0:00:07 > 0:00:09Have you got more stuff in there?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11- No, that's my lunch. - Is that your lunch?
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Probably all rubbish.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14OK, next, please.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16- Have you seen anything nice yet? - I'm not telling.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17It's been well over ten years
0:00:17 > 0:00:20since you first started coming to our "Flog It!" valuation days
0:00:20 > 0:00:23and during that time, we've seen, valued and sold
0:00:23 > 0:00:26thousands of your unwanted antiques and collectibles
0:00:26 > 0:00:28and I've discovered there's so much more to learn
0:00:28 > 0:00:31about the world of fine art and antiques that we all love,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34so if you want to know more, you've come to the right place.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Welcome to Trade Secrets.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09The antiques trade is obviously built on buying
0:01:09 > 0:01:12and selling objects that are pleasing to the eye.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18An item's form is often more crucial that to its value than its function.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21I can appreciate that they are beautiful. I love the enamelling.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25There are, of course, exceptions to this general rule.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And one of those is the market for scientific instruments.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34But it is a complex area and finding profitable pieces can prove
0:01:34 > 0:01:36challenging to even the most seasoned collector.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41So today we are sorting out the wheat from the chaff.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Coming up, Philip gets to grips with some weird science.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- No.- It is no more than about 100 volts.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Hold these while I give you an electric shock.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52This will make you laugh, Dorrie!
0:01:52 > 0:01:54HE LAUGHS
0:01:54 > 0:01:57We hit upon the right formula in the sale room.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Wasn't that good? Wasn't that good? - Amazing!
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Everybody is giving you a round of applause in the auction room.
0:02:05 > 0:02:06Wow!
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- And Adam shares his own brand of auction using Alchemy.- There we go.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16All of that costume jewellery, not gold.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23We see lots of instruments of a scientific nature
0:02:23 > 0:02:26turning up at our Flog It! valuation days.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Marvellous compasses and barometers and slightly rarer items,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32such as microscopes and sextants.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36So, which scientific instruments should you be looking out for?
0:02:36 > 0:02:40A good entry-level piece for a collector of instruments
0:02:40 > 0:02:43might be a simple, extending telescope that you can pick up.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46They were made in large quantities, end of the 19th century
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and you can pick up a decent telescope for £50.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Microscopes, that often came in big cases,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55they would have a number of eyepieces and slides
0:02:55 > 0:02:57and things that went with them
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and lots of individual accessories like tweezers -
0:03:00 > 0:03:04people like to see things in good, original, complete condition.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07You can pick up a barometer pretty cheaply today,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and what could be better than going off to work in the morning,
0:03:10 > 0:03:11walking down the hall
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and just tapping the barometer as you pass.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16I think there's something charming about that.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19The pitfalls with early scientific instruments
0:03:19 > 0:03:23are that they're being forged on a large scale,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25and very convincingly, by the Chinese,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and have done for the last five or six years
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and they're able to forge them to quite a high standard.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35So if you were at a car boot fair and someone shows you something
0:03:35 > 0:03:38that looks like an 18th century brass pocket dial
0:03:38 > 0:03:40and it's £30,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42it's probably come off the boat last week.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Back in 2004,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47an exquisite example of a pocket sundial
0:03:47 > 0:03:49thrilled two of our experts,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52who were confident it hadn't just come off the boat.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55The late, great David Barby had the pleasure of valuing the item
0:03:55 > 0:03:59whilst Charlie Ross wielded the gavel.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03As an auctioneer, you are always thrilled to see quality
0:04:03 > 0:04:05and dear David didn't let us down on this occasion.
0:04:07 > 0:04:13It is a lovely example of what we term as a pocket sundial.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17What is so good about it is the case, the original case.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Cardboard construction
0:04:21 > 0:04:25and then covered in a fish skin that we call shagreen.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30The fact that it had its original shagreen case was wonderful -
0:04:30 > 0:04:37shark skin or fish skin case, sometimes stingray skin case.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38To have that - and, of course,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41the fact that it had still got its case -
0:04:41 > 0:04:46meant that the instrument itself was in such good condition.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Inside, you've even got the original maker's label,
0:04:49 > 0:04:55which is "J Abraham - Optician, Bath."
0:04:55 > 0:04:58He actually made things for the Duke of Wellington,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01so the highest, highest order.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Early 19th century, workmanship was fabulous -
0:05:03 > 0:05:06you look at this thing, it's just superbly made.
0:05:06 > 0:05:12- Now, all the way around here, you have an indication of time.- Yes.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16So you adjust that section with this lever.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21This is the actual sundial section.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26When it's pulled up, it is always facing north.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30So once you've got the position north, the sun will shine,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34and on this scale here, you'll be able to tell the time.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37The ingenuity and the thought processes
0:05:37 > 0:05:40for somebody to be able to make something like that,
0:05:40 > 0:05:46that's A, accurate, and B, portable, and C, hard-wearing...
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It's really quite remarkable.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49If it goes up to auction.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54I think it's going to sell between...£500-£800.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Oh! Ooh!
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- It could go well over.- Really?- Yes.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01How does that feel?
0:06:01 > 0:06:02- That's wonderful. - Comfortable.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Comfortable!
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- I hope I'm right.- That's wonderful.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08So when it came to the auction,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12were the buyers as enamoured of the sundial as David and Charlie?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15It came as no surprise at all to me
0:06:15 > 0:06:17that by the time we got to the auction,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19we'd already had huge interest.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22People had, to a certain extent,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25shown their hand by booking the telephone.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Em...
0:06:27 > 0:06:30You wouldn't expect somebody to book a telephone
0:06:30 > 0:06:31to bid for something
0:06:31 > 0:06:34unless they were going to go at least up to your estimate,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36probably a bit more.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40The bid's now in the room at £1,400. £1,500, may I say?
0:06:40 > 0:06:421,500.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44No. 1,500.
0:06:44 > 0:06:461,600?
0:06:46 > 0:06:491,500 on telephone one.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54At 1,500, and I sell then at £1,500.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- Yes! How about that? - I cannot believe it!
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I cannot believe...
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- Wasn't that good? Wasn't that good? - It's amazing!
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Sale price was splendid.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07It certainly thrilled David,
0:07:07 > 0:07:12David was jumping around like there was no tomorrow when it sold.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16I can only say it must have been a tremendous auctioneer.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Modest as ever, Charlie!
0:07:17 > 0:07:21'I love it when we exceed everyone's expectations.'
0:07:21 > 0:07:24The bidders were clamouring to get their hands on the sundial,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28whose precision engineering was out of this world.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Sometimes, it's the more fun and frivolous item
0:07:32 > 0:07:34which can catch the eye of our expert, though.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37A "magneto-electric machine."
0:07:37 > 0:07:42And it says here, "For nervous" - that's me - "and other diseases."
0:07:42 > 0:07:46You've got this lovely little...almost like a fly wheel,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48that's cranked here, and that...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51You turn that round and round and round,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54but with this magnet, it creates an electric shock.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Picture the scenario, OK?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59You're feeling slightly unwell, just a little bit under the weather,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02and you book an appointment at the doctor's.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05And you walk in and he hands you these two brass things and says,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08"Hold these while I give you an electric shock."
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Then you plonk that...down in there.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16And you plonk that in there.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19And then you hold it...
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- I don't want my finger in there. - No, just...
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Look, do I look like I'd hurt you? - Well...I'm not sure!
0:08:27 > 0:08:29I think Pat was pretty sound,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33I'm not sure that Pat needed this device attached to herself,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35but...it's always a good threat, isn't it?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37If they start getting out of line,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40you can just threaten to crank them up to the machine.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43We should carry that around with us on valuation days.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Come on, now...
0:08:45 > 0:08:47This will make you laugh, Dorrie.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48HE LAUGHS
0:08:48 > 0:08:50There was no way I was ever going to hold those things.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Quite happy for them to have a go, and I'll crank it up,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57but, no, no...I don't like shocks.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- It's no more than about 100V, honestly.- Oh, no more than 100?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- That's all right, then. - You won't feel a thing.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Doesn't do anything, does it? - Nothing's happening, no!
0:09:07 > 0:09:11The Victorians did believe that the electric shock
0:09:11 > 0:09:15actually produced some sort of benefit for you
0:09:15 > 0:09:16and if you think about it,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19there's a certain electricity running through your body,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21your nerve endings. It operates muscles and the like.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24And I suppose that must all be interconnected.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25But it doesn't do it for me.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29I think, girls, that this is going to make probably £20-£30.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Put a reserve on it of a tenner
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and I just think someone'll have a bit of fun with it.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Medical instruments, or even items of torture,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39there's a massive area of collectability for these.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Now, our little electric shock machine,
0:09:42 > 0:09:47I think this was just a little...I've got to say,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49probably a Victorian gimmicky thing, really.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Enough to make your hair stand on end!
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Let's see what the bidders think of this.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54It's going under the hammer right now.
0:09:54 > 0:09:5710, 12, 15, 18, 20,
0:09:57 > 0:10:0120, 20 - 22. Five, eight, 30.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03£30!
0:10:04 > 0:10:07And bid two - 32?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11£30, the bid in the room, selling on £30, then...
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Yes, £30.- Well done, yeah!
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Shocked?!
0:10:15 > 0:10:16LAUGHTER
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Dorrie and Pat were absolute stars, you know, and for me,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22that's what makes a programme - very often,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25the contributor is more important than the item they bring.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27They were just great to talk to.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Whilst Dorrie and Pat's electro-magneto machine
0:10:30 > 0:10:32was mostly a bit of fun,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36there is, in fact, a huge market out there for medical instruments.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38'And many of the collectables we see on the show
0:10:38 > 0:10:41'are a darn side more grisly.'
0:10:41 > 0:10:43It's a field surgeon's kit.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Let's pick up the most obvious one, shall we?
0:10:46 > 0:10:47- The most gruesome one?- Yes.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49That is sharp,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and there's about seven teeth to the inch, there.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53That would rip through anything.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56It does make me feel slightly queasy, handling these. Ugh...
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Not the sort of thing that every house should have.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00But I tell you what,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03there are a lot of collectors that would be interested in this, yes.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05'Collectors of medical items
0:11:05 > 0:11:07'often tend to work in the field themselves -
0:11:07 > 0:11:11'think doctors, pharmacists, dentists and the like.'
0:11:11 > 0:11:14'But did any of them turn up to bid on the field surgeon's kit?'
0:11:14 > 0:11:17260, 270...
0:11:17 > 0:11:19280.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24280, I'll take a fiver, at £280 for the last time?
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- That's good.- 280.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Yes, £280.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31'And there are other medical collectables which turn up
0:11:31 > 0:11:35'at our valuation days. A good example is the apothecary cabinet.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39'If you're in the market for one, what do you need to consider?'
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Originality is vital.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43So if you've got an apothecary cabinet with
0:11:43 > 0:11:45its original maker's label,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48its original bottles, its original scales,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51its original weight, pestle and mortar,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55then it's going to be more desirable than one with replaced parts.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58'And the age, the size and the quality of the cabinet
0:11:58 > 0:12:00'are hugely important too.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06'Jethro Marles came across a fantastic specimen back in 2006.'
0:12:06 > 0:12:08It's a wonderful little cabinet.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10And of course you've got everything in here,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12all of the bottles are here.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16If we open up this drawer here, we've got the scales
0:12:16 > 0:12:18for weighing out your powders and all your chemicals,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20the funnel for funnelling it into the different tubes.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Date-wise, probably about 1870-1880, something like that.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Start me at 1,000. £1,000, someone?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29800 I am bid, 900.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- 1,000, 1,100, 1,200 here... - Quite exciting.
0:12:32 > 0:12:361,300 to move on, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- Oh, yes!- 16 behind, 17?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42£1,600, you're all done at £1,600.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47How it's gone down, £1,600, Katie!
0:12:47 > 0:12:50That is a fantastic result!
0:12:50 > 0:12:54'So if you're thinking of starting a collection of medical instruments,
0:12:54 > 0:12:55'make sure you do your homework.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58'Now, Caroline Hawley had to go back to school
0:12:58 > 0:13:02'when she came across an early type of calculator.'
0:13:02 > 0:13:06I have never seen a cylindrical slide rule for sale before,
0:13:06 > 0:13:10and I've been on the lookout since because, you know,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12it sparked a bit of interest in me.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14This is like the centre stadia line on your...
0:13:14 > 0:13:16this type of slide rule, that is that.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- That's where your answer comes up when you're finished.- Right.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21And this goes up and down to pick up...
0:13:21 > 0:13:24There's this notch in here where you pick up your numbers at the bottom.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Multiply by something, pick it up off that one at the top,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31and that's how you retrieve your answers,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33and this moves up and down that.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Lionel did try and explain to me a little bit,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37and I'm afraid I'm still none the wiser.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Years ago, my father tried to explain a flat slide rule to me.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Fortunately, calculators came in very soon afterwards
0:13:45 > 0:13:47so I didn't ever have to use them.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52This particular model is from 1927, and it was invented,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55the cylindrical slide rule, by Professor George Fuller.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59Professor George Fuller was Professor of Civil Engineering
0:13:59 > 0:14:01at Queen's University in Belfast.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06He patented the cylindrical slide rule in 1878.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10It's a magnificent instrument, very, very complicated,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13an extraordinary piece of engineering.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16As you can see, this is in a most beautiful box, a mahogany box,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19made by a very good London maker, Stanley,
0:14:19 > 0:14:25which was established in 1854, which all adds to the value.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I mean, it's a boy's toy, and it would look good,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30it would look quite fun and quirky on somebody's desk.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Not mine, I hasten to add, but I think it has a fairly limited market.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36'When it came to the auction,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39'Caroline combined the Fuller cylindrical slide rule with
0:14:39 > 0:14:42'a second, smaller sliding scale into one lot,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46'and put an estimate of £200-£300 on the pair.'
0:14:46 > 0:14:48I would not know how to use one of those.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51No, you were lucky, you were born in the push button age.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Two bids, I'm bid £210 exactly,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58at 210, at £210. 20 if you want it.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02At 210, 220, 230, 240.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- At £240... - Come on, come on, come on...
0:15:04 > 0:15:06At 240, then.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09You're finished at 240? Quite sure?
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Lionel, it's gone.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16The hammer went down just under mid-estimate at £240.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19'Caroline may not have known how to use Lionel's unusual
0:15:19 > 0:15:23'cylindrical slide rules but she obviously knew how to value them.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27'But it's not always that straightforward to put an estimate
0:15:27 > 0:15:31'on a scientific instrument, as Claire Rawle discovered.'
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- Well, hello, Florence.- Hello. - Nice to meet you, and you've brought
0:15:35 > 0:15:38a really attractive polished mahogany box here, haven't you?
0:15:38 > 0:15:40When it opens out, hey presto!
0:15:40 > 0:15:43A rather magnificent looking microscope in there
0:15:43 > 0:15:47with a huge collection of objectives. So, quite a superior item.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- Well, my husband bought it about 54 years ago.- So he used it?
0:15:53 > 0:15:54- He did use it, yes.- Right.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Yes, he used to go past puddles, do it in puddles.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- Pick a jar up and come home... - Oh, and take it home and look at it?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04..and then a drop of water on the slide and look through it.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Then say to me, "Come and have a look at this,"
0:16:06 > 0:16:08you know, and he was so thrilled.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It was a serious instrument, it wasn't a student's instrument
0:16:11 > 0:16:13because it had all those different objectives in it.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16It was a high-quality, beautifully made instrument,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18so it would have been used for somebody
0:16:18 > 0:16:21that was really into their science.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24You've also brought in a couple of rather nice boxes here
0:16:24 > 0:16:27of slides to go with it.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- Botanical subjects, mainly, aren't they?- Yes.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Yeah, and so they've got all their little cards and things there.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Nice sort of late 19th century ones.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38'Definitely, slides are worth looking out for, especially decorative ones'
0:16:38 > 0:16:42like these with those wonderful lithographic prints round the side.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44So if you see any slides like that, if they're in boxes,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46and they're always in very plain boxes,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49so always open up and see what's in there, definitely worth buying.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- I think an estimate of 300-500?- Yes. - Nice, broad estimate there?- Yeah.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Does that sound good to you? - I'm happy, yes.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01'Did auctioneer Stephen Hearn agree with Claire's estimate?'
0:17:01 > 0:17:04We've got a value of £300-£500.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Now, I know you've changed that, haven't you?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Yes, I've moved that on, Paul, because I think it deserves
0:17:09 > 0:17:11an estimate somewhere between £500-£700.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16'But had the auctioneer over-egged Florence's pudding?
0:17:16 > 0:17:19'Or did the bidders prove to be as keen as mustard?'
0:17:19 > 0:17:231,800 in the room. 1,850, new bidder.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- Some fresh legs. - 1,900, and 50. 2,000...
0:17:28 > 0:17:32..and 50. 2,100, and 50.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35'You get quite excited, you get caught up in it.'
0:17:35 > 0:17:37I mean, you go to auctions all the time, but it's great
0:17:37 > 0:17:38when something starts making money.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- 2,009. And 50... - This is incredible.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42£3,000.
0:17:42 > 0:17:443,1, 3,2,
0:17:44 > 0:17:463,3, 3,4,
0:17:46 > 0:17:493,5, 3,6. No?
0:17:49 > 0:17:52At £3,600 in the room.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57I'm selling, then, it's going down at £3,600.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Thank you, sir.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02That's a sold sound, isn't it? Wow!
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Florence, £3,600,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09everybody is giving you a round of applause in the auction room.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Wow.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13In the world of collecting,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16you're never quite sure what people are going to spend on things,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18and it's really exciting when it makes money.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Thank you, Claire.- Oh, thank you.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It's been an absolute pleasure. I'm so pleased for you.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26It was the sheer quality of the piece and the extensive
0:18:26 > 0:18:29and unusual range of accompanying slides
0:18:29 > 0:18:32that put Florence's microscope in a class of its own.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33But at the end of the day,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37the result was really down to two bidders in the sale room
0:18:37 > 0:18:39who were reluctant to let it go.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42So, what other scientific instruments can cause a stir?
0:18:43 > 0:18:47'If you're interested in pocket sundials, a good maker's name,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49'great condition and original case
0:18:49 > 0:18:52'will almost guarantee a sunny result.'
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- Yes, how about that? - Cannot believe it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58'If you own an instrument that's complicated to use
0:18:58 > 0:19:01'and could even leave our experts scratching their heads,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04'then please keep hold of the original instruction booklet.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07'You'll be doing a good deed to any future buyer,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10'and it may even bump up the sale price.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13'Medical instruments come in all shapes and sizes,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15'and items can start at a few pounds.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18'If you have the stomach and the pocket for it, you can progress
0:19:18 > 0:19:23'to those costing a few hundred or even a couple of thousand.'
0:19:23 > 0:19:25That is a fantastic result!
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Everyone on the Flog It! team has their own way of sniffing out
0:19:33 > 0:19:35quality antiques and collectables.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38But this show is all about getting you in the know
0:19:38 > 0:19:40so we've asked Adam Partridge to reveal
0:19:40 > 0:19:43the secrets of his success as a collector of fine things.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Most days in the course of my day job, running an auction house,
0:19:48 > 0:19:53I'm out on the road visiting people, doing valuations in their homes.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55You never know what people are going to show you
0:19:55 > 0:19:58so there are a few essential instruments or gadgets,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01tools of the trade that I need to take with me.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04And they are all contained in this little box here.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07And now I'm going to show you what those instruments are,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09so that you can take similar things with you
0:20:09 > 0:20:11when you go out buying or antiques hunting.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Well, I would say the most essential tool of the trade is the loupe
0:20:17 > 0:20:21or the eyeglass and being quite forgetful, being very busy,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23I have to actually get dressed in the morning and put one on.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I always wear one around my neck,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28which sometimes causes a funny, unsightly bulge in my stomach
0:20:28 > 0:20:31but there it is there, and obviously this is used
0:20:31 > 0:20:33for having a look at things in greater detail
0:20:33 > 0:20:35whether it be a gemstone, a diamond,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39a silver hallmark or any other thing that you might come across.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Bring the object close to you, right up to the eye
0:20:43 > 0:20:46and then you can very clearly see the hallmark.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51It's very useful for looking at silver hallmarks.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54And obviously some of them are very small
0:20:54 > 0:20:56such as jewellery ones,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00it's an absolute essential for any amateur collector of silver.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06When you're looking at a diamond
0:21:06 > 0:21:08you have a look under the loupe, you can weigh it.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11But another important and very affordable piece of kit,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15this is just a few pounds, it's a simple plastic diamond gauge
0:21:15 > 0:21:20and you sit your diamond through until it fits the right hole
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and there we go, that one looks as though it's 3.5 carats
0:21:23 > 0:21:25which is quite a substantial diamond, actually.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Typically, you'd have a set of these balance scales
0:21:29 > 0:21:32as well as digital scales for lighter things
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and you simply hook this around here
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and the silver is in troy ounces
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and that tells me that that is 17 ounces.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45If you're wondering what a troy ounce is,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47it's a unit of imperial measure
0:21:47 > 0:21:50which is most commonly used for weighing precious metals.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53One troy ounce equates to just over 31g.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01I have a device which blows pure air over watch parts
0:22:01 > 0:22:04to make sure that they are working correctly.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Rather than blow using your breath
0:22:06 > 0:22:09that emits moisture over the watch parts,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11it's much better to have pure air.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15I collect watches and take this to all the auctions.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17We often look at watches and pocket watches
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and things like that, and you need to open them up to have a look
0:22:20 > 0:22:22at the back of them to see what they're made from
0:22:22 > 0:22:24and any makers' marks etc.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27I tend to keep this thumbnail quite long.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29My son calls it my pocket watch nail,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31and I tend to grow that
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and dig it in and there you go, it normally works.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37But in the absence of a special long nail,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40a watch opener might be a good idea.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Lots of people use a penknife
0:22:41 > 0:22:44but a proper watch opener is a better tool to use
0:22:44 > 0:22:49because it's not going to scratch the material that you're opening.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53And what have I got here? There it is. What's that?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56It looks like a pen, doesn't it? But it's a magnet.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58What on Earth would you want a magnet for?
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Well, firstly when we're looking at bronzes,
0:23:00 > 0:23:05some bronzes are patinated cast iron to simulate bronze.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Bronze is not magnetic, cast iron is.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09A magnet is quite a useful piece of kit.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12It's also useful when you're looking through job lots of jewellery.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15For example, you've cleared a house
0:23:15 > 0:23:16and there's a whole drawer full
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and you think, "Oh, what's gold, what isn't?"
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Well, you go through it with your magnet - well, that's not.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Anything that's not is usually picked up by your magnet.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27This is telescopic, as well.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32There we go - all of that, costume jewellery, not gold.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Restoration of ceramics and porcelain
0:23:39 > 0:23:42shows up much better under a UV light.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46If you just see here, this torch really helps show up
0:23:46 > 0:23:50the fact that this handle has been replaced on this little cup, here.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52All these tools and instruments I've shown you
0:23:52 > 0:23:55are very accessible items, they're all easy to get,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57all pretty reasonable, as well.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59It's important to have a little tool kit with you
0:23:59 > 0:24:01when you're going out looking for antiques.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03It depends, of course, what you're interested in -
0:24:03 > 0:24:07different tools are suitable for different interests and disciplines.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08But it does give you that head start
0:24:08 > 0:24:10on the buyers that have come unprepared
0:24:10 > 0:24:12if you manage to spot the restoration
0:24:12 > 0:24:16because you've got a little UV torch, if you've noticed something
0:24:16 > 0:24:19because you've got your loupe with you and others haven't.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21It just keeps you that one step ahead of the others.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30The 18th century was a time of great interest in all sciences.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Now, expert Michael Baggott had a real treat when he met up
0:24:33 > 0:24:38with Linda at a valuation day near Lincoln back in 2012.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- Are you a collector of scientific instruments, Linda?- Well, not really.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I am a collector of older things.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48We've got, oh, that's marvellous, a drawing set.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Look at that, beautiful ivory rule.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Wonderful scales on it, and we've got the maker there,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57E Hulce & Son of London.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01I was given the scientific instruments by an old gentleman.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Erm, it was back in 1984, '85.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I've always sort of had a mathematical bias,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and so I was very interested in the instrument.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15It can be dated from the middle of the 18th century
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- up to about 1820-1830.- Really?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20I think this one, from the style of the instruments,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23probably falls at about 1790 to about 1800.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26'It sat on the edge of the bookshelf
0:25:26 > 0:25:30'for those...about 26 years,'
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and, erm, apart from the odd occasion
0:25:33 > 0:25:37when anyone expressed an interest in it, then that's where it remained.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42It was unused. Not unloved, but unused.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- I think we would put this at £100-£150.- I see.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- And we'd put a fixed reserve of £100 on it.- Right.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52And if it does well, what do you plan to spend the money on?
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Well, I am quite a keen walker and so I think I would put that
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- towards some walking in the Lake District.- Oh, that's marvellous.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04I'm set to go trekking to Everest base camp in October,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and so I need to get some practice in.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- So we'll be sending you up and round the mountain...- Hopefully.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12..when she comes! Thank you very much indeed, Linda.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15'So were we able to raise the money at auction
0:26:15 > 0:26:17'to send Linda hill walking?'
0:26:17 > 0:26:21At 95 bid, at 95 bid. 98 now, do I see?
0:26:21 > 0:26:25At 95 bid, are we all done at 95? So near, yet so far.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28At 95 bid, are we all done? I'm finished at 95. Last call, then.
0:26:28 > 0:26:3398 bid, do I see 98 bid? At 98 and 100, £100 bid.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36At £100 bid, at 100, 110 now, do I see? £100 bid. At 100...
0:26:36 > 0:26:38I would have been amazed if it hadn't have sold.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41At £100, any more bids?
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- Sale's gone down, did it. - Ooh, just, though, wasn't it?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Paul said that someone had bid on it from France,
0:26:48 > 0:26:53so I was really pleased that someone must really be interested in it
0:26:53 > 0:26:57and actually want it, and so I felt it was going to a good home.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Excellent, really pleased about that.- Bit of money towards the trip.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- Thank you, Michael.- It's a pleasure.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I suppose from a very early age I've been walking,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09but it's been more recent, probably the last ten years,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12when I've taken that interest up again.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I have walked in many places in the UK,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19but really felt that I wanted an even bigger challenge,
0:27:19 > 0:27:24and so decided to take the Everest base camp trip.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29It was absolutely special from beginning to end.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35The bridges over the gorges, the depth of the gorges,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37the snow-capped mountains,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40it was just so beautiful wherever you looked.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44The money that we made on "Flog It!" went towards
0:27:44 > 0:27:46one of the training ventures,
0:27:46 > 0:27:51where we went off to the Yorkshire Dales, and that certainly helped me.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56I feel very proud and humble in some ways
0:27:56 > 0:28:02that I managed to get to Everest base camp.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05I know lots of trekkers do go up there,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09but certainly feel that, erm, as an older person,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11that it was a real achievement
0:28:11 > 0:28:16to actually get to the top, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27If you need to raise some funds to achieve a burning ambition,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31you know where to find us, a "Flog It!" valuation day.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32Well, that's it for today's show.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Do join us again soon for more Trade Secrets.