0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello. Welcome to Cash In The Attic,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07the show that helps you find hidden treasures in your home
0:00:07 > 0:00:10to sell at auction. Today, we're going to be with a family
0:00:10 > 0:00:13who have a very special reason to ask for our help.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35'On Cash In The Attic today,
0:00:35 > 0:00:40'our expert John is unimpressed by a replica Roman helmet.'
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Quite frankly, it's awful, but it's a bit fun as well.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48'Damage to an Edwardian clock can't be blamed on me.'
0:00:48 > 0:00:50- I haven't touched it!- Is it broken?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Well, it doesn't look good.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58'The lady of the house is glad to see the back of one piece.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:02We got it away, but just under our bottom estimate.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- How do you feel about it?- Great.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- Are you glad? - Glad we've got rid of it!
0:01:07 > 0:01:10'Find out more when the final hammer falls.'
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Normally when people call us in,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16they want to raise money for something special.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19A treat, a holiday or to do some work on their house.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22This family are a little bit different.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25They want to recoup the money they lost after a burglary.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31This North London semi has been Margaret Bell's home for 30 years.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35It's where she and husband John brought up their two daughters,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Michelle and Suzanne, who is helping today.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Sadly, John passed away two years ago
0:01:41 > 0:01:48and he left behind an extensive collection of Ancient Roman artefacts - his great hobby.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'I wouldn't call our expert John ancient,
0:01:51 > 0:01:56'but with two decades of experience, he should be able
0:01:56 > 0:01:58'to help make money at auction.'
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Hello! How are you? Nice to see you.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- Margaret?- That's it. - And Suzanne.- Correct.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Two handsome devils, John and Chris.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- Now who called our team?- I did. - Why call us in?
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Well, I saved some money to go on holiday, and I got burgled.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Obviously, the money had gone so then I had to borrow it.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Since my dad died, Mum's got a lot of stuff that belonged to him.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26She'd like to raise a bit of money, sell a few things off.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30What sort of things are we going to try to find?
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Well, Roman things my husband was interested in, military stuff...
0:02:35 > 0:02:36Basically, a load of rubbish.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- I love it when they say that!- It's things he loved. Not rubbish to him.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Leave out the rubbish, but find the good stuff.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- Is that my Roman marching orders? - It certainly is.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54So you want to raise some money today, obviously, for a good cause.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56How much would you like to raise?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Well, we're hoping about £400.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02£400. Get rid of that rubbish.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- It's Roman coins and anything else we can find. Ready?- Yeah.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Let's go and find what John's up to.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13'Well, I can't wait to see what the Romans can do for us!
0:03:13 > 0:03:16'Besides a plethora of antiquities,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20'there's quite a selection of everyday objects,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22'one of which could prove timely.'
0:03:22 > 0:03:27John? I want to show you this clock. I promise I haven't touched it!
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- Is it broken?- Well, it doesn't look good.- Is there a story with it?
0:03:31 > 0:03:36We had it on the wall for maybe a year, year and a half,
0:03:36 > 0:03:41but my husband got fed up with the sound, so he took it down!
0:03:41 > 0:03:45This looks to be about 100 years old. Let's look inside there.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49It's quite a simple mechanism.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51A series of cogs.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54It's weight driven and they're suspended on those chains
0:03:54 > 0:03:56dangling from the bottom.
0:03:56 > 0:04:02Probably American. Very simple, would be made in massive numbers.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Still saleable. £50-£80?
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Sounds good. I wouldn't have thought that much, but yeah, brilliant.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It'd be £20-£30 if I'd handled it!
0:04:12 > 0:04:16'Thank goodness I wasn't allowed anywhere near it.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18'Better press on, though, to make our target.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21'Margaret's found some classical-style heads
0:04:21 > 0:04:24'and an Islamic pottery vase with silver inlay.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28'They're modern, probably made for the tourist market.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31'She thinks her husband brought them back from Rome.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37'We're hoping this lot will fetch £60-£100 at auction.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- 'What's John up to?'- Suzanne?
0:04:40 > 0:04:45Right. I found the swords you carefully laid out for me.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47I've got to ask, where have they been?
0:04:47 > 0:04:50They've been in the rafters of the garage!
0:04:50 > 0:04:53These are Dad's old things?
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- Yeah. Definitely Dad's.- From where?
0:04:55 > 0:05:00He used to go to a lot of car boot sales and pick things up anywhere.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- Starting with this one, I think it's French.- Oh, right.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Dating to around about 1800.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11It's based on a Roman gladiatorial sword.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Oh, right.- Shame about the condition. They made lots of them.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20This one here, coming probably about 100 years later.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24It's a cavalry sword. And I think that's Italian.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28A lot of rust around there. It needs a real good cleaning job.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- I know.- Last, but not least,
0:05:30 > 0:05:35is this other one, another cavalry trooper's sword.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- It is, in fact, German made, but it's a British sword.- Oh, right.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44I think it's an 1891, 1892 pattern. Something like that.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49Well, in that condition, I'm going to say £100-£150.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Wow.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- If they were in better condition, we could say five or six times that amount.- Oh, my gosh!
0:05:56 > 0:06:01If you want to sell them, they'll get a bit of interest.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05'While antique weapons like these may not require a licence,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09'always keep them well out of the reach of children.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14'If the collectibles we've found so far make their minimum estimates,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17'we're well over halfway to our target.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21'This hefty pair of late-Victorian slate mantel clocks
0:06:21 > 0:06:23'were a car boot find by Margaret's late husband.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28'The French made the first of these in the 18th century,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31'with some of the more ornate Empire-style examples
0:06:31 > 0:06:34'fetching many hundreds of pounds.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38'These aren't in the best condition, but we hope to make £30-£40.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43'Now we're just over halfway through our rummage day
0:06:43 > 0:06:46'and we've already turned up some wonderful pieces,
0:06:46 > 0:06:52'but nothing is certain until we get to the auction room.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01'I wonder how the bidders will react to our Ancient Roman artefacts.'
0:07:01 > 0:07:05£20? £10? Will you give me £10, please?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08'Be there when the gavel falls.'
0:07:09 > 0:07:11We've left John to work upstairs
0:07:11 > 0:07:14because someone's got to do it while we catch up.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I look around at all the photographs.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20It looks as if you have a very, very close family.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Yeah, yeah. We've always been really close. Mum, Dad, yeah.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Very loving, caring husband. I loved him a lot.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34- Couldn't fault him at all. - Tell me about his love of Rome.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Wherever I look, there are Roman elements. What is it about them?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40He just loved Roman things.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44If he was touching Roman things, he'd feel vibrations from them.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- He'd cry!- Yeah, he would.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51I think that he felt he was a Roman in a past life, really.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Some handsome centurion, eh?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56We're trying to raise some money,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59but not for the trip - you already did that once.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- But some rascal nearly ruined it. - Well, I got burgled.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Not knowing what was in it, they just took the whole safe.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11In it I had my jewellery and the money I'd saved to go to Canada.
0:08:11 > 0:08:17- I hope today is the beginning of a new chapter.- Yeah.- Dad's watching.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Let's go and find out whether John
0:08:20 > 0:08:24has found anything more Roman to help with your next adventure.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29'It looks like our expert's search has turned up something more modern.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33'A 30-piece collection of moulded crystal ware.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35'The set includes glasses and a claret jug.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39'I'm told this was a Silver Wedding present to Margaret and John
0:08:39 > 0:08:42'and added to over the years.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47'The quality is pleasing and should bring in another £20-£40.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52'Now, no rummage is complete without a trip to the garage.'
0:08:52 > 0:08:57I love being in the garage. You just don't know what you'll find.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02That's something we could sell. Margaret, have you seen this before?
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I think it's something Roman, like a lamp of some sort.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Right, so you know a bit about it.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11It is indeed Roman. So where did he buy it?
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I think he found it on a Roman site.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17So he actually dug this up? How fascinating.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- What a great experience to uncover that.- It's brilliant.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- So you put the oil in there... - Exactly.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29That is the filling hole. Then your wick.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33It's quite a common form. They're not as rare as one might think,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37being 1,800, nearly 2,000 years old, some of them.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- It's a wonderful piece of history. - Yeah.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Are you sure you want to give this away?
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- Or sell it, I should say.- I do.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- The money will help for what I want. - A nice thing.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54Condition-wise, I've seen better, but I still think £30-£50.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- It might make £50 and above. - Mm, great.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04'That IS a great result. We aren't the only ones going back in time.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07'Suzanne's discovered some childhood companions,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09'presents from her mum and dad.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14'Rag dolls are among the oldest kinds of children's toys.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16'These are only around 40 years old,
0:10:16 > 0:10:21'but could still fetch a charming £20-£40 on sale day.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26'In the garden, two very different characters have caught the attention of John and Margaret.'
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Is there a story attached to these?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31My husband bought these. They suddenly appeared on a lorry!
0:10:31 > 0:10:36OK. Well, this one here I think is after a statue
0:10:36 > 0:10:41called Venus Victrix, which was by Antonio Canova,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43a popular neo-classical sculpture.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48It's based on Napoleon's sister, Pauline. Pauline Bonaparte.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50So that is a copy of a known work.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53This one here is not Roman.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56It's actually Renaissance, in terms of its style.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It was after an original by Michelangelo,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03the famous Renaissance artist and sculptor.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- And it is David, as in David and Goliath.- Oh, right.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Made of reconstituted stone, or concrete, really.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14But they have attained a fair degree of patination
0:11:14 > 0:11:18and we could send them to auction with their bases.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22I'd put an estimate on of £100-£200, hopefully they'd do better.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25They are fairly modern, after all, but quite decorative.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27'Well, Suzanne has been busy
0:11:27 > 0:11:33'digging out these two early-20th century silver pocket watches
0:11:33 > 0:11:36'plus a silver vesta case, handed down to Margaret and John.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41'Vesta cases are small boxes designed to keep matches dry.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44'They're named after the Roman goddess of hearth and home.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'They were made in large numbers at the turn of the last century
0:11:47 > 0:11:49'as the popularity of smoking grew.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54'At £60-£80, let's hope this varied lot sparks some interest
0:11:54 > 0:11:56'among the auction bidders.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02'Today's quest for collectibles has taken us to the ancient world,
0:12:02 > 0:12:03'but John hasn't quite finished.'
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Well, I'm delighted to say I found another Roman item!
0:12:09 > 0:12:12And another item that's pretending to be Roman,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14but is probably Queen Elizabeth II.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16That's not a Roman helmet?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19It's not! First of all, where did this thing come from?
0:12:19 > 0:12:23I think he bought it in a car boot sale somewhere.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25It's made of tin.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Quite frankly, it's awful, but it's a bit fun at the same time!
0:12:29 > 0:12:32That's his love of anything Roman.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37But that is the real gem - a genuine piece of Roman glass.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Do you know anything about it?- It's from the first time he went to Rome.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43This has been blown by hand.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48Glass-blowing is a technique that was only starting to develop
0:12:48 > 0:12:52around the 1st century BC, around 50 years BC.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56But it was really only in the Roman period, probably in Syria,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58that glass-blowing developed.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Just simple decoration on it. A little plied handle there
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and this coiled band around the neck, flared rim.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09That coiled band also gives you a bit of grip when holding it.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13It probably had perfume or oil in there. I would say...
0:13:13 > 0:13:16£80-£100 is a sensible estimate.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19If you throw that in with it...
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- I'd say £80-£120! - LAUGHTER
0:13:22 > 0:13:25That will grab people's attention to this.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- We should be wearing togas.- We should! Actually, not with my gut.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Perhaps at the auction, eh?- Yeah.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34If we get more than £120 for that,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37I'll wear that helmet at the auction.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Enough of all of that because that is it for the day.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44You wanted to raise around £400. How do you think you've got on?
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- Maybe?- Maybe.- Just under?- Well, I think we've done really well
0:13:49 > 0:13:54because conservatively, at auction, we think we could raise around 550.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- That would be good, wouldn't it? - How do you feel? Good?- Good, yeah.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03And I love the swords. Condition is against them, but you never know,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- they could do better than that. - Fingers crossed, off to auction.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10'It seems Margaret's husband's taste in antiquities
0:14:10 > 0:14:14'wasn't so bad after all. Now, the swords may need a clean,
0:14:14 > 0:14:19'but at £100 to £150, they should bring us a palpable hit.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22'We also turned up this pair of reproduction classical statues.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28'Let's hope the price tag of £100 to £200 doesn't leave us too exposed.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31'Then there are these two Victorian mantel clocks.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36'They may be broken, but hopefully still worth £30 to £40.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38'Still to come on Cash In The Attic,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42'a simple explanation for a spot of slow bidding...'
0:14:42 > 0:14:45They're a bit tight in here today, aren't they, John?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48A lot of them have gone home, haven't they?
0:14:48 > 0:14:52'Margaret has a smashing plan for some unsold items.'
0:14:52 > 0:14:55What did you say earlier that you'd do if you didn't sell them?
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- Put a hammer to them. - Oh, you never said that?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02'Well, you know the routine. Cue gavel.'
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Now, it's been a little over a month
0:15:09 > 0:15:12since we met Margaret Bell at her house in North London.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18We found some really interesting historical pieces and brought them here to Chiswick Auctions in London.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20It's a little bit quiet now
0:15:20 > 0:15:24but let's hope it hots up when those items go under the hammer.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25'I never fail to be intrigued
0:15:25 > 0:15:29'by the bidders who turn up at general sales like this one.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33'You never know who will be in the room
0:15:33 > 0:15:35'or even what sort of picnic they'll bring.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40'While John checks out the competition, Margaret and Suzanne have spotted Dad's Roman relics,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43'plus there's that bet I wish I had never made.'
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Hello. I take it we're just having one last look
0:15:48 > 0:15:50at the very famous helmet?
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Which you promised you were going to put on if it doesn't go.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I forgot about that and I saw it there.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I was giggling away, then remembered I would wear it if it doesn't sell.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- Is it going to sell?- If it does, the Roman glass bottle will sell it.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09The helmet won't sell on its merits, but I could be wrong.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12'The saleroom is starting to liven up,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14'which must bode well for our chances.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17'First under the hammer are the two hand-made rag dolls
0:16:17 > 0:16:20'which were given to Suzanne by her mum and dad.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25'It may take more than a cheeky smile to attract a sale.'
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Here we go then - two rag dolls. You've been embarrassed by this?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I have to say, I will be amazed
0:16:32 > 0:16:34if someone does decide to buy them.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37£20? How about £10? No bid at £10.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Give me £10, please. No bid at £10.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41No offers...
0:16:41 > 0:16:45We'd been fearing that one all day and guess what happened!
0:16:45 > 0:16:47'Ah, that's a terrible start.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49'Let's hope this crystalware,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53'a wedding anniversary gift to Margaret and her late husband John,
0:16:53 > 0:16:54improves our fortunes.'
0:16:54 > 0:16:59It's something we accumulate over the years - gifts, anniversaries,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03and plentiful supply to the market, so I've only got £20 to £40 on it.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04£20?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06£10?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Bid at 10. Give me 12. At £10.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13All done at £10? The only bid I've got is £10. At £10...
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- £10 is £10.- Yeah.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19I like this. "£10...is £10."
0:17:19 > 0:17:20LAUGHTER
0:17:20 > 0:17:24'There's nothing like some simple arithmetic
0:17:24 > 0:17:28'to get the pulses racing and I hope our next item has the same effect.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32'A genuine memento of Ancient Rome, this oil lamp is in one piece,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36'it's very old and I think it's cheap. What could go wrong?'
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Now, one of my favourite pieces,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- the oil lamp. Do you remember that one?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44You liked this especially, John.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49Yeah, I really do like these. It's a genuine Roman oil lamp.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54For me, £30 to £50 doesn't represent a huge sum for something so old.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56£30 for it?
0:17:57 > 0:18:01£20 for it? No Romans in today? I'm bid at £20. Give me 22.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04At £20. 22. 25. 28. 30?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07At £28. In front of me at £28.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Sold at £28, going, all done.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- Just under our lower estimate. - At least it's gone.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18I know, but can you believe that for a genuine Roman oil lamp?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'At least the bids are winding their way up,
0:18:21 > 0:18:22'unlike these two
0:18:22 > 0:18:26'Victorian mantel clocks that haven't worked for years.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30'Hopefully, there are some clock refurbishers in the house.'
0:18:30 > 0:18:33We've got two genuine slate Victorian mantel clocks.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I've got £30 to £40 because
0:18:36 > 0:18:39they're a restoration project for someone.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42For the two, £30? A bid of £20. 22. 25?
0:18:42 > 0:18:4525. 28. 30?
0:18:45 > 0:18:48That's it, 30. 32 for the two clocks? At £30.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50At £30, your bid at £30...
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Yes!- That's much better.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56'Today's bidders seem to like clocks
0:18:56 > 0:18:58'so it's a good job we have this next lot,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02'even if it's in less than ideal condition.'
0:19:02 > 0:19:07Up next, we've got a late Victorian, mahogany-cased alarm wall clock.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11If I remember correctly, John, it was, um...tired?
0:19:11 > 0:19:13LAUGHTER
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- Another restoration project, perhaps.- Afraid so.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18£50...?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21£30? I'm bid at £30. Give me 32.
0:19:21 > 0:19:2432. 35? 35. 38? 38. 40?
0:19:24 > 0:19:2740. 42? At £40.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- Come on!- 42, new bidder. 45.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33All done at £45. I'm selling it at £45.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- Are you OK with that, Margaret? - Yeah, I'm fine.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39They're a bit tight in here today, aren't they, John?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42A lot of them's gone home, haven't they?
0:19:42 > 0:19:45'Margaret is nothing if not a realist,
0:19:45 > 0:19:50'so hopefully, she and Suzanne won't take what I tell them too badly.'
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- It's been hard work, John.- It has. It's been a bit of a struggle.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We haven't seen too many smiles on your little faces.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01You've been optimistic, positive, which we like.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- But the target is £400, isn't it?- Hmm.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07At the halfway stage,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09we've raised 113.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Well...
0:20:11 > 0:20:14That's good, really, because it's...
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I'm pleased with whatever I got, really.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Can we have you every week?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25'Auctions can be good fun, but remember, charges such as commission
0:20:25 > 0:20:30'and other fees will be made, so do check these in advance.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32'With quite a few items still to go,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36'let's see if the bidders will put their minds to this next lot -
0:20:36 > 0:20:39'classical in style, but modern in manufacture.'
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The next lot is quite interesting.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46It's the Islamic pottery jug which had silver inlay.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48We've got this with three
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- reproduction Greek heads. Sorry to see these go, Margaret?- Not really.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57I'm fed up of dusting them and putting them back in the cupboard.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01A bid of £35 to start me. I'll take 38. At £35.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05At £35. It's not enough for that. It's worth more. Not sold.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- Guess what, Suzanne? - You're taking it home.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12The heads aren't coming home!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14I think OUR heads are for the chop!
0:21:14 > 0:21:19'Hmm. It's just as well we're not working in ancient times
0:21:19 > 0:21:21'when punishments could be very extreme.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Talking of forfeits, if this next lot doesn't sell,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I could be facing humiliation.'
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Up next, the one I've been fearing
0:21:28 > 0:21:32not because of the Roman glass bottle, but what comes with it -
0:21:32 > 0:21:35the helmet, because we've got that bet.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37If it doesn't sell, what have I got to do?
0:21:37 > 0:21:41You've just got to try it on, basically. We'll take a photo!
0:21:41 > 0:21:42In this auction house?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I don't know if they want it to go or not now.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48They secretly don't want it to go, to see you with it on.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Start me at £50 for it? 50. 55.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Do you want 60...? 5.
0:21:53 > 0:21:5670. 5. 80?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- Are you saying no? At 75... - Come on!
0:21:59 > 0:22:04£75. All done at 75, last chance? It's selling at 75 and going...
0:22:04 > 0:22:07We got it away, but just under our bottom estimate.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- How do you feel about that? - Great.- Are you glad?
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- I'm glad we've got rid of it. - She's happy, I'm happy.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- You don't get to see Chris wearing the helmet now.- Never mind.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- It's money in the kitty. - You'll take the 75 quid.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- £75. That's not a bad result. - I think that's brilliant.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27'As much as I admire Margaret's relaxed approach,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29'I'm worried that not one of our items
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'has exceeded its minimum estimate.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35'The way things stand, we need more than a final flourish
0:22:35 > 0:22:37'to make our target. We need a miracle.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42'I only hope our next lot proves to be a revelation.'
0:22:42 > 0:22:45They always sell. A silver fob watch usually makes around £30,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48the vesta case probably about the same sort of money,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50hence my 60 to 80 estimate,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and the silver-plated vesta should just help the lot to sell.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56£50 for it? £40 for it?
0:22:56 > 0:23:00I'm bid at £40. At £40. 42. 42. 45. 48.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- 50.- Come on.- 55? 50. The bid's at £50. I'll take 5. £50.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Just under the estimate at £50. Selling, all done...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11I'm not quite hitting the estimates today.
0:23:11 > 0:23:17'We certainly aren't. In fact, with a disappointing £238 in the kitty,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19'we're so far under our £400 target
0:23:19 > 0:23:23'that our last two lots will have to make a real impact.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28'Let's hope this next collection makes the point.'
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Up next, and I'm a bit worried about our safety
0:23:31 > 0:23:34because she seems quite a calm person so far,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38but if these don't go, we might get it, cos it's the sabres.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Let's hope not, because these are interesting swords.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44They're in terrible condition.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47We've got two cavalry swords and an early French sword
0:23:47 > 0:23:51in a Roman style. Terribly rusty, but they could still do some damage
0:23:51 > 0:23:55so I hope you've had a tetanus, Chris.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I'm bid...a starting bid of £70. £70. I'll take 75.
0:23:59 > 0:24:0175. Do you want 80...?
0:24:01 > 0:24:0385. 90. 95. 100.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07110? All done for £100? Are we going to go at £100?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09At £100 and gone...
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- I like to see that big, smiley face. - I'm amazed.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Suzanne, you've got a smile on your face as well.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18No, I'm really pleased with that.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22'At last, a bid that's worth taking to the bank.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24'Hopefully, our final lot, the classically styled statues,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'will also attract bidders with deep pockets.'
0:24:27 > 0:24:31What did you say earlier that you'd do if you didn't sell them?
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- Put a hammer to them. - Oh, you never said that?
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I know these are reproduction
0:24:37 > 0:24:40but they're nice pieces, very decorative.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44They have attained a bit of age to them because they've got weathered.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46£100 for the two?
0:24:46 > 0:24:51I'm bid £100. Straight in at £100. I'll take 110. At 110. 120.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52Yes!
0:24:52 > 0:24:54130. 140. 150?
0:24:54 > 0:24:56140. A bid of 140.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58At 140 and going, all done...
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Oh, thank God for that!
0:25:01 > 0:25:04You can put your hammer away now, can't you?
0:25:04 > 0:25:07'A mixed day at Chiswick,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11'which shows you it's not just about having the right items.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14'It's also about matching them with the right bidders.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17'The question is, where do we stand with our target?'
0:25:17 > 0:25:19You wanted to raise £400
0:25:19 > 0:25:23- and at the halfway stage it wasn't looking good.- No.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27The grand total today that we've raised at auction
0:25:27 > 0:25:29is £478.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- Oh, brilliant. - Really? That's fantastic.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- How about that? - I've got my 400 that I wanted.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38I didn't have to wear a helmet,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42- you didn't have to take the statues home.- I've got my jug.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- And no rusty swords being swung around.- It's a result all round!
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- I'm really pleased. - Well done!- Thank you.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55A few weeks after the auction,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Margaret has replaced the money she lost through that burglary.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03'I'm glad Suzanne said, "Let's do Cash In The Attic."'
0:26:03 > 0:26:05I really, thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07It's been really good fun
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and it's given Mum a bit more confidence
0:26:10 > 0:26:13that I haven't seen before, which is really nice.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Brilliant. Now she's making sure
0:26:15 > 0:26:18that home security is high on her list.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22After the burglary, I am conscious of it, yeah,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24so I lock everything up
0:26:24 > 0:26:27and I think to myself, "Right, out you go, enjoy yourself."
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Let's go and spend some money!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33I'm fine now. Everything's settling down.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd