Cheltenham Flog It!

We're in fashionable Cheltenham! This place owes its wealth and architecture

to its popularity as a spa town in the 18th and 19th centuries.

And this iconic piece of architecture...

Look at that. What a wonderful classical example,

it's the Pittville Pump Room, our venue for our valuation day.

Welcome to Flog It!

Morning!

The Pittville Pump Rooms were built away from the main town in the 1820s by local entrepreneur Joseph Pitt.

He wanted to establish a small town here,

and the area known as Pittville is now a thriving suburb.

Judging by the size of this crowd, I think it's a booming success.

They're here to get their antiques valued.

-They're going to ask that all-important question...

-ALL: What's it worth?

-And what are you going to do?

-ALL: Flog it!

-That's the name of the game.

We've got the experts, you've got the antiques. Let's party.

Our experts are amongst the queue looking for the very best antiques

to send to auction.

They're led today by gentleman valuer David Fletcher...

..and young pretender Adam Partridge.

-I collect royal memorabilia.

-Do you? I'm going!

And I'm keeping my eyes peeled, too.

-Is it something you went to sell?

-I do, actually.

-I'll talk to you a bit later!

-All right.

Isn't that lovely? You'll find out what that's worth in a moment.

Also on the programme, Adam's whipping up interest in the audience.

-I heard a wow! What do you think of this?

-I'm glad I came!

David's disappointed that his celebrity status isn't all it should be.

-I was pleased to see you come in with an autograph album.

-Thank you.

I was a bit disappointed because I thought you were going to ask for mine.

And at the auction, I'm in another fine mess.

Whooo!

And all that to enjoy, so let's get on with the show!

Good morning!

Everybody is now safely seated inside this magnificent Grade 1 listed building.

Our experts are straight at the tables.

It looks like Adam is first to spot a real gem.

Let's take a closer look at what he's found.

-You're Eddie?

-I am.

-Nice to meet you, Eddie.

And Maria. Thank you.

You've brought along this very nice gold chronometer.

-It's got a stopwatch function, as well.

-It has.

Where did you get this from?

I was in the Royal Navy at the time, and my father contacted me

and he wanted to help out a colleague that he was working with in the mines in South Wales.

He asked me could he use the money

to actually purchase the watch to help this particular colleague of his out.

-So you said, "Go for it, Dad."

-I obviously said to go for it.

At the end of the day, it is a bit of an investment.

-And when was this?

-This was 1967.

That's a nice story. Was it a good friend that he was helping?

-I should imagine so.

-You never knew him?

-BOTH: No.

It's interesting, because it's still in its original box, which is H Samuels,

the "Largest English Watch Manufacturer".

-Yes.

-And where were their branches? "Manchester, Bolton, Preston, Rochdale, Leicester."

-There's only a few.

-Now there's over 400.

-There's 13.

-13 on there.

-13 on that one.

It's a great piece of engineering. It's a pocket watch, it's got a stopwatch function.

-I'm just going to open it up. Ooh...

-It is quite difficult.

It's nice quality.

It's not falling apart. It's still nice and tight.

There's the 14-carat mark.

There's the case number, which is also the number on the dial. Always good to see.

You know it's not a marriage made up of other bits and pieces.

-It's also got the number on that, as well.

-There's the case number.

And the case number on the movement. And the movement, signed H Samuel. Market Street, Manchester.

-So this is the original head office.

-And the original casing.

So late 19th century. Lovely condition.

There must be some sentimentality involved. Why are you selling it?

We first met in Hong Kong in 1970, while Eddie was in the Royal Navy.

Two years later, we married.

Nearly 40 years on, we're still together,

so we'd like to go back for our anniversary.

-That's romantic.

-So anything we make, we'll put it towards the fund.

-Is this your idea?

-Yes!

-I thought so!

-I'm a bit of a romantic.

-That's a lovely idea!

-It is.

We typically put an auction estimate on these of about 200 to 300.

They will make more. I can tell by that look of disappointment that it's not great news.

Because gold prices are so strong, we can up it a little bit without scaring people off too much.

Gold prices are at an all-time high.

That's not going to be bought for scrap, but there's a significant value in the gold case.

I think if we up it a little bit and put a 250-350 estimate...

-That sounds good.

-Is that all right?

-Yes.

-Are you sure?

-Honestly, yes.

A 250 reserve, so if it doesn't make that, it goes home with you.

Lovely object, great condition. The dial's immaculate. The case is all there.

The owners are charming, as well! It's got everything going for it!

We love a bit of romance on Flog It!, so we'll do our best for Eddie and Maria.

This is what I love to see, hundreds of people, smiles on their faces.

I know a lot of them are nervous,

hoping they're the lucky ones to be picked to go to auction,

where we put everything under the hammer.

Look what I've just come across. You've got a gavel, missus!

-What's your name?

-Marjory.

-What are you doing with a gavel?

-I brought it to have it valued.

Our experts working the tables,

Mr David Fletcher and Adam Partridge,

would love to buy something like that!

-Every auctioneer on the programme would!

-I'd like them to!

-They're not allowed.

Isn't that marvellous? It's a gavel that turns into a propelling pencil!

You can imagine an auctioneer pulling that out of his pocket to sign a cheque.

-It was easy to carry in my bag, that's why I bought it.

-Good luck.

-I love your programme.

-It's brilliant, isn't it?

This is where you get to find out exactly what it's worth when it goes...

BOTH: Under the hammer.

We'll pass that on to Adam so he can tell us what he thinks it's worth.

But before that, David's found his first item.

He's with Jenny and she's brought in a train set.

-Hello, Jenny.

-Hello.

In my experience, ladies don't collect toy trains,

so I suspect this isn't yours.

-It belongs to my grandson.

-Right, OK.

When did your grandson acquire it?

10 years ago, a friend of my husband's gave him this

-because he was mad on trains.

-Right.

But it wasn't Thomas, so he didn't want it!

It's a bit older than Thomas. At least for older boys than Thomas.

-How old is he now?

-He's 12.

-12.

-That was 10 years ago.

-Yes.

-Happily, he hasn't played with it.

No, he hasn't even touched it.

-And he's gone off trains.

-He's gone off trains!

-In a big way.

-In a big way!

OK, we've got, as we can see,

a choice of two types of set here.

You can either gear this little tank engine up as a goods trains

by using these two carriages here,

or as a passenger train,

by using the carriages there.

Marklin started making toy trains in Germany, or model trains, I should say,

way back in the late 19th century,

as is one of the big names.

We know that these were made before 1989,

because this box is marked "Made in Western Germany".

And, of course, Germany was reunified in 1989.

Curiously, the locomotive is marked "Made in Germany",

so that might possibly be made a few years later.

But what, in a very round about way, we can establish

-is that when it was given to your grandson, it was second hand.

-Yes.

-Do you have any idea what it might be worth?

-None whatsoever.

I'd like to think it might make £100,

but I would be tempted to go for an estimate of 40 to 60,

hope for the best.

And I would really suggest that we sell without reserve.

I think the auctioneers wouldn't thank us if we put a reserve on it.

What will your grandson do with the money?

I think he'd like to go and see an Arsenal game.

-Go and see Arsenal play, right.

-Yes.

-OK.

-You might have to pay for the train to London.

-That's right!

Let's hope we make enough for the ticket!

The price of football tickets these days, we'll need that to really sell well!

I recognise our next earner. It's Marjory, who had that unusual gavel.

She's made it to the front of the queue, where she's talking to Adam.

I'm so happy to see you, because you brought something that I really like.

Tell me about it.

-It's a Sampson Mordan Pencil in the shape of a gavel.

-Ohh!

It's my husband's, and he said that if I brought it, you would like it.

-He was right.

-Yes!

It's a little gavel, you've summed it up nicely, by the firm Sampson Mordan & Co,

from the late 19th century, 1880s, 1890s,

-and they were the inventors of the propelling pencil.

-Wow.

Many people see them in silver, in different novelty shapes.

Have you owned any others? Is your husband a collector?

-He had a tennis racket but he sold it.

-A pencil in the form of a tennis racket.

-That's unusual. I've never seen one of these.

-Haven't you? That's good news.

I just think it's so pointless it's wonderful.

It's everything an auctioneer could need.

-You can record the result and then write it down.

-Excellent. Brilliant!

-I think that is lovely.

-Your husband's a collector?

-He does, yes.

He collects odd things.

-Including me!

-You could see my mind working!

He collects anything a bit unusual. He keeps them for a few years and then sells them.

-It's a good hobby.

-Yes.

-Good fun.

-Dabbles a bit, that's all.

-This delightful little thing set him back how much?

-£180.

-That's quite a strong price.

-It was worth it.

-It was worth it.

-But to some people, it may not be worth it.

-No.

-But obviously, he doesn't want to lose money on it.

-No.

It's so unusual, and it's got the good name on it,

-that I think we could try it at £200-300.

-Oh, whippee!

Wow! I heard a "wow"!

-What do you think of this?

-I'm glad I came!

-Would anyone give £200 for this?

-CROWD: No.

-It's worth it.

-You would. We've got a buyer already!

I think it'll go pretty well.

-I'm looking forward to seeing it go under the gavel.

-That'd be great.

-When an auctioneer loves something, you'll always get a good price.

-Good!

-Shall we put a reserve on it?

-He said a reserve of 180, but...

-180. OK.

-Pop in a reserve of 180 and off we go!

-Yes.

-Needless to say, he'll spend the money on more...

-On me!

-More antiques!

-On more odd things!

-I can't give it back.

-I'll tell him you loved it that much, I gave it to you!

That would be great! Watch his reaction then!

-Thanks for bringing this in.

-All right.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this gavel go under the gavel.

I'm disappointed I'll never own it.

-But now I know they exist, I can look for one!

-OK.

-Thanks for coming, Marjory.

-Thank you very much!

Adam's clearly as excited as I was about the gavel.

I have a feeling it will go well over the estimate.

That's what I like to see, a full house and everybody enjoying themselves,

learning about antiques and also finding out what it's worth.

Right now, we've found our first batch of items to take to auction.

Today, we're going to Malvern to Philip Serrell's sale room.

He's on the rostrum, so we're in safe hands.

Here's a recap of what we're taking and why.

A lovely watch here, with a stopwatch function.

Selling it for a great reason. I love the romantic reason.

I'm a bit of an old softie at heart!

This is the locomotive from the Marklin train set.

It's a nice train set. It's good quality.

It seems cheap when you think about it,

£40 to £60, but that's what the market dictates.

I hope it'll do well, but it's not going to make a fortune.

We see loads of lovely things on this programme, some of which we'd love to own.

None more so for me than this wonderful gavel pencil,

which would fit perfectly into my collection of gavels.

The bidders are already getting settled.

The seller's commission is 16.5 percent, plus VAT.

We're starting this visit with a real banker, a top quality gents pocket watch.

Adam's here with the owners.

I like this. You like it, as well. Will it get the top end?

I think we're pitched about right.

-Why are you selling this?

-It hasn't got any sentimental value.

Hopefully, if we get the money,

-I met Maria in Hong Kong, we'll put it towards a trip.

-40 years ago.

-That's when you met.

-That's when we met.

-We've got to get you there!

-I hope so.

-Or something towards it.

-Some spending money.

-At least to the airport!

Here we go.

Lot number 590. 14-carat gold open-face watch.

I'm bid £150. 160. 170.

180. 190. 200. 210. 220.

230. 240. 250.

At £250 only. 250. Is there any more?

At £250. There's the bid. Lot number 590 at £250.

Any more at all?

At £250, I sell at 250. And done.

Yes! £250! That's not bad.

-That's something towards it.

-It is, yes.

Every little helps. Every little helps.

-Enjoy it, won't you?

-Yes, we will.

-Spend it on a bit more jewellery!

You probably will!

A good start to the sale. We're clearly on the right track. That leads us to our next item.

It belongs to Jenny, who's trying to raise money

to buy an Arsenal ticket for her grandson.

It's that electric train set. Mixed bits and bobs. Some of it's boxed.

Unfortunately, we don't have our owner Jenny. She can't be with us today.

-We do have David Fletcher. We're looking for about £40-60.

-Yes.

Hopefully, we're going to hit the back of the net right now.

It's going under the hammer. Here we go.

Number 418 is the Marklin train set.

There's the whole lot of it. Bid me for that.

Start me off wherever you want to be.

I'm bid £20. 20 bid. 30.

Five. 40. 45. 50. Five. 60.

At 60 bid, in the room.

At £60 only. At 60. Is there any more at all?

At £60, in the room... I sell five on the net at 65.

-70. 70 bid.

-Great.

-£70 only.

Any more? At £70 and I sell at 70. Done.

-I'm pleased with that. Good valuation.

-Yes.

-I think Jenny will be, as well.

-I hope so.

They're difficult to value. They don't set the world alight.

But there is a market at the right price.

There's always train enthusiasts and they'll always buy that sort of thing.

-Even if it's for spares or one or two boxes.

-Sure.

Let's hope Arsenal win that game, as well!

Our final item in this half is our auctioneer's gavel.

To get a second opinion on it, who better to ask than auctioneer Philip Serrell?

I spoke to him at the preview day.

I think every auctioneer should own one of these gavels.

-I think all auctioneers do, but not like that!

-No, not with a propelling pencil.

This'd be a lovely present from the wife if she bought you this.

-Have you had a word with her?

-No!

I saw Marjory in the queue,

and I said, "I'm not going to value this. I know it's on the show.

"You've got to go through a series of auctioneers

"and I know they just love to talk about it."

Sadly, all auctioneers collect gavels.

What I love about this is,

every time that you go...

..you've got the "sold", something every auctioneer likes to hear.

I think I've had every auctioneer and his dog on the telephone saying, "How much is that gavel?"

-All of our experts!

-I couldn't possibly comment.

-How many of those have you seen?

-I've never seen one with a propelling pencil.

-I think it's probably worth £150.

-Yes.

I think it'll make between 250 and 300.

Which is spot on. Adam's put 200 to 300 on.

This will be going under the hammer very shortly. I can't wait!

Here it is. Philip's on the rostrum.

Adam and Marjory are on the sale-room floor with me.

I think we'll get your money back. I remember you said

-your husband bought it for £180.

-Yes.

-It's got to be worth that.

-I can feel a profit.

-Hopefully, £250.

-Me and my big mouth!

It's all your fault if it isn't!

Samuel Morden...

..ivory propelling pencil gavel.

I'm bid £150. At 150. 150. Telephone bid 160.

-170. 180. 190.

-Oh, good.

-190. 200 with me. £200.

210 with me. At £210. 220.

230 with me. 240. 250 with me. 250.

-250.

-There's a profit already.

-Good. We're going to Venice.

Is there any more? 260. 270. 280. 290.

I told you, didn't I? Didn't I say they'd fall in love with it.

310.

At 310. 320.

320 on the telephone. The book's out. At 320.

-330.

-340.

-340 is in.

£340 on the telephone.

At £340. Is there any more at all? At £340. Any more?

-It was your husband that bought it?

-Yes.

-£340.

-He's got a good eye!

-He married me!

-Yes!

£340 and done.

-£340!

-Yippee.

-Wow!

-That's a good result.

-I agree with you on that one.

What did your husband say? Did he know you were going to sell this?

He said, "Take this. You'll get on telly." I said, "I don't want to be on telly."

There you go. You got on the telly!

-He said if it sells, he's taking me to Venice.

-Brilliant! What a lovely ending!

That was fast and furious. Some good results there.

That brings us to end of our first visit to the auction room. We are coming back later on.

Don't go away, because I can guarantee there will be some more surprises.

Right now, while I'm in the area, I'm going to go off and do some exploring.

On this programme, we visit many stately homes and manor houses all over the British Isles.

In keeping with that tradition, I'll show you some the extraordinary history of this castle,

which spans 1,000 years, right back to Saxon Times,

and meet the present-day lady of the manor.

This is Sudeley Castle in the beautiful Cotswold Hills.

It's steeped in history, with royal connections spanning 1,000 years.

As with so many English country houses, the present owners fund running costs

by opening it to the public for part of the year.

But this tranquil setting is a total contrast

to the dramatic and sometimes violent history this castle has seen.

At one point, it was nearly destroyed.

CHORAL SINGING

This is the Chapel of St Mary, final resting place of Katherine Parr,

the last of King Henry VIII's six wives.

She was known to be intelligent, vivacious and strong-willed,

and proved to be the perfect foil to an ill-tempered king.

In the 16th century, Katherine Parr became the love of Lord Seymour,

then owner of Sudeley Castle.

She broke off the relationship when King Henry declared his interest in her.

It was only after Henry's death in 1547

that she was reunited with Seymour, married him

and came to live here at Sudeley until her death, a year later.

Her grave was found purely by chance in the then-ruined chapel, back in 1782.

Eventually, her coffin was moved to a purpose-built new tomb in the Chapel of St Mary.

She rests under this magnificent Victorian marble effigy,

which was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott

and carved by master mason S Birnie Philip.

The detail is exquisite.

100 years after Katherine's death, Sudeley once again played an important part in English history.

During the Civil War, the owners of the castle took sides with King Charles I.

In August, 1643, the Royalists mounted a disastrous attempt to siege Gloucester.

It went horribly wrong. They lost the battle.

The rain was pouring down and a dejected king sat on a rock, surrounded by his troops,

and one young officer said, "Sir, can we go home now?"

The king replied, "I have no home to go to."

Two days later, the king and his troops were offered refuge here at Sudeley.

During the following years of the war, the castle was besieged twice by Parliamentarian forces

and bombarded by canon.

After the Civil War, in 1649,

Cromwell ordered the castle to be slighted or made untenable as a military post.

This involved removing the roof and exposing the inside to the elements.

The castle was allowed to fall into ruin

and these tumbledown walls have been left as a reminder of that dark time.

After 200 years of neglect, wealthy Worcestershire glove makers, brothers John and William Dent

spotted the ruined Sudeley Castle whilst out riding.

They spent most of their wealth purchasing it and restoring it.

Sudeley Castle is still owned by the family of the Dent brothers.

American-born Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe,

married one of their descendents more than 40 years ago.

She's been instrumental in opening the castle up to the public.

-You open to the public in a few weeks.

-Yes.

-Is the pressure on?

-The pressure's on! Yes!

-It's like putting on a play!

-Is it? Lots of worry.

It's the frenzy, the last-minute build-up to opening day.

Of course, we tidy up everything and...

-The grounds are magnificent.

-Thank you.

It must be so fascinating and rewarding living in such a historic house.

It is kind of extraordinary.

The thing about living in a house like this is, history is very tangible.

You see it, you feel it,

you can touch the things of the historic people

who've walked the halls before.

We live with their paintings and furniture.

Of course, that's why people come to Sudeley.

This is a historic house.

It's not really a stately home, it's partly as ruin.

Do you intend to leave your mark somewhere?

Well, I think my mark at the moment, is in the garden.

-Over the last 20, 25 years, I've really created this garden.

-Have you?

-Yes.

-It's based on a Tudor parterre that was here.

-Sure.

But I've kind of celebrated the history of the house through the garden.

-I've tried to fill the gardens with points of history.

-That's lovely!

-This is the Queen's Garden.

-That's your legacy, isn't it?

If somebody keeps it up!

I'm sure they will! It's magnificent!

This room is an interior designer's dream, isn't it?

I can see your touch everywhere!

It beautiful.

It's kind iconic, this room, in a way

because it's an earlier part of the castle.

It was originally the gatehouse to the early Tudor castle.

And this is where the guards would sit and play cards and drink beer and carry on.

-A communal room.

-That's right.

So in a way, the stonework would've been here.

-That wouldn't have been panelled back then.

-It wouldn't.

But later, in the Victorian times, the house was restored to take on the Tudor...

-I can imagine.

-It was panelled.

I was instrumental, much to everybody's horror, in taking the panelling down.

-Good for you.

-Everybody thought that was a terrible sacrilege,

but it wasn't, because the stone is beautiful.

Could you imagine sitting here with oak panelling everywhere?

These colours wouldn't work. Nothing would work. You've let the room breathe again.

-I'm glad you like it.

-Oh, I do. I love it.

What I really admire about you is the fact that it's not a museum,

but the quality of the antiques and artefacts are the very, very best.

-You use them every single day.

-That's right.

There's no ropes saying "don't touch". You use all of these wonderful things.

As you said, it's not a museum. I think that as long as we look after these lovely things,

-it's wonderful to have them used for the purpose they were intended for.

-Exactly.

Thank you for showing me around. I can't wait to come back and spend the day here.

Thank you, Paul.

Our valuation-day venue is the Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham.

Hundreds of owners have brought along their unwanted antiques and collectables to be valued.

We're ready to take a look at the next item with Adam.

-Welcome to Flog It!, Lynn.

-Thank you.

-It's nice to see you've brought some interesting items along.

-Yes.

-These colourful cloisonne vases.

-Japanese. Do you like them?

-They seem to have grown on me today

because a lot of people have said how nice they are.

So, when you came along, you weren't particularly keen?

-No.

-You've had them out and people have gone, "They're nice!"

-Yes.

And you started thinking, "They're quite nice actually."

-Not quite nice, but they are nice.

-Yes.

Not nice enough to keep, I don't think!

How did they come into your possession?

-I have had them about a fortnight.

-Is that all?

They were left to me by a cousin. I picked them up from the solicitor about a fortnight ago.

-And you've taken them home...

-Yes.

-..and thought, "Where am I going to put them?"

Yes. It was a case of they didn't sit well in the house.

-Do you know where your cousin got them from?

-I don't know.

I know she travelled a lot with her first husband.

She picked things up on her travels, so I presume these were...

-Do you think she went to Japan?

-I wouldn't be surprised. She was well travelled.

-Quite a cosmopolitan lady?

-Yes.

They're cloisonne enamel. They're Japanese.

It's a technique of enamelling,

often with a foil background, this technique called ginbari.

And they're really rather nice.

-The colours are lovely.

-Beautiful colours.

-Have you seen any damage?

-This one has got damage there.

A little bit of a blister there.

Is that something that was done during firing?

No. It wouldn't have been released to the market with that on it.

One thing about buyers of cloisonne,

the slightest bit of damage, the value plummets completely.

We always say cloisonne doesn't bounce well.

The slightest thing and you'll get a little crack or bits coming off.

So, yes, that does affect it quite a lot.

In terms of age, they're not massively old. They're 20th century.

-They might be '30s, possibly even later than that.

-Oh, right.

-But they're very decorative. What do you think they're worth?

-I haven't got a clue.

Not a clue.

-You're selling them anyway?

-Yes.

-Even if I said they're worth £20?

-Yes!

-They're worth more than that.

-That's nice.

Not much more. I think they'll make 60 to 100 between them.

I would suggest you put a reserve of 50 on them.

If you don't make £50, they're not worth selling.

-Even if you don't like them, take them and try them another day.

-I see.

-Does that sound all right?

-That's fine.

-Excellent news.

-We'll look forward to seeing you at the auction.

-Thank you.

What a well-travelled programme. Hong Kong, Venice and now Japan.

Our next item... Well, it's a suitcase.

Alison, underneath this canvas cover, I know there's quality.

It wouldn't have a canvas cover otherwise.

-Clearly not your initials.

-No, they belonged to my mother.

Hilda Georgina Secret.

-Secret?

-Yes.

-What a lovely surname!

-You're not still a Secret, are you?

-I'm not. No, no!

-That's a great surname!

-I know.

-Can I? Ready?

-Yes.

-Duh, duh, duh, duhh!

That's beautiful. There's not a scratch or a mark on there.

-And that... That's pigskin, isn't it?

-Yep.

Quality, quality, quality. That's the best quality leather. That's the best hide money can buy.

-Oh, it's just divine!

-It looks beautiful.

-Ready?

-Yes.

It's just getting better and better, isn't it?

-It's never been used, has it?

-I think it must've been used.

There are a couple of teeth out of the comb, so...

Very, very nice. It's all there.

-I could see this in the back of a Bentley!

-Well, yes.

-Did you have one?

-She didn't.

-Is it by Mappin and Webb?

-It is.

-Yes, there you go.

-It's clearly not really been used.

-Well, it's so heavy!

-This lifts out, doesn't it?

-Yes.

-And that locks together.

-And then that closes.

And then you take that off with you.

Look at that. Ohh!

But it's so heavy. I mean, you...

-Have you any idea of value?

-No.

-It's pretty much perfect.

-Yes.

I've got to say, this is possibly the best example I've seen

-for quality and condition.

-Yes.

-Why do you want to sell this?

-Actually, it really belongs to my sister,

-who lives in Australia.

-OK.

Half of it belongs to her and half belongs to me.

So the best thing to do is to split the money.

-I think if we split the money and we could meet!

-That'll be nice.

-What a lovely story. Any idea of value?

-Not really.

I've seen them before, not so good as this,

and I put, I think, £400-600 on something very much the same,

-and it made £1,100.

-Oh, right.

So let's be a bit gutsier, OK?

-Let's put £800-1,200 on this.

-OK.

Hopefully, it does the top end and a little bit more.

-Lovely.

-Are you happy with that?

-I am very happy.

-We'll protect it with a reserve.

-Yes.

Let's give it discretion. Let's say 800 to 1,200

-with discretion of ten percent at 800.

-Yes.

-That'll make the bidders keen.

-Lovely.

I'm pretty sure it'll go at the top end. But I can't guarantee it!

I can't guarantee what'll happen on the day!

You can never tell what's going to happen at the auction

and even the best valuations are in the fate of the bidders on the day. We'll find out soon.

Time's running out. We need one more item to send off to auction,

so quickly over to David Fletcher.

He's with Mervin and a childhood collection.

-I was pleased to see you come in with an autograph album.

-Thank you.

I was a bit disappointed because I thought you were going to ask for mine.

Never mind.

-Whose autographs have you got in here?

-I've got quite a selection,

but some of the more famous ones are Laurel and Hardy.

-OK. You've tagged all these, I see.

-Yes.

-I collected them from the stage door on the Birmingham Hippodrome when I was a youngster.

-Really?

-Gosh.

-Many years ago.

They actually signed this album. So, they've handled this very book?

-I've also got Abbott and Costello.

-Abbott and Costello, names I know.

We've also got lots of other names, like Guy Mitchell.

-"I never felt more like singing the blues".

-That's right.

-I remember that.

What was that, '50s, I suppose?

-Late '50s. Yes.

-Yes.

-And you collected all these yourself?

-Yes.

I must say, I think that makes the collection particularly interesting.

-You were a young lad when you were collecting them.

-About 13 or 14.

-Were you?

-When I was at school in Birmingham,

my friend and I used to take the bus

and go down to the Birmingham Hippodrome

-and hang around the stage door.

-Gosh.

-And I collected them then.

How come you were interested at so young an age in films and theatre?

It was an era that we were brought up with and you never forget them.

-They're all well-known artists of the time.

-Yes.

-But, of course, some younger people wouldn't remember them now.

-No.

-And my children would have little use for them.

-No.

-So I decided to bring them along.

-Are you still interested in the theatre and films?

-Oh, yes.

-But you're not collecting autographs?

-No.

-Although I got one today, a very special one.

-Who?

-Paul Martin's.

-Paul Martin's!

-Which must be worth...!

-Is that it there?

-Yes.

-Good heavens!

-It's next to Laurel and Hardy's.

-Next page.

-The next page.

There it is. "Best wishes, Paul Martin."

I was going to say it's worth £100 to £150.

-But I'm going to have to revise my estimate now.

-I thought so.

-It's worth £30!

No, seriously, it's worth £100 to £150 in my view.

-Would you be happy with that?

-Yes.

-Good. OK.

-If we put a reserve of £100 on the lot?

-Yes.

-Have you anything in mind to spend the money on?

-I'm going to give the money to my wife.

-Fatal.

She's likely to spend it in a well-known department store

-where she can take it back if she's not satisfied!

-OK.

-Does she often take things back?

-Yes.

-Oh, dear!

Let's hope we make her enough money to buy something really nice.

Well, there's a dedicated husband for you.

We'd better get a good price or there'll be trouble and strife in Mervin's household.

Let's get our items wrapped up and sent to auction. Here's a quick reminder.

A very decorative pair of Japanese cloisonne vases.

If you want to find out more about the technique,

they also come with a leaflet inside each,

which briefly explains the technique in English and in Japanese.

We only touched upon a handful of the autographs in this wonderful album.

All the greats are represented. It's the Valhalla of cinema and theatrical characters.

I'm confident it'll appeal to all those autograph collectors. We'll do well with this.

You've just seen it. Absolutely quality.

It doesn't get better than this. That's why we've put it to auction.

Hopefully, we might be in for one or two big surprises.

So don't go away. Keep watching.

We've left the Cotswolds behind and headed off to the Malvern Hills

and Philip Serrell's sale room.

£110. There's the bid. Done!

Our first item under the hammer is a pair of cloisonne vases owned by Lynn and spotted by Adam.

-These were left to me by this lady.

-She's absolutely beautiful.

She left me these items.

One red, one green, and I believe the red one's got a bit of damage.

-A little bit.

-A little bit.

-They're prone to damage.

-Yes.

-But we've reflected that in the estimate.

Good luck, both of you. Let's hope it gets the top end.

Two cloisonne vases.

I'll start at £100. 100 bid. £100.

-£100 bid.

-Straight in.

-Told you they'd start at three figures.

I'll take ten anywhere.

At £100. Ten? At £100.

110. 110. The book's out.

Any more?

At £110, right at the back. I sell at 110. Done. Thank you.

-It was straight in.

-In and out.

-£110.

-Lovely.

-Job done.

-That's good, isn't it?

-Yes. Very pleased.

A good solid sale, just over the estimate and away to a new owner.

Now for our next lot. I'm joined by Alison.

I'm feeling a little bit nervous. It's my turn to be the expert.

We're just going to put the leather case, with the vanity set inside, under the hammer.

-It's been in the wardrobe for a long time?

-It has, unfortunately. What do you do with it?

-At least it's been kept in great condition.

-Yes.

Here we go. This is it.

The super Mappin and Webb case...

There we are.

Give me £800.

I'm bid £500 with me. 520. 520. 520 50.

At £550. At 550.

-Come on!

-580.

600. 600.

-At £600. Any more?

-Come on, more.

At £600. Any more?

-It's not going to sell.

-At £600 only.

Any more at all? At £600. Is there any more at all?

-I'm sorry, I can't do that, chaps.

-You were close.

But, listen, the bidder will probably have a word with Philip.

We're short by £120.

-I'm ever so sorry.

-I didn't want to stick it in the back of the wardrobe!

-No!

It's better off in a sale room.

You can't let one "no sale" ruin your day at auction.

Blink once and you'll be back on track with a winner.

Next up, the autograph book belonging to Mervin.

-Hello. Thanks for coming in. You collected these on the stage door, didn't you?

-Yes.

-All bar one, which you collected at the valuation day!

-Yes.

You got my signature!

Thank you so much for asking me to sign it. I was in such good company.

-It's great that you collected them yourself. That's what's good about it.

-Yes.

-They're big names, aren't they?

-They are.

They were kind enough and modest enough to sign them for you.

-They could've been a bit snooty.

-That's right. They were all very good.

The good news is, there's plenty of collectors for Laurel and Hardy,

-so that should get them away at the top end.

-Hope so.

We'll find out right now. Here we go.

The autograph albums. I've got two bids, the same sort of money.

I'll start at £280 bid.

At £280 on the book.

290. 290. At £290.

Who's got 300?

300. On the telephone at 300.

310. 320. 320.

330. 340.

350.

350. 360.

-360!

-370.

380. 390.

-400?

-400.

410.

420.

430.

-440.

-It's the Albert and Costello that are making this fly.

-470.

-480.

-480.

490.

500.

520.

550.

-580.

-600.

-600 bid on the telephone.

-Whooo!

-At £600.

I think it's your autograph they wanted really, Paul. £600.

At £600. I sell, then, at £600. Done. Thank you.

-Yes!

-Thank you.

-Thank you for bringing those in!

-What can I say?

-I undervalued them, but I'd rather that than overvalue!

-That's right.

What are you going to do with that money?

-My wife will spend it in a well-known departmental store.

-On clothes!

-That's what girls do.

-That's right.

-And you've got to keep them happy.

Thank you so much for coming in. What a lovely surprise that's given us.

We're out of time. I hope you enjoyed the show.

Join us again for many more surprises.

Until then, it's goodbye from Malvern.

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