Weston-super-Mare Flog It!

Hello and welcome to "Flog It!" -

the show where you can turn your stash into hard cash!

Instead of leaving unwanted antiques lying around gathering dust,

let somebody else appreciate them.

On "Flog It!" our experts value your item. If they think it's worth it, you get to sell it at auction.

It's fun seeing your antique being bargained for and you could be in the money.

Sometimes our experts are right, sometimes they're off target. So you're both taking a chance.

Later, we'll see how our owners get on.

Exciting, isn't it? It is. I'm pleased you're excited.

25?

Wow!

Are you thinking of the money already, Terry? Yeah, pinch me.

How do you feel about that? Amazed! So am I. ..So are you, aren't you?

All done on ?12 now?

That's excellent. Brilliant! I'm so pleased. That's really good.

?300, then. Mr Ashby.

Doesn't this chap know his onions!

Our valuation day comes from the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare.

People have travelled from miles around, having rooted out antiques

which they hope to sell at auction, but only a few will be chosen, depending on our experts' valuation.

Sheldon Cameron runs an auction house in Malborough and specialises in militaria.

Thomas Plant is an auctioneer in Bath and is keen on 20C decorative arts and jewellery.

There are some interesting items in today. Sheldon goes for the exotic.

How did you get these? They were part of Terry's mother's effects

and they've resided in our attic ever since.

My grandfather was in the Navy and travelled, obviously, around the world

and he may well have picked them up on his travels.

By the looks of them, I'd say they are Ceylonese.

Originated from Ceylon, which we now know as Sri Lanka.

They are candle holders, for want of a better word.

Date-wise, in our time, it would be late Victorian when they were made.

D'you know what they're made from? Spelter, isn't it?

I don't need to tell you anything. I've watched too many of your shows!

Unfortunately, it's seen healthier days. It's been knocked over.

On the back here is a slight crack. Oh, right, yes.

I wondered why it's on the tilt. It's been knocked. What you mustn't do

is try and bend it back or it will snap off. Spelter is very brittle.

Regarding value, it's not something that will pay for your next world cruise, I'm afraid.

They're not a high-tariff object.

At auction, you're looking at ?40-?60 for them.

That's more than collecting dust in the attic!

Moving along, you say you saw this on TV recently. On Bargain Hunt.

Yes, someone had one very similar. Oh, right.

It's a very decorative piece. If we unscrew it - squeaky too, like running fingers down a blackboard -

and take this off, we've got a little bottle inside.

There we are, complete with stopper. It's nice to see the original stopper.

Often, they fall out, break or the neck goes. This is all in one piece.

Now, what was it used for? It's self-explanatory, really.

Someone would have bought this, had their medicine, kept the bottle for safekeeping if they were travelling

on holiday or on a day out. That's what it was used for.

It's just a safety cell for it. OK? Now...

the acid test - how much did it fetch on Bargain Hunt? They bought one for ?55 and it sold for ?80.

I'm not saying that's worth ?80. You never know. Fingers crossed.

That's the point of auctions. Did the one on TV have any markings? On the top - "London and Paris".

So that would add to it. I think that was the thing in its favour.

This one has a trade label -

"Army Navy Co-operative Society", which is nice to see. At auction,

you'll be looking at ?50-?80 for it, so approaching the same territory.

I bought it for sixpence in a jumble sale years ago. What a great shopper you are!

Would you consider putting the articles into auction?

Well, as I've said, they're just gathering dust

and, to be appreciated, they should go somewhere that can be seen rather than hidden away. Excellent!

Do you agree, madam? Yes. I can tell who wears the trousers in this house.

If these do make a lot of money at auction, what would you do with the proceeds?

Well, being recently reduced to the rank of a pensioner, on retirement,

I've decided that speculate to accumulate and we'll keep the money.

Very wise idea. Thanks for bringing them in. Fingers crossed, we should do well at auction. Thank you.

This belonged to my husband's granddad's cousin.

Obviously, they're all from Scotland.

The name on top is Charles Stirling. This cousin was a pharmacist.

That's as much as I can tell you.

Well, it all seems to work. Probably mid to late nineteenth century.

It's a medicine cabinet, apothecary cabinet - whatever you want to call it -

where a pharmacist or doctor would keep their drugs. It's fantastic.

It's mahogany and brass. Good brasswork on top, very flush handle.

That's really appealing - nice flush handle - and as we open it,

we see it has a fitted interior where one's bottles would go.

There has been some damage. Yeah.

Here would be fitted areas for more bottles. Some items are missing.

These are very popular if they have their full contents

and there are collectors for medical wares.

Have you an idea of value? No idea at all. Not as much as it would be if it was complete.

If full, they are in the mid to high hundreds. Right. But in this condition, I'm afraid I'd go low

and it might be 150, 180 to 200, about that sort of value.

That's sensible because the box is so good. Yes, it is very solid.

Maybe somebody could get excited about it and do some restoration.

Yes. That's not over-egging it. I like the drawer.

You pull it out and the scales are there. We'll leave those and some bottles.

They'll add to the sort of mystique of the box. It's all a bit of fun.

Would you be happy to sell it? Yes.

If we got ?150-?200, what would you do with the money? Spend it on the new baby. Really?

How old is it? Eight weeks old. How wonderful! Well, let's hope we can do better than that. OK. Thank you.

It's a spoon warmer. What you did was, you filled this receptacle -

it's based on a conch shell - with water and put your spoons in them.

Oh. It kept the spoons warm because hot spoons go through food easier.

Date-wise, probably turn of the century. Silver plate, not silver.

No. Which is a pity. Yeah, I know. Any idea of its worth? No, my dear.

So if someone offered you ?20, you'd be happy? Oh, no! No, no, no!

No, no, no. Realistically, at auction, you're looking at ?50-?60.

On that basis, would you put it in to auction? No... You were just curious about it.

Definitely. It's got to go down. My son wants it.

It's been in the family all these years, so I won't part with it.

This looks interesting. Tell me about this.

I believe this is majolica.

Yes.

And possibly George Jones, 1871.

And I think it's referred to in a book I saw recently as Dog On A Cushion.

Yes. Tell me how you came by it.

The story is that my wife, who used to nurse, was nursing an old gentleman.

Unfortunately, he died

and she'd happened to refer to this piece as being unusual.

I don't think at that point she really liked it particularly.

And, um, we believe it's possibly worth something.

I think you're quite right, yes.

It's certainly a very attractive piece of majolica.

When did your wife decide she liked it? After doing a bit of work and knew it was collectable?

I'm not sure she does now. Really?

It seems a pity to have something that collectors would love to have...

Yes. ..tucked away, wrapped up in a cupboard. Yes, you're right. It is something which is...

appreciated by a lot of people. A universally collected item.

I'm just going to turn it over. Here we are, the kite mark.

If I look in my book... Here we are, registrations.

1870, it's got here for the year. Right.

So I think 1870-1871, I think that's correct, don't you?

Near enough. Near enough.

Tell me, have you an idea what the item was used for?

Sort of an inkwell, I believe. It could be a stand or an inkwell or used on a lady's dressing table.

It's certainly quite a feminine piece. Have you an idea of value?

Various figures have been suggested.

Um...possibly ?1,500 to ?2,000, maybe even more.

It could make more, for sure.

Something like this, I would guess, your estimate of ?1,500 to ?2,000

to go for sale... Is it something you'd like to include in the sale?

Yes, I would. As I said, it seems a pity to keep it locked away.

It should be enjoyed, I think.

We've had a mixed bag with some unusual pieces. Let's see what's going for auction.

Michelle hopes her medicine chest will bring some cash for her baby.

Terry and Jenny have candle holders to sell

and a medicine bottle, just like the one featured on Bargain Hunt.

Hopefully, we can pip them to the post and get a higher price.

Will Terry's kitsch Dog On A Cushion find a new home at auction?

They've had it locked in a cupboard so it's good they're selling it.

Our owners are optimistic and our experts bright and breezy.

Were the valuations formed on solid ground or hot air? We'll see soon.

Clevedon in Somerset is the setting for our auction today. It's a fine art sale.

Hundreds of lots will go under the hammer, some belonging to our owners.

Even though our experts are careful with their valuations, you never know what the punters are after.

But one man who will definitely be there is auctioneer Mark Burridge.

Working in antiques since he was 8, he's very experienced. What does HE think of our experts' valuations?

Have they got their sums right? And are there sleepers hidden among our owners' items?

What have we here? It's a very unusual piece. Very kitsch.

It's known as Dog On The Cushion. I think it's a Maltese spaniel. Probably made...

probably made by George Jones.

Inside is a surprise. Ah! Where's the volume button? Turn it down.

No wonder Terry's wife doesn't want it. A gentleman wouldn't have it on his desk. It's more likely to be

a lady's dressing-table box, valued at ?1,500-?2,000, with a ?1,500 reserve.

That's a lot of money. It is. Will it get there? I think we'll get close to it, if not above.

It's quite amazing what some people's taste goes to.

It's popular with Americans, New York. Let's have one more look.

Oh!

What a wonderful pair of candlesticks, so decorative.

They're beautiful. What are they made of? They're made of spelter - an alloy, a white metal.

It's the poor man's bronze. Right.

They still have their original paintwork. Nice and distressed. This is a decorator's dream. Yes.

It's the sort of thing people would love to be able to fake because they're like hot cakes now.

Terry will be so happy. He hasn't asked for a reserve.

It's a nice way to sell them. Sheldon says they're from Sri Lanka. We know they're not. No, France.

They're French and date from about 1870.

Probably ?150-?180 in the auction.

We might be bidding against each other. We might.

Michelle's brought this medicine chest in and she'll spend the money on the baby she's just had.

This is a mid-19C medicine chest.

Let's open the door. Gorgeous fitted interior. Sadly, someone's ripped it out, but not all the way through.

You can't smell this at home, but there's a wonderful aroma of eucalyptus oil. ..Oh!

It's lovely, isn't it? Yes. This was really designed to sit on a desk or to be transported.

There is the original key, so you'd lock it and off you go.

In very nice condition, these are worth ?700-?800.

Our experts have valued this at ?150-?200.

?150-?200.

There's always an air of uncertainty at auction, because you never know if your lot is going to sell.

Soon, our owners' antiques will be paraded in front of the buyers.

For Terry and Jenny, the wait is nearly over.

In the right place and time, they could make ?400-?500. Goodness!

You're not going to withdraw them? No. That extra nought will do.

What will you spend the money on? Ah. Well, Terry's just retired

and I hope to give up work in October, so funds will come in handy.

22. And five somewhere else?

25? 25? 25? ..42. 45...

First up are Terry and Jenny's candle holders.

This pair of candlesticks have been up in the attic for years.

And you've never even used them as candlesticks, have you?

No, they were always on the mantelpiece in my mother's house, but never used as candlesticks.

You inherited them, thought, "Don't like them. Stick them in the attic." Yes, they didn't go with the decor.

We think they're very decorative, a decorator's dream. In the right hands, they could go to ?300-?400.

We'll be sad to see these candlesticks go.

We've never had any preconceived ideas about them, but realising they were in the family so long...

Like sentimental regret? Well, they are, really, yes. Not irreplaceable.

But it would be sad to see them go.

Lot 415, the French spelter candlesticks.

Half a dozen bids on the book.

Great! Which is a good sign.

I have ?200. I have ?220.

240. 260. 280.

300 with me. ..320?

320? 320?

320? At ?300 with me. 320, anyone else?

All done. Selling at ?300, then.

Brilliant! That's good, isn't it? That surprised you both. Yes. Yes.

Sheldon put a value of ?40-?50 on it.

Yes, because they were such individual things.

We took them to Devizes Corn Exchange to sell

and were only offered ?10-?15 for them. A derisory sum.

They didn't know what they were on about. They wouldn't listen to us.

Terry and Jenny have to wait for their medicine pot to go through.

Meanwhile, something to put it in.

Michelle, you brought in a medicine cabinet. How long have you had it? It's been in the family,

inherited from my father-in-law. They passed it on to us.

It seemed a good item of interest to find out if it's worth anything.

And you got persuaded to auction it? Yes. The money's going to baby Hannah? Yes. Who's outside now.

Yes. You should have brought her in for an auction baptism! She might have bid for something!

Yeah, wave her rattle. What will the money go for - clothes and things?

Yeah, I had a boy before, so new things for a girl. Aw!

The auctioneer's put a ?100 reserve on. Did he agree it beforehand? Yes.

But I hope someone's in the room today... That'll exceed it.

Things are picking up now after a slow start. It's quite exciting.

It is. I'm pleased you're excited.

Attracted a deal of interest, lot 290.

I have one, two, three, four, five bids with me. Five bids already.

We'll start at 200. ..220. ..240.

Oh, wonderful! Oh, that's fantastic!

320 with me. ..340, will you?

Oh, excellent!

I'm selling on ?320 now.

Excellent! I'm so pleased! That's really good. Well done!

Well, low estimate, conservative, tempts them in and they leap bids.

Yes. So they get excited. But that really ran away. Yes.

It exceeded all our expectations. Yes. I was hoping for the 200 mark.

I thought about that. Excellent! Think what it would have made in perfect condition. With the bottles.

Yeah. That's what you said. And the lining on the doors. I'm so happy for you. So am I!

You can buy loads. Yes, thank you very much! Hannah will be excited. She'll be very pleased with that.

Just what the doctor ordered.

Next up is Terry and Jenny's second lot.

Jenny, you brought the medicine pot in because you saw one like it on Bargain Hunt. Yes, almost the same.

The one on Bargain Hunt was bigger. You didn't buy it especially? You've had it in the house. A long time.

I bought it in a jumble sale. How much did you pay? Well, I say 6d, but I probably mean 5p - a shilling.

You're brave putting no reserve on it. Will you be sad to sell it? Not really, cos it's been in a cupboard.

That's what we like to hear - shoved in a cupboard, brought out and sold on "Flog It!" Yes, indeed.

Will you treat yourself to a night out?

We're going on holiday, so it'll go towards spending money. Where to?

Madeira. Oh, lovely!

Lot 227 is the nineteenth-century glass medicine bottle

with a stopper in a treen case.

?20 to start me? ?20 to start me?

?20 to start me?

Start me off, ?10? It's here to be sold. That's gone low, hasn't it?

?10?

I don't believe nobody wants it. ..10, I'm bid. .. Now 12. ..15?

15? 15? 15? 15? 15? Anyone else?

12? ..15. ..18? 18.

20, I'm bid. ..22?

?22 against you in the hat.

25, anyone else? All done, selling on... ..Yes?

No. All done, selling on 22.

Do you regret not putting a reserve on now? No, because, um...

if you put a reserve on, it wouldn't sell at all. You're just happy with something. Yes.

A great philosophy to have. At least with ?25, you can buy a nice bottle of Madeira on holiday. Yes.

Look at it that way. And a cream cake. Yeah. Spoil yourself.

You'll either love Terry's dog on a cushion, or you loathe it. I just hope someone gives it a new home.

The majolica dog that you don't like, you said, if it sells, you'll like it. That's about it, yeah.

It's very loud, isn't it? Yes. What do you think of it, Thomas?

It's a very decorative item. Majolica ware is very collectable.

People quite like it. And we've a high reserve on it. I think it's a realistic estimate.

We don't want to sell it for nothing. HE does!

Lot 395.

An unusual English majolica cushion-shaped box and cover.

We have had a lot of interest here.

I can start on 1,000. ..1,100.

1,200. ..1,300.

1,400. ..1,500, will you?

1,500, will you? 1,500 on the phone.

Thank you. ..1,600. ..1,700?

That's put a smile on your face. 1,700?

1,700. ..1,800.

1,900?

1,900. ..2,000.

2,100. ..2,200...?

Wow! Thinking of the money already, Terry?

Will you pinch me? Yeah, all right.

2,300. ..2,400?

?2,300. And selling at ?2,300.

2,400?

Well, well, well. Congratulations. You're happy with that, aren't you?

Yeah, very. Thomas, you were bang on. Yeah.

You said it would get to... Quietly confident. I was. It's so popular.

It was almost perfect, just that little chip on the side.

But a fantastic thing. You should be happy. Delighted. Doesn't this chap know his onions!

So most of our items sold well.

I'm sure our experts will find a few more treasures when we return to the valuation room shortly.

Seeing these antiques has given me the urge to go shopping.

In this job, I travel all over the country checking out antique shops.

There's always something I can buy. We're in Clevedon. Let's have a snoop around.

This place is full of wonderful ceramics and china.

Help! I'm an oak dealer and I can't find any 18th-century oak or base metal at all. Are you hiding any?

Not a chance. Tell me about this. This is a bit of Clevedon history.

It's Elton ware, made by Lord Elton, who lived at Clevedon Court

He was producing pottery from 1880 to 1920.

This is an early piece. Yes, it's a dated piece to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

That's pretty. After Elton came William Fishley Holland who was employed to run the pottery

after Lord Elton died. This has a wonderful glaze, a burnt finish on it. It's in perfect condition.

What value would this be? About ?200.

I love this kind of thing because it's really retro and a bit more me than the contemporary stuff.

I'm a big fan of Rothko and Jackson Pollock and that whole movement. Tell me about this. It's stunning.

This is Whitefriars glass, from about the 1950s.

It was designed by a man called Geoffrey Baxter.

His work is very collectable. Do you sell much of it? Yes, we do.

How much would that be? Probably about ?60-?70. That's good value.

Back in the valuation room, is Sheldon being taken for a ride?

What can you tell me about it? Well, I had it in 1963. Yeah.

The lady wanted to sell it. It was given to her as a present and so she said ?12. She wanted ?12.

?12 was a lot in 1963. There's a saying that it'll bring you wealth or you'll lose the love of your life.

She lost the love of her life. We didn't have any wealth then, but it brought us some.

We had it valued in Weston-super-Mare and he said it was jade. It is machine-made, not hand-carved.

You can tell by the angular cuts on this. And if you look on the top of the plinth here,

it's been ground by machine, not by hand. That's a giveaway and it makes life easier for me.

It's older than us, probably made around 1870-1880, there or thereabouts.

It's well fed, so I can see you look after it well. Very thick body and legs, very large hooves.

Very small ears. The rest of the body is in proportion, but the ears are a little on the small side.

It would have been one of a pair. Oh. Unfortunately, it's only 50% of the original object. Yes.

At auction, you're looking at ?80-?120.

Yes. So your money has gone up. That's it. How does that sound? Fine. Excellent.

Do you want to sell it? Yes, I'd like to pass it on to someone else. Very good. Fine.

It says, "Awarded to Robert Roberts for his integrity and upright conduct, Liverpool." A relation?

I wish! I was born in Liverpool and my mother was living near when she found it in an antique shop.

Right. Well, I think it was a junk shop cos she didn't have much money.

It's dated 1836. Yes. So no need to look up the hallmark.

It will be genuine, will it? If you look at the hallmark, it does - the letter A for 1837.

So it's about a William IV melon-shaped silver teapot.

Your mother bought it in a junk shop, gave it to you...

Yes. Do you use it? I did, but I found it so intricate that cleaning it was such a problem.

I used it for special occasions and between times, it went black.

I wonder if the fact that we had to have...the handles put... cos it burns your hand.

These heat resistors have been replaced.

Looking at them, I can see that they look like Bakelite or plastic.

I think they were supposed to be bone instead of ivory. Oh.

This would be in, um... So they have been replaced. ..in the 1980s.

That's interesting. Thanks for telling us. It won't affect its value too much.

What do you think it's worth? Well, the last time I thought about it,

when I lived in the Midlands, a local antique shop said I should insure it for ?360.

That's insurance. That was about ten years ago.

At auction, if I was to put this in for sale, I'd expect it to go for between ?300 and ?400.

So it's appreciated over the ten years. It has appreciated, yes.

Are you happy with that valuation? Um, yes. You put a reserve on it, do you? We could do, yes, for sure.

You've brought something else too. Yes. This was given to me by my mother-in-law in the early '60s.

It was one of her wedding presents. She liked doing teas, but said she didn't have the courage to use it.

You can't get the forks out till the knives are out. It's very pretty.

She thought I'd use it, you see. Have you? I used it once. At least you used it once.

I realised you couldn't put it in the dishwasher.

No, because these blades are plated. The only silver is the tines here. You've got mother-of-pearl handles.

What do you think it is? I thought it was for eating in the dainty days when you had a piece of cake

and you ate it with a fork. No? Actually, it's fruit knives and forks for when you have your fruit.

The blades were quite sharp. When was your mother-in-law married?

Late '20s. That's when I think it would be dated from, late '20s.

Here we've Brook Son, the retailer from Edinburgh. Was she from there?

No. It must have been a friend or relative who was local to Edinburgh.

So it's come from quite a long way.

As you don't use it, you're wanting to sell it? Yes.

We've got to the stage where, soon, we've got to think what will our sons and my daughter-in-law do with them.

They're not liable to use things like this. I think people don't use these.

So I think it's reflected in its value. Yes. It won't be tremendous.

It'll be between ?80 and ?100. Yes. I'd suggest that at auction. How do you feel about that?

I thought it might be a bit more, but I can see why if it's plated.

The blades are plated. If it was silver, it'd be worth more. But it's a very attractive set.

You don't use it, your sons or daughter-in-law won't,

so that's why the value's so low for something like this.

Can you attend the auction? Yes. So we can see your item sell in Clevedon. I'd like to. Brilliant!

Can you tell me about the clock? It's a bracket clock by John Garth in London.

It was left to my mother in 1994.

An old lady she used to look after... there were two carers.

Yeah. They had a choice of clocks when she died. My mother chose that.

Your mother had good taste. It's a wonderful-looking piece indeed.

It's unfortunate to see the damage here.

But I wouldn't worry. If you want to keep the clock, I'd advocate having it restored,

but if you're thinking of selling it, leave it as it is for the next person to sort out.

You've got a lovely arched dial here, a subsidiary dial there,

with the strike and silent. Then, going onto the main face, a silver chapter ring. A decorative object.

If we turn it round to the side...

and just look at this,

do you see this sort of tapering wheel here?

Yes. That's what they call a fusee movement. And you have a double fusee movement, two of them.

In clock terminology, it's a fantastic thing to see. It increases the value somewhat.

Turning to the back, if we turn it round one more time,

the backplate is engraved, very nice indeed, with foliage and scrolls. In a lot of them you see,

they don't go to that much effort because the back is against the wall and no-one will see it.

It's a sign of craftsmanship. Have you had it valued for insurance?

The last time was on probate and they put ?1,500 on it at that time.

How long ago was that? '97.

You'll be pleased to hear things have gone up since then. At auction, you're looking at ?2,000-?2,500.

Yes. Would you be prepared to put it into auction? Yes.

It should make more than that. What would you do with the proceeds?

Divide it amongst the four children on my mother's side. Wonderful gesture.

Let's hope it does well at auction. Yes, that's fine.

Who is William Chester? He's my husband's stepfather's uncle.

So a tenuous family relationship, but family nevertheless. Yes.

"Acton. July 2nd 1860." Tell me what you think it is.

All I know is, they used to own an inn at Twyning, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

They had a lot of possessions in the public house, you see, and they came down to my husband. Right.

This is a loving cup. It may have been given to your relation

if he was marrying somebody or coming of age, 21.

Pretty, hand-painted, floral scene. I'd have thought Staffordshire.

You've got the date - 1860. Do you like it?

Yes, I like it very much. What's great are these dots. Yes, they are.

I think the dots are great and make the piece. They're wonderful.

Would you think about selling it? Yes, I would. Brilliant. I'd say between ?150-?200.

If we got that, what would you do with the money? Put it to good use. Put it to good use? Yes.

We don't need to ask any more questions. Thanks for coming. See you at the auction. Thank you.

I bought them in a house sale. Mm-hm.

About 15 years ago. They were ?60.

They are two very nice articles indeed. They're made by Royal Doulton. They are a pair.

The variance in colour is usual because they are hand-made.

They're very decorative indeed. It's called a baluster-shaped vase.

Nice applied bead decoration going all around, little flowers, a decorative border.

They're wonderful things, in classic Doulton colours, with the glaze here

matching the foot. Wonderful pieces.

Made around the turn of the century, anywhere between 1895 to 1902, 1903.

You can tell by the shape and the colours of the glaze the factory used then.

What do you think they're worth? I haven't a clue, really,

but I've been offered ?300 to ?350 for them within the last six months.

Congratulations for not taking it, because that's a derisory sum.

The person was obviously trying to make a quick buck. Yeah.

At auction, you'd be looking at between ?600 and ?700 at this moment in time. That's the auction value.

For insurance valuation, if I were to break them - hopefully I won't -

you're talking about ?1,200-?1,400. OK. On the basis of that valuation,

will you put them into auction? With a reserve. We can certainly do that.

With what we realise for you, what will you spend the money on?

My son's 21st birthday in two years' time, in which case,

I would pay to have his eyes done, because he hates wearing glasses.

A kind thought from a kind mother. Thanks for bringing them in.

Normally, in the summer, Weston is heaving with people seeking sun, sand and sea.

Off-season, it's deserted,

but I'm meeting someone at the centre of Weston's heyday 40 years ago.

It's Joan - Miss Modern Venus 1960.

I was just 17. This is a photograph of when I won the heats. Is this on the pier?

No, that's at the Tropicana. That's a lido, then? That's right.

You've something interesting to say about this one. Yes. This is Michael Aspel.

He was the judge. Doesn't he look young? Yes. And you inherited the title - Miss Modern Venus 1960? Yes.

Venus, the goddess of love. Yes, and I held it for a year. Right. It was a lot of fun.

What was it like then? From early morning, people came down, chose their deck chairs, whole families -

grandmothers, grandfathers and children. They'd come onto the pier, have candyfloss and ice creams.

The girls would walk up and down along the beach and the prom, and the boys sat on the wall and admired.

You'd choose your partners that way. Sounds like it's reawakening lots of nostalgic memories.

Yes, it is. It was great fun. You couldn't get over how many people were here, actually on the beach.

Has Weston changed much? Yes, it's changed lots. The innocence has gone.

We've lost the cinema and we've lost the Punch and Judy show.

There's a lot of these places now. More amusements. The family part has gone.

It's more individual youngsters and I do miss the innocent ways of coming down, finding an ice cream,

walking along the beach and looking for a gentleman.

SAILOR LAUGHS What a noise! This is the original drunken sailor.

Mothers would go mad with them. "Oh, peace!"

I think it's about time we started this diet, don't you? Yes.

After our valuation day, our owners and experts head for the auction. Let's see what they're taking along.

Whoever buys Sheila's jade horse could inherit a blessing.

Maybe the next person will be lucky.

Kelly has two lots - fruit knives and forks and her mother's teapot.

She was lovely. I loved her story of buying it for ?5 in a junk shop

all those years ago in the '60s. What a find!

Time will tell if Frank's honest bracket clock will make a profit.

Will someone fall for Joan's loving cup?

Veronica's Doulton vases will please her son if they fetch a good price.

The sale in Clevedon is full of people hoping to bid for a bargain.

Amongst the browsers are our owners.

Soon, their items will be up in front of the buyers.

Lots of bids are being placed in auctioneer Mark's book.

He examines our antiques to assess our experts' valuations.

With 30 years' experience, he should know.

Here we have a horse. It's Chinese, I don't think it's terribly old.

It's a greenstone. Yes. This was Sheila's. I don't like it, do you?

It's not my favourite piece.

Sheldon's put a value of ?80-?120 on it, which I think is very...

Very ambitious. I think we'll struggle to get the ?40 reserve.

I think so as well.

Here we have a lovely silver teapot, probably as nice as you can get.

Very ornate, isn't it? It's London, with the leopard's head.

The date letter A is for 1836. There's the head of William IV. Also, it's got an inscription.

People sometimes say an inscription detracts from it, but in this case,

engraved inscription of the date, 1836... Which puts a bit of value on it. It doesn't take it off, no.

Valued ?300-?400. I couldn't agree more. Nor could I. I hope it fetches a bit more.

It's a grand set, isn't it? It is, yeah.

The age of elegance, it screams to me. Very small. What were they used for? Fruit knives with forks.

They date from about 1890. They're not silver, but silver plate.

Handles are carved mother-of-pearl. They don't fit modern life well.

Which is why Kelly's selling them. Yeah. Value? They sound cheap at ?100.

It is cheap. But the demand is... Zero. ..fairly limited.

Little call in this country. No.

Here's a handsome piece. A loving cup - quart size, I think. Two pints? Two pints.

Turn it round, there's a surprise - a nice inscription there.

William Chester, presumably of Acton. West London. July 2nd 1860.

What date would you say? I'd say the date of the mug. It was probably given to him on his birthday.

It's done well to survive from 1860. What are we expecting on this?

I think around ?150. And the reserve is? ?130.

About right, isn't it? Yes, it's a nice piece.

Frank's fusee mantel clock. Very nice. It is, isn't it? Georgian,

mahogany-cased bracket clock. It's beautiful. Frank inherited it.

He's going to divide the proceeds between his brothers and sisters.

The maker is on the front - John Garth of London. That's important,

a London maker fetches top money. Very good. And he's in the book at around 1760-1765.

Our experts have valued this at ?2,000-?2,500.

That's a very sensible valuation to start with. There's been great interest in it.

You've put no reserve on it, because... I think it'll make ?2,500-?3,000.

It's a beautiful clock. I hope it does well.

Our owners' items are a real mixed bag, so let's hope the buyers have real catholic tastes.

There's a good crowd. Kelly hopes someone will snap up her silverware.

Your mother had a very astute eye, because she found that silver teapot in a Liverpool junk shop. She did.

It can't have cost much - not much more than a fiver.

That will fetch a tidy sum. What will you spend it on?

I have got three antique clocks that need attention. And I have a grandmother clock that I was given.

My son, when learning to crawl, crawled into it and knocked it over.

PAUL LAUGHS It would be nice to get those going and all chiming at once.

First under the hammer is Joan's loving cup. Will someone fall for it?

You brought in the loving cup. How long have you had it? I've had it about...30 years all told.

My mother-in-law lived with us and brought it with her.

Did it have pride of place in the house or was it in a cupboard? It's been in a cupboard, a glass cabinet.

So you can see it? Yes. It's a beautiful cup, isn't it? Yes.

When the cup sells today, what will you spend the money on?

I'd like to replace it with something to, um... More porcelain? Here we go. We're up now.

It's dated 1860 and it's in very nice condition for its age.

Lot 473, a nice piece of pottery.

?70 here, 80 here. ..90, will you?

90? 90? 90? ..100. 110?

We've a reserve of 130 on this. ..140? We've done it, it's sold.

At ?130 in the room. 140 now?

All done, are you? All done on ?130, then.

There we are. 130? Bang on the reserve. Happy with that? Quite.

Are you sad to see this go now? In a way.

But I couldn't leave it where it was because I couldn't enjoy it.

We live in a small house and it needs to be in a big glass cabinet and a proper environment.

So you'll let someone else enjoy it and get some use out of it. Yes.

Let's hope, for Sheldon's sake, bets are riding on Sheila's jade horse.

Sheila's horse isn't bringing her much luck - she can't be here because her husband's quite ill.

That's unfortunate. Yes. I think she'll be glad to see the horse go. There's been lots of interest in it.

It's the old cliche, but I'm quietly confident again. I hope so for you.

Lot 186 is the carved hardstone figure of a horse...

I've got to remind you, you said ?80-?120.

What can we say? ?20 only, I am bid.

And 2, now 5? 25? It's a bit slow at the moment.

?25, will you? ?25, will you?

It's ?22 only. Is there ?25, anyone else? Yes or no?

I'm sorry, it's not sold. Dear, oh, dear! What can I say?

I'll leave it to you to ring Sheila. I'll phone the Samaritans first!

I mean, it's a nice-looking thing. Initially, it would have been one of a pair. Yeah.

When it was made, there were two, so you're really looking at 50% of the article here.

In that respect, I can see why it didn't go. On the other hand... He's wriggled out of it, hasn't he?

Up next is Kelly's first lot of silver.

Kelly, this is one of two lots for you. Were you surprised to find out they were fruit knives?

I was, yes. My mother-in-law gave them to me and she said, "You do a lot of baking and afternoon teas."

As if it was a cake knife and fork? Which I thought it was. They're much broader. I still don't know.

I suppose, in more elegant times, people held a piece of fruit with a fork and peeled it?

It's such an impractical thing, isn't it? We eat the skins now.

What do you think of them, Thomas? You valued them at ?80-?100.

Yes, they were very pretty and they were all there. Yes. Hardly used. Well boxed, well presented.

The only thing I'd say is that they're not very functional any more. No. Just decorative.

275, a set of 12 late-19th-century fruit knives and forks.

Very nice they are too.

I'll start the bidding at ?100. Who's got 10? 110?

That's excellent. It's already sold.

I'm quite pleased, actually. Yeah, relieved!

170? 170? It's against you in the room on...

170. ..180. ..190?

190. ..200. ..210? ?200. The bid's here. 210, will you?

All done at ?200?

How do you feel about that? Amazed! So are you, aren't you, Thomas?

?200! Yes. That's exceeded all our expectations. Yes.

You'd have been happy with ?70, wouldn't you? I'd have been happier with ?110.

What are you going to spend the money on? Well, again, either repairing my clocks. Yes.

Divide it between my clocks and a donation to the hospice.

It's good to see some of Kelly's money going to a charitable cause.

Veronica's vases are here, but she couldn't make it.

Again, owner's on holiday. We aren't doing well with yours. I don't mind. Probably living it up abroad. Yes.

Pair of Doulton vases. Yes, Doulton, as we all know, highly collectable.

Should do quite well. They're in very good condition.

Lot 357, a pair of Royal Doulton stoneware pottery vases.

Very nice condition they are as well. I've got bids on the book

at 380, 400, 420.

440, will you? 440, will you? 440, will you?

You've got a reserve of 550, haven't you? I have. ..520?

520?

?500. And 20? 520?

Against you all at ?500.

Just below by one bid. Maybe you can have words with the auctioneers.

I'll have to. Get the commission reduced to get that through. Yeah, it's worth a go. It was so close.

Very unfortunate, but we'll see what we can do. Better luck next time.

It just goes to show - our experts aren't always right.

Now, can Kelly make more money to give to that charity and get those clocks repaired?

This is the first auction you've ever been to. It is, yes. Are you excited? Or scared?

I was scared of looking up, in case I bought something. Accidentally?

Yes. You look like a dealer, with a magnifying glass round your neck.

That's cos I can't see very well. I was noting what things raised.

I have bids on the book at 280, 290...

We're up to the teapot now. It started at 310, 320.

340. ..350? Anyone else?

?340 on the book. 350, anywhere else?

Wed a reserve of 300. You're fine.

360 now? At ?350. ..360, anyone else?

Yes or no?

A quality piece. Are you pleased with that? Was that 360? 350. Yes.

It's amazing it was bought for so little and how it's accumulated.

I wish my mother knew, because she never really won anything or got anything

and she deserved it. Yeah. That's why it'd be nice to give a donation to the hospice.

I don't think we had them when she died, or not enough. That's a real feel-good factor, isn't it? Yes.

Our final lot is Frank's bracket clock. ..Frank, are you excited?

Yes, fairly excited. You should be because things are flying out today.

And this fusee movement in this clock is stunning.

It's got a London maker on the dial as well. Two good things going for it. How long have you had it?

Since 1994. Will you be sad to see it go? Yes, I will be.

You're dividing the money up four ways, aren't you? Yes, amongst the four children.

What will you spend your share on? 10% will go on a radio-controlled clock that keeps accurate time.

The rest will be invested in the garden. Did that one keep good time? Yes, but where I keep it,

it's in a room with a wood burner and the humidity would ruin it if I kept it there for any period.

It's beautiful. Better let it go.

439, the star of the show here.

Lot 439 is this nice bracket clock by John Garth of London.

There's no reserve.

And I have one, two, three, four, five bids left with me on the book.

That's encouraging. Interesting. Good start.

There's ?2,800 bid three times. There you are.

2,800. ..2,900? And the bid's 2,900, your bid, sir.

2,900. 3,000? 3,000, will you?

3,000, will you?

At 2,900. Are we going 3,000?

3,000? At ?2,900 in the room.

Selling on 2,900. Mr Hogan.

?2,900. Very good. I'm pleased with that. I bet you are. Excellent news.

It's a good clock, it was a quality piece. Quality always counts.

It does. So divide that by four, that's what? ?740-odd.

Something like that. There you are. We'll take your word for it.

Don't quote me on that one.

Most of our owners were happy with their sales. Michelle never expected her medicine chest to do so well.

I expected about 200 at a push, but exceeding 300 is brilliant news.

Terry and Jenny's medicine bottle didn't live up to expectations, but the candle holders made up for it.

Pleased? Yes. We didn't even realise they were French.

Frank's brothers and sisters will be pleased with their windfall.

I've kept it for three years. It's gone up in price. We'll all be happy.

Kelly did her mother proud with the sale of her teapot, and her fruit knife set did well too.

I didn't think it would go much above its reserve. I'm pleased.

We've had some wonderful sales today. It's been superb.

See what happens next time on "Flog It!"