0:00:03 > 0:00:05For many years now,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08you've been coming along to our valuation days, laden with
0:00:08 > 0:00:12antiques and collectibles, putting our experts through their paces.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14You can sell this in your pyjamas on a Sunday.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I don't know anything, do I?
0:00:16 > 0:00:18And during that time,
0:00:18 > 0:00:22we've all learned a great deal about the items we've valued and sold.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Now we want to share some of that information with you,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29so if you want to know more, you've definitely come to the right place.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This is Trade Secrets.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02The British have a great tradition of industry and craftsmanship,
0:01:02 > 0:01:06but just across the water, the Continent has been producing
0:01:06 > 0:01:10equally exquisite items to inspire and fascinate us Brits
0:01:10 > 0:01:12for many centuries.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14The Flog It! team
0:01:14 > 0:01:17regularly get presented with items that have made their home
0:01:17 > 0:01:23here in Britain, so today's show is all about how to spot the very best.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27A whirlwind trip to the cold outer reaches of Europe
0:01:27 > 0:01:31takes in a camera that would delight any spy...
0:01:31 > 0:01:35It was a real kind of 007 "for the lady" thing, wasn't it?
0:01:35 > 0:01:37..an intriguing royal Russian saga...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39It's got tantalising clues.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42It would be lovely to think that it is part of that Romanov dynasty.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45..and we send Christina and Caroline on French leave.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47And no, it's not a booze cruise!
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Oh, my goodness! Are you serious? - Yes. Happy French hunting!
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- Do you like that?- Aw!
0:01:57 > 0:02:00There are many European items we expect to see at our valuation days,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02but more often than not
0:02:02 > 0:02:05you bring in something that takes us all by surprise.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Now, we may think we know a lot about the best Europe has to offer,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11but think again. There's always a lot more to learn.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14If you were going to formulate a collection of European items
0:02:14 > 0:02:18you'd sort of think, well, Venice is great for Italy and the Dresden area
0:02:18 > 0:02:21for porcelain, and I would just say to you, try
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and make your collection as broad as possible.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27You should always go to antiques shops when you're on holiday.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Oh, wow. I always do busman's holidays myself, you know.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I think it's great.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34If you're interested in European collectibles, as Philip says,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38it doesn't have to be all about the classics.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41There are more unusual pieces that are worth a shot.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Adam found a snappy little number that wouldn't have been
0:02:43 > 0:02:46out of place in 007's kitbag.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Anne's little vanity camera.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53It was a real kind of 007 "for the lady" thing, wasn't it?
0:02:53 > 0:02:58- If we press that button there, we've got a compact.- That's right.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And in here, this one comes out for your lipstick.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04'I mean, how many times have you had a picture taken and thought,'
0:03:04 > 0:03:07"Let's just have a quick zhuzh-up before we have the picture done."
0:03:07 > 0:03:10I think it was a great, ingenious thing.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15- That pops out and there is the camera.- That's it.- Isn't that cute?
0:03:15 > 0:03:21Really lovely. So it was made in the mid-1950s. German-made.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24And I believe the firm also made lighters in the same way.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Lighter-cameras and musical cameras as well.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31A really good and rare novelty item. I was very excited to see that.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33I don't think I've seen one in the flesh before.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Any idea what it's worth?- 200? - I think that's a pretty good guess.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38I would prefer to put it slightly less,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- if you're agreeable, to put 150 to 250 as the estimate.- Yeah.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- And a reserve of 150, so it doesn't go for less.- Yeah, that's fine.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Thanks for bringing it in. It's a lovely little item.- Thank you.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Would Anne's compact Petie camera realise a petite price?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55One of my favourite lots today.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57German Petie vanity camera.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Will you start me at £100?
0:04:01 > 0:04:06110. 120. 130. 140. 150.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10150. Any advance on £150?
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- All done at 150? 150... - SHE BANGS GAVEL
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Hammer's gone down. That's sold.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17I think someone had a real bargain there.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I thought it might have made a bit more than that.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Never mind, Adam.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Some lucky buyer got a two-for-one deal at a compact price too.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Definitely Germany's a great source of vintage cameras.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Fantastic engineering in everything they produced, I think,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and of course, the most famous name in cameras, the Leica cameras,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38were also of German manufacture.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42While Germany can boast first-class modern optics, James Lewis found
0:04:42 > 0:04:48a French gem from three centuries earlier that was just as ingenious.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51John Butterfield, when he was working in Paris in the late
0:04:51 > 0:04:5717th century, around 1680, 1690, invented the Butterfield dial.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59And that is what we have here.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04The idea is that we have this little section here called the gnomon,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06which works in the same way as a sundial.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08You lift that up,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12so that it points directly into the air at a right angle
0:05:12 > 0:05:17and you use the compass to point it in the right direction
0:05:17 > 0:05:22and you will see that it casts a shadow over the time.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24But this isn't a piece of equipment
0:05:24 > 0:05:27that you could have travelled around with
0:05:27 > 0:05:30because the angle of the gnomon here
0:05:30 > 0:05:33is particular to the angle of longitude
0:05:33 > 0:05:35of the town that you are in.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37The lovely thing also...
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- is in its original fitted case. - SHE GASPS
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Have you never taken it out?- I've never taken it out.- Haven't you?- No.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45'If that had been in my home,'
0:05:45 > 0:05:47I think it would be just
0:05:47 > 0:05:50about the first thing that I would have done, is to open the case,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54take it out, look underneath, but I'm always fiddling with things.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Simon Beauvais. Maker.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03So some time, probably...
0:06:03 > 0:06:07300 years ago, approximately,
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Simon Beauvais was sitting in his little workshop, making this.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Wow!
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I thought, Simon Beauvais? Never heard of him.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Never heard of him. So I thought, I'll look him up online.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21Couldn't find anything.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Looked in the clocks and watches reference books,
0:06:24 > 0:06:25couldn't find anything.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29So he just can't have been a very prolific maker.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32He obviously just made the odd thing.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35And if he made more, they're not recorded.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37It's worth 300 to 500.
0:06:37 > 0:06:38Wow!
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- It's a good little thing. - It's a lovely little thing!
0:06:42 > 0:06:45James and I thought this was just so beautiful,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49we didn't care if it wasn't by a renowned European watchmaker.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53We did care that neither of us could buy it.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55If the rules were that we could bid on these things...
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- I'd be bidding against you. - ..it would be us two.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Fighting over it!
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Here we go.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06A little Butterfield brass pocket sundial. £600?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09400? Will you start me at 300?
0:07:09 > 0:07:11200?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13200 bid.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16220. 240.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17260. 300.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19320.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- It's sold.- 380.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Any advance on 380?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- 400, back in.- Come on!
0:07:26 > 0:07:31At £400. Any advance on 400? All done at 400.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- 400... - SHE BANGS GAVEL
0:07:33 > 0:07:35£400. It's gone.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The precision of the sundial was clear,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41but sometimes the attraction of a piece is less obvious.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Philip came across a painting from Europe
0:07:44 > 0:07:46that wasn't quite what it seemed.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- This is just absolutely lovely. - I've always liked it.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- So this is a painting? - I think so, yes.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59- It is and it isn't.- Right. - Because it's a porcelain plaque.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01So let's just move that over.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04So now...we have here this really
0:08:04 > 0:08:09wonderful 19th-century painting on a porcelain panel.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12And it's of a sort of young girl, looking quite wistful,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14with this landscape beyond.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16'The thing about that plaque was, anyone can paint a face,'
0:08:16 > 0:08:19anyone can paint eyes. Look at the hands and the feet.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Now, I want you now to have a look at that girl's fingers
0:08:22 > 0:08:23and her fingernails.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25That's painting.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29But the mark that we're looking for is KPM.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32And that's the sceptre mark which you can just see
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- impressed into the porcelain. - Right.- And that is the best.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38It's the King's Porcelain Manufactory. KPM.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Actually it isn't really that,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44that's the sort of English version, but I can't pronounce the real one.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48They just produced the finest-quality porcelain plaques.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52So if this were to make £100 to £200 at auction, that would be good?
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- No, I wouldn't sell it for that. - You wouldn't?
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I'd rather keep it because it's more sentimental value.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59What about sort of 300 to 500?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Is that sort of getting closer to the mark?- No.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05You're absolutely right, cos I think at auction...that you could
0:09:05 > 0:09:09estimate it at probably £1,200 to £1,800.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- OK.- So what I want to know is, if this makes £2,000, Celina,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17what are you going to spend the money on?
0:09:17 > 0:09:18A horse.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20A horse. Is that a definite horse?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Or a maid.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- Or a maid. - Or a day out shopping in New York.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28A day out shopping in New York.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- So you don't want much, really, do you?- No.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35I'm with Celina part of the way, you know? Horse? Not really for me.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37A trip to New York sounds great. And a maid?
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Well, I'm not going to go there.
0:09:39 > 0:09:45Lot 566 is the very beautiful 19th-century KPM porcelain plaque.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48What may I say for that to start me? What do we say?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51About £1,500 to start me? £1,500 to put me in?
0:09:51 > 0:09:541,500, may I say? 1,500 with Mervin.
0:09:54 > 0:09:571,600 at the back. 1,700 you want now?
0:09:57 > 0:10:011,700 with Mervin. 1,800 in the room.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03£1,800 bid.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06It certainly seemed as if Celina would get one of her three wishes.
0:10:06 > 0:10:102,800. Still there at 2,800 in the room. 2,800.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13This is great! This is great! They absolutely love it!
0:10:13 > 0:10:153,000 bid. 3,100?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18At £3,000 in the room...
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Last call against you, selling at £3,000 then...
0:10:21 > 0:10:23HE BANGS GAVEL
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Bang! That hammer's gone down. £3,000!
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Whenever you pick up a porcelain plaque
0:10:28 > 0:10:31and it smells quality at you, you're always hoping that
0:10:31 > 0:10:34when you turn it over you've got that impress KPM,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37because that just adds the gold seal, that's the standard.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39And they're quality things.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42They're a quality item, so you don't see them every day,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46but it does make your heart skip a beat when you do see one.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51KPM stands for Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, by the way.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55And that painting was a very unusual example of European fine art
0:10:55 > 0:10:56at its best.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00When we talk of Europe, we think about the countries we've seen
0:11:00 > 0:11:04so far, but what about the vast territory that straddles both Europe
0:11:04 > 0:11:07and Asia and which is attracting growing attention from collectors
0:11:07 > 0:11:09and dealers alike?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12You've probably heard of Carl Faberge,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15who designed jewellery for the Russian royal family.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Well, he had a lesser-known competitor whose works also
0:11:18 > 0:11:21made it to these shores more than a century ago.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Works like this cutlery set, spotted by Charlie Ross.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Well, we've got a name on here, haven't we? Joseph Marchak.- Yes.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31And what can you tell me about that?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I gather that he was known as the Cartier of Kiev.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- I love that expression. He was the Cartier of Kiev.- Yes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42And I'm told also that Marchak made cutlery for the Tsar.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Oh, right.- So, he was the business, really.- Yes, so he was high-class.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52If you happen to be of a certain standing, social standing,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56economic standing, you want something made, you want it
0:11:56 > 0:12:00made by the best, and if not the best, certainly the second best.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02You don't want it just knocked out.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05You want to say to people round the dining table,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07"This was made by Marchak."
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- And this one here? - What a marvellous question.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Caviar. You'd have to be... I think that one possibly for caviar.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19You'd have to be a multi-billionaire to use that one for caviar.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- I just wondered about that. - I've had a chat with a colleague
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- and we think £800 to £1,200 is a sensible estimate.- Mm-hm.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31But to be absolutely certain I'm going to ring up Kate Bateman
0:12:31 > 0:12:34and ask her to do a little bit more research,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- so that we don't get it wrong. - Right.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38There is a chance that we've undervalued,
0:12:38 > 0:12:43so at the moment it's 800 to 1,200, reserve 800 with discretion.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44OK.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Thank you for bringing such an interesting piece of history along.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Thank you very much indeed.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51What did Kate's detective work uncover?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Marchak are still going, so we contacted Marchak
0:12:54 > 0:12:56and they got quite interested and said there's no record of this,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59but they fled the revolution themselves and moved to Paris,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01so they lost a lot of their records.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Clearly, it's solid silver, it was made for somebody who had some money
0:13:04 > 0:13:07and was fairly influential and liked to show off their wealth.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Whether or not that was somebody connected to the royal family
0:13:10 > 0:13:12is very hard to prove.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14The mystery continued.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Many of today's Russians are keen to reclaim their pre-revolutionary
0:13:17 > 0:13:20heritage, so when it came to auction,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23would they gamble on a royal connection?
0:13:23 > 0:13:28Let's start at £1,000. Straight in.
0:13:28 > 0:13:301,100 here. At 1,100. 1,200.
0:13:30 > 0:13:331,300. 1,400.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- Good.- 1,500.- Come on.
0:13:35 > 0:13:3716.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38- 17.- Halfway.
0:13:38 > 0:13:4018. 19.
0:13:40 > 0:13:412,000? 2,000.
0:13:41 > 0:13:422,100.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45'It went right through the top estimate,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47'so clearly the bidders weren't playing Russian roulette.'
0:13:47 > 0:13:494,900.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- 5,000.- (My valuation was wrong.)
0:13:52 > 0:13:545,200.
0:13:54 > 0:13:555,300.
0:13:55 > 0:13:575,400.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59At £6,000.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02The underbidder, I knew, was Russian.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06I had spoken to before the sale. She had rather pooh-poohed it.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Whether she was trying to pull the wool over my eyes, I don't know.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13She'd said, "This isn't the quality I was expecting.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15"I'm not really interested." And then proceeded to
0:14:15 > 0:14:18sit in the back of the room and bid her socks off!
0:14:18 > 0:14:20I was a bit surprised by that.
0:14:20 > 0:14:227,000.
0:14:22 > 0:14:247,000. 7,100.
0:14:24 > 0:14:267,200.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- At 7,200. You're sure? You've finished?- Yeah.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Cracking result.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32One last chance to think about it, madam.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35At £7,200, on the phone. Done at 7,200.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- 7,500. - GASPS
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Unbelievable!
0:14:39 > 0:14:407,500.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42At 7,500.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44At 7,500.
0:14:44 > 0:14:457,600.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Down here at 7,600. - This is what auctions are all about,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50when it goes like this. You just can't beat it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Incredible tension.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Here at 7,600. 7,700?
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Goes, then, at £7,600.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00HE BANGS GAVEL Yes! £7,600!
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- APPLAUSE - Thank you.- Well done!
0:15:06 > 0:15:08But did it go back to Russia?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11It was a local person who was looking for things to buy
0:15:11 > 0:15:14as an investment and just thought that that might be
0:15:14 > 0:15:18a good investment, and I think probably right.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22There is a finite amount of Faberge and Cartier,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24and when these things come on the market
0:15:24 > 0:15:28they tend to be only available to the deepest of pockets,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31so go for Marchak.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33A full set will be beyond most of us,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37but if you chance upon even a single piece by Joseph Marchak,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41the Cartier of Kiev, you'll have found some real Russian quality.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45So what's in a name? We're familiar on Flog It!
0:15:45 > 0:15:47with many of Europe's classic makers,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51but each country has its own unique artistic heritage, so delve
0:15:51 > 0:15:55a little deeper, there's a wealth of lesser-known treasures to be found.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Petie cameras are perfect entry-level cameras,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02but if you're into serious makers look for German engineering
0:16:02 > 0:16:07brilliance, with names like Zeiss and Leica, and check your attic.
0:16:07 > 0:16:14This long-overlooked Leica Lexus I sold in 2012 for a massive £600,000.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But if you simply fall in love with something particular to an area
0:16:17 > 0:16:20you can overlook the name and enjoy it for what it is -
0:16:20 > 0:16:23fantastic European craftsmanship.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31You're always telling us about the hidden treasures you manage to
0:16:31 > 0:16:35unearth at your local car-boot sales and flea markets.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39But to be fair, more and more people are getting wise to that, and
0:16:39 > 0:16:43the bargains are definitely thinner on the ground, so what can be done?
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Caroline Hawley thinks the answer lies across the Channel.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Fellow expert Christina Trevanion wonders if there's anything there
0:16:49 > 0:16:51that will float her boat.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Caroline, you called me a couple of weeks ago.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00There was something about France,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03there was something about shopping, there was definitely something about
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- pain au chocolat...- Yes. - I'm intrigued.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Tell me where we're off to.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- You've heard of the booze cruise, Christina?- Yeah.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Well, this is more of an antique collectible hunting cruise
0:17:12 > 0:17:14and it's so doable.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Six hours from Portsmouth to Caen, and an hour from there is
0:17:18 > 0:17:21one of my favourite shopping experiences in France.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- A lovely antique fair in Lisieux. - Brilliant.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27And you will love it. You will love it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- You are going to have to seriously put a padlock on my wallet.- I know!
0:17:32 > 0:17:36I'm a bit worried about letting those two loose in France.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38After the ferry,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42they travel across Normandy by car to the town of Lisieux to visit
0:17:42 > 0:17:46one of the regular antique markets, or brocantes as they're called.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49What a feast for the eyes. This is amazing.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Do you like it? - It's just so beautiful, isn't it?
0:17:52 > 0:17:55First, Caroline wants to show Christina something
0:17:55 > 0:17:58quintessentially French.
0:17:58 > 0:18:06THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Christina, it's an armoire marriage.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11What does an armoire... It's a cabinet, a wardrobe.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12It's a sort of wardrobe, yes.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14But it's from this region.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:18:17 > 0:18:21La Ferriere. 45km from here.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- And all carved by hand.- Wow.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25And it's the middle of the 19th century.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- The price... Le prix... - How much would it cost?
0:18:31 > 0:18:37- It's 1,990 euros, which is about £1,700.- Just shy of £1,700?- Yeah.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39That is quite a lot of money.
0:18:39 > 0:18:45- It's a lot of money, but for the quality.- I think it's beautiful.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48I was thinking more along the lines of we might buy a little bit of
0:18:48 > 0:18:51jewellery or something slightly that...we can slip in our suitcase
0:18:51 > 0:18:54rather than a rather large...
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- We'll go look for some smaller things.- OK.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04Well, I don't think you'll be getting that one home on the roof rack.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Good-quality items have high price tickets.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10It is worth trying to negotiate, though,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13because they're very amenable to negotiation,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16but the good things tend to command good prices.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19But there are lots of bargains to be had.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Look at this damask and the quality of it.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29The French spend such a lot of time at the table
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and these napkins are just such beautiful quality.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34And the initials on them,
0:19:34 > 0:19:40they would be embroidered by a young girl before she got married.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44So she would have her initials before marriage and then when
0:19:44 > 0:19:47she got married she would then put the initials of her married name.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Her beloved on.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- A set of 16. 68 euros for 16. - That's phenomenal.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- Would you pay more in a shop now for them?- You would, yeah.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00I mean, they're beautiful-quality damask.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02And that's...translates as about £57.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- And even better if you're an "AL". - Yeah, quite!
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Have to find a CT somewhere!- Yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I think they're really beautiful
0:20:10 > 0:20:12and I've been listening to everything you've told me
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and I think now, less looking, bit of shopping,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- I'm going to try and impress you. - Good.- Wish me luck.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- See you later. - See you later.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31I think this is really quite wonderful.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33It's not to everyone's taste.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It's really rather brash and really rather funky,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38but made by Baccarat, the glass firm.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41So often we see these back in the UK with just the glasses,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44we don't see it with the glasses, stand and bowl
0:20:44 > 0:20:46and the decanter as well.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Really nice. Very gaudy.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Like I say, not to everyone's taste, but great fun.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Look at this.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01I love my suits, and this is fabulous.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Wool, mohair, locally made.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12The skirt. This is so nice. But 50 euros. I don't know.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16It's gorgeous. It isn't Chanel, but it has that sort of look about it.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Chanel used a lot of this fabric, especially during that period.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21SHE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:21:24 > 0:21:28THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:21:29 > 0:21:34I've just bought the most fabulous suit, really lovely,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37for about £30, which is unbelievable.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42I mean, you cannot get a one-off suit anywhere for £30,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46and I will wear it a lot. I love it. It's gorgeous.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49The French are known for their style,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52so if you're interested in vintage clothing you've got a good chance
0:21:52 > 0:21:56of finding something very special in the home of haute couture.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00SHE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- Cinema.- Hollywood.- Yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06And Cleopatra. And how much would that cost me?
0:22:06 > 0:22:08SHE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:22:08 > 0:22:13- That's 30 euros. 3-0?- Yes.- Nice hat.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16What date would you say that was?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- That's rather lovely, isn't it? - Maybe '70s.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23It's comfy. I like it.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Have you got a mirror anywhere?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Oh, that's quite nice, isn't it?
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Christina had the Franglais down pat.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- So... - SHE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:22:36 > 0:22:37..for the deux?
0:22:37 > 0:22:39SHE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:22:39 > 0:22:4150.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I'd be happy with that. I think they're really nice pieces.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Thank you very much.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53I've come across these, which is more than just a carving set.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56There's actually this item here, which you put the leg of lamb in,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00so when it's hot it saves you from getting your hand burned.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Twist it up like this, which holds it firm,
0:23:02 > 0:23:07and then you can carve it with the knife, you've got the fork.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11And I think they're very stylish. They've got this Art Deco look.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14They've got horn handles, which isn't to everybody's taste,
0:23:14 > 0:23:19but they were fabricated pre-1947, so I'm OK with that.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23The gentleman said I can have them for eight euros,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26which is fantastic, it's about £6, so it's £2 a piece.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28They've got to be bought, haven't they?
0:23:28 > 0:23:31SHE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:23:31 > 0:23:33HE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Everything is just laid out so beautifully.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44The atmosphere is really relaxed and really chilled out.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Just really good fun, really good fun.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52My tip would be - absolutely bring a phrase book,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55try and learn your numbers, or at least have a pen
0:23:55 > 0:23:57and paper to hand, so that you know exactly what you're
0:23:57 > 0:24:01talking about when it comes to negotiating and dealing.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03It's so easy to come here.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07You can either do it as part of your family summer holiday,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10if you happen to be in France, or you can actually come over
0:24:10 > 0:24:14for a day trip or a long weekend, so it really is achievable.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18It looks like they found plenty to make their trip worthwhile,
0:24:18 > 0:24:23but don't forget, there's a six-hour ferry ride home.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27I've bought something especially for you, Christina.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Me?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- Oh, my goodness! Are you serious?! - Yes.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- You found some!- Happy French hunting! Do you like it?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Wow! Well done, you!
0:24:39 > 0:24:42I said to you this morning. Oh, I'm really touched.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44What a lovely memory of our trip.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- Aw.- Thank you so, so, so much.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- Right, come on. We've got a ferry to catch.- We're going to miss it. - Let's run.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Now, it's often the case that some of the visitors to our valuation day
0:24:59 > 0:25:01know more about their item than we do.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03And that's certainly the case of Christine,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06a regular to the valuation days up in the North of England.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10She had a lot to tell Kate Bliss about a very interesting
0:25:10 > 0:25:14pair of French brooches back in 2006.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15What have we got here?
0:25:15 > 0:25:17We've got some plastic jewellery.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21I love plastic jewellery, plastic brooches,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24but these are by a very special lady.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25- Lea Stein.- That's right.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27And what do you know about Lea Stein?
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- Only that she was from Paris. - That's right.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36Her husband worked in plastics and she experimented, I think magically,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39with the colours and the effects that only plastic can give you.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42In fact, when she was working from the '60s to the '80s,
0:25:42 > 0:25:46she was very little-known outside Paris, and it's only recently that
0:25:46 > 0:25:50she's gained really international recognition as a jewellery designer.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51'Lea Stein brooches, I do collect.'
0:25:51 > 0:25:55I collect other brooches too, but they're not my real passion.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58And I would say these ought to be anywhere between £20
0:25:58 > 0:26:00- and £40 each at auction.- Yes.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04So if you're happy with that we'll put them in with that estimate
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and hope that we've got a real collector there,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10like yourself, be prepared to give a good price.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Yes. I'd like that.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17I wanted to spend the money on my greatest passion, which is
0:26:17 > 0:26:20novelty salt and pepper pots, or cruets as I prefer to call them.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25The Lea Stein Paris plastic brooches in the form of cats. Rather pretty.
0:26:25 > 0:26:2920 to open. £20. 20 I'm bid. And 5.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- 30.- Oh, yes. There's interest in it, Kate.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34And 5. 40, sir. 40.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36And 5. 50.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38At 50. And 5.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39- Ooh!- At £55.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Are we all finished?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43At £55. First and last time...
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- Yes, great result.- Gone to a lady.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55I've now got, as of this week...
0:26:55 > 0:26:573,005,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and they're displayed all over the house.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05You've got sea life and seaside in the bathroom.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09The kitchen is mostly food-based.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I've got storybook characters.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14I've got pixies and elves.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16I've got a farmyard on here.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20And not on display, in here...
0:27:20 > 0:27:22are Christmas ones.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30I love them because of their immense variety, their colours,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32the feel of them, their smallness,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36and it gives you something to look for when you're out and about.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41I can go to flea markets, zip round the room, really,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45cos I'm only looking for things with holes in their heads.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Some of them seem to have distinct personalities.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56I've got this one here. I brought him from over there, actually.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00He's very realistic and it's absolutely beautiful.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04And it's so nice being surrounded by all these little people.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09The cruets aren't for sale because I just love collecting them,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11amassing them, really.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13I'm quite proud of the number I've got.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19And they're all listed in a book. I can't sell one.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22It would leave a gap in the list.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Well, that's the best thing about collecting,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29it's a never-ending process. You sell something, you buy something.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32But remember, always trade upwards.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34And if you've got something you want to sell,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42Well, that's it for today. Join us again soon for more trade secrets.