0:00:04 > 0:00:09This magnificent building is Dulwich College in South London
0:00:09 > 0:00:12and the architect was Charles Barry Junior.
0:00:12 > 0:00:18His father designed the Houses of Parliament, but it's what's on the inside that interests me
0:00:18 > 0:00:21because it's our valuation day. Welcome to Flog It.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45This magnificent school was founded in 1619
0:00:45 > 0:00:49by Edward Alleyn, one of the most famous actors of the day.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54Originally, it was to educate just 12 pupils, poor scholars as they were known,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57but despite Dulwich College's humble beginnings,
0:00:57 > 0:01:02it's grown to be one of the most successful independent schools in the country.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07Hundreds of people have turned up to get their items valued by our experts.
0:01:07 > 0:01:13They want to know what it's worth, it's our job to tell them, so let's get on with the show.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17'This London crowd can't wait to put our experts through their paces
0:01:17 > 0:01:22'and who knows what treasures lie in all those bags and boxes, waiting to be unearthed?
0:01:27 > 0:01:32'Heading up the experts today is the lovely Kate Bateman.'
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- That's quite cool, isn't it? - It's rather nice.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'And the distinguished Michael Baggott.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- You might be thinking of parting with it?- That might be a "no".
0:01:45 > 0:01:51- 'Coming up, Michael gets philosophical.'- It's got the peach of immortality in it.- Yeah.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Maybe the buyer thinks he'll live for ever.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56'Kate's lost for words.'
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Um, I thought about 200 to 400?
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Oh... Oh...
0:02:03 > 0:02:06'And as always, the tension of the auction.'
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Fingers crossed!
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'The crowds are pouring in, the heat is rising
0:02:13 > 0:02:18'and first up on Michael's table are Cristina and her beautiful brooch.'
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Cristina, thank you for bringing along this intriguing brooch.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Can you tell me where you got it from?
0:02:25 > 0:02:28It was my wedding present in 1965.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33- Good grief!- I come from Italy, so it was from Italy.
0:02:33 > 0:02:39And a friend of the family gave it to me and she said it belonged to her grandmother. That's all I know.
0:02:39 > 0:02:46- That's marvellous. So it's come all the way from Rome to Dulwich to be on Flog It?- Yes.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- It's actually come further than that.- Really?- Do you know where it was made?- No idea.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- This is in fact a Chinese brooch. - Oh, my goodness!
0:02:55 > 0:03:02- There are certain factors. Chinese jewellery is heavily influenced with filigree work.- Yeah.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06And all of this ground, the little flowers and scrolls,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09it's all very fine lines of wire
0:03:09 > 0:03:14that have worked and soldered together to form these decorative motifs.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Amazingly difficult, technically demanding
0:03:17 > 0:03:21and you can imagine the time it takes to do something like this.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27But if you didn't know, because there are no marks on it apart from a little silver mark,
0:03:27 > 0:03:33if you didn't know it was Chinese from that, you know it's Chinese from what's in the middle of it.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36And that is a little immortal peach.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41So the gods would eat these peaches and become immortal.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Oh, it's got a lot of history.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47And I think is earlier than the brooch.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50I think the brooch is about 1890, 1900.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54But this little carving which is out of amethyst,
0:03:54 > 0:04:00I think is probably late 18th, early 19th century.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05It isn't of marvellous quality, but it's a rare little precious item on its own.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Fantastic journey, to have something from China to Italy.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I thought she just gave me something to get rid of it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17You might be forgiven for thinking it's costume jewellery at a glance,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22but it's got all of this history tied up with it and all this craftsmanship.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- The sad thing is it's not dramatically valuable.- Yeah.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33- That, I think, just as a pretty brooch, is worth £30 to £50 of anybody's money.- Yeah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37And because of its sentimental attachment to you as a wedding gift,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- I think we've got to put a reserve of £30 on it.- Yeah.
0:04:41 > 0:04:48But who knows, two people might see as much in it as I do and it might go on from there,
0:04:48 > 0:04:53- but you're happy to...? - Yeah, quite happy.- Why now have you decided to part with it?
0:04:53 > 0:04:58I don't know. It's always inside a jewellery box. I never do anything with it.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- That's the sad thing with brooches today.- I know.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07But that craftsmanship might prompt someone to feel, "I'll buy it and wear it."
0:05:07 > 0:05:12- You never know.- Even if it's just to go to the supermarket on a Saturday! Who knows?
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- We'll just see on the day.- I look forward to it.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:05:16 > 0:05:22Let's hope Cristina's brooch catches the eye of someone who will wear it with pride.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28Now, over on Kate's table, Karen has brought in an unusual bronze figure.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33You've brought this fantastic figure in. What can you tell me about it?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36That it belonged or belongs to my mother.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And she's had it since the late 1920s.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44It came from a gentleman that used to be a doctor
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and my mum used to go and visit him with her mother.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53He knew that she liked it and used to let her play with it, then he gave it to her.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56It's always sat on the side indoors.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- Just on a shelf somewhere? - Just on a shelf somewhere.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- We were told not to touch it as it's very heavy.- Do you like it?
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Yes and no.- It's a funny thing. - I don't know.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13- There's something about it, but I'm not quite sure that I'd give it house room myself.- OK.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- Do you know who made it, first of all?- I know it's Bergman,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- but only because of the programme. - A-ha! We've popularised Franz Bergman!
0:06:22 > 0:06:28It is a chap called Franz Bergman. On the bottom you've got the "B" in a little urn
0:06:28 > 0:06:30which is the mark for Franz Bergman.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36He did various things. He's known for his slightly risque, sort of naughty, erotic ladies,
0:06:36 > 0:06:41so bronze, very Art Nouveau, Art Deco ladies. This is not one of those ones.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44He did a series of North African, Arab-type scenes.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49This is one of those. It's somebody like a Berber tribesman, a North African,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53with his camel gun or something like that.
0:06:53 > 0:06:59And his dirk or his curved sword behind him and traditional dress.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02It's quite fun. It's not to everyone's taste.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- No.- You don't particularly like it. Your mum liked it. - Yeah, it's got memories.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- How old do you think it is? - Oh, about 1920s.- Right, OK.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16About the same time as the naughty figurines. He was a sculptor.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- You can tell that in...- There's a lot of detail.- It's very well done.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22He is very collectable. He is the best.
0:07:22 > 0:07:28Basically, condition-wise, I'm going to have a moan at this point.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31He's got a bit of a wonky barrel of his gun.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37It's a cold-painted bronze, so it was a cast bronze figure that then they let cool, they painted
0:07:37 > 0:07:43and all of these chips is where the original paint has chipped back to the bronze underneath.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- That's why it's so heavy because it is a bronze and it's a very dense thing.- Right.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54- Do you have any idea what you think it's worth? - I thought about 200 to 400?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Oh... Oh...
0:07:56 > 0:08:00That's fairly... That's fairly... That's fairly good.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- The condition might be an issue with this one.- That's fair enough.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09This can be straightened out, but there's always a chance that it will break,
0:08:09 > 0:08:15- so you've got to be fairly gutsy to try and do it and that will affect the buying of this.- Right.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21- I would say maybe the lower end of your estimate, so 200 to 300 is doable in this condition.- OK.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I would put a reserve of 150 just to protect it,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- so that if it doesn't make it, we'll make a firm reserve at 150.- OK.
0:08:28 > 0:08:35- Hopefully, between 200 and 300. - That would be good.- Your mum will be happy with that.- Yes, she will be.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40'Fingers crossed we can make Karen's mum's day and get a great price at auction.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46'I've found something special and I want to take it somewhere quiet for a closer look.'
0:08:46 > 0:08:51Come with me, Annette. We've left the hustle and bustle of the valuation in the next room.
0:08:51 > 0:08:57We're in the library. You've brought in a book to show me, so I thought I'd show you several thousand,
0:08:57 > 0:09:03but I bet there's not a book like that in here. Tell me all about this autograph album.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09- I saw Paul McCartney quite often as I lived close by. And I was a big Beatles fan.- Were you?
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- I still am.- Can I have a look?- Yes.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Oh, look at this. This is lovely.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Oh, look, there's Jane Asher.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- She was engaged to Paul McCartney? - She was, yes.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- So you've got all the Beatles. - I have.- All on separate pages.- Yes.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29- Did you take all of these photographs?- I did take them all.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- So you got behind the scenes?- Yes.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Lots of hanging around, lots of hours just waiting?
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Yes, but he was worth it. - What a reward!- I know.
0:09:38 > 0:09:44- Not just Paul McCartney, but John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo.- Yes.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- And the wives.- That's right. - You're a good photographer as well. - Thank you.
0:09:49 > 0:09:55You've captured a moment back in time in the 1960s which is so evocative, isn't it?
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- It's so rock'n'roll. It really is.- Yeah.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- Is this something you're thinking of selling?- No. - I couldn't twist your arm?- No.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08Look, Ringo Starr, the drummer. This... This is priceless.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11This is a wonderful piece of Beatles memorabilia.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16In ten years of doing Flog It, we've seen a lot of Beatles memorabilia,
0:10:16 > 0:10:21but nothing as comprehensive as this. Those four autographs on one sheet of paper,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25you'll fetch two grand for, with provenance, £3,000.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29But what you've got here, what do you think this is worth?
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- I don't know.- If I said to you around £4,000 to £5,000, would you be really happy?
0:10:34 > 0:10:40- I would be very happy. - That's what it would be. Make sure you get this insured.- I will.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Don't lose it.- I know. I won't. - Oh, gosh! It's all your memories.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- It's so old as well. - I'm pleased you're not selling it. Do you have kids?- I do.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- That'll be their inheritance.- Yes.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Thank you for bringing that in. - Thank you.
0:10:55 > 0:11:01'That was such a treat. I'm so pleased Annette is hanging on to that book for her kids to enjoy.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06'Back in the hall, Michael has homed in on some silver that Josephine has brought in.'
0:11:07 > 0:11:11I'm always delighted to see a bit of silver on Flog It.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16These are wonderful. It's a christening bowl and spoon.
0:11:16 > 0:11:23- So are they yours?- Yes, they're mine.- When were they given to you? - When I was christened.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It's indiscreet of me to ask!
0:11:25 > 0:11:28So you were given them for your christening.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33It's strange they don't have more of a sentimental attachment to you?
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Well, it's just that my daughter and son are not terribly keen,
0:11:37 > 0:11:43so I just thought I would come and see what it was worth and see if I could sell it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Very sensible. What we've got...
0:11:46 > 0:11:50It's unusual because they were bought second-hand for you
0:11:50 > 0:11:53and we've got an earlier spoon with a later bowl.
0:11:53 > 0:12:00- Oh, right.- So if we look at the spoon first, this might have been from a three-piece christening set.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03It's usual to get the spoon, knife and fork.
0:12:03 > 0:12:09As it's a very elaborate pattern, normally the hallmarks would be struck towards the top of the stem,
0:12:09 > 0:12:15but that would damage the design, so in this case it's marked on the edge of the back of the bowl.
0:12:15 > 0:12:21And if I huff on it, and I only do that to reduce the glare when I look at the marks,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25we can see that it was made in London in 1878.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31- Right.- And there's the maker's mark. It's always good to see on a spoon "GA".
0:12:31 > 0:12:33George Adams for Chawner & Company.
0:12:33 > 0:12:40- They're one of the best silversmiths producing flatware in the 19th century.- I see.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42This is somewhat later
0:12:42 > 0:12:45and from a different assay office.
0:12:45 > 0:12:51And that's got the mark of Atkin Brothers. And that was made in Sheffield in 1901.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57- Oh, I see. - So, Victorian and just, just Victorian, early Edwardian.- Yeah.
0:12:57 > 0:13:03Really, they're two separate items. We'll put them in together, but they don't relate to one another.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08That spoon is worth...£15 to £25.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- Oh, right.- Probably in its silver weight alone, actually, these days.
0:13:13 > 0:13:20The bowl is the more commercial thing and I think the two together would be £100 to £150 at auction.
0:13:20 > 0:13:27And I think if we have a little bit of discretion and put a reserve of £90, would that be OK?
0:13:27 > 0:13:33Well, I'd like to put it a bit higher because they do take commission as well, don't they?
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- So you'd like it at 100?- I wouldn't like it to go for less than 100.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- Well, we'll put 100 fixed on it. - Yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45We'll hope that two people are looking for christening gifts at the auction.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Yeah.- And we might do very much better than that.- OK.
0:13:49 > 0:13:56- You're happy to do that?- Yes.- We'll put them into the auction and hope for a marvellous result.- Thank you.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59'Some level-headed thinking from Josephine
0:13:59 > 0:14:04'and I think she made a good call with that reserve.'
0:14:04 > 0:14:09We are now halfway through our day. We've found our first three items to take to auction,
0:14:09 > 0:14:14so this is where all the talking stops and the action begins.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20Here's a quick reminder from our experts, just to jog your memory, of the items we've found so far.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Given the immense work that's gone into making this wonderful brooch,
0:14:24 > 0:14:28it well deserves to make its £30 to £50 estimate at auction.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31This Bergman bronze is the best that you can get.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37It's great quality. I'm hoping the condition doesn't do for it on the day. I hope it makes my estimate.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43As this spoon and bowl have been together for so long already, I hope the new owners keep them together.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48Our items are going under the hammer at Greenwich Auctions in south-east London.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Right, it's auction time. I'm getting excited. I hope you are.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00'The saleroom is already filling up with eager bidders.
0:15:00 > 0:15:07'I met up with auctioneer Robert Dodd and asked him what he thought about Josephine's bowl and spoon.'
0:15:07 > 0:15:13Josephine's family silver - she's selling this because her son and her daughter don't really want it.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16We've got £100 to £150 on the two as one lot.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20I spoke to the lady again and said I'm going to split them up,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24only because they are two completely different eras.
0:15:24 > 0:15:32- I've got people who are collectors of spoons who I don't think would pay £100 for that spoon.- No.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37I've also got people who collect Edwardian silver or whatever it might be
0:15:37 > 0:15:40and I think it gives the vendor more of a chance
0:15:40 > 0:15:45of hitting that reserve and hopefully going over by separating them.
0:15:45 > 0:15:51- So I'm confident.- I'm confident about that one. I think you've done the right thing.- Thank you.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55'We'll find out in a bit what the bidders think.
0:15:55 > 0:16:02'Auctioneer Robert has tweaked the estimates on our items to give them the best chance of selling.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05'And now it's our first item.'
0:16:05 > 0:16:10Going under the hammer is a Chinese brooch. It belongs to Cristina and it was a wedding present.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- A long time ago.- 1965?- Yes.- That's what I read in my notes.- Correct.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Fingers crossed we get the top end.
0:16:17 > 0:16:23- I know brooches are out of fashion, but it's so much work. - You never know. We might be lucky.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27We might be lucky. Fingers crossed. Here we go. Let's find out.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Lot 355, late Victorian, Chinese filigree brooch.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36And the bid's with me straight away at £40.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- Straight in.- Looking for 42. I've got 40 on it. Looking for 42.
0:16:40 > 0:16:4345. 48. 50.
0:16:43 > 0:16:455 I need. 55. 60 with me.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- It's the quality of it. - I'll take 62. 5 with me.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Looking for 70 on the brooch. I've got 65. Are we all done?
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- £70 there.- They like it.- That's good.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Are we all done? Last time on this brooch. Selling at £70...
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- Yes, £70.- I'm pleased.- That's good. - Thank you very much.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- It was worth every penny.- Thank you. - It's got the peach of immortality.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Maybe the buyer thinks he'll live for ever.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- Thank you for coming in.- Thank you. - I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you.
0:17:14 > 0:17:20'What a great result for Cristina! Let's see if Josephine's silver items can do as well.'
0:17:20 > 0:17:26Next up, the silver christening bowl and spoon. They belong to Josephine who's right next to me.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- Hello, Josephine.- Hello. - The auctioneer has split the lot.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34The christening bowl is coming up first, then the spoon.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38- Hopefully, we'll get all the money in the first lot.- Yes.- £100 reserve.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- Ready?- Yes, sure.- This is it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45Lot 310 is the early 20th century, hallmarked silver bowl.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50- Fingers crossed. - The bid's with me at £100 on this.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55- Straight in.- Straight in. We've got our reserve.- Yes.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57100, looking for 110. All done?
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Last time on this silver bowl at £100...
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- Sold.- I hate to say it, but it's down to the scrap, I'm afraid.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- That one is, isn't it?- Yeah. - OK, and now the spoon.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Lot 311, Victorian, hallmarked silver, Art Nouveau tablespoon
0:18:13 > 0:18:17with a vine relief. Lovely lot. The bid's with me at £12.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Looking for 15. 18. 20 with me. Looking for 22, are we all done?
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- Selling at £20...- £120. Got to be happy with that.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- Yes, that's fine.- Yes.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- Silver of the 20th century lacks a bit of excitement because we can value it almost so precisely.- Yeah.
0:18:33 > 0:18:40The reserve was its price and it's met that. We got a bit more for the spoon. That's the upside.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Yes.- Yeah.- OK, that's fine. - Thank you.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46250. 260. 270...
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Remember, if you are buying or selling at auction, there is commission to pay.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56It does vary from saleroom to saleroom. You can pay as low as 10% or as much as 20%.
0:18:56 > 0:19:03Here in fact, it's 21.6% including the VAT, so you must factor that in to whatever you are selling.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09'Well, the sale is in full swing and we've had two super results so far.'
0:19:09 > 0:19:13190. 200. 210. 220. 230...
0:19:13 > 0:19:17'Karen's up next with her tribesman figurine.'
0:19:17 > 0:19:23Karen, good luck. We've seen many Franz Bergman bronzes on the show and they never let us down.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25OK, here we go. Good luck.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32Lot 280, painted bronze sculpture of a Middle Eastern warrior,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35attributed to Franz Bergman.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38And it's got to start with a bid with me of...
0:19:39 > 0:19:41..£120.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Looking for 130.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48140 here. Looking for 150 on this cold-painted bronze.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50£150...
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- On the phone. That's good. - Back of the room, looking for 160.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59160. 170 at the back of the room. Looking for 180.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03180 on the phone. 190 at the back of the room. Looking for 200.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07There's somebody in the room. That's good. They've seen it as well.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10210 at the back of the room. Looking for 220...
0:20:10 > 0:20:12£210. 220 I need.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Are we all done at £220 on the second phone?
0:20:16 > 0:20:19£230 at the back of the room. Looking for 240...
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- £240...- You see, it doesn't let us down.- That's good.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- It is Bergman. You know that.- Yeah.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Looking for 280. 280 I need.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34280. 290 at the back of the room. Looking for 300.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37£300 I want. £300 on the phone. 310...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- We're getting a bit more now.- Yeah.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44320. 330 at the back of the room. Looking for 340...
0:20:44 > 0:20:50340. 350 I need. 350 I've got. Looking for 360...
0:20:50 > 0:20:54360 on the telephone. Looking for 370. Are we all done?
0:20:54 > 0:20:59At £360 on the telephone...
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Yes! Doesn't that hammer go down with a lot of force? Crack!
0:21:03 > 0:21:05It's like a carpenter's mallet!
0:21:05 > 0:21:10- That's a really good result - top end and a bit more. - Yeah. Thank you very much.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13'Things are sailing along nicely at the auction
0:21:13 > 0:21:18'and we'll be back later on with more items to go under the hammer,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23'but first I want to tell you about a dilemma of astronomical proportions.'
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Life at sea in the 15th and 16th centuries was extremely dangerous.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Sailors had started exploring the high seas in search of new worlds,
0:21:40 > 0:21:46but had no accurate way of knowing their longitude, their position east or west.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Maps were useless without being sure of your location
0:21:49 > 0:21:53and ships often hit rocks, causing thousands of deaths.
0:21:55 > 0:22:01But when King Charles II realised how serious the problem was, he decided something must be done.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06By 1674, he was convinced the solution lay in astronomy.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12So he set up the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to try to solve the longitude problem
0:22:12 > 0:22:16and he made John Flamsteed the first Astronomer Royal.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21'The first building here was completed in 1675.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27'The following year, Flamsteed started recording star positions,
0:22:27 > 0:22:34'hoping navigators at sea could use this information to work out their longitude.'
0:22:34 > 0:22:39But despite all of his hard work to find an astronomical solution,
0:22:39 > 0:22:45more awful tragedies at sea put pressure on the government to find a quicker answer.
0:22:45 > 0:22:51They appointed a panel of experts called the Longitude Board, who offered a £20,000 reward to anybody
0:22:51 > 0:22:56who solved the problem of longitude at sea within half a degree.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02'The prize attracted a lot of interest and people throughout the world tried to crack it.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08'Many thought the answer lay in a device telling you how far you were from a set point in terms of time.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13'This is because the Earth rotates at 360 degrees every 24 hours.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18'So an hour of time is equal to 15 degrees difference in longitude.
0:23:19 > 0:23:25'So if you knew what the time was at your original home port, you could work out your position.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30'But no clock existed that could keep accurate time at sea.
0:23:30 > 0:23:36'The treacherous conditions affected the workings of all clocks in existence.'
0:23:36 > 0:23:38A carpenter finally solved this.
0:23:38 > 0:23:44John Harrison dedicated his life to designing a timepiece that could withstand the rocking of a ship
0:23:44 > 0:23:48and constant changes in temperature without losing any time.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52After decades of research, finally, in 1772,
0:23:52 > 0:23:57one of Harrison's timepieces was successfully trialled and approved by the Board.
0:23:57 > 0:24:04That clock that finally nailed it and is possibly the greatest timepiece ever designed
0:24:04 > 0:24:06is right here. That's it there.
0:24:07 > 0:24:15'Harrison's masterpiece solved the longitude problem and his invention saved countless lives.'
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Important astronomical work continued here at Greenwich,
0:24:20 > 0:24:26each Astronomer Royal studying the sky at night, using telescopes along a meridian, a north-south line.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31By comparing thousands of other observations along the same meridian,
0:24:31 > 0:24:37they pieced together essential information for navigators, astronomers and cartographers.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42'Every time a better telescope was developed, it was placed on a new meridian line.
0:24:42 > 0:24:50'Essentially, a meridian line can be wherever you choose, so there's a number of old lines here.'
0:24:51 > 0:24:57Up until the mid-19th century, towns and cities around the world kept local time.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01The discrepancy in time didn't really matter until the railways.
0:25:01 > 0:25:09Once a rail network system linked all these places, trying to write a timetable was almost impossible.
0:25:09 > 0:25:15So in 1884 an international conference discussed which of the half a dozen or so meridians
0:25:15 > 0:25:19currently being used could be recommended to governments.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24Eventually, Greenwich was picked for its widespread use of data produced here.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28So not only am I standing on the eastern and western hemispheres,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31I'm also at the very start of time.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36'So this is what the meridian line looks like at night.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40'It's projected via a laser into the capital's night sky.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44'You can see it as far as 10 miles away on a clear night.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:50Something else here can be seen from afar - the big, red time ball.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54It was used to help sailors on the Thames in the 19th century.
0:25:54 > 0:26:00Every day, that big red ball would rise up the mast and then at 1pm it would drop down.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06So navigators aboard the ships could calibrate their chronometers before setting out to sea.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11'It was first used in 1833 and it still drops every day.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14'The sailors would have seen this.'
0:26:14 > 0:26:2020 years after the time ball was set up, the Royal Observatory started distributing time electronically
0:26:20 > 0:26:26to Big Ben and the Royal Exchange clock, but accurate time wasn't accessible to everybody,
0:26:26 > 0:26:33so John Henry Belville and later his daughter Ruth set up a private service, selling time.
0:26:33 > 0:26:39They would come here on a Monday morning, set their chronometer against the clocks here
0:26:39 > 0:26:45and then wander off to the city giving accurate time to all the main chronometer makers.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53Of course, I couldn't visit the Royal Observatory without showing its most impressive telescope.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59It is a bit of a whopper. It's a refracting telescope and uses a lens rather than a mirror
0:26:59 > 0:27:03to focus and gather light from the object being observed.
0:27:03 > 0:27:10It's the largest refracting telescope in the UK and the seventh largest in the world.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20The 28-inch lens weighs 200lbs and it was so complicated to produce,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24only two glassmakers in the world were capable of making it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30The telescope itself took 8 years to make and it was finally completed in 1893.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34The telescope was used for research into double star systems -
0:27:34 > 0:27:40stars that share a common centre of gravity. But nowadays this remarkable piece of technology
0:27:40 > 0:27:44is used as an educational tool for visitors.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50By the late-19th century, light pollution from the city and vibration from trains
0:27:50 > 0:27:54started to affect the good work being done here.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59Plans were afoot to relocate in the early 20th century and in the 1930s,
0:27:59 > 0:28:06but that was interrupted because of WWII. The last observation to be done here was made in 1954.
0:28:06 > 0:28:12Further astronomical work continued to flourish at Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex,
0:28:12 > 0:28:18but today the Royal Observatory is open to the public and it's a fascinating insight
0:28:18 > 0:28:25into early science. I hope my little visit inspires you to take a look at this remarkable place.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36We're at Dulwich College in London and our valuation day is bustling.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43Kate's with Sue who wants to find out more about her childhood toy.
0:28:43 > 0:28:50- Sue, welcome to Flog It.- Thank you. - You've brought a really pretty doll. What do you know about her?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53She was given to me in the 1950s, when I was a child,
0:28:53 > 0:28:58- by the wife of one of my father's army pals.- OK.
0:28:58 > 0:29:05Her name was Audrey Smith and she worked at Chad Valley in Shropshire in the 1930s.
0:29:05 > 0:29:12So with hindsight I think she probably dates from the 1930s, rather than the '50s.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17And she was so beautiful I couldn't play with her.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- What?!- I just displayed her and looked at her.
0:29:21 > 0:29:27- The name I chose for her was Caroline because it was the nicest name I could think of.- She's lovely.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31And she is Chad Valley. When we take her shoe off,
0:29:31 > 0:29:38she has the little Chad Valley label. She's really pretty. I can see why you liked her.
0:29:38 > 0:29:44She's got the Nora Wellings-type face. This hand-painted over the top of felt face.
0:29:44 > 0:29:51And then she's got this really lovely little dress. Little flowers. She looks a bit wartime bride.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56I can see why 1950s, but I think she is a bit earlier, as you say.
0:29:56 > 0:30:02- You've got her original box.- I have. - She's velvet or velveteen body
0:30:02 > 0:30:07and then other composite parts are calico. A rather sweet little dress.
0:30:07 > 0:30:13- Yeah, she's an interesting thing and it's brilliant to have it from someone at the factory.- Yes.
0:30:13 > 0:30:19Chad Valley started out as printers in the 19th century, producing all kinds of printed matter.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24And then basically they started producing soft toys in WWI
0:30:24 > 0:30:30- because there was a ban on soft toys made in Germany coming into Britain. - Oh, right.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35That sparked off their turn to the soft toy market and they did a great job.
0:30:35 > 0:30:42- They had artists like Nora Wellings producing them. You loved her. - I did. I thought she was special.
0:30:42 > 0:30:49- And I still do, but she's been up in the loft for 50 years and she has been chewed...- Some little mice.
0:30:49 > 0:30:56She has this fantastic bright pink dress, but it is a little foxed, I suppose, and a bit faded.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00But overall the condition is really good, considering how old she is.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04There are lots of collectors. And her face is good.
0:31:04 > 0:31:10She's got little mohair bits of hair falling out a little bit, but she's pretty good.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- In terms of value...- Yes? - ..I was thinking maybe £50-£100, something like that.
0:31:15 > 0:31:22- Is that a figure you're happy with? - I think £100 is probably a better bet. Can we...?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- 100 is always better than 50! - I know!
0:31:25 > 0:31:30- OK, you want it a bit higher. How about we put £100-£150?- Yes.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33And maybe a fixed reserve just below, say 80?
0:31:33 > 0:31:39- I think that's absolutely fine. - You'd be happy to let it go?- Yes. - Sweet Caroline.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- We hope she sells well. I'm sure she will.- Thank you.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48I hope we can find Caroline a new owner to admire her like Sue did.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Now what on earth has Michael got on his table?
0:31:52 > 0:31:58Ian, thank you for struggling in today with this massive heavy beast of a candlestick.
0:31:58 > 0:32:05- Can you tell me where you got it from?- What it is, basically, is 20 years ago my flatmate died
0:32:05 > 0:32:12and he left it and I thought it was out of character of the house so I've decided to get rid of it.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Well, if you're going to have something in Orientalist taste,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19this is bells and whistles!
0:32:19 > 0:32:25We've got this wonderful Indonesian detailing, these dragon mouths with the scrolls coming out,
0:32:25 > 0:32:33forming the three tripod feet. But if you move up we've got this lovely formal knop and vase
0:32:33 > 0:32:37with these petals coming out and possibly a lotus flower.
0:32:37 > 0:32:43It's not everybody's taste, but if you like the design of this, it's got everything going for it.
0:32:43 > 0:32:50- What century would you say it was? - These aren't marked in any way, so we have to go by the patination.
0:32:50 > 0:32:57Certainly the colour around these knops and the detailing here make me think that it's...
0:32:57 > 0:32:59mid- to late-19th century.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02So 1850 up to 1900.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07There's been a little bit of work, but we can forgive that.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11The one thing we can't forgive is we haven't got another one.
0:33:11 > 0:33:19There's nothing sadder than a single candlestick, so they are sometimes quite difficult things to sell.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- Any idea what the value might be? - I haven't a clue.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27I think had we had a pair of them,
0:33:27 > 0:33:32£150-£250, £200-£300, with no difficulty at all.
0:33:32 > 0:33:39But of course a single one, I think we're in the region of 50... Let's be generous and say £50-£100.
0:33:39 > 0:33:46- Yeah.- But I would certainly set the reserve, with a little bit of discretion, at say £40, fixed.
0:33:46 > 0:33:53I think that's sensible. If we proceed along those lines,it's an attractive purchase to somebody.
0:33:53 > 0:34:00- But why now have you decided to part with it?- I need to get some money to get married.- Oh, marvellous.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04- Oh, it's going to a good cause, then.- It's going to a good cause.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- Well, let's hope it does really well on the day, in that case.- Thanks.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Thank you very much indeed.
0:34:10 > 0:34:16That's a lovely way to spend the proceeds. I hope Ian gets a great result towards his special day.
0:34:16 > 0:34:23What a fabulous turnout we have here today. I think that's because it's half-term school holidays.
0:34:23 > 0:34:30- But hang on - what are you two doing back at school? What's your name? - Phoebe.- Luke.
0:34:30 > 0:34:36- I guess you're into antiques, are you?- We're just here with my grandmother.- Here with grandma.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41- She's into the antiques, isn't she? This is quite a fine school.- Yeah.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- Are you going to come here one day? - Maybe.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48It's all go here, both in front of and behind the cameras.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53Kate's up next with Alan, who has something a bit fishy.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Alan, you have brought a table lighter. What do you know about it?
0:34:57 > 0:35:02- It's a Dunhill.- Because it says Dunhill on the front.- Exactly.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- It's called an aquarium lighter. - For obvious reasons.- Yeah.
0:35:07 > 0:35:13- So where did you get it?- Belgium or Amsterdam in the middle '70s. - Mid-'70s.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18- So you just saw it at an antiques fair?- In the old flea market.- OK.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- And do you collect lighters? - No, no, no. It just caught my eye.
0:35:22 > 0:35:29- You just liked it. Since you've had it, is it on a table or do you use it?- It's just on a shelf.- Right.
0:35:29 > 0:35:36- Well, it's a fairly collectable lighter.- Yeah.- It is 1950s and probably by a chap at Dunhill
0:35:36 > 0:35:43called Ben Shillingford. We know this because he pioneered the use of what they call Lucite,
0:35:43 > 0:35:49which is the American version of our Bakelite. Lucite is clear, lucid, it's a clear plastic.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54- An early plastic polymer. These are single panels - front, back and two sides.- Yeah.
0:35:54 > 0:36:01And you've got this fantastic aquarium scene. He's carved it from the back and then painted.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06- Effective, innit?- It's quite fun. It's not everyone's type of thing.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11- Have you done any research on it? - I have. I've seen them on the internet.- Right.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16And I've seen them going for nine to fifteen, up to sixteen.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20- Hundred pounds?- Yeah. - For this type of lighter?- Yeah.
0:36:20 > 0:36:27There are collectors out there. Dunhill's a very good make of luxury goods, from the 1900s onwards.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32I'm not sure. I think that might be a bit punchy for auction.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37- I was thinking £600-£800, but you'd be a bit gutted.- Without a doubt.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43- How about if we compromise with a slightly higher estimate? £800-£1,000?- That's a lot better.
0:36:43 > 0:36:49- That will be inviting for buyers. But put a reserve at £800.- Yeah. - Would you be OK with that?- OK.
0:36:49 > 0:36:55- It will find its own level. It will make at least £800 or not sell. - Yeah.- So let's have fingers crossed,
0:36:55 > 0:37:01- firm reserve at £800, estimate of £800-£1,000.- Right.- All right? - That sounds all right.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- We'll give it a go.- OK.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09And that's our final item from Dulwich. Before we go to auction,
0:37:09 > 0:37:14let's have a quick reminder of why our experts loved these objects.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18Caroline's really happy to be out of her box and going to auction.
0:37:18 > 0:37:25Let's hope somebody gives her a good home. If she went back in the box, she'd get into worse condition.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30Let's hope the dragons on this breathe fire into the auction!
0:37:30 > 0:37:37This 1950s lighter was for the discerning gentleman. Let's hope someone in the sale room likes it.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41We've not got long before we find out how they fare at auction.
0:37:41 > 0:37:48- £50. 55. £60.- That pretty doll who belongs to Sue is about to go under the hammer.
0:37:48 > 0:37:55The Chad Valley doll. Unfortunately, we don't have Sue, but we do have Sue's husband, Steve.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59You're obviously not a doll fan or this would stay in the house.
0:37:59 > 0:38:05- Well, quite possibly!- Happy with the valuation?- Absolutely.- Spot on.
0:38:05 > 0:38:10- Well, I hope so. There might be collectors here. You just can't tell.- Find out right now!
0:38:13 > 0:38:18Lot 141 is the vintage Chad Valley textile doll with original clothing.
0:38:18 > 0:38:24- Come on.- It's got to start with a bid with me of £72.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29Looking for £75 on the Chad Valley doll. It's worth all of that.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34- Looking for 80. - They're struggling a bit, aren't they?- Oh, I don't know...
0:38:34 > 0:38:37At £78.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41- No.- Thank goodness we put a reserve on. We protected it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- You did the right thing.- It can go into another sale another day.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50That's a real shame for Sue. Let's hope for better luck next time.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53You never know what's going to happen at auction.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58Let's see how Ian gets on with an unusual candlestick.
0:38:58 > 0:39:04All the money for this lot is going towards Ian's wedding and he's right next to me and really excited,
0:39:04 > 0:39:12- but nervous about this auction. - Correct.- We've got that cast metal candlestick, £50-£100.
0:39:12 > 0:39:19- It's got all the flavours of the Orient.- It's got so much detail. - And that period is in vogue.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24- It is.- So hopefully you've hit the market at the right time.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- All we need is two people interested.- He knows the score.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33Let's find out what the bidders think. It's now down to them.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37Oriental cast metal bronzed and gilt effect candle holder.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Great lot, this. Bid's with me at £45.- Brilliant.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Straight in.- That's good.
0:39:43 > 0:39:4648. £50. 55. £60.
0:39:46 > 0:39:4965. £70. 75.
0:39:49 > 0:39:55- 80 with me. Looking for 85. 90 with me. - This is very good. They love it!
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Are we all done? Last time at £100!
0:39:59 > 0:40:02- Yes! A nice £100.- That's good. - Got to be happy.
0:40:02 > 0:40:09- What's the good lady called? - Rosella.- How long have you known her?- About a year and a half.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14- She went back to Florida and we're just together again. - Love is in the air!
0:40:14 > 0:40:18- Have a great day.- Thanks. - Well done, Michael.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22I love a happy ending. And now it's our final item in today's sale.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28And now the one we've been waiting for. It's the Dunhill lighter,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32the aquarium lighter belonging to Alan. We've got £800-£1,000.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36We'll find out what the bidders think right now.
0:40:36 > 0:40:42It's Lot 510, the early to mid-20th century Dunhill aquarium table lighter.
0:40:42 > 0:40:49It's got to start with a bid with me of £550 on this lighter. Looking for 600.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54600. 50 with me. 700. 750.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58800. I'm out. 820 on the telephone.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03- 850 in the room. 880 I want. 880 I have.- It's a phone bidder.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- Yes.- Come on, 900.- 910 I want.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09910. And 20 in the room.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12930. 940 in the room. 950.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Moving, isn't it?- It's moving, yeah.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18960 in the room. Looking for 970.
0:41:18 > 0:41:24- 970 I've got. 980. - Let's get that magic £1,000.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29- £1,000.- It's done it.- Come on! - I'll take 1,010.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32£1,010. £1,020.
0:41:32 > 0:41:351,030 I've got. Have I?
0:41:35 > 0:41:391,030. 1,040. Looking for 1,050.
0:41:39 > 0:41:431,050. 1,060.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48- 1,070. 1,080.- I love it when a plan comes together!
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Good quality lighter, innit, eh?
0:41:52 > 0:41:55£1,110. 1,120.
0:41:55 > 0:41:581,130. 1,140.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00He's just going for it.
0:42:00 > 0:42:031,170. 1,180.
0:42:03 > 0:42:061,190. 1,200.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11And 10. 1,220. 1,230. 1,240.
0:42:11 > 0:42:141,250. 1,260. 1,270.
0:42:14 > 0:42:171,280. 1,290.
0:42:17 > 0:42:191,300. And 10 I need.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24- This is a great result. - 1,320. 1,330.
0:42:24 > 0:42:261,340. 1,350.
0:42:26 > 0:42:301,360. 1,370.
0:42:30 > 0:42:341,380. 1,390. 1,400. And 10 I need.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39- £1,410... - Alan, that's very good, isn't it?
0:42:39 > 0:42:40Yeah.
0:42:40 > 0:42:421,440. 1,450.
0:42:42 > 0:42:461,460. 1,470. 1,480.
0:42:46 > 0:42:501,490. 1,500. And 10.
0:42:50 > 0:42:551,510. Looking for 1,520. Are we all done? Last time.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58On the telephone at £1,510!
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Yes! £1,510!
0:43:01 > 0:43:05- Yeah, well.- Alan, that is tops! Tops, tops, tops!
0:43:05 > 0:43:09- I remember saying to you 1,200 quid. Didn't I?- Yeah.
0:43:09 > 0:43:14- Yeah.- Wow. Wow, Kate... - Eight, you said, Kate!
0:43:14 > 0:43:18- What was I?- 600-800.- Did I? - You've got to start somewhere.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22- I like to keep expectations low and build the suspense!- Exactly.
0:43:22 > 0:43:27What a lovely result. I hope you enjoyed that. We certainly have.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Sadly, we've run out of time, but do join us again for more surprises.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35From Greenwich until the next time, it's goodbye.
0:43:50 > 0:43:54Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2011
0:43:55 > 0:43:57Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk