0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello and welcome to Cash In The Attic, the programme
0:00:04 > 0:00:07in which we really do enjoy helping you sort through all those antiques
0:00:07 > 0:00:10and collectables you may have lying around, taking them to auction
0:00:10 > 0:00:14and raising money for something that is really very important to you.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Today, we will be helping a couple sort through a whole house-full
0:00:17 > 0:00:22of antiques so that they can enjoy a much-delayed move south.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Coming up on today's Cash In The Attic,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46we try not to let on if we think
0:00:46 > 0:00:48someone has forked out over the odds.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- Do you remember how much you paid for them?- £500.- For the two?- OK.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58And what price a family heirloom?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- How do you feel about that?- Um...
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- It cost me more than that to get it cleaned!- There you go!
0:01:04 > 0:01:09By the time we get to auction, can we find just one satisfied customer?
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Well done. That's right at the top of the estimate.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- So what do you think of it so far? - I'm pleased!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Let's hope for more when the hammer falls.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Today, I'm in a rather rainy Merseyside on my way to meet
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Jackie and her partner, Alan.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28They'd like us to sort through some of the things
0:01:28 > 0:01:30that they have collected over many years in the past
0:01:30 > 0:01:35so that their holidays in the future will be a little bit easier.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38There's nothing that Jackie and Alan like more than holidaying
0:01:38 > 0:01:40in their caravan in England and abroad
0:01:40 > 0:01:44and browsing the antique shops wherever they go.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Jackie works for the St Helen's Chamber of Commerce
0:01:46 > 0:01:49and Alan is due to retire from the Merseyside police force.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53They each have two children, all now flown the coop,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56so a long-cherished retirement plan is stepping up a gear.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Alan and Jackie's current home is a tidy top-floor flat.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Before they move, all the antique furniture and collectables
0:02:02 > 0:02:05need thinning out a bit, so we are here to help with decluttering,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08and to raise funds for something else.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13We'll all be depending today on the knowledge of our valuer, Paul Hayes.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- Paul! Hi!- How are you, all right? - We're going up here, are we?
0:02:18 > 0:02:19- Yes, come on in.- Right.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Time to make a few house-to-house enquiries of our own.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Hi, Jackie, Alan.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27I see you've got a cup of tea.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Yeah.- I've brought the champion tea drinker, Paul Hayes.- Yes, fantastic.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Paul will be looking after your things today.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Do you mind if I make a start already, is that all right?
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Can I put the kettle on first? Excellent. Thank you.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40That gets him started. He will look after all your stuff today
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and find some really great things to take to auction
0:02:42 > 0:02:46while you tell me why you called in Cash In The Attic.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Well, we are eventually going to move down to Cornwall.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51We bought a house down there a couple of years.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But that has slightly changed now,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58because Alan is not retiring from the police at this moment in time.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- You're not leaving, then?- Not yet. - You're going to stay for...?
0:03:02 > 0:03:0512 months. I've been given a 12-month contract.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Right. So, tell me, how much would you like to raise today?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- We were considering about 500, didn't we?- Yes, initially.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And what are you going to spend it on?
0:03:14 > 0:03:18It was actually Alan's birthday in June,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20and I promised I would buy him a motor mover,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23so whatever money we make, we'll put toward buying that,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25cos they are quite expensive.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27What does a motor mover do?
0:03:27 > 0:03:30It's a device that goes on the caravan.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It's remote-controlled and it moves your caravan automatically for you.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Saves you pushing and pulling it around.- Makes life easier?
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- Yeah, very good.- You'll like that, when you're retired, won't you?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41When I'm old!
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Well, I certainly look forward to finding out more
0:03:45 > 0:03:47about Alan's motor mover device eventually.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But we'd better get shifting on our treasure hunt.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53And hopefully, Paul is already motoring through the heirlooms
0:03:53 > 0:03:55and has found something to get started.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58There we are. Not a cup of tea in sight but a man hard at work.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- Exactly, yes. Isn't that beautiful? - Look at the colours in that!
0:04:01 > 0:04:03It looks as if it was done yesterday.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07It was actually done in 1877. Who is Mary Pendleton?
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- That's my great-great-grandmother. - How wonderful.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Where did you find this?- Actually,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17we had to clear my dad's house out when he died
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and there was a little tiny box.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- We opened up the box, and this was just all folded up.- Right.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27That explains why the colours have stayed so bright. If it had been framed up from the original,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30when it was done, the colours would have faded.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33They often were folded away and just forgotten about, really.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35The term is a sampler.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38It was supposed to be an example of what your child could do,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40so it proved that they were being educated.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43So you had all your letters, your numbers.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44A lot of religious verse,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46to prove that you were being taught religion.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50But also, it was for future suitors, if they came to visit your house.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53You could have your child's work on display
0:04:53 > 0:04:56meaning that your child was up-to-date with her education.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58The thing about this one is that you know the person.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00And not only do you know the person,
0:05:00 > 0:05:01you have her birth certificate on the back.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05I've never seen that being done before. That is a really good idea.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09She was born on 18th June 1865. Mary Elizabeth.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15Her father was James Pendleton. And he was a plumber and painter.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17The more elaborate they are, the better.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20And the more fine the needlepoint.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23But the most important thing is the age. What you are looking for
0:05:23 > 0:05:27actually is about 100 years earlier than this one.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Anything that you can date to the 1700s, the 18th century,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32then you get members of the aristocracy doing them at the time.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35They were very elaborate, usually on silks, and very expensive.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39But as a commercial sampler with its birth certificate,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42I would say around the 100 mark.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45If I said 60-100 as an estimate, how would you feel about that?
0:05:45 > 0:05:46Would that be enough for you?
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- It cost me more than that to get it cleaned!- There you go!
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Well, there you are, maybe you should have a think.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I've got to be realistic, that's the going rate for an item like this.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59That's fair enough, and we are off to a good start,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01although I am surprised that Jackie might sell
0:06:01 > 0:06:03such a personal family memento.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06I wonder if she's going to change her mind before auction?
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Elsewhere, Alan has been busy inspecting
0:06:09 > 0:06:12this early 20th-century mahogany highchair
0:06:12 > 0:06:14which they found some years ago in Chester.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Originally bought as somewhere to sit Jackie's teddy bear collection,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21her grandchildren have been allowed to use it, too.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24At the auction, it might raise £40-£60 towards our fund.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- Jackie?- Yes, Paul?- How many of these have you got? These are great.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- It's Moorcroft. - I've got three.- Three?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37So are you a big collector of Moorcroft?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40No, me mum had left them to me and me two brothers.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43She used to buy it, and because there is three of us,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45she used to buy everything in threes.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49My two brothers didn't want them, so I ended up with the three of them.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Right, OK.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54This is probably a classic example of a piece of Moorcroft.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58William Moorcroft is probably one of Britain's best-known potters
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and was involved in the Arts and Crafts movement. You're looking at
0:07:01 > 0:07:041900, 1930 was the really golden period for this.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07He was sponsored by Liberty's in London.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Lots of his work was sold there.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10But this one is very similar to the original Moorcroft
0:07:10 > 0:07:13that you will find. These wonderful dark colours.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19This is a very late example, so late 20th-century, early 21st.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21And he really was the guy
0:07:21 > 0:07:25who developed the process called tube lining. Have you heard of that?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27I have, yes, but I don't know anything about it.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31It's a type of decoration and it's almost like icing a cake.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34It gives a three-dimensional effect to the actual item.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38So what he would do, or what his employees would do,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42would be to draw the outline of each individual petal in this flower
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and that would leave a raised surface.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46And they would paint in the middle.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49So you almost have a three-dimensional effect.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- You can actually feel the surface there.- Oh, yeah.
0:07:52 > 0:07:58But this is a pin tray. It's 1990s, that sort of time.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- The other ones, are they similar looking?- There's another pin tray,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- but the smaller one is around. - Get that for me, let's have a look.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07And this one is a pin tray or a sweetmeat dish.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10So you've got three items in general.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12This one is not quite as popular,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15this is more '70s, '80s colours, the greens.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- Yeah.- It's the dark colours which people to go for. I like them.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22I think there's a massive collecting market for these.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- I think you are looking 30, 40 each! - Oh, nice one!
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- So if I say 80-120 the lot? - Yeah, that's brilliant.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Do you like them now?- Yeah!
0:08:32 > 0:08:33THEY LAUGH
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Funny how a good estimate can change one's outlook!
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Moorcroft pottery has well over a century of history
0:08:41 > 0:08:43with annual sales at top auction houses
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and selected pieces on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Let's hope these relatively recent pieces do well at our sale.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Alan and Jackie, I gather that you were both born
0:08:56 > 0:09:00in a part of the country that was just five minutes apart?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03How come you never met when you were little?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06I think it's that I'm five years older than Jackie, so it was
0:09:06 > 0:09:10the age difference, that we never circulated in the same friend group.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14As it is, you did meet some years later in very unusual circumstances.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Jackie, tell me about it.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Well, I was working in a shop in a place called Huyton.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26And Alan was a policeman and something had gone on in the shop,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- hadn't it, and you had come to investigate it.- Yeah.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32And it just evolved from there.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34So you met in the rather intimate circumstances
0:09:34 > 0:09:37of a police interview, basically?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- It was. Literally, yeah.- Literally.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Are you allowed to fraternise with witnesses, Alan?- No!
0:09:46 > 0:09:50So what was it that attracted you to each other?
0:09:50 > 0:09:53We just clicked straight away, didn't we?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55We've been, like, soulmates ever since.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- We're so comfortable together, aren't we?- Yeah,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- we do an awful lot together. - We've DONE an awful lot together!
0:10:03 > 0:10:08And of course, caravanning. You both love to be in the caravan.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Tell me why.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14I think it's just the freedom, just getting out and chilling.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16You're so chilled when you go out in the caravan.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18You can do what you want, when you want.
0:10:18 > 0:10:24And it's not just like here, we went abroad last year. We did France.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26It's just wonderful, isn't it?
0:10:26 > 0:10:28And now you're thinking of -
0:10:28 > 0:10:30well, not thinking, you're going to move
0:10:30 > 0:10:34300 miles south in Cornwall. What's the attraction, Alan?
0:10:34 > 0:10:37When I was young, we used to go to Cornwall
0:10:37 > 0:10:39as our main holiday every summer.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46My parents moved to Cornwall in 1971. My brother lives down there.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52And it's a wonderful place to live. It's so different, so slow,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54the pace of life. So quiet. So comfortable.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56And what is it for you, Jackie?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Well, the very first time Alan took me down,
0:10:59 > 0:11:04his mum's house was right in front of the sand dunes.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06That was the second I fell in love with it.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I've been in love with it ever since.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- Always assuming that this time you don't decide to stay in the police force a bit longer.- No, not again!
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Clearly, the pull of Cornwall is strong,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21but will the love of the job be even stronger?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I hope not, for Jackie's sake.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28While we have been talking, our expert and tea fiend has zeroed in on this Atlas bone china tea set.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33It was bought whilst our hosts were visiting Alan's mum in Cornwall.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39The Atlas name was used until about 1910, originally by David Chapman and Sons from Stoke-on-Trent.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40The design is called Violet.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Paul reckons these sets are not as popular as they once were,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47but it could still bring us another £50-£80.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- Paul?- Uh-huh?- Could you have a look at this, please?- Oh, look at that!
0:11:53 > 0:11:56There we are. That is a bit of First World War memorabilia.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59So where has this come from?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Me nan used to take me to jumble sales when we were little.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Apparently, I bought it for six pence.- Six pence, really?- Yeah.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Right. Well, this is a bit of First World War memorabilia. But what it actually is,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13is a form of crested ware.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16What happened in the late 19th century,
0:12:16 > 0:12:17in the golden age of train travel,
0:12:17 > 0:12:23ordinary people could visit seaside resorts, big cities on the train.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28And what would happen, the family or the town's crest would be placed on a piece of china
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and people would buy that as a souvenir.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33This one's the crest of Liverpool, which is quite collectable.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37But in the First World War, they started to produce things like tanks,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41I've seen U-boats, things like this - in the trenches.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44This is Tommy and this is our army in the trenches here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45Jerry was the enemy.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49And they were made as a commemorative of the Great War, as they called it at the time,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- so 1914, 1918.- Oh, right. - But this one in particular, just reading here,
0:12:53 > 0:12:58it's "The victory of justice. Armistice of the Great War, signed November 11th, 1918."
0:12:58 > 0:13:01The Armistice was the peace treaty that was done
0:13:01 > 0:13:04between the warring parties and finally there was peace in Europe.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- Oh, right, yeah. - So that is what it symbolises.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11That is where it comes from. But I take it you just bought it because it had a little guy in the trenches?
0:13:11 > 0:13:16- Yeah!- The best firm was a firm called WH Goss.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- This one is Carlton china. There we are.- Oh, yes.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Have you heard of Carlton ware? - Yes, I have.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25But for six old pence, I think in today's market,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27you could look at about £60.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- So if I said £40-£60, how does that sound?- Oh, wow!
0:13:31 > 0:13:35No, that's great. Good investment.
0:13:35 > 0:13:41And we'll soon see whether or not that six old pence pocket money will pay off at auction.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- Again, commissions on this one, starting at £25. - 25, we're in the money.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49At 25, 25 we have. Eight?
0:13:49 > 0:13:53How much closer to our target can little Tommy in the trench bring us?
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Our search around this home in Merseyside continues
0:13:55 > 0:13:59as Alan investigates the potential of this silver-topped crystal perfume bottle,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03which Jackie bought at an auction.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06The hallmark suggests it was made in Birmingham in 1930.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09It has a glass stopper inside the silver cap
0:14:09 > 0:14:11and could fetch around £30-£60.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13But I reckon I have found something
0:14:13 > 0:14:15that just might top that.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20Ooh, Alan. What is this? An original Penny Red?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Yeah. - And an original One Penny Black.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28There is a sort of mystique and magic about the Penny Black, isn't there, in stamp collecting circles?
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Do you know, I've never actually seen the real thing before.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- They're very good. - Are you a stamp collector?- No, no.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41I bought these at auction, just a charity auction through work in 2005.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Fantastic. Is this something you would like to take to auction?
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- Yes, yes.- Well, we better get Paul to take a look at these. Paul, come and join us.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- I have got a Penny Black! - Oh wow, look at that! Fantastic.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56And...a Penny Red!
0:14:56 > 0:14:58These are probably amongst the most popular stamps.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00They are the ones that everyone has heard of.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05But these, 1840, that was the very first prepaid stamp.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06That is the Penny Black.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Before 1840, you used to have to weigh your own letters
0:15:09 > 0:15:10and pay your own postage.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14What this enabled you to do was just to stick a prepaid stamp
0:15:14 > 0:15:17on the top so off it would go to the post office.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19But what happened was, the Penny Black, when it was issued,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23when the stamp went through the process of being franked and being
0:15:23 > 0:15:28cancelled, they used a red ink and that red ink was easily washed off.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32So people were posting these and then reusing them,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35taking the ink off and putting them on other envelopes.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- Crafty so-and-sos!- Exactly. It was a real fiddle at the time.- Yeah.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42So what they did, they changed it, the next year, 1841,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45to a Penny Red and they started to use black ink.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48But you can see on both of these, they both have been used.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50They've been franked.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53This ink would probably come off with a bit of a wash.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58So yeah, you've got two of the very first stamps ever produced here in the UK or worldwide.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00So how many Penny Blacks were there in circulation?
0:16:00 > 0:16:04There are something like 70 million. There are over 60 million of the Penny Blacks.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07So there's lots of them, but some of them can fetch a fortune.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Normally, when they've been franked like this one, and used,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12they are not that desirable.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15The ones you want are ones that are unused and if they are in the original pack,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18say, there is three or four of them together, you can get large amounts of money.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23You said you bought these at auction, do you remember how much you paid for them?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- £500.- For the two?!- OK.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29But it was a charity auction!
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- And you got carried away. - Yes, I did. Yes.- OK.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- Right.- It was for a good cause. - Can you put a price on them, Paul, if we take them to auction?
0:16:37 > 0:16:38They are the sort of thing
0:16:38 > 0:16:41that actually don't tend to turn up in the general market.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43They are beautifully framed.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46They are well presented, they have got a great story with them.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- I'd like to see £150 for those. How does that sound? - I would be amazed!
0:16:49 > 0:16:51THEY LAUGH
0:16:51 > 0:16:52What's more, it's been known
0:16:52 > 0:16:56for a single rare stamp to sell for over £1 million.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00For its size and weight, the most expensive thing known to man.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Paul moves on to select this 19th-century mahogany
0:17:05 > 0:17:09octagonal plant table, which Jackie says came from an antiques shop.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Paul values it at £50-£100. A useful addition to our total.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18You know, I think we are doing pretty well, so far.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Alan, you're clearly passionate about your work in the police force here on Merseyside.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26How did you get into the force in the first place?
0:17:26 > 0:17:29We went to Cornwall on holiday with my mum and dad.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33My brother had tried to join Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36I read the paperwork and I brought it home
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- and I applied to join Merseyside.- And you took to it like a duck to water?
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- Yeah.- And what sort of divisions have you worked in here on Merseyside?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Most of them!
0:17:47 > 0:17:49I've been in the Serious Crime Squad,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52I was in the Special Branch Port Unit,
0:17:52 > 0:17:58and I've done plain clothes, prior to going into the CID department.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02I've been in the CID now for almost 30 years.
0:18:02 > 0:18:08And for 14 years of that work in CID, you were in child protection. There must have been times
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- when that was really harrowing.- Yes.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15There are things that can get to you.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20But we had a system whereby... There were five of us in the department.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23If you dealt with something that was quite nasty,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26then you would say so and you would have a debrief.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28And you would share the experience, and that way,
0:18:28 > 0:18:34it helped to get rid of the tension you had and the stress.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- And none of this has made you want to give it up?- No.- You wanted to keep doing it?- Yes.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Yeah.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42I still do!
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Now, how many times have you said you were going to retire?
0:18:46 > 0:18:47Three.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49SHE LAUGHS
0:18:49 > 0:18:51And this time you're staying because...?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- They've offered me a 12-month contract.- To do what?
0:18:54 > 0:18:58I work in a unit called the prisoner production team.
0:18:58 > 0:19:06We visit people who are in prison and we discuss the history and offences they have committed
0:19:06 > 0:19:11with a view to them basically being able to come out of prison,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14er, and not face being arrested for further offences.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17And we deal with that while they are inside.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- It really must give you a terrific sense of achievement. - It is pleasant,
0:19:21 > 0:19:27it is. Because some of the people you can deal with when they are in prison are quite venomous towards you
0:19:27 > 0:19:30because of the nature of your job.
0:19:30 > 0:19:37Others treat you quite well and you can have a good time with them.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40And when this contract comes up, is that it?
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- Are you going to retire this time? - Er...is Jackie listening?
0:19:45 > 0:19:46No, yes, I will.
0:19:46 > 0:19:52Jackie couldn't have overheard that as she was busy looking out more antiques.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57I take quite a shine to this well-made late 19th-century chest of drawers.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00And I admire the detail of the brass handles,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02the beautiful rich finish and warm colour
0:20:02 > 0:20:07of the polished mahogany and the satinwood inlay.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Valued at £250-£300,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12despite its fine quality, it could be a hard sell,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15as brown furniture is a little out of fashion.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17In the lounge, Alan has dug up some family mementos
0:20:17 > 0:20:22which could prove very attractive to collectors of militaria.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Alan, now we are going through the family album?- Yes.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- You've got some medals here. - Yes, Dad's war memorabilia.- OK.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Medals and documentation and the likes.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36So he was involved in the Second World War. What was his role?
0:20:36 > 0:20:42- He was in the Merchant Navy.- Right. - Atlantic convoy, as I understand. - Right, OK.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48Let's look at what we have got here. We've got some medals, definitely. Some... What's this? A payslip!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50How much did he get paid?
0:20:50 > 0:20:54He ended up with one pound eight shillings and fourpence for his hard earned.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- And what was the name of the boat he was on?- It was the Duke of Athens.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01This is some of the documentation.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05That's immigration documentation - photographs and fingerprints.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- You know all about them!- Yeah.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- These look interesting. - That appears to be a photograph of a funeral, but...
0:21:12 > 0:21:15That's definitely a military funeral, so that's somebody
0:21:15 > 0:21:17that he has been out with.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20And these will have been actual battles that he has witnessed.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- Probably.- Amazing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Well, I can tell by his medals he was out in the Pacific.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30The way these medals work, you've got three medals here.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32You've got the War Medal, that was issued to everybody
0:21:32 > 0:21:36that was in service in anything to do with the Second World War, you were entitled to this one.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41Then you've got the Defence Medal, and that usually refers
0:21:41 > 0:21:44to things like the Home Guard, the Fire Brigade, you know,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48people who were involved here in the UK, really, or in non-operational duties abroad.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49So that's that one there.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53But the one I am really interested in, here, is the Pacific Star.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Now, what that tells me... These were issued to people
0:21:56 > 0:21:59like the Merchant Navy and the Royal Navy that were out in the Pacific.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03So you are looking at Japan, Burma, that sort of region.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06But how do you feel about getting rid of these?
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- I mean, are they sentimental to you? - No, not really.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Because I've never sat and looked at them or considered them.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16I would like to keep the personal documentation.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- The other items can be sold.- I mean, these are quite common medals.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23The best one, the Pacific Star, is obviously the rarest.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- But what I think would make this, would be if we could take some of these original photographs.- Yes.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Because I think that adds to the story
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- of the whole campaign and what your father was involved in.- Yeah, sure.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I think you could be approaching the £100 mark here.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- If I said, sort of, £60-£100, does that sound right to you?- Yeah.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- You are quite happy to let them go?- Yeah.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- That's fine.- Great.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50So if you look after these ones, put those back in your file.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52We'll take the medals and these pictures to auction.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Let's put those somewhere safe. - OK, thank you.- OK, no problem.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02On reflection, Alan realises that the Defence Medal may well have been his grandfather's,
0:23:02 > 0:23:03who was in the Home Guard.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06But the Pacific Star is the most exciting find,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10and at auction, could probably deliver much of that £60-£100 all on its own.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14Which is good news for the motor mover fund.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17In the kitchen, Jackie has remembered that she has two pairs
0:23:17 > 0:23:20of 19th-century Chinese porcelain cups and saucers
0:23:20 > 0:23:24in the style known as Imari, copied from the Japanese.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28These could bring us a refreshing £50-£75.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33In the master bedroom, Paul has discovered some more of that mahogany furniture.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40- Do you know what, Alan? These wardrobes, aren't they fantastically made?- Beautiful.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42How did you get it in here?
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- Two men brought it in in seven pieces and assembled it for me.- Right.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51Yeah, that's the nice thing. They do come apart. You can move them around in several pieces.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55But they weigh a ton, don't they? Don't forget this is solid mahogany.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59You wouldn't get that today. What you tend to find is that the fronts, the front doors will be solid,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02but the rest of it will be a plywood or a cheaper wood.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04So was this a style that you went for at the time,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06or was it something that Jackie chose?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08We were looking for bedroom furniture
0:24:08 > 0:24:13and we went into an antique shop in Chester and we saw this.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16We fell in love with it because of the style and the colour.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Some styles, I don't think, ever go out of fashion. This is one.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21It's called the Sheraton Revival.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- Have you heard of Thomas Sheraton? - Yes.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Thomas Sheraton was one of Britain's best-known cabinetmakers from the 18th-century.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31But in about the year 1900 - 1890-1900,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35there was a Sheraton revival and they started to remake his designs.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38You have got this wonderful marquetry inlay
0:24:38 > 0:24:39which he was world-famous for.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43And what they would do would be to carve out this particular design
0:24:43 > 0:24:47and then, using a satinwood, or a different style of wood,
0:24:47 > 0:24:48replace the sections.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50So you end up with this wonderful inlay.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53So it's very difficult to produce, especially to this quality.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56These were real craftsmen who were making this. And around the edges,
0:24:56 > 0:25:01just to emphasise the elegant style, we have the stringing.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03It runs around the side and along the top there.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07It's just absolutely fantastic. But what was with it, then?
0:25:07 > 0:25:13Because there should be a wardrobe, a dressing table, a bed, the bedside cabinets...
0:25:13 > 0:25:15What was there, when you saw it?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Just the wardrobe.- OK. - And the dressing table.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And the dressing table. These two definitely do match.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- They are a pair.- Excellent. They are fantastic.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- This one has little brass finials on the top, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:33- In the shape of urns. So are these going to go with you down to Cornwall?- No, too big. Too big.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- Won't fit in the house. So, it's going to have to go.- OK, fair enough.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Do you need to ask Jackie? I think you better had. - Better get permission.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43All right. Jackie, Angela? Just pop in a second.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I know you've seen this bedroom furniture before, but isn't this fantastic?
0:25:47 > 0:25:51- Is this what you are saying a fond farewell to, Alan?- Yes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Have you made the big decision - is it going to go to auction?
0:25:54 > 0:25:58- It has been made for me.- Jackie? - Yes.- It's got to go?- Definitely.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03OK. Well, you have got... The first thing is, these two pieces here,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07you've got a wonderful double wardrobe, a matching dressing table, both in fabulous condition.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I'd love to see these between 300 and 500, that sort of price.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12How does that sound?
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- Well, they've got to go, haven't they?- Yeah, they have. - So, yeah, that's fine.- OK.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21- Now, how much does this kind of whirligig thing cost?- About £1,200.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23About £1,200?
0:26:23 > 0:26:25A bit expensive!
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Well, I don't want to get your hopes up, but I think you might be able to afford it.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Because if we take the lowest estimate on everything
0:26:34 > 0:26:41that Paul has looked at today, you could make as much as £1,160 at auction.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46- Oh, wow!- How's that?- That's good. I didn't think it would be that much.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48- Brilliant.- Lovely.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Indeed, it's been a top-notch day here on Merseyside,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54where we've amassed quite a haul to take to auction
0:26:54 > 0:26:57to raise funds for that caravan motor mover device.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59These Moorcroft pin trays
0:26:59 > 0:27:01are in rich colours typical of early
0:27:01 > 0:27:0420th-century pieces, but actually date from around the 1990s.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Will all three together sell for £80-£120?
0:27:08 > 0:27:12With a total print run of nearly 69 million individual stamps,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14the Penny Black is not exactly rare.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16But together with a Penny Red,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19they could stick another £150 on the tally.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Alan's father's war medals make an attractive collection
0:27:22 > 0:27:25with the added bonus of some photographs.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28They include the Defence Medal, and the Pacific Star
0:27:28 > 0:27:31and could garner a further £60-£100 in the sale.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Still to come on Cash In The Attic,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39classic mahogany furniture surely fits in wherever it may go?
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- Don't make stuff like that nowadays, do they?- No.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- It doesn't go with your plasma screen.- No!
0:27:45 > 0:27:50An old-fashioned fellow like our expert Paul knows what he likes.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53What a nice set. You have a lovely tray, you've got the teapot,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56ooh, it's making me mouth water now!
0:27:56 > 0:27:59It's all brewing up nicely for the final crack of the gavel.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08So after uncovering a host of treasures at Jackie and Alan's flat,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12we have brought them here to Cuttlestones Auction House in Staffordshire.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17So now it's time to see how well their antiques will do when they go under the hammer.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21If you remember, Jackie and Alan want to buy a motor mover gizmo for their caravan,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24to take the hard work out of holidays.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27So let's hope that when the bidders arrive,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29they'll be prepared to help them on their way.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33It's not long before Jackie and Alan join the crowds pouring into the town of Penkridge.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36And as Paul and I catch up with them,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I can't help noticing there are a few things missing.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Bedroom furniture?
0:28:41 > 0:28:46- Yes, you didn't bring that, Alan? - No, unfortunately not.- Why?
0:28:46 > 0:28:49A few reasons, one being that my contract has been extended.
0:28:49 > 0:28:55- You said you were going to retire. - I am going to retire.- He's never going to retire.- Eventually.- Never!
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Right, so you need the furniture?
0:28:57 > 0:29:02If we had sold it now, we would have to buy replacements.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04So it seems pretty pointless.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09But there's something else missing as well. I haven't seen that beautiful sampler we talked about.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14Well, I had doubts when we were talking about it so I rang my daughter,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18spoke to her, and she said she'd love it for my granddaughter.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21So I'm just going to get a new picture frame.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25Well, I think that's the right decision, because people don't hand things down any more, do they?
0:29:25 > 0:29:29That's right. What you've got is an instant family tree.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32It's worth far more to your family than it is to the general public.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34So I'm delighted that you kept that one.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Out of all your items, that's what you should have kept. So well done.
0:29:37 > 0:29:43The loss of the bedroom furniture and the sampler means we're down by a whopping £610,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46over half our potential lowest estimate.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50Our original target was £500, so let's see if we can still make it.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53The auctioneer is already at work, and as we take our places,
0:29:53 > 0:29:55our first lot under the hammer
0:29:55 > 0:29:58is that neat little silver-topped perfume bottle from the 1930s,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01priced around £30-£60.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Was that a present or you bought it at an auction?
0:30:05 > 0:30:09- We bought it at... - Antique shop?- Yeah.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11One of those things you buy when you're out!
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- Cos it looks nice in the shop!- Yeah!
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Nice thing. Commissions all over it.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20£30 to start, lot 308. £30.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21Starting at 30!
0:30:21 > 0:30:24At 32. 35, 38, 40.
0:30:24 > 0:30:2742, 45, 48,
0:30:27 > 0:30:3150. Five. 60.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34With me at 60. You're out, on my right? Are we all...?
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Five. I'm out, as well. At 65, in the room. £70, quickly?
0:30:37 > 0:30:41Yourself? All done at £65.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45- Well done! Right at the top. - So what do you think of it so far?
0:30:45 > 0:30:46I'm pleased!
0:30:46 > 0:30:52Our first item has done very well - £5 beyond our upper estimate.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56We're straight into our second lot, which has someone quite excited.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Out of all your items, I think this is probably my favourite.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01It's the little crested china
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Tommy in the dug-out in the First World War.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07What a wonderful thing. This has been with you a long time?
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Oh, a long, long time. Wouldn't like to say how long, actually!
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- How much did you pay for it? - Six old pence.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Sixpence! How much is that in...?
0:31:15 > 0:31:19- Oh, don't ask.- Two and a half pence, isn't it?- Something like that. - Two and a half pence!
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Cor, blimey. And we've got, what, £40-£60 on it?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25The First World War is so collectable
0:31:25 > 0:31:28at the moment. I think this is quite an unusual design.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- I've never seen this example before, so that will create the interest. - We've got commissions on this one.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36- Oh, great!- Start me at £25. - £25. We're in. 25.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40At 25, we have. At 25. Eight. 30. 32, 35.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45- 35, we have. At £35. - 35. New gentleman there.
0:31:45 > 0:31:4638, in the room, we have.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51At £38. 40, quickly, we're selling. All there and done at £38.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- 165.- Oh! - Just under, but 38, that's not bad.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- No, it's not bad. Better than sixpence. - Better than two and a half pence!
0:31:58 > 0:32:00It is better than sixpence.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Not quite our lower estimate, but back in 1918,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07when that little example of Carlton ware was first made,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12the idea that it would be worth £38 would have seemed preposterous!
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Onwards now to World War Two and the military medals belonging to Alan's father,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18with those photos of sea battles
0:32:18 > 0:32:21to help tempt the bidders. Let's hope the military collectors
0:32:21 > 0:32:22are out in force.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26There's a great market for collecting medals now,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- isn't there?- There is. It's a strange market at the moment.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33The First World War seems to be where, for years, all the major concentration was, but the
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Second World War now is becoming collectable, but because they are not all named individually,
0:32:37 > 0:32:42you can't research them as much. But I do know that the Pacific Star is a good one.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- He was in the Merchant Navy, wasn't he?- That's right.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50He was protecting the fleet as they were going out to the Far East, so it's a very important medal.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52We will start at £45.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00At 50. Five. 55, in the centre. 60. Five. 70.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- That's excellent.- There you go.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04No, he says. I've 70, on my left. Five, now? At £70.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09Bid is on my left. we're selling. Are we all done? Sold at £70.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- Are you quite happy with that? - Oh, delighted.- Excellent!
0:33:12 > 0:33:16£10 above our lower estimate. Those historic medals
0:33:16 > 0:33:21have a new home and the fund for the motor mover is £70 better off.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25Next, Imari-style porcelain dates back to the 19th century.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Could these examples make the £50-£75 estimate?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Ceramics have taken a bit of a dip. People aren't usually as much...
0:33:34 > 0:33:39Everyone's gone more modern - into mugs, that sort of thing. But Imari seems to have that longevity.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43The red and the blue colours are very pleasing, very pleasant to look at.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Let's hope it's somebody's cup of tea, eh?- Yeah!
0:33:46 > 0:33:48We'll start in at £30.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Really? Good, we're in at 30.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52At £30, 32, 35,
0:33:52 > 0:33:5838, 40, 42. At 42, we have. At 42, at 42.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Four, anywhere? At 42, I'm selling, no mistake.
0:34:01 > 0:34:0644. 44, a bid on my left, at 44. And we're selling. All done?
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Little under guide, but it goes, at £44.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13That's good, that's brilliant. Happy with that.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18£44 is a little beneath our lower estimate, so we could do with a more
0:34:18 > 0:34:20substantial result a bit later on.
0:34:20 > 0:34:26Moorcroft pottery dates back to 1897 and their output's very collectable.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31The estimate is £80-£120 for this late 20th century boxed threesome
0:34:31 > 0:34:33of two pin trays and a dish.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Starting me at £45. - 45. We're in, come on.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41At 45 on the Moorcroft, 45 bid. 50. Five. 60. Five.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Going up quickly.- 70. Five. 80. £80, I have. At £80.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Five now? At £80, I'm selling in front. All done?
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Commission's out. At £80...
0:34:51 > 0:34:55- There we are. Dead right.- That was fast and furious.- Yeah, very quick.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00- £80 and a good result. - I might not have to push the caravan around any more!
0:35:00 > 0:35:06With the Moorcroft bringing us another £80 towards that fund, we're at the halfway stage.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07So how are we doing?
0:35:07 > 0:35:11We wanted to raise £500. We were hoping to raise considerably more,
0:35:11 > 0:35:16- but we've actually got, so far, £297.- Very good.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- So you're on your way. - Yeah, that's good.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Kind of, just over half way to the gizmo.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24ALL LAUGH
0:35:24 > 0:35:27If you'd like to try selling some of your items in this way,
0:35:27 > 0:35:32it is worth bearing in mind that auction houses charge various fees, such as commission.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Your local saleroom will advise you on those extra costs.
0:35:35 > 0:35:41Paul is always on the look-out for good deals to be had at auctions. What's caught his eye today?
0:35:43 > 0:35:47- You looking for musical inspiration from the Fab Four?- I was.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51I was also looking for something that's made locally. These are made here, in Staffordshire,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53by designer Peggy Davies, but I thought they tied in
0:35:53 > 0:35:55with Alan and Jackie as it's The Beatles.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00- Of course.- They're from Merseyside. - John, Paul, George and Ringo.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05Peggy Davies tends to make things like Beatles memorabilia. She does Clarice Cliff-inspired items,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Charlotte Rhead patterns, that sort of thing, so she's very retro in her thinking,
0:36:09 > 0:36:10but a wonderful factory.
0:36:10 > 0:36:17So, "Pop Legend Character Jug. Limited edition of 200 worldwide." That's quite good, because often,
0:36:17 > 0:36:21- these things are made in like, 2,000 worldwide. - That's right. A limited run.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26This one is number four of 200, so that's an early one in the run.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28What have we got of John? John's number 23.
0:36:30 > 0:36:37- George is 162. Obviously, some fan has gone to a lot of trouble to collect all four.- Right.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- The sort of value on these?- Today, you are looking at maybe £100-150.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43An absolute bargain. For the future, they'll be fabulous.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47THEY LAUGH
0:36:47 > 0:36:52'Oh, dear, trust our Paul. He clearly sees these Beatle souvenirs as a future investment
0:36:52 > 0:36:56'and they're reserved, collectively, at £140. But in the cold, hard
0:36:56 > 0:36:59'reality of today's auction, they fail to find a bidder.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03'An investment for the fans only, perhaps.'
0:37:03 > 0:37:09Our sale continues with this early 20th-century high chair, which has an estimated value of £40-£60.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Is this something you had for your children?
0:37:13 > 0:37:17No, actually, I bought it to put my teddy bears on.
0:37:17 > 0:37:23But since I've got two grandchildren - well, I've got four, but two have been using it -
0:37:23 > 0:37:26to eat at the dining table. It's been absolutely brilliant.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- What are they going to sit in now? - We'll have to buy a high chair.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34With commissions, 25, I'm bid. Lot 468. 25. At 25.
0:37:34 > 0:37:40We have to start at 25. Eight. 30. £30, at £30. Two, if you wish.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43At £30. Two, quickly, 30 bid. With me, it is. 30 only.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- We thought it would get a bit more than that.- Definitely.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48No, not sold, unfortunately.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52The auctioneer didn't want to sell it for less than it deserved.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57A bit disappointing, but since Jackie has a new grandchild,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59at least she'll get to use it once more. More mahogany now,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02with this smart little piece of 19th-century furniture.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05OK, a bit of Victoriana now.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09It will be interesting to see how this one goes, cos it's a similar period to your bedroom furniture,
0:38:09 > 0:38:13which you never brought. But this one is a plant table - octagonal plant table -
0:38:13 > 0:38:15that would have gone in a Victorian conservatory.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20There was a time when these were £100-£120.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24I put this in at between 50-100 today, so let's see how it goes.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29- It'll tell us how the other furniture might have done. - Commissions, are we? £20, to start.
0:38:29 > 0:38:3246a, at £20. Tempting you all day long. At 22, thank you.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35At 22, 25, 28, 30.
0:38:35 > 0:38:3932, 35, 38.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43PAUL SIGHS
0:38:43 > 0:38:45At £38, do we sell?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- At £38. Bid's in the centre. - Are you going to sell it?- Yeah. £38.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52It's gone. There we are. Just goes to show. Less than we expected.
0:38:52 > 0:38:58- Yeah.- It's just the market, I'm afraid.- It's stunning, they don't make stuff like that nowadays.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- No. No.- It doesn't go with your plasma screen!
0:39:02 > 0:39:06A fair bit under our lower estimate. £38 is a poor showing
0:39:06 > 0:39:11for such a nice piece of mahogany furniture.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Now, the late 19th-century Atlas china tea service.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17We hope it's going to be worth £50-£80.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20It's a very decorative set. This really wouldn't be used.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24It's for display purposes. But what a nice set. You've got a lovely tray with it,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27you've got the teapot. Oh, it's making my mouth water!
0:39:29 > 0:39:33But it's a nice example. It's very Victorian in style. Looking for about £50.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38- And here it goes.- Commissions starting at £30. Lot 3428. £30.
0:39:38 > 0:39:4132, 35, 38, 40.
0:39:41 > 0:39:46- 42, and I'm out at 42. In the room at 42. 45, 48.- Ooh!
0:39:46 > 0:39:49No? 48, I have standing. At 48. Are we £50?
0:39:49 > 0:39:54I'm selling. 48 is on my right. It goes, and no mistake, at £48.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55- There you go.- Great!
0:39:55 > 0:40:00The tea set could have brought us a sweeter result, but the £48
0:40:00 > 0:40:02is still most welcome.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07Finally, we have the framed stamps, first issued in the 1840s,
0:40:07 > 0:40:09which were in the dining room.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- You put a reserve on these, Alan? - Yes, £100.- Right.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16How much did you pay for them originally?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- £500.- But it was for charity? - It was a charity auction. - But it was a great night?!
0:40:20 > 0:40:23It was. It must have been!
0:40:25 > 0:40:28And we have interest at £65, to start. At 65.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Start at 65. Are we 70, quickly?
0:40:30 > 0:40:3470. Five. 75, bid's with me, right at the back. At 75.
0:40:34 > 0:40:40Are we 80 now? 80. Five. 90. Five. 100, I'm out, 100 bid.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- You've made your reserve. - Are we all done? I'm selling.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Ten, if you wish? At £100...
0:40:46 > 0:40:48There you go. They're gone. All right.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52The stamps were in less than perfect condition, yet they matched
0:40:52 > 0:40:55the reserve exactly, bring our sale to a close.
0:40:55 > 0:41:01It's been an interesting day, but how close have we come to our target?
0:41:01 > 0:41:05That was the last of your items. I know we wanted to raise £500,
0:41:05 > 0:41:11but we started at a disadvantage and we were still hoping we would make £500.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17We're just short of the £500, I'm afraid. Not by much.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22- We've made a total of £483. - Oh, that's good. That's good. - If you'd brought your furniture,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24though, Alan, we might have.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- Oh, Alan.- That's cruel! - I'll see you outside!- Please don't!
0:41:35 > 0:41:39A few weeks later and Jackie and Alan are looking for
0:41:39 > 0:41:42that motor mover device. But, of course, they are tempted
0:41:42 > 0:41:44to examine all the new products on offer.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46'We go out caravanning'
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- quite a lot, don't we?- Yeah. We'd like to get away every weekend.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52'But you have other commitments as well.'
0:41:52 > 0:41:57Unfortunately, Jackie's seen another caravan that she likes. Erm, so we may be changing the caravan!
0:41:57 > 0:42:01'But we want the motor mover, because it makes my life easier.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04'The caravan, when it's fully loaded, can weigh
0:42:04 > 0:42:06'a considerable amount of weight.'
0:42:06 > 0:42:10The motor mover, literally, you pick up a remote control, push a button
0:42:10 > 0:42:15- and it goes where you want it to go. - So, we can go to the right,
0:42:15 > 0:42:21- to the left...- Ah, so that's what a motor mover does!
0:42:21 > 0:42:25Sounds like it could also save a lot of fuss and bother.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- You don't damage the caravan while you're doing it.- Ahem.