0:00:00 > 0:00:03Now, we've all got things tucked away in cupboards
0:00:03 > 0:00:05or in the attic.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Treasures that have been forgotten about for many years.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10But if you take a closer look, you might just find something
0:00:10 > 0:00:12of real value.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Something a collector will be waiting for.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18I have an automatic gold detector in my fingertips!
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Over the last 11 years on the show,
0:00:20 > 0:00:22you've literally brought in thousands of items
0:00:22 > 0:00:25for our experts to wax lyrical over.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29And now I want to share some of that knowledge with the rest of you
0:00:29 > 0:00:31to help you get in the know.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01On today's show, we're looking back at childhood memories.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- It's lovely, isn't it? - Where did you get it from?
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And lifting the lid on some items
0:01:05 > 0:01:07to which there's more than meets the eye.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Wow!
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Look at that fantastic workmanship.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14We'll be looking at two kinds of everyday possessions -
0:01:14 > 0:01:16boxes and toys.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18What have you all brought in? Look!
0:01:18 > 0:01:19We've all got them lying around the house
0:01:19 > 0:01:23and we'll show you just how valuable they can be to collectors.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Boxes aren't always what they seem.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27They can be full of surprises,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29if you know the ins and outs.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Wow!
0:01:30 > 0:01:34When it comes to toys, we'll tell you just what to look out for.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37This is all her original dress, which is marvellous.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Wonderful glass eyes. Later, they were plastic.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43If we knock them against our teeth, we can tell they're glass.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Elizabeth Talbot shares her top tips on the king of soft toys.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Gorgeous! He's waving, look.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And Philip Serrell really demonstrates his expertise.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- I think these were made in Germany. - Right.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- Do you know how I know that?- No.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01I know that because it says here, "Made in Germany"!
0:02:01 > 0:02:03I'm an all-seeing expert here, Norman!
0:02:03 > 0:02:08One of my favourite toys from my childhood has to be my Dinky and Corgi cars.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Every time I see one at a Flog It valuation day,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13it brings back memories of a happy childhood for me.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16I think that's what the collectors are looking for.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Evocative of a time before computer games
0:02:18 > 0:02:22when you had to use your own imagination to play with your toys.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25But what separates a collectable classic
0:02:25 > 0:02:27from something of just sentimental value?
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Things that are original and retain their original packaging
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and is in as good a condition as possible are more valuable.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40So often, especially with Dinky toys,
0:02:40 > 0:02:45a Dinky toy might be worth £50, but the box it came in might be worth 100.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47I suppose that's condition, isn't it?
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Toys and games have got to be in good condition. Sadly, not played with!
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Sad to think of a toy or game that hasn't been used,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57but the more mint-like the condition,
0:02:57 > 0:02:58the more value it will have.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00And boxed, if possible.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06So the message is loud and clear.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Condition, condition, condition!
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Now let's take a closer look at some of the most exciting
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and pristine toys we've ever seen on the show.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- What a wonderful treasure you've brought in!- It's lovely, isn't it?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- Where did you get it from? - It belonged to my father.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26But the strange thing was, we none of us saw it when we were children.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29We only, unfortunately, discovered it after he'd died.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- We were going through his things to sort through them.- No!
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- Never got it out at Christmas or anything?- No.- So the family could play along?- No.
0:03:35 > 0:03:42The other nice thing to see straight away is the inset brass plaque here,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44engraved with the maker's name. Which is?
0:03:44 > 0:03:48"Toulmin & Gale, from Cheapside in London."
0:03:48 > 0:03:50There's nothing cheap about this box, is there?
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Toulmin & Gale, actually, were a very long-established firm,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56founded in the early part of the 18th century.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58They went right through the 19th century,
0:03:58 > 0:04:03even winning a gold medal in the 1862 International Exhibition.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06We've laid it out here, just to touch on some pieces in the set.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- We've naturally got a whole set of chess.- Yes.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- We've got a set of dominoes.- Yes.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15A full set of draughts.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Games, of course, are common, and have been common for thousands of years.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22A compendium of this quality
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and range of games
0:04:24 > 0:04:27would not have been common.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It would have been for the upper classes.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Then we've got a Bezique game, which I never know how to play!
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- No!- But my favourite, I have to say, and I'm not a betting man,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- but I love this horse-racing game. - It's lovely.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46We've only put a few horses out, and a few of the jumps,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- but there's more fitted inside.- Yes.
0:04:48 > 0:04:55And even the beakers for shaking the dice, it's just absolutely superb.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00There are so many fragile, breakable, and, of course, small pieces
0:05:00 > 0:05:02that could have been lost.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04So when you open a box like this,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06and find it virtually intact,
0:05:06 > 0:05:07and untouched,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09well, it's a collector's dream.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13So we've got to think of a price. We're quite excited about it
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and have to think of a price.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17But I would put it in with a "come and get me" estimate.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- To get their taste buds watering, if you like.- Yes.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- So I would put something like 400 to £600 on it.- OK. That's good.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30'Mark might not be a gambling man,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32'but he is hedging his bets.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34'The name and the quality will surely raise the stakes?'
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- It's a real collector's item.- It is.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38This is it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42£300. 250 to start. 260 bid.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44280 now. 300.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47320 bid. 340 against you in the room.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- Climbing.- 360.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53If you want something like this, of the quality and complete nature,
0:05:53 > 0:05:58you certainly need to have a decent few counters in your wallet.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Cos they don't come cheap.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04600 on my right. Going 620?
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- 620 with you. Thank you. - This is great.- Good advice.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10660 now. 680. 700.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Look out for unusual objects in there. You know,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15little games pointers made of ivory or silver.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18All those little things add value to pieces.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- 900 seated. Lady's bid at £900. - Brilliant.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- 900.- 920.- 920 offered.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27940, the lady. 940 I'm bid.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- Absolutely brilliant. 940... 960. - Still going strong.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34We might get to a thousand!
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- £980. Lady's bid at 980.- 1,000.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- 1,000.- 1,000!
0:06:39 > 0:06:40Fantastic!
0:06:40 > 0:06:43£1,000 against you. Lovely lot. Don't let it go.
0:06:43 > 0:06:451,050. Thank you.
0:06:45 > 0:06:481,050 I'm bid. I'm looking for 1,100.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50If you're all done? At 1,050 I'm selling.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- Amazing!- Crash! £1,050. Margaret, I'm tingling.- Amazing.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00One of the best games compendiums I've ever seen.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Not bad for something she didn't even know was in her father's house!
0:07:04 > 0:07:06And there was another treat for the collectors
0:07:06 > 0:07:11when Michael found a pre-war toy complete with its original accessories.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14I remember seeing a Chad Valley doll at Llandudno.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18If you want to get your end, and I'll get mine. We'll have a look.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Right. Oh, isn't that lovely!
0:07:21 > 0:07:26So we've got the little girl in her bed. How did you come by this?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29It was donated to St David's Hospice
0:07:29 > 0:07:34and I asked if I could take a few things along today.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- They said, "Take our pretty doll." - Right.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Everything we need to know about this little doll
0:07:39 > 0:07:41is actually on the box here!
0:07:41 > 0:07:44It's The Chad Valley, which is an English company
0:07:44 > 0:07:49that specialised in making toys and especially dolls with this felt covering.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53This is all her original dress, which is marvellous.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55'Chad Valley is one of those companies'
0:07:55 > 0:07:58that's immediately recognisable as a British toy manufacturer.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Being in a country where the toys were made
0:08:01 > 0:08:04leads to an appeal within that market.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07It's the "Bambina", which is not a doll I've come across before.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10But what's super about this little doll,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13is even though someone's had her out and played with her,
0:08:13 > 0:08:18they've put her back in the box. It's all in card, all terribly fragile.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21But it's all been kept in wonderful condition by this box.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25The one thing you learn is, the more ephemeral the object,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27the more valuable it is.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31So the toy might be kept, but the box it comes in
0:08:31 > 0:08:34is the first thing on the fire, in the bin, in the skip.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36And even though this box is dreadfully tired,
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- I cannot tell you how many times these get thrown away.- Yeah.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42Have you got any idea when it was made?
0:08:42 > 0:08:47Not really, but we had a bit of paper with it
0:08:47 > 0:08:49and that said 1934.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52I wouldn't argue with your bit of paper!
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- No.- I wouldn't be that specific as your bit of paper.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58To have all of this, to have the original label,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02to have the box, which is almost, from a graphic design point of view,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I like the box more than the doll!
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- I think we can put it into auction at 50 to £80.- Yeah.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13Put a £50 reserve on it, and see where it goes from there.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17It's always important when you're selling something for a charity
0:09:17 > 0:09:19that it does as well as it possibly can.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21It adds a bit of pressure on to us.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- I've been joined by Heather. Who have you brought along?- Marie.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Marie, hi. Love the blue T-shirts. St David's Hospice.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- It's a charity.- Yes. We have to raise 1.3 million
0:09:38 > 0:09:40to actually keep the hospice running.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44So we do a lot of work to fundraise towards that.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46It's going under the hammer now.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Lot 394, folks.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52A 1930s Chad Valley soft-bodied cloth doll Bambina.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55It starts, though, at £50.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Five. 60. Five. 70.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Five. Eighty. Five.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Toys are strong collectables now
0:10:03 > 0:10:05because people are trying to recapture
0:10:05 > 0:10:09some of the innocence of youth. Some of their childhood.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11But it's also very much a collectors' market.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14So once you feed into it, once you collect dolls,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16which are all in different numbers
0:10:16 > 0:10:18of heads and sizes and styles,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21you want the rarer and rarer ones.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23It's like collecting coins or stamps, in a way.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- 150. 160.- Fantastic.- 170.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29180. 190. 200.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- Great feeling. - For charity, isn't it?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36As, of course, collectors start their collections and go on,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39they're willing to spend more and more money.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44A market that probably didn't exist 50 years ago for collectable toys
0:10:44 > 0:10:48is now very strong with lots of specialist sales throughout the country.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50280. 300.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52At £300.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Anybody new? At £300.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Fantastic. That can't be bad, can it!
0:10:59 > 0:11:02£300 for charity.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- I'm exhausted!- Thank you so much. - Don't set me off!
0:11:09 > 0:11:12With toys, the maker is always important.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Even if they look well loved.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20- Are these your toys?- Those were my toys.- Were yours. Do you remember playing with them as a child?- I do.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Were they in the family? They weren't bought new.- They came down through the family.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25And you want to sell them now?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Yes.- Your childhood memories, out through the window?
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- That's it. Yes.- Dear me!
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- You can't do that!- I'm the last of the Anderson line.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- I think these were made in Germany. - Right.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38And I think they were made in the '20s.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41They work from clockwork, and our little pig here plays the drums.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44And our little violinist, he's on the fiddle!
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- Right.- They're German. Do you know how I know that?- No, no.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51I know that cos it says here, "Made in Germany"!
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- So I'm an all-seeing expert here, Norman.- Yes.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57They were made by a company called Schuco.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59'They made little motor cars that you wound up.'
0:11:59 > 0:12:03They made little pigs and teddy bears where the head came off
0:12:03 > 0:12:05with scent bottles inside.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08They made all manner of good quality little toys like that.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10And their wares are sought after.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- Have you got the key to wind him up? - I haven't.- You haven't?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17There are specialist toy hospitals,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22and if you go to people who restore teddy bears and this type of thing,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24if you go to a specialist,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27finding a spare key shouldn't be too problematic.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32What are they worth? I think they'll make 40 to £60 estimate.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- For the two?- For the two, yes.- Yes.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Put a reserve on of £30?
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Right.- Are you happy with that?- Yes.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Let's hope they drum up a bit of interest at the auction!
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- It's going under the hammer.- Lot 136
0:12:45 > 0:12:50is a lot comprising two Schuco tin-plate toy clockwork pigs.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52On the floor at 35. Fresh bidder.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- 40. 45.- Oh, come on.- 50.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Animals, in particular, are collectable,
0:12:59 > 0:13:03because you get people that collect any type of animal.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- Come on!- 60, fresh bidder.
0:13:05 > 0:13:0665.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09And for some reason, don't ask me,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12pigs are very collectable.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13Good.
0:13:13 > 0:13:1485.
0:13:14 > 0:13:1690.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Any advance on £90?- Come on!
0:13:18 > 0:13:20All done at 90... 95 back in.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24£95. Any advance on 95?
0:13:24 > 0:13:2695.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29It trotted on, didn't it? 95.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I loved them to bits. Great fun. And to tell the truth,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I had a wee play with them myself!
0:13:34 > 0:13:36So Schuco is definitely a name to look out for.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42But when it comes to toys, there's one that touches all our hearts.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43# For every bear there ever was
0:13:43 > 0:13:45# Will gather there for certain cos
0:13:45 > 0:13:49# Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic! #
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Oh, teddy bear! Look at that teddy!
0:13:52 > 0:13:55We've all got one at home. They come in to every valuation day
0:13:55 > 0:13:57and they can be very valuable.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Have you given your teddy bear a name?- Yep. Albert.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- Albert. Ah. He's not for sale, is he?- No!
0:14:02 > 0:14:05No. You just want a valuation.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08You've brought in today these wonderful bears.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10The Farnell's bear, for me,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12every time, was the most fascinating toy.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Just beautiful, and in such good condition.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Tell me where they're from.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- They've been passed down through my wife's side of the family.- Right.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Was she allowed to play with them as a child?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25She was allowed to play with them at the bottom of the stairs,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27because Granny didn't like noisy children!
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Should be seen and not heard!
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- That's right.- Were you allowed to play with them?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34I wasn't. I was allowed to hold them at some point,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37but we weren't allowed to play with them, cos of Granddad.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42The fact you weren't allowed to play with them means they are in excellent condition.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45The wonderful thing about this one is he's actually still got his growler.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- He has.- Can you make him growl for me?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50FAINT GROWL
0:14:51 > 0:14:53LOUDER GROWL
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Any kind of original features that antiques still have,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00for example, the growler in the bear that was still working,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02certainly add to the value.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05That's what collectors want. It ticks so many boxes for collectors.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08That's terrifying! You wouldn't want to meet him in the woods!
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Oh, no!
0:15:10 > 0:15:12But I've rather taken to him, I have to say.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I think he's absolutely wonderful. He's got this lovely label here
0:15:16 > 0:15:19which tells us he's actually a Farnell bear.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Now, Farnell's was basically the English equivalent of Steiff.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27In 1906, with the craze of teddy bears,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31they were credited with producing the first English teddy bear,
0:15:31 > 0:15:36which, I believe, went on to rival Steiff's bears in Germany as well.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40But they are fundamentally important in the history of the teddy bear.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44He's quite an early chap. We've got wonderful glass eyes.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Later, they were plastic. If we knock them against our teeth,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49we can tell that they're glass.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Nice felt pad, there. Original stitching.
0:15:51 > 0:15:57So I would date him to around the 1930s, 1940s.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- He's got the most wonderful expression on his face.- Yes.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04It must have been so tempting to play with him when you were younger, and not be allowed!
0:16:04 > 0:16:06My grandma was always stood guard over Tony and me.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Was she?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14Then this little chappie, unfortunately, we can't attribute him to any particular factory.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- But he looks like he's around the same sort of date.- Yes.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Unfortunately, with teddy bear collectors, the name is pretty much everything.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25If you can attribute them to a particular factory, that's fantastic.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27A nice, 1930s, 1940s bear.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32We're looking somewhere probably in the region of 100 to £150.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Purely because unfortunately we can't attribute him to a particular factory.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40The Farnell's Alpha Bear, I think he is gorgeous.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44We're looking somewhere in the region of maybe 300 to £500.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- OK.- But you never know.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50As long as they go to someone who looks after them. That's what I'd like.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51Exactly.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56# Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic! #
0:16:58 > 0:17:02'Despite that wonderful pedigree, my favourite was our second lot,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04'the less distinguished cousin!'
0:17:04 > 0:17:07I think he's been duffed up a bit and needs a lot of love!
0:17:07 > 0:17:09He's the cheaper of the two,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12but I think he looks more expensive, put it that way.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13But it's just my opinion.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Let's see who's going to put their paws up. Here we go.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20The Alpha Toys teddy bear, the Farnell's.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23I've got 320 on the net.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24390.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27It was incredibly nerve-racking, cos the bidding was quite slow,
0:17:27 > 0:17:28initially.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30One, two, three, four telephone bids.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33One, two, three, four.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35This one's going to fly, isn't it?
0:17:35 > 0:17:36530.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38550, now.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Already it's eclipsed the top end.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- I'll take 580 in the room. - Brilliant.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46I've got 570 now on the net.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47600, now.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49I found other similar comparables of Farnell's bears
0:17:49 > 0:17:53that were selling for that sort of region, the three, four, five, £600 region.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58But I don't think I particularly appreciated
0:17:58 > 0:18:00how good a condition that bear was in
0:18:00 > 0:18:02and how much of a premium it would have added.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03780.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06800.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08And 20.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10850.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- 880.- I can see you willing this on!
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Your head's nodding with the bidders!
0:18:16 > 0:18:18"One more, one more!"
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It was wonderful. I was thrilled to bits.
0:18:21 > 0:18:221,300.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Wow!
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- 1,350.- Gosh!
0:18:25 > 0:18:27It's a bit special!
0:18:28 > 0:18:31At 1,300... 1,350 back in. 1,400?
0:18:32 > 0:18:341,400. 1,450?
0:18:35 > 0:18:37No? At 1,400, then. On the steps at 1,400.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Selling, then, at 1,400.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Fantastic!- That's one down!- Lovely.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44One more to go. My favourite, next!
0:18:45 > 0:18:49'How much difference did that lost label make?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51I think we all loved the second bear
0:18:51 > 0:18:56because he probably wasn't going to make as much and because he lost his label at some point.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- The mohair teddy bear.- Here we go.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Someone's got good taste out there.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03£100. Finished.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Well, I still prefer that one!
0:19:07 > 0:19:08That was the right money, £100.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10A grand total of £1,500.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Keeping them in good condition is incredibly important for their future value.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19So it's very difficult. It is very sad about a bear that hasn't been cuddled.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22That's what they were made for, at the end of the day!
0:19:23 > 0:19:25When it comes to collecting toys,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28here are some handy hints on how to play the market.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Fortunately, if you want to get into the games collecting market,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36there's many price points to start with.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40You can find something as simple as a 1970s Rubik's cube.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Make sure it hasn't been done, of course!
0:19:43 > 0:19:48If you can find an original Monopoly, with the old shoe and the iron.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Nowadays, I don't know what they have - racing cars and things.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56But if you can find an immaculate and complete old Monopoly set, you're into money.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59And now here are some of my trade secrets.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03With toys, quality is always important.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09Watch out. Missing pieces in games and jigsaw puzzles will really put the collectors off.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13And they don't come much more fussy than doll collectors!
0:20:13 > 0:20:17So, does it have its original clothing and accessories?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19That's the detail they're after.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23But with enough charm, even mass-produced, damaged toys
0:20:23 > 0:20:25can still find a new home.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28With teddy bears, it's all in the name.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30So make sure you check the labels.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35Elizabeth Talbot will be sharing more teddy bear know-how shortly!
0:20:35 > 0:20:39We've all got something at home, that one special item that we're particularly attached to.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41But I want to know what's the one thing
0:20:41 > 0:20:44our experts would rescue from a burning building!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Today, it's the turn of James Lewis.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52If there was a fire at home,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56I would probably save something that belongs to my daughter.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Assuming she was out of the house already!
0:20:58 > 0:21:02It's a little stuffed rabbit that she calls Rabby.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05My life would not be worth living
0:21:05 > 0:21:07if anything happened to that!
0:21:07 > 0:21:10It's just a little... Probably a collectable of the future,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13worth absolutely nothing at the moment apart from for her.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18I think that is probably the most precious, loved thing in the house.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23A toy in good condition is a rarity indeed
0:21:23 > 0:21:26because it's in their nature to be played with too hard,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29to be bashed around a bit and enjoyed.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34Teddy bears are especially prone to being cuddled into a state of disrepair!
0:21:34 > 0:21:36But what makes a good teddy bear in the first place?
0:21:36 > 0:21:41Flog It expert Elizabeth Talbot went down in the woods to find out.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56I like teddy bears because they are very much individual personalities.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Little characters, very much like these ones!
0:21:59 > 0:22:00Hello, chaps!
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Traditionally, there are certain firms of teddy bear manufacturers
0:22:03 > 0:22:06who make teddy bears out of alpaca hair.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11Farnell was probably the most famous company that did that.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13They had a special range.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17But I do know one other company that still includes alpaca hair in some to their teddy bears.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19It's not very far from here.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23I'm hoping I might be able to take up an invitation I received from them
0:22:23 > 0:22:25to go and have a look.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Merrythought has been making teddy bears
0:22:27 > 0:22:32at its Victorian factory in Shropshire since 1930.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35It's a family-run firm, and the last remaining British manufacturer
0:22:35 > 0:22:38still producing bears by hand.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Elizabeth is meeting Sarah Holmes,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43who runs the company with her sister, Hannah.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- Morning, Sarah.- Hello. - Lovely to meet you.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47I'm so excited to be here.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49I've rushed over from the alpaca farm.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I'm surrounded by the most amazing selection of bears.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54This is a joy to me.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Here we have a sort of snapshot of what Merrythought manufactures here.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02First thing I noticed is that, unlike being surrounded by shelves full of dolls, for example,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04where it's a spooky feeling,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08this feels like we're surrounded by lots of warm love and friends,
0:23:08 > 0:23:12because they're all very welcoming and friendly faces and little characters.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Absolutely. That's always what Merrythought have been keen to achieve.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19The expression of our teddy bears is what people really buy into.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21How did it all start?
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- You've been here since 1930? - 1930, yes.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27My great-grandfather established the business in 1930.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31And it's been in Ironbridge and part of Shropshire ever since.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34The classic teddy bear that people are familiar with,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38it's arguable in terms of who really established that.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Alpha Farnell and Steiff were two of the very earliest.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47The Alpha Farnell teddy is what is commonly associated with as being the classic teddy bear
0:23:47 > 0:23:49with the long limbs and the hump on the back.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52They're the most expensive and sought-after English make.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- Yes.- No disrespect to Merrythought, but they were the forerunner.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Exactly. Alpha Farnell was the first British teddy bear manufacturer.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03They ceased production in the late '60s.
0:24:03 > 0:24:09So hence their original designs from pre- that era are very sought after.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Then Merrythought took on the brand
0:24:12 > 0:24:14in the mid-1990s.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Which was great, because it means we are able to bring Alpha Farnell back to life.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20From my perspective, there are some serious collectors
0:24:20 > 0:24:24who look for the Cheeky and the punky head and the different ones.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Where did they come from? Whose inspiration were those?
0:24:26 > 0:24:28They are so different.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It was actually our original designer, Florence Attwood,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35who was wonderfully talented in designing teddy bears.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37So this would be the very first Merrythought teddy bear.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- This was designed by Florence? - Yes.- How wonderful.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44And he is from about 1930 in age?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46This particular bear is from 1931.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49So he would have been one of the very first to be produced.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54But Florence went on to design a huge array of different styles of teddy bears.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Rather famously, the cheeky bear
0:24:56 > 0:24:58and the punky bear
0:24:58 > 0:25:00in the late '40s
0:25:00 > 0:25:02and early '50s.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Yes, the punky bear is a very unique teddy bear!
0:25:06 > 0:25:08It still has a very strong collectors' following today
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and they are quite sought after at auction.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Yes, I've seen some of those make quite amazing prices,
0:25:14 > 0:25:15along with the cheeky bear.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18I wanted to ask you, do you have any alpaca bears here?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- We certainly do.- Do you?- We use alpaca quite a lot, actually.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Obviously alongside mohair.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28There's one little white teddy bear here, made from alpaca.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Oh, he's so fluffy. He's lovely.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33It's a very fine fibre and creates a very soft finish.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36They're quite distinctive. He's made from alpaca.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I can certainly show you a few more.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I'd love to see a few more, please!
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Oh, my goodness, Sarah. This is amazing.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- Totally unexpected. - It's quite a collection.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Reel after reel of fabrics and all the colours.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Absolutely. We carry quite a large range of different materials.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04- But I must ask, do you have any alpaca that I can handle? - We certainly do. Absolutely.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06This is some of our alpaca fabric.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10That is adorable. That is just so heavenly. It's lovely.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Just looking at it you can see the difference between that and mohair.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Absolutely. It's a very fine, soft fibre.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18So I can show you how they're made.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28This is a hive of concentrated activity. Amazing.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30What's actually happening in this room?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32This is where we make all our teddy bears.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Everything we produce is made from start to finish under this roof.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Just to give you an idea of the process,
0:26:40 > 0:26:45we start by cutting out each of the shapes that make our pattern for our teddy bear.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Those shapes are then sewn together.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50And then we move on to the next stage where the eyes are put in.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53The bears are part stuffed.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Then the joints are put in. A fiddly process.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00And then the bears are assembled. The arms, legs and head are all attached to the body.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04And then the final stage is hand embroidering the nose
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and the smile on the teddy bear.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07- Very important part.- Absolutely.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- It brings it to life. - Yes, gives it its character.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- Ah, the all-important eyes. - Absolutely.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18They're put in by hand as well.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23So that's why some bears have this wonderful expression where maybe their eyes are not quite level
0:27:23 > 0:27:25or they're a bit close together.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28But it actually adds to the bespoke nature of them.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- Though a Merrythought bear wouldn't pass quality control if his eyes weren't level.- OK.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35But I notice from a collector's point of view
0:27:35 > 0:27:39they will often spend money where they feel there is a personality,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42to purchase a bear with a bit of a quirk.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- It isn't always a bad thing. - No. Absolutely.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49But it's fascinating to see how that's achieved.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Teddy bears' eyes are magical
0:27:54 > 0:27:58because they're the window on the teddy bear's soul, being very romantic!
0:27:58 > 0:28:02But teddy bears' eyes are important in dating them.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05The earlier ones, from the 1904 period of Steiff
0:28:05 > 0:28:07and the early Farnells
0:28:07 > 0:28:10were the little metal boot button eyes which were black painted.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13But through the early 20th century, glass was used in different colours
0:28:13 > 0:28:16to give the pupil and the surround in a nice coloured way.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Then as the 20th century developed
0:28:18 > 0:28:21the synthetic man-made plastics were inserted and used
0:28:21 > 0:28:24because they were cheaper and easier to mass-produce
0:28:24 > 0:28:28but also increasingly it was a safety element, which was important.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36We've now reached the stuffing part of the process, which intrigues me.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Sharon is stuffing each part of the teddy bear individually.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43We put wood wool into the front of the head and nose
0:28:43 > 0:28:46to give the definition and solidness.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47The robustness of the face.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50So the whiter cotton wool-type stuffing,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54that's nice and soft and pliable and goes into the nooks and crannies
0:28:54 > 0:28:56and makes it nice and cuddly. A cuddly bear.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Have you got a collection of bears at home?
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- I've got a few!- Have you?
0:29:00 > 0:29:04That's the standard answer. "A few", with a nice knowing smile!
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Obviously means "quite a lot"!
0:29:11 > 0:29:14- This is the assembly. - Yes. We call it fitting up.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18Is this how a bear in 1931 would have been assembled?
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- With the pins?- Absolutely. - Just the same.
0:29:20 > 0:29:26This technique wouldn't have changed since teddy bears started.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Have you ever put a leg on back to front?
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Yes!
0:29:30 > 0:29:32That was a special edition, that one!
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Penny's got a lot of responsibility,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42because the expression and personality of the bear comes out first through the eyes
0:29:42 > 0:29:45and then it's enhanced by the facial features, the nose and mouth.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48And although they are working to a pattern,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50you cannot but help have slight variations
0:29:50 > 0:29:53because every stitch is unique. It is unique.
0:29:53 > 0:29:59Therefore each bear has a very slight kind of individual nature which sets it apart.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04Expression has always commanded quite an important consideration for collectors.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08A bear that looks appealing, whether it looks sad or lonely,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10or quite mischievous,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13can tempt people to bid that bit more at auction and pay more.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's like the cherry on the top of a cake.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Just kind of finishing it off.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Oh, look at him. He's gorgeous!
0:30:19 > 0:30:21He's waving, look!
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Happy bear.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Sarah, I have to say I've had such an amazing day.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I'll enjoy teddy bears even more after today.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32That's nice to hear. You're very welcome.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36I've had the most magical day here in Ironbridge.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38I've learned such a lot. It's been a wonderful experience
0:30:38 > 0:30:40which I'll remember for years to come.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45But I've learned such a lot about parts of teddy bears I'd never even considered!
0:30:45 > 0:30:50To see these craftswomen at work has brought the whole thing to life for me. It's been wonderful!
0:30:54 > 0:30:58You've heard our experts' trade secrets on your old toys and games.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Coming up, we look at other family treasures
0:31:01 > 0:31:03that may be knocking around your home.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04"First pair of boots.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06"Too small for her little feet."
0:31:06 > 0:31:09That's dated 1873.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13He hadn't even looked in the boots!
0:31:13 > 0:31:16'Find out how James turned his passion for one type of box
0:31:16 > 0:31:18'into an impressive collection.'
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Do you think we should try some?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- I didn't know you were a nosologist! - Is that what it's known as?- Yep.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27A snuff taker in the 18th century was known as a nosologist!
0:31:27 > 0:31:30And we unearth some rather unusual family stories.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33This is a mechanical version of a leech, I guess.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39On Flog It, we've had over 900 valuation days,
0:31:39 > 0:31:43and during that time, we've seen all kinds of antiques and collectables.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46But there's one thing that still gets me very excited when I see it.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48And that's boxes!
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Yes, you bring them in, boxes of all shapes and sizes.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Boxes made of wood, boxes made of antique ivory and leather.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58And there's something quite satisfying about opening up a box
0:31:58 > 0:32:01and peering in and seeing the treasures that lie there.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05So if you've got an old box in your attic or your chicken shed,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07it may be worth getting its contents valued.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Here are a few of the surprises we've found
0:32:10 > 0:32:12when lifting the lid.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16You often find that a very tatty exterior
0:32:16 > 0:32:20can be protecting a jewel of an interior.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22When I first saw this in the box,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25I thought we'd have half an hour while you set it up.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29- But you've put it together like an expert. You've done that a few times!- Two or three!
0:32:30 > 0:32:32It was towards the end of the valuation day
0:32:32 > 0:32:35and he almost didn't bother bringing it along.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Whenever we're looking at optical instruments,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41and in particular, microscopes or telescopes,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45there's one name that really does ring out above all the others.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46And that's Dollond of London.
0:32:46 > 0:32:53Dollond of London are one of the most important optical instrument makers
0:32:53 > 0:32:55of all time in Britain.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59They're now Dollond & Aitchison, spectacle makers.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01If we look at this box that this microscope came in,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05we see this wonderful flush brass handles on the sides.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09And that indicates that it was made to be packed away for travelling.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Look at that box. Wonderfully fitted.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14'The more you looked at this microscope,'
0:33:14 > 0:33:18the eye pieces were there, the slides were there...
0:33:18 > 0:33:21You often find the most gruesome things. What's that?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23A leg of something, by the looks of it!
0:33:23 > 0:33:25But they're contemporary with the microscope.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30So it's what we call a monocular microscope, for obvious reasons.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33It has one lens. Binocular or monocular.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36And this alters a rack and pinion. There we go.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- But we've got a couple of bits missing.- Yeah.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41- Yes.- Tell me how you came to have it.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- It came out of a skip.- Who on earth would put this in a skip?
0:33:45 > 0:33:47My son!
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- Your son put it in a skip? - When they cleared the house.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55- No!- And then he took it back out and looked in it and said, "My dad would like that".
0:33:55 > 0:33:57So he said, "Here's part of your Christmas present."
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Really, it is the most fantastic quality thing.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02You've saved it, and I'm so pleased.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06But it is the best of makers. In its original box.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08OK, we've got a few bits missing.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11But you've got a lot left, too.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15So I think we ought to put an estimate of 400 to 600.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20I've seen them sell before, complete, at 1,000 to £1,500.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Thanks very much for bringing it in.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Been nice being here. I love it.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28But that was a classic example of putting a low estimate
0:34:28 > 0:34:30to try and get the best end result.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34I don't ever like to get people's hopes up.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36But come on, just stick your neck out!
0:34:36 > 0:34:38- Well...- You're with friends!
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I think it should make 12 to 1,500.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Right.- Really? - Dave, are you shaking?- Yeah!
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Early 19th-century monocular compound brass microscope.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Lots of interest here.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53I have to start at £380.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55380. 400 now. 420.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57440.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Telephone bids on it, internet bidding, absentee bidding.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02600.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03And 50.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05700.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07- And 50.- Yeah, keep going!
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- 800.- It's making a good steady climb.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13900. And 50.
0:35:14 > 0:35:151,000.
0:35:15 > 0:35:171,100. 1,200.
0:35:18 > 0:35:201,300. 1,300 in the room.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24At £1,300. We have £1,300.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Yes! £1,300!
0:35:28 > 0:35:30That's auctions for you!
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Fantastic! And to find it in a skip!
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Why don't I ever find those in skips?
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Not every box is full of delights,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42as Elizabeth was to discover with this macabre medical instrument.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46This is a very unusual item, Lynne. What can you tell me about it?
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Well, as far as I'm aware, it's a cupping set.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53And it's for blood-letting.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57It actually belonged to my great-grandmother
0:35:57 > 0:36:00who used to assist with births.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- So this was hers, was it? - Definitely, yes.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06So it will have seen a certain degree of hard work in its time.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- You've never seen it actually used? - No, no. No.
0:36:09 > 0:36:15It had served a cause and probably had a few stories to tell, probably.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18I'm sure whoever saw this being put together would have been daunted!
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Victorians loved the concept of blood-letting.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26Letting out badness from the body by cutting and drawing off blood.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28They used leeches a lot.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31This is a mechanical version of a leech, I guess.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35We draw back the little knives by this lever here
0:36:35 > 0:36:39which primes it, a bit like priming a flintlock pistol.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41You hold it onto the skin, and by releasing the button,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44the little knives shoot through
0:36:44 > 0:36:46and score the skin.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49At which point you rush up with this
0:36:49 > 0:36:55and put it onto the skin and draw back to pull out the blood you require.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58In some cases, they would take dangerous amounts of blood out.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03They were so carried away with forever attaching leeches or sucking out the blood
0:37:03 > 0:37:06that actually it was making the patient too weak.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Not for the faint-hearted, is it?
0:37:08 > 0:37:10So you've inherited it, have you?
0:37:10 > 0:37:13No, it still belongs to my mother, but she's happy to sell it.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15She wants to sell it. OK.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- Has it been pride of place... - No, not at all.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21It was, unfortunately, until very recently,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23it was down the chicken shed!
0:37:25 > 0:37:27It had been carefully passed down the generations
0:37:27 > 0:37:30until the recent ten years when it was in the chicken shed!
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Well, you've obviously got a very clean and dry chicken shed,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35because it's in surprisingly good order.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40Value, I think, will be limited to around about...
0:37:40 > 0:37:42I'd think on a bad day £40.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44On a good day, it might make £80.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45OK.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50I based my estimate on not enough knowledge, as it turned out!
0:37:55 > 0:37:57You can play the game properly at home now.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Doctors and nurses!
0:37:59 > 0:38:0140 quid? 20 I'm bid. 20.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Five. 30. 35. 40.
0:38:03 > 0:38:0645. 50. 55. 60.
0:38:06 > 0:38:0865. 70. 75. 80.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- At 80 now.- 80.
0:38:11 > 0:38:1285. 90.
0:38:12 > 0:38:1495. 100.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- 100!- 110. 120.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19130. 140.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21150. 160.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23170.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26180. 190. 200.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28210. This side at 210.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30The auctioneer did very well.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33He kept encouraging people to bid that little bit more
0:38:33 > 0:38:35and that's the sign of a good auctioneer.
0:38:35 > 0:38:36290.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38300.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Going to burst a blood vessel in a minute!
0:38:41 > 0:38:42330.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45340. At 340 now.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- 350.- It wasn't even named.- 360.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49370.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50I did think that to find a name
0:38:50 > 0:38:55would have given it quite a significant uplift in value. I couldn't find a name.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00So kept the estimate very modest at 40 to £80.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- 380. 390.- Wow. Must be quite rare.
0:39:03 > 0:39:04400.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07At 400 now. Are you in on the phone?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- 400?!- At £400 over here.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Do you want to keep it? At 400.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13Just another tenner.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15410.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- 410!- It's a lucky charm.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19£420. Finished and done at 420.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21If one's going to be caught out,
0:39:21 > 0:39:25it's better to be too pessimistic than over optimistic,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28and have a positive result rather than a terrible flop.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Your last chance at 420. Who have I missed?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Oh, and it's all down to Great-Gran there.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- She brought you luck today. - Absolutely. Mum will be over the moon.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41There you go. Live and learn!
0:39:43 > 0:39:46But sometimes there are clues to what might lie within.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48As Catherine found out in Plymouth.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51I remember this gentleman coming up to me
0:39:51 > 0:39:55with this rather rugged tin box.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58And he plumped it on the table.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00It was a little bit rusty.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05But it had the name painted on the top, of a naval officer.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09So I thought, "Hmm. This is going to be something quite exciting."
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Chris, what's inside this rusty box of tricks?
0:40:12 > 0:40:16It's a naval bicorn hat, or a cocked hat.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Oh, this is quite special, isn't it?
0:40:19 > 0:40:20Wow!
0:40:20 > 0:40:24It really got me going. Very exciting!
0:40:24 > 0:40:28And I just remember the epaulettes, a sort of golden colour.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31And they were really shining through.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33So when you opened this box,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37it was just like you were looking at treasure!
0:40:37 > 0:40:38A-ha!
0:40:38 > 0:40:41There are two of these epaulettes.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Just in the most fabulous condition.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47- This pops out like that. - That's beautiful.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52- What a great colour, as well. - Beautiful.- Wonderful amber colour.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57The braid coming down here and the lovely buttons with the anchor on.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00And as you say, the epaulettes, which were obviously worn on the shoulder.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03How did you come about this? Was it passed down through your family?
0:41:03 > 0:41:07No. I was doing a house clearance with a friend of mine,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09and this was part of what was being thrown out.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13I think we should give it a conservative estimate of probably 150 to 250.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18Let's hope that it attracts a lot more interest and really surges up.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23'And Chris has unearthed some useful information about the name on the box.'
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Did you do any research to find where he was, where he was stationed?
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Yes. He served on lots of ships during his time.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- One of them was The Hood.- The Hood!
0:41:33 > 0:41:37HMS Hood, which was an important ship during the Second World War
0:41:37 > 0:41:40which had been sunk by The Bismarck.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42This is it. This is your lot now
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I'm bid £160. Against you all at 160.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Five if you like. 165. 170.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51Five. 180. Five. At 185.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52190. 200.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Wow! This is exciting!
0:41:55 > 0:41:58And ten. 220. 230. 240.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01250. 260. 270.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03280. 290.
0:42:03 > 0:42:04At £290 there.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- Yes.- At 290, then.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08All done at 290?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- Brilliant.- Excellent.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- Bang on top. 290 quid.- Good. - Fantastic.- Very good.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16That's what was nice about this box.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19It had the name of the naval officer on.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23So you could research it. I think that's what people really picked up on.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28There are boxes for tea, boxes for snuff and boxes to carry clothes.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30But it's not always about what's inside.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34Sometimes, the beauty is the box.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39You've been standing in the queue holding this very heavy box for rather a long time.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41It's always thrilling to see a box.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44You automatically think there must be something rather special in there.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48- It used to belong to my grandmother. - Right.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51And it was handed to my mother when she died in about 1970-ish.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55- My mother handed it on to my daughter.- Yes.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58- So it's the fourth generation in the family.- Right.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00- Your daughter's instructed you to bring it along?- Yes.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- To sell it?- She's getting married next year
0:43:03 > 0:43:05and it would be useful towards the honeymoon.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10- Does it come with any story? - All I know is it must be something like 110 years old.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13That's pretty accurate. It's late 19th century.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15- But where does it come from? - I don't know.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- Put your hand over it. It's Indian. - Oh. Right.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20- Do you know what it's made of?- No.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23It's very black. I thought initially it was probably ebony.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27But I can see a bit of flecking in there.
0:43:27 > 0:43:28I think it's a wood called coromandel.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32Coromandel has this wonderful flecking of brown through it
0:43:32 > 0:43:34which gives it a particular charm.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37It's not easy to carve because it is so hard.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39But if you can do it well,
0:43:39 > 0:43:41it then has this wonderful patination.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43It's exotic to look at.
0:43:45 > 0:43:46Wow!
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Look at that fantastic workmanship.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51It's got the most wonderful ivory inlay.
0:43:51 > 0:43:56When I say wonderful, it's not Japanese quality.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59And then it has different woods laid into it.
0:43:59 > 0:44:04There's some probably tiger wood in there.
0:44:04 > 0:44:06There's some rosewood, I think.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08'And it was complete.'
0:44:08 > 0:44:11I think every lid to every compartment was still there.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Which is a rare thing in itself.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16There should be a compartment in the bottom.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18Oh, my gosh. It's full, isn't it?
0:44:19 > 0:44:24- Um...- I don't know anything about them.- You don't know anything about them?- No.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27Well, lo and behold, inside one of the bootees
0:44:27 > 0:44:29was a name.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32"Dear Rosa". Does that ring a bell?
0:44:32 > 0:44:36- There was an Aunt Rosa, yes. - Aunt Rosa?- My mother's Aunt Rosa.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40"First pair of boots. Two small for her little feet."
0:44:40 > 0:44:42And that's dated 1873.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49He hadn't even looked in the boots to see that piece of paper himself.
0:44:49 > 0:44:50I find that quite extraordinary.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53No wonder he wanted to sell it. He had no interest in it at all.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Well, coming back to the box,
0:44:56 > 0:45:00did you daughter say, "If it's worth more than ten quid, sell it"?
0:45:00 > 0:45:04- Or 500 quid or...- She just said, "Take it and sell it. I have no use for it."
0:45:04 > 0:45:08- Right.- I suggested it might be worth in excess of 100.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10- Well, I think it's worth about £100. - Really?
0:45:10 > 0:45:13- How does that sound?- Reasonable.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15Reasonable? Were you hoping for more?
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Well, always!
0:45:19 > 0:45:23Let's hope the bidders are excited about the box and its contents.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28Next up, the embroidery box with a value of 100 to £150.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31It belongs to Michael. He's brought his daughter Heidi along.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- Hello.- Hiya.- I love the hair! What does Dad think?
0:45:34 > 0:45:36I had a shock when I saw it!
0:45:37 > 0:45:39It's going under the hammer now.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42Numerous commission bids here. Start me straight in at...
0:45:45 > 0:45:46Come on.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48£160. 160 I have to start.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50I think when I got to the sale room
0:45:50 > 0:45:55I really had thought to myself, "Charlie, you've undervalued this lot."
0:45:55 > 0:45:57170. 180.
0:45:57 > 0:45:58190. 200.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01210. 220. 230. 240.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04- Heidi, it's because you're here! - 270. 280.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08290. 300. 310 takes me out.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Because it's a rare wood, it's particularly collectable.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13340.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15- 350.- Oh, they like this.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17360. 370.
0:46:19 > 0:46:20380. 390.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24- 400. 410.- Charlie, what did we miss?
0:46:24 > 0:46:26I know nothing!
0:46:27 > 0:46:29£410. Back of the room at £410.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32At £410. Are we all done, then?
0:46:32 > 0:46:34At £410.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36How exciting was that?
0:46:36 > 0:46:39- Oh, my word.- That'll go a long way towards your honeymoon.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41Yeah. I can eat, now!
0:46:43 > 0:46:45So when it comes to boxes, what are the key points to look out for?
0:46:45 > 0:46:48The box, although it was a beautiful object in its own right,
0:46:48 > 0:46:50it was actually made to protect what's inside.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53People often say, "Oh, dear, the box isn't in very good condition."
0:46:53 > 0:46:55That doesn't matter. If it's done its job,
0:46:55 > 0:46:58what's inside has survived really well.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01Just because it's tatty doesn't mean it's worthless.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06We often call it "country house condition" if it's a bit shabby.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10I like to have a really good look at it and think about the material that it's made from.
0:47:10 > 0:47:14So if you've got something that's made from quite a rich material,
0:47:14 > 0:47:19I think that's going to tell you you've got something special inside.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22Isn't it amazing how much they know?
0:47:22 > 0:47:25You've heard their tips. And now here's some of mine.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29Always look inside your boxes, no matter how fabulous.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32There could be even more valuable treasure hidden within.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35- I don't know anything about them. - You don't?- No.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37Whatever your item, look for a name.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40A known maker will always attract the collectors.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45It just goes to show, there's a market for almost everything.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47So think before you bin!
0:47:47 > 0:47:50As you know, provenance is key in antiques.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53So if your trunk or suitcase has a name or monogram,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56as they often do, check it out.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59The previous owner could be very significant.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03But sometimes it's just the box itself which is of interest.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07Something I learned more about in 2008 when I visited an old snuff factory.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10I've come here to Wilsons & Co,
0:48:10 > 0:48:15one of the last remaining independent snuff manufacturers left in the country.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19The family-run business, here at Sharrow Mills in Sheffield
0:48:19 > 0:48:23has been producing snuff from a secret recipe
0:48:23 > 0:48:26which dates back as far as 1737.
0:48:28 > 0:48:33The original machinery used to grind the tobacco to make snuff still survives.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35It's left as a testament to a bygone age.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42Although snuff-taking isn't as popular as it used to be,
0:48:42 > 0:48:45one aspect of it still is very popular and extremely collectable.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47And that's snuff boxes.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49And to tell us a bit more about it
0:48:49 > 0:48:52is a familiar Flog It face and good friend of mine, James Lewis.
0:48:52 > 0:48:57James, thanks very much for bringing a small part of your collection.
0:48:57 > 0:48:58- I know it's massive.- It is.
0:48:58 > 0:49:05I think I've got about three to 500, four to 600 altogether. Something like that.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08- I'm not sure exactly.- When did you start to collect snuff boxes?
0:49:08 > 0:49:13Well, when I was younger, I had a passion for wood, just like you.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17And the problem is, when you're a schoolboy or just about to go to university,
0:49:17 > 0:49:19you've got nowhere to put furniture.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22If you're going to collect wood, or treen, or anything like that,
0:49:22 > 0:49:24you have to collect things that are small.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26I thought, "What better than snuff boxes?"
0:49:26 > 0:49:30So I had an interest back as a teenager.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33But the passion for snuff boxes
0:49:33 > 0:49:37really came from one of my first ever visits I made as an auctioneer.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40I went to see a lady in a little tiny cottage
0:49:40 > 0:49:42and halfway through the valuation, I heard this...
0:49:42 > 0:49:44SNORTS
0:49:46 > 0:49:49I turned round to see this lady
0:49:49 > 0:49:52with snuff dribbling down the nostrils!
0:49:52 > 0:49:53All over herself.
0:49:53 > 0:49:56And she went, "Want some, lad?"
0:49:56 > 0:49:58- And did you?- No, I didn't.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01I didn't. Today I probably would have done.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04But back then, I was too shy and I said, "No, thank you."
0:50:04 > 0:50:06And I left her to it.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09But it started a strange sort of fascination.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13Gosh. Let's talk about some of the varieties.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15- Maybe pick on half a dozen.- OK.
0:50:15 > 0:50:17There are two types, really. You get the pocket snuff.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21It always has a very tight fitting cover, for obvious reasons.
0:50:21 > 0:50:22And then you have the table snuff.
0:50:22 > 0:50:27Table snuff is normally bigger and sometimes has a loose cover.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30These three at the front are all table snuff boxes.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34They're by one of the most important snuff box makers
0:50:34 > 0:50:36of the early 18th century,
0:50:36 > 0:50:38a chap called Jean Obrisset.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41He was the son of a Huguenot silversmith
0:50:41 > 0:50:46and he specialised in working in horn and tortoiseshell.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49He was snuff box maker to Queen Anne.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51Really. So that's a name to look out for.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Queen Anne herself was a snuff taker.
0:50:54 > 0:50:55Can we have a look at one of those?
0:50:57 > 0:50:59Wonderful detail.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02- That's nice, isn't it. Hold it up to the light.- Yeah.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05You can see right through it. Look at the detail.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07Great quality.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11Just as we find today that smoking is a really controversial subject,
0:51:11 > 0:51:15snuff-taking itself was controversial throughout the ages.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18And although Queen Anne was a snuff-taker,
0:51:18 > 0:51:23100 years earlier, King James, he despised it with a passion.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26So if you were caught taking snuff in the presence of King James,
0:51:26 > 0:51:28- you'd end up in The Tower.- Really?
0:51:28 > 0:51:30Oh, he loathed it.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33In its heyday during the 18th century,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36snuff-taking developed into an important social grace.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39It remained popular well into the 20th century.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43It was said you could tell a lot about a man's social status
0:51:43 > 0:51:45by the way he took his snuff.
0:51:50 > 0:51:54Open the lid and take a pinch between the finger and thumb.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56Hold it there for a moment
0:51:56 > 0:51:59so the warmth of the finger brings out the bouquet of the snuff.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03So you get the benefit of the flavour. And inhale it.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Close the snuff box.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11And then, if you like, just a little flourish with your handkerchief.
0:52:13 > 0:52:14I'm not a snuff box snob.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17I know a lot of these people say, "It's a silver gilt",
0:52:17 > 0:52:19"It's solid gold", it's this, it's that.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21"It's encrusted with rubies."
0:52:21 > 0:52:24To be honest, that actually leaves me quite cold.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28- You like the tactile items.- I do. - The working man's snuff box. - Absolutely.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31I've seen a few of those. That's the poor man's pinch, isn't it?
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Yeah. You generally call these Scottish snuffs.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36I'm pleased YOU said that!
0:52:36 > 0:52:39I can get away with it because I'm 100 per cent Scot!
0:52:39 > 0:52:42- I can get away with it.- A mean pinch.- That's what they're called.
0:52:42 > 0:52:46A mean pinch. They were made in brass and horn and treen.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49The idea was that you would close the gap in the centre
0:52:49 > 0:52:52so that when you take the pinch of snuff, you can't take too much.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56Very eye-catching. I love the rams' horns.
0:52:56 > 0:52:57They're brilliant.
0:52:57 > 0:53:02A classic Scottish ram's horn snuff mulls they were called.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04With a lovely silver mount.
0:53:04 > 0:53:06That's quality, isn't it, all the way through.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09I think I've got about 30 of those, altogether!
0:53:09 > 0:53:11They come in different shapes and sizes.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15Interesting. Somebody has attached a silver watch chain to that.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18So they can carry it and put it over their arm.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22Because that one doubles as a snuff box on the top there,
0:53:22 > 0:53:24but also the end screws off and you can fill it with whisky!
0:53:24 > 0:53:26That's a good idea, isn't it?
0:53:26 > 0:53:30A lot of these are English and continental. Where else in the world were they made?
0:53:30 > 0:53:33They were made almost everywhere.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36The interesting thing is that in China they don't have snuff boxes,
0:53:36 > 0:53:38they have snuff bottles.
0:53:38 > 0:53:44Simply because a sign of status in China was to have wonderful, long, decorative fingernails.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48If you have massively long fingernails, you can't take snuff from a snuff box.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52- You can't pick the box up. - No. You have a little shovel and straight up!
0:53:52 > 0:53:54Now you're talking about that,
0:53:54 > 0:53:57we're in the best location possible
0:53:57 > 0:53:59to show this sort of thing.
0:53:59 > 0:54:03This is obviously ground down tobacco. Should we try some?
0:54:03 > 0:54:08- I didn't know you were a nosologist! - Is that what it's known as?
0:54:08 > 0:54:11A snuff-taker in the 18th century was known as a nosologist.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14- I don't fancy trying any of this stuff.- Go on.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18No, no, no. I think we should try some fresh stuff when we get outside.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22- Otherwise we'll sneeze our heads off.- We're antiques people. We should try the old stuff!
0:54:22 > 0:54:23- Gosh.- Go on.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31I don't rate that at all!
0:54:32 > 0:54:34No. Whatever you do,
0:54:34 > 0:54:36don't try that at home!
0:54:41 > 0:54:43The great thing about boxes, like other small items,
0:54:43 > 0:54:47is they're a perfect starting point for a budding collector.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49And it doesn't have to be expensive
0:54:49 > 0:54:51if you know what you're looking for.
0:54:51 > 0:54:57If that's inspired you, here are some tips on collecting the small and the beautifully formed.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Look for an area you find interesting.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01It could be nutmeg graters.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03It could be Vesta cases.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06But don't be narrow-minded
0:55:06 > 0:55:07and look for a year.
0:55:07 > 0:55:12Look at that whole section of nutmeg graters or Vesta cases.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14The key word when collecting treen
0:55:14 > 0:55:16is the patina, the colour of a piece.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19That's really what buyers of this kind of thing are looking for.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25Serious collectors are a special breed.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29We tracked down a few to get their take on the art of collecting.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33Douglas came to our Stroud valuation day in 2009
0:55:33 > 0:55:37with a beautiful print and an extraordinary story.
0:55:37 > 0:55:38Doug, I'm a big fan of Paul Nash.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41Tell me how you came by this Shell poster.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44Many years ago, in the late 1970s,
0:55:44 > 0:55:48we were on holiday with some ruralists, Graham Ovenden and so on.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50And he brought a friend along.
0:55:50 > 0:55:56And this friend went into the sea. A bit daft, cos it's a very dangerous coastline.
0:55:56 > 0:56:01And my wife looked out and said, "This guy is in trouble. He's drowning!"
0:56:01 > 0:56:04So we clambered over the rocks, the tide was coming in.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08I held onto his legs, and he grabbed this guy by the hair
0:56:08 > 0:56:10- and we both pulled him out.- Wow.
0:56:10 > 0:56:17This poster came from him as a thank you present for having rescued him from drowning.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20And to me, it was a great joy.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23What can I say? Paul Nash was a war artist in the First World War.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26He worked for the air ministry in the Second World War.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29He was a great advocate of British modernism.
0:56:29 > 0:56:34He really pioneered the surrealist thing in the 1920s. Pushed it to the forefront.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36- Yep.- It's rather a large furnishing picture.
0:56:36 > 0:56:37I could see this in a big studio.
0:56:37 > 0:56:41Right. That's why we're going to sell it, cos our sitting room wall is too small for it.
0:56:41 > 0:56:46- If we put this into auction, I'd like to put it in at 1,000 to £1,500.- Right.
0:56:46 > 0:56:51Lot 312 is the Paul Nash.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53900. 920 there.
0:56:53 > 0:56:57940. At 940. 960, if you like. 960.
0:56:57 > 0:56:59- Getting there.- 980.
0:56:59 > 0:57:021,000 and 50 now. Sure now.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04At 1,000.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07He sold it at 1,000. We got it just at the bottom end.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10- That's all right.- We're happy. - Absolutely fine. Absolutely fine.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14It was a success for me. It was a telephone bid. Obviously a collector
0:57:14 > 0:57:17who'd seen it on the internet and wanted it.
0:57:17 > 0:57:23So with the cash, Douglas was on the hunt for smaller Paul Nash works.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27I keep a lookout all the time for stuff to do with Paul Nash.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29But it's hard to come by these days.
0:57:29 > 0:57:34What I've focused on is getting graphic work of his.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37Limited edition books, limited edition pamphlets and so on
0:57:37 > 0:57:40which contain his work, contain his writing.
0:57:40 > 0:57:45The money we earned from Flog It went partly towards getting this.
0:57:45 > 0:57:50In its time, this must have been absolutely extraordinary
0:57:50 > 0:57:53because it was before abstract art,
0:57:53 > 0:57:56it was before people painted canvases black and white.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59It's really unlike most of his work
0:57:59 > 0:58:01which is surrealist in places
0:58:01 > 0:58:03but also representational.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07So he obviously just took out the feeling of Genesis,
0:58:07 > 0:58:10the feeling of what he read
0:58:10 > 0:58:14and then translated it into very, very simple powerful images.
0:58:14 > 0:58:19It's one of the most extraordinary books ever published, I think, by an artist.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21Certainly in that era.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24Now, that's a truly passionate collector for you,
0:58:24 > 0:58:28trading in one piece to expand the overall collection.
0:58:29 > 0:58:33That's it for today's show. I hope we've given you some food for thought.
0:58:33 > 0:58:37Join me again soon for more inside information and surprising sales.
0:58:37 > 0:58:39But until then, it's goodbye.
0:59:03 > 0:59:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd