0:00:05 > 0:00:07Today we are in fashionable Cheltenham
0:00:07 > 0:00:10and this place owes its wealth and its architecture
0:00:10 > 0:00:14to its popularity as a spa town in the 18th and 19th centuries.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17And this iconic piece of architecture, look at that.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20What a wonderful classical example. It's the Pittville Pump Room,
0:00:20 > 0:00:23our venue for our valuation day.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Morning.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55The Pittville Pump Rooms were built away from the main town
0:00:55 > 0:00:58in the 1820s by local entrepreneur Joseph Pitt.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00He wanted to establish a small town here
0:01:00 > 0:01:03and the area known as Pittville is now a thriving suburb.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And judging by the size of this crowd,
0:01:05 > 0:01:06I think it is a booming success.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09This lot are here to get their antiques valued.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11They're going to ask that all-important question
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- to our experts which is... ALL:- What's it worth?
0:01:13 > 0:01:15When you've found out, what are you going to do?
0:01:15 > 0:01:17ALL: Flog it! That's the name of the game.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20We've got the experts, you've got the antiques. Let's party.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Our experts are already amongst the queue
0:01:26 > 0:01:30looking for the very best antiques and collectables to send to auction.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35They're led today by gentlemen valuer David Fletcher...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39..and the young pretender, Adam Partridge.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- I collect royal memorabilia. - Do you? I'm going now!
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'And I'm keeping my eyes peeled too.'
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- Is it something you want to sell? - I do, actually.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- I'll be talking to you a bit later. - All right.- Isn't that lovely?
0:01:54 > 0:01:57You'll find out what that's worth in just a moment.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59Also on the programme today,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Adam's whipping up interest in the audience.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03"Wow." I heard a "wow".
0:02:03 > 0:02:05That's great. What do you think of this?
0:02:05 > 0:02:06I'm glad I came.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09David's disappointed that his celebrity status
0:02:09 > 0:02:11isn't all it should be.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- I was pleased to see you come in with an autograph album.- Yes.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Actually, I was a bit disappointed really,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19because I thought you were going to ask for mine but you didn't.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23'And at the auction, I'm in another fine mess.'
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Ooh! Ooh!
0:02:28 > 0:02:31And all that to enjoy, so let's get on with the show.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35Good morning.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Well, everybody is now safely seated inside this magnificent
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Grade I listed building.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Our experts are straight at the tables.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49It looks like Adam Partridge is first to spot a real gem.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Let's take a closer look at what he's found.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- You're Eddie.- Yes.- Nice to meet you. - And Maria.- Thank you very much.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01You've brought along this very nice gold chronometer.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- It's got a stopwatch function as well, hasn't it?- It has, yes.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Where did you get this from?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Well, actually, I was in the Royal Navy at the time
0:03:09 > 0:03:11and my father contacted me
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and he wanted to help out a colleague that he was working
0:03:14 > 0:03:19with in the mines in South Wales and he asked me could he use the money
0:03:19 > 0:03:22to actually purchase the watch
0:03:22 > 0:03:25to help this particular colleague of his out.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- So you said, "Go for it." - I said to him to go for it
0:03:28 > 0:03:31because at the end of the day it is a bit of an investment.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- And roughly when was this? - This was 1967.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39That's a nice story. Was it a good friend of his that he was helping?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- Yeah.- I should imagine so, yes. - You never knew him?- No.- No.- OK.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46It's interesting because it's still in its original box which is
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- H Samuel.- Yes.- The largest English watch manufacturer.- Yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54It's a great piece of engineering. It's a pocket watch. It's got a stopwatch function.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57I'm just going to open it up actually first. Oh!
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- It is quite difficult, yes.- There. But it's nice quality.- It is.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- It's not falling apart on us. - Exactly.- It's still nice and tight.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06There's the 14 carat mark.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08And there's the case number on there, which is
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- also the number on the dial. - Right.- Always good to see.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14You know, it's not a marriage being made up of other bits and pieces.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- It's also got the number on that as well, the case.- Yeah.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19There's the case number there
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- and the case number on the movement there.- And the address of the...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25The movement signed, "H Samuel, "Market Street, Manchester."
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- So this is the original head office. - Head office, yes.- Yeah.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- And the original case. - Yeah, exactly.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34So late 19th-century.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Lovely condition. Um...
0:04:36 > 0:04:38There must be some sentimentality involved here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Why are you selling it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Well, we first met in Hong Kong in 1970
0:04:43 > 0:04:45while Eddie was in the Royal Navy.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Two years later we married
0:04:47 > 0:04:50and nearly 40 years on, we're still together,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53so we'd like to go back for our anniversary in September.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55That's romantic, isn't it?
0:04:55 > 0:04:59So anything we make, we'll put it towards the slush fund.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01- Is this your idea?- Yes!
0:05:01 > 0:05:03- I thought so! - Yeah, I'm a bit of a romantic.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- I think that's a lovely idea. - It is, yes.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10So, we typically put an auction estimate on these of about £200-300
0:05:10 > 0:05:11and they will make more.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I can tell by that look of disappointment
0:05:14 > 0:05:17that it's not great news for you.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I think because gold prices also are so strong,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23we can up it a little bit without scaring people off too much.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Gold prices are pretty much an all-time high.- Yes.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28That's not going to be bought for scrap,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31but there is a significant value in the gold case,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33so I think if we up it a little bit
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- and put 250, 350 estimate. - Yeah, that sounds good.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- Is that all right?- That sounds good to me.- Yeah, that's fine.- Sure?
0:05:39 > 0:05:40- Honestly, yes.- All right.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43At 250 reserve, so that if it doesn't make that,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46it goes home with you, but it is a lovely object, great condition.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48The dial's immaculate.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- The case is all there and the owners are charming as well.- Thank you.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53So it's got everything going for it.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56We do love a bit of romance on "Flog It!"
0:05:56 > 0:05:59So we'll do our very best for Eddie and Maria.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01This is what I love to see,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04hundreds of people with smiles on their faces.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I know a lot of them are feeling really nervous right now,
0:06:07 > 0:06:08hoping they are the lucky ones
0:06:08 > 0:06:10to be picked to go through to the auction room,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12where we put everything under the hammer,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15and look what I've just come across.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17You've got a gavel in your hand, Mrs!
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- Haven't you? What's your name? - Marjorie.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Marjorie, what are you doing with a gavel in your hand?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- I brought it to have it valued. - Do you know something?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Our experts working the tables right now, Mr David Fletcher
0:06:27 > 0:06:31and Adam Partridge, would love to buy something like that, wouldn't they?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Every auctioneer on the programme would.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- I'd like them to buy it as well! - But you know, they're not allowed to.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37- I know.- But isn't that marvellous?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40It's a gavel that turns into a propelling pencil.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43You can imagine an auctioneer pulling that out of his pocket
0:06:43 > 0:06:44to sign a cheque or something.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47It was easy to carry in a handbag, that's why I brought it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Look, good luck with that. - And I love the programme.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52It's brilliant, isn't it? This is where you get to find out
0:06:52 > 0:06:55exactly what it's worth when it goes...
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- Under the hammer.- Under the hammer.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00And we'll pass that on to Adam in a moment, so he can tell us
0:07:00 > 0:07:04what he thinks it's worth, but before that, David's found his first item.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06He's with Jenny, and she's brought in a train set.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- Hello, Jenny.- Hello.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Now, in my experience, ladies don't collect toy trains,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16so I suspect this isn't yours.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- No, it belongs to my grandson. - Right, OK.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22When did your grandson acquire it?
0:07:22 > 0:07:28Ten years ago, a friend of my husband's gave him this
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- because he was mad on trains.- Right.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33But it wasn't Thomas, so he didn't want it.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36No. It's a bit older than Thomas the Tank Engine.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Or at least for older boys, I think, than Thomas the Tank Engine.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- How old is he now?- He's 12.- 12.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- So that was ten years ago.- Yes.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46And happily, he hasn't played with it, has he?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48No, he hasn't even touched it.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50And he's gone off trains.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- He's gone off trains. - In a big way.- In a big way.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56OK, we've got, really,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00as we can see, a choice of two types
0:08:00 > 0:08:05of set here, really. You can either gear this little tank engine up
0:08:05 > 0:08:08as a goods train by using these two carriages here,
0:08:08 > 0:08:14or as a passenger train by using the carriages there.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Now, Marklin started making toy trains in Germany -
0:08:19 > 0:08:21or model trains, I should say -
0:08:21 > 0:08:24in Germany way back in the late 19th century,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26and is one of the big names.
0:08:26 > 0:08:33We know that these were made before 1989
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- because this box is marked, "Made in Western Germany".- Yeah.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42And of course, Germany was reunified in 1989.
0:08:42 > 0:08:48Curiously, the locomotive is marked, "Made in Germany",
0:08:48 > 0:08:51so that might possibly be made a few years later.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54But what in a very roundabout way we can establish is that
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- when it was given to your grandson, it was second-hand.- Yes.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Do you have any idea what it might be worth?- None whatsoever.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04OK, I'd like to think
0:09:04 > 0:09:05it might make £100
0:09:05 > 0:09:08but I would be tempted to go for an estimate of 40 to 60.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- Yes.- Hope for the best.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14And I would really suggest that we sell without reserve.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- Yes.- I think the auctioneers probably wouldn't thank us
0:09:17 > 0:09:18if we put a reserve on it.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21And what will your grandson do with the money?
0:09:21 > 0:09:23If there was enough money, I think he'd like to go
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and see an Arsenal game.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- Go and see Arsenal play? - Yes.- Right, OK.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30So you might have to pay for the train fare to get him to London.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- That's right.- Let's hope we make enough for the ticket.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35The price of football tickets these days,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38we'll need that to really sell well.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Now, I recognise our next owner.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46It's Marjorie, who had that unusual gavel.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48She's made it to the front of the queue,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50where she's talking to Adam.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54You've brought something that I really like. Tell me about it.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56It's a Sampson Mordan pencil
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- that's in the shape of a gavel.- Oh.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59And it's my husband's,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03and he brought it and said that if I brought it, you would like it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- He was right, wasn't he?- Yes. - So it's a little gavel,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10you've summed it up really nicely, by the firm Sampson Mordan and Co,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14from the late 19th century, I think 1880s, 1890s,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- and they were the inventors of the propelling pencil.- Yeah.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22And many people see them in silver, in different novelty shapes.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- I've never seen one of these before. - Haven't you? Oh, that's good news.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27And I just think that's so pointless,
0:10:27 > 0:10:28it's wonderful, isn't it?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32It's everything an auctioneer could need, because you could record
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- the result and then write it down, couldn't you?- Yeah, brilliant.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37I think that is lovely.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39So your husband is obviously a bit of a collector.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43He does, yeah, he collects odd things. Including me!
0:10:43 > 0:10:45You could see my mind working, couldn't you?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47He collects anything that's a bit unusual
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and then he keeps them for a few years and then he sells them on.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- It's a good hobby, isn't it?- Yeah. - Good fun.- Dabbles a bit, that's all.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- So this delightful little thing set your husband back how much?- £180.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00That's quite a strong price, I think, isn't it?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- But it was worth it. - It was worth it. It was worth it.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- But to some people it may not be worth it.- No.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- But obviously he doesn't want to lose any money on it.- No, no.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12And I think it's so unusual and it's got the good name on it
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- that I think we could try it at £200 to £300.- Oh, whoopee!- Yeah?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Wow? I heard a wow! That's great.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- What do you think of this? - I'm glad I came!
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Would anyone give £200 for this?- No.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- You would?- Yeah.- You would? There we go. We've got a buyer already.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Well, I think it will go pretty well,
0:11:30 > 0:11:31and I'm looking forward to seeing it
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- go under the gavel...- That'd be great.- ..at Philip Serrell's,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36and you know, when an auctioneer loves something,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- you're always going to get a good price.- Oh, good.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Shall we put a reserve on it?
0:11:40 > 0:11:42He said a reserve of 180, but obviously...
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- 180, OK. Pop in a reserve of 180. - Yeah.- And off we go.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- Needless to say, he'll spend the money on more...- On me.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- More antiques!- Thanks for coming, Marjorie.- Thank you very much.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Now, over on the other side of the hall, I've found a real beauty.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Angela, thank you for coming in to the valuation day.- You're welcome.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05I know what you've got is very precious.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06It's incredibly small.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Can you guess what it is?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- It's not in your pocket, is it? - No, it's not.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- It's not wrapped up in a bag. - No, I haven't lost it.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Boxes full of bubble wrap. Come on, show me.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- That's a sparkler, isn't it?- It is. - Bit of a rock.- Beautiful.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Who gave you that?
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I bought it several years ago
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and wore it to lots of lovely functions,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28which we don't go to any more, so it sits in a box
0:12:28 > 0:12:31and I get it out occasionally and have a good look at it
0:12:31 > 0:12:32and then put it back in the box.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- And get dazzled by it?- Absolutely.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- It must be so nice to wear a ring like that.- It is.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- And watch everybody go, "Oooh!" - That's right, yeah.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44When you're signing a cheque or something or... "Oooh!"
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Of course, the problem is, it's an old cut diamond
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and youngsters like my daughter...
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- The cut is quite important, isn't it?- That's right, yes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54What is it, the cut, the clarity, the colour...
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- My wife likes the diamond sort of raised and mounted up...- Yes, I do.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00..so the light goes underneath them and it sparkles even more.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- That's right, it's beautiful. - That's a five-stone.- Yes.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05And the centre, the centre diamond looks like a four-carat.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Something like that, yeah. - It's a four-carat, isn't it?- Yes.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09- And the other's a three.- Three.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12My gut feeling is, that's a four grand ring.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Yes.- Now, in auction, maybe a little bit more.
0:13:15 > 0:13:21Um... Once a jeweller gets his hands on that, resets it,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- it might be an eight grand, might be a £9,000 ring, mightn't it?- Yes.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Where are you going to buy diamonds like that, on a ring,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30for £4,000 in a jeweller's? You're not.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33But you're not going to get eight for it on the open market,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35but I think if Philip gets this photographed,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38gets it on his website, alerts everybody,
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- this will create a buzz, and a sparkle in the room.- Lovely.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Let's just call the valuation £4,000 with a reserve at £4,000
0:13:46 > 0:13:49because that is a four grand ring and I'd like to see you going home with 4,000,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51hopefully a little bit more.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- Yes.- And then Philip can take his commission.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Right. OK, that's lovely.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07That's what I like to see, a full house,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11and everybody enjoying themselves, learning about antiques
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and also finding out exactly what it's worth.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Well, right now, we've found our first batch of items
0:14:17 > 0:14:18to take off to auction,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21and today we're going over to Malvern to Mr Philip Serrell's saleroom.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25He's going to look after us. He's on the rostrum, so we're in safe hands.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28We've got our first four items.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Now we're taking them off to the sale.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33But which one of them will create the biggest storm in the saleroom?
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Stay tuned and all will be revealed.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41The bidders are already getting settled in
0:14:41 > 0:14:43for the sale in Malvern.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45This seller's commission here
0:14:45 > 0:14:47is 16.5% plus VAT.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50We're starting this visit to the auction with a real banker,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54a top-quality gent's pocket watch, and Adam's here with the owners.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Will it get the top end?- I think we've pitched it about right.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Why are you selling this, Eddie?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Well, it hasn't any sentimental value anyway,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and hopefully the money that we get for it will go,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- because I met Maria in Hong Kong... - A trip?
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- 40 years ago.- We'll put it towards that.- And that's where you met?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- That's where we met, yeah. - We've got to get you there.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- I hope so.- Or at least something towards it.- Or some spending money.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17- At least to the airport.- Yeah!
0:15:17 > 0:15:18Here we go.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Lot number 590, 14-carat gold open-faced watch.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I'm bid £150, bid 160, 170,
0:15:31 > 0:15:32180, 190, 200.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36210, 220, 230, 240, 250.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39At £250 only, at 250, is there any more?
0:15:39 > 0:15:42At 250, there is the bid.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Lot number 590, at £250, any more at all?
0:15:47 > 0:15:51At £250, and I sell, then, at 250, and done.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Yes! £250. That's not bad.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Yeah.- That's something towards it. - It is, yes.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- And every little helps. - Every little helps.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- OK, enjoy it, won't you? - Yes, we will. Thank you very much.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Spend it on a bit more jewellery out there!- Probably!
0:16:07 > 0:16:10A good start to the sale. We're clearly on the right track,
0:16:10 > 0:16:11and that leads us to our next item.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14It belongs to Jenny, who is trying to raise money
0:16:14 > 0:16:17to buy an Arsenal ticket for her grandson.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20It's the electric train set with mixed bits and bobs
0:16:20 > 0:16:21and some of it is boxed.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24We've got that, but unfortunately, we don't have our owner, Jenny.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27She can't be with us today, but we do have David Fletcher, our expert,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- and we're looking for around about £40 to £60 for this.- Yeah.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33But hopefully we're going to hit the back of the net right now
0:16:33 > 0:16:34with the top end of the valuation.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36It's going under the hammer. Here we go.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Number 418 is the Marklin train set.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44There you are. There's the whole lot of it. Bid me for that, someone.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Start me off wherever you want to be.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I'm bid £20 for that. Lot at 20.
0:16:51 > 0:16:5220 bid. And five, 30.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Five, 40. 45, 50.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Five, 60.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00At 60 bid, in the room...
0:17:00 > 0:17:04At £60 only, at 60, is there any more at all?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06At £60 in the room and I sell,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08five on the net, at 65,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- 70, 70 bid.- Great.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14At 70, at £70 only, at 70, any more?
0:17:14 > 0:17:15At £70 and I sell, then,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17at 70, and done.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19I'm pleased with that. Good valuation. Well done.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Well, yes.- And I think Jenny will be as well.- I hope so.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23They're difficult things to value.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25They don't set the world alight
0:17:25 > 0:17:27but there always is a market for them at the right price.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30There's always train enthusiasts and train collectors
0:17:30 > 0:17:33and they'll always buy that sort of thing, you're right.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- Even if it's for spares or one or two boxes.- Sure.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Let's hope Arsenal win that game as well.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Next is our auctioneer's gavel.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46And to get a second opinion on it,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49who better to ask than auctioneer Philip Serrell?
0:17:49 > 0:17:52I spoke to him at the preview day.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55I think every auctioneer should own one of these gavels.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57I think all auctioneers do, Paul,
0:17:57 > 0:17:58but not like that, do they?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00No, not with a propelling pencil.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I think this would be a lovely birthday present from the wife
0:18:02 > 0:18:03if she bought this for you.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- Have you had a word with her? - No, I haven't!
0:18:05 > 0:18:09I saw Marjorie in the queue, funnily enough, I saw her holding this gavel
0:18:09 > 0:18:10and I said, "I'm not going to value this,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12"I know it's going to come on the show",
0:18:12 > 0:18:15because you've got to go through a series of auctioneers
0:18:15 > 0:18:17and I know that they'd just love to talk about it.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Well, sadly, you know, all auctioneers collect gavels.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23And what I love about this is that every time that you go...
0:18:24 > 0:18:25..you've got that "sold".
0:18:25 > 0:18:28That's something every auctioneer likes to hear.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31And I would think I've had every auctioneer and his dog
0:18:31 > 0:18:34on the telephone saying, "Philip, how much is that gavel?"
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- All of our experts as well. - I couldn't possibly tell.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38How many of those have you seen?
0:18:38 > 0:18:42I've never seen one with a propelling pencil inside it.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I think it's probably worth 150 quid.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Yeah.- I think it's going to make between 250 and 300.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Yes, which is spot-on, really. Adam's put £200 to £300 on this.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Well, this will be going under the hammer very shortly. I can't wait.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58And here it is. Philip's on the rostrum,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00and Adam and Marjorie, the gavel's owner,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02are on the saleroom floor with me.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06I think we'll get your money back. I remember something you said,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08your husband bought it for around £180-odd.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- That's right, yeah. - It's got to be worth that.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- I can feel a profit! - You can feel a profit?
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- Hopefully £250.- Me and my big mouth!
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- But I can feel a profit. - It's your fault if it isn't.
0:19:18 > 0:19:24A Samuel Mordan ivory propelling pencil gavel.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28I'm bid £150, bid at 150, 150, 150.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Telephone bid to 160.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33170, 180, 190.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- Oh, good.- 190, 200 with me.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39At £200, 210 with me. At £210.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41220, 230 with me.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44240, 250 with me. At 250.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49- 250.- There is a profit already now, isn't there?- Oh, good.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Is there any more?
0:19:52 > 0:19:56260, 270, 280, 290.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I told you, didn't I? Didn't I say they'd fall in love with it?
0:20:00 > 0:20:04At 310, at 310, 320.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07At 320, on the telephone, the book's at.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09At 320.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10330.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11340, is it?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15£340, on the telephone.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18At £340, is there any more at all?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20At £340. Any more? The bid's on this telephone.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- Your husband that bought it, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25He's got a good eye.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- He married me!- Yeah!
0:20:27 > 0:20:29At £340 and done.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- £340.- Oh, yippee.- Wow.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- That's a good result. A good result. - I agree with you on that one.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39What did your husband say?
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Did he know on the day that you were going to sell this?
0:20:42 > 0:20:43He gave it to me and said,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45"Take this, you'll get on the telly."
0:20:45 > 0:20:46I said, "I don't want to be on telly."
0:20:46 > 0:20:48There you go, you got on the telly.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50But he said if it sells, he's taking me to Venice.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Brilliant.- So I'm off to Venice now! - Excellent.- What a lovely ending.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Up next, my favourite item of the show so far.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02We're going to have this lovely diamond ring,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- and it is a bit of a whopper, isn't it?- It is.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09So you're happy with the new reserve? We got a fixed reserve of £3,200.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- Yes.- See what happens, OK?
0:21:11 > 0:21:15There's a big smile. Your smile is a sparkle enough, isn't it, really?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24This lovely five-stone ring.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Bid me £3,500, chaps.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30Bid me £3,000.
0:21:32 > 0:21:332,500.
0:21:33 > 0:21:372,500 I'm bid, at 2,500.
0:21:37 > 0:21:392,550.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Two-six.
0:21:41 > 0:21:422,650.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Two-seven.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49At two-seven, 50 anywhere? 2750.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Two-eight, 850? Two-nine?
0:21:52 > 0:21:532,900.
0:21:54 > 0:21:572,950. 3,000 I have.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00At 3,000, three-one?
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- We're nearly at the reserve. - Three-one.- Oh, so close.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08You're out. Three-two, the book. At 3,200. Is there any more?
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Book's in, you're all out.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15At £3,200, any more?
0:22:17 > 0:22:19At £3,200
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- and done, then, at 3,200. - He's selling it.- Thank you.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- It's gone on the reserve. - It's gone on the reserve, right.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- Happy?- Yes.- It's gone. It's better to say,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29"Look, it's gone at three-two",
0:22:29 > 0:22:32rather than it struggled at 35 if we did have that reserve.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- You'd be taking it home.- Yes. - For the sake of £300.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Yes, that's true.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39And that is a lot of money, still, isn't it?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Oh, it will go a long way, yes.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45That was close, wasn't it? Some of them are close.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- You are a living on a knife-edge in this business.- Certainly are!
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Well, there you go. That was fast and furious.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Some good results there and that brings us to the end
0:22:55 > 0:22:57of our first visit to the auction room today.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00We are coming back here later on in the programme,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02so don't go away, because I can guarantee
0:23:02 > 0:23:05there will be some more surprises, but right now, while I'm in the area,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I'm going to go off and do some exploring.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25On this programme, we visit many stately homes and manor houses
0:23:25 > 0:23:28all over the British Isles, so in keeping with that tradition,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I'm going to be showing you some of the extraordinary history
0:23:31 > 0:23:34of this castle, which spans 1,000 years,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36right back to Saxon times,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and be meeting the present-day lady of the manor.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46This is Sudeley Castle in the beautiful Cotswold Hills.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50It's steeped in history, with royal connections spanning 1,000 years.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53As with so many English country houses,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55the present owners fund running costs
0:23:55 > 0:23:57by opening it to the public for part of the year.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03But this tranquil setting is a total contrast
0:24:03 > 0:24:07to the dramatic and sometimes violent history this castle has seen.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10At one point, it was nearly destroyed.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34This is the Chapel of St Mary, the final resting place
0:24:34 > 0:24:37of Catherine Parr, the last of King Henry VIII's six wives,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41and she was known to be intelligent, vivacious, strong-willed
0:24:41 > 0:24:45and proved to be the perfect foil to an ill-tempered king.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50In the 16th century, Catherine Parr became the lover of Lord Seymour,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53then owner of Sudeley Castle.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54She broke off the relationship
0:24:54 > 0:24:57when King Henry declared his interest in her.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01It was only after Henry's death in 1547
0:25:01 > 0:25:03that she was reunited with Seymour,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06married him and came to live here at Sudeley
0:25:06 > 0:25:07until her death a year later.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Her grave was found purely by chance in the then-ruined chapel
0:25:17 > 0:25:20back in 1782, and eventually, her coffin was moved
0:25:20 > 0:25:23to a purpose-built new tomb here in the Chapel of St Mary.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27She rests under this magnificent Victorian marble effigy,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30which was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and carved by master mason S Birnie Philip.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36And I have to say, the detail is exquisite.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47100 years after Catherine's death,
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Sudeley once again played an important part in English history.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52During the Civil War,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55the owners of the castle took sides with King Charles I
0:25:55 > 0:25:59and in August 1643, the Royalists mounted a disastrous attempt
0:25:59 > 0:26:00to siege Gloucester.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It went horribly wrong. They lost the battle.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07The rain was pouring down and the dejected king sat on a rock
0:26:07 > 0:26:08surrounded by his troops,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12and one young officer said, "Sir, can we go home now?"
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The King replied, "Well, I have no home to go to."
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Two days later, the King and his troops
0:26:17 > 0:26:20were offered refuge here at Sudeley.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26During the following years of the war,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29the castle was besieged twice by Parliamentarian forces
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and bombarded by cannon.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34After the Civil War in 1649,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Cromwell ordered the castle to be slighted,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40or made untenable as a military post.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44This involves removing the roof and exposing the inside to the elements.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The castle was allowed to fall into ruin
0:26:46 > 0:26:51and these tumbledown walls have been left as a reminder of that dark time.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54After 200 years of neglect,
0:26:54 > 0:26:59wealthy Worcestershire glovemakers, brothers John and William Dent,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03spotted the ruined Sudeley Castle whilst out riding.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06They spent most of their wealth purchasing it and restoring it.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12Sudeley Castle is still owned by the family of the Dent brothers.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14American-born Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17married one of their descendants more than 40 years ago.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21She's been instrumental in opening the castle up to the public.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26You open to the public, and I know you're opening in a few weeks' time.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27- Yeah.- Is the pressure on?
0:27:27 > 0:27:29The pressure's on, yeah!
0:27:29 > 0:27:33- It's like putting on a play. - Is it?- Yeah.- Lots of worry.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Well, it's the sort of frenzy of the last-minute build-up to opening day.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40And of course we tidy up everything and...
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- The grounds are magnificent, they really are beautiful.- Thank you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46It must be so fascinating and rewarding at the same time,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48living in such a historic house.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50It is kind of extraordinary.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53I mean, the thing about living in a house like this,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55the history is very tangible.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59You see it, you feel it, you can touch the things
0:27:59 > 0:28:03of the historic people who've walked the halls before,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07we live with their paintings and their furniture, and of course
0:28:07 > 0:28:10that's why people come to Sudeley.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12This is a historic house.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16It's not really a stately home. It's partly a ruin, as you can see.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31This room is an interior designer's dream, isn't it?
0:28:31 > 0:28:34I can see your touch everywhere. It's beautiful.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Well, it's kind of iconic, this room, in a way
0:28:37 > 0:28:39because it's an earlier part of the castle.
0:28:39 > 0:28:45It was originally the gatehouse to the early Tudor castle
0:28:45 > 0:28:50and this is where the guards would sit and play cards
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- and drink beer and, you know, carry on and everything.- A communal room.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57- That's right.- So in a way, this stonework would have been there,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59that wouldn't have been panelled back then for such a room.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01It wouldn't have been panelled then
0:29:01 > 0:29:03but then later in the Victorian times,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06when the house was restored to take on the sort of Tudor...
0:29:06 > 0:29:08- I can imagine.- It was panelled.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I was instrumental, much to everybody's horror,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- in taking the panelling down. - Well, good for you.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16In the '60s, everybody thought that was a terrible sacrilege
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- but it wasn't, really, because the stone is such a beautiful...- Yeah.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Could you imagine sitting here now with just oak panelling everywhere?
0:29:22 > 0:29:24These colours wouldn't work. Nothing would work.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Now you've let the room breathe again to how it should be.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- I'm glad you like it. - Oh, I do, I love it. And do you know
0:29:31 > 0:29:35what I really admire about you is the fact that it's not a museum, OK,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38but the quality of the antiques
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- and artefacts you've got here are the very, very best.- Yes.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- There are some marvellous things. - And you use them every single day. - That's right.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47There's no ropes around them saying, "Don't touch".
0:29:47 > 0:29:49You actually use all these wonderful things.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Well, as you said, it's not a museum
0:29:51 > 0:29:55and I think that as long as we look after these lovely things,
0:29:55 > 0:29:56it's wonderful to have them
0:29:56 > 0:29:59- being used for the purpose that they were intended for.- Exactly.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Look, thank you so much for showing me around. I can't wait to come back
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- on a day off and spend the whole day here, so thank you.- Thank you, Paul.
0:30:13 > 0:30:14Our valuation day venue
0:30:14 > 0:30:17is the Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21And we've got hundreds of owners who have brought along
0:30:21 > 0:30:24their unwanted antiques and collectables to be valued.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28We're ready to take a look at the next item with Adam.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- Welcome to "Flog It!", Lynn. - Thank you.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- It's very nice to see you brought some interesting items along.- Yes.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36These very colourful cloisonne vases.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- Yes, very.- Japanese. Do you like them?
0:30:39 > 0:30:41They seem to have grown on me today
0:30:41 > 0:30:43because lots of people have said how nice they are, so...
0:30:43 > 0:30:45And where did you get them from?
0:30:45 > 0:30:47How did they come into your possession?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- I've had them about a fortnight. - Oh, is that all?
0:30:49 > 0:30:51They were left to me by a cousin.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54I picked them up from the solicitor about a fortnight ago.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56- And you've taken them home.- Yes.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- And sort of thought, "Well, where am I going to put them?"- Well, yes.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04It was really a case of, they didn't sit well in the house.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- Do you know where your cousin got them from?- I don't know.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11All I know is that she travelled quite a lot with her first husband.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14- Right.- And I think she picked up things on her travels,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16so I'm presuming these were...
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Do you think she went to Japan?
0:31:18 > 0:31:20I wouldn't be surprised. She was quite well travelled.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- Quite a cosmopolitan lady, was she?- Yes, yes.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Well, they are cloisonne enamel, they're Japanese.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30It's a technique of enamelling, often with a foil background,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33this technique called jinbari enamelling.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36And they're really rather nice, I think.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38- The colours are lovely. - Beautiful colours.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Have you seen any damage?
0:31:40 > 0:31:43This one has got damage there.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46A little bit of a blister there, isn't there?
0:31:46 > 0:31:48Is that something that was done during firing?
0:31:48 > 0:31:52No, it wouldn't have been released to the market with that on it
0:31:52 > 0:31:54because one thing about buyers of cloisonne,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57the slightest bit of damage...
0:31:57 > 0:31:59The value plummets completely,
0:31:59 > 0:32:03and we always say cloisonne doesn't bounce well. The slightest thing
0:32:03 > 0:32:06and you'll get a little star crack or bits coming off.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- So, yes, that does affect it quite a lot.- Yes.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14In terms of age, they're not massively old.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19They're 20th century, they might be '30s, possibly later than that.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22But they're very, very decorative. What do you think they are worth?
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- I haven't got a clue. - No.- Not a clue.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- And you're selling them anyway.- Yes.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29Even if I said they're worth 20 quid?
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- Yes!- All right, well, they're worth more than 20.- Well, that's nice!
0:32:32 > 0:32:36But not much more. I think they'll make 60 to 100 between them.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39And I would suggest you put a reserve of £50 on them
0:32:39 > 0:32:43because if they don't make £50, then they're not worth selling.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Even if you don't like them, they'd be worth you taking them
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- and trying them another day or something like that.- I see.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49Does that sound all right to you?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- Yes, that's fine. - That's excellent news.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53And we'll look forward to seeing you
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- at the auction.- Thank you very much. - Thanks for bringing them.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58So that's the second time today
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Adam's sent something off with no reserve,
0:33:01 > 0:33:02but will it pay off?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Now for something slightly more modern.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Michael is at David's table with a table.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11I think this is great.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16We so rarely see this sort of thing on "Flog It!" When did you buy it?
0:33:16 > 0:33:21- About 1968. - '68, and you'll have bought it new?
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Bought it new, yes.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25OK, and at that time, of course,
0:33:25 > 0:33:30in the 1960s, this sort of furniture was the height of fashion, really.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Yes, it must have been, yes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Can you remember what you paid for it?- No idea, no.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- No.- Pounds, shillings and pence.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Furniture like this was bought, really, as I say,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44because it represented everything that was up-to-date, you know -
0:33:44 > 0:33:48pared-down, modern materials.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50That's the most important thing of all, I think -
0:33:50 > 0:33:53a Formica top and a metal base,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57- and apart from the decoration on the top, that's it.- Yes.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59- There's no carving. - No.- There's no inlay.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03All those sorts of things are just dispensed with.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05What I really like about this
0:34:05 > 0:34:07is the fact it's decorated by John Piper.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- Oh, yes. - Or at least after John Piper.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15John Piper was probably one of Britain's greatest artists
0:34:15 > 0:34:19of the 20th century. His life spanned the century, very nearly.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23He was famous in particular for his stained-glass work
0:34:23 > 0:34:25- at Coventry Cathedral.- Oh, yes.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29And for working with John Betjeman on the Shell Motoring Guides
0:34:29 > 0:34:33in, I think, the early 1950s, so he is a big name,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35but I've never seen his work
0:34:35 > 0:34:38represented on a table like this before.
0:34:38 > 0:34:45It's curious, really. You have these amazing classical baroque buildings.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- They're all after Christopher Wren, I think.- Yes.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51They're all Wren churches. This is St Paul's Cathedral
0:34:51 > 0:34:55and they find themselves on this ultra modern piece of furniture,
0:34:55 > 0:35:00so, you know, as was so often the case in the 1960s, anything went.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03You know, you could mix and match, and people loved it.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06I would have said it's going to make
0:35:06 > 0:35:08between £100 and £150.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10- Yes. Yeah.- But I wouldn't want to sell it for less than 100.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12No. No.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14So would you be happy with a reserve of £100?
0:35:14 > 0:35:16- Yes, would be happy with that.- OK.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18It only came out of the attic yesterday, so...
0:35:18 > 0:35:20You haven't been using it?
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- No, it's been in the attic for 20-odd years.- Oh, right. Right.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- So erm...- That's interesting.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28- Knowing you was in town... - You thought you'd come along.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30- OK. We'll go ahead on that basis... - Thank you very much.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32I look forward to seeing you at the sale.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37And our next item - well, it's a suitcase.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Alison, underneath this canvas cover I know there's quality, isn't there?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43It wouldn't have a canvas cover on it otherwise.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Clearly not your initials...
0:35:45 > 0:35:47No, they belong to my mother.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- Hilda Georgina Secret.- Secret?!
0:35:51 > 0:35:53What a lovely surname.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- You're obviously not still a Secret, are you?- No, I'm not. No, no.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- That's a great surname.- I know.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- Can I? Ready?- Yeah.- Da-da-da-da...
0:36:02 > 0:36:04That's beautiful. There's not a scratch
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- or a mark on there.- No.- And that...
0:36:08 > 0:36:10- ..that's pigskin, isn't it?- Yup.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11- Quality, quality, quality.- I know.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13That's the best-quality leather,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16that's the best hide money can buy.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Oh, it's just divine, isn't it? - Yeah.- It looks beautiful.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21- Ready...?- Yeah.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25It's just getting better and better, isn't it?
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Do you know, it's never been used, has it?
0:36:27 > 0:36:29I think it must have been used,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32cos there are a couple of teeth out of the comb, so...
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Very, very nice. It's all there.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- I could see it in the back of a Bentley, couldn't you?- Well, yes...
0:36:39 > 0:36:40Did she have one?
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- No, she didn't. - Is it by Mappin & Webb?- It is,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45- I think it... Yes. - Yeah, there you go.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47It's clearly not really been used.
0:36:47 > 0:36:48Well, it's so heavy...
0:36:48 > 0:36:49- This lifts out, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52And that...
0:36:52 > 0:36:54And then that closes.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56And then you take that off with you.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57Look at that.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Oh...
0:36:59 > 0:37:00But it's so heavy. I mean, you...
0:37:00 > 0:37:04- Have you any idea of value?- No.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- It's pretty much perfect.- Yes.
0:37:06 > 0:37:07I've got to say,
0:37:07 > 0:37:12this is possibly the best example I've seen for quality and condition.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14- Yes.- Why do you want to sell this?
0:37:14 > 0:37:18Actually it belongs...really belongs to my sister,
0:37:18 > 0:37:19who lives in Australia.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21OK.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Half of it belongs to her and half of it belongs to me.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27So the best thing to do is to split it. Split the money.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I think if we split the money, and then we could have...
0:37:29 > 0:37:31- We could meet. - Yeah, that'd be nice.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- What a lovely story.- Yeah.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34Any idea of value?
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Not really.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I've seen them before, not so good as this,
0:37:39 > 0:37:40and I put, I think,
0:37:40 > 0:37:45£400 to £600 on something very much the same,
0:37:45 > 0:37:46and it made £1,100.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Oh, right?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50So let's be a bit gutsier, OK?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Let's put
0:37:52 > 0:37:54- £800 to £1,200 on this.- OK.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58And hopefully, it does the top end and a little bit more.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00- Lovely.- Are you happy with that?
0:38:00 > 0:38:01I am very happy with that.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03We'll protect it with a reserve...?
0:38:03 > 0:38:04Yes.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06I'll tell you what we'll do, let's give it discretion.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Let's say £800 to £1,200
0:38:08 > 0:38:10with a discretion of 10% at £800.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- Yeah.- That'll make the bidders keen.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Yeah, lovely.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18I'm pretty sure it'll go at the top end. But I can't guarantee!
0:38:18 > 0:38:21I can't guarantee what's going to happen on the day in auction.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Of course, you can never tell what's going to happen at the auction,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29and even the best valuations are in the fate of the bidders on the day.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30We'll find out soon.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33Time's running out.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35We need one more item to send off to auction.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37So quickly over to David Fletcher,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40and he's with Mervyn and a childhood collection.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43I was pleased to see this autograph album...
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Yes. Thank you.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47I was a bit disappointed cos I thought you would ask
0:38:47 > 0:38:49for mine. But you didn't.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Never mind.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Whose autographs have you got? Shall we have a little look?
0:38:53 > 0:38:55I've got quite a bookful, quite a selection,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57but some of the more famous ones
0:38:57 > 0:38:58are Laurel and Hardy...
0:38:58 > 0:39:00OK. You've tagged all these, I see.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- Yes.- Right. Yeah. Laurel and Hardy.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06I collected them from the stage door of the Birmingham Hippodrome.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08- Really? Did you? - When I was a youngster at school.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- Gosh.- Many years ago.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11So they actually signed
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- this autograph album for you.- Yeah.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16So they've handled this very book.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Also Abbott and Costello...
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Yes. Names I know as well.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21And we've got lots of other names
0:39:21 > 0:39:23like Guy Mitchell...
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Guy Mitchell. "I've never felt more like singing the blues."
0:39:26 > 0:39:28- That's right.- I remember that one.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30What was that - '50s I suppose?
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- Yeah, late- '50s. Yeah.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- You collected these yourself.- Yes.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37I must say, I think that makes
0:39:37 > 0:39:39the collection particularly interesting.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41So Mervyn, you were a very young lad
0:39:41 > 0:39:42when you collected these.
0:39:42 > 0:39:43- I was about 13 or 14.- Were you?
0:39:43 > 0:39:47And when I was at school in Birmingham,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50my friend and I used to take the bus
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- and go down to the Birmingham Hippodrome...- Really?
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- And hang round the stage door.- Gosh.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56And I collected them then.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58And are you still interested in
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- the theatre and in films?- Oh, yes.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- But you're not collecting autographs any more.- No.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- Although I did get one today, a very special one.- Did you?
0:40:05 > 0:40:06- Whose was that?- Paul Martin's.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09- Paul Martin's?! - Which must be worth a lot.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10Is that in there?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Yes, it is.- Good heavens.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15It's next to Laurel and Hardy's, actually. The next page.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17The next page. There it is.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- "Best wishes, Paul Martin."- Yeah.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Well, I was going to say it's worth
0:40:22 > 0:40:24£100 to £150...
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- I'm going to have to revise my estimate now...- I think so.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29- It's worth £30. - MERVYN LAUGHS
0:40:29 > 0:40:31No. Seriously...
0:40:31 > 0:40:35- It's worth £100 to £150, in my view. - Yeah. Yeah.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- Would you be happy with that? - Yes.- Good. OK.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- And if we put a reserve of £100 on the lot, say?- Yeah.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43And have you anything in mind
0:40:43 > 0:40:45to spend the money on?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- Well, I'm going to give the money to my wife...- Oh. Fatal.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51..who's likely to spend it in a well-known departmental store
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- where she can take it back if she's not satisfied.- OK! - DAVID LAUGHS
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- Does she often take things back? - Yes, she does.- Does she? Oh, dear.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Well, let's hope we make her enough money to buy something
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- really nice that she won't want to take back.- Right.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Let's get that and our other items
0:41:07 > 0:41:10wrapped up and sent off to auction -
0:41:10 > 0:41:11and here's a quick reminder
0:41:11 > 0:41:13of what we're taking.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14Let's hope the bidders
0:41:14 > 0:41:16will want to snap them up.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21We've left the Cotswolds behind and headed off to the Malvern Hills
0:41:21 > 0:41:24for our auction, at Philip Serrell's saleroom.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28£110, there's the bid... Done.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Our first item under the hammer is a pair of cloisonne vases
0:41:31 > 0:41:34owned by Lynn, and spotted by Adam.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36These were left to me by this lady.
0:41:36 > 0:41:37She's absolutely beautiful.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Yeah. She left me these items, hence why I brought her today.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42One red ground, one green ground
0:41:42 > 0:41:45and I believe the red one's got a bit of damage, hasn't it?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Little bit, yeah, cloisonne's very prone to damage, isn't it?
0:41:48 > 0:41:52- Yeah.- Yes.- I think we've reflected that in the estimate.- OK.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Good luck. And let's hope it gets the top end of the estimate.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58Two cloisonne vases...
0:42:00 > 0:42:03..and I'll start at £100 bid, at £100 only...
0:42:03 > 0:42:04- Hundred's bid.- Straight in.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Told you they'd start at three figures.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08I'll take 10 anywhere.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11At £100 -
0:42:11 > 0:42:1310, may I? At £100.
0:42:13 > 0:42:14110, 110, the book's out.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Any more?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20At £110, right at the back,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23and I sell then at 110 and done. Thank you.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26It was straight in, really, and straight out. £110.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27- Lovely.- Job done.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29- That's good, isn't it? - Yes, very pleased.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32A good solid sale, just over the estimate,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34and away to a new owner.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36Up next,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Michael's John Piper decorated table.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- You bought this brand-new in 1968... - That's right.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- And you've had it ever since. - In Cheltenham. Yep.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Gosh. He's got his money's worth.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50We talk about minimalism,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52and the demise of the brown furniture -
0:42:52 > 0:42:54- this represents the future.- It does.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56And do you know, there are over
0:42:56 > 0:42:58150 lots of furniture in this sale,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and only one isn't made of wood.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03It's funny - over the years
0:43:03 > 0:43:05- you get rid of all your brown furniture...- Yeah.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07..but for some unknown reason, I kept hold of this.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- And you've used it.- And I use it - my son's used it in his place,
0:43:10 > 0:43:14then I had it again and then back in the attic it went.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15Can you remember how much you pay for it?
0:43:15 > 0:43:17No, I've been trying to think, but no, I can't.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Well, I'm sure you're going to make a healthy profit anyway.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23We're going to find out what it's worth right now, it's going under the hammer.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27There you are - John Piper table,
0:43:27 > 0:43:31St Paul's and St Martin's.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33£55 bid, at 55,
0:43:33 > 0:43:3455, 55.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36At 55, 55.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38And 60, and 5. And 70, and 5.
0:43:38 > 0:43:4080, and 5. 90, and 5.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42100, 110, 120,
0:43:42 > 0:43:44130.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46One more, sir? 130...
0:43:46 > 0:43:4740, thank you.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49At 140. 50 on the net bid.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51At 150. Here's the bid...
0:43:51 > 0:43:52150.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55150... 160. 160...
0:43:55 > 0:43:56Is there any more?
0:43:56 > 0:43:59At 160 bid...
0:44:00 > 0:44:02170.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04- 180...- Good - fresh legs.- At £180.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07180...
0:44:07 > 0:44:10At £180, in the room. Any more at all?
0:44:10 > 0:44:13At £180, and I sell in the room,
0:44:13 > 0:44:15and done then at 190. 190...
0:44:15 > 0:44:17- Oh, yes!- Gone up again.- That's good.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19At £200. At 200...
0:44:19 > 0:44:20In the room.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22The net's out. At £200, in the room.
0:44:22 > 0:44:23Any more?
0:44:23 > 0:44:25At £200, and I sell, then,
0:44:25 > 0:44:27at £200 and done. Thank you.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31Hammer's gone down. £200. Top end of that estimate, well done.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33- Thank you. - That ticked all the right boxes -
0:44:33 > 0:44:34architecture, definitely,
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- and the affiliation with cathedrals with John Piper.- Yeah.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40- So someone's got a nice thing. - They have. Hope they enjoy it.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45Now for our next lot, and I'm joined by Alison.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48Well, I'm feeling a little bit nervous right now, Alison,
0:44:48 > 0:44:49it's my turn to be the expert.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53We're just going to put the leather case with all the vanity set inside,
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Mappin & Webb, under the hammer.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57It's been in the wardrobe for a long time?
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Yes, it has, unfortunately, doing nothing. What would you do with it?
0:45:00 > 0:45:03- Well, at least it's been kept in great condition.- Yes.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Here we go. This is it.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10The, er...super Mappin & Webb case.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13There we are.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15Bid me £800.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19I'm bid £500, with me,
0:45:19 > 0:45:20at 520. 520.
0:45:20 > 0:45:2250...
0:45:22 > 0:45:24At £550. At 550.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26- (Oh, come on!)- 580.- (Oh, good.)
0:45:26 > 0:45:29600. 600...
0:45:29 > 0:45:31- £600. Any more?- (Come on!)
0:45:31 > 0:45:33At £600. Any more?
0:45:33 > 0:45:35It's not going to sell.
0:45:35 > 0:45:36At £600 only -
0:45:36 > 0:45:37any more at all?
0:45:37 > 0:45:39At £600,
0:45:39 > 0:45:41is there any more at all?
0:45:41 > 0:45:43No? Well, I'm sorry, I can't do that, chaps.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46- Close. We're close.- Yeah.
0:45:46 > 0:45:47But listen -
0:45:47 > 0:45:49the bidder that left £600
0:45:49 > 0:45:51- will probably have a word with Philip.- Mm-hm.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54We're short, by £120.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57- I'm ever so sorry.- I don't want to stick it in the wardrobe!
0:45:57 > 0:45:59No, it doesn't want to go back in the wardrobe,
0:45:59 > 0:46:00it's better off in a saleroom.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03You can't let one "no sale"
0:46:03 > 0:46:04ruin your day at auction,
0:46:04 > 0:46:07because blink once and you'll be back on track with a winner.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11Next up, the autograph book belonging to Mervyn
0:46:11 > 0:46:14- who's just joined me right now - hello, thanks for coming in.- Hello.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16Now, you collected all these on the stage door,
0:46:16 > 0:46:17- didn't you, at Birmingham?- Yes.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21- All bar one...- Yes.- ..which you collected at the valuation day.- Yes.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23My signature!
0:46:23 > 0:46:26But thank you so much for asking me to sign it,
0:46:26 > 0:46:28- I was in such good company there. - And it's great
0:46:28 > 0:46:30that you collected them yourself,
0:46:30 > 0:46:32- that's what's so good about it. - Yes. That's right.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34They're big names, aren't they?
0:46:34 > 0:46:36They are big names.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39And there were kind enough and modest enough to sign for you,
0:46:39 > 0:46:42- they could have been a bit snooty about it.- That's right.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44No. They were all very good.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47And the good news is there's plenty of collectors for Laurel and Hardy
0:46:47 > 0:46:51so I think that should get them away at the top end of the value.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54- Hope so.- OK? We'll find out right now. Here we go.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58The autograph albums,
0:46:58 > 0:46:59and I've got two bids
0:46:59 > 0:47:01the same sort of money,
0:47:01 > 0:47:02so I'll start at...
0:47:02 > 0:47:04£280 bid.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08At £280. On the book.
0:47:08 > 0:47:09290.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13290. At £290. Who's got 300?
0:47:13 > 0:47:15300...
0:47:15 > 0:47:17On the telephone, at 300.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19310... 320...
0:47:19 > 0:47:20320.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22330.
0:47:22 > 0:47:23340.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25350.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27360...
0:47:27 > 0:47:30360. 370.
0:47:31 > 0:47:32380...
0:47:32 > 0:47:34390.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37400.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39410.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41420.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43430.
0:47:43 > 0:47:44440...
0:47:44 > 0:47:46Do you know what, it's obviously the Abbott and Costello
0:47:46 > 0:47:49- that are making this really, really fly.- Yeah.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52..470.
0:47:52 > 0:47:53480.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55490.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57500.
0:47:57 > 0:47:58520.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01550.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04580...
0:48:04 > 0:48:06600 bid. On the telephone.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09- Ooh! Ooh!- £600.
0:48:09 > 0:48:10I think it's your autograph
0:48:10 > 0:48:11they wanted really, Paul.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13£600, any more?
0:48:13 > 0:48:14At £600,
0:48:14 > 0:48:18and I sell then at £600 and done, thank you.
0:48:18 > 0:48:19Yes!
0:48:19 > 0:48:23- Well done. Thank you.- Well done and thank you for bringing those in,
0:48:23 > 0:48:24what can I say?
0:48:24 > 0:48:26Well, I undervalued them - but I'd rather do that
0:48:26 > 0:48:30- than overvalue them.- That's right. - What are you going to do with all that money?
0:48:30 > 0:48:33- Don't forget there is commission. - Well, my wife's going to spend it
0:48:33 > 0:48:34- in a well-known store. - Oh, on clothes?
0:48:34 > 0:48:36Well, that's what girls do.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38- And you've got to keep them happy. - That's right.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42Thank you so much for coming in, and what a lovely surprise that's given us at the end of the day.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45Sadly we're running out of time, I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49Join us again for many more surprises to come on "Flog It!", but until then, it's goodbye from Malvern.