0:00:03 > 0:00:06Welcome to Devon and the seaside town of Exmouth.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Nobody's clutching their buckets and spades today playing on the sand
0:00:10 > 0:00:13but they are in a healthy queue clutching bags and boxes,
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- hopefully full of treasure. And what are you going to do with all that lot?- ALL: Flog it!
0:00:38 > 0:00:41'Regarded by some as the oldest holiday resort in Devon,
0:00:41 > 0:00:46'Exmouth has been a popular tourist destination ever since the 18th century.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51'Its golden age came with the arrival of the railway in 1861,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55'bringing with it mass tourism and it looks like we've also brought out quite a crowd today.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59'Fingers crossed a few gems from that golden age make an appearance.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'Keen to keep on track and already in the queue
0:01:03 > 0:01:07'looking for today's gems are experts Christina Trevanion...'
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Oh, what is it that you've got? A Victorian scrapbook. That's beautiful, isn't it?
0:01:11 > 0:01:14The colours are still so good.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- '..and Will Axon.' - I've seen a lot of horses
0:01:17 > 0:01:21and I don't think either of those are going to make that water jump.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25'Both highly experienced valuers and auctioneers.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'I can guarantee nothing will slip past them.'
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I'll give you this and we'll have a closer look inside.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Let's get the doors open and get the show on the road.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43'While everyone takes their seats inside the pavilion, here's what's coming up later.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46'Christina is amazed by what you can find if you're lucky.'
0:01:46 > 0:01:49I actually bought it at a jumble sale. I paid 50 pence for it.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- Bought it from a jumble sale? - Yeah.- For 50p?
0:01:52 > 0:01:57'Will has a little wobble at the unpredictability of the auction room.'
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I hope it sells, you know.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01'And I fulfil a boyhood dream.'
0:02:01 > 0:02:06I tell you what, this is the life. This is the life every schoolboy wants.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Everybody is now safely seated inside.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19This is where it gets exciting. Who is going to be one of the lucky ones to be whisked off to auction?
0:02:19 > 0:02:24We'll find out because Will is first at the tables. Let's see who he's talking to and what he's found.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Well, Sue, I saw you looking very glamorous, I must say, in the queue this morning.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35As soon as you pulled this little picture out of your bag, I knew exactly who it was by.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- Did you? - Well, I knew it was Adam Buck but I don't know anything about it.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43I looked on the internet and found nothing out.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- Found nothing out?- No.- Cos he's actually a pretty prolific artist.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Sort of early 19th century.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Just down here in this little bottom corner, he's kindly signed and dated it, 1821,
0:02:54 > 0:03:01which is really the sort of prime of his career, early 19th century,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04that's really when Adam Buck was painting his best work.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09- Is it something that you've bought yourself or something you've inherited?- Yes.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- It's been inherited by the family. My mother.- Your mother's side?- Yeah.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15And does she remember where it came from?
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Erm, it came down the family from my grandmother's side.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23OK. So what I'm edging towards is whether or not this is a family member.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Well, that's what I'm wondering, cos there's two. My sister's got the other one.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- And is the other one a gentleman? - No, it's a lady.- Another lady.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Is there anyone in the family around this date? Have you got the family tree?
0:03:35 > 0:03:39I haven't gone right back on the family tree, so I really don't know.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45- That's the trouble. Unfortunately, you run out of people to ask, as well.- Well, this is the problem.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48The work itself is very typical of Buck's work.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52And she's wearing this wonderful hat here with I suppose ostrich feathers.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- It's lovely. - Ostrich feathers in her hat.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00- And this delicate face with the eyes and the little rose lips there. - I think it's lovely.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06One thing I have got to draw your attention to that I'm not very happy about is the colour of this frame.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- I think someone's got the old spray paint out.- Have they?- I think so.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- Because looking at the back, it's actually an old frame.- Yeah.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Let's just spin it over quickly and then you can see what I mean. You can see these blind holes
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and the way the frame's been constructed is in an old way.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25It's got this rather nice label, as well, on the back.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Carver and Gilder, picture frame manufacturer.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30So he may well have made the original frame
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- or, because it's on the back board here...- Possibly the back board.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Yeah, could've come with it from another frame.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Now, value-wise, have you had any thoughts as to what you think it's worth?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43No, but I would hope it's worth more than £100.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Well, I think you're in the right sort of ballpark figure.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I was thinking 100, 150 as an estimate.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54So if we reserve it at that bottom figure, fixed reserve at £100,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I think she stands a good chance of making a little bit more
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- cos she's a pretty face, isn't she? - Very.- It's not like it's a withered old whiskered gentleman,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06which isn't terribly commercial, but a nice pretty period lady
0:05:06 > 0:05:10in dress like that, I think 100 to 150 is on the money.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- So are we agreed?- Yes, were agreed. - 100 fixed reserve?- Yep.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I think you should say goodbye, cos I'm pretty confident she'll find a new home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Good. Thanks a lot.- Not at all.
0:05:20 > 0:05:27'And I'm confident, too, that she'll find some admirers in the saleroom. Next I'm in the driving seat.'
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I've just been joined by Colin and this little chap here in the middle.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Tell me, this is a wild guess, but are you in the tyre business?
0:05:34 > 0:05:39Yes, I was. I was a company director for Southwestern Tyres.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- Right, OK. Based where? - In Exeter.- In Exeter.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Looking at this, I'm pretty sure this is compressed card or felt.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Looking at it, you can see all brown grinning through.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I've seen a lot of these and they're normally late 60s, early 1970s,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56made of fibreglass, more translucent,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58so you can put a bulb up inside so they light up.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- That's right. - This one is a much earlier one. This is very early 1950s.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- So does that correlate with how long you've had this?- Yes, it does.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I was in business for 48 years
0:06:09 > 0:06:13and I bought this more or less when I started off a local coach dealer.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- How much did you pay for it? - I cannot remember. I think I gave him a tyre.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23A tyre? That's a fair exchange, isn't it? And where have you had this bolted down? Onto the worktop?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- No, it was on top of my lorry. - How long was this on top of the lorry for?
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- About 20 years. - Wow! He's had a good life!
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- Did you give him a name? - No, I didn't. No, I didn't.- Colin.
0:06:35 > 0:06:41- THEY LAUGH - It's in relatively good condition. It needs a jolly good clean.- Yes.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- So has this been in the garage in the last few years? - It's been in my attic.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I retired so I sold the lorry and took this off.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I do like it. There's something about it, isn't there?
0:06:50 > 0:06:56When I was at school, you grew up with these kind of images of this logo. It's that branding,
0:06:56 > 0:07:01that iconic branding which sticks with you. Because you've seen it as a kid, you grow up with it
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- and you never forget it.- True. - The good thing about trade signs like this one
0:07:05 > 0:07:09and other early examples from the 50s is these were only available to people in the trade.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14People like you, dealers. And the general public couldn't buy these back then.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19So when this comes on the market, I think people will fight for this, if you're into automobilia.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- What do you think it's worth? - I have no idea whatsoever.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27If this was in brilliant condition, if this was in perfect original condition,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I think you'd be looking at £200.
0:07:29 > 0:07:35Unfortunately, it's not. It's had its knocks and its wear, but that's only to be expected.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38It's been on top of a lorry for 20 years.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Let's get this into auction with a value of £80 to £120.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45And put a reserve on, if you're happy, of around £60.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Are you happy with that? - I'm happy with that, yeah.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51I think we'll have a surprise. I think this is a come and buy me
0:07:51 > 0:07:55and I think if we get this on the right website with the right search engines,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58the automobile collectors and the trade collectors will love this.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02'It always amazes me what turns up on a valuation day.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06'However, Hilary's brought along something a little bit more familiar.'
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Hilary, you've brought in this collection of silver for us today. - Yes.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14You've got some teaspoons and then this rather lovely cigarette case here
0:08:14 > 0:08:19- which has got Bristol & District Table Tennis Association on the front.- That's correct.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- So are you a table tennis fan? - Well, I was when I was younger.
0:08:22 > 0:08:28My father was one of the members of the Bristol & District Table Tennis Association. He was the treasurer.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33And in 1959, he was presented with this cigarette case
0:08:33 > 0:08:36in recognition of the work he'd done for the association.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- And he obviously represented his club and did a lot for the club. - He was mainly the treasurer.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44I think that's why he got this recognition.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Well, what a lovely gift that they've given him. You've got the enamelled front.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- The case is solid silver.- Right.- And it's hallmarked for Birmingham 1957.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- And they've obviously engraved his initials in the top corner here. - Yes.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03If we open it up, it's still got its box there and a little dust case,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07and you've got this rather lovely inscription here, which says,
0:09:07 > 0:09:13"Presented to AG Norman on his appointment as a life member, B&DTTA,"
0:09:13 > 0:09:17which is the table tennis association, "May 1959," which is lovely
0:09:17 > 0:09:23because although it's hallmarked for 1957, it's contemporary within that two year period.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28So it really is a quality piece. You've got this gilt interior, as well, which is really nice.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33- Just adds to the luxurious feel of it. Do you know if he ever used it? - Oh, yes.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- Oh, really?- Yes. In fact, when I opened it up, it still had little bit of tobacco in which I brushed out.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Oh, wonderful! Aww.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43So that was the first item you brought in to us.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48And then you've also brought these very Art Deco teaspoons here, which are solid silver.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Right.- And they are hallmarked for Sheffield 1937.- Right.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Marker's mark CB&S, which I can't track down.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- I think it may well be Charles Boyton & Sons.- Right.- I'm not sure. Where have they come from?
0:10:01 > 0:10:06I don't know. They were my mother's and she's long dead, I'm afraid.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12- There's nothing significant that I know of in her life at that time so I'm not sure how she got those.- OK.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16And then we've also got this nice retailer's label here for James Walker Ltd.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20The spoons fit beautifully in this box, so I think they are contemporary...
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- They look contemporary. - ..with the box. Exactly.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27Then this second set of silver teaspoons, they're a little bit smaller and are monogrammed
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and those are hallmarked for London 1923.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32And that was when she was married first.
0:10:32 > 0:10:39- And her married name was Faracre and the F monogram is for Faracre. - Oh, right.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- So those would've been a wedding present in 1923.- Absolutely. - Why have you brought them in?
0:10:43 > 0:10:47Well, I'm moving house and I've been turning out cupboards
0:10:47 > 0:10:51and, frankly, I haven't seen these since I moved into the house I'm in,
0:10:51 > 0:10:56which is 16 years, so it just seems that they're sitting in a drawer
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- and somebody else might enjoy them. - OK.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03It is quite difficult to put a price on the items because they are very different.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- With regards to a value, I think what we would do is put them as one lot.- OK.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Because the stronger items will help sell the weaker items.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- So I think, at auction, we're looking at somewhere in the region of £80 to £120.- OK.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- For the group.- Yes.- The main value being in your cigarette case
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and in your Art Deco spoons.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28OK? So we're looking at £80 to £120, maybe with a reserve of £70.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- All right?- Yeah.- How do you feel about that?- That'll be fine.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37- Let's hope that Dad's many hard voluntary hours at the table tennis club pay off for you.- Yeah.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- All right? Thanks for bringing them in.- No problem.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44'So we've got our first three items, but before we go to the saleroom,
0:11:44 > 0:11:49'here's a quick recap of what we're taking to auction and why we're taking it.'
0:11:49 > 0:11:51A pretty face by a known artist.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56I think there's going to be plenty of admirers in the saleroom for this Regency beauty.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02I want to put this into auction because I strongly believe he could still do £200 or £300.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08It is absolutely fabulous and it's timeless, because that is good design.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13Silver is selling particularly well at the moment. We've got the two sets of spoons
0:12:13 > 0:12:17and this cigarette case with a wonderful sporting connection. They could be gems for Hilary.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26'We're in Exeter at Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood for our sale today.'
0:12:26 > 0:12:31This is a really good sign. The car park is full. I've got a good feeling about today.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35I think our owners are going to go home very happy, some with a lot of money, some within estimate.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40But you never know what happens at an auction. That's why it's so exciting.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43'We're lucky enough to have Chris Hampton auctioneering our lots
0:12:43 > 0:12:47'and the seller's commission here is 16.5 percent plus VAT.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52'So let's crack on. Our first lot is Sue's charming painting.'
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Going under the hammer right now, a wonderful watercolour by Adam Buck, an Irish artist born in Cork.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01We had an original valuation which Sue was pleased with of £100 to £150.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- Since the valuation day, you've had a chat to the auctioneer.- Yes.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- And you've raised that reserve to £200.- Yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- New valuation, £200 to £300.- Right.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14To be honest, I've sold prints by Adam Buck at £100 plus.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The only thing that made me hold back a bit was the frame.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19This is it. It's down to the bidders.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Adam Buck, portrait of a young woman, half length,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26wearing a splendid hat. £150 is bid.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- At £150. - I hope it sells, you know.- 160.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32170. 170.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Where's 180?
0:13:34 > 0:13:38180. 190.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- 200.- It's sold.- Good.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42£200. Seated near me.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44At £200. 10 will you?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- At £200. - No, it's going on the reserve.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- At £200. - HAMMER BANGS
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Well done. Good for you for putting up the reserve.- Well done.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- It might have gone for much less. - If no-one was bidding against you,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02he would've got it at 100. Well done.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Thank you. I've got very sweaty hands. Nice to meet you.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- The tension.- Nice to have met you. - Thanks for a good day.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11'What a great start! Let's hope it continues.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14'I'm up next with Colin's advertising icon.'
0:14:14 > 0:14:16It's the Michelin Man about to go under the hammer.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19We've got a reserve of £60. I'm hoping to get around 80.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Unfortunately, Colin hasn't made it in yet.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27We've been on the phone to him. He said he's left home but maybe he's having problems parking
0:14:27 > 0:14:30because it is really busy out there.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35I'm expecting him to run through the door any second now and join with me in this wonderful moment.
0:14:35 > 0:14:41The seated advertising figure of a Michelin Man with mounting bracket.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45£45 is bid. At £45. At 45.
0:14:45 > 0:14:4850. 55.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51At £55. And 60 now.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54And 60 will you? 60 in the doorway.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57At £60. 5 now.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- Come on, Colin. - At £60 and selling it at 60.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Sold. Here's Colin now. Look at that.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- HE LAUGHS - I'm not joking,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10I've literally just said to the camera, "The hammer's gone down".
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- The hammer went down. - Oh, right.- At £60.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Is that OK? - Yeah, that's quite all right.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- Colin, it's great to see you anyway. - And you.- We did it.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26'Well, he got there in the end in the nick of time to wave goodbye to his old friend.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31'And coming up next we've got a collection of silver all from the 1900s.'
0:15:31 > 0:15:34It belongs to Hilary who's right next to me.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- And this is your first auction. - It is.- You're having a bit of a tough time at the moment, aren't you?
0:15:38 > 0:15:42I am. I've just moved out of one house and I haven't moved into my next hour
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- and I'm staying with a very nice friend.- Stressful, isn't it, living out of boxes?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Absolutely.- Good luck in your new house. Where is it?- Heavitree.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Where's that?- In Exeter. It's sort of the other side of town.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59- You're staying in the area.- Yes. - Oh, good.- Cos I have an allotment and I want to keep it.- Ooh.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- Where I'll be this afternoon. - We've digressed. We should be talking about antiques.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Your lot is next. Good luck, Hilary.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Silver cigarette case,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11a set of six George VI teaspoons
0:16:11 > 0:16:16and a set of six George V coffee spoons, cased. All together.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19£70 is bid. At 70. 5. 80.
0:16:19 > 0:16:225. 90. 5.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26100. And 5. 110. 120.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29He's looking at his book. People have left bids on the book
0:16:29 > 0:16:33prior to the sale. They've viewed it earlier in the week but aren't here.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- Selling at £160. - HAMMER BANGS
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- Result! £160!- Excellent!
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- Wow!- That's really good!
0:16:43 > 0:16:48Yes! You can now go from the tension, the high drama of the auction room
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- to the calm of the allotment. - I will, thank you, Paul. - I quite envy you.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Yes.- On a day like today.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- Is that where you're heading off to? - Absolutely.
0:16:57 > 0:17:03'While Hilary heads off to the allotment, I've got my own journey to make, back to a bygone era.'
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Now, I'm a bit of an old romantic and I'm passionate about nostalgia
0:17:15 > 0:17:18and so I should be, because I love antiques and everything old.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Today we're going to relive the past. I'm going to take you on a trip down memory lane
0:17:22 > 0:17:26on one of the best heritage railway lines in the country.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29This is the age of steam, so come on, I've got a train to catch.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33'And that train is here at the South Devon Railway.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36'The UK's railway system in the oldest in the world,
0:17:36 > 0:17:41'built as a patchwork of local rail links operated by small private companies
0:17:41 > 0:17:45'which over time developed into a national network. This branch was part of
0:17:45 > 0:17:49'the South Devon Railway Company and it joined the Plymouth to Exeter mainline.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'Opened in 1872, it originally ran for nine miles,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56'from Totnes to Ashburton.'
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Today it's a bit shorter. It runs for about seven miles,
0:18:02 > 0:18:07from this station, Buckfastleigh, to Totnes, which is in that direction.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Now, you're probably wondering why I'm dressed like this.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Today I have the opportunity to fulfil every schoolboy's dream.
0:18:13 > 0:18:19I'm going to be riding on the footplate and learning how to drive this locomotive and be the fireman.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Obviously, under instruction from Chris and Dave who are up here waiting for me.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I am prepared to put in a full-day shift.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31I've even got my steel toe cap boots on. So let's get dirty.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Hello, guys! Pleased to meet you!
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- Hi, Paul.- Hello.- Paul.- Hi, Chris.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38I've got to say, you're immaculately turned out.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Will we look like this at the end of the day, completely clean,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46- or will we be covered in... - We might, but you won't. - THEY LAUGH
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- How long have you been working on this railway line? - I've been a member since 1968.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- Wow.- Just before it actually started running. And I've been driving since 1993.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00- You've got the hardest job. You're the fireman. - No, you've got the hardest job.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05I'm going to be the fireman today! I'll really work at this and put in a good day shift for you.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Is this really the apprenticeship for becoming an engine driver?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- Did you have to be a fireman first? - You start off as a cleaner.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Gradually you learn how to light the fire and then you progress to the footplate
0:19:16 > 0:19:21and then under the guidance of the driver and the fireman, you learn how to fire the engine.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25You then progress to learning this side of the engine, driving that,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and you learn how to oil the engine up, where to look, all this sort of thing.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32So it does take a few years before you get over to this side.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36What do I have to do first? What is the first job of the fireman?
0:19:36 > 0:19:38There was nothing in the firebox this morning,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42so we've spent three hours bringing up the pressure and we've got 160 on the clock
0:19:42 > 0:19:45and three quarters of water in the boiler.
0:19:45 > 0:19:51- The boiler is the most important thing on the engine. If we lose water, we go bang.- That's the gauge.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54I tell you what, the size of the coal... Look at this!
0:19:54 > 0:19:57That is a whopping great lump of coal!
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- I shove it in there? - Yep.- There you go!
0:19:59 > 0:20:02TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:20:08 > 0:20:13You guys have kindly got up at six o'clock this morning to sort this trip out for me today.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16You do it day in and day out throughout the season. Why do you do it?
0:20:16 > 0:20:21I thoroughly enjoy it. Somebody said to me, "What would you do if you won the lottery?"
0:20:21 > 0:20:26I said, "I would do what I'm doing now". It was always a passion. I always wanted to be an engine driver.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- So I always felt privileged to get on a steam locomotive.- Yeah.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- And what about you, Chris? - I love doing it.
0:20:33 > 0:20:39If you didn't love the job, you wouldn't do the hours, because it's such hard work.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- But you do get some satisfaction at the end of the day.- Yeah.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46This is a very important part of our heritage here down in the West Country.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51Thank goodness it's alive for future generations to appreciate. What about the next generation?
0:20:51 > 0:20:56We've got some youngsters coming through, we've got some 17-year-olds, 18-year-olds.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00They can't take their fire exam until they're 18
0:21:00 > 0:21:05and then once they pass, you have to wait till 21, that's the minimum age to become a driver.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10- I need to put water in the boiler now. Would you like to do that?- Yes. It's about time I did something.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Pull that lever there. That puts the water on.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- And then you turn the steam valve anticlockwise.- This one?
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Yep. You might have to crack it.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22That's it. That way.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26And then we listen for the sound. That usually tells you it's picked up.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- I can hear it whistling.- Yeah. And if not, you look down the side
0:21:29 > 0:21:33and if there's no water coming through, you just trim it with that there.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- As a fireman, you've got to think ahead all the time.- Sure.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- It's really hot just here. - Turn it off now.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- Off with the steam.- That's off. - And off with the water.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50When was the 305 class, this type of locomotive decommissioned?
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- Well, it was never decommissioned. - Really?
0:21:52 > 0:21:56No, it actually came off British Railways
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and it actually came down to Totnes first off
0:21:59 > 0:22:02and it did come up this branch back in the mid 60s.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05And then it disappeared to the Severn Valley Railway
0:22:05 > 0:22:10where it actually ran their inaugural train up there in 1970, I believe.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12How many have survived? Do you know?
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- This is it. This is the only one that survived.- Really?
0:22:15 > 0:22:21- TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS - Wow! I was going to say, "Wow!" and he went, "Whoo-whoo!"
0:22:21 > 0:22:24This is the only survivor! That is quite incredible, isn't it?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30'Running along the stunning valley of the River Dart,
0:22:30 > 0:22:36'the journey to Totnes takes approximately 25 minutes, stopping only once at Staverton.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:46'But it gives you ample time to take in the breathtaking views.'
0:22:46 > 0:22:50This is just beautiful. It's absolutely stunning. Nice time of the year to do this.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- Yes, the leaves are just out now. - Isn't that spectacular?
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Underneath a canopy of green foliage. This is the life.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00This is the life every schoolboy wants.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04I just love the smell. Everything about this journey is wonderful.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- What sort of speed are we doing now? - We're doing approximately 20.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12What would our braking distance be if we saw a cow or sheep on the line?
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- Probably about quarter of a mile safely.- Really? Quarter of a mile?
0:23:16 > 0:23:20I mean, there's a lot of weight here to stop, really, I guess, isn't there?
0:23:35 > 0:23:39That'll be enough now. Thank you. Lovely.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44What happens at the end of the day when you're on your last route and you have a boiler full of coal?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Do you knock it out or let it die off gradually?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49No, I work in advance, think ahead.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53On the last trip, I won't put some much coal in the firebox so it'll be a lighter fire,
0:23:53 > 0:23:59keep the boiler on full, and when we get back, the fire should be nice and flat
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- and just about going out.- OK.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05You actually work non-stop. You work harder than Chris does, really.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Drivers don't do anything, do they? - Not really.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13No, he's got the responsibility of being the engine driver and he's in charge of me, as well.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Dave, thank you so much. And you, Chris. I've thoroughly enjoyed my day here.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30I'm going to do the return journey sitting in the carriage, soak up the nostalgia and the scenery
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- and carry on enjoying the day. How did I do?- You did very well.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37And you didn't drop my shovel in the fire. THEY LAUGH
0:24:37 > 0:24:42'So my job has finished, but Dave and Chris are still hard at it.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49'As Totnes is at the end of the line, the locomotive needs to be uncoupled
0:24:49 > 0:24:51'and repositioned at the head of the carriages.
0:24:54 > 0:25:01'Once everything's secured, we're all set for the return journey. This time I get to enjoy a comfy seat.'
0:25:01 > 0:25:06Isn't that just stunning out there, the beautiful Devonshire countryside?
0:25:06 > 0:25:11Completely unspoilt, unchanged and not a trace of the modern world.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16And I must say, it's a lot warmer and quieter here in this second class carriage.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20It reminds me of being a schoolboy, growing up in Surrey and living near Hampton Court
0:25:20 > 0:25:25and getting on the train there and travelling to Surbiton. Wonderful times.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30'The history of the line commercially is quite a quiet one, really.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34'It was used for transporting goods, things like coal, wool, cider
0:25:34 > 0:25:37'and agricultural equipment and the local population.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42But with the advent of the motorcar becoming a lot more popular in the early 20th century,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44takings on the line here declined
0:25:44 > 0:25:49and, sadly, it closed on 3rd November 1958.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52It carried on transporting goods for a few more years,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55but that finished also in 1962.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01'In fact, the 1960s was a defining moment for all the railways in the UK.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04'Richard Beeching, chairman of British Rail,
0:26:04 > 0:26:09'became infamous for the reshaping and slimming down of a whole network.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13'So it was with a sense of irony that in 1969
0:26:13 > 0:26:16'Beeching was invited to open this picturesque line,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18'named at the time the Dart Valley Railway.'
0:26:19 > 0:26:24A group of enterprising businessmen decided to reopen this line and run it for tourists
0:26:24 > 0:26:29and thank goodness they did. It's been running ever since and it's keeping our heritage alive.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Today it's a registered charity run by volunteers,
0:26:32 > 0:26:36people like Chris and Dave who get up early in the morning
0:26:36 > 0:26:40and make this journey so special. It's well worth the trip.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Love it to bits. I'm going to look out the window now.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59'We've travelled back to Exmouth, where everyone has been waiting patiently for some more valuations.'
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Are you still happy?- ALL: Yes!
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- It's your turn next, believe me. - THEY LAUGH
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Welcome back to our valuation day here at the Pavilion in Exmouth.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12Let's now catch up with our experts and see what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17'And it's Will who's spotted something first, so sit up straight as we listen in
0:27:17 > 0:27:20'to what he has to say about Sally's chair.'
0:27:20 > 0:27:24I'm pleased to see a bit of furniture at Exmouth today. We don't often get the chance,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28us furniture experts or people who are geared towards furniture.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's often too big or bulky to bring in.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- But no problem with this little piece.- No.- What can you tell me about it?- Not a lot.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40I bought it in a shop about 30 years ago now when I'd just moved into a new house.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- Has anyone perched on it since then? - No, nobody's sat on it.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Because someone at some stage has and would have.- Yes.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52These are generally called correctional chairs or deportment chairs where if you sat in them,
0:27:52 > 0:27:57because of the very vertical nature of the back, it would stop you from slouching.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- Yes.- Which is a natural position we fall into.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07- Yes.- And you can tell someone has used it by the natural wear on the turnings here on the stretchers.
0:28:07 > 0:28:13- Yes.- Can I ask you what you paid for it?- I think I paid around £50. - That's not too bad.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Because, of its type, I think it's a rather nice one.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Starting from the top and working down,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23we've got a nice top rail that echoes dining chairs of the time.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29- We're talking early 19th century to mid-19th, William IV, Victorian crossover.- Yes.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32This carved rail, as well, that's a nice touch of quality.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Someone's gone to the effort of hand-carving that.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38And, again, that echoes the dining chairs of the time.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43- You'll see a lot of dining chairs with that sort of splat on the back. - Right.- Nice little caned seat,
0:28:43 > 0:28:47- which is actually in good order, which is nice.- Yes. - Looks like it could be original.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51It could have been replaced. But it's been done sympathetically.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55- Yes.- And it's been done well. And then these long, elegant legs.
0:28:55 > 0:29:01- There's a nice little splay at the bottom.- Yes.- It adds that little... It gives it that stability.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06- Yes, I particularly like that, the way it splays out.- That's another typical feature of the period.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11That little splayed front leg. And the wood itself is in beech.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- Oh, right, yes. - You can generally tell beech when you get these flecks...
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- Yes. - ..just by the way the wood is cut.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Right. I see.- That's the way the rings appear on the surface.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27- Yes.- But up here, they've just added these little pen marks or paint marks,
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- just to simulate the rosewood grain. - Yes. That's interesting. I didn't know that.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34So if someone was sitting on it, you might just see the top rail.
0:29:34 > 0:29:40- So that's where they've made the effort to try and make it look more expensive than it is.- Yes.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- I mean, I like it myself. Do you like it?- Yes, I do like it. - So why are you selling it?
0:29:44 > 0:29:50- Well, since I had that, parents have died and I've inherited various other chairs.- Yes.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53There isn't really a lot of room left for chairs.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57As this one isn't used, I thought it made sense to get rid of that one.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02- OK, so if you got your money back... - Yes.- ..that would be a good ending to the story, wouldn't it?
0:30:02 > 0:30:09- You'd have had the enjoyment of it. - Yes.- So I'm going to say let me put the estimate at 40 to 60.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Yes.- Straddle that £50 mark. - Right, yes, that's fine.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- Do you want to reserve it? Or are you happy for it to...- Perhaps I should have a reserve on it.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- Let's put a reserve on at 30. - Yes.- If it's not worth £30 then I say take it home.- Yes.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- It's got to be worth £30. - That's fine.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- I'm pretty sure you'll have no trouble getting that away on the day.- OK.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30And thanks for bringing in a bit of furniture for me to look at.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- That's all right. - Thanks very much.- Thanks.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Chris, you brought this lighter in to show us. Tell me where you got it from.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Well, I actually bought it in a jumble sale about 30 years-plus ago.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50- I paid 50 pence for it.- You bought it from a jumble sale for 50p?
0:30:50 > 0:30:56- Yeah.- That's brilliant.- I took it home and cleaned it up and realised it was nine-carat gold.- It is.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00Absolutely, nine-carat gold, yeah. And it's got a wonderful maker's mark.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04- Did you recognise the name at the time, Dunhill?- Yeah, I did, yes.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- I sent it away to Dunhill cigarette manufacturers in London.- Yeah.
0:31:08 > 0:31:14- And I asked if they could repair it, cos there was a pin broken on it. - Right.- They refurbished it fully.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18- They sent it back to me with no charge.- Oh, gosh, that was very generous, wasn't it?
0:31:18 > 0:31:23And also they offered me £100 to buy it for their museum.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28- Wow! So how long ago was that? - That's got to be about 30 years ago because I didn't have it that long.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- I wasn't planning on keeping it anyway.- Mm.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35But when they said it was £100, I thought I'd hang onto it, you know?
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Exactly. So why have you changed your mind about selling it?
0:31:38 > 0:31:45Well, it's been in a drawer for 30 years now, and I watched the Flog It! programme,
0:31:45 > 0:31:50- and I saw you were down at Exmouth so I thought I'd bring it along just to see what it's worth now.- Brilliant.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Excellent. That's good news. They've done a very good job refurbishing it.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59- And you haven't used it, because we've got this very, very clean... - Never been used.- No.
0:31:59 > 0:32:05- Not since I had it refurbished. - Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. And it's in very good condition.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08It's in nine-carat gold. We've got a nine-carat gold coat here.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12And on the bottom, all the information about it. Nice nine-carat gold hallmark there.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18Which is also hallmarked Dunhill. So the case was also made by Dunhill.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23Some of them weren't. Some were made by a different manufacturer, and they put the Dunhill name to it.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28- Right.- You do get them in a variety of different forms. You get them with engine turning,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32also, rather than this oval shape, I have seen them in a facetted form.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- I think it's really quite nice in its simplicity.- Yeah.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39- You bought it from a jumble sale, you don't know who owned it before? - No.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43You would have been fairly affluent to have a nine-carat gold lighter.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48- Yeah. - From the hallmark, it's dated 1929.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52So it's from the late 20s. It's nice we can pinpoint the date accurately.
0:32:52 > 0:32:59Value-wise, we might be looking somewhere in the region of £250 to £350. How do you feel about that?
0:32:59 > 0:33:06- Sounds good.- Good. Excellent. So would you be happy if we put an estimate of £250 to £350?
0:33:06 > 0:33:10- Yeah.- And a firm reserve of £250. How would you feel about that?
0:33:10 > 0:33:14- I was thinking more a £300 reserve. - £300 reserve, OK.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17So we'll say £300 to £400 with a reserve of £300.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22I hope that's not a little bit too high, it might be, but let's keep our fingers crossed.
0:33:22 > 0:33:28- I could always keep it and it would go up in value.- That's very true. It will not go down in value.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33- Brilliant. Thank you very much for bringing it in.- Thank you. - We look forward to the auction.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- Hopefully it will be very successful for you. - Hopefully, yes.- Thank you.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40'Whatever happens, you're onto a winner, Chris.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45'It's time for our final valuation, and it looks like Will has found quite a collection.'
0:33:45 > 0:33:50Well, Jean, you've come in today with a real Aladdin's cave here of various gold items.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55- Tell me, have these come out of your own jewellery box?- No, I inherited them many years ago.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00Inherited pieces, OK. So you're not going to feel a pang of sentimentality when you sell them?
0:34:00 > 0:34:05- Was it a close family member? - No, not at all. I think I met the relation once as a child.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09So there's no sentimental or emotional attachment to them at all.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14OK. Let's have a look at what you have brought in. I like this necklace you have brought in,
0:34:14 > 0:34:19which I've had a closer look at and is marked 15-carat gold, so a reasonable purity of gold.
0:34:19 > 0:34:26- But I love this wirework onto the cabochon beads...- Yes. - ..tied on this strung necklace.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31- Never been tempted to wear it? - No, I think it's hideous. I don't like it.- There's me talking it up.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35What about this? I don't think that's going to be in your pocket, being a gents watch.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40And the condition of it is rather poor. Was it like that when you inherited it?
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- I think it was, yes. It's never worked since I had it. - Never worked, OK.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49Well, to be honest with you, that's not really a big problem because, even though it is a pocket watch,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- all the value in that is in the 18-carat gold case.- Right.
0:34:53 > 0:34:59Then over here we've got various little charms and sweetheart brooches on this little bracelet.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04- Again, when was the last time you ever wore a charm bracelet? - Oh, as a child.- Exactly.
0:35:04 > 0:35:11- They've really fallen out of fashion.- Yes.- But good news is they're nearly all nine-carat gold.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- So that has value in the material value of what they're made of. - Lovely.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18These little sweetheart brooches are nearly always nine-carat gold.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21You see a lot of those late-Victorian period.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24And then here a little charm that perhaps fell off a bracelet.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29Or maybe was on a chain as a little pendant locket, perhaps.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32So, we've got 15-carat gold there, we've got 18-carat gold here,
0:35:32 > 0:35:37we've got various nine-carat gold items there. It pains me to talk in this way,
0:35:37 > 0:35:43but with the price of gold being so high, these are literally going to be weighed in, I'm afraid.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- Yes.- And their value is purely in what they weigh. - On the weight, right.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Now, the watch case, 18-carat gold,
0:35:49 > 0:35:54you're probably looking at £300, that sort of level for the case.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- That does surprise me. - It's a lot of money, isn't it? For really not a lot of gold.- Yes.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02The price is up there. Nine-carat gold charms and so on,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06you're probably looking at, say, £100, £150.
0:36:06 > 0:36:12And then for the 15-carat gold necklace, again, you're probably looking at around the £300 mark.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15- Very good.- Surprising, isn't it? - Yes.- It soon mounts up.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19So if we think we are looking here at £750-ish, that sort of level.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- Good grief!- I think we're going to need to reserve these,
0:36:22 > 0:36:27but a lot of the buyers of these things will go to the sales armed with their digital scales.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32- And they will weigh the items there and then. So they know exactly where to bid.- Yes.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37You have to allow a bit compared to the bullion price, bearing in mind that buyers pay a buyers' premium.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42But even so, I'm confident that if you were happy to put these in
0:36:42 > 0:36:46at £600 to £800 with a reserve at £600,
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- I'm pretty confident we will see these away. How do you feel about that as a level?- Sounds good. Fine.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54What's the money going towards, maybe some jewellery you do wear?
0:36:54 > 0:37:01- I think a nice holiday.- Oh, very nice. Let's swap this gold for the goldy, sandy beach, how's that?
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- Very good. - I'll see you on the day.- Thank you.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Well, that's it. We've found our final items to take off to auction.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15So it's time to say farewell to the Pavilion here in Exmouth.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20We've found some real treasures. Hopefully there will be one or two big surprises on our second visit.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Here's our experts to give you a quick reminder of what we're taking along,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27but more importantly, why we're taking them.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31I'm not mean enough to make my kids sit on this chair, but look,
0:37:31 > 0:37:37a nice, clean, good quality example of a model. I think this will do quite well at the saleroom.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Bearing in mind Chris bought this lighter for 50p,
0:37:39 > 0:37:43I think any Dunhill collector would be delighted to add this to their collection.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Seems a shame to talk about this jewellery in terms of scrap weight,
0:37:47 > 0:37:52but it's really a reflection of the market. And if Jean gets a holiday out of it, I'm all for it.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00'So we're back in Exeter for a last visit to the saleroom
0:38:00 > 0:38:02'with auctioneer Chris Hampton.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06'And first up hoping his lighter sparks a bidding frenzy is Chris.'
0:38:06 > 0:38:08These are the stories we like to hear.
0:38:08 > 0:38:15Picked up for 50p on a jumble sale and hopefully it's going to achieve £300 to £400. Chris, good luck.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19- Christina, these are the stories we love.- I know. Isn't it wonderful?
0:38:19 > 0:38:25- Nine-carat gold, George V. Why are you selling now?- It's been in a drawer at home for 30 to 40 years.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29I saw your programme in Exmouth and thought I'd see how much it's worth.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- And we're going to find out right now.- Fingers crossed.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- Hopefully we get that top end. - Selling now at £370. - This is it. It's exciting.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Dunhill, the George V nine-carat gold
0:38:39 > 0:38:41petrol-operated cigarette lighter.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44£200.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47200, thank you, at £200. At 200.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52At 220. 240. 60. 280. 300.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- Ah!- At 300.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58At £300. Where's 20? At £300.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03- It's sold on the reserve.- Yes. - Selling at £300.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07We did it! That's not a bad return on 50p. Put it there.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- Pleased with that. - Good spotting, sir!
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- That was a bit tight, wasn't it? - It really was.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- THEY LAUGH - It is a rollercoaster ride.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19- Well done. There's commission to pay, don't forget. It's 16.5 percent plus VAT.- Yep.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- Thank you very much indeed. - Thank you for bringing it in.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25'Selling for 600 times the purchase price,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28'it's a result that would have any of us on the edge of our seat.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32'Talking of which, next is that lovely beech wood deportment chair.'
0:39:32 > 0:39:34It's a lovely example. It belongs to Sally.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38We're not looking for a lot of money, are we, Will? £40, £50.
0:39:38 > 0:39:44Condition is really good. I like the bar back. It's nice and high. Makes you sit straight.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- Why are you selling today? - Well, I've inherited quite a few chairs since I bought that one.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- And I need to do a bit of work on the ones I've inherited.- Sure.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- So one has got to go.- One has got to go, really, so hopefully it will.
0:39:56 > 0:40:01Let's find out, shall we? And hopefully we'll find a home for it. Here we go!
0:40:01 > 0:40:05The stained beech deportment or correction chair,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- and I've two bids at £40.- Two bids straight in at 40.- Excellent.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13At £55. Where's 60? 60. 65?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15In the room against the reserve.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19- And I sell then at £65. - HAMMER BANGS
0:40:19 > 0:40:24Sally, it's a good result. Hammer's gone down, £65. Good clean example.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26I'm glad that went, because if that hadn't sold,
0:40:26 > 0:40:31- then the furniture market really would've been in the doldrums today. - And that's quite sad.- Exactly.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36- I'm pleased about that. - Good. Good. And thank you for bringing it in.- Thank you.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40'Before our final lot, on the preview day, I caught up with auctioneer Chris.
0:40:40 > 0:40:46'Market values fluctuate in the antiques business, some items more than others.'
0:40:46 > 0:40:50We've got a collection of jewellery belonging to Jean. No sentimental value.
0:40:50 > 0:40:56She's raising money for a holiday. It includes charm bracelets, necklaces and a gold pocket watch.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00With a value of £600 to £800 as a job lot, all that as one lot.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04And we think it's a bit on the low side.
0:41:04 > 0:41:10I think, given the value of gold, which has shown significant increase over the last year,
0:41:10 > 0:41:15on the basis of that, the estimate, and therefore the reserve, does need to be a bit higher than we've got.
0:41:15 > 0:41:21OK, currently we had a £600 reserve. What have you put the reserve up to now?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- We think £900.- Wow! As much as that?
0:41:23 > 0:41:27So, you're hoping this might do £900 to £1,200?
0:41:27 > 0:41:32- I would hope 900 to 1,300. That sort of estimate.- OK, wow.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36And this is all down to the melt value, for scrap value. But hopefully a lot of this...
0:41:36 > 0:41:39That won't get melted down, will it? There's collectables there.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44- This is a very nice 18-carat gold watch.- Yep.- Nice charm bracelet.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48So, all being well, those items will be bought for what they are,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- rather than to put in the pot.- Yeah.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56- Much interest? - A lot of interest, yeah.- Good. Good.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Well, it's your job to get on the rostrum and get that hammer going, I guess.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01THEY LAUGH
0:42:01 > 0:42:06'So there's no time to waste. Let's fill Jean in on what Chris said.'
0:42:06 > 0:42:11- The original valuation, £600 to £800.- Yeah.- Gold prices have just gone up recently.- Mm.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16- Good news for you. Because I know the auctioneer has had a chat to you on the phone, hasn't he?- Yes.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- The new estimate is £900 to £1,300. - Amazing.- Good news.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- You've got to keep your eye on those gold prices, haven't you? - Exciting.- It is, isn't it?
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- If we wait ten minutes, hopefully the price will have gone up again. - THEY LAUGH
0:42:29 > 0:42:31It's going under the hammer now. This is it.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36The gentleman's 18-carat gold, key-wound pocket watch,
0:42:36 > 0:42:3915-carat gold rope-twist necklace with filigree beads,
0:42:39 > 0:42:43a continental bracelet, ten charms attached, two brooches,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47a chain and a book-form locket.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51And I'm bid £750. At £750.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54At 750. At £750. 800.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57And 50. At £850.
0:42:57 > 0:43:02- 900. 50.- I can't see who's bidding. - Someone's left a bid on the book.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06You don't have to be in the room, you can bid on the phone, online,
0:43:06 > 0:43:10- or you can leave a bid on the book. - 1,200. And 50.
0:43:10 > 0:43:151,300. At £1,300 near me.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- Top end of the estimate. - Selling now at £1,300. You all done?
0:43:19 > 0:43:21£1,300, thank you.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- Oh, you must be so made up with that.- I'm staggered!
0:43:25 > 0:43:28- Worth getting up this morning. - Oh, definitely.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30'With that money going towards a holiday,
0:43:30 > 0:43:36'I'm sure Jean will be packing her suitcase and feeling the sand between her toes in no time at all.'
0:43:36 > 0:43:40How about that? Most people have gone home happy. That's what it's all about.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44As you see, the auction is still on. We've had a terrific time here at Exeter.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Thanks to everybody here for looking after us. I can't wait to come back.
0:43:47 > 0:43:52But until then, join me again for many more surprises on Flog It! Bye-bye.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:57 > 0:44:01E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk
0:44:01 > 0:44:02.