 bid. 50 I'm looking for. 50.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Your bids are at 50.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03At £50. 60 now.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05I'll take a fiver if it'll help.
0:25:05 > 0:25:0755. 65. 70.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- Excellent.- Yes.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12£70, your bid, sir. You bid well, madam.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13There's the bid, selling.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- Make no mistake, gentleman's bid. - Yes!- £70.
0:25:17 > 0:25:1827.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- There we are, right in the middle of our estimate.- 70.
0:25:21 > 0:25:22- He got there in the end.- He did.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25He was starting to slow down, then it picked up again. Great.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27- £70 towards our target, happy? - Very, yep.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Jolly good.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30She certainly looks it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I love Val's big, great beaming smile.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Let's hope we see plenty more of that through the auction.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Next up is her French marble clock.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I found this with Paul. What was the story again?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44My ex-partner bought me that as a Christmas present,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48because I like puttis, or cherubs, whichever you want to call them.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Well, they can be hit and miss at auction,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53only because so many of them have been made.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56But this one is not in bad condition, if I remember rightly.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59We're looking for £70-90. It doesn't sound a huge amount of money,
0:25:59 > 0:26:00but there are lots of them out there.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04So, when supply equals demand or is greater than demand,
0:26:04 > 0:26:05prices are quite modest.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07£70-90. Let's hope we do that.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Start me, 10.
0:26:09 > 0:26:1120, 30.
0:26:11 > 0:26:1340. 50.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Your bid, 50. 60 I'll take.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16At £50.
0:26:16 > 0:26:1960, I'm looking for.
0:26:19 > 0:26:2155? 60. Your bid, sir, 60.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23There's my bidder, selling.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Make no mistake. There's my bidder.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27At £60.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Your bid, sir, 60.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Well, £60. Just under our bottom estimate.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I'm not really surprised. As I say, they can be hit and miss.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38You can pick those up quite cheaply.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- Are you all right with that? - Yeah, I'm fine with that.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Good old Val, very understanding.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I bet John wishes all his customers were like that!
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Now it's the turn of two prints.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50They're of river views,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54painted in the style of a 20th-century Belgian artist called Henri Cassier.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- So, are you a fan of the riverscape at all?- I live near the sea,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- so, yes, I do like them.- Same here.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I love riverscape prints. But £20-30, cheap little lot.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06Let's see what happens.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Lovely pair of seascapes there.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10£10 bid.
0:27:10 > 0:27:1215 I'll take.
0:27:12 > 0:27:1415, bids all over the place.
0:27:14 > 0:27:1615. 20, sir.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19£20. Five now? 25. 30.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Five.
0:27:20 > 0:27:2335. 40.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24£40.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Your bid's worth 40. Five now?
0:27:26 > 0:27:28At £40.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Your bid, sir.- £40!- Wow.- Selling.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33There's my bidder. At £40.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Well done, sir.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Not bad at all. Are you happy with those?- Yep.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40£40 towards our target.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Great.- Getting there.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Wow, what a good result.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Quite a few bidders here wanting to get their hands on those prints.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Will they be as keen on Val's collection
0:27:50 > 0:27:54of 18th- and 19th-century poetry books?
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Now, are you going to be sorry to see these go?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59No, they are dust collectors. HE LAUGHS
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- But you were a big fan of those? - I was, years ago.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04You were a bibliophile, as they call it.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07I had a bookcase made specially for them on the wall.
0:28:07 > 0:28:08But now, sadly not.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Well, these are quite nice books.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Nice bindings to them.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17A good little lot, £50-100. Would you be happy if they sell for that?
0:28:17 > 0:28:18Yes, I will, very much so.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20It's a surprise to me they're worth that much.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Let's hope we get that.
0:28:22 > 0:28:2410, 20, 30.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Five. 40 I'll take.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28At £35.
0:28:28 > 0:28:3040 now.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32At £35.
0:28:32 > 0:28:3640, anybody? A bit disappointing.
0:28:36 > 0:28:3940, anybody? Had its time, then, and selling.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41At £35.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44- 35.- Not good.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47£35. We're £15 under our estimate.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51- Disappointed with that? I am. - Sadly, yeah, after what you explained about them.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53I'm disappointed as well.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56What a shame the attractive books didn't make a bit more.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59The bibliophiles are not out in force today, obviously.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Maybe they'll like her Carlton Ware,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04next to go under the hammer. Not literally!
0:29:04 > 0:29:06It's a large set - 45 pieces in total.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08How long has this taken for you to put together?
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Years. Over 20.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I'm guessing you had it on display?
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- All in my kitchen, in the cabinets. - Isn't it interesting how taste changes?
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- And the things we're fascinated with, they get wrapped up and popped away.- Absolutely.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25Well, you're not alone there. Because fashion does change.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Hence, we've seen prices for Carlton Ware drop quite considerably since the '80s,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31I'm looking for around £80-120.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33I think that's cheap.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- I'm hoping it's going to do better than my estimate.- Oh.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38There's 45 pieces.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39Must have taken ages to collect.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Lots and lots of different shapes
0:29:42 > 0:29:4410, 20, 30.
0:29:44 > 0:29:4640, 50, 60, 70.
0:29:46 > 0:29:4880 I'll take.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49At £70.
0:29:49 > 0:29:5180 anybody?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Had its time, then, and selling.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56Here we are, £70.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Under our bottom estimate, with discretion.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01It just goes to reflect current demand for it.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03We've got a packed auction house here today.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I remember times when I would have sold that, as individual lots
0:30:06 > 0:30:08and got quite a bit for it.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- There we are, it's gone now.- Yep.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13And we've got £70 towards our target.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16That's certainly a healthy amount to add to the kitty.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20And Val doesn't seem too disappointed.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Next lot is another casualty of your modern drive,
0:30:24 > 0:30:26and your quest to modernise the house.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30You're getting rid of your little Devon pottery cottageware tea set.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- Yes.- Did you buy it all together or did you make this up?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35No, my friend gave it to me.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40She's emigrated to Greece, and so she said, would I like it when she went? I said yes.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- But now...- It's got to go. OK
0:30:43 > 0:30:47£20-30 for it. Let's see what happens.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Anybody, £15?
0:30:50 > 0:30:53I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, no bid. Unsold.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- We've got an unsold.- And unsold?
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- Oh, dear. Your friend will be delighted.- Yes, she will be!
0:30:59 > 0:31:02£15. She'll say, "Serves you right!"
0:31:02 > 0:31:04OK. That one, we're taking home.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07So I'm guessing it's going back in the newspaper?
0:31:07 > 0:31:08- Mm-hm.- All right.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Oh, dear, no interest at all for that very pretty set.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16So how has that left Val's running total?
0:31:16 > 0:31:18We're at the halfway point of the sale.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- And are you wondering how you've been doing?- Yes.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- Our target was £400 today, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Well, I can tell you, at the halfway mark, we've got £275.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33- Oh, that's good. - So we're over halfway there. - Yep. We're getting there.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36We've still got some interesting bits to come. We've got those Art Nouveau lamps.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38- The micro mosaic brooches.- Yes.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- And some gold brooches.- Yes.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42And the dolls.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45SHE LAUGHS And the dolls!
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- What do you reckon? Are we going to be OK?- I think so.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51- Let's have a break. My feet are killing me. - Go and have a cup of tea.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54If you're interested in buying or selling at auction, do bear in mind
0:31:54 > 0:31:58that charges such as commission will be added to your bill.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00These vary from one sale room to another,
0:32:00 > 0:32:04so it's definitely worth checking in advance.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Now, auctions are terrific places to sell unwanted possessions,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09as Val is doing today.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13But they're also really good for finding unique items to buy.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15John Nicholson, the auctioneer, wants to show our John
0:32:15 > 0:32:17something a little bit special.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20- Morning, John.- Morning, John. I hope you've made a fresh pot!
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- Afraid not. Coffee's out the back! - Tell me about the coffee pot, what's special about it?
0:32:24 > 0:32:30We've got a general sale. But sometimes we put a few tasty little bits to get people excited.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33And we decided we'd put a few decent lots of silver in this sale.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Silver's flying at the moment.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38What's so special about it?
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Um, it's 1772,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45which is right in the middle of the reign of George III.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Original crest.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51Beautiful condition, beautiful gadrooning. Pineapple finial.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Original wooden handle.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58And we reckon that'll make £700 or £800.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00It's certainly a nice classic form.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03When you think, if the melt gets any more, that's going to get scrapped.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05And that is criminal.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08That would be very, very sad. But then again, at the end of the day,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10the other stuff that does survive will be much rarer,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12and worth more in the longer term.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14The big question that differs between auction houses,
0:33:14 > 0:33:18you look like a man who has a butler who'd do the polishing for you.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20But, polish or no polish?
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Original condition,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24don't touch it, sell it dirty.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29You sell it dirty, people know that it's original, they know it's come straight out of a clearance.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33For some reason, it gives them that same strange confidence to bid that little bit more.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34Good luck with the sale.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37You've got to get on the rostrum. I'm going to find that hot coffee pot.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- There's some nice cakes as well! - Come on, then.- Take care, cheers.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45The two Johns weren't the only ones who recognised the quality of that pot.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47The bidders went absolutely wild for it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51And it ended up selling for £1,000.
0:33:51 > 0:33:56So will they still be feeling as generous when they see Val's pair of Art Nouveau spelter lamps?
0:33:56 > 0:33:57I wonder.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00- Where did this come from? - I got them because I liked them.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02- Are you done with them now? - I'm done with them, yes.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04I've had lots of pleasure out of them.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09- Condition wise, will they need anything doing to them? - Yes, there's paint on the leads.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10HE LAUGHS
0:34:10 > 0:34:13I knew that. I was wondering if you were going to tell me!
0:34:13 > 0:34:15We can we can live with a little bit of paint on the flex.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18We're looking for £50-70.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19There they are.
0:34:19 > 0:34:2120. 30, 40.
0:34:21 > 0:34:2450. Your bid, sir, at 50.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26At £50.
0:34:26 > 0:34:2760, I'll take.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28At £50.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33Your bid, sir. 60, the lady. 70. 80.
0:34:33 > 0:34:3580. 90. 90.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38£100. At £90.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41A bit uneven at 90. 100, if you want it.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43There's the bid, then, selling.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45At £90.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- £90. That was all right. - Yes, that's good.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49They nearly went for the 50.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- Then they went on again. Great work by the auctioneer.- Yep.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57- It looks like the paint on the electrical flex didn't deter anybody!- No, it didn't!
0:34:59 > 0:35:01It certainly didn't.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03That was an absolutely fabulous result.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Val's next lot is her bisque-headed dolls,
0:35:06 > 0:35:12including one by the famous turn-of-the-century Russian doll maker, Armand Marseille.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Now, down to your sharp eye,
0:35:15 > 0:35:19you brought it to my attention that these dolls have been lotted up differently
0:35:19 > 0:35:21- to how we saw them in the house. - Yes.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23OK. We've had a word with the auctioneers.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27They've had interest in them. And they're confident we're going to get our money regardless.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29We're not going to swap them around
0:35:29 > 0:35:32because that could cause confusion with any successful bidder.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Hopefully, we're going to hit our target. The first lot coming up,
0:35:36 > 0:35:37- £100-150 was our estimate.- OK.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Including one by Armand Marseille, the magic name.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42Start me 100?
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Start me 50?
0:35:44 > 0:35:4650, 60, 70, 80. 90. 100.
0:35:46 > 0:35:4920, 40, 60.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51180. 200.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53200, the lady's bid.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55200, there's my bidder.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56At £200.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Your bid, the hammer's up.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I'm selling at £200.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03Wow. £200.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Are you happy with that?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Ooh! Yes! SHE LAUGHS
0:36:07 > 0:36:10She's ecstatic, and no wonder.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11That was a truly terrific result.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13So how will her second lot do here?
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It's just one rag doll.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16Not in the best of conditions.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19But it is by Armand Marseille yet again.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22Now, we've got £70-90.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25The auctioneers are confident it's going to sell for that.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27- How do you feel?- I hope she does!
0:36:27 > 0:36:29That's all I can say.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31For you, it's more a case of the money,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- we're not worried unless that makes that money?- Yes.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36OK, let's hope it does.
0:36:36 > 0:36:3720, 30.
0:36:37 > 0:36:3940, 50, 60.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41My bidder. At £60.
0:36:41 > 0:36:4470, I'll take. Yours at 70, sir.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46At 70, there's my bid.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48At £70.
0:36:48 > 0:36:5080, I'm looking for. At 70.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52It's had its time, then. Your bid, sir.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Selling at £70.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56429.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Well pleased, I didn't think it was going to make that.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02And 200 for our other lot.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- We've done all right.- We've done all right.- Are you happy?- Yes.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06- Good.- Yeah, brilliant.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Yep, brilliant. Another great result,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11and Val is absolutely delighted.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Actually, I'm equally pleased for her.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Now it's the turn of her 1920s Japanese teapot,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19in the shape of an elephant.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20Now, why are you laughing?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23SHE GIGGLES Because it's just a funny teapot.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- Where did it come from? - I bought it on holiday.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29My other half says, "You're not bringing that home!" I said, "Yes, I am."
0:37:29 > 0:37:33- It's a wonder how you got it home in one piece. You must have wrapped it up well.- I did.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36OK. We want £20-30 for it.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38It's novel.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40And it's 20th century.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42But, as long as it gives us £20, we don't care.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46No, I don't mind, no. It can go.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Start me, £10 bid.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52I'll take 12. 12. 15, 18.
0:37:52 > 0:37:5420. Five.
0:37:54 > 0:37:5630. Five.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58£30, your bid, sir.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00At £30, against the lady.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01There's my bidder,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05and selling at £30. 27.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07£30.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- That's the best one yet, I think.- We hit the top estimate...- Absolutely.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14- ..on the item we were least expecting to do it. - Yeah, but well pleased.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17It just goes to show you the unpredictable nature
0:38:17 > 0:38:18of the auction world.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20They were all laughing at it at the beginning,
0:38:20 > 0:38:21and it got the top of the estimate.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25And that just leaves two more lots - both jewellery.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29We've got five nine-carat gold brooches, and three yellow metal brooches.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Now, if I remember rightly,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34I was convinced some of the others I've described as yellow metal were gold.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38But, because we couldn't chemically test them, I left it at that.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40So, maybe they've be looked at here.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42We've got £30-50.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44I'm confident it's going to make at least their estimate.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48If it makes a bit more, then those others were gold. Let's see.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50The brooches, £20?
0:38:50 > 0:38:5220 bid.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Five I'll take. 25.
0:38:54 > 0:38:5830. Five. 40.
0:38:58 > 0:38:59£40, second row.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01At £40.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02The bid's in the second row.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Make no mistake,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06selling at £40.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08240.
0:39:08 > 0:39:09OK, £40 for that lot.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13- The middle of our estimate. Are you happy with that?- Yeah, that's OK.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17It would be nice if it had done more. But, you know, that's how it goes.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21It sure is, but that wasn't a bad result at all.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22And so to the final lot.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25That wonderful mixed box of micro mosaic brooches,
0:39:25 > 0:39:30other costume jewellery, plus some silver pieces.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32How are you feeling about this?
0:39:32 > 0:39:35I'd just like to know how the auctioneer's going to introduce it.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37There's so many things in that box.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40They've been on view here today and for a couple of days prior to that.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43You can rest assured that the cabinet where the items will have been
0:39:43 > 0:39:45would have had a crowd around it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49And the people interested in that sort of thing would have gone through that box
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- with a fine-tooth comb, and will know exactly what's in there.- That's fine then.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54So don't worry about that.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56We worry that it's going to make £100-200, all right?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Yes, fingers crossed.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02I'm 50 bid. 75.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03100 bid.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05At £100.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06I'll take 10 now.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09And £100. 10 anybody?
0:40:09 > 0:40:10Fair warning, then.
0:40:10 > 0:40:16Selling at £100. Your bid.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- We got our bottom estimate of £100. - Yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- I was secretly hoping for a bit more.- So was I.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24But it sold, and it goes towards our target. So, £100 that we got.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29- Slightly disappointing. But at least it's not unsold.- No.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34Maybe it didn't make more because it reached £100 so easily and quickly.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Perhaps if it had started low and slowly worked its way up,
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I reckon they'd be happier.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42What's the saying? "The harder the struggle, the more glorious triumph."
0:40:42 > 0:40:46And so, over to John to tell us how much Val has made overall.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- Your target was £400.- Yes.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- You were looking for a chair? - A chair, yes.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- Have you spotted one? - Yes, I have.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55You have? OK.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57How do you think we've done?
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Around 400?- We've had some ups and downs, haven't we?- Yeah.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01OK, well...
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Do they do these chairs in pairs?
0:41:03 > 0:41:04- HE LAUGHS - No?
0:41:04 > 0:41:08If they do, you can get one, because you've actually got £805.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Wow! Yeah, I'm well pleased.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14- Are you surprised? - Yes, I'm very, very surprised, yes.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Very surprised. I can buy a few more things now.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19And are you going to go traditional or modern?
0:41:19 > 0:41:20- Modern.- Modern!
0:41:20 > 0:41:22- With a few antiques about.- Ah, OK.
0:41:22 > 0:41:28- Well, OK. I hope we'll you see you at the auction rooms buying some bits then.- Yes, I may well do that.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36When we first met Val, she told us that she plans to downsize,
0:41:36 > 0:41:40and she'd like a new armchair that would fit in very nicely with her smaller house.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44So she's come out today to decide which chair she's going to go for.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- I like that one. - Do you like the stripey wine?
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- Yeah, I think that's lovely. - That's really nice.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53I'm quite short, so I'll get a small little chair to go in the corner.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Something bright and cheerful.
0:41:55 > 0:41:56I've gone for something a bit brighter.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00I've gone for a cranberries and beige striped colour.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04So I've got lots of other colours I can mix in my room, cushions, curtains,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06for when I downsize.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Jack will like a new chair. He can't wait to get on it, no doubt!