0:00:07 > 0:00:11Hello and welcome to a very picturesque Henley on Thames in Oxfordshire,
0:00:11 > 0:00:13a place renowned for its links with rowing.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17But there's no time for playing around with boats or feeding the ducks.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21I've got an appointment at the Town Hall and it's in that direction.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And this is it - our magnificent venue for today, Henley Town Hall.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56We've got a magnificent queue of people,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59all wanting to sell their antiques and collectables.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01They've come to see our experts,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04our wonderful team headed up by Mark Stacey and Catherine Southon,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- who adore antiques when they're not rowing and revelling.- Oh, we do.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- What have you found?- It's a bit of Lalique.- It's beautiful.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It's 9.30, let's get the doors open and get everybody inside.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- Are we ready, everyone? - Yes!- Let's go inside.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Coming up in today's programme,
0:01:23 > 0:01:28I burst in on Mark's valuation with some rather shocking news.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- We've got a pair of them now.- What have I found?- You've devalued ours.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33There's some guy making them
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- just down the road as I'm speaking...- You rotter!
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And over at the auction house, we make Marjorie's day.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- That's put a big smile on your face. - That's wonderful! Yes!
0:01:51 > 0:01:54As our owners settle into their seats,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56we're all eagerly delving among the boxes and bags
0:01:56 > 0:01:58to see what they've brought in.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Remember, at every valuation day, there's not just me and two experts.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05We have a whole team of off-screen valuers,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09who sift through your items to spot the best ones to send to auction.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13And that's already bearing fruit, a fruit stand, to be exact,
0:02:13 > 0:02:18and Mark's about to give owner Marjorie the benefit of his expert knowledge.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Now, tell me - where did you get such an exciting fruit stand from?
0:02:22 > 0:02:25My father had an aunt, an elderly aunt,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29who I think had seen better days,
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- and she wanted something to give him and she gave him that.- Oh, lovely.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39And so it... I always used to see it on the sideboard at home
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and my mother kept fruit in it
0:02:41 > 0:02:45and then eventually she said, "It's yours now."
0:02:45 > 0:02:49And for a long time I used it, I used it for fruit,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- always with a tissue in the bottom. - Yes, that's right.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56And then it gradually found its way into the bottom of the wardrobe.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- It hasn't seen the light of day for a while, has it?- It hasn't.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- It could do with a jolly good clean-up.- It could.
0:03:03 > 0:03:09It could do with something specialised that gets into all the cracks and crevices.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Well, even before looking at the marks,
0:03:11 > 0:03:12which we will do in a moment,
0:03:12 > 0:03:17the shape and the style of this screams Victorian.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22It's got this wonderful pierced border and trailing vine design,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- so you can imagine luscious grapes. - With a bloom on them.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27And this carrying handle.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32We're very lucky because it hasn't been cleaned a lot.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- If we turn it upside down...- Yes.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38..we can see a nice set of hallmarks there for Sheffield.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- It's Sheffield?- Sheffield. Hallmarked in Sheffield.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44And 1861.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47We've also got a maker's mark for Thomas Bradbury,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- who was quite a well-known and prolific maker.- Yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- So we've got a nice full set of marks.- Good.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- It looks really quite heavy, doesn't it?- It does
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and actually, in a way, it surprises me...
0:03:59 > 0:04:01It surprised me when I picked it up again...
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- How light it is. - Well, not really, no.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09Well, I think it's quite light. I was expecting it to be heavier.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14- Well, all this upper part is very delicate.- Yes, very pierced.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18But the bottom bit is the heavier bit. It stabilises it, of course.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23It's lovely. It's a nice honest piece of silver, Victorian silver.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- How much is it worth? - I've no idea at all.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32Well, I think we should put an estimate of something like £180-£200 on it.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- Fine.- And we'll put the reserve at 160.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- Yes, yes.- Is that all right? A fixed reserve.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39That is very... That's absolutely fine with me.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43You've had it all these years. Why do you want to get rid of it now?
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Because I don't expect I shall be using it again
0:04:47 > 0:04:50and I think somebody ought to have pleasure from it.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Wonderful. A very good reason for selling.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- It's a pleasurable piece of silver. - Absolutely.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- Yes.- Good idea.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I have a feeling Marjorie and Mark are onto a winner, there.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Now, what's Catherine found?
0:05:03 > 0:05:08Something special that comes in a small box and it belongs to John.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13As soon as I saw this box, I knew it would hold something of quality.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Now, let's just open it up and have a look what we've got inside.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21What we have is a nice little set of scales.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25I see sets of scales pretty much every day
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and they're not really worth an awful lot of money.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32They're normally postal scales or coin scales
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and perhaps worth about £30-£50.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Now, what I like about this is really the quality.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43We can see all the weights contained in there.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Where did you get this delightful box from?
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- It was given to me by a friend. - Mm-hm?
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- Her step-father had passed away... - Right.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55..and she asked me if I could do her a couple of favours
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- moving some of his things out of his flat.- Right.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01And then there was this lovely little box
0:06:01 > 0:06:06and I opened it up and she said, "Do you like it?"
0:06:06 > 0:06:07and I said, "Very much."
0:06:07 > 0:06:10So she said, "Would you like it?" and I said yes.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13What we've got is a lovely little set of tweezers
0:06:13 > 0:06:17to put the weights in the pans when you're weighing them.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- Imagine!- It just gives it that quality.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25I love seeing things like this. It really is wonderful.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29It's just interesting to see what they were actually for
0:06:29 > 0:06:33because the pans are bowls, really, rather than pans.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I don't think they were postal scales or coins
0:06:36 > 0:06:37because of the shape.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Perhaps they were for gems or something like that
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- but you've got no idea where they came from? - No. I'd love to know.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I would say they're perhaps for stones, for gems,
0:06:47 > 0:06:48I would have thought.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I think these are really quite early,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56maybe early Victorian or even sort of 1840, that sort of date.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59But they are lovely. Really nice quality.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01I don't really know how to gauge these
0:07:01 > 0:07:05but I might put an estimate on of perhaps £60-£80.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Would you be happy with that? - Yes.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10I want to fix the reserve at £60
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- because I don't want to go below that.- Very good.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17But I really hope they make more because they are something special.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- Are you happy with that? - Yes. Very good.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Will you be sorry to see them go, though?
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I will but I shall give the money to her charity anyway.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Oh, that's lovely.- Yes. - Oh, that's very nice.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31What a lovely ending. That would be great if we make some money.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope they do well.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Good.- You've made my day. Thanks, John. Lovely.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42We're staying with small and delicate right now,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46as Mark spotted Frances and an interesting silver item.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50I have to be honest with you, I've never seen one of these before.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Do you know anything about it? - No, nothing at all.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Well, I've had a word with a colleague
0:07:55 > 0:07:56who has recognised what this is
0:07:56 > 0:08:02and apparently it's Russian and they are known as throne salts,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- I guess because it looks like a little throne.- Ah, yes.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08You open the lid here and you keep your table salt in there.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12So you have a number of these on a table
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- and then you spoon over salt. - Spoon it out.- Yes.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22And it's a very charming item. It's pre-Revolution, made before 1917.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Yes.- It's a very interesting little object
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- but one that's quite difficult to value.- Is it?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- The Russian market is quite buoyant. - Yes.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33There's a lot of people who collect Russian items.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37The condition looks very good to me, and this lovely pierced back here.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It's a very elegant item. Have you had it for a long time?
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Yes, I have. My husband's aunt came to stay with us for the weekend
0:08:44 > 0:08:50and she said, "Oh, I've brought something for you and you enjoy it."
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I said, "Oh, thank you very much." And that was it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- So we don't know how it came into her possession?- Not at all.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00It's an interesting object and I think we ought to have a little look
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- because all the back is decorated and pierced.- And it's all marked.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- It's quite a nice little quality item, isn't it?- It is. It's unusual.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13But in terms of value, we've been pondering about it
0:09:13 > 0:09:18and we thought it ought to be worth round about £200-£300,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- with maybe a £180 reserve, something like that.- Yes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24What are your feelings on that?
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I didn't expect it to be in that region.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Let's just see what happens. It's a very interesting object.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32I can honestly say I've never handled one before,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- so I'm in the dark here.- Yes.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- So if it doesn't sell, you won't shout at me, will you?- Not at all!
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Everyone is having such a marvellous time here.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46There's an excitement in the air.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Everybody's hoping to get picked to go through to the auction room
0:09:50 > 0:09:53and we've found some cracking items so far.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55It may not be rowing memorabilia but what we have found
0:09:55 > 0:09:59is going to make waves when we put it into Cameo auction rooms.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Our experts have found their choices
0:10:01 > 0:10:03and here's a reminder of what we're selling.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08This is a classic, Victorian pedestal fruit stand in silver.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Not really my cup of tea
0:10:10 > 0:10:13but I'm sure it would grace anybody's fine dining room.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16This is a lovely little box, a magic box.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19It doesn't just hold a normal set of postal scales
0:10:19 > 0:10:22but a quality set of scales.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Sadly, John's not going to make it to the auction
0:10:24 > 0:10:26but I'll make sure they make their money.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30This exquisite Russian throne salt
0:10:30 > 0:10:32is a little bit out of my league.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34It's a treasure from the East.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I just hope we get the right Russians at the sale.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'We're selling our items just down the road in Midgham
0:10:42 > 0:10:45'and it looks like the bidders are already having a good look around.'
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Remember, if you're buying or selling at auction there is commission to pay.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53That's how the auctioneers pay their wages and pay for this place.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Here at the Cameo auction rooms it's 20% plus VAT,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01so do factor those costs into whatever you're selling.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Our auctioneer is John King and on the preview day,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06I asked him what he made of our first lot,
0:11:06 > 0:11:07that Russian silver salt.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- I like this and I've not seen anything like this before...- No. - ..a little Russian salt.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It was given to Frances by her husband's aunt
0:11:16 > 0:11:19but it's been in the cupboard ever since.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- It should really be out somewhere and viewed.- Agreed.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- We've got £200-£300 on this. - Absolutely.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29You know, my feeling is, it's a pretty little thing.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- The feet let it down a little bit. - Architecturally, they do.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- Yeah, in terms of the rest of it. - Especially with that pierced back.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- That's really quite unusual, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44My favourite expression is, "Go and find another one."
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Well, I've not seen another one, so it's hard to do a price comparison.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53That's why it's great to be at an auction rather than in an antiques shop
0:11:53 > 0:11:55because it's hard to put a fixed price on this.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- I've got people that are going to be here bidding.- Really?- Yeah.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- And hopefully, some internet bidding. - Oh, there's no question.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05So what is your gut feeling?
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Erm... Top end of the estimate. 350-ish. That sort of price range.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14He's not giving anything away, so don't go away, watch this space.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20The bidders are taking their places, John's on the rostrum,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23so let's get underway with our first item.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26If you'd like to take part and you've got some unwanted antiques,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28then dust them down and bring them along.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33- That's what Frances did, right here, didn't you?- I did indeed.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37You dusted it down, it had been in a cupboard for years and years...
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- That's right.- You showed it to Mark and hey presto, it's that silver Russian salt.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46- Lovely object.- An unwanted antique and what a find.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- We didn't know it was an antique. - I didn't know what it was.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- One of the off-screen experts said it was a throne salt.- Yes.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56And you can see it straight away but I've never seen one before.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58It's an important little thing, isn't it?
0:12:58 > 0:13:02It's saying, "Look at me! Look how proud I am. Phwoar!"
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Very nice Russian silver throne salt,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09filigree back, decorated with swirls and flowers.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13There it is there. Nice little thing. What am I bid for it, please?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15£100 to start it, somebody.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- £100 to start it.- Come on.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23110, 120, 130, 140, 150.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26150 I'm bid. 160 anywhere?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31At £150. 160, 170.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34180. 180 I'm bid.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38At £180. 190.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40190 I'm bid. 200 anywhere?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43200 I'm bid here. At £200 here.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45210 anywhere? At £200 here.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48At £200 and away.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Seems cheap to me at £200 and away.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Are you all done at 200?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Yes. It's just, just £200.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- That was close. - It was close. That's a fair price.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- That was a close shave. - £200.- Yes.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- Happy, though?- Oh, yes. - Good.- Quite happy.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Better than it being in the cupboard.- Indeed.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12Go on, open your cupboards. Dust down those unwanted antiques.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Who knows? You could make £200 as well.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Next we have the set of scales belonging to John
0:14:17 > 0:14:22and valued by Catherine at £60-£80.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25The reason I chose this is because it's slightly different.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Early 19th century.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30But it's got that nice little bit inside that you lift up
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- and it's got the weights inside and the tweezers.- OK.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35So it's a nice little piece.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37And I've protected this with a 60 reserve.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- And John was happy with that?- Yeah.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- John can't be with us today.- No.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44We'll phone and give him the good news or the bad news.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Hopefully good news.- If it's good news, who's going to do it?- Me.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- If it's bad, you.- You.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55It's a nice little mahogany boxed case of scales,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59complete with weights and a small brash dish pan, there.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I can start the bidding here at £50 for them.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05£50 I'm bid for them. 55 anywhere?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- At £50 I'm bid for them. 55 anywhere?- A little bit more.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- Are you all done?- Oh, come on. - At £50 for the scales and weights.
0:15:16 > 0:15:2150 I'm bid. New bidding. 55, then. At £55 and away. Are you all done?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- At £55 and away.- One more. - All done at 55?
0:15:24 > 0:15:2760. At £60. Against you now.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31At £60 and away. Are you all done at 60?
0:15:33 > 0:15:34With a nod at £60 and away.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- Well done! He was struggling. - That was close. - He pulled that bid out of that guy.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- That was close. - That was close, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- But well done, though. - I'm going to go and call him.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49It is a roller coaster ride. It's not easy. It's not an exact science.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52As we keep saying, anything can happen.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Well, the auctioneer is really having to work the crowd hard today.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59I hope the buyers are more eager to put their hands up
0:15:59 > 0:16:02for Marjorie's silver fruit stand.
0:16:02 > 0:16:03So why are you selling it now?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Because there's nobody really to enjoy it
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and I haven't used it for so long
0:16:09 > 0:16:13and I just think there must be somebody, with a rather beautiful thing like that,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16who would want to have it out and on display.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I know Mark would put his fruit in it.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22I would put my fruit in it, Paul. It's a quality item.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- And it's a good time to sell silver. - So they say.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Well, good luck. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30Fingers crossed.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35This is the silver hallmarked filigree fruit dish,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38decorated with embossed grapes and vines.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I can start the bidding at £250.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- Oh, 250.- Straight in at £250. - Good gracious.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51At £250. 260, 270.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53280, 290.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56300, 310.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- 320, 330.- Wow!
0:16:58 > 0:17:01£330 with me. 340 anywhere?
0:17:01 > 0:17:04At £330 with me.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Are you all done at 330?
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- Hammer's gone down. £330.- £330.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- That's put a big smile on your face. - That's wonderful. Yes, rather.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- £330.- Double the estimate, virtually, Paul.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- We like that, don't we?- Yes. - So it is a good time to sell silver.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Absolutely. I trust you.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- I shall enjoy your programmes even more now.- Oh!
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Thanks, Marjorie. You can always trust Flog It!
0:17:31 > 0:17:33We'll be back at the auction house a little bit later
0:17:33 > 0:17:37and one of our owners will be making even more money than that
0:17:37 > 0:17:41but for now, stay tuned, as I've got a hidden gem to show you.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52This is the story of one of the 20th century's greatest artists, Stanley Spencer.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54He was a man with enduring religious beliefs,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58who saw beauty and the spiritual in everyday things.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00His main inspiration was the ordinary working life
0:18:00 > 0:18:03of his village, Cookham in Berkshire,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06which he thought of as heaven on earth.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Cookham is a kind of newspaper to me,
0:18:10 > 0:18:13through the pages of which I am anxiously glancing
0:18:13 > 0:18:17in hope of finding something about myself in it.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22On the whole, it's rather satisfactory.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27He'd set up a studio in the village and was painting prolifically.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29His work was just beginning to be recognised.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32It was being accepted. Everything was falling into place.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35He'd found his subject and he was happy with his technique.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38He felt he was on the right spiritual and artistic path
0:18:38 > 0:18:41but then the First World War came along.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50By 1915, Spencer could ignore it no longer and volunteered.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52He was only five foot two inches tall,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54so he wasn't selected for the front line
0:18:54 > 0:18:57but found himself working as a hospital orderly
0:18:57 > 0:19:01in the 1,600 bed Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05With no time for painting, Spencer set aside his obsession with art,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10to turn instead to the search for godliness in his mundane duties.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14So how did Spencer feel about this?
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Well, judging by this extract from his diary, he had mixed emotions.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21It reads, "When I'm seeking the kingdom of heaven,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24"I shall tell God to take into consideration
0:19:24 > 0:19:26"the number of men I have cleaned
0:19:26 > 0:19:28"and the number of floors that I have scrubbed,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32"as well as the excellence of my pictures, so as to let me in."
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Running short of soldiers in 1916,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40the army accepted Spencer for service overseas.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43After a spell in the ambulance service in Macedonia,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46he found himself fighting on the front line.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49More soldiers died from malaria during that campaign
0:19:49 > 0:19:51than they did from fighting in combat.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56Spencer himself was invalided home in 1918 to recover from it
0:19:56 > 0:19:59and it was at home that he threw himself back into his art work.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02But it was his experiences from the war
0:20:02 > 0:20:06that actually motivated him to plan a memorial chapel.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09He took as his role model for this important work
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Giotto's chapel in Padua.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14In it, he wanted to remember the ordinary soldier.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16All he needed were the patrons
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and he found them in Mr and Mrs Behrend.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24Mrs Behrend's brother died of an illness he contracted during the Macedonian campaign
0:20:24 > 0:20:29and Spencer's chapel was commissioned as a private memorial for him, here at Burghclere.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31And this is the chapel.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33On the outside, it's pretty much of its time
0:20:33 > 0:20:36but inside, it is absolutely timeless.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38It's breathtaking.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40MUSIC: RENAISSANCE CHORAL MUSIC
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Well, it is absolutely incredible
0:21:16 > 0:21:18and it just goes to show how prolific Spencer was.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22And it all starts here, with this oil on canvas.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24This is the start of the journey
0:21:24 > 0:21:28that joins all the pictures together.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30It's a convoy of wounded soldiers
0:21:30 > 0:21:33arriving at the gates of Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Or could they be arriving at the gates of hell?
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Look - the sun's shining
0:21:39 > 0:21:43but on the inside, it gets darker and darker in the foreground.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45So it really could be hell, couldn't it?
0:21:45 > 0:21:48The whole meaning is multi-layered.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Look how you can see their slings, look.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01It's almost like the wings of an angel.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Showing the human companionship of war,
0:22:09 > 0:22:14not the killing and the fighting and that's what it's all about.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16This is the journey that it takes you on.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23'There are 19 paintings in the chapel
0:22:23 > 0:22:26'but this wonderful resurrection scene is the masterpiece,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29'which literally towers above the rest
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'and makes sense of all of them.'
0:22:31 > 0:22:35It took Spencer six years to complete the works in the chapel
0:22:35 > 0:22:39and virtually a year alone on this resurrection scene.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41He wanted it to be a happy painting
0:22:41 > 0:22:45and it depicts the men rising from their graves
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and handing their crosses to Jesus,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50in the same way that the troops that were demobbed
0:22:50 > 0:22:55would hand their weapons back when the fighting had finished.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59The painting is a celebration of the resurrection or the homecoming,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02something that would have been dear in the hearts of all of these men
0:23:02 > 0:23:05fighting in Macedonia.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09And the whole composition, the whole structure of this work
0:23:09 > 0:23:12actually hangs on the crosses
0:23:12 > 0:23:14and as you can see, they come in three waves -
0:23:14 > 0:23:17one at the top, one in the middle and one here,
0:23:17 > 0:23:18right in front of the altar,
0:23:18 > 0:23:23very much like the sea flowing towards the shore.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28The position a cross would be in would in many cases be brought about
0:23:28 > 0:23:33through the behaviour of the men, their affection for it
0:23:33 > 0:23:36and their gratitude towards it and so on.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Just above where the men are shaking hands
0:23:39 > 0:23:44you see a man caressing it, like he would caress a baby in his arms.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48The crosses also break up the picture as a total
0:23:48 > 0:23:50into smaller little portraits
0:23:50 > 0:23:54and you can see that quite cleverly by the frames that the crosses make.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I wonder who they were? Spencer painted people he knew,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01people in his village.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03All over this wonderful scene,
0:24:03 > 0:24:07there's different little vignettes to look at. It's very clever.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15There's something else to point out.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Look how Spencer has depicted Jesus,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21a figure virtually the same size as everybody else.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25He's an equal, he's not sitting in judgement, looking down on them.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But interestingly enough, the central motif
0:24:28 > 0:24:32is two massive, great big, white mules.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34That's sort of Spencer's religious belief
0:24:34 > 0:24:38in the humble at the heart of God's creation.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Having seen this now, with all its irreverence and complexity,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56I now understand why it's considered
0:24:56 > 0:25:00to be one of the most important works of art of the 20th century.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02The man was a genius.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Henley Town Hall is our valuation day venue
0:25:13 > 0:25:17and we're checking through the antiques and collectables being unpacked.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Let's now join up with Mark Stacey, who's with Jean and Dennis
0:25:21 > 0:25:25and a large reminder of a particular time in British history.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30My mother-in-law gave me this about 15 years ago.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I don't know why she gave it to me then
0:25:33 > 0:25:37and that's really all I can tell you. I don't know anything else about it.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40And has it been on display on your kitchen dresser or...?
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- No.- Not at all? Just in a cupboard? - Yes.- Exactly right.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- Yes.- It's a shame, isn't it?- Yes.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I mean, first of all, it's Sunderland,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51because whenever you see this pink lustre
0:25:51 > 0:25:54it's always going to be from the Northeast - Sunderland lustre.
0:25:54 > 0:26:00What confirms that is the view of the bridge at Tyneside,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02when it was opened in 1793,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04transfer printed and all coloured in hand.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08The thing that makes it slightly more interesting from our point of view
0:26:08 > 0:26:12is the fact that we've got these soldiers here,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15one holding a British flag, one holding a French flag,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19with a little motto there, "May they ever be united."
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Now, we're not often united with the French, are we?
0:26:22 > 0:26:24No! That's what I was thinking.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Now we come to this lovely plaque.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32We've got the royal crest there and the lion and the unicorn
0:26:32 > 0:26:36and we've got Napoleon here, the Third,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38and Queen Victoria, actually, believe it or not.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41And I think it relates to the Crimean War.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Unfortunately, we've got a nasty crack
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- where somebody's clanked it at some point...- Yes.- ..and has broken it.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Hello. Paul's found another one. You haven't found another one?
0:26:52 > 0:26:56- This is so strange!- We've got a pair of them.- What have I found?
0:26:56 > 0:27:00- You've devalued ours!- Good heavens. - The Crimea - well I never.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05There's some guy making them just down the road as I'm speaking.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10- You rotter!- £40-£60 he's charging. - You rotter!
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Ours is better.- Yeah. - Yours is bigger.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Ours is damaged but it is better. That's lovely, isn't it?
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- How strange is that? - Isn't that strange?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Is that a good or a bad sign for our jug?
0:27:21 > 0:27:26I think the value is going to be affected by the damage.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- Had you ever thought of the value? - Not really, no.- No.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33We don't look at it. It's been in the cupboard.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- So you just want to get rid of it, really.- In a way, yes.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39You want it to go to a collector who'd appreciate it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- It's a bit silly, keeping it in the dark.- It is.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Well, I think, had it been in perfect condition,
0:27:44 > 0:27:48we probably would have been looking at £300-£400,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- in good condition.- Mm.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Bearing in mind the damage, we're looking at about a third of that,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- so maybe £80-£120.- Yes.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00I think we ought to protect it with an £80 reserve.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- I don't think you want to give it away.- No, no.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- If it doesn't sell this sale, you can try it in another.- Yes.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- Are you happy to go along with that? - Yes.- That's fine.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Give it a bash? Well, it's already had a bash.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Let's not give it another bash. - No.- We'll try it at auction.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Now, while that jug's being carefully wrapped up for auction,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23I'm kept busy seeing what else has been brought in.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26- What's your name, Pat?- Pat.- Pat.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31- You know I like my wood, don't you? - I do.- I do like my trees.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- That's bur walnut. Can I have a quick peep inside?- You can.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- It's a writing slope. - It's a writing slope.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40The condition is superb.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- What's this?- It's a letter about the box itself.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- You've done some research, have you? - My nephew did.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Oh, right, OK.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53So he's traced where this box was presented
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- to the national school in Derby. - Derby.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- Derby.- Derby? I can't remember.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02So the inscription on the front is by Mr B Owen
0:29:02 > 0:29:09and it was presented to him in 1870 and the school dates back to 1762.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14- That's nice provenance, isn't it? - Yes.- Really nice provenance.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Generally, these fetch around £200-£300.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19A good campaign writing slope, maybe £600
0:29:19 > 0:29:22but it's got to be a very early one in exceptional condition.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26This is a little later, this is a Victorian one,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29but nevertheless, it's bur walnut and the condition is outstanding.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Is this something that you want to sell?
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- I'm giving it to my son. - Keeping it in the family.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- He's a journalist...- Is he? - ..so I thought it was...
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Ah, so that's quite fitting, isn't it?
0:29:41 > 0:29:43He can do some writing on there.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45I think you're doing the right thing, do you know?
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- Keep it.- Thank you.- Keep it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Some antiques aren't meant to be sold, let's face it.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54They really aren't. This one, sadly, isn't going to be flogged
0:29:54 > 0:29:58but the next one, that Catherine has just found, certainly is.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Let's take a closer look at what she's spotted.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04Beryl and Les, thank you so much for coming along to Flog It!
0:30:04 > 0:30:06and thank you for bringing the most exciting thing
0:30:06 > 0:30:09I have seen for a very, very long time,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11this wonderful leech jar.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Where did you get it from?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It's been in the family for as long as I can remember.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21It's always lived on a shelf in the living room.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24I've no history on it at all.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28- So as a small boy, you saw this at home?- At home, yes.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- And it's survived...- It's survived. - ..in this prefect condition.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- Do you like it? - Not particularly, no.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40- Is it because of the word leeches that is plastered across the front? - Possibly! Possibly so.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- What about you, Beryl?- I like all the holes in the hearts on top.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47I wondered if someone had worked for a big house or something
0:30:47 > 0:30:50and maybe it was passed on down like that. I don't know.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Well, once upon a time, these were actually in a shop.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56They were pharmaceutical jars.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59They would have been lined along with other apothecary jars.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Now these, obviously, contained leeches
0:31:02 > 0:31:08and we can see here these little perforated holes for the leeches...
0:31:08 > 0:31:10- I can see you squirming at it. - I know!
0:31:10 > 0:31:14For the leeches to be contained in here and to breathe.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18These days, these leech jars are hugely collectable.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Lots of people collect these,
0:31:20 > 0:31:24especially when they've got the name leeches right across them.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27You have got a little bit of rubbing there to the decoration
0:31:27 > 0:31:30but, to be honest, overall, it is in lovely condition,
0:31:30 > 0:31:35- although I can see there a tiny little chip on there.- Yeah.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37These were made in Staffordshire.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40It's difficult to say exactly which factory they come from
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- but it's around 1820, around 1830, that date...- Goodness.- Wow.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46..so it's got quite a bit of age to it.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48I'm just amazed you've had it in your family
0:31:48 > 0:31:51on the shelf all this time and I don't...
0:31:51 > 0:31:56- You know, as a young boy, you didn't kick a football or knock the lid off?- No, no.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00It's in great condition, so well done you for keeping it like that.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Now, because they are so collectable,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05we see quite a few reproductions of these.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07A lot fakes come on the market.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11And one of the ways to tell with these are that the holes are much bigger.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- Oh, right.- So they haven't quite got it right
0:32:14 > 0:32:18because the leeches could have crawled out of bigger holes.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- Now, estimate wise. Any ideas? - No idea at all.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24How does £2-3,000 sound?
0:32:24 > 0:32:25LAUGHTER
0:32:25 > 0:32:27No? £2-3,000?
0:32:27 > 0:32:32£2-3,000? They are very collectable, very sought after
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- and it is worth at least £2-3,000. - Oh!
0:32:35 > 0:32:39The only thing that people may worry about is that slight chip
0:32:39 > 0:32:44but generally speaking it's just absolutely fantastic.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49I would be so proud to own this. It's really lovely.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- You've just made my day bringing it in. Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- You looked shocked!- I'm shattered.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Don't fall down and knock this over.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59You've looked after it all this time.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04So that leech jar is off to the sale room
0:33:04 > 0:33:07with a valuation of £2,000 to £3,000
0:33:07 > 0:33:09and a reserve at £2,000.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Over to Mark now, who's found our final collectable of the programme.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16He's with Paul and Celia, who have a fine military brooch.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20- Now, a little military brooch. - Indeed.- Family history?
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Yes, it was my father's and he gave it to my mother
0:33:24 > 0:33:26when they were based in Germany
0:33:26 > 0:33:29and it would be worn at cocktail parties and mess dos
0:33:29 > 0:33:31and things like that.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- It's a sort of sweetheart brooch, really.- I suppose so.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- And your father was serving in the Royal Artillery?- He was.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- He was a captain and he left as a major.- Oh, wow.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43You don't go out to cocktail parties, I guess?
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Not military ones, no. - Not military ones, so erm...
0:33:46 > 0:33:50And it's just sitting there, not being appreciated, not being worn.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54I'm scared stiff that if I did wear it I'd lose it, so I'd rather...
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- Pass it on to a collector. - Well, hopefully, yes.
0:33:57 > 0:34:03- Or somebody who's serving. - Exactly.- It would be a lovely present for his wife.- It would be.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04Because the first thing to say is
0:34:04 > 0:34:08regiments are collectable in their own right
0:34:08 > 0:34:09and some are rarer than others.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Also, they come in different standards.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14This one, obviously, is in gold
0:34:14 > 0:34:18and not only do we have enamel work, we have different colour gold
0:34:18 > 0:34:20and we have, of course, the wheel
0:34:20 > 0:34:25and it's surrounded by little diamonds with a ruby in the centre.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- Are they real diamonds?- They are. They're rose-cut diamonds.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32- One is missing but you knew that. - Yes, I did, yes.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34It's a very, very nice lot.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Have you any idea how old that would be?- Erm...
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Difficult to say. It's probably the beginning of the last century.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- Right.- 1920, '30, something like that.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47And I think it would attract interest in the sale room.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49If I was putting that in for sale,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53I would probably put it in hopefully with a slightly cautious estimate
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- of something like £250-£350.- Right.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- I've spoken to my jewellery colleague about it.- Yes.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04He says... I suppose it's because your late father was captain
0:35:04 > 0:35:07and ended up as a major, it's top end of the range,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10rather than one of the ones which would have smaller
0:35:10 > 0:35:12if it was lower down the ranks.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15He says it should easily make that and maybe a little bit more.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- We'd have to protect it with a reserve, of course.- Yes.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20We don't want it to be given away.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23I wouldn't really want it to go for less than that.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- I don't think it would be worth... - No, I don't.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28- We should put a reserve of £250 on it.- OK.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- We won't sell it for a penny less than that.- Right.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35- And hopefully, we'll actually get 300, 350 for it.- OK.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38- If we can protect it with a 250 reserve...- That would be lovely.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40..and then if it doesn't go,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- you can try it in another sale after that.- Yeah.- Right.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- But it is a wonderful object. - It's very pretty.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- Is that all right? - That's wonderful. Thank you.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52- I look forward to seeing you at the sale.- You, too. Thank you.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56And that's it. We're off to auction one more time
0:35:56 > 0:35:59and here are Catherine and Mark to remind us what they've chosen.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Well, this Crimean Sunderland lustre jug is a real piece of history
0:36:03 > 0:36:07and at the time, it was probably filled with entente cordial.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09I don't know how it will do but I love it.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12I absolutely love this piece.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15It's a subject I'm passionate about,
0:36:15 > 0:36:19medical and scientific instruments, and this fits right in.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21This is a fabulous piece.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26I'm beguiled by the quality of this Royal Artillery jewelled brooch.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29I just hope the military collectors are at the sale to appreciate it.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34We're selling our items at Cameo auctioneers in Midgham.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37The bidders are ready and our auctioneer today is John King.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41So no time to lose. The sale's underway and I'm joined by Mark.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43We've got the brooch belonging to Paul and Celia
0:36:43 > 0:36:46but they've got the flu, they can't be with us,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49but hopefully, we can raise a bit of cash here.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- It's a lovely thing.- £300 maybe? - Hopefully. I think so.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54These are collectable items.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57We're going to find out right now. It's going under the hammer.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03532 is a very nice Royal Artillery brooch,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05set with diamonds and a centre ruby.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10What am I bid for it, please? 200 for it, somebody?
0:37:12 > 0:37:14I'm bid £200 for it. 210 anywhere?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19At £200 I'm bid for it. 210, 220.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21230, 240, 250.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24260.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29At £260 I'm bid for it.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36At £260 I'm bid for it. Are you all done at £260?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- That's a good result, £260.- They'll be happy with that, I'm sure.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- Short and sweet, wasn't it? - Well, it got there.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- Over the reserve, as well.- Yeah.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50I just hope you get well soon and you enjoy this little moment
0:37:50 > 0:37:52and enjoy the money when you get it.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Now to the Crimean War
0:37:56 > 0:38:02and that jug featuring Queen Victoria and some military figures.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Jean and Dennis, it's good to see you.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08The last time I saw you, you were at the valuation table with Mark
0:38:08 > 0:38:10and that Sunderland lustreware jug
0:38:10 > 0:38:13with the images of Queen Victoria and the Crimean War.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17- And another one had turned up... - Yes.- ..completely out of the blue.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- A baby one.- A baby one. A smaller version. How unusual was that?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23And you teased us. It was a complete fluke.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26- You'd never expect to get that, would you?- No.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- It has got a bit of damage on there. - It's 80-120. That's why, isn't it?
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Exactly. Spot on.- Yeah.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34But you've got to look very closely at it.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Let's hope the buyers haven't.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40There are a lot of people that collect Sunderland lustreware.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43We have a 19th century lustre jug
0:38:43 > 0:38:45depicting French and English soldiers,
0:38:45 > 0:38:49an armorial crest with pictures of Napoleon and Queen Victoria.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53I'm bid £60 for this.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57£60 I'm bid for it. 65 anywhere?
0:38:57 > 0:38:5965, 70. £70 I'm bid.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- Come on. - 75 over there. At £75 over there.
0:39:02 > 0:39:0580 anywhere?
0:39:05 > 0:39:08At £75 I'm bid for it.
0:39:08 > 0:39:0980 anywhere?
0:39:09 > 0:39:15At £75. Your last chance to bid, here. At £75 and away...
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Not quite. One bid away. It had a fixed reserve at 80.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- That's auctions for you. It's a roller coaster ride.- Never mind.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27- Well, you know, we were just shy of that £80.- £80, yes.- So...
0:39:27 > 0:39:34Have a word with the auctioneer, maybe leave it here, re-enter it and lower the reserve to suit that.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- OK.- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42'Auctioneers are in the perfect position
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'to gauge the strength of the current market
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'and that's why I asked John's advice on our next item.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51'It's more china, the Staffordshire leech jar spotted by Catherine.
0:39:51 > 0:39:56'She was very excited and valued it £2-3,000.'
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Beryl and Les's Staffordshire leech jar.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01It's early Victorian, 1840s, 1850s.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04It's been in their living room on the mantelpiece
0:40:04 > 0:40:06for as long as they can remember.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09It's been up high because a lot of these don't survive intact.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- That's right.- The lids go missing or they get chipped.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16We're looking at around £2-3,000, put on by our expert Catherine.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20I'm not surprised. I have to say, these are unusual.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23You don't often see them in this condition.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27- I'm not keen on pale blue. I'd like to see it in white.- I would, too.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31But the shape of it is nice. This top is a nice shape.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33It stands out from the others
0:40:33 > 0:40:37and I think these pharmaceutical jars are very, very collectable.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- They fetch good money.- They do. - Has there been a lot of interest?
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- There has been. We've just got to turn the interest into money.- Yeah.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48And that's what an auctioneer's job is all about.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Come on, John - work your magic for Beryl and Les.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53We've all been waiting for this one.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55I'm standing next to two very nervous ladies.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- This is Beryl, this is Catherine. Where's Les?- At work, I'm afraid.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02He's missing this, isn't he? How did you come by this?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- It's an odd thing to have.- It was in Les's mum's house when we cleared it.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- Was it?- He remembers it when he was a boy.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- It's in very good condition. No-one played with it or used it.- No, no.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Sometimes the lids are missing or they're damaged.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The finial, often, because it's exposed, that gets chopped off.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- It's an acorn shape, that finial. - Yeah. It's lovely.- It's quality.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Good.
0:41:23 > 0:41:24Two to three. Ooh!
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Lot 618 is a fine Staffordshire pedestal leeches jar,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32circa 1840.
0:41:32 > 0:41:33There is a small chip to the rim,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36undetectable once you've put the lid on it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Lots of interest in this, I have to say.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45I'll start the bidding at £1,000 with me. At £1,000 with me.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- At £1,000 with me.- Come on. - At £1,000 with me.
0:41:51 > 0:41:531,100 I'm bid. 1,200 I'm bid.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- 1,300 I'm bid.- He's milking it.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- 1,400 I'm bid.- I hope you're right. - 1,500 I'm bid.
0:41:59 > 0:42:011,600 I'm bid.
0:42:01 > 0:42:041,700 I'm bid. 1,800 I'm bid.
0:42:08 > 0:42:111,900 I'm bid. £2,000 I'm bid.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- It's gone.- £2,100 I'm bid.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18At £2,100 I'm bid on the machine, here.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22- At £2,100 I'm bid.- Come on.
0:42:22 > 0:42:252,150. 2,200 I'm bid.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32At 2,200. 2,250.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Beats me at £2,250 I'm bid.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41At £2,250. Are you all done?
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- Yes!- Well done.- Wow. - Great valuation.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48- At least you don't have to take it home.- Take it home!
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Can you imagine breaking it, now you knew what it was worth?
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Wow! Wow!
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- You're shaking.- I know. - You are, aren't you?
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- And this is your first auction. - Absolutely.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- It's your first time on telly, first auction.- I know, I know.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Got rid of your leech jar!
0:43:06 > 0:43:08You're going places!
0:43:11 > 0:43:12Well, what a busy show.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15We've had a great time at our valuation day in Henley
0:43:15 > 0:43:18and here, too, at the auction room in Midgham
0:43:18 > 0:43:20and most of our items sold.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Join me again soon for many more surprises
0:43:24 > 0:43:26but for now, it's cheerio.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:47 > 0:43:48E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk