Wellington Flog It!

Typical British weather - either too hot or too wet.

But we won't let the rain dampen our spirits.

We've got a massive turnout today,

all eager to find out if their treasures are worth a few bob.

Somebody in this queue will go home with a lot of money.

I don't know who it's going to be, but stay tuned and you'll find out.

By my watch, it is 9:30.

Time to get this massive queue inside.

All these people have come here

to ask that all-important question, which is:

CROWD: What's it worth?!

And if you're happy with the valuation, what will you do?

-CROWD: Flog it!

-Let's get on with the show.

'Our experts are on hand to offer valuations.

'The best items will be taken to auction later in the programme.

'Elizabeth Talbot is on the lookout for something eye-catching.'

Oh, my goodness! Toys and toys and toys! You've collected all these?

'She's been in the business 25 years

'and does regular antique phone-ins on BBC Radio.'

Of all we've seen so far, that's what makes me go, "Oh!"

I do clean that one. That was the only one I cleaned.

'Philip Serrell has always been at home in the cut and thrust of the antiques trade,

'though he fancies himself as a bit of a matchmaker.'

-They're military badges.

-Badges.

What have you got?

-Did you two know you were both coming?

-No!

-This is by accident?

That's just the wonder of television!

'As everyone settles in,

'here's a glimpse of what's to come on today's programme.

'An eye-catching young lady gets Phil all a-fluster.'

I... really don't know what to say!

I hope you've learnt something. I have.

'And Elizabeth's hopping about with excitement at auction.'

-AUCTIONEER:

-170, 180...

-This is more like it.

'Which of today's antiques will hit the hundreds? Stay tuned in and find out.

'So, to our first item of the day with Philip Serrell.'

-Stuart, how are you doing?

-Fine, thank you.

Do you not think you're a bit big for...this?

-I am slightly now.

-Yeah.

-HE CHUCKLES

I have a view with this stuff.

I think we can create a new "Flog It!" word - rememberbilia.

This is memorabilia that you remember from a time in your life,

clearly your childhood.

It's a fabulous collection.

Were these bought for you when you were a little one?

Yes. All the Magic Roundabout stuff was bought for me when I was two or three.

That one... Lord knows how old I was when I was given that.

-Laurel and Hardy?

-Laurel and Hardy, I just acquired them.

I must have picked them up, as a kid, at a jumble sale.

Noddy here, he's probably, I would think, '60s.

He's like that bendy, squirty stuff, isn't he?

Yeah.

These are Corgi models. We've got Miss Piggy here, from the Muppets?

Yeah, the Muppets.

My guess is that this was probably '80s, and I would think...

That's an old Citroen Safari, isn't it,

and these would probably be '70s.

Yeah, I would say.

They were a bit sort of "heavy", weren't they?

When you were two or three, you didn't pay much attention to that.

We've got Dougal. He was a bit of a hero of mine.

-Who's this one here?

-Er... that is Dylan.

Dylan.

-And that's Brian the snail.

-Brian the snail.

Zebedee. Boing! said Zebedee.

-You got all these off pat?

-Yeah.

Why Magic Roundabout?

It's the thing I was brought up with as a child, basically.

I just think it's great fun. They're not hugely valuable.

This one here, this Corgi Magic Roundabout Citroen,

it's just a die-cast toy, produced in thousands.

I just think that, at auction,

-I'd sell the whole lot as one collection.

-Yeah.

I'd probably put £40 to £60 on it and a fixed reserve of £30.

So what's going to replace your life for the Magic Roundabout?

Well, my other passion is movie musicals and West End theatre.

-Really?

-Yes.

-That's good. It's a bit more grown-up.

You can talk about that with some confidence with your mates.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

Let's hope they sell really well. Thank you so much for coming.

'It's not just Phil and Stuart who have toys on their minds today.

'We always see a few at valuations, proof that rememberbilia, as Phil calls it, is always popular.

'Back to grown-up collectibles now.

'Elizabeth has spotted a beautiful micro mosaic brooch.'

-A fine, quality piece of jewellery you've brought here, Adrian.

-It's very nice.

-Is it something you've inherited?

-It is, yes.

It belonged to a good friend of mine's mother.

I believe she acquired it from a jeweller friend of hers

after her first husband died in the First World War.

It's a charming piece of late-Victorian jewellery

and I'm a great admirer of the production of micro mosaic -

this is micro mosaic jewellery -

because of the time and effort that goes into producing a picture

in absolute miniature,

using tiny fragments of colours, glass and ceramic,

to make up the picture.

In a way, we're used to seeing these days through computer imagery.

You can imagine breaking down a well-known scene into little squares, then building it back up.

But in those days it was all done through precision work and magnification.

It's a piece which, I would suggest, dates from the last quarter of the 19th century.

It's losing the fussiness of the mounts which a lot of Victorian jewellery would have.

I think it's better for that because it sets off the scene

of the Roman columns and the temple in the middle there

in a way which doesn't detract from the focus of the picture.

Micro mosaics were produced in lots of countries,

but primarily in Europe, particularly in a place like Italy,

who were very well known for the manufacture of such things.

They often set them off in black, whether in jet or ceramic or glass,

and this, although it's not marked, will be a gold mount.

It is very important to find them in such good condition,

and this one looks perfect.

-Nothing suggests anything has been lost.

-That's great. Yes, very nice.

Micro mosaic jewellery is extremely collectible.

I've had success with other examples on this programme in the past

and I've been tempted to put an estimate between £80 to £120.

I think it's more likely to be over £100 than under.

That's very nice, yes.

-Reserve of £80?

-Absolutely. That'd be very good.

-We'll do that, and I think that will find favour.

-Thank you.

'We're all enjoying the glorious surroundings of Wellington College,

'and I'm enjoying getting to know some of the fascinating people

'who have come to meet us.'

-Mo, what are you holding there? I like that.

-My little pepper pot.

-Isn't that lovely!

-Isn't she sweet?

How did you come by that?

My mother-in-law gave it to me, but originally it was her mother's.

-It was bought at a jumble sale.

-How much for?

-Sixpence.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Gosh.

-Can I hold her?

-Yes.

-I think she's really cute.

-Be careful.

-I will do.

What's on the bottom? Oh, it's still got its cork stopper.

Copenhagen, Denmark.

This is a bit of earthenware. This is what is called faience.

And it's earthenware with a tin glaze.

It is proper country pottery. Good old-fashioned country pottery.

-And you see that little mark with the three lines through it?

-Yes.

That's the factory strike mark.

These were made between 1903 and 1965.

Oh, great.

I'd say that is, looking at it, around 1940s.

It's got that feel and that look to it. It's in very good condition.

-It's not a pepperer.

-Oh?

-No, it's a sugar caster.

-The holes are too fine.

-Oh, I see!

-Can you see that?

But she's definitely meant to be in the kitchen.

Pretty ugly face on her.

Do you know what I love about this little thing, what caught my eye?

Not just the pretty, floral dress,

but because of the waisted shape.

She's got this bosom which is very much like Thora Hird.

Do you know what I mean? Really buxom. A proper country piece.

And that will look fabulous on an old pine dresser in the kitchen,

or something like that.

A lot of people collect pottery like this.

This is quite rare.

-It's not valuable.

-No?

-But it's very collectible.

-Purely because of the figure. Purely because of that.

-Oh, right.

We always thought it was a pepper pot, you see,

and we wondered if there was a salt pot somewhere.

It would be nice. I'm sure they made versions like this,

but the holes would have been slightly bigger.

Oh, righty-ho.

It's got a value.

If you put this into auction,

I could see it easily fetching £50 because of the novelty factor.

I'd like to put it into auction with a value of £50 to £80.

-If you're happy.

-No.

-Do you want to sell it?

-No. I love her too much.

-For £50, I wouldn't part with her either.

-No.

And I'm so pleased you want to keep her.

This is one that got away. This isn't "Flog It!", it's Keep It.

It's Keep It, definitely. Thank you.

'We need to pin down our third item to take off to auction,

'and it looks like Phil's found it - or, rather, them.

'A pair of candlesticks, owned by Jonathan.'

Do you know, when I first saw these, I got really excited

because I thought they were a pair of 18th-century candlesticks.

I thought, "Wow. We're looking at a four-figure lot here."

And so I was just a touch disappointed when I saw...

They are silver. You've got an English silver hallmark there.

But what's all this barcode all about?

I bought these from a charity shop.

I always watch "Flog It!"

and I know it's silver because of the hallmarks

and I thought it's very cheap for its price.

I thought I'd have a real bargain with it, so I bought it from them.

You can be the expert now, all right?

So explain the hallmarks to me.

-The anchor sign, I thought it was Birmingham.

-Yeah.

-And then the lion sign means it's silver.

-Yeah.

-And it's London.

But I looked on the internet. I couldn't find...

-That's the maker's stamp.

-..the maker's stamp.

-What about the K? Did you date it?

-Yeah. It's about 1930s.

-But I don't know exactly.

-Right. You're getting good at this.

-You knew they were silver, but the charity shop didn't?

-No.

-How much were they?

-£5, for a pair.

£5 for a pair?

Well, Jonathan, I think we taught you really well.

You ought to be highly delighted because I think, at auction...

I think we can put £150 to £250 on these.

So there's potentially £150 to £200 profit in these for you.

-What will you spend the money on?

-At the moment my wife is pregnant.

Really? Don't look at me!

HE LAUGHS No.

-Go on, then.

-Yeah, at the moment my wife is pregnant.

She's due next month, so probably the money will go to the baby.

Oh, that's brilliant.

And if you had a little baby boy, you could call it Philip.

-Philip? No, it's a girl. Sorry.

-Oh, right.

I think you've got a really good eye. Well done, you.

-Thank you for coming.

-Thank you.

-I hope they do really well for you.

It is now time to put those valuations to the test.

We're in the auction room, on the edge of our seats,

feeling really nervous for our owners.

Our experts are normally on the money.

But anything can happen at auction.

'We're taking Stuart's toys.

'While Phil's not expecting Noddy and his chums to break any records,

'he has a hunch that nostalgia will help the sale along.

'Elizabeth chose this Victorian micro mosaic brooch.

'She's hoping its class and beauty will attract the bidders.

'And, to round things off, we have a pair of 1930s candlesticks,

'Jonathan's £5 charity shop bargain,

'which Phil thinks will easily sell for 30 times that amount.

'Our items will go under the hammer

'at the Martin & Pole saleroom in Wokingham,

'and our lots are in the hands of auctioneer Garth Lewis.

'On preview day, I took the opportunity

'of asking Garth about his hopes for Stuart's toy collection.'

Does this take you back to your childhood?

It certainly does. Mine's a bit further ago than yours, but it's very reminiscent.

This collection belongs to Stuart.

Philip, our valuer, has put £40 to £60 on this lot.

There's a few favourites I've got.

I absolutely love Dougal the dog and Noddy, the sponge toy here.

So lots of memories for me, great fun,

and hopefully we'll get a little bit more.

I think perhaps we will. On the face of it,

it's an ephemeral lot which has survived a bit against the odds.

But there are one or two stars which I think they'll pick up on.

I was hoping you'd say that.

So can you pick out any star lots amongst them?

-Yes. There's Dougal's car.

-Yeah.

Mr McHenry there with Zebedee box on the back.

-But the undoubted star, of course, is Miss Piggy.

-Right.

How much would you put a value on her of?

Condition is obviously an issue, and there is some play damage.

But she might even command half of the lot price on her own.

-So you're confident.

-Well, I am, yes.

And on my head be it, but I have squeezed the estimate up just a bit

to £50 to £70 on this just to encourage the buyers.

-And the buyers will be here.

-Great.

'Fingers crossed that there are some rememberbilia lovers here

'because the toys are our first item up.'

I've just been joined by Philip. Unfortunately our owner is not with us. Stuart can't make it.

But we do have all of his toys, and hopefully they'll reach the top estimate.

I had a chat with the auctioneer. YOU know what he said.

-What did he say?

-HE EXHALES

We're in the money?

# We're in the mo...# Are we?

-Ready for this?

-Yeah.

-Could double our money.

-Well!

-I always thought Dougal was cool.

-So did I.

-He was my favourite.

-And Zebedee.

-No, Dougal was...

I wasn't keen on Miss Piggy, but I'll tell you what he did say.

-Miss Piggy is the most valuable one there.

-Really?

-Yeah.

How do you know that? How does he know that?

-Because she's more collectible.

-I...

I... really don't know what to say!

-I hope you've learnt something.

-I have, yes.

-I still like Dougal the best.

-I do as well.

Let's find out what the bidders think.

Twenty-seven is a little collection of toys,

including some Magic Roundabout Corgi figures

and, most memorably, Miss Piggy's car.

I'm sure you've had a look. Interesting lot.

May I say £40 to start, please?

£30 if you like. I don't mind.

Nobody wants it?

-You should've told everybody else.

-Here we go. Someone's in.

£30 bid. Thank you. £32 now.

£35. £38. £40.

£42. £45.

£48 with the lady. New place.

£48. Lady's bid. At £48, then.

If you're done...

£50.

He was right. He knows his Miss Piggy.

£55. £60.

-This is good.

-£60 on my left.

-Boing.

At £60.

£60. Sold.

-Well, I've learnt something.

-Miss Piggy. That's where the money is.

'I wonder if Kermit the Frog was amongst the bidders.

'Now onto serious stuff and that micro mosaic jewellery,

'valued by Elizabeth at £80 to £120.'

It belongs to Adrian here, who's just joined us in the nick of time.

-Cor, sweats on, eh?

-Hopefully.

I'm quite confident about this because this is pure quality.

It is a pretty formulated piece. We see this regularly.

But it is such a strong feel for collectors.

Again, you've got a nice pictorial one and the condition is good,

-so it ticks all the boxes.

-Let's find out what the bidders think.

Nice example of a small, oval micro mosaic brooch

decorated with a colonnaded Roman building.

May we say £50 here, please? £50 for it?

It's bid. Thank you. At £50.

Any further? And 5, with the lady.

Someone down the front.

Competition.

£70. And 5.

£80. And 5.

£90. 5.

£95. Was there a bid here?

£95. Lady's bid. Are we all done?

-£100. New place.

-Yes.

-Bang on mid-estimate.

-£110.

-£110.

-BANG OF GAVEL

-Sold at £110.

-Brilliant.

-I'm happy with that.

-I'm happy with that.

-Excellent.

Quality always sells.

Remember that. When you want to invest in antiques, look for quality.

Condition, good maker's name and provenance, if you can find it.

-Well done, and thank you for bringing in such a great example.

-Thank you, Paul.

'Mid-estimate, a solid sale.

'We're on our way and the bidders are warming up.'

I've just been joined by Jonathan.

And since the valuation day, you've got some good news for us.

Yeah. On the day of the valuation my wife was pregnant.

Now she's three and a half months.

-Ah! A wonderful baby. A little girl or boy?

-Girl.

A little girl, and she's just over there, and there's your wife.

Give us a wave. Hello.

Beautiful baby.

-What's her name?

-Zoe Gabrielle.

Zoe Gabrielle. Philip, look. How sweet!

Her first auction. She's starting young.

You never know, she could be a jewellery expert when she's older, or a fine art expert.

Good luck with this. It is a great time to sell. Why are you selling?

I just bought it in a charity shop for £5.

-No, you're kidding.

-Yeah, a week before the valuation.

Hey... keen eye.

-And you got your eye through "Flog It!".

-Yeah. I learned through watching "Flog It!".

It's all about giving you information so you can take it a bit further, lots of inspiration.

Here we go. This is it.

Good pair of early-20th-century silver sticks.

Say £100 to start, please, surely.

£100 for them is bid. Thank you. Any further?

£110. £120.

£120. £130.

£140. £150.

£160. £170.

£180. £190.

£200 now.

£220.

£240.

My original bidder at £240.

If you're done...

-£240.

-Well done.

-Well spotted, that's all I can say.

If it's out there ready to be bought,

get in there and buy it.

'£240 - a great return on a £5 investment.'

That was our first visit to the auction room today.

We'll come back later in the programme, so don't go away.

While we were here in the area filming,

I took the opportunity to visit a place

where I went with my mum and dad years ago as a little toddler,

and it brought back so many happy memories.

Take a look at this.

MUSIC: "Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus'" by Ralph Vaughan Williams

'This beautiful corner of Berkshire has been a place of recreation

'for as long as kings and queens have lived in Windsor Castle,

'and that's almost a thousand years.'

Today I'm rolling back the years.

I'm in Windsor Great Park, and this is Virginia Water.

The first time I came down this tree-lined avenue, I was that high,

with my mother, father, sister

and our dog, Bella, the boxer dog.

We grew up about four miles from here in a place called Windlesham

before I moved to Cornwall when I was 12 years old.

We came here most weekends,

and I was absolutely fascinated by this 100-foot-high totem pole,

which was a gift to the park from British Columbia.

It's still here. Look at that.

Still looks as impressive.

Oh, gosh, I am reliving some happy memories.

MUSIC: "Oboe Concerto" by Ralph Vaughan Williams

The park started out as a hunting forest under William the Conqueror.

The most active period of landscaping took place

in the 18th century under William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland.

He created Virginia Water

and, with it, introduced a new form of garden design

with a more natural, picturesque landscaping

adorned with follies.

-And swans.

-HE LAUGHS

'Virginia Water was first dammed and flooded in 1753,

'making it the largest man-made body of water in the British Isles at the time.

'The lake was once a place of pageantry and spectacle,

'with follies and fishing temples built on the shore.

'Visits can still admire a Roman temple,

'built from the columns and lintels brought from the ancient city of Leptis Magna,

'and ornamental cascades from the 18th century.'

Windsor Great Park covers a thousand years of history

over a thousand acres of space.

This is the most recent garden design - the Savill Garden.

It was built in the 1930s and '40s by Sir Eric Savill.

MUSIC: "A String Of Pearls" by Glenn Miller

'The Savill Garden is 35 acres

'of contemporary and classically designed gardens

'and exotic woodland.

'It began as a woodland garden

'with native oak, beech and sweet chestnut trees

'but has evolved by incorporating many new plants over the years.'

Now, if you want a tour of the park in absolute regal style,

there's only one way to do it,

and that's to meet up with Jo Buick, who runs Ascot Carriages.

Here you can truly embrace nature.

-Hello, Paul.

-Hello. Thank you for meeting up with me.

-This is Delwyn.

-Hello, Delwyn! How old are you?

-He's about 15 now.

He's very experienced. He's a Welsh Cob from Mid Glamorgan.

He's lovely. How long have you been doing this?

We were invited to do this for the visitors a year ago.

-This is your business?

-Yes, working in these glorious surroundings.

The tours take half an hour to an hour?

About half an hour, or you can book what you like.

-Weddings, parties?

-Yes. Romantic proposals.

-Really?

-Yes.

-You've had proposals on board?

-Yes, underneath the spreading oak tree.

-Or by the lake.

-How romantic!

-It's very romantic.

-And they've been 100% success rate.

-Have they?

-Yes.

THEY LAUGH

-Well, thank you for letting me jump aboard today.

-Pleasure.

And, Delwyn, I'm relying on a smooth ride.

To find out more about the work of the Crown Estate,

I've come to talk to Keeper Mark Flanagan.

-Hello, Mark.

-Paul, Hello.

-Pleased to meet you. Climb aboard.

-Travelling in style today!

-Absolutely.

-This is lovely, isn't it?

-Wonderful.

-A great way to take in the view.

-The best way, I think.

-Walk on.

Tell me a bit about your work. What does the job title mean?

As Keeper of the Gardens, I manage about 1,000 acres of Windsor Great Park.

Gosh, that's a great responsibility.

Wonderful job, but it includes well-known areas

such as Virginia Water lake, the Savill and Valley Gardens,

features like the Totem Pole.

Gosh. And what's the biggest headache, do you think?

The responsibility of all that past history.

We need to be very clear

about what we're doing and why we're doing those things.

We work as a team to present the park

in the best way we can for visitors.

We have 50 staff working in the Royal Landscape, very diverse,

from tree surgeons responsible for the mature trees

right through to people who drive JCBs and tractors.

So we have a wide range of skills and specialisms here.

The most exciting thing must be the planting up,

but it must take years to actually see the fruits of the labour.

It does. Obviously trees take quite a long time to mature,

but we put new features in all the time.

Last summer, for example, we opened a new rose garden,

contemporary, very different, in the Savill Garden.

-That's an instant splash of colour.

-Absolutely.

We're coming to the water, with all the lilies.

This is a Royal Park. Do many of the royals still come and visit?

Obviously the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh reside at Windsor Castle,

which is four miles from where we are here, through the park.

-Any other plans for the future?

-Always. Yeah, always.

We're looking at Virginia Water to do some of the historical restoration work.

But the framework of the landscape that people enjoy

is very long term and we have to take that into account.

The estate must track hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The estimate for Windsor Great Park is about two million visits a year.

That's fabulous. It's the perfect family day out.

Wonderful opportunities for all kinds of recreation.

Cycling, dog-walking, jogging, rollerblading, picnicking.

-And you've got some lovely restaurants on site.

-Lots of refreshment outlets.

It would be a great family day here.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my trip.

Mark, thank you for my tour.

It's brought back many happy memories as a young lad.

-My mum will enjoy watching this, I know.

-Paul, you're welcome.

'We'll head indoors now to catch up with more owners at valuation day

'just down the road from Windsor in beautiful Wellington College.

'There are plenty of people wanting items valued,

'and Elizabeth Talbot is ready with our next owners.'

-Hello, Pete. Hello, Ben.

-Hello.

-I understand you're on half-term this week.

-Yes, I am.

So you've come along with your grandfather

to produce for us today...

Now, this... What can you tell me about this?

It was my nan's, and I'd never seen it.

But when she died, we were clearing out the house

-and we found it in a cupboard.

-Right.

My dad said he could remember listening to it,

but we couldn't find the horn, so it's a shame.

Oh, that is a shame.

So have you seen this before?

I hadn't until this morning, actually,

-when my granddad brought it to my house and said, "Ben, we're going to 'Flog It!'."

-Very good!

-So you had your day planned out for you by your granddad.

-Yes.

I'll tell you a bit about it. It's called a phonograph.

Phonographs were invented in 1887 by Thomas Edison, an American.

-Do you know what the original usage of these was?

-No.

-No.

It was originally intended to capture dictated human voice

so that it could be played back in office use, like early Dictaphones.

They would record on these very delicate wax discs.

There were grooves on the wax discs

and the needle would run into the grooves

and then the voice would be broadcast through the horn,

which, as you say, in this case is sadly missing.

The earliest ones were for office use.

Then, by the early 1900s, they were used for home entertainment,

for playing favourite musical songs and classical pieces

and perhaps a bit of human voice that was recorded as well.

This one dates between 1900 and 1910.

The most usual colour would have been black.

This is unusual because it's maroon.

It reminds me of the early Hornby trains, that colour combination.

-Similar coach lines as well.

-Exactly. Very much of its time.

It was called a Maroon Gem,

and its little horn, which you possibly imagine being brass,

was also maroon-coloured.

-Oh!

-Wow. That would have been nice.

-It would have been nice.

I have seen them, with horns, sell for as much as £300,

but I think, on this occasion,

it's in very good condition, so that counts for it,

but we're looking at about £100 to £150 as an estimate.

-Wow. That's nice.

-Happy with that?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, very.

-Would you like a reserve on that?

-No, I don't think so.

-See how the market takes it.

I think it should achieve its value quite comfortably.

It is a rarity in its own right, even without the horn.

-So fingers crossed.

-Yeah, we'll do that.

-Fingers crossed?

-Yeah.

-THEY LAUGH

'Fingers crossed, the phonograph should do really well at auction.

'Knowing Phil Serrell, he won't be leaving anything to chance.

'He's zoned in on Rosemary, who has a large collection of postcards.'

You've got a fascinating collection here of postcards.

Who's collected these?

Well, as a family, we are well into postcards,

and I think we inherited from my grandmother

most of these movie stars going back to 1904, 1905.

So she started collecting them.

And my mother inherited them from her.

So this is Granny's, this is Mum's. Where's yours?

They're still to come. We're hoarding those so in years to come

they will come on to "Flog It!" in 50 years' time.

-Do you collect them, really?

-Yes. We have boxes and boxes.

-Is this genetic?

-There is something,

because my nieces and nephews are well into sending postcards.

I bet you're a wow at Christmas, you lot!

So let's deal with them. I think we've got two lots here.

-These are all musical stars?

-Movie stars.

-Movie stars.

-Yeah.

I had a flick through earlier.

I don't profess to be an expert

on early-20th-century movie stars and personalities,

but I would guess that that lot's worth around £50 to £80.

Do you? That's... fine.

And put a reserve of £50 on them, with 10% discretion.

-That's those. OK?

-Yeah.

For me, these are so much more fun. Mum had a sense of humour, yeah?

SHE LAUGHS Yes.

My mother was a huge "Flog It!" fan,

and she passed away only about 18 months ago.

-Oh, really?

-And so she's up there watching us, thinking, "Yes."

-I'd better get it right, Mum.

-SHE LAUGHS

I think this is lovely. Look at this one.

And you've got these two storks.

You look at these sort of irreverent children, in a way,

And you don't even need to see the artist's name there

because you know that they're Mabel Lucie Attwell.

She, of course, did some of the designs for the breakfast plates

and the Bunnykins plates that we get to sell.

I just think they're lovely.

They are just wizard.

So I think these are really collectible.

I think these will fly through £60 to £90.

But we should sell them as two lots.

So £50 to £80, 10% discretion.

£60 to £90,

and we'll perhaps give them £10 discretion if they have to.

But I think these will do very well.

I think they're lovely cards and a great bit of fun.

And hopefully we'll keep Mum happy.

SHE LAUGHS

I'm sure we will.

'That's our aim on "Flog It!", to make you happy

'by selling your unwanted collectibles for a decent sum.

'We'll find out later how those postcards get on at auction.

'But first, over to Elizabeth. She's with Paul.'

Your painting caught my eye, Paul.

What can you tell me about it?

-Well, it doesn't belong to me. It belongs to my mother.

-Right.

It was handed down from her mother when she died.

And you've come on behalf of your mother today.

Exactly. She's in a care home being looked after.

Has the family found out anything about it up to this point?

-Do you know anything about it? Or links to the artist?

-Not really.

I'm quite intrigued.

I like the style of it.

The bold, artistic style and use of the brushwork caught my eye.

It's signed very boldly at the bottom "Johnson Hayward".

Now, I haven't been able to find anything about him at all,

even with the facilities here today,

which is frustrating because I like the style.

I feel as though it's somebody,

if they hadn't got full potential at this stage,

-they were certainly showing a lot of potential.

-Really?

The sky is very good. I like the fluffy clouds, very bright sky.

I like the viewpoint going across the river valley

through to the little town there.

But the foreground with these lovely, almost gorse, bushes,

it's very atmospheric, very bold, very vibrant.

All that enthusiasm and not having found anything about the artist

-makes valuation very difficult.

-I'll bet, yes.

I'd be tempted to keep it fairly modest

because there's no precedent found to be able to tie back to...

You know, the last one sold by this gentleman was X, Y, Z.

-I feel instinctively it should be £200 to £300.

-Mm-hm.

But I would recommend a reserve of around about £150 for it

so we're not pushing it too hard.

-I would like it to be more, obviously.

-Absolutely.

-But I wouldn't want to dangle the carrot in front of you.

-I know you can't.

-So I think that's fair.

-Yes.

-Is that all right?

-Yes.

So we'll do that, and who knows?

Who knows? Yes. Fingers crossed.

We've had a marvellous day here and we've now found our final item.

We're off to the auction room to put those valuations to the test.

It's time for us to bid a very fond farewell to Wellington College.

'So this is what we're taking off to auction with us.

'Pete and grandson Ben brought in the Edison phonograph.

'It's missing the horn

'but does include a number of musical cylinders.

'Phil chose the albums of postcards and photos

'collected by Rosemary's mother and grandmother.

'Our third item is the Hayward oil painting,

'valued by Elizabeth at £200 to £300.

'Let's test those values now,

'as we send them all off to auction at Martin & Pole in Wokingham.

'Our auctioneer for today is Garth Lewis.

'We're starting with the first of Rosemary's two lots.

'We'll sell her cheeky postcards later,

'but right now it's those film-star photos.'

Going under the hammer right now, Grandma's inheritance.

-Rosemary!

-I know.

-You should be hanging on to this, shouldn't you?

Maybe, but they've been in the family a long time,

so it's time for somebody else to enjoy them.

I guess you know what we're talking about - that wonderful album.

There's 90-odd postcards in there.

Black-and-whites of movie stars, singers, all that kind of thing.

-Some nice memories.

-Very fond memories.

But let's hope we get that top estimate. What a lot!

I'm hoping that we get any estimate!

-No, I think they should sell.

-They're going under the hammer right now.

Strangely enough, it's gone very quiet.

-Tension's building.

-It is here.

It is in these shoes.

A small album of Edwardian photographic postcards,

mostly actors and actresses.

I have interest on the book here.

We'll start at £50 against you.

I have £50.

5. Thank you. £55. £60 here.

We have a bidder right near us.

Hopefully he's a postcard collector.

He's not put his hand down yet, which is good.

£70. 5. £80. 5.

£90. 5.

And out at £95.

-It's in the room.

-A determined bidder.

If you're done...

Sold. It's £95. Gone straight in, straight out.

'One down, one to go.

'We'll see how Rosemary's postcards do in just a moment.

'But before that, here's Paul with his mum's oil painting.'

-Good luck, Paul.

-BOTH: Fingers crossed.

-Yes.

-We have a jam-packed saleroom. Have you been here before?

-Yes.

-Buying and selling?

-No, just poking my nose in.

Today, hopefully we'll sell big time, looking at £200 to £300.

It's a wonderful oil. It's been kept under glass, so the condition is very good.

-And it was Mother's.

-Yes, it certainly was.

-I like this.

-It's my style. I could live with this.

I think it's lovely and I hope other people like it too.

We're going to find out if the bidders like it.

Let's see what it's worth.

Lot 179.

Johnson Hayward, the artist.

Early 20th-century oil.

Pleasant country scene

with a river meandering through water meadows.

I can start the bidding at £100 against you.

£100 bid.

Any further?

£110. Thank you. £120.

A lot of picture for that money.

£140.

£140.

-Against you at £140.

-Oh, come on.

I'll have to pass the lot at £140 if you're all done.

One more.

-BANG OF GAVEL

-It didn't sell.

-Didn't sell.

-It got so close, and not enough.

-Unbelievable.

That is worth every single penny of that, plus another £100.

We didn't overcook it at all.

I thought it was a bit of a "come and buy me".

I thought it was just fair for what it was.

Well, you've got a decision to make.

We tried.

You can either leave it here for the next sale,

you can take it away, put it in another auction room,

or you can take it home and live with it

and enjoy it because Mum liked it.

-I might do that. Not a bad idea.

-The heritage continues.

-Exactly. That's what it's all about.

Once you get rid of your family heritage, you can't buy it back.

It disappears to auction rooms and antique shops all over the country and you can't buy it back.

And sometimes pictures like that aren't worth selling for £200.

'Talking of family heritage, we're back with Rosemary.

'Her photos sold for £95.

'Now we're selling the seaside postcards.

'Just as we start, we have a late arrival at Rosemary's side.'

-Who have you brought along?

-I'm Lucy, Rosemary's sister.

It was our mother who sadly has died,

but she enjoyed sending postcards and collecting postcards.

-So the money's being divided between you two.

-Oh, absolutely.

-We'll go out and enjoy ourselves.

-Treat yourself to a bit of lunch after the auction.

-Hopefully more than lunch.

You never know, do you? Plus supper as well.

-This could get top money.

-Yeah, I like these.

I think the McGills and Lucie Attwells are so evocative.

It's the Donald McGills for me. They are just the best. So funny.

I can remember, as a ten-year-old boy,

looking at these with my mum and dad.

We were on the pier, on holiday in Cornwall,

and Mum and Dad would walk a bit ahead of me

so I could glance back and look at this without being noticed, but I got a clip round the ear.

Paul Martin, there you are.

-Terribly naughty when you were only ten.

-Oh, yes.

But so funny.

Let's hope they cheer everybody up in the saleroom

and people put their hand up and bid on them.

Another little album of postcards.

Mostly coloured, humorous subjects.

Donald McGill, Mabel Lucie Attwell amongst them.

About 55 in total.

I have a bid here.

Starts at £35 against you.

Any further? At £35.

£38. Thank you. £40 here.

£42. £45. 8.

£50. 5.

Same bidders.

Out at £55. Selling again, then.

Yes! £55.

He meant to have them.

-Wow. That was quick, wasn't it?

-Excellent.

It just goes to show, postcards are so collectible.

If you've got something like that at home,

bring it to one of our valuation days.

The dates of upcoming venues are on our BBC website.

Just log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit and follow all the links.

All the information is there, plus a lot more about what goes on behind the scenes.

If you don't have a computer, check your local press.

It could be you in the saleroom the next time.

'The auctioneer used his 10% discretion

'and let that one go at £55.

'And now to our last lot of the day, the Edison phonograph.

'It's valued at £100 to £150.

'We're taking a few risks here. There's no reserve.'

I'm joined by Pete. Unfortunately Ben cannot be with us. We do have Elizabeth.

We're looking for around £150. It does have the horn missing.

But I like the colour and the rest of it is in good condition

and you had one or two of the wax rolls.

-So it's all heading in the right direction.

-It's all coming together.

Hopefully it'll end on a crescendo. I wonder what the bidders think.

Why are you selling this?

I found it in my nan's house when we cleared it out.

It's no good to me, and I thought if someone's got the horn

it may be a perfect match for someone.

I'm sure someone does. We'll find out.

It's the Edison phonograph.

It is as viewed.

The original horn is missing.

I'm sure you've had a look.

What can I say? £100 for it, please, to start.

£100?

£80 if you like. I don't mind.

£80 is bid. Thank you.

£80. Any further? £85.

It's worth every penny.

£85. £90. £95.

£100. £110. £120.

It's near me here at £120.

-Against you on the telephone.

-There's a phone bidder.

£130 now. £140.

£150. £160.

Battling it out for the commission.

£170. £180.

This is more like it.

£190.

£200 now.

£220. £240.

£260. £280.

£280. Telephone's out.

£280 against you in the room. Are you all done?

-There we go. It was worth looking in your nan's attic.

-Good price.

-I didn't think I'd get that.

-Happy?

-Yeah.

Well over the top. £280. It should be worth that with the horn.

-Did you ever think of trying to find a horn for it?

-I wouldn't know where to look.

-So you never heard it played?

-No. My dad said they sat round and heard it.

-It's a most wonderful sound.

-A magical sound.

-It is magical. It's time stood still.

Well, that's it. It's all over. Another day in another saleroom.

I hope you've enjoyed watching our show today.

It was a bit of a mixed day. We had a few highs and a few lows.

The interesting thing is,

the things we thought would fly away struggled

and the things we thought wouldn't do that well absolutely flew away.

It just goes to show - you can't predict what something's worth.

See you next time on "Flog It!".

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