0:00:06 > 0:00:09Sh! The locals say this is the best-kept secret in Somerset,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13but it's no secret why we are here today in this historic city of Wells.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42'At the foot of the Mendip Hills, surrounded by Somerset countryside,
0:00:42 > 0:00:47'the city of Wells has amazingly well-preserved medieval buildings.'
0:00:47 > 0:00:53And dating back to 1180, Wells Cathedral is a heavenly example
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and I'm sure we're going to find some real treasure here today.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02I can't wait to get everybody out of the cloisters, into the cathedral and get on with the show,
0:01:02 > 0:01:06because someone is going home with a lot of money. Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14'Our two treasure hunters and lead experts today are Anita Manning and Will Axon...'
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Thank you, dear. You're not 90, are you?
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Oh, look. That's interesting.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21'..both highly experienced in antiques,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24'and they're wasting no time working their way down the queue.'
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- Was she your doll?- Yes, it was.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29She's got a wonderful expression on her face.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33It looks to me as if it's a young bird rather than a mature bird.
0:01:33 > 0:01:34I could be wrong.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40'Before Will gets his feathers ruffled, here's a peek at what's coming up.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43'Expectations are running high at Anita's table.'
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Why do you want to sell them?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47I've got a daughter who was 21 this year.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51She wants a designer handbag, so I want to get her a nice designer handbag.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- We're hoping to get the handle at least. - SHE LAUGHS
0:01:54 > 0:01:56'And even higher at Will's.'
0:01:56 > 0:02:00You probably came in thinking, "I'd give £20, £30. I'd let it go."
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Now what are you thinking? Any idea what it's worth?
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Well, the world cruise is, erm...
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- We might...- Out of league, is it? - I think so.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- We might be able to buy you a brochure.- That's a start.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16'And I take a trip in the countryside, swapping art history for natural history.'
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- Can I hold him? - Just watch he doesn't wobble off.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Oh, look at you! Oh, it's beautiful.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30'But all that later. Let's get everyone inside and start valuing.'
0:02:30 > 0:02:33It certainly is lights, camera, action now.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Our experts are working the tables. Let's look at what Anita Manning has found.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39This one could really fly away at auction.
0:02:40 > 0:02:46'And it's that charming Victorian doll Anita saw in the queue, brought in by Karin.'
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Karin, welcome to Flog It!
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Did you buy her or was she yours? Give me the background.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55It was given to me the first Christmas
0:02:55 > 0:02:59after we left the refugee camps, because I was a refugee child
0:02:59 > 0:03:05from Prussia and my mother possibly was given it by a friend.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08And then for Christmas my mother made all the clothes
0:03:08 > 0:03:11for the doll, and it was given to me.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15My first lovely Christmas, which I still remember to this day.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19And I had as well a wardrobe. All sorts of little things.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22And a pushchair made of wood.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25And on Christmas Day I wanted to show my grandmother the doll
0:03:25 > 0:03:29but she lived on the other side of the town in Hamlin,
0:03:29 > 0:03:35over very rough terrain, and this poor doll kept sitting
0:03:35 > 0:03:39and her eyes were going up and down and she kept slipping out of the pushchair.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43I mean, I put her back but, as you can see, she never suffered.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46No, she's in very good condition. She hasn't suffered at all.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51If we turn her round and have a look at the back of her head,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55we can see the name "Armand Marseille."
0:03:55 > 0:04:01We see "Made In Germany" up here and we have this number, "390,"
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- which is the number of the mould. - I see.
0:04:05 > 0:04:11- Now, the head number of 390 is a fairly common one.- Yes.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- So we don't have an unusual doll. - No.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17So let's turn her round and look at her.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Her face is made of bisque.- Mm-hm.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26Another good factor in this doll, when we're talking about collectability
0:04:26 > 0:04:33and possibly financial value is the fact that she has the jointed arms
0:04:33 > 0:04:35and the jointed legs.
0:04:35 > 0:04:42This hair is the original hair, and it's real hair, and it's so good to see that.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48And we also have the eyelashes, which are again made of human hair.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49Yes, I see.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54- The doll is from the early part of the 20th century.- Oh, right.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58But her clothes are not compatible with that time.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01My mother made them specially for the doll.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03She's got a wee silk dress on.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- Yes!- I mean, this is beautiful silk, and if we look,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09her little jacket is all lined.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14- Absolutely.- Doesn't that say something about your mum?
0:05:14 > 0:05:19And I never appreciated till recently when I had a good look at all the clothes.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Why do you want to part with her?
0:05:22 > 0:05:30Well, I find children of today don't treasure toys like this and I would worry it might break.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36And so I feel if it goes to a collector, I know it is treasured again and that is the reason why.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I know I won't get a fortune for it.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44I would like to put it into auction with an estimate of 80 to 120.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46That's very good, actually.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I think that might be conservative. It draws in the bidders.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- Would you be happy with that?- I find that a very good estimate, yes.- Good.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58'Me too, and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for Karin in the saleroom.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01'Everywhere you look is a feast for the eye in this fabulous building.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05'I couldn't resist taking a wander to find a quiet spot
0:06:05 > 0:06:08'to talk with Jane about her painting.'
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Come with me. This is the chapterhouse.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15This is where the church council would have done all the cathedral business,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and there's a wonderful ambient sound in here, isn't there?
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Sit down, sit down.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Because...
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I might have found a real gem here.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- Now, how did you come by this? - I found it at a flea market.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- How much did you pay for it? - About £190.- How long ago was that?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Last year some time.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Oh, do you know, that's...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39If you'd said this had been in the family for about 40 years
0:06:39 > 0:06:42and you don't know where it came from,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I think my hair would be standing on end right now,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47because it is very much like an Alfred Wallis.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50It's got that whole sort of folk art thing about it,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52that complete naive school look.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- Do you know who I mean, Alfred Wallis?- Yes. - Did you think it might be his?
0:06:57 > 0:07:02I saw some of his pictures in the Tate in St Ives, and when I saw it I thought that it looked like them.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- That's why you bought this?- Because they're fascinating pictures.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Yeah, it's definitely "in the school of," isn't it?
0:07:09 > 0:07:15I don't know. I really, really am dubious whether or not this is the real thing.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I'd like to think it is, but then whoever sold this to you
0:07:17 > 0:07:20would have done research themselves.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Especially from a flea market - you bought it from a dealer, then.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27He didn't start to paint till he was over 70. He died at 87,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30so it was a short span, a short lifespan of painting.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32He was a bit of a lonely,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35grumpy character, according to his neighbours.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- So you've done a bit of research? - I've read some books about him.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I've always wanted to own an Alfred Wallis.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43I doubt if I ever will, do you know that?
0:07:43 > 0:07:48But if this was an Alfred Wallis that size...
0:07:48 > 0:07:50you'd be looking at around £30,000.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52If it IS Alfred Wallis.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- My gut feeling... - I won't hold my breath.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56No. My gut feeling is it isn't, OK?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Because whoever you bought it from
0:07:58 > 0:08:01would have done some research. We are in the West Country.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04It's a great place to have this for sale.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05I think the auctioneer
0:08:05 > 0:08:08should get someone up maybe from the Tate Modern,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11and they will know by looking at the brushstroke.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Now, for me, it's naive enough. It's got the charm.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19But there's certain things, like the lighthouse highlighted with a black outline -
0:08:19 > 0:08:24If this was a Wallis, that would be highlighted in a thin pencil or something.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- I think it's a bit too precise. - Right.- If you know what I mean. - Mm-hm.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Nevertheless, he was a wonderful artist and this is obviously a tribute to him.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33It's "in the school of."
0:08:33 > 0:08:36It's a shame whoever painted this didn't sign it.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- Would you be happy to put it into auction with a value of 200-300, fixed reserve at 200?- I would, yes.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Why do you want to sell this now? You haven't had it that long.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I haven't had it that long, but if it turns out, as you say,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51that it's not a real one, then I'd like to put some money
0:08:51 > 0:08:53towards an artist
0:08:53 > 0:08:54who is up and coming.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57A good name. I look forward to seeing you in the auction room.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01You never know, we could be in for a nice surprise if I'm wrong. I don't think I am,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06but it could fly away, couldn't it? Let's go and join up with everybody else.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09'All will be revealed later on in the auction.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13'Meanwhile, Will is valuing Pearl's Victorian silver.'
0:09:13 > 0:09:17As auctioneers, anything silver, anything jewellery,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21what we like to see is a fitted case. It's a sign of quality.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25And in the case, first I thought there could be a necklace, a diamond set, pearl or something,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29but opening it up we see there's a really nice-quality
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Victorian silver fork and spoon.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Is this something that you've gone out and bought or is this an inheritance?
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- It's more of an inheritance.- OK.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- It's come down through the family. - Right.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44If I flip this spoon over quickly,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47we can see that there are actually some initials.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49I've had a close look.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53They're invariably hard to read. They try and make them as swirly and as curly as they can,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57but I think there's an "H" in there somewhere.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Would that sort of tie in with the family history?
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- My name is Hodges, Pearl Hodges.- OK.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03It's got to be an "H," then.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07And I'm almost certain that this would have been given as a christening gift.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09So that solves that mystery a bit. That's nice.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I'm going to flip the spoon back over in its case
0:10:12 > 0:10:15and I'm just going to point out the hallmarks to you, there.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18We have the standard set of Victorian hallmarks.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20We've got Victoria's head here.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22We've got the date letter there of "G."
0:10:22 > 0:10:25And I see on the other one we've got a date letter of "F."
0:10:25 > 0:10:28So they're a year apart.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32I think it's 1881, 1882, but that doesn't detract from them.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36That doesn't mean they're a sort of matched set, you know.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40One might have been made in December, the other in January.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Then the leopard's head,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44so they're from the London Assay Office.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Then we've got the lion here,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48that's telling us that it's silver.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53And then I think we've got the maker's mark here. "RM" over "EH."
0:10:53 > 0:10:57So I think it's Martin Hall and Company, I think they traded as.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00And the pieces themselves - I think they're beautifully decorated.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Are they something that you like, or have you brought them because you don't like them?
0:11:04 > 0:11:10No, I like them, but it's just not been used, sat in the drawer.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11The fact that they haven't been used
0:11:11 > 0:11:15contributes to the fact that they are in pristine condition.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19This sort of lovely, foliate etching and chasing, here,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21of these sort of ferns...
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Beautiful, and not worn at all,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26because they haven't been over-cleaned.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- They've been in this case. - I haven't cleaned them.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31What's nice about these is that they are genuine.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33This is as they were made at the time.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36And, like I say, the fitted case just adds something to it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- Silver dealers, jewellery dealers - they love a fitted case.- Mm.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45I'm going to give you a valuation now. I hope you haven't booked a round-the-world cruise...
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- Not yet!- ..on the back of this. Not yet!
0:11:49 > 0:11:55- But I see these as a sort of £40-£60 lot. I don't know how you feel about that.- That's fine.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56- You're happy with that? - Yeah, yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- So what do you feel about having no reserve on these?- That's good.- Yeah?
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- I don't mind. I just want them to be sold.- You just want them gone?
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Pearl, thanks for bringing them in.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Lovely name, by the way, I had to say. Beautiful name
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- and a lovely piece. - I look forward to selling them.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'And that's exactly what we're going to do.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17'First, though, here's a quick recap
0:12:17 > 0:12:20'of what's going off to the saleroom and why.'
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Armand Marseille.
0:12:22 > 0:12:2480-120.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Might do a lot better than that.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28She deserves it.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Is it or isn't it Alfred Wallis?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34It doesn't really matter either way. It's going into auction
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and it's going to find a new home, because that's quality folk art.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41This nice-quality silver Victorian spoon and fork
0:12:41 > 0:12:46are going to make someone a great gift, whether for a christening, birthday or a cake connoisseur.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Now it's time to put our valuations to the test.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It is auction time, and what a perfect day for it.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Just look at the weather.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Sunshine and antiques - a perfect combination.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03And this is where we're putting all our items under the hammer, Tamlyn And Son's in Bridgewater.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I'll go inside and catch up with our owners. The car park's filling up.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10That's a good sign. Hopefully it's jam-packed inside.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14'Remember, when you sell at auction, you have to pay a commission.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17'Here it's 16% plus VAT.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20'Claire Rawle is the auctioneer today, so let's get selling.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23'Our first lot under the hammer is Karin's delightful doll.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Karin, it's good to see you again. You must have so many lovely old memories of this doll.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34I have. The happiest memory is when it was given to me at Christmas...
0:13:34 > 0:13:36The first Christmas after leaving...
0:13:36 > 0:13:38The refugee camps, yes.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43I think it's such a personal thing, because your mother even cut your old clothes up
0:13:43 > 0:13:46and made the clothes fit on the doll. It's got so many memories.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Would you sell this?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51I think that if a thing is lying in a cupboard
0:13:51 > 0:13:54or it's not admired or loved,
0:13:54 > 0:14:00then pass it on to someone who will love it, who will look after it and enjoy it.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03We're looking at £80-£120. It's going under the hammer now.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05We need that top end.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11205 is the Armand Marseille bisque socket-head doll.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13And we start her away at £55.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14At 55. 60.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Five. 70 at the back of the room.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18At 70. Five.
0:14:18 > 0:14:2280. Five. 90. Five.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25100. 110. 120. 130.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26This is good.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29130 in the middle of the room. At £130.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30Now, 140 anywhere?
0:14:30 > 0:14:35At £130. You all done at 130?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37That's a good result, £130. The hammer's gone down.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39There is commission to pay.
0:14:39 > 0:14:4116% plus VAT here.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- But that's a bit of spending money. - Yeah, and if we get two cheap flights,
0:14:45 > 0:14:50we go to Geneva to see my son, who lives up in the mountains,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- and our grandchildren. - Oh, lovely. Oh, enjoy that.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55I will, definitely.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58'So, it really did fly in the saleroom.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03'Next, it's Jane's painting and, after some research, the auctioneer confirmed my suspicions.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05'It's not an Alfred Wallis.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08'However, I'm hopeful it will still do well.'
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- Jane, good to see. Who have you brought? Is this your husband? - My husband, Andrew.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- So, you've had this on your wall at home?- Yes.- Have you been enjoying it?- Yes. It's lovely.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- Did you know Jane brought this along to the valuation?- I did, yes.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- So, you approve?- I do.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28I had a chat to the auctioneer earlier and she knows it's not Alfred Wallis as well.
0:15:28 > 0:15:34You know that, we know that, but it's the next best thing!
0:15:34 > 0:15:38And this will look charming in a cottage on the seafront
0:15:38 > 0:15:40or a restaurant or a bar, or a hotel, or something like that.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- It's got the look.- Yeah. - So, let's find out what they think. This is it.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47This is the primitive painting
0:15:47 > 0:15:51in the style of Alfred Wallis, the harbour entrance.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56- I have to start this one straight in at £220.- That's good.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58At 220. Do I see 250 anywhere?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01The bid's with me at 220. At 250 on the telephone.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04280 with me. 300?
0:16:04 > 0:16:08300 on the telephone. At £300.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- Now do I see 320? - Now I'm getting excited.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11At £300 on the telephone.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Are you all done? At £300.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- That's a brilliant result. - Fantastic.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21That is great wallpaper for any hotel or restaurant, isn't it?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24It certainly has the decorator's look. Thank you from coming in.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- It's been a real pleasure to met you both and you made a bit of a profit. - Yes.
0:16:28 > 0:16:33'So, the art buyers are here, but are the silver buyers here?'
0:16:33 > 0:16:37And going under the hammer right now, a silver spoon and a fork, London touchmarks.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41There is no reserve, Pearl, but I think this will fly away.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Silver's red-hot and I know Will knows what he's doing as well.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- Sometimes.- You haven't got me on a knife edge with this one.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52Oh, very good. Yeah, we agreed, didn't we? No reserve. You wanted to sell it.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Let it make what it makes. Silver's selling well
0:16:55 > 0:16:58and it's a nice, tidy lot, isn't it? In its fitted case. Sweet lot.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02All the trade are here. Let's find out what they'll to pay for it. Here we go.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07This Victorian dessert spoon and fork,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09little silver ones, in their fitted case.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14And I start them straight in at £65. At 65. Do I see 70 anywhere?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- Pearl, we're in!- At £65. At 65.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21It's going to go to my bidder then. Are you all done in the room?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- At £65.- Maiden bid.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- Straight in, straight out. Hammer's gone down.- Thank you very much.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31- Price of silver is rocketing. Pearl, well done.- Thank you. - Thanks, Pearl. well done.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41'It's no secret I'm an animal lover
0:17:41 > 0:17:44'and like many people I try to encourage wildlife in my garden,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47'but with over 60 million people in the UK,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50'there's increasing pressure for space.'
0:17:53 > 0:17:56In fact, here in the West Country in the last 20 years
0:17:56 > 0:17:59there's been the biggest population growth in the UK.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03So, what does that all mean? Well, it means more roads, more traffic,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06more traffic accidents, more pollution, more housing estates.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10And all this is taking away the natural habitat of the animal.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13The result, wildlife is in trouble.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20'This wildlife rescue centre helps 4,000 injured and orphaned wild animals annually.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26'It's the only one in the south-west that's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year round.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35'With a small team of staff and volunteers, founder Pauline Kidner
0:18:35 > 0:18:38'is the driving force behind the whole operation.'
0:18:38 > 0:18:41I bet you never have a moment to yourself, do you?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Not at this time of year, no, definitely.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- It's pretty full-on, is it, 24/7? - Yeah, it is. Once we get the badger cubs in
0:18:47 > 0:18:50we know that it's the start and it's going to be followed by
0:18:50 > 0:18:54all sorts of birds and animals right the way through to the autumn now.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- Sleepless nights for you? Are you up every few hours at the moment? - With these we have been, yes,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03because they came in really tiny. The smallest of these was only 55 grammes
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- when they came in to two weeks ago. - Tiny, isn't it?
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Very, very tiny. So, yeah, it is every two to three hours.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11How old is that little badger cub?
0:19:11 > 0:19:13This little one's three weeks old now.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16How did you come by these, cos that's unusual? You don't see them
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- out the ground till they're three months old.- That's right.
0:19:19 > 0:19:25They came from North Wales. They've had some floods up there. We think the sett got flooded.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28And Mum moved them out and put them into a steel drum
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and some people discovered them there crying.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35They did the right thing. They left them to see if Mum came back. Unfortunately she didn't.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- There's three of them?- There's three siblings, two girls and a boy. - You've given them names?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Yes. The two girls are Lavender and Saffron
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and the little boy here is Nutmeg.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- So named after spices, then? - That's right.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50We try and do themes each year!
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Badger cubs, fox cubs and then, once the blackbirds start coming in,
0:19:54 > 0:19:56you know the doorbell's going to be ringing
0:19:56 > 0:20:00constantly all through the day with different ones coming in. Perfect. There you go.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Oh, can I hold him? - Just watch he doesn't wobble off.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Oh! Oh, look at you!
0:20:08 > 0:20:09Oh, it's beautiful!
0:20:12 > 0:20:15And just like ordinary babies, it's feed, sleep, feed, sleep.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Feed, sleep. Yeah.- Yep.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23- How long have you been doing this? - 1986 was when we actually had our first baby birds in.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24They were the first to arrive.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30- Then people started giving wildlife into me, so now we've evolved... - Cos you've got the gift, basically.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- I just love it. I just love it. - Ah! And what does your husband think, and the kids?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37He's very good. I mean, he puts up with the fact that he has
0:20:37 > 0:20:40otters in his bath and swans going past
0:20:40 > 0:20:43and bats being flown in the hall to practice...
0:20:43 > 0:20:49- This is a big farmhouse.- It is! - An eight-bedroom farmhouse, but it's all been taken over.- Yes, it has.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Yeah, but we get 4,000 animals through a year.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Do you? 4,000! And the majority are put back into the wild?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Yeah, that's the aim. We always put stuff back to the wild when we can.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04There is a high mortality rate, cos wildlife is usually seriously ill by the time people notice.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Orphans are probably the more successful ones than the adults.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13You're just beautiful! He's on this little hot water bottle keeping him warm as well.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Oh! These guys have got a bright future, haven't they?
0:21:17 > 0:21:20They certainly have, yes. Because of the TB problem, we actually
0:21:20 > 0:21:23test all our cubs three times for TB
0:21:23 > 0:21:27and these will be vaccinated because there is now a vaccine available.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30So, we are very responsible in what we do to make sure that
0:21:30 > 0:21:33healthy animals go back to a healthy wildlife.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- You're going to miss him, aren't you?- Yeah! You do, but it's funny.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42- People say, "How can you bear to let them go?" The whole idea is to get them back to the wild...- Of course.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- So the best time is to take them to their release sites and know you've done the job right.- Oh!
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- I bet there's a tear in your eye... - There is, yeah, yeah.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- They literally have taken over your whole house. - Yeah, but it's an unusual kitchen.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56It is, isn't it?! And an unusual bathroom as well.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00- Having a bath and then you've got to share it with the otter! - THEY LAUGH
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- Can we have a tour and see what else you've got on-site?- Yes, certainly.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'You need dedication and a passion for wildlife to work here.
0:22:09 > 0:22:15'It's estimated that one million animals are killed or injured on British roads each year,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19so places like this are vital and they aren't cheap to run.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20It costs £1,000 a day.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24And this is the hospital room, so where animals would come
0:22:24 > 0:22:26to be assessed in the first instance
0:22:26 > 0:22:30and then sorted out as to which pen they need to go to.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33This is lovely, actually. This is a lovely long-tailed tit
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and we actually had quite a few of those in last year
0:22:36 > 0:22:38when we had the hot weather. They're so pretty.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- Did their nests fall apart in the hot weather?- That's the only thing I can think of.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46They actually make a fantastic nest. It consists of about 3,000 feathers
0:22:46 > 0:22:49and then they strand it all together with cobweb strands.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I think in the dry weather perhaps that's what made them fall apart.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- A lot of nests dry out, don't they? - They do, yeah.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- They break up and fall apart.- So pretty.- Cor, you're tiny!
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- What's in there?- Underneath all the paper is a hedgehog.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- And we've had about 100 of these in. - What's his story?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Well, this one actually was just found out in the garden
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and we're always worried when they're underweight at this time of year.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- And, of course, that's... - Is it safe to pick him up?
0:23:16 > 0:23:18It is, but that shows you how they've got
0:23:18 > 0:23:22the one muscle that they pull right up so that they can disappear inside.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- So a little defence mechanism. - That's right.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- And then out he comes. - He looks about the right weight?
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Yes, he is. He's put weight on since he's come in
0:23:31 > 0:23:33and he's had a good check-up. To be quite honest,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36when there's a query we like things to come in,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38as we can always check them and then put them back.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40But it's always the thing to remember,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44nocturnal animal out during the day, there's a problem and vice versa.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47That's always the first that you should flag up.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- If it's out at the wrong time of day...- There's a problem. Pick him up. Rescue.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- What else is in here?- Bats. We've got one actually over here.
0:23:54 > 0:24:00We're actually very lucky in Somerset that we have every single one of the 16 species in Somerset.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04People don't realise just how tiny they are.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Don't say nasty things to me.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Look at the fantastic little feet that they hang up by there.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16This is the inner ear - the tragus - that you can see there, which is sticking up,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20and the long ears that you know can pump and then come up
0:24:20 > 0:24:22really, really high when it's ready to move.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Long-eared ones have got the largest eyes, cos they use their eyes
0:24:27 > 0:24:31as part of their hunting. Most of the others rely totally on echolocation.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Yeah. Beautiful as well.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Absolutely beautiful. Look at that!
0:24:45 > 0:24:46Ssh!
0:24:46 > 0:24:48HE LAUGHS
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Now, you said you have permanent residents here, don't you?
0:24:54 > 0:24:57You've got some foxes. These are here for good?
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Yeah, they are. These are resident ones.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Other people have reared them as pets and we just keep them here.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08It's a nice big pen for them. There's five in here with plenty of room.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13- They look really healthy. Look at their coats.- They've got their winter coats. They're fabulous.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18- That's Marie.- Hi, Marie!- If you want to just go in and say hello.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21We'll just stand at a distance so that we don't frighten them.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- Come on, Paul, see whether they'll take from you. - Hi, Marie. Hello.- Now, stand back.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- I like their little log cabins. - Oh, it's very posh.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- This is all Marie's efforts. - Come on, Bazzy.- Basil!
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Doesn't quite trust me yet.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42There you go.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Oh, she's trying to bury it, look. "I'll have that later."
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- She doesn't want the others to have it.- No.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53So fascinating. I think there's too many of us around
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- and we're spooking them. Pauline, thank you.- That's all right.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I'll let you carry on feeding the foxes, because obviously they know you as well.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05- Great. Thanks very much. Hope you've enjoyed...- Oh, I did. I've absolutely loved it.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- ..being at Secret World. Thank you. - Thank you.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18Well, what a marvellous day I have had here. It's really put a smile on my face.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Being so close to nature and it just makes you realise
0:26:20 > 0:26:24how important British wildlife is.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39'So, we're back at the divine Wells Cathedral for some more valuations.'
0:26:40 > 0:26:44It's just beautiful. Hopefully we'll have a few gems along the way as well.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Our experts are working flat out down there.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50'And a little bird tells me no-one more so than Will,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52'who's chatting with Tony.'
0:26:54 > 0:27:00What a charming little picture you've brought in to show us today of a marsh tit amongst the catkins.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04- Signed nicely here by the artist, Winifred Austen.- That's right.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Now, tell me, are you a twitcher or a fan of Winifred,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- or is this something you've come by? - Not at all.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I just happened to pick it up almost by accident
0:27:12 > 0:27:17in with a box of bits and pieces that I bought from an auction five or six years ago.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21House clearance auction. I didn't deliberately buy it. Paid a fiver for the whole box.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Auctioneers are so busy half the time they can't search through every box,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28especially if you say this is a house-type sale, a "contents of", you know.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33They will literally clear the contents of a cupboard, put them in a box and say "a quantity of".
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- That's it.- You've come out on top, as you've found,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39what I would say, is a charming little picture, a little etching.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- Now, have you researched Winifred Austen at all? Have you... - Only a little, really.
0:27:43 > 0:27:50Just that she was quite a well-respected artist specialising in birds. That's it, really.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55That's right. Birds, animals, that sort of thing. What's particularly nice about it that it is signed
0:27:55 > 0:27:59in pencil by the artist, because Winifred Austen died in the 1960s.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03So, what that means is that there is a finite source
0:28:03 > 0:28:05of etchings signed by her.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09If you look closely at the detail... The more you look at it, the more impressive it is.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12I mean, just the way that the detail in the claws and the talons
0:28:12 > 0:28:15and how the bird is actually balanced on this branch.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17I think she's got it spot on.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20You know, perfectly natural in its posture.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24It's a nice, clean, well-balanced image.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Framed and glazed and on the wall,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30I'm sure it will decorate anyone's house beautifully.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I see it's now out of its frame.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- Have you had it up on the wall? - I did.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38After I got it, and I saw that it was signed, so I thought...
0:28:38 > 0:28:42I sort of guessed it was an etching, but I thought, "Well, it's quite nice then,"
0:28:42 > 0:28:45and put an old frame round it and put it up on the wall.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47But only actually in the loo.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53- OK!- So it's just been there every since, for a few years. - A select audience then, perhaps!
0:28:53 > 0:28:58Not in the main drawing room. Nowadays it's easy to look up what an artist is making at auction.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02And I think for a picture of this sort of size, of this sort of subject, by her
0:29:02 > 0:29:08and signed in pencil, I think you're looking around that sort of £80-100 mark as an estimate.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Is that within what you thought? You told me you only paid £5 for it,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16- so that should be a reasonable return?- Yeah, absolutely. That's fine.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21OK. Then we come to the issue of reserve. What I'd like to do is perhaps tuck the reserve in
0:29:21 > 0:29:25- just under the £80 mark - say 60 or something like that. - Yeah, that sounds good.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28What are you going to spend the money on? Will you re-invest in art?
0:29:28 > 0:29:31No. Well, I'm getting married in a couple of months' time,
0:29:31 > 0:29:34so I think probably...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36We're having our honeymoon in Cornwall,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- so perhaps a lobster supper or something.- Very nice.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Thanks for coming in and fingers crossed
0:29:42 > 0:29:44- for that lobster supper. - Not at all. Thank you.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50This is Eve, one of our production co-ordinators. Hi, Eve.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- Hello.- Love the hair colour today. - Thank you very much.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Constantly changing!
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Cheryl, Dave, welcome to Flog It!
0:30:04 > 0:30:12And thank you so much for bringing in this interesting lot of pharmaceutical items.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Do you collect this type of thing?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Yeah, I do. I'm very interesting in it.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19I'm a pharmacy technician, so it's part of my profession.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21It's beginning to take over the house a bit.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Are you fed up with it, Dave?
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Not entirely, but it is getting there.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Why do you want to sell them?
0:30:28 > 0:30:33I've got a daughter who was a pharmacy student. She's 21 this year.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35She wants a designer handbag.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38She did say she didn't want me to sell my things,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40but I want to get her a nice designer handbag.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42We're hoping to get the handle at least.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48Oh, that's wonderful. Now, we'll look at the bottles first of all.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53They are Victorian, and these two are of particular interest
0:30:53 > 0:30:58because they are Bristol blue and people love that colour.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00And another added element
0:31:00 > 0:31:06is that we do have the names of the ingredients on the bottles,
0:31:06 > 0:31:07and people like that.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12This item, which is a piece of treen, we can see that this
0:31:12 > 0:31:17would have been the container for yet another medicine bottle.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20I find this box quite interesting.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23"Glycerine cocaine pastilles."
0:31:23 > 0:31:25That's a bit scary.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29But we must remember that cocaine was used
0:31:29 > 0:31:33for medicinal purposes in the 19th century.
0:31:33 > 0:31:39And a little set of weights for a pharmacist to weigh out the measurements of the ingredients.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Is that the same sort of age as...?
0:31:41 > 0:31:45These are all Victorian. A little later here.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48And your box, a little later.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51But they make a marvellous group.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Can we look at this, which I love to pieces?
0:31:55 > 0:31:59It's a little leather case.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03The name on the front, "R J Church," the name of the pharmacist.
0:32:03 > 0:32:09And if we look inside, we see this group of bottles in the fitted case.
0:32:09 > 0:32:15Now, this would have obviously been carried by the pharmacist or a doctor
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- when they were going to their patients.- How old, do you think?
0:32:19 > 0:32:24I would say that that's probably the late 19th, early 20th century.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Tell me, where did you get these bottles, Cheryl?
0:32:27 > 0:32:32- I get them off the internet, mostly. - Do you help your wife in the search, Dave?
0:32:32 > 0:32:38Yeah, I do most of the searching on the net and we go to the odd antiques or collectors' fair.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- You've been pulled in! - I've been coerced, yeah!
0:32:41 > 0:32:44I would put it into two lots first of all.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I would put this as a group,
0:32:47 > 0:32:52your bottles, your weights and this pastille box
0:32:52 > 0:32:57in one lot and I would put your little case as a separate lot.
0:32:57 > 0:33:03I would put in an auction estimate of 100-200. Keep it wide.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08- That's good. - With perhaps a reserve of £80 on it.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Again, I'm being very conservative.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13On your little bottle group,
0:33:13 > 0:33:21I would say an estimate of 80-120, with a reserve of perhaps 65.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- Would you be happy to put it through at that?- Yeah.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29And let's hope you can get more than just the handle
0:33:29 > 0:33:33- for your daughter's designer bag. - Get the clasp as well!
0:33:33 > 0:33:37And I'm sure Anita will only be too happy to go shopping with you.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42Back to Will now, who's found a fascinating bowl with some real provenance.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Well, Simon, you've brought in this really striking studio pottery bowl
0:33:46 > 0:33:49for us to look at today, and I see also a letter.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Tell me, how does that pertain to the bowl?
0:33:51 > 0:33:56Well, the letter is from the artist, who's Lucie Rie,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59who wrote it to my late aunt following a visit
0:33:59 > 0:34:03that my aunt had made to the V&A, and had seen a bowl
0:34:03 > 0:34:05that was very similar to this,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08written to Lucie and asked her if it was for sale.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12The letter says, "The bowl's not for sale but I can make you another one."
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- Amazing.- And this is her reply, and that's the bowl that she made.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21Well, that's really what collectors of pieces like this are looking for.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Unfortunately, what they're not looking for is damage,
0:34:25 > 0:34:29and you're well aware that there is a rather nasty hairline crack
0:34:29 > 0:34:33running down into the body of the bowl here and just one or two chips on the rim.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Is it something that you like? Do you appreciate it?
0:34:36 > 0:34:39To be honest, it's not my...
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- Cup of tea.- ..my cup of tea. It's not on display at home.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45It sits in a cupboard, it gathers dust.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48I'd come from the other angle and say it really is my sort of thing.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I mean, Lucie Rie, I've sold her pieces in the past.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54This is very typical of her sort of shape,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56this very sort of conical shape on to an almost tiny foot,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00which almost looks unstable for the size of the piece.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Bowls of hers can get up to this sort of size.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07And if you are talking a bowl that sort of size, you're talking many thousands of pounds.
0:35:07 > 0:35:13I mean, Lucie Rie, or "Lutsie," as it was originally pronounced,
0:35:13 > 0:35:15because she's actually Austrian.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18She was born in Vienna, early 20th century.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23Emigrated from there in the 1930s for obvious reasons and came to England, came to London.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29And when she first settled in London, she actually started off making ceramic buttons and beads.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33It's only in later years, when we're looking back at the work she was doing, that we think,
0:35:33 > 0:35:39"Well, actually, she was really at the sort of cutting edge of this sort of simple, modernist design,"
0:35:39 > 0:35:42which is really what she was trying to achieve.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47But here on the base we can see a nice studio pottery mark for Lucie Rie.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50That's what you want to see on something like this,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53a nice, clean, crisp impression. You've already told me that you don't like it.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- I'm growing to like it more and more.- Yeah, there we go!
0:35:56 > 0:36:01Well, it's quite an important piece, actually, in the whole history of British studio pottery.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I mean, she is one of the premier league names.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06And this letter here, I mean, if I look at it...
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Handwritten by Lucie Rie.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10"Exhibition is not for sale.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14"I could make you a similar one for you. It'll never be the same.
0:36:14 > 0:36:21"Should you consider it, do ring me and come and see me." Well, that's typical of Lucie Rie.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26She was well-known for taking guests into her studio and for giving tea and cake.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Now, I've talked it up, shall we say?
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- I have talked it up. Have you got a sort of idea of what it's worth? - Well, the world cruise is...
0:36:32 > 0:36:36- We might be able to... - Out of league, is it?
0:36:36 > 0:36:40I think so. We might be able to buy you a brochure. How does that sound?
0:36:40 > 0:36:42- All right. Well, that's a start. - What did she pay?
0:36:42 > 0:36:44She ended up paying £90.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48- OK.- She was asked for £100. She ended up paying 90 in cash.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51OK, so she negotiated down a bit. So that was back in when?
0:36:51 > 0:36:54It's also dated. 1982, I see.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Of course, that £90 was without the damage, wasn't it?
0:36:57 > 0:37:00It was for a perfect bowl hot off the potter's wheel.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Without the damage, you would be looking at mid=-hundreds,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06I would have thought now, as a sort of translation.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10But I think because of the damage, that has sort of pegged it back somewhat.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Let's fix a reserve at £100. What do you think?
0:37:12 > 0:37:16- OK, fine.- So, hopefully, then, once your commission's paid,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19we'll sort of break even back at the £90,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22- and print the estimate sort of 100-150.- That will be very good.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Well, that's it. Our experts have now made their final selections,
0:37:30 > 0:37:34so it's time to say goodbye to Wells Cathedral.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37I've got to say we've had the most marvellous day here.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40The people have been wonderful and we've found some cracking items.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42But now it's time to go over to the auction room.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45It's time to put the pressure on, and here's what we're taking.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50Now, I'm no twitcher, but the quality of this etching is right up my street.
0:37:50 > 0:37:56A lot of pharmaceutical items. I've split them into two lots this time.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59One lot with the bottles and the other lot with this one.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01I think that might be a wee star.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06Now, I know it's got a bit of damage, but a Lucie Rie bowl with a letter of provenance?
0:38:06 > 0:38:12This is going to be a great addition to anyone's collection. It's just the sort of thing I'd love to buy myself.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19So we're back in Bridgewater with auctioneer Claire Rawle and the excitement of the saleroom.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Next up today we've got that beautiful etching
0:38:23 > 0:38:26of the marsh tit with a value of £80-£100.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30It belongs to Tony and he's selling it to put the money towards his big day.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37So we need top dollar, OK, everyone? Will we get that £100-plus?
0:38:37 > 0:38:39It's a good name, isn't it, artist-wise?
0:38:39 > 0:38:40That's what sells pictures.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44OK, it's just a little etching, it's not an original watercolour,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47but for collectors, even book dealers who like illustrators...
0:38:47 > 0:38:48She was an illustrator of bird books.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51So I'm hoping the name has been picked up.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Good luck. This is it.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Winifred Marie Louise Austen.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58The little marsh tit, the etching.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01And this one I have to start away at £70.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05- At 70.- Not bad.- At 70 for the etching at the back there.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Do I see five anywhere? At £70 the bid's here with me, then.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10- At £70.- The only bid in the book.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13It's going to go to my bidder, then, at £70.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17It's gone. It went for £70, £10 over the reserve.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19I'm happy with that. Every penny helps.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- Yeah, it sure does. - And well done. Congratulations.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Enjoy that day because it goes just like that. It goes so fast.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- Thank you very much.- Well done.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29I wish them all the best.
0:39:29 > 0:39:35Hoping the bidders' diagnosis will be favourable, it's the assorted pharmaceutical items.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Cheryl and David, it's great to see you again.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Hopefully now we can make some chemistry in the auction room.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Well, we should be with the lot we've got,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45the pharmaceutical items. We've got two lots.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47We split it up. So we've got the group.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51There's quite a bit going on, but the first lot coming up is the little suitcase,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54the leather one, which has a lot of contents, doesn't it?
0:39:54 > 0:39:57It's a wee beauty. It's absolutely lovely. Most unusual.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Let's hope the bidders find this and fall in love with it as well.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04This is the first one to go under the hammer. Here we go.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08This late 19th, early 20th century fitted leather case
0:40:08 > 0:40:10with the pharmacy bottles.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13And I've got 55 here. At 55. Do I see 60 anywhere?
0:40:13 > 0:40:1660. Five. 70. Five.
0:40:16 > 0:40:1880 at the back of the room.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20At £80. Now five anywhere?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23At £80 it's going to be, then. Are you all sure and done?
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Selling, then, at £80.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27It's gone. Hammer's gone down.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29- First one.- 80. Yeah, yeah.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32We're looking at a reserve of £65 for this lot,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34but we would like a little bit more.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38A set of pharmaceutical weights and there's some chemist bottles.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40And I start straight in at £90. At 90.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- Yes!- We've done it. - Do I see five anywhere?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46At £90 now. Five.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51At £90, then. It's going to go to my bidder by the look of it at £90.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Wow! That's good, isn't it? That's very, very good.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57They liked the bottles
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- better than the little suitcase. - It's the blue glass ones.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04- Yeah. And I gather all the money is going towards a designer handbag, am I right?- You are.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- For you?- No.- For your daughter?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- 21st.- Oh, what a lovely present. - Pharmacy student.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13Now, depending on where you shop, that could be the handle or half a bag or a quarter...
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- Deposit.- A deposit!
0:41:16 > 0:41:19But a big chunk towards it nonetheless.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Our final lot of the day is Simon's superb piece of studio pottery.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26One of the best names in 20th century modern ceramics, Lucie Rie.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29It's just about to go under the hammer with accompanying note.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33It's a conical bowl. A little bit of damage, Simon. You didn't do that, did you?
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- I did not.- You didn't do that. How long have you had this?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- I've had it for about 15 years. - It's a lovely thing.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- I mean, it's just exquisite. And the note, the handwritten note as well.- That's what really makes it.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48- I mean, personally, I think the letter's worth £100 on its own, just to have it, you know.- So do I.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50I'd just like to see it sold.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Why do you want to sell it, Simon?
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Well, it's gathering dust, I have to say.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Let's find out what the bidders think, because this is a name to go for
0:41:58 > 0:42:00and it's going under the hammer right now.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04A Lucie Rie conical bowl.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08And I have to start straight in at £200.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11At 200. Do I see 220 anywhere?
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- Straight in.- At £200. 220. 250 with me.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- Got a telephone bidder. - 280 on the telephone. At 280.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23Do I see 300? At 280. 300.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Excellent. There's two telephone bidders.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27That's what we wanted.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Fighting this out.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32See, the purists know exactly...
0:42:32 > 0:42:34- Imagine what it would be perfect. - 420?
0:42:34 > 0:42:38No. 420 on the first telephone here. At £420.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43At 420. Are you all sure? At 420.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Yes! £420.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Simon, top, top money. Put it there. That is brilliant, isn't it?
0:42:48 > 0:42:50- Well done.- Well done. Not at all.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- The letter did it. - Anything like that, you know. - That's such good provenance.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Provenance, exactly.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59It just gives the bowl a story as well, and that's what people buy into.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01You've got to be happy with that. A brilliant result.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Excellent. Really pleased about that. Thank you very much.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Really, really pleased.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09- Thank you for bringing that in. - It's a pleasure.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Well, that's it. Another day in another auction room.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18It's all over for our owners now, and, as you can see, the auction is finished.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20There's a real buzz still in the room, though,
0:43:20 > 0:43:23because the bidders are collecting their lots and paying for them.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25We've had a great day here. All credit to our experts.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Do join me again soon for many more surprises, because, as you know,
0:43:30 > 0:43:33it's not an exact science, valuing antiques.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35So until then, it's goodbye.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:49 > 0:43:52E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk