0:00:03 > 0:00:05We've got a massive queue outside the town hall
0:00:05 > 0:00:09here to ask our experts that all-important question. Here's an expert.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Mr David Barby.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15If you follow me, we have another one, the gorgeous Kate Bateman.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Hello!
0:00:16 > 0:00:19This is said to be one of Britain's oldest towns.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23It's been a military base for the last 2,000 years. So where are we?
0:00:23 > 0:00:26- Colchester! - And what are we here for?
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Flog It!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00This Baroque-style building is Colchester town hall,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02our magnificent venue for today.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05All these people have come to meet our experts
0:01:05 > 0:01:09to ask that all-important question, "What's it worth?"
0:01:09 > 0:01:12When they've found out, it's off to auction.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19Today's experts, Kate Bateman and David Barby are trawling the crowd.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Kate's got antiques in her blood
0:01:22 > 0:01:24and runs an auction house with her father.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Exciting!
0:01:26 > 0:01:29What have you got there?
0:01:29 > 0:01:33While David is the daddy when it comes to spotting a thing of beauty.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- You look like Barbara Windsor in her younger days.- I know!
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- Remember that camping scene? - No, I don't do that! Too cold!
0:01:40 > 0:01:43The charmer's pretty good at antiques, too!
0:01:43 > 0:01:45And as this crowd find their seats,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48they have no idea what the day might have in store.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Trust me, one owner is in for a really big surprise.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57At my age, you know, it's shocking, this sort of thing.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01- Oh, do stop, this is awful! - No, no!- No, don't stop.- Keep going!
0:02:01 > 0:02:04SHE LAUGHS They're still at it!
0:02:04 > 0:02:08SQUEALS AND LAUGHTER
0:02:08 > 0:02:11That's all to come. So let's get down to the valuations.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12Here's Kate with Joe.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Joe, you've brought this fantastic centrepiece. What can you tell me about it?
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Right. It was bought in 1965.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27My mother bought it. There was a fantastic three-day auction
0:02:27 > 0:02:31at an old house in Burnham on Crouch.
0:02:31 > 0:02:37It belonged to a sea captain who'd brought back things, filled the house, from all over the world.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- Right.- Absolutely marvellous.- OK. - My mother really loved it.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43She always had it on the mantelpiece.
0:02:43 > 0:02:49We had it out at Christmas on the table with a bunch of grapes hanging from here.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53And tangerines and things down the bottom.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57It's a really unusual shape. We've got all this crazy decoration.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- It's quite ornate. All these sea scrolls. It's a bit Rococo.- Yes.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04If we look on the bottom to see who the maker is.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06As we suspected, Doulton Burslem.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09A registration number, 142326.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14If we look that up in a book, that will tell us it was made in 1890.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17That's the year this registration number was put in the book.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22It was retailed by Phillips of Oxford Street in London.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Quite a high-class retailer. Do you like it?
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- I do.- Yes?- I love it when it's got the grapes and the fruit.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- Very festive, I imagine.- It is. It brings it all together.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35It looks so empty like that.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39When I see things like this, I expect to see bits broken off.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44I've looked really carefully for bits of glue! But it seems to be perfect.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- It's amazing it's survived this well.- Yes.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- You've taken good care of it. - As good as I could.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55That's one very good reason for selling it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- Because it is in perfect condition. - OK.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Either it's a question of putting it in the loft to keep it safe
0:04:02 > 0:04:08or putting it on the mantelpiece and it gets chipped or broken.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13I'd think, "Why on earth didn't I bring it to Flog It before it got broken?"
0:04:13 > 0:04:17That's probably a good thing. Pass it on to somebody who'll enjoy it.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Price-wise, 100 to £150.- Mm-hmm.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24I wouldn't be surprised if it made a bit more on the day. It's a strange thing.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- Would you be happy with that sort of figure?- Yes, yes.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33- What about a reserve of £80?- Yes. - And estimate of 100 to 150. - Sounds fine.
0:04:33 > 0:04:39- What have you got there? I'm intrigued.- That's actually the original catalogue.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- Where your mother bought it?- Yes.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- We went there, my mother and I. - And this is it, Lot 162.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- Yes. Old Doulton china fruit bowl and a Staffordshire figure. - A Staffordshire figure.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- How much did you pay? - Seven pounds, five shillings.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- So that's our aim, seven pounds, five shillings.- Yes!- Let's hope we can improve on that.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I think Kate's on safe ground, there.
0:05:01 > 0:05:07As she says, it shouldn't be hard to make that £7 target ten times over.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Here's David Barby.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Who does this belong to?
0:05:11 > 0:05:15It came from my mother's father. That's where it started.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17You know what it is, don't you?
0:05:17 > 0:05:23- Yes.- This is a lovely example of a combined propelling pencil which is there.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25And it's retractable.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29And then do you see those little flower heads? Beautiful.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30Lovely detail.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Then on the other one, if I push it down,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36a provision for putting a nib.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38You dip that into the inkwell and start writing.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- So this would have been ideal for a lady.- Yes.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Who had a purse or a little vanity case
0:05:45 > 0:05:47which had a writing set as well.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51This, I think, is quite, quite adorable.
0:05:51 > 0:05:57What I love is the engine-turned decoration on this solid silver case.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00On the silver case you can see the hallmark just there.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04And even the name of the manufacturer.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08"R.M. Mosley, London."
0:06:08 > 0:06:12The major manufacturer for these was Mordan & Co.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16This is very much in their manner, but Mosley & Co.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The date letter there is a Gothic F
0:06:19 > 0:06:23so we're looking at about 1841.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Produced in London, 1841.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28But that's not the only attraction,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31the case and those little flower-head pushes,
0:06:31 > 0:06:37it's this at the end here which is a cairngorm engraved, which is lovely.
0:06:37 > 0:06:44- Do you know what that was for? - I imagine it was something for stamping.- Right.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47So after you'd written your letter, you'd put it in the envelope
0:06:47 > 0:06:51and this was then used to seal it
0:06:51 > 0:06:53whilst the wax was still molten.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56And if I can see with my eyes,
0:06:56 > 0:07:01there's an engraved name which I think says, back-to-front, Miriam.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02Miriam.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06And just into the capital letter M,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08there's traces of wax.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10So this actually has been used.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- Oh!- Of course, the name is back-to-front as you put it in the wax, it would appear normal.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18A very good collectors' item.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20When it goes up at auction,
0:07:20 > 0:07:25I'd like to see it probably 50 to £80.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27That sort of price range.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31Would you be happy at parting with this family heirloom at that sort of level?
0:07:31 > 0:07:36As long as there's a fixed reserve on it. I wouldn't want it to go for a few pounds.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- I'd like to make sure... - Very sensible. A reserve of £50? Would you be happy?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- That's fine.- OK.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Sheila, thank you. I shall be at the auction watching the price go up.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- Look forward to seeing you, Nigel. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57We're staying with small and beautiful for our next item.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Wendy and Peter, thanks so much for coming in.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03We're having a wonderful time. Everyone's in high spirits.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09I love what you're holding. I think it's absolutely charming.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Tell me about its history.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Well, it belonged to my father.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18He died at 91 and I've had it ever since.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22It's spent most of its life in a sideboard drawer.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Have you used it much at all?- No.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- You don't have the odd tipple? - He's had a restful life!
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Let me have a look. He's made from a nut.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Look, it's exquisite!
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- Yes.- He can almost speak to you, can't he?- He hasn't yet!
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- The children don't want him, unfortunately.- I really can't believe that.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45They've got so many other funny things.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48It's so usable, as well. It's a practical piece of kit.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I've seen a lot of corkscrews in my time
0:08:50 > 0:08:55and I know a lot of collectors would like to own this one.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58It's a novelty piece. It's late Victorian.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02But it's in great condition. The glass eyes are a little bit scratched.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06I think if you put this into auction, we'd put a value of 80 to £120 on it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11- Is that right?- And a reserve of 70. I'm pretty sure you'll get the top end.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Is that right?- Yes.- That's amazing.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18If two collectors are there on the day, it'll go even higher.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21If he was a real parrot, he'd be very pleased.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- Exceptionally pleased.- Having laid in a drawer for years!
0:09:25 > 0:09:29If you're going to own a parrot, Peter, this is the type to own.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30They don't answer back.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32No.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Now, what's Kate found? She's with Debbie.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- Are you a Clarice Cliff collector? - Not really, no.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50I liked it a few years ago. We went to look around at Clarice Cliff,
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- but not really, no. I've only got these two.- Did you inherit these?
0:09:54 > 0:09:59No, I bought them six to eight years ago. We used to go to antiques fairs.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02We just bought them then.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03Which do you like best?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- This one.- I'm with you on that.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11This one, I call it the fried eggs pattern, but officially it's Orange Chintz.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14It's supposed to be flowers. All hand-painted
0:10:14 > 0:10:18but it's a really cool shape, and the shape is going to excite collectors.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22It's funky and unusual. It looks like a spaceship!
0:10:22 > 0:10:26In the 1930s that was so cool and new.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29This fabulous cross-section on the base.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32It's marked up Bizarre, Clarice Cliff. Hand-painted.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Condition's quite good. There are a few nibbles on the rim.
0:10:36 > 0:10:42But that was before it was actually painted, so the factory let it out with those irregularities.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44The shape is called Stamford.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47So that's from that style range.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49This one is Rhodanthe
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and the shape is Biarritz,
0:10:51 > 0:10:55this very square... I suppose they were thinking of the south of France.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58This one comes in different colourways. Brown is my least favourite.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02There's one called Aurora, which is pink and grey and quite pretty.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07They're nice together, the same colour take, so they'll sell well together as one lot.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- You want to put them to auction? - Yes.- You want to get rid of them?
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Is that so you can buy other things? - Yes, I'm moving house in March
0:11:15 > 0:11:19and I want to buy bits for that. This doesn't go with a new house
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- so out with the old, in with the new!- Right.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24A spring clean! Right.
0:11:24 > 0:11:30In terms of price, I think probably 300 to 400 is where I'm thinking.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Mainly for this one. This one is £50-ish on its own,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36but you would put them together in one lot
0:11:36 > 0:11:39because it'll appeal to a Clarice Cliff collector.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45- Is that a figure you'd be happy with?- Um...- Did you pay more than that?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48A little bit more, but it was a long time ago, so...
0:11:48 > 0:11:54- Perhaps a little bit more.- So maybe 350 reserve?- Yes, 350 would be fair.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59We'll make it a firm reserve. 350 to 400 as an estimate for the two together.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Hopefully this one will sell it and they get a freebie with it as well.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- OK.- Fingers crossed.- Hope so.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Hope our fried eggs go well!
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- They do look like fried eggs! - They do!
0:12:10 > 0:12:15Of course, a precise and colourful description is the auctioneer's art.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16Erm, Kate...
0:12:24 > 0:12:27We meet a lot of collectors on this programme,
0:12:27 > 0:12:31people with shelves full of Clarice Cliff and display cabinets full of Royal Doulton.
0:12:31 > 0:12:39But what if your budget is a lot bigger and your display shelves are the size of two big barns?
0:12:39 > 0:12:45I'm at Bonnard's Farm in Essex to meet a man who's taking collecting to the next level.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50It starts here through this rather unassuming door. Let's have a look.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58There's always been a certain romance about the early days of motoring.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Cars have been with us now for over 120 years.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07So are they mechanical artworks, technical wonders or just a necessity of modern life?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Either way, the nostalgia of those pioneering days
0:13:10 > 0:13:13is still being fuelled by vintage rallies, museums
0:13:13 > 0:13:17and more unusually, private collections like this one.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Bernard Holmes used to be an executive at the Ford Motor Company.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26So when his own business ventures provided enough money for an expensive hobby,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29it's not surprising his collection led here.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31This is where it all started for you?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Yes, this was the first car we restored
0:13:34 > 0:13:39and it was a nuts to bolts restoration. Body off, down to the chassis.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Incredible job you've done.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43It was very enjoyable doing it.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49What do you look for in a practical classic like these lovely old cars
0:13:49 > 0:13:54- when you go to buy one.- If I come across a car and I fall in love with it, I'll buy it.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56I then add it to the collection.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00So this one was bought. I knew nothing about the car.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05I've learned about it as I've restored it and I've learned to love it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07We've travelled a number of miles in it.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09All these cars get used.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- They're all roadworthy.- It's after using them that you get an affinity with them.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- But you would buy a wreck, would you?- Yes, this one was a wreck.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22A very expensive wreck! But it was a wreck when I bought it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24You couldn't have used it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27You get the parts hand-made now in this country?
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Yes, what you try and do is use the original part and repair it
0:14:31 > 0:14:36by re-sleeving or putting bushes in or whatever.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38That's the first way to go.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43If you can't do that, you're forced into copying the part and remaking it.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46You try and do that as little as possible.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50You do a lot of the work yourself, which keeps the costs down.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Yes. Although I say I do the restoration myself,
0:14:54 > 0:14:59obviously I use a team of people. So I subcontract the paint out.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I subcontract the upholstery out.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04A friend of mine, Barry, did the wickerwork.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Somebody else does the woodwork for me.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12But there's a lot of time and money spent in disassembling the car,
0:15:12 > 0:15:17doing all the running around, getting the parts plated, that's what I do.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Bernard has 26 cars and dozens of motorbikes
0:15:24 > 0:15:27all restored to an incredible condition.
0:15:32 > 0:15:38If we're going to talk about these wonderful vintage cars, you have to include a Rolls Royce!
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- You ought to, I guess! - And there's one right here!
0:15:41 > 0:15:44This is a 1913 Silver Ghost
0:15:44 > 0:15:48with a particularly light bodywork on it.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- It's called a London to Edinburgh. - It was built as a Grand Tourer.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58Yes. And this is capable of 70 miles an hour.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04Last year we did a tour via Paris down to the Cotes D'Azur
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- back to Monaco and back through the Alps.- Your wife told me you took this to Durban.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Yes, we did 4,500 kilometres around South Africa.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Durban, Swaziland, and down out through Cape Town.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Wonderful.- What did the people from the townships think about this?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24I always think people are very generous.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Actually, we did take this into a township.
0:16:26 > 0:16:32And it just caused the same sort of stir that it would in England!
0:16:32 > 0:16:36They must have thought you were royalty! It's incredible!
0:16:36 > 0:16:39You don't get envy. People just admire the car for what it is.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- Clap and cheer!- It's very generous of people, really.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46What would one of these cost in this condition today?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- Half a million, I guess.- Incredible.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Absolutely incredible.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55But they're not all that price. The entry level would be a Model T Ford.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00There are thousands still on the road. You can get one for £10,000.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05All that nostalgia is kept alive by events like the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
0:17:05 > 0:17:12It started in 1927 and every year, 500 old cars make the 54-mile journey south.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17The only rule is they have to have been built before 1905.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20It's an enthusiast's dream, and some of them really go!
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Bernard's cars are regulars on the various historic rallies.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31His engineering background means he has his favourites.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I'm particularly interested in De Dion Bouton.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38I have single cylinders, twins, four cylinders, an eight-cylinder.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- So I can follow the De Dion. - What's the fascination with them?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44I like the engineering.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47And at the turn of the last century,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Darroch and De Dion supplied more than 60% of all motor cars.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- Right.- In the world. So they were the leaders in their industry.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Let's look at another. I know you have a favourite down there.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04It's a particularly exciting car.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08It's a twin-cylinder De Dion dating from 1904.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Let's have closer look. Is it easy to drive?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15It's particularly easy, this one,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18because you just move this lever into that position,
0:18:18 > 0:18:22push that forward, and you're in first gear.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Right.- Push it back and you're into second gear.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Then move that back to that position and that's into third gear.- Right.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34- So it's a bit like rubbing your tummy and patting your head.- Yes!
0:18:34 > 0:18:38But once you're used to it, there's no possibility of mucking the gear change up.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- You need good co-ordination.- Yes. And it's got a good turn of speed.
0:18:42 > 0:18:4635 miles an hour, nearly 40 miles an hour.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50You don't go any faster or it vibrates itself to death!
0:18:52 > 0:18:58What a wonderful collection. The good news is, Bernard opens to the public on selected days of the year.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11We've got our first four items, now we're taking them off to the sale.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Let's hope the bidders will want to snap them up.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17For our auction we're staying in Colchester
0:19:17 > 0:19:19and we're at Reeman Dansie Auction Rooms.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26We're starting our sale with Nigel and Sheila's propelling pencil,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28valued at 50 to £80.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Surely you could make use of this? Don't you do doodles? Don't you want to use it?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- No...- You can still buy the lead.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- Not with that.- Not with that?- No.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- It's a nice thing.- It is. - It's a really nice thing.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44I think now, you can't use it. You have to buy separate nibs.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48It's very difficult to get the inks and everything to go with it.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51It makes your handwriting look good! I still use an ink pen.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54So do I. But something like that is very difficult.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57It's more for a cabinet or a collectors' item.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Silver's very high in value at the moment, so that's good.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02It's got everything going for it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Let's find out what the bidders think. This is the test.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Let's find out what it's worth.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14The Victorian silver combination propelling pencil and pen.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19What do you say? £50 to start me? £50 start for this one?
0:20:19 > 0:20:21£50 to start me?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- 40, then? 40 I have down here.- OK.
0:20:24 > 0:20:2744. 46. 48.
0:20:27 > 0:20:2850. 55.
0:20:28 > 0:20:3360. £60 seated down here now. 60. At £60.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Any advance?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- All done now? 65 on the internet. - Good.- 65.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40On the internet now. Sure, sir?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42At £65 on the internet. One more?
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- 70.- Excellent.- £70 bid now in the room. £70.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- We're doing it.- 370. 75.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52At £75 on the internet now.
0:20:52 > 0:20:5680. At £80. Back in the room at 80.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02£80 bid. 85 on the internet? At £80 in the room. I'm selling. All done.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04That was a battle, but we did it!
0:21:04 > 0:21:06The pen is mightier than the sword!
0:21:06 > 0:21:07For sure!
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Next up, Joe with his 120-year-old fruit dish.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Doulton is a great name. We're looking at 100 to £150.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- You got this in auction, didn't you? - Yes, 1965.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26- Have you spotted anything here you'd like to buy?- Some beautiful furniture.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Yes.- Georgian furniture.- It's a good time to invest in antiques.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- There's never been a better time. - Yeah.- And it doesn't get greener.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38- Their carbon footprint is zero because they get recycled. - It's the ultimate recycling.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- Good stuff.- Have you seen anything you'd like to buy?- Loads of things.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- If you were allowed!- Yes. There's a box there I'd take home with me.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49But sadly not. Not today.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Good luck. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55We want £150 at the top end. Here we go.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00The unusual Victorian Doulton Burslem fruit dish.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Complete with a grape suspender. There we are.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Very splendid thing. What do you say? 80?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11£80 to start me. £80 to start me.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13£80 for it. 60, then?
0:22:13 > 0:22:15£60 start. 60 is bid on there. At 60.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18At £60 bid now. At 60. Do I hear 65?
0:22:18 > 0:22:20£60 is bid.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- It's struggling.- Struggling. - £60 is bid.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- And advance? All done now? - He's not selling.- All done?
0:22:27 > 0:22:2965 on the internet.
0:22:29 > 0:22:3170. At £70 bid now.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34At 70. At £70 bid.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35At £70.
0:22:35 > 0:22:3775. At 75.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- 80. At £80 bid now. 80. - Gosh, it's done it.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42At £80 bid now. At 80. At £80.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- £80 is bid.- Well done, internet bidders!
0:22:44 > 0:22:50It's going to be sold. Against you on the internet. One more? £80 is bid.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Are you all done?
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- Fabulous.- Phew!
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Internet bidding does slow it up, but it does put the prices up,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- that's for sure. - It's worth the wait.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Somebody sitting at home on their computer bidding at the very last minute.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- Are you happy with that?- Yeah, absolutely.- Well done.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Good.- Thank you. - Thank you. That was great.
0:23:09 > 0:23:15- Just, wasn't it just? I didn't think it was going to sell.- I thought it was stuck at 70. It's good.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21If this next lot doesn't sell, it'll drive me round the twist!
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Peter and Wendy's corkscrew. I love it.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Those bright glass blue eyes get me on the old parrot.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Absolutely wonderful. Good luck, both of you.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I know there are plenty of corkscrew collectors that will love this.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Hopefully, top end of the estimate. Here we go.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42A late Victorian novelty carved nutshell corkscrew
0:23:42 > 0:23:44in the form of a parrot head.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47What do you say? £50 to start me?
0:23:47 > 0:23:4950? 50 to start me?
0:23:49 > 0:23:5150's bid on there. At 50. At £50.
0:23:51 > 0:23:5355.
0:23:53 > 0:23:5560 with you, sir. 65.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- At 65. 70. £70 bid.- Come on!- At 70.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01£70 bid.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Any advance? All done now? At 75 on the internet. Against you.
0:24:04 > 0:24:0780. At £80 in the room. At £80 in the room.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Against you on the internet. At £80. 85.
0:24:11 > 0:24:1390. At £90 back in the room now.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16At 90. At £90 in the room.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Against you on the internet. 95. 100.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- 100.- Interest now.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23110. At 110 on the internet now.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Against you all. All done? £110.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- Well done.- Not bad, is it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- £110. Hammer's gone down.- Amazing!
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- That was great, wasn't it?- Yes!
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- It went to somebody bidding online, on the internet.- Yes.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- Gone to a collector?- I think so, yes. Definitely. Yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Sold to another online bidder.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47It just shows how local auction rooms are reaching out to all over the world.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Debbie's Clarice Cliff piece is valued at 350 to £400.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59I had a chat to James, the auctioneer, just before the sale.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- I asked him if he would separate them.- OK.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08And he said no, purely because the smaller bowl is the one that just might sell.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13- That's the cool shape.- Yes. And the other one will really struggle.- OK.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16You wouldn't get your money back. By putting the two together,
0:25:16 > 0:25:21- someone's going to buy them and they'll have the problem of splitting them up.- OK.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- But he thinks they're going to struggle.- OK.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30But you never know. We've got internet bidding, phone bidding. It's not all in the room.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35- Somebody like you might get carried away...- And spend their money!
0:25:35 > 0:25:40- Spend all their money on this. - Spend £350 on Clarice Cliff instead of a pair of shoes!
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- What would you do?- I'd veer on the side of shoes, myself!
0:25:44 > 0:25:49- Handbags, if it was me! Handbags. - That's girls for you!
0:25:51 > 0:25:541930s Clarice Cliff Bizarre Stamford bowl
0:25:54 > 0:25:57and the Clarice Cliff Rhodanthe pattern dish.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Two items of Clarice Cliff here. Start me.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03£300 to start me?
0:26:03 > 0:26:06£300 to start me, ladies and gentlemen. 300 I have.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10£300 bid now. 320. 340.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13350 I have. 350 is bid here now.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16At 350. 350. 360 I'll take.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19360 behind you. 360 is bid now. 360.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21360 is bid here now.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23At 360. 380, anywhere?
0:26:23 > 0:26:27At £360. It's going to be sold. All done at 360.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33Well done. Just scraped it in there, didn't we? There's commission to pay.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37- Yeah.- You wouldn't have lost much money. Maybe £20 at the end of the day.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- But you've had the joy out of them. - Yeah, I want to buy something new now.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46- What are you going to buy? Not shoes.- No, not shoes, handbags. I've bought a new house
0:26:46 > 0:26:48so it'll go for bits in there.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53- And that haemorrhages money. Curtains, cushions, carpets.- Yes.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- I know the feeling. Enjoy the new house.- Thank you.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Well done. Spot on.
0:26:58 > 0:27:03- Yeah. I thought they might struggle. - Yeah, so did James. He'll be surprised.
0:27:12 > 0:27:18The M25. Mile after miles of cars, lorries and road works.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22But look carefully and there are some real treasures nearby.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27Sometimes you might glimpse something special out of the corner of your eye
0:27:27 > 0:27:31and there never seems to be time to stop and take a closer look.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Well, today, I am going to stop.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42Just 600 yards off the M25, Europe's busiest motorway -
0:27:42 > 0:27:47you can hear it, just over there, with the lorries bombing along -
0:27:47 > 0:27:49is this wonderful Georgian mansion, Copped Hall.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52It's survived a fire, road construction, obviously,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55and land-hungry developers.
0:27:56 > 0:28:02It was a grand country mansion, once surrounded by thousands of acres of hunting parks and farmland.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07But one Sunday morning in 1917, most of Copped Hall was burnt out
0:28:07 > 0:28:10in a disastrous fire.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15It fell into ruin. Over the years, it was stripped of doors, fireplaces,
0:28:15 > 0:28:17even the roof.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20When the M25 cut through the grounds in the 1980s,
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Copped Hall once more came to wider attention
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and developers tried to move in.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30It was down to local campaigners to save the hall and start a long, slow job of rebuilding it.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Architect Alan Cox, who played in the ruins as a boy,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37is one of those campaigners.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42- Why did you get involved? - I knew it since I was a teenager. I've studied architecture
0:28:42 > 0:28:49and by various coincidences I got involved and joined in with local people
0:28:49 > 0:28:52and we set up a campaign to save it. And we got support for that.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Everywhere. Powerful people supported us. It took nine years
0:28:56 > 0:28:58and eventually we won.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02- Did you have to raise much money? - Yes. We had to borrow money.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04But we found two people to lend us the money.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09So that was it. We set up a charitable trust quite near the end
0:29:09 > 0:29:11before we bought it, and then raised the money.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16- Exciting!- And then we paid the money back.- Paid it back.- Which took five years.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20So we had no mortgage and it's just putting it back together again.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- It's an ongoing project. - Yes. The budget to do it all is a lot of money.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Probably ten million. But we don't think like that.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29The process of doing it is part of the attraction.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- It's evolving all the time.- Yes.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34The point about this is it's a work in progress.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38People come here. They go and look at buildings that are complete,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42but this is half-way done and they see it gradually restored.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46- As an architect, are you overseeing this project?- Yes.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- Is it running on schedule? - There's no schedule.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- No budget?- We own it. No budget, no schedule,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56we just move on and we share what we do with the public who come in their hundreds.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00What's the most exciting part of the build so far for you?
0:30:00 > 0:30:04I think finishing the saloon - not finishing it, but getting it usable.
0:30:04 > 0:30:10When we get a bit of floor or roof on, we use it for a concert or play
0:30:10 > 0:30:15so it's used regardless of the fact it's only half-done or quarter-done.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20- You're putting heart and soul back into the building already. - It's not only about the building,
0:30:20 > 0:30:24it's about the people here. Without the people, it wouldn't happen.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27It's two things.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31It might be a mess now, but when Copped Hall was built in 1758,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33it was a grand residence.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37The huge landscaped gardens were tended by an army of 31 gardeners.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It had style and character.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44Ghostly reminders of those glorious days are still scattered around the grounds.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48It would have been a perfect setting for a lavish garden party.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56The inside was spectacular, too.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59I'm off to see the work the Trust has done so far.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04The fire in 1917 and subsequent demolitions
0:31:04 > 0:31:10have left this incredible building without any roof and 90% of its floor joists,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14the two key elements that hold this grand building together.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17They stop the walls from imploding inwards and falling outwards.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19So that was the first thing to be tackled,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22to get the shell, the superstructure, solid.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26And also get it watertight so work can carry on.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Interestingly, Alan's discovered in the cellar, right below me,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35there are four supporting columns.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38One here, one here,
0:31:38 > 0:31:40there and there.
0:31:40 > 0:31:47If he finds there's evidence that these columns come up through this floor which has been re-screeded,
0:31:47 > 0:31:52if there's evidence they poke through, that means there's four classical columns
0:31:52 > 0:31:58that would have sat on them holding these joists up. The big oak joists that were here.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02This is what Alan thinks the entrance hall might have looked like.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10This is a great space, the saloon, a very important room in the house
0:32:10 > 0:32:16where all the entertaining was done. The ceilings here are a lot higher than the other rooms.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21The cornice would have been incredibly deep. See where it starts.
0:32:21 > 0:32:27See these holes in the wall which are there to support great big chunks of plaster
0:32:27 > 0:32:30moulded in great big sections going around here.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34This photo of the saloon taken in about 1900
0:32:34 > 0:32:37shows just how that plasterwork would have looked
0:32:37 > 0:32:40and how it fitted into the opulent surroundings of this mansion.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43The ornate and ostentatious look is simply stunning.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47The Trust is bringing it all back slowly but surely.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54Eventually, all this will be wood-panelled and will look stunning.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I can't wait to see this finished!
0:33:04 > 0:33:06These holes here in the wall
0:33:06 > 0:33:12are where the original stone stringers and risers of the staircase were tied in.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17Winding all the way around this great big stairwell.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Sadly, in the 1950s, somebody demolished it.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28They started at the top and pulled out these stone treads and risers and newel posts
0:33:28 > 0:33:33and dropped them from up there down to there on this lovely flagstone floor.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38So you get an idea of just how much work there is still to do.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41If you want to see the mountain that's left to climb, follow me.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Look at this!
0:33:48 > 0:33:50I should have brought my tool kit!
0:33:50 > 0:33:55The Trust has had some grants in the past and they've used that money wisely and sensibly.
0:33:55 > 0:34:01But they've now run out of money. You can see the amount of work they've still got to do.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05This is the next project. That's the first floor dining room up there.
0:34:05 > 0:34:10There's still no roof. One thing that does happen in big stately piles like this
0:34:10 > 0:34:15when they need to raise money, and Alan's adopted the scheme here,
0:34:15 > 0:34:20anybody can pay to have a Georgian window, a lovely sash window reinstated
0:34:20 > 0:34:24into the original apertures. These cost £2,000 a window.
0:34:24 > 0:34:30It would be really nice to see these horrible steel shutters and doors removed from this building.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33I just hope they raise the money.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56Wow! Restoring one great big antique!
0:34:56 > 0:35:00The main aim of the Trust is to permanently protect Copped Hall,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04restore it to its former glory so it can be used for educational purposes
0:35:04 > 0:35:06and the local community can really benefit.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11Future generations can come here and appreciate it. That's the good thing.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13I just wish them luck!
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Back at Colchester town hall, everyone's in good spirits
0:35:24 > 0:35:27and Kate is ready with our next owner, Mariette.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32Mariette, hello. Welcome to Flog It! You've brought something small and beautiful!
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- Yes.- Tell me about it.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38I can't tell you very much. I brought it on behalf of my mother.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44She inherited it when my father's mother died, my paternal grandmother.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47It's lived in the box ever since. That's all I know about it.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- In a box? You don't show it at all? - No!- Aw!
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- I know!- It's come from quite far away.
0:35:54 > 0:36:00- Ah.- What he have here is a 19th-century Chinese celadon jade scent bottle.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03If we pick it up here, it's so small and tactile,
0:36:03 > 0:36:08it's got this lovely little brass and turquoise, but faded, lid.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13And then you've got what's probably a bone or possibly ivory scoop.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18I guess you'd dip it in and dab it behind your ears or dab your perfume inside your wrists
0:36:18 > 0:36:21and put it back in.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22It's really sweet.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27The only other thing I can think it might be used for is snuff or something like that.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33It could be that instead of perfume a snuff scoop that you'd put a pinch of snuff on and sniff it up!
0:36:33 > 0:36:37But it's quite a lovely thing, irrespective of what its use is.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41We'll stick with scent bottle at the moment.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44It's a lobed, we call it lobed form decoration.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- But otherwise very plain.- Yes.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50Often we see them with intricate carvings, dragons, all kinds of stuff on it.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53But I love the simplicity of this. It's so tactile.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- You want to pick it up... - And stroke it, yes.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58It's a lovely thing.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00It sits in a box!
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- Yes!- So you wouldn't be gutted if we sold it, I suppose?
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- No, she wouldn't be, no. - It's your mother's.- It is.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Price-wise, there are lots of collectors out there.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Obviously the earlier stuff is higher prices.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14But Jade is quite high at the moment.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Chinese collectors are buying stuff like this back again.
0:37:17 > 0:37:23- Right.- I would have thought conservatively it's 50 to £80, something like that.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27- But I would certainly put a reserve on it of £50 just to protect it. - Yes.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32You could maybe give it a bit of auctioneer's discretion, so maybe they'd let it go at 45.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- But I think it's worth £50 every day of the week.- It's lovely,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38but it sits in a box and my mother doesn't want it,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40so sell it. Flog it!
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Flog It! That's the name of the game and why we're here!
0:37:43 > 0:37:49- We'll give it a go at the sale room. - OK.- Hopefully they'll have other Oriental bits to help it sell.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54- Attract other bidders, yes.- I'm scenting victory at the sale room!
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Wonderful. Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Over to David Barby for our next item.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Sandra, I'm fascinated by anybody that owns Troika.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- Good!- Did you acquire this from a car boot sale
0:38:10 > 0:38:14or did you actually buy it from a shop many years ago?
0:38:14 > 0:38:18No, we bought it from a shop in Tintagel in Cornwall.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Wonderful. What was the appeal?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Just the look of it and the feel of it.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27And the Aztec part of it, I've always liked it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32So you bought this in the late '70s, early '80s, that sort of period.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- Yes.- Right.- Yes.- Right.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38This freestanding sculpture here, which I think is superb,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40is known as the Aztec mask.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45So we have the Aztec features there and a stylised mask on the other side.
0:38:45 > 0:38:53- I love the colouring and the rough woven feel to it. It's very tactile. - It is, yes.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56It gives the impression of being so modernistic.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58How much did you pay for that?
0:38:58 > 0:39:05- I think it would have been 15 to £17.- 15 to £17.- Yes.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09It's going to be worth considerably more now.
0:39:09 > 0:39:14- Yes.- If that goes up for auction, I think the price is going to be round about
0:39:14 > 0:39:17250 to £500.
0:39:17 > 0:39:23With reservation because we have one little bit of damage there.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- It's chipped. - Yes. I didn't know that.
0:39:26 > 0:39:32- Where's this been in your home? - It has been wrapped, in a box, in the shed.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- In the shed?!- Yes!
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Why did you put it in the shed?
0:39:38 > 0:39:41I didn't have anywhere nice to put it to show it off.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44"I'll put those away for now." And you forget about them.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- The shed's hardly the best place to put them.- It was wrapped, though!
0:39:48 > 0:39:53This piece here, which I particularly like, this little roundel,
0:39:53 > 0:39:58that's more sort of Ben Nicholson designs. I think that's an attractive piece.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02But that's more of a common shape and form to this one.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04So we're probably looking 40 to £50.
0:40:04 > 0:40:11I was never quite sure what it was classed as. A vase, or...
0:40:11 > 0:40:14I think it would look ridiculous with flowers coming out.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- It's had bits in it. - It stands in its own right.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Look, you're parting with family memories, aren't you?
0:40:20 > 0:40:25- Yes.- What do your children think about this? Do they like them?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27I've never asked them, to be honest.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32- They won't be angry with you if you sold?- No, they've probably forgotten that they're there.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- They've never gone into the garden shed!- No!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Too many spiders!
0:40:37 > 0:40:41So what would you do. Let's say this one goes in at top end of the estimate at 500.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45And this one goes for round about 60?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47What would you do? Reinvest in art?
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- I have a daughter who has a birthday coming up.- Right.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- She'll be coming 21?- (40!)
0:40:53 > 0:40:56- (40?) Well, life begins at 40!- Yes.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58I've yet to experience that!
0:40:58 > 0:41:00I believe you!
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Thousands wouldn't! But I believe Kate's found another item for us.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- Bobby, hello. Welcome to Flog It! - Thank you.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15You've brought some books in today. Tell me about them.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18They were my great-uncle's.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23When he passed away, some time ago, about 20 years ago,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27they were some of the things that we thought looked interesting
0:41:27 > 0:41:29and that we collected from his house.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- Looked old and caught your eye. - They certainly did.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36They've certainly got age. We'll start with this which caught my eye.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Quite a plain leather binding. But when we open it up,
0:41:39 > 0:41:40it's incredibly old.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44"The Saints Treasury, being sundry sermons preached in London
0:41:44 > 0:41:48"by the late Reverend and painful minister of the Gospel."
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Not quite sure what that means! "Jeremiah Burroughs, 1654."
0:41:52 > 0:41:58So we're talking just after Shakespeare, Cromwellian times.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Commonwealth. We'd got rid of the monarchy, basically, instated a parliament.
0:42:03 > 0:42:10This is exciting times. Not a particularly exciting text, sermons.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12- Parliamentarian sermons!- Exactly.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Just having a flick through,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18it's not the most fun thing to sit through on a Sunday, I must say!
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- No.- But it's ridiculous, it's 350 years old
0:42:21 > 0:42:25and in incredibly good condition considering how old it is.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30In terms of book collectors, age does not in itself make it exciting.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35If it was a very early atlas or something else,
0:42:35 > 0:42:37or Shakespeare text, something of that age.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Someone somewhere might like it.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42But it brings us on to the other book from your uncle.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46Which is, looking at the cover, County Maps.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51Now, what I see all the time coming into our sale room
0:42:51 > 0:42:55is these maps, framed up, hand-coloured,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58either contemporary with when they were done or later.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00And just frames of single counties.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04What you have is the whole book. I assume it's complete with every county in.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07There's no front page, so it's not saying who did it,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09but I think it's by a chap called Greenwood.
0:43:09 > 0:43:15- And we're talking early to mid-Victorian so about 1840.- OK.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18We have got railways on here, so that should help date it.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Although it's not brilliant condition with the binding,
0:43:22 > 0:43:26you have got a bit of the spine gone, it's not what we'd call a breaker
0:43:26 > 0:43:29in that's it's not broken and ripped to pieces...
0:43:29 > 0:43:31- OK.- ..and sold off separately.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34It's got a bit of water damage here. It's got damp at some point.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Weren't you tempted to rip it out?
0:43:36 > 0:43:40No. I'd rather see it go in one piece.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45- And hope that somebody would keep it in one piece.- Yeah.
0:43:45 > 0:43:51- Because the condition's good... - I know they say this is the price per page because they'll rip it up.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55But hopefully because it's in one piece, they won't.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59- Here we are in Essex. Colchester. There it is.- Yep.
0:43:59 > 0:44:05The Roman town of Colchester. They have a vignette here of Chelmsford and Southend.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08They're very beautiful things. Price-wise,
0:44:08 > 0:44:13- conservatively 150 to £200. - Really? As much as that?
0:44:13 > 0:44:16There are a lot of prints. At least 20 to 30.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19- I'm surprised.- They'll get at least £30 each.- Yes.
0:44:19 > 0:44:26- Yes, I think that's about right. Is that a price you'd be happy to sell for?- Absolutely.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28I didn't think it would be that much.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30Maybe put a reserve of £100?
0:44:30 > 0:44:35- Try 150 to £200 as the estimate for the catalogue.- Yes. OK.
0:44:35 > 0:44:37- See how they go.- Sure.- All right?
0:44:37 > 0:44:42We'll hope that somebody wants a preaching sermon as well on the side!
0:44:47 > 0:44:51Beryl, these are quite exciting pictures.
0:44:51 > 0:44:55They look as though they've been either stuck in an attic
0:44:55 > 0:44:59or neglected, because they've never been restored.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02- No.- The frames have never been cleaned.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05- Where do they come from? - They're from my friend's cottage.
0:45:05 > 0:45:12- They were on the wall. I don't think they were loved very much by her. - Right.
0:45:12 > 0:45:17When she died and I got them down, they were really, really dirty.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22I've wiped them over, but I don't think they were loved very much.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Do you like fishy subjects?
0:45:24 > 0:45:27Um, not really!
0:45:27 > 0:45:30- Not really. They're more masculine, aren't they?- Yes.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33If you think in terms of the period when these were painted,
0:45:33 > 0:45:37late 19th century, early 20th century,
0:45:37 > 0:45:42the hobby of the very wealthy was hunting, shooting, fishing.
0:45:42 > 0:45:47These would have been in a gentleman's residence,
0:45:47 > 0:45:50maybe in his library, or his sporting room!
0:45:50 > 0:45:55On the wall, you'd have cased pike that he'd caught, stuffed,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58or heads of animals that he'd shot, things like that.
0:45:58 > 0:46:03These pictures were painted by an artist called Roland Knight.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07His signature is there. And he painted exclusively fish
0:46:07 > 0:46:09for that middle-class market.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12These are oil paint onto canvas.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14And they're slightly dirty.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19Even here where the gap has gone into the pike's side,
0:46:19 > 0:46:22that should be a brilliant red.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25When they were up in your friend's house, did she have open fires?
0:46:25 > 0:46:31- Yes, she did, yes. - So the smoke from the open fires has discoloured the paint.
0:46:31 > 0:46:36That can be taken off to reveal some depths of blue and red on the fins
0:46:36 > 0:46:39and they will look entirely different.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41But these are sought-after pictures.
0:46:41 > 0:46:46To have a pair is wonderful. They can be put in each recess of the fireplace.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49In a symmetrical room. So these are quite nice.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52He does achieve good prices.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55I'm going to project a price for the pair
0:46:55 > 0:46:57of about 200 to £400.
0:46:57 > 0:47:03That sort of price range. If you get up to £500, I'll jump with joy!
0:47:03 > 0:47:05For a reserve, we need to put £200 on them.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08- OK.- I'd hate to see them go for less.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11- Are you agreeable to that? - Yes, that's fine.
0:47:11 > 0:47:16- They belonged to a friend. No regrets about parting with them? - No. She wanted me to sell them.
0:47:16 > 0:47:21Well, I'll be there at the auction, batting for you. So fingers crossed!
0:47:21 > 0:47:22Thank you!
0:47:27 > 0:47:29And this is what we're taking with us.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33What a wonderful collection!
0:47:35 > 0:47:38We're selling our items at Reeman Dansie in Colchester,
0:47:38 > 0:47:40and our auctioneer today is James Grinter.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44First up are Sandra's two Troika pieces.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46David gave them a total value of £290 to £560.
0:47:49 > 0:47:56On closer inspection of damage, our auctioneers advised reducing that to £250 to £350.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59- You paid what, £15 for these? - About £15 to £17.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03Hopefully we can turn it into 300 quid and you can go back to Cornwall!
0:48:03 > 0:48:08- Turkey!- Yeah!- Turkey?! Cornwall! Cornwall!
0:48:08 > 0:48:12- You won't get that tan in Cornwall! - You will! Oh, you will!
0:48:12 > 0:48:14- If it isn't raining. - If it's not raining!
0:48:16 > 0:48:20The Troika Aztec mask pottery ornament.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22And the Troika roundel vase.
0:48:22 > 0:48:24Two vases. What do you say for these?
0:48:24 > 0:48:27£200 to start me? £200 start me for the Troika.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32Two is bid on there. At £200 bid now. At 200.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35£200. 210. 220.
0:48:35 > 0:48:36There we are, look!
0:48:36 > 0:48:39220. 230. 240.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41At 240 down here now. 250.
0:48:41 > 0:48:45260. 260 is bid now. At 260.
0:48:45 > 0:48:46- Come on!- 260 is bid.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48270. 280.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51At 280 in the room now. At 280. 290.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53- 300.- That's good, Sandra.
0:48:53 > 0:48:55£300 in the room now. 300. 320.
0:48:55 > 0:48:56340.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59At 340 in the room now. At 340.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01At 340 in the room. 360.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03380. At 380.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06Back in the room now at 380.
0:49:06 > 0:49:11380 back in the room. Against you on the internet. 400. £400.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13- Excellent!- On the internet now. 420 another place.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17James, well done. He's doing a proper job!
0:49:17 > 0:49:21Against you on the internet. At £420 in the room. Final warning now.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24I'm going to sell it. All done now at 420.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28Come on, my 'andsome! £420! Brilliant. Well done!
0:49:28 > 0:49:32That is a holiday if you want to go to Cornwall for a weekend.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37I think it's more a day out with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39OK. How many grandchildren?
0:49:39 > 0:49:43- Three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.- Wow!
0:49:43 > 0:49:48Well, even with all that lot, the Troikas pulled in enough to go round the whole family!
0:49:48 > 0:49:55We might need a prayer for this next item. Bobby's sermon book and the county maps.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59I wondered if the auctioneer might split them, but he's kept them together.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02- One will help sell the other.- Yes. - 150 to £200.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05Why are you selling now?
0:50:05 > 0:50:11- We came to Flog It for the valuation and thought, "Yes..." - Got carried away!
0:50:11 > 0:50:15- I pounced on you!- Got swept up in the moment!- Flog it!
0:50:15 > 0:50:19That's what it's all about. We're here to flog it! Here it is.
0:50:21 > 0:50:28The parliamentary sermon book, The Saints Treasury, 1654.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30And another one, County Maps, as well.
0:50:30 > 0:50:35Quite a lot of interest. I start the bidding with me at £220 with me.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39At £220 with me now. 220.
0:50:39 > 0:50:40230?
0:50:40 > 0:50:45At £220 with me now. At 220. Do I see 230 anywhere?
0:50:45 > 0:50:48At £220. A maiden bid. All done?
0:50:48 > 0:50:50The road to success were the maps.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53- Brilliant.- Well done.- Thank you.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56- There's commission to pay, but enjoy that money.- Yes!
0:50:56 > 0:51:00- Thanks for bringing it in. Well done.- That was a great result! - Straight in!- Great!
0:51:00 > 0:51:07- I thought we might be stuck, but we weren't.- There was a bit of damage, but it didn't apply.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11- It was fine.- Enjoy the money! - I will do. Thank you very much.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12What a good result!
0:51:12 > 0:51:17Up next, Beryl's pair of Roland Knight fish paintings.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23- Beryl, good to see you. These came from a little cottage.- Yes.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26They do have that country house look, don't they?
0:51:26 > 0:51:28A perch and a pike.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31200 to £400. Why are you selling these?
0:51:31 > 0:51:34- I don't really like them.- No.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38- My friend who gave them to me asked me to sell them.- Sell them.
0:51:38 > 0:51:42- "Get a bit of money for yourself." - It's that nasty pike!
0:51:42 > 0:51:45I don't mind the perch. I've caught perch but never pike.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48- They have a nice naive quality about them.- They do.
0:51:48 > 0:51:53- I can see these all cleaned up in a study.- They need a clean. They're dull.
0:51:53 > 0:51:58Good luck. It's a pair. £200. That's no money, is it?
0:51:58 > 0:52:00Let's see what the bidders think.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05The Roland Knight, a pair of oils.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Fishing catches here.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10I have two commissions with me and I start the bidding
0:52:10 > 0:52:14- at £220.- That's great!- 230.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17240. 250. 260. 270.
0:52:17 > 0:52:22280. 290. 300. 320.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28320 in the room, now. £320 bid. 340.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30360. 380. 400.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32420. 440.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35460. 480. 500.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39At £500. Back of the room.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41£500. 520 on the internet.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- 520!- 540.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46- 540 in the room.- 540, Beryl!
0:52:46 > 0:52:47560.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48580.
0:52:48 > 0:52:50At 580 still in the room.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53- 600.- 600!- £600.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55On the internet, against you all.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58All done now at £600.
0:52:58 > 0:53:03- What a big catch! Hey! £600. - That was good!- What a surprise!
0:53:03 > 0:53:07Wasn't that a surprise! I was expecting around 250. Something like that.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10- You've got to be over the moon. - Absolutely thrilled.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14- Commission here is 15% plus VAT. - OK, that's fine.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17- Brilliant!- What will you put that money towards?
0:53:17 > 0:53:19A flight to Thailand.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22- Thailand? Why?- My son lives there.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26- Right. OK. Oh, bless you! - I'll go and see him. Brilliant.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30- When was the last time you saw him? - In the summer.- Oh, great.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33- Thank you for bringing them in. - Thank you!
0:53:33 > 0:53:36Thank you so much.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40Now we're going all girly and delicate
0:53:40 > 0:53:44with this lovely 19th-century Chinese jade scent bottle.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48We're looking at 50 to £80. It belongs to Mariette. This is Mum.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52- It is actually mine!- It's yours, isn't it! What's your name?
0:53:52 > 0:53:54- Rosemary.- Pleased to meet you.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56Why have you decided to sell this?
0:53:56 > 0:53:59- Because I don't collect scent bottles.- You don't.- No.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01It's a lovely little thing.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04It was a present to my husband from a grateful patient.
0:54:04 > 0:54:08- OK. Happy with the valuation? - Completely.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10It should do the top end, shouldn't it?
0:54:10 > 0:54:14- Jade and Chinese things are doing really well. So I'm hoping. - Time to sell.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16Good.
0:54:16 > 0:54:21We'll find out what the bidders think. Good luck, Kate. Good luck both of you.
0:54:21 > 0:54:22Thank you very much, Paul.
0:54:22 > 0:54:27A late 19th-century Chinese green jade snuff bottle.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29A snuff bottle here.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31Two commissions with me.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34Start the bidding at £320.
0:54:36 > 0:54:38- £320 with me now. 320.- Good heavens!
0:54:38 > 0:54:41320. Do I hear 340?
0:54:41 > 0:54:44At 320. 340 on the internet. 360.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47At 360 with me on the book. 380.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50400. At £400 with me.
0:54:50 > 0:54:51420. 440.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53440 with me.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56440. 460. 480.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58- Kate!- 480 is bid now. 500. - A shocker!
0:54:58 > 0:55:04£500 I'm at. 520. Another place on the internet. 540. 540 on the internet.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06560. 580.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10- 600.- At my age, it's shocking, this sort of thing!
0:55:10 > 0:55:13£600. 620?
0:55:13 > 0:55:16620 on the internet now. 640.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18640 is bid now. 640.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22At 640. 660? At 660.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24660 is bid now.
0:55:24 > 0:55:25680.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28- 700.- I've gone all clammy. - I don't believe it!
0:55:28 > 0:55:30720?
0:55:30 > 0:55:32720. 740.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35- This is ridiculous!- Oh, gosh!
0:55:35 > 0:55:37740 is bid. 760?
0:55:37 > 0:55:39- 760.- We missed something, didn't we, Kate?
0:55:39 > 0:55:42- Somebody's gone mad.- Somebody has!
0:55:42 > 0:55:45At £800 now. 820? 820.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47- £820!- 820 is bid.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49820. 840? On the internet
0:55:49 > 0:55:51at 840.
0:55:51 > 0:55:52840. 860.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56- Oh, do stop! This is awful! - No, don't stop!
0:55:56 > 0:55:58At £860.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01All done now? Fair warning.
0:56:01 > 0:56:03All done at 86... 880.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06880. Back in the UK now.
0:56:06 > 0:56:07900 in China!
0:56:07 > 0:56:11At £900 in China.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13Mr UK, will you make it 920?
0:56:13 > 0:56:14Come on, UK!
0:56:14 > 0:56:16920!
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- Yes!- At 920 now. 940 back in China.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21- 940 in China.- Let's round it up!
0:56:21 > 0:56:25940. All done at £940.
0:56:25 > 0:56:26- 940.- 960.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29- No!- Back in the UK! 960.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32I like your style, sir. 980.
0:56:32 > 0:56:33Back in China.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35In China!
0:56:35 > 0:56:37Round it up to £1,000. Come on.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40It's only money! At £980.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43Make it £1,000?
0:56:43 > 0:56:47Last chance. £980. Sold!
0:56:47 > 0:56:49- £980!- Wonderful!
0:56:49 > 0:56:52- What a lovely surprise! - I can't believe it.- Wow!
0:56:52 > 0:56:58Tingling! Hope you're on the edge of your seats at home! Enjoying it as much as we are.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01Absolutely wonderful. And it will all go to charity.
0:57:01 > 0:57:06- Fabulous!- I've made up my mind. - Which charity?- Medecins Sans Frontieres.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08- OK.- Excellent.- My favourite charity.
0:57:08 > 0:57:12My heart is really going. That rarely happens to an auctioneer!
0:57:12 > 0:57:15What a rollercoaster ride!
0:57:15 > 0:57:18We said somebody was going home with a lot of money and it's you!
0:57:18 > 0:57:21I can't believe it. Thank you very much.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23Thank you for bringing it in.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27We're out of time here. Hope you've enjoyed the day as much as we have.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31Join us again for more surprises. Until then, cheerio from us.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33Thank you very much indeed.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35It was a wonderful experience!