0:00:03 > 0:00:06Today we're in Wells, Somerset, England's smallest city.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12They say beautiful things come in small packages and that's true of this stunning Somerset gem.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Let's hope we dig out some small items with big values. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:42 > 0:00:46We've chosen Wells Cathedral for our valuation day venue.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48It's a true architectural gem,
0:00:48 > 0:00:53the first cathedral in the country to be built and designed in the new Gothic style.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57LAUGHTER
0:00:57 > 0:01:02'Serving up the expertise today are Anita Manning and Will Axon.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07'As the owner of one of Scotland's most successful salerooms,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11'Anita is guaranteed to dig out some real interesting finds.'
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'm going to put a red sticker on these folks.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19'He may be a few years her junior, but Will Axon is no young pretender.
0:01:19 > 0:01:25'He knows all the tricks of the antiques trade, so expect some healthy rivalry from this pair
0:01:25 > 0:01:29'as they battle to snag the very best items from our crowd.
0:01:31 > 0:01:38'Coming up on the show, I hear an amazing story about one of the world's greatest artists.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Here we were in our ankle socks and frilly knickers.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'Will is pushed to put a big price on three small paintings.'
0:01:45 > 0:01:52- It depends on how many noughts you put on the end.- 'And we're in for a few surprises at the auction.'
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Incredible. Wow, that's a good result again!
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Yes!- Oh, yeah!
0:02:02 > 0:02:06'So let's head straight over to the valuation tables
0:02:06 > 0:02:11'as Anita casts her eye over David's stunning napkin rings.'
0:02:11 > 0:02:16- Tell me. Where did you get them? - They belong to my son. I'm bringing them in on his behalf.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- You're the message boy? - I certainly am.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- Where did he get them?- I believe he got them at a boot sale.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28A car boot sale story - I love them! How much did he pay for them?
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Not a lot, knowing my son. Probably under a tenner, I would think.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Let's have a closer look at them.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39I particularly like this period and I do like this type of thing.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44It's Arts and Crafts from the beginning of the 1900s.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46They are made of pewter
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and the pewter is hand-hammered.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53They have these asymmetric squares on them
0:02:53 > 0:02:58and we have the little enamelled medallions in the middle,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01so they're aesthetically pleasing.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04If we look on the back,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08we can see that these are called Tudric.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Tudric was the name for the Arts and Crafts pewter
0:03:13 > 0:03:16that was made for Liberty and Company.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20They sold the very best of goods.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25Not only were they good items in themselves, they were the best of design.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- I like these a lot. What do you think of them?- They're pretty.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I didn't think they were that valuable, being just pewter.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I would put an auction estimate on these
0:03:36 > 0:03:39of perhaps £60 to £80.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They may do more than that.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46We do have a pair and they do have the Tudric name on them.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51But I think if we put them in at 60 to 80, it will invite the bidding.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Would your son and yourself be happy to put them to auction at that price?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- It's not bad for a car boot sale. - Not bad at all.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Here's hoping those napkin rings make David's son a nice profit
0:04:03 > 0:04:06when they come up for sale at auction.
0:04:08 > 0:04:15On the other side of the room, Margaret hopes Will puts a big price tag on her three small paintings.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Margaret, I love these miniatures you've brought in.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Have you just plucked these off the wall? Where do they live?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25They've come from our charity shop.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Anything of value we try to keep to one side.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Unfortunately, we've been so busy in the shop, they've been left in the shed.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37We got round to clearing it and these three popped out.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43You saw that Flog It were in Wells today and you thought it was a good opportunity to show them to someone
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- who might tell you what they're worth?- Get more money into the pot.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52You've got a bit of a mix here. You've got this chap at the front
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- who, obviously, is Nelson.- Right.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00I've had a look at him under my eyeglass and what we've got there is a print
0:05:00 > 0:05:06that has then been highlighted over the top just to give it a bit of depth
0:05:06 > 0:05:10and the impression of being a hand-painted miniature,
0:05:10 > 0:05:14so he's not going to be as valuable as something painted from scratch.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19This fella is in this very typical frame for the early 19th century,
0:05:19 > 0:05:25but again I've had a look under my eyeglass at him and he is painted from scratch
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and I think the naive quality about him will appeal.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- Do you think he's a good-looking chap?- They're growing on me.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37You might be tempted to put your hand up at the sale if you could?
0:05:37 > 0:05:41It depends on how many noughts you put on the end.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45We're talking about noughts already! You weren't thinking double figures?
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- I'm hoping as much as possible. - Well, me too.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54This chap here again looks rather splendid there in his blue blazer and his cravat,
0:05:54 > 0:05:59but I've had a look at him under my glass and he is again painted from scratch.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05Again he's got that naive quality that will appeal, as well as being presented in this nice gilt frame.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08He's lost the glass and he's loose in that frame.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- Let me prise him out because he hasn't got a back on him.- No.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18Let's have a look at him now. I'll flip him over. We've got this rather nice little inscription.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24- "Drawing by..." It's difficult to read. I can just make out "Cox" at the end there.- Yes.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29We've got a date there, 1837, which is exactly where you'd expect it to be.
0:06:29 > 0:06:36- You've given an idea that you think they might be worth figures with noughts on the end.- You never know.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38You don't know until the day.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41You're quite right. The proof is in the selling.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- Yes.- I like the way you're approaching it.
0:06:45 > 0:06:51They're not terribly fashionable, but people like them. They hang nicely at the side of the fireplace.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55We've already spoken about the overpainted one, the Nelson one.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00I see here not a lot of money, to be fair, sort of £5, £10 maybe.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04This one also has a similar inscription and date to this chap,
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- so I think we've got father and son here. There is a similarity between them.- Yes.
0:07:09 > 0:07:16Bearing in mind the condition, would you be happy if we offered them in one lot, estimated at £50 to £100?
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. - Is that good?- Absolutely.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- That's a bit more than you'd get for them in the shop.- Definitely. Oh, yes, please.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29So let's say £50 to £100 for the three, but let's put no reserve.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- No.- Are you happy for them... - We'll have whatever is on offer.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Then we know something is coming back to the charity. - Thanks very much.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43'We'll be back to see just how many noughts Margaret's miniatures make in a moment.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49'From miniature art to major artists now as Peggy tells me about a run-in she once had
0:07:49 > 0:07:53'with one of the world's most renowned painters - Salvador Dali.'
0:07:53 > 0:07:58I was living in Barcelona teaching English and one of my students said to me,
0:07:58 > 0:08:05"So you've been to see the Dali exhibition. Have you ever been up to Cadaques to see his house?"
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I said, "Never." "Would you like to go?" He said, "Bring a friend."
0:08:08 > 0:08:14I said to my flatmate, "Do you want to go to Cadaques?" "Yes." We both thought, "Nice little motor car.
0:08:14 > 0:08:20"A little Fiat." The following morning, two motorbikes and two fellas turned up on the doorstep.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Awful, awful motorbikes at that!
0:08:23 > 0:08:30Here we were in our ankle socks and frilly knickers on the back of a motorbike.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34It's 60 miles from Barcelona to Cadaques, unpaved road!
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- I bet your bum ached, didn't it? - Oh, the draught you can't imagine! Or can you?- Yes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Absolutely marvellous.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47But we got there after this terrible journey and there he was with his wife Gala.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52I went over and said, "I'd ask you for your autograph, but I've nothing to write on."
0:08:52 > 0:08:55He drew this letter out of his pocket
0:08:55 > 0:09:00and he said, "This is a fan letter I've just received from Madrid which I will give to you."
0:09:00 > 0:09:03He said, "I'll sign it." And he did.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07He signed it there right in front of me and said, "There you are."
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I went out in an absolute daze.
0:09:09 > 0:09:15At auction, Salvador Dali's signature is only worth £100. You shouldn't sell that.
0:09:15 > 0:09:21I think your story is priceless. If you'd had a few doodles on there, it would be worth £300 to £400.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25How does it go? If wishes were horses and beggars were kings...
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- I've never heard that before. - Haven't you?- No.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Where's your grandmother been all your life?
0:09:32 > 0:09:38Don't tell me I've got to this age and I've got to adopt a grandson. It's too much, Paul. It really is!
0:09:38 > 0:09:43'Her letter may not be worth much, but I thought Peggy was absolutely priceless.
0:09:46 > 0:09:54'Back over at the tables, Terry is hoping that Anita can help him to re-home his unwanted heirloom.'
0:09:54 > 0:10:00Thank you so much for bringing in this very impressive-looking desk set.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Can you tell me where did you get it?
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I inherited it from my mother
0:10:05 > 0:10:11who I think inherited it from a general she used to do domestics for.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Did you have it on display?
0:10:13 > 0:10:17No, sadly, up in the roof, in a box.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20And now we're downsizing,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23so everything must go.
0:10:23 > 0:10:29So we looked at this and thought, "It's nice. Let's see if it's got any reasonable value to it."
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Let's have a look at this set.
0:10:31 > 0:10:38The first thing here is this very impressive domed or casket-shaped box.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42This would have been a stationery box at one point
0:10:42 > 0:10:46and we can see where we would have had compartments.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52These have long gone and this makes a wee bit of a difference in the price.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57But the exterior of the box is wonderful.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00It's made of burr walnut.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05It's highly decorated and bound with these brass decorations
0:11:05 > 0:11:09and these tiger's-eye, agate insets.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12So we have the stationery box.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18We have the book slide. These come up like this and the slides will slide along.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24And I think my favourite piece here is this notebook or blotter.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Again it's decorated in the same way and all in good condition.
0:11:28 > 0:11:35- Do you have any idea of value? - None whatsoever.- So you haven't really thought of that before?- No.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37If it was going into auction,
0:11:37 > 0:11:43I would put an estimate of £100 to £200 on it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47We have three items here, so that makes it more interesting,
0:11:47 > 0:11:52but we do have the inside of the box missing.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56I'm sure that 100 to 200 is conservative.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01But would you be happy to put it to sale at that price?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Yeah. Yeah, I think so, definitely.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09Well, we'll put it in and we'll perhaps put a reserve of, say, £80,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12just to safeguard it if that's needed.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- Thank you very much for bringing them along to Flog It.- Thank you.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Terry's desk set may have been a hit with Anita,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24but we'll find out in a moment how it goes down with the bidders.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29Our experts have made their first choice of items to take to auction.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33I think there's a few that will fly away. Watch this space.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Here's a quick recap of what we're taking and why we're taking them.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40These hand-hammered, Tudric napkin rings
0:12:40 > 0:12:42should do very well at auction.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47They're just the type of thing that today's market loves.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I picked these portrait miniatures mainly for these two.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57I love their naive charm and hopefully, someone at the auction will be thinking along my lines.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Three items - the stationery box, the blotter and the book slide,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04all nice quality.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Lovely brass, but what I like is this tiger-eye decoration.
0:13:08 > 0:13:14£100 to £200 - that's not dear for three pieces.
0:13:17 > 0:13:23Right, it's auction time. This is where it gets exciting because anything can happen in a saleroom.
0:13:23 > 0:13:29We're putting our valuations to the test at Tamlyn & Son in the heart of Bridgwater.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36'But don't forget. Whenever you sell at auction, you have to pay commission.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40'At this saleroom, they charge 16.5% plus VAT.'
0:13:44 > 0:13:4580. 5. 90. 5...
0:13:45 > 0:13:51'On the rostrum is auctioneer Claire Rawle and the room is bursting with buyers, so let's get cracking
0:13:51 > 0:13:54'with the first in our line-up.'
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Going under the hammer right now, two napkin rings made for Liberty's.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02It's Tudric pewter and this is a case of classic recycling.
0:14:02 > 0:14:08- David, I think your son has got a great eye for antiques. - He seems to, yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- How much did he pay for these?- £4.
0:14:10 > 0:14:16- That's incredible. It is out there. You've got to get up early and know what to look for.- Do your homework.
0:14:16 > 0:14:23Hopefully, we'll get £50 or £60. It is a good name. Let's find out what the bidders think. Good luck, David.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29On to Lot 160, the Tudric pewter, nice pair of napkin rings.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32And this one I have to start away...
0:14:32 > 0:14:34at £100.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- At 100.- Wow! - Do I see 110 in the room?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40At £100.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43110. 120. 130.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47The bid's in the room now at £130.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51At £130, are you all done? Selling then at 130...
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Incredible. The hammer's gone down.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58I wish it was as easy to turn £4 into £130
0:14:58 > 0:15:01just like that every day of the week.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04'Those napkin rings made David's son some easy money,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08'but will we also be quids in with our next lot?'
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- I've just been joined by Margaret. Hello.- Hello.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17- And this is Amanda?- Yeah, this is the boss.- Pleased to meet you, Amanda. Shake hands with the boss!
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- You run the charity shop?- I do. - We're selling three miniatures.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27Two gentlemen and a print of Lord Nelson. This is quite early 19th century.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Very, very desirable. Fingers crossed, here we go, this is it.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38Lot 265, 19th century English School...
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Portrait miniature of a gentleman and a couple of others. Three in the lot.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45And this one I have to start away
0:15:45 > 0:15:47at £130.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52At 130. Do I see 140 anywhere? At 130, the bid's here with me.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54140. 150.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56160. In the room now at £160.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00At 160. Do I see 170 anywhere?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04At £160.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Are you all done at 160?
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Yes!- Oh, yeah! - A round of applause for that.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Do you think they're pleased?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- We thought, "They're not going to sell."- You were a bit pessimistic, weren't you?
0:16:17 > 0:16:23- That's wonderful. I'm all hot. - A bit more than you would have got in the shop maybe?- Yes.- Definitely.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- I'm ever so pleased. - Fantastic.- Brilliant.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31'Another great result. Those good-looking men made a good-looking profit.
0:16:31 > 0:16:37'It's touch wood as the next of our lots goes under Claire Rawle's gavel.'
0:16:37 > 0:16:42It's quality all the way, burr walnut. It's a little desk set, it's beautiful.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47Quality always sells. If you've got the right desk to put this on, job done.
0:16:47 > 0:16:53- We have three parts here - the little box, the blotter and the book slide.- Yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58Let's find out what the bidders think. It's going under the hammer. Good luck, both of you.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Lot 460, the Victorian, brass-bound, walnut desk set.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09And a nice, decorative item. We have to start this one away at £100.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- At 100.- Good.- Do I see 110? 110. 120. 130.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16140. 150. 160. 170. Commission bid at 170.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18At 170. Do I see 180?
0:17:18 > 0:17:20180 on the telephone. 190.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23200.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25210.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27220. 230.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31- I love the dome lid on the box.- Yes. - 240. 250.- It's just quality.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37No. At 250 it is then. At 250. Do I see 260?
0:17:37 > 0:17:41At £250, all done...?
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- Excellent.- Wonderful. You've got to be happy with that.- Very happy.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- I know you were a bit worried earlier on.- Yeah.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53Burr walnut always sells exceptionally well.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56It's the best quality cut timber you can find.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02- Yeah, and we had good condition and three items.- The condition was exemplary, really good.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- Thank you so much.- Thank you.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09'Fortune has favoured our first three vendors and we'll return to the auction room later
0:18:09 > 0:18:15'to see if we can score another hat-trick, but first, take a look at what I discovered
0:18:15 > 0:18:21'when I had the call of the wild and ventured a bit further out in the region.'
0:18:30 > 0:18:36You'd be forgiven for thinking I was deep in the jungle in a faraway, exotic land.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42But actually, I'm situated in a zoo
0:18:42 > 0:18:46smack-bang in the middle of a vibrant urban metropolis.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50# Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo
0:18:51 > 0:18:54# I do believe it
0:18:55 > 0:18:57# I do believe it's true... #
0:19:00 > 0:19:05I'm in Bristol and this is Bristol Zoo, the fifth oldest in the world.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11For the last 175 years, this place has been wowing and delighting a constant stream of visitors,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14bringing worldwide fame to this magical city.
0:19:14 > 0:19:20Keeping wild animals in captivity has changed dramatically since this place was opened,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24so I'm here to find out exactly how they've kept up with the times.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28This place not only constitutes a wonderful family day out.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33It also has become an important centre for conservation and research.
0:19:33 > 0:19:39And over its long history, the zoo has undergone a number of very different incarnations.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44# Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo... #
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Its story starts in the 19th century
0:19:46 > 0:19:53when the boom in international trade transformed exotic animals into worldwide commodities
0:19:53 > 0:19:58and a variety of public institutions sprang up around the world to house and showcase them.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06London Zoo was the first zoo to be launched in this country in 1827.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Bristol followed closely on its heels in 1836.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16At first, these places were known as zoological gardens with an emphasis on education and science,
0:20:16 > 0:20:21rather than entertainment, and they were very much the privilege of the well-heeled.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27But as transport links improved and the working class got more leisure time,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30the zoo became a family day out for everyone.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34But ideas of animal husbandry were very different back then.
0:20:36 > 0:20:42This Victorian building behind me here came with the original land purchase.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46It was a lime kiln, but it was quickly converted into a bear pit
0:20:46 > 0:20:50and along this path here is one of the original poles
0:20:50 > 0:20:54that the bears would climb up to take food from the visitors.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04But it was in the 1960s that this zoo reached its heyday.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10The opening of the Severn Bridge helped this zoo breach the one million visitor mark
0:21:10 > 0:21:14for the very first time, but the zoo had also gained a lot of popularity
0:21:14 > 0:21:19with the very remarkable BBC children's television programme, Animal Magic.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25"Do you mind if I come and sit on your lap?"
0:21:25 > 0:21:32With Johnny Morris playing the role of the bumbling Bristol zookeeper who could talk to the animals,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36the show captured the imagination of a wide viewing audience.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40You don't know it, but you're coming back to Bristol with me.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44"Bristol? Where is Bristol? Is it in France?" No, it's in Angleterre.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48To get a handle on how much this place has evolved over the years,
0:21:48 > 0:21:53I've come here to have a chat with one of the zoo's longest-serving employees.
0:21:53 > 0:21:59- He's Senior Curator of Animals, John Partridge.- Hello.- Pleased to meet you.- Nice to meet you too.
0:21:59 > 0:22:05- What a lovely day!- It's beautiful. - Tell me about the important firsts that have taken place here.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10There have been quite a lot. The first chimpanzee in Europe born here in 1934,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13the first gorilla in 1971,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17black rhinoceros, the first UK birth in 1958,
0:22:17 > 0:22:22first male polar bear born in the UK in the same kind of year, '58, '59.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26We've pioneered different ways of looking after animals as well -
0:22:26 > 0:22:32the first nocturnal house, reversing day and night, so people can see animals that are active at night.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38That was in 1953. It's important to continue to develop, so we try and bring people into the habitats too,
0:22:38 > 0:22:44so they can walk through a lemur exhibit with our lemurs and be in the enclosure with them.
0:22:44 > 0:22:50There's been a number of memorable animal characters over the years. Can you name a few of them?
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Alfred the gorilla came to the zoo in March 1930
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and lived here for 18 and a half years.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00At the time, keeping gorillas in captivity was extremely difficult.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04He was the only gorilla seen in Europe for some of that time.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Alfred became a huge character and the zoo's most popular resident.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14When he was young, he was famous for being taken for walks on a lead around the zoo's gardens.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22And some animals even got to make it outside the zoo.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27In 1961, Wendy the elephant and her companion Christina arrived at the zoo
0:23:27 > 0:23:31and they were taken for regular walks around the local streets.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35The people would often pop out to feed them little treats.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46But there were occasions when the animals from the zoo went absent without leave.
0:23:46 > 0:23:52There's a cutting here in March 1934 that says that 11 monkeys, I think they were rhesus monkeys,
0:23:52 > 0:23:58escaped from our monkey temple and they managed to get out and go out on to the down
0:23:58 > 0:24:03which is just across the way here, so there was a bit of a palaver getting them back.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08But with a little bit of food and a lot of patience, you can get these animals in.
0:24:09 > 0:24:15But "in" for a lot of the animals, especially the larger ones, was not a pleasant place.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The cages were often bare and small.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23However, thanks to an improved understanding of animal husbandry,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Bristol Zoo is a very different place from what it was.
0:24:27 > 0:24:33Can you give me a brief outline on how different today the zoo is, compared to 175 years ago?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35We've developed an awful lot.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40Historically, we've kept large animals - giraffes and elephants and so on.
0:24:40 > 0:24:46It's a bit more difficult to do that now in the way we want to keep our animals and show them to the people.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52We have more natural enclosures now. Our gorilla enclosure is a really big, natural environment
0:24:52 > 0:24:55with natural vegetation for them to live in.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00We concentrate on conservation breeding, not just here in the 12 acres in Bristol,
0:25:00 > 0:25:06but we have all sorts of in situ breeding programmes and efforts going on in places like Madagascar,
0:25:06 > 0:25:12Cameroon in West Africa, so we can explain to people what we're doing by showing them the animals here
0:25:12 > 0:25:16and then doing very good conservation work out in the natural habitat.
0:25:16 > 0:25:23You do a lot of work internationally protecting endangered species, but you do a lot here on site as well.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28We have many critically endangered species and one or two that are extinct in the wild.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31In some cases, they can only be found in a zoo -
0:25:31 > 0:25:34several species of Partula snail or Polynesian snail.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38One species is not found anywhere else but here in Bristol Zoo.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43It's extinct in the wild and if we don't do well with it, we lose it.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48And our latest conservation success story is with our Asiatic lions.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Two animals, Kamal and Shiva, were brought together last year
0:25:52 > 0:25:56and Shiva, a first-time mother, actually produced two cubs,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00so we have a male and a female cub called Jay and Kaly.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03They are a very important birth for us.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08There's less than 400 Asiatic lions in the wild and they're in only one part of India,
0:26:08 > 0:26:13so we're part of an internationally managed breeding programme for this endangered species.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16# Mama's taking us to the zoo tomorrow... #
0:26:16 > 0:26:23Over the past 175 years, the zoo has brought six generations of Bristolians closer to wildlife.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27It's helped save over 175 different species from extinction
0:26:27 > 0:26:33and taught half a million schoolchildren the wonder and value of nature
0:26:33 > 0:26:36and given more than 50 million visitors a wonderful day out.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42Looking forward to the future, its hopes are to become the best city zoo in the world.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45If you want my opinion, it already is.
0:26:54 > 0:27:00At the human zoo of our valuation day, Bernard seems to have risen above the roar of the crowds
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and beaten a path to Will's table.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Has this been on your wrist from new? How did you come by it?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10A friend of mine gave it to me, like, you know.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15He took... He was a landlord of a pub and I used to do bar work.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19It was a farewell present sort of thing.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Rolex, obviously, is a brand that everyone is familiar with.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25This one here is fairly plain.
0:27:25 > 0:27:31- To be fair, it's towards the sort of more run-of-the-mill model of Rolex.- That's right.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35This is a manual wind, so the movement isn't as sophisticated
0:27:35 > 0:27:39as an Oyster Perpetual, i.e, self-winding or automatic.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45If I'm being super-picky, there is a bit of discoloration on the dial, but you can get that repaired.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48You can have the dial cleaned or reprinted.
0:27:48 > 0:27:54Your friend gave it to you as a gift. Have you had it insured? Any idea what it could be worth?
0:27:54 > 0:28:00- Well, the insurance is about 1,200, like.- Right, OK.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04The trouble we'll run into here is the fact that insurance valuations
0:28:04 > 0:28:07are always a lot higher than auction estimates,
0:28:07 > 0:28:12certainly for what we would call jewellery, silver, watches.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16I think this, bearing in mind it is only stainless steel...
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- That's right.- It's a manual wind.
0:28:18 > 0:28:24- The bracelet is associated. That's not a proper Rolex bracelet. - No, it's not Rolex.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28My honest valuation on this piece would be in the region of £200.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32It's a big difference from the insurance valuation you have.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36But how do you feel about that - £200 to £300?
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- I'm fine with that, yes. - So we'll reserve it at that bottom figure at the £200.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- Can I give the auctioneer a bit of discretion? - Yeah, a bit of discretion.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49- I'm pretty sure we'll find a new home for it.- Yes.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54Watch out to see how well Bernard's Rolex does when it comes up for sale in a while.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Right now, it looks like Anita's struck gold with a cache of jewels
0:29:02 > 0:29:04that Pamela has brought with her.
0:29:04 > 0:29:10I'm always delighted to see beautiful jewellery on the show and we have some lovely things here.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15I've collected them over a period of time and I think they're lovely too.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21- I really do.- Can you tell me where did you get these items? Let's start with the cross.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25The cross was on a happy weekend in Rhodes with my husband.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30The mourning locket followed on when he died, of course.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33This one was a gift given to me by a friend
0:29:33 > 0:29:36and this one again just a gift from a friend.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- Why are you looking to sell them now?- My granddaughters like silver,
0:29:40 > 0:29:46so I thought I'd probably sell them and split the money or give it to my sons, whatever.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51- They don't see beauty in the same things that you and I do. - Let's have a wee look here.
0:29:51 > 0:29:57This cross, the setting is absolutely beautiful and it's beautifully done.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01When I looked at this at the beginning, I thought it was an amethyst,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05but it's not, it's a synthetic stone.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09We also have the item on a nine-carat chain
0:30:09 > 0:30:15and I would like to put an estimate of, say, between 250 and 350,
0:30:15 > 0:30:20- and I would suggest a reserve of around £200.- That's fair.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23If we go on to the next little lot,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25we have two Victorian pieces.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Your first one here, with this very pretty cameo,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34is a little earlier than this one.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39I would say maybe 1860, 1870, 1880.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42We see this swivel mechanism here.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47This would have been used to keep a piece of a loved one's hair.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- I see you have a photograph in here.- I have.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53But it is a mourning locket.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56That's not the mourning locket. That is.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00But this would have been a mourning locket at some point as well.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03I didn't know that.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- This is made of a pinchbeck. It's not a gold.- That's right.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It's made to look like gold and there is some quality.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- This is a finer piece, Pamela.- Yes.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17This is probably 1880 to about 1910.
0:31:17 > 0:31:23It's jet with these seed pearls bedded in this gold laurel
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- and this little anchor.- Yes.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28An anchor often denotes hope,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32so we have some symbolism there.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Both of them very, very nice items.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I would tend to sell these together,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41so to put them together,
0:31:41 > 0:31:43£300 to £500.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- As the pair?- For the two of them.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49With a firm reserve of 300.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Well, you know your business.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55It may do more than that, Pamela.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- An estimate is only an estimate. - It's only an estimate.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Sometimes I can be a wee bit conservative.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Sometimes. Let's hope so in this case.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Yes. Tell me, where have you got this one, Pamela?
0:32:09 > 0:32:14That was just a gift in the '60s or '70s and it's just a pretty piece.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- That's right.- It sits nicely on the neck because it's shaped.- Yeah.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22It's made of tri-colour gold, nine-carat,
0:32:22 > 0:32:27a popular design in the '60s, '70s and even '80s.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29But it has a good gold weight.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33There are 29 grams,
0:32:33 > 0:32:37nearly one ounce of nine-carat gold in it.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42The estimate on that, I would say probably 200 to 250
0:32:42 > 0:32:44with a reserve of perhaps 180 on that.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49- Well, that would be good.- That would be good.- That would be good.
0:32:49 > 0:32:55This is the best time to sell jewellery, particularly if it has a high gold content.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00I know you've enjoyed wearing these, but are you a wee bit sad to see them go?
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Maybe in some ways, but I've had my times with them.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Basically, nothing lasts for ever, does it?
0:33:07 > 0:33:12'I hope Pamela's jewels light up the saleroom when they go under the hammer.
0:33:12 > 0:33:19'Now it's my turn to flex my valuation muscles as I head outdoors with Michelle.'
0:33:19 > 0:33:24- This wonderful walking cane which you don't know a lot about. - No.- How long have you had it?
0:33:24 > 0:33:29I've only had it 15 months since my mother passed away.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34She probably inherited it from her parents. It could have come from the Far East, Malaysia.
0:33:34 > 0:33:40- Your mother has used this.- She has. - She's put this worn rubber stopper on the bottom, bless her!
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- And this little bit of antler is a later addition.- It is.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47I would say that's sort of circa 1910, 1920,
0:33:47 > 0:33:52but I'd put the actual shaft of the cane, which is made of bone,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55at about 1800, 1810.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57- Really?- 1820 at the latest.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Now, my gut feeling is this could be Napoleonic.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07It could be something that a prisoner of war made here or something that was made out at sea.
0:34:07 > 0:34:13I'm not sure what the bone's from. I don't know if it would've been a narwhal tusk because that tapers.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18It's a lovely piece of ropework. You see a lot of this on the legs of furniture.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21It's affectionately known as the barley twist.
0:34:21 > 0:34:27But English furniture will have a double twist. That ropework will go one way, then the other way.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's more generous and it's harder to achieve.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34If you look at Flemish and French furniture,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37that has a single rope twist like this,
0:34:37 > 0:34:42so it leads me to believe it's possibly continental and probably French,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- done by a Napoleonic prisoner of war.- Oh!
0:34:45 > 0:34:49And that is absolutely beautiful, isn't it?
0:34:49 > 0:34:53It's so symmetric, considering it's all carved by hand.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- What do you think it's worth? - Somewhere in the region of 90-plus?
0:34:57 > 0:35:02- You're about right. I was going to say £100 to £150 tops. OK?- Super.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Let's put it into the saleroom with a value of £80 to £120.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11I know it's a cliche and we all keep talking about it, but it covers the lower end
0:35:11 > 0:35:13and it also covers the higher end.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16That is very reasonable.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- With a reserve at £80.- That's a lot more than I valued it.- OK.
0:35:20 > 0:35:26- We'll let the auctioneer have a bit of discretion at the 80.- OK. - But I think that's quality.
0:35:26 > 0:35:32- It's beautiful.- Thank you for bringing it in.- You're welcome. - Sadly, I have to take this from you.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36- We'll have this bubble-wrapped and insured.- Brilliant.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40- That's lovely.- We'll see you in a few weeks' time.- Thank you.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44'We'll see if that walking stick flies out of the saleroom in a moment.
0:35:44 > 0:35:50'First though, here's a quick recap on the items we've chosen to take to the auction and why.'
0:35:50 > 0:35:54For anyone looking for a new watch, you can't get better than Rolex
0:35:54 > 0:35:58and I think £200 to £300 is a pretty reasonable estimate.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01I'm dripping with gold and jewels.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05I've split this interesting little group into three lots.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Gold and jewellery are doing well just now.
0:36:09 > 0:36:16I'm putting this into auction because it needs a bit of recycling. I think it's from the Napoleonic era
0:36:16 > 0:36:20and that deserves a place in the auction room.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23'We're back at Bridgwater for the auction
0:36:23 > 0:36:26'and the saleroom is bursting with budding buyers,
0:36:26 > 0:36:28'all on the lookout for a bargain.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32'The auctioneer is Claire Rawle and first up is Bernard's Rolex watch.'
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Did you ever wear it?
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Oh, yeah. I wore it plenty of times, like, yeah.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- But then I thought, well, I might lose it.- It's a valuable thing.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48We've got £200 to £300 on this. Hopefully, it'll do that and a bit more.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- Let's find out what this lot think. Here we go.- OK.- Over there.
0:36:53 > 0:36:59Lot 115 is the gentleman's Rolex Oyster Royal watch.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03A 1950s one. This is Lot 115.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06And I have to start it straight in at £240.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- Yes!- 240. Do I see 250 anywhere?
0:37:08 > 0:37:11At 240, the bid's with me.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14At 240. 250 on the telephone?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17250.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20260 with me.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- They like it. - At 260 the bid's here with me.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Do I see 270 in the room?
0:37:25 > 0:37:30At £260 then, if you're all done. Selling here at 260...
0:37:32 > 0:37:37- Mid-estimate, well done, Will. And that's £260 for you.- That's right.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40What will you do with that? Treat yourself to something?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- Yeah, a holiday or something like that.- It'll help towards that.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49- Yeah.- He got given that watch for collecting glasses in a pub.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54- You were a loyal customer. - I must have been.- You probably spent more than that in booze.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57I'm getting my own back now!
0:37:57 > 0:38:00'A solid mid-estimate outcome for Bernard.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03'Now it's Pamela up next.'
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Have you been sunbathing? Have you been in the garden?
0:38:06 > 0:38:09No. Now I'm retired, I travel about a bit.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- Where have you been?- I went to Dubai for the cold weather.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17I came back from there and I went to Spain, just to see a friend.
0:38:17 > 0:38:24Gosh, you jet-setter, you! We've got some jewellery about to go under the hammer, split into three lots -
0:38:24 > 0:38:27one necklace, a mourning locket and another necklace.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31It could be quite a lot of money. You could be jetting off again.
0:38:31 > 0:38:37- The first lot going under the hammer is the necklace. - It's a beautiful cross pendant.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41The auctioneer has tested the gold mount and it's tested for 18-carat,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44so I'm happy about that and it's on a 9-carat chain.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49- Let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go. - And that was a weekend in Rhodes.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- Oh!- This is it.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58Lot 55 is a decorative cross pendant with the amethyst-coloured stones.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Nice, decorative item.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I have to start straight in. I've got £250 here.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06At 250. Do I see 280 anywhere?
0:39:06 > 0:39:08The bid's with me at 250.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12At 250. Now 280? 280. 300.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16- 320. 350. 380... - They love this, don't they?
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- 420. In the room now at 420. - Wow!- At 420.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Do I see 450 anywhere?
0:39:21 > 0:39:26At £420 then. Are you all done at 420...?
0:39:27 > 0:39:30That's the first lot, £420. Now for the second -
0:39:30 > 0:39:33the mourning pendant and the mourning brooch.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38They have lowered the estimate on this one from £300 to £500
0:39:38 > 0:39:40right down to 150 to 170.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Here it is.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49We've got the Victorian mourning pendant and the cameo, lot 61.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52I have to start these straight in
0:39:52 > 0:39:54at £220.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57At 220. At 220.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Do I see 240?
0:39:59 > 0:40:01240. Clears me at 240.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Now 260 anywhere?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07At £240 in the room now.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09At 240. Do I see 260?
0:40:09 > 0:40:12If you're all done at 240...
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- Excellent.- We'll take that. That was very good.- Not bad.
0:40:16 > 0:40:23The quality of the locket and the quality of the carving on the cameo pulled that through.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27- It did well.- Here we go, the last item, the necklace.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33Lot 67 is a nine-carat gold, snake-link type necklace.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36And this one I have to start away at £200.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- Yes.- Very good. - At 200. Do I see 220?
0:40:39 > 0:40:42250. 280.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45In the room now at 280.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48At 280. Do I see 300 anywhere?
0:40:48 > 0:40:50At £280.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53At 280 then. Are you all done at 280?
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Wow, that's a good result again!
0:40:56 > 0:41:00- That's a grand total of £940. - We're in the money!
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- You are in the money, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:41:02 > 0:41:08- That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you.- Thank you.- I'm ever so pleased. Thank you for coming in.
0:41:08 > 0:41:15'Anita's estimate may have been conservative, but it paid off handsomely for Pamela.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20'Now my head's on the block. It's that carved bone walking stick.'
0:41:22 > 0:41:28This could be quite speculative. We're talking about the bone walking stick, 80 to 120.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34It's going to sell at that every day of the week, but some of these things could fly away at 400 to 500.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38I don't want to start bigging this up, but these things can happen.
0:41:38 > 0:41:44- All the money's going to charity, for your dogs?- Yes, towards the Flat-Coated Retriever Cancer Tumour.
0:41:44 > 0:41:49- And you've got quite a few retrievers. - I have. I've got four in total.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54Right, OK, here we go. And they all need help.
0:41:55 > 0:42:01Lot 370 is this rather unusual bone walking stick with the antler handle.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05I've had quite a bit of interest in it, so I'll start straight in.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07I've got £150.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10At 150. At 150. Looking for... 180.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13200. 220. 250.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16280. In the room now at £280.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22At 280. Looking for 300. 300 with Fiona. 320.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25350.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- 380.- Amazing.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33400. 400 on the telephone here. At £400.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34420?
0:42:34 > 0:42:36420.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38450.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40- 480?- Wow!- Wow!
0:42:40 > 0:42:42- 480.- Wow!
0:42:42 > 0:42:44500.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- Gosh, it is your lucky day.- 520.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50550.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51580.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55No? At 580 on Martin's telephone.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58At £580.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02At 580. Are you all done at 580...?
0:43:02 > 0:43:06- What a fabulous result! £580, that was our lucky day.- Brilliant.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Two people fought that out together.
0:43:09 > 0:43:15- All the proceeds are going towards the charity that's looking after the cancer for dogs.- It is.
0:43:15 > 0:43:21- Thank you so much for coming in. - Thank you.- Bless you and bless the dogs as well! I hope they recover.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- They will.- What a wonderful way to end today's show in North Somerset!
0:43:25 > 0:43:29I hope you enjoyed our little surprise at the end.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33Join me again next time for many more surprises. Bye-bye.
0:43:50 > 0:43:54Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk