0:00:03 > 0:00:06This is the magnificent Alnwick Castle in Northumberland,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09which has had rather a turbulent past,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13with links to rebels, gunpowder plots and Shakespearean knights.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16But today, we're hoping for a slightly more serene experience,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19because this is the venue for our valuation day.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:42 > 0:00:47'The castle has been home to the Percy family ever since 1766,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49'many of whom were passionate collectors
0:00:49 > 0:00:52'and furnished the building with some incredible antiques.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54'So with all these wonderful objects,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'it's a fitting location for one of our valuation days.'
0:00:59 > 0:01:04We've got a marvellous crowd and they've all had a rummage through their attics and cellars,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08looking for unwanted antiques and collectables to put through to auction.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11The lucky ones will be going home with a lot of money.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12So let's not waste any time.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Let's get our experts stuck into all of those bags and boxes.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20'And our experts today are the feisty lady auctioneer Anita Manning,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23'and the debonair David Fletcher.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29'And Anita is taking no prisoners in her search for the ultimate antique.'
0:01:29 > 0:01:31What have you got? Show me your goodies.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33'And if at first you don't succeed...'
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Stand and deliver!
0:01:36 > 0:01:39'David is shooting people down, too.'
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- I think probably thank you, but no thank you.- That's OK.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'Let's hope he finds something worthy of a hefty ransom
0:01:45 > 0:01:47'later on in the show.'
0:01:49 > 0:01:52'Today's programme is packed full of drama
0:01:52 > 0:01:55'and I'll be telling you a historic tale of kidnap
0:01:55 > 0:01:58'and terror as I visit Gibside Pleasure Grounds.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02'And we've got our share of deadly items on the show, too.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05'But which one will make the most at auction?
0:02:05 > 0:02:08'These Victorian pistols or these swashbuckling swords?'
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Yes, there are a lot of people there,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16which means a lot of antiques to value.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20It looks like Anita Manning is our first expert today to spot a real gem.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Let's take a closer look.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Beryl, welcome to "Flog It!".
0:02:24 > 0:02:27You were the very first in the queue this morning,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and I thought that you might have something interesting.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34This is a lovely plate. Can you tell me, where did you get it?
0:02:34 > 0:02:37I was a home carer for a lot of years.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41I was really attached to this old lady and she left it to me
0:02:41 > 0:02:44in her will because I used to wash it and clean it and look after it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46She was always telling me to go on holidays.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Otherwise, I don't think I would have parted with it.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53But I've got grandchildren and I'm frightened in case it gets broken.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Tell me what you liked about it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58The colours. It is pretty when it's up.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Well, the most obvious thing about this plate
0:03:03 > 0:03:05are these wonderful colours.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08It's called Imari.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12It comes from Japan, a little town in Japan called Arita.
0:03:12 > 0:03:19It was made 1880s to 1890s for the export market
0:03:19 > 0:03:26and it's characterised by these wonderful blues, rust reds,
0:03:26 > 0:03:31golds and whites, and the British people loved that type of thing.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34I think it is very attractive.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Now, if we turn it round to the back,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41we see a more restrained colour palette here.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44The blues and whites with this typical blue circle
0:03:44 > 0:03:47around the inside here.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50It's absolutely lovely.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55If it had been selling 10 or 15 years ago, it would have been worth more.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00But this type of item has gone down a little bit in value. OK.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06I would like to put it into auction with an estimate of £40 to £60.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Right.- Would that be OK with you?
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- It might go a little bit more than that, Beryl.- Right. - It might go bit more.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- But that is the correct estimate that it should go in with.- Right.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- We could put a reserve of £40 on it. - Yes.- Put a reserve.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27If it doesn't get it, you know that it's to come back to you.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Yes. I'm quite happy if it comes back if I don't get the money.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35It's been an absolute pleasure to have you here with us.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37I've enjoyed it.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42'Who would have thought that Japanese plate would have ended up in a castle in Northumberland?
0:04:42 > 0:04:46'"Flog It!" certainly attracts the exotic and the wonderful
0:04:46 > 0:04:50'and some of our objects aren't what they seem at all.'
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Hello, Richard. Have you hurt your leg?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55No. This is not really a walking stick.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- Is it not?- No. It's a Sunday stick, as it was called.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02You could go walking out on a Sunday when golf wasn't able to be played,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and you could use this to hit the occasional golf ball when
0:05:05 > 0:05:08people would think you were just out for a walk with your walking stick.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- I have never seen one of these.- Oh, yes.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Now, tell me about golf. You weren't allowed to play golf on a Sunday?
0:05:14 > 0:05:17In certain places you weren't allowed to play golf on a Sunday.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19The old course at St Andrews was closed on a Sunday,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22so if you were out for a walk, you could take this with you as
0:05:22 > 0:05:25your walking stick and when no-one was looking, hit a few golf balls.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29So you would be in trouble if you saw the minister coming on the opposite side of the road?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Possibly, yes.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35So that is when you swung it round and reverted to it as a walking stick.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Yes. Very good. Show us a swing, Richard. You're a golfer, I'm not.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Very good! It is a lovely crafted object.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48And it has a little hard wooden face here and little leaded
0:05:48 > 0:05:52weights behind it as a normal golf driver of that era would have.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- And we have here what I assume must be the maker's name.- Yes.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58W Sealley. It might be Sculley.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01But I think it has to be the maker's name.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05I love the fact that it adds a bit of a risk to the
0:06:05 > 0:06:07experience of going out for a walk.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It makes it almost illicit to be playing golf.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Whether it was actually banned as such, I don't know.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17I suppose you just might have got into trouble for playing on a Sunday.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I think it's great and what a lovely story.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Now, this is going to appeal to collectors both of walking sticks
0:06:23 > 0:06:27and of course people like yourself who are golfers.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29How did you come by it?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32It belonged to my mother. She had it for many years.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Although she wasn't a golfer, she was very interested in golf and anything Scottish.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38So why are you selling it?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I don't collect any golf memorabilia
0:06:40 > 0:06:44and it has been in the cupboard beside my golf bag for many years.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47So I thought I would try and flog it to see what I could get for it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52Now, I would be inclined to estimate this in the region of £30 to £50.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55If it made £50 or £60, I would not be surprised.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58But I can't see it making much more than that.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I think I should say if we're going to sell it at that sort of estimate,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05if we could sell it without reserve, it's the sort of thing that's going to find its level.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09I mean, there will be collectors all over the world for this sort of thing.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Well, let's hope it comes up to par
0:07:11 > 0:07:14and we have a successful sale and if we do, I will see you in the 19th.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16That would be great.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'I can't bear all these golfing puns.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22'Now, Anita is about to tee-off her next valuation.'
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Brenda, welcome to "Flog It!"
0:07:25 > 0:07:29It's lovely to have you along in this wonderful setting.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- It's lovely, isn't it?- I like this watch. Tell me, where did you get it?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36I bought it from a little antique shop in Berwick about 25 years ago.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- I paid about £30 for it then. - Right.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I see a lot of this type of watch.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47It is a lady's fob watch and this one is particularly pretty.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51These watches often have damage on the porcelain face.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53This one is in perfect condition.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56I particularly like the numerals
0:07:56 > 0:08:00and I also like this lovely gilt decoration,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02which goes around the face.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04The hands are still there
0:08:04 > 0:08:09and again the gilt decoration is repeated in the middle of the watch.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Yes, it is.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14So it's very pretty and it's very feminine.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17That's what I thought at the time, actually.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Then you put it in a drawer... - Yes, I put it in a drawer... - ..and forgot all about it.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23It is Victorian.
0:08:23 > 0:08:29It dates from the latter part of the 1800s, early 1900s.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Now, it would have been attached to a long chain
0:08:32 > 0:08:35which she would have had around her neck.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Or she may have had it attached to a chatelaine, which was a device
0:08:39 > 0:08:43she would wear on her belt where she would keep her little watch
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and the other little everyday things that she might need.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52This little chain here is perhaps not the original chain
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- and it's not anything of any great substance.- No.- OK.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57We have looked at the front of it.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02If we turn it around and open it to look at the back,
0:09:02 > 0:09:06we can see a mark - 935.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Now this is a continental silver mark.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14It tells us that there are 935 parts of silver
0:09:14 > 0:09:16per thousand.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19So there's a little bit of base metal in there
0:09:19 > 0:09:21and that's just to harden the metal up.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26If we look at the back, we see this very nice
0:09:26 > 0:09:30chaste and engraved decoration here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34All in all, it's quite a nice little item.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Do we know if it's working or not, Brenda?- No, I've never used it.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41You've never used it? Maybe you felt that you deserved a wee treat.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- We all do, don't we, sometimes? - I completely agree with you!
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Let's think about price. You paid £30 for it...- Yes.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- ..and you bought it in a retail situation. - Just a little antique shop.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58I would put an estimate of, say, 30-40.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- It will not have increased a great deal in value.- No.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Perhaps we would put a reserve price of 25.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- How do you feel about that, Brenda? - That's fine. That's fine.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I think the pleasure that was got from it was when you bought it.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Yes, I think it was, probably!
0:10:14 > 0:10:16When you bought it.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20I look forward to seeing you at the auction and we'll have some more fun.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Thank you very much.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Well, let's hope Brenda gets a great price for that watch.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Then maybe she can use the money to buy something fabulous,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31and experience that buying buzz once more.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Now, what's going on on David's table?
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- Hello, John.- Hello.- You look as if you're challenging me to a duel.- Yes.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- We're in the right place for it. - Well, indeed, yes.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43I don't think I'd be very good at it - I'd run a mile
0:10:43 > 0:10:46if anyone threatened me with a sword like this.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Anyway, I can't claim to be a great expert on swords,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- so I'm going to have to be led by you. You obviously collect them.- Yes.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- So you must know a bit about them. - A little bit, just what I've found on the internet.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Is this the extent of your collection or have you got other ones at home?
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- I've a few more swords at home. Two or three more.- Right.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06So, let's start with this one, which is, presumably, an infantry sword.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09An infantry sword, I think, from about 1820,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11something like that, the cavalry.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13How did you come by this one?
0:11:13 > 0:11:18I was working for a pub doing a job and these were in the cellar...
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Right.- ..these two, all covered in paint and rust.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24They were going to throw them out, so I asked if I could have them
0:11:24 > 0:11:26and they said, yes, just take them.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29I cleaned them up and I found this one was a Percy Tenantry one
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and this here, a light cavalry sword.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34So this is a cavalry sword not an infantry sword?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- I think so, I'm not so sure. - OK, I'm sure you're right.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Tell me more about that one.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- The Percy Tenantry is from Alnwick Castle here.- Right.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46Lord Percy had a dad's army, as you'd say, in the 1800s
0:11:46 > 0:11:49in case Napoleon invaded Britain.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- That's all I know about that one. - Thank heavens he didn't.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- He certainly didn't. And this one's the US Navy.- Right.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- And who is this one by?- Horstman & Sons, Philadelphia.- Philadelphia.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- OK. So that one's actually made in America?- Yes.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05I mean, this looks to me as if it might be based on an earlier
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- pattern, but I'd expect that to be made in the 20th century.- Right.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14It has USN on the guard, doesn't it, as you imply.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I guess the most interesting one, bearing in mind where we are...
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- Percy Tenantry.- Because it has local interest, doesn't it?
0:12:20 > 0:12:24And I dare say they're not uncommon, but have you ever seen one before?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Never seen one before, no.- I think that will generate some interest.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Do you have any idea what the market value is?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I bought these at auction, this one at auction for £80.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37And these two you acquired so they don't stand you at anything.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41I mean, as far as you're concerned, are you looking to get your money back, or...?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- I would like to get my money back on them, yes.- OK.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49I have a figure of £200 plus in mind for the three of them.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53I think they should be sold in one lot, but the auctioneers
0:12:53 > 0:12:56may decide to split them up and sell them individually.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- We'll be guided by them on that.- Yes.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03OK. So let's go for an estimate of 200-300 and reserve them at £200.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Right, very good.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Fingers crossed there are some bidders on the day
0:13:08 > 0:13:10determined to battle it out for those swords.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17So, let's get our items over to the auction house
0:13:17 > 0:13:20and just to refresh your memory, here's a quick recap
0:13:20 > 0:13:23of what we're taking with us.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Beryl's Imari plate has travelled all the way from Japan,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28but will it be flying out of the saleroom
0:13:28 > 0:13:30or flying back into Beryl's arms?
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Richard's Sunday stick might have once been illicit,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41but I think David's given it a perfectly respectable valuation.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49You'll have to watch this space to see if Brenda's little timepiece
0:13:49 > 0:13:51makes Anita's estimate.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53And we are about to find out if David has been cavalier
0:13:53 > 0:13:56in his valuation of John's sword collection.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11This is where it gets exciting. It's auction time.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Today's sale is taking place at the Boldon Auction Galleries.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Hopefully, it's going to be jam-packed inside.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Well, our luck is in. We've got a great turnout
0:14:21 > 0:14:25but will the bidders be putting their money where their mouth is?
0:14:25 > 0:14:27As auctioneer Giles Hodges takes to the rostrum,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31there's no time to waste because our first sale is coming up right now.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36This is classic auction fodder, really, Imari plates.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Japanese, lovely.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- £40-£60. Should do that any day of the week.- Good.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Why are you selling this? - It's big and cumbersome.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Where's it been then in the house for the last few years?- In a drawer!
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Still heavy to put in a drawer.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It's shame, really, because it is pretty.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56You should have things like that on the wall, in a way.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57- My mum would have that on the wall. - Yeah.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01I've got too many pictures of grandchildren and what have you.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Good luck. Here we go, going under the hammer right now.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07We have the Japanese octagonal Imari wall plaque.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10And I'm bid 20 to start it.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- At 25. 30.- Come on.
0:15:12 > 0:15:1535, 40. At £45.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17On my left.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19At £45. 50, anybody?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- Come on.- £45...
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- 50, I've got the hand. At 50. Five.- That's good.
0:15:25 > 0:15:2860. Five.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Someone else is bidding now. £65.- Come on.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33At £65 for the last time.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35At 65.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38That's a good price. That's a very good price. Happy?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41You said, 40-60. Yeah, I'm thrilled.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Very good, very good. Well done, Anita.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- It hovered about 40 for a while and then it...- A fresh bidder came in.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49I'm thrilled to bits.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- That's what auctions are all about, and this was your first auction, wasn't it?- Yes. Yes.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Well, what a great start.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Next up, Richard's Sunday stick.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I wonder if this will find its way back to Scotland.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Have you done any more research on this?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Yes, I found it was the Church who banned golf on a Sunday.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Well, they didn't ban it, they disapproved of it strongly,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and so the Sunday sticks were invented at the turn of the century.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- A nice thing, though, a nice thing. - Oh, yes, unusual.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16I have a mate and he plays golf every Sunday.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19If he was prevented from doing that, he'd be furious.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- His world would fall apart. - It would!
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I think this will back to Scotland.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- There's a lot of golf memorabilia in Scotland. Good luck.- Thank you.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28Here we go.
0:16:28 > 0:16:33We have the Sunday stick in the form of a golf club.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35I'm bid 40 to start it. At £40.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- 45, 50...- That was good.- 60.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40At £60.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Anybody else left? 65. 70.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- Someone on the phone here.- Yes.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47£80. You all done?
0:16:47 > 0:16:50£80, and we're away. At 80.
0:16:52 > 0:16:5585. Just in time on the net.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58At £85. All done, ladies and gents.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02On the internet, the room's out, too, on £85.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Yes, that's more like it, isn't it? - That's good.- That's a good price.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- That's a good price. - Someone was serious about that.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- That's going in a collection somewhere.- I hope so.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Thank you for bringing it in. We've all learned something, and that's what it's all about.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Well, it is fast and furious today,
0:17:20 > 0:17:24but up next we've got a ladies fob watch belonging to Brenda.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Unfortunately, she can't be here today, but we do have Anita,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- and we're looking for that top end. - Yes.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33These little fob watches are quite common,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36but this is a particularly pretty one.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39The porcelain face is in wonderful condition
0:17:39 > 0:17:43and it has lovely gilt and silver decoration, so I like this one.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Something a little bit different to catch the bidders' attention.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Here we go. It's going under the hammer right now, Good luck.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53We have a ladies fob watch with a decorative dial
0:17:53 > 0:17:56and a little silver chain.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57I'm bid ten to start.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00At ten. 15. 20.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Five. Back at the wall...
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- We're hoping for about 20-25, aren't we?- 40.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06Five.
0:18:06 > 0:18:0850. £50 to the front row.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12At £50. Anybody else left?
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- That's good.- We're away at 50.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17That's a good result.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21They liked it because of the decoration. It was very, very pretty.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- And the watch was very fresh.- Good.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I'm sure Brenda will be chuffed with that result.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30They do say in the antiques trade, the auction room is the cutting
0:18:30 > 0:18:34edge, so it's the perfect place to sell three swords belonging to John.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37We've got a value of £200-£300 on these.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I like the naval sword particularly. Why are you selling these?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I've got one or two spare swords at home and I wanted to see.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I came to value them first, just to get the value.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Hopefully we'll get the top end for you. There's three of them.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49John is a knowledgeable chap.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53He knows more about these things than I do. He helped me through this one.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Thanks for saying that. - You do. It is a nice little lot.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00The US naval sword and two others.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03200 bid. 220. 250.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06At 250. 280 now.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10At 250. 280. 300.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15320. It's on the phone. At £320 to the phone.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19This is good, this is good.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20360.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23- 380.- They're thinking about it.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26400.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29420.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30440.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34At 440. It's on the phone.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36460, it's on the net.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- The suspense is killing me.- At 460.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40480.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- Still on the telephone. - It's gone very quiet.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44£480.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Are we all done, do you think?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51At £480, and we're... 500.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57520 on the phone. 520 on the phone.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59At 520.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02There's somebody really wants them and they're on the phone.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05At £520. We're all done on the internet. The bid is on the phone.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09At £520.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11He'll take that.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- 520. Well done. - Very pleased with that.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I bet you had an idea it was worth that, didn't you?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19About that, I thought, about 400-500.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Now, auctions attract all manner of historical items, including
0:20:23 > 0:20:25diaries and personal letters.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28It's amazing how much they can fetch.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33This letter sold for £550 at an auction house in 2010.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37And I want to explore the shocking history surrounding it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It describes a dramatic eight-year ordeal,
0:20:42 > 0:20:47and it was written by the Countess of Strathmore in 1785.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52This is Gibside - a splendid 18th-century estate nestling
0:20:52 > 0:20:56in the countryside, ten miles outside of Newcastle city centre.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00It was built to display its owner's wealth and opulence.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02But its history reads like a tragedy.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07It looks like a fine house, it looks enchanting and inviting,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11but for one woman, it must have felt like a prison.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20In the beginning it was simply a case of owner, George Bowes,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22showing off.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26He created these luxurious stables to rival his contemporaries' houses.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Designed an exquisite Palladian chapel for his own burial
0:21:31 > 0:21:36and became renowned as having one of the most impressive estates in the land.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38All this worked well for him.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41But it was when Gibside was passed down to his daughter,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Mary Eleanor, that things took a dark turn.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Mary Eleanor was just 11 years old when her father died.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58Overnight, she instantly became the richest heiress in the country,
0:21:58 > 0:22:03with an estimated worth of around £150 million in today's money.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05That is a staggering amount.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08It instantly made Mary Eleanor a very desirable young lady,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11but it was also the recipe for disaster.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18As the years passed she eventually settled on a suitor,
0:22:18 > 0:22:19a chap called John Lyon.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21They were in love and they got married
0:22:21 > 0:22:26but, sadly, the countess was left widowed at the age of 28.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Newly single, she lived in London, enjoying the high life,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34where she met a man who would dramatically change her life.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Andrew Robinson Stoney was an adventurer,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43conman and despicable rogue.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45He had his sights on Gibside
0:22:45 > 0:22:49and would do anything he could to snare Mary Eleanor.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Anonymous letters started appearing in a London newspaper,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55blackening her name.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Stoney, apparently aghast at these accusations,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03penned replies in her defence, which were also published.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05When the letters continued,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Stoney challenged the newspaper editor to a duel.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11He lost, and was seemingly fatally wounded.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Stoney asked to see Mary Eleanor.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16He had one final request,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19to marry the woman he was prepared to die for.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Moved by this act of kindness, Mary agreed.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26They hurriedly made arrangements to wed before Stoney slipped away.
0:23:26 > 0:23:27But what would you know?
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Shortly after the wedding Stoney made a miraculous recovery.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36The duel was a set-up and Stoney had written all the letters himself.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Unbeknown to Stoney, Mary Eleanor had entered into a legal agreement
0:23:43 > 0:23:47with her first husband's family, ensuring that the estate
0:23:47 > 0:23:51be protected in its entirety for her elder son to inherit.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56When Stoney discovered this, he went absolutely berserk.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59But, having married into wealth, he was determined to live the life
0:23:59 > 0:24:01of a millionaire.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Mary Eleanor afforded him this life of luxury,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08because she had a rather generous monthly allowance.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13But Stone run up huge gambling debts and, much worse,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16he treated his wife despicably.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19The statue you can see behind me was built by her father.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23It is a representation of Liberty, ironically.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Mary Eleanor was held prisoner for eight years
0:24:26 > 0:24:27at the hands of this evil man.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Eventually, after unspeakable torture at Stoney's hands,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Mary Eleanor managed to escape.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38She wasted no time in starting divorce proceedings.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43But Stoney was not giving up that easily.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46He knew that if Mary Eleanor was successful,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48he would be arrested for bankruptcy.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56As a child, Mary Eleanor would have seen teams of horse-drawn coaches
0:24:56 > 0:24:59coming in and out of this stable courtyard,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02delivering her father's rich guests.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Never would she imagine how one such journey
0:25:05 > 0:25:08would be so terrible for her in later life.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13The year after her escape, Stoney employed four thugs to kidnap her
0:25:13 > 0:25:15whilst she was out shopping in London.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18They forced the terrified countess into a horse-drawn coach
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and raced up the country with her friends chasing in hot pursuit
0:25:22 > 0:25:27ending up in Streatlam Castle, the Bowes ancestral home.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Here, Stoney puts a pistol to Mary Eleanor's head
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and demands she stops the divorce proceedings at once.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35But she refuses.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38She'd rather die than live a life of hell at Gibside.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40With Mary Eleanor's friends in hot pursuit,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Stoney forces her onto a horse.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44They gallop off to Newcastle and, from there,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46they make it over the Pennines.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49After 11 days of pursuit, they reached Darlington, where,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52thankfully, a local blacksmith recognises Mary Eleanor,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55knocks Stoney out and helps her escape.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Divorce proceedings are resumed.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05The trial lasts two bitter years, where Stoney does everything
0:26:05 > 0:26:09in his powers to tarnish Mary Eleanor's reputation.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13He even feigns illness to try and win public sympathy.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17But at last the countess gets her divorce.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Their high-profile case was ground-breaking.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Back then, divorce was fairly rare
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and it was even rarer for a woman to instigate it.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30Stoney was arrested for bankruptcy and put in debtors jail.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Finally, Mary Eleanor was free of Stoney.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36She retreated to Hampshire to live a quiet life,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39where she made peace with her estranged children.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Mary Eleanor died in the year 1800, aged 51.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Stoney died in jail.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50The estate carried down Mary Eleanor's family tree.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52The best-known member of the Bowes-Lyon family
0:26:52 > 0:26:56is the Queen Mother, who would have visited Gibside in her youth.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59But increasingly, the family were not interested in living here,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02and the estate slowly slipped into ruin.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06But in 1966, part of Gibside were taken over
0:27:06 > 0:27:10by the National Trust, who have brought the estate back to life.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Mary Eleanor's life was far from a fairytale story,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17but, undoubtedly, this is a house with a story to tell.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20These days, the grounds are open to the public,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23but, sadly, the house is a little too run down to explore.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27The grounds are a wonderful place for families to visit.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31All the time and money that George Bowes lavished on this estate
0:27:31 > 0:27:34all those years ago can now finally be enjoyed and appreciated
0:27:34 > 0:27:38in a way that, sadly, Mary Eleanor was unable to do.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48After that dramatic tale, it is rather fitting
0:27:48 > 0:27:52we're back in our dramatic valuation day venue - Alnwick Castle.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55The weather has taken a bit of a dramatic turn, too.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I've taken the opportunity to escape inside and have a closer look
0:27:58 > 0:28:00at what Suzy has brought along.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Hello, Suzy. At least we didn't get wet. Everybody ran for cover.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Right, let's get these out of the box.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11What can you tell me about them?
0:28:11 > 0:28:14They belonged to a very dear friend of mine's father
0:28:14 > 0:28:19and his father gave them to me as a present about seven years ago, eight years ago.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- These are fascinating. - They are beautiful.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25These are little muff pistols, designed to be in the muff,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27concealed in a little hand muff.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Generally, they weren't used by women,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32they were pocket pistols for gentlemen. Tiny little things.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I think a lot of people considered being shot by these
0:28:35 > 0:28:38was more of a hindrance rather than an injury.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41But aren't they lovely?
0:28:41 > 0:28:43As you can see, the trigger is concealed
0:28:43 > 0:28:46so it didn't catch any fabric from the pocket or the hand muff.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49If you pull back the hammer, that will enable the trigger
0:28:49 > 0:28:50to drop down there.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Look at that lovely walnut stocks, all cross-hatched
0:28:54 > 0:28:57so there's a nice bit of grip.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59You can see, look, there is a V with a crown,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02so we do know we can date these to the Victorian period.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06I would say circa 1850, 1870.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08There's a name. Can you see that?
0:29:08 > 0:29:12AF Gerding. Do you think these were made for him? I haven't a clue.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14The auctioneer may not know, either.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17But he'll have people that collect arms and militaria
0:29:17 > 0:29:20so we will talk to him the day before the sale.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21We'll get a better picture.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25These would unscrew and you can see where you put the black powder,
0:29:25 > 0:29:27just there.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Not much at all, not much at all.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33You load your bullet in there, as well, a little bit of round lead.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Screw the barrel back on.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39And there you are.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43And they are both working.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48- There's been a little bit of damage to this one, can you see that?- Yes.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- Have you any idea of the value? - No, not really.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53I think, if they were both in immaculate condition,
0:29:53 > 0:29:55you may be looking at around £500-£700.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57But I think, because of the condition,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00I feel happy if we put them into auction with a value of £300-£400.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- Would you be happy with that? - Yes.- Yes? Happy?- Yes.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- Fixed reserve at £300.- Mm-hm. - And we'll see what happens.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10They're marvellous. The nicest thing I've seen today.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Now, still burning through their valuations, over to Anita.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Thank you for bringing along this lovely little suite of jewellery.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Can you tell me, where did you get it?
0:30:24 > 0:30:26From my mother just before she died.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29It had apparently belonged to her grandmother
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- and it's come down through the family.- Are you married, John?
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- I am, yes.- Did you wife wear that at all?- No, she didn't.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- She thought it was a bit too flamboyant.- That's right.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40A bit ornate for today's taste.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46What I find delightful, first of all, is that it's in its original box.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50That's always good in the buying of jewellery.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55The date, somewhere between 1880 and 1900.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59It's made of coral and it's all small pieces of coral
0:30:59 > 0:31:01which have together been gathered,
0:31:01 > 0:31:06and we can see a little child lying in a bed of flowers and leaves.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Quite a romantic thought.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11If we turn it round the back, we can see
0:31:11 > 0:31:16there is a brooch or pin mechanism here, so it can be worn as a brooch.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21But we also have a hook, so it can be used as a pendant.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23We have these long drop earrings
0:31:23 > 0:31:26which were very popular in Victorian times.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29It's a nice little suite, John.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33I like the colour of coral, I think it's beautiful and it's warm.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37I quite like the flamboyance of it. I would wear that with a...
0:31:37 > 0:31:40I don't know, a yellow jumper or whatever.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- Have you had it valued before?- No.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48No. We're not talking about precious stones here.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50It is a natural substance.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54If it was coming into auction I would put it in
0:31:54 > 0:31:57in the region of £50-£80.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01It may do more than that, John, that might be a conservative estimate.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06- But I think it is the proper estimate to draw the bidding in.- Right.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11Would you be happy to put it in with a reserve on the lower estimate?
0:32:11 > 0:32:15Well, I would prefer to see the lower end up a bit.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- If that's possible. - It is, of course.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22In the end, John, we want you to be happy.
0:32:22 > 0:32:27We certainly can put the reserve above the lower estimate, so if we
0:32:27 > 0:32:32take the lower estimate up you might feel more comfortable with that.
0:32:32 > 0:32:33Yes, I would.
0:32:33 > 0:32:3760-80 with a firm reserve of £60.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Right, fine.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- I hope people fight over it. - They will.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45I think that it will go at least to the higher estimate.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47We might get a wee surprise.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51David's in the Great Hall with Heather.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58One of your friends obviously went on a lot of holidays if they sent you all these.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- It belonged to my aunt.- They're not yours?- No.- It belonged to an aunt.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- Were you aware that your aunt had this?- Oh, yes.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- As small children, we used to look at them.- Is your auntie still about?
0:33:08 > 0:33:12- Yes, she is.- OK. She won't mind you selling them?- No, not at all.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16So it won't be too much of a surprise when she sees them on television?
0:33:16 > 0:33:17No, no.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20OK. We'll have a look at them, page by page.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25Right, so far, I must say a bit boring.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Although there is one of Alnwick Castle here,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30where we are at the moment, of course.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35The Prince of Wales and his wife, Queen Alexandra.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37They're a bit more interesting.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42But generally speaking they are postcards of views
0:33:42 > 0:33:47and although they are saleable they are probably among the least
0:33:47 > 0:33:50saleable of all postcards, really.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Why are you getting rid of them?
0:33:53 > 0:33:56They have been in the loft, so it is pointless keeping them
0:33:56 > 0:33:58if somebody was interested in them.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59There certainly will be,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02one or two people will be very interested in them.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Of course, in the days before mobile telephones and texts
0:34:05 > 0:34:08and e-mails and things, people did communicate.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11You sent one postcard, you probably posted it after you got home,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- and everything was fine.- That's right.- No problems at all.
0:34:15 > 0:34:16I wish it were like that today
0:34:16 > 0:34:19and that's why there are so many postcards about, really.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22But you did draw my attention to this loose pile here
0:34:22 > 0:34:24and these are humorous.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Whether you think they're actually funny or not is another matter.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- These are far more saleable. - Right.- I like this one.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34He is buying get-well cards. He is a Scotsman, of course.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38He says, "Have ye no' one about saxpence?
0:34:38 > 0:34:40"It's for somebody no verra seek!"
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Terrible stereotype, really.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47But anyway, they are going to be worth a few pounds each.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52- You won't miss those ones either? - Definitely not.- Especially not.- No!
0:34:53 > 0:34:57So, you want to sell them. Have you any idea what they might be worth?
0:34:57 > 0:34:59- I haven't, no.- OK.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04I think we've got between about £50-£80 here in the collection.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08- I would be inclined to put a covering reserve on them and say £30.- Right.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11OK. I'll see you at the sale and I'm sure they will be fine.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14That's lovely, thank you very much. Yes, thank you.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17David may not have been taken by those postcards,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20but on the other side of the hall,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Anita's getting very excited about something.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24Pat, welcome to "Flog It!"
0:35:24 > 0:35:29I absolutely love this wonderful big pot.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Oh, that makes two of us!
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Tell me, where did you get it?
0:35:35 > 0:35:37It was given from my grandmother when she died
0:35:37 > 0:35:39and it was left for me.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- Can you remember it as a wee girl, Pat?- Yes.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46Towards the end of the war, I stayed with my grandmother in York.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50She used to always have this full of Victorian pennies.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55I was allowed to tip them out and drop them in to this lovely vase.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Did you count them before you put them back in again?- Not always.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I preferred the noise it made as they went in.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07Let's look at the item itself. I think it's absolutely beautiful.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It's a big, studio pot.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14That means it wasn't factory made or mass-produced.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18It was produced in a small studio or workshop
0:36:18 > 0:36:23and every pot that they put out was an individual piece.
0:36:23 > 0:36:29When we look at the decoration here, we see these almost stylised fish.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Now, what has happened here,
0:36:31 > 0:36:37they have made this pattern or this image by scraping out the clay
0:36:37 > 0:36:42while it was still wet, to make the lines which form up the pattern.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44I love that.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46I like the fish motif.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51This was fairly typical of this studio or workshop.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56It's the studio of Charles Brannam, and this was a Devon factory.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Now, this studio started in about the late 1880s
0:37:00 > 0:37:04and continued until the 1920s.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08If we look at the base here,
0:37:08 > 0:37:13we can see the signature here for Charles Brannam.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19And this word here, Barum, is a place in Devon.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24It also has a date on it and the date is 1892.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27So it's quite an old pot.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29That's fascinating.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32What did you like about it?
0:37:32 > 0:37:35First of all, as you say, the feel and the colours
0:37:35 > 0:37:38and as a child, I don't know, it was just so different.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- As a child, can you remember...? - Yes, the fish.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- Sometimes they would scowl at me. - Aha.- Yes.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49This one looks like a glowering fish. Where do you keep it?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Up in the attic.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- No wonder that fish is glowering.- No!
0:37:57 > 0:38:02Well, I would put a value of between £100-£200.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06It's fairly low and fairly wide,
0:38:06 > 0:38:11but I think that a collector would be prepared to pay £100 for that.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14I think it's certainly worth it. Shall we put it to auction?
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- Yes, please.- That's wonderful.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20We'll put it in with perhaps a reserve price of £80
0:38:20 > 0:38:21just to protect it.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25Let's get that and our other items wrapped up and sent off to auction.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Here's a quick reminder of what we're taking.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I absolutely love Suzy's pistols
0:38:31 > 0:38:35and I'm hoping they'll make a real bang at the auction house.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42And Anita thinks the vibrant coral jewellery will draw
0:38:42 > 0:38:44the bidders in with a conservative estimate.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51They might not be David's cup of tea, but he's confident somebody
0:38:51 > 0:38:54in the saleroom will have their head turned by this postcard collection.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02Whereas Anita has fallen for this Charles Brannam studio pot.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04But will the bidders agree and match her estimate?
0:39:07 > 0:39:10We're back at the Boldon Auction Galleries in Tyne & Wear.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Giles Hodges is overseeing the proceedings
0:39:12 > 0:39:14and he's about to kick off our next lot.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19We've got a bit of West Country pottery going under the hammer right now.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22I love this, I like Brannam pottery. Were you searching in the
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- house and thinking "Flog It!" is coming to town, what can I bring along?- No.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29I went to the loft just to enjoy the day.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31I thought, I'll take the blue vase.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35OK. And you got talked into handing it over to Anita here.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38I love this vase. I love the decoration on it.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41These big, almost stylised fish. It's lovely.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Let's find out what the bidders think. That's what it's all about.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47We can talk until we're blue in the face, but it's down to this lot. Here we go.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52A lovely large stoneware vase by Charles Brannam
0:39:52 > 0:39:55with the swirled handles and the fish decoration.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58I've got two commission bids at 100, starts me straight in.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Yes! Yes! Yes!
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Ten will go.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04At 100.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06110. 120. 130.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09140. 150.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12160. 170.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15180. At 180. It's with me.
0:40:15 > 0:40:16Come on.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- 190. 200.- Yes, you've done it.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20220.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22240. Still with me.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26At 240. Anybody left?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- At £240.- We'll take that, we'll take that.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33At £240 for the last time.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35At 240.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Yes! £240. Somebody out there really wanted that.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42It's gone, it's gone!
0:40:42 > 0:40:43But what a cracking price.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- I'm so pleased. That's wonderful. - Quality always sells, doesn't it?
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Quality always sells. Thank you for bringing in such quality from the West Country.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Thank you for having me.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- Have you enjoyed yourself?- I've thoroughly enjoyed myself.- Good.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Well, that certainly made Pat one happy lady.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Going under the hammer right now, we've got a collection of postcards
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- belonging to Heather, who is right next to me. Hello.- Hi.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09- Is this your first auction? - It is, yes.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- What do you think? - Good. Enjoying it.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15A big atmosphere here - it is electric, actually.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Look, great little collection, but we've had some lovely surprises
0:41:18 > 0:41:20on the show before with collections of postcards.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Fingers crossed there might be one or two valuable ones in there which will push the price up.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27- Hopefully.- It's only the postcard collectors who really know that.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Yes, it is. They know their market very well.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34Let's find out what the bidders think. They're going under the hammer now.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Large album of various postcards.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40I've got, again, three commission bids.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42I will start at £100.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- We'll go in tens. - There you go.- Ten. 120.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47130. 140.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50150. 160. 170.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53180. 180 with me.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54Have I missed anybody?
0:41:54 > 0:41:58- See, that's a nice little surprise for you.- Very surprising.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00190. 200.
0:42:00 > 0:42:05Still with me. You're both out. At £200 for the first and the last.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07At 200.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08That's more like it, isn't it?
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- The bidders certainly weren't mean, were they?- Very surprising.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13See? There was something in there.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15There always is in a postcard collection.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- What a first experience in the auction.- Yeah, definitely good.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- Got the bug? Coming back? - I'll have to come back.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- Do some more decluttering. - Find some more things for sale.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Going under the hammer right now, something really stylish.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Coral brooch and some long drop earrings belonging to John.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36They weren't really John's, were they?
0:42:36 > 0:42:39I can't see you in them, somehow. They were your grandmother's.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- Great-grandmother. - Great-grandmother's?
0:42:41 > 0:42:43- Gosh, they have been in the family a long time.- Yes.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46I'm not sure how they came down, but I ended up getting them from my mother.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- I don't think the box has been open for about ten years.- Gosh.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52- I love this.- There's not a lot of money here, though.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54We've got a reserve of just £60.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Yes. They might do better than that.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00They aren't a precious stone, they don't have gold, silver,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- we don't have diamonds.- But they have the look.- They have the look.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- So, hopefully, we are looking for twice that.- Or three times.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10Good luck, John. Fingers crossed. Here we go, it's going under the hammer.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14We have this Victorian coral brooch with the matching earrings
0:43:14 > 0:43:16and in its original box.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18And I'm bid 40 to start it.
0:43:18 > 0:43:2145. 50. Five.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- It's good, it's bouncing backwards and forwards.- Bid upstairs of 65.
0:43:25 > 0:43:2870. Fresh place. 75.
0:43:28 > 0:43:3080. Five.
0:43:30 > 0:43:3290. Five. 100. Five.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35Commission bid, he's working from the book.
0:43:36 > 0:43:37120. 125.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41130. 135.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42140. Five.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46They looked expensive, let's face it.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Bid is upstairs. Now the net.
0:43:48 > 0:43:50- 180.- 180!- 190.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54220.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56He's off the book, it's all going on in the room.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59It's in the room at 230.
0:43:59 > 0:44:00300.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02320.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04£380.
0:44:04 > 0:44:05- Wow, John.- Trying to buy them.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07400.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09Got £400 on the internet. 420.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12It's in the room at 420.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16- That's a good price, isn't it? - We've quadrupled it.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18At 420.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20440.
0:44:20 > 0:44:24- Wow.- At £440. You're all out upstairs.
0:44:24 > 0:44:28At £440, and we're away at 440.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33Yes! £440.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37- Wasn't that wonderful? Wasn't that wonderful?- A cracking result.- Yeah.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41The thing is, you couldn't ask someone to make them today
0:44:41 > 0:44:42at that sort of price - £440.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46That's how you can gauge values in a way.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49They were worth every single penny of that. Proper quality.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56One more sale to go. This is the one we've been waiting for.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01Having a chat to Suzy again, and it is great to see you.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03We're just about to put the percussion cap pistols
0:45:03 > 0:45:06under the hammer, the ones signed Gerding on them.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09The jury is still out on were they made for him or not.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12Giles has done a little bit of work,
0:45:12 > 0:45:15he couldn't find anything else that you and I didn't know.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17It's all really down to the bidders.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22- I'm quite excited about this.- Are you?- I'm nervous and very excited.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Here goes. This is it.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30Lovely lot. A pair of percussion turn-off barrelled pistols.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32AF Gerding.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35Lovely quality, unfortunately no boxes for them.
0:45:35 > 0:45:40I have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43Ten, 11 bids.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46We have phone bids as well.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49I can start them off at 850.
0:45:52 > 0:45:56Wasn't expecting that as a starting point. Were you?
0:45:56 > 0:46:00It's on Caroline's phone. At £900.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02900. 950.
0:46:03 > 0:46:051,000.
0:46:05 > 0:46:071,100.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11That's 1,100 from Lucy's phone.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13Anybody else?
0:46:13 > 0:46:15- At £1,100. - It's short and sweet, isn't it?
0:46:15 > 0:46:17The internet's quiet, too.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20At £1,100 for the last time.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23At £1,100.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Suzy, Suzy, £1,100. Bang!
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Straight in at £900. You've got some tears!
0:46:28 > 0:46:29Oh!
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Thank you so much for bringing those in.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34That's a lot of money, isn't it?
0:46:34 > 0:46:37Whoever's bought them, enjoy them, look after them.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39I'm sure they've gone to a good home.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42What a wonderful way to end today's show. Are you feeling OK?
0:46:42 > 0:46:45- Absolutely fine. - We'll look after you, don't worry.
0:46:45 > 0:46:46First aid, please.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49We've got tears here in Boldon but, whatever you do,
0:46:49 > 0:46:52join us again soon because there's going to be more surprises to come.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55- But until then, it's goodbye from us two.- Wonderful.- Yeah.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57Thank you so much.