0:00:02 > 0:00:07Welcome to Wellington College, built 150 years ago as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington.
0:00:07 > 0:00:14It's now one of our most prestigious public schools, so let's hope we find some quality items on Flog It!
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Among the college's former pupils are Pop Idol singer Will Young,
0:00:37 > 0:00:43TV presenter Peter Snow and the late racing driver, Formula One hero James Hunt.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Later on, we'll meet one old boy who has written a history of the college
0:00:47 > 0:00:50and can tell us what it's like to be a pupil here.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55They're pretty crazy places. By and large, I think I enjoyed school, looking back.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59But for now, these classrooms are host to hundreds of people
0:00:59 > 0:01:02who have come to have their antiques valued.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04CRACK OF THUNDER
0:01:08 > 0:01:12It's incredible what you can find in a queue at a Flog It valuation day.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Let's hope there's many more treasures in these bags and boxes.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18We've got a wonderful turnout.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22We won't let the weather dampen our spirits. We'll have a great day.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27Somebody is going to go home with a lot of money. It might be this lady with your teddy.
0:01:27 > 0:01:34'Today's experts are led by the highly experienced duo, Philip Serrell and Elizabeth Talbot.'
0:01:34 > 0:01:39- Good morning. How are you? - 'Elizabeth is wasting no time meeting our owners.'
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- We don't need the sunshades today. - No, not really.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- Your half-term?- Yeah. - Perfect timing.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50'Phil's among the crowd too, already earning the respect he deserves.'
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- "1855" on the bottom.- Really?- Yeah. - That was the year I was born(!)
0:01:55 > 0:01:59At that point, it would be nice if someone could disagree with me.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04'This pair run salerooms, giving them an insight on current values.'
0:02:04 > 0:02:08You've come to ask our experts that all-important question, which is...?
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- What's it worth? - If you're happy with the answer, what will you do?- Flog it!
0:02:13 > 0:02:16It's time to get the show on the road. Come on, everybody!
0:02:16 > 0:02:21'We hold valuation days up and down the country all year round
0:02:21 > 0:02:26'and we like nothing better than a crowd armed with bags and boxes full of treasures.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29'What will we find today? Well, all sorts of things
0:02:29 > 0:02:34'from precious paintings to treasured toys and shiny silver.'
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I'm not a great lover of silver,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40but I just think that is really beautiful.
0:02:40 > 0:02:46'And there's always something new to learn, especially from our team of behind-the-scenes experts.'
0:02:46 > 0:02:52- You've got a bag.- I was trying to hide it.- Is this the professional way of doing it?- It doesn't look good.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58'All that and the excitement of two visits to the auction coming up on today's show.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04'But first, we've got to find the treasures to take to the saleroom. Elizabeth is getting under way.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10'She's found a farmyard full of ducks, bunnies, hedgehogs and more, all Beatrix Potter characters.'
0:03:10 > 0:03:15- My goodness, Julia, what a collection! There must be a story behind these.- Yeah.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20I think Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck were either my mum's or my nan's.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24I really liked them, so my mum said I could have it.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Then my nan bought me them for my birthday and Christmas.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- So you added to the family of... - Added to the collection.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- But you've now stopped collecting? - Yeah, and my daughter hasn't shown much interest in them now,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40so I need to de-clutter a little bit.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Do you have a favourite amongst them?
0:03:43 > 0:03:48I like Hunca Munca just because I like the story. I've got all the books as well.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52I like the story of Hunca Munca in the dolls' house and the ham.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- You're a Beatrix Potter fan?- Yeah.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00I don't know how much you know about the factories that produced these figures,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04but in 1933, the factory of Beswick was established in Longton.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10By 1948, they had started to produce these little figures illustrating famous characters by Beatrix Potter.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16By 1950, two years after starting the manufacture, they had become an instant collectable hit.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21I don't think they've ever not been collectable or sought after or very, very popular.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26In 1989, the factory then became under the Royal Albert name.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Yes. There's some from each.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34Some from each? And for collectors, whether they're the earlier gold Beswick marks,
0:04:34 > 0:04:40the later brown-backed stamps or the Royal Albert, to some people that's very important,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44although it's not proven except with a certain few numbers of figures
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- that it makes a huge amount of actual value to the figures...- OK.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52They're timeless, ageless. They interest lots of generations.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57And they're small enough to be collected in quantity as you've proved.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02The most expensive figure ever to be sold at auction was called Duchess.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- I think she individually made £2,000 at auction.- Wow!
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- But obviously, being more realistic, I can't promise you that sort of figure.- No, no.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- Do you have any idea as to what sort of value they have?- I haven't, no.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21I know that when you bought them, they were about £10 and £20, so, you know...
0:05:21 > 0:05:26Realistically at auction, one should look at an average of £10 each.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Some are worth slightly less and some are a bit more,
0:05:30 > 0:05:36but to keep them as a collection and offer them with an estimate of £150 to £200, are you happy with that?
0:05:36 > 0:05:41- That would be lovely. - If we place a reserve on it of £150, they've got the safety net.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47- And if they're not in the right auction, you can try again another time.- That'd be lovely.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- Is that OK?- Yes, that's fine.- Thank you for bringing them in.- Thank you.
0:05:52 > 0:05:58As those Beatrix Potter figures hop, waddle and scamper to auction, Phil is ready with his first item.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01It's a painting belonging to Jim and Diana.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Do you love it?
0:06:03 > 0:06:09Um... It isn't really my cup of tea, but I can see it's attractive in its own way.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12So that's a "no" really, isn't it?
0:06:12 > 0:06:14And Jim, what about you?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16No, I'm not a picture person.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19We've got two "uh-uh" here, haven't we?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Diana, this has come through your family?
0:06:23 > 0:06:29It belonged to my father and before that, to his sister, my aunt, and then he left it to us.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32And we've been displaying it ever since
0:06:32 > 0:06:35in his memory sort of thing because he liked it,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37but I've never been that keen.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40I love it. I really do love it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Peggy Somerville was an East Anglian girl
0:06:44 > 0:06:48and she was born in 1918, I think it was, and died in 1975.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54She was a real child prodigy because she learnt to paint at the same time that she learnt to walk.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- Really?- Yeah. She really was something special.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04And I think this is brilliant because I've had some wet days in Pembroke and some wet, grey days
0:07:04 > 0:07:06and that really is a wet, grey day.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- It is.- I can just see this is St Brides Bay here.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14It might want a little bit of a very, very light clean,
0:07:14 > 0:07:18but for me, the real joy of this is that it's totally original.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22It's signed down here "Peggy Somerville" just under this mount.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Original frame.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27I just think it's lovely.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- And you want to sell it?- Yes.
0:07:30 > 0:07:36- You don't know who Peggy Somerville is.- We have looked her up on the internet.- That's so unfair of you!
0:07:36 > 0:07:40I'm supposed to be telling you all this stuff!
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- We know nothing about her(!) - You know nothing about her. Good. - Please tell me.
0:07:45 > 0:07:52I think that you've got to pitch this just right in terms of your estimate.
0:07:52 > 0:07:58It's a little bit like the old 19 and eleven pence, you know, or 99p for younger viewers.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02You've got to pitch it at a price that's appealing
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and I think you should estimate this at £500 to £800.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09OK? I think you should put a reserve on it of £500.
0:08:09 > 0:08:15- Are you happy with that?- Yes.- Let's hope, come the auction day, a ray of sunshine is coming out of here.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22You'll be on hand, Philip, and you are a little ray of sunshine.
0:08:23 > 0:08:29The thing I most enjoy about our Flog It valuation days is standing behind the experts
0:08:29 > 0:08:33and listening to what they've got to say about the items
0:08:33 > 0:08:36because you learn so much, you absorb it like a sponge.
0:08:36 > 0:08:42The last time I spoke to Pippa Deeley, our jewellery expert, we were talking about diamond rings.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- What are you doing, Pip? - I've been weighing the cup.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49How are you weighing this? You've got a bag in your hand.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54- I was trying to hide it.- Is this the professional way of doing it? - It doesn't look good.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00- You can't fit that on your jewellery scales.- Exactly. And you can't hang anything from it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I know!
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- This is how it's done.- This is how fishermen weigh their catch.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Right, OK, let's have a look.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11So that says 12.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- You're supposed to look impressed, Mr Martin!- I'm very, very impressed.
0:09:15 > 0:09:21- Scrap value is around £9 an ounce? - I think it's more than that now. I think it's 10.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25At a time of recession, market prices go up and down all the time.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- It's a good time to sell right now. - Definitely.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33You just said before Paul turned up that you thought it was about £50?
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- Yeah.- We've got another four there, so that's 16.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Even before you take into account the fact it's a trophy, albeit broken,
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- you've got £160-worth there just in silver alone.- Of scrap silver.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- What was the cup for?- Pigeon racing.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- Someone in your family was a pigeon racer?- Yes, my great-grandfather.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57He was a horse racing jockey and actually won it for pigeon racing.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- Oh, marvellous! What a lovely sport!- You can read it.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- It says "His Royal Highness" there. - Oh, yes, "the Prince of Wales".
0:10:06 > 0:10:08It's the Royal Cup!
0:10:08 > 0:10:11What are you going to do with this?
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- I'll get it mended and cleaned. - And keep it in the family? - Definitely.- Wonderful.
0:10:16 > 0:10:22'Let's cross the room to Elizabeth and to a piece I know is over 120 years old.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25'And the collectors are just going to love it.'
0:10:25 > 0:10:31I saw this pot in the queue, Adrian, and I immediately thought it was a charming piece of Royal Doulton.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- It's very nice. - What can you tell me about it? - I've had it since a teenager.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41At school, I used to go to visit the old people for social education.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- When the old lady died, she left it to me.- Did she really? - I've had it since 1985.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52- So she appreciated your visits so much?- Yes, she was a very dear friend.- How super!
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- But you're considering parting with it now?- Yes.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59It's just sat on the shelf not doing anything. Nobody's looking at it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04The first thing that caught my eye was that it says round the outside,
0:11:04 > 0:11:10"Colman's Mustard." And as somebody who represents East Anglia here and who works not far from Norwich,
0:11:10 > 0:11:16- Colman's Mustard sprang out as a name that I know very well because it's produced in Norwich.- Right.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19What I do know from the locality that I'm in,
0:11:19 > 0:11:25- anything to do with Colman's Mustard as an area of collectability is very popular.- OK.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30That combined with this lovely piece of Doulton Lambeth stoneware
0:11:30 > 0:11:32which is all the better for being small.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- You see some very large, decorative items.- You do, yes.
0:11:36 > 0:11:43But I think the pattern and the quality of the decoration and the shape goes together so beautifully.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48It's a charming piece. On the underside, we have a nice Doulton Lambeth mark
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- and the date, 1886.- Yes.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Which sort of sets it to its year.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- 124 we'd worked out was about the date?- Yes.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59So it's wearing extremely well.
0:11:59 > 0:12:05It is incised into the stoneware body and the crispness of that is just lovely.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09It's very evocative of the late 19th century love of the classical,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13but also the Art Nouveau influence of the foliage, etcetera.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17It would originally have been made as a little advertising piece.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23It may well have been in a restaurant or a shop where Colman's Mustard was selling.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27I think that all those little features mean that to a collector
0:12:27 > 0:12:33of either Doulton or of advertising ware or indeed of Colman's items, it's a lovely example.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35It's beautiful, yes.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- I'm not selling it back to you?- I'm thinking about it. It's very nice.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- I hope somebody enjoys it.- I think they will. Having said all that,
0:12:44 > 0:12:50I haven't been able to find any precedent that suggests that it's going to be worth a fortune for you.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53But I think that realistically,
0:12:53 > 0:12:59- it should fetch between £30 and £50. - Yes.- Does that sit comfortably with you?- Yes, fine. Absolutely.
0:12:59 > 0:13:05- Would you like a reserve on it? - Yes, please.- So if we put £30 on it as a safety net?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07That would be very nice.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Thank you for bringing it in. It's a lovely item.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17- We'll take it to the auction and see how we do.- Thank you, Elizabeth. Thank you very much.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22Look at this, I've just met up with Teddy, the little man I met in the queue today!
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- I hope you're having a great day. - Thank you.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29We have now found our first items to take off to auction,
0:13:29 > 0:13:35so here's a quick reminder to jog your memories of all the wonderful treasures we've found.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39'We have those 17 Beatrix Potter figures chosen by Elizabeth
0:13:39 > 0:13:42'and valued at £150 to £200.
0:13:44 > 0:13:50'Phil loves this painting of the Pembrokeshire coast by Peggy Somerville.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57'And lastly, our third item is Adrian's Royal Doulton mustard pot.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05'Where do our antiques go? They end up at the local auction room.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08'Today, we're at Martin & Pole in Wokingham.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16'Our auctioneer is Garth Lewis and he's ready to get started,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20'so let's make some money for our owners. First up, the mustard pot.'
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Adrian, you certainly brought your mustard pot to the right place.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Not only that, to the right expert. Ta-da!
0:14:27 > 0:14:30I cut the mustard.
0:14:30 > 0:14:36- Have you seen this particular...? - I haven't. But I thought it was a charming little piece.- Good luck.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Hopefully, this is going all the way back to Norwich.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44I was going to try and say it with a sort of East Anglian accent.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- MIMICS ACCENT: Norwich.- But I won't. Here we go.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51A little Doulton Lambeth pot,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55nicely decorated with Colman's Mustard.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59There it is. I have interest here. It starts with me at £30.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Is there any advance on 30?
0:15:01 > 0:15:052 in the doorway. 5 here. 38. 40.
0:15:05 > 0:15:0842. Takes me out at 42.
0:15:09 > 0:15:1145. 48.
0:15:11 > 0:15:1350. 5. 60...
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- They're keen.- Brilliant.- 70.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19£70. Are you all done at 70?
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- Well done. £70.- Superb. I'm pleased with that.- Yes.- I bet you are!
0:15:25 > 0:15:27You're flying the flag for home.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33- I sometimes feel like that when we're selling Troika and think, "Phew!" Well done.- Thank you.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37'I knew that would be hot stuff.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42'Let's see if we can up the ante with Jim and Diana's Peggy Somerville painting.'
0:15:42 > 0:15:48We've got a £500 fixed reserve, so thank goodness for that. It won't be given away for nothing.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Philip, confident?
0:15:51 > 0:15:56It's difficult to be objective when I actually love this picture.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- You put a price on it and think, "Have I got carried away cos I like it?"- It's subjective.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06As long as it puts a smile on your face, you think, "Yes, I want to invest in that."
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Why have you decided to sell it?
0:16:08 > 0:16:14It isn't a painting we're very fond of and we just got carried away really with the idea of Flog It.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20- You had to bring something along! - Did you give the auctioneer some discretion on the reserve?- Yes.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- He phoned up the day before yesterday.- We've got a bit of discretion on the £500.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28This is it. It's going under the hammer.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Margaret Scott Somerville, the artist,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35better known to most as Peggy Somerville.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Typical of her work, a view of the Pembrokeshire coast.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Oil on canvas which is in turn mounted.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I'd like to have seen a phone on the line there.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48He might have some commission bids. Let's see.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51300 to start for it? 300 may I say?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54200 if you like? I don't mind.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00At £200 for it, please?
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Is there no interest? I'll have to pass the lot.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Oh, dear.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13If you're all done, we'll move on. £200?
0:17:14 > 0:17:16I'm pleased about that for you.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- Right.- Yeah.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21I think to have sold it for one bid on the reserve,
0:17:21 > 0:17:27I'd have been disappointed about that because I think it's worth all of what we said.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33And if it made the top end of the estimate, that would be fantastic, but you may have been disappointed.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- At least it goes home. - In that gap on the wall.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41You said literally before the auctioneer started to introduce the lot,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46you brought something along to Flog It and that's the first thing you thought of
0:17:46 > 0:17:52- and you regretted it, didn't you? - Slightly.- It's got a happy ending. It's going home.- Back on the wall.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- You've given it a day out on TV. Enjoy it, won't you?- Thank you.
0:17:56 > 0:18:03'Well, there's a reason for everything and today just wasn't the day to sell that painting.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07'Now we're herding together Julia's collection of Beatrix Potter animals.'
0:18:07 > 0:18:12We've had a few sticky moments, but this could brighten up the saleroom.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16It's a large collection of Beatrix Potter figures belonging to Julia.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21We have our expert Elizabeth, but unfortunately, Julia cannot be with us right now.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- Hopefully, we'll get that top end of the estimate.- There is a lot here.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30They're a bit of a cliche, these figures. They're not rarities,
0:18:30 > 0:18:36but there are lots of collectors. They're international collectables, so I hope people pick up on them.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Fingers crossed, we sell them. Here goes.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- It's gone totally silent. - It has. The tension is rising.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49You could hear a pin drop. That's so unusual for an auction room.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- Normally, it's an intense sort of pressure cooker.- Lot number 249
0:18:54 > 0:18:58is a collection of 17 Beatrix Potter characters.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Mostly Royal Albert.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03There are some Beswick ones.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06I have interest here on the book.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09It starts with me at 75, 80...
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- That's low.- £85 bid. - There are several bidders though.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- We've got some bidding.- Two lots.
0:19:15 > 0:19:1790, thank you. And 5. 100.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- And 10. 20. 30. - That's a reassuring sign.- 40. 50.
0:19:21 > 0:19:2460. 70. 180.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Takes me out. 180. 190. - They're selling.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30200. 220. 240...
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- They like them.- 260. 280.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37£280 in the centre. At 280 if you're done...?
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Great result. - We can report back positively.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- 300 on the telephone.- Telephone!
0:19:42 > 0:19:46It's on the telephone against you in the room, if you're all done...?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49£300 on the telephone, sold!
0:19:49 > 0:19:53That's what we like to hear on Flog It, when that hammer goes down.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- I'm pleased with that.- I bet you are! There was a lot of lot there.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Yeah, and they were all in good condition, so yes, I'm pleased.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05'£300 for 17 china animals.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08'That works out at about £17.50 each.
0:20:08 > 0:20:14'Later, we'll see more collectable creatures and they'll do even better than this lot.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16'One of our owners is going home
0:20:16 > 0:20:21'with £400, £500, £600, £700 and more. Keep watching to find out who.'
0:20:27 > 0:20:33We're filming our valuation day in an absolutely fabulous building that's full of history,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35so I've decided to take a closer look.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Today, Wellington College is a top-notch public school,
0:20:39 > 0:20:45but its very existence is down to one of our greatest generals - the Duke of Wellington.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, was a hugely successful general
0:20:50 > 0:20:52and twice British Prime Minister.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56He defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815
0:20:56 > 0:21:00and became not just a national hero, but the most famous man in Europe.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04During the Duke's lifetime, monuments sprang up across Britain
0:21:04 > 0:21:09like this huge bronze statue of the great man astride his horse Copenhagen,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13but the biggest tribute was completed in 1859.
0:21:14 > 0:21:20Seven years after his death, Wellington College was opened as a charitable school
0:21:20 > 0:21:22for the orphans of army officers.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28It's 19th century Baroque style was designed by John Shaw
0:21:28 > 0:21:31who was influenced by the work of Sir Christopher Wren.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone in 1856
0:21:34 > 0:21:38and Prince Albert was elected President of the Governors.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44The first 76 boys arrived on the 20th of January in 1859.
0:21:44 > 0:21:4949 of them were army orphans, paying fees between £10 and £20 a year.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53The remaining 27 were sons of serving officers and civilians.
0:21:53 > 0:21:59Since then, the school has gone from strength to strength. Today, it's a thoroughly modern public school.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- I'm here to meet former pupil Patrick Mileham.- How do you do?
0:22:03 > 0:22:09- You've written a history of the college.- Yes, it came out, a grand illustrated history, two years ago,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- covering 150 years.- Wow!
0:22:12 > 0:22:15What age did you come here? How long ago was that?
0:22:15 > 0:22:19I came here about 52 years ago at the age of 13.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Really? Lots of happy memories?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Yes and no. Like all schools, there are ups and downs.
0:22:25 > 0:22:32They're pretty crazy places, but by and large, I think I enjoyed school, looking back.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35How would the school have been in its very early days?
0:22:35 > 0:22:42Well, when it was opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert back in 1859,
0:22:42 > 0:22:48it had sprung up within three years on a particularly awful piece of land.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51So all of this was barren, was it?
0:22:51 > 0:22:55It was barren, sand, heath, gorse, the back of beyond.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59This must have looked like a beacon of hope. It's striking architecture.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03It was built to dominate because it was built in a heroic style.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06It must have been pretty grim to start off with,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11just rising up as it does starkly from the wilderness.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16And for the first boys, it must have been quite a shock to stumble across this building
0:23:16 > 0:23:20and realise you were here for six months for your first term.
0:23:20 > 0:23:26They were taught by mainly clergymen in the traditional Victorian education system.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32But they had their fun too and they pretty quickly took to sports. Rugby was established very early.
0:23:32 > 0:23:38Cross-country running, presided over by Charles Kingsley of Muscular Christianity.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43- A lot of early pupils would have gone into the army after their education?- That is true.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48They were sons of soldiers and naturally, a lot of them went into the same profession.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- Probably about 50% at the most.- Yes.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Surely, you must have special memories of the college.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00One's got loads of memories. When I was writing the book,
0:24:00 > 0:24:06I asked people to write in with "defining moments" of their time at Wellington.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Things that have left a lasting impression?- Indeed, yes.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14My own defining moment was taking part in a cross-country race
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and I did rather well in that race.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Up until then, I didn't think I was very good at anything.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Suddenly, I discovered that perhaps I was.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Has this shaped your life in any way?
0:24:28 > 0:24:33- Would Wellington be proud of what you've done since leaving here? - I would hope so.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The unique thing about Wellington College
0:24:36 > 0:24:41is what the headmaster at the time called "the big match" mentality.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47- Right.- Big on games, big on joining the public service, whether it was the armed forces or whatever.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49So it was a college.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53It wasn't just a school where individuals went in and got educated.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57You worked as teams and competing against each other,
0:24:57 > 0:25:02then you went out into the world to compete with the world and do whatever you had to do.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08And there are reminders of that ethos built into the very fabric of the college.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12This courtyard is at the centre of the old college.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17Through there is the main gate. That's where Queen Victoria would arrive by horse-drawn carriage.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22You could imagine the sense of urgency and importance as she comes through that arch.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Up there is the college motto, "sons of heroes", very appropriate.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Brave fathers gave their lives at the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Up there is Wellington's motto, "fortune favours the brave".
0:25:35 > 0:25:38There he is, the Iron Duke, looking down on us.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44150 years ago, the college stood out in open countryside.
0:25:44 > 0:25:50Today, that landscape has matured. It's now surrounded by 400 acres of lush parkland.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Much here has changed,
0:25:52 > 0:25:58but the college philosophy of duty, courage and the spirit of public service is thriving
0:25:58 > 0:26:01as a living memorial to one of our greatest heroes.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13With all that history around us, we're keen to make the most of our visit to the school,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16so let's get on with more valuations.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21Philip Serrell is turning on the charm as he makes some new friends.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- How long have you had these? - 50 years.- You're not old enough.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- Thank you. - Were they something you collected?
0:26:29 > 0:26:33No, I had a friend whose father was a toy importer.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38He used to go to Leipzig Fairs and he brought that little one back.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41When I had my first car, he gave it to me for good luck.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- What was your first car? - It was a Triumph Herald.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49- Pale blue.- They were the very first car in the world.- Were they?
0:26:49 > 0:26:54- If you read the Bible, it says, "Moses came down the hill in his Triumph(!)"- Right.
0:26:54 > 0:27:01- So this little bear here...- Yes. - He was your St Christopher who looked after you.- He did.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06He's produced by the Schuco factory and he is called a little Piccolo Bear.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11I know not why he is called a Piccolo Bear, but he is a Piccolo Bear.
0:27:11 > 0:27:18- This little chap here is really interesting because he's got a surprise, hasn't he?- Yes.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- He's called a Janus Bear. Do you know why that is?- No.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- The clue is there.- Two-faced. - Two faces, yeah.
0:27:26 > 0:27:32If we look at the monkey here, you can see there's a little tell-tale hole there
0:27:32 > 0:27:37which may have held that little metal button we always look for
0:27:37 > 0:27:40that's the Steiff factory.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44A lot of these early Schuco bears, they weren't just bears.
0:27:44 > 0:27:50They were containers for various other things, whether it be little glass files or whatever.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53- But they're collectable.- Right.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59Their value has come down a little bit over the last 12 to 18 months, but they are very collectable.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- You've had these for 50 years?- Yes.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04They've served a life with you.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- I know, but it's time to pass them on, so someone else can enjoy them. - That's sweet.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13That one has been sitting on a big plant by his tail.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18- What about Janus? - He just sat in a pot.- Did you think these were worth anything?
0:28:18 > 0:28:23- Go on, say yes. You did really. - Yes, I hope. I hope somebody else would collect them.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29- What do you think they might be worth?- I don't know. I really don't know.
0:28:29 > 0:28:35I think you've got to put a sensible 80 to 120 estimate on them, the old auctioneer's friend.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Right.- But it's sensible.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42- I'm going to make you put a £80 reserve on them.- Right, OK.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47I don't think you should lose these lifelong friends for less than £80.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Right, OK.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53And I think if you have a really good day,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57they could make between £50 and £75 each.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- Each?- Yeah.- That would be wonderful.
0:29:00 > 0:29:06We'll offer them as one lot, estimate 80 to 120, and we'll make sure that's a fixed reserve
0:29:06 > 0:29:12because otherwise, he's back in the car, he's back in the pot and he's back on the plant again!
0:29:12 > 0:29:17- Are you happy with that?- Yes, I am. - We're making friends everywhere we turn today.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21Here's Elizabeth Talbot and she's just met Mandy.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25- Mandy, hello.- Hello.- I understand that you work at the school here.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29- Yes.- What do you do? - I'm a housekeeping manager.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34I look after all the matrons and a lot of the cleaning staff. Three of us do it.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39- It's a big task.- Yes.- You're very happy?- Yes, it's a lovely place to work.- Wonderful setting.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44- It's gorgeous.- From one wonderful setting to a historical setting
0:29:44 > 0:29:46on the little box you brought here.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51- What can you tell me about it? - Well, when my mother died about 23 years ago,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I was clearing out her glass cabinet
0:29:54 > 0:29:58and I put a lot of the stuff to charity and car boot,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00but this was unusual.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04I don't particularly like it, but I thought I would keep this back.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09It's been in my loft and I thought, "Oh, Flog It is coming, I'll bring it along
0:30:09 > 0:30:13"to see what actually it is used for."
0:30:13 > 0:30:18It's good that you have saved it because 20 or 30 years ago,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21this type of box would have been discarded and thought of
0:30:21 > 0:30:25as being a little bit passe in terms of taste.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29But 20 years later, there are collectors of these little boxes,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33so you did the right thing not to discard it at that stage.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37It's a late 19th century, possibly early 20th century box.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41It's intended to be a little jewellery box or trinket box.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46But it was made and sold originally to tourists. It's a little tourist piece,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49a souvenir, in this case of a visit to Paris.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Intrinsically, the components are not very expensive.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- Right.- It's a very base metal frame.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01And the outside of the frame is gilded. It's just stamped metal.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04This encases thick, bevelled glass sides
0:31:04 > 0:31:08and the top of it is transfer-printed with a picture
0:31:08 > 0:31:12which is possibly hand-tinted with watercolour to fill in the gaps.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16It's not all hand-painted. It's transferred, then coloured.
0:31:16 > 0:31:22The inside is fitted with this lovely little, padded silk cushion base which has got buttons in it,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26so it's like a little buttoned, cushioned base there.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32It's showing its age. It's beginning to fade and wear, but that is also very nice
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- because it shows that it's the age that it is.- Right.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38It wasn't intended to be an expensive item.
0:31:38 > 0:31:45They never have become extremely valuable, but people will pay money for them, which is a good thing.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50- You're looking to sell it now?- Yes, I am.- Any idea what it might fetch?
0:31:50 > 0:31:53- £30?- It should do 20 to 25.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57- Right.- It might do 40.- Right, OK.
0:31:57 > 0:32:02- Do you require a reserve on it? - No, just let it... - I think that's very sensible.
0:32:02 > 0:32:08- Thank you for bringing it in and thank you for the wonderful setting. - It's lovely. Thank you.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14Yes, thanks very much, Wellington College. Our experts and owners have really enjoyed the rare chance
0:32:14 > 0:32:21to see inside this splendid venue. Philip has found something of equal beauty - Maureen's tea service.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Do you know what, Maureen?
0:32:24 > 0:32:29We see loads and loads and loads of things on a Flog It valuation day.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34And I'm not a great lover of silver,
0:32:34 > 0:32:39but I just think that is really beautiful.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41It's really, really lovely.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45- Why do you want to sell these? - I don't like cleaning them.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- You don't like cleaning them?- No. - So you haven't cleaned them?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- I did.- When?- Last night.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55- Last night? So you cleaned them last night to bring them today?- Yeah.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Um... When did you last clean them?
0:32:58 > 0:33:04- Be truthful.- Some months ago. They were a bit black last night. - Months or years?- Might have been.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Years ago. That's good. I'm being deadly serious.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10When we talk about patina,
0:33:10 > 0:33:15- people always refer to patina as like furniture has got patina.- Yeah.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18But paintings can have patina and silver's got patina.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21And very often, you can see a piece of silver
0:33:21 > 0:33:26that someone's got wire wool on and some acid or lemon juice.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29That's the worst thing, all the little creases.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31They do that and it just destroys...
0:33:31 > 0:33:33This has got patina.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37And that's got a lovely, warm glow to it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40So these... Did you buy these?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43No, they've been in the family for a long time.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45What have you got? A tea set?
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- I thought perhaps a teapot and a coffee pot.- Teapot?
0:33:49 > 0:33:54- Yeah.- Hot water jug.- Ah. - Because of the spout.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57A coffee pot spout comes from there.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01- A hot water jug spout comes from there.- Yeah.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07And this decoration here, when it's got that swirly bit on the side, that's called "writhen".
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Writhen moulding.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14I just think this is so beautiful. It's wonderfully well engraved.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19It's almost sort of French in style, but of course, it's not.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- It's English.- Yeah.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26And we've got a series of hallmarks on the bottom here. Let's just have a look.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31We've got the lion passant and then we've got Victoria's head.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36So that gives us a clue that it was made or in the reign of Queen Victoria.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38We've then got a crown
0:34:38 > 0:34:44and that crown tells us that this was assayed at the Sheffield Assay Office.
0:34:44 > 0:34:50Then we've got a date code letter which is a V and that's for 1878.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52So this was assayed in 1878.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55What were you hoping to get for it?
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Um...hopefully, 150-plus?
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Really? That much?
0:35:02 > 0:35:04Hmm.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07I think you'll get £300 to £400 for 'em.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Really?- Yeah.- Oh, wow!
0:35:10 > 0:35:13- Is that good?- Very good, yeah.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- And I think we'll put a fixed reserve on it at £250.- Right.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21I think it's absolutely lovely. I would love to own it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26- Just one last little thing - it's very small, isn't it?- Yes.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29In this business we like to give things names.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33And it's so small because it's a bachelor's tea set,
0:35:33 > 0:35:39so you would have retired to your rooms and it really would have been tea for one.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41But I absolutely love it.
0:35:41 > 0:35:47- I really love it and I don't like silver!- Oh, right.- So there you go.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53There are so many interesting things coming out the woodwork here.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58We've had a marvellous time at Wellington College, but sadly, we have to leave.
0:35:58 > 0:36:04I hope we come back in a few years' time, but right now, we'll put the rest of the valuations to the test.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10You've probably made your minds up about what the items are worth, but let's see what the bidders think.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14'Here's what we're taking. We have three cuddly toys belonging to Pam.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23'Elizabeth has picked the trinket box, brought in by Mandy.
0:36:23 > 0:36:29'And we're rounding off the day with a cuppa. Well, a silver tea service, spotted by Philip.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34'All of those items are in the catalogue at Martin & Pole Auctioneers in Wokingham,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37'photographed, described and ready to sell.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43'Our auctioneer is Garth Lewis and on the preview day, I asked him what he made of Maureen's tea service.'
0:36:43 > 0:36:49- I bet when you saw this lot, it put a smile on your face. - My heart leapt, I love this lot.
0:36:49 > 0:36:55- If there was one I could take home with me, it would be that.- It does it for you?- It's absolutely lovely.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58It's quality, quality, quality. It belongs to Maureen.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02She's selling them because she's fed up with cleaning them.
0:37:02 > 0:37:08Well, I can understand that, but what a joy to bring it back to its gleaming, pristine beauty!
0:37:08 > 0:37:12And I have taken it upon myself to up the estimate.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17OK, let me talk about that. Philip put £300 to £400 on this.
0:37:17 > 0:37:23But it was a considerable amount of time ago and silver is at an all-time high.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28The scrap value, the melt value has gone up a lot. You've accordingly adjusted this.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32- Yes, we have. The estimate is now 550 to 700.- Great.
0:37:32 > 0:37:38Without wishing to suggest it would ever be just melted down, but the maths support that sort of a figure.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43And I think on the back of it, the vendor has wisely increased the reserve a tad.
0:37:43 > 0:37:49We like to look after all our vendors. We try to get them the most amount of money possible.
0:37:49 > 0:37:55- If all else fails, I'll buy 'em myself.- Good luck anyway. I'm sure they'll fly out the room.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00'Hang on to your armchair for a few more minutes to see if we're right
0:38:00 > 0:38:03'because our next lot is that trio of stuffed toys.'
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Fingers crossed, Pam. Your turn has arrived.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- Is this your first auction?- It's the first one I've left things at.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- You've bought before? - I have been to auctions, yes.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18I think you're going to be all right. We've got quality here.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23Schuco and Steiff, it doesn't get much better when you talk about metal toys.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26What I want to know and probably you do as well is...
0:38:26 > 0:38:32- The little panda was the lucky charm in the car.- Yes. - So how do you drive now?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- Carefully!- Carefully, yeah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:40- What's the lucky charm now? - I don't have one now. They're too precious to take in the car.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- Hmm.- Yes.- They never let us down. I'm not trying to big it up, but they don't let us down.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51- The auctioneer is on the rostrum, about to knock this one out. Good luck.- Thank you.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57Sweet little lot. A little Steiff monkey, miniature little monkey,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01a Schuco Janus bear and a Schuco Piccolo panda.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Interest starts with me here at £65 against you.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Is there any advance on 65?
0:39:10 > 0:39:1270, thank you. And 5 here.
0:39:12 > 0:39:1480. And 5. 90.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Takes me out. At £90.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19£30 each.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21100. And 10.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- 120.- £40 each.- 130.
0:39:23 > 0:39:2540? 140.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- On my right, I'm selling... - Bidders out now.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- 140, that's not bad.- That's not bad. - Straight in, £140.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37- Are you pleased with that?- It's a good day to sell.- I'm very pleased.
0:39:38 > 0:39:45'A fair reward for Pam, parting from those characters after more than 50 years in their company.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'Next we have the trinket box brought in by Mandy.'
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Good luck, Mandy. This is a dangerous game - no reserve.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57The trinket box has only got a value of £25 to £40, so it doesn't really matter.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02- If it was up there at the £300 mark...- I'd advise a reserve then.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07- It's a cracking little thing, a useful little box. Good luck. - Thank you.- Here we go.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13This pretty little French, gilt metal and glass-panelled trinket box.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Picture of the Trocadero in Paris to the top.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19£20 may I say?
0:40:19 > 0:40:2315 if you like? 15 is bid with the lady. 18, sir.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Thank you. 18. Against you... 20.
0:40:26 > 0:40:2922. 25. 28.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- 30 now.- They're right near us.- 35.
0:40:32 > 0:40:3635 with the lady, my original bidder at 35. If you're all done...?
0:40:36 > 0:40:3938, back in. 40.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- 40 it is.- No, he's out.- 40 then...
0:40:43 > 0:40:47£40, hammer's gone down. Mandy, it's gone. Top end of the estimate.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- Well done.- That was lovely. Thank you.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54'Well done, Elizabeth - a precise valuation.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57'One more sale to go, the one we've been waiting for.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01'It's the silver tea service valued by Philip and belonging to Maureen.'
0:41:01 > 0:41:07It's been a long time since the valuation day and you've benefited from that as well
0:41:07 > 0:41:11because Philip put a value of £300 to £400 on this silver.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16The scrap value, the melt has gone up in the last three and a half months.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- You've almost doubled your money. - Hopefully.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23There is a new revised estimate of £550 to £700 now.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29I had a chat to the auctioneer. Yes, you know what he said. He absolutely loved it.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34He said if no-one's bidding on them, he's buying them, so they're definitely sold.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39I think it's important to say that whilst the melt price has gone up,
0:41:39 > 0:41:43I think this is of such good quality that this won't get melted.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48It's the underlying... It's the belt and braces for every other price.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53- It's what people base the price on. - It'd be nice to think somebody will appreciate them.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- Oh, they will.- It's lovely quality. You needn't worry.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01- This will grace someone's home or collection.- Here we go.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06Let's find out what this lot think. It's gone quiet again because it's our turn.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Delightful, Victorian, silver tea service,
0:42:11 > 0:42:16embossed and spiral fluted bodies, ivory handles.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21I can start the bidding here at £450 against you.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Straight in, straight in.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27480. 500.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30520. 550. 580.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33600. And 20. 650.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37680. Takes me out. £680.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Here we are.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Is there any further at 680?
0:42:44 > 0:42:46700, new place. 720.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48750.
0:42:48 > 0:42:53£750. There we are, on the aisle at 750, if you're done...?
0:42:53 > 0:42:56£750!
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Spot on the top end of that new estimate!
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- It was worth the wait.- It was worth the wait.- In every sense.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09It's a dangerous game because if you think, "I've got some silver, I'll hang on to it for three more years,
0:43:09 > 0:43:14"hopefully, it'll go up and up and up," it might level out and then drop.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16Great time to be selling though.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22That's it. It's all over. We found out today exactly what it's worth.
0:43:22 > 0:43:27We've put those valuations to the test and we've sent quite a few people home very happy.
0:43:27 > 0:43:33Some things flew out, some things struggled. That's life in the auction room!
0:43:33 > 0:43:39Join me soon in another one somewhere else in the UK, but for now, from Wokingham, it's bye-bye.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk