Truro Flog It!

Hello and welcome to "Flog It!"

We're in bright and breezy Cornwall.

BELL RINGING

TOWN CRIER: O-h...ye-a...!

By the authority vested in me, as the City of Truro Town Crier...

I welcome the BBC to Cornwall...

with their antiques programme, "Flog It!"

'On "Flog It!", we try to help you liquidate your assets -

'turning unwanted antiques into ready cash.

'Come along to one of our valuation days with your treasures.

'Our experts put their reputations on the line with their valuations.

'Some lucky owners will go on to experience the thrills and the spills of selling at auction.

'Today, we're at the hall for Cornwall in Truro!

'The experts are Kate Alcock...'

I used to come here on holiday. We have a super hall to work in and I think it's going to be a nice day.

'..and Philip Serrell.' I've no doubt we'll see nice things here,

but what gives me the buzz is what people bring -

the story behind the objects and finding out what their expectations are.

'Here's a taste of what's coming up later.'

Superb, isn't it? I wasn't expecting that. It was a bit of a roller coaster.

I think it's worth a lot more.

That's a result, isn't it?! I can't believe it.

You knew that - it's those negative vibes. Yeah.

You're going to be in good voice for your town crying now! Absolutely great!

I'm staggered. I can't believe it! Staggered!

What can you tell me about this? I bought it in the 1960s and gave it to my daughter as a present.

Do you like it? I love it, yes. It's a super present -

a lovely piece of George III silver.

We've got engraved decoration around the rim here...

and a whalebone handle. It's a toddy ladle and it's hallmarked,

but the marks are quite faded.

It dates from 1772.

There's a little dent on the side - it's had a little bit of use,

but that adds to its character. We've used it. You have? Yes.

The dent brings the value down a little bit,

but it ought to be at auction ?150-?250, I would think. Really? Is that a surprise? Yes, it is.

It's a lovely piece of Georgian silver. Do you fancy selling it?

You do. Yes. It was a nice present at the time... It was 40 years ago.

We'd be delighted to offer it at auction for you. Thank you.

Have you come far? I'm local, from Truro.

It's been a long day. I'm sure. How long have you been here? An hour.

It's been about three years for me.

This is lovely. It's signed James Fahey and is dated 1870.

It's a watercolour and you know where this is, don't you?

Yes, it's what was Denham Film Studios at one time.

I'm not sure where it was. It was in Berkshire. Berkshire.

It's always good if you know some information about a picture,

to write it in pencil on the back-board.

You've got a few basic problems with this, Ken.

If you look at these little brown flecks, that's called foxing.

It's basically acid damp coming through into the paper and it gives you these spots.

A professional watercolour restorer could get those marks out.

It's almost like bleaching them out and I wouldn't recommend anybody to do that at home.

But it takes the bloom off the sky.

The other thing I don't overly like is this lovely late-19th century dressed lady in this boat.

To me, it looks like she's in a kayak, just about to do an Eskimo roll!

It just doesn't stack up to me.

How do you think we arrive at the value? I don't really know.

It's all about comparison. If you've got a chair worth ?500, an identical one will be worth the same.

We look the artist up in this book,

and we can see James Fahey...

He lived to be a good old age. Very good.

There was one oil painting there -

50 inches by 38 inches, which is a huge thing. Yes. That made ?2,700.

That was an oil painting, and by and large, oil paintings are worth more.

The next one is a little watercolour, only 7? by 4? inches.

It made ?115 - "River landscape with figure seated beside a tree".

This one, I think, is probably 14 inches by 20.

I should think. It's almost double the size of the last one. Yes.

I would estimate, in terms of value, at ?150 to ?250.

I see...

And I'd probably put a reserve on it of ?150. Would you like to put it into the sale? Yeah, I think so.

Let's get another line in the book for next year's publication. Try and double it.

You've brought a really interesting toy for us to have a look at today.

You're based in Truro. Yes. And you do quite an important job, I believe.

I am the City of Truro Official Town Crier. Right. Is it every weekend?

It's a case of as and when I'm called upon to perform my duties

in notifying the public of some significant event.

I think you work in a lovely city. Thank you.

Turning to this little chap here, where did he come from?

I believe he came from probably Tangier or Spain.

He came from my father as a present...

post-war, when he came back, eventually, from Gibraltar. Right.

So, it's at least 60 years old and probably, even before that.

I've no idea. It was new at the time I had it originally, and even the key has the original string on it.

So, is it something you played with yourself? Oh, yes.

You say it came from Spain, but it is actually French, as we can see from the box here.

I'm glad you've kept the box in such a nice condition because it's very important for collectors today.

It's titled "Le Petit Culbuteur" - acrobat, I think, in English.

And it's made by F.M. Paris.

Putting the box aside, let's have a little look at him.

Do you think he'll perform for us today? He hasn't been working under my control in the last 15 years.

He needs, perhaps, a little bit of oiling.

I don't know if he'll work on this surface.

There we go.

So, he does a series of somersaults? Yes.

Well, I think just looking at...

Oh, he's off now.

There we go. Somersaulting away.

It has to run down to put it back in the box.

Just looking at his head, the tin plate, which is what he is,

is actually in very good condition.

We've got this cloth-covered body and the feet a little bit rubbed where he's done lots of somersaults.

But generally, not too bad at all.

As we've got both the acrobat and his original box, and he's in good condition,

we're looking at an estimate of ?100 to ?150. He's the sort of thing a toy collector would go for.

Does that surprise you? It does, because I was last quoted that it was worth ?250...

I see. ..that's when it went up to London to a toy fair for valuation.

Well, that's interesting and I think, perhaps, in a toy fair, in the right market,

it might easily make that.

An auction estimate would be nearer ?100 or ?150. I hope you're right.

I hope we get a collector, if we do offer it at auction, who would go that far.

But the lower we put the estimate, the more it will encourage people to bid.

Would you be happy for us to try and flog it for you? Um...with a reserve. With a reserve, of course.

Um...I would think ?100 would be fairly realistic,

but I hope it makes significantly more than that for you. It has to go to the right purchaser.

Little Wade figures, aren't they? Yes. Tell me all you know about them.

I bought them in 1965 at Buxton. How much?

?3.50. They look like the Pearly King and Queen.

I wouldn't know what they're worth. Has anyone put a value to them?

Yes, I've been on the Antiques Roadshow and they told me ?100 each if it was sold in London.

Really? ?100 if you're lucky here at auction.

I must admit, it wouldn't be ?100 of MY money, but that doesn't mean anything at all.

Wade's very collectible. I'll sell them at ?80 if I can get that.

In terms of value, I don't know whether they're worth ?80 or ?200.

It's not my field. If you put them into auction with a reserve on them, we can have a go. I hope you can.

I'll make a bargain. If you give me ?80 for one, anything else can go to charity.

That's very generous. You'll make more than that. You've got a lot of confidence.

I have, because I've had them valued in lots of places.

And why should they tell me tales?

Would you like us to put a reserve on them for you? Don't go below ?70.

But if you make anything over that, which you will do once they go on the internet -

even my own grandchildren are on the internet...

Give me ?80 and the rest can go to charity.

That's very kind. Thank you very much.

There you go, not a bad start, but in a couple of minutes, we'll see how those items get on at auction.

'Normally, our experts do the valuing,

'but Frederick fancied his Pearly King and Queen's chances so much,

'he's pledged anything over ?70 to charity.

'The Georgian ladle is exquisite and if silver buyers are here, it'll do well.

'Ken's watercolour is foxed, but Philip wasn't.

'He reckoned it worth ?150 plus.

'John's tumbling toy is boxed and a gem for a toy collector.

'So, let's hope the big hitters have seen it on the internet.'

'For today's sale, we've come to the Truro Auction Centre.

'It's remote, but that hasn't stopped a crowd from turning out.

'Auctioneer Martyn Rowe runs the show here and he's had a few things to say about some of our lots.'

Here, we have the Pearly King and Queen.

Any further to the edge and they'll be doing the Lambeth Walk.

Philip values them at ?80 to ?120.

I don't know what he's playing at - he's doing this for a laugh.

Pearly Kings and Queens in Cornwall is not quite the thing.

But having said that, they are by Wade.

And I think... Does that give them more credence? Yes.

But I think we'll be struggling. Would you buy them? No.

They're not a Cornish thing at all. NO.

Well, let's hope someone buys them.

I think the Wade aspect will sell them.

This is a wonderful little mechanical acrobat made in France. Right.

This is owned by John Sweetman. Do you know who he is? He's the town crier in Truro, isn't he? Yes.

Kate valued this at ?100 to ?150.

I think it's going to make more. It's absolutely lovely.

It's virtually mint.

Original clothes, it's got its key, but what makes it is the box.

It's in excellent condition and this is what toy collectors want now.

I would expect that to make somewhere around ?300 to ?350.

We'll try for that and see what happens. Let's see it run.

'Let's see how Fred gets on with his Pearly King and Queen.'

Here we are. You've got a wonderful name - Frederick Gordon Tippet. That's quite correct.

Sounds like a Nobel prize winner. You should be inventing something. I am a gentleman. You are...

and so is Philip. I see him on telly all the time.

You disagreed with his valuation. I did, because the man who told me the price,

was on This Is Your Life Monday night, and he's called Henry Sandon.

He said I'd get ?100 here, but in London, they'd fetch ?200.

They are the Pearly King and Queen of London. Not many people here know what they are. He knows and I know.

I bought them in 1965 at Buxton

for ?3.50, I'm going to say, which was ?3.10 then.

I've collected lots of things over the period of time

and I've sold nearly everything apart from these two that I've got left.

With the internet, anyone can bid from all over the country, even America,

so Cornwall is no different to somewhere in town now. They're not for me. You did say that.

But I hope they do really well, cos you've made a generous offer. Certainly...

If I get ?70, I'll accept that, but if I get any more, I'll give it to Radio Cornwall Hospice.

That's superb. Maybe more. Let's hope so. Fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed. I won't look.

Lot 236 is a pair of Wade figures.

There they are.

Start me off at ?70!

70?

50?

50!

?50!

From ?50 to ?55!

60!

65!

?70!

70...

At ?70...

?75...

80!

Some money to charity now. You'll get it.

?80...

80!

Well done, Frederick. That's lovely.

It's a gorgeous Georgian ladle. The marks are a bit worn - the hallmark,

which might affect the value a bit. Yes. We'll have to wait and see.

There's a lovely balance to it - a nice weight. It's very pretty. Yeah.

It feels silver when you hold it. Did you use it much?

I did when I was a student. We used to drink a lot of punch.

It was well-used back in those days.

The George III silver toddy ladle.

Starting off this one at ?85.

?85? ?85...

90...95...

?100.

105...

110...115... It's climbing. Mmm, yes.

120, 125...

130...

135...

140...

145...

150...

160...170...

180...190...

?200! Way past what I was expecting.

..210...

220...

?220! At ?220, I'm bid... Keep going.

?220!

That's superb! Great price. I wasn't expecting that.

That was a roller coaster. Wonderful. Two very strong silver buyers. They're very competitive.

There must be some profit left in it if the dealers bought it. That's true. But you're happy. Very.

It's much more than I was expecting. Good. Well done and well done, Kate.

How are you feeling? Rather nervous all of a sudden.

Now we've put you on the spot? Yeah. Well, you've brought along a quality picture. I like it.

It's one of the best here. I'm just a bit concerned about the condition.

It might just hold it back a bit, but fingers crossed.

Lot 64. J Fahey - the watercolour.

150?

150?

?100?

If we don't get ?100, we'll leave it there.

?100...

?100...100...100...

105...

110!

115!

120!

125...130... This is moving. Moving. That's OK, isn't it?

We're going to sell this. ..145...

150! Yes!

He's ran that well, hasn't he?

Anybody else? At ?150...150!

Did it! Gone. Well done. You were looking worried.

I'm pleased and I'm disappointed. I'm a little bit disappointed. I was hoping for 200. It's the condition.

Yes. Never mind. Well, it's found a new home and I hope they enjoy it.

John, it's good to see you in your civvies. Thank you. I'm recognisable. You are.

How are you feeling? Great. Optimistic? Positive? Up with the lark, sun shining...

and there's a friend interested in my item for sale. I'm sure this will fly.

Were you happy with the valuation? It could've gone higher in a specialist sale. Right...

We've got a ?100 reserve. Indeed. I think it'll get a lot higher. I hope so.

I kept the estimate quite conservative to encourage people.

Often, if you put a high estimate at auction, it tends to put people off.

But I think ?100 is fine.

Two away...

What are you going to spend the money on? It's already spent. Is it? Oh, dear!

I thought I only did that.

168 - the French mechanical figure in a super condition throughout.

Eight bids... It's such a novelty item.

?520...

520 in! Fantastic!

?540...

Unbelievable!

?540...540 all done...

At ?540... I can't believe it. A collector really wanted it.

540!

Well, what do you think about that? You? Good man! What do you think?

It's going to a friend. Great. Do you know him? I know him well.

He's of the Press and is a toy collector, unbeknown to me until ten minutes ago.

You'll be in good voice for your town crying now? Absolutely great!

Thanks very much, John. Delighted. Thank you.

'There's some good, strong results there already.

'We'll be back soon to see what else the people of Truro take to the auction.

'But first, we're off to nearby St Ives.'

Painters, potters and sculptors have long been drawn to St Ives

because of the unique Cornish coastline and the wonderful light.

It really is a fitting home for the Tate Modern, just above the beach.

Although the weather's dull, I'm excited cos

I'm off to see Barbara Hepworth's sculptural garden.

For me, she is my all-time favourite St Ives artist.

'The garden was created by Barbara Hepworth at her house and workshop,

'which she shared with her husband - fellow artist, Ben Nicholson.

'Ina, from the Tate Modern, is my guide.'

Every time I come to Cornwall, I have to visit these gardens.

It is fantastic. It gives me such a buzz just touching the sculptures. They are incredibly organic.

It's a wonderful idea - these shapes and forms surrounded by nature. They embrace each other. They do.

That was so important to Hepworth. Was it her idea initially? Yes.

The layout, the design, the concept, was entirely her idea. Wonderful forethought.

Which is your favourite statue? It has to be this one here.

I love this piece - the way it's situated in a niche in the garden, all on its own.

It's called Conversation With Magic Stones. It's very Celtic, isn't it?

It was inspired by standing stone sites. Cornwall's pagan tradition? It's a strong association with that.

I bet there's a few pagan heretics still running around in Cornwall.

When did Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson arrive in Cornwall? They came here in 1939 from London.

They decided to settle here to live and work. Were they embraced by the community and the local artists?

Yes, and people who were living here already found them incredibly inspirational,

because they brought a whole host of ideas and critics

and people who were interested in what else was happening in the town. That piece is very Ben Nicholson.

The way that she's used a square and circle, definitely. It's reminiscent of the work he did in the 1930s.

How many assistants or technicians did she have working for her?

About three or four, particularly towards the end of her life.

Some of them, like Terry Frost... He was her assistant? Yes. I never knew that.

They became significant artists in their own right. Relentless work, chipping away.

So, there were about three or four technicians, chipping away. Yes.

Was there any kind of set process? Hepworth was very particular.

She would know exactly how well a piece was going, even if she wasn't on site at the moment.

All she needed to do was be within earshot and she knew exactly how a piece of work would be developing.

She knew exactly what each chipping sound meant. It must have been quite intense,

three or four people chipping away at exactly the same time. It was very well synchronised.

There's so much positive energy. Yes. And this workshop is absolutely amazing.

This is just how it was left when she died. You can almost feel her presence.

It's like she just popped into town and she's going to come back.

So, what's YOUR favourite piece?

Well, if you look over there... This one. This one? Yeah, I love it.

It's very beautiful. I love the shape and form and the texture.

She never worked in colour, but it's weathered - a wonderful verdigris on the bronze,

which nature has blended it into. Definitely. The texture and shape which would have interested her.

'I could spend all day in that garden and Philip could play all day with this butter churn.'

This is lovely - it's a butter churn.

It's a Dazey Churn, number 22.

"Dazey Churn Company, St Louis. Made In The USA."

How did you come by it? It was lent to me by a friend and I have a very large kitchen at home

and I have a lot of this type of stuff in it. What else have you got?

A lot of 1950s stuff that we dug out of Mum's. What sort of things?

Old Victorian irons...

People use these things to dress their kitchens and they look nice.

It's a good designer piece.

I think it's going to make at auction - not a great deal - ?20 to ?30.

Put a reserve of ?15 on it. I think someone will buy it.

It's a bit of social history and that's what I like about it.

I had one of these, but I've got a mad lurcher at home and he knocked it over and broke the glass.

They're not hugely valuable, but it's a conversation piece. And it's in good working order. It's good fun.

Shall we put it in the sale for you? Yes. We'll see what we can do.

It's the sort of daft thing I'D buy.

'The Winters girls have already done exceptionally well with their Georgian silver ladle,

'but they're not done yet!'

Tell me her name.

Trafinia. Trafinia? Sounds like a Cornish name. No, it's a Victorian one. We had an Aunt Trafinia.

Where does she come from, then?

My father was given it by an old lady,

who was born in 18...

..79, was it, Mum? 1879.

Right.

And it belonged to her.

And he passed it on to his granddaughter. Me.

Well, she's obviously been very well looked after. Yes.

It's a wax doll and although her face needs a little bit of a clean,

it's actually in lovely condition.

The wax is undamaged, as far as I can see.

We've also got wax limbs, and I love these little leather shoes. They're sweet.

She's also got what looks like an original costume, again, in lovely condition.

A silk skirt with a black velvet bodice.

And we've got beautiful little... It looks like lily of the valley on her bonnet.

She is a lovely collector's piece.

Have you any idea what sort of value she might be at auction? Three, four, five, possibly?

Well, I think you're about right.

I would like to say a conservative estimate at auction of ?300-?500.

But I wouldn't be surprised if she made the upper end of that.

A super doll and well looked after.

Was the parasol always with her? Yes, it was hers too. Well, it's in superb condition.

If you just open it up...

and we look at the condition, it is absolutely superb. Look at that!

It's absolutely lovely. And we haven't even got much fading to the black silk.

A little tear on the inside, but if we look at the outside, isn't that lovely?!

I think they should definitely stay together.

Would you like to sell the parasol as well with her? Yes.

I would suggest the parasol ought to make around the ?100 mark.

If we say an estimate of 80 to 120,

I think you've got two lovely things. Yes.

How long have you had it? My dad moved house last week

and I found it in his kitchen cupboard. Does he know? Yes. He was going to throw it away.

But I said I'd see if it was worth something. So, if we sell this, are you going to go halvers? No.

It's a 19th century dump paperweight.

The bigger ones at auction are about this big and that wide.

They can make ?80, ?90, ?120 - that sort of region.

I think a little paperweight of this size with this floral decoration

is going to make around ?50 to ?80.

If you compare it to modern paperweights that you buy, it's quite good value for money. Yeah.

Do you like it? No, it's got a dead fly in the bottom.

I think that's just a bit of Jurassic Park.

I'm not sure if it's in there by accident or design. How old is it?

I would think it's about...

120...

130 years old - something like that.

What will you do with the money?

Spend it on something I like better. What do you collect? Derby Posy.

So, if I sell that, I can buy a piece of Derby Posy. What got you into that?

I started when I was a child and I had it as my wedding pattern. That's the nice thing about antiques.

If you don't like something, you can sell it and put it into something you DO like collecting.

As time goes by, your tastes change, so you're doing the right thing.

Shall we sell it? Definitely. Not bad, considering we were going to throw it away.

What's your name? Jenny Braga. Who've you brought? Dominic and Carly. Hi.

This is a John Piper coffee table.

How did you come across this? It belongs to my husband, who acquired it in the '70s or '80s, he thinks -

he can't quite remember - in Sussex in an antique shop.

He understands that it's a John Piper table - it has his signature on it.

He was also told that only five were made

and that one was in the Bishop's Palace at Chichester. I can certainly believe that - it's a studio piece.

John Piper was a phenomenally successful artist in the '60s.

He did the stained glass windows in Coventry Cathedral. Really?

What you've got here is a piece of functional sculpture, which is worth quite a lot of money, I hope.

Where's it been? Your sitting room? Actually, it was in the garden for a few years.

I don't believe it. I just don't believe it. This was before my time.

Luckily, there's no rust. No. It's survived very well.

We've actually kept it in the garage because it doesn't go with anything.

I bet these two would love it. Yeah, it's nice. Would you like that in your house or bachelor pad? Yeah.

I suppose you're getting married, though.

I can see this in a contemporary space, with lovely cream walls... Not my style. ..minimalist setting.

It's a piece of sculpture which is so usable. Let's look underneath.

It would have been mounted on an ash marine ply. That's water repellent. Probably helps. It does.

It stops it from warping. It would make the tiles lift, otherwise.

I'd love to see this photographed and put on the front of the auction catalogue.

It will create a lot of interest.

We'll get it on the website and see if we can find some art dealers that are going to be fighting for it.

As a carrot, let's get people interested.

They think, "It's Cornwall - they won't know what's going on."

We'll put an estimate guide of ?300 to ?500, but I'd like to see it go for ?1,000.

It encourages people to bid. Super. It's a serious piece of contemporary art.

It's practical - a lovely, usable table. Thank you. Thank YOU for bringing it.

It's made MY day!

You've left your daughter in someone else's care to bring us the hound. Yes. Does he have a name?

No. You never christened him? No. Do you know what he is? A dog?

Absolutely right. What do you know about him? The only thing I know,

is that he's made from Austrian bronze. Cold-painted bronze. Yep.

It's all I know. How long have you had him? Ten years.

How did he come into your possession?

We were moving from East Sussex to Dorset... Yeah.

..and a friend of mine gave it to me when we left as a gift.

Lovely.

Do you think your friend knew what they were giving you? Probably not.

It's a little late-19th century cold-painted bronze figure of a dog.

If we turn him over, you can see that just here and here, we've got some slight damage.

What's happened is that someone's dropped him and he's landed on this leg.

I'm sure it can be put right, but if you're an amateur, you've done the right thing by NOT putting it right.

You can do more harm than good. What's he worth? I've no idea.

Would you take a fiver for him? No. But you don't know! I still wouldn't.

I think he will make between ?200 and ?400 at auction. Really? Yes.

And we should put a reserve on it of about ?180.

I think he'll do rather well. Would you like to put him in the sale? Yes.

'Jean's butter churn is just the thing to float Mr Serrell's boat.

'Let's hope there are some buyers like him in the saleroom.

'Audrey's doll looks a bit mottled, but it's in original condition.

'Hopefully, it should top the ?250 mark.

'The parasol is wonderful, too, but it's a specialist thing.

'Let's hope it makes its reserve.

'There are no flies on Philip,

'but there IS one in this glass dump.

'Emma's cold-painted bronze dog

'might run away at ?180... or so Philip says.

'And Jenny has brought our star item today -

'a coffee table made by John Piper, found by her husband, Max.

'We think it's worth in excess of a grand...

'but to tempt lazy London dealers to Truro, we recommend a low estimate.'

A wonderful piece of abstract art.

'We'll see how these lots get on at auction in a minute,

'but first, I'm off to see some more 20th-century design in St Ives,

'where Alex Tomkinson, one of a new breed of antique dealers,

'has some modern Cornish pottery.'

What a wonderful art space. Thank you. Tell me about Cornish arts pottery.

It all started in the early '20s, when Bernard Leach came back from Japan

and started Leach Pottery in 1923.

Then, in the mid-'50s, other people migrated down and started their own potteries.

These guys were really hard-up in their day. Yes, they had no idea it was go the places it did.

And it didn't until it had all closed down.

This Troika was made in 1968 for an exhibition in London. But it's not like the normal stuff.

The normal stuff echoes the landscape... It's more textured.

That is very severely minimalist.

It looks like it's influenced by Nicholson. Definitely.

What have we got next? It's a local potter - a girl called Mitoko.

She's come over from Japan. Again, another Japanese.... A Japanese link.

We had an exhibition of her work last year.

Next to that is the Leach pottery. Renowned.

The price is high. A piece like that commands a few thousand pounds.

A lot of money. How much is the Ben Nicholson influence piece? It's ?850.

I recognise this. It's Celtic. Yes, Celtic pottery.

Is there much of it about? Quite a bit.

It was mass-produced in the '60s and '70s.

Prices have gone up quite a bit in the past few years.

The market's almost quite saturated with it now, especially in this area.

What would you collect nowadays? Troika and Celtic have probably reached their maximum price.

Lesser-known potters, especially those who worked from Leach Pottery,

such as Harry Davis, who worked at Crown Pottery.

The quality of work is underpriced. How much is a single cup and saucer?

A cup and saucer would be around ?20.

There's a small mark - a "P" with a "C" inside it.

You can tell it's quality. You feel the glaze. That's wonderful.

Well, there's a good tip - a good tip for the future.

'Fascinating! It's nice to learn new things and keep ahead of the game.

'Now, our final lot's come under the hammer.

'But first, what does Martyn Rowe make of them?'

This belongs to Mrs Winter and Kate fell in love with it. She valued it at ?80 to ?120.

We put a reserve of ?80 on it.

We'll see what happens at the auction - it may well struggle.

It's a difficult thing to sell. It's black, it's plain, fringed border...but not the easiest seller.

You're not optimistic? I'm not that confident, but I hope for the best.

She brought the doll too. Do doll collectors collect these? It's more for a lady's costume collection.

I think dolls are another story altogether.

This is a strange market - these things can fly through the roof.

Most auctioneers are confident with a porcelain-headed doll, but this one being wax,

it's difficult to say.

I'd like to see it get away, but we're going to be struggling. Does this sell well in this area?

Most dolls will sell quite well, but the wax ones are very unpredictable.

We'll wait and see.

This little fellow's cute - Emma's bronze dog. Philip valued this at ?200 to ?400 with a reserve of ?180.

Well, it's nice quality - Austrian cold-painted bronze.

A lovely weight and the detail, especially on the collar, is very nice.

Are you a dog lover? I am, but I don't think... We might get the reserve of ?180,

but I'd be surprised if it went any higher. But it IS nice.

John Piper coffee table - my eyes lit up when Jenny brought this in.

When we saw it, we went, "Oh, can't believe it!"

I know you can't get your head around this... It's difficult to understand some contemporary art,

especially in an antique sale. But this is one in five - a studio piece.

We valued it on the day at around ?800, but to get the London dealers in, the internet...

we marked it up at ?300 to ?500, to be really cheeky. We know it's going to fetch around 800.

I must admit, it'll be ?1,000 to ?1,500.

I've had more interest on this than on a lot of other pieces, and that's puzzling. I'll tell you why...

?1,500 is too cheap for it. I'd like to see ?1,800 to ?2,200. Right.

Maybe we won't get it, but I know it'll fetch... Well, the owners...

they deserve a good price for this.

This has been in their garden and in their garage. Excellent.

I believe it cost them ?8 in the 1970s.

A couple of tiles missing, but it's all there. Hopefully, this could be the star item on the day.

'On with the action. First, the butter churn!'

Are you going to miss your butter maker? Not if I can help it.

What'll you do with ?40 if it gets that?

Spend it on more kitchenalia.

So, why are you selling this one, then?

Um...it's not really mine.

I'm selling it for a friend who said I could have a cut.

It's in perfect condition. It's a lovely thing.

Right up my street. I hope we weren't winding the handle too much. We all had a good go.

You'll see the paddles falling off. We put it in reverse as well! Right!

Lot 96 - the dairy table churn.

Let's see what we come in at.

At ?24...

?26...

?28...

?30...

?32...

?32, I'm bid. At ?32...

What do you think it'll reach? Don't know.

?36 on my left...

?38...

40...

Holding at ?40...

?40....

40!

?40. Are you happy with that? Very.

Are you? No problem.

It's nearly time to sell your parasol. How are you feeling?

Are you scared? I am, yes. I don't think it'll reach... You don't? No.

Don't be pessimistic. It's beautiful. But the bidding is so fast... It's top quality, isn't it?

We want the bidding to go on for a long time. Have you seen anything you'd like to buy? Yes, I have.

Two things - those blue glass bottles. Oh, yes. I want to bid for them, but he's bidding so fast,

I can't get in.

Is someone bidding for you?

Well, I'm hoping to be over there by then.

It is quite difficult if the auctioneer goes quite fast, to hear clearly, but you've got to be brave

and decide what you're going to go for and then, really stick your hand up.

Lot 135 - the folding parasol!

Is it going to be ?80? ?50?

50?

Come on! ..40...?

No-one's giving 40. I knew they wouldn't.

?40?

We'll leave that there. You knew that. It's all those negative vibes.

The sun just isn't shining today.

I think it's a lovely thing,

and I'm very glad it didn't go for a very low amount -

it's definitely worth that much to a specialist buyer. The right person just wasn't here. Simple as that.

We're four away from the wax doll. Let's hope we get better luck with that one. Yes, I hope so.

No negative vibes. All right. It's a beautiful doll.

She's super. The eyes are stunning. They are lovely blue eyes. Yes.

I had hoped there might be a few more dolls in the sale, but she does stand on her own.

We'll have to hope a doll collector is here. Maybe.

I'll put my influence on it. Do that - lots of positive energy.

It's quite immaculate. I know it's tatty on the feet, but... Well, she's...

she's 120 years old. At least.

More than that, actually.

I hope I look like that at 120.

Lot 154 is a child's doll.

It's in a nice condition.

?250...?250...?250...

?200...

If we can't start at 200, we'll leave it there. ?200...

?200...

It's a start.

220...

Good. ..230...

?240...

Up to 240...good...

250, I'm bid.

?250...

All done? ?250!

It's done it on the day. There! We had positive energy this time.

No negative vibes. Good.

Well done, well done.

?250 is not bad at all.

Thank you. Pleasure.

We've had a roller coaster today. Right. It's been good. Right.

Excellent, actually. Well, you valued my item...

I hope it'll sell, but you never know, do you? It should sell.

I'm hoping for over ?200 because this is such a lovely piece.

Yes. But we've got a reserve on it. Yeah.

Lot 479...

Austrian bronze figure.

Start me off at 150...

150?

130?

130, I'm bid! We're in.

130, I'm bid.

130...140...

150... Good. ..160...170...180...

180...

On my right-hand side, 180...

180...

180!

It's done it on the reserve. Just... Just crept through. Just got it.

It was good. Someone got a good bargain - it's worth more. Definitely.

I'm disappointed it didn't make a little more. Well... ..but you put something up for auction,

you get a competitive market, people bid and by and large, it establishes a market price for it, so...

at the end of the day, that's how it comes out. You're not too disappointed? No. It's great.

Very good. Thanks very much.

How did you find this weight?

My mum acquired them years ago, and I found them in the kitchen at my dad's house.

He was going to throw them away. Dump the dump! Yeah.

I said, "Let's see if they're worth something cos I'm sure they're old."

I didn't realise how old they were. You found out at our valuation day? Yes.

Otherwise they'd've been thrown away. So, you're very happy then. Yeah.

Anything's better than nothing. Will Dad get any money? I'll see how much it makes.

Does he know it's in the sale? Yeah.

Lot 340 - Victorian glass dump paperweight.

Pretty. Start me off at ?45. 45...?

40...

30...

Come on...

30...?

Leave it there. I'm staggered! Can't believe it! Absolutely staggered!

Never mind. I'm staggered that it didn't get pushed.

I'm absolutely amazed that it didn't sell. That's all right.

Perhaps another day. I'm staggered. Don't get rid of it for ?30. It's worth a lot more. Hang onto it.

Keep it as a memento and in a few years, try it again.

I'm just amazed that that didn't sell. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Thanks very much.

'Now, our star item! Jenny's grandson is standing in for her.'

It isn't your gran's table. She remarried to Max and it's his table.

He bought it for about ?8...

and neither of the two want it.

Where are they again?

Prague. How long have they been there? They flew today. Shame they couldn't be here.

I remember valuing it. I got so excited because it's one of the best things I've seen in a long time.

We put a low reserve on it, but we've jacked it up because it's ridiculous if it goes for nothing.

But I feel so confident that it'll just sail out of here and hopefully make 1,500. I hope so. So do I.

My neck's on the block! Lot 644 - the unusual John Piper coffee table.

I've got eight bids, so I'm starting off at ?1,800.

At ?1,800...

1,900...

?2,000...

All done at ?2,000?

?2,000...? At ?2,000.

Brilliant! I'm dead chuffed! Me, too!

Ring her up - get her on the phone. That's a result. I can't believe it.

'I'm so proud of the people of Cornwall - my home county.

'The owners and buyers have pulled out all the stops.

'After commission, Fred won't have much left to give to charity,

'but he gave Philip a run for his money.'

He was so full of enthusiasm

and obviously, a very generous man with his offer of a donation to charity.

Things like that make the day worthwhile.

'Town crier John won't be sobbing into his beer after selling his acrobat for a fantastic ?500.'

It makes me wonder what it would've made in a specialist sale,

but we'll never know.

When two collectors get going, it can go through the roof.

It was in great condition, had its box - a lovely thing.

'Ken seemed disappointed with the ?150 he got for his watercolour.'

Let's say you had ?150 in cash. Yeah. Would you buy the painting back?

No, because I've nowhere to put it.

OK? Good man. Thank you.

'The Winters girls did well with their Georgian silver ladle...

'OK with the doll, but didn't sell the parasol.'

I thought she valued it very high,

but she was absolutely right. She's a very good silver expert. Yes.

'Finally, Max and Jenny can dine out in style on holiday in Prague,

'knowing that the John Piper coffee table, bought for just ?8, sold for ?2,000!'

You can get good Czechoslovakian beer with that money. A good drink. Yeah.

We've had a fantastic time here in Cornwall.

See you next time on "Flog It!"

I welcome the BBC to Cornwall

with their antiques programme, "Flog It!"

I can't believe it!

Fantastic! I can't believe it.

I'm giving them away! Don't go below 70.

She sounded like a garden gnome. Thank you so much!

Hmm, yes. He's off now!

SHE LAUGHS

TENOR SINGS ROUSING ITALIAN SONG

The Great British Bake Off Finale: