0:00:33 > 0:00:39Welcome to Flog It!, the show where you have a bash to make hard cash out of your trash.
0:00:39 > 0:00:46We sell unwanted antiques at auction after they're examined by our experts.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52If they're right, you could take tea at the Ritz. If wrong, they'll eat humble pie.
0:00:52 > 0:00:58There'll be surprises along the way. Later, we'll see how our owners do.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Maybe it'll go home with me.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04?160, all finished at...160.
0:01:06 > 0:01:1140 we have... What is it, darling? This is the teapot. We're at ?40.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16?20, you're all finished at...
0:01:16 > 0:01:21No railway enthusiasts today. They're all at the other auction.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27?200. Anyone else? ?200, if you're all finished at...220. At 220...
0:01:27 > 0:01:31He sells it, his wife gets the money. Isn't it always the way?
0:01:31 > 0:01:3665. At ?100, if you're all finished at...100.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41That's... ?900! I'm going to faint.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Hungerford is a treasure trove of antique shops.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56What have the locals been digging out to bring to the town hall?
0:01:56 > 0:02:02They're all hoping to make some money, but that depends on what our experts think.
0:02:02 > 0:02:10Philip Serrell runs an auction house in Worcestershire. He loves furniture but has a quirk for wood,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12especially small domestic items.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17We do buying and selling. You're asking US for valuations?!
0:02:17 > 0:02:22Thomas Plant has wanted to be an auctioneer since he was seven.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26An original Rembrandt. Worth hundreds of thousands.
0:02:26 > 0:02:33So let's see if anyone's willing to sell once they've heard our experts' valuations.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Thomas has already found something right up his street.
0:02:41 > 0:02:48So, now, tell me about your lovely lady. We were on holiday in Italy about ten years ago,
0:02:48 > 0:02:53and I was walking past this shop... I collect lots of Art Deco things.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58I saw this, and it was tucked right down the bottom of this cabinet
0:02:58 > 0:03:05and also, at the same time, I bought a doll, and then I saw her and she was absolutely divine.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10So you ditched the doll... No, I bought the doll but not this.
0:03:10 > 0:03:17I went away and my husband was with me, and then he went off to find the loo "or something".
0:03:17 > 0:03:24Then the following Christmas, this is what I unpacked as my Christmas present. Isn't that romantic?
0:03:24 > 0:03:29He's very nice like that. A great story. But you don't like it now?
0:03:29 > 0:03:37Well, I've gone beyond the... The Deco period. No, I still do Deco but I collect wall pockets.
0:03:37 > 0:03:45OK. She's certainly very beautiful. She's really quite a highly decorative figure, certainly.
0:03:45 > 0:03:53There's a signature here, on the back, which we've both had a look at and we both can't decide.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56It's stamped "Made in Italy" so it's Italian.
0:03:56 > 0:04:03It actually looks like it's been hand-moulded, hand-modelled. The skirt has been created. Yes.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10She's rather attractive. It's her condescending look I rather like.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14She's just letting life pass her by.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18She's just looking. She's just thinking. She's rather gorgeous.
0:04:18 > 0:04:24That shoulder line is so elegant. That is quite beautiful, certainly.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27If I only had a back like that.
0:04:27 > 0:04:34I believe, at auction, she should make between ?100 and ?200, and could do a lot more, certainly.
0:04:34 > 0:04:41How do you feel about that and are you willing to sell? I AM willing to sell her. She is lovely,
0:04:41 > 0:04:48she'll always be a fantastic memory for me, but I'm willing to let her go to somebody that will appreciate her.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51My time with her has come to an end.
0:04:51 > 0:04:58Brilliant. Now it's OUR time. Yes, and somebody else's. Thank you very much for bringing it. OK.
0:04:59 > 0:05:05Brenda, you've brought this along. Yeah. How did you come by this?
0:05:05 > 0:05:11I've got auction fever - always at auctions. The sort of person we like.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17So I saw this pile of photographs - I'm into photographs at the moment. I like social history.
0:05:17 > 0:05:24I bought a pile of photographs and that was one of them. How much did you pay for the pile? ?65, but...
0:05:24 > 0:05:31Were they all similar subjects? No, the others weren't as interesting as that.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35That really is quite fascinating. It's quite macabre.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39It's by Leonard Brightwell of Wellingborough
0:05:39 > 0:05:43and, from looking at it, it's the...
0:05:43 > 0:05:50probably around the '20s or so. And if we turn this round - I'll have to put me eyes on... Like me!
0:05:50 > 0:05:56It's the London, Derby and Manchester Express,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59that's what it says there. Yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03And...just there, it says Midland something or other.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07I mean, we think of train disasters as being a recent phenomenon.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13You look at this, and they've been happening for the last 80 years.
0:06:13 > 0:06:19I said it was Leonard Brightwell. I wonder if this mount was stuck on,
0:06:19 > 0:06:24cos you can see the outline of another photograph that was there.
0:06:24 > 0:06:31That might have been put on later. As a piece of social history, it's not worth a fortune,
0:06:31 > 0:06:38but it might make around ?20 to ?30, and if you put it in with a reserve of ?15, it might stand a chance.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43Photography is starting to become quite collectable. Yes.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49If you can get 1900 or 1890 pictures of Red Indian tribes and things like that,
0:06:49 > 0:06:54or Scott's expedition, you really are talking lots of money,
0:06:54 > 0:06:59but I think this stands a chance. Shall we have a go? Super. OK. Yeah.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08For an item to stand a chance at auction, it needs to be looked after.
0:07:08 > 0:07:15All this gilding has rubbed off, and it really is a problem. It hammers the value.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22It's like, ?20, ?30. Yeah, definitely not.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26In fact you can see... It's got a hairline crack.
0:07:31 > 0:07:38What can you tell me about this? Helen brought it back, I think from Ireland.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43I think it's Waterford glass. Yes, it's definitely Waterford cut glass.
0:07:43 > 0:07:50It's fantastic. It's a real piece which the glass-cutter was showing off how good he was.
0:07:50 > 0:07:57This is almost like a hobnail cut. You can see the difference between this and a piece of moulded glass.
0:07:57 > 0:08:04Moulded glass wouldn't feel as sharp as this. It would be quite soft and rounded.
0:08:04 > 0:08:12There would be a seam mark through it from the mould. This has been done by hand and it's good quality.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15How long have you had it? About ten years.
0:08:15 > 0:08:22It's superb. I think the quality of glass is brilliant. The cutting is fantastic.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27I suppose it looks good with light on it - reflects round the room.
0:08:27 > 0:08:34It's difficult to put a value on something like that. To buy new, I would think it'd be expensive.
0:08:34 > 0:08:42I think it was a very good present. As for second-hand, it wouldn't be worth putting through sale, really.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46This is one of a pair, OK?
0:08:46 > 0:08:51This would date to about 1880 or thereabouts.
0:08:51 > 0:08:58These are Kate Greenaway figures. This is gilded ivory and this is painted in. There'd be a pair.
0:08:58 > 0:09:05There's the boy and there's a girl, and the pair would probably be worth ?400 to ?600.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10And that on its own is worth, I would suggest to you...
0:09:12 > 0:09:15..probably between ?150 and ?250.
0:09:15 > 0:09:22It's lovely. If you're thinking of selling him, we can use him in the programme for you, if you'd like.
0:09:22 > 0:09:29Our experts aren't having much luck persuading owners to part with their antiques. Thomas isn't giving up.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33I think this is fantastic. Where does it come from?
0:09:33 > 0:09:39My mother's. She bought it when she went to Bournemouth on a holiday.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Brilliant. Bournemouth, Poole, exactly.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47On here it's marked "Carter Stabler Adams Ltd, Poole, England".
0:09:47 > 0:09:50This mark here dates from 1924.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54'24. Yeah, 1924. So the '20s is right.
0:09:54 > 0:10:01I don't know if it was one of two... She just bought one. Just the one ship. Lovely glaze.
0:10:01 > 0:10:08It's a great bit of Poole. She used to have it on the mantelpiece. It's a great galleon, full ship in sail.
0:10:08 > 0:10:15Sometimes we see chargers like this from this date with ships painted on there.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20So obviously the maritime history is quite paramount in Poole production.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23What was it? Was it just a figure?
0:10:23 > 0:10:28It's just decoration, I would have thought, certainly.
0:10:28 > 0:10:34The important thing to check - is there damage? Poole is affected by damage.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39Being a soft body underneath, it sometimes chips. It seems to be OK.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44So for valuation, if you want to sell it... Yes. Yes, you do.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50I would have thought, at auction, if we put this in at ?200 to ?300...
0:10:50 > 0:10:56Surprised me. ..then see what happens, cos I think it could do quite well. Thank you very much.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01This has been a labour of love, polishing this. Not necessarily.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05It's been laid under the stairs since I've had it. Really?!
0:11:05 > 0:11:13It's only lately I've done it. You just polished it? So I could bring it here. Lot of elbow grease. Well...
0:11:13 > 0:11:19It's nice here, cos you can just see "Shand, Mason Co., Fire Engine Makers,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23"Upper Grand Street, Blackfriars Road, London."
0:11:23 > 0:11:29Are they still about? I wouldn't know! But these lamps can be very collectable.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34This is beautifully made with all these lovely lenses here.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39If we just open it up, that opens there beautifully, doesn't it? Yes.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44Then that lets us pull out the reservoir. The paraffin reservoir.
0:11:44 > 0:11:51It really is in top order, isn't it? Yes. I almost wouldn't think it's ever been used. It was black.
0:11:51 > 0:11:58The lead work with the sweating on there... What do you mean by "sweating"?
0:11:58 > 0:12:04The lead, see where it's soldered? Joined together so it sticks. Almost the seam.
0:12:04 > 0:12:11So they've soldered the seam with the lead work to make it waterproof to hold paraffin. So it doesn't leak.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17Cos you can see...you can see it on here. And that lifts up as well.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22You have to take that out, see? You can see where they've joined this.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26A work of art for something intended to be functional.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31You can see places there, you can see little drops of it.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36Let's see if we can put it back together, while I think of a value.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41That just... That just pushes in. ..into there, and that drops down.
0:12:41 > 0:12:48In terms of value, I think these lamps are really sought-after, and I wouldn't claim to be an expert,
0:12:48 > 0:12:53but I would guess that this might have a value of ?50 to ?80.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57I think we could put a reserve on it at auction of about ?40.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02If we get two collectors... It is a work of art in its own right.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08It's got three things at the back so you can stick it on your belt.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13You can do it like that to carry it or you can just carry it on top. Yep.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Makes modern torches look a bit flimsy.
0:13:16 > 0:13:23When you come to look at the workmanship in there, and what they've done years ago,
0:13:23 > 0:13:29sometimes it makes ours look... We haven't progressed much. We haven't.
0:13:29 > 0:13:36I bet it would really glow - the reflecting inside this lens here - it would just be wonderful.
0:13:36 > 0:13:43I thought about trying it, but it's a lot of trouble to go through. Get you home from the pub!
0:13:43 > 0:13:50I'm sure you don't need a hand to get home from the pub. No. Would you like us to put it in a sale? Yes.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55We'll do that, and keep our fingers crossed. Thank you for bringing it.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07Let's see which of our items have been selected to go to the auction.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Thomas fell for the Art Deco lady.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Liz's husband bought it as a present but their time together is over.
0:14:17 > 0:14:25She's very stylish, very beautiful, and at ?100 to ?200, she could almost make double that.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Brenda's hoping somebody will have auction fever
0:14:29 > 0:14:32when her photo comes up for sale.
0:14:32 > 0:14:38But will there be anyone interested in the macabre in Marlborough?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I think there'll be collectors for that.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46Thomas went overboard on Peter Benbow's Poole ship.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51He thinks that with the right buyers, this could do very well.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56Bill Ralph's copper railway lamp set Philip alight.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Will it get the price it deserves?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02He'd polished it up. I hope that'll do ?60 to ?90.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06It should if we get some railway collectors.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11By the time of the auction, things have been catalogued, advertised -
0:15:11 > 0:15:14it's quite exciting. I hope we'll do all right.
0:15:19 > 0:15:26There is nothing more thrilling than seeing your item under the hammer at auction.
0:15:26 > 0:15:33We're in historic Marlborough, not far from Hungerford. Our owners' items will soon go up for sale.
0:15:33 > 0:15:39Sheldon Cameron, master of ceremonies, has mixed views on our items.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44Known to drive a hard bargain, he always has an opinion on items.
0:15:44 > 0:15:52Sold it to me at 25. At ?28, the bid is against you, madam. Go on, blow the housekeeping. It's only money.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Does he think that Liz's Italian Art Deco lady will make her some euros?
0:15:57 > 0:16:02We're not 100% happy with it. It is very decorative, very flowing lines.
0:16:02 > 0:16:09But the base has been added at a later date - part of her skirt overhangs. It's not quite original.
0:16:09 > 0:16:15Price on this, I would say, on that, I think maybe between ?60 and ?100.
0:16:15 > 0:16:21You don't often see them this good. They're usually dented or damaged,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25but this one's in pristine condition. I think ?50 to ?60.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Railway articles - very collectable, very popular.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Unfortunately the photograph's a little macabre,
0:16:33 > 0:16:38so I don't think it'll appeal to a mass market. We'll have to see.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Thomas is being paid too much where he is at this moment.
0:16:43 > 0:16:50It's a decorative object but it's moulded so it's mass-produced - not in today's terminology,
0:16:50 > 0:16:57but it's been made in large numbers and I think ?200 to ?300, if we halved it, we'd still have trouble.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02There's a buzz going round the auction room as the sale starts.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07The buyers know what it's like to have your lot go under the hammer.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10For most of our owners, it's their first time.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16Although there's a lot at stake today for our experts' reputation,
0:17:16 > 0:17:22there's something more important at stake for our owners. Liz is here.
0:17:22 > 0:17:29It's a present from your husband and you're selling it?! I know. Feel at all guilty about that?
0:17:29 > 0:17:36No, I think it's time for somebody else to have the pleasure of her company.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Will you buy your husband a gift? I didn't think of that!
0:17:40 > 0:17:44You were just going to go shopping anyway! Absolutely!
0:17:44 > 0:17:51Thomas, confident with this one? Quite. She's in a prominent position in the room. Everybody's seen her.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So, Liz, I've high hopes for you.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58Right, good morning. Welcome to the auction.
0:17:58 > 0:18:04Brenda's macabre photo is up first, but will the railway enthusiasts be here today?
0:18:04 > 0:18:11Brenda, what made you buy a picture of a train crash? I buy peculiar things, you see. I can tell!
0:18:11 > 0:18:19I'm known for it. But a train crash? Confident that this is going to sell well? ..No.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25Lot 212 is the Edwardian mounted photograph of the railway disaster.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30The Edwardian mounted photograph of the railway disaster. ?20 to ?30?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34I think it's collectable. Hopefully someone likes it.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39Heart going a little bit? Yes. Could be ?20 or ?30 riding on this.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Going to start with me at ?12.
0:18:42 > 0:18:48Do I hear 15 anywhere? Surely it's worth 15 to someone here.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Not much interest. Surely worth ?15.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56We'll lend you the money at favourable interest rates. ..?12.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59No railway enthusiasts today.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01At ?12, we're all finished at...
0:19:01 > 0:19:07You'll be taking that home. I can have it back. I'm pleased. Pleased?!
0:19:07 > 0:19:15No joy for Brenda. Peter Benbow couldn't make it today, but let's hope his ship comes in for him.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Lot 242 is the Poole pottery book end.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24I can't see anyone excited, except us, of course.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Sheldon's doing his best.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Stamped on the back
0:19:30 > 0:19:33with the mark, the embossed mark.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35I'm going to start with me at 55.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38The bid is with me here. At 55, 65,
0:19:38 > 0:19:4175, 85. At 85 with me, still.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44At 85, do I hear 90 anywhere?
0:19:44 > 0:19:47The commission's with me. At 85, do I hear 90?
0:19:47 > 0:19:52We're struggling. Haven't got the reserve. As we thought,
0:19:52 > 0:19:58we couldn't make that. Perhaps better in a specialist pottery sale.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Next up, Bill's lamp. Will one of our buyers take a shine to it?
0:20:03 > 0:20:09Mr Ralph, the owner of our fantastic railway lamp, can't make it today.
0:20:11 > 0:20:17Lot 192 is the copper-brass railway worker's oil lamp. Great condition.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Going to start with me at 28. At ?28, the bid is with me.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24At ?28, do I hear 30 now?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27At 32...35, 38.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32At 38 with me. One more might just do it. At 38.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Only ?38 - can't understand that. All finished at...
0:20:36 > 0:20:4140, thank you, sir. At ?40 I have with you now. ?40 in the room.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45At ?40, if you're all finished at...40.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47211, thank you, sir.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Philip, I can't understand that!
0:20:49 > 0:20:54I'm disappointed. I thought that should've made more. I'm astonished.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59The railway people aren't here today. That's the gamble.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Well, it's a sale, but we haven't done as well for Bill as we'd hoped.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Now all our hopes ride on Liz's Art Deco lady, but she's not confident.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15I don't think that today's the day she's going to find a new home.
0:21:15 > 0:21:22I think the public will just want to buy her and put her on the mantelpiece.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Lot 262, the Art Deco Italian porcelain figure of a seated lady.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30The base has been added at a later date.
0:21:30 > 0:21:38Here she goes. Thomas, I think we're on a winner here. Surely to goodness someone will buy this one.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40And a commission with me of ?80.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45At ?80, the bid is with me. 85, 90, at 90 with me, still.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47At ?90, who's going on now?
0:21:47 > 0:21:53We've got no-one looking at it. We're sticking again. As we thought.
0:21:53 > 0:21:5690. Not today, I'm afraid.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Tell your husband his gift lives for another day.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I am very sorry. I really thought it had a chance at 100 to 200.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09Not today. I'll talk to Liz. Maybe it'll go home with me.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21A few no-sales - there's a time and a place for everything.
0:22:21 > 0:22:28That applies to auctions as well. Our experts will be looking for more items in the valuation room later.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31First, I'm popping into town.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Hungerford is no stranger to antiques.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40In fact, it has the oldest antique arcade in the country -
0:22:40 > 0:22:45over 60 dealers and 39 shops in one square mile, a collector's gold mine.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50But if it's barometers you're after, dealer Peter Hunwick is your man.
0:22:53 > 0:22:59Peter, what is it about barometers that gives you that passion? What pulls you towards them?
0:22:59 > 0:23:04Well, I think for a start it's a useful instrument.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06It's not an accurate instrument.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11You won't get an accurate indication of what's happening on them,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14but it's also a beautiful instrument.
0:23:14 > 0:23:21And there are so many hundreds of different barometers - very few are the same, which is nice.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29This is a Sheraton inlaid barometer.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33You can see it has this very nice, flowing, bulbous shape.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38It's got lovely, early Sheraton shell inlays.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43All round here, we've got chequered stringing, an added quality.
0:23:43 > 0:23:50The actual bezel here is very close to the edge, which is another good sign of an early barometer.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54This is by di Pellegrino, about 1785-1790.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59But Peter's love of barometers isn't shared by his wife, Tania.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04Though I like them visually, I actually hate clocks and barometers,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07particularly if people ask me how they work.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Luckily, we had a big burglary, and we had 40 of them stolen!
0:24:12 > 0:24:19I tried to ban them, but I didn't succeed. He's cunning, and gradually they've slipped back in.
0:24:19 > 0:24:25Luckily, Peter's interest in antiques extends beyond all things meteorological.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32Walnut is my passion in furniture. This is a fantastic example here.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35What a beautiful piece this is.
0:24:35 > 0:24:43I'm glad you said that, because most people would say, "A tallboy - what a mundane piece of furniture."
0:24:43 > 0:24:45But this, I think, is rather special.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50First of all, the original handles look really super.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55It's got canted, reeded sides top and bottom. The colour is brilliant.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00And it's nice to see this patination running all the way through.
0:25:00 > 0:25:06The other reason I picked this piece out is because of its unusual bonnet drawer,
0:25:06 > 0:25:11which was for top hats and things like that. Certainly quite a space.
0:25:11 > 0:25:17Indeed. And unusually, the bonnet drawer is in the top half, giving this unusual proportion.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20That in itself is rather nice,
0:25:20 > 0:25:26because it gets slimmed down top and bottom by this canted, reeded side,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29going down to these big clumpy feet,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32which gives it a lovely line all the way down.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37In the right setting, this would look absolutely fantastic.
0:25:37 > 0:25:46If you wanted this tallboy, you'd need nearly the average year's salary. It's a snip at ?18,000!
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Back at the town hall,
0:25:54 > 0:26:00Philip's on a mission to find something priceless for the auction.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05What's your name? Beryl Theakston. A good alcoholic name! Good beer!
0:26:05 > 0:26:10Are you related? Yes. Really? So you're a Yorkshire girl? Of course.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Can't you tell? I'm going to Hawes in about two weeks' time. Lovely.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Top part of the world, isn't it? Do you still imbibe? Occasionally!
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Do you drink the family tipple? Yes. Black Sheep - good stuff!
0:26:24 > 0:26:32It looks after you? Old Peculier, too, in the old days. Why is it called Old Peculier? Oh, darling!
0:26:32 > 0:26:37The Peculier was a town council of Masham and was spelt P-e-c-u-l-i-E-r.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39It was brewed for those occasions.
0:26:39 > 0:26:46I thought it was because it made you old and peculiar! Oh! No? You're peculiar to start with!
0:26:46 > 0:26:54You're a star, Beryl! I know. You have two lovely bits of silver here. How long have you owned them?
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Oh, about 50 years. This one? And this one? About the same.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02You know there's an age difference between the two? I do know, yes.
0:27:02 > 0:27:08I've looked up the marks underneath. I know it's old.
0:27:08 > 0:27:14Shall we swap places(?) Yes, OK! Is that all right? But if we sell them, I'll get the money! Oh, you beggar!
0:27:14 > 0:27:19You are a devil! Got to try! Can you tell me what you know about this?
0:27:19 > 0:27:25It belonged to my mother-in-law, and it came down to me.
0:27:25 > 0:27:33And I used it for quite a long time, but now I have some nice china pots, which I find easier to keep clean.
0:27:33 > 0:27:40So if that's worth anything, I'd like to turn it into cash to help somebody I know who needs money.
0:27:40 > 0:27:48How kind. When you reach the end of your life, you have to think what you're doing. You're not at the end!
0:27:48 > 0:27:53Well... It's a bachelor's teapot. Why? Because it's small. Yes.
0:27:53 > 0:28:01It looks funny, cos its spout is short. Right. What's it made of? Silver. How do we know? Its marks.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07Right. Its hallmark is just there. Yes, that's right. That 'f' in the lower-case script
0:28:07 > 0:28:13is actually London, 1901. Oh, is it? So this was made in 1901.
0:28:13 > 0:28:19And, um... Bashed. Like me, it's a bit battered, showing signs of age.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Darling, you can't tell me anything. I'm 88.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27You're looking very well on it. Yes, well.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32At auction... It's not the most valuable thing in the world. I know.
0:28:32 > 0:28:39I think it would make ?50-?100. Yes. And I think we would need to put a reserve on it of ?40-?50.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44Because of its condition... I know. ..It's a bit tired. I know.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49Its handle was made in the village by a craftsman. He's done a good job.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53This, however, is a different kettle of fish. I do know.
0:28:53 > 0:28:58This was made in London in 1717, so it's George I. My God!
0:28:58 > 0:29:03There's the initials MC on there. Yes, Croft. Absolutely.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05There's also a maker's mark there.
0:29:05 > 0:29:11It's got a lovely satyr's mask here and an armorial. Yes.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14And it's raised almost like these step-pad feet.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20We've got this wonderful handle and it's nice and heavy.
0:29:20 > 0:29:27I thought it might be valuable. I think it would make, at auction, between ?300 and ?500. Really?
0:29:27 > 0:29:30I think it's a pet. It's sweet.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35We ought to put a reserve on it. Do you know what that is? Not really.
0:29:35 > 0:29:42A reserve is a price below which we won't sell. The reserve can't be higher than the bottom estimate. No.
0:29:42 > 0:29:48So we'll estimate it at ?300 to ?500, and put a reserve on it of about ?250 or ?300,
0:29:48 > 0:29:53with some discretion for you. I'm confident that will sell well. Good.
0:29:53 > 0:29:58We can have a holiday on that! Come on! Where shall we go?
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Mrs Theakston, like many people here, is happy to sell her things.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06Not everything here is suitable for a general antiques auction!
0:30:06 > 0:30:10Tell me how you came by all of these.
0:30:10 > 0:30:16My nan's brother used to work at the BBC. He left them in his will to me.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20They've been up in the attic with my dad and my dad passed them on to me.
0:30:20 > 0:30:28When did they go into the attic? Probably about 1976... They've never been played with? No.
0:30:28 > 0:30:34You never got them out? No. You have no idea of value? No. And you'd like to sell them? Yes.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40They're in such fantastic condition, still in their boxes. They haven't been played with.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43It's a collector's dream.
0:30:43 > 0:30:50They're also extremely highly collectable. Dr Who memorabilia is quite hot property.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Unfortunately, we've got a thing about where's best to sell them.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59If we went to put them through a sale in Marlborough,
0:30:59 > 0:31:04I don't believe that you're going to get the best possible price.
0:31:04 > 0:31:10I think for an estimate, really rough, the figures in boxes are worth ?50 to ?100,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14and the big TARDIS, probably, a couple of hundred.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19But these ARE rough. For something so specialist,
0:31:19 > 0:31:26you really should find a specialist auction house which deals in collectable memorabilia. Right.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Now, experts love to share opinions.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35I met a lovely lady with a silver teapot, and a George I silver...
0:31:35 > 0:31:39That's quite early, George I. Yeah, 1717.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44I saw some Dr Who toys there. How old were you when Dr Who was on?
0:31:44 > 0:31:48They said 1976... You were...? One.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Right. You've just made my day(!) It's OK.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Thomas and Philip have to find more items for auction.
0:31:57 > 0:32:02Both have come across bumper lots, but will the owners want to sell?
0:32:02 > 0:32:07You brought some interesting things. Which is your favourite? Um...
0:32:07 > 0:32:09my favourite probably is the fox.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13Why? It was Matthew's mum's.
0:32:13 > 0:32:19It went through all his brothers and sisters. All well behaved? Well, they all played with it.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24I'd have pulled the tail off! What's your favourite? Er...
0:32:24 > 0:32:29I like the Mobilgas truck best. I like those. That's my favourite.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34This is a lovely old ceremonial truncheon.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36It's a Victorian truncheon,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41and we can see that from the VR there, which is lovely.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45A lot of these get abused as time goes by.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50The paint comes off. It wouldn't have been used. It IS ceremonial.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56It's out of turned wood. I think it's lovely. MP was probably the owner.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00It might have belonged to the chief constable.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06I think that's really nice. My view is that that will make, at auction, between ?100 and ?200.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11And I'd recommend that you put a reserve on this of ?80. Yeah?
0:33:11 > 0:33:18It's certainly in good nick, but which of the other antiques will Rebecca and Matthew want to sell?
0:33:18 > 0:33:24While they decide, Thomas faces a similar problem with Maurice.
0:33:24 > 0:33:30We bought it at a flea market and it was 45p. 45p?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33How long ago? I suppose about ten or 12 years ago.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38We've been keeping pot pourri in it for ages and ages.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Worcester bowl. Yeah. Obviously...
0:33:41 > 0:33:47With the crescent on the bottom, I wondered whether it was or wasn't.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Well, I believe it is. The only thing which is a little bit strange
0:33:51 > 0:33:54is that the foot, here,
0:33:54 > 0:33:59is a little bit wobbly. Mm. It's just not completely round. No.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01What sort of age?
0:34:01 > 0:34:06This is about 1775-1780, so it's quite early. Mm.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11We've got the crescent mark of the first-period Worcester. Mm.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15The fact is that this might have been a second. Oh, I see.
0:34:15 > 0:34:22With this round here. So that will put off the odd collector. For the valuation, I see.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25It will dampen down the price a bit.
0:34:25 > 0:34:31At auction, it will certainly do better than your 45p! I'd have thought that, yes!
0:34:31 > 0:34:38What kind of price do you think? Well, I honestly don't know. If somebody wants it, they'll have it.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41I mean, it's nice that one person...
0:34:41 > 0:34:47If it was perfect and there wasn't that wobbly foot, I'd have no problem putting ?200 on it.
0:34:47 > 0:34:54However, as it DOES have that, and there are others around which are in perfect condition,
0:34:54 > 0:34:58I think I'd drop the estimate to ?120 to ?150. Yeah.
0:34:58 > 0:35:05Well, for 45 pence... It's a good mark-up! You did very well. Not too bad.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11Have you got the box? No. Unfortunately, no. Collectors of these like to see the box as well.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16That's where you get the term "mint and boxed". Yeah. They like both.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19You have looked after it well.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24I think, you know, ?50 to ?60, with a reserve of about the ?40 mark.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Tell me about this item here.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Well, we had two and one got broken.
0:35:29 > 0:35:35But I could never understand what they were for - salt, or putting rings in...
0:35:35 > 0:35:41OK. They're called cendriers. Cendriers? It's French for ashtray.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45They're by Lalique, cos on the base here
0:35:45 > 0:35:53it's got "R Lalique, France". It's got the number, so it's a Lalique ashtray, with a bird.
0:35:53 > 0:35:59It's slightly off-centre, which is kind of strange, but it's certainly moulded glass.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01It's signed on the base.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06At auction, they make between ?120 and ?150. Oh.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09If you had the pair, possibly...
0:36:09 > 0:36:14Well, I've got the other one, but it's in pieces. It's in pieces.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17I've got the bird and the name, that's all.
0:36:17 > 0:36:23Sometimes these have opalescence inside them. I see. So that would be more.
0:36:23 > 0:36:28But again, a very attractive item, I would say.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33This is a lovely little caddy spoon. It's hallmarked silver and Georgian.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39I haven't got my hallmark book, but I would think early 19th century rather than 18th century.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44It's a caddy spoon, for lifting tea out of a caddy. They're collectable.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47You get them in different shapes -
0:36:47 > 0:36:53bowls in the shape of a jockey's head, or in the form of a spade, or flower head.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58So this is bottom end of the range, and I think that will make...
0:36:58 > 0:37:04between ?50 and ?60, and I'd put a reserve on it of ?40. Yeah? Yeah.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12A lady's compact, retailed to Asprey's.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17It's hallmarked to the inside of the compact.
0:37:17 > 0:37:199-carat gold.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24And set with stones. I wonder what those stones are.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Don't ask me. Have you ever had it valued?
0:37:27 > 0:37:33No, no, no. It's 4? ounce... I don't know.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35It's set with five...
0:37:35 > 0:37:40what we call brilliants, or eight-cuts.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45But I wouldn't really expect anything other than diamonds here,
0:37:45 > 0:37:52which I believe they are. And an armorial on here - diamond in the centre.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54A crest of a griffin, an axe...
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Isn't that wonderful?
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Well, certainly it's a very pretty compact.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08Yeah, but not many people use them nowadays. That's the problem.
0:38:08 > 0:38:15A few people collect them, but not as many as we'd like. They don't seem to make as much as they should.
0:38:15 > 0:38:23Yeah, weight-wise. Literally. What people do now is take the weight of the compact, and the diamonds,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27and give it a ballpark figure then, from there.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32I'd expect it to be in the ?200-?300 bracket, maybe fall between there.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37Not much more, not much less. we'd be happy if you want to sell. Yeah.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41It's lying in the drawer doing nothing, which is no good.
0:38:43 > 0:38:50Philip tried to convince Rebecca and Matthew to auction their items, but they decided to hang onto them.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Thomas seems to have struck gold.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58Mr Hefferman has agreed to put all three of his antiques into auction.
0:38:58 > 0:39:05But the valuations are quite high, and if the items don't make the reserve price, they won't sell.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10Thomas has three antiques in the bag. Philip still has one to find.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Early 18th century.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18You've got some damage. They are very fragile things.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29So tell me, when did you buy this? About four or five years ago, from a dealer.
0:39:29 > 0:39:35A primitive bit of country furniture. That's right. I was told it was Irish.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40My shot was going to be Welsh. A Celtic origin. Why did you buy it?
0:39:40 > 0:39:45Well, we tried it. It was very comfortable. We tried to get a set,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49and we did get three, but we couldn't get any more,
0:39:49 > 0:39:55so we decided we'd go back... So now you want to sell it? Time to sell?
0:39:55 > 0:39:59That's right. It's a Windsor chair. Do you know why? No.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04Well, if you look, you have the seat here.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Everything meets in the seat, OK?
0:40:06 > 0:40:11A normal chair might have the legs go back up into the back. Mm-hm.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16Whereas here, everything meets in the seat. So it's a Windsor chair.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19It retains some original paint.
0:40:19 > 0:40:26There's a tendency, with these, to strip all this paint off, and people ruin them.
0:40:26 > 0:40:33I'm not quite sure about the age of these bits on the side. They might have been put on later. I think so.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38They possibly act as some sort of brace. If we just turn him over...
0:40:38 > 0:40:41um...
0:40:41 > 0:40:47again, I'm not overly confident that all of these are 100% original.
0:40:47 > 0:40:53You have to bear in mind that a chair like this would have sat on a flag floor,
0:40:53 > 0:41:01with water being chucked onto the floor, and the first thing to rot away is the legs, whatever it is.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06This is a primitive country thing. You'd expect that wear on the legs.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08What did you pay for it?
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Er...?130. Five years ago? Yes.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16It probably was enough, then. Yeah. I think you did pay enough for it.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21If you want to put it into an auction, we can do so for you,
0:41:21 > 0:41:28but to get your money back after the auctioneer's commission, we've got to put a reserve on it of ?150.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33And I'm not 100%-convinced you're going to get your money back.
0:41:33 > 0:41:41I think if you get two specialist dealers into primitive country furniture, you stand a chance.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44If not, I don't think it'll sell.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46So it's really...it's a gamble. Yes.
0:41:46 > 0:41:54It's whether it sells or not. We can try if you like. Yes, I think so. We'll have a go for you. OK.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01While the experts beaver away,
0:42:01 > 0:42:07I'm grabbing a little tranquillity with Hungerford's vicar, Rev Andrew Sawyer.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12Welcome on board! Thank you. A glorious morning. Isn't it just?
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Andrew tells me he has some priceless 18th-century silver in his church.
0:42:16 > 0:42:23How better to go there than the Kennett and Avon canal? This looks like a traditional narrow boat.
0:42:23 > 0:42:30It's not quite as old as it looks? No. She looks rather pregnant to be a narrow boat. She's 10' 6" broad.
0:42:30 > 0:42:38She's 55-foot long, purpose built for tripping on this canal. Rather nice on a morning like this. Wonderful!
0:42:38 > 0:42:46How do you mix your church duties with canal duties? And which do you prefer? Er...! When I joined,
0:42:46 > 0:42:52I thought it was a one-day-a-week job, but it turned out to be six. Which do I prefer? Um...both!
0:42:52 > 0:42:59I've actually a bit of a nautical background. Can I take the tiller for a little while? Where to?
0:42:59 > 0:43:04I'm a trained navigator, I'll be OK. It's all yours. This is great!
0:43:04 > 0:43:09Can I not just do this for the rest of the day? By all means!
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Welcome to St Lawrence's, the parish church of Hungerford. Thank you.
0:43:18 > 0:43:25A remarkable church. This is the third one on the site. The previous one collapsed, in 1812.
0:43:25 > 0:43:32The parishioners sent a deputation westwards along the canal - it runs past here - to find one they liked.
0:43:32 > 0:43:40They found one. This is a copy of the church at Bathwick. The stone was brought up the canal from Bath.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43The windows are just stunning!
0:43:43 > 0:43:50This is mid-Victorian glass. They're all rather wonderful picture windows telling a story.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53The "three healing miracles".
0:43:53 > 0:43:58The leper who pushed through a crowd to our Lord's feet and was healed...
0:43:58 > 0:44:02The paralysed man being lowered through the roof...
0:44:02 > 0:44:09and Blind Bartimaeus. The story, which is really rather nice, is that when this window was put in,
0:44:09 > 0:44:13the vicar was the Rev James Anstis who, for a time, went blind.
0:44:13 > 0:44:19When his sight was restored, in thanks, the parishioners bought this window.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23"Bartimaeus" is a pictorial representation of James Anstis.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28Wonderful! That is the vicar of the time being healed by our Lord.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35Well, here we are. We've got a flagon for wine and one for water,
0:44:35 > 0:44:38the patten - a stand patten -
0:44:38 > 0:44:41and the big chalice.
0:44:41 > 0:44:47All dated 1737. You can read it, cos I haven't got my glasses. I'm getting a little ancient for this.
0:44:47 > 0:44:52Tell us how they came to be with the church. You read it.
0:44:52 > 0:44:59"The gift of Mrs Mary Hungerford, widow of John Hungerford - late of Lincoln's Inn - Esquire, deceased,
0:44:59 > 0:45:06"who was lord of this manor of Hungerford in 1737." Then, widows would give large lumps of silver
0:45:06 > 0:45:13in memory of husbands and so on. I dunno what this would've cost to have produced, but look at it!
0:45:13 > 0:45:21Two flagons that hold two pints at least. That'd take a lot of wine to fill. And this. The kind of thing
0:45:21 > 0:45:28that Henry VIII used to empty in one fell swoop before going off to deal with some other young lady!
0:45:28 > 0:45:33It's enormous. WE don't need that kind of thing! And the stand patten
0:45:33 > 0:45:40with a coat of arms. It holds wafers for LOTS of people. We don't use 'em now. They're kept in a bank safe.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45Rather a shame, but what can you do? Could flog it. We could flog it!
0:45:50 > 0:45:53At the end of valuation day,
0:45:53 > 0:45:59our owners chose which antiques they'll sell, based on valuations given by Philip and Thomas.
0:45:59 > 0:46:03Our experts have been working flat-out.
0:46:03 > 0:46:10While Philip gathers his strength for the auction, here's a peep at what's going under the gavel.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14Mrs Theakston will help a friend in need, if her teapot makes a profit.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18Solid silver teapot for ?50-?100? Cracking value!
0:46:18 > 0:46:24She'll be up for a glass of Old Peculier if her cream jug does well.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28We'll have a holiday on that. Come on! Where to?
0:46:28 > 0:46:35A job lot for Thomas. He chose three of Maurice Hefferman's items.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39The Worcester bowl... Looking again at the wavy foot rim,
0:46:39 > 0:46:46we think it's Cuffley. It's "Worcester". Got the right things but...just might not be Worcester.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50He also chose the Lalique glass ashtray
0:46:50 > 0:46:52and the 9-carat Asprey's compact.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Quite a good, quality, lovely item.
0:46:56 > 0:47:02John Holdstock hopes to make his money back on this Irish "famine" chair. Philip's not so sure.
0:47:02 > 0:47:07He polished it up, a real labour of love. If it sells, terrific.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10If not, he gets it back, no problem.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19We're back in Marlborough for our auction.
0:47:19 > 0:47:26Everybody's hoping their items will sell. There's no shortage of interest -
0:47:26 > 0:47:32but will they want to buy what we have on offer? Auctioneer Sheldon Cameron knows what buyers here like.
0:47:32 > 0:47:37"What price vanity?" I say. Thank you, madam. ?10, I have...
0:47:37 > 0:47:44What does he think of our owners' items and our experts' valuations? Are their estimates realistic?
0:47:44 > 0:47:47He's not too impressed with the chair.
0:47:47 > 0:47:52VERY utilitarian. The stick back, very straight legs to it, swab seat.
0:47:52 > 0:47:56I think ?150 is a bit much. 80-120.
0:47:56 > 0:48:01A very nice bowl with blue transfer decoration. A sought-after piece.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04I'd say between ?100-?140.
0:48:04 > 0:48:12Lalique - very collectible. Very nice little ashtray or sweetmeat dish, bonbon dish.
0:48:12 > 0:48:16Price-wise, I'd say we're looking for ?80 to ?120.
0:48:16 > 0:48:21Asprey, a household name. VERY nice. Compacts are very collectible.
0:48:21 > 0:48:28Anything to do with ladies' toiletries is sought after. ?200-?300. Very confident.
0:48:28 > 0:48:35The teapot - very decorative, very collectible, very sought-after. ?50-?90
0:48:35 > 0:48:42My eyes lit up when this arrived. Very nice indeed. Actually George II. Fantastic weight to it.
0:48:42 > 0:48:47The estimate was quite derisory. I think it'll exceed that somewhat.
0:48:47 > 0:48:52First up is Mr Hefferman's Lalique ashtray. Maurice couldn't be here.
0:48:52 > 0:48:57We're pretty confident with this. You said ?100 to ?150.
0:48:57 > 0:49:02Signed underneath? Rene Lalique - "R Lalique". Lovely! Should do well.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06Start at ?42. ?42. The bid is to me.
0:49:06 > 0:49:10?42...! It's a low start.
0:49:10 > 0:49:1342, 45, 48...55
0:49:13 > 0:49:16At 65 now? At ?65.
0:49:16 > 0:49:21Doesn't look like it'll sell at ?65. Well short.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25Short of our reserve. Another one, Thomas, hasn't made it.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28Well, it's the first that hasn't.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31I'm a bit disappointed. Yeah, I am.
0:49:31 > 0:49:37Let's hope Maurice's other items fare better. Now John's Irish chair.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41If it doesn't make ?100, it won't sell.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44We've got John Holdstock here, owner of the 19th-century
0:49:44 > 0:49:47famine chair from Ireland. Are you as nervous as me?
0:49:47 > 0:49:53A little apprehensive. Confident? Er, so-so.
0:49:54 > 0:50:00Lot 45, a 19th-century Irish famine chair. Being shown at the back.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04Lot 45, Irish famine chair. Rather nice. Lot 45.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07And the bid is with me. 55...
0:50:07 > 0:50:10At 55...65.
0:50:10 > 0:50:1270...5.
0:50:12 > 0:50:1480...5. 85.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17?85, it's a bit low. Yeah.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21At ?85, it does seem cheap... We've not quite got the reserve.
0:50:21 > 0:50:2290...5.
0:50:22 > 0:50:27Against you, sir. At ?95, the bid's against you. One more might do it.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30It's stuck.
0:50:30 > 0:50:35Not quite the reserve. We put it at ?100. It didn't quite do it.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39Disappointed? Never mind. Can't be helped. Philip, "?150 to ?200"?
0:50:39 > 0:50:43Not even 100. I said I thought we might struggle.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47If you don't try, you don't know.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51You have to give it a go - that's what an auction's all about.
0:50:51 > 0:50:56Now, will Maurice's Worcester bowl do better than his Lalique ashtray?
0:50:56 > 0:51:02Mr Hefferman bought this for 45p. He can't fail to make a profit,
0:51:02 > 0:51:05but he is expecting a substantial amount.
0:51:05 > 0:51:11Two bids here. Starts with me at 65. At ?65, the bid is with me here. 65.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14Do I hear ?70?
0:51:14 > 0:51:18We have 70...5. 80...5. ?85 with me.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22?85. Any advance? At ?85, seems awfully cheap!
0:51:22 > 0:51:27Not much interest being shown. Ceramics buyers just not here today.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29Not sold. ?85...
0:51:32 > 0:51:39A little too high, maybe, the estimate. But I still feel there weren't the right buyers here.
0:51:39 > 0:51:44Maurice had a hunch about today! But there's his Asprey compact to come.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47Surely Mrs Theakston's teapot WILL sell?!
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Mrs Theakston - excited? Well, yes.
0:51:51 > 0:51:58We'll make lots of money for you, I hope. Go on! ..Philip, "?50-?100". That'll do OK.
0:51:58 > 0:52:04I'm more optimistic about the jug. If we get a REALLY good result, it could fly to four figures.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08Lot 307, an Edwardian, silver bachelor's teapot.
0:52:08 > 0:52:15A rather nice one, dated London 1901. Starts with me at ?28. 28...
0:52:15 > 0:52:1830, 32. At ?32.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20?35? At ?35...
0:52:20 > 0:52:23Who's got 40? 40 I have.
0:52:23 > 0:52:2940, we have. Excellent. What is it, darling? The teapot. We're at ?40.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32At ?40. All finished at...40.
0:52:37 > 0:52:44It's sold, but not for as much as we'd hoped. Will it be third time lucky for Maurice's Asprey compact?
0:52:44 > 0:52:47..Nice griffin motif...
0:52:47 > 0:52:52Some jewellery buyers are here with gold dripping off their fingers.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56Start at ?200. The bid is with me here.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59STARTED at 200! ..Right on your valuation.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03At ?200, the bid is with me... 220.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05240. 240 with me, here.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08At ?240, if you're all finished.
0:53:08 > 0:53:13Yes! ?240. Well done! Right on your valuation. I feel good about that.
0:53:13 > 0:53:20At last, Thomas is on the money. Now, can Mrs Theakston's silver cream jug live up to expectations?
0:53:21 > 0:53:28Very nice, very, VERY fine quality. Dated London, 1732, by Abraham Buteaux.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32Philip has said 300-500. That do you, Mrs T? Fine!
0:53:32 > 0:53:37Start the bidding with me at ?200. At ?200, the bid is with me.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39?200. Who's going on, now?
0:53:39 > 0:53:43220...240...260...280.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45300...
0:53:45 > 0:53:47320. 340.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50360. 380...400.
0:53:50 > 0:53:55420, 440. 460...480, 500.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57?500! ..520, 550, 580...
0:53:57 > 0:54:01God! We'll go to the Ritz! Fantastic.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05700, 720, 750...780.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08800. 820. 850, 880.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10880 on the telephone.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14900. At 900. It's against you on the telephone.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16?900, we're at. I'm going to faint!
0:54:16 > 0:54:20920. It's only money, sir. At 920...
0:54:20 > 0:54:25I've a long list of things I want. You can buy a few of them now!
0:54:25 > 0:54:27980...
0:54:27 > 0:54:281,000.
0:54:30 > 0:54:331,050. 1,100...
0:54:33 > 0:54:371,150...1,200.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40?1,200. I can't believe it! Still going.
0:54:40 > 0:54:431,300...
0:54:44 > 0:54:47At ?1,300 on this phone, then.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50At 1,300...
0:54:50 > 0:54:511,300.
0:54:51 > 0:54:531,300.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56?1,300! Fantastic! Well done!
0:54:56 > 0:54:59..That concludes today's sale.
0:54:59 > 0:55:06Philip, "300-500". It's done three times that. We knew it all the time. It's to kid them along!
0:55:06 > 0:55:12The beauty of an auction is things find their own level. Whatever you have, it'll find its real price -
0:55:12 > 0:55:19with a bit of luck! We've certainly had it today. ?1,300! We'll go for a beer.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21Theakstons? Of course.
0:55:21 > 0:55:27What an amazing finish! But it has been a day of mixed fortunes.
0:55:27 > 0:55:33Maurice lost out when two items didn't reach the reserve price, but did well with the compact.
0:55:33 > 0:55:38Liz's Art Deco lady failed to sell after all. Back to the mantelpiece.
0:55:38 > 0:55:45But the big story of the day is Mrs Theakston's cream jug. An outstanding ?1,300.
0:55:45 > 0:55:50A fantastic day at Marlborough - unpredictable and erratic.
0:55:50 > 0:55:58Thomas, how do you explain this? Four unsold. I'm disappointed, very disappointed. I feel terrible!
0:55:58 > 0:56:05The poor vendors! I just don't know what to say to them. Nor do I. I'm lost for words, so YOU should be.
0:56:05 > 0:56:11Liz, were you desperately disappointed about your beautiful lady? Well, I was.
0:56:11 > 0:56:19I wanted to buy later in the sale. I believe you spent the money before you made it? I did. Going home poor.
0:56:19 > 0:56:26Philip. Two lots sold slightly under your valuations, but one spectacularly over. Absolutely.
0:56:26 > 0:56:33It always was a quality thing. The benefit of having it in a saleroom is you can do some research on it,
0:56:33 > 0:56:40market it properly, and off it goes. At auction, it finds its level. ..Mrs Theakston, ?1,300!
0:56:40 > 0:56:46What'll you spend it on? I'd tell you, but I haven't time now! We can make a list and go shopping!
0:56:46 > 0:56:53A fascinating day that proves that valuing antiques is NOT an exact science. It's ALWAYS got surprises.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56See you next time on Flog It!
0:56:56 > 0:57:01Well done! Right on your valuation! I feel good about that.
0:57:01 > 0:57:05Your husband's gift lives another day.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08Confident it'll sell well?
0:57:08 > 0:57:10..No.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd