Coventry Flog It!

Welcome to Flog It! where people sell their antiques, here at this auction.

A busy auction sale room is an exciting place to sell any antiques you found in your attic

or perhaps you've been browsing the car boot sales.

Whatever your reasons, Flog It! is the show for you.

Our experts will give you a valuation of your antique,

then you decide if you want to sell.

When it comes to the sale, everything depends on who is there and what they fancy buying.

Our experts fret over whether they got the price right.

How do you feel? Wonderful.

20...

Are you chuffed? Ask the wife.

470. 440...

That was lucky, wasn't it?

He's sweating bullets!

We've been sent to Coventry and everybody is waiting patiently in the queue to see our experts.

They just bring out their treasures. Only a few items will make it to the Flog It! auction,

so we want people willing to sell.

Offering advice is David Barby, who's collected antiques since he was 12,

and the connoisseur of toys, Kevin Jackson, whose specialist subject is the Dinky car.

Robin is a young man with a bright future in antiques.

This one's 1920s from Boots.

This one's quite old as well, but we don't know if that's been reprinted all over the top.

I'd say that's the original printing. This is my earliest, about 1920. Right.

Most of this stuff is from car boots. So that's where you spend your pastime? Yeah.

You're finding lots of bargains.

What attracts you to them? Do you like tins? I like tins

because you can get different sizes, shapes.

You can have a small one, then you can have a large one.

This is your passion, old tins. Have you got Huntley and Palmer ones?

Those two. There you go, a man who knows his subject!

With Huntley and Palmer's biscuit tins, the ones the collectors want,

as you know... The ones with the wheels on. You're too good for me!

You want the prams, the cars, the aeroplanes. They're the ones that big money changes hands for.

There's nothing here of great value,

but all of your bits and bobs here, people will buy them

to sort of put in kitchens.

If you wanted to sell them, put them together as a collector's lot and sell them for the best price.

Will you go out and buy some more? Probably. A man after my own heart. Some bigger ones.

Try and find some of those ones with the wheels? Yeah. Good hunting.

If you find two, give me one! OK.

Your name's Robin. Yeah. What did you bring in today?

Some tins and a couple of things I picked up at a car boot.

If I like the look of it, I'll take it home and put it in my collection boxes. You collect boxes?

How long have you been doing that? Four years. Who got you into that?

My grandad. He was showing me some of his antique books

and I looked at this tin and it was a Huntley and Palmer's tin for £350.

I thought if I could make that money out of a tin, I should be trying it.

My grandad started taking me to car boots to pick up tins.

If it looked good, we'd put it in the collection. That's marvellous.

Hopefully, you'll start to sell your collection and spend the money on more tins?

Better tins. Suitcases? Yeah, I've got some suitcases. Have you?

Suitcases can be worth quite a lot.

If they're in good condition, they can go up for quite a lot of money.

Especially ones with names on the top. You know your stuff!

We'll see you at the auction? Yeah.

One day, we'll see you selling your own things at the auction. Yeah.

It was a piece left to my husband by an aunt who'd gone to live in London when she was very young.

She'd gone from the northeast to live in London as a lady's companion.

They left her their... Porcelain pieces.

Why are you contemplating selling this? It's not our...

Not your cup of tea? I can understand that.

Because of the hunting lobby? It's hidden away.

It is the hunting lobby that might affect the value. Normally, pieces

made by Doulton like this are very commercial and collectable items.

I like this. The hunt subject doesn't worry me too much,

but I like all this design.

This relief work is very colourful and it seems

to symbolise the English countryside of the 1950s.

Yes. Although the subject matter is much earlier. On the bottom here,

we've got "D'ye Ken John Peel" and this is a limited edition.

This is 58 of only 500 produced.

I did a check on the price and the price guys put this at around £750.

I think that's rather high

and the subject matter will affect the price.

I would be more comfortable if we thought in terms of about...

500. We'd bring the reserve just to under that figure. Right.

It will appeal to Doulton collectors.

The hunt subject might not affect their judgment. Right.

We've got a little menagerie of items here today.

This is a Wedgwood plate, but at auction it could be as little as £30 or £50. You see a lot of this.

This is turn of the century, a little Staffordshire biscuit barrel, transfer decorated.

Again a similar sort of price. These are more interesting. Could you tell me about these?

I was left them by my mum when she died two years ago.

They were her grandmother's.

They're quite interesting.

They're by the Minton's factory, with the marks on the bottom.

Do you know this range? No.

It was called the Secessionist range, very popular towards the end of the Victorian era.

The only thing I would point out, we have had a little bit of damage.

Yes. Have you got the handle? No. That's a bit of a shame.

Would you sell them if the price was right? Yeah.

They're popular. They'll sell well.

Had they been perfect, a good pair of vases should make the best part

of £300. Because they're damaged, they're more likely to be in the region of 100, maybe 150.

Yeah. But if you want to sell them, they're gonna sell reasonably well.

Will you leave those with us? Yes.

As we're in Coventry, I knew we would run across one of its most important heroines.

Lady Godiva.

I just like it because it's part of Coventry, the history of Lady Godiva...

I know it's stressed a bit, but I've never come across anything like it.

It's nicely weathered. It would look too kitsch if the paintwork was too tidy on it.

I like maiolica. I see you've brought your family for support.

You think this is valuable? We hope so. Where did it come from? From an auntie who died four years ago.

It was always in her cabinet and I was asked if I'd like anything and I chose this.

Very sensible. There were just the five there.

This one I found later. In the house? At an auction. Extraordinary. How much did you pay?

Only 20. That was very good going. The major item is this little tazza. It's beautiful.

It's intriguing. The stand is so beautifully decorated

with these rams' heads and this decorated strap work

and the legs with the acanthus-leaf design. In good condition.

Yes, it's in beautiful condition.

I love the glaze effect. This was popular

in the middle of the 19th century, but we got the name wrong.

We call it maiolica, but maiolica is tin-glazed pottery you find in Italy and France.

This is more like French glazeware,

but we've kept the name "maiolica".

The principal companies making this would have been Minton's and George Jones.

Wedgwood, top, top quality, but almost a third runner to those two other companies.

If this was Minton's, it would be worth a lot of money, but because it's Wedgwood

and it's marked on the bottom "Wedgwood", and there's a diamond registration mark,

so we can date it to 1865 from the registration mark.

If a dealer bought these, he would sell them individually. It's only part of a service.

If this comes up for auction, I'm going to estimate around 180 to 250,

that sort of price range, but I want the reserve fixed lower. OK.

So we'll be looking at something in the region of 150, if that's agreeable. That's fine.

Two pieces have hairline cracks, so we'll take that into account. Right.

Coventry has given us a real mixed bunch of things to take along to the sale room.

Young Robin knows his tins. Inspired by his grandad, he started small,

but has high ambitions. Let's hope we can make him a profit.

Pat inherited the Wedgwood fruit set from her aunt and has added to it,

but now it's time to sell and David likes it.

The maiolica set I like, but it's not complete.

The major makers, such as Minton's and George Jones, command huge prices. Wedgwood doesn't.

One of Angela's Minton vases is damaged, but Kevin still thinks

she could get £100-£150 for them. If they do well,

she knows how to spend the money.

I've got a wedding in August. Right. And a birth today.

Hopefully. Those pennies will go very quickly.

Jackie will sell her Doulton jug as she doesn't like it

and others may find it hard to love.

This hunting business is going against it.

This village hall is being made into an auction sale room.

The porters have been carrying in furniture, pictures and porcelain.

Soon our owners will watch their lots go under the hammer.

This hall is on the outskirts of Kidderminster, quite a way from Coventry.

The hall is not big, so by the time auctioneer John Carter is in action, standing room will be at a premium.

I want to find out what he thinks of Kevin and David's valuations

and if there is anything else he can tell us which they have overlooked. Are we in for a few surprises?

Jackie's brought in this Doulton jug. It is so decorative, but I don't like the foxes

and I don't like fox-hunting. It's not PC, but you're buying it because it's Royal Doulton

and to a Doulton collector, it's a little gem.

The one problem we do have is we have a large crack

running right the way round the inside which will devalue it. We need £500 for this.

I think that, with the damage, is pushing it slightly.

Really? We're probably looking at 200 to 250.

I wonder if David picked up on that. He thought it might go to £700.

If it was perfect, it would get near that, but you see it's an old crack.

It isn't perfect.

We've got a collection of tins which a 9-year-old, Robin, brought in.

He loves car boots. These are super. What a good start for a collection! They're wonderful.

A couple of them are fairly modern, but what you have here is a basis

of a young man's collection. We're looking for £10 to £20 for this.

I think he'll get that for it. He'll be so pleased. All you kids, get collecting now!

There's hopeful news for Robin, but a problem with Jackie's jug.

As the buyers start inspecting what's on offer, our owners are arriving.

I just hope they're not getting too nervous as their lot approaches.

How are you feeling, Pat? Fine. Quite excited.

Have you filled in a registration card? Yes. Anything in mind? A couple of pieces

of old Moorcroft. I've got good news.

The auctioneer put virtually the same valuation on that David did,

so I think they will sell. Spend your money now! That would be nice.

I'd wait till you know how much your Wedgwood makes, Pat. We're under way and here's our first lot.

Angela, you didn't get any sleep last night. Are you nervous? Yes.

There's no need to worry. Have you done any auctions before? No. So this is the first. Yeah.

Kevin valued these at 100 to 150. Happy with that? Yes.

We've priced them as a perfect one and a damaged one.

A good one is worth £80-£100, so put a bit extra on for the damaged one.

I'm confident. Fingers crossed.

110... Here we go. The tension's creeping in. Yeah.

Probably more for Kevin than you, actually.

A nice pair of vases... There we go.

I have a bid on these of £150. Do I see 160?

Yes, straight in. £150.

Commission bid. 160, 170...

Battle's on! Good. 170. The bid is with me at £170.

Do I see 175...? All done at 170.

Are you happy with that? 170? Yeah.

It's a lot more than we thought. Excellent. Very good. He's relieved.

I'll cancel my taxi!

INAUDIBLE

Jackie can't be here. That's a shame. She should be. It's a lovely piece.

She was excited about it. You valued it at 500, but there's a three-inch crack running on the inside.

A what? A crack. There wasn't on the day I saw it.

I didn't see one either and it's gone through a lot of experts' hands. Two experts before I saw it.

The auctioneer saw it yesterday and said it was an old one. It's black, it's dirty.

He thinks it's only worth 200 to 250 which means it won't sell as there's a reserve on it. Yes.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Can I leave now? No!

Lot 50 is the Royal Doulton jug.

I wonder what he'll start it at.

Lot 50. We have discovered a hairline crack in it.

That's killed it. Yes. However, the reserve stays the same.

So...I have 440. Do I see 450?

No interest in this lot at £450?

That's killed it. Not sold. Who's gonna ring Jackie up?

We'll look at that piece first. Shall we do it after? Yeah.

Unless it's a very rare piece of Doulton, collectors look for items in top condition.

Have you collected since we last saw you? I've been round a few shops, but I didn't buy anything. No? No.

What would you like to collect soon?

Mainly tins and stuff, old stuff.

Yeah, just keep specialising. Go for those specialist ones. Try and get some of those ones with the wheels.

Lot 100, a collection of old tins. £2 I'm bid.

Do I see 4? 4 I'm bid. £6?

Someone's bid 6. £8 I'm bid.

£10. Do I see 12? 12 I'm bid.

14. This is good. £14.

Do I see 16 anywhere?

Might make 16. 16. Brilliant.

In the room at £16. Do I see 18? Are you pleased? Yeah. All done at £16.

£16. That's excellent, isn't it?

Yeah. What will you do with £16? It's a lot of money.

Ill just have to buy some more. Good. A deposit for the next one.

Keep doubling your money. Yeah.

20, 22...

It's getting closer to your lot number. Are you getting excited? Yes. Are you shaking? Yes.

Lot 150 is the Wedgwood majolica tazza. Here we go.

This is it. This is it.

I've got everything crossed. I hope so.

I have a bid already of £160.

Brilliant. We're in. That's a start.

You, sir, at 170. 180. Brilliant. 190. 200.

You, madam, at 200. 210. 220.

Excellent. Keep going. 230. 240. 250. This is good. 260.

270. 280. That's nice. 280.

Brilliant. You, madam, at 280. 290.

Yes! 300. Fresh blood at 300. Fresh blood.

310. That always upsets somebody who was bidding earlier. 320. 330.

This is excellent. 340. That's brilliant. 350. 360. It's exciting.

370. 380. 390... 400.

I can't believe that. Nor me. 410.

Bottle of champagne coming up. 420. 430. 440. 450.

This is unbelievable. Brilliant. 460. 470.

480. Whoever's bidding may have the rest of the set. 490. 500.

510. '20. '30. Wow! 540.

550. 560. You bought that for how much? It's your aunt's. £20. 570.

580. 590. The odd piece. The rest of it was my aunt's.

590. Do I see 600 anywhere?

Being sold for £590.

How do you feel about that? Wonderful.

What will you buy? A piece of Moorcroft.

What a morning so far! Three out of four isn't bad.

Hopefully, there'll be more surprises in the valuation room.

Before then, let's nip into Coventry to seek some sanctuary.

Coventry is famous for cathedrals, one bombed in World War II,

the other built in mid-20th century style.

I was shown around the two buildings by our tour guide, Roger Bailey.

This is unbelievable. It's fantastic. I love those Gothic arches. Wonderful sandstone colour.

This is what's left of the bombing raid in 1940?

It was incendiaries that burnt this cathedral down. It wasn't a direct hit? No.

An incendiary fell on the roof, they had no water, the roof caught fire,

the metal girders got hot, they twisted and brought the roof down.

Did most of Coventry suffer? In that one bombing raid, 45,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Wow!

Must have been relentless. 40 bombing raids.

I guess this is the original altar section. It's so overwhelming.

Yes, and in front of us is the cross.

It was found by the stonemason on the morning after destruction in the shape of a cross.

These were the oak roof timbers? Yes, greatly charred. Someone chalked behind it, "Father forgive,"

so there was a sense of reconciliation. It's the Easter message of hope out of despair.

Well put.

I looked around the cathedral by myself.

It was designed by Sir Basil Spence. This year is the 40th anniversary of its consecration.

There's definitely a wow factor being inside the new cathedral.

This window is designed by John Piper. There's 195 separate panes of stained glass.

The colours are so intense - lots of magentas, French ultramarines,

rising up into the centre with a golden ray of light, maybe depicting Christ, light of the world.

It's only when you get here to the altar cross and you look behind you

that you can appreciate the wonderful colour, the unity of space

and here the altar cross is a link between the past and present, fashioned from three roof nails,

found in the charred remains. This cross of nails represents Coventry throughout the world.

It's wonderful.

Back in the valuation room, plenty of people are hoping to take their treasures to the auction.

This is a wonderful book. Where did you get it from?

My wife did a bit of cleaning for a gentleman and she was left this book.

This is in a category of children's illustrated books from the early 20th century and there are artists,

including Edmund Dulac, Charles Robinson, Arthur Rackham and so on,

but Edmund Dulac and Arthur Rackham are the major artists and you've got a book illustrated by Edmund Dulac.

I should say "decorated" as even the covers are beautifully done,

but what is extraordinary is this book is a limited edition and is signed

by the artist, Edmund Dulac.

"This edition de luxe is limited to seven hundred and fifty copies"

and this one is 257.

So that puts a rare value on it.

You turn the pages and there are these wonderful illustrations - the Princess and the Pea.

Lovely.

Oh, the Snow Queen. That is exquisitely done. Do you like them?

Absolutely lovely. They are. You won't be selling it in a moment!

I studied art myself. Where? Sutton College.

Oh, this one from The Mermaid - isn't that lovely? When you're looking at books,

condition is important and thank goodness you kept it under the bed. This staining can be removed,

but the thing to look at is this.

It looks terribly rough down the side and that's uncut edges

which is a bonus when you're looking at hand-bound, vellum books.

The illustrations are good and they're stuck in just by one side.

A lovely edition. Price?

If it hadn't got the signature, it would be round about 120 to 150.

With the limited edition and signed by Edmund Dulac,

were looking at £280 to £350, that sort of price range.

That much? I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Graham, that book is in immaculate condition for a limited edition.

It was left to us by an elderly gentleman and we put it under the bed. Under the bed? Yes.

What else is under the bed? Lots of things.

What did the estimate say it was worth? He said it was worth between 280 to 350.

I didn't think it was worth that much. Its condition is superb. That's what puts the value on it.

She had somebody look at it once, just a normal auction house.

People came out and he said it was worth maybe £80.

That's a big difference of opinion.

Another good Flog It! story. From under the bed into the auction room. I hope it does well.

My husband and I bought that little piece about 40 years ago in Birmingham

in a junky-cum-antiques shop.

At the auction, it would appeal.

He's got an appealing face, lovely character. He's cast in a bronze.

Having a look at the back of him, there's a name

which looks like Van Den Straeten. It's not a name I'm familiar with.

It sounds as if it could be a Dutch artist. Also below that,

there is a cast foundry mark for a Paris foundry, always a good sign.

He stands on what I think is a rouge marble base, rouge marble pedestal.

Auction-wise, because it's such a lovely character,

I would like to think it should make getting on for about £400,

so not a bad investment for £2 or £3. True.

Are you thinking of selling it? Well, I think, yes.

He's a lovely thing and I would quite like to own him,

so I'm sure we'll find someone who'll love him.

What a happy smile! I love his cravat as well.

Mm-hm. What did the experts value this at? £400 upwards.

You didn't expect that, did you?

How much did you pay for this? My husband bought it for £2 in Birmingham. He's got a keen eye.

Yes. How long ago was that?

About 40 years ago. Are you local?

I live in Meriden, a few miles away in the centre of England. We've got a stone cross in the village green.

I can't wait to see how this goes at auction. We'll chat about it then. Good luck. Thank you.

This is the article. You brought a photograph earlier on and you went home to fetch the table.

It's a lovely piece of mahogany. I love the top.

It is superb. I appreciate this brass string that you mention now and this lovely deep band

of rosewood. A quality table. Where did you get it from?

We bought it from an antique fair in the Midlands.

Did you buy the table separately or the chairs as well?

We bought them together. How much did you pay? I think it was £2,400.

20 years ago? Yes. That was a lot of money. Yes. A lot of money 20 years ago.

We fell in love with it. I understand why.

You bought it from a fair? Yes. You would have paid top price. Yes.

If you hadn't bought this quality item and you had bought modern teak which was the fashion at that time,

it would be worth nothing. You've got an investment here.

This tilts up, as we've seen,

so if you want to use the room for any other purpose, you push it into a corner. Yes.

It's a supper table, so it can be moved around.

It's a quality table. This stringing and the rosewood cross-banding is beautiful,

but underneath we have that wonderful twisted column

and the three splayed feet. They're inverted scroll feet, which is a lovely feature.

So we can date this to round about the 1820, 1830 period, slap bang in the Regency

and this type of furniture is now very sought after.

The price I would estimate at auction is about £2,500 to £3,000.

And I would wish to put a reserve, if you're agreeable, at £2,400. Yes.

That would be agreeable? We'll try selling that.

Now we come to these superb chairs.

I think these chairs are very attractive, but it's an interesting combination of woods.

We have a combination of beech, ash and rosewood veneer.

Exactly the same sort of caning would have existed on the chairs.

Did these cushions come with the chairs? Yes. They're filled with horse hair. Excellent.

What is such a nice feature is this brass inlay on the back in the Greek style.

You've got the honeysuckle, Athenian design here. Yes.

And you've got these roundels also with the brass inlay,

so the whole thing is complementary to the table. Buying the two together was very astute.

The other thing is the sabre leg.

When we look at this, we think of the military campaigns at the beginning of the 19th century,

the Napoleonic Wars.

The inspiration for this type of leg came from the Napoleonic Wars where they used the sabre sword. I see.

A very, very handsome chair and quite usable.

Allowing for the fact they're beech, but they are period,

we ought to box clever and put a reserve in the region of £1,100 for six chairs

with an estimate of £1,200-£1,500.

It will be within a price range to attract the general public and the dealers. Are you happy with that?

Yes. You said that rather hesitatingly. No, I'll be happy with it. Thank you.

We'll be happy to sell them for you.

What's the story behind these? They just came down through the family. My dad was the last of a long line.

When he died, they passed down to me.

Have you done any research on them? I've had a look on the internet.

These were known as Fairyland Lustre. Yes, by the Wedgwood company. They're very popular.

These have the actual fairies on them. They did produce other items

which didn't have the fairies on, still collectable, but not as desirable as these pieces.

We've got the Wedgwood marks on the bottom, but I can't see any paintress's marks.

They appear to me as if they were in the style of an artist called Daisy MacKay Jones. It's something

we will have to try and research for you. They'll sell very, very well.

This is hot property. Everybody wants Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre.

I would have thought an auction estimate of £1,500, maybe £2,000. Right. Very nice.

Very nice! They're super things.

I'll move on to the Minton's piece. Classical decoration. You've got it

on its side - always a wise move with a tall vase, in case they go toppling!

But this is lovely. This is almost a sort of cameo style.

Very thin bone china.

It is signed

by Burks. Now, I think the artist there was called Audwin Burks.

His work is very sought after. Have we got the cover? I'm afraid not.

Right. Was it used as a vase? No, as a lamp base.

That's how it's always been.

It hasn't been drilled? No. Usually when it's been a lamp base, someone's used a Black and Decker

to get the cables in and out. It was just a cork insert. That's fine.

It's in stunning condition. Lovely. It's a shame we haven't got the cover.

But again, at a good auction, I would have thought anything

from £1,800, maybe £2,000. Right. If you'd had the cover, so much more.

But again a lovely, lovely piece.

I love the gold and laurel handles.

It's just screaming quality! Yeah. I'll lie it back on its side for safety. Thank you.

And the last piece we have - again a lovely piece. This has got to be a piece of Royal Worcester.

There we go, and dated 1914. That's nice that we've got the date on it. Signed by Bray.

With Worcester, they paint over the top of a transfer, so that would have been the paintress's mark.

Again this could have been a pedestal cup with a cover.

Got a cover? No. We've not seen one.

It could be a pedestal cup and I think it probably had a cover too.

Again nicely decorated with the floral sprays.

I would have thought an auction estimate of about 300 to 500. It's a pretty piece

and could make more. Would you consider selling them? I think so.

You'll sell them? I'd like to. If they were mine, I would be gutted to sell them.

Why are you gonna sell them? Is it the money? We have a 4½-year-old.

Say no more. Who may discover them in the attic and decide they're wonderful things to play with.

That's a wise sentiment. If someone can get more out of them than we can give them, I think that's better.

With pottery of this quality, if it was to get chipped or damaged, it's gone for ever.

Because they are such lovely pieces, they will be bought by a collector who will cherish them.

So you're better to sell them and invest the money.

You brought in today a load of old tosh(!) Yeah.

David and Kevin went into a frenzy when they saw that.

It's top-notch stuff. Good.

I was terrified about breaking them. Where were they? They've actually been kept in the attic.

Why? I have a 4½-year-old now. When he was born, we decided we would put them out of harm's way.

You go through the terrible twos. Definitely. We thought the attic was the safest place.

What will you do with five grand? I think it's the holiday to Florida.

Treat him to Disney and do it properly.

He's not been to Disneyland? No, we haven't. I haven't been there.

Maybe if we get enough... LAUGHTER

Coventry, rebuilt after the war, became the model modern city,

but it's the old stories I'm interested in.

Colin Cook is a city guide and he knows his stuff.

Why are you dressed in rose madder and gold damask curtains?

As a period in time. Henry VI did a lot for Coventry. Did he live here?

He brought the Parliament Diabolicum here. What reaction do you get?

Sometimes a smile. And a few wolf whistles? Occasionally. Come on, Colin. Where are you taking me?

He'll show me one of Coventry's heroines - Lady Godiva.

As a protest against high poll taxes set by her husband, Earl Leofric, she rode through the streets naked.

The stunt paid off. Shortly afterwards, the taxes were dropped.

There you can see the statue of Lady Godiva. She's beautiful. Beautiful.

Behind that is the clock where Lady Godiva comes out on the hour

and above it, Peeping Tom takes a look at this fair form passing by.

Hence the expression, Peeping Tom.

Below some modern buildings, you'll find a 14th-century cellar. Let's have a look.

Wow! What a wonderful vaulted ceiling!

If I had a room like this, this would be a dining room. It was a cellar? Yes, 14th century

and it was part of a merchantman's house. The food was stored here.

I like the dampness and the chillness in the air. There's a slight presence. Yes.

A lady ghost used to greet people. She was the cellar lady.

Her job was to look after the cellar. So it's haunted?

Yes, this lady never wanted to leave this lovely place.

Have you seen the ghost? No, but I can vouch for people that have. Would you like to meet this lady? No.

I'm not scared of ghosts. I'm petrified of being trapped in a cellar with a man in a dress!

We've had a blinder of a day in Coventry with some class goods in.

Look at what I'm sitting down at - a wonderful table!

The couriers are about to carry this to the auction room.

Let's have a look at what people have decided to sell.

Jackie's husband bought this small bronze at a sale 40 years ago.

Kevin thought it would go down well at auction and Jackie wants to sell.

David got excited about Graham's book, illustrated by Edmund Dulac.

The quality of the artwork is astonishing.

Lesley and Howard's top-class porcelain got Kevin's attention.

He put high prices on the Fairyland Lustre vases and on the Minton.

The Worcester piece is a little more modest.

Julia bought her table and chairs at an antiques fair.

She won't make much profit, but the quality means she won't lose money.

The Blakedown Parish Rooms are packed as we rejoin the auction.

The Flog It! lots get due attention.

Auctioneer John Carter has given them the once-over and he's talked

to local dealers and buyers, but how accurate are our expert valuations?

John, you've got to see this trio of quality - some Worcester, Minton and Wedgwood.

When Kevin, our expert, saw them, he went into a minor frenzy

because they are quality. Absolutely super.

Where shall we start? The Worcester, most unusual shape. It stands well. A must for a Worcester collector.

We've got a valuation of 300 to 500 on that.

I think that's a fair valuation.

I would have thought it's gonna fetch in the room 300 to 350,

but with Worcester collectors, it could get up to the 500 mark.

OK now, the vase.

The creme de la creme. Minton pate-sur-pate vase.

Signed across the bottom "Burks". One little feature.

It's had a slight restoration on the bottom.

You can see it on the gilding there. But a super, collectable vase.

Kevin's hoping for £1,800 to £2,000. He might get a surprise with that.

There are so many collectors and such a piece doesn't often come up.

These I love. Once again,

fairly rare pieces, Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre.

Superb detail. Highly collectable. It's influenced by Pre-Raphaelite.

It's like Dante Rossetti. They are super and very collectable.

I think they would go for £1,800 to £2,000. Kevin's bang on. It looks like they're off to Disneyland!

Tension is rising as the sale approaches and our owners wait for their moment to arrive.

Did you sleep well last night? No, I was all over the place.

I got up this morning, I had one cup of coffee. It took an hour to get here.

This is your first auction? First one, yeah. See how it goes.

I have a feeling it's going to go very well. That book is going to fly away like the fairies in it!

If you're coming here to buy a gate-leg table, you're in the right place. There are seven,

all in different sizes starting at about £40 to £50, so you won't be disappointed.

The auction's under way, but do the experts have second thoughts about their predictions?

Which pieces do they like best?

It's chock-a-block here. What are your favourite items? What do you think's gonna go, David?

The book. It's stunning. Beautifully illustrated by Edmund Dulac. It's a limited edition. Would you like it?

I would, but I'm not allowed to buy it. I know. Worse luck!

What about you, Kevin? It's got to be that Minton vase. Stunning piece.

If I had the money, I'd take it. In the car! If only!

6, 8, 10... 80 I'm bid, 85.

360. New blood.

It's getting near to your lot number. I'm a bit like that. Feeling exhausted? It's very warm in here.

This book is gorgeous. I thought it was one of the best things that came in from Coventry. I'm glad.

I thought it was superb.

Very nice book we have here - the limited edition Edmund Dulac.

220 bid. Do I see 230? Here we go. 230.

240. Come on. 240 with me.

250. The bid's in the room at 250. Do I see 260?

In the doorway at 260. 270.

280. 290. 300. And 10.

20. 30. People are competing against each other.

There's two buyers. 360. 370. 380. 390. 400.

This is what it's all about. It's lovely.

£430. In the door at 430. All done!

Excellent. Marvellous. Are you chuffed with that?

Ask the wife. Happy with that? Yeah.

240...

Jackie can't be here today. If she arrives in five minutes, she will be,

but she won't find us, so you'll have to represent her. Right.

There's no reserve? That's it.

A good-looking chap, a bit like yourself, Paul, so it should do well.

What are you hoping to get? In a good sale it could make 300 or 400.

Today 200 or 300 is more on the ball.

120 is the little French bronze bust being shown now. This is ours.

This is Jackie's. Nice bronze bust.

I've got £70. 70... 80.

90. We're running now. We're starting cheap. Yeah. 100. 110.

120. 130. This is good. 140.

150. 160. One hundred and sixty. Do I see 170?

Being sold for 160. All done!

I hoped it would have made the 200, but it's gone.

If we can't find her, you can ring her up and say it's gone for 160.

It was a good investment for £2. Damn right!

I bet Jackie is smiling to herself.

Is Julia having second thoughts about her Regency table? Could be hard to make a profit.

Julia, how are you feeling? Sad really. Are you? Why?

We've had the table and chairs for 20 years. I'll be sorry to lose them.

What were you using as a table in the meantime? I bought a new one.

That's a bit worrying. I hope it sells!

Here we go. The Regency, circular, mahogany, breakfast table, lot 586.

We've got a reserve on this of two-four.

A very nice table. £2,000 for this?

2,000 anywhere? 2,000 I'm bid.

We're in. 2,100.

2,200. Excellent. 2,300.

Game on. 2,400. 2,400.

In the room at £2,400.

Do I see 2,500?

Being sold in the room

at £2,400. All done!

How do you feel about that?

You're sad, aren't you? I am, really. David's chuffed.

I almost wish I'd bought it myself! We've got the chairs now. Beechwood dining chairs. These are lovely.

Brass inlay on square legs, sabre legs.

800 bid. Do I see 900? We're in at 8. 900.

Excellent. 1,000. 1,100. Great. They'll sell as well. 1,100.

Do I see 1,200 anywhere? Being sold in the room at £1,100.

All done at 1,100.

Yes! Well done, congratulations. Thank you.

Thank goodness for that!

'That's great news for Julia and relief for David,

'but the auctioneer will deduct seller's commission from her £3,500 before he writes her a cheque.'

Howard and Lesley, the time's nearly here. You'll be going to Disneyland, especially this little nipper.

The first lot up is the Royal Worcester. Yes. How are you feeling?

Terrified. How are you, Lesley? Very nervous. Had a sleepless night?

No, he did, but I didn't.

What's his name? Matthew. Are you excited...? Mummy and Daddy

are gonna sell all these things and take you to America to see Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.

I wish I was going! If we make enough, you can.

Kevin, what are we expecting? First, the Worcester.

We're in the right part of the country. Worcester's just down the road, so that should go OK.

You put a value of 3 to 5 on that. Probably 300, 400. It could make 500 if the right buyer's in.

All done. This is ours - 160. How are you feeling? Nervous now.

Lot 160. Here we go. Here we go. Very nice Royal Worcester vase here.

Beautiful artwork on it. £280 bid.

Do I see 290? 290... Come on.

300.

310. 320. Slow start. The bid's with me at 320.

330. In the room at 330. Do I see 340?

340. 350. They're bidding against each other. £350.

360 anywhere? All done at £350.

350. Are you happy with that? Yeah.

One down, great start. Two to go.

Two lots away to the next item. There was a bit of damage on the base. Did you see that? I missed it.

Just a tiny bit of gilding. Very tiny. I wasn't aware of it, no.

302.

This is it. 170. This very nice Minton pate-sur-pate vase.

Lovely piece of work.

I have a bid of 1,350.

That's a start, that's an opener!

The bid's with me at 1,350. Do I see 1,400?

1,400. Yes. 1,450.

We're running. 1,500. 1,550.

1,600. The bid is now in the room at 1,600.

Do I see 1,650?

Being sold for £1,600.

All done. Brilliant!

Great reserve, the right reserve.

That was lucky. He's sweating bullets!

That was the one I was a bit concerned about.

I think the Fairyland Lustres will save the day for us. I do hope so.

The lady at the back of the room. Back of the room.

127. Over here.

Lot 180. We come on to this very nice pair

of Wedgwood lustre vases. He's shaking more than you! Super pair.

They are super. I have a bid of 1,150. Do I see £1,200?

Please! 1,200 I'm bid. 1,250.

Great. 1,300. In the room now at £1,300.

That's cheap. Come on. 1,350. We need a firm bidder.

1,400. In the doorway at 1,400.

1,450. 1,500.

Come on. 1,550.

1,600. This is more like it.

1,600 in the doorway.

1,650. 1,700 in the room.

Still on the phone? Yeah.

1,750. 1,800.

Brilliant. 1,850. 1,900. This is good.

Please. 1,950. We're gonna make the 2. £1,950.

Round it up, someone!

All done at £1,950.

Yes! Brilliant. Well done.

Thank you very much.

180.

Matthew, Mum and Dad have got 3,900. £3,900!

What are you gonna do when you get to America? Spend all of it.

It's nice to play happy families!

Jackie's Doulton jug was damaged, so no-one was really interested at the reserve price we set,

but Pat's Wedgwood fruit set soared above the top estimate to nearly £600.

That was wonderful. I didn't expect it. I had visions of it not selling.

Young Robin's mixed lot of tins and other metalwork brought him £16.

That's not bad for a first auction. He's destined for greater things.

Are you gonna make a million? No. If only!

Graham's illustrated book did much better than expected and at £430,

it was worth shoving under the bed!

But the stars of the day have to be Howard and Lesley. Their lovely porcelain fetched £3,900.

That'll pay for more than one trip to Disneyland. That is marvellous.

Thanks very much. Looking forward to spending it and going to Florida.