0:00:02 > 0:00:03This is Colchester town hall,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07our fabulous venue for today. All these wonderful people
0:00:07 > 0:00:10have come to ask our experts that all-important question:
0:00:10 > 0:00:14"What's it worth?" When they find out, it's off to auction.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42It thrived during the 16th century
0:00:42 > 0:00:47when large numbers of weavers and cloth-makers from Flanders immigrated to the area.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51It became one of the most prosperous wool towns in England
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and an area in Colchester is still known as the Dutch Quarter.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Heading our team of experts in this prestigious setting
0:01:01 > 0:01:05are the youthful Kate Bateman and David Barby.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Kate is a second-generation auctioneer
0:01:07 > 0:01:11who knows how to cherish and care for antiques.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- Don't be horrified that I'm going to spit on your picture! - Is that for luck?
0:01:15 > 0:01:18David is a valuer and consultant who knows what he likes!
0:01:18 > 0:01:22- Oh, just look at that! - Yes, I like it.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Coming up on the show, David tries to do a deal!
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- I'll give you a profit. I'll give you six pounds for it! - No, thank you!
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Things don't go too well for me at auction.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Help!
0:01:40 > 0:01:45And I get to learn about the creator of a much-loved aristocratic detective.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49She loved life and lived it to the full.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53What a fantastic turnout we have here.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55I think we're in for a good day!
0:01:56 > 0:02:02First up, cat-lover David is talking to Vivien about a rather sweet little dog!
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Vivien, this is an extraordinary piece to bring along.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07It's heavy because it's bronze.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- Did you buy it from an important gallery?- No, a boot sale!
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- A boot sale where? - Lacock in Wiltshire.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- Where Lacock Abbey was? Is.- Yes.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- Where they filmed Pride and Prejudice.- Yes.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Extraordinary. How much did you pay?
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Five pounds.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30Oh, I don't believe it! I cannot believe anybody would part with this for five pounds!
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- Yep.- What an eye you've got.
0:02:33 > 0:02:39This is a lovely, lovely piece of French bronze sculpture.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41We have the name of the artist here,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45which is Emmanuel Fremiet, at the front here.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47What's important about this sculpture
0:02:47 > 0:02:51is he was born in the early part of the 19th century
0:02:51 > 0:02:55and died just into the 20th, in 1910.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01He produced these wonderful small models of animals
0:03:01 > 0:03:04up until round about the 1860s.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- Oh.- This was his speciality and probably dates from around 1855.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13But he had that sort of sympathetic quality with animals.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19He was able to imbue them with a sympathetic nature.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23So if they were sad or affectionate or happy,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26he was able to produce it in these small bronzes.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29He was very, very popular. They don't come on the market very often.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- Oh. Right.- So this is a lovely find of yours.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I think at one time or another, some attempt has been made
0:03:36 > 0:03:38to maybe polish it?
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- No, not me!- Not you. You're far too sensible!
0:03:41 > 0:03:48- I don't know about that!- In the past I think somebody may have taken a cloth to it.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- Right.- Because it's got highlights here and there.- He looks sad.
0:03:52 > 0:03:53Melancholy.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55A melancholy pooch!
0:03:55 > 0:04:00He brings all the sympathetic response when you look at him.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03He's almost saying, "No walkies today!"
0:04:03 > 0:04:06But I can imagine people holding this
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and stroking it and feeling it.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10It's very comforting.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13The description of the hair by the sculptor is very good.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Has it been in pride of place in your home?
0:04:15 > 0:04:20First of all, it acted as a doorstop, then it just sat on the shelf!
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Sat on the shelf! Gosh!
0:04:22 > 0:04:26I think it's lovely. It's basically a desk ornament.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I can imagine this in a gentleman's study.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Or in a collection of bronze on the shelf.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Why do you want to sell it now?
0:04:34 > 0:04:41It's just sat there, doing nothing, so I thought, "Why not bring it along and see what it's all about?"
0:04:41 > 0:04:44At auction, I think somebody is going to buy this
0:04:44 > 0:04:47because they love bronzes,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51or because they like animalia sculptures, dogs in particular.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54I think they'll pay between 250 and £400 for it.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Do you really?!- I do, indeed. - Ooh, lovely!
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Are you happy with that sort of money?- Definitely!
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- Portugal, here I come! - I'll give you a profit. I'll give you six pounds for it!
0:05:05 > 0:05:06No, thank you!
0:05:06 > 0:05:10Great. Our first item found. What a wonderful find for five pounds.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12No hang-dog expressions there!
0:05:16 > 0:05:19It's me, next, with a bit of a thirst for a bargain.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- All we need, Lena, are two glasses and we're well away!- I know.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28But would one want to drink that, though, it's so old?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30You might.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- You pay your money and you take your chance, with a vintage wine. - Yes.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- 1928.- It is some vintage, 1928. How did you come by it?
0:05:39 > 0:05:42I found it in the cellar of a house I bought.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- A proper wine cellar, or just under the stairs?- Just a cellar with coal and stuff.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- This was down with the coal? - There were loads of bottles down there.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- Loads of them?! All of this?- Yes.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Have you still got them? - No, I only took one.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- You've just got the one?- Yes.- OK.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I did some research, looked on the internet,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05and I put this name in. It's from the Gironde region of southern France.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08If you look on the cork, you can see the name.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Chateau Yquem.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And an amber-coloured
0:06:14 > 0:06:171928 wine is renowned for its complexity,
0:06:17 > 0:06:23its sweetness and it's very drinkable after two decades of laying down.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28But if laid down in the right conditions, it's still drinkable after a century!
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Ooh, my goodness!- After 100 years!
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- Oh, dear.- You wouldn't want to try it, though, would you?
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I won't be around, I suppose!
0:06:36 > 0:06:38It hasn't had its seal broken, can you see?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Wine is a fantastic investment.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43People make millions from investing in wine.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48You're buying it at a young age and selling it six years later
0:06:48 > 0:06:52but you don't take your money out, you just keep reinvesting in earlier wines.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- Have you any idea what that's worth? - No idea at all.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58I looked up this same chateau,
0:06:58 > 0:06:59the same year, same vintage,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03and I saw an amber-coloured liquid like that,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06known for its sweetness, its high acidity.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Which it loses after a while.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12After a while - that's after two decades! - it balances out.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16It fetched quite a good price in auction.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20One sold recently, in America...
0:07:22 > 0:07:25..for 12,000!
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Not wine you can't drink!
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Maybe we could say speculatively,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34we might get 400 to £500 for this in auction.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Really?
0:07:35 > 0:07:38If I'm right. I could be wrong.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I could be going bonkers, absolutely staggering.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- You can only drink it once, can't you?- Exactly.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Once it's open, once the cork's pulled,
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- it's lost its value completely. - Yes.- You wouldn't want to drink it.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Is this something you're thinking of selling?- Well, yes! I am now!
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- Stupid question!- I wasn't when I came here, but I am now.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02You took that out 30 years ago and kept it where, in your kitchen?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Yes.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Good on you, Lena, for hanging on to this for 30 years
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- and not being tempted to drink it. - I sound like an eccentric!
0:08:12 > 0:08:15You're an old magpie, aren't you?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- So, I hang on to a bottle of wine! - 30 years you've hung on to that!
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Can we take a chance?- Yes. - Will you trust me?- Of course!
0:08:22 > 0:08:25We'll put it into auction and let the auctioneer do more research.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- See what he comes up with. - A lovely idea.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- OK?- Yes.- I'll see you at the auction room.- Yes.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36And we'll put 400 to £600 on this bottle of wine.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38It might be worth a bit more.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42It might not be worth anything. You might break it on the way to the...
0:08:43 > 0:08:45We'd better not break it!
0:08:46 > 0:08:48I'll drink to that!
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Now, Kate's hoping to make the headlines with Terry!
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Hello. You've brought in two quite strange items. Tell me about them.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03They're two wooden printing blocks.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07They were used for printing the posters for The Times.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- The Times newspaper? - The Times newspaper.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11How have you ended up with these?
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I worked for the Sunday Observer, which used to print on a Saturday.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- Right.- From Sunday to Friday, The Times was printed
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- at the old Printing House Square. - Right.- Outside Blackfriars station.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Then they moved from Printing House Square to Gray's Inn Road.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- Yes.- When they were clearing all the bits and pieces out,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35I managed to rescue them from the bin!
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- Which I thought was... - They threw them out?
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- There were bins full of... - Is this because old-school printing was dying out
0:09:42 > 0:09:44and being done on computers?
0:09:44 > 0:09:50It could have simply because they were moving and the printing presses were never going to be used again.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Everybody was just leaving.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56You picked them up and thought you'd have a bit of history?
0:09:56 > 0:09:59No, I actually picked up a piece of wood! I saw it round that way.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02I thought, "What a nice piece of wood. I'll have that."
0:10:02 > 0:10:06When I turned it over from out the skip, or out the bin,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10I saw "The Times." I looked further down and The Times was on there again.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13What's nice is the fact you have the different type faces.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18This is Times New Roman, and this is quite a Gothic script.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23It's great fun. It's not something we get to value every day because they don't turn up.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27They're quite rare, but there's a limited number of people that will want them.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32So you pulled them out of a bin. Where have they been since then?
0:10:32 > 0:10:34They've been in my loft. In the loft.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Out of the bin into the loft! How long ago was that?
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Nearly 30 years, I suppose. - Quite a long time.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45They've been gathering dust, so we thought we'd come to Flog It and flog 'em!
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Come to Flog It and flog it.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52As a decorator's piece, they're quite quirky. I can see them on a wall in a swanky London pad.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57So in terms of value, they're quite hard to put a figure on. They don't come up at auction often.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02Only a limited number of people will like them, but they're quirky and somebody will love them.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07So I think an estimate, really low estimate at 20 to £30, something like that.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Yes.- Just to see what happens.- OK.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Put a reserve on of maybe £10, to cover the charges for the sale room
0:11:13 > 0:11:16so you're not out of pocket. Are you happy with that?
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- Yes, thank you very much. - They didn't cost you anything, so anything's a profit.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Let's see how they do at the sale. - Thank you.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26What unusual things.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28And how evocative of the hot metal age!
0:11:31 > 0:11:36That's our first selection of items. Here's a reminder of what we're taking to auction.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40This lovely dog was bought for a fiver
0:11:40 > 0:11:42at a country car boot sale.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46Never happens to me! I'd have loved this!
0:11:48 > 0:11:53I know about wines if they cost six, eight pounds from a supermarket, but I don't know about vintage wines.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55So I hope it does well.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Interior designers would like these. I've put 20 to £30 on them,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03but I think they'll do well. Let's hope the times are a'changin'!
0:12:03 > 0:12:09We're taking our items to sell in Colchester. Don't forget there's commission to pay.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Here I am, in a jam-packed auction room feeling really nervous
0:12:16 > 0:12:18because our job is only half done.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21We put those valuations on back at the valuation day
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and now it's time to put them to the test.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27I'm, frankly, really worried about my bottle of wine.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32Before the sale, I had a chance to talk to auctioneer James Grinter
0:12:32 > 0:12:35about another one of our lots.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41This poor little doggy belongs to Vivien.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45She got this at a car boot sale in Lacock, near where I live,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- down in Wiltshire.- Having a clear-out, Paul?- A clear-out, yes!
0:12:49 > 0:12:51This is one I made earlier!
0:12:51 > 0:12:54David said it's a lovely little desk bronze.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- It's signed. He says circa 1850, 1860.- Right.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- Bought for a fiver!- Well, that was a good buy, but in my opinion,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08it's far more modern that that. I think it's a re-strike.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- When you say re-strike, you mean from the original mould?- Yes.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14The quality of it just is not there.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18This is by Fremiet, who's a really good animalistic bronze sculptor.
0:13:18 > 0:13:24- You'd expect clearer definition? - Much better.- David's entered this in the sale
0:13:24 > 0:13:30with a valuation of 250 to £400, with a reserve at 200. So where do we go?
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Sadly, because I don't think it's quite as old as he does,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- I don't think it'll fetch that money.- OK.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39What do you print in the catalogue?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- We've called it 20th century.- OK.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- It's 20th century. It is bronze. - It is bronze.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- It is hopefully still French! - Possibly!
0:13:47 > 0:13:53- It's a second casting, basically. - So it's still made from the original cast.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- But maybe that cast was at the end of its life.- Exactly.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- So it's by "as found", then. - Indeed. And hopefully,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03if two private people fall for it, it could still make your estimate.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It's still a nice bronze, at the end of the day.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- You never know. It could still go. - Fingers crossed. It's a nice thing.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13For dog-lovers. There's lots out there, hundreds!
0:14:14 > 0:14:20We'll see how Vivien's cast dog does right now as it's first to go under the hammer.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- I know we've got a £200 reserve, but you two have had a chat.- Yes.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29You're going to drop the reserve down to what, £100?
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- Yeah.- £100.- £100.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35It's still a jolly good profit on what you paid for it!
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Hopefully, it'll sell. Never know, it might still sell at 200 to 250.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- I have my fingers crossed. - Good luck. Got yours crossed?
0:14:42 > 0:14:43Here we go.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Number 911 is the French bronze model of the seated dog.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55Impressed Fremiet. The dog there. A handsome beast. What do you say?
0:14:55 > 0:15:00I have two commissions. Start the bidding with me at £90.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Straight in now at 90.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05£90 with me. 95. 100.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08110. 120. 130 with you, sir.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10130 is bid now. At 130.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11130 is bid. 140, anywhere?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14£130 is bid.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15All done at 130.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20That's OK. I call that a good profit on what was it, a pound?
0:15:20 > 0:15:21- No, five pounds.- Five pounds.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- They said very thoughtful.- Exactly.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Too heavy to carry home!
0:15:27 > 0:15:29I think Vivien was happy with that.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31It was still a good investment.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Next, it's Terry and his Times' printing blocks.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- Excited? It's not a lot of money, but tell you what, a cracking piece of wood.- Really quirky.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- Decorator's piece.- Polished up. - Let's hope they go well.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- Hopefully, they'll fetch a bit more. - More than they were in the loft!
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- You pulled them out of a skip.- Good luck. It's recycling, anyway.- Yes.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Number 981 is the two wooden The Times printing blocks.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04£10 for these? £10 to start them.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07£10 I have. £10 bid now. At ten.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10£10 for these now. At ten. 12. 14.
0:16:10 > 0:16:1216.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14We're going to get that £20.
0:16:14 > 0:16:1618. 20.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20At £20, the lady's bid now at 20. £20 bid down here now. At 20.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Any advance? All done at £20.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Good result. That's what you said. A quirky bit of memorabilia.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30We've never sold anything like that before, so that was fun.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- Unique.- It is unique. And hard to put a price on.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- Somebody will enjoy that. Polish them up and it's a nice bit of treen.- Hang them on the wall.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45Another good result. Next, it's my turn and I hope I'm just as lucky!
0:16:45 > 0:16:48So far, so good. We're having a fabulous time
0:16:48 > 0:16:50and everything is selling.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51But it could all go wrong now.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55It's my turn to be the expert and next is Lena's bottle of wine.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Sadly she can't be with us today, she's not feeling well.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Hopefully you'll enjoy this, or not!
0:17:00 > 0:17:04There's no reserve on this. I'm looking for 400 to 500, maybe £600.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It's dated, stamped, on the cork, it's completely sealed.
0:17:07 > 0:17:111928. Fingers crossed there's some wine dealers here!
0:17:11 > 0:17:13It's sold in the past for that sort of money.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Let's see what it does. Here we go. I'm pretty nervous about this.
0:17:19 > 0:17:25Lot 871 is the bottle of vintage Chateau Yquem. 1928.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28What do you say to start me? £200 to start me?
0:17:28 > 0:17:31£200 to start me somewhere for it?
0:17:31 > 0:17:32£200 somewhere?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Oh, help!
0:17:34 > 0:17:36£100 to start me?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38£100 for it somewhere.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41No interest?
0:17:41 > 0:17:47No interest at all? Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, that lot is unsold.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Oh, well. Lena, I'm ever so sorry.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I'm pleased you didn't waste your time coming today! Get well soon!
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Oh, dear. That wasn't great, was it?
0:17:58 > 0:18:03Lena could do well if she takes her wine to a specialist auction sale.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It's a mystery to me why it didn't sell.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12Perhaps we need to do a little detective work. In which case, I know just the man!
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Lord Peter Wimsey, the aristocratic detective,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46is a character loved by millions on film and in print.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50He was the creation of a fascinating authoress who, for 30 years,
0:18:50 > 0:18:55lived here in this house in the village of Witham, just outside Colchester.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Dorothy Sayers, or Dorothy L. Sayers,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02as she was known professionally, was a renowned crime writer, poet,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06playwright, theological essayist and translator.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11But Lord Wimsey was the character who brought her mass appeal.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Dorothy wrote 11 Lord Peter Wimsey novels
0:19:16 > 0:19:20plus numerous short stories, all evoking the Edwardian age.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24They were all exciting and thrilling, but even they couldn't match the drama
0:19:24 > 0:19:26of her own private life.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Dorothy was born in 1893 in Oxford,
0:19:29 > 0:19:35where her father was the chaplain of Christchurch and headmaster of the Choir School.
0:19:36 > 0:19:42In 1912, she won a scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford, and received First Class Honours.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47At the time, women weren't awarded degrees, but a few years later, when the rules were changed,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51she was one of the first women to receive a degree and she graduated with an MA.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53A feisty, spirited young lady,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57she went to work as a copywriter for an advertising agency in London.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02She was very good and was behind the Guinness Toucan campaign - incredibly successful -
0:20:02 > 0:20:06and she's also credited with coming up with the phrase, "It pays to advertise!"
0:20:06 > 0:20:10While at the ad agency, she wrote her first novel
0:20:10 > 0:20:12and Lord Peter Wimsey was born.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15This upper-class amateur sleuth became an instant hit
0:20:15 > 0:20:17and brought Dorothy international fame.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Here in Witham village library
0:20:22 > 0:20:25is a centre set up by the Dorothy L. Sayers Society.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30I'm going to meet one of its members to find out who Dorothy really was!
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Shona Ford, who lives in Witham, isn't just a fan of Dorothy's work.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Her family also got to know the writer in her later years.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Shona, why did you get interested in Dorothy?
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- This was because of my father, who was her doctor.- The GP?- Yes.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57It was after Mac, her husband, died. Mac was a difficult man.
0:20:57 > 0:21:04- But she missed him.- Hmm. - And she wasn't going to go out and gather people in.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07She didn't want that. But of course, in my father,
0:21:07 > 0:21:12she had the ideal person to invite round.
0:21:12 > 0:21:18Dorothy would ring up my mother during the evening and say, "I wonder if the doctor could call in?"
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- My mother knew never to ask... - ..what was the problem!
0:21:23 > 0:21:26There would be a bottle of Amontillado sherry
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- and a box of 100 cigarettes!- Gosh!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33And they would sit and talk.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- They had...- Good fun. - They had good fun, yes.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39She loved life and lived it to the full.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42But she made some big mistakes.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48Things didn't work out quite as she had hoped with the men she fell deeply in love with.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Did that spirit of hers get her into trouble? It must have done.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Well, yes.
0:21:54 > 0:22:01Because she got pregnant and he was a married car salesman.
0:22:01 > 0:22:07And, in fact, she had the child secretly
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- down in the country with the help of his wife.- What happened?
0:22:12 > 0:22:16She got her cousin, Ivy, to foster the child.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- Can you imagine now...- Well, that's scandal, I guess, back then.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24But nobody knew. Her parents didn't know.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26She paid for his fostering.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- She sent him to school. - Did he ever find out?
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Gradually he got to know. I think when he went to boarding school,
0:22:33 > 0:22:38I think that Dorothy felt it was important that he should know.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42And he was very proud of his mother.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And he went to Oxford, to Balliol,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49where Lord Peter Wimsey, her famous detective, also went!
0:22:49 > 0:22:52What was her relationship with Lord Peter? Did she like him?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Lord Peter was, for her, an ideal.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Yes.- Based on someone she knew at Oxford.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- Bits of other people... - All the elements of people put in.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06A man of tremendous... Of great skills, of taste,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09he was always going off to auction!
0:23:11 > 0:23:16- To buy the odd rare manuscript. - A man of taste, you see!
0:23:16 > 0:23:17A man of taste!
0:23:17 > 0:23:22- He was everything that... - A superhero.- Absolutely.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26But the trouble is, when you invent a character like that,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28they do rather take over.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30I think there came a point
0:23:30 > 0:23:32where she just felt, "Enough is enough."
0:23:32 > 0:23:36That's when she was getting involved with the religious drama.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38What happened in her final years?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41After Mac, her husband, died,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45she was working on her great translation of Dante.
0:23:45 > 0:23:52And that, to her, was a wonderful intellectual exercise.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57- That was the academic coming out again.- Yes, absolutely the academic side of her.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- She lived for her work, really. - Absolutely.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- And her cats. She liked cats.- She loved her cats!- Bonkers about cats!
0:24:08 > 0:24:12There was once a young woman who took service for the bishop's wife.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Now, the bishop's wife, feeling a certain responsibility in the matter,
0:24:16 > 0:24:21suggested that she might like to attend a class for instruction in Christian doctrine.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24So she went, and came back full of enthusiasm.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28She said, "The clergyman explained all about the Holy Spirit.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31"I was so glad to know what it meant.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34"I always thought it was something you put into lamps."
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Thanks to my friend, the bishop's wife, this young woman has been preserved
0:24:38 > 0:24:45from thinking that Christians worship a trinity of Father, Son and Methylated Spirit!
0:24:47 > 0:24:52I remember the Peter Wimsey TV series that was on during the '70s
0:24:52 > 0:24:57where you'd gather round the telly, a proper family event, trying to solve the mysteries.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00But having found out more about this fascinating lady,
0:25:00 > 0:25:05I wish I could have met her. She's got a lot more going for her than any of the characters!
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Wouldn't it have been great to have a sherry with her, talking about cats!
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Our valuation day is at the town hall in Colchester.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24David's chatting to Eileen about a nice painting.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I like this particular scene
0:25:29 > 0:25:31because it reflects Norfolk.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35You have these fishing ketches here
0:25:35 > 0:25:38which are so typical of the Norfolk scene.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40They'd be sent out to catch herrings
0:25:40 > 0:25:44and this one is in full jib, heading towards the harbour here.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Where did you get it from?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- I inherited it from my in-laws. - Right.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54I know they purchased it in the London area,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57they lived in Wimbledon at the time,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59but I know nothing more about it.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04Well, on the back is a label from a picture framers at Sydenham.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07If you think in terms of the time,
0:26:07 > 0:26:12this was painted probably latter part of the 19th into the 20th century.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Norfolk area was very popular with Londoners to holiday.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19- Yes.- They'd take their sketching pads and their walking boots
0:26:19 > 0:26:21and it was fairly flat country.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25I think this may have been one of these artists that went to the Norfolk area
0:26:25 > 0:26:29and painted this scene. I like to explore pictures.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34This one leads to an exploration of the picture, does it not,
0:26:34 > 0:26:38when you look at these figures going to a point in the background.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42We've got this wonderful perspective. When you look at the quality of the picture,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45it's very good perspective in that direction and down here.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51It meets round about that section. Everything's in perspective up to that particular point.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Then you look at little details here, like the lobster pots
0:26:54 > 0:26:57and the timbers leaning against the wall.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01And the shadow and the actual glazing bars.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Then we've got fishermen in the typical striped smocks.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09Do you think this might be a smoking house or maybe for drying nets?
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- Yes.- Probably for drying nets because there's no chimney.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14This is a well painted scene.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16The artist is E. Lewis.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20It's either Edmund or Edward Lewis.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25Not an artist recorded for selling large amounts of work
0:27:25 > 0:27:29either in the sale rooms over the last 20 years.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31So this one here,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34he may have painted it for his own use, his own ability,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36his own holiday memories,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40rather than put it onto a commercial level.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44I think it's nice. I think the price is 50 to £80.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Not an awful lot, when you consider you have to pay more for a print!
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Yes!- But this has got so much detail.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54This here, Eileen, is the problem.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59This is either fading paintwork or it's some blemish coming through.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03But skilful restoration could get rid of that.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08So overall, I think it's a very handsome picture that needs a little bit of work
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Have you ever had it hanging at home?
0:28:10 > 0:28:14- No, only for a very short period. - Right.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- You don't like it?- Yes, actually,
0:28:16 > 0:28:22I think it's a very easy to live with picture. A peaceful picture.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- So why are you selling it?- Because I now have so much in my house,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- I really must downsize!- Right.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31You're making a sacrifice.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34- Don't expect grand results.- No.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38But at least you're getting rid of something in the right manner
0:28:38 > 0:28:41and it'll achieve the best possible price.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44- Someone else will appreciate it. - Someone will fall in love with it.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I like it because I explore the pictures.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Next up, Doreen is talking to small and beautiful Kate Bateman.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00What's she talking about?
0:29:00 > 0:29:05You have brought something small and beautiful today. Tell me about it.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09I bought it at a table sale in my town and I paid a pound for it.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14- A pound?! Was this 50 years ago? - No, about four or five years ago.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- Do you know what it is you bought? - No.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- You saw it and thought it's a nice vase.- Yes.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23- I thought it was pretty.- Did you know it's hand-painted, who it's by?
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- No.- Just thought it was pretty.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28That's the reason why you should buy it in the first place.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32This is absolutely fantastic. Let's have a closer look.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37What we've got is quite a strange shape, a diagonal-shaped vase.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40On it, we have this fantastic hand-painted decoration
0:29:40 > 0:29:48of flags or irises and in here it's etched. The background is very pale and frosted.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50The more you look, the more you see.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54And here, this is the magic words, "Daum, Nancy."
0:29:54 > 0:29:58- What do you know about Daum? Anything?- No, not at all.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02A French factory. Turn of the century. So this is Art Nouveau,
0:30:02 > 0:30:051900, 1910, something like that.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09It's a really attractive piece. There are loads of collectors for this.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- You're not a glass collector? - No.- You saw it and liked it.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17- Yes.- OK. You've brought it to Flog It. It looks fantastic condition.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19There's a tiny chip, here on the corner,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23but other than that, it's really good. No cracks, no chips.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27They got the background with an acid etching, that's how it's frosted.
0:30:27 > 0:30:33Then they cut away to get the coloured bits, then hand painted over the top of that.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35It's quite a complex design.
0:30:35 > 0:30:41The whole glass is etched pate, pate-sur-pate so you've got a different mottled effect as well.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45So quite a complicated series of ways to produce it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Price-wise, it's a lot more than your pound!
0:30:48 > 0:30:53At auction, for this kind of size, I would think maybe 300 to £400.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57You're surprised by that? Are you happy to sell it at that figure?
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- Yes.- You'd part with it? Make a 300% increase in your spend.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06How about a reserve of 250, and put the estimate at 300 to £400.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Fingers crossed, it'll go better on the day.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12This is a fantastic piece, a great buy.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16I wish you'd bought more at that sale, fantastic stuff you didn't buy!
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- Thanks for bringing it in. You've made my day.- Thank you.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25What a super piece of glass! That could do well.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Now, Jane has brought in a pretty pot to show David.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39I'm fascinated by this particular piece.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I want to know whether in fact, do you still use it?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45And why are you bringing it along today?
0:31:45 > 0:31:47I bought it from a charity shop.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Its use, I'm not quite sure. I think it's for pot-pourri.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Absolutely correct.
0:31:55 > 0:32:02I brought it along to Flog It so I could treat my grandchildren.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06How very, very nice. Was it in danger at home as a result of grandchildren?
0:32:06 > 0:32:08They don't live with me, but I have a cat
0:32:08 > 0:32:13and as I think it's beautiful, I didn't want anything to happen to it.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- You're passing it on. How much did you pay for it?- Five pounds.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22- I can't believe it!- Five pounds. - Five pounds from a charity shop. - Yes.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26What a marvellous buy! I think it's Worcester, but it has no marks whatsoever.
0:32:26 > 0:32:32But the paste, the consistency of the porcelain,
0:32:32 > 0:32:37would lead me to think it is probably from the Worcester factories.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Not necessarily Royal Worcester,
0:32:39 > 0:32:42but there were other concerns at Worcester,
0:32:42 > 0:32:49such as Grainger & Company, and Chamberlain, but I think this is Grainger & Company.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52So this has a wonderful practical use.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57So if we take the lid off, that would be filled with lavender
0:32:57 > 0:33:01and you have all these pierced sections here.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Put the lid back on and let the odour float round the house!
0:33:05 > 0:33:07It's a lovely little piece.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10But just to emphasise the fact that it was intended for pot-pourri,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14we have decorated all the way round the lid
0:33:14 > 0:33:16these wonderful hand-painted wild flowers
0:33:16 > 0:33:21of sedges, juniper berries, forget-me-nots,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25and we've got a lovely decoration of violets and other flowers here.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27All hand-painted.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30We actually call this Parian ware
0:33:30 > 0:33:34because it resembles the marble from the Isle of Paros.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36This one is classical shape
0:33:36 > 0:33:41so we've got a classical urn on three paw feet on a raised plinth.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44It's the most attractive piece of porcelain.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Porcelain collectors, for them, it's a little bit too late.
0:33:48 > 0:33:5318th century is the porcelain to collect at the present moment.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58But I think this will come back into vogue. I like the shape. It's so simple.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04And the fact it has a practical use and pot-pourri today is very fashionable.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09I couldn't think of anything better than putting pot-pourri or lavender in this
0:34:09 > 0:34:11and let the perfume go through.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Marvellous in a bedroom, wonderful in a bathroom.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16So it's a very attractive piece.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19My idea of price. How much did you pay for this?
0:34:19 > 0:34:24- Five pounds.- Five pounds. Add a nought on and I think that's what you'll get. £50.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29The auctioneers may put 60 to 80 as the guide.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- If you get £50, what'll you do? - Treat the grandchildren!
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Thank you for bringing it in. - OK. Lovely. Thank you.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39So that's our final item found to take off to auction.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Here we are, back at Reeman Dansie auction rooms for our second sale.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53The first half wasn't exactly plain sailing, but we got there in the end!
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Stay tuned for more surprises because this next batch could fly away.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01I'm going to catch up with our owners who are feeling nervous,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04and leave you with a run-down of all the items we're selling.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08It never ceases to amaze me how much people will pay for prints.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Here they can purchase, at very little cost,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14an original work of art.
0:35:14 > 0:35:20Maureen got an absolute steal when she bought this classic piece of Art Nouveau for £1 at a recent sale.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22I think this is fantastic.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27I wonder if we'll have the sweet smell of success at auction?
0:35:27 > 0:35:30I hope so, for Jane's sake.
0:35:31 > 0:35:36'Before the sale, auctioneer James and I had a quick chat about Doreen's glass vase.'
0:35:36 > 0:35:41Doreen got this at a garage sale. A bit of Daum Nancy.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44In a garage sale for next to nothing!
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- Fantastic.- A couple of pounds, maybe even a pound.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49We've got a value of 300 to £400 on this.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53I could say that's a very fair estimate on it, Paul.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55- It's lovely quality, isn't it?- Yes.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59This wonderful cameo glass. It's in good condition.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02One or two minor nibbles on it.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06But nothing to worry you. Yes, I think it'll sell well.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09The one we sold in Canterbury sold for around £600.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14It was in mint condition. I don't understand - why is it so expensive
0:36:14 > 0:36:16and why so highly sought-after?
0:36:16 > 0:36:20It's just the quality of them, Paul. They're so stylish as well.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23It's the process of all these layers of glass being put together.
0:36:23 > 0:36:28So you get this wonderful, almost three-dimensional, effect
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- with the background decoration. - There's a lot of depth.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Then this raised bit on the outside.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38And the wonderful colours. They are wonderful quality bits of art glass.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40People appreciate them and always have.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- I guess there's not that many around.- They are scarce.
0:36:43 > 0:36:49A very good factory. Late 19th-, early 20th-century manufacturer.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- So we'll hit the top end of our estimate?- I hope so.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Yes, I really do.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58There's a smile on your face. You don't give much away, but that says it all!
0:36:58 > 0:37:03We'll see how the vase does a bit later. But first up, Eileen's watercolour.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Next, something for you fine art lovers.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12A watercolour, a Norfolk scene, late 19th-century, by Mr E. Lewis.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16- Possibly is Edward, isn't it? - Or Edmund.- Edmund.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Anyway, Eileen, it's yours for the time being.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24But I have a feeling this is going to go. Not a lot of money on it, but why are you selling it?
0:37:24 > 0:37:29I've inherited a lot recently, and I've got to have a clear-out.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34I think this is a great way of investing in a piece of original signed art.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38- Rather than buying a print.- Exactly. - Buy yourself a lovely watercolour.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- Affordable ones. - Where better than at auction?
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Number 1019 now is the E. Lewis Victorian watercolour.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50The harbour view. What do you say?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53£50 to start me. £50 to start me. 50?
0:37:53 > 0:37:5540, then? 40 is bid on there. At 40.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00- £40 bid. 42. 44.- That's very good. - Excellent.
0:38:00 > 0:38:0146. 48.
0:38:01 > 0:38:0550. At £50 at the back now. At 50. £50 is bid.
0:38:05 > 0:38:0955? £50 is bid at the back of the room. All done?
0:38:09 > 0:38:11At £50.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Yes, it's just gone on the reserve. Just got it away.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- Yes.- Are you happy with that?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Yes, I'm quite happy with that.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Thank you for coming in. Without you, we wouldn't have a show!
0:38:23 > 0:38:27We'd love to see you. If you have any unwanted antiques, bring them along.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Details of up-and-coming dates and venues are on our BBC website.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Follow the links. All the information is there.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39We'll be in a town not far away.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Dust them down and bring them along!
0:38:43 > 0:38:46I thought that watercolour might do better
0:38:46 > 0:38:48but Eileen seemed happy.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Let's hope we can do as well for Jane.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Next, a bit of Victorian Parian ware, belonging to Jane.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57It's a pot-pourri vase with lovely paw feet.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59A bit like your cat!
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- She's got bigger feet than that! - Much bigger.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- You're standing next to another big cat lover!- I love cats.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10- Love cats.- Why do we have them, cos they're so destructive!
0:39:10 > 0:39:13They're very therapeutic. They put you at rest and at ease.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16What will you do with the money? Spend it on the cat?
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- Oh, no. Grandchildren. - Grandchildren. How many?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- Seven.- Wow!
0:39:21 > 0:39:24OK. We need a lot of money, David. Will we get top end of estimate?
0:39:24 > 0:39:29We should do. It's a nice piece of porcelain. Though not in favour at the moment.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Again, not a typical thing to buy, but it will come back.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Here we go. Let's see what it's worth.
0:39:35 > 0:39:41Number 350. A Victorian porcelain pot-pourri vase,
0:39:41 > 0:39:47possibly Grainger & Co Worcester. Where will you start me? £50 start me?
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Come on, where are these hands?
0:39:49 > 0:39:5350 for it? 40, then? 40's bid. At 42.
0:39:53 > 0:39:5544. 46. 48.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57- This is more like it.- 50.
0:39:57 > 0:39:5955.
0:39:59 > 0:40:0260. £60 at the back now. At 60. £60.
0:40:02 > 0:40:0465 anywhere?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07All done at £60.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- Hammer's gone down. That's good. - Yes.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Treat the grandchildren to a day out somewhere.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16One wants to go to London, one wants to go to Colchester Castle.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20We visited that on the valuation day. We left the camera outside.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24- One of the turrets is round and not square.- I've not been.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Go and check it out! All will be revealed!
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Some pocket money there to treat the grandchildren. Just great!
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Let's hope Doreen has made a nice investment
0:40:37 > 0:40:39on her one-pound glass vase!
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- Did you know exactly what you had when you picked it up?- No.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Did you do some research? - When I got home.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49I bet you were chuffed! I bet you went, "Ooh, look at this!"
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- It's a nice thing. - There's been interest.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Wonderful overlaid glass with an iridescent finish.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58It's a great name. Not many have survived.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- So for one pound, well done! - That's good!
0:41:01 > 0:41:06There's a lot of fakes out there, but this is real. Hopefully it'll do the top end estimate.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Let's find out what the bidders think in this packed sale room.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18Lot 199 is the fine quality Daum Nancy overlaid glass vase.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21A lot of interest. I start the bidding with me at £300.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Straight in at the bottom end.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26£300 with me now. At 300.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29320. 340. 360 with you, sir.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31£360 bid now.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34360. 380. 400.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36At £400. Make it 420.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- Keep going!- Somebody on the phone.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40420. 440.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43440 is bid now. 440. 460. 480.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45480 is bid now.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48480. 500. 520. 520 is bid now.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50520. 540.
0:41:50 > 0:41:51This is what we like!
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- 540. 560.- Great, isn't it?
0:41:53 > 0:41:55At 560. 580.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59600. £600 bid now. At 600. 620.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02640. 640 is bid now.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04640. 660. 680.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06At 680 is bid now. At 680.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08700. 720.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10At 720. 740.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14At £740 on the telephone.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18760, another place. 760 over here now. 760.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19At 760 against you.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22At the far end of the room at £760. 780.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26Round it up, sir? Make it 800? £800 I have.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28At £800. Are you sure?
0:42:28 > 0:42:31At £800. All done at £800.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35The hammer's gone down. That's what it's worth!
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- £800. You must feel on top of the world!- Yes!
0:42:39 > 0:42:41What's going through your mind?
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- I can't believe it!- Looking back to the moment you found it?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48What will you do with the money? There's commission to pay.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- I'll put it towards a new car. I need a new car.- Do you?
0:42:51 > 0:42:55- Yeah, the car fund. - That's a good deposit, isn't it?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Brilliant. Happy motoring, that's what I say!
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- Well done, Kate.- What a great result!- What a result!
0:43:01 > 0:43:06I told you somebody's going home with a lot of money. Hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10But for now, from Colchester, until next time, with more surprises,
0:43:10 > 0:43:12stay tuned and keep watching Flog It! Bye!