0:00:03 > 0:00:06Today we're in Wells, Somerset, England's smallest city.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12They say beautiful things come in small packages and that's true of this stunning Somerset gem.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Let's hope we dig out some small items with big values. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:42 > 0:00:46We've chosen Wells Cathedral for our valuation day venue.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48It's a true architectural gem,
0:00:48 > 0:00:53the first cathedral in the country to be built and designed in the new Gothic style.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57LAUGHTER
0:00:57 > 0:01:02'Serving up the expertise today are Anita Manning and Will Axon.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07'As the owner of one of Scotland's most successful salerooms,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11'Anita is guaranteed to dig out some real interesting finds.'
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'm going to put a red sticker on these folks.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19'He may be a few years her junior, but Will Axon is no young pretender.
0:01:19 > 0:01:25'He knows all the tricks of the antiques trade, so expect some healthy rivalry from this pair
0:01:25 > 0:01:29'as they battle to snag the very best items from our crowd.
0:01:31 > 0:01:38'Coming up on the show, I hear an amazing story about one of the world's greatest artists.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Here we were in our ankle socks and frilly knickers.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'Will is pushed to put a big price on three small paintings.'
0:01:45 > 0:01:53- It depends on how many noughts you put on the end.- 'And we're in for a few surprises at the auction.'
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Incredible. Wow, that's a good result again!
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Yes!- Oh, yeah!
0:02:02 > 0:02:06'So let's head straight over to the valuation tables
0:02:06 > 0:02:11'as Anita casts her eye over David's stunning napkin rings.'
0:02:11 > 0:02:16- Tell me. Where did you get them? - They belong to my son. I'm bringing them in on his behalf.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- You're the message boy? - I certainly am.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- Where did he get them?- I believe he got them at a boot sale.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28A car boot sale story - I love them! How much did he pay for them?
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Not a lot, knowing my son. Probably under a tenner, I would think.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Let's have a closer look at them.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39I particularly like this period and I do like this type of thing.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44It's Arts and Crafts from the beginning of the 1900s.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46They are made of pewter
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and the pewter is hand-hammered.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53They have these asymmetric squares on them
0:02:53 > 0:02:58and we have the little enamelled medallions in the middle,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01so they're aesthetically pleasing.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04If we look on the back,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08we can see that these are called Tudric.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Tudric was the name for the Arts and Crafts pewter
0:03:13 > 0:03:16that was made for Liberty and Company.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20They sold the very best of goods.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25Not only were they good items in themselves, they were the best of design.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- I like these a lot. What do you think of them?- They're pretty.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I didn't think they were that valuable, being just pewter.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I would put an auction estimate on these
0:03:36 > 0:03:39of perhaps £60 to £80.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They may do more than that.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46We do have a pair and they do have the Tudric name on them.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51But I think if we put them in at 60 to 80, it will invite the bidding.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Would your son and yourself be happy to put them to auction at that price?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- It's not bad for a car boot sale. - Not bad at all.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Here's hoping those napkin rings make David's son a nice profit
0:04:03 > 0:04:06when they come up for sale at auction.
0:04:08 > 0:04:15On the other side of the room, Margaret hopes Will puts a big price tag on her three small paintings.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Margaret, I love these miniatures you've brought in.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Have you just plucked these off the wall? Where do they live?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25They've come from our charity shop.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Anything of value we try to keep to one side.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Unfortunately, we've been so busy in the shop, they've been left in the shed.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37We got round to clearing it and these three popped out.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43You saw that Flog It were in Wells today and you thought it was a good opportunity to show them to someone
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- who might tell you what they're worth?- Get more money into the pot.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52You've got a bit of a mix here. You've got this chap at the front
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- who, obviously, is Nelson.- Right.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00I've had a look at him under my eyeglass and what we've got there is a print
0:05:00 > 0:05:06that has then been highlighted over the top just to give it a bit of depth
0:05:06 > 0:05:10and the impression of being a hand-painted miniature,
0:05:10 > 0:05:14so he's not going to be as valuable as something painted from scratch.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19This fella is in this very typical frame for the early 19th century,
0:05:19 > 0:05:25but again I've had a look under my eyeglass at him and he is painted from scratch
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and I think the naive quality about him will appeal.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- Do you think he's a good-looking chap?- They're growing on me.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37You might be tempted to put your hand up at the sale if you could?
0:05:37 > 0:05:41It depends on how many noughts you put on the end.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45We're talking about noughts already! You weren't thinking double figures?
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- I'm hoping as much as possible. - Well, me too.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54This chap here again looks rather splendid there in his blue blazer and his cravat,
0:05:54 > 0:05:59but I've had a look at him under my glass and he is again painted from scratch.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05Again he's got that naive quality that will appeal, as well as being presented in this nice gilt frame.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08He's lost the glass and he's loose in that frame.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- Let me prise him out because he hasn't got a back on him.- No.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18Let's have a look at him now. I'll flip him over. We've got this rather nice little inscription.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24- "Drawing by..." It's difficult to read. I can just make out "Cox" at the end there.- Yes.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29We've got a date there, 1837, which is exactly where you'd expect it to be.
0:06:29 > 0:06:36- You've given an idea that you think they might be worth figures with noughts on the end.- You never know.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38You don't know until the day.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41You're quite right. The proof is in the selling.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- Yes.- I like the way you're approaching it.
0:06:45 > 0:06:51They're not terribly fashionable, but people like them. They hang nicely at the side of the fireplace.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55We've already spoken about the overpainted one, the Nelson one.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00I see here not a lot of money, to be fair, sort of £5, £10 maybe.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04This one also has a similar inscription and date to this chap,
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- so I think we've got father and son here. There is a similarity between them.- Yes.
0:07:09 > 0:07:16Bearing in mind the condition, would you be happy if we offered them in one lot, estimated at £50 to £100?
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. - Is that good?- Absolutely.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- That's a bit more than you'd get for them in the shop.- Definitely. Oh, yes, please.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29So let's say £50 to £100 for the three, but let's put no reserve.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- No.- Are you happy for them... - We'll have whatever is on offer.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Then we know something is coming back to the charity. - Thanks very much.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43'We'll be back to see just how many noughts Margaret's miniatures make in a moment.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49'From miniature art to major artists now as Peggy tells me about a run-in she once had
0:07:49 > 0:07:53'with one of the world's most renowned painters - Salvador Dali.'
0:07:53 > 0:07:58I was living in Barcelona teaching English and one of my students said to me,
0:07:58 > 0:08:05"So you've been to see the Dali exhibition. Have you ever been up to Cadaques to see his house?"
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I said, "Never." "Would you like to go?" He said, "Bring a friend."
0:08:08 > 0:08:12I said to my flatmate, "Do you want to go to Cadaques?" "Yes."
0:08:12 > 0:08:17And we got there after this terrible journey and there he was with his wife Gala.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23I went over and said, "I'd ask you for your autograph, but I've nothing to write on."
0:08:23 > 0:08:25He drew this letter out of his pocket
0:08:25 > 0:08:31and he said, "This is a fan letter I've just received from Madrid which I will give to you."
0:08:31 > 0:08:33He said, "I'll sign it." And he did.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37He signed it there right in front of me and said, "There you are."
0:08:37 > 0:08:40I went out in an absolute daze.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45At auction, Salvador Dali's signature is only worth £100. You shouldn't sell that.
0:08:45 > 0:08:52I think your story is priceless. If you'd had a few doodles on there, it would be worth £300 to £400.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56How does it go? If wishes were horses and beggars were kings...
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- I've never heard that before. - Haven't you?- No.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Where's your grandmother been all your life?
0:09:02 > 0:09:08Don't tell me I've got to this age and I've got to adopt a grandson. It's too much, Paul. It really is!
0:09:08 > 0:09:13'Her letter may not be worth much, but I thought Peggy was absolutely priceless.
0:09:17 > 0:09:24'Back over at the tables, Terry is hoping that Anita can help him to re-home his unwanted heirloom.'
0:09:24 > 0:09:30Thank you so much for bringing in this very impressive-looking desk set.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Can you tell me where did you get it?
0:09:33 > 0:09:36I inherited it from my mother
0:09:36 > 0:09:41who I think inherited it from a general she used to do domestics for.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Did you have it on display?
0:09:43 > 0:09:47No, sadly, up in the roof, in a box.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51And now we're downsizing,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53so everything must go.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59So we looked at this and thought, "It's nice. Let's see if it's got any reasonable value to it."
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Let's have a look at this set.
0:10:02 > 0:10:08The first thing here is this very impressive domed or casket-shaped box.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13This would have been a stationery box at one point
0:10:13 > 0:10:16and we can see where we would have had compartments.
0:10:16 > 0:10:22These have long gone and this makes a wee bit of a difference in the price.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27But the exterior of the box is wonderful.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30It's made of burr walnut.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35It's highly decorated and bound with these brass decorations
0:10:35 > 0:10:39and these tiger's-eye, agate insets.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42So we have the stationery box.
0:10:42 > 0:10:48We have the book slide. These come up like this and the slides will slide along.
0:10:48 > 0:10:54And I think my favourite piece here is this notebook or blotter.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Again it's decorated in the same way and all in good condition.
0:10:58 > 0:11:05- Do you have any idea of value? - None whatsoever.- So you haven't really thought of that before?- No.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07If it was going into auction,
0:11:07 > 0:11:13I would put an estimate of £100 to £200 on it.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17We have three items here, so that makes it more interesting,
0:11:17 > 0:11:22but we do have the inside of the box missing.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26I'm sure that 100 to 200 is conservative.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31But would you be happy to put it to sale at that price?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Yeah. Yeah, I think so, definitely.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39Well, we'll put it in and we'll perhaps put a reserve of, say, £80,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42just to safeguard it if that's needed.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Thank you very much for bringing them along to Flog It.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's my turn now and I have to say,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I reckon I've landed the top prize
0:11:52 > 0:11:56with this gorgeous painting of Martin's.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Martin, what can you tell me about the watercolour?- Not a lot, really.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04I bought it about 12 years ago at auction.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Did you have to bid heavily for this?
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Yeah, there was quite a few after it, actually.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I liked it and I just carried on till I got it at a sensible price.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15OK, can I ask you what you paid for it?
0:12:15 > 0:12:19I can't remember the exact amount but it was between £200 and £300.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Did you know who it was by?
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I didn't know him before I bought the picture, I just liked it.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- OK, you've done some research then? - Yes.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28John Frederick Tayler, the Victorian artist.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Renowned for his hunting scenes
0:12:30 > 0:12:34and dressing characters up in period costume.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Even though this was a sort of Victorian artist,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39he would put people in sort of 18th century clothes
0:12:39 > 0:12:42and they'd either be hunting with dogs or hunting with hawks.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43He was born in 1802
0:12:43 > 0:12:47and he was one of Queen Victoria's favourite artists.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49If you look really closely under these lights, you can just see,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I think it says Tayler on that rock.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55You don't normally see such good portrait work
0:12:55 > 0:12:58by John Frederick Taylor and look at the skin tones!
0:12:58 > 0:13:00It's absolutely beautiful. You can see why
0:13:00 > 0:13:04he was president of the Royal Watercolour Society, can't you?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- It's just so good. - The detail's really good.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Why are you selling this, Martin?
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Well, we moved from a large country house to a suburban house.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19- It doesn't quite fit in. - It doesn't work with low ceilings.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20If you put this into auction,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23I think you'd put it into auction with a value of £350 to £450.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25That's good.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- And a 10% discretion, if that's OK with you at 350.- Yeah, that's fine.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31You've made a bit of money, haven't you?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34And you've enjoyed it along the way.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- Exactly.- Looks a bit like Charlie Ross, one of our experts.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Charlie's just about to go under the hammer here.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45I'm not sure how much cash Charlie Ross would make,
0:13:45 > 0:13:50but I really hope Martin's painting smashes my estimate.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06When it comes to the region's vibrant urban centres,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09there's no disputing you cannot beat the variety
0:14:09 > 0:14:11and the vivacity that characterises this place.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13I'm in Bristol.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Like many British cities, Bristol was brutalised in the Blitz,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and then tinkered with at the hands of well-meaning town planners
0:14:22 > 0:14:23during the 1960s.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27But one man who had a major influence on how the city
0:14:27 > 0:14:29has developed since is the enterprising
0:14:29 > 0:14:32and distinctively unconventional George Ferguson.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35George is a highly regarded architect,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37the former president of the RIBA -
0:14:37 > 0:14:41the Royal Institute of British Architects.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44He's also the recent recipient of a CBE.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05But it's his conversion of this building here,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07the Tobacco Factory in Southville,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10where he's made his most dynamic impact.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13And I've come to meet him here to find out more.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I tell you what, George, you've got a fantastic view from up here.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Point me some of your things out, then,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23some of your great achievements.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Well, little, little achievements, really.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28My first regeneration was buying one of those
0:15:28 > 0:15:31little coloured houses on the hillside
0:15:31 > 0:15:34for a few hundred quid in the '60s. A few hundred quid!
0:15:34 > 0:15:38They were going to demolish the whole lot and build blocks of flats
0:15:38 > 0:15:40like these ones across the hillside.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I painted mine pink and another friend of mine painted his blue
0:15:43 > 0:15:46and then over the next 10, 20 years,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49it's become that coloured hillside, including some new ones.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53The magic thing for me is, I always looked from those houses
0:15:53 > 0:15:58over here and you could see WD and HO Wills in the sky
0:15:58 > 0:16:01on the top of the million square feet
0:16:01 > 0:16:04of these wonderful red brick buildings.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07This place was originally built and owned
0:16:07 > 0:16:12by one of Britain's biggest tobacco businesses, WD and HO Wills.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15They established a number of factories around this area
0:16:15 > 0:16:18and provided work to thousands.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22What's more, they showed an unusual level of care for their staff,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26providing them not just with steady income
0:16:26 > 0:16:28but with a real sense of community, too.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31# We are the Willses girls
0:16:31 > 0:16:35# We know our manners, we pay our tanners
0:16:35 > 0:16:39# We are respected wherever we may go
0:16:39 > 0:16:42# And when we're walking down Lombard Street
0:16:42 > 0:16:46# Doors and windows opened wide
0:16:46 > 0:16:48# You can hear them shout... #
0:16:48 > 0:16:50When they became empty,
0:16:50 > 0:16:55people approached me about ideas for doing something with it.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Unfortunately, they went into the hands of the receiver
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and he'd decided, or been advised,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04to demolish them all and sell it off
0:17:04 > 0:17:07for sites for a supermarket and various things like that.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12It seemed a waste of good fabric, good energy
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and that it was a wonderful opportunity to make
0:17:15 > 0:17:19a proper, sustainable, mixed-use development.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22I lost a lot of the battle, but at least I kept this building
0:17:22 > 0:17:26and this building enabled me to experiment
0:17:26 > 0:17:28with the things I really believe in.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Today, the Tobacco Factory is a 24-hour multi-use building,
0:17:34 > 0:17:39which houses a cafe-bar, an oriental bistro,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43creative industry workspaces, live-work loft apartments,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46animation and performing arts schools
0:17:46 > 0:17:50and one of the most exciting small theatre venues in the country.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53It's where George chose to make his home.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58What are the dos and don'ts when it comes to regeneration?
0:17:58 > 0:18:03I think my first rule is, go with what you've got.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08Try and make the most of what you've got. I think too much regeneration
0:18:08 > 0:18:11is big bang stuff - let's knock it all down
0:18:11 > 0:18:16and put in a great big supermarket and a major hotel.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- That's not regeneration.- No, and it's losing our heritage as well.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It's losing our heritage, but I think it doesn't attract
0:18:23 > 0:18:26the real activity that cities are made of.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I start everything I do
0:18:29 > 0:18:32thinking about what will people do here?
0:18:32 > 0:18:37What will enable people to have more fulfilled lives in this place?
0:18:37 > 0:18:42- So it's work and living and entertainment.- Absolutely.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47I think regeneration encourages independent organisations.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I love to encourage a high street with small shops.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54That's what makes a proper place that buzzes.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58The regeneration of the Tobacco Factory has been
0:18:58 > 0:19:00something of a catalyst to this area,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02prompting a spate of other activities
0:19:02 > 0:19:07including a regular Sunday market and an annual urban festival.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11It has also armed George with a blueprint for his latest projects
0:19:11 > 0:19:15including an old chocolate factory in East Bristol.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19This is a tiny little section of the chocolate factory
0:19:19 > 0:19:22but it's a series of buildings, five of them, and then
0:19:22 > 0:19:25they've got these glazed covered streets running through them.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27To link them together.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28If you demolish that,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31you would end up probably building a housing estate.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34It would be like anywhere else. By keeping these buildings,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36one builds something really special,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38that has a brilliant address -
0:19:38 > 0:19:41The Chocolate Factory is pretty hard to beat.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45That's a cool address. What fabulous buildings as well.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47This would be workspace with residential up here.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50This is residential with workspace down here.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52As it goes across the site, it will become
0:19:52 > 0:19:55more and more residential and then
0:19:55 > 0:19:59houses along a cycle track that are designed for cycling families,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03so they don't have garages, they have cycle stores.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant, George,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07and it's been a real pleasure to meet you at last.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Great to meet you, Paul, and the pink trousers.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19So, how do you think our experts' valuations went?
0:20:20 > 0:20:22There's only one way to find out.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25We're off to auction and here's a quick reminder of what we've chosen.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Let's hope the bidders will want to snap them up.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37Right, it's auction time. This is where it gets exciting because anything can happen in a saleroom.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43We're putting our valuations to the test at Tamlyn & Son in the heart of Bridgwater.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50'But don't forget. Whenever you sell at auction, you have to pay commission.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'At this saleroom, they charge 16.5% plus VAT.'
0:20:57 > 0:20:5980. 5. 90. 5...
0:20:59 > 0:21:05'On the rostrum is auctioneer Claire Rawle and the room is bursting with buyers, so let's get cracking
0:21:05 > 0:21:08'with the first in our line-up.'
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Going under the hammer right now, two napkin rings made for Liberty's.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16It's Tudric pewter and this is a case of classic recycling.
0:21:16 > 0:21:22- David, I think your son has got a great eye for antiques. - He seems to, yeah.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- How much did he pay for these?- £4.
0:21:24 > 0:21:30- That's incredible. It is out there. You've got to get up early and know what to look for.- Do your homework.
0:21:30 > 0:21:37Hopefully, we'll get £50 or £60. It is a good name. Let's find out what the bidders think. Good luck, David.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43On to Lot 160, the Tudric pewter, nice pair of napkin rings.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46And this one I have to start away...
0:21:46 > 0:21:48at £100.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- At 100.- Wow! - Do I see 110 in the room?
0:21:51 > 0:21:54At £100.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57110. 120. 130.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01The bid's in the room now at £130.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05At £130, are you all done? Selling then at 130...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Incredible. The hammer's gone down.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12I wish it was as easy to turn £4 into £130
0:22:12 > 0:22:14just like that every day of the week.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18'Those napkin rings made David's son some easy money,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22'but will we also be quids in with our next lot?'
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- I've just been joined by Margaret. Hello.- Hello.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- And this is Amanda?- Yeah, this is the boss.- Pleased to meet you, Amanda. Shake hands with the boss!
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- You run the charity shop?- I do. - We're selling three miniatures.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Two gentlemen and a print of Lord Nelson. This is quite early 19th century.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45Very, very desirable. Fingers crossed, here we go, this is it.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Lot 265, 19th century English School...
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Portrait miniature of a gentleman and a couple of others. Three in the lot.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And this one I have to start away
0:22:59 > 0:23:01at £130.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05At 130. Do I see 140 anywhere? At 130, the bid's here with me.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08140. 150.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10160. In the room now at £160.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14At 160. Do I see 170 anywhere?
0:23:15 > 0:23:17At £160.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Are you all done at 160?
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- Yes!- Oh, yeah! - A round of applause for that.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Do you think they're pleased?
0:23:26 > 0:23:31- We thought, "They're not going to sell."- You were a bit pessimistic, weren't you?
0:23:31 > 0:23:37- That's wonderful. I'm all hot. - A bit more than you would have got in the shop maybe?- Yes.- Definitely.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- I'm ever so pleased. - Fantastic.- Brilliant.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45'Another great result. Those good-looking men made a good-looking profit.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50'It's touch wood as the next of our lots goes under Claire Rawle's gavel.'
0:23:50 > 0:23:56It's quality all the way, burr walnut. It's a little desk set, it's beautiful.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01Quality always sells. If you've got the right desk to put this on, job done.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07- We have three parts here - the little box, the blotter and the book slide.- Yeah.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Let's find out what the bidders think. It's going under the hammer. Good luck, both of you.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Lot 460, the Victorian, brass-bound, walnut desk set.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22And a nice, decorative item. We have to start this one away at £100.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- At 100.- Good.- Do I see 110? 110. 120. 130.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29140. 150. 160. 170. Commission bid at 170.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32At 170. Do I see 180?
0:24:32 > 0:24:34180 on the telephone. 190.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36200.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38210.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41220. 230.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- I love the dome lid on the box.- Yes. - 240. 250.- It's just quality.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51No. At 250 it is then. At 250. Do I see 260?
0:24:51 > 0:24:56At £250, all done...?
0:24:56 > 0:25:00- Excellent.- Wonderful. You've got to be happy with that.- Very happy.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03- I know you were a bit worried earlier on.- Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Martin's up next and to alleviate the tension of seeing
0:25:08 > 0:25:11his prized portrait go under the hammer,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14he's brought along some moral support.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Good to see you again. Who've you brought along?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18- This is my wife, Jackie. - Pleased to meet you.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Did you approve of Martin bringing this along and selling it?
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- Yes, I did.- You did?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Because it doesn't fit the house. - That's right.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- It deserves to be in a sort of nice country house.- Yeah.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Well, let's hope all the bidders are here.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35There's a lot of country properties around here, the trade's here -
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- there's certainly a buzz in the place.- There is, yes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Not a lot of space, is there?
0:25:39 > 0:25:41There's no space. We're hemmed in here!
0:25:41 > 0:25:45It's going under the hammer right now, good luck.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48John Frederick Tayler, portrait of a gentleman.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Here we are, seated holding a shotgun with his setter
0:25:52 > 0:25:55and to start me away, I've got £280.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58At 280.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00- It's not enough.- 300 anywhere?
0:26:00 > 0:26:05At 280 here, at £280, do I see 300?
0:26:07 > 0:26:09At 280 then, if you're all sure. No.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14- Gosh, I'm ever so sorry. - Never mind, it doesn't matter.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15It's a nice picture.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18But it won't suit your house so it's not going on the wall, is it?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20It will go somewhere.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24What a shame that none of the bidders wanted
0:26:24 > 0:26:26to give that gentleman a new home.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37I'm in Bristol and this is Bristol Zoo, the fifth oldest in the world.
0:26:37 > 0:26:44For the last 175 years, this place has been wowing and delighting a constant stream of visitors,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47bringing worldwide fame to this magical city.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52Keeping wild animals in captivity has changed dramatically since this place was opened,
0:26:52 > 0:26:57so I'm here to find out exactly how they've kept up with the times.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01This place not only constitutes a wonderful family day out.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06It also has become an important centre for conservation and research.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11And over its long history, the zoo has undergone a number of very different incarnations.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16# Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo... #
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Its story starts in the 19th century
0:27:19 > 0:27:25when the boom in international trade transformed exotic animals into worldwide commodities
0:27:25 > 0:27:31and a variety of public institutions sprang up around the world to house and showcase them.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39London Zoo was the first zoo to be launched in this country in 1827.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Bristol followed closely on its heels in 1836.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48At first, these places were known as zoological gardens with an emphasis on education and science,
0:27:48 > 0:27:54rather than entertainment, and they were very much the privilege of the well-heeled.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59But as transport links improved and the working class got more leisure time,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02the zoo became a family day out foreveryone.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06But ideas of animal husbandry were very different back then.
0:28:08 > 0:28:14This Victorian building behind me here came with the original land purchase.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18It was a lime kiln, but it was quickly converted into a bear pit
0:28:18 > 0:28:22and along this path here is one of the original poles
0:28:22 > 0:28:26that the bears would climb up to take food from the visitors.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36But it was in the 1960s that this zoo reached its heyday.
0:28:36 > 0:28:42The opening of the Severn Bridge helped this zoo breach the one million visitor mark
0:28:42 > 0:28:46for the very first time, but the zoo had also gained a lot of popularity
0:28:46 > 0:28:51with the very remarkable BBC children's television programme, Animal Magic.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58"Do you mind if I come and sit on your lap?"
0:28:58 > 0:29:04With Johnny Morris playing the role of the bumbling Bristol zookeeper who could talk to the animals,
0:29:04 > 0:29:08the show captured the imagination of a wide viewing audience.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12You don't know it, but you're coming back to Bristol with me.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16"Bristol? Where is Bristol? Is it in France?" No, it's in Angleterre.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21To get a handle on how much this place has evolved over the years,
0:29:21 > 0:29:26I've come here to have a chat with one of the zoo's longest-serving employees.
0:29:26 > 0:29:31- He's Senior Curator of Animals, John Partridge.- Hello.- Pleased to meet you.- Nice to meet you too.
0:29:31 > 0:29:37- What a lovely day!- It's beautiful. - Tell me about the important firsts that have taken place here.
0:29:37 > 0:29:42There have been quite a lot. The first chimpanzee in Europe born here in 1934,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45the first gorilla in 1971,
0:29:45 > 0:29:50black rhinoceros, the first UK birth in 1958,
0:29:50 > 0:29:54first male polar bear born in the UK in the same kind of year, '58, '59.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58We've pioneered different ways of looking after animals as well -
0:29:58 > 0:30:05the first nocturnal house, reversing day and night, so people can see animals that are active at night.
0:30:05 > 0:30:11That was in 1953. It's important to continue to develop, so we try and bring people into the habitats too,
0:30:11 > 0:30:16so they can walk through a lemur exhibit with our lemurs and be in the enclosure with them.
0:30:16 > 0:30:22There's been a number of memorable animal characters over the years. Can you name a few of them?
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Alfred the gorilla came to the zoo in March 1930
0:30:26 > 0:30:29and lived here for 18 and a half years.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33At the time, keeping gorillas in captivity was extremely difficult.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36He was the only gorilla seen in Europe for some of that time.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41Alfred became a huge character and the zoo's most popular resident.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46When he was young, he was famous for being taken for walks on a lead around the zoo's gardens.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54And some animals even got to make it outside the zoo.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59In 1961, Wendy the elephant and her companion Christina arrived at the zoo
0:30:59 > 0:31:04and they were taken for regular walks around the local streets.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08The people would often pop out to feed them little treats.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18But there were occasions when the animals from the zoo went absent without leave.
0:31:18 > 0:31:24There's a cutting here in March 1934 that says that 11 monkeys, I think they were rhesus monkeys,
0:31:24 > 0:31:30escaped from our monkey temple and they managed to get out and go out on to the down
0:31:30 > 0:31:35which is just across the way here, so there was a bit of a palaver getting them back.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40But with a little bit of food and a lot of patience, you can get these animals in.
0:31:41 > 0:31:47But "in" for a lot of the animals, especially the larger ones, was not a pleasant place.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51The cages were often bare and small.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55However, thanks to an improved understanding of animal husbandry,
0:31:55 > 0:31:59Bristol Zoo is a very different place from what it was.
0:31:59 > 0:32:05Can you give me a brief outline on how different today the zoo is, compared to 175 years ago?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07We've developed an awful lot.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12Historically, we've kept large animals - giraffes and elephants and so on.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18It's a bit more difficult to do that now in the way we want to keep our animals and show them to the people.
0:32:18 > 0:32:24We have more natural enclosures now. Our gorilla enclosure is a really big, natural environment
0:32:24 > 0:32:27with natural vegetation for them to live in.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32We concentrate on conservation breeding, not just here in the 12 acres in Bristol,
0:32:32 > 0:32:38but we have all sorts of in situ breeding programmes and efforts going on in places like Madagascar,
0:32:38 > 0:32:44Cameroon in West Africa, so we can explain to people what we're doing by showing them the animals here
0:32:44 > 0:32:48and then doing very good conservation work out in the natural habitat.
0:32:48 > 0:32:55You do a lot of work internationally protecting endangered species, but you do a lot here on site as well.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00We have many critically endangered species and one or two that are extinct in the wild.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03In some cases, they can only be found in a zoo -
0:33:03 > 0:33:07several species of Partula snail or Polynesian snail.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11One species is not found anywhere else but here in Bristol Zoo.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15It's extinct in the wild and if we don't do well with it, we lose it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20And our latest conservation success story is with our Asiatic lions.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Two animals, Kamal and Shiva, were brought together last year
0:33:24 > 0:33:28and Shiva, a first-time mother, actually produced two cubs,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32so we have a male and a female cub called Jay and Kaly.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35They are a very important birth for us.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40There's less than 400 Asiatic lions in the wild and they're in only one part of India,
0:33:40 > 0:33:46so we're part of an internationally managed breeding programme for this endangered species.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48# Mama's taking us to the zoo tomorrow... #
0:33:48 > 0:33:55Over the past 175 years, the zoo has brought six generations of Bristolians closer to wildlife.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59It's helped save over 175 different species from extinction
0:33:59 > 0:34:05and taught half a million schoolchildren the wonder and value of nature
0:34:05 > 0:34:09and given more than 50 million visitors a wonderful day out.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14Looking forward to the future, its hopes are to become the best city zoo in the world.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17If you want my opinion, it already is.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32At the human zoo of our valuation day, Bernard seems to have risen above the roar of the crowds
0:34:32 > 0:34:35and beaten a path to Will's table.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39Has this been on your wrist from new? How did you come by it?
0:34:39 > 0:34:42A friend of mine gave it to me, like, you know.
0:34:42 > 0:34:48He took... He was a landlord of a pub and I used to do bar work.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51It was a farewell present sort of thing.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55Rolex, obviously, is a brand that everyone is familiar with.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58This one here is fairly plain.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03- To be fair, it's towards the sort of more run-of-the-mill model of Rolex.- That's right.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07This is a manual wind, so the movement isn't as sophisticated
0:35:07 > 0:35:12as an Oyster Perpetual, i.e, self-winding or automatic.
0:35:12 > 0:35:18If I'm being super-picky, there is a bit of discoloration on the dial, but you can get that repaired.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21You can have the dial cleaned or reprinted.
0:35:21 > 0:35:27Your friend gave it to you as a gift. Have you had it insured? Any idea what it could be worth?
0:35:27 > 0:35:32- Well, the insurance is about 1,200, like.- Right, OK.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37The trouble we'll run into here is the fact that insurance valuations
0:35:37 > 0:35:40are always a lot higher than auction estimates,
0:35:40 > 0:35:44certainly for what we would call jewellery, silver, watches.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48I think this, bearing in mind it is only stainless steel...
0:35:48 > 0:35:50- That's right.- It's a manual wind.
0:35:50 > 0:35:56- The bracelet is associated. That's not a proper Rolex bracelet. - No, it's not Rolex.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01My honest valuation on this piece would be in the region of £200.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04It's a big difference from the insurance valuation you have.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08But how do you feel about that - £200 to £300?
0:36:08 > 0:36:13- I'm fine with that, yes. - So we'll reserve it at that bottom figure at the £200.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18- Can I give the auctioneer a bit of discretion? - Yeah, a bit of discretion.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- I'm pretty sure we'll find a new home for it.- Yes.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26Watch out to see how well Bernard's Rolex does when it comes up for sale in a while.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34Right now, it looks like Anita's struck gold with a cache of jewels
0:36:34 > 0:36:37that Pamela has brought with her.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43I'm always delighted to see beautiful jewellery on the show and we have some lovely things here.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48I've collected them over a period of time and I think they're lovely too.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53- I really do.- Can you tell me where did you get these items? Let's start with the cross.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57The cross was on a happy weekend in Rhodes with my husband.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02The mourning locket followed on when he died, of course.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05This one was a gift given to me by a friend
0:37:05 > 0:37:08and this one again just a gift from a friend.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13- Why are you looking to sell them now?- My granddaughters like silver,
0:37:13 > 0:37:19so I thought I'd probably sell them and split the money or give it to my sons, whatever.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24- They don't see beauty in the same things that you and I do. - Let's have a wee look here.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29This cross, the setting is absolutely beautiful and it's beautifully done.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34When I looked at this at the beginning, I thought it was an amethyst,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37but it's not, it's a synthetic stone.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41We also have the item on a nine-carat chain
0:37:41 > 0:37:47and I would like to put an estimate of, say, between 250 and 350,
0:37:47 > 0:37:52- and I would suggest a reserve of around £200.- That's fair.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55If we go on to the next little lot,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58we have two Victorian pieces.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Your first one here, with this very pretty cameo,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06is a little earlier than this one.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11I would say maybe 1860, 1870, 1880.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14We see this swivel mechanism here.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19This would have been used to keep a piece of a loved one's hair.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- I see you have a photograph in here.- I have.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26But it is a mourning locket.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29That's not the mourning locket. That is.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33But this would have been a mourning locket at some point as well.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35I didn't know that.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- This is made of a pinchbeck. It's not a gold.- That's right.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42It's made to look like gold and there is some quality.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- This is a finer piece, Pamela.- Yes.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49This is probably 1880 to about 1910.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55It's jet with these seed pearls bedded in this gold laurel
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- and this little anchor.- Yes.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00An anchor often denotes hope,
0:39:00 > 0:39:04so we have some symbolism there.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Both of them very, very nice items.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I would tend to sell these together,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13so to put them together,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16£300 to £500.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18- As the pair?- For the two of them.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21With a firm reserve of 300.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Well, you know your business.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27It may do more than that, Pamela.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32- An estimate is only an estimate. - It's only an estimate.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Sometimes I can be a wee bit conservative.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Sometimes. Let's hope so in this case.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Yes. Tell me, where have you got this one, Pamela?
0:39:41 > 0:39:47That was just a gift in the '60s or '70s and it's just a pretty piece.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- That's right.- It sits nicely on the neck because it's shaped.- Yeah.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's made of tri-colour gold, nine-carat,
0:39:54 > 0:39:59a popular design in the '60s, '70s and even '80s.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02But it has a good gold weight.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05There are 29 grams,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09nearly one ounce of nine-carat gold in it.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14The estimate on that, I would say probably 200 to 250
0:40:14 > 0:40:17with a reserve of perhaps 180 on that.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- Well, that would be good.- That would be good.- That would be good.
0:40:21 > 0:40:27This is the best time to sell jewellery, particularly if it has a high gold content.
0:40:27 > 0:40:33I know you've enjoyed wearing these, but are you a wee bit sad to see them go?
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Maybe in some ways, but I've had my times with them.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Basically, nothing lasts forever, does it?
0:40:40 > 0:40:44'I hope Pamela's jewels light up the saleroom when they go under the hammer.'
0:40:49 > 0:40:52And it looks like Will's in for a giant surprise,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55with the next item Liz and Conran have walked in with.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Now, I'm not going to lie to you, I would not like to meet the guy
0:41:01 > 0:41:03who's wearing these in a dark alley at night.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Have you got the BFG at home or something?
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Where have these come from?
0:41:07 > 0:41:10They're an heirloom. Always been in our home. We've always loved them.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13It's amazing. I've never seen anything like it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15I mean, what size are these?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18I'm a size seven or eight when I'm lucky, and I'm feeling bigger than I am.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22- What size are these?- 42.- Size 42!
0:41:22 > 0:41:24You said they've been in the family, for how long?
0:41:24 > 0:41:29When I was about five, my father was given them by the manufacturer.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31My father was a shoe retailer.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Ah! There's the connection.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37And they've not been on display, but his father, my grandfather,
0:41:37 > 0:41:40saw them in a parade in the town, about 1906.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43I was looking at them and trying to work out a date,
0:41:43 > 0:41:47because of the style, and so on, and you got these nice little hooks.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52That would date them from the turn of the century, about 1900.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56If I tip this one up - ooh!
0:41:56 > 0:41:58It's not that heavy, but they are heavy!
0:41:58 > 0:42:01If I tip that one up, we can see under here, we've got "Ivy."
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Now, is that the firm that was making these?
0:42:04 > 0:42:09The firm was Rhodes Rawling of Halifax, and it was the Ivy brand shoe.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12And look at all these hob nails here! And, each one, stamped.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15They're solid leather.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18I was going to say, all of this is leather, including the soles.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- So, they're leather uppers.- Yep.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I noticed you had to use a bit of ribbon.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24It's difficult to get such long laces.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- And you packed them with newspaper? - To stop them collapsing and cracking.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31I was going to ask you, does he make you polish them?
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Yes, I do polish them.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Because if you don't polish them, they're just going to dry out,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39crack and be ruined.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42I suppose that's where all the other things like this have gone.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Again, that's probably a couple of pots of polish in one go
0:42:45 > 0:42:48and plenty of elbow grease.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51There's a bit of damage here, but they're over 100 years old.
0:42:51 > 0:42:52They're in great condition.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- Have you ever been tempted to put them on?- I did wear them.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59I won a fancy dress competition! I went as a clown.
0:42:59 > 0:43:04I was asked to stop walking about and scratching the floors!
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Because of the old hob nails. Exactly.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10I mean, value-wise, this puts me in a tricky position,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13because I haven't got anything I can compare these to.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16I can't tell you, well, last week, I sold a pair, and they made X.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19For these to sell at auction, it's going to be a question
0:43:19 > 0:43:21of what someone's prepared to pay for them,
0:43:21 > 0:43:24and that's the only way you're going to be able to value them.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29They've got to be worth £100-£200, just for the novelty value.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31So, let's put them in at £100-£200.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Let's reserve them at £100.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35They've got to be worth that, all day long, surely.
0:43:38 > 0:43:44'Now it's my turn to flex my valuation muscles as I head outdoors with Michelle.'
0:43:44 > 0:43:50- This wonderful walking cane which you don't know a lot about. - No.- How long have you had it?
0:43:50 > 0:43:54I've only had it 15 months since my mother passed away.
0:43:54 > 0:44:00She probably inherited it from her parents. It could have come from the Far East, Malaysia.
0:44:00 > 0:44:05- Your mother has used this.- She has. - She's put this worn rubber stopper on the bottom, bless her!
0:44:05 > 0:44:10- And this little bit of antler is a later addition.- It is.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13I would say that's sort of circa 1910, 1920,
0:44:13 > 0:44:18but I'd put the actual shaft of the cane, which is made of bone,
0:44:18 > 0:44:21at about 1800, 1810.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23- Really?- 1820 at the latest.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Now, my gut feeling is this could be Napoleonic.
0:44:26 > 0:44:32It could be something that a prisoner of war made here or something that was made out at sea.
0:44:32 > 0:44:39I'm not sure what the bone's from. I don't know if it would've been a narwhal tusk because that tapers.
0:44:39 > 0:44:44It's a lovely piece of ropework. You see a lot of this on the legs of furniture.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47It's affectionately known as the barley twist.
0:44:47 > 0:44:53But English furniture will have a double twist. That ropework will go one way, then the other way.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56It's more generous and it's harder to achieve.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59If you look at Flemish and French furniture,
0:44:59 > 0:45:03that has a single rope twist like this,
0:45:03 > 0:45:08so it leads me to believe it's possibly continental and probably French,
0:45:08 > 0:45:11- done by a Napoleonic prisoner of war.- Oh!
0:45:11 > 0:45:14And that is absolutely beautiful, isn't it?
0:45:14 > 0:45:18It's so symmetric, considering it's all carved by hand.
0:45:18 > 0:45:23- What do you think it's worth? - Somewhere in the region of 90-plus?
0:45:23 > 0:45:27- You're about right. I was going to say £100 to £150 tops. OK?- Super.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31Let's put it into the saleroom with a value of £80 to £120.
0:45:31 > 0:45:36I know it's a cliche and we all keep talking about it, but it covers the lower end
0:45:36 > 0:45:39and it also covers the higher end.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41That is very reasonable.
0:45:41 > 0:45:46- With a reserve at £80.- That's a lot more than I valued it.- OK.
0:45:46 > 0:45:52- We'll let the auctioneer have a bit of discretion at the 80.- OK. - But I think that's quality.
0:45:52 > 0:45:58- It's beautiful.- Thank you for bringing it in.- You're welcome. - Sadly, I have to take this from you.
0:45:58 > 0:46:03Let's get that and our other items wrapped up and sent off to auction.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05'Here's a quick reminder of what we've chosen.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08'Let's hope the bidders will want to snap them up.'
0:46:10 > 0:46:13'We're back at Bridgwater for the auction
0:46:13 > 0:46:16'and the saleroom is bursting with budding buyers,
0:46:16 > 0:46:18'all on the lookout for a bargain.
0:46:18 > 0:46:23'The auctioneer is Claire Rawle and first up is Bernard's Rolex watch.'
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Did you ever wear it?
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Oh, yeah. I wore it plenty of times, like, yeah.
0:46:28 > 0:46:33- But then I thought, well, I might lose it.- It's a valuable thing.
0:46:33 > 0:46:38We've got £200 to £300 on this. Hopefully, it'll do that and a bit more.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42- Let's find out what this lot think. Here we go.- OK.- Over there.
0:46:43 > 0:46:49Lot 115 is the gentleman's Rolex Oyster Royal watch.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52A 1950s one. This is Lot 115.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55And I have to start it straight in at £240.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58- Yes!- 240. Do I see 250 anywhere?
0:46:58 > 0:47:01At 240, the bid's with me.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04At 240. 250 on the telephone?
0:47:04 > 0:47:06250.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09260 with me.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12- They like it. - At 260 the bid's here with me.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15Do I see 270 in the room?
0:47:15 > 0:47:20At £260 then, if you're all done. Selling here at 260...
0:47:21 > 0:47:26- Mid-estimate, well done, Will. And that's £260 for you.- That's right.
0:47:26 > 0:47:30What will you do with that? Treat yourself to something?
0:47:30 > 0:47:34- Yeah, a holiday or something like that.- It'll help towards that.
0:47:34 > 0:47:39- Yeah.- He got given that watch for collecting glasses in a pub.
0:47:39 > 0:47:44- You were a loyal customer. - I must have been.- You probably spent more than that in booze.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47I'm getting my own back now!
0:47:47 > 0:47:50'A solid mid-estimate outcome for Bernard.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52'Now it's Pamela up next.'
0:47:52 > 0:47:56Have you been sunbathing? Have you been in the garden?
0:47:56 > 0:47:59No. Now I'm retired, I travel about a bit.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03- Where have you been?- I went to Dubai for the cold weather.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07I came back from there and I went to Spain, just to see a friend.
0:48:07 > 0:48:14Gosh, you jet-setter, you! We've got some jewellery about to go under the hammer, split into three lots -
0:48:14 > 0:48:17one necklace, a mourning locket and another necklace.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21It could be quite a lot of money. You could be jetting off again.
0:48:21 > 0:48:26- The first lot going under the hammer is the necklace. - It's a beautiful cross pendant.
0:48:26 > 0:48:30The auctioneer has tested the gold mount and it's tested for 18-carat,
0:48:30 > 0:48:34so I'm happy about that and it's on a 9-carat chain.
0:48:34 > 0:48:39- Let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go. - And that was a weekend in Rhodes.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42- Oh!- This is it.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47Lot 55 is a decorative cross pendant with the amethyst-coloured stones.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49Nice, decorative item.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52I have to start straight in. I've got £250 here.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55At 250. Do I see 280 anywhere?
0:48:55 > 0:48:58The bid's with me at 250.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02At 250. Now 280? 280. 300.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05- 320. 350. 380... - They love this, don't they?
0:49:05 > 0:49:09- 420. In the room now at 420. - Wow!- At 420.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11Do I see 450 anywhere?
0:49:11 > 0:49:16At £420 then. Are you all done at 420...?
0:49:17 > 0:49:20That's the first lot, £420. Now for the second -
0:49:20 > 0:49:23the mourning pendant and the mourning brooch.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27They have lowered the estimate on this one from £300 to £500
0:49:27 > 0:49:30right down to 150 to 170.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32Here it is.
0:49:33 > 0:49:39We've got the Victorian mourning pendant and the cameo, lot 61.
0:49:39 > 0:49:41I have to start these straight in
0:49:41 > 0:49:44at £220.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46At 220. At 220.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48Do I see 240?
0:49:48 > 0:49:50240. Clears me at 240.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54Now 260 anywhere?
0:49:54 > 0:49:56At £240 in the room now.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59At 240. Do I see 260?
0:49:59 > 0:50:01If you're all done at 240...
0:50:02 > 0:50:06- Excellent.- We'll take that. That was very good.- Not bad.
0:50:06 > 0:50:12The quality of the locket and the quality of the carving on the cameo pulled that through.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16- It did well.- Here we go, the last item, the necklace.
0:50:17 > 0:50:22Lot 67 is a nine-carat gold, snake-link type necklace.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25And this one I have to start away at £200.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28- Yes.- Very good. - At 200. Do I see 220?
0:50:28 > 0:50:31250. 280.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34In the room now at 280.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37At 280. Do I see 300 anywhere?
0:50:37 > 0:50:39At £280.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42At 280 then. Are you all done at 280?
0:50:42 > 0:50:45Wow, that's a good result again!
0:50:45 > 0:50:49- That's a grand total of £940. - We're in the money!
0:50:49 > 0:50:51- You are in the money, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:50:51 > 0:50:57- That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you.- Thank you.- I'm ever so pleased. Thank you for coming in.
0:50:57 > 0:51:04'Anita's estimate may have been conservative, but it paid off handsomely for Pamela.
0:51:04 > 0:51:09'Now my head's on the block. It's that carved bone walking stick.'
0:51:11 > 0:51:17This could be quite speculative. We're talking about the bone walking stick, 80 to 120.
0:51:17 > 0:51:23It's going to sell at that every day of the week, but some of these things could fly away at 400 to 500.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27I don't want to start bigging this up, but these things can happen.
0:51:27 > 0:51:33- All the money's going to charity, for your dogs?- Yes, towards the Flat-Coated Retriever Cancer Tumour.
0:51:33 > 0:51:38- And you've got quite a few retrievers. - I have. I've got four in total.
0:51:38 > 0:51:43Right, OK, here we go. And they all need help.
0:51:44 > 0:51:50Lot 370 is this rather unusual bone walking stick with the antler handle.
0:51:50 > 0:51:54I've had quite a bit of interest in it, so I'll start straight in.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56I've got £150.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59At 150. At 150. Looking for... 180.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02200. 220. 250.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05280. In the room now at £280.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11At 280. Looking for 300. 300 with Fiona. 320.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14350.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17- 380.- Amazing.
0:52:17 > 0:52:22400. 400 on the telephone here. At £400.
0:52:22 > 0:52:23420?
0:52:23 > 0:52:25420.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27450.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29- 480?- Wow!- Wow!
0:52:29 > 0:52:31- 480.- Wow!
0:52:31 > 0:52:33500.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36- Gosh, it is your lucky day.- 520.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39550.
0:52:39 > 0:52:40580.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44No? At 580 on Martin's telephone.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47At £580.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51At 580. Are you all done at 580...?
0:52:51 > 0:52:55- What a fabulous result! £580, that was our lucky day.- Brilliant.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58Two people fought that out together.
0:52:58 > 0:53:04- All the proceeds are going towards the charity that's looking after the cancer for dogs.- It is.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07- Thank you so much for coming in. - Thank you.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11- Bless you and bless the dogs as well! I hope they recover. - They will.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18Finally, it's the one I've been waiting for.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22Liz and Conran's super-sized boots.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24Liz and Conran, thank you for putting a smile
0:53:24 > 0:53:27on all our faces at the valuation day in Wells Cathedral.
0:53:27 > 0:53:32- The boots turned up. Will said, "I've got to have those!" - They're great.- He zoomed in.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35I think they're my favourite thing I've done so far on Flog It!
0:53:35 > 0:53:39Do you know, when you take time to look at them, the quality is superb.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Where have you had them over the last few years?
0:53:41 > 0:53:47- They were on show. We always had them on the piano, or the side of the stairs.- Right.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50- An entertaining thing to have in the house.- Yeah.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54I can't wait for Claire to introduce these. Let's see what she says.
0:53:54 > 0:54:01Here we go. A pair of size 42 black leather Balmoral boots.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05Wonderful items. And I start away at £75. At 75.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Do I see 80 anywhere? 80.
0:54:07 > 0:54:095, 90, 5.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11100. 110. 120.
0:54:11 > 0:54:12130.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16140, 150, 160, 170.
0:54:16 > 0:54:17180, 190.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19200, 220? 220.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22240. 260. 280.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24300.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27320. 340. 360.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29380. 400. 420.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31440. 460.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35480. 500. 520.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37520. Now, 550 anywhere?
0:54:37 > 0:54:41550, fresh bidder. 600. 650.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45700. 750. 800. 850.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47900 on the telephone.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49950? 950.
0:54:49 > 0:54:501,000?
0:54:50 > 0:54:511,000.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53And 50.
0:54:53 > 0:54:551,050. 1,100.
0:54:56 > 0:54:591,100. 1,150.
0:55:01 > 0:55:031,200.
0:55:03 > 0:55:051,250.
0:55:06 > 0:55:081,300. 1,350.
0:55:09 > 0:55:121,400.
0:55:12 > 0:55:131,450.
0:55:13 > 0:55:141,500.
0:55:15 > 0:55:161,550.
0:55:16 > 0:55:181,600.
0:55:18 > 0:55:191,650.
0:55:19 > 0:55:221,700.
0:55:22 > 0:55:241,750. 1,800.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26- Wow.- (It's gone quiet.)
0:55:26 > 0:55:30Your valuation was a load of cobblers, wasn't it?!
0:55:30 > 0:55:31- 1,900.- Thank you for that.
0:55:31 > 0:55:331,950.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38Not going to fill it up to 2,000?! 1,950. Ooh.
0:55:38 > 0:55:402,000 on the other telephone.
0:55:40 > 0:55:422,100. 2,200?
0:55:44 > 0:55:462-2?
0:55:46 > 0:55:472-3.
0:55:48 > 0:55:502,400?
0:55:50 > 0:55:522,500.
0:55:54 > 0:55:562,600. 2,700.
0:55:58 > 0:56:002,800.
0:56:00 > 0:56:01What?!
0:56:01 > 0:56:022,900.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04Now, even this beggars belief.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08- 3,000.- I actually pitched this at £400 to £600.- 3,100.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11I'm glad you don't say I pitched these at £4-6,000.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13- £4-600.- 3,200.
0:56:13 > 0:56:163,300.
0:56:16 > 0:56:183,400.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26Come on, you can't leave 'em now!
0:56:26 > 0:56:303,400 on the telephone.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32At 3,400. Are you sure?
0:56:32 > 0:56:343,000... 3,500?
0:56:34 > 0:56:37- 3,500. - Hey, gone one more!
0:56:40 > 0:56:433,600, then.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44Are you sure?
0:56:44 > 0:56:46- SHE LAUGHS - 3,600.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49At 3,600, on the telephone.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53At 3,600, are you sure?
0:56:53 > 0:56:55You're sure. You're not bidding!
0:56:56 > 0:57:013,600 it is, then. Are you sure? 3,600.
0:57:01 > 0:57:05- £3,600. - APPLAUSE
0:57:05 > 0:57:06Well done.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10- £3,600.- Thank you. - I don't know what for!
0:57:10 > 0:57:13- I got it wrong!- Thank you for bringing such a quirky item in.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17It just goes to show, it is extremely hard to put a price on something.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19When two people want it, the sky's the limit.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21I'm tingling, are you tingling?
0:57:21 > 0:57:24What a wonderful way to end today's programme.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27What a brilliant day we've had. I hope you've enjoyed it.
0:57:27 > 0:57:30Join us again for much more fun and some more surprises next time.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33Enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Until then, goodbye.