0:00:03 > 0:00:07Welcome to Devon and the seaside town of Exmouth.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Nobody's clutching their buckets and spades today, playing on the sand,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14but they are in a healthy queue clutching bags and boxes,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16hopefully full of treasure.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- And what are you going to do with all that lot?- ALL: Flog it!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42'Regarded by some as the oldest holiday resort in Devon,
0:00:42 > 0:00:47'Exmouth has been a popular tourist destination ever since the 18th century.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51'Its golden age came with the arrival of the railway in 1861,
0:00:51 > 0:00:56'bringing with it mass tourism, and it looks like we've also brought out quite a crowd today.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00'Fingers crossed a few gems from that golden age make an appearance.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03'Keen to keep on track and already in the queue
0:01:03 > 0:01:07'looking for today's gems are experts Christina Trevanion...'
0:01:07 > 0:01:12Oh, what is it that you've got? A Victorian scrapbook. That's beautiful, isn't it?
0:01:12 > 0:01:14The colours are still so good.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- '..and Will Axon.' - I've seen a lot of horses
0:01:17 > 0:01:21and I don't think either of those are going to make that water jump.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25'Both highly experienced valuers and auctioneers,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'I can guarantee nothing will slip past them.'
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I'll give you this and we'll have a closer look inside.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Let's get the doors open and get the show on the road.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43'While everyone takes their seats inside the pavilion, here's what's coming up later.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46'Christina is amazed by what you can find if you're lucky...'
0:01:46 > 0:01:50I actually bought it at a jumble sale. I paid 50p for it.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Bought it from a jumble sale? - Yeah.- For 50p?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57'..Will has a little wobble at the unpredictability of the auction room...'
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I hope it sells, you know.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02'..and I fulfil a boyhood dream.'
0:02:02 > 0:02:07I tell you what, this is the life. This is the life every schoolboy wants.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Everybody is now safely seated inside.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19This is where it gets exciting. Who is going to be one of the lucky ones to be whisked off to auction?
0:02:19 > 0:02:25We'll find out, because Will is first at the tables. Let's see who he's talking to and what he's found.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Well, Sue, I saw you looking very glamorous, I must say, in the queue this morning.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36As soon as you pulled this little picture out of your bag, I knew exactly who it was by.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- Did you? - Well, I knew it was Adam Buck but I don't know anything about it.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43I looked on the internet and found nothing out.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- Found nothing out?- No.- Cos he's actually a pretty prolific artist.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Sort of early 19th century.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55Just down here in this little bottom corner, he's kindly signed and dated it, 1821,
0:02:55 > 0:03:01which is really the sort of prime of his career, early 19th century,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05that's really when Adam Buck was painting his best work.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- Is it something that you've bought yourself or something you've inherited?- Yes.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- It's been inherited by the family. My mother.- Your mother's side?- Yeah.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15And does she remember where it came from?
0:03:15 > 0:03:20Erm, it came down the family from my grandmother's side.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23OK. So what I'm edging towards is whether or not this is a family member.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28Well, that's what I'm wondering, cos there's two. My sister's got the other one.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- And is the other one a gentleman? - No, it's a lady.- Another lady.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Is there anyone in the family around this date? Have you got the family tree?
0:03:36 > 0:03:40I haven't gone right back on the family tree, so I really don't know.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45- That's the trouble. Unfortunately, you run out of people to ask, as well.- Well, this is the problem.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49The work itself is very typical of Buck's work.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53She's wearing this wonderful hat with, I suppose, ostrich feathers.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- It's lovely. - Ostrich feathers in her hat.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- And this delicate face with the eyes and the little rose lips there. - I think it's lovely.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03One thing I have got to draw your attention to,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06that I'm not very happy about, is the colour of this frame.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- I think someone's got the old spray paint out.- Have they?- I think so.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- Because looking at the back, it's actually an old frame.- Yeah.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19Let's just spin it over quickly and then you can see what I mean. You can see these blind holes
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and the way the frame's been constructed is in an old way.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25It's got this rather nice label, as well, on the back.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Carver and Gilder, picture frame manufacturer.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31So he may well have made the original frame
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- or, because it's on the back board here...- Possibly the back board.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Yeah, could've come with it from another frame.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Now, value-wise, have you had any thoughts as to what you think it's worth?
0:04:41 > 0:04:44No, but I would hope it's worth more than £100.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Well, I think you're in the right sort of ballpark figure.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I was thinking 100, 150 as an estimate.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54So if we reserve it at that bottom figure, fixed reserve at £100,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I think she stands a good chance of making a little bit more
0:04:57 > 0:05:03- cos she's a pretty face, isn't she? - Very.- It's not like it's a withered, old whiskered gentleman,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07which isn't terribly commercial, but a nice pretty period lady
0:05:07 > 0:05:10in dress like that, I think 100 to 150 is on the money.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- So are we agreed?- Yes, we're agreed. - 100 fixed reserve?- Yep.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I think you should say goodbye, cos I'm pretty confident she'll find a new home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Good. Thanks a lot.- Not at all.
0:05:20 > 0:05:27'And I'm confident, too, that she'll find some admirers in the saleroom. Next, I'm in the driving seat.'
0:05:27 > 0:05:31I've just been joined by Colin and this little chap here in the middle.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Tell me, this is a wild guess, but are you in the tyre business?
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Yes, I was. I was a company director for Southwestern Tyres.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- Right, OK. Based where? - In Exeter.- In Exeter.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Looking at this, I'm pretty sure this is compressed card or felt.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Looking at it, you can see all brown grinning through.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I've seen a lot of these and they're normally late '60s, early 1970s,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56made of fibreglass, more translucent,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59so you can put a bulb up inside so they light up.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- That's right. - This one is a much earlier one. This is very early 1950s.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- So does that correlate with how long you've had this?- Yes, it does.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I was in business for 48 years
0:06:09 > 0:06:14and I bought this, more or less when I started, off a local coach dealer.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- How much did you pay for it? - I cannot remember. I think I gave him a tyre.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24A tyre? That's a fair exchange, isn't it? And where have you had this bolted down? Onto the worktop?
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- No, it was on top of my lorry. - How long was this on top of the lorry for?
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- About 20 years. - Wow! He's had a good life!
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- Did you give him a name? - No, I didn't. No, I didn't.- Colin.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41- THEY LAUGH - It's in relatively good condition. It needs a jolly good clean.- Yes.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- So has this been in the garage in the last few years? - It's been in my attic.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48I retired so I sold the lorry and took this off.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I do like it. There's something about it, isn't there?
0:06:51 > 0:06:55When I was at school, you grew up with these kind of images of this logo. It's that branding,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58that iconic branding, which sticks with you.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00These were only available to people in the trade.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05People like you, dealers, and the general public couldn't buy these back then.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10So when this comes on the market, I think people will fight for this, if you're into automobilia.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- What do you think it's worth? - I have no idea whatsoever.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17If this was in brilliant condition, if this was in perfect original condition,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21I think you'd be looking at £200.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26Unfortunately, it's not. It's had its knocks and its wear, but that's only to be expected.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28It's been on top of a lorry for 20 years.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Let's get this into auction with a value of £80 to £120.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35And put a reserve on, if you're happy, of around £60.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- Are you happy with that? - I'm happy with that, yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I think we'll have a surprise. I think this is a come and buy me
0:07:41 > 0:07:46and I think if we get this on the right website with the right search engines,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49the automobile collectors and the trade collectors will love this.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52'It always amazes me what turns up on a valuation day,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56'however, Hilary's brought along something a little bit more familiar.'
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- Hilary, you've brought in this collection of silver today.- Yes.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05You've got some teaspoons and then this rather lovely cigarette case here
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- which has got Bristol & District Table Tennis Association on the front.- That's correct.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- So are you a table tennis fan? - Well, I was when I was younger.
0:08:13 > 0:08:19My father was one of the members of the Bristol & District Table Tennis Association. He was the treasurer.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24And in 1959, he was presented with this cigarette case
0:08:24 > 0:08:27in recognition of the work he'd done for the association.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- And he obviously represented his club and did a lot for the club. - He was mainly the treasurer.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35I think that's why he got this recognition.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Well, what a lovely gift that they've given him. You've got the enamelled front.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- The case is solid silver.- Right.- And it's hallmarked for Birmingham 1957.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- And they've obviously engraved his initials in the top corner here. - Yes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54If we open it up, it's still got its box there and a little dust case,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58and you've got this rather lovely inscription here, which says,
0:08:58 > 0:09:04"Presented to AG Norman on his appointment as a life member, B&D TTA,"
0:09:04 > 0:09:08which is the table tennis association, "May 1959," which is lovely
0:09:08 > 0:09:14because although it's hallmarked for 1957, it's contemporary within that two-year period.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19So it really is a quality piece. You've got this gilt interior, as well, which is really nice.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- Just adds to the luxurious feel of it. Do you know if he ever used it? - Oh, yes.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29- Oh, really?- Yes. In fact, when I opened it up, it still had little bit of tobacco in, which I brushed out.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Oh, wonderful! Aw.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34So that was the first item you brought in to us.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39And then you've also brought these very Art Deco teaspoons here, which are solid silver.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- Right.- And they are hallmarked for Sheffield 1937.- Right.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Maker's mark CB&S, which I can't track down.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- I think it may well be Charles Boyton & Sons.- Right.- I'm not sure. Where have they come from?
0:09:52 > 0:09:57I don't know. They were my mother's, and she's long dead, I'm afraid.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- There's nothing significant that I know of in her life at that time so I'm not sure how she got those.- OK.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07And then we've also got this nice retailer's label here for James Walker Ltd.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11The spoons fit beautifully in this box, so I think they are contemporary...
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- They look contemporary. - ..with the box. Exactly.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Then this second set of silver teaspoons, they're a little bit smaller and are monogrammed
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and those are hallmarked for London 1923.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23And that was when she was married first.
0:10:23 > 0:10:30- And her married name was Faracre and the F monogram is for Faracre. - Oh, right.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- So those would've been a wedding present in 1923.- Absolutely. - Why have you brought them in?
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Well, I'm moving house and I've been turning out cupboards
0:10:38 > 0:10:42and, frankly, I haven't seen these since I moved into the house I'm in,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47which is 16 years, so it just seems that they're sitting in a drawer
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- and somebody else might enjoy them. - OK.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54It is quite difficult to put a price on the items because they are very different.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- With regards to a value, I think what we would do is put them as one lot.- OK.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Because the stronger items will help sell the weaker items.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- So I think, at auction, we're looking at somewhere in the region of £80 to £120.- OK.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- For the group.- Yes.- The main value being in your cigarette case
0:11:11 > 0:11:13and in your Art Deco spoons.
0:11:13 > 0:11:19OK? So we're looking at £80 to £120, maybe with a reserve of £70.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- All right?- Yeah.- How do you feel about that?- That'll be fine.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28- Let's hope that Dad's many hard voluntary hours at the table tennis club pay off for you.- Yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32'It always amazes me what turns up on a valuation day.'
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Judith, thanks for bringing in the pestle and mortar.- My pleasure.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40What can you tell me about it, where has it come from?
0:11:40 > 0:11:43I can't tell you a lot other than we found it
0:11:43 > 0:11:46in my husband's parents' house when we were clearing up
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and he can remember it since he was about the age of ten,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51so it's about 55 years.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54He thinks that it was to do with his grandparents.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Right, OK.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It's certainly older than you or your husband remember it.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I've been looking at it and it can be quite hard to date
0:12:02 > 0:12:04this sort of tree or turned wood...
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Yes.- ..but I think we're probably into the sort of
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- 18th century here.- It's incredible.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12So we are thinking sort of 1700s.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15That's possible because his grandmother was in service
0:12:15 > 0:12:18at a big house in Tiverton.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20This would have probably been used below stairs
0:12:20 > 0:12:21in the kitchen to prepare,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23or even for medicinal purposes,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- for preparing medicines and so on...- I suppose so, yes.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28..and mixing up ingredients.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I am fairly confident that it is a lignum vitae,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34which is a well-known wood for turning
0:12:34 > 0:12:37because it's so dense. You feel the weight of it, can't you?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Yes.- It's very heavy. Lignum vitae, actually,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42it's one of the few woods that actually sinks in water.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45It's so dense that it doesn't float.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48The pestle I think is probably associated, to be fair.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I don't think they started off life together.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54If you put it inside there, you can just see the proportions
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- are a little odd.- I thought that, yes.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- It's certainly done the job, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00It certainly fits in quite nicely.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Have you given a thought of what it might be worth?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Absolutely no idea!
0:13:04 > 0:13:07We were just intrigued about it, really.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09We thought if Flog It! was coming to Exmouth,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12we would like to bring it and see what we could be told about it.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13I think you're right.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17I'm going to suggest that we put it in the sale with an estimate of
0:13:17 > 0:13:19around the couple of hundred pound mark.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20How do you feel about that?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Very happy.- Really?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Let's put it in, let's straddle that £200 mark.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Let's put it in at 150 to 250.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Fair enough, that should be fine.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32On the day, it could make 200 or 300 or £400.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34That sounds wonderful.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- I think the only thing to say now is, see you at the auction.- Thank you.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Thank you vey much.- Not at all.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Over the years on the show,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I've discovered some superb antiques,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55seen some wonderful works of art and met some extraordinary people.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58But every now and then, when I least expect it,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01I come across an artist who completely bowls me over,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03totally inspires me,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07and that's what happened when I was staying here in the Dartmoor National Park.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I have two passions in life, art and animals.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20When I saw this painting here in the entrance hall at Bovey Castle,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23it was love at first sight.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26For me, this work is contemporary, it's fresh, it's alive.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Vibrant hues, yet understated.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Broad, square brushstrokes
0:14:32 > 0:14:34perfectly placed, but with confidence.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38This work is complicated but at the same time it's refreshingly simple
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and easy on the eye.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's by contemporary artist Katherine Lightfoot,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and she's kindly agreed to meet up with me today to have a chat
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and also give me a lesson so hopefully I can learn one or two things,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53pick up some tips, because her work has literally inspired me
0:14:53 > 0:14:55to pick up a paintbrush and start to paint.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Katherine is an impressionist painter
0:14:58 > 0:15:02who knew from primary school that she wanted to be an artist.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05She grew up in Dartmoor so it's no surprise that most of her work
0:15:05 > 0:15:09is inspired by the moorland and the farm animals.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13She says it is their stubborn ability to survive the elements
0:15:13 > 0:15:16within their remote and beautiful environment
0:15:16 > 0:15:18that she admires.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20And I must say the mood and the character she captures
0:15:20 > 0:15:22is stunningly beautiful.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Katherine, hello.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- Hello, Paul. - I'm so pleased to meet you at last.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- You, too.- Thank you from meeting up with me. Oh, crikey.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Two are underway - one's for me, one's for you?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- That's right.- We're painting sheep? - That's right.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40You're working from photographs, I see.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I'm afraid we haven't got a resident sheep here
0:15:43 > 0:15:45so we're going to have to paint from photographs
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- and I have a lovely Devon Longwool... - Oh, gosh.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- I think that looks stunning as it is. I'm going to muck this up.- No, you're not.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54So you start with a blank canvas.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56You obviously put a ground colour on straight away?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Always start with the wash, it gives more depth to it.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02You've started with a charcoal-y, dark sort of colour.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Are we hoping to put green grass on that?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06You can put whatever you like,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09but I think green would complement the sheep,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11or a sky blue. Make it up as you go along.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- Is that what you tend to do? - Artistic licence, yeah!
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Can I pick a brush up? I love your palette.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Yes, I don't clean it as often as I should
0:16:19 > 0:16:21but it works for me.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23But animals are your thing?
0:16:23 > 0:16:24Yes, pretty much.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Sheep, horses...?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Mostly Dartmoor-inspired, so, yes...
0:16:28 > 0:16:31I need a lesson, I want to learn how to paint like this.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Where do we start? You've started with this outline.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Basically, I work from dark to light,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38and then bring in the creams and whites and highlights,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40and build it up from there.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Did you always paint like this?
0:16:42 > 0:16:44It's just a style that's evolved
0:16:44 > 0:16:47over the space of ten years
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and it's just the way I paint now.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Can I start more on the background? - Of course you can.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55I'm feeling really scared and I just think I'm not going to muck up the image so much
0:16:55 > 0:16:58if I begin to feel confident with a bit of blue.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00There's a lot of white and cream
0:17:00 > 0:17:02and highlight, and on the nose,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05so maybe start building up some depth.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07You tend not to clean your brushes off,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- you use the same brush for the same colour?- I try to,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11to stop using too much turps.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13I find if the brush is too wet with turps,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16it stops you from getting the colours underneath coming through,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18so work with a sort of dry-ish brush.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20And it's sort of dragged, mostly,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- as it is moved...?- That's right, yes.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25I don't know if that's the right colour to use or not.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- I think it works. The secret is to paint fast.- I've gathered that,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32because I've just been watching you and all of a sudden
0:17:32 > 0:17:35you've put some highlight on your sheep, just on its forehead,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37and all of a sudden the sheep is talking to you,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40whereas mine is sort of in the distance, frightened.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41SHE LAUGHS
0:17:41 > 0:17:43We're lucky, we are painting from photographs,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46but if you think about Monet,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48he had to paint as fast as he could and wet on wet...
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Is his work a big influence to you? - Yes.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- More so than any other artist? - Yes, definitely.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58But your work has totally inspired me to pick up paintbrushes
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- and do this kind of thing. - Oh, thank you.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Be loose with it and be creative
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and imaginative, and I think that's what good art is all about.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Yeah, when you're starting out as a painter,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I think it's always best to use a big canvas and a big brush.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Don't be frightened of it. - It's very therapeutic, isn't it?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16It is great, actually.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Can you give me a tip about what to do for some of these curls in the wool?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Just...do a curl.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25It's not that easy.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Just go...
0:18:26 > 0:18:29This is ten years of you going...
0:18:29 > 0:18:32That's the problem, it's all feel, isn't it?
0:18:37 > 0:18:40'Katherine's painting style enables her to capture
0:18:40 > 0:18:43'the feeling and the movement of her subjects.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46'Those bold strokes and layers give every canvas
0:18:46 > 0:18:48'it's individuality,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51'capturing the depth and character of each animal.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55'Some have a sense of vulnerability,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59'some seem detached or even isolated,
0:18:59 > 0:19:01'while others are just inquisitive.'
0:19:12 > 0:19:15I'm just going to turn my painting upside down
0:19:15 > 0:19:16so I can have a look at it, like that.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19It's just something I do, it helps me to look.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21What will you look for when you stand back?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23It just helps you to see where you've gone wrong
0:19:23 > 0:19:26or helps you to see where to go when you're a bit stuck.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Will you work on more than one canvas at a time?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Yes, I do, so I don't overwork them
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and because they are oils, I let them dry,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37pick them up and then put fresh colours over the top.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39What do you like painting most?
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Is it sheep or would it be the cattle, or cows?
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Sheep, I think. There is something nice and familiar.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I don't know, childhood memories or something.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52When I have a show in London and I put a sheep in this big, swanky gallery
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- and put a sheep in the window... - In the city centre...
0:19:54 > 0:19:57..in the city centre, you see these businessmen rushing past
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and they stop and have a look
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and it makes them smile, you know.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Your work does that, it puts a smile on people's faces.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08And I think that's a brilliant quality.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10It's technically very, very clever
0:20:10 > 0:20:12but because it's loose and expressionistic,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14you don't understand the cleverness.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17This it's why I'm so grateful to have this lesson.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I would never have the confidence to start like this at home.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- Starting to relax into it now.- Just.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Yeah, just.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Now I've lost its ear.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30This is looking more like Highland cattle...
0:20:30 > 0:20:32THEY LAUGH
0:20:35 > 0:20:36You're doing really well.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Do you actually stand back and go, "Yeah, it's finished,"
0:20:39 > 0:20:41and then tomorrow change your mind
0:20:41 > 0:20:42and want to put more on?
0:20:42 > 0:20:43Yeah, absolutely.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47You can go home thinking, "Wow, I've done a good job today,"
0:20:47 > 0:20:49come back the next morning and think, "No way.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51"How did I think that was good?"
0:20:51 > 0:20:54So, when do you know, when is that moment, that definitive moment
0:20:54 > 0:20:56when you know it is finished?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58When you are actually pleased with it, I suppose.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00When you actually see it, and you think,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03"Ooh, I've done OK there."
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Cos sometimes less is best, isn't it?- Yes.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09That's going to be my maxim. Right now I'm thinking less is best.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11I want to keep my sheep quite dark,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13but I know it's not finished, but I'm frightened to...
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- Maybe you could...- What do I do next? - ..use a big brush.- OK.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- That one's a bit huge.- Go on, just show me....
0:21:20 > 0:21:22He's got a big blob of white there
0:21:22 > 0:21:23- and a big blob there.- Yeah.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- So if you maybe incorporate a few big blobs...- OK.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29..just to soften all those smaller brush marks
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- you've got.- Cos there's a lot there are, isn't there?- Yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Just here?- Yeah.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35What, a big blob?
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Yes, cos all this area's quite light, isn't it?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Yeah. I guess that's the good thing about oils,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- you can keep going over it and over it.- You can.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- Shall we have a look? Can you turn that back up?- Of course.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51I'm just intrigued that you have been painting for half an hour now
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- with that upside down... - And too long.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54THEY LAUGH
0:21:54 > 0:21:56No, not at all.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Did that help, turning it over after half an hour?
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- It did, actually, yes.- Gosh!
0:22:04 > 0:22:05That is so good.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Thank you so much for helping me. - My pleasure.- I'll shake your hand.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Oily hand.- Can we carry on for a bit more?- Yes.- I just think this is lovely.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15What a perfect day out.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28'We have our first four items.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31'Now we are taking them off to the sale.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35'Let's hope we have a good result at auction.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42'We're in Exeter at Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood for our sale today.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45'We're lucky enough to have Chris Hampton auctioneering our lots
0:22:45 > 0:22:50'and the seller's commission here is 16.5% plus VAT.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55'So let's crack on. Our first lot is Sue's charming painting.'
0:22:55 > 0:22:59We had an original valuation which Sue was pleased with of £100 to £150.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Since the valuation day, you've had a chat to the auctioneer.- Yes.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- And you've raised that reserve to £200.- Yes.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- New valuation, £200 to £300.- Right.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12To be honest, I've sold prints by Adam Buck at £100 plus.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15The only thing that made me hold back a bit was the frame.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17This is it. It's down to the bidders.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Adam Buck, portrait of a young woman, half-length,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25wearing a splendid hat. £150 is bid.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- At £150. - I hope it sells, you know.- 160.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31170. £170.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Where's 180?
0:23:33 > 0:23:35180. 190.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- 200.- It's sold.- Good.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40£200. Seated near me.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43At £200. 10, will you?
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- At £200. - No, it's going on the reserve.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- At £200. - HAMMER BANGS
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- Well done. Good for you for putting up the reserve.- Well done.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- It might have gone for much less. - If no-one was bidding against you,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58he would've got it at 100.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03Thank you. I've got very sweaty hands. Nice to meet you.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- The tension.- Nice to have met you. - Thanks for a good day.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09'What a great start! Let's hope it continues.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12'I'm up next with Colin's advertising icon.'
0:24:12 > 0:24:15It's the Michelin Man about to go under the hammer.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18We've got a reserve of £60. I'm hoping to get around 80.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Unfortunately, Colin hasn't made it in yet.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25We've been on the phone to him. He said he's left home but maybe he's having problems parking
0:24:25 > 0:24:27because it is really busy out there.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32I'm expecting him to run through the door any second now and join with me in this wonderful moment.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38The seated advertising figure of a Michelin Man with mounting bracket.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44£45 is bid. At £45. At 45.
0:24:44 > 0:24:4650. 55.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49At £55. And 60 now.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52And 60, will you? 60 in the doorway.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55At £60. 5 now.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- Come on, Colin. - At £60 and selling it at 60.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Sold. Here's Colin now. Look at that.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- HE LAUGHS - I'm not joking,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I've literally just said to the camera, "The hammer's gone down".
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- The hammer went down... - Oh, right.- ..at £60.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Is that OK? - Yeah, that's quite all right.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- Colin, it's great to see you anyway. - And you.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Can we make it a hat-trick with the pestle and mortar?
0:25:23 > 0:25:28Oh, have I been waiting for this moment ever since that valuation day
0:25:28 > 0:25:29back in Exmouth.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Judith's here. What a stir you caused.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I'm very pleased about that.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36And what a lovely item, something so tactile,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39something so sculptural, the pestle and mortar,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41which I took around to all the off-screeners...
0:25:41 > 0:25:43So we have a mixed variation of valuations
0:25:43 > 0:25:45and I let Will go ahead with it
0:25:45 > 0:25:48with you at the table. You were ever so excited.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- I was. Very pleased. - I'd love to have done that one, because this could fly away.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- My fingers are crossed.- Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The 18th-century lignum vitae mortar
0:25:56 > 0:25:58and a treen pestle.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01And at £150 starts it.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03160, 170.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04- 180, 190.- Bid on the book.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07200, 220.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09240, 260,
0:26:09 > 0:26:13280. £280, where's 300?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15At £280, straight ahead.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- Now selling at £280.- Come on, a bit more.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Well, it's gone. Top end, though, 280.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24We are happy, Judith?
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- I'm very happy about that. - That's very good.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Had a lot going for it, yeah?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- I think you're right. - Really good, nice thing.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Thank you so much for bringing it in.- My pleasure.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41'And coming up next, we've got a collection of silver all from the 1900s.'
0:26:41 > 0:26:43It belongs to Hilary, who's right next to me.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48- And this is your first auction. - It is.- You're having a bit of a tough time at the moment, aren't you?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I am. I've just moved out of one house and I haven't moved into my next house
0:26:52 > 0:26:56- and I'm staying with a very nice friend.- Stressful, isn't it, living out of boxes?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- Absolutely.- Good luck in your new house. Where is it?- Heavitree.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04- Where's that?- In Exeter. It's sort of the other side of town.
0:27:04 > 0:27:10- You're staying in the area.- Yes. - Oh, good.- Cos I have an allotment and I want to keep it.- Ooh.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14- Where I'll be this afternoon. - We've digressed. We should be talking about antiques.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Your lot is next. Good luck, Hilary.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Silver cigarette case,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21a set of six George VI teaspoons
0:27:21 > 0:27:26and a set of six George V coffee spoons, cased. All together.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30£70 is bid. At 70. 5. 80.
0:27:30 > 0:27:325. 90. 5.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36100. And 5. 110. 120.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- He's looking at his book. - People have left bids on the book
0:27:39 > 0:27:44prior to the sale. They've viewed it earlier in the week but aren't here.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Selling at £160. - HAMMER BANGS
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- Result! £160!- Excellent!
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Wow!- That's really good!
0:27:53 > 0:27:58Yes! You can go from the tension, the high drama of the auction room
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- to the calm of the allotment. - I will, thank you, Paul. - I quite envy you.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- Yes.- On a day like today.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- Is that where you're heading off to? - Absolutely.
0:28:07 > 0:28:13'While Hilary heads off to the allotment, I've got my own journey to make, back to a bygone era.'
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Now, I'm a bit of an old romantic and I'm passionate about nostalgia
0:28:25 > 0:28:28and so I should be, because I love antiques and everything old.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Today we're going to relive the past. I'm going to take you on a trip down memory lane
0:28:32 > 0:28:35on one of the best heritage railway lines in the country.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39This is the age of steam, so come on, I've got a train to catch.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43'And that train is here at the South Devon Railway.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46'The UK's railway system is the oldest in the world,
0:28:46 > 0:28:51'built as a patchwork of local rail links operated by small private companies
0:28:51 > 0:28:55'which, over time, developed into a national network. This branch was part of
0:28:55 > 0:28:59'the South Devon Railway Company and it joined the Plymouth to Exeter mainline.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04'Opened in 1872, it originally ran for nine miles,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06'from Totnes to Ashburton.'
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Today it's a bit shorter. It runs for about seven miles,
0:29:12 > 0:29:17from this station, Buckfastleigh, to Totnes, which is in that direction.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Now, you're probably wondering why I'm dressed like this.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Today I have the opportunity to fulfil every schoolboy's dream.
0:29:23 > 0:29:29I'm going to be riding on the footplate and learning how to drive this locomotive and be the fireman,
0:29:29 > 0:29:34obviously under instruction from Chris and Dave, who are up here waiting for me.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37I am prepared to put in a full day shift.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41I've even got my steel-toecap boots on. So let's get dirty.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Hello, guys! Pleased to meet you!
0:29:43 > 0:29:46- Hi, Paul.- Hello.- Paul.- Hi, Chris.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48I've got to say, you're immaculately turned out.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Will we look like this at the end of the day, completely clean,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- or will we be covered in... - We might, but you won't. - THEY LAUGH
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- How long have you been working on this railway line? - I've been a member since 1968.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05- Wow.- Just before it actually started running. And I've been driving since 1993.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09- You've got the hardest job. You're the fireman. - No, you've got the hardest job.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13I'm going to be the fireman today! I'll really work at this
0:30:13 > 0:30:15and put in a good day's shift for you.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Is this really the apprenticeship for becoming an engine driver?
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- Did you have to be a fireman first? - You start off as a cleaner.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Gradually, you learn how to light the fire and then you progress to the footplate
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and then under the guidance of the driver and the fireman, you learn how to fire the engine.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35You then progress to learning this side of the engine, driving that,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39and you learn how to oil the engine up, where to look, all this sort of thing.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42So it does take a few years before you get over to this side.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45What do I have to do first? What is the first job of the fireman?
0:30:45 > 0:30:47There was nothing in the firebox this morning,
0:30:47 > 0:30:52so we've spent three hours bringing up to pressure and we've got 160 on the clock
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and three-quarters of water in the boiler.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00- The boiler is the most important thing on the engine. If we lose water, we go bang.- That's the gauge.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04I tell you what, the size of the coal... Look at that!
0:31:04 > 0:31:06That is a whopping great lump of coal!
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- I shove it in there? - Yep.- There you go!
0:31:09 > 0:31:10TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:31:18 > 0:31:23You guys have kindly got up at six o'clock this morning to sort this trip out for me today.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27You do it day in and day out throughout the season. Why do you do it?
0:31:27 > 0:31:31I thoroughly enjoy it. Somebody said to me, "What would you do if you won the lottery?"
0:31:31 > 0:31:33I said, "I would do what I'm doing now." It was always a passion.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37I always wanted to be an engine driver when I was out taking train numbers.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- So I always felt privileged to get on a steam locomotive.- Yeah.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- And what about you, Chris? - I love doing it.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48If you didn't love the job, you wouldn't do the hours, because it's such hard work.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53- Need to put water in the boiler now. Would you like to do that?- Yes. It's about time I did something.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Pull that lever there. That puts the water on.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- And then you turn the steam valve anticlockwise.- This one?
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Yep. You might have to crack it.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06That's it. Back the way.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10And then we listen for the sound. That usually tells you it's picked up.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- I can hear it whistling.- Yeah. And if not, you look down the side
0:32:13 > 0:32:17and if there's no water coming through, you just trim it with that there.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20- As a fireman, you've got to think ahead all the time.- Sure.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- It's really hot just here. - Turn it off now.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- Off with the steam.- That's off. - And off with the water.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33When was the 305 class, this type of locomotive, decommissioned?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- Well, it was never decommissioned. - Really?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39No, it actually came off British Railways
0:32:39 > 0:32:42and it actually came down to Totnes first off
0:32:42 > 0:32:46and it did come up this branch back in the mid '60s.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49And then it disappeared to the Severn Valley Railway
0:32:49 > 0:32:53where it actually ran their inaugural train up there in 1970, I believe.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56How many have survived? Do you know?
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- This is it. This is the only one that survived.- Really?
0:32:59 > 0:33:05- TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS - Wow! I was going to say, "Wow!" and he went, "Whoo-whoo!"
0:33:05 > 0:33:08This is the only survivor! That is quite incredible, isn't it?
0:33:10 > 0:33:13'Running along the stunning valley of the River Dart,
0:33:13 > 0:33:19'the journey to Totnes takes approximately 25 minutes, stopping only once, at Staverton.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29'But it gives you ample time to take in the breathtaking views.'
0:33:29 > 0:33:33This is just beautiful. It's absolutely stunning. Nice time of the year to do this.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36- Yes, the leaves are just out now. - Isn't that spectacular?
0:33:36 > 0:33:40Underneath a canopy of green foliage, this is the life.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43This is the life every schoolboy wants.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I just love the smell. Everything about this journey is wonderful.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- What sort of speed are we doing now? - We're doing approximately 20.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55What would our braking distance be if we saw a cow or sheep on the line?
0:33:55 > 0:34:00- Probably about a quarter of a mile, safely.- Really? Quarter of a mile?
0:34:00 > 0:34:04I mean, there's a lot of weight here to stop, really, I guess, isn't there?
0:34:19 > 0:34:22That'll be enough now. Thank you. Lovely.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27What happens at the end of the day when you're on your last route and you have a boiler full of coal?
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Do you knock it out or let it die off gradually?
0:34:29 > 0:34:32No, I work in advance, think ahead.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37On the last trip, I won't put so much coal in the firebox so it'll be a lighter fire,
0:34:37 > 0:34:42keep the boiler on full, and when we get back, the fire should be nice and flat
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- and just about going out.- OK.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48You actually work non stop. You work harder than Chris does, really.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- Drivers don't do anything, do they? - Not really.
0:34:51 > 0:34:57o, he's got the responsibility of being the engine driver, and he's in charge of me, as well.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Dave, thank you so much. And you, Chris. I've thoroughly enjoyed my day here.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13I'm going to do the return journey sitting in the carriage, soak up the nostalgia and the scenery
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- and carry on enjoying the day. How did I do?- You did very well.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20And you didn't drop my shovel in the fire. THEY LAUGH
0:35:20 > 0:35:25'So my job has finished, but Dave and Chris are still hard at it.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32'As Totnes is at the end of the line, the locomotive needs to be uncoupled
0:35:32 > 0:35:35'and repositioned at the head of the carriages.
0:35:37 > 0:35:44'Once everything's secured, we're all set for the return journey. This time I get to enjoy a comfy seat.'
0:35:44 > 0:35:49Isn't that just stunning out there, the beautiful Devonshire countryside?
0:35:49 > 0:35:55Completely unspoilt, unchanged and not a trace of the modern world.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59And I must say, it's a lot warmer and quieter here in this second-class carriage.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04It reminds me of being a schoolboy, growing up in Surrey and living near Hampton Court
0:36:04 > 0:36:09and getting on the train there and travelling to Surbiton. Wonderful times.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13'The history of the line, commercially, it's quite a quiet one, really.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18'It was used for transporting goods, things like coal, wool, cider
0:36:18 > 0:36:20'and agricultural equipment and the local population.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25But with the advent of the motorcar becoming a lot more popular in the early 20th century,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28takings on the line here declined
0:36:28 > 0:36:32and, sadly, it closed on 3rd November 1958.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35It carried on transporting goods for a few more years,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39but that finished, also, in 1962.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45'In fact, the 1960s was a defining moment for all the railways in the UK.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47'Richard Beeching, chairman of British Rail,
0:36:47 > 0:36:52'became infamous for the reshaping and slimming down of a whole network.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56'So it was with a sense of irony that, in 1969,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59'Beeching was invited to open this picturesque line,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02'named at the time the Dart Valley Railway.'
0:37:03 > 0:37:08A group of enterprising businessmen decided to reopen this line and run it for tourists,
0:37:08 > 0:37:13and thank goodness they did. It's been running ever since and it's keeping our heritage alive.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Today it's a registered charity, run by volunteers,
0:37:15 > 0:37:19people like Chris and Dave, who get up early in the morning
0:37:19 > 0:37:24and make this journey so special. It's well worth the trip.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Love it to bits. I'm going to look out the window now.
0:37:36 > 0:37:42'We've travelled back to Exmouth, where everyone has been waiting patiently for some more valuations.'
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- Are you still happy?- ALL: Yes!
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- It's your turn next, believe me. - THEY LAUGH
0:37:48 > 0:37:51Welcome back to our valuation day here at the Pavilion in Exmouth.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56Let's now catch up with our experts and see what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00'And it's Will who's spotted something first, so sit up straight as we listen in
0:38:00 > 0:38:03'to what he has to say about Sally's chair.'
0:38:03 > 0:38:08I'm pleased to see a bit of furniture at Exmouth today. We don't often get the chance,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12us furniture experts or people who are geared towards furniture.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14It's often too big or bulky to bring in.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18- But no problem with this little piece.- No.- What can you tell me about it?- Not a lot.
0:38:18 > 0:38:24I bought it in a shop about 30 years ago now when I'd just moved into a new house.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27- Has anyone perched on it since then? - No, nobody's sat on it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31- Because someone at some stage has and would have.- Yes.
0:38:31 > 0:38:36These are generally called correctional chairs or deportment chairs where, if you sat in them,
0:38:36 > 0:38:41because of the very vertical nature of the back, it would stop you from slouching.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- Yes.- Which is a natural position we fall into.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51- Yes.- And you can tell someone has used it by the natural wear on the turnings here on the stretchers.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56- Yes.- Can I ask you what you paid for it?- I think I paid around £50. - That's not too bad.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Because, of its type, I think it's a rather nice one.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Starting from the top and working down,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06we've got a nice top rail that echoes dining chairs of the time.
0:39:06 > 0:39:12- We're talking early 19th century to mid-19th, William IV, Victorian crossover.- Yes.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16This carved rail, as well, that's a nice touch of quality.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Someone's gone to the effort of hand-carving that.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21And, again, that echoes the dining chairs of the time.
0:39:21 > 0:39:26- You'll see a lot of dining chairs with that sort of splat on the back. - Right.- Nice little caned seat,
0:39:26 > 0:39:31- which is actually in good order, which is nice.- Yes. - Looks like it could be original.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34It could have been replaced. But it's been done sympathetically.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- Yes.- And it's been done well. And then these long, elegant legs.
0:39:38 > 0:39:45- There's a nice little splay at the bottom.- Yes.- It adds that little... It gives it that stability.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50- Yes, I particularly like that, the way it splays out.- That's another typical feature of the period.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54That little splayed front leg. And the wood itself is in beech.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59- Oh, right, yes. - You can generally tell beech when you get these flecks...
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Yes. - ..just by the way the wood is cut.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Right. I see.- That's the way the rings appear on the surface.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10- Yes.- But up here, they've just added these little pen marks or paint marks,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14- just to simulate the rosewood grain. - Yes. That's interesting. I didn't know that.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18So if someone was sitting on it, you might just see the top rail.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23- So that's where they've made the effort to try and make it look more expensive than it is.- Yes.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27- I mean, I like it myself. Do you like it?- Yes, I do like it. - So why are you selling it?
0:40:27 > 0:40:33- Well, since I had that, parents have died and I've inherited various other chairs.- Yes.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36There isn't really a lot of room left for chairs.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40As this one isn't used, I thought it made sense to get rid of that one.
0:40:40 > 0:40:46- OK, so if you got your money back... - Yes.- ..that would be a good ending to the story, wouldn't it?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- You'd have had the enjoyment of it. - Yes.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52So let me put the estimate at 40 to 60.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- Yes.- Straddle that £50 mark. - Right, yes, that's fine.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00- Do you want to reserve it? Or are you happy for it to...- Perhaps I should have a reserve on it.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04- Let's put a reserve on at 30. - Yes.- If it's not worth £30 then I say take it home.- Yes.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- It's got to be worth £30. - That's fine.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- I'm pretty sure you'll have no trouble getting that away on the day.- OK.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13And thanks for bringing in a bit of furniture for me to look at.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- That's all right. - Thanks very much.- Thanks.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Chris, you brought this lighter in to show us. Tell me where you got it from.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Well, I actually bought it in a jumble sale about 30 years plus ago.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34- I paid 50p for it.- You bought it from a jumble sale for 50p?
0:41:34 > 0:41:40- Yeah.- That's brilliant.- I took it home and cleaned it up and realised it was nine-carat gold.- It is.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Absolutely, nine-carat gold, yeah. And it's got a wonderful maker's mark.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- Did you recognise the name at the time, Dunhill?- Yeah, I did, yes.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52- I sent it away to Dunhill cigarette manufacturers in London.- Yeah.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57- And I asked if they could repair it, cos there was a pin broken on it. - Right.- They refurbished it fully.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02- They sent it back to me with no charge.- Oh, gosh, that was very generous, wasn't it?
0:42:02 > 0:42:06And also they offered me £100 to buy it for their museum.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11- Wow! So how long ago was that? - That's got to be about 30 years ago because I didn't have it that long.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- I wasn't planning on keeping it anyway.- Mm.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19But when they said it was £100, I thought I'd hang onto it, you know?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Exactly. So why have you changed your mind about selling it?
0:42:22 > 0:42:28Well, it's been in a drawer for 30 years now, and I watched the Flog It! programme,
0:42:28 > 0:42:33- and I saw you were down at Exmouth so I thought I'd bring it along just to see what it's worth now.- Brilliant.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Excellent. That's good news. They've done a very good job refurbishing it.
0:42:37 > 0:42:43- And you haven't used it, because we've got this very, very clean... - Never been used.- No.
0:42:43 > 0:42:48- Not since I had it refurbished. - Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. And it's in very good condition.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51It's in nine-carat gold. We've got a nine-carat gold coat here.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56And on the bottom, all the information about it. Nice nine-carat gold hallmark there.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01Which is also hallmarked Dunhill. So the case was also made by Dunhill.
0:43:01 > 0:43:06Some of them weren't. Some were made by a different manufacturer, and they put the Dunhill name to it.
0:43:06 > 0:43:11- Right.- You do get them in a variety of different forms. You get them with engine turning,
0:43:11 > 0:43:15also, rather than this oval shape, I have seen them in a facetted form.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- I think it's really quite nice in its simplicity.- Yeah.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23- You bought it from a jumble sale, you don't know who owned it before? - No.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27You would have been fairly affluent to have a nine-carat gold lighter.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31- Yeah. - From the hallmark, it's dated 1929.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33So it's from the late '20s.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35It's nice we can pinpoint the date accurately.
0:43:35 > 0:43:42Value-wise, we might be looking somewhere in the region of £250 to £350. How do you feel about that?
0:43:42 > 0:43:49- Sounds good.- Good. Excellent. So would you be happy if we put an estimate of £250 to £350?
0:43:49 > 0:43:53- Yeah.- And a firm reserve of £250. How would you feel about that?
0:43:53 > 0:43:57- I was thinking more a £300 reserve. - £300 reserve, OK.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01So we'll say £300 to £400 with a reserve of £300.
0:44:01 > 0:44:06I hope that's not a little bit too high, it might be, but let's keep our fingers crossed.
0:44:06 > 0:44:11- I could always keep it and it would go up in value.- That's very true. It will not go down in value.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16- Brilliant. Thank you very much for bringing it in.- Thank you. - We look forward to the auction.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20- Hopefully it will be very successful for you. - Hopefully, yes.- Thank you.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23'Whatever happens, you're onto a winner, Chris.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28'It's time for our final valuation, and it looks like Will has found quite a collection.'
0:44:28 > 0:44:33Well, Jean, you've come in today with a real Aladdin's cave here of various gold items.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38- Tell me, have these come out of your own jewellery box?- No, I inherited them many years ago.
0:44:38 > 0:44:44Inherited pieces, OK. So you're not going to feel a pang of sentimentality when you sell them?
0:44:44 > 0:44:49- Was it a close family member? - No, not at all. I think I met the relation once as a child.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53So there's no sentimental or emotional attachment to them at all.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57OK. Let's have a look at what you have brought in. I like this necklace you have brought in,
0:44:57 > 0:45:02which I've had a closer look at and is marked 15-carat gold, so a reasonable purity of gold.
0:45:02 > 0:45:09- But I love this wirework onto the cabochon beads...- Yes. - ..tied on this strung necklace.
0:45:09 > 0:45:14- Never been tempted to wear it? - No, I think it's hideous. I don't like it.- There's me talking it up.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18What about this? I don't think that's going to be in your pocket, being a gent's watch.
0:45:18 > 0:45:23And the condition of it is rather poor. Was it like that when you inherited it?
0:45:23 > 0:45:27- I think it was, yes. It's never worked since I had it. - Never worked, OK.
0:45:27 > 0:45:32Well, to be honest with you, that's not really a big problem because, even though it is a pocket watch,
0:45:32 > 0:45:36- all the value in that is in the 18-carat gold case.- Right.
0:45:36 > 0:45:42Then over here we've got various little charms and sweetheart brooches on this little bracelet.
0:45:42 > 0:45:48- Again, when was the last time you ever wore a charm bracelet? - Oh, as a child.- Exactly.
0:45:48 > 0:45:54- They've really fallen out of fashion.- Yes.- But good news is, they're nearly all nine-carat gold.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58- So that has value in the material value of what they're made of. - Lovely.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02These little sweetheart brooches are nearly always nine-carat gold.
0:46:02 > 0:46:04You see a lot of those, late-Victorian period.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08And then here a little charm that perhaps fell off a bracelet.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12Or maybe was on a chain as a little pendant locket, perhaps.
0:46:12 > 0:46:16So, we've got 15-carat gold there, we've got 18-carat gold here,
0:46:16 > 0:46:21we've got various nine-carat gold items there. It pains me to talk in this way,
0:46:21 > 0:46:26but with the price of gold being so high, these are literally going to be weighed in, I'm afraid.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29- Yes.- And their value is purely in what they weigh. - On the weight, right.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Now, the watch case, 18-carat gold,
0:46:32 > 0:46:37you're probably looking at £300, that sort of level for the case.
0:46:37 > 0:46:42- That does surprise me. - It's a lot of money, isn't it? For really not a lot of gold.- Yes.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45The price is up there. Nine-carat gold charms and so on,
0:46:45 > 0:46:49you're probably looking at, say, £100, £150.
0:46:49 > 0:46:56And then for the 15-carat gold necklace, again, you're probably looking at around the £300 mark.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- Very good.- Surprising, isn't it? - Yes.- It soon mounts up.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02So if we think we are looking here at £750-ish, that sort of level.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06- Good grief!- I think we're going to need to reserve these,
0:47:06 > 0:47:11but a lot of the buyers of these things will go to the sales armed with their digital scales.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15- And they will weigh the items there and then. So they know exactly where to bid.- Yes.
0:47:15 > 0:47:21You have to allow a bit compared to the bullion price, bearing in mind that buyers pay a buyer's premium.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25But even so, I'm confident that if you were happy to put these in
0:47:25 > 0:47:29at £600 to £800 with a reserve at £600,
0:47:29 > 0:47:34- I'm pretty confident we will see these away. How do you feel about that as a level?- Sounds good. Fine.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38What's the money going towards, maybe some jewellery you do wear?
0:47:38 > 0:47:44- I think a nice holiday.- Oh, very nice. Let's swap this gold for the goldy, sandy beach, how's that?
0:47:44 > 0:47:49- Very good. - I'll see you on the day.- Thank you.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54John.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57You can talk to me about this vinaigrette
0:47:57 > 0:47:58which my wife had.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01- I saw you in the queue this morning.- Yes.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03It was very blustery outside, you had a big box of things.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05Then you came up with this little gem.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07Where has it come from?
0:48:07 > 0:48:12It's come from her family, passed on from her Great Aunt Julia.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14So this is on your wife's side?
0:48:14 > 0:48:15On my wife's side.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17And do you know what it is?
0:48:17 > 0:48:20Yes, I gathered - my wife had already educated me -
0:48:20 > 0:48:22and told me it was a vinaigrette.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25Ah, there we go. Do you know what they were used for?
0:48:25 > 0:48:27Yes, for obnoxious smells.
0:48:27 > 0:48:28SHE LAUGHS
0:48:29 > 0:48:32That's right. In the 19th century,
0:48:32 > 0:48:34when it was something that was not too sweet-smelling,
0:48:34 > 0:48:37you would have your vinaigrette and you would wave it under your nose
0:48:37 > 0:48:40and it would bring lightness back to your life.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42This is the most wonderful vinaigrette.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45It's silver, you have this wonderful agate top
0:48:45 > 0:48:49which has been especially chosen and polished to fit the space,
0:48:49 > 0:48:54and also the banding has been selected to create these wonderful striations here.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56If we open it up, inside,
0:48:56 > 0:49:00you have this beautiful silver gilt grille.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03Underneath this grille you would have had a sponge
0:49:03 > 0:49:04soaked in perfume
0:49:04 > 0:49:06or scent, basically.
0:49:06 > 0:49:10What's even more exciting for a vinaigrette collector,
0:49:10 > 0:49:13if we lift the grille - which sadly has had some damage to it -
0:49:13 > 0:49:17the grille hinge is unfortunately a little bit damaged there -
0:49:17 > 0:49:21but underneath the grille we have this wonderful hallmark
0:49:21 > 0:49:24which tells us that it was made in Birmingham
0:49:24 > 0:49:26and the date letter is for 1850.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29And we have those magic initials NM.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32NM stands for Nathaniel Mills,
0:49:32 > 0:49:37who, for vinaigrette collectors, is the creme de la creme of makers.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40At this stage in his career,
0:49:40 > 0:49:43unfortunately Nathaniel Mills had actually passed away
0:49:43 > 0:49:47and his vinaigrette or small working firm had passed to his sons.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51So at this particular date, it's not actually Nathaniel Mills
0:49:51 > 0:49:53making these pieces any more,
0:49:53 > 0:49:57however, as we can see from how intricate this grille is,
0:49:57 > 0:49:59his sons have really maintained his standards.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02And he still is popular today with vinaigrette collectors.
0:50:02 > 0:50:07If we turn it over, we have this continuing floral-engraved design
0:50:07 > 0:50:10here, and what we call a cartouche in the middle,
0:50:10 > 0:50:16which you will have had your initials or name or some sort of dedicatory inscription in.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19Sometimes they can detract from the value,
0:50:19 > 0:50:21but this has been left vacant.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24That actually will be a plus point to any buyer,
0:50:24 > 0:50:28because they can actually have their own put in, so that's fantastic.
0:50:28 > 0:50:29Tell me, John, why are you selling it?
0:50:29 > 0:50:33My wife has literally said, "Well, I don't need it."
0:50:33 > 0:50:34Yeah.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38- And it's better to go towards something else that she might want to buy.- Yes, exactly.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40Some other jewellery, modern jewellery.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43- Sensible woman, I like that. - SHE LAUGHS
0:50:43 > 0:50:47I think if you were to send it to auction, you are probably looking in the region
0:50:47 > 0:50:49of maybe £150 to £200,
0:50:49 > 0:50:53with a reserve of 150 with some slight discretion.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56I just think it could do better,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59but I do have some concerns about the condition.
0:50:59 > 0:51:00How do you feel about that?
0:51:00 > 0:51:04I feel fine about it. I think my wife will be happy about it as well.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06- You think she'd be OK with that, do you?- Definitely.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09Oh, good, I'm pleased. She does know that you brought it, doesn't she?
0:51:09 > 0:51:11Oh, yes, she knows I've brought it.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13THEY LAUGH
0:51:13 > 0:51:16Well, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes if she didn't.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24So how do you think our experts' valuations went?
0:51:24 > 0:51:28There is only one way to find out - we are off to auction,
0:51:28 > 0:51:31and here's a quick reminder of what we have chosen.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37'So we're back in Exeter for a last visit to the saleroom
0:51:37 > 0:51:39'with auctioneer Chris Hampton.'
0:51:40 > 0:51:46Picked up for 50p at a jumble sale and hopefully it's going to achieve £300 to £400. Chris, good luck.
0:51:46 > 0:51:51- Christina, these are the stories we love.- I know. Isn't it wonderful?
0:51:51 > 0:51:56- Nine-carat gold, George V. Why are you selling now?- It's been in a drawer at home for 30 to 40 years.
0:51:56 > 0:52:01I saw your programme in Exmouth and thought I'd see how much it's worth.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04- And we're going to find out right now.- Fingers crossed.
0:52:04 > 0:52:09- Hopefully we get that top end. - Selling now at £370. - This is it. It's exciting.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Dunhill, the George V nine-carat gold
0:52:12 > 0:52:14petrol-operated cigarette lighter.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16£200.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20200, thank you, at £200. At 200.
0:52:20 > 0:52:24At 220. 240. 60. 280. 300.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27- Ah!- At 300.
0:52:27 > 0:52:31At £300. Where's 20? At £300.
0:52:31 > 0:52:36- It's sold on the reserve.- Yes. - Selling at £300.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39We did it! That's not a bad return on 50p. Put it there.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41- Pleased with that. - Good spotting, sir!
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- That was a bit tight, wasn't it? - It really was.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46- THEY LAUGH - It is a roller-coaster ride.
0:52:46 > 0:52:50- Well done. There's commission to pay, don't forget. It's 16.5% plus VAT.- Yep.
0:52:50 > 0:52:54- Thank you very much indeed. - Thank you for bringing it in.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57'Selling for 600 times the purchase price,
0:52:57 > 0:53:00'it's a result that would have any of us on the edge of our seat.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04'Talking of which, next is that lovely beech wood deportment chair.'
0:53:04 > 0:53:06It's a lovely example. It belongs to Sally.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10We're not looking for a lot of money, are we, Will? £40, £50.
0:53:10 > 0:53:16Condition is really good. I like the bar back. It's nice and high. Makes you sit straight.
0:53:16 > 0:53:21- Why are you selling today? - Well, I've inherited quite a few chairs since I bought that one.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25- And I need to do a bit of work on the ones I've inherited.- Sure.
0:53:25 > 0:53:29- So one has got to go.- One has got to go, really, so hopefully it will.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33Let's find out, shall we? And hopefully we'll find a home for it. Here we go!
0:53:33 > 0:53:38The stained beech deportment or correction chair,
0:53:38 > 0:53:41- and I've two bids at £40.- Two bids straight in at 40.- Excellent.
0:53:41 > 0:53:46At £55. Where's 60? 60. 65?
0:53:46 > 0:53:48In the room against the reserve.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52- And I sell, then, at £65. - HAMMER BANGS
0:53:52 > 0:53:57Sally, it's a good result. Hammer's gone down, £65. Good, clean example.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59I'm glad that went, because if that hadn't sold,
0:53:59 > 0:54:04- then the furniture market really would've been in the doldrums today. - And that's quite sad.- Exactly.
0:54:04 > 0:54:09- I'm pleased about that. - Good. Good. And thank you for bringing it in.- Thank you.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13The original valuation - 600 to 800.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16- Yep.- Gold prices have just gone whoosh recently.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20- Good news for you.- Indeed.- I know the auctioneer's had a chat to you on the phone, hasn't he?
0:54:20 > 0:54:23The new estimate is £900 to £1,300.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26Oh, good news.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29You've got to keep your eye on those gold prices, haven't you?
0:54:29 > 0:54:30- Exciting.- Yeah, it is, isn't it?
0:54:30 > 0:54:33If we wait another ten minutes, hopefully the gold prices will go up even more.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35THEY LAUGH
0:54:35 > 0:54:37It's going under the hammer right now, this is it.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40The gentleman's 18-carat gold, key-wound pocket watch,
0:54:40 > 0:54:4415-carat gold rope-twist necklace with filigree beads,
0:54:44 > 0:54:48a continental bracelet, ten charms attached, two brooches,
0:54:48 > 0:54:51a chain and a book-form locket.
0:54:51 > 0:54:56And I'm bid £750. At £750.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59At 750. At £750. 800.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02And 50. At £850.
0:55:02 > 0:55:07- 900. 50.- I can't see who's bidding. - Someone's left a bid on the book.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10You don't have to be in the room, you can bid on the phone, online,
0:55:10 > 0:55:15- or you can leave a bid on the book. - 1,200. And 50.
0:55:15 > 0:55:201,300. At £1,300 near me.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23- Top end of the estimate. - Selling now at £1,300. You all done?
0:55:23 > 0:55:26£1,300, thank you.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29- Oh, you must be so made up with that.- I'm staggered!
0:55:29 > 0:55:32- Worth getting up this morning. - Oh, definitely.
0:55:32 > 0:55:36'With that money going towards a holiday,
0:55:36 > 0:55:40'I'm sure Jean will be packing her suitcase and feeling the sand between her toes in no time at all.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42'Next, it's John with our final lot
0:55:42 > 0:55:45'and that lovely Nathaniel Mills vinaigrette.'
0:55:45 > 0:55:48This is Heather, who we didn't see at the valuation day,
0:55:48 > 0:55:51but it's great to see you again, John's wife,
0:55:51 > 0:55:53- it's yours, isn't it?- Yes. - Well, it was Great Aunt's.- Yes.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55- Sad to see it go?- Not really.
0:55:55 > 0:55:56THEY LAUGH
0:55:56 > 0:55:59That's the answer we like. We're here to sell things, not keep things.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02- But I'm sure you have other things in the house.- Yes, I do.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05- What a quality piece.- It's lovely.
0:56:05 > 0:56:06Really, really nice.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08I know that most Nathaniel Mills collectors
0:56:08 > 0:56:10do tend to want castle tops
0:56:10 > 0:56:12and what you would expect of Nathaniel Mills.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14But this is slightly unusual,
0:56:14 > 0:56:17so hopefully we'll find some good bidders that will want it.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19Here we go.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21It won't be in the saleroom for much longer.
0:56:21 > 0:56:25A Victorian silver and polished-agate oval vinaigrette,
0:56:25 > 0:56:28by Nathaniel Mills.
0:56:28 > 0:56:29- We'll start here at £180.- Ooh!
0:56:29 > 0:56:32That's straight in at the top end.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34At 10, 220.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37230, with me. 240, 250.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39260, 270, 280.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41- Oh!- 5.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43290. £290.
0:56:43 > 0:56:47In the room. Yeah, At £290, I sell.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49At 290.
0:56:49 > 0:56:50- £290.- Very nice.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53I better dig my wallet out now
0:56:53 > 0:56:56and buy extra jewellery.
0:56:56 > 0:56:57THEY LAUGH
0:56:57 > 0:57:01- John.- That's a promise.
0:57:01 > 0:57:05- Excellent.- A man that loves you, there you go.- Brilliant, well done, congratulations.- Thank you.
0:57:05 > 0:57:09- Well done, Christina.- Thank you for doing the valuation. - You're welcome, Heather.
0:57:12 > 0:57:16How about that? Most people have gone home happy. That's what it's all about.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20As you see, the auction is still on. We've had a terrific time here at Exeter.
0:57:20 > 0:57:24Thanks to everybody here for looking after us. I can't wait to come back.
0:57:24 > 0:57:28But until then, join me again for many more surprises on Flog It! Bye-bye.