Hove Flog It!

Welcome to "Flog It!", where your junk could earn you a fortune.

Here on "Flog It!" we take you through the thrills of selling at an auction.

So, dust down your unwanted antiques and let our experts price them up for you.

You could be cashing in, just like at this auction in Rye.

The experts' necks might be on the block, but it's YOUR antiques that are going under the hammer.

Here's what's coming up later.

We didn't even know what it was.

385. Elated. Yeah.

I'm absolutely amazed. 20 there...22.

I'd better look in the garage. Yes.

45. Like finding a new sweetheart when you think you're past your prime.

The Brighton area is traditionally strong in antiques,

so we have high hopes that the locals will discover some real gems

and bring them down to Hove Town Hall. But before we go inside, I can't resist having a rummage.

A very, very old...item.

Have you had it on the wall? No, behind the door. It's too dark.

You've had a good clean-out. Yeah! That's an interesting thing.

On hand to help us decide what may do well at auction are our two experts.

Brighton has a strong tradition of antiques.

We might see some nice Regency gilt candelabra, hopefully.

It's a good Regency town.

This is a very exciting venue. The Brighton Pavilion is up the road.

We've got Rye... We should see influence from there.

Let's hope David's right, and we unearth a few local treasures.

The Battle of Hastings. Sylvia, tell me about this fabulous poster.

The fantastic thing is that in 1966, looking down at the bottom,

it was the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

I was teaching in Brighton. I wrote to Guinness and said

I must have one of those for my school display.

It's a fabulous item. And big, as well. Yes. Did this poster hang anywhere?

Or did they just send you one? They sent me one, but I saw them putting the first one up in Hove...

the old Brighton and Hove football ground. They were just about to unpeel it...

I knew what it was, and I thought, "I must write to Guinness to get one for my school."

And they duly sent you one. Yes.

We must try and find out if Guinness have a museum. Yes.

If they have an archive of these fabulous posters.

Historically it's pretty accurate. They've got William the Conqueror.

He was Duke William then. And the rumour was that... Some Norman soldiers thought he'd been killed,

so he put back his visor and...

then, pointing, they say, "No, Duke William's still alive."

All Guinness did was put a little half pint in there. To revive him!

Oh, that'll sell it!

Have you any idea about value? No.

If we put a loose estimate - ?50 to ?100... It has got a bit of damage.

That's where I Sellotaped it before pinning it. But it's an impressive work.

And it would be nice if it went to a local household. That would be nice.

I hope it would go to a good home where it is on show. Yes. It's a bit too big. I live in a small bungalow.

Let's hope it goes to a Battle household. It would be nice if it went into East Sussex, definitely.

What pleases me is to know that this programme is starting in East Sussex, very near Battle. Yep!

Thank you. Good show, Guinness.

I've never advertised Guinness before.

Tell me about this. Where did you get it? I purchased this yesterday at a local charity shop in Hastings.

Dare I ask the price you paid? I gave the lady ?2.50.

Not ?2.50?! She wanted ?5, actually. And I said, "I think it may be a forgery."

She said, "So do I." I said, "In that case, how about a little leeway?" And I gave her ?2.50.

I know why she thought it was a forgery, because this is late Clarice Cliff.

The most popular reflect the Art Deco period.

This reflects the Art Deco period in the colouring, but it's not the type of pottery that's in demand,

running to several hundred pounds. I can understand why.

I think we're looking in the region of ?60 or ?80 at auction.

It is late. She started developing this technique of raised designs.

There's a whole sequence. I like this, cos they're bright colours,

looking back to the heyday of her designs in the 1930s.

I notice this butterfly that throws it out of balance, but I think it was put on at the same time.

It doesn't seem in keeping with the rest of the vase, to me, that butterfly.

Does it to you? It's a later concept. No, I think it's under the glaze, so that's OK. Yes.

As regards value at auction, I'd like to see it go round about ?60.

A very good buy. Can we sell it? Yes. What are you going to do with the money? Find ten more of these.

For ?6 or something. It just shows what can be bought at charity shops. Let's have a go. Thanks very much.

Thank you.

Most of us would think that ?5 for a Clarice Cliff vase is a steal, but not Wendy Hayward.

You haggled. I haggled. As you do. I do! I said, "If it's not Clarice Cliff, it's not worth a fiver.

"Would you take a few quid?" And she said, "Yes." I gave her ?2.50. Did you specially buy it for the show?

Not especially, but it crossed my mind when I was out. I love it, I love it! Great!

You've brought along this fabulous little picture by Cecil Aldin.

How did you come by it? I've had it for three years, since my grandfather died. We found it under his bed.

It was wrapped up in brown paper. These are treasured items.

Were you hoping to find cash under the bed? He did mention there were things under there.

But this he hadn't mentioned at all. I don't think it was particularly a treasured item to him.

But he knew a good thing when he saw it. He got it through his stepmother,

who was in with Gaiety-Girls-type social circle.

Possibly it was given to her by someone in that time.

I think he was right. He's stored away an item of value. It's a very nice picture.

We're slightly puzzled to what it's painted on. It's mainly pencil and crayon.

The huntsman's got a lovely hunting-pink coat on. But it has a very creamy surface.

We thought originally it could be vellum.

But now I think it's probably ivorine, a substitute ivory,

because it would be a very large panel to find in ivory. Is that just this section or the whole piece?

Just the bit that's painted on.

I think your mount will abut very carefully the ivory bone.

Why have you brought it along for sale? I love it. It's original. I love originals.

He left me two watercolours. But this is hunting and I'm vegetarian and I don't approve of the subject.

So it's been nagging at your conscience. Something like that.

I think... It's lovely. I think it's about turn-of-the-century, 1900, 1920,

just before everything collapsed into the First World War.

He's a good huntsman. He's cleared quite a substantial four-bar gate.

I think there will be collectors for it. Cecil Aldin is a lovely artist.

Have you any idea of its value? None at all. None at all.

I would estimate it to make between ?500 and ?700 at auction. That much? That much.

It's a very nice item and we could do quite a lot with it.

Now, this object I covet. Where did it come from?

Grandmother's. Was she Scottish?

No, no connection with Scotland.

Any Scottish ancestry? No, none. Where she got it from, I don't know.

This has got the initials on - "GC". It's not Gladys Cooper? Or Gary Cooper?!

I can remember Gladys Cooper... Oh, and Gary Cooper, of course! Wishful thinking.

George Carey? A bit later.

This is a lovely example - typically Scottish. If you saw it in Cornwall, you'd recognise it as Scottish.

It's ram's horn. Nicely curved there.

The shield here with the engraved detail.

And then the actual cover to this snuff mill, or snuffbox, is silver.

Contained within the silver is horn. And then mounted in the horn is a cairngorm.

So that's a very nice piece.

This would have been used on a table. It wouldn't have been carried round.

This object dates from the middle of the 19th century.

These are not uncommon. You might see as many as three or four on an occasion like this.

So I think we're talking in terms maybe of...

let's say, ?120 to ?180. Right. A wide margin, depending on who's at the auction.

Very collectable? Very collectable.

I know it's a wide price bracket, but you've got to appeal to a large number of people.

But I think we shall stand success. Good. What will you do with the money? A few drinks down the pub.

Not a new yacht, I'm afraid! Absolutely. Thank you very much. OK.

We'll be joining Bob and Judith later. Let's hope they get back from the pub on time!

Let's see what's going under the hammer so far.

Sylvia's poster is a local item and it might do better than this.

Oh, that'll sell it, won't it?!

Will the buyers at auction be as charitable as the shop

where Wendy bought her vase?

Hal's watercolour by Cecil Aldin offended her sensibilities.

But that's what "Flog It!" is all about.

The snuff horn from the Ward household should do well.

That's what I like to hear!

We've come just along the Sussex coast to Rye for today's auction.

Soon we'll find out what our items are worth. They're already coming under scrutiny.

It's not just the buyers who need to form an opinion of our owners' lots.

Auctioneer Andrew Payne has his views, too. What does he think of David and James's valuations?

Andrew, Sylvia's brought in this Guinness advertising poster. James valued this at ?50 to ?100.

Well, it's in very good condition.

Battle of Hastings and Guinness collectors will be after it.

I think that's a fair estimate for it, ?50 to ?100. Is it? Yes. Somewhere in there.

This is lovely - a ram's horn snuffbox, which Bob Ward brought in.

David's valued this at ?180. Is that about right? Yes, it's not far off.

I haven't seen one quite like this in this condition. I wouldn't be surprised if it saw ?150 to ?250.

I think we'll do very well with it.

The auction's about to begin. Hal turns up early with high hopes for her watercolour

and an extra pair of eyes to keep tabs on the bidding.

What's his name? Joshua. How old is he? Three months. You're getting him started early! Yes.

He's got a good eye for it already. He'll be an expert by the time he's five. How about the watercolour?

I'm hopeful, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. We'll have to wait and see if anyone's interested.

What will you do with the money? I was going to put it towards double glazing, but that might be a problem!

I live in a conservation area, so that'll be difficult to put in.

Maybe a holiday for my other son. I hope it does sell. Thank you. So do I!

The auction is about to start. Bob's sitting this one out and letting his sister Judith brave the auction.

It's quite nice that he's splitting the limelight. I don't know anything about this thing.

It's been in the family for ages. I didn't even know what it was.

Would you have put it on sale had it not been for the programme? No. It's always been hanging about.

But what was it? So to find something out about it, for a start... Yes.

Then I thought, "If there's any interest, give it a go...

"see what happens." You never know. It's a beautiful little piece. A lovely showy piece. Yes. Yes.

It's tactile. You want to pick it up and hold it and talk about it.

And possibly use it? Possibly? No!

This is it. And the number?

Are the legs shaking? No!

The brain's just gone, hasn't it? It's disengaged. That's it.

A nice interesting piece.

We're going to start at ?120. Right in. 130.

140. ?150 with me.

160...170. This is what you said.

180...190...200.

Yes! 210...220.

230. You don't want to sell it now it's valuable!

240. You could always buy it back!

I can't believe it. At ?240, then...

No more? You thought it was junk. Yes.

?240! Brilliant! Nice one.

I'm delighted. Delighted! Thanks, David. Well done!

?240 - that's great. It's a good price. Yes.

A bit over what we estimated. Nice, though. Yes, excellent. Very happy.

Thank you very much. Not at all.

?240 - and Judith didn't even know what it was.

I wonder what other unknown treasures are lurking in the Ward household?

Hal, it's the moment of truth for the watercolour. Yes. Feeling scared?

Very nervous. I think James is nervous, as well. Yes, he is.

It's an unusual item. Some have been sold in the last auction season.

And they're quoted in the Art South Index at about ?700,

so hopefully the estimate is right. It depends what people think of it. Cecil Aldin is very collectable.

Very collectable. He did the first illustrations for Black Beauty. Yes.

And he did a very nice series of coaching inns locally. I think he did the Mermaid at Rye.

I think... We saw the Mermaid at Rye, in fact.

So...here goes.

Tension from everybody here.

A huntsman with the signature of Cecil Aldin.

There was a bit of debate as to whether it was right or not.

You didn't tell me that.

Have we got a phone bid, as well? Yes. Right.

From under the bed to Rye auction room. ?500 for it. 300, then.

300, I've got. 300.

325...350.

375...400...425.

450...475. This is great. 500.

500...525.

550. Yes! 550, on my right.

In the room at 550. ..Telephone?

No? 550, then. The telephone's out.

Two, was it? At 550, on my right. Both phones are out.

Sold at 550...?

Well done, James. So they liked it. Thank you, James.

It was realised that it wasn't a print. The gamble paid. Thank you.

A fiver again for it? ?5?

Wendy, how are you feeling today? Excited. Looking forward to getting rid of it? Absolutely.

Are you having a nice day out in Rye? I used to live and work in Rye, so I know it very well.

I'm enjoying the auction, yes. David's just bought some pottery. David Sharp. From Rye.

I believe you used to work... In the '70s. Do you remember that model?

I can't say I do. No. I do remember a lot of the animal figurines - otters, badgers.

You were interested in cats, weren't you? Yes. I don't remember any cats.

I remember more the plate work.

The Clarice Cliff vase this time.

20, I've got. We're in at 20.

22...24...26...28...30. That's great. It's going.

He's got a discretion on this. It has to reach ?40. Yeah. 40.

Yeah! 42...44... 44, at the back.

46...48...50... It's doing well.

52, on the left-hand side. Anyone?

?52, then... 54. Fingers crossed. 54, sitting down.

56...58...60...62...

64...66...68...

70...72... Go out and buy some more! ..78...

80... I can't believe that, David. I hope the charity shop owner isn't watching.

Thank you. That was brilliant. Wasn't it? Brilliant!

How are you feeling? Elated!

I'm absolutely amazed. That's extraordinary. Isn't it?

As you said, you can still find these gems and bargains. That's an excellent result.

What are you going to put the money towards? I feel I have no option but to give the money to charity.

Are you serious? I'm serious. That's lovely. I'll donate it back to the charity shop. What a star!

120...130...140...

150...160...170... Sylvia, how are you feeling? Interested. I've never sat all day in an auction room.

This is your first auction room? To stay all day, yes. Oh... I've popped in and out of places,

but I've never sat this long. Are you nervous? Oh, no! It's nothing to get nervous about, is it?

A ?50-to-?80 poster! But you get a bit cold at times. Yes.

There are refreshments here, though. Oh, yes. Lovely poster. I hope someone's interested.

The poster hasn't been on the wall, it's been folded up? It has, yes.

But open as much as possible, in a cupboard. Look at this, James. Oh, great.

That's actually the poster. Yes, that's the best bit. But he's got a pint of Guinness in his hand.

They've done it very well. But this is the real thing.

Do you like Guinness? I do occasionally have a little Guinness.

In small quantities, of course. I'd better say that, as an ex-teacher!

Me, too. Here we go.

This is exciting. Yes.

A large Battle of Hastings Guinness poster.

It's in quite good condition, too.

The ideal place for it to be sold!

?80 to ?100 for it. 30 I've got for a quick start. ?30.

35...40... We're winning. ..45...50.

55...60...

65 anyone? 65.

70...75...

75, on my right. 80, anybody?

?75, then... No more?

80... Keep going! Keep going! 85?

85...90... Keep going! Great. Yes.

95...100... It's more. All right?

120...130...?

No? 120...130...

140... James! This is quite incredible.

It just shows you - if you sell it in the right place.

200...210...

220...230...

At 230, on my right. Come on, come on! That's a tidy sum of money.

I'll be very glad. 230?

Look, that's fine, isn't it? Very good! Sylvia, that's excellent. Here.

That's going to be your only souvenir. That's right. It's gone.

What will you put the money towards?

I've got terrible problems with a leaking conservatory roof, so I know where it's going.

Call a roofer out? I've already got him in, but we can't find the leak.

Oh, dear. Anyway... But this will be a help.

Good. I've been in history all my life, so I'm happy. Are you? I'd like to know it's gone to a good home.

I'd like to know who's acquired it. We can find out. How are you feeling? Oh, happy!

It was worth making that effort to start driving early this morning.

It was terrible weather. Yes. But that is good.

Not a bad day, so far. Every one a winner.

Can David and James find any more gems amongst this lot?

I spend a lot of my time restoring old furniture.

But in a Regency square in Hove, I found an epic restoration project.

Nick, I believe this whole project is your baby. Yes, that's right.

In June of this year, our trust will be ten years old. It's long and relentless, but it's wonderful.

You're restoring one big antique. That's a lovely way of thinking about it.

As in the best of restorations, you use an archaeological approach.

You learn about the way the house used to be and carefully return it to that style.

The standard of work is stunning. We're trying to be very careful.

We've just restored the central ceiling roses in the drawing rooms.

All these are cast on site, aren't they? Yes, and, of course, using original styles and materials.

And traditional methods. Yes. Will it be your choice of colour? I...

sometimes wish it was, but it won't be, because the colours we'll use will be the ones originally used.

That's why you're taking all the wallpaper off? Yes. The dining room on the ground floor

is painted in a fabulous purple that was fashionable for a short period during the Regency,

when people thought that purple was an aid to digestion.

Keith, how long have you been working on the project? Five or six years.

You're in charge of all the plaster casting and mouldings. Yes. You've picked out all the detail.

What have you got in your hand? A cast? Yes. It's a pretty simple mould.

It's a cast background - a cradle - for somewhere we can pour rubber into to...

You've got an example of all these panels. They've all got a detail in each corner, in every single room.

Yes, I think there's about 285 to be cast up so far.

We place that up against there...

place the prop under it like that...

using that little piece there. The problem is the rubber pours out the edge,

so we use some very expensive terracotta clay and seal it round the edge.

And that is enough just to hold it in place.

It's a messy old business at times!

We've now created the rubber mould and we've now also shoved in our first cast.

This is how it comes out.

It's a lovely little detail. The replication is perfect.

Yes, and by using rubber, it means there's hardly any breakage.

We get virtually 100% success. And back on they go!

What a lovely peaceful process!

In the valuation room, there's still time to find that hidden gem.

Bob and Judith Ward are back with another piece of their family history.

It's so nice to have furniture brought along. Most people bring objects in carrier bags.

So it's rather nice to have this on the programme.

It's a Pembroke table, a work table.

Have you used it as a work table?

Is it your own? It's our own. It used to be my grandmother's. She lived in Worthing all her life.

There's a cigarette burn here. She smoked Craven 'A' cigarettes until she died at...86, was it?

86. They had the black cat motif? Yes. So...she obviously used it.

We just have a lamp on it by the side of the TV.

This was intended for ladies to use as a work table. Two simple drawers at the front here.

If you look inside, you can see little grooves.

I noticed those. Which would've broken it up into small sections. Yes.

Original turn-knob handles, rather nice. There's no slide underneath. That would've been a cotton drawer.

But we also have the original sham drawers on the other side.

Some people call them false drawers, I call them sham drawers! OK. Like a davenport.

It's interesting that, on the other side, we have some indications of wear.

There are little indentations on the top. That may be where somebody has screwed a sewing clamp.

Ah, right. For using in sewing. Yes.

And when this is fully up, you could put material across the top.

There are one or two faults. You've got blemishes on the top caused through water. I thought it was ink.

I think it's water. Water, is it? It's too vast to be ink. Right. You've also got damage on the top.

You often find that where it's been pushed up too high.

So if anybody buys this, they'll take it down to its original format and re-French-polish. Yes.

At this time, this furniture had the new look.

1800, the new look came in from France - French polish. It gave a completely different sheen to it.

You date this piece later in the Georgian period

because of its turned and banded legs. And it's got its original brass casters.

If this was in tip-top condition, we'd be looking at ?600 to ?800. Right.

It needs restoration.

We've got to put it at a sum that'll attract a buyer enough to disregard that.

Yes. So, if I say ?180, ?250...

and hopefully we'll get ?250 plus, at least people will find it reasonable and have a go at it.

That's what I like to hear. You're both in agreement? Oh, yes. Excellent.

Place your bets.

Putting things into auction can be a gamble, but, Chris, what have our experts said about this?

A smaller wheel would be ?200 to ?300. Perhaps a little more for this. But it's a very specialised market.

This is a full-size wheel, isn't it, like you find in casinos? It's French, I believe. Yes.

We have a single zero as opposed to the American double zero.

I think modern casinos are more interested in those. It revolves beautifully and the weight...

This looks like it's been in the garage. I'm afraid so. That's what we like to see, though -

people bringing in stuff from their sheds and garages. There.

It does need a bit of restoration. Yes. We've lost one of the baize pieces. A lovely piece of walnut.

There's rosewood and ivory... and some ebony inlay.

I don't suppose you've got the ball? No. The original ivory ball went after the First World War,

when it was in use in Mayfair. Just after the First World War.

Nowadays, they'd use a modern synthetic, I suspect.

This is early 20th-century, isn't it? It was certainly in use in 1918.

By how much it pre-dates that, I don't know.

What value did we give? Unlikely to make four figures.

It might make ?500 upwards. Let's hope nobody loses their shirt!

This lovely jewellery box is a lovely example of the Art Nouveau period.

The Art Nouveau period happened on the Continent, 1890-1900.

It came slightly later to the British shores.

It dates 1900-1910. It has an organic shape to it.

I love the organic legs. They're sinuous, which is very typical.

And we have this rather nice embossed iris.

Everything was of sinuous, scantily-clad ladies

and nice flower elements and feathers, peacock feathers.

This time it's an iris. It's got a good weight to it.

But I think it's been thrown at the odd errant husband!

It's got a couple of bashes, which is a shame.

How did you come by it? I inherited it from my mother.

But where she got it from, I'm not sure. We often think of 30 years as a generation.

So this one has hallmarks for London, 1904. Right.

So, slap-bang in the middle. Yes.

Room for a couple of brooches here...some rings.

And a very nice gilded interior.

Do you have any idea of its value? Not really. We came today to get advice on it.

I think it'd fetch between ?80 and ?120. Goodness! Round about the ?100 mark.

The thing that's holding it back is these bashes. Oh, right.

Yes. Obviously the person didn't quite hit the person! They hit some hard surface. Yes.

It's a lovely item. And you've brought along this lovely dish.

Yes. Which is exactly the same date letter. Again, London, 1904.

It has "F", which is... It's made abroad.

But it comes up to the sterling standard of 925 parts per thousand.

Whereas THAT was typical Art Nouveau, THIS is a revivalist style.

And it's a revival of the Rococo period, which is mid-18th-century.

We have a nice scene after Watteau, the famous French artist.

Then this nice rocaille border, which was to simulate rocks.

All part of the idea of the grotto. Oh, yes. It's a very nice item.

How did you come by this one?

When we moved into a property, this filthy object was on a windowsill full of rubbish.

My husband decided to clean it and that's what we came up with.

Well... It was black. It was filthy. The people had left it behind.

It's... It was used as a flowerpot stand. There was a flowerpot and rubbish.

To keep the water off the windowsill. Yes. We polished it up.

It has survived very well indeed. Any idea of the price?

Do you think your box will make more or the dish? I would have thought the box. You're right. I don't know.

The box is more substantial, more useful. Yes. This is just a tray for cuff links or bits and pieces.

I think it'll be around the ?50 mark, so if we say ?40 to ?50.

That's excellent. A lovely item. Yes. Well, thank you for your help.

And there's a secret drawer there.

Have you used it much?

No. It's actually my sister's. I like that.

Millie Rich, that's a wonderful name. Where does it come from? My parents. Of course!

Well, it's the first time Millie's been fashionable, because of the millennium.

I've seen a few Millies running about now. You never heard the name before.

It's on a par with Lavinia or Octavia. My mother's name was Edna Violet. Just as bad!

True Coronation Street. She'd be most offended. Would she really? But what about Thoroughly Modern Millie?

Oh, but that was a takeoff. Wonderful. Yes.

So, dare I ask your age? Is that being rude? Yes!

But you look so young. How do you know I look young, if you don't know my age?

Well, you look very much like a... Well-preserved!

Yes. What's the secret?

Embalming fluid.

Right! This little object you brought in, I think it's particularly attractive.

What's intriguing is you can still use it today for bridge... Bridge is a foreign country to me.

You don't play bridge? No. It seems just a way of passing the time from the cradle to the grave!

People play it all the time. That's what they're doing. Where did it come from? It was a family thing.

Eventually I acquired it. But it's never been used. I don't think so.

Well, no. All the lead is there. I wonder if you can still feed it with lead, should that be used.

Probably. I wonder if it's got any...spares. I wouldn't think so.

You have to thread it in through the top. It's not on its original chain.

I didn't know that. This little piece is 18-carat gold and is 19th-century.

I love this engraved case...

and this little vacant cartouche.

You could still put your initials or your lover's initials on it.

You project it by pulling it out at the end, and out shoots the pencil.

It's still got its original lead. But I think that's a watch chain.

And this would possibly have been on a lady's chatelaine. Oh, yes. With a little book.

It would have gone on one of those waist requisites. Chatelaine. Yes.

That's right. So, this little object here is 18-carat gold,

whereas the chain is much later - it looks like a 1920 mixed gold,

that's white gold and yellow gold, at 9 carats. So the two would not...

It looks barely heavy enough to carry that weight.

It's quite fragile. Well, yes, but if you attached a watch,

that would have been the fob, with the watch on the other end.

I think if we put them up for sale, we'll put them up as one unit. Yes, it makes an item, doesn't it?

I would estimate at auction this would sell for something in the region of ?180 to ?200.

It's a respectable price. Would you go on holiday with the money? Oh, it hardly counts these days!

Are you on holiday all the time? Absolutely. I wish I could say the same. I have to work. Really?

I'm here now. But, my dear, if you like it, it isn't work. That's true.

I'm fortunate in making my hobby my occupation. You are indeed.

If whoever employs you hears that, they may not pay you, so I'll pretend you didn't say that! Thank you.

Can we put this up for sale? Please, do. I'll ask for a reserve of ?160,

and allow auctioneer's reserve.

That's not eternally elastic, I take it? No. It usually has a 10% allowance.

That's a wonderful idea. Thank you. I'll look forward to it. You'll be at the auction. If you'll have me.

Of course! Thank you very much.

As the valuation day draws to a close and the people pack away their valuables,

let's see what we've got to take to the auction.

Silver normally sells well, so Margaret Carter should get a result.

The water stains on Bob and Judith's table don't worry me,

I'd still have it!

Minnie Rich - as well-preserved as her gold pencil.

Wanting things only puts wrinkles on your face.

She's not bothered about the money. She just wants to have fun!

We'll see how our items get on at auction in a minute. First, Andrew's thoughts.

This is my favourite piece in the whole auction. Bob Ward brought this lady's work table in.

David has valued it at ?180 to ?250, so can I give you the money now?

I think we'll do very well for the customer. Slight damage on the top.

The two drawers at the front and two dummies at the back. Nice turned legs.

Typical Victorian. Original casters. It's gorgeous. Yes.

I love this bruised look to it.

Yes. It wouldn't be appealing to me if it was completely clean. I'd like to get it for that price.

I think we're looking at ?300, ?350. Yeah, I think David knew that. He was just getting people interested.

Got ME interested. I like this. Margaret brought it in. I think James has undervalued it.

He's put ?80 to ?100. Yeah. This is a very good silver trinket box.

Good order. It's gorgeous, isn't it? Yes. Lovely little legs on it. I think we're looking ?150 to ?200.

I think that, as well.

The auction's about to begin. First up is Margaret's box.

How long have you had the ring box? It's lovely. I can't say exactly. Years and years.

It was my mother's before me and her aunt's before that.

So it is a long time.

Very attractive. Typical of the Art Nouveau period.

I like the embossed iris on it.

I think...hopefully it's got some items going for it. It has.

We've got ?80 to ?100. No reserve, though. No reserve. Why is that? Have you talked them into this?

I've no idea, no. I think there's going to be an auctioneer's discretion. Yes.

This won't get sold for ?10. No.

I'll be putting up MY hand if... Yes. Looking on the most optimistic side, James, what sort of figure?

I'm going to put you on the spot. I don't know.

I'd be surprised if it made more than ?120.

We're on now. Right.

Tension!

London, 1904, heart-shaped silver trinket box. Very nice, too.

We've got quite a lot of interest in it. I've got some bids here,

starting at ?110. 110...120.

130...140. What an opener! 150...160. 170, anybody?

?160. 170. James!

180. 190, at the back? ?180 then...

190, anybody? Push it! 180, then...

Sold at 180?

Brilliant! That's good. Lovely. Super. Yes, jolly good.

Totally unexpected. Yes. Oh, yes.

Very much so. You'll be able to visit more auction rooms now! Yes.

Well done, James. Thank you. You were right. You were secretly confident, weren't you?

I'm all butterflies, I can tell you.

His reputation's always on the line.

Trust James to get it right. Let's hope he's on the mark with Margaret's silver coaster.

Getting towards the end of the auction. There's a lot of heavy dealers moving in.

The furniture dealers always crowd the stage out. Let's hope they're keen. I'm sure they are. ..David?

It's a very nice piece. I have my reservations about the restoration required on it.

We'll see how it goes. We've priced it at a reasonable figure to encourage people to bid on it.

We gathered you did that.

My MOT's just cost ?380. That's what the money's going on? Yeah.

You think we'll make ?380? Hopefully.

This early-19th-century work table. Like to see ?400 or ?500 for it.

I've got 150 here for a quick start. 160...180.

200. It's moving quickly. 220...240...260...280.

300. That's what we want. 320, at the back of the room. 340.

360. That's ?360. At 360...

360, at the back, then... 380, anyone?

Sold at 360?

That's flown away. Brilliant! Only ?10 for the MOT. That's fantastic.

You've got commission to pay. Oh, yes. That's brilliant. It was better than I thought. It was good.

Margaret, you're back for more. You like this punishment. Oh, I do. Cos you get paid for it!

Yes!

Well, you're more apprehensive now, you're thinking, "Well, I've done well..." That's right.

"Will my luck be up again?" Yes. I think it will. ..Don't you, James? I hope so. It's an attractive tray.

It's almost like a coaster for a wine bottle.

But you used it for a plant... It was when we moved to our house years ago. It was very dirty.

My husband decided to clean it up and that's what we found.

?10, sitting down there. Sold at 10.

Here's our lot. Here we go.

Silver, circular stand.

How about ?50 for it? 20, for a start.

We're off. 25...30...35. 40 with me.

At ?40. 45, anyone? 45.

Yes. 45, on the right. 50, anybody?

?45, then? 50, anyone?

Push them. 45. Sold at ?45...?

That's still good. Very good, yes.

You were right on, James. Yes. Good.

Well, last, but most certainly not least, Millie Rich and her gold pencil.

Millie, here we go. Yes. Your pencil.

18-carat gold telescopic pencil

with 9-carat chain. Very nice, too.

It'd make a nice present. Lot 532.

?200 for it?

100, then. ?50 I've got for a start. 50.

60...70...80, anybody? At ?70... 80.

How are you feeling? Full of trepidation.

100? No more? 90... Not quite there with that, I'm afraid.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear. That's not enough. It hasn't sold. No.

No, I didn't think it would. It's not that sort of auction, I don't think.

I think it wants a specialist auction. Probably jewellery. Yes.

But it's an interesting experience. Oh, absolutely!

Yes. I think I've had a wonderful time.

I've been transported here by a handsome coachman, your Colin, I believe.

I've not been to Rye before, and I think it's a quaint place and I shall explore it.

I've had a wonderful experience looking at all the different people

and thinking that this must be the ultimate green experience -

everything is being recycled. Reborn.

It never dies. People are going to love and cherish it all over again.

It's like finding a new sweetheart when you think you're past your prime.

That must be the ultimate rejuvenation. You look beautiful. It's all done with mirrors.

Illusion. Yes. You should see the picture in the attic.

Thanks very much. It's been lovely.

Alas, no result for Millie. But she will take home fond memories as well as her pencil.

When Hal turned up, little did she know what her unloved watercolour was worth.

I thought maybe ?100 or something. So ?500 is really superb. It's lovely.

And Bob... Well, he'll be going back to his garage to dig up some more stuff to sell

after a profitable first experience at auction. How do you feel? Brilliant! That has done so well.

Historian, and now TV star, Sylvia scored a remarkable ?230 for a Guinness poster,

demonstrating that local items tend to do well at auction.

Good old William the Conqueror!

Oh, dear, dear, dear!

We've had a fantastic time here in Rye. I hope you've enjoyed it. See you soon.

Subtitles by Audrey Flynn BBC Scotland 2002

MILLIE: It's an unfortunate title, "Flog It!" I thought it was an S show.