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 > 0:00:16Have you seen anything nice yet?
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- I'm not telling.- You're not telling!
0:00:19 > 0:00:20It's been well over ten years
0:00:20 > 0:00:23since you first started coming to our "Flog It!" valuation days
0:00:23 > 0:00:26and during that time, we've seen, valued and sold
0:00:26 > 0:00:29thousands of your unwanted antiques and collectibles
0:00:29 > 0:00:32and I've discovered there's so much more to learn
0:00:32 > 0:00:35about the world of fine art and antiques that we all love,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37so if you want to know more, you've come to the right place.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Welcome to Trade Secrets.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10In today's programme, we're taking a close interest in instruments,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12both scientific and musical.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16You bring us a great deal of both varieties to the valuation days,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20so today we are sorting out the wheat from the chaff.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Coming up, Amanda serenades Philip...
0:01:27 > 0:01:29I'll name that tune in one, absolutely!
0:01:29 > 0:01:33..head master Charlie gets firm with the Flog It contributors...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- He's being rude, can you put him off?- Yeah.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37We can't have him on Flog It!
0:01:37 > 0:01:41..and Adam Partridge shares some tricks of the trade.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43And that also has a built-in light.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Whenever I see a musical instrument at a valuation day,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55I can't help but smile.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57I absolutely love them.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Not only do they represent a pinnacle of human achievement,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04but they also reflect a nation's culture, language, art,
0:02:04 > 0:02:05politics, religion.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09So if music's your thing, what do you need to know?
0:02:09 > 0:02:12My tip would be vintage guitars.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15I've seen from some of the rock and pop sales that we've put on,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18prices and interest have rocketed.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22If you look at some of the Gibsons, Fender, Hofner,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25these things are just going up and up in value.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28If you've got a guitar that was John Lennon's,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30suddenly, it adds massive value.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33There is also a very strong market in concertinas.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Some people call them squeeze-boxes.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Those are the sort of things that you might be able to find
0:02:38 > 0:02:42in car boots and bric-a-brac shops where they've been discarded
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and some of them can be worth hundreds,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47even thousands of pounds, depending on which model you find.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Some of these instruments are valuable
0:02:49 > 0:02:51because people want to play them,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53so if they're not in a playable condition,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56you really have to be a specialist in the area, I think.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Ask Adam.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Yes, Adam shares my passion for music and we view him
0:03:01 > 0:03:05as our resident musical instrument authority here on "Flog It!"
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Our valuation day's instruments, from the run of the mill
0:03:08 > 0:03:12to the weird and the wacky, gravitate towards his table.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Wow, that was really good.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19But there's one musical instrument above all others
0:03:19 > 0:03:22which regular "Flog It!" viewers will associate Adam with.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26HE PLAYS HUNGARIAN DANCE NO. 5 BY JOHANNES BRAHMS
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I come from a violin-playing family.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Both my parents are professional violinists, I grew up around it.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34From being a baby, I thought that everybody did that
0:03:34 > 0:03:38and once I was five, I picked one up and started learning it.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40It's got a one-piece back, there.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Sometimes you have a two-piece back or a one-piece back.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46This is a one-piece back made from maple.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49On the front, there, we call that the table, violin people,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52rather than the front. That's made from pine.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Try to avoid cracks on the front, the table, or on the back,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59because a crack will affect the resonance and, therefore,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02when you get it set up and you spend your £100 getting your bridge
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and your strings put on, you'll hear this buzzing where the crack is
0:04:05 > 0:04:07and the sound quality's not very good.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Now, we always check the bows as well,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12because sometimes the bow can be worth more than the instrument.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Oh, right.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Let's have a quick look at that one.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- Horsehair.- Horsehair, yeah.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Bows, of course, are a separate art form on their own.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23They're made from pernambuco, a valuable Brazilian hardwood,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26they're often mounted in silver and ivory,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28they're often stamped with a maker's name.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30We've had bows make many thousands of pounds
0:04:30 > 0:04:33that have come in with violins that are worth 200 quid.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36You haven't got any special individual value with the bows,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38so this is pretty good condition.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40People looking at this will think, "Oh, it's no good,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42"it's got no strings", but it really doesn't matter.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44You can pick up a violin pretty cheaply, really,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46and even if it hasn't got the strings and the bridge
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and everything on it, people say,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51"Oh, it's no good, it's got no strings on it." Just not the case.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It's going to cost you £80-100 or something to get it all set up.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Inside, there's a label.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01I can just glimpse a label there and it says "M Costelli, Paris."
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- Luthier Artistique, 1895. - So it's French?
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- It's French.- Oh, right.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- She's smart, isn't she? - Yeah. Oh, yeah.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Now, this Costelli sounds like an Italian name.- It does.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18And the Italians are very well known for the finest violins.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21French violins are also quite highly regarded
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and then usually another step down to the German violins,
0:05:24 > 0:05:25which are more mass-produced.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Never really believe a violin label.
0:05:28 > 0:05:3095% will say Stradivarius in any way
0:05:30 > 0:05:33and they'll be a German factory-made violin
0:05:33 > 0:05:37on the lines and the models of the Stradivarius shape.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Costelli of Paris, I think, was just a name
0:05:39 > 0:05:42to make it sound more glamorous than saying
0:05:42 > 0:05:45"Made in Markneukirchen factory in Germany",
0:05:45 > 0:05:47which is where I think this was made.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50It was a slightly better quality German factory copy
0:05:50 > 0:05:53than any others, but I don't think...
0:05:53 > 0:05:57My violin books show no record of an M Costelli in Paris.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01This Costelli isn't a very well-known or highly regarded maker.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07- No.- So I'd go on the cautious end and I'd put 100-200 estimate.- Right.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- And put a reserve of 100. It's definitely worth £100.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14But did the bidders agree with Adam's estimate?
0:06:14 > 0:06:15475 online.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- 475?!- 500 on the phone.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21At £500.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23525.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26525 online.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Final call.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- At £525.- Slow down!
0:06:31 > 0:06:33All done?
0:06:33 > 0:06:34No second thoughts?
0:06:35 > 0:06:41£525! That ended in a crescendo, didn't it?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44In my view, it's worth maybe £200-300
0:06:44 > 0:06:45and I think it made a bit more
0:06:45 > 0:06:48because you've got speculators online and in the room -
0:06:48 > 0:06:51"Oh, a French violin's better than a German.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54"It's got an Italian-sounding name, Costelli, goodness me.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56"This might be something really exciting,"
0:06:56 > 0:06:59and, in fact, it wasn't that exciting at all.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01So it was a good price.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04The label may not have fooled Adam,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06but the bidders were obviously wooed
0:07:06 > 0:07:09by the Italian-sounding maker's name, Costelli.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13If you are considering buying a musical instrument as an investment,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15then please do take care.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19A large proportion of violins, for example, purport to be made
0:07:19 > 0:07:22by celebrated makers, but they are, in fact, fakes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25If you want the real thing, it will cost you dearly.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28There's only around 600 violins that survive today
0:07:28 > 0:07:31that were made by the great Antonio Stradivari.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36Now, one of those sold recently in auction in 2011
0:07:36 > 0:07:39for a staggering £9.8 million.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Now, Philip was in for a treat when he met Amanda,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46who knew what to do with her musical instrument.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48So are you an accomplished saxophonist?
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- Is that the term?- Not really, I can get a tune out of it sometimes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- You can get a tune? - Well, sometimes.- Sometimes?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- Is this going to be a "sometimes"? - Sometimes I make it squeak.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58Go on, girl, go for it.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02SHE PLAYS "CONGRATULATIONS"
0:08:05 > 0:08:07That's a bit of Harry Rodger Webb, isn't it?
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- That's the one! - Is that Congratulations?- It was!
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- I'll name that tune in one!- At least you recognised it.- Absolutely!
0:08:15 > 0:08:17People bring the strangest things,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20so I wasn't overly surprised to see a saxophone there,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23but I must admit, it is different from the usual massed ranks
0:08:23 > 0:08:25of Beatrix Potter figures
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and Clarice Cliff and all that sort of stuff.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Did you buy this?- I did, yes. - And did you save up?
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- No, I had to sell my bike. - You sold your bike?! Oh, that's sad.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- You sold your bike?- I sold my bike and I bought the saxophone.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45So you've had it all this time and now you want to get rid of it?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- Was it a phase that passed? - It hasn't passed, it's still there.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I just need the right saxophone so I can do it properly.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- That's not the right saxophone? - The fingering's different.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55They improved it?
0:08:55 > 0:08:57They actually improved it to make it easier to play.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Which now means that somebody who is used to teaching a new instrument
0:09:01 > 0:09:04finds it very, very difficult to teach you to play the old one?
0:09:04 > 0:09:06And I didn't realise this when I bought it,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08not that it would have made a difference,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10because it's just beautiful to look at.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14I put what I thought was a fairly low estimate on it,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16because I felt that if she thought
0:09:16 > 0:09:18that it wasn't suitable as an instrument,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20then other people would think the same.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24I think an auction estimate for this is about £80-120.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- Fingers crossed we get the top end. - I hope you're right!
0:09:28 > 0:09:30It's going under the hammer now, this is it.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- 260, 280, 300... - They absolutely love this.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- 320, 380...- We're hitting all the high notes right now.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40440, 460, 480,
0:09:40 > 0:09:46£500, to my left at £500. Are we all done?
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Yes! Hammer's gone down. £500!
0:09:50 > 0:09:52What are you going to put the £500 towards?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I'll probably get another saxophone, a tenor saxophone,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and lessons to play it.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59The proceeds of sale meant that she could go
0:09:59 > 0:10:03and buy an instrument that suited her and she could learn to play it,
0:10:03 > 0:10:04so what a great result that is.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Here's hoping Amanda's sax-playing skills
0:10:07 > 0:10:09have gone from strength to strength.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Now, over the years
0:10:12 > 0:10:14we've seen all manner of musical instruments on the show.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21But you've haven't just brought us your instruments
0:10:21 > 0:10:22which make sweet music.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Singing the blues, there.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28We've also seen fantastic examples
0:10:28 > 0:10:30of instruments which play back music too.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34In 2009, Charlie Ross was fortunate enough
0:10:34 > 0:10:38to stumble across one of the earliest prototypes.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- Shall we dance? - We shall.- Put the music on.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42Hooray.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I love your phonograph. How long have you had it?
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- About 55 years.- 55 years?! - Yeah, it was in the family.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- It was my father's, originally. - You inherited it, did you?
0:10:52 > 0:10:53From Father, yeah.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- You know who made it, don't you? - Yeah, Edison.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Edison, it's the Edison Gem,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59which was his standard model, if you like.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- It was. - First patented in about 1900.- Yeah.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06And this, I would think, dates from about 1910.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09It was completely revolutionary
0:11:09 > 0:11:13to have something that could reproduce...
0:11:13 > 0:11:17A, record and B, reproduce sound,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20whether it be the spoken word or music.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Thomas Edison really had come across something
0:11:23 > 0:11:26that's been dictating our lives ever since.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28What I really like about it -
0:11:28 > 0:11:31not only, obviously is the carrying case here,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34but that is the original sound box.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37It's a delight to see either a phonograph
0:11:37 > 0:11:41or a record player with its original tin trumpet
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and particularly with the original patination.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Sometimes they've been repainted,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49more often than not, they've been lost,
0:11:49 > 0:11:54damaged and thrown away and then you get a replacement one
0:11:54 > 0:11:55and that knocks the value.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59The absolutely marvellous, quirky thing I like about this
0:11:59 > 0:12:02is the original cord that held it up
0:12:02 > 0:12:07from the stanchion I see someone has replaced with a chain,
0:12:07 > 0:12:12which looks distinctly like a gold watch chain to me.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13Are you guilty of that?
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- I am fully guilty. - Well, may I say congratulations?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18You've considerably added to the value of it.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22The horn had been held up by an old piece of wire.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24His wife had said to him,
0:12:24 > 0:12:28"You can't take it to Flog It with that old bit of wire on there!
0:12:28 > 0:12:29"Put something else on there!"
0:12:29 > 0:12:31What did he put on?
0:12:31 > 0:12:32A gold chain!
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I think that's charming. How many cylinders have you got?
0:12:35 > 0:12:40We've got about nine or ten four-minute cylinders.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Yes. Could we have a quick go?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46The three I've got left are all chipped and scratched.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50'When I was going up the stair last night the...'
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Harry Lauder.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56"Is that you, John?" I said, "Aye, it's me."
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- He's being rude, can you put him off?- Yeah.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00We can't have him on Flog It!
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I thought it was going to be a nice, old Scottish ballad.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- No, I'm sorry. - You naughty man, David.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- How much do you think it's worth? - Oh, £200-300.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09£200-300?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Do you know, I think it would have been 200-300 a few years ago,
0:13:12 > 0:13:13possibly a bit more.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I think it's now 150-200.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Two types of collector, really -
0:13:18 > 0:13:22the really academic collector who's always looking for the rarity...
0:13:23 > 0:13:26..the one that he hasn't got in his collection.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30The other collector is someone like you and me who actually likes it
0:13:30 > 0:13:32as an object and it's really quite good fun
0:13:32 > 0:13:34to have at a party to put it on.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37"Look what I've got." It's a fun object.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Sounds like it's a "Come and buy me."
0:13:39 > 0:13:42It's going under the hammer right now. Good luck, you two.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43Edison Gem phonograph, straight in, 100.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46100 bid, 100, 110.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47120, 130.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49140, 150.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50160, 170.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51- Yes.- 180, 190.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53200, 210.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54220, 230.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55240, 250.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56260, 270.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57280, 290.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- 300, 310.- Fantastic.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- 320, 330... - We're making sweet music now.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04360, 370.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06At 370.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08You in on the phones?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10At 370. 380.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Back at 380.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14At £380, I sell at the very back.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Wonderful. - 380, you're all out down here.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- Yes!- Yes!
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Thank you!
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- That's superb! - Yes, thank you very much.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24Great pleasure.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27There are two reasons why it sold well.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30One is, it had its original horn.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Secondly, obviously,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35the price reflected the fact that the horn was held up
0:14:35 > 0:14:38by a gold chain and I'm sure whoever bought the object
0:14:38 > 0:14:41would have done something else with the gold chain,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43probably sold the gold chain
0:14:43 > 0:14:46or wore the gold chain and put another wire on it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49So there's a top tip for you -
0:14:49 > 0:14:52if you want to bump up the auction value of your antique instrument,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55offer the bidders a buy one, get one free deal.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Now, seemingly, James Lewis had an easier job when he valued
0:15:00 > 0:15:04David's concertina, as it didn't come with any hidden extras.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Let's have a look at this.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11"C Wheatstone and Co, inventors, patentees and manufacturers
0:15:11 > 0:15:15"of concertinas, aeolas." Based in London.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Now, I'm not a specialist in the concertinas,
0:15:19 > 0:15:20so I've phoned a few friends
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and I looked it up on the internet before coming to the table here
0:15:24 > 0:15:30and Wheatstone's first concertinas are listed between 1842 and 1847.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32This one is slightly later than that,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35probably made between 1860 and 1890.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38You take something in on a valuation day and at the end of the day,
0:15:38 > 0:15:43we can see anything from a Roman coin through to a 1960s lamp base
0:15:43 > 0:15:45and it can be anything in between
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and we can't know everything about everything.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50It's just really important to...
0:15:51 > 0:15:53..just do that research.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57The value really depends so much on how many keys
0:15:57 > 0:15:58and the quality of the materials.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01This one is ebonised rather than rosewood
0:16:01 > 0:16:04and the front and the back plates are pierced chrome
0:16:04 > 0:16:06rather than pierced silver,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08but it's still a very good model.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11There is a huge following for musical instruments.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14You tend to find that the buyers of the antique instruments
0:16:14 > 0:16:16also have an interest in modern music
0:16:16 > 0:16:18and they often play them themselves.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Whatever I get for it will go to restore an old guitar that I've got.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- Restore one?- Yeah. - Why not buy a new guitar?
0:16:24 > 0:16:25Cos I like the one I've got.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28It's from the '60s and it's a wee bit damaged.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34- I think it's going to make between £150 and £250.- Right.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38James admits he isn't an authority on concertinas,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42so did his auction estimate prove to be on the money?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Anita Manning was the lady whose job it was to wield the gavel,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48so what did she make of the concertina?
0:16:48 > 0:16:52These concertinas come up on a fairly regular basis
0:16:52 > 0:16:56and when you see that name Wheatstone,
0:16:56 > 0:17:01you know that's it's good. Wheatstone is the Rolls-Royce...
0:17:02 > 0:17:04..of concertinas.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06I don't know if James had been talking to Anita,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08but when it came to the auction,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10he had second thoughts about his estimate.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14On the valuation, I looked at it and thought, "Is it a good one,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- "or isn't it a good one?" - It's a great make, it's the best.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Great make, but I didn't know if it was a really good one,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20so we checked up on the internet.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21We thought, "Fabulous."
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Yes? "Found that one, that one, they've all sold around £200.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26"Let's put 150-250 on it."
0:17:26 > 0:17:27A week last Friday...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29A week last Thursday, I was taking a sale
0:17:29 > 0:17:31where I'd put exactly that estimate.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- I'm not going to tell you. I've written on here what it made.- OK.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36We're going to have a grand reveal later on.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38So what was the final outcome?
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Had James under or overvalued David's Wheatstone concertina?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44920.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46940.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47960.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50980.
0:17:52 > 0:17:541,000.
0:17:54 > 0:17:561,050.
0:17:57 > 0:17:591,100.
0:17:59 > 0:18:021,100 with Lara on the phone.
0:18:02 > 0:18:041,100.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09Any advance on 1,100? All done at 1,100. 1,100.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- Yes!- £1,100!
0:18:12 > 0:18:13Why didn't you say that on the day?
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Because it was only a week last Thursday.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20But the end of it, I think he had enough money to buy a new guitar!
0:18:20 > 0:18:22He didn't need to restore the old one.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25It was a lovely story, that he had an old musical instrument
0:18:25 > 0:18:28that meant something to him, that he was going to get restored
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and, yeah, I hope he knows more about guitars
0:18:31 > 0:18:33than I know about concertinas!
0:18:35 > 0:18:37To be fair to James, it's easy to get things wrong
0:18:37 > 0:18:39when it comes to musical instruments.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Prices are unpredictable.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43There are many things to be aware of.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Always check condition. Concertina bellows are prone to splitting.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51You've got a little bit of damage, obviously, on the actual pull-outs.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54The other thing you have to look for is the number of keys.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58They can be as low as 14 for quite poor quality ones
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and over 30-something for the very high quality machines.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03This one is mid-range.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- There's 25, I think, here.- Yeah.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Only the finest concertinas make big money,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12because any inadequacies will affect the sale price.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14300 standing. Any further bids? All done?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16At 300 I'm selling, here.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20That was sort and sweet, wasn't it? £300.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23But what other things do you need to be mindful of
0:19:23 > 0:19:26when investing in different types of musical instruments?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29If you want to play the saxophone and are buying at auction,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31check out the fingering on the instrument,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34which varies on models of different ages.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40David demonstrates a nifty trick to increase the value of your antique.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Add a second valuable collectible to the lot.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46And if you're in the market for a violin, there's a lot to consider.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Check the table for cracks, which will affect the sound quality.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Be wary of labels.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Violins can purport to be something they're not.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Examine the bow, as it can be worth more than the violin
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and don't fret if the strings or bridge are missing.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03These are easily replaced.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15Adam Partridge is firmly established as Flog It's resident musician,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19so he's bound to have something intriguing in his own collection.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Well, I've always had an interest in musical instruments of all sorts,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26specifically violins and stringed instruments
0:20:26 > 0:20:27and I couldn't resist it
0:20:27 > 0:20:31when I saw this coming up quite cheaply for sale because it is
0:20:31 > 0:20:35quite a rare thing, it's an early 20th-century phonofiddle.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39These were invented when the age of the gramophone started kicking in
0:20:39 > 0:20:43and people were recording music onto records for playing in the home
0:20:43 > 0:20:46and recording techniques weren't that strong
0:20:46 > 0:20:50so they decided that they'd make a violin with a horn on the end of it.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54It was a novelty item as well and I think they were quite cheap
0:20:54 > 0:20:57to produce and to buy and people... they were used in music halls
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and on the streets and busking and everything else.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Now, I've never really played it before,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06so it doesn't make a very nice sound.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10I will warn you, it doesn't sound good. How about this?
0:21:10 > 0:21:18SQUEAKY VIOLIN/CELLO SOUND
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Do you recognise that?
0:21:25 > 0:21:29It's my attempt at a bit of the Flog It theme tune on a phonofiddle.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32The main maker was Howson of London
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and there on the side of this one here
0:21:35 > 0:21:40you can see the circular brass disc that shows his name.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44There were a range of models and this was the basic one-string model.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46But they did do a four-string model
0:21:46 > 0:21:48which would have been a lot easier to play
0:21:48 > 0:21:50and it would have been a lot more helpful
0:21:50 > 0:21:52if it was under the chin as well
0:21:52 > 0:21:54because that's more what I'm used to,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57I'm not used to this between-the-legs business,
0:21:57 > 0:21:58very tricky indeed.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00But quite a curiosity.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I think I paid about £50 for this one
0:22:02 > 0:22:06but I've seen them make £100 to £150 at auction before, so,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09hopefully, one day there will be a small profit for me,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12although I don't plan on selling it any time soon.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22The 18th century was dominated with a new spirit of curiosity.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24This was the Age of Enlightenment,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29when serious thinkers believed in shedding the light of science
0:22:29 > 0:22:33and reason over the world, questioning old ideas
0:22:33 > 0:22:37and ways of doing things, pushing the boundaries of new technology.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Many great inventions took place during this period.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45The first mercury thermometer for instance, the diving bell.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46There are many, many more
0:22:46 > 0:22:50and lots of fun things too, like a clock that's in this room.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Let's go.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00And here it is, albeit a clock hanging from the ceiling,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03obviously designed to put a smile on your face,
0:23:03 > 0:23:08exactly what this little room does as well, designed to titillate.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10But let's take a closer look at the clock.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14It's got a 4.5 inch enamel dial with Roman numerals.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Now, clocks weren't new in the 18th century,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19they go back a lot further, but this is a first
0:23:19 > 0:23:23because the timepiece has a mechanical singing bird.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31This enchanting type of antique is known as an automaton.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34The term refers to an object which is self-operating
0:23:34 > 0:23:36and works mechanically.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Automata can be split into two broad categories,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42functional objects such as clocks or collectables
0:23:42 > 0:23:44which are decorative,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47or entertaining like the bird-cage clock.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Many of the automata we've seen on the show
0:23:50 > 0:23:52have had a musical component.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54These are singing bird boxes and they...
0:23:54 > 0:23:59they are part of the sort of automaton tradition.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00So it sort of flips up
0:24:00 > 0:24:03and then you've got this pretty songbird
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- which actually should be moving and flapping its wings.- Yes.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11- My estimate for this would be £500-£700.- Yes.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14At £1,100, I'm selling in the room
0:24:14 > 0:24:17it's going to be sold in the room at £1,100.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Yes! £1,100. Carol, fantastic.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Not all automata play a tune, though.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Those that don't can be just as captivating.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Most of the automata made in recent centuries
0:24:34 > 0:24:38operate by clockwork, but automata have been around since ancient times
0:24:38 > 0:24:42and some of the earliest examples were set in motion by water,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44falling weights or steam.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Today, there is a massive worldwide market for all types of automata,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52musical or otherwise.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Delightful objects from the period 1860 to 1910
0:24:59 > 0:25:01are especially sought after,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06as this was really the golden age of automata.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11But be wary, our experts have a word of warning.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14I think if you're going to look into collecting automata
0:25:14 > 0:25:17you want to go for the very best French makers
0:25:17 > 0:25:20from the mid-to late 19th century,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23although they will be incredibly expensive.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Some of the finest ones can be £30,000, £40,000, £50,000 plus.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29As a starter piece, why not have a look
0:25:29 > 0:25:31at one of those birdcage automata
0:25:31 > 0:25:36where you can pick up even a later, a 1950s one,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39mechanical movement, clockwork bird in a cage, you wind it
0:25:39 > 0:25:41and it tweets and it moves about
0:25:41 > 0:25:45and you can probably get one of those for between £100 and £300.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50The number one thing is that it is working correctly
0:25:50 > 0:25:56and that the musical movement is in really perfect working order.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58They are very, very expensive to have restored
0:25:58 > 0:26:02so get one in as good condition as you can find.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05That will mean spending a bit more but it's usually worth it.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I would recommend choosing an automaton
0:26:09 > 0:26:11which will leave you spellbound.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Everyone on the Flog It! team has their own way of sniffing out
0:26:20 > 0:26:22quality antiques and collectables.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25But this show is all about getting you in the know
0:26:25 > 0:26:27so we've asked Adam Partridge to reveal
0:26:27 > 0:26:30the secrets of his success as a collector of fine things.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Most days in the course of my day job, running an auction house,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40I'm out on the road visiting people, doing valuations in their homes.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42You never know what people are going to show you
0:26:42 > 0:26:45so there are a few essential instruments or gadgets,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48tools of the trade that I need to take with me.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51And they are all contained in this little box here.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54And now I'm going to show you what those instruments are,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56so that you can take similar things with you
0:26:56 > 0:26:58when you go out buying or antiques hunting.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Well, I would say the most essential tool of the trade is the loupe
0:27:05 > 0:27:08or the eyeglass and being quite forgetful, being very busy,
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I have to actually get dressed in the morning and put one on.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12I always wear one around my neck,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15which sometimes causes a funny, unsightly bulge in my stomach
0:27:15 > 0:27:18but there it is there, and obviously this is used
0:27:18 > 0:27:20for having a look at things in greater detail
0:27:20 > 0:27:23whether it be a gemstone, a diamond,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26a silver hallmark or any other thing that you might come across.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Bring the object close to you, right up to the eye
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and then you can very clearly see the hallmark.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35This one's a fairly standard loupe,
0:27:35 > 0:27:40it only magnifies by 10 times, but you can get stronger ones here
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and I have my special one here
0:27:42 > 0:27:45which is a 20 times triplet magnification
0:27:45 > 0:27:48and that also has a built-in light.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52But it doesn't fit round my neck so comfortably.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55It's very useful for looking at silver hallmarks.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58And obviously some of them are very small
0:27:58 > 0:28:00such as jewellery ones,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04it's an absolute essential for any amateur collector of silver.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09When you're looking at a diamond
0:28:09 > 0:28:12you have a look under the loupe, you can weigh it.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14But another important and very affordable piece of kit,
0:28:14 > 0:28:19this is just a few pounds, it's a simple plastic diamond gauge
0:28:19 > 0:28:24and you sit your diamond through until it fits the right hole
0:28:24 > 0:28:26and there we go, that one looks as though it's 3.5 carats
0:28:26 > 0:28:29which is quite a substantial diamond, actually.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Typically, you'd have a set of these balance scales
0:28:33 > 0:28:36as well as digital scales for lighter things
0:28:36 > 0:28:39and you simply hook this around here
0:28:39 > 0:28:41and the silver is in troy ounces
0:28:41 > 0:28:45and that tells me that that is 17 ounces.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49If you're wondering what a troy ounce is,
0:28:49 > 0:28:50it's a unit of imperial measure
0:28:50 > 0:28:54which is most commonly used for weighing precious metals.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57One troy ounce equates to just over 31g.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Another useful tool that you may wish to take with you
0:29:02 > 0:29:06when you're going looking for antiques is a simple pocket torch.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10It's particularly useful when you're looking at very dark pieces of furniture
0:29:10 > 0:29:12because a lot of oak furniture from the 16th, 17th, 18th centuries
0:29:12 > 0:29:15has had modifications, has had changes made,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18and a torch just might pick those out
0:29:18 > 0:29:21where the naked eye might have failed in doing so.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25Check for telltale signs that the drawers have been running in and out
0:29:25 > 0:29:26for hundreds of years.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Check on locks, handles,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32any replacements in the construction of the piece.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36So, very handy to have a little pocket torch, I think.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44I have a device which blows pure air over watch parts
0:29:44 > 0:29:46to make sure that they are working correctly.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Rather than blow using your breath
0:29:48 > 0:29:51that emits moisture over the watch parts,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53it's much better to have pure air.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57I collect watches and take this to all the auctions.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59We often look at watches and pocket watches
0:29:59 > 0:30:02and things like that, and you need to open them up to have a look
0:30:02 > 0:30:05at the back of them to see what they're made from
0:30:05 > 0:30:06and any makers' marks etc.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09I tend to keep this thumbnail quite long.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11My son calls it my pocket watch nail,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13and I tend to grow that
0:30:13 > 0:30:17and dig it in and there you go, it normally works.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19But in the absence of a special long nail,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22a watch opener might be a good idea.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Lots of people use a penknife
0:30:24 > 0:30:27but a proper watch opener is a better tool to use
0:30:27 > 0:30:31because it's not going to scratch the material that you're opening.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35And what have I got here? There it is. What's that?
0:30:35 > 0:30:38It looks like a pen, doesn't it? But it's a magnet.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40What on Earth would you want a magnet for?
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Well, firstly when we're looking at bronzes,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47some bronzes are patinated cast iron to simulate bronze.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Bronze is not magnetic, cast iron is.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52A magnet is quite a useful piece of kit.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55It's also useful when you're looking through job lots of jewellery.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57For example, you've cleared a house
0:30:57 > 0:30:58and there's a whole drawer full
0:30:58 > 0:31:00and you think, "Oh, what's gold, what isn't?"
0:31:00 > 0:31:04Well, you go through it with your magnet - well, that's not.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Anything that's not is usually picked up by your magnet.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09This is telescopic, as well.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15There we go - all of that, costume jewellery, not gold.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Restoration of ceramics and porcelain
0:31:21 > 0:31:24shows up much better under a UV light.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28If you just see here, this torch really helps show up
0:31:28 > 0:31:32the fact that this handle has been replaced on this little cup, here.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34All these tools and instruments I've shown you
0:31:34 > 0:31:38are very accessible items, they're all easy to get,
0:31:38 > 0:31:40all pretty reasonable, as well.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42It's important to have a little tool kit with you
0:31:42 > 0:31:44when you're going out looking for antiques.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46It depends, of course, what you're interested in -
0:31:46 > 0:31:49different tools are suitable for different interests and disciplines.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51But it does give you that head start
0:31:51 > 0:31:53on the buyers that have come unprepared
0:31:53 > 0:31:54if you manage to spot the restoration
0:31:54 > 0:31:58because you've got a little UV torch, if you've noticed something
0:31:58 > 0:32:01because you've got your loupe with you and others haven't.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04It just keeps you that one step ahead of the others.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Still to come, Philip has some fun with Dorrie and Pat.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16This will make you laugh, Dorrie!
0:32:16 > 0:32:17HE LAUGHS
0:32:17 > 0:32:21And there are plenty of delighted people at auction.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- Wasn't that good? Wasn't that good? - Amazing!
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Everybody is giving you a round of applause in the auction room.
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Wow!
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Of course, it isn't just musical instruments
0:32:37 > 0:32:39that turn up at our valuations days.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43Those from a more technical background are hugely popular, too.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46And whilst Adam may be our expert on all things melodious,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Catherine Southon's passion
0:32:48 > 0:32:51is for instruments of a scientific background.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Now, you may look at this and think "What is it?"
0:32:56 > 0:32:58And that's actually what I thought when I first saw this,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00when I saw a picture of it.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03This was actually sold in a French auction house
0:33:03 > 0:33:10and this is covered with shagreen, which is a wonderful, rich material,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14and it's actually dyed ray skin, or shark skin.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18You can see that it's signed by a maker called Thomas Ribright
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and he was a maker to the royal family
0:33:21 > 0:33:24in the third quarter of the 18th century,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28so this piece probably dates to about 1760.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30But what is it?
0:33:30 > 0:33:36Well, this has magnifiers at either end,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40and inside, we have a little set of instruments.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42We have a little pair of scissors.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44We have...
0:33:46 > 0:33:50..this little ivory...almost like a note pad,
0:33:50 > 0:33:54that you could scribble on in pencil.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58And we've got a set of tweezers.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04We've got some other bits and pieces as well.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07But they're just beautiful.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11And they fit in here so neatly.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Then you can take the top off...
0:34:16 > 0:34:19..and have a little peep through it.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24..and magnify your little specimen
0:34:24 > 0:34:26or anything else you might like to see.
0:34:26 > 0:34:27The sort of person
0:34:27 > 0:34:30that probably would have carried something like this
0:34:30 > 0:34:33could have been a surgeon or maybe a doctor.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35It would have been a gentleman, a very wealthy gentleman,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38which would have kept something like this in his pocket
0:34:38 > 0:34:40when he was out travelling.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43You're probably wondering how much it cost -
0:34:43 > 0:34:47well, I did a telephone bid for it, in French,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50which was a bit tricky,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52and I spent £2,000,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54which you probably think is quite a lot.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59But I've seen these now sell for nearer £3,000.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01But I'm never going to sell it.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05It's a great investment and a wonderful piece of history.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13We see lots of instruments of a scientific nature
0:35:13 > 0:35:15turning up at our Flog It! valuation days.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19Marvellous compasses and barometers and slightly rarer items,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22such as microscopes and sextants.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25So, which scientific instruments should you be looking out for?
0:35:25 > 0:35:29A good entry-level piece for a collector of instruments
0:35:29 > 0:35:33might be a simple, extending telescope that you can pick up.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35They were made in large quantities, end of the 19th century
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and you can pick up a decent telescope for £50.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Microscopes, that often came in big cases,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44they would have a number of eyepieces and slides
0:35:44 > 0:35:46and things that went with them
0:35:46 > 0:35:49and lots of individual accessories like tweezers -
0:35:49 > 0:35:54people like to see things in good, original, complete condition.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56You can pick up a barometer pretty cheaply today,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59and what could be better than going off to work in the morning,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01walking down the hall
0:36:01 > 0:36:03and just tapping the barometer as you pass.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05I think there's something charming about that.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08The pitfalls with early scientific instruments
0:36:08 > 0:36:12are that they're being forged on a large scale,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and very convincingly, by the Chinese,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17and have done for the last five or six years
0:36:17 > 0:36:21and they're able to forge them to quite a high standard.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24So if you were at a car boot fair and someone shows you something
0:36:24 > 0:36:27that looks like an 18th century brass pocket dial
0:36:27 > 0:36:29and it's £30,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31it's probably come off the boat last week.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Back in 2004,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36an exquisite example of a pocket sundial
0:36:36 > 0:36:38thrilled two of our experts,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41who were confident it hadn't just come off the boat.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45The late, great David Barby had the pleasure of valuing the item
0:36:45 > 0:36:48whilst Charlie Ross wielded the gavel.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52As an auctioneer, you are always thrilled to see quality
0:36:52 > 0:36:55and dear David didn't let us down on this occasion.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00I saw you in the queue and you brought this out of a paper bag
0:37:00 > 0:37:04and I was absolutely amazed to find an object of such quality.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10- Good.- It is a lovely example of what we term as a pocket sundial.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15What is so good about it is the case, the original case.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Cardboard construction
0:37:19 > 0:37:23and then covered in a fish skin that we call shagreen.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28The fact that it had its original shagreen case was wonderful -
0:37:28 > 0:37:34shark skin or fish skin case, sometimes stingray skin case.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36To have that - and, of course,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39the fact that it had still got its case -
0:37:39 > 0:37:44meant that the instrument itself was in such good condition.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Inside, you've even got the original maker's label,
0:37:47 > 0:37:52which is "J Abraham - Optician, Bath."
0:37:52 > 0:37:55He actually made things for the Duke of Wellington,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58so the highest, highest order.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Early 19th century, workmanship was fabulous -
0:38:01 > 0:38:03you look at this thing, it's just superbly made.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05I'm going to turn it upside-down,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09because it's important to see, on the bottom...can you see that?
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Engraved, you have various destinations -
0:38:11 > 0:38:14London, Dublin, Paris,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Petersburgh, Bath, Edinburgh.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- And against that are all the latitudes.- Yeah.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24So when this is on a flat surface and you can adjust it -
0:38:24 > 0:38:26because there are two little spirit levels inside -
0:38:26 > 0:38:31by turning those, you can adjust the feet.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33So it's absolutely level.
0:38:33 > 0:38:39- Now, all the way around here, you have an indication of time.- Yes.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43So you adjust that section with this lever.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49This is the actual sundial section.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54When it's pulled up, it is always facing north.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57So once you've got the position north, the sun will shine,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01and on this scale here, you'll be able to tell the time.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05The ingenuity and the thought processes
0:39:05 > 0:39:07for somebody to be able to make something like that,
0:39:07 > 0:39:13that's A, accurate, and B, portable, and C, hard-wearing...
0:39:13 > 0:39:15It's really quite remarkable.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17If it goes up to auction.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21I think it's going to sell between...£500-£800.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Oh! Ooh!
0:39:23 > 0:39:27- It could go well over.- Really?- Yes.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28How does that feel?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30- That's wonderful. - Comfortable.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31Comfortable!
0:39:31 > 0:39:33- I hope I'm right.- That's wonderful.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35So when it came to the auction,
0:39:35 > 0:39:39were the buyers as enamoured of the sundial as David and Charlie?
0:39:39 > 0:39:42It came as no surprise at all to me
0:39:42 > 0:39:44that by the time we got to the auction,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47we'd already had huge interest.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49People had, to a certain extent,
0:39:49 > 0:39:52shown their hand by booking the telephone.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Em...
0:39:54 > 0:39:57You wouldn't expect somebody to book a telephone
0:39:57 > 0:39:58to bid for something
0:39:58 > 0:40:01unless they were going to go at least up to your estimate,
0:40:01 > 0:40:03probably a bit more.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07The bid's now in the room at £1,400. £1,500, may I say?
0:40:07 > 0:40:091,500.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11No. 1,500.
0:40:11 > 0:40:131,600?
0:40:13 > 0:40:161,500 on telephone one.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22At 1,500, and I sell then at £1,500.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27- Yes! How about that? - I cannot believe it!
0:40:27 > 0:40:29I cannot believe...
0:40:29 > 0:40:31- Wasn't that good? Wasn't that good? - It's amazing!
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Sale price was splendid.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34It certainly thrilled David,
0:40:34 > 0:40:39David was jumping around like there was no tomorrow when it sold.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43I can only say it must have been a tremendous auctioneer.
0:40:43 > 0:40:44Modest as ever, Charlie!
0:40:44 > 0:40:48'I love it when we exceed everyone's expectations.'
0:40:48 > 0:40:52The bidders were clamouring to get their hands on the sundial,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56whose precision engineering was out of this world.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Sometimes, it's the more fun and frivolous item
0:40:59 > 0:41:01which can catch the eye of our expert, though.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04A "magneto-electric machine."
0:41:04 > 0:41:09And it says here, "For nervous" - that's me - "and other diseases."
0:41:09 > 0:41:12"This machine has been designed especially for the use
0:41:12 > 0:41:14"of the medical profession
0:41:14 > 0:41:18"and for invalids who are unable to take exercise,
0:41:18 > 0:41:22"suffering from rheumatism and various nervous complaints."
0:41:22 > 0:41:25You've got this huge, great magnet, there.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Then, you've got this lovely little...almost like a fly wheel,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31that's cranked here, and that...
0:41:31 > 0:41:35You turn that round and round and round,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38but with this magnet, it creates an electric shock.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Picture the scenario, OK?
0:41:40 > 0:41:43You're feeling slightly unwell, just a little bit under the weather,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46and you book an appointment at the doctor's.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49And you walk in and he hands you these two brass things and says,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52"Hold these while I give you an electric shock."
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Then you plonk that...down in there.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00And you plonk that in there.
0:42:02 > 0:42:03And then you hold it...
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- I don't want my finger in there. - No, just...
0:42:07 > 0:42:11- Look, do I look like I'd hurt you? - Well...I'm not sure!
0:42:11 > 0:42:13I think Pat was pretty sound,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17I'm not sure that Pat needed this device attached to herself,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19but...it's always a good threat, isn't it?
0:42:19 > 0:42:21If they start getting out of line,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24you can just threaten to crank them up to the machine.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27We should carry that around with us on valuation days.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Come on, now...
0:42:29 > 0:42:30This will make you laugh, Dorrie.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32HE LAUGHS
0:42:32 > 0:42:34There was no way I was ever going to hold those things.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38Quite happy for them to have a go, and I'll crank it up,
0:42:38 > 0:42:41but, no, no...I don't like shocks.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44- It's no more than about 100V, honestly.- Oh, no more than 100?
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- That's all right, then. - You won't feel a thing.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Doesn't do anything, does it? - Nothing's happening, no!
0:42:51 > 0:42:55The Victorians did believe that the electric shock
0:42:55 > 0:42:58actually produced some sort of benefit for you
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and if you think about it,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02there's a certain electricity running through your body,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05your nerve endings. It operates muscles and the like.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07And I suppose that must all be interconnected.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09But it doesn't do it for me.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13I think, girls, that this is going to make probably £20-£30.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Put a reserve on it of a tenner
0:43:15 > 0:43:17and I just think someone'll have a bit of fun with it.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Medical instruments, or even items of torture,
0:43:20 > 0:43:23there's a massive area of collectability for these.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Now, our little electric shock machine,
0:43:25 > 0:43:31I think this was just a little...I've got to say,
0:43:31 > 0:43:33probably a Victorian gimmicky thing, really.
0:43:33 > 0:43:34Enough to make your hair stand on end!
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Let's see what the bidders think of this.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38It's going under the hammer right now.
0:43:38 > 0:43:4110, 12, 15, 18, 20,
0:43:41 > 0:43:4520, 20 - 22. Five, eight, 30.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47£30!
0:43:48 > 0:43:51And bid two - 32?
0:43:51 > 0:43:55£30, the bid in the room, selling on £30, then...
0:43:55 > 0:43:58- Yes, £30.- Well done, yeah!
0:43:58 > 0:43:59Shocked?!
0:43:59 > 0:44:00LAUGHTER
0:44:00 > 0:44:03Dorrie and Pat were absolute stars, you know, and for me,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06that's what makes a programme - very often,
0:44:06 > 0:44:09the contributor is more important than the item they bring.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11They were just great to talk to.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Whilst Dorrie and Pat's electro-magneto machine
0:44:14 > 0:44:15was mostly a bit of fun,
0:44:15 > 0:44:19there is, in fact, a huge market out there for medical instruments.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22'And many of the collectables we see on the show
0:44:22 > 0:44:25'are a darn side more grisly.'
0:44:25 > 0:44:27It's a field surgeon's kit.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30Let's pick up the most obvious one, shall we?
0:44:30 > 0:44:32- The most gruesome one?- Yes.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35This is definitely for amputation, isn't it?
0:44:36 > 0:44:38Oh, dear - that is sharp,
0:44:38 > 0:44:41and there's about seven teeth to the inch, there.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43That would rip through anything.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46It does make me feel slightly queasy, handling these. Ugh...
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Not the sort of thing that every house should have.
0:44:48 > 0:44:49But I tell you what,
0:44:49 > 0:44:53there are a lot of collectors that would be interested in this, yes.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55'Collectors of medical items
0:44:55 > 0:44:57'often tend to work in the field themselves -
0:44:57 > 0:45:00'think doctors, pharmacists, dentists and the like.'
0:45:00 > 0:45:04'But did any of them turn up to bid on the field surgeon's kit?'
0:45:04 > 0:45:06260, 270...
0:45:06 > 0:45:09280.
0:45:09 > 0:45:14280, I'll take a fiver, at £280 for the last time?
0:45:14 > 0:45:16- That's good.- 280.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18Yes, £280.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21'And there are other medical collectables which turn up
0:45:21 > 0:45:25'at our valuation days. A good example is the apothecary cabinet.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28'If you're in the market for one, what do you need to consider?'
0:45:28 > 0:45:30Originality is vital.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33So if you've got an apothecary cabinet with
0:45:33 > 0:45:34its original maker's label,
0:45:34 > 0:45:38its original bottles, its original scales,
0:45:38 > 0:45:40its original weight, pestle and mortar,
0:45:40 > 0:45:45then it's going to be more desirable than one with replaced parts.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48'And the age, the size and the quality of the cabinet
0:45:48 > 0:45:49'are hugely important too.
0:45:51 > 0:45:56'Jethro Marles came across a fantastic specimen back in 2006.'
0:45:56 > 0:45:58It's a wonderful little cabinet.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00And of course you've got everything in here,
0:46:00 > 0:46:02all of the bottles are here.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05If we open up this drawer here, we've got the scales
0:46:05 > 0:46:08for weighing out your powders and all your chemicals,
0:46:08 > 0:46:10the funnel for funnelling it into the different tubes.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13A secret drawer, there's nothing secret in that one at the moment.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16And it all fits beautifully.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18So beautifully made, beautiful.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21It's mahogany, of course, and date-wise,
0:46:21 > 0:46:22it's probably going to be,
0:46:22 > 0:46:26I would have thought about 130 years old.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29- Wow.- It's a late 19th century one,
0:46:29 > 0:46:33probably about 1870-1880, something like that.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35Start me at 1,000. £1,000, someone?
0:46:35 > 0:46:37800 I am bid, 900.
0:46:37 > 0:46:41- 1,000, 1,100, 1,200 here... - Quite exciting.
0:46:41 > 0:46:441,300 to move on, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47- Oh, yes!- 16 behind, 17?
0:46:47 > 0:46:51£1,600, you're all done at £1,600.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56How it's gone down, £1,600, Katie!
0:46:56 > 0:46:58That is a fantastic result!
0:46:58 > 0:47:02'So if you're thinking of starting a collection of medical instruments,
0:47:02 > 0:47:04'make sure you do your homework.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07'Now, Caroline Hawley had to go back to school
0:47:07 > 0:47:11'when she came across an early type of calculator.'
0:47:11 > 0:47:14I have never seen a cylindrical slide rule for sale before,
0:47:14 > 0:47:18and I've been on the lookout since because, you know,
0:47:18 > 0:47:20it sparked a bit of interest in me.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23This is like the centre stadia line on your...
0:47:23 > 0:47:24this type of slide rule, that is that.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27- That's where your answer comes up when you're finished.- Right.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29And this goes up and down to pick up...
0:47:29 > 0:47:33There's this notch in here where you pick up your numbers at the bottom.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37Multiply by something, pick it up off that one at the top,
0:47:37 > 0:47:39and that's how you retrieve your answers,
0:47:39 > 0:47:41and this moves up and down that.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43Lionel did try and explain to me a little bit,
0:47:43 > 0:47:46and I'm afraid I'm still none the wiser.
0:47:46 > 0:47:50Years ago, my father tried to explain a flat slide rule to me.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53Fortunately, calculators came in very soon afterwards
0:47:53 > 0:47:55so I didn't ever have to use them.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58So, no, for me, it was too complicated.
0:47:58 > 0:48:03This particular model is from 1927, and it was invented,
0:48:03 > 0:48:06the cylindrical slide rule, by Professor George Fuller.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11It really is wonderful quality and fabulous condition.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14Professor George Fuller was Professor of Civil Engineering
0:48:14 > 0:48:16at Queen's University in Belfast.
0:48:16 > 0:48:21He patented the cylindrical slide rule in 1878.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25It's a magnificent instrument, very, very complicated,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28an extraordinary piece of engineering.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32As you can see, this is in a most beautiful box, a mahogany box,
0:48:32 > 0:48:35made by a very good London maker, Stanley,
0:48:35 > 0:48:40which was established in 1854, which all adds to the value.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42I mean, it's a boy's toy, and it would look good,
0:48:42 > 0:48:45it would look quite fun and quirky on somebody's desk.
0:48:45 > 0:48:50Not mine, I hasten to add, but I think it has a fairly limited market.
0:48:50 > 0:48:51'When it came to the auction,
0:48:51 > 0:48:54'Caroline combined the Fuller cylindrical slide rule with
0:48:54 > 0:48:58'a second, smaller sliding scale into one lot,
0:48:58 > 0:49:01'and put an estimate of £200-£300 on the pair.'
0:49:01 > 0:49:03I would not know how to use one of those.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06No, you were lucky, you were born in the push button age.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Two bids, I'm bid £210 exactly,
0:49:09 > 0:49:13at 210, at £210. 20 if you want it.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17At 210, 220, 230, 240.
0:49:17 > 0:49:19- At £240... - Come on, come on, come on...
0:49:19 > 0:49:21At 240, then.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24You're finished at 240? Quite sure?
0:49:26 > 0:49:27Lionel, it's gone.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31The hammer went down just under mid-estimate at £240.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35'Caroline may not have known how to use Lionel's unusual
0:49:35 > 0:49:38'cylindrical slide rules but she obviously knew how to value them.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42'But it's not always that straightforward to put an estimate
0:49:42 > 0:49:46'on a scientific instrument, as Claire Rawle discovered.'
0:49:46 > 0:49:50- Well, hello, Florence.- Hello. - Nice to meet you, and you've brought
0:49:50 > 0:49:53a really attractive polished mahogany box here, haven't you?
0:49:53 > 0:49:55When it opens out, hey presto!
0:49:55 > 0:49:58A rather magnificent looking microscope in there
0:49:58 > 0:50:03with a huge collection of objectives. So, quite a superior item.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05Oh, Florence, oh, she was a star.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09She carried that great heavy thing all the way to the valuation day,
0:50:09 > 0:50:15erm, and it really was a sizeable lump of machinery, that!
0:50:15 > 0:50:16Amazing lady.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20- Well, my husband bought it about 54 years ago.- So he used it?
0:50:20 > 0:50:22- He did use it, yes.- Right.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26Yes, he used to go past puddles, do it in puddles.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29- Pick a jar up and come home... - Oh, and take it home and look at it?
0:50:29 > 0:50:32..and then a drop of water on the slide and look through it.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Then say to me, "Come and have a look at this,"
0:50:34 > 0:50:35you know, and he was so thrilled.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38It was a serious instrument, it wasn't a student's instrument
0:50:38 > 0:50:41because it had all those different objectives in it.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44It was a high-quality, beautifully made instrument,
0:50:44 > 0:50:46so it would have been used for somebody
0:50:46 > 0:50:48that was really into their science.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52You've also brought in a couple of rather nice boxes here
0:50:52 > 0:50:55of slides to go with it.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57- Botanical subjects, mainly, aren't they?- Yes.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Yeah, and so they've got all their little cards and things there.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02Nice sort of late 19th century ones.
0:51:02 > 0:51:06'Definitely, slides are worth looking out for, especially decorative ones'
0:51:06 > 0:51:09like these with those wonderful lithographic prints round the side.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12So if you see any slides like that, if they're in boxes,
0:51:12 > 0:51:14and they're always in ver plain boxes,
0:51:14 > 0:51:17so always open up and see what's in there, definitely worth buying.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21- I think an estimate of 300-500?- Yes. - Nice, broad estimate there?- Yeah.
0:51:21 > 0:51:23- Does that sound good to you? - I'm happy, yes.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28'Did auctioneer Stephen Hearn agree with Claire's estimate?'
0:51:28 > 0:51:31We've got a value of £300-£500.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33Now, I know you've changed that, haven't you?
0:51:33 > 0:51:36Yes, I've moved that on, Paul, because I think it deserves
0:51:36 > 0:51:39an estimate somewhere between £500-£700.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41'The auctioneer adjusted the estimate.'
0:51:41 > 0:51:44Well, that's fine because everybody knows their market.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46It wasn't adjusted in a huge manner up.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49And I think it reflected the response he'd had
0:51:49 > 0:51:52and the feeling that he thought it was a good item,
0:51:52 > 0:51:53so it's quite positive.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56It's better that way than down.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59'But had the auctioneer over-egged Florence's pudding?
0:51:59 > 0:52:02'Or did the bidders prove to be as keen as mustard?'
0:52:02 > 0:52:061,800 in the room. 1,850, new bidder.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10- Some fresh legs. - 1,900, and 50. 2,000...
0:52:11 > 0:52:15..and 50. 2,100, and 50.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18'You get quite excited, you get caught up in it.'
0:52:18 > 0:52:20I mean, you go to auctions all the time, but it's great
0:52:20 > 0:52:22when something starts making money.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24- Gosh.- ..And 50.
0:52:24 > 0:52:262,008. And 50.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29- 2,009. And 50... - This is incredible.
0:52:29 > 0:52:30£3,000.
0:52:30 > 0:52:323,1, 3,2,
0:52:32 > 0:52:353,3, 3,4,
0:52:35 > 0:52:373,5, 3,6. No?
0:52:37 > 0:52:41At £3,600 in the room.
0:52:41 > 0:52:46I'm selling, then, it's going down at £3,600.
0:52:46 > 0:52:47Thank you, sir.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50That's a sold sound, isn't it? Wow!
0:52:50 > 0:52:53Florence, £3,600,
0:52:53 > 0:52:58everybody is giving you a round of applause in the auction room.
0:52:58 > 0:52:59Wow.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02OK, so someone says, "Wow, you rather undervalued that, didn't you?"
0:53:02 > 0:53:05You never know, that's the great thing about auctions,
0:53:05 > 0:53:06because in the world of collecting,
0:53:06 > 0:53:09you're never quite sure what people are going to spend on things,
0:53:09 > 0:53:12and it's really exciting when it makes money.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15Wow! It exceeded all our expectations.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19That is a great result. Oh, look, enjoy it, won't you?
0:53:19 > 0:53:22- Well done, Claire.- Fantastic, thank you, Claire.- Oh, thank you.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26It's been an absolute pleasure. I'm so pleased for you.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29It was the sheer quality of the piece and the extensive
0:53:29 > 0:53:32and unusual range of accompanying slides
0:53:32 > 0:53:35that put Florence's microscope in a class of its own.
0:53:35 > 0:53:36But at the end of the day,
0:53:36 > 0:53:40the result was really down to two bidders in the sale room
0:53:40 > 0:53:42who were reluctant to let it go.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45So, what other scientific instruments can cause a stir?
0:53:46 > 0:53:50'If you're interested in pocket sundials, a good maker's name,
0:53:50 > 0:53:52'great condition and original case
0:53:52 > 0:53:55'will almost guarantee a sunny result.'
0:53:55 > 0:53:57- Yes, how about that? - Cannot believe it.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01'If you own an instrument that's complicated to use
0:54:01 > 0:54:04'and could even leave our experts scratching their heads,
0:54:04 > 0:54:07'then please keep hold of the original instruction booklet.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10'You'll be doing a good deed to any future buyer,
0:54:10 > 0:54:13'and it may even bump up the sale price.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16'Medical instruments come in all shapes and sizes,
0:54:16 > 0:54:18'and items can start at a few pounds.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21'If you have the stomach and the pocket for it, you can progress
0:54:21 > 0:54:26'to those costing a few hundred or even a couple of thousand.'
0:54:26 > 0:54:28That is a fantastic result!
0:54:33 > 0:54:36The 18th century was a time of great interest in all sciences.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39Now, expert Michael Baggott had a real treat when he met up
0:54:39 > 0:54:44with Linda at a valuation day near Lincoln back in 2012.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48- Are you a collector of scientific instruments, Linda?- Well, not really.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51I am a collector of older things.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54We've got, oh, that's marvellous, a drawing set.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Look at that, beautiful ivory rule.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Wonderful scales on it, and we've got the maker there,
0:55:01 > 0:55:03E Hulce & Son of London.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07I was given the scientific instruments by an old gentleman.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11Erm, it was back in 1984, '85.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14I've always sort of had a mathematical bias,
0:55:14 > 0:55:18and so I was very interested in the instrument.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21It can be dated from the middle of the 18th century
0:55:21 > 0:55:23- up to about 1820-1830.- Really?
0:55:23 > 0:55:26I think this one, from the style of the instruments,
0:55:26 > 0:55:30probably falls at about 1790 to about 1800.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33'It sat on the edge of the bookshelf
0:55:33 > 0:55:37'for those...about 26 years,'
0:55:37 > 0:55:39and, erm, apart from the odd occasion
0:55:39 > 0:55:44when anyone expressed an interest in it, then that's where it remained.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48It was unused. Not unloved, but unused.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52- I think we would put this at £100-£150.- I see.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54- And we'd put a fixed reserve of £100 on it.- Right.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58And if it does well, what do you plan to spend the money on?
0:55:58 > 0:56:02Well, I am quite a keen walker and so I think I would put that
0:56:02 > 0:56:06- towards some walking in the Lake District.- Oh, that's marvellous.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10I'm set to go trekking to Everest base camp in October,
0:56:10 > 0:56:13and so I need to get some practice in.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16- So we'll be sending you up and round the mountain...- Hopefully.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19..when she comes! Thank you very much indeed, Linda.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21'So were we able to raise the money at auction
0:56:21 > 0:56:24'to send Linda hill walking?'
0:56:24 > 0:56:27At 95 bid, at 95 bid. 98 now, do I see?
0:56:27 > 0:56:31At 95 bid, are we all done at 95? So near, yet so far.
0:56:31 > 0:56:35At 95 bid, are we all done? I'm finished at 95. Last call, then.
0:56:35 > 0:56:3998 bid, do I see 98 bid? At 98 and 100, £100 bid.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42At £100 bid, at 100, 110 now, do I see? £100 bid. At 100...
0:56:42 > 0:56:45I would have been amazed if it hadn't have sold.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48At £100, any more bids?
0:56:48 > 0:56:52- Sale's gone down, did it. - Ooh, just, though, wasn't it?
0:56:52 > 0:56:55Paul said that someone had bid on it from France,
0:56:55 > 0:56:59so I was really pleased that someone must really be interested in it
0:56:59 > 0:57:03and actually want it, and so I felt it was going to a good home.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06- Excellent, really pleased about that.- Bit of money towards the trip.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09- Thank you, Michael.- It's a pleasure.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12I suppose from a very early age I've been walking,
0:57:12 > 0:57:15but it's been more recent, probably the last ten years,
0:57:15 > 0:57:19when I've taken that interest up again.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21I have walked in many places in the UK,
0:57:21 > 0:57:25but really felt that I wanted an even bigger challenge,
0:57:25 > 0:57:30and so decided to take the Everest base camp trip.
0:57:31 > 0:57:35It was absolutely special from beginning to end.
0:57:36 > 0:57:41The bridges over the gorges, the depth of the gorges,
0:57:41 > 0:57:43the snow-capped mountains,
0:57:43 > 0:57:47it was just so beautiful wherever you looked.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50The money that we made on Flog It went towards
0:57:50 > 0:57:52one of the training ventures,
0:57:52 > 0:57:57where we went off to the Yorkshire Dales, and that certainly helped me.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02I feel very proud and humble in some ways
0:58:02 > 0:58:08that I managed to get to Everest base camp.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11I know lots of trekkers do go up there,
0:58:11 > 0:58:15but certainly feel that, erm, as an older person,
0:58:15 > 0:58:18that it was a real achievement
0:58:18 > 0:58:22to actually get to the top, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:58:30 > 0:58:33If you need to raise some funds to achieve a burning ambition,
0:58:33 > 0:58:37you know where to find us, a Flog It valuation day.
0:58:37 > 0:58:39Well, that's it for today's show.
0:58:39 > 0:58:42Do join us again soon for more Trade Secrets.