Cardigan Flog It!


Cardigan

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Transcript


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Today we're near the fabulous coastline of Cardigan Bay,

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stretching north into Ceredigion and south into Pembrokeshire.

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Much as I'd love to stand here all day embracing this marvellous Welsh countryside,

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they wouldn't let me get away with that!

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There are too many antiques waiting to be valued inside. Welcome to Flog It!

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The town of Cardigan has been a port since the early Middle Ages.

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Its importance stems from its strategic position on the River Teifi,

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the gateway to the fertile Teifi Valley.

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We've certainly got an army of followers here today.

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They have turned out in force at the Rhosygilwen mansion,

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all hoping their treasures will be worth a small fortune

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when we take them to auction. Who will it be? Stay tuned to find out!

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It may even be this wonderful bus. So tickets, please! Let's start our journey.

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Leading the Flog It troops to find out what people have brought along

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are our team of experts headed up by Charlie Ross and Christina Trevanion.

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Goodness me!

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Ooh, let's have a look.

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Auctioneer and valuer Christina caught the antiques bug at an early age

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and can't wait to get stuck in to all those bags and boxes!

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A very old book. 300 years old.

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-300 years old?!

-305.

-That's older than Charlie!

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I thought I saw a barometer. Did I see a barometer?

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Charlie's under pressure hunting for antiques. Looks like his watchful eye may have paid off!

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This should tell us what it's made of.

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And you're in luck. It's made of gold!

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-Lovely.

-Not just nine-carat gold. It's 18-carat gold.

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Coming up, we've got a show full of weird and wonderful things!

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Look at that! That's a surprise. I didn't know that was going to happen!

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Good lord, that's quite whacky, isn't it?

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It's a bit of an acquired taste.

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Yes.

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We incur a casualty.

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She's been through the wars. Tell me what happened there.

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She was all right when I left this morning.

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-When I undid it, she was in two pieces.

-Oh, no!

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And will a hoard of Indian silver translate into a stack of British pounds?

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I'm just hoping they like Indian silver in Wales!

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We kick off with Christina and that broken statue. But it isn't on its own.

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Fiona has a group who've all had to put up with a few knocks in their time.

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We've got a jolly band of fellows here. They look like they're having a good time.

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-They do.

-Where are they from?

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They were my grandmother's. I don't know where she got them from.

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She wasn't very careful with them and most of them have got something broken.

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-Right.

-She had them in a cabinet.

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I don't know why they got broken. My mother reckoned she was just clumsy!

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-Right.

-My mother hated them, actually!

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-Did she?

-She couldn't wait for me to have them!

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-They're a real...

-Are you fond of them?

-I love him.

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-I love the colours on them. They're fabulous.

-Really bright, aren't they?

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-Gorgeous.

-The detail's good. But they are awful dust collectors!

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-I bet.

-Dreadful.

-Nightmare to clean.

-Yes.

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Some of them aren't very clean.

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I don't blame you. They are very fragile.

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-Sadly, we've got damage pretty much across the board.

-Yes.

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That's one of the first things as a valuer, establishing a value on these,

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-it's very difficult because of the damage throughout.

-Yes.

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Down here we've got a hand, and a bit of a broken bottle here.

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They've just had a good time, I think, they've had a good old party.

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Surprisingly, when I looked at them I thought they made a good group.

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But actually, they're all by different factories.

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-Right.

-So we've got this pair here.

-Right.

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We've got some nice marks here.

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This tells us they're by a German factory called Sitzendorf.

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Right.

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They're beautifully enamelled. When you pick them up, they're heavy.

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So nice heavy porcelain.

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But unfortunately...

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-Yes, I know!

-She's been through the wars. What happened there?

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-She was all right when I left this morning!

-Oh, no!

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And I did wrap her up but when I undid it, she was in two pieces.

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-Whether it had already been broken and my grandmother had mended it at some point.

-Very possible.

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The good news is, yes, it's damaged,

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but it's a nice clean break so it could be restorable.

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It's OK. So we've got these two figures here.

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These, I think, are the best quality-wise.

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-I love this chap.

-So do I.

-He's wonderful, isn't he?

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He's a boozy fellow.

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-What's his name?

-Landlord.

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The Landlord. So a nice character figure.

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And what's even better is that I can just picture him in a gentleman's study

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as a figurine, and as soon as the wife's gone or the family's gone,

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he gets out his figurine and has his tot!

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-He's not a figure any more, he's a decanter!

-Gorgeous, isn't it?

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It's wonderful. I love it.

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As a decanter to a decanter collector, he could be really quite interesting.

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Yes.

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Then this pair of figures here.

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We've got a fruit seller and her gentleman partner.

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They're a matched pair.

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They didn't start life together.

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Not as exciting, possibly, as these.

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I think, at auction,

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we have to bear in mind the condition issues.

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-But I think we're still looking in the region of 100 to £200.

-Good!

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-Would you be happy to sell them at that value?

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

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-Let's flog it!

-Save the dusting!

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Hopefully the bidders will relish the idea of getting their hands on this motley bunch

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and give them the opportunity to live another day.

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Next, Charlie's talking to Terry who has an interesting collection of Indian silver.

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Terry, have you been shopping?

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Just a little bit!

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Have you bought them yourself or inherited them?

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No, I bought them on the internet.

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-On the internet?

-Over the last year or so.

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-Gosh. What was the first bit you bought?

-I think the jug.

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The jug. Is that your favourite bit?

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-It is, actually.

-Yes.

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Do you have any connection with India? It's Indian silver.

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The only connection I've got is that my mother and her side of the family came from India.

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Right. Have you been yourself?

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I've been twice and I'm going again the week after the auction.

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-I'm going to find my grandfather's grave in Calcutta.

-Gosh!

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-He was a train driver.

-Really? How fascinating.

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-When did he die?

-I think he must have died in the early '70s.

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-Well post-Raj.

-Well post-Raj.

-Yes.

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This is mostly Raj, isn't it? Nearly all of it.

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It is, I think all of it is Raj period.

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I would think most of this is between 1920 and 1940?

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-I'd say some pieces are...

-Some earlier?

-18- something.

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-Late 1800s.

-You think they go to the 19th century?

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It's interesting to try and guess from the influence which part of India they might have come from.

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This has a sort of Buddhist influence down here.

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I wonder if it's nearer to Ceylon down the bottom there.

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-Yeah.

-I think this one, your favourite piece,

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I think if I took the handle away, took the snake away there,

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I would struggle to know that was Indian and not Middle Eastern.

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Yes, it looks a bit Arabic.

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It does. The top here looks very Arabic.

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And the flowers. So it's an interesting bowl here.

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-Do you know what my favourite is?

-No.

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-The salt and pepper.

-The salt and pepper.

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I think the quality of decoration is particularly good on these.

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-Those would stand on anybody's dining table proudly.

-Yes.

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I'm not so keen on the open salts.

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-So we need to raise some money, don't we?

-We do.

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-Help you with the flight.

-We sure do.

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-Assuming you're not rowing there.

-No, a slow boat.

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I've looked through, weighed some of it.

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I think we should be safe at 150 to £200.

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-I'm happy with that.

-150 to 200.

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Reserve 150. A bit of auctioneer's discretion.

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-See you on the day.

-OK.

-Let's get enough for the whole flight.

-Flog it!

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Yes, flog it!

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It's a tricky one to value, but I think Charlie is quietly confident.

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We'll find out later if it's well placed.

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Flog It valuation days are very busy, so when people are selected for filming,

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they often have to wait a while.

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I can't resist having a good peek at what they've brought in!

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There are several tables dotted along here.

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This is the holding bay.

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This is where all our owners that haven't been filmed yet are waiting to be filmed.

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Who owns the ostrich egg?

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Wow, look at that!

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That certainly is a present from down under.

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We think so. It was a present to my father, who was a surgeon.

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It was a present from a patient who wanted to thank him.

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There's a kangaroo actually carved onto the shell of the egg.

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Do you know something? I think that with this emu and that kangaroo,

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and the whole thing with these wonderful over-the-top pieces of glass,

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I think it will find its way back to Australia. I really do.

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Yes.

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We'll find out more about that fascinating item later in the show.

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First, Christina is chatting to Gary

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who's inherited a piece of Swiss sophistication.

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Gary, here we've got your chronograph Swiss wrist watch.

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Tell me, where's it come from?

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I had it from my father, actually, going back 15, 16 years ago.

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-Right.

-He never used it. So he said to me one night when I was with him,

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he showed me a lot of watches and I said I'd have that one.

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-Have that one or that one.

-Yes.

-OK.

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So tell me, was Father sporty?

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Not really, no.

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Tell me why would he have wanted a chronograph movement?

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A chronograph movement, as you know, is a stopwatch.

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-Was he into the horses, maybe?

-No, no, no.

-Running?

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-Nothing like that?

-Only cars and lorries.

-Cars and lorries.

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-Maybe he used it to time his lap circuits or something.

-Maybe!

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You never know.

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So it's a rather nice example.

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As we can see from the dial, we've got a subsidiary minutes dial here

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which times up to 30 minutes.

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We've also got a seconds dial here.

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And the way that it works, as you probably know,

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is that we start it there, see the red hand ticking away nicely there.

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Then we can stop it. We can restart it.

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And then stop it.

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-And then we can restart it completely.

-Yes.

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It's fantastic. Very, very controllable, isn't it?

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It's got a nice clear dial.

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Not much damage on the dial. A few scratches on the face.

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But nothing serious.

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If we turn it over...

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we've got a nice mark which says 18k and 750.

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That's indicative of 18-carat gold.

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-It would be nice if the strap was gold!

-It would be!

-But sadly it's not.

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We can see here that this gold plate is wearing off the strap.

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The base metal is coming through on that strap there.

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We've got some serial numbers down here.

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-Unfortunately we can't pin it down to an absolute factory.

-No.

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Without opening the back, but the back is very delicate, a very thin sliver of gold

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and I'd be reluctant to take the back off.

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However, it is a Swiss movement.

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The Swiss, as you know, renowned for fantastic watch making.

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Yes.

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I think in the open market today, we'll be looking at an auction valuation of about 200 to £300.

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-How do you feel about that, Gary?

-The more, the merrier!

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Well, it may well fetch more on the day

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but if we put it any more it'll look quite pricey compared to other chronograph watches on the market.

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OK? So happy to sell it at 200 to 300.

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-Yes.

-Let's set the reserve at 200 firm. Try and get as much as we can for you.

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-OK.

-Perhaps put the money towards a new watch for you!

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Good. Thank you. Now, then.

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We've been working flat-out and it's time to put those valuations to the test.

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While we make our way over to Peter Francis auction rooms in Carmarthen,

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here's a reminder of all the items going under the hammer. Take a look.

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Fiona's figurines might have been injured in service, but perhaps they'll find a new lease of life.

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Hopefully the bidders will appreciate Terry's collection of exotic silver

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and provide him with passage back to India.

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Lastly, Gary's Swiss watch.

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It might be lacking a gold strap, but will its quality still shine through?

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Over in Carmarthen, the sale room is starting to fill up.

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Commission rates here are on a sliding scale

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starting at 17.5% for items under £150,

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down to 10% for items over £3,000.

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Wielding the gavel today is auctioneer Nigel Hobson

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and before the auction got underway, I found out what he thought of some of our lots.

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I soon discovered he was a bit of a fan of Gary's watch.

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Superb quality, this watch. 18-carat gold, Swiss. It belongs to Gary.

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We've got a value of 200 to £300, fixed reserve of 200.

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I do like my watches. I actually like that.

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-Could you see yourself wearing that?

-I could.

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I did say to my wife she might buy it for me for Christmas, but all is quiet on that front!

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I've done condition reports on it for a number of people. There are a few knocks round the case,

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which fit in with general wear and tear.

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The bracelet strap is not gold.

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-But I still think it ought to be worth the estimate. We should be OK at that.

-Brilliant.

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-It won't whizz off and make £1,000 or anything like that.

-No.

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But it's a good watch of its type, working away no problem.

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Time for Nigel to get on the rostrum, weave his magic

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and good luck. See how we go.

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Hopefully there are a few bidders who want it as much as Nigel. It's our first lot under the hammer.

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Time is now definitely up, not for my watch, but for Gary's watch.

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-Lovely thing. It was your father's.

-I've got another one.

-That was his as well, was it?

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-You love this as well.

-Yes, and it's a chronograph so hopefully it'll get there.

-It's a very good watch.

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-Yes.

-Not many of them made.

-Let's hope we get a decent surprise.

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-I hope so!

-I hope so.

-Let's find out. Here we go.

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261. The mid-20th-century Swiss 18-carat gold

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chronograph gentleman's wrist watch.

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A good-looking watch, ticking away nicely.

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The case is marked 18 carat.

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A nice-looking watch. Interest here with me on the book

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-means I can start the bidding straightaway at 200.

-Brilliant.

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-220 I've got. £220 on the book.

-It's gone.

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Let's hope we get another bid.

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At 220.

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At 220. May I say 240 now?

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240. 260.

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At 260.

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260. Against you in the room. Against you online at 260.

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Bidding on the book now at 260.

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At 260. Selling it. On the book, then, at £260.

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Sold! Good estimate. Very good.

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-Happy?

-Yes, very happy, actually.

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Brilliant. Well done. Well done.

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Christina was spot-on there, but has she got the measure of those figurines?

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This sale is being conducted by Nigel's colleague, Geoff Thomas.

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Well, it's the moment of truth, Fiona.

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Let's hope the damage doesn't put the buyers off.

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It's a mixed lot, really. Porcelain figures. How did the damage happen?

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-Grandma?

-I'm afraid it was a very long time ago, being careless.

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-A long, long time ago.

-Very long time.

-Collectors are fussy,

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but maybe they just might go for this.

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-You just don't know. We've got 100 to £200.

-Yep.

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And a slightly lower reserve

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to take into account that damage.

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-70% of this lot is OK.

-I hope so.

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-It's OK.

-The Landlord is good.

-Yes.

-Very good.

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-He's a real novelty as well, so hopefully.

-Let's see what the bidders think. Here we go.

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Lot 365, a group of porcelain continental figures.

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Lot 365. Start me at 100.

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80?

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50? £50 I've got. 50. 60.

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70. 80. £80.

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It's going. It's going!

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At £80 I'm bid.

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At £80. 90 is it? All done, then?

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All done at £80.

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-Well done.

-£80 - and they were very broken!

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I wonder if someone will restore them?

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-Inevitably.

-Yes, I think so.

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Especially the one that was in half. That's easily restorable.

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-Slightly in half!

-Slightly in half!

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The damage may have put people off,

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but thankfully someone was willing to take them on.

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Next up, will Terry's silver provide him with the passport he's hoping for?

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The pressure is on. Terry has just joined me and expert Charlie Ross.

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We need the top end of that valuation. £200-plus.

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Because Terry is off to India. He's worked out the price of the flight.

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440 quid. And you're going next week?

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-Yes.

-Got the visa?

-Yes.

-He hasn't got the ticket yet. We're waiting on the result of this silver

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to go under the hammer, Charlie.

0:18:550:18:57

A lot of Indian silver here. It's a shame it's not hallmarked or dated.

0:18:570:19:02

-It would fly through the roof, wouldn't it?

-Yes.

0:19:020:19:06

It's quite tricky. I've done one piece of Indian silver before on Flog It

0:19:060:19:10

which went really well. So I'm hoping they like Indian silver in Wales!

0:19:100:19:16

We're going to find out right now. Let's see what it's worth.

0:19:160:19:20

245 is a collection of 19th- and early 20th-century Indian silver items.

0:19:220:19:28

20-odd ounces there. What do we say? About £200 here?

0:19:280:19:32

150 to go, then, surely? £150 I'm bid.

0:19:320:19:35

-150. 160, may I say?

-That's good.

0:19:350:19:38

At 150. In the room at 150.

0:19:380:19:40

160 online. 170.

0:19:400:19:43

Are we going to get that top end?

0:19:430:19:46

180. 190.

0:19:460:19:48

-200, may I say?

-Might be going business class!

0:19:480:19:50

220.

0:19:510:19:53

240, may I say? 240 online. 260.

0:19:530:19:57

260. 280, may I say?

0:19:570:20:00

260 in the room. Against you on the internet at 260. In the room.

0:20:000:20:03

At £260.

0:20:030:20:06

-Well done.

-That's fantastic.

0:20:070:20:09

Well done, you. Well bought.

0:20:090:20:11

Yes, well bought. Well valued!

0:20:110:20:13

Thank you, sir!

0:20:130:20:17

What a successful first visit to the auction. But before we go back to the valuation day,

0:20:170:20:22

I discovered more about a Welsh tradition that's more universal than we might first think.

0:20:220:20:28

The River Teifi forms a natural border

0:20:370:20:39

between the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

0:20:390:20:43

About seven miles in from the mouth of the river in Cardigan

0:20:430:20:46

is the pretty village of Cenarth, famous for its falls and its salmon.

0:20:460:20:51

In the 12th century, a visitor to the village noted that an extensive fishery existed on the rocks

0:20:550:21:00

where the salmon leapt as they migrated upstream.

0:21:000:21:03

But this river is also famous for the unusual but traditional way

0:21:030:21:06

in which those salmon were caught.

0:21:060:21:09

For hundreds of years, the fishermen here had used a coracle

0:21:120:21:16

and it's probably only one of three rivers in the world where coracles are still used

0:21:160:21:21

for salmon fishing with a net.

0:21:210:21:23

Coracles were once common all over the British Isles.

0:21:250:21:28

Julius Caesar is said to have first come across one

0:21:280:21:31

when he invaded Britain back in 55 or 54 BC.

0:21:310:21:35

Nowadays, you'll only find the craft in a few areas.

0:21:350:21:38

One of them is Shropshire on the English/Welsh borders.

0:21:380:21:41

The other is right here in Wales.

0:21:410:21:43

Every area had its own unique type of coracle made from local materials

0:21:480:21:52

and designed for the particular conditions of the local river and its use.

0:21:520:21:56

But the basic construction style would have been very similar.

0:21:560:22:01

As you can see, it's simply made of a basket-like construction.

0:22:030:22:07

Interwoven lats that give it its strength, its cohesion.

0:22:070:22:10

Traditionally they were completely round and covered with animal hide.

0:22:100:22:15

The size of the hide would dictate the size of the vessel.

0:22:150:22:18

The hair would be on the inside, the skin on the outside.

0:22:180:22:22

You'd use the fat to help waterproof it.

0:22:220:22:25

For the last 200 years here, they've been covered in cotton

0:22:250:22:28

and painted with a pitch.

0:22:280:22:30

The pitch does two things. It tightens the cotton and also makes it waterproof.

0:22:300:22:35

The wood used on the lats is a willow and hazel wood,

0:22:350:22:40

woods that are plentiful in the area.

0:22:400:22:43

But the most important thing is, with these little craft,

0:22:430:22:46

is the bottom has to be flat because it works within three inches of water.

0:22:460:22:50

This little craft will actually hold three times my bodyweight.

0:22:500:22:54

It's so simple.

0:22:540:22:56

At the end of the day, all you do is pick this thing up,

0:22:560:22:59

put it on your shoulder and walk home.

0:22:590:23:01

Fascinating!

0:23:010:23:03

Over the years, fishing licences were not renewed and sadly the coracle is now a rare sight.

0:23:030:23:09

But this important symbol of Welsh heritage is part of a worldwide tradition.

0:23:100:23:14

I've come to the National Coracle Centre in Cenarth to meet Martin Fowler

0:23:140:23:19

who is going to show me some of the coracle's foreign relatives.

0:23:190:23:23

What a fabulous place! I guess my first question has to be,

0:23:260:23:30

when and where did the coracle style of boat originate?

0:23:300:23:33

Although most people associate them with Wales, I think the Middle East is where they actually started.

0:23:330:23:39

We're looking at the first forms of water transport

0:23:390:23:42

from the first civilisations of the world, really.

0:23:420:23:46

You've got different examples from around the world. Can we see those?

0:23:460:23:50

They look quite... They're unbelievably simple!

0:23:500:23:53

-But all different.

-But all baskets.

0:23:530:23:55

Yes!

0:23:550:23:58

Look at the size of this one! Where did this come from?

0:23:580:24:00

-This is from Vietnam.

-Really?

0:24:000:24:02

Although this looks large, this particular one was last used

0:24:020:24:07

to take a family of people

0:24:070:24:08

-500 miles across the South China sea from Vietnam...

-Refugees.

-..to Hong Kong.

0:24:080:24:14

Yes, refugees.

0:24:140:24:16

That just goes to show how strong something so simple like this is. It saved a family's life.

0:24:160:24:24

Doesn't it bring it back home to you!

0:24:240:24:26

What's this one? That has an awful lot of lats.

0:24:260:24:30

-Where's this one made?

-That's also made of bamboo. It's made in India.

0:24:300:24:37

If I had to take my pick between the two, for survival, I'd jump in that one and not that one!

0:24:370:24:42

Although that's a solid basket,

0:24:420:24:44

this would have been covered originally with animal hide.

0:24:440:24:47

These days they use a more modern material.

0:24:470:24:51

-Can I see the one from North America?

-Yeah, sure.

0:24:510:24:54

It's a lot smaller than I would have thought.

0:24:550:24:57

-Yes...

-Then again it depends on the size of the animal. The hide.

0:24:570:25:02

-North American Indians...

-Buffalo?

-Buffalo hide.

0:25:020:25:06

At one time, there were thousands of buffalo on the plains of North America.

0:25:060:25:10

-They've left the tail on!

-They always did. It's interesting

0:25:100:25:14

because this is the only one I know of where they've covered it the opposite way

0:25:140:25:18

with the hair on the outside and the skin on the inside.

0:25:180:25:22

They left the tail on so they could pull it up the bank,

0:25:220:25:26

tie it to something.

0:25:260:25:28

But when you use this, you kneel and paddle, exactly the same as we would use a coracle here.

0:25:280:25:33

But with the tail here,

0:25:330:25:35

when you went downriver, the hair would always go with the water.

0:25:350:25:39

So instead of putting grease on it, they left it exactly how the animal kept dry.

0:25:390:25:44

-Yes.

-And that's why I think everywhere in the world, people came up with the same ideas

0:25:440:25:50

but all independently.

0:25:500:25:52

This is just so remarkable.

0:25:520:25:54

The whole afternoon has opened my eyes to boat-building with a difference!

0:25:540:25:58

It really has. Martin, thank you so much for showing me round the museum.

0:25:580:26:02

It is open to the public. It's got to be unique. Possibly the only one in the world.

0:26:020:26:07

-I think so.

-It's well worth a visit. Long may it continue.

-Thank you.

0:26:070:26:11

It's been really fascinating to see how the simple idea like a basket-like boat

0:26:160:26:21

has cropped up all across the globe from the earliest of times.

0:26:210:26:24

It's a real testament to man's ingenuity and determination

0:26:240:26:28

to overcome the limits of his environment.

0:26:280:26:30

It's rather bizarre to think this village in Wales is one of the very few places

0:26:300:26:35

in which you'll still see these coracles at work.

0:26:350:26:38

Back at our valuation day in Rhosygilwen mansion,

0:26:460:26:48

people are still pouring in with all manner of fascinating and quirky items.

0:26:480:26:53

And the emu egg that I spotted earlier has caught Christina's attention.

0:26:530:26:58

-It's whacky!

-Are you going to value it?

-I think so.

0:26:590:27:02

I keep looking at it on my own going... It's one of those things.

0:27:020:27:07

-I'll have a good look.

-That'll go back to Australia.

-Do you think?

0:27:070:27:11

-Definitely.

-I hope so. Imagine shipping it!

-What are you going to put on it?

0:27:110:27:15

I've no idea!

0:27:150:27:17

-No idea!

-Have a good think.

-I will. I'll come back to you on that one!

0:27:170:27:21

I look forward to what she's got to say about it once she's done some research.

0:27:230:27:27

First, let's see what Charlie thinks about an unusual item belonging to Leon.

0:27:270:27:32

This, I think, is fantastic. Where did it come from?

0:27:320:27:35

It came from my wife's family.

0:27:350:27:38

-In 1970-something she was given it by her gran.

-Yeah.

0:27:380:27:43

She was moving house and couldn't take it with her.

0:27:430:27:45

She's had it ever since.

0:27:450:27:47

So was Granny a high liver?

0:27:470:27:51

-I suspect so, yes.

-Yeah.

-Knowing her family!

0:27:510:27:54

It smacks of that era, of what I call the Charleston era,

0:27:540:27:58

the Deco era. It's pure Art Deco.

0:27:580:28:01

Before we open it up, it's in the form of a capstan.

0:28:010:28:04

There would have been bars like this at the Savoy, Dorchester,

0:28:040:28:09

all the great London hotels.

0:28:090:28:11

It's got a cocktail shaker.

0:28:110:28:13

Champagne glass.

0:28:130:28:15

Cocktail glasses.

0:28:150:28:17

A brandy balloon.

0:28:170:28:18

All the things I love in life! Fantastic.

0:28:180:28:21

Except for one thing.

0:28:210:28:23

-And that, of course, is...

-The cigarettes.

0:28:230:28:26

-The dreaded cigarettes.

-We haven't got any.

0:28:260:28:28

This would have had, I would have thought, the best Balkan Sobranie cigarettes,

0:28:280:28:33

-the coloured ones.

-Yes.

-Pink ones, black ones, mauve ones.

0:28:330:28:39

It would have looked absolutely stunning on a bar.

0:28:390:28:42

Quite stunning. It's not brilliantly made, I have to say.

0:28:420:28:46

But it's very Deco, even the shoulder of the barman

0:28:460:28:52

has a Deco angle about it, which I love.

0:28:520:28:56

Where's it been? Have you had it on display?

0:28:560:28:58

No. We bring it out occasionally at parties to see if people can guess what it is.

0:28:580:29:03

-How many people guess what it is before they pull it up?

-Not many! Not unless they've seen one.

0:29:030:29:08

-Do you charge a fiver?

-I wish I had!

0:29:080:29:10

We could have made a few bob today!

0:29:100:29:13

-We could have taken it around the crowd.

-That's a thought!

0:29:130:29:16

A fiver a guess. Or at 10p a time!

0:29:160:29:19

-Lots of people here!

-Hundreds of people.

0:29:190:29:22

I think it's just a super statement of the time.

0:29:220:29:26

I don't think it's worth a lot of money. Are you hoping for a fortune?

0:29:260:29:30

No. I'm surprised how much you like it.

0:29:300:29:32

I love it. But we shouldn't get carried away with regards value.

0:29:320:29:37

Because I like it, doesn't mean it's worth a few hundred quid.

0:29:370:29:41

I'd like to sell it without reserve, to be honest.

0:29:410:29:45

-I would expect it to make somewhere between 20 and £40.

-Fair enough.

0:29:450:29:50

I think I'll take it home!

0:29:500:29:52

No, no. We'll take it to auction. Thanks for bringing it along.

0:29:520:29:57

I hope someone buys it at auction

0:29:570:29:59

and restores it to its former glory. It would look great.

0:29:590:30:03

Next, I've found something which is also past its best.

0:30:030:30:06

I've taken time out to come into the refreshments marquee

0:30:090:30:12

and there's lots of staff on hand and lots of jolly good cakes.

0:30:120:30:17

I'm chatting to Louise who's joined me over a cup of tea!

0:30:170:30:20

We're out of the oak room where it's all going on, a hive of activity.

0:30:200:30:23

Our experts are nearly through the day.

0:30:230:30:26

-It's been a jolly good day.

-It has.

-Really has.

0:30:260:30:28

-Very interesting.

-Let's talk about Popeye. There's no mistaking this character!

0:30:280:30:33

-No.

-Big fan of Popeye, Olive! Can we see if he still works?

0:30:330:30:38

-Yes. I haven't wound him for a while.

-He has been through the wars, Louise.

-He has.

0:30:380:30:43

-Where did you find him?

-He was in a piece of furniture, a chest of drawers.

0:30:430:30:48

-He was tucked in the back of the drawer.

-A bonus!

-It was a bonus!

0:30:480:30:52

People leave things in things they put into auction.

0:30:520:30:55

Oh, look at that! That's a surprise! I didn't know that was going to happen!

0:30:550:31:00

I thought his arms were going to move

0:31:000:31:04

and he'd go like "I'm Popeye, the sailor man."

0:31:040:31:07

Unfortunately, he's lost his pipe.

0:31:070:31:09

-That's sad, isn't it?

-Yes.

0:31:090:31:11

-If you were a Popeye enthusiast, you could easily make one.

-Yes.

0:31:110:31:15

It's those little pieces that disappear.

0:31:150:31:18

-But he's still working. He's got one or two dents and bruises.

-Yes.

0:31:180:31:23

His face has seen better days.

0:31:230:31:25

You've also got the original box with "Popeye" on it.

0:31:250:31:29

There's a picture there of him with his pipe.

0:31:290:31:31

-It was an oversized pipe, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-It was.

0:31:310:31:35

Isn't that lovely? It's got here "Made in 1929".

0:31:350:31:38

Gosh, that's early, isn't it?

0:31:380:31:41

Very early.

0:31:410:31:42

Look at the squint in one eye!

0:31:420:31:44

Like that.

0:31:440:31:45

Despite all the dents and knocks, he's a bit of fun.

0:31:450:31:49

With all those knocks, it looks like he's been bashed around by Bluto.

0:31:490:31:53

The character with the stubble! Massive, wasn't he? Massive!

0:31:530:31:56

He'd thump him. Popeye would get up and flex his muscles and get a tin of spinach

0:31:560:32:01

-and come back and fight for the rest of the day.

-Usually over Olive.

-Over Olive, wasn't it?

0:32:010:32:07

Great days!

0:32:070:32:08

Someone's going to relive those now, if they want to own this. Like I have.

0:32:080:32:12

So, that lucky find, I think, translates

0:32:120:32:16

into something like 40 to £60.

0:32:160:32:21

Were you thinking along those lines?

0:32:210:32:23

-Yes, I thought 40. 40-ish, I thought.

-Condition is everything for the collectors.

0:32:230:32:28

-Is it best to leave him for the new owner to clean up?

-Yes. Yep. We'll put him into auction as he is.

0:32:280:32:33

As you say, let the new owner clean him up.

0:32:330:32:36

-And maybe pull out some of the dents in the arms.

-Yes.

0:32:360:32:39

That's possible. If he was in exceptionally good condition,

0:32:390:32:43

museum quality, and the box was in fabulous condition as well,

0:32:430:32:47

-that would be worth around 150 to £200.

-Gosh!

0:32:470:32:50

-That's how rare it is.

-But he's still fun.

-He's still fun.

0:32:500:32:53

We might be pleasantly surprised. It might exceed 40 to 60. You never know.

0:32:530:32:58

-That would be nice.

-It would be.

0:32:580:33:00

Can't wait to see what the auctioneer thinks. "What has Paul done here?"

0:33:000:33:04

I bet he laughs. He'll probably say, "It's worth a tenner!"

0:33:040:33:07

But once he winds Popeye up and does this, "Showing here, lot number whatever, here we go."

0:33:070:33:14

-That's got to get the bidders going, hasn't it?

-Definitely!

0:33:140:33:19

'We'll find out in a few minutes.'

0:33:190:33:22

Remember that egg? Christina has had more time to digest it!

0:33:220:33:27

Let's see what she says to Robin and Kathleen.

0:33:270:33:30

This is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen! What's it doing here?

0:33:300:33:34

-This was, we believe, a gift to my father.

-Right.

0:33:340:33:38

He was an ear, nose and throat surgeon

0:33:380:33:40

and this was a present to him from a patient for an operation that he'd done to their satisfaction.

0:33:400:33:49

Do you think Dad was pleased with the gift?

0:33:490:33:52

I don't know. The egg was on display for all of my younger childhood,

0:33:520:34:00

so I imagine he was pleased, yes.

0:34:000:34:02

When I saw you sitting at the table, I thought, "Good lord, that's wacky!" It really is.

0:34:020:34:08

It's obviously Australian connotations.

0:34:080:34:12

It's got this wonderful emu's egg here, carved with a kangaroo and an emu.

0:34:120:34:17

Like the figures on the base.

0:34:170:34:19

And it's raised on this fantastic central leafy palm tree that we have here.

0:34:190:34:25

With foliage round the bottom.

0:34:250:34:28

Then we've got these vaseline glass trumpets here.

0:34:280:34:35

To go either side.

0:34:350:34:37

Obviously it's an epergne,

0:34:370:34:39

made to accommodate some floral things out of these trumpets here.

0:34:390:34:44

To go on a sideboard to be displayed with its back against the wall.

0:34:440:34:49

The decoration is to the front.

0:34:490:34:51

So as an epergne, these vaseline glass trumpets

0:34:510:34:57

are particularly well-made, with this crimped rim here.

0:34:570:35:01

And this trailed glass detail here.

0:35:010:35:03

I'm wondering if maybe these were added to it when it was in this country.

0:35:030:35:09

-Right.

-Maybe they've mounted this at a later date

0:35:090:35:13

because it was such a curiosity. The Victorians were into curiosities.

0:35:130:35:19

Maybe they mounted it slightly later

0:35:190:35:23

to create a wonderful Victorian epergne. Kathleen,

0:35:230:35:26

what do you think of this?

0:35:260:35:28

I quite like the little animals here at the front.

0:35:280:35:32

The kangaroo and the emu.

0:35:320:35:35

-It's quite unusual.

-It is unusual.

-It has an appeal to it.

0:35:350:35:40

Yes, absolutely right. I hope our potential buyers see that in it.

0:35:400:35:45

Because it is so unusual. I haven't seen one before.

0:35:450:35:49

I wonder if it might be slightly rare, I don't know.

0:35:490:35:53

Let's hope so, and raise lots of money for you.

0:35:530:35:56

I think it would be a bit of an acquired taste.

0:35:560:36:00

-Yes.

-Shall we say, to put it politely!

0:36:000:36:04

I think we might be limited with our buyers on it. We have to think of what market we're selling to.

0:36:040:36:10

I think at auction, we might be looking in the region of 100 to £200.

0:36:100:36:15

But it's such a wacky thing, it could make an awful lot more.

0:36:150:36:19

-We might be in for a surprise.

-That would be lovely!

0:36:190:36:23

I've no idea what the bidders may make of it.

0:36:230:36:25

So let's find out!

0:36:250:36:27

Joining Robin and Kathleen's emu epergne

0:36:270:36:30

we have Popeye the sailor man!

0:36:300:36:33

A very early example that isn't in the best nick, but it'll attract attention!

0:36:330:36:38

And the Art Deco barman

0:36:380:36:40

who dispenses cigarettes.

0:36:400:36:42

It really is a curious selection that's very difficult to evaluate.

0:36:440:36:48

But we're about to find out if our experts are right.

0:36:480:36:51

And to start, in the spotlight, is Charlie and the Art Deco cigarette dispenser.

0:36:520:36:57

First under the hammer.

0:36:570:36:59

What a great thing! Why do you want to sell it?

0:36:590:37:02

It's been in the cupboard for years and everybody we know has been to a party and seen it.

0:37:020:37:06

It's lost its fun factor.

0:37:060:37:10

Just need a couple of smokers. Actually, it doesn't need a smoker.

0:37:100:37:13

-Somebody with a bar.

-Someone with a bar. A cocktail bar in the corner!

0:37:130:37:17

Shaped like a boat!

0:37:170:37:19

Exactly!

0:37:190:37:20

-Little bell on the boat.

-Just the job!

-Captain!

0:37:220:37:25

Gin and tonic?

0:37:260:37:28

Good luck, both of you. It's going under the hammer now.

0:37:280:37:33

390 is the Art Deco cylindrical yellow metal cigarette box.

0:37:330:37:38

What do you say? Rather fun.

0:37:380:37:40

What's it worth? £50 away on that?

0:37:400:37:43

50. You've seen it in the cabinet. 50?

0:37:430:37:45

It's fun. 30? 20 only.

0:37:450:37:47

At 20. 30, may I say? At 20 only.

0:37:470:37:50

Would help if he went up in fives, not tens!

0:37:500:37:53

25. At 25. 30, may I say?

0:37:530:37:56

At 25 only bid. May I say 30 now?

0:37:560:37:58

At £25 only. Can I say 30?

0:37:580:38:01

-30.

-That's better.

0:38:010:38:04

-Where are all the hands?

-At 40. Only at 40. Any more?

0:38:040:38:08

Finished with it at £40.

0:38:090:38:12

-Hammer's gone down at £40.

-Estimate 30 to 50.

-Spot on!

0:38:130:38:17

-That's all right, isn't it?

-Well done.

0:38:180:38:21

-Happy with that.

-And we had a laugh looking at it.

0:38:210:38:24

It put a smile on our faces.

0:38:240:38:26

Someone's going to have real fun with that.

0:38:280:38:30

Talking of fun, is anyone going to take on Popeye?

0:38:300:38:33

He's been in a cupboard for 15 years.

0:38:330:38:36

You know who I mean. Ready, Louise?

0:38:360:38:38

I hope there's some Popeye fans here amongst the bidders today.

0:38:420:38:45

We have a great crowd here. I haven't seen anybody playing with him.

0:38:450:38:49

Here we go. Let's find out what the bidders think.

0:38:490:38:52

Here we are. 403, we've got Popeye.

0:38:540:38:57

One of my heroes of all time.

0:38:570:38:59

Popeye the sailor man.

0:38:590:39:01

This one's Japanese. I don't think Popeye was originally.

0:39:010:39:04

This is a Japanese plastic clockwork figure of Popeye

0:39:040:39:08

-in a bit of a dilapidated box.

-Yeah, but he's lovely, isn't he?

0:39:080:39:13

What do we say for Popeye?

0:39:130:39:16

You've had a look at him. What's he worth? £50 away?

0:39:160:39:20

50, surely? 20 to get on, then.

0:39:200:39:23

20. 30 I've got with me at 30. At 30. May I say 40?

0:39:240:39:29

On Popeye at £30 only.

0:39:290:39:31

At 30. 40, is there?

0:39:310:39:34

40. At 40. 50 is it now?

0:39:340:39:37

At 40. No more at 40 for Popeye?

0:39:370:39:39

Selling against you all, then. All happy at £40.

0:39:390:39:43

That's good!

0:39:440:39:46

Brilliant! I'm happy! I thought it was going to struggle.

0:39:460:39:50

-It seemed to.

-Muscles, that's what it is!

0:39:500:39:53

Popeye did the business for us! Thank you so much!

0:39:530:39:57

Popeye is about to set sail on more adventures. I'm pleased about that!

0:39:580:40:03

Now time to see if that emu egg epergne appeals to any of our bidders.

0:40:030:40:08

We've been working our socks off. Now we're going to work on an egg!

0:40:090:40:13

Kathleen and Robin's egg!

0:40:130:40:15

A wonderful emu egg. We have 100 to £200 on this.

0:40:150:40:18

I had a chat to the auctioneer. We agree with your valuation.

0:40:180:40:21

It's a thing where you don't know how to pitch it.

0:40:210:40:24

It's a great centrepiece, a wonderful epergne.

0:40:240:40:27

-It should find it's way back down under.

-An antipodean fantasy, so let's hope it goes back there!

0:40:270:40:33

This could be a real sleeper.

0:40:330:40:36

It could do anything.

0:40:360:40:38

We can't talk about it any more. It's now really down to the bidders.

0:40:380:40:43

Do they want to shell out a lot of money for this egg? It's going under the hammer!

0:40:430:40:49

Lot 391. The vaseline glass-mounted table centre epergne.

0:40:490:40:54

It features the emu egg.

0:40:540:40:56

Little emu and kangaroo figures as well. Very unusual.

0:40:560:41:00

Vaseline glass flutes. An unusual thing.

0:41:000:41:04

What do we say for it? Some interest with me. Lot 391.

0:41:040:41:09

-I can start the bidding at 80. 100.

-Brilliant.

-110. 120.

0:41:090:41:16

At 120. At 120 on the epergne, at 120.

0:41:160:41:20

May I say 130 online.

0:41:200:41:22

140 on the book. 140. 150.

0:41:220:41:25

150 online. 160 still here with me.

0:41:250:41:28

160.

0:41:280:41:30

170.

0:41:300:41:31

-180.

-We're getting there!

-180.

0:41:310:41:34

With me on the book. 190 online.

0:41:340:41:36

200.

0:41:360:41:38

220, may I say? At £200. 220 online.

0:41:380:41:42

240 on the book.

0:41:420:41:43

-240.

-Commission bids and internet bids.

0:41:430:41:46

280.

0:41:460:41:47

280 with me. 280. 300 now online.

0:41:470:41:51

-Brilliant!

-320. 320.

-More like it!

-320.

0:41:510:41:55

340, may I say? 320.

0:41:550:41:57

On the book at 320. Against you online. Make no mistake, the bid is with me.

0:41:570:42:01

At 320. Any interest in the room?

0:42:010:42:04

-340 back in online.

-Ooh!

-340.

0:42:050:42:08

360 still here with me. 360.

0:42:080:42:11

360. 380, may I say?

0:42:110:42:13

At £360 I'm bid.

0:42:130:42:16

On the book at 360. Selling against you online.

0:42:160:42:19

All happy?

0:42:190:42:20

At £360.

0:42:200:42:23

-Fantastic. Well done!

-Brilliant!

0:42:240:42:26

-And that was a present to Dad as well?

-It was, yes.

0:42:260:42:29

-It was my father's.

-Thank you, Father!

0:42:290:42:31

-It reached a good price.

-It did, yes.

0:42:310:42:34

-The condition was very good.

-Yes.

-An unusual thing.

0:42:340:42:38

I hope it's gone back to Australia where it belongs.

0:42:380:42:41

-Yes.

-It would be a nice trip.

0:42:410:42:43

Thank you for bringing it in and looking after it.

0:42:430:42:45

The custodians for all these years! That's all we are, really.

0:42:450:42:49

They outlive us and go round and round. A wonderful item.

0:42:490:42:52

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

0:42:520:42:55

It's all over. The auction has finished. One minute it's lights, camera, action,

0:43:010:43:06

and complete mayhem as to what will happen.

0:43:060:43:08

Lots of excitement. And then a vacant room.

0:43:080:43:11

Bidders queuing to pay for their lots behind me.

0:43:110:43:14

A great day. Robin and Kathleen's emu egg stole the show for me,

0:43:140:43:18

almost doubling its estimate.

0:43:180:43:20

I hope it goes back to Australia. Hope you've enjoyed today's show.

0:43:200:43:24

Join us again for more surprises, but from Carmarthen it's goodbye!

0:43:240:43:28

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0:43:500:43:52

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