0:00:02 > 0:00:05Things haven't changed as much over the last 300 years as we sometimes think.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Back in the 17th century,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10it was all about establishing your place in society.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12And this magnificent country pile
0:00:12 > 0:00:17was built to put its owner at the very top of the social ladder.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20So today, here in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside,
0:00:20 > 0:00:23we will be following in his footsteps,
0:00:23 > 0:00:27where only the best is good enough. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Our venue today is one of England's finest stately homes,
0:00:55 > 0:01:00Stapleford Park, and the building is a mixture of architectural styles
0:01:00 > 0:01:02and different periods of history.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04This wing is over 500 years old,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07but the gables and the niches have been added later,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09giving it a Flemish flavour.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Today's experts Mark Stacey and Elizabeth Talbot
0:01:19 > 0:01:22are already trawling the crowd, delving into bags and boxes,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26hoping to discover a treasure or two.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28SHE LAUGHS
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- Artificial arm.- Artificial arm!
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- Articulated arm. - Yeah, that's right, yeah.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Mark's rarely lost for words,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38but I think he's met his match with this item.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42I've got a good idea. It comes off the end.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- Does it?- Yeah! It ain't what you think.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- Well, I...- I don't know!
0:01:54 > 0:01:55And coming up on the show,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59one of our items today goes for close on £1,000,
0:01:59 > 0:02:00but which is it?
0:02:02 > 0:02:06This vintage football programme from 1925?
0:02:06 > 0:02:08It's a really interesting and rare one.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Or this glorious gramophone?
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Or is it this Art Deco bronze ink stand?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20It'll be really interesting to see what happens.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27Everybody is safely seated inside, so let's get on with the show.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31And this lot are all here to ask our experts that all-important question,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- which is...- ALL: What's it worth?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- And what are you going to do when you've found out?- ALL: Flog it!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Elizabeth couldn't resist an old Flog It favourite.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- Hello. Thank you for bringing your Troika in.- You're welcome.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48Now this is not an unknown quantity on "Flog It!" but tell me about your collection.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Well, I didn't buy them altogether,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55but I've had them for a long time because I've always liked Troika pottery.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Do you remember which sequence you bought them in?- Not exactly.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01I seem to remember buying these fairly close together.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04I think I bought the square one a bit later on.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Do you know much about the Troika factory at all? Or the history of it?
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Not an awful lot.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I mean, it's a name that people are now very familiar with.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16A few years ago nobody would have known what we were talking about.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Now it's very visually familiar to people.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25The Troika factory was established in St Ives, in Cornwall, in 1963.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31They created, very often, these flat-sided, slab-sided pieces, normally vases.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34They were destined to imitate either granite or concrete.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36It was very much a modern look.
0:03:36 > 0:03:42Hans Coper and Ben Nicholson were great influences on their design and their artwork.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45So two big names who they looked to for inspiration.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Yes, sounds familiar.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51The pottery moved to Newlyn in about 1970.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Then it closed in 1983. So, actually, it was only 20 years old.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00They produced a lot, when we look back at it, in a relatively short space of time.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- I didn't realise that. - You didn't know?- No.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08We have the cube, the wheel vase and the chimney vase.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Quite self-explanatory in terms of shape. Do you have a favourite?
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- I think, possibly, this one. - The wheel vase?- Yes.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17It works really, really well.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22And it's very strong in size and decoration on this really bold circle.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25I notice, from looking at this, that the wheel has a couple of little chips,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28but the rest of the collection seems to be in very good condition.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29Yes.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Do you have them out on display? - I haven't, no.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37- I've got two Bengal cats so... - Ah, OK.- I keep them in boxes, unfortunately.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39It seems a waste.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Troika has gone up and down in value over the last few years.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47The values accelerated quite rapidly, probably about five or six years ago,
0:04:47 > 0:04:52then almost peaked because people had seen so much of it that it sort of reached its plateau.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57But I think now it's settled down and there are very avid collectors of it.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Yes.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03So, if we start on the left, the cube vase here is probably the most often-seen shape.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07This one, at the moment, would have an auction value of around about £50-£70.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Oh, right.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13The wheel vase, because of the damage, we'd mark it down quite harshly on that,
0:05:13 > 0:05:18I think you'd be looking at around about 70-100 on that one.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- OK.- Because of the damage.- Right.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25I like the chimney vase and this one here is designed by Avril Bennett.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Her monogram is on the bottom there.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35That one, I would think, should fetch in the region of about £100-£150.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Yeah?
0:05:37 > 0:05:42The collection, therefore, is worth £220-300, that sort of level.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- Yeah.- When you put them all together.- OK.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47If we leave it to the auctioneer to decide whether they're sold individually or as a group,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50he'll give guidance as to how his auction house will best sell them.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- But if we request that they put a fixed reserve on...- Yes, please.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Thank you so much for bringing your collection. I think it's really charming.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00And I shall see you at the auction.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- OK.- And we shall hope that people keep on bidding!- Thank you.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Hello, Rob, hello, Jackie.- Hello.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Thank you so much for coming today and bringing your friends along.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Where on earth did they come from?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Well, I inherited them from my grandparents.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23I remember them sitting on the dresser since I was knee-high.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Since my parents died, they've been sitting in our attic.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Oh, what a shame!
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Well, they are a little bit out of vogue these days.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34They're quite a novelty, they hold a bit of a secret.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37If you just gently sort of nod her head there,
0:06:37 > 0:06:42and the same with the hands... you know, they nod and keep time.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46These are what are generally referred to as bisque figures, painted bisque.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It has a very sort of dry feel about it,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53and they're unglazed,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56so they're painted straight onto the porcelain.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00And they are copies of ones produced by Meissen.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04And you can get really big ones like this of Oriental gentlemen.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08Obviously, if they're Meissen, the quality is absolutely first class.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11These are not such good quality.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- One of them, of course, has got a nasty crack.- Afraid so.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20But they are quite old, actually - they date to probably around 1900,
0:07:20 > 0:07:26so they're well over 100 years old, and they are probably French.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31China and Japan have had a huge influence on European ceramic,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35and the first designs we produced were copying Chinese and Japanese,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39because that's what the rich wanted, so that's what they produced
0:07:39 > 0:07:43before we developed our own styles and the factories got established.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46So they're a family piece, but they've been hidden away.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Is that why you've decided to come along and flog them?
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Yes.- Absolutely right.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I really quite like them, actually, I think they're quite fun.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58The damage, of course, is going to limit any value.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Did you have any idea of what they might be worth?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- No idea at all.- Absolutely none.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06If they were in good condition,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09they'd be probably be worth around £100, the pair.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I think, because of the damage,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14we've got to look at half that, really.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19We've got to say maybe 40 to £60, something like that, but who knows?
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Would you want to put a reserve on them?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25I don't know, I don't think we would.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30- I think just let them...run. - See how they go, absolutely.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33And they might nod us into a big profit.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40And moving swiftly along,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43surely there's a bit more sanity at Elizabeth's table.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- Hello!- Hello. - Thank you for coming to Flog It!
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Thank you very much. - Now, what have you brought?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- It's here.- What, here?- Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:59Oh! Oh, it is, it's a table! Oh, my goodness, that's lovely!
0:08:59 > 0:09:03And you've struggled out of the house with this tucked under your arm?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Well, not exactly, but we've brought it in.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- Ah...- My husband had to take it out of the car from here.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Ah, very good.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14What can you tell me about it, and why have you brought it?
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- Recently, we bought a house, and this was in the house.- Right, OK.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23An antique, traditionally,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27is defined as something that's 100 years old or more.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31This table is...knocking on the door of being an antique,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34but it's not quite there yet.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- OK.- It will date from anywhere between the 1920s
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and probably the late 1930s.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43It's made of oak, and it's a drop-leaf small dining table,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47which copies the traditional style of English oak furniture
0:09:47 > 0:09:51and drop-leaf tables, gate-leg tables of an earlier period.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56This one, however, is machine-cut, it's very smooth and precisely made,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59so this was in an era when they weren't handcrafting them.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It was machine-made for mass production.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06And this lasted until, I suppose, the Second World War,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- when it went out of fashion, everybody wanted utility furniture and so on.- I know.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15As a table, it's not a rarity to find a table like this these days,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17but it's a good, solid table.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Do you like it? I mean, do you like it as a table?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23It's just the aesthetics doesn't blend with what you have?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Yeah, I like the table as itself.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30All the other furniture is modern, a bit more modern than this.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Although it's a table that's got many decades behind it,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and it's beautifully crafted and it's good solid oak,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- the value is going to be modest.- OK. - So if you're happy to sell it,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45I would advise that you put it into auction for a 60 to £80 estimate.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- Yeah!- Not bad for something which came with the house.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Would you like a reserve on that,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53or do you want to sell it at whatever the market brings?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- I think about 40, 50?- Yeah?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Do you want to put a reserve on? Put 40 on?
0:10:58 > 0:11:01I think that's very fair, we'll put £40 reserve on it.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Shall we make that firm,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05or do you want to sell it with discretion?
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- Just sell it.- Just sell it? - Yeah.- And then what would you do?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Would you buy another table? Are you lacking a table now?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16No, I think we'll probably use the money for grandchildren.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Oh, that's nice! - We've got three grandchildren.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Oh, have you?- Yeah, so we'll buy something for them.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- They can all share in the excitement of the day.- Yeah, why not?
0:11:26 > 0:11:31It's great to see some furniture at the valuation day,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35particularly a piece that can only make a profit.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Stapleford's drawn a fantastic crowd, and the room is buzzing!
0:11:38 > 0:11:42For his next item, Mark's escaped to the sanctuary of the orangery
0:11:42 > 0:11:47to hear about Graham's childhood collection of football programmes.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Hello, Graham.- Hello, Mark.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Nice to meet you.- Yeah, thank you.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54We're sitting in the orangery, nice and cool, isn't it?
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- Very nice.- It's wonderful.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59You've brought this fantastic collection of football programmes.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Are they your lifetime collection? Where have you got them from?
0:12:03 > 0:12:05I wouldn't say it's a lifetime collection.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09My brother and I started when we were sort of early teens,
0:12:09 > 0:12:14and we inherited some from relatives and just carried on the collection.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15It wasn't a conscious effort,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18it was just something that evolved over time.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20I'm not the world's biggest football fan...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23BOOING ..I have to tell you, Graham,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26but this programme has been drawn to my attention.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- This is the 1925 between Cardiff... - And Sheffield United, yeah.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- Cardiff won?- They did, the first time that the FA Cup went out of England.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- Into Wales.- Yes, indeed. - Which is where I'm from.- Oh, OK.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42So I should be very proud of that, and I am, of course.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44And it's a really interesting and rare one.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48I think so, I think it's obviously 80 odd years old now.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50It's in reasonably good condition.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- It is, considering, because it's quite flimsy paper.- That's right.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Is there any others out of the varied mix here
0:12:56 > 0:12:59that you think are quite interesting to us?
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Probably this Northampton Town one, it's only 1970,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05but it's the Fifth Round FA Cup
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- between Northampton Town and Manchester United.- Gosh!
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- And a certain George Best scored six goals that day.- Gosh!
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- The legendary George Best. - So that one's quite interesting.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19The thing is, there's lots of memories for you,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22but we have to look in terms of auction,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25how we're going to sell them, market them.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27I mean, the feeling is, and I agree with it,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31is that we put the 1925 programme in as a separate lot.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32Yeah, sounds good.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- 800 to £1,200.- OK.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39And then we put the other collection together as one lot
0:13:39 > 0:13:42at sort of three or 400. Is that all right with you?
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- I think that sounds fine. - But we will put a reserve, of course.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- We'll put 800 on the single programme and 300 on the other programmes.- Yes.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52The auction house should market them properly
0:13:52 > 0:13:54and put them on the internet,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and of course people find these things,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00so hopefully we'll reach the top ends, if not a bit more.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Thank you very much, Mark.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16This magnificent Jacobean house is Thrumpton Hall.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It dates back to the early 1600s.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Even though it's in this secluded setting,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25it's certainly had its brushes with history and seen some turbulent times.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30So much has happened here in the last four centuries.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35I've picked a few of the more intriguing and colourful stories to tell you.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40The house is built around the remains of an earlier Tudor house, belonging to the Powdrell family.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43But, as Roman Catholics in the reign of Elizabeth I,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47their involvement in the notorious Babington plot to overthrow
0:14:47 > 0:14:50the Queen cut short their tenancy.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55The Powdrells were evicted when it was discovered they were hiding a priest here, in this very room.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I can show you, behind all this oak panelling,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02there is a little secret door, which leads to priest hole.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Follow me.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Look at this. This is a remarkable survivor from the original building.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Like any secret hiding place, it's full of intrigue, excitement
0:15:12 > 0:15:17and there's an atmosphere about this because we're talking high stakes.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20It was a matter of life and death.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22And they weren't hiding any old priest,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24they were hiding Father Henry Garnet,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28one of the leading conspirators to plot against Queen Elizabeth.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34I wouldn't like to be down there for too long.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36These conspiracies were ruthlessly suppressed.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The Powdrells were lucky to escape with their lives.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Their neighbour, however, Sir Anthony Babington wasn't so lucky.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49As the leader of the plot, he was sentenced to death for treason and conspiracy against the Crown.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55The punishment he received was the severest at the time.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59He would be hung, drawn and quartered at the tender age of 25.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05The discovery of this plot was also the end of Mary, Queen of Scots.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07She was beheaded a few months later.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13A bloodthirsty chapter in English history.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19Soon after the new owners, the Pigots, rebuilt the house as we see it today.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24And at the end of the Civil War, having come through another turbulent time,
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Gervase Pigot the Younger embarked on more improvements to the house.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34He celebrated the restoration of Charles II to the throne
0:16:34 > 0:16:36by commissioning this rather understated staircase.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41Well, I'm only joking there because there's absolutely nothing understated about it.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45It's grandly over the top, in keeping of the spirit of the time.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I'll just point out a few details for you.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52This was all made from timber from the estate.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56It's mixed woods, made by the local craftsman here.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59All this section here, all of these panels, are made out of elm.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03The balustrades themselves, with this wonderful detail on it,
0:17:03 > 0:17:07with these finials here and drop pendants there, they're made of oak.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09The handrails are made of oak.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13The treads and the risers, they're all made of pine.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17In the Victorian period the owners of the house wanted
0:17:17 > 0:17:20this whole staircase to look like it was made from one wood, an oak.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24So they stained the whole thing with a dirty, tarry black varnish,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27which was all the rage at the time.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32And I've been told it took three workmen one year to scrape it all back off.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35To bring it back to its former glory.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Now that must have been a labour of love.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41The improvements didn't stop here.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The staircase leads to the saloon, remarkably unchanged
0:17:44 > 0:17:46since the 17th century,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49yet still very much in use by the current owners.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Gervase's extravagance was to be the ruin of him.
0:17:52 > 0:17:58Unable to meet his mortgage repayments, he forfeited the house to his lawyer, Mr John Emerton.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01And it's his descendants who have lived here ever since.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Right down to its current owner, Miranda Seymour. Hello, Miranda.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- Thank you so much for letting us film here today.- It's lovely you're here.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14Oh, it's a real pleasure. Now, you grew up here in this house, what was that like?
0:18:14 > 0:18:19I did grow up here and I was terrified here, when I was a little girl.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25My parents were just beginning to get a derelict house back after the war,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29getting it back into shape again. There were dust sheets on all the busts,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33cobwebs on all the windows and the staircase was black.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- Oh, gosh!- I was living on the top floor,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39up behind the door where the nursery floor was and I was absolutely scared out of my little wits.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- Where you?- I was.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43But now, I know you're a writer.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Does the whole atmosphere of this house inspire you?
0:18:45 > 0:18:49I love it when I'm writing here and particularly in this room
0:18:49 > 0:18:53because it's just a very, very calm space to be in.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I know this house has had a very interesting history.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59And, I gather there's a connection to Lord Byron. Is that with you?
0:18:59 > 0:19:05There is, indeed. And, actually, I always feel very excited by that as a writer
0:19:05 > 0:19:08because, I mean, what a person to be connected to.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12But Byron's cousin inherited the title and it was through him
0:19:12 > 0:19:15that the title came down to my father's uncle and,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18so, we got all these wonderful Byron relics here.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23- And you've got a few out to show me, haven't you?- I have.- What have you got?
0:19:23 > 0:19:28I've got three things. And this, as a writer, is the most exciting one to me.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Here's Byron's very own signet ring. The first he ever had
0:19:32 > 0:19:38- and it fits just perfectly on my signet finger.- It's meant to be.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40So I hope.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Now, this is a rather wonderful relic.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49I don't know if you can see here but it's got a B on the front, for Byron.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53And in the back it's got a tiny little strand of his hair.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Oh, I can see that.- Which was given to his half-sister,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Augusta Leigh, the one he was so in love with.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01She passed it on to Byron's first cousin.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05So that's real, authentic Byron hair sitting in there.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08It's wonderful provenance, isn't it? I mean, it doesn't get any better.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Nope, I think it has to be the genuine thing.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Thrumpton Hall is bursting with stories.
0:20:13 > 0:20:20In its 400 year existence, it's brushed up against some of the biggest names in English history.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23From Mary Queen of Scots to Lord Byron and to it present owner,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25writer, Miranda Seymour.
0:20:25 > 0:20:32And, as long as someone continues to live here, this place will continue to make history.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47So, how do you think our experts' valuations went?
0:20:47 > 0:20:49There's only one way to find out - we're off to auction!
0:20:49 > 0:20:51And here's a quick reminder of what we've chosen.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Let's hope the bidders will want to snap them up.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Will Robert and Jackie be nodding all the way to the bank
0:20:57 > 0:21:02with these cheeky oriental figures, which Mark valued at 40 to £60?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Finders keepers, but Chitra's decided this old oak table
0:21:06 > 0:21:09isn't quite the right style for her interior design.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Will it reach Elizabeth's estimate of 60 to £80?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It's definitely a game of two halves as Mark has split
0:21:17 > 0:21:20the programmes into two separate lots,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23valuing the earlier at 800 to £1,200, and the rest as a group,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26at three to £400.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Finally, Elizabeth's trio of Troika is a sure bet
0:21:30 > 0:21:33at £220-£320 for the group.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36But will the damage go against them?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Well, the sun is coming out, I'm in a good mood.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47I know our owners are in a good mood as well, but will the bidders be?
0:21:47 > 0:21:49That's the important thing. For our sale today,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53we've come to Gildings Auction Rooms in the heart of Market Harborough.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Hopefully, there's a packed floor inside. It's time for kick-off.
0:21:57 > 0:21:58Our auctioneer today is John Gilding.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Now, it's Susie with her Troika vases.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06But, since the valuation day, she's had a change of heart.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- Now, we started off at the valuation day with three Troika items.- We did.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12We're left with two. You've withdrawn one.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13- I have.- Why is that? And which one?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Well, my daughter wants to keep the round one.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- She likes that one so I decided to keep it.- A good one to keep.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And I gather Susie's been fiddling with the valuations, haven't you?!
0:22:23 > 0:22:30We're starting off with the chimney vase, for which we were hoping for £100-£150, with a reserve of 100.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- Now you're saying the reserve you want is 150.- Yes.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Is that fixed or discretion?- Fixed. - Fixed. OK.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39You haven't meddled with the other one, have you?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We are looking at...what? You have? You have meddled?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I think I put a fixed value of £50 on that.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49OK, we've got 50 to 70 but you've just stuck a fixed reserve on it.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53OK. That's the second of the two. This is the first one, going under the hammer now, the chimney vase.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56The Troika chimney vase.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02Lovely piece here. Lots of interest. £110 bid.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06110, I'm bid 110. 120.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09130. 140. 150.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11£150, I'm bid.
0:23:11 > 0:23:17At £150, I'm bid. Do I see 60 anywhere? 160 ahead.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- 170 on commission. - This is good.- 180 in the room and the commissions are all out.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26At £180. I'm bid 180. At £180, you're quite sure? Selling to the room standing.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- 180. - BANGS GAVEL
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Yes, £180! That's good, isn't it? That's very, very good.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34You were right to be so confident, I have to say.
0:23:34 > 0:23:35Right, here's the next one.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Another Troika piece.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Monogram JF. Opening bid here, please, of £45.
0:23:45 > 0:23:4745. I'm bid 45. 50.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Five. 60. Five.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- 70. Five. 80.- It's gone.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56You're out at the door. £80, far and away.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57At £80. Do I see five?
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Sold at £80. - BANGS GAVEL
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- And it's gone down! £80. Well done, you.- Very good.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Something tells me that you would have been pleased
0:24:05 > 0:24:07if they didn't sell.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08I possibly would.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13With a combined total of £260 for only two of her vases,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Susie goes home very happy.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24It's time for kick-off! It's Graham's 1925 programme.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It's a great bit of sporting memorabilia we've split into two lots.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30The first is the FA Cup final programme, eight to £1,200.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33It's going under the hammer right now.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35It's supposed to be rare, Paul,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37but I hope we haven't scored an own goal.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Here we go. The auctioneer said somebody came in and viewed those
0:24:41 > 0:24:42and was very interested.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52£600 I'm bid. 650, 700. And 50.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57800. And 50.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02At £850. Telephone?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04900.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Out in the room. Out on commission.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- £900.- Are you all done?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Sold and away, then, at £900, all finished?
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- It's gone, £900.- That's all right. - That's one down.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Now, we've got the boxes, quite a few in the box.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Looking at £300 to £400.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Now, we have a collection in two suitcases.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Ready for you to fly off to your holidays abroad.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35As hand luggage, of course.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38What would you say for that, please?
0:25:38 > 0:25:43The next lot, £200 opens the bidding. £200 I am bid.
0:25:43 > 0:25:51£200, do I see 10 anywhere, quickly? £200, do I see 10 anywhere?
0:25:51 > 0:25:56All finished and quite sure, then, at £200.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57All away, and done at £200.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Well, I'm sorry I'll have to withdraw that lot.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- Sorry about that.- It's all right. Pleased with the first one.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Very pleased with the first one. Somebody out there really wanted that. That is incredible.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11It just shows you what is the rarity value of these, isn't it?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13900 is over the bottom bed,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16so I think we should be pleased with that.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Like all footy games, you win some, you lose some,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23but what a great result for Graham's vintage programme.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Seller's commission today is 16% plus VAT,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28but he'll still make a tidy profit.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Up next, it's Chitra's table.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Going under the hammer right now, we have some furniture.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39It's a 1930s oak gate-leg dining-room table.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42It belongs to Chitra, who is right next to me, and you look fabulous.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46- Who have you brought along? What's your name?- Tasheel.- Hello there.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47- How old are you?- Six.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- Six years old. Is this your first auction?- Yes.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- What do you think, isn't it exciting?- Yeah.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58What's Grandma doing? She's selling a table she found in the house?
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- It's actually my uncle's house. - It was in your uncle's house?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05What else did they leave in the house? Anything else?
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Some other furniture, but I don't think it was worth anything.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I like your shoes. They're lovely, aren't they?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16The auctioneer's up there right now, and he's just about
0:27:16 > 0:27:19to call your lot number, so get ready for this. Here we go.
0:27:20 > 0:27:26The gate-leg, lot 500. £35. On commission at 35.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Do I see eight anywhere quickly? £35, all done?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Quite sure then, finished away at £35.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37It was good value for money, £35.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39You can buy a table in auction for £35,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42but it didn't cost you a penny anyway.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Every little penny helps.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Someone's going to be happy with that, aren't you?- Yes.
0:27:50 > 0:27:56Students, take note. That's a lot of table for not very much money.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Now, let's see if Mark's still in Noddyland.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Good luck, Robert and Jackie.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Let's hope this little touch of the Orient
0:28:03 > 0:28:05sells well here in Market Harborough.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08I like it, I really do like it. Basic as well.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Why are you selling this?
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- They've just been in the loft for the last seven years.- Didn't like it?
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Not especially.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19I know someone that was attracted to it, and he's right here.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24I did like them.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27They are great fun, and I haven't seen a nice pair for ages.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- They're continental, aren't they? - They're French, I think.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Copies of the Mason ones we talked about.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36The quality's still reasonably good.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38One's got a little bit of damage on it,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41so we've put 40 to 60 on it with no reserve, and they should make that.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Here we go, we're going to find out right now.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45Let's hope the bidders aren't
0:28:45 > 0:28:47sitting on their hands right now. This is it.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53- 91, pair of nodding head figures. - There's no pressure, really.
0:28:53 > 0:28:58- We've got no reserve, have we, Jackie?- We decided not to.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02At 38, but 38. 40, 42, 42. 45.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06You're out on the neck. £45 seated.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Look, someone waving their hand at the back of the sale room.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Gentleman standing at £55.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Have you all done, quite sure then? Finished away at £55.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- That's a good result, isn't it? - Brilliant, yes.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21That really is, I'm quite surprised at that.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24I think we can all nod to that, can't we?
0:29:28 > 0:29:32That concludes the end of our first session in the auction today.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35We are coming back here later on in the programme, so don't go away.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38So far, so good. While we were up here in the area,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I thought I'd go off and do some exploring. Take a look at this.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57I'm here surrounded by sheep on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire borders,
0:29:57 > 0:29:58and I'm off to see Calke Abbey.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01I have to admit, I hadn't heard of the place before,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05and I hadn't seen it, so my sense of anticipation is really building.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06It's a wonderful estate.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08We've got this gorgeous long approach,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10we've got mature planted lime trees
0:30:10 > 0:30:12either side of this wonderful avenue.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14I'm pretty sure at the end of this,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17we're going to see a spectacular house.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28And here it is. Just look at that. Isn't it pleasing on the eye?
0:30:28 > 0:30:33My first impressions are it's a mixture of architectural styles -
0:30:33 > 0:30:35a bit of Baroque, a bit of Palladian.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But look at it on this vast estate, tucked in that hollow.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41It just says one thing to me - wealth.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49But first impressions can be deceiving
0:30:49 > 0:30:53and on closer inspection, all is not what it seems.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Look at these sandstone columns.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Rather soft, but look at the ravaging it's had
0:31:02 > 0:31:05over the centuries from the elements.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08It's starting to perish and peel away.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10It's losing the definition on all the capitals.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13In fact, the stucco mouldings up there are crumbling as well.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16This house has seen better days.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21There's been a building here since the 12th century.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24This Baroque incarnation dates from 1704,
0:31:24 > 0:31:29and was built by the fourth Baronet of Calke, the wealthy Sir John Harpur.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35But since its glittering prime, time has been a cruel mistress.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39The house's dual personality continues on the inside.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44One room's lavishness is in stark contrast to the neglect of others.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56This magnificent room was once the original entrance hall
0:31:56 > 0:32:00when the house was first built in the early part of the 18th century.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04I must say, it would have made a very impressive first impression.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07It's a raised ground floor, so there would have been a wonderful
0:32:07 > 0:32:10flight of stone steps leading up to it.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13What we see today is mainly its Victorian incarnation,
0:32:13 > 0:32:18but clearly, somebody in the family had a passion for natural history.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21There are just cabinets full of seashells, precious stones
0:32:21 > 0:32:24and items of taxidermy.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27It was the 9th baronet, Sir John Harpur-Crewe,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30who started the natural history collecting,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33decorating the house with his deer and cattle trophies.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36His son, Sir Vauncey, outdid his father.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38His collecting was obsessional.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44I must say, the items are beautifully displayed, aren't they?
0:32:44 > 0:32:48This is a technique, taxidermy, that dates back to
0:32:48 > 0:32:52the ancient Egyptians, and in fact, there word taxidermy comes
0:32:52 > 0:32:53from the Ancient Greek -
0:32:53 > 0:32:55dermi, skin, and taxi, to move around.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58I must say, between the two of them,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01they would have kept many taxidermists in business.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18This is the 7th Baronet's bedroom, again, just as it was
0:33:18 > 0:33:21when the National Trust took over the property.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23This is Nettie Cook, one of the conservators
0:33:23 > 0:33:26who worked on the project virtually from day one, I gather?
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Just about. Day two, actually.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30You must have seen and learnt an awful lot.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Absolutely, it's a phenomenal collection, and so much to learn.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- So varied. I'm still learning now. - Whose idea was it?
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Well, it was the vision of one man, the then-curator, John Cheshire,
0:33:41 > 0:33:46who visited the property before it ever came to the National Trust.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50He was absolutely stunned at the amazing collections
0:33:50 > 0:33:55housed in this enormous property, but a property in decline.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Literally about to collapse, in some areas.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03He wanted that wonderful, overwhelming feeling to be passed on
0:34:03 > 0:34:07to visitors, which is why it's presented in this particular way.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10I must say, it is fascinating to go behind the scenes, as it were.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Now, obviously, it's open to the public so we can all view this,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16but to see the rooms full of clutter,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20wonderful items just cluttered around left exactly how they were.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22One thing is missing, though.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25The cobwebs and the dust and the dirt, that's all gone,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- and there's no sign of damp any more.- Well, no,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30because those sorts of issues are addressed,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32and there is a team of housekeepers here
0:34:32 > 0:34:35who work very hard to care for the contents.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38A lot of visitors come in, about 120,000 a year,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41they bring in dirt, dust, skin, hair.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45The housekeepers have to remove this sort of debris.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50Is it easier to keep the room as it is now or to restore it?
0:34:50 > 0:34:55The whole ethos of things looking as if they haven't been conserved
0:34:55 > 0:35:00is a difficult one for some conservators to actually carry out.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04It could well be that, if there was remedial conservation
0:35:04 > 0:35:09needed in this room, one conservator may actually just go too far.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13There is such a contrast between these rooms and the state rooms,
0:35:13 > 0:35:14and do you know something?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17I prefer these rooms, because they come alive.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19There's an atmosphere about them, isn't there?
0:35:19 > 0:35:20There really is,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24and there's a smell, the musty-ish smell which you get.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- Yes!- Because all the surfaces are dry, there's no polish anywhere,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29so you get this dryness to everything.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33What do the visitors think when they come behind the scenes?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Well, I think some of the visitors really struggle
0:35:35 > 0:35:38with the whole concept, because, of course, it does look as if
0:35:38 > 0:35:42it's a house in decline. We know it's not because there's been
0:35:42 > 0:35:45a phenomenal amount of conservation work, restoration work,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48that's gone on to both the building and the contents. Some of
0:35:48 > 0:35:51the visitors do wonder what on earth is happening.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54But John Cheshire did say that if visitors actually came
0:35:54 > 0:35:57and asked him where the work had been done,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00then he would have actually achieved his goals.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- Great!- Perhaps he knew. - He was a man with vision.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06- Absolutely.- Thank you for having a chat to me.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09I'm going to enjoy the rest of the house. It's a real eye-opener.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Jolly good! Excellent.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Calke is a wonderful, unique survivor,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25and the National Trust's decision to maintain it exactly as they found it
0:36:25 > 0:36:28back in the 1980s is a very bold one indeed.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32They were faced with a collection of over 10,000 different objects,
0:36:32 > 0:36:36and their aim was to preserve it exactly how they found it,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39whilst preventing any other further decay.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42It was a monumental task for conservators.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46But a very worthwhile one.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50It's a fascinating glimpse at a country house frozen in time.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02There's nothing ghostly about Stapleford Park.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Our valuation day is bursting with life.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08The crowd are waiting to hear what our experts have to say.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- Do you trust our experts? - ALL: Yes!- Of course they do.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Let's hand the show over to them, and see what they've spotted.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22Audrey, a charming, little flower-head ring, set with diamonds.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26- Now, where did you get this from? - From York.- From York?- Yes.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- Did you buy it or was it inherited? - No, I bought it.- Many years ago?
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- No, about eight years ago.- Oh, so not long? And, why did you buy it? You just fell in love with it?
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Well, it was a small antiques shop and when I passed it,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42I think they'd got a light on in the cabinet and it made it shine.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- And, we women as we are, we... - So, you were beguiled?- Yes.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Impulsive buy, yes.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51You've had it for eight years, why have you decided to maybe flog it now?
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Well, when you become older,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57jewellery's not important in your life.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Your family is more important.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04- So, it's going to go and help a family member, is it?- Well, it'll probably be for my son.
0:38:04 > 0:38:09He's wanting a better car so any money, it'll go towards his car.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14So, we're going from something that's very, sort of, unnecessary to something which is very necessary.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- Practical.- Which is great, isn't it? - Yes.- It's great.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19If we just take it out of the box,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22we can see that it's a very pretty ring,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25and, modelled on little flower heads.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29I suppose it dates it to the early part of the 20th century.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32So, 1915, 1920, that sort of date.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Now, there aren't any makers marks or anything like that in there,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Audrey, it's just stamped at the bottom, 18 carat gold.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40Which is quite nice.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44But, very much that sort of inter-war piece of jewellery.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48And, hopefully, somebody will find it very appealing in the sale room.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Now, in terms of an auction estimate, Audrey,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55- I would be looking at something around £250 to £300.- That's lovely.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- Would that be all right with you? - Oh, yes, flog it!- Flog it!
0:38:58 > 0:39:03- That's what we like. That's what David assures.- Yes, that's it.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06In terms of a reserve, what sort of reserve would you like on it?
0:39:06 > 0:39:10- You're the specialist.- Well, shall we put a fixed reserve of £200 on it?
0:39:10 > 0:39:14We'll put the estimate to tempt them in but we'll put a fixed reserve of £200.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18- Right, that's all right. - Fantastic.- It's fine. - Will you be sad to see it go?
0:39:18 > 0:39:25- No.- No?- I'm just pleased to be here with you.- Oh! Stop it, I'll blush.
0:39:26 > 0:39:31Cupid's aiming his arrow at Elizabeth, now, as she turns on the charm.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Two pieces of Victorian green glass brought together.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Do they belong to you, Jean, or you John, or are they a joint concern?
0:39:39 > 0:39:40They're mine.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44They were my grandparents', and then went to my father, and now, me.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- Your inheritance? And do you like them?- No, I hate them!
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- Hence you bring them today to see if they have any value?- Yes!
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Victorians loved glass.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57They made glass in all sorts of colours and forms, and practised
0:39:57 > 0:40:00and experimented in all sorts of techniques to create objects.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03They probably date from about 18...
0:40:03 > 0:40:07..70, 80, that period, so they're just over 100, 120 years old.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Do you like them, John? Are they your taste?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13To tell you the truth, I hadn't seen them until yesterday!
0:40:14 > 0:40:18After how many years?
0:40:18 > 0:40:23Jean's had them 13 years, 13 years since her mother died.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26You weren't so embarrassed you didn't show them to John, were you?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30I don't think they're as hideous as Jean does.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34I'm quite intrigued by this one, particularly the motif on it.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38It reminds me of something out of a science-fiction film, with aliens.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Yes, I see what you're saying on that.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43But obviously, it goes back to 1870.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45So they've always, to your knowledge, lived together?
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Always been together, as far as I know.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50Good friends and companions?
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Now with this one, when I first saw it,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55I thought, "Oh, what a lovely picture of a stag!
0:40:55 > 0:40:57"How delightful and Victorian!"
0:40:57 > 0:41:01When we turn it round, I see the full story emerging,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03of a heartless huntsman!
0:41:03 > 0:41:06But again, if you think about the period,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10you go back to Victorian times, to hunt, shoot
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and display the mounted trophies you'd get from hunting a stag,
0:41:13 > 0:41:18it was very much of high fashion, so this is typically of its time.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20I do notice that both of them
0:41:20 > 0:41:23have suffered some damage in their long life.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26This one has a chip to the rim. This one, here,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29has a crack just the other side of the handle, there.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32So it will impact on the value.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35How do you take them home today?
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Would you put them back in the cupboard and keep for posterity?
0:41:38 > 0:41:40I would probably have binned them!
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Put them in the bin! That's sacrilege! My goodness!
0:41:43 > 0:41:46Would you have rushed out and rescued them, John?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48No, I don't like them that much!
0:41:48 > 0:41:52As I say, value, commercially, is not going to be high,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54because of the damage, primarily.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I would have thought, realistically,
0:41:56 > 0:42:00you're looking at between 15 and £25, maybe 20 to 30 on a good day,
0:42:00 > 0:42:05but it's more likely to be between 15 and £25, and I'm assuming,
0:42:05 > 0:42:08correct me if I'm wrong, that you don't require a reserve?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- You'd be happy to see them gone? - Just let them go.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Thanks for bringing them in.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15If you have any antiques and collectables
0:42:15 > 0:42:17you'd like to sell, we would love to see you.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Bring them along to one of our valuation days,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22just like the people have here, today.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25And I can guarantee you, it is a fun-packed day out.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Just log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Follow the links. All the information's there.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Hopefully, we're coming to a town near you.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37If you don't have a computer, check the details in your local press.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38We would love to see you.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44For his next item, Mark shows off a soft spot for some big cats.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- Hello, Janet. Hello, Gavin. - Hello.- Hello, Mark.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50What a lovely piece of bronze you've brought in to show us today.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Tell me all about it.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54We purchased it
0:42:54 > 0:42:59about ten years ago, from an antiques fair in Chelsea, I believe,
0:42:59 > 0:43:03and it wasn't the main purchase.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06I bought another bronze lion,
0:43:06 > 0:43:10and this one came with it, in a way.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15- And I just like the animals, the two lions.- It is rather charming.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18If you bought it in Chelsea, I am very worried about the prices
0:43:18 > 0:43:22paid for it! I can see why you fell in love with it.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25Are you bronze collectors? Do you like them?
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Yes, my husband does like to collect animalia,
0:43:27 > 0:43:30so that was the main thing.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Not the inkstand at the side, it was the actual animals.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37You have pre-empted me, really, because you think, "What is it?"
0:43:37 > 0:43:42Of course, if we lift the lid here, we can see it is a desk stand,
0:43:42 > 0:43:44so you would put your inkwell in there.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47The designer, Friedrich Gornik,
0:43:47 > 0:43:50was in operation, really, from the late 19th century
0:43:50 > 0:43:55up to the 1940s, but I think, stylistically, this is about 1910.
0:43:55 > 0:44:00And it's rather fun, because you've got a lovely pair of lions,
0:44:00 > 0:44:03in an almost Art Nouveau setting.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06Very well modelled, I mean, what can you say,
0:44:06 > 0:44:09there's a lot of feeling in the lions. They've obviously come
0:44:09 > 0:44:11to a watering hole,
0:44:11 > 0:44:15but not a watering hole they usually go to, it's a little flowing lake.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18The whole thing sits very comfortably, doesn't it?
0:44:18 > 0:44:21It's a very attractive piece. Do you have a lot of bronzes, Gavin?
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Yes, quite a few.
0:44:23 > 0:44:27Mainly French sculptures,
0:44:27 > 0:44:31- Barry, and one or two others.- Yes.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35- And a lot of the big cats. - Big cat people.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39This sort of subject is quite commercial.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41You've got Art Nouveau collectors
0:44:41 > 0:44:43and people who like animals.
0:44:43 > 0:44:47My feeling is, if you were thinking of selling it,
0:44:47 > 0:44:50is around about five to 700,
0:44:50 > 0:44:54and maybe tacking the reserve just under, 450 fixed.
0:44:54 > 0:44:58- Would that fit in with your expectations?- Yes, certainly would.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00You'd be happy with that? We never know,
0:45:00 > 0:45:03I mean, his work, for his figures, can make more than that.
0:45:03 > 0:45:08They can make 650, 850, something like that, and some time ago.
0:45:08 > 0:45:13If the market judges it right, we might get up nearer to the 700.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16Thank you so much for bringing it in.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20Be really interesting to see what happens at the auction, actually.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23- That would be great fun. - It might roar successful on the day.
0:45:23 > 0:45:24Might not!
0:45:24 > 0:45:29I'm sure it will. That's a quality piece in anybody's book.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32And now, for our final act.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35If you'd like to form an orderly queue this way,
0:45:35 > 0:45:38your antiques will be valued!
0:45:38 > 0:45:41And you'll find out more about this in just a moment,
0:45:41 > 0:45:45because Elizabeth Talbot is just about to put a valuation on it.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51I'm impressed by this, Chris. What can you tell me
0:45:51 > 0:45:53about your fantastic gramophone?
0:45:53 > 0:45:55It belonged to my grandfather.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59He bought it in the early 1900s as a young man,
0:45:59 > 0:46:02when he first started working.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05A lot of happy memories of grandfather playing this
0:46:05 > 0:46:07as young children.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09I can imagine, for a child,
0:46:09 > 0:46:13it has quite a magical shape and produces wonderful sounds,
0:46:13 > 0:46:17and it is quite a memorable sort of thing to see in action.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20Why have you brought it today, then? It's obviously, sort of,
0:46:20 > 0:46:23an heirloom that's gone back through several hands.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27Yes, basically, myself and my brother have got young families,
0:46:27 > 0:46:30and it would be a shame for it to be kept out of the way,
0:46:30 > 0:46:34nobody looking at it, so we thought we'd rather bring it here
0:46:34 > 0:46:38and get it valued and see if somebody would like to buy it,
0:46:38 > 0:46:42go to a really good home, somebody who would care and love it.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46It's now over 100 years old, or about 100 years old, in date.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48The condition of it is just lovely.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50It's actually been very happy.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53Wherever it's been, throughout the family,
0:46:53 > 0:46:55the conditions have been right.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57You have this lovely blond oak base,
0:46:57 > 0:47:00and it's very typical of the early part of the 20th century.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04A lot of fine art furniture was made in this lovely oak,
0:47:04 > 0:47:06a lovely honey rich colour,
0:47:06 > 0:47:08and that's kept its colour really beautifully.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11These sort of fluted pillars at the corners are typical
0:47:11 > 0:47:13of a lot of detail on case furniture,
0:47:13 > 0:47:17so it's a piece of cabinet making, at the bottom, there.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20We go up to this fantastic horn.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23For it to have its horn at all is lovely,
0:47:23 > 0:47:27because so often, the bases and the horn become separated.
0:47:27 > 0:47:31When I saw it from a distance, I thought it was grained metal,
0:47:31 > 0:47:34it had been made to imitate, with a lithographic finish,
0:47:34 > 0:47:37the grain of wood. In fact, it's the wooden horn, and for that to
0:47:37 > 0:47:41be in such a lovely condition after all this time, is also exciting.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45It's made by HMV - His Master's Voice company.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49The internal movement is in beautiful order,
0:47:49 > 0:47:52and everything looks as though it's all raring to go.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55The only damage is superficial.
0:47:55 > 0:47:59The felt, which is probably the most fragile of all the components,
0:47:59 > 0:48:00has just worn through usage,
0:48:00 > 0:48:04and possibly that's reacted to any climatic changes it's been
0:48:04 > 0:48:07involved with over time more quickly than anything else.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Have you any concept of value at this stage,
0:48:10 > 0:48:13have you researched it or thought about it?
0:48:13 > 0:48:15No, no, not really, no, not at all.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18I actually think that, realistically,
0:48:18 > 0:48:21it shouldn't do less than £250, £350.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25I wouldn't be surprised, given its condition,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28if it didn't make slightly more than that.
0:48:29 > 0:48:33Let's get that and our other items wrapped up and sent off to auction.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35And here's a quite reminder of what we're taking.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38Audrey's diamond ring caught Mark's eye.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41He's hoping it will make £250 to £300.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44A tidy sum to go towards her son's car.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Rescued from the dustbin in the nick of time,
0:48:48 > 0:48:52Elizabeth valued Jean's Victorian glassware at 15 to £25.
0:48:52 > 0:48:56Gavin and Janet's bronze ink stand with those fine lions
0:48:56 > 0:48:58has great pedigree.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02Mark valued it at 500 to £700.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Finally, His Master's Voice is another top brand,
0:49:05 > 0:49:08and Chris's gramophone is sure to inspire the bidders.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12Elizabeth valued it at three to £400.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15We're back at Gilding's auction rooms
0:49:15 > 0:49:19for the second half of our items.
0:49:19 > 0:49:24Audrey's ring is up next and she's lowered her reserve to £190 to attract the buyers.
0:49:24 > 0:49:29Fingers crossed, Audrey, fingers crossed. No more compulsive buying.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32We're talking about that lovely ring that Mark put a value on.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35We brought it along to the right expert. This ring caught your eye.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38It did. It was a very pretty ring, actually, and it's very delicate.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41It's got that lovely sort of flower-head top to it.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45Now, I don't do a lot of rings, as you know, because I'm not a jewellery expert.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47But I think this stands a good chance at auction.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50So, there we go. And you've met your favourite expert, haven't you?
0:49:50 > 0:49:54Yes. Yes, I've only come here to see Mark. Ha-ha-ha.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00The cluster ring. This is a lovely ring. What will we say for that?
0:50:01 > 0:50:07£130 bid. 140. 150. 160. 170.
0:50:07 > 0:50:11- 180 in the room. Commission's a loss.- Come on, come on.
0:50:11 > 0:50:17Could be more. You're out on the net. £190? £190 on the net.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20£190 and I'm watching you all carefully.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24Selling it away at £190.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26BANGS GAVEL
0:50:26 > 0:50:30Sold it, £190. I heard you saying, "That's OK."
0:50:30 > 0:50:34- That's OK, isn't it? - That's fine.- Just under, under our low end estimate.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37It was. I was hoping for a bit more, actually.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41- I was hoping it would be around £250.- Nice to meet you, Mark. - Lovely to meet you.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43- And good luck. - Aww.- Good luck with the car hunt.
0:50:43 > 0:50:48- You've met your expert hero, haven't you? You're happy shopping for your son, as well.- Yes. Yes.
0:50:50 > 0:50:54It's Jean's glassware. Will the bids go orbital?
0:50:54 > 0:50:56- A bit of damage, not a lot of money.- No.- OK?
0:50:56 > 0:51:00So we are not biting our fingernails here, there is no reserve.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02Hopefully, we'll get more than £15.
0:51:02 > 0:51:06It's a jug and a vase. I gather they didn't like it, Elizabeth?
0:51:06 > 0:51:07They didn't.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09In the tradition of Flog It, they came to sell it,
0:51:09 > 0:51:11which was helpful on the day, wasn't it?
0:51:11 > 0:51:16- So, where have they been? In the cupboard all these years?- Yes.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18I've had them for 13 years, and John didn't see them
0:51:18 > 0:51:20until the night before the valuation.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22THEY LAUGH
0:51:22 > 0:51:25- What else are you hiding? - Oh, loads!- Loads!
0:51:25 > 0:51:29Hopefully, here's a buyer for them. Someone will love them.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31We're going to find out right now.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36More tinted glass. Two pieces, in fact.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39£10 bid. 10, 10, £10 for the green.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41- Come on.- The glass here. At £10.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43I'm bid 10, do I see 12?
0:51:43 > 0:51:47Uh-oh, this is looking worrying. They could be going home, John.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51Are you all done? Finished and sold at £10. 12.
0:51:51 > 0:51:55- Oh.- £12. I'm bid at £12 in the room.- Late, late.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57At 15. I'm bid 15.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01£18. I'm bid 18. 18 along the line.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04Standing at £18.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07I told you it was going to be a roller-coaster ride.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11We were teetering on £10, but hey.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13Thanks for bringing in, it was fun.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16There you go. Don't bin it, flog it!
0:52:16 > 0:52:20Next up, the bronze inkwell. This is what I've been waiting for.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22- Gavin and Janet. Hello there.- Hello.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26We've got £500 to £700 on this. Hopefully we can get that for you.
0:52:26 > 0:52:30Had a chat to the auctioneer yesterday, the preview day,
0:52:30 > 0:52:34and he said he would be cautious.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36He's hoping it's going to sell,
0:52:36 > 0:52:38but he thinks it may sell at the lower end.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40I think he's right, actually.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42I think the market is very different.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45You know, if you're buying privately and you want to buy
0:52:45 > 0:52:49from a respectable dealer, you're paying that end-user price.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51If I was an auctioneer and that came in over the counter,
0:52:51 > 0:52:54I would have probably wanted to settle for three to five.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Ooh, well, we're going to find out right now.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00Anyway, it's down to the bidders. Here we go.
0:53:00 > 0:53:05114. This lovely big bronze desk stand.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09- Featured well, please, on the internet here.- Looks great.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11I mean, it is fabulous quality. Fabulous quality.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Bid 340.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16£340, I'm bid 340.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19At 360, I'm bid 360. 380. 400.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21I'm bid at 420, bid 420, 450.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24- At 450, I'm bid 450. - Well, we've got the reserve.
0:53:24 > 0:53:28- Yeah.- In the door. £450 I'm bid.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31You're out on the net. You can't dwell. The bidding's brisk.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34And you've finished. Sold at 450.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37- We've done it, right on the reserve. Pleased?- Yes, I'm happy.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39- Happy with that?- Very happy. - Fabulous quality.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42It's so good to see things like that on the show,
0:53:42 > 0:53:43it educates us all.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46What a great result.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48And now for some old-time music.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56SCRATCHY RECORDING PLAYS
0:53:59 > 0:54:02HE LAUGHS
0:54:04 > 0:54:08That is a vintage sound, isn't it? Full of nostalgia.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12I expect you've seen and sold many of these before, John, haven't you?
0:54:12 > 0:54:15Not many, but we've definitely seen them before.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18- With wooden horns? - That's the one that's separate.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22They nearly always come without the horn, or a replacement horn.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24That's where the value is, isn't it?
0:54:24 > 0:54:25I would have thought so.
0:54:25 > 0:54:29It was his grandparents', so it's been in the family since the 1900s.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31We put a value of three to £400 on this.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33You have?
0:54:33 > 0:54:36Well, that is a possibility.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41- In my estimation, I'd put it in at, like, two to three.- OK.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44I like to be able to say, "Come and get me," sort of thing.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Of course, you're an auctioneer. Your top end is virtually our lower.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51- That's it.- We're kind of getting there.- I'm sure you'll be there.
0:54:51 > 0:54:52OK, OK.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55- Fingers crossed. - I shall work very hard.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59Well, we'll soon find out. It's coming right up.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02So far, so good. Right now,
0:55:02 > 0:55:04I've just been joined by Chris and Elizabeth, our expert,
0:55:04 > 0:55:07and we're talking about that wonderful gramophone with
0:55:07 > 0:55:09the wooden horn, which is quite unique.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12Not many of these have come on the market lately.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14There's something evocative about these.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17They take you immediately to the past. That's such a lovely example.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20Well, it's either going to go to a collector or a decorator,
0:55:20 > 0:55:23because, architecturally, it's got that look, so interesting,
0:55:23 > 0:55:27isn't it, it's, as you say, nostalgic.
0:55:27 > 0:55:31We couldn't get a better condition one really, even the workings.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Very, very good. Collector will get that, I would think.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36It's more of a museum piece, really.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38And we're going to find out right now. Here we go.
0:55:38 > 0:55:44247. This lovely wind-up gramophone.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46Particularly with the segmented wooden horn.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50What would you say to that, please? Lots and lots of interest here.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55And commission bids start me at £280.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57- Ooh.- Wow, come on.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59£280, I'm bid 280.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01You and me, then, Mary, at £280.
0:56:01 > 0:56:03- One phone line.- 300.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06- And internet. - Somebody bidding on the internet.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09320, I'm bid 320, and you're out on the net? £320 I'm bid.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13Just looks so fabulous.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16380, 400.
0:56:18 > 0:56:19420, 450.
0:56:19 > 0:56:25480 on the telephone, and the commission's lost. £480 I'm bid.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28At 480, 500 on the net.
0:56:28 > 0:56:3150 to bid. 550 I'm bid on the telephone.
0:56:31 > 0:56:35At £550, I'm bid 550. The telephone's in.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37The internet's out.
0:56:37 > 0:56:41£550 I'm bid. You all done? Quite sure, then?
0:56:41 > 0:56:43All out in the room?
0:56:43 > 0:56:46All out on the net. Sold at £550.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49- His hammer's gone down. Happy with that?- Very, very.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51- I'm over the moon. - That's really pleasing.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55- Good for you, wasn't it?- Quality always sells, and that was special.
0:56:55 > 0:56:56That was special.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02Well, that's it. It's all over for our owners.
0:57:02 > 0:57:06Another day in another auction room. We've had a fabulous time here.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08Everything's sold. Everyone's gone home happy.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10And the highlight of the day for me had to be
0:57:10 > 0:57:13that wonderful gramophone brought in by Chris,
0:57:13 > 0:57:14with a wooden horn.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17It flew out above estimate, and he's a very happy man.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19Join me for many more surprises the next time.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23Until then, from Market Harborough, it's goodbye.