0:00:02 > 0:00:09We all have collectables gathering dust in the attic and one man's trash is another man's treasure.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Let's put that old maxim to the test, shall we?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:35 > 0:00:39We're in Winchester where the legend of St Swithin's originates.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42The story is he was buried in Winchester Cathedral,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46but against his dying wishes, his remains were removed.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50As a sign of his displeasure, it rained for a solid 40 days.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55The legend goes that if it rains on the saint's day, which is the 15th of July,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59it's going to proceed to rain for another 39 days.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10Hundreds of people have turned up today, all laden with bags and boxes,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13outside the Guildhall here in Winchester,
0:01:13 > 0:01:18all hoping to go through to the auction and make a small fortune.
0:01:18 > 0:01:25'St Swithin may be doing his worst here today, but it hasn't dampened the spirits of our crowd.
0:01:25 > 0:01:32'Whatever the weather, there'll be no stopping our experts - Christina Trevanion and James Lewis.'
0:01:32 > 0:01:38- That could be interesting.- 'Which one will create the biggest storm in the saleroom? All will be revealed.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:43- We have a commission bid here. - This is worth every single penny, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50- We should have three telephones. - He's not messing about, is he? - All done, last time?
0:01:58 > 0:02:02What a fabulous atmosphere in the room, everybody in high spirits,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06hoping to go through to the auction and go home with a small fortune.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11With all these bags and boxes to dive into, we're literally spoilt for choice.
0:02:13 > 0:02:19Christina is first to the tables. Let's take a closer look at what she's spotted.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Shirley, on my table here, I've never had a Ferrari, an Alfa Romeo,
0:02:23 > 0:02:28the creme de la creme of all the car makes, and you've brought them in.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- That's fantastic.- Yes. - Thank you very much. Where have they all come from?
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- They're my husband's.- Does he know you've brought them here?- Yes.- Phew!
0:02:39 > 0:02:45His brother was in the air force and he used to buy 'em when he came home. He was a bit older than him.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49- They're all presents to... What's your husband's name?- Ken. - To Ken, OK.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54As you probably know, we've got a collection of Dinky toys,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57the great name in die-cast vehicles.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02It was one of the first factories to produce die-cast, collectors' vehicles.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05The majority, apart from these two, are Dinky.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10Now, Dinky was set up in 1934 and proved very, very popular.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15And these are classic, 1930s, racing vehicles, if not slightly earlier.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21But these particular ones are actually post-war, so we're looking at about post-1945, 1950,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25for the Dinky vehicles especially.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29This set of racing cars is wonderful. Which is Ken's favourite?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- This one. This is the Maserati. - The Maserati?
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Yeah, he used to fly 'em down the school, I think, when he took 'em to school.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42- Have races.- So he's played with them which is what they were bought for. Fantastic.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46We've got two Corgi ones here which look very, very similar.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52The reason that they look so similar is because Corgi saw how successful Dinky was
0:03:52 > 0:03:57and Corgi established its factory in South Wales in direct competition with Dinky.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02They chose the name Corgi because it's the national Welsh dog.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08So a wonderful collection, but there are a couple of things that worry me here.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11The first is that we've got some replacement tyres here.
0:04:11 > 0:04:17We've also got one that hasn't got a tyre at all. We've got a bit of a missing tyre there.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23And in places, some have been retouched and repainted, so that is all going to affect the value.
0:04:23 > 0:04:29I think we're probably looking somewhere for the group in the region of £60 to £100 at auction.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Right.- So how do we feel about that? - Yeah, that's OK.- All right.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37So if we put an estimate of £60 to £100
0:04:37 > 0:04:42and we'll put a firm reserve of £60, so they won't go for any less than £60 if they sell...
0:04:42 > 0:04:48- Yeah.- Are you going to get the money or Ken?- Ken's going to get the money.- Good.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- He'll put it towards his classic Norton he's restoring.- Is that right?
0:04:52 > 0:04:57- Yes.- Brilliant. We'll sell these in aid of Ken's restoration fund.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03Hopefully, he can get that motorbike back on the road and it doesn't end up a three-wheeler like this one.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07We'll be back a little later to find out if Shirley's toy collection
0:05:07 > 0:05:10manages to ratchet up a good price at auction.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15But first, it looks like Trisha wants to test my valuation skills
0:05:15 > 0:05:18with her beautifully preserved periscope.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- Thank you, Trisha. - It's a great pleasure.- You're the proud owner of this.- I am.
0:05:25 > 0:05:31Not for much longer if you sell it. This will fly out of the doors. It's a bit of treen.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Treen like I've never seen before.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35It's beautifully cased in a shagreen case,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38"shagreen" meaning "shark skin".
0:05:38 > 0:05:43Looking at this, it's definitely an item of quality,
0:05:43 > 0:05:49so I want you to tell me a little bit about what you know about it and where it's come from.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Well, it comes from my... I'm assuming it belonged to my father.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59He was a doctor and during the war, he was in the navy,
0:05:59 > 0:06:05so whether it was anything to do with his work, I've no idea.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07What did his father do? Do you know?
0:06:07 > 0:06:12His father was... He worked for a shipping line in Liverpool.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18I've got to say this is a lot earlier. I'm hoping one of those picked it up as it intrigued them.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23- This is definitely early 1800s, at the very latest, 1815, 1820.- Gosh!
0:06:23 > 0:06:27We're talking Napoleonic War, 1815, Battle of Waterloo.
0:06:27 > 0:06:33Let me get it out and show you. It's a beautiful piece of turned rosewood.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38It's a periscope, but rather than for looking upwards, it's for looking around a corner.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41A field surgeon could use this.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45If you had an open flesh wound and you looked down inside,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48you could see if anything was tucked sideways.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53- I don't know.- I don't know. - I'm just coming to conclusions, but I do know this is real quality.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57And if I look this way at the camera there,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59I can see you.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04And if you look at the camera there, can you see your little sister?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Yeah.- Isn't that clever?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- Yeah.- Have you seen that? - I can't see anything through it.
0:07:10 > 0:07:16- You're probably looking at the wrong end.- Probably!- Don't look through that end. That's the eyepiece.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- Can you see us now? - Yes, I can, I can!
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- It's the first time I've seen anything through it.- Really?- Yes.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- Isn't that clever?- Really clever.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Value-wise, well... Phew! What do you think it's worth?
0:07:30 > 0:07:36I really don't know, but I suppose, now that you've told me it's old...
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- £100?- Easily £100, something of that quality, yeah.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- I'm hoping 200 to 300.- Really?- Hmm.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- Wow!- But to get that sort of money, we've got to pitch it sensibly.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Let's call it 100 to 200 and see what happens.- That's fine.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58- If it's what I think it is, you'll be in for a big surprise. Happy, Trish?- Thanks, Paul.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- Yes, that's lovely.- Thank you for bringing in quality like that.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09'I'm so pleased Trisha brought her periscope to my attention. I just love unusual objects like that.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14'Let's head to the other side of the room where James seems to be making a big fuss
0:08:14 > 0:08:18'over the item that Jackie and Paul have brought along.'
0:08:18 > 0:08:24- Thanks so much for bringing what has to be the biggest piece of Moorcroft I have seen in years.- Lovely.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Is it a family piece?- Yes.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- It was my mum's and she died, what, about 26 years ago?- 26 years ago.
0:08:33 > 0:08:3626 years ago. Obviously, it was left to us then.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40I think it must be between 50 and 60 years minimum.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45Yeah. Let's turn it over because that will tell you lots of information.
0:08:45 > 0:08:51We've got "W Moorcroft, potter to HM the Queen".
0:08:51 > 0:08:57OK. And it's "WM". It's the WM script mark, "made in England" mark,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59so it is about that sort of date.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- Late '40s, '50s.- I see.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05It's a wonderful shape, that globular shape.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- It's beautiful.- Anemone pattern. The colours are super.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13We see a lot of Moorcroft, so I won't go on about the history
0:09:13 > 0:09:17because we've heard it... What's that I've tipped out? A rubber band?
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Probably.- What do you keep in there?
0:09:20 > 0:09:24When my daughter comes round, she puts her poodle's coat in there.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- A poodle's coat?- And the dog lead.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- And three balls that it plays with. - Oh, no.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- What if the poodle wants its balls? - It bounces up and down, hoping to get high enough.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- I hope it can't.- No, definitely not. - Dear me!
0:09:39 > 0:09:42You need to find another big vase.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47- That's right.- Because this is a wonderful piece of art pottery.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49This pattern started in 1938.
0:09:49 > 0:09:55From 1939 to 1945, during the war,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58there was a restriction on the use of colours
0:09:58 > 0:10:02because the last thing you wanted was somebody in a ceramics studio
0:10:02 > 0:10:08- using your cobalt oxide to make a blue glaze when it could be going to the war effort.- That's right.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12After the war when the restrictions were lifted on the use of colour,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16you get a lot of rather strange combinations of colour,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- so it's a classic of its time.- Yes.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- So you obviously watch Flog It. - Yes, all the time.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26You know your values. What do you think it's worth?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29We're hopeful that it might be worth around 1,000.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- OK...- But obviously, we'd like to know from you as well.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- I think that's a lot.- You do?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I'd like to put an estimate of 400 to 600
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- which is a lot less than you were hoping.- Hmm.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44But...
0:10:46 > 0:10:48We could put 5 to 8.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- What do you think?- I think £1,000 for it is too high.- Right.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- I don't think... Goodness me, would I love to be proved wrong!- Yes.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- I'd be jumping up and down. - I would love you to be proved wrong.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- We're selling it really because it's our golden wedding coming up.- OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09We want to do a rather large party.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14I don't know. Could we sort of do something like 7 to 8?
0:11:14 > 0:11:19It's your vase, it's your thing and you have to be happy with it. Why don't we put 7 to 9?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- That would be lovely.- 7 to 9. - That would be fine.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25I think we're really pushing it,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28but let's put an estimate of 700 to 900,
0:11:28 > 0:11:33a reserve of 7, and if it doesn't make that, you'll have to tone your party down a bit.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- That's fine.- That sounds lovely. - Is that all right?- Yes.
0:11:37 > 0:11:43I'm hoping that a bidder will rescue Jackie and Paul's Moorcroft from the jaws of their daughter's poodle
0:11:43 > 0:11:45when it goes into auction,
0:11:45 > 0:11:51but before we head to the saleroom, here's a quick reminder of what we're taking with us and why.
0:11:53 > 0:11:59I love this collection of Corgi and Dinky toys. I hope they race away from my expectations.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01I must stop playing with them now!
0:12:01 > 0:12:06I'll put this optical instrument into auction as I've not come across this before.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Fingers crossed, it's going to fly away.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15I know Moorcroft is an old Flog It favourite, but this one is a really good size.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19And it's also going to a really good cause. I hope it sells.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26The sun is shining. Hopefully, everybody is in a good mood
0:12:26 > 0:12:30because it's auction day when we put our valuations to the test.
0:12:30 > 0:12:36Our owners will be inside thinking, "Will it sell, won't it sell, have our experts got it right?"
0:12:36 > 0:12:41We'll put it to the test at Andrew Smith & Son in Itchen Stoke just outside Winchester.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Let's go inside and catch up with our owners.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55This is what I like to see - an auction room packed with bidders.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00The sale is about to start and hopefully, we'll have one or two surprises.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03This is where it gets exciting.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05£95 in the room and selling...
0:13:05 > 0:13:09'Every auction house charges a seller's commission
0:13:09 > 0:13:11'and at this one, the rate is 15%.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15'Auctioneers Nick Jarrett and Andrew Smith are sharing the rostrum today
0:13:15 > 0:13:21'which is just as well because I think it's going to be a fast and furious sale.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27'So let's get cracking as it looks like our first lot is just about to go under the hammer.'
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- No boys in sight here, Christina and Shirley.- Yeah, girl power.
0:13:31 > 0:13:38- You girls like your cars. - Absolutely.- Maseratis, Mercedes? - I'll have one of each, please!
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- You can - one of these little toy ones!- At a fraction of the price!
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Any chap would buy you a toy one.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48The boys would like the Sunbeam possibly and the Alfa Romeo.
0:13:48 > 0:13:55- Nice little collection. Why is hubby selling them?- He's had them for 50 years. They've been in a cupboard.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00- And he's into classic motorbikes. - So the money will go towards some bike repairs.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- Yeah, a Norton Dominator he's restoring at the moment.- Is he?- Yeah.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08What do you get out of it? You're standing here for him.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11We'll have a nice holiday. He's paying for that.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Good luck. You could say this lot is top gear. Here we go.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19This is the Dinky toys.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Good collection here.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25We have a good collection of commission bids -
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- one, two, three, four.- Oh!- Wow! - There's a bit of interest.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33I'm going to start the bidding at £250. Is there 260 in the room?
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Look at my husband's face!
0:14:36 > 0:14:39At £250, commission bid. Is there 260?
0:14:39 > 0:14:41At £250 then...
0:14:42 > 0:14:46260 we have. Commission bids are out now. At 260 to the net.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48280. Make it 300?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50300 we have. And 20?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57At £300 then. Any more? At £300...
0:14:57 > 0:15:01At £300 and selling. £300.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03For the very last time...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06There he is over there. He's got a big grin on his face!
0:15:06 > 0:15:11- Brilliant.- They certainly did race out, didn't they?- Yeah, fantastic.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Gosh!- Well done.- That'll do.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- In this case, condition didn't matter.- Obviously not.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Nice early figures. The big names were there. Brilliant.
0:15:20 > 0:15:26'Top gear indeed! Shirley's collection revved up a great price, tripling Christina's estimate.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30'Let's hope the same holds true for James's valuation skills
0:15:30 > 0:15:33'as Jackie and Paul's Moorcroft is up next.'
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Hello. Thank you for bringing such good quality on to the show.
0:15:39 > 0:15:45- Why are you selling this, Paul? - We have four daughters and you can't split it four ways.
0:15:45 > 0:15:51The money will go to a nice party for the whole family, which would split it between the whole family.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- That's one way of dividing it. - That's what we'd like to do.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- James, let's hope we get the top end of your estimate.- I hope so.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03It's a great vase. It's such a wonderful size and shape.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07The colour is good, so it's got everything in its favour.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Let's find out what the bidders think. Good luck.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15This is the large Moorcroft vase showing there.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21We have a commission bid. I'll start at £550.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23That's a bit low.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Commission bid at 550. Is there 570?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29570.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31600. And 20.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34650. 670.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Commission bid's out. 670 in the room. Is there 700?
0:16:40 > 0:16:41700.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- There's somebody in the room.- Yeah.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49770? £750 straight down the middle. Is there 770?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51At £750 then and selling...
0:16:51 > 0:16:57- We're selling. - At £750 for the last time...
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- It's gone.- Great.- That was good, wasn't it?- Lovely.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Well done. That is a relief, isn't it? It was close.
0:17:04 > 0:17:11- There was a lot riding on that. - Nothing like a bit of tension in the saleroom.- I was always confident.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17'It was a slow climb, but £750 is a decent result for Jackie and Paul.
0:17:17 > 0:17:23'My turn to be tested now as I'm joined by Shirley for the sale of her stunning rosewood periscope.'
0:17:26 > 0:17:32It's all going really well so far. Things are looking up which brings us nicely to my next lot.
0:17:32 > 0:17:38- Yes, it's that periscope belonging to Trisha. Hello.- Hello. - I absolutely love this.
0:17:38 > 0:17:45We're looking for around £100 to £200. Wonderful optical instrument. Quality, quality, quality.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- Sad to see it go now, thinking about it?- No, not really
0:17:49 > 0:17:53because I didn't know it existed until I brought it to you,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57so it's not something that I remember being in the family.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Let's hope it's a day you remember today then. It's going under the hammer.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04The pocket periscope,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07a bit unusual.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I'm starting you at 110.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15120 can I say? 120, 130, 140...
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- They like this, Trisha.- Oh, wow!
0:18:18 > 0:18:20..180. 190, was it? 190. 200?
0:18:20 > 0:18:26At 190, gentleman's bid now. 200 on the net. 220. 240.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28260. 280.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31300. And 20.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36350.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37380.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39400. And 20?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42At £400 in the room.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Anybody else in at £400, all done?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Last chance... 420.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- Fresh bidder.- Oh, wow!
0:18:50 > 0:18:52At £450.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Anybody else in? At £450, are you done?
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- That's what I like to see. - Really?- £450.- Oh, wow!
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- Oh, wow!- That's a good result.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09- I'm ever so happy with that. - Well done.- Up periscope, that's what I say!
0:19:09 > 0:19:14'A great outcome for Shirley. We certainly seem to be on a roll today,
0:19:14 > 0:19:20'so stay tuned to see how our next batch of items performs in the saleroom later on in the show,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'but first, join me as I head over to a magnificent stately home
0:19:24 > 0:19:27'for the ultimate art and history indulgence.'
0:19:41 > 0:19:47I often imagine one day I'm going to be lord of the manor and own a great big stately pile like this.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52Look at that. Isn't it magnificent? It's what dreams are made of.
0:19:52 > 0:19:58But sadly, this dream comes to a crushing end when you realise the price tag involved,
0:19:58 > 0:20:03but for one Hampshire woman, her dream became a reality and it didn't cost her a penny.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07I'm here to find out exactly how she pulled it off.
0:20:09 > 0:20:15'Kerry Bignell is the house steward for the National Trust property, Mottisfont Abbey,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19'a former medieval priory nestling in the heart of rural Hampshire.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24'Dating all the way back to 1201, this place is simply bursting with history.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28'Eight years ago, after turning her back on London and her career in TV,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32'she successfully applied for the post of conservation assistant
0:20:32 > 0:20:38'and was handed the keys to this place where she has since worked her way up to house steward.'
0:20:38 > 0:20:43Kerry, I've got to say, I really do love your work space. Look at that.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48What a fantastic backdrop! What's the best thing about living in such a house?
0:20:48 > 0:20:53Not just the building, but the grounds, the wildlife. We're surrounded by ducks.
0:20:53 > 0:20:59You're always using your imagination because you're thinking what was happening then.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Walking through the previous owners' footsteps?- Yes.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Trying to imagine how they felt about the place as well.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10You do hear odd things at night.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- I bet you do.- And I don't think it's the heating.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19I've heard a lady's voice a number of times at the front door of the apartment,
0:21:19 > 0:21:24saying, "Hello, hello," and other people have heard it as well.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- But there's no ill feeling with it. - No.- It's got a wonderful, happy feeling, this place.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32It's very serene, very tranquil.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35So how has your job evolved over the years?
0:21:35 > 0:21:39It was a very laid-back position when I first came here.
0:21:39 > 0:21:46It's now really quite challenging because there are so many changes going on here and very, very quickly.
0:21:46 > 0:21:53You're having to keep up and keep interest and have new stuff going on all the time,
0:21:53 > 0:21:58so I'm very much involved in the development of the house.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02What type of experience do you hope the public get from coming here?
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- Very, very enjoyable.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:22:05 > 0:22:11I hope they can become passionate about the place like I have.
0:22:11 > 0:22:17I'm going to go off and explore for myself and take it all in because there's just so much history here.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- Please do.- Thank you for having a chat with me.- You're welcome.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Mottisfont was originally an Augustine priory,
0:22:26 > 0:22:32but during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the place was completely demolished.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Little of the Tudor building that replaced the abbey remains today,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40but evidence of the past can still be found if you look carefully.
0:22:40 > 0:22:46Here, in the Cellarium, for example, you can see remnants of the former abbey
0:22:46 > 0:22:51and the lower two storeys of this staircase date back to the Tudor period.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01This epic room which runs along the south front of the house is the Long Gallery, installed in the 1740s
0:23:01 > 0:23:05by Mottisfont's third wave of occupants, the Barker-Mills family.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11They set about remodelling the house into the form that we see today, on the outside at least.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14But it's Mottisfont's last private owner, Maud Russell,
0:23:14 > 0:23:19who made the biggest impression on the inside of this magnificent house.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23She had a wonderful eye, wonderful taste as well.
0:23:25 > 0:23:31In 1934, Maud, along with her husband Gilbert, took up residence at Mottisfont.
0:23:31 > 0:23:37Maud was a real patron of the arts and enjoyed using this place as the backdrop to her lavish parties,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40inviting some of the biggest creatives of the day,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44people like photographer Cecil Beaton, artist Rex Whistler
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and other members of the Bright Young Things set.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Maud quickly embarked on a major transformation,
0:23:51 > 0:23:57adding a wing to the west front before injecting a real sense of glamour to the interiors
0:23:57 > 0:24:00with elegant, neo-classical style decorations.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Oh, gosh, just look at this!
0:24:05 > 0:24:11That's spectacular. If one room in this house really captures Maud's creative flair, it's this one.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16This was formerly the grand entrance hall, but Maud had much loftier plans.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21She commissioned artist Rex Whistler to completely transform this space
0:24:21 > 0:24:25into this wonderful, vaulted drawing room that you see today.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31This technique is known as trompe l'oeil, "trick of the eye", and it's all illusionistic paintwork.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33It's incredibly clever.
0:24:33 > 0:24:39It's bending perspective and vanishing points to create depth where there is no depth.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45Here's an example. The curtains are real, but the swags and the pelmets are all faux.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50These Corinthian columns are not right either. It's very clever.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56Up there is a little message that Rex has left. He was painting this room on the 3rd of September, 1939,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00the day that England declared war on Germany.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03But the project was by no means plain-sailing.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07There was a lot of creative tension between Maud and Whistler.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Here on this magnificent panel, look at the detail here.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15At the bottom, you've got some gauntlets which were tied together.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17They're Whistler's gloves.
0:25:17 > 0:25:24It's said that the ropes around them show the constraint that he felt across the whole of this project.
0:25:24 > 0:25:30He must have spent months painting this and it must have cost Maud an absolute fortune,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34but being an artist, he had a sense of irony, a sense of humour,
0:25:34 > 0:25:39because he's left a paint pot on the top of that Corinthian column.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Look up there on that capital, there's a pot and a brush.
0:25:42 > 0:25:48All I want to do is get a large pair of stepladders, climb up there and grab that,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51but you can't because it's not real.
0:25:58 > 0:26:04There's no disputing the awesome impact their joint venture has had on this place.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09They've transformed this room, a blank canvas, into an astonishing work of art.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16You can see how Maud really stamped her personality on this place
0:26:16 > 0:26:20and as you wander around, you can still feel her presence here today.
0:26:20 > 0:26:26She was a real one-off and her offbeat behaviour certainly set local tongues wagging.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30She was even said to have kept a live crocodile in the nursery.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36Whether rumour or real, one thing's for sure, she certainly made a lasting impression.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42Mottisfont has the most wonderful air of romantic timelessness about it
0:26:42 > 0:26:46and unlike many National Trust properties, it's not overly grand.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51It's just the kind of house you could see yourself living in. I just wish I did.
0:26:56 > 0:27:02From a home with a hidden past to the secret history buried inside the item
0:27:02 > 0:27:09that Neil brought in to show Christina as we head back to the Guildhall for some more valuations.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13It looks fairly plain from the outside.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It is, yes, and rather scruffy.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Yes, it does look rather scruffy,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22but it's enclosing a rather wonderful hidden treasure.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Before we open it up, tell me how you got it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30Well, when I was at school, I needed a desk for my homework
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- and my parents put a bid in on one in a local auction.- Right.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Then were rather surprised to find that this was part of the same lot.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- It was "buy one, get one free". - We didn't set out to buy it, no.
0:27:42 > 0:27:49We've got some information on the back. If we turn it around, we've got the maker's mark "W&J Milne".
0:27:49 > 0:27:53They were based in Edinburgh. And if we open it up,
0:27:53 > 0:27:57we've got this wonderful, fitted leather interior.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01We've got the writing slope here, then the plot thickens
0:28:01 > 0:28:04because we've got this wonderful tooling on the leather
0:28:04 > 0:28:09which says, "Lady Anne Saville from J Cumming Macdona MP,"
0:28:09 > 0:28:11and it's dated 1897.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Yes, the date on there is actually her wedding date.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And she married a German prince,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- Prince Ludwig of Lowenstein-Wertheim. - Oh, my goodness!
0:28:22 > 0:28:26He went off and got himself shot in a war...
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- Oh!- A war in the Philippines. - Oh, dear, poor chap!
0:28:29 > 0:28:33She then went on to become a pioneer aviator
0:28:33 > 0:28:37and finally died in 1927
0:28:37 > 0:28:42on an attempt to be the first woman to fly the Atlantic.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Goodness! - So, a rather sad story.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50- A sad story, but absolutely fascinating.- Yes, that's right.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54So this rather scruffy little box has led a rather exciting life.
0:28:54 > 0:29:01- Well, it has.- It makes you wonder what sort of wonderful letters that she wrote on here.- That's right.
0:29:01 > 0:29:07It was the laptop case of its day. You have a wonderful fitted interior where you put everything you need.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11And we've got all these instruments and tools here,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16everything you could want for writing and storing all your correspondence.
0:29:16 > 0:29:22- The only thing that worries me is that from the outside...- It's not impressive.- It's not, sadly.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26But this wonderful inscription will hopefully help.
0:29:26 > 0:29:32I would really hope that at auction, it would estimate somewhere in the region of £80 to £120.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37- Yes.- I think we might have to be slightly more conservative with the reserve.
0:29:37 > 0:29:43If we put a firm reserve of maybe £60 on it and I hope that it flies away to a nice new home
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- and we find it someone who will use it and love it.- We hope so.- Hope so.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53Let's hope that writing slope continues to make history when it comes up for sale in a while.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Another historical conundrum now
0:29:56 > 0:30:02as James tries to assess the provenance of Margaret's beautiful elephant brooch.
0:30:03 > 0:30:09Margaret, I'm expecting you to tell me tales of Maharajahs and Indian palaces
0:30:09 > 0:30:14and wonderful family history sitting out on the terrace, drinking gin and tonic.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- Well, you're in for a disappointment.- Oh.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22It was a gift from my son-in-law because I like quirky things.
0:30:22 > 0:30:28I thought I'd like to find out if there is a history to it of some kind and a value.
0:30:28 > 0:30:33So is this something that you wear, something that you wear out to the local shops?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35No, I wore it once.
0:30:35 > 0:30:41- Why only once?- The weight of it ripped the top that I had it on. - Did it?- Yeah.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45I just can't imagine the way that that's been crafted,
0:30:45 > 0:30:50- every little crease of the trunk, it's wonderful.- It really is.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54For me, it cries out India.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56- Mm-hm.- For various reasons.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00One, a very high carat of gold and not marked.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04It's that lovely, very rich gold colour
0:31:04 > 0:31:09and set with these really amazing baroque pearls.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11They're all lumpy and misshapen.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17And the eyes are made from tiny, old cut diamonds.
0:31:18 > 0:31:24- What a wonderful piece! Look at the character of that trunk stuck on to the end of the pearl.- Beautiful.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28So if we turn him over, the pendant has actually got...
0:31:28 > 0:31:31It's engraved and chased
0:31:31 > 0:31:36and it has an elephant under what looks to be a palm tree there,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39which is again wonderful imagery.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43You could almost imagine this being an imperial gift.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- Where did your son-in-law find it? Was he in India?- No.
0:31:47 > 0:31:53- Is he Indian?- No. I think he realises what a gem he's got in my daughter, so he gave me a gem
0:31:53 > 0:31:55- in place of her.- Lovely.
0:31:55 > 0:32:01I can imagine that this was something that was brought back by somebody of real money and standing.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06A late 19th century, Edwardian lady has gone over to India,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09possibly an official gift.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13We haven't got the provenance. Now, that really does affect it.
0:32:13 > 0:32:19- It's not marked "in gold", so it has to be said "tests as" or "gold-coloured metal".- Yeah.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23But a wonderful object.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25I think...
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- ..£300 to £500.- Mm-hm.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- How do you feel about that? - I'd like it to get a bit more.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Wouldn't we all? We always would.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41- But that sounds OK.- Would you like to put a reserve on it?- Yes.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45How much would you be happy to let it go for?
0:32:45 > 0:32:47- Four?- Four?
0:32:47 > 0:32:54If you put the reserve at four and want 400, you'll have to put a 400 to 600 estimate and a 400 reserve.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- Yeah, that would be OK. - Let's do that.
0:32:57 > 0:33:04- The weight of the gold might take it up to that sort of level, so I'm sure it'll do well.- Thank you.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09Margaret's brooch is a real quality item, such intricate workmanship.
0:33:09 > 0:33:16Time for tea now as Christina wets her whistle with Peggy's Shelley tea service.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Peggy, you've brought this wonderful tea service in to us today.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- You have got some more to it.- Yes.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29But we couldn't fit it all on this table.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- But you've got a tea set for six people?- Six.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37- You've got six cups, six saucers... - Six trios, yes.- Super.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41When we say "trio", we mean the cup, the saucer and the plate as well.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45So tell me where you got it and how it's come to be in your possession.
0:33:45 > 0:33:51It was my mother's. She left it to me and she was left it by a very good friend.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55What we know about it is on its bottom, really.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00- We can tell exactly the pattern and the date by looking at the bottom.- OK.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04We know that it's Shelley. It's got a registered number there.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- This painted number here refers to the pattern.- Right.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11The pattern is what we call the Blue Iris pattern.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14I knew it was Blue something, right.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17And it's a really nice example of a Shelley tea service.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22- It's a very popular pattern at the moment.- Is it? - In the auction room, yeah.
0:34:22 > 0:34:28- This pattern was introduced in 1928. I would say it's contemporary with 1928.- Right.
0:34:28 > 0:34:34If we look at the shape of it which is referred to as the Queen Anne shape,
0:34:34 > 0:34:41it's quite faceted, quite angular, so very much in keeping with the Art Deco movement coming in at the time.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46Overall, it is in very good condition, but we do have a few issues, don't we?
0:34:46 > 0:34:51- Yes, I didn't realise all of them. I realised the sugar bowl.- Yes.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55We've got a crack in the sugar bowl which is also stained,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- so that will affect the value slightly.- All right.
0:34:58 > 0:35:05We've also got a crack in one of these cups over here, quite an extensive hairline crack there.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Having said that, Shelley is still very collectable
0:35:08 > 0:35:15and it really is one of the only tea services that sells particularly well at auction
0:35:15 > 0:35:19because there is a very active Shelley collectors' community.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23- Good.- Which all adds to a good estimate, hopefully.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I think if we were to offer it at auction,
0:35:26 > 0:35:31we would be looking somewhere in the region of maybe £250 to £300.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- Right.- Something like that.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37- Especially because you've got the teapot and the hot water jug.- Yes.
0:35:37 > 0:35:43Which is quite hard to come by. Often they were used and as such, they were damaged.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Bearing in mind the condition,
0:35:46 > 0:35:52- we need to set the reserve at 250 with some slight discretion, should we need it.- That's fine.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- It should sell really well. - Brilliant.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59I took it to somebody a couple of years ago and he valued it at 40.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- Oh, my goodness!- Yes. - I'll have it now!
0:36:02 > 0:36:08- We can do a lot better than that. - Slightly up on that. - We can do A LOT better than that.
0:36:08 > 0:36:14- OK, fingers crossed.- Fingers crossed we'll find a Shelley collector that's as keen on it as we are.- OK.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:36:16 > 0:36:23Peggy's service is definitely my cup of tea - a good name and a considerable collection.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27Well, that's it. Our experts have now made their final choices.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33It's time to say a rather sad farewell to the magnificent Guildhall here in Winchester
0:36:33 > 0:36:36as we head over to the auction room with our latest finds.
0:36:36 > 0:36:42Here's our experts to give you a quick recap of what we're taking along. You could say it's all...
0:36:42 > 0:36:44in the balance.
0:36:44 > 0:36:50Shelley is very delicate, but this tea service is going to go to a good collector's home.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52I love India and I love elephants.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57If only this little brooch could talk, what a history it would have!
0:36:57 > 0:37:02This writing box is a plain Jane, but turns into a crimson beauty when you open her up.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06I hope she does well at auction. I've got high hopes.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13'We're back in Itchen Stoke for our second round of auctions and I'm keeping my fingers crossed
0:37:13 > 0:37:16'that we match the success of our earlier lots.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21'And it's Neil's writing slope first to go under the gavel.'
0:37:21 > 0:37:26It's a Victorian one, but you open it up and what an inscription,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29dated 1897, a pioneer aviator.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Why are you selling this?
0:37:31 > 0:37:37You can't keep everything and it would be nice for someone to have fun researching the story like I have.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41It's a fascinating story. There's enough material for a soap opera.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46Yes, there'll be collectors out there interested. Let's see what they think about it.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50This is the writing, stationery box.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56We have a commission bid here. I shall start the bidding at £85.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- Oh, brilliant!- It's sold anyway.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01£90. The commission bidder's out.
0:38:01 > 0:38:0395. 100.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07And 10. 120. 130.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- 140. 150...- This is worth every single penny, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14..180. 190. 200.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16And 20.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18240?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20At £220.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24At £220. Is there any more?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28At £220. Are you all done?
0:38:30 > 0:38:34At £220 then for the very last time...
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I'm ever so pleased. The hammer's gone down on 220.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41You deserve every penny of that and so did that little box.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45That's testament to your research as well. It was brilliant.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Yes, I'm really glad that it's gone to someone.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55'A hidden treasure indeed! That writing slope managed to double Christina's estimate.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00'Let's see if her luck continues as Peggy's Shelley tea service is up next.'
0:39:00 > 0:39:06Don't put the kettle on. We're about to put the Shelley tea service under the hammer.
0:39:06 > 0:39:12- There's a lot of it, 22 pieces in total. Peggy...- Yes?- We've seen these fly away on the show before.
0:39:12 > 0:39:18- That'd be nice.- We're looking at a valuation of £250 to £300. Maybe we could get more.- I really hope so.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- Why are you selling this? - It's so delicate.
0:39:21 > 0:39:26- I daren't use it.- Is it on display? - It was where we used to live.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- Are you a big fan of Shelley tea services?- I love this pattern.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- It's very displayable. - The decorators will like this one.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- You put it on a dresser, you've got the look.- Yeah.- That's where it was.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Let's find out what this lot think because really it is down to them.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- Yeah.- We can speculate, we can pontificate, but it doesn't matter.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50Let's see if we can get that top end. Here we go. It's gone quiet!
0:39:51 > 0:39:55The Shelley Blue Iris pattern tea service.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01We have a commission bid here and we'll start the bidding at £250.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Straight in.- Brilliant.- At £250.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09I'm selling. Is there 270? 270. 300. And 20?
0:40:09 > 0:40:12At £300 and selling. Is there 20?
0:40:12 > 0:40:14At £300 then. Any more?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20At £300. Are you done?
0:40:20 > 0:40:22At £300 then, commission bid.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26If you're all done at £300, very last time...?
0:40:27 > 0:40:31The buyer wasn't here. A commission bid left on the book. It's gone.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35- Thank you very much.- You're more than welcome.- Well done, you.- Yeah.
0:40:35 > 0:40:41'That commission bid managed to hit the top end of Christina's estimate. A fantastic result, Peggy!
0:40:41 > 0:40:47'Let's see if Margaret's elephant brooch strikes gold. It's the last of our line-up to be auctioned.'
0:40:47 > 0:40:52The auctioneer absolutely adores this. He agrees with your valuation.
0:40:52 > 0:40:58- He's grinning like a Cheshire cat. There's lots of interest.- I'm hoping it's going to do really well.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Of all the things I saw, this is my favourite. It's wonderful.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05- You're going to treat the grandchildren?- I am, yes.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- And I want to make a donation to my church.- OK.
0:41:08 > 0:41:14They've seen me through some rough times in the last 12 months, so they deserve something.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18Let's hope we don't get a rough ride now. It's all down to the bidders.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Let's see what it's worth. Here we go.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26The Indian elephant head brooch.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Three telephones and a commission bid. I'll start the bidding at £400.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Commission bid. Is there 20 in the room? At £400. Is there 20?
0:41:38 > 0:41:42420. 450. 470. 500.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46And 20. 550. 570. 600. And 20.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48650. 670.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50700. And 20. 750.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54770. 800. And 20. 850. 870.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56900. And 20.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58950. 970.
0:41:58 > 0:42:001,000. And 50.
0:42:00 > 0:42:021,100. And 50.
0:42:02 > 0:42:041,200. And 50.
0:42:04 > 0:42:081,300. And 50. 1,400. 1,500.
0:42:08 > 0:42:101,600. 1,700...
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- He's not messing about, is he? - ..1,900.
0:42:13 > 0:42:172,000. 2,200. The commission bid's out. 2,200 in the room.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Oh, you'd better hold my hand!
0:42:19 > 0:42:22£2,200, Margaret!
0:42:22 > 0:42:252,400 at the back. 2,600. 2,800.
0:42:25 > 0:42:293,000? 2,800 to the telephone at the back. Is there 3,000?
0:42:29 > 0:42:33At £2,800. Is there any more?
0:42:33 > 0:42:34At £2,800...
0:42:35 > 0:42:37£2,800...
0:42:37 > 0:42:40All done, last time...?
0:42:41 > 0:42:43- Yes!- Yes! Well done!
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- Two thousand, eight hundred pounds! - Well done.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51- Oh, well done.- I wish I'd bought some champagne now!
0:42:51 > 0:42:54- Quality, quality, quality. - Thank you so much.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Thank you for bringing it in.
0:42:57 > 0:43:03- You're not here by yourself?- No. - Who's here with you?- My daughter. - Hello. A tear in her eye as well.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09Aw! What a fabulous day for both of you! It's not over yet. You can still enjoy yourself.
0:43:09 > 0:43:14I hope you enjoyed that roller-coaster ride. We certainly had a surprise today.
0:43:14 > 0:43:19What a wonderful way to end the show! From Itchen Stoke, until the next time, goodbye.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk