0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to the show that leaves no stone unturned
0:00:04 > 0:00:08in the hunt for valuable antiques and collectibles in your home.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12We are here on the edge of Dartmoor to meet a couple whose possessions
0:00:12 > 0:00:15are here in England but whose thoughts are very far away.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Coming up on Cash In The Attic,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Jonty lives up to his reputation as the fount of all knowledge.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- Do you know who A A Box is? - No, no, I don't. Don't you?
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Well, I've never heard of him.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Should we be wary of what's written on the packet?
0:00:48 > 0:00:52We've got this label here, too. It says Russian sword.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- How extraordinary, because it's not. - Really?
0:00:55 > 0:00:59'And my reputation as a royal correspondent lives on.'
0:00:59 > 0:01:03There's a market for royalty. You ought to see Jenny's collection.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07She has got rooms full. Garages full.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10I will probably crown him before the hammer falls.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13We've got rather an unusual project today
0:01:13 > 0:01:16because the family we want to meet want to raise money to make
0:01:16 > 0:01:20a difference to the lives of a lot of people in India.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Elizabeth and Anil Ahir have lived in Devon since 2001,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27the year Elizabeth qualified as a teacher.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30She works part-time as an art co-ordinator at a local school
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and Anil is an operations director in food technology.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35They have one grown-up daughter, Kerry,
0:01:35 > 0:01:40and quite a few heirlooms from Elizabeth's aunt Lillian.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45We are here today partly to help the Ahirs declutter
0:01:45 > 0:01:48but also with an eye to some charity fund-raising.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'There is an educational theme to today's programme
0:01:51 > 0:01:55'so we need the advice of a man with more than 20 years' experience in antiques, Jonty Hearnden.'
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Let's see what's in here. Hello.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- Hello.- Hello.- Hi.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03I hope you've got lots for us to find?
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- I'll get started straight away and catch you later.- Fantastic.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- Lots to do. Lots to do. - Excellent.- All right, then.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- Whose idea was it to call us in?- It was me. My aunt died a few years ago.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19She was nearly 102 and she had a load of stuff.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22I thought there's a few things that might be of interest to you.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- Where is it all? Hidden around the house?- It is in the house.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Upstairs, in the study, kitchen.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30I decorated the study a couple of years ago now and in the space
0:02:30 > 0:02:33of two months, it was full of lots of artefacts from Elizabeth's aunt.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- Our challenge is to clear the study. - What are we raising the money for?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39We are raising the money for a school in India.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41It is a school we adopted as a family.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43It is a poor part of India, in Punjab.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46We've been there a few times, myself, Elizabeth and my daughter.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49- The money is for the school. - That's fantastic.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52It is an unusual project for us, I must say.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Elizabeth, how much money do you think we might be able to raise?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- Maybe about £400 or £500, hopefully. That would be good.- OK.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- Shall we set a target of 400, shall we?- OK, that's brilliant.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08- That's great.- All right. Anil, why don't you get cracking in the kitchen?- I'll start there.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- And we'll go and find Jonty. - OK, brilliant. There you go.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Thank you, I'll take these.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18So I wonder what we're likely to find amongst Aunt Lillian's bits and bobs.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Some treasure from a bygone age? Speaking of which, where's our expert?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25He's already made a start
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and seems to have headed straight to the attic.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33- Oh! There's a lovely boy in the lovely room.- Just in time for tea.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I notice this is your TV viewing room.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Is this where you make tea as well? - No, not in that teapot.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44That belonged to my aunt. I think it was a retirement present.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- So that would be Auntie Lillian? - Yeah.- It's solid silver.- Yeah.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I've been looking at the creamer and the jug behind me.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Obviously part of a set and they are also assayed the same date as well
0:03:56 > 0:04:01so if you can see that this chased decoration along the top is identical?
0:04:01 > 0:04:05They have to be a set, even though the handles are slightly different.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Right.- This teapot was made in 1928. - Oh, wow!
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- You can tell that from the date. - He's clever, isn't he?
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I thought it was made in the 1960s or 1970s.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Would these be the same date then?
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Yes, the assay marks are the same as well. Feel the weight of that.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- I mean, can you feel how heavy that is?- It is really heavy.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27It's a shock that its 1920s but yeah, it is quite heavy.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29And because we have such substantial weight, here,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33and including the Queen and the sugar bowl, for the set,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36£100 to £150 at auction.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- Yeah, I am quite shocked. - Has that sunk in?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- Think how many teabags you could buy for that.- Earl Grey, as well.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Well done. That's a very, very good start.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49A solid start. Shall we put these back here?
0:04:49 > 0:04:52And then lead on, we will see what else we can find.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54It's always gratifying when we really do find
0:04:54 > 0:04:56potential Cash In The Attic,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59even if it is rather a posh one.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Aunt Lillian's silver teapot, jug and bowl
0:05:01 > 0:05:06should do well in the auction but they aren't the only treasures tucked away.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Aunt Lil was a fan of the Royal Family and bought commemorative mugs
0:05:09 > 0:05:14and themed memorabilia whenever there was an important royal event.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Anil has found 12 unused mugs in good condition
0:05:17 > 0:05:20covering historic occasions, including several royal weddings
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27They are marked with old Staffordshire pottery maker's names
0:05:27 > 0:05:31like Ainslie, Lord Nelson and J and G Meakin.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Jonty values the lot at around £20 to £30.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Meanwhile, Elizabeth has found a couple of watercolours
0:05:36 > 0:05:39which sadly show signs of foxing.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42The brown spotting on acidic paper is affected by humidity.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Luckily, it hasn't obscured the most useful clues
0:05:45 > 0:05:47to the origin of these works.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51There's a signature here. We have an A A Box.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Have you got one? - I've got A Ashdown Box/89.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So yes, they would be the same artist.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- Do you know who A A Box is? - No, no. Don't you?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Well, I've never heard of him. If you think about it,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07there are countless watercolourists certainly in the 19th century.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11The problem that I have with them is the fact they are rather faded.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- Right.- Did Aunt Lillian like them? - She didn't have that one
0:06:15 > 0:06:19but I remember having that one in her bedroom, yeah.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- What do you think of them? - I like this one, I do like this one.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I like the path. But actually, I don't like that one.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30It's sort of buy one, get one free. I agree with you.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33This is the picture that is worth the money.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34You must sell them as a pair.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38They've always been together, they are framed together.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42The market, sadly, for pictures like this, dropped rapidly.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- People don't want them any more. - It sounds like bad news.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Value for the two pictures they must be sold like a pair,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- we are looking at £30 to £50 at the auction sale.- Right, OK.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57The good thing is it might not seem much but in India, that will go a long way?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Yeah. It will, actually. That's true.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02And we need to find some more for these children in India.
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Come on, let's go.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06We don't do buy one get one free very often but we'll
0:07:06 > 0:07:10make an exception for Aunt Lillian's pair of rural scenes
0:07:10 > 0:07:12by Alfred Ashdown Box.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Hopefully we'll be finding out more about Aunt Lillian later.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19While the others keep on rummaging in every nook and cranny,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23I want to find out where else Elizabeth lived before settling here in Devon.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25I've lived in Jordan,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I've lived in, I dunno, Bristol, Oxfordshire,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Leicestershire, and then down here. - Really? Jordan?
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- How come you lived in Jordan? When was that? Tell me about it. - That was in 1982.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41I worked with children with learning disabilities in Amman.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43How did you get the job?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46It was voluntary work that I did it for a year
0:07:46 > 0:07:49with a voluntary service called Project Trust.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- And you've got one daughter, is that right?- Yes.- How old is she?
0:07:52 > 0:07:57- She's 25, now.- And are you very close?- We are very close, yeah.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Although we argue. Mothers and daughters do, don't they?
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Tell me about it. You are obviously quite a close family
0:08:04 > 0:08:08but I want to know how close you were to your Aunt Lillian.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13She is quite a big part of today's rummage so tell me about her.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Aunt Lil was like a granny, really, I suppose.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20I was her only niece so I guess I was quite special to her
0:08:20 > 0:08:23and she was quite special to me.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24Was she a teacher too?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27She taught in London and then at the Wirral
0:08:27 > 0:08:31and she finally was a head teacher for about 27 years in Birkenhead.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Was she married?- She didn't get married until she was 72.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38She got married to an American and went over
0:08:38 > 0:08:40and lived in southern California.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Do you remember the wedding? - Yes. I was a bridesmaid!- Really?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45So how old was she when she died?
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- She was nearly 102. - So she got married when she was 72.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- That's right.- So she had three decades of marriage.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Actually, she didn't.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59She had three decades of America but Max died eight years into their marriage.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- That's so sad. What a sad end to the story.- Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05'Well we had better sort through more of Aunt Lillian's stuff.'
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Jonty is way ahead of us because he has unwrapped parts
0:09:09 > 0:09:11of a Royal Doulton dinner service.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15It's in late Art Nouveau Countess pattern, probably dating to the first decade of the 20th century.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Along with an Ironstone Warwick tea set
0:09:18 > 0:09:23by Alfred Meakin, Jonty values all the crockery at £20 to £40.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'We are all beavering away now around the Ahirs' home
0:09:26 > 0:09:31'and it's not long before Jonty uncovers a concealed weapon.'
0:09:32 > 0:09:36A-ha! What do we have here?
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I'm glad that you found that because I really want to get rid of it.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- Not very keen on swords. - And we've got this label here, too.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45It says, "Russian Sword found in the Crimean War."
0:09:45 > 0:09:47On the battlefield, no less.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- That's right.- How extraordinary, because it's not.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- Really?- No!- Oh dear! Poor old Lil.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Don't worry about it at all. It is certainly not Russian.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It is a British or English Army officer's sword.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- Wow!- Dated 1790.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10You can tell that by the shape of the brass basket hilt, here.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13That's the style that they had at the time.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15That's amazing.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20The actual sword itself is a little bit pitted.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22It's not in the best condition.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26When you handle swords you have got to be very, very careful indeed.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- Yeah.- I will be very pleased to put that into the auction for you.- OK.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31We are looking at between...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Wait for this, £150 to £200.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- That's brilliant! That's excellent. - Maybe even more on a good day.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41The only thing is I'm a bit concerned about taking it to an auction
0:10:41 > 0:10:44because isn't there something about sort of knives and...
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Well this is an antique weapon, as such,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50so you can legitimately sell this at the auction sale.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55Although of course do keep a sharp objects like these out of reach of children.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58We'll find out if Jonty's prediction comes true on auction day.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01I'm going to start on this. I'm going to start straight off at £300.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- £300.- Wow! Yes!
0:11:04 > 0:11:08'It looks as if the cold, hard steel could bring us
0:11:08 > 0:11:10'some cold, hard cash. But how much?'
0:11:12 > 0:11:17'With five items and a potential £320, we are doing OK.'
0:11:17 > 0:11:19But we carry on rummaging through everything,
0:11:19 > 0:11:24including these toys from a long time ago and far, far away.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Jonty is flapping about up there while down in the lounge,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Elizabeth select this contemporary china lamp.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36She has no idea where it came from but reckons it was most probably her aunt's.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Jonty gives it a price tag of £20 to £30.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43And then he notices some childhood favourites in the kitchen diner.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- Anil, I've got some Beatrix Potter character figures appear.- OK, yeah.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Actually, Auntie Lillian used to have them on her mantelpiece
0:11:51 > 0:11:52in her apartment in the Wirral.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54I think she had them delicately placed
0:11:54 > 0:11:56so we were allowed to look but not touch.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Were you a fan? - I wasn't, not personally.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I know she was and I know she spoke to Kerry, our daughter,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06a lot about those figurines. She was quite passionate about them.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09They are very desirable, very saleable.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12If we have a look at Mr Squirrel Nutkin here
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and look on the underside, it says Beswick, England.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19It says copyright 1948 but he would have been made in the 1970s
0:12:19 > 0:12:22and I've had a look at a few of them and most of them are from that era.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24That's probably when she bought them.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Do you think she bought them new?
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Some of them might be second hand. People still collect those?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Yes, because the characters are so endearing, the stories are so fascinating
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and those drawings are absolutely wonderful, still.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40They go from generation to generation, still.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43So we can definitely put those characters into the auction sale
0:12:43 > 0:12:45and we are looking at £40 to £60.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Fantastic news. I wasn't expecting that for those figurines so yeah, I'm pretty pleased with that.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I'll leave those up there for safekeeping, out the way.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Definitely.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56The five Beatrix Potter characters include Squirrel Nutkin
0:12:56 > 0:12:59and Little Pig Robinson, Jemima Puddle-Duck,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02a mouse from the Tailor of Gloucester and Tom Kitten.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04They should do well.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08I'm having another forage upstairs and I'm rather taken by this
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Crown Devon vase with the Royal Chelsea floral pattern.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Elizabeth found it in her aunt's flat, wrapped up in a towel,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18but it may have come from her grandparents.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21It was made in the late 19th century,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and Jonty prices it at between £20-£30
0:13:24 > 0:13:26a modest amount for sure.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30But is it enough to earn me another little break? Why not!
0:13:32 > 0:13:35So, I want to know how you two met.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38We met actually at college when we were doing our A-levels.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- Was it love at first sight? - Well, I was pretty much infatuated by Libby,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45so I was chasing her for a few good months.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47So you were playing hard to get, were you?!
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I just thought that he was an Indian prince, really.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53So now, all these years later, you're still happily married
0:13:53 > 0:13:57and you, Anil, are now in the food industry, aren't you?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59I spent three years doing a food degree and I went home
0:13:59 > 0:14:02and told my dad and he said, "What degree have you done?"
0:14:02 > 0:14:04I said, "Food technology". He said, "Cooking?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07"I could have taught you cooking at home!"
0:14:07 > 0:14:10We're hoping to raise money for your charity, the school.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Tell me more about it.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15The school is located in a very poor part of Punjab -
0:14:15 > 0:14:19children who are working in the rice paddy fields with their mothers at a young age,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21very rarely see the front door of a school.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25There was a form of school there, but basically just a number of rooms.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28So we, as a family, adopted that building and over the years,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32we've been fundraising in the UK with lots of help from friends and family
0:14:32 > 0:14:36and local clubs and so forth. It's touched everybody in our family.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38My daughter has been out there.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42We're all quite excited by the fact that each year, it gets better.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Elizabeth, what do you think of the school, as a teacher?
0:14:45 > 0:14:49The insides of the building look like a Victorian school, really.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52They had one toilet for the whole of the school
0:14:52 > 0:14:57and that's roughly 100 children there, and staff as well.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00So completely different from the schools that we've got.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03The resources we've got in the schools in this country
0:15:03 > 0:15:05are amazing compared to what they've got.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08If we do manage to raise the £400, or a bit more,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11what will use the money for?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Any money that we raise goes towards supporting the children to have
0:15:14 > 0:15:17what they need to go to school, so books, pencils - anything like that
0:15:17 > 0:15:21which will help the children is where the money tends to get spent.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25So if we're going to raise that money, you know what it means - back to the rummage.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- Great, OK. - We can't sit here all day.- Let's go.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Jonty's been no slouch while we've been chatting.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34He's pulled out an old box of sheet music from under the bed.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It belonged to Elizabeth's grandfather,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38who loved to sing and play the piano.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41There are three boxes altogether, with sheets
0:15:41 > 0:15:44and books on every style of music imaginable,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Despite their age, many millions of copies were printed
0:15:50 > 0:15:53over the years, so prices have remained pretty low.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Jonty values the lot for just £10-£20.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Who needs sheet music, anyway?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- Aha, Elizabeth...- Yes?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Am I right in thinking I've got a whole box of commemorative ware?
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Yes, you have. My aunt used to like collecting them.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16She thought that perhaps one day they would be valuable although, you know,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19though I respect the Royal family,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22I'm not really into collecting plates.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- So you don't fancy holding onto all of this?- Not really, no.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I mean, I think there's a little Victorian plate.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Yes, I think I saw her lurking in the bottom of this box here.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34She's here somewhere. Here she is.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39That's a pretty little transfer-printed plate there.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43It's quite interesting because commemorative ware was collected by a lot of people.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45It was all to do with the fact that people revered
0:16:45 > 0:16:49and held in high esteem the Royal family.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- I suppose the nation's affections have changed.- Right.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54At the end of the 19th century
0:16:54 > 0:16:56and the beginning of the 20th century, there was
0:16:56 > 0:17:00a lot of people that collected commemorative ware
0:17:00 > 0:17:02and there was a big market for it
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and lots of factories produced some very fine wares
0:17:05 > 0:17:09that now appear on the open market and we don't get very much for it.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- So it's supply and demand. - There's some books to go with it.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- Oh, you've got some more? Gosh.- There's some books... - Quite extraordinary.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Well, we can put it all together as a collection,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22but we need to be putting a figure of something like £20-£30 on it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- What a shame.- But if we did that, hopefully we'd get more for it.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- Yes.- I know you won't be happy about the price,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30but you're happy it's all got to go?
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- Yes, I do want to get rid of them, so...- OK.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Well, we have a lot to wade through here. I'll put Victoria back.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- I shall carry on rummaging. - OK, then!
0:17:40 > 0:17:44As with the sheet music, the royal memorabilia of coronations
0:17:44 > 0:17:46and the like was produced in such vast quantities,
0:17:46 > 0:17:51it's often hard to get a good price. Let's hope our auction attracts bidders who will wallow
0:17:51 > 0:17:52in a sense of history.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Anil was so impressed by Jonty's valuation for the officer's sword
0:17:57 > 0:18:01that he wants him to take a look at another example - this time,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04a Japanese sword in its scabbard.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It was found under Aunt Lillian's bed after she died.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12These Samurai swords can be highly collectable, so it's a great find.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14But without any more precise details,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Jonty cautiously prices it at £50-£100.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Now that doesn't sound very generous to me,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25but perhaps he's hoping it will take off when it comes to the auction.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Hello there. What are you holding?
0:18:27 > 0:18:31I've got a very old book here that I found in my aunt's bedroom.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- Could you tell me something about it, please?- Can I have a look?- Yeah. - You've got it all wrapped up here.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41Let's put this down. Gosh, it has a real old feel to it.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43First of all, before we go any further,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45the spine has been damaged rather badly,
0:18:45 > 0:18:50but we have a leather-bound book and it really does look like it's got some age.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54The print and the date of when this would be published
0:18:54 > 0:18:59is on the inside, on the first few pages often, and look at that date - 1648.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Quite extraordinary.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Now, the print itself looks in pretty good condition.- Yes.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Which is very good news. Record's Arithmetic or Grounds of Art.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Now, books, even the 18th or 19th century were highly prized -
0:19:15 > 0:19:19they were very expensive and only the rich could really afford them.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23The very wealthy had libraries and bookcases to house their books.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26That's the reason why you see glass doors on the front of bookcases,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29more often than not - so they're protected from the dust
0:19:29 > 0:19:33and dirt and smoke from tobacco and from open fires as well.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Have you done any research on it?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39I did actually look on the Internet
0:19:39 > 0:19:43and it said an estimate of between 300 and £500 for that book.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48Well, I think this particular book would fetch even more than that
0:19:48 > 0:19:53if it was in good condition. But it's in pretty poor condition.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54Having said that,
0:19:54 > 0:19:59I think we're still looking at auction at £150-£300.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02That would really make my aunt's day, because she majored in maths,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04so that would be really good.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07This is a real privilege to just have in my hands.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- Now, where have those other two got to?- Hi.- There they are.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Hello. Found something exciting? - Very exciting.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- This is a lovely old book - 1648 it was printed.- Wow.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- I put £150-£300 on it. It really is superb.- That's good news.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22That's great news.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25It's a piece of history you've got there -
0:20:25 > 0:20:27are you sure you want to part with it?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Well, I was thinking about putting it in a picture frame on the wall,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32but I think the money would be better spent in India.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- Well, I know you'd agree with that. - Fantastic news.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37- Have you read it, by the way? - No, I haven't.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- I should do, because I wasn't very good at maths at school.- Must be a cracking good read, I tell you!
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Well, you'd better read it quickly between now and the auction!
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- So your lowest estimate on that was? - 150.- 150, OK - diddly-diddly...
0:20:48 > 0:20:51We can stop rummaging, you've made such a brilliant last find.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Excellent!- Have you enjoyed the day? - Yes, great.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Now, you were looking for, you said, £400 at the start.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Though I know you wanted a little bit more.- BOTH: Yes.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Well, we always take Jonty's lowest estimates
0:21:03 > 0:21:05and of all the things we found today,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08if we add all that up and if things actually happen at the auction,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11as we hope, you will make 630.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- Excellent.- Very good! That's superb. - That's really brilliant. - Really good news.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- Well done!- Let's see what we can make at auction, eh?
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Yeah, great - look forward to it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25That heavily rewritten edition of the Ground Of Arts
0:21:25 > 0:21:28was published 90 years after the death of its author, Robert Record,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31who, among other accomplishments, invented the equals sign.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36£630 = a wonderful result in my book!
0:21:38 > 0:21:42And joining it at the auction will be Aunt Lillian's weighty
0:21:42 > 0:21:44solid silver teapot, jug and bowl,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47which were fitting retirement presents for a headmistress
0:21:47 > 0:21:50and should bring us £100-£150.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55The five Beswick pottery Beatrix Potter characters from the '70s
0:21:55 > 0:21:59and early '80s - they could bring us between 40 and £60.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01And the British officer's sword,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04which may have been found in the Crimean War as the label suggests,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07but dates even further back to the 1790s.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12It could command £150-£200 at the auction.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Still to come on Cash In The Attic...
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Let's hear it for the dearly departed who left behind such precious heirlooms.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- Don't tell me it's from the aunt as well, right?- Yes, it is!
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- Good old Lillian!- Yeah!
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Admittedly, better care should have been taken of some of their things.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- What a sword!- Where's it been all these years?- In the shed!
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Value those finds till the final crack of the gavel.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Well, we brought everything here to Lyme Bay auctions in Devon,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48now that the big sale day has arrived for Elizabeth and Anil.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Remember, they want to raise as much money as they possibly can
0:22:51 > 0:22:54for those Punjabi schoolchildren, so let's hope that the public
0:22:54 > 0:22:59are willing to dig deep when the bidding gets underway.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03The auction house is about a mile inland from the seafront
0:23:03 > 0:23:05here at Seaton, on the spectacular Devon coast.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Elizabeth and Anil are looking over their belongings,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10now on display among the other lots here today.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Hey, hi - how are you doing?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Very good. Very good, thank you.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20How are you feeling about seeing your lovely book here, ready to go up for sale?
0:23:20 > 0:23:22I'm looking forward to it being sold,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- although we have put a reserve of £150 on it.- 150.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Yes, because we feel it's a really important, very precious book
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and we want to get the most from it.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Guys, I'm a little bit concerned for you,
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- because without the book, what do you do at home? Use calculators? - A mobile phone!
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Is there anything else that you're feeling a bit hesitant about selling?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46We just want to get the most out of the day today.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49And make enough money to help those schoolchildren.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51That'd be really good. Definitely.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53My father is out there at the moment, at the school.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- In Punjab?- Yes.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58We rang him saying we were coming to the auction today,
0:23:58 > 0:23:59so all the kids are excited
0:23:59 > 0:24:02and waiting to get a phone call back hopefully after today.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Let's make the money first of all, eh? Let's go find a spot.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07I think the auction is about to start.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12And the first of our items is about to go under the hammer.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Sheet music publishing hit a peak in the 1920s, before family
0:24:15 > 0:24:19sing-alongs were replaced by radios and record players.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22In those days though, families would often build up
0:24:22 > 0:24:24quite a collection of tunes, like this batch.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Three boxes - where did they come from?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29My grandfather absolutely loved dancing and music,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- so I guess that they were his. - Well, £10-£20?
0:24:31 > 0:24:34They should sell for that -
0:24:34 > 0:24:37there's an awful lot of sheet music for £10, isn't there?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- I hope so.- Here we go. - Fingers crossed.
0:24:40 > 0:24:4230. £20, then. No?
0:24:42 > 0:24:45£10, then. 10. Thank you, madam.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48£10, we have at 10. £10, in the room, at 10. 12.
0:24:48 > 0:24:5214. £12 on my left, at 12 - 14 anywhere?
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I will sell at £12.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58OK. Gosh, somebody got a bargain.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02£12 seems pretty cheap, but sheet music used to sell
0:25:02 > 0:25:06by the million, so it's not hard to come by today.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10More printed material now, but this time on a regal theme,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12with a mixture of commemorative china and souvenirs,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14including the order of service
0:25:14 > 0:25:16for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19this ashtray marking the Prince of Wales' investiture
0:25:19 > 0:25:23and a souvenir booklet from Buckingham Palace.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Who's the royalist, then? - That was my Aunt Lillian, yes.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31She used to buy it for anniversaries, silver wedding anniversaries, coronations.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35She felt that if she gathered enough, she'd be able to make a bob or two.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Very patriotic, I think. - Do you think they'll sell?
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Well, of course there's a market for royalty,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43but you have to be careful on price.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45That's the reason why I put just £20-£30.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49But you ought to see Jenny's collection - she's got rooms of it!
0:25:49 > 0:25:52There is quite a lot! Let's see if we can get £20.
0:25:52 > 0:25:5415. £10, then.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- Oh, dear.- No royalists.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58No?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01No, I'm sorry - I can't sell it for less than that.
0:26:01 > 0:26:07- You're taking your memorabilia home! - Oh, great(!) Oh dear!
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Clearly, there are no collectors of royal mementos here today.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15That doesn't bode well for those 12 commemorative mugs later, does it?
0:26:15 > 0:26:19But here's the rather fetching china lamp which also belonged
0:26:19 > 0:26:21to Aunt Lillian.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23You have to admit - it's certainly eye-catching.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Do you like this piece? - I do, actually. I think it's a fantastic looking piece.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30We toyed with whether we should put it in the auction or not.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- We'll do it.- It's £20 we're looking for.- Fingers crossed
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- we get a good price for it.- Hope so.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Give me £40 for it. £30, then.
0:26:38 > 0:26:4020. 15.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Anybody interested at £10?
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- No, unfortunately I can't tell it for that. Not sold.- Oh.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49- Well, it's better than selling it too cheap.- You're right.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- And you quite liked it. - I did like it!
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Two no-sales in a row.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56I hope we do better later,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58for the sake of that school in northern India.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Maybe things will improve with these two framed watercolours,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06by the late 19th-century British artist Alfred Ashdown Box.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- Do you like these, Anil? - Very much so.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11When Auntie Lillian gave Elizabeth the pictures,
0:27:11 > 0:27:12I claimed them as my present.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15So I may be a bit emotional they're here today.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- We'll see what money they get for the school.- How much do we think?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21I put a very low estimate of £30-£50, so I hope we should
0:27:21 > 0:27:22rocket through that,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- but at the moment, looking a bit dodgy.- Yes.- Here we go.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Give me £50, then. 50. Anybody?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31£40 for it. Give me 30.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Nobody interested. At £20, then. 20 - thank you, sir. £20.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36That's beautiful.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38£20, I have. 22.
0:27:38 > 0:27:4222 anywhere? 22. 25? 28?
0:27:42 > 0:27:44£25 I have to my left. At 25.
0:27:44 > 0:27:4728 anywhere? I will sell at £25.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Oh!
0:27:49 > 0:27:53- Ow. That hurts, doesn't it? - Yeah, that hurts.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Yes. They're nice paintings.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00They are indeed, but they've faded over time,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04just like our hopes of making that £400 target.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07£25 really isn't much for those two paintings.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Aunt Lillian's collection of early 20th-century crockery is next,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14some of which is Countess pattern Royal Doulton,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16the rest by Alfred Meakin.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Doulton normally sells well. You put 20-40 on, which seems quite low.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Yes, but are the bidders here at the moment? I'm not quite sure.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- Yes. OK. Let's see if we can get at least £20, yes?- Yes.- Absolutely.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Need some luck now.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Several bids on this, bid in at £18.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34£18 is with me, is 20.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Still on the book at £20, 22 anywhere?
0:28:36 > 0:28:4022. £22 now in the room, 25 anywhere?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42I will sell at £22.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- You wanted more, didn't you? - I did want more.- I wanted more.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- But they sold!- They did sell.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52That's another box out of the study, isn't it?
0:28:52 > 0:28:54I can see what attitude you're taking - very,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56very positive about it all.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Well, it's all very well trying to say cheery,
0:28:59 > 0:29:05but just £22 for that Art Nouveau china isn't all that exciting.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Perhaps this stylish 1920s set made in Birmingham could provide
0:29:09 > 0:29:11just what we need.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17Now this is a big lot. It's your silver teapot, jug and sugar bowl.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- I cleaned it, as well.- Did you? - I did.- Was that a good idea?
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Well, it does help sometimes, but because it silver,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27everyone knows that it's silver and everyone knows it can be cleaned.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32But I think from a presentation point of view, sometimes it works.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Now, I put £100-£150 on it,
0:29:34 > 0:29:36but I've noticed you put a discretionary reserve of £150.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39I feel that it's probably worth about that,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41and I did actually quite like it.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43- OK, so it's the auctioneer's discretion?- Yes.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Let's see how it goes.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- I've got a load of interest all weekend off the Internet.- Yes!
0:29:49 > 0:29:51£100 I have with me, at 100.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53It's 120, 130,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56140, 150,
0:29:56 > 0:30:00160, 170. 180. In the room at £180.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03190, 200, 210,
0:30:03 > 0:30:07220, 230, 240,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09250, 260.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10Sir, 260?
0:30:11 > 0:30:13260. 270. 280,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16290, 300,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19320, 340,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21360, 350?
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Do the same sir, at 360?
0:30:23 > 0:30:25370?
0:30:25 > 0:30:28£360 in the centre, at 360.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31370 anywhere? I will sell at £360...
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- All: Whoah!- Yes!- That's really good!
0:30:34 > 0:30:39- How about that?- Very good! - That's amazing!
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- That's really good!- You've almost reached your target in one, there.
0:30:42 > 0:30:43That's really good.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46That's absolutely brilliant, because at the moment,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48silver is trading at a 30-year high.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50So you're selling at the perfect time.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54We had all the weight there - wonderful. Really good quality item.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58- It was exciting, wasn't it?- Yeah! - I got really excited! - That's fantastic!
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Former head teacher, Aunt Lillian,
0:31:00 > 0:31:04and her board of governors in the Wirral would have been very pleased.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07These solid silver retirement presents have made a great deal
0:31:07 > 0:31:11of money to help another less fortunate school so very far away.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14At the midpoint then, how close are we to the target?
0:31:14 > 0:31:16How do you feel it's been going?
0:31:16 > 0:31:18I thought it was a slow start,
0:31:18 > 0:31:22but the silverware has made my day so far.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23So, halfway is great.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26I always find it's actually quite emotional,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28because sometimes you feel dejected and then it all goes to plan.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33- Very true.- You were looking for £400, we set the target at.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36At this halfway point, obviously you expected to have 200,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40but you haven't - you've got £419.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- Absolutely fantastic. - So it's all bonus to come. - Yes, it is.- That's amazing!
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- The book to come, the sword to come. - Can't wait for the second half.- OK.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- Let's have a little break.- OK.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Jonty likes to take a look around for anything that might make someone a good investment
0:31:53 > 0:31:56and his eye's been caught by something rather special.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- Hi, what have you found here?- Trying to tell the time. It's stopped.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- A beautiful piece, though.- Well, there's a bit of damage on here.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05If you can see closely,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08there's a dent there and on this side, as well.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- It's missing its glass. - So why have you picked this out?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Well, it's a very exciting little pocket watch, because it's made
0:32:15 > 0:32:20by this particular company here - this is the box that it comes in.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23So if I pop this back in here, all of a sudden,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26this rather mundane looking pocket watch gets rather exciting.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30This is Patek Philippe - very, very high-class wristwatch makers,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33still going strong today.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36They got together in the mid-19th century and very quickly
0:32:36 > 0:32:40they became a very, very high-class maker of watches, just like this.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41Wow.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44All of a sudden, because this pocket watch lives in this case -
0:32:44 > 0:32:47the original case - it becomes exciting.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50This is the certificate of origin
0:32:50 > 0:32:54and warranty for this particular pocket watch, so you can date it.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56What is the date?
0:32:56 > 0:33:01- It's not particularly clear - is that 1891-ish?- I think, or 1897.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- But yes... - It also says 18-carat gold,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06which is also very good news indeed.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- You think it's worth a bit of money? - In the auction,
0:33:08 > 0:33:12we should be getting around £1,000 for it.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14- My goodness me, and when it's restored?- A lot of money.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18I could see this being sold in a very high-class jeweller's
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- for literally thousands of pounds.- Wow.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- It's great, really exciting.- It is.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- I'm going to keep a lookout, see if that makes 1,000.- Famous last words!
0:33:26 > 0:33:29OK. We better go and see how our family is getting on.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31Come on.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36Later we learned that that beautiful watch made double the estimate.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38So, for £2,000.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40If you'd like to try selling some heirlooms
0:33:40 > 0:33:43or other possessions in this way, it's worth bearing in mind that
0:33:43 > 0:33:47auction houses usually charge certain fees, such as commission.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Your local saleroom will advise you on these extra costs.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Plenty still to come in Elizabeth and Anil's auction today,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56including this ornate Crown Devon vase,
0:33:56 > 0:33:58which I found in their spare room.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- Is this another of your auntie's? - That's right.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05- It was on the music stand.- And we reckon we might get £20 for it?
0:34:05 > 0:34:07- Hopefully.- We'll see how it goes.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10What shall we say for that one? Give me £30 for it.
0:34:10 > 0:34:1330. £20, then. Nobody interested.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15£10. No?
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Fiver for it, then? No?
0:34:17 > 0:34:18- OK, sorry - not sold.- Oh dear.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- It's coming home with you! - Never mind.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26That's the third no-sale of the day.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30But we're already over our target, so we carry on regardless.
0:34:30 > 0:34:3416th-century academic Robert Record established
0:34:34 > 0:34:37the English School of Mathematics and introduced us all
0:34:37 > 0:34:41to algebra - so he's the man we have to blame!
0:34:41 > 0:34:47- What does it date from?- 1648.- So ancient. A lovely piece of history.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51- Do you think it will sell? - I think it's such an interesting item that
0:34:51 > 0:34:53I know you put £150 reserve on it,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56but I think that we should get there, or thereabouts.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59I'm pretty confident. You ready?
0:34:59 > 0:35:03I've got a load of interest on this, starting straight off at £110.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04£110 with me.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07110. 120. 130.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10140. Still with me at £140.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12140, 150 anywhere?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15I will sell at £140.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Surprising, really. I thought that would have been more.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- Yes, I thought that would be rocketing to the moon with it.- Yes.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Isn't it funny at auctions -
0:35:22 > 0:35:25you just never know which ones are going to surprise you.
0:35:25 > 0:35:30So the auctioneer decided to sell the antique book at £140.
0:35:30 > 0:35:3310 below our lowest estimate and the discretionary reserve price.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Now, how about some Beatrix Potter?
0:35:36 > 0:35:39These five characters were made by Beswick of Stoke-on-Trent
0:35:39 > 0:35:41about 30 years ago.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Jemima Puddleduck, Little Pig Robinson, Tom Kitten,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Squirrel Nutkin and a mouse from the Tailor Of Gloucester.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53I do enjoy Beatrix Potter, in fact I have got a little Tom Kitten at home.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58But I thought it would be good to raise the money for the school.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00They're Beswick, so there should be a market.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Absolutely. I've put £40-£60 on them and they're up now.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06£40, with me straight in at 40. 45 and 50,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08still with me at £50. 55.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10£55 now, 56? Last bid.
0:36:10 > 0:36:1358 in the room now, at £58.
0:36:13 > 0:36:1658. 60. 65? £60.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18£60 in. 65 anywhere?
0:36:18 > 0:36:21I will sell at £60.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26- Top end estimate.- Very good.- Lovely. Really pleased.- That's excellent.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- I bet you like Beatrix Potter even more, now!- I do!
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Don't we all. Our cute friends
0:36:33 > 0:36:36have made £60 towards our cause.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41Now, a real change of pace, with a Japanese Samurai sword.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Together with its lacquered wooden scabbard,
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Jonty priced this at £50-£100,
0:36:46 > 0:36:50but there have been some developments.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52When I looked at the sword, I didn't see any signature,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55but the auctioneers have discovered a signature.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57As a consequence,
0:36:57 > 0:37:01there have been international buyers interested in this all weekend long.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04I put £50-£100.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06It should sail through that.
0:37:06 > 0:37:07Hold onto your hats, here it comes.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09£200 I have with me, 200.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12210, 220, 240,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15250, 260, 270,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17on the book at £270.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21280 anywhere? 280 on the phone now, 290.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24300? 300.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25300!
0:37:25 > 0:37:27320? 320. 330.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29340?
0:37:30 > 0:37:32£330 in the room, at 330.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37340 anywhere? And selling at £330.
0:37:37 > 0:37:42- Oh, yes!- Come on!- That's really, really good.- Tell us what you think!
0:37:42 > 0:37:43That's fantastic!
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- What a sword!- Where has it been all these years?- In the shed!
0:37:51 > 0:37:55It would take days for a highly skilled craftsman to hammer
0:37:55 > 0:37:58a single blade from layers of carbon steel,
0:37:58 > 0:38:00so let's hope the new owner takes better care of it.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Onto those dozen china and stoneware mugs now,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06marking a lifetime of British royal occasions.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09The lack of interest in our earlier royal memorabilia suggests
0:38:09 > 0:38:12these could be a tough sell.
0:38:12 > 0:38:17Well, we've been sky-high and all elated and now we've got 12 mugs...!
0:38:17 > 0:38:21..Worth, we hope £20. Well, every little helps.
0:38:21 > 0:38:27- It might be a surprise!- All we need is one mug to buy them.- Yes!
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Give me 30. Anybody interested at £20, then?
0:38:30 > 0:38:3415. Give me a tenner. Nobody?
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Fiver for them, then? No?
0:38:38 > 0:38:40OK, not sold.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Oh well, we'll take them and have a cup of tea when we get home!
0:38:42 > 0:38:4512 cups of tea, actually!
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- Oh well, there you go.- It's OK.- It is win some, lose some, isn't it?- Yes.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Many of us I'm sure have the odd memento of royal occasions,
0:38:53 > 0:38:57but it looks as if it could be a long time before they appreciate in value.
0:38:57 > 0:39:02Well, it's time for our final item in this sale - supposedly found on
0:39:02 > 0:39:07the battlefield during the Crimean War, presumably not by Aunt Lillian,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10this sword from the 1790s may not need a licence,
0:39:10 > 0:39:12but if you have one at home,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16it's a good idea to keep it well out of the reach of children.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19So hopefully the right buyers are in the room for this sword, as well.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22We've done incredibly well on our first one,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24but this is the British officer's sword.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- That's right.- I put £150-£200. I'm very confident.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32There's a big market for this kind of memorabilia.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36I've got to start straight off at £300.
0:39:36 > 0:39:37Yes!
0:39:37 > 0:39:39320. 340.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42360, 370,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45still on the book at £370. 370. 380?
0:39:45 > 0:39:46380.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49£380 on the phone at 380. 390 anywhere?
0:39:49 > 0:39:52I will sell at £380.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- 380!- Yes!- That's more than the other one, isn't it?- Yes!- So many figures!
0:39:58 > 0:40:02- This is amazing!- We had that in the wardrobe!- Extraordinary!
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Because you're giving all this away,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07it's all going to the school, it's a great cause,
0:40:07 > 0:40:09- but it's money that I guess you could have done with.- Yes.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11I think you're right, but we made a decision
0:40:11 > 0:40:14when we came to the auction that we would raise as much money
0:40:14 > 0:40:18as we could and give whatever we raised all to the school.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- This is going to go a long way. - Very generous.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23A super result for that final lot
0:40:23 > 0:40:27and I'm sure Elizabeth is glad to rid the house of both those swords,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31converting them into cash for such a positive, peaceful purpose.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Well, that is it - over, done, dusted. How are you feeling?
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Well... A little bit nervous, I hope that we've reached our target,
0:40:38 > 0:40:42- but I guess we have. - I think you have, because you passed it at half time!
0:40:42 > 0:40:45First time I've ever been to an auction and this is really exciting.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48You were looking for £400 at the start.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50You knew you'd done well,
0:40:50 > 0:40:55but let me tell you you've actually made £1,329.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- Wow!- That's fantastic!
0:40:57 > 0:41:01Absolutely fantastic. Way beyond our expectations.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05This means so much for the kids at that school now. Delighted.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- Absolutely delighted today. - Well, well done.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13So, they make that phone call.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Yes, we raised £1,300 at the auction!
0:41:17 > 0:41:19CRACKLY BUT EXCITED VOICE
0:41:19 > 0:41:24- That's fantastic news! All right, thank you, Dad. Bye!- Bye, Papa!
0:41:24 > 0:41:25And, a few weeks later,
0:41:25 > 0:41:29we visit Elizabeth at the local school where she works.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33The children love to learn about different countries.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Part of the geography curriculum is teaching about countries
0:41:35 > 0:41:40the children aren't familiar with and obviously, India is one of them.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45We've got some stations - a food station, a writing station,
0:41:45 > 0:41:51an object station and a dancing and dressing-up station.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54The children are getting a taste of India
0:41:54 > 0:41:57and a growing kinship with that other school so very far away.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01Dr Ambedkar Model School is a charity run school,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05and the money is going to be used to resurface the playground area,
0:42:05 > 0:42:08because it's very dusty and dirty.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11It makes some of the children ill.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12It's a win-win situation.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17I feel as if I've honoured the memory of my aunt and I'm able to help
0:42:17 > 0:42:21the children in India at the Dr Ambedkar Model School.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Well, that really was one of the most exciting auctions I've been at in ages
0:42:30 > 0:42:33and I'm delighted that Elizabeth and Anil
0:42:33 > 0:42:36raised so much money for their Punjabi school.
0:42:36 > 0:42:37Now, if you've got a special project in mind
0:42:37 > 0:42:39that you want to raise money for
0:42:39 > 0:42:41and you think that you might have some antiques
0:42:41 > 0:42:43and collectables hidden around your house,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45then do apply to come on the show.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47You can find the form at our website. That's:
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Good luck and maybe see you next time here on Cash In The Attic.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd