0:00:13 > 0:00:17Stand by for some more inside information
0:00:17 > 0:00:18from the Flog It! experts.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22We've got a wealth of experience from over ten years of valuing
0:00:22 > 0:00:23antiques and collectables.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27So, if there is something you need to know, you can find it right here,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29on Trade Secrets.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58In today's show,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01we're exploring how famous events can affect an item's value.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Coming up - some collectables relating to famous events
0:01:05 > 0:01:08get our experts hot under the collar.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Phyllis, I'm so excited to see all this.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16My heart begins to pound, I think, "We've got something special!"
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Charlie discovers that appearances can be deceptive.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23I just thought it was a ghastly tea service, to be perfectly honest,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and it was only when I turned a piece up that I realised
0:01:26 > 0:01:29the historical importance of it.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And we find out what difference provenance can make.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Now, if this was early 20th century, it would be worth
0:01:37 > 0:01:41a few or several hundred pounds.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44But because of the provenance, it's probably worth £20,000.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Well, they say you never forget where you were
0:01:50 > 0:01:52when you heard about a major event.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55The moon landings, for instance, or the death of a notable person.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Now, sometimes, these events are a good excuse to go out and collect
0:02:00 > 0:02:04associated memorabilia, which become quite valuable in their own right.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Just think of the huge amounts of money
0:02:06 > 0:02:10paid by the collectors for Titanic memorabilia.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15So, which events, past or present, are the ones to look out for?
0:02:15 > 0:02:18You know when you think back, and you remember
0:02:18 > 0:02:21where you were when something happened?
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I think, for me, that's when you realise
0:02:23 > 0:02:26that somebody great has died
0:02:26 > 0:02:30or something important has happened in world history.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33When a centenary or bicentenary of a certain event comes round,
0:02:33 > 0:02:38you tend to see a peak in the prices of items associated with that event.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42The collectable items are the items with the mistakes on,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44or the changes in dates.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48For example, Prince Charles and his second wedding to Camilla -
0:02:48 > 0:02:53there were two dates. Can we remember why the date was changed?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55The Pope had died.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Therefore, we had to move the wedding a few weeks later.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00So, the first date is always collectable.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Without question, anything to do with Nelson
0:03:05 > 0:03:10and the Battle of Trafalgar went wild at the bicentenary.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14For me, the next big one - Battle of Waterloo.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19Bicentenary 2015, anything to do with the Duke of Wellington,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22if you've got anything in the cupboards, bring it out in 2015.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Back in 2005, Mark Stacey found an item
0:03:26 > 0:03:31which commemorated the death of a very great Brit.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34What can I say about Admiral Lord Nelson?
0:03:34 > 0:03:37He was the superstar of his day.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40What an interesting item you've brought in to show us!
0:03:40 > 0:03:42It's a very interesting box.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46This year, particularly, because it's a little brass box
0:03:46 > 0:03:50made to commemorate the death of Admiral Lord Nelson,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53after the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55And, of course, it's the bicentenary this year,
0:03:55 > 0:04:00so if you're going to sell something with Nelson memorabilia, this is the year to sell it.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Nelson saved Britain.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05His publicity machine was fantastic.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10I mean, at his funeral they had entry tickets only.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15The man was a legend in his day.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18But what I like about it is that it's very nicely made.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20We have a portrait of Lord Nelson,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24and then we have a nice, classical Greek key border going around.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27And then on the bottom, we have "conqueror"
0:04:27 > 0:04:29and then the various battles -
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Copenhagen, as well as Trafalgar, of course.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36'The Battle of Trafalgar was a definitive moment'
0:04:36 > 0:04:38in the battle against Napoleon.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Sadly, Lord Nelson died in that battle,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44which really created a superhero.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46And, of course, a lot of items would have been made
0:04:46 > 0:04:49to commemorate both the battle and Lord Nelson.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I think we should put a conservative estimate on it,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and a wide estimate of £100 to £200.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03150, 160.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07At 160. 170. 180.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10190. At 190. 190 with me now.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13200. 210. 220.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15At 220 in the room now. 220.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Are you all done now at 220?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- Happy?- Yes.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21'Everything proved right on the day, didn't it?'
0:05:21 > 0:05:22It was a lovely object.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The bicentenary of the death of Nelson.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30The two items coming together helped create a magical result.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34If you have an item at home that commemorates an important
0:05:34 > 0:05:38historical event, choose carefully the best time to sell it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Pick an important anniversary, if possible.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Back in 2007, James found some tickets
0:05:44 > 0:05:47from a very special American event.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Entrance to the opening of the Statue of Liberty.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57I mean, you don't get more of an iconic symbol of the US than that.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01We've cleared stuff out and dumped it in the roof and never looked at it.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06This hasn't been opened until about February this year, wasn't it?
0:06:07 > 0:06:12How on earth did it arrive in their attic without anyone knowing it?
0:06:12 > 0:06:17And then, with it, this wonderful history of George Washington
0:06:17 > 0:06:20and the Brooklyn Bridge in an envelope together.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24This is the invitation to the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- and the Statue of Liberty. - It's dated, you see.
0:06:28 > 0:06:311883 there, for the Brooklyn Bridge.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35And 1886 for the opening of the Statue of Liberty.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39The people of France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the US.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42It was designed by Frenchman Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46The Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world,
0:06:46 > 0:06:51and was seen as an engineering marvel of its day when it opened.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55It says "The trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge
0:06:55 > 0:06:59"request the honour of the presence of Mr Daniel Huntington."
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- Was that a relative? - No. Not as far as we know.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- Is that the same man as that on there?- That's Huntington, isn't it?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Ah, well, now, this chap...
0:07:08 > 0:07:12General Huntington was one of George Washington's generals
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- in the War of Independence. - Was he?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17And we're going through this, and it says,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19"Sample of George Washington's hair."
0:07:19 > 0:07:23My heart begins to pound. I think, "We've got something special!"
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Little piece of paper here that says, "Hair of General Washington.
0:07:28 > 0:07:35"The very string, ribbon that had bound his hair."
0:07:35 > 0:07:38And it's empty. Oh, no!
0:07:38 > 0:07:40The floor fell away.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41Where's the hair?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43It's been in the roof all these years.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Whether it's disintegrated, I don't know.- Oh, blimey.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48If only that had been there,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51it would have been just one of the most important
0:07:51 > 0:07:53'Flog it! moments ever.'
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Now, as a collection without the hair, it's going to be worth
0:07:57 > 0:08:01£300-400, something like that.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- As long as the right people know about it.- Yes.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Do you want to know what it would be worth if you can find the hair?
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- Go on, go on.- This might inspire you to go into your attic.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Somewhere between £7,000 and £10,000.- Well, I'm blowed!
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Really? As much as...?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- It's worth a grovel.- Yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Unfortunately, despite having a good rummage,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Vera and Michael were unable to unearth
0:08:25 > 0:08:26the former US President's hair.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30240. 260. 240 here, then. 260 anywhere?
0:08:30 > 0:08:35At 240, all done, then. At £240, all finished.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37240.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42I thought it was going to fly, but thank God it didn't sell, really,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46because I think it was the wrong place, wrong time.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We're not worried, Paul. We really wanted to get on your programme.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50Aww!
0:08:50 > 0:08:52We've enjoyed every moment.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55'If Vera and Michael still have those tickets,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58'I don't think they'll regret it.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02'The market has changed so much since live internet bidding.'
0:09:02 > 0:09:08I can't think for one minute that those tickets will end up staying in the UK.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11They'll end up selling online to an American collector,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15or an American dealer, and they will make double, at least,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17what they failed to sell for before.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20If you are selling an item with international appeal,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23make sure your auction house has an online catalogue.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28To get the best price, you'll need to attract global bidders.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Charlie didn't have this problem when he found some china
0:09:32 > 0:09:34with appeal close to home.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39On the face of it, Hazel, this is incredibly boring.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42'I had not attached the importance'
0:09:42 > 0:09:45to this item when I first saw it. I just thought
0:09:45 > 0:09:48it was a ghastly tea service, to be perfectly honest.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50It was only when I turned a piece up
0:09:50 > 0:09:53that I realised the historical importance of it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56So if we have a look at the bottom of one of these pieces
0:09:56 > 0:09:57it will tell us about it, won't it?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00It does say Cunard White Star under there.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Tell me where you got it from.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- It's from the Queen Mary. - Yeah.- The old Queen Mary.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11- The old Queen Mary.- And it was acquired somewhere along the line,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13and came into the family.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15I like the word "acquired".
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- When the Queen Mary actually went out of commission...- Yes.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22..certain parts and pieces left the ship
0:10:22 > 0:10:25before she went to be in America.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Cunard, one of the most famous shipping lines of all time,
0:10:28 > 0:10:33was started by a Canadian in the first half of the 19th century.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37And its flagship later on was the Queen Mary,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39which had an extraordinary career.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42It was launched, I think, in 1936.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Soon after that, of course, the War came,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and it was used as a troopship carrier.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Then it went back into service as an oceangoing liner
0:10:51 > 0:10:54and ended up, of course, in California.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58So it's had an extraordinary career, and to find something
0:10:58 > 0:11:02that had come directly from that ship is really quite exciting.
0:11:02 > 0:11:10The Queen Mary was kitted out in 1936. This was done for first class.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13So, it's the poshest of the posh Cunard.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18I suspect that when it finally was decommissioned and sold off,
0:11:18 > 0:11:23they probably kept a lot of the items on board,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27because now it's more or less a floating museum in California
0:11:27 > 0:11:31and it wouldn't be a proper museum without the items there.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34So I don't think there's that many things that have
0:11:34 > 0:11:36hit the market from the Queen Mary.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40If we look at one or two of these pieces, I'm afraid...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- It's well cracked.- Cracked.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Rough voyage.- Bad waiter.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46HE LAUGHS
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Bad waiter or a rough journey. How much?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Well, I'm supposed to be a valuer, but I haven't got a clue.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56I would say to you, I'd be very surprised
0:11:56 > 0:11:59if it got up to £100 and would expect, out of interest,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03if it's catalogued properly, £40-£60.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Here we go. For this lot, shall we start at £10?
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Interesting little lot for collectors.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- Five, 40, sir.- Look, we've got 40.
0:12:16 > 0:12:2145, 50. 60. Five. 70.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- 80.- This is good.- Five.
0:12:24 > 0:12:2790. Five.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30100. And 10.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32120. 130.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34140.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37150. No.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- £140 near me. Against you on the back... Going at 140. I sell.- 140.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43The hammer's gone down.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45I think there's only one answer to the question,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49"Why did it make so much money?"
0:12:49 > 0:12:52The estimate was wrong. I think I got it wrong.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Because I didn't know enough about it I erred on the conservative side
0:12:57 > 0:13:00and I think 100-150 would have been a better estimate.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Don't be so hard on yourself, Charlie.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07It was a lot of money for a few cracked plates and cups.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I think there's no doubt that if this had come on the market
0:13:10 > 0:13:13without the provenance of the Cunard line,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17it would have been worth £10 or £12, probably.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20You should never underestimate the lure of buying into a piece
0:13:20 > 0:13:23of glamorous history.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27The Queen Mary was the fastest and the best,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29and people have a great affection
0:13:29 > 0:13:31for this wonderful liner.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35Phyllis, I'm so excited to see all this stuff,
0:13:35 > 0:13:40because the Queen Mary was Clyde-built - a bit like myself -
0:13:40 > 0:13:44and, of course, the Queen Mary sailed
0:13:44 > 0:13:48from this part of the world all over the place.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Now, tell me, where did you get this stuff?
0:13:51 > 0:13:54My brother worked for Cunard line for 34 years
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- and he collected it through the years.- Uh-huh.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01He died ten years ago and it's been left to me.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Was a steward?
0:14:03 > 0:14:08He was in the stores, he was a steward, in the bar, everything.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12The Queen Mary is one of the icons of the 20th century,
0:14:12 > 0:14:18and it was the epitome of luxury -
0:14:18 > 0:14:21the fitting, the presentation,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25the cabins, the furniture that was in it
0:14:25 > 0:14:27was of the first quality,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and in the Art Deco style.
0:14:29 > 0:14:35And people have a great love and affection for this ship,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38which was the first of the great liners.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- Now, who have we got here, Phyllis? - That's Liberace.- Liberace.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46And we've got his signature.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49And we also have the gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55And a little later we have Cliff Richard and The Shadows.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59And on the back of this, we have autographs of that group.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04Is there any sentimental attachment to them, Phyllis?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Not now, cos every time I find them, I have a little weep, you know.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Ah, right.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Phyllis was a wee bit sad when she sold the items.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16I think there was a tear in her eye, and I can understand that.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19But she had thought about it beforehand,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22she had thought about selling it,
0:15:22 > 0:15:28and she had felt that to leave them in a drawer, unloved,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30uncared for, was not the thing.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35She wanted to sell them, to pass them on to a collector.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Would the famous names impress the bidders?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Start me at £200. 200 to start me.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46200 I'm bid. 220. 240. 260. 280.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49300. 320. 340. 360.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52380. 400. 420.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56430. 450. 480.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59480. The bidding's in front, 480.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03At £480, right in front of me.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Bang! Hammer's gone down.- Yes!
0:16:05 > 0:16:08That's good, isn't it? Thanks very much.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Memorabilia from the Queen Mary
0:16:10 > 0:16:14is greatly sought after by the collectors.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18What it showed us was a little time capsule of the Queen Mary,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22and this would be very appealing for the collectors.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Yes, it's certainly worth keeping your eyes open for items
0:16:25 > 0:16:28related to the Queen Mary or the Cunard line.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32But what else should you consider when buying or selling antiques
0:16:32 > 0:16:34related to famous events?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Items associated with Lord Nelson,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40a superstar in his own lifetime, are always popular.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44But if you are auctioning a collectable relating to a great Brit,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46choose your time carefully.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51An anniversary or a centenary will yield a bigger sale price.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Consider who is going to want to buy your famous-related item
0:16:55 > 0:16:56and where they are based.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59If a potential buyer is transatlantic,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02make sure you sell in an auction house that's online.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05And, finally, it's always worth exploring your attics
0:17:05 > 0:17:09or your cupboards - you never know what you might find.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I've been to many places with famous connections
0:17:16 > 0:17:17over my years on Flog It!,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21but, arguably, one of the most inspiring landscapes is the Lake District,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24where children's author Arthur Ransome
0:17:24 > 0:17:25created Swallows And Amazons.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Arthur Ransome was born in Leeds in 1884
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and spent three months every summer holiday in the Lakes.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37He was a boarder at Old College in Windermere,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41where his short-sightedness marked him out as a failure.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44So, for him, the holidays were a refuge.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46In 1924, after a career as a journalist,
0:17:46 > 0:17:51Ransome and his wife settled permanently in the Lakes.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55I've come to his former home to meet up with
0:17:55 > 0:17:57author and member of the Arthur Ransome Society
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Diane Janes to learn more.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02What were his passions and interests?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04His huge passion in life was fishing.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- Oh, well you're in the right place, aren't you?- Absolutely.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- You really are. - Plenty of scope for that round here.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- He also enjoyed sailing...- Yeah.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15..and he kept a small dinghy on Windermere during all his time here.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16Did he ever dream that he would be
0:18:16 > 0:18:18a successful author at the age of 40?
0:18:18 > 0:18:23Well, his hope, ever since childhood, had been to write books
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and, in fact, he didn't actually begin Swallows And Amazons
0:18:26 > 0:18:29till he'd been here for five years. So he was 45 by then.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Really?- So, in a sense, it was rather a make or break moment.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35He desperately wanted to get away from the journalism
0:18:35 > 0:18:37and actually write children's books.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45And his inspiration came in 1928, in an unexpected form
0:18:45 > 0:18:48when his old friend, artist and author WG Collingwood,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50introduced Ransome to his grandchildren
0:18:50 > 0:18:53who were spending the summer with him.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55The ensuing friendship with these children -
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Susan, Titty, Roger and Tatty -
0:18:57 > 0:18:59had a profound effect on Ransome's life.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03He took them fishing and helped teach them to sail,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06just as their grandfather had taught him, all those years before.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11He even bought them two sailing boats - Swallow and Mavis.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Months later, when the children's visit ended,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17they came here to Uncle Arthur's workroom,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19where they presented him with a goodbye gift -
0:19:19 > 0:19:21a pair of Turkish slippers.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27In return, Ransome decided to write a story for them
0:19:27 > 0:19:30to remind them of their holiday,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32and he wrote that story in this very room.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34And it was Swallows And Amazons.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46And, when it was finished, he decided to dedicate it to,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and it says here,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52"The six for whom it was written, in exchange for a pair of slippers."
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Can you sum up what you think the most enduring appeal of the books is?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I think one of the reasons that it's been such a success
0:20:06 > 0:20:09is that Ransome was an inclusive writer.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12The children feel that they're right there in the stories.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15You feel you're by the campfire or in the boat.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18He's also a very good describer.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23You get a real sense of the landscape and the people,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- and children just seem to really enjoy that.- Lock into that.- They do.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30And children, even now, are still reading them, which is astonishing.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- It is, really, isn't it? - It's been nearly 80 years in print.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Do you know, I want to be in the book now!
0:20:35 > 0:20:38I want to go on an adventure.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Ransome's inspiration came from the beauty and the magic
0:20:41 > 0:20:43of this stunning scenery,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47and his skill in weaving that into the exciting adventure stories
0:20:47 > 0:20:49has ensured the Swallows And Amazons books
0:20:49 > 0:20:52have never been out of print.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59We talk about provenance a lot on Flog It!,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03especially when it comes to relating an item to a famous person or event.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06But how do we know if that story's authentic?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Now, sometimes the value of an antique
0:21:11 > 0:21:13isn't just the intrinsic worth of the object,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15it's the story and the history behind it.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17And, of course, we call that provenance.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Now, an easy provenance,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23if you've got a written, verifiable history of the object,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25you can trace it back through historical documents
0:21:25 > 0:21:29and you know its journey and where it started.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Now, this piece of tribal art is a great example.
0:21:33 > 0:21:39First of all, stylistically, we know that it is a piece of Benin bronze.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44And the Benins, of course, were in what now we call Southern Nigeria.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46So, we look at this piece and we wonder,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49"Gosh, is it an old piece or is it not? How can we provenance it?"
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Well, you start to look at the colour, the patination,
0:21:53 > 0:21:59and it's got this wonderful sort of nutty-brown colour and this hue to it.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03And we know from the history of these objects
0:22:03 > 0:22:07that this is going to take it back beyond 1900.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11If it were 20th century, it would have a sort of
0:22:11 > 0:22:13brassy, greeny colour to it.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Then we look at one or two other things, as well.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Stylistically, is it correct?
0:22:17 > 0:22:18Well, it's of a queen mother
0:22:18 > 0:22:21and it would have been used as an altar piece
0:22:21 > 0:22:26to give prayer to in, probably, the Benin palace.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Now, if you start to look a little bit closer...
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Gosh, this is heavy so you've got to be very careful.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Just very delicately flip it over on its back.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41Now, what you want to see is the contours of the interior
0:22:41 > 0:22:44match identically the contours of the exterior.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49That, again, tells you that it is pre-1900.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52And again, we can add it to the provenance of the Benin tribe.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Now, you might be wondering,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58"What difference does it make if it's 19th or 20th century?"
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Well, with the Benin tribes,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05in 1897, we, the British,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09to go and teach a lesson to the king of the Benins,
0:23:09 > 0:23:10sent troops out there,
0:23:10 > 0:23:15and he was arrested and executed and his palace was ransacked.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18And items like this were looted and brought back.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23So, because of all the patination and the casting,
0:23:23 > 0:23:28we know it is from the period of pre-1897,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30ie before the palace was ransacked,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34and it makes it a very historically important piece.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37So, the good tips we've learnt - the patination, the casting,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40and know the history of what the object should look like
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and what they were used for.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44And that 1897 dateline
0:23:44 > 0:23:49makes all the difference to the value of an object like this.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Now, if this was early 20th century, it would be worth a few,
0:23:54 > 0:23:58or several, hundred pounds, as a decorative piece of tribal art.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02But, because of the provenance, and we know it is part
0:24:02 > 0:24:06of the King of Benin's Palace, it's probably worth £20,000.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Knowing an item's provenance can make the difference between
0:24:09 > 0:24:12it being worth a few pounds or a few thousand,
0:24:12 > 0:24:16so it always pays to do your homework.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21We're nearly at the end of the show and it's been fascinating
0:24:21 > 0:24:24to hear about all those famous events and people.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27But for me, it's you, the viewers, with your passion for antiques
0:24:27 > 0:24:31and collectables - YOU are the real stars of Flog It!.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Now, you'll all recognise this name - Whitefriars.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38The designs of Geoffrey Baxter are of particular interest
0:24:38 > 0:24:42to our Flog it! expert Anita Manning, who is a glass lover.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45So she was delighted when Georgina brought along
0:24:45 > 0:24:50a matching pair of glass vases to our valuation day in Bath in 2012.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56I'm Georgina Katanach, head teacher of Kenley Primary School.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I've no idea where the vases came from.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02They'd just been sitting on a shelf for a long time.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Georgina, these are a wonderful pair of tangerine pyramids.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Please tell me where you got them.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13I've...stolen them from the school.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16They've just been sitting on the shelf, doing nothing,
0:25:16 > 0:25:17and as head teacher
0:25:17 > 0:25:23I have taken the decision that we're going to sell them for school.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- How long have they been there? - At least 20 years.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29I've been at the school 20 years and they've been there for ever.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33They'd been around for ages and I hadn't noticed them really.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37A parent said, "I think they're worth a little bit. I've seen those on Flog It!"
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- And do you know what they are? - Whitefriar.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43I only know that because a parent spotted them.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45That's when I took them off the shelf
0:25:45 > 0:25:47and decided to start looking after them.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52I had Anita Manning on the day, and she was absolutely superb.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55She was so kind and very friendly and put me at ease.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01These things are very collectable. These were made probably 1968, '69.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I thought her advice was really useful,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08because I knew a little bit about Whitefriars but not an awful lot.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Late '60s, what we had was oranges and lime greens and shocking pinks.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Psychedlic.- Psychedelic!
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- Oh, it takes me back!- Me too!
0:26:20 > 0:26:24I would put an estimate of perhaps £100-£150
0:26:24 > 0:26:29on the pair. Would you, or would the school...
0:26:29 > 0:26:31be happy?
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I sure the school will be happy, the children will be happy.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Well, I'd just like to say to all the pupils at Kenley Primary School,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45I hope you're watching this and enjoying the moment here
0:26:45 > 0:26:46with Georgina and Anita.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48And I've just been given this.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50HE LAUGHS
0:26:50 > 0:26:53And I've just been given this.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58The auction was very exciting. I'd been to a couple of auctions before
0:26:58 > 0:27:01but never having sold anything, And it was a really exciting day.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05I had to sit on my hands so I didn't bid for anything.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08One, two, three, four, five, six on the book, which helps.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Six bids on the book!
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- We start at 120.- Yes!
0:27:12 > 0:27:14150. 160 I'm bid.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Any advance on £160?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19All done, then.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Selling with me, commission bid, on 160.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I was happy with the price that we got for it.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28I thought we'd get about £100,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32and I promised the children £100 whatever.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Short and sweet, wasn't it? £160, kids. That's good.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41The school council are going to spend £100 on toys for the playground.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44# I don't mind doing it for the kids
0:27:45 > 0:27:47# So, come on
0:27:47 > 0:27:52# Jump on board, take a ride... #
0:27:52 > 0:27:54All the children use the equipment.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56We have some in the infant playground,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58some in the junior playground,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and every now and then, the school keeper, Mr Thornton,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04goes up on to the roof to get them all back down.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08And we bought the big Connect Four. They love the challenge of that.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12And I am actually very good at it, as well.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I think if you find something you think is valuable,
0:28:15 > 0:28:21it's a great, fun day anyway to go along and get it valued,
0:28:21 > 0:28:25because who knows what's hiding up in our lofts?
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Well, I love the fact those children benefited
0:28:32 > 0:28:33from the sale of those vases.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37If you've got any antiques and collectables you want to sell,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41bring them along to one of our valuation days and we'll see what we can do for you.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42Well, that's it for today.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Join me again soon for many more Trade Secrets.