0:00:03 > 0:00:06Cheltenham in Gloucestershire is all about festivals,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09from horseracing, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11to literature, science, and of course jazz.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Today, though, it's all about antiques.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:36 > 0:00:39This is the Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43an important example of the town's Regency architecture,
0:00:43 > 0:00:45and it was completed in 1830.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Its beautiful hall is now used for performances,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51and for the Cheltenham Music Festival.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56And Cheltenham has had many famous visitors over the years,
0:00:56 > 0:00:58such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01but today I'm happy to welcome hundreds of "Flog It!" fans
0:01:01 > 0:01:04who have turned up to have their antiques valued
0:01:04 > 0:01:07by our team of experts, who are led by Mr Adam Partridge
0:01:07 > 0:01:10and David Fletcher.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Adam Partridge's day job is as an auctioneer in Cheshire,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16but it looks like he's found some quirky items today.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- Morning! - THEY LAUGH
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Who's next? Ladies first.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24David Fletcher is based down south in Bedford.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27He's an auctioneer, and he's always looking for decorative items
0:01:27 > 0:01:29amongst the crowd.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And of course they come here to ask that all-important question,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- which is...- What's it worth?
0:01:36 > 0:01:38HE LAUGHS
0:01:38 > 0:01:42We should get on with the show, as there's a queue of people
0:01:42 > 0:01:43waiting patiently.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Coming up, Adam gets nosy.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50What would you do with the £100 it makes?
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Just mind your own business! - Thank you!
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Who do you think David's referring to?
0:01:57 > 0:02:01He's not old in the great scheme of things, but he's a period piece.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04And I learn all about the amazing life and work
0:02:04 > 0:02:06of a polar explorer from Cheltenham.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12First, in the beautiful surroundings of this pump room,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15David's at his table with Margaret and her friend.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19I saw you in the queue outside. You had a suitcase under your arm,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- and you told me that you had a body in there.- That's right, yes.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26I thought you'd got your mother-in-law in there,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28but it turned out to be this little chap.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31What can you tell me about him? Are you a ventriloquist yourself?
0:02:31 > 0:02:34No, I'm not a ventriloquist myself.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37We bought him in Evesham in a little antiques shop.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- Right.- I think they'd had him in a museum prior to that.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Right.- I hadn't learnt my skills
0:02:44 > 0:02:46in being able to haggle for things back then.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49I just decided to go with the price that they said,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- and bought it for that. - We'll come to that later.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55My girlfriend's got a little grandson called Finley,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and he would die for this. He's got a ventriloquist's dummy
0:02:58 > 0:03:02of his own, and it's nothing like as sophisticated as this.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Oh, right. - You do that to turn his head,
0:03:05 > 0:03:10and there's a little lever in here that you pull, and he does that,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and you can operate that arm with a little lever at the back.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17And he does open and close his hand.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- So he might have smoked. - We think so.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Very politically incorrect, but people did that in those days.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- That's it.- Now, I think he's great.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I love his suit. I mean, it's fantastic, isn't it?
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- There's aspirations of grandeur with this suit.- Definitely.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- Best Harris tweed, I'm sure.- Yes.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Very 1930s, and a typical collar of the period,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42lovely tie all sort of flowing from his neck,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45so I think he's got to have been made about 70 or 80 years ago.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- Right.- I've tried to teach Finley, with his ventriloquist dummy,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52how to say, "Bottle of beer,"
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and it always comes out as, "Gottle o' geer."
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- SHE LAUGHS - Gottle o' geer.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I can't say "bottle of beer" without moving my lips,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04so I'm no ventriloquist. And I've just noticed,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06he has little tear ducts beside his eyes.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- What do they mean? - There's a little pump at the back.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12The pump's missing and there's just a tube,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16and we think he probably cried. HE LAUGHS
0:04:16 > 0:04:20So, he cried, he smoked, he laughed, he moved his head back and forth.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24What a character, eh? Now, tell me what you paid for him.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- I paid £300 for him.- £300?
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Yeah. That seems a bit hot to me,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- but you said you hadn't developed your haggling skills.- No, I hadn't.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37You probably fell for him a bit. He's got a cheeky little face,
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- hasn't he? Will you miss him? - We will,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42but he just comes out of the box to scare the family
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- and goes back in again. - High days and holidays.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- That's right. - I think he's got to be worth £100,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- so can I suggest £100 to £150? - Yes, yes.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Um...we need to put a reserve on.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00Perhaps just tuck it under the £100. £90.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- No?- Yeah.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- SHE LAUGHS - £100?- £100.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- OK. You're a hard bargainer. - Oh, I've learnt something, then!
0:05:07 > 0:05:11We'll go for £100. Estimate of 100 to 150,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- reserve of £100.- OK. That's lovely.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19And I look forward to seeing you and him at the sale.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24I bet that dummy's got some real stories to tell!
0:05:24 > 0:05:26What a great start! Over with Adam now,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29and Molly has brought in a bit of a mystery bronze.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33So, Molly, this is a really curious thing,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37and I was really drawn to it when I saw you with it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I'm interested in Jewish objects anyway,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- and it clearly has some Jewish symbolism there...- It has.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45..with the Star of David there. What can you tell me about it?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Well, I think it was given to Dad from his uncle -
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- his brother, rather, I think. - Right.- That's what I believe,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- but whether that's... - But how they came to own it...
0:05:54 > 0:05:58I haven't got a clue. But my uncle actually was a prisoner of war.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- Ah! - So whether he'd found it in Germany
0:06:02 > 0:06:05when he was over there or what happened, I don't know.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08It's not exactly a pretty thing. Just different.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12It's just unusual, you know. So it's always intrigued me.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I think it was probably a table-top cigarette box
0:06:15 > 0:06:17or table snuff or something like that,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20but it's a curious thing indeed,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23with its symbolism, with this Star of David here,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27the number 23, and the whole thing is made to look like a packing case.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- Yes, it is. - With the anchor on the top.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- It says "piano" here.- I know!
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Is it a packing case that's meant to contain a piano?- Strange.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39It looks as though it's made from bronze, possibly from cast iron.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43To actually verify that we'd have to give it a bit of a scrape
0:06:43 > 0:06:45and see what it's like.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47We'll see what the auction house comes to say.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51We've got here "verlag", "produced by", EG Zimmermann
0:06:51 > 0:06:53of Hanau in Germany.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58They were a firm that produced objects in bronze and cast iron.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02My thoughts are, it's worth about £50, really.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- Yeah. - But it's a speculative thing,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- and it may just go on from there a little bit.- Oh, right!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- How do you feel about that value? - Oh, yes.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14It's better to get it to somebody who would actually really like it
0:07:14 > 0:07:16and want to put it in their collection.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I think that's what will happen, and I'd be interested to see
0:07:20 > 0:07:22what level of enquiries they'll get out of it.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- But you've got no trouble selling it?- No, no trouble at all.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- What about a reserve price? £50? - 50, I think, really.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Shall we put a £50 reserve? - £50. Yeah, I think so.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Estimate 50 to 80?- Yeah. Yeah.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Bit of that. See what happens. It's not a lot of money,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40but if it makes £100, anything specific you'd do with that?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- Put it towards a holiday or something like that.- Really?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46I'm dying for the moment when I ask that question
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- and they say, "Mind your own business."- Oh, no!
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Let me ask you again. What would you do with the £100 it makes?
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- Just mind your own business! - Thank you!
0:07:54 > 0:07:56HE LAUGHS
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Well, that's Adam told. Back to business now,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02and I'm sweeping through the queue.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- There's a signed one, look. - Oh, lovely. Thank you.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08I got one from Cirencester a few years ago.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Did you? You were in Cirencester? Did you get on the telly?- No.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- Yes, in the background. - See, this is the great thing.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Hundreds of people turn up to our valuation days.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22This is where it starts. This is where the action happens.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27There's a lot of excitement, because everybody's hoping they'll go through to the auction.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Sadly it wasn't you last time, but it might be you this time.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Well, I'm quite happy to be in the background.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- Ahh!- I had a bright-pink jacket on. - A bright-pink jacket!
0:08:36 > 0:08:41One more item to find, and it's a traditional and familiar collectable,
0:08:41 > 0:08:42over with David.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- Hello, Rosemary.- Hello.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Now, everyone knows that this is a piece of Clarice Cliff,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52one of the most instantly recognisable of all objects,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55and I must say I like it.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Do you like it? - It's very pretty. It is a nice vase.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- And how long have you owned it? - About five years, roughly.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04My mother-in-law gave it me.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- The pattern is Capri.- Right.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10A rare-ish pattern, but not the rarest,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14and to start, really, on the down side,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I suppose the object itself is not terribly prepossessing.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- It's smallish, isn't it? - Yes, it is small.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- And it's not really an eye-catcher. - No.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I suspect it's probably a spill vase.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29You know, you'd have used it to put cardboard spills in.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I do remember spills being in.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35And I think you used them to light your cigarette.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37You put the spill in the fire. By the 1930s,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39they were going out of fashion, really,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43but that's how I would describe it. It has a slightly ribbed body,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46which just gives it a bit of added interest,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49but what people do look for, and this has got plenty of it,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52is colour. You've got orange and yellow,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55bit of brown as well. It's brightly decorated.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Typical Clarice Cliff. Have you got a figure in mind?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- Not really, no.- OK.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05- I think that this should make three figures, certainly.- Good.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- So I would be inclined to go for an estimate of 100 to 150.- Right.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Shall we say £90 as a reserve?- Fine.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Thank you.- What do you think you might spend the lolly on?
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Well, I might help my grandson with his driving lessons.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Expensive things, driving lessons. - Oh, definitely.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Let's hope we sell it. I'm sure we will,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- and we'll get him driving. - Thank you very much.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Thank you so much. - Thank you very much.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35Fingers crossed for Rosemary and for Clarice at the auction.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37As you can see, it is really busy in here,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40which means hundreds of antiques to value,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43but our experts have been working flat-out
0:10:43 > 0:10:48and it's time to put our first batch of items under the hammer at Philip Serrell's saleroom in Malvern.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Here's a quick recap of what we're taking
0:10:50 > 0:10:53and the reason why we are taking them.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55I've never valued a ventriloquist's dummy before.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Have you ever been valued before?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59No.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Who knows what you're worth? I hope you're worth £100.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06You should be worth more, really. And I'll be sorry to lose you.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Well, I must admit I really didn't know what to make of this,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12but something really drew me to it, and I'm very curious
0:11:12 > 0:11:16to see what's going to happen when it comes up at the auction.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18We see an awful lot of Clarice Cliff.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21People tell me that one day the bubble's going to burst.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24I hope not, and certainly not before the auction.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28So it's judgement time for our Cheltenham items in Malvern.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34This is a good sign! The car park is absolutely jam-packed.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Cars are parked all along the road here outside the auction room,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41which means the saleroom hopefully is full of people.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Fingers crossed they're all here to bid on our lots.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47On the preview day, I caught up with the man himself,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Philip Serrell, to see what he thought
0:11:49 > 0:11:53of Margaret's ventriloquist's dummy. Cue the bad cabaret!
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Well, we just have to talk about this!
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Eerie, isn't he? - He's from the 1930s. Yes!
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Definitely, with that top lip curling up.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05He seems to have a mind of his own, doesn't he? He just...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Philip, that's you doing that.- What?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Where's your other hand?- What?
0:12:10 > 0:12:11THEY LAUGH
0:12:11 > 0:12:16I think he is a bit scary, but he's absolutely brilliant.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20And I know we've only got a value of around £100 to £150.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23He's worth every penny of 200 quid, surely.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25It's articulated, but it's all papier mache,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28painted, with glass eyes with tear ducts as well.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Would you want to make this for £90? - No.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- I'd be disappointed if it didn't make close to 200.- Yeah.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- I bet he can tell a few stories. - Get him on the rostrum with you.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- No chance! - PAUL LAUGHS
0:12:42 > 0:12:44It's sale day, and with the auction room packed,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48it's time to get cracking. Clarice Cliff is up for scrutiny
0:12:48 > 0:12:50in front of the bidders.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51- Good to see you, Rosemary. - Thank you.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54I like the colour. That's this year's colour.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58You've even got matching eye-shadow. Oh, very, very trendy!
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- You're such a smoothie! - And Clarice Cliff...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04This is a spill vase from the Bizarre range.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Why are you selling this? Do you like it?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Well, yes, but my mother-in-law gave me it a long time ago.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12I did a swap for some... I had a lot of Delft.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Did you?- I gave it to her, and she insisted I have that.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- We're looking at £100 to £150 on this. Happy with that?- Hopefully.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- There are plenty of collectors. - And prices are holding up.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25694,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28the Clarice Cliff vase from the Bizarre range,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31decorated with the Capri pattern.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34100. 50 I'm bid. At 50. Five.
0:13:34 > 0:13:3760. Five. 70. Five.
0:13:37 > 0:13:3980 I've got here. At 80. Five.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Come on...- At 85. £90 bid.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44At 90. 90 bid. Is there any more at all?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47At £90 only. Here's the bid.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49And done. Thank you.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- He's sold it. - It squeaked past.- Just, just!
0:13:52 > 0:13:54That was close, wasn't it?
0:13:54 > 0:13:58But it's gone. Clarice has done the business once again.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- Thank you for bringing that in. - Thank you so much.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Well, the vase certainly held its own,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06and that's a decent result for Rosemary.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Molly's curiosity is up next. But is it bronze?
0:14:10 > 0:14:14We're looking for the top end because we want to send you off to Jersey,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17or the money towards the air fare. Why Jersey? Have you been before?
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- No, never. - You'll enjoy it. You really will.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Let's hope we get the top end for it. It's not bronze.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27No, it's cast iron, but that's what they did.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's a curious thing. They worked in bronze and cast iron.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- They did both, didn't they? - It is a strange object, isn't it?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- Yes, yes. Why are you selling it? - I don't really need it.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Here it is.- It's going under the hammer now. Here we go.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Lot number 429 is the Zimmermann box.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47There we are. Interesting lot, this,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51with the impress marks, and I am bid £35 only.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54At 35. 35 for the Zimmermann box.
0:14:54 > 0:14:5635. 45.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58One more. At 45.
0:14:58 > 0:15:0045. At 50. 50 bid.
0:15:00 > 0:15:0350. We're in. We're selling.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05At 50. Who's got another fiver, someone?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- It's not expensive. - It's not expensive,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- but it's not for everyone, is it? - No, it's not.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- At £50, and done. Thank you. - And it's sold. £50.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Ah, well.- That's something towards it, isn't it?
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- It's something. - Yeah. Thank you for bringing it in.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24That's not enough for Molly's Jersey flight,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27but maybe it'll pay for the car-parking.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31If you're buying or selling at auction, there is commission to pay.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Here, the seller's commission is 16.5 percent plus the dreaded VAT.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40And if you're buying something, you must add 18 percent plus VAT
0:15:40 > 0:15:44to the hammer price, so do factor those costs into your sums.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Margaret's ventriloquist's dummy is ready
0:15:47 > 0:15:50and bringing out everyone's cheeky side.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55He certainly put a smile on everybody's face at the valuation day.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59You know what we're talking about - that little chap,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02the ventriloquist's dummy. I do find them a little bit scary.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05I was a bit spooked by it to start with,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08but the better I got to know him, the more I liked him.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12He's not the great scheme of things, but he's a period piece.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15And somebody made a living from this dummy.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18They took him around all the town halls and concert venues
0:16:18 > 0:16:22and entertained people. Yes.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Wonderful, wonderful. And it's a quirky thing.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Lot number 326 is the ventriloquist's dummy.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34I won't say who he looks like, but if you take some of the hair out,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38he's got a striking resemblance to one of today's experts.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- Not you, David. - Thank you very much.- Lot number 326
0:16:43 > 0:16:46is the vent's dummy. These things are really collectable.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Bid me £100 to start. I'm bid £100 on the net.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50100. 100. You're not allowed to buy this.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- Straight in. - 140, I am bid on the net.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55150 on the net. 160 on the net. 170 on the net.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- 180 on the net. - It's all online, isn't it?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02They run on, these online bids. They come up very quickly.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04That's 210. 220.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07230. 240.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09On the internet at £240.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Any more?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14At £240 and I sell, then,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and done at 240. And done. Thank you.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19There you go. £240.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22That's kind of what we were all thinking.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- 240. Yeah. Happy? - Yes, I am. Better than I thought.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Well, I'm here in the centre of Cheltenham
0:17:37 > 0:17:40to introduce you to the inspiring story
0:17:40 > 0:17:43of one of its former residents. His name is Edward Wilson,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47and he was a polar explorer who's left an indelible mark
0:17:47 > 0:17:51on science and natural history. Now, you may not have heard of him,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53but you would have heard of his colleagues,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01But I want to tell you about what we owe to Edward Wilson's hard work
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and his accomplishments.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Edward Wilson was born in 1872 and grew up here,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13so to set off on his story, I've come to Cheltenham's art gallery
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and museum, which Edward's father co-founded,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and which holds the Wilson family archives.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Edward achieved so much in his life.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I guess we should just start at the beginning, really.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28His family lived in Cheltenham at Montpellier Terrace.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31They also rented a nearby farm called the Crippetts,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33where they spent a lot of time enjoying the country,
0:18:33 > 0:18:38and whenever Edward was at home, he was always encouraged to draw and paint.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40He loved school, as well.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43He excelled and revelled at scientific learning.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45He studied biology by dissecting animals,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47drawing them and making observations.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50He went to school at Cheltenham College,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52and he had fond memories of his time there.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Whilst qualifying as a doctor, he met his future wife Oriana,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59known as Ori. When they eventually married,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02they only had three weeks together
0:19:02 > 0:19:06before Wilson was to depart on his first trip to the Antarctic.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09It was a huge honour to go on a polar expedition,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12but also a massive commitment,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15as the team would be away for years at a time.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Wilson's first polar role was as assistant surgeon,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23artist and zoologist on the Discovery
0:19:23 > 0:19:26from 1901 to 1904.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29The museum has a wonderful archive collection
0:19:29 > 0:19:33from Wilson's childhood right up until his final days,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and the exhibit shows equipment and possessions he would have taken
0:19:36 > 0:19:40on his expeditions - things like this wonderful fur suit.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44He used that on his first trip to the Antarctic in 1901.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49'Ann-Rachel is the history curator here at the museum,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51'and she's picked out some of the highlights
0:19:51 > 0:19:55'of the Edward Wilson archive collection to show me.'
0:19:55 > 0:19:59You must be delighted with the wealth of information there is here on Edward Wilson.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03What was his job on board Captain Scott's ship, the Discovery?
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Well, he was a scientist primarily.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07He was there to observe weather conditions,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09to observe the natural landscape,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12to record fish they had not seen before,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15birds, invertebrates... We've got 24 of his lovely sketches
0:20:15 > 0:20:18and watercolours, and they show the enormous detail
0:20:18 > 0:20:22of the icebergs and the shadows, the colours and the skills,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26and the wonderful thing is, people wouldn't have known about them
0:20:26 > 0:20:30in Britain, because no-one had ever seen these things.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33How did he manage to achieve such high quality work
0:20:33 > 0:20:35in such extreme conditions?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38I understand he took the gloves off for about ten seconds,
0:20:38 > 0:20:44did his bit of drawing, then had to put them back on. Took them off, did his bit of drawing.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46But he also constructed a wonderful box.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48It was on a string round his neck,
0:20:48 > 0:20:53and it was a kind of compartment, so the wind whipped up over the top,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56and he put his hands in and drew inside.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59That's caught my eye. There's so much movement and passion
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- in that pencil sketch.- That's my absolutely favourite picture,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06because you can just feel the wind whistling past them
0:21:06 > 0:21:09as they had to stagger out through the blizzard
0:21:09 > 0:21:11to take these scientific weather observations.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- He could have made his living as an artist.- Oh, yes,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17but he saw himself primarily as a scientist
0:21:17 > 0:21:22and second, really, as an artist. Art was a means to record the science.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Between expeditions, he was heavily in demand.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Wilson illustrated books, and was celebrated for his research
0:21:30 > 0:21:33into animals, in particular the emperor penguin.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39His return journey to the South Pole was on the Terra Nova,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43again under Captain Scott, which sailed out in 1910.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Why did he go back a second time?
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- I think there's something about the lure of the Antarctic.- Yes.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Some people have to go back. But also there was unfinished business.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57There was so much science there waiting to be discovered.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00He was absolutely fascinated by penguins,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02partly because he thought there could be a link
0:22:02 > 0:22:04between them and dinosaurs,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07because again people hadn't seen emperor penguins
0:22:07 > 0:22:09before these visits to the Antarctic,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13and he went on this very special kind of sub-journey
0:22:13 > 0:22:16off that second expedition, to find out more about penguins,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19and it nearly was the end of them. It was terrible weather,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23terrible blizzards, and it was known as the worst journey in the world.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Really? - Because of that and other factors,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29they were late setting off for the journey to the South Pole
0:22:29 > 0:22:32when Scott set off with Wilson and Bowers
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and Oates and Evans on this trip
0:22:34 > 0:22:37to see if they could get to the South Pole,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40see what it was like, and hopefully beat the Norwegians,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42though of course, when they got there,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46the Norwegians had been there already, and there was the flag.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Their South Pole adventure ended tragically in 1912.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Beaten by the Norwegians, too late to claim the Pole as their own,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58the return journey back to base camp was treacherous.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Physically unable to withstand a long blizzard,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05the three remaining men, Wilson, Scott and Henry Bowers,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08were eventually found frozen in their tent by a search party.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12They were blessed and buried where they died.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19The whole nation was fascinated by this race to the South Pole.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Yes. People were following it. Of course there was a huge delay.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26It was months before they got the news, and before they heard
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- that Wilson and Scott had perished. - Must have been so sad. So sad!
0:23:30 > 0:23:33I think it was very, very tragic. There was a great outpouring
0:23:33 > 0:23:36of national and, of course, local grief.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Why do the people of Cheltenham hold Wilson close to their hearts?
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Well, he was a very likeable person,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44but they were an important local family.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48They were involved in many community events and activities,
0:23:48 > 0:23:53and Cheltenham, I suppose, led the mourning for Wilson himself.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Is that a photo of the whole team before they set off?
0:23:56 > 0:24:00That's correct, yes. You can see Edward himself is sat on the sledge,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04and the other members of the team and some of the backup team
0:24:04 > 0:24:07are shown all lined up and ready to go, in front of Mount Erebus,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- so that's the start point. - Once you're aware of Wilson,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13it's impossible to forget what a brave man he was,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17and there's a statue in the town to remind you daily, isn't there?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20That was commissioned by the people of Cheltenham,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- by public subscription. - Good.- It was made by Lady Scott,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26so even the artist has a connection with the expedition.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Thank you so much for showing me these.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- Anybody can come here and look at these, can't they?- They can.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37They're not all out all the time, but there's always a selection.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41And this is the statue that stands proud in modern Cheltenham,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45reminding each generation of their town's famous son, Edward Wilson.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49And there's an inscription carved in stone on the column of the statue,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52and it's taken from one of Captain Scott's last letters,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54talking about Wilson. And it reads,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57"He died as he lived, a brave true man,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00the best of comrades and the staunchest of friends."
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Cheltenham is "Flog It!"'s host today,
0:25:11 > 0:25:15and the Pittville Pump Room is proving a popular venue.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Adam's found a really beautiful collection of miniatures, brought in by Sue.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23I'm delighted to see these miniatures.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- They're quite special, aren't they? - Really special.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29It's so exciting when wonderful things like this
0:25:29 > 0:25:30come into the programme.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Well, I was delving through a tin, large tin,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37full of miniature paintings done by my mother,
0:25:37 > 0:25:41and suddenly at the bottom, I came across these paintings.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44So these were lying at the bottom of a tin
0:25:44 > 0:25:47full of your mother's miniatures? Was she a keen painter?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Just miniatures, or...- She started off doing various things,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53like flower painting, which is quite precise,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57and then she did a course at West Dean College in Chichester...
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- In Sussex, yeah.- ..on miniatures.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04I'm not sure if she'd started collecting these before that,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07or whether that then triggered this.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Yes. And this was one of your mother's own ones?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11- That's right. - She's lovely, isn't she?
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Yes. That was exhibited in the Society of Miniaturists...
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- Oh, was it?- ..in 1990.- Gosh!
0:26:18 > 0:26:21They're nearly, almost always, painted on ivory.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23We'll go through them individually.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27The one painted by your mother, of course, is going back with you,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- and in your eyes is priceless.- Yes.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33The next one here, this is a sort of early 19th-century gentleman,
0:26:33 > 0:26:37probably the sort of chap that might have frequented a building
0:26:37 > 0:26:40such as this, when it first opened in the early 19th century.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- He'd have looked in place here. - The next one here,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46she's dressed up in a Japanese fashion, isn't she?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Yes. The colours on that are so beautiful, aren't they?
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- Really lovely.- I think she's my favourite, to be honest.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56She's probably my favourite. Really lovely.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58We have got tiny evidence of a signature down there,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Miller, of the Miniature Society as well,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05so I'm going to ask the saleroom to research all of these,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07but particularly this one with the signed name,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11- so we can publish his dates and look into him more.- Right.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Then we've got these, possibly the most impressive looking
0:27:14 > 0:27:17because they're in this substantial yellow-metal frame,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21which is probably nine-carat gold, and it's a double-sided one -
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Queen Anne here,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27and on the other side, Queen Mary II here.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- What sort of dates are they? - Early to mid-19th century,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33that would have been painted.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36They're all early, mid- to late 19th century
0:27:36 > 0:27:38and then either side of here,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- they are from the same sort of school, aren't they?- Yes.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44They're very glamorous maidens.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Generally as a rule with miniatures,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50it's said that pretty ladies are the best sellers.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- The way those painters did their faces, the actual complexion...- Yes.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- ..is just magnificent.- And then you've got this other one here,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01also in a pierced yellow-metal surround.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04- That's done as a brooch, isn't it? - That's right.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- And it's got a... - It's been mounted as a brooch there.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Or it could be on a chain. - It could be a pendant or a brooch.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Now, down to values. I've already given you a bit of a clue
0:28:15 > 0:28:17that they're quite valuable.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19I would suggest they're sold separately.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I don't think it will do them justice
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- to sell them as one lot.- Mmm. No.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28But to break them down, we've got the gentleman here.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- He looks like £200 to £300.- Mm-hm.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34- Perhaps a reserve of 150.- Mm-hm.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38She looks easily £200 to £300, maybe £300 to £500.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40I would put a reserve of 200 on that one.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- Mm-hm.- I would also put 200 to 300 on that one.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48These two, they must be again 200 to 300 each,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52perhaps with a reserve of 150 again. I would be slightly less on her.
0:28:52 > 0:28:57I'd go 150, 200 on her, and put a reserve slightly below that as well.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- That's fine. - Does that sound all right?
0:28:59 > 0:29:03- Yes.- You're selling them because there's no sentiment involved,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06and because you've got plenty of miniatures.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09Is there any plan of where the proceeds -
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Because they're owned by my brother, my sister and myself,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14- we'll be splitting it three ways anyway.- Right.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20And half of my share I will donate to the Alzheimer's Society.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Oh, good. That's a very worthy...
0:29:23 > 0:29:26And the other half, my grandson will benefit from.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28- Oh, well, that's lovely. - He's only six months old,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- so that would be nice. - Well, that's excellent reasons,
0:29:32 > 0:29:34and I'm just so pleased you've brought them in.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37That split lot of pretty little miniatures
0:29:37 > 0:29:39should cause a scene at the saleroom,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41but first it's time for a sing-along!
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- High-five!- High-five! - Yeah! How about...
0:29:44 > 0:29:47# If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- Clap your hands!- He knows it.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Are you happy? Yeah! Hundreds of happy people here.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Jim's with David, and he's brought along a nice piece of silver.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01You've brought this lovely little vinaigrette in.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- You know what it is, I'm sure. - I do, yes.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Only by watching your programme. - By watching "Flog It!"?
0:30:06 > 0:30:11OK. If you open the lid, you find this little grille,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15which is hinged, and opens like that.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17A little piece of sponge was inserted in there,
0:30:17 > 0:30:21which was soaked in some sweet-smelling liquid,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and if you were walking down the high street
0:30:24 > 0:30:28and you felt overcome by the smell of drains or whatever,
0:30:28 > 0:30:33you would just lift it to your nose, and in theory at least,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36it would revive you. I don't know whether that did the trick
0:30:36 > 0:30:39or not, but... I don't have to tell you that it's silver, Jim.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- No.- You know that, don't you, because it's hallmarked.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- Yeah.- You've looked at the hallmark, presumably.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48I tried to figure out... I know it's Birmingham.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- It is, yeah.- I saw the J, but I couldn't make out the second letter.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56Yeah. Well, the J, I think, is 1858.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00That's rather confirmed by the fact that we have Queen Victoria's head,
0:31:00 > 0:31:04which in the great scheme of things is quite late for vinaigrettes.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07They tend to date from the early 19th century.
0:31:07 > 0:31:13What I particularly like about this is the malachite-inset top.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16It's got a little chip, which is a bit of a problem,
0:31:16 > 0:31:20but malachite is a hard stone. It's not a precious stone,
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- but it is rare, and just lifts it out of the ordinary, really.- Yes.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I rather like these scrolls, which have been beautifully chased, too.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30So all in all, a very nice little thing.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- How did you come by it? - Well, I go to car-boot all the time.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36- Oh, you're a car-booter? - I'm a collector of everything.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39And you're going to tell me you paid...
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- £12.- £12. OK.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Well, it never ceases to amaze me, really,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46how many bargains we do hear of being picked up at car-boot sales.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50I would say that this is worth about £80 or £90.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53- Oh, nice! - I would like to suggest an estimate
0:31:53 > 0:31:55of, say, 60 to 80.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Yes.- And a reserve of 60. - That's fine.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- And it'll go towards the grandson's trust fund.- Oh, good. OK.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04We started one the day he was born, and he's nine now.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- He can't get it till he's 18.- Right.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09And does he go to car-boot sales?
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Sometimes he comes, when he's staying overnight with us.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16OK. But when he's 18, he'll have that little bit of dosh
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- in his back pocket. - He certainly will.- He'll be off.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Great. I hope he finds a bargain like this.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- I hope he does. - OK. All the best, Jim,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- and I'll see you at the sale. - See you at the show.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Well, Jim's off, so he must be pleased with David's valuation.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Adam's got an unusual patterned vase on his table
0:32:34 > 0:32:36that's caused a difference of opinion.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Volkan and Cheryl, very nice to see you here at "Flog It!" today.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- You too. - And you've brought along this vase.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Where did you get it from? Volkan, you go first.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50We actually bought a pine cupboard from a house clearance,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54probably about six months ago, and it was just full of plant pots
0:32:54 > 0:32:57and just junk, and in amongst that was that, basically.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I wonder why it had been disregarded, Cheryl!
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Because it's very, very ugly.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Do you know, it's funny - I haven't talked to you before this,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08but I already knew you didn't like it.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10I have a feeling that you don't mind it.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13I actually quite like it. We don't have it out in the house.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17- It sits covered up in a box. - I wouldn't give it house-room.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Right.- But every time I've got it out to show friends,
0:33:19 > 0:33:24said, "Have a look at this," I... I do like it.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26- Do you? - I just like its ugliness, really.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30Well, sometimes things are so ugly, they're good.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34I don't mind it. What do you think? Come on, Cheryl.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Let's hear what you really think.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I actually thought twice about bringing it into the house,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44because it's that bad, and it looks like somebody's had a go at it with gold spray paint at Christmas.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Right. And what about the birds? Aren't they quite nice?
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- They look like they've been done over with marker pen.- OK.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55- So it's got to go, has it? - Definitely.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58So you're selling it because you don't mind it,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01you can't stand it. It's not going in your house, so you win.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- It's out of the door. - I know that situation.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- HE LAUGHS - Cheryl always wins anyway.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09I bet you're used to that already, aren't you?
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- Absolutely.- It's by the Austrian firm of Amphora.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15It's marked on the bottom. Quite a well known factory
0:34:15 > 0:34:17of art pottery, Art Nouveau and later wares,
0:34:17 > 0:34:21- quite distinctive. It's quite a wacky shape, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25And it's mildly collectable. It's not going to make you a fortune.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- How much was the pine cupboard? - About 50 quid.- About 50.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- Yeah.- And that was in it?
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Well, it's going to pay for your pine cupboard.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- Great.- I think it will make £50 to £80 at auction, typically,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40for something like that. Provided we can find someone that wants it,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44it's worth that. A reserve price we should probably consider,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47because you don't want it under-selling, either.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- You don't want it coming home, but - - No.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52You don't want it going for 20 quid, or Volkan forever will say,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- "We shouldn't have sold that vase." - I'll give you 20 quid to keep it.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Let's put 40 reserve, with a fixed reserve of 40.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01If it doesn't make it, then, it does go home.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05- You'll have to hide it in the shed or something.- Yeah.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08That's what I do when I buy things and I don't want to show my wife.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12- Sounds like a good idea. - Yeah. I'm giving him ideas here.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Sorry, Cheryl. Well, thanks for bringing it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16There's not much more to tell you about it.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19It is what it is, and we'll see how it gets on.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- Let's get rid.- Let's get rid. - THEY LAUGH
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Cheryl and Volkan look set to disagree,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28so one of them will be disappointed at the auction.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30We'll see who it is shortly.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33That makes the final item ready for the saleroom,
0:35:33 > 0:35:37but first let's see why they all appeal to Adam and David.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41What a fantastic collection!
0:35:41 > 0:35:45I'm so excited to see how these are going to sell at the auction.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48For as long as I've been valuing antiques,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50people have been collecting vinaigrettes -
0:35:50 > 0:35:53in fact, for much longer. They always sell well,
0:35:53 > 0:35:55and at £60 to £100, who's going to turn this one down?
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Well, there's no middle ground with this vase.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00You're either going to love it like Volkan did,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03or hate it like Cheryl did. I'm just hoping
0:36:03 > 0:36:06that we can find at least two people that love it enough
0:36:06 > 0:36:08to bid for it in the auction.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13We're at Philip Serrell's auction room in Malvern to watch how our items fare.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Let's see how Sue's miniatures go,
0:36:16 > 0:36:20especially as they're all separate lots, with slightly lower reserves
0:36:20 > 0:36:22after more research from the auction house.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25You valued them separately. The majority are 200 to 300.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28There's one at three to five, the lady.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31I really like that. Quality, absolute quality.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34The skill of the miniaturist is quite to be admired, isn't it?
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Yes, and having seen my mother poring over miniatures
0:36:37 > 0:36:41that she did, you realise the amount of effort and time.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44- It's amazing.- Incredible eyesight, and technique as well,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47with the tiniest of brushes with about four hairs on.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49To get the skin pigments and the eyes...
0:36:49 > 0:36:52When you look at them under magnification, they're amazing.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Yeah. Let's find out what the bidders think,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58because it is down to them. We can talk till we're blue in the face,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01and sort of speculate about valuations,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05but it's down to that lot. They're going under the hammer right now.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Let's find out what they do.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Now we've got a really lovely collection of miniatures on offer.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14The first lot, number 248, the oval miniature on ivory
0:37:14 > 0:37:16of the gentleman, and I'm bid 65 for that.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19At 65. At 70. Five. 80. Five.
0:37:19 > 0:37:2190. Five. 100.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25110, 120, 130. I'll take five to help you.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28At 130. Five?
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Might not get the chance again. At £135.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Any more at all? At £135,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37and done, then, at 135. And done.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- Sold. 135.- On reserve.
0:37:40 > 0:37:47Lot number 249 is this lovely Japanese-dressed lady.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I'm bid 110. 110, 110. 120. 130.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- 140. And 50.- Come on. Up, up, up.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57- Is there any more? At £150. - That's cheap, isn't it?
0:37:58 > 0:38:03Any more? At 170. Any more? I'm sorry, I haven't done that one.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Didn't reach the reserve.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- I'm surprised.- So am I.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- That was the best one. - The double-sided miniature,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Queen Mary and Queen Anne. 100. 110.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17120. 130. 140.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21150. 160. 170.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23180. 190.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- 200.- This is selling.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28230. 240.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- 250.- It's the frame.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34It's the double-sided one, isn't it?
0:38:34 > 0:38:36300.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37310.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39320.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41This is more like it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Done, then. At 320 and done.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47That's good. Here's the fourth one. We're halfway through.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49They got about £455.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Lot number 251. There we are. 95.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55At 95. 100.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Any more at all? At £100. Any more?
0:38:58 > 0:39:02- No, I'm sorry. That hasn't gone. - That one didn't sell either.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04I don't think they should have gone for that.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08- That would have been underselling them.- Lot number 252
0:39:08 > 0:39:11is the 20th-century miniature of a girl wearing a headscarf.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13At 100. At £100.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15She's really nice.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18110. 120. 130.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22140. Here's the bid. At £140 only. It's your bid.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- Just, isn't it? - Yeah. Disappointed with that.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- Done. Thank you. - This is the last one.- The brooch.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Lot number 253 is the early bust-portrait brooch miniature.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37I'm bid 55. At 55, 55, 55.
0:39:37 > 0:39:3860. And five.
0:39:38 > 0:39:4065. Any more?
0:39:40 > 0:39:43I'm normally used to miniatures going very well!
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Any more? No, I'm sorry. I can't do that one either.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51That one didn't sell either. So we've sold half. We've sold three,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54and I think that's a grand total of around £595.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56I'm pleased with what we've achieved.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00That's a bonus, because you didn't know they were in there
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- in that drawer, did you? - No.- Thank you for bringing them.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06It was lovely to see them, and I hope you're not disappointed,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09but I'd rather they weren't undersold.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12I think it's right that we just hold them back
0:40:12 > 0:40:14and see what happens for the future.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20That's why we have reserves - to protect the value of treasured items.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24It's time for Volkan and Cheryl to see their vase go under the hammer.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Who will get their own way when it comes to the end result?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Let's see.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- Why are you selling this? - Because it's very ugly.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I don't find that ugly at all.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I find that quite attractive in a strange way.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- I really do.- Very strange way.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- I like it.- I quite liked it too, but we mustn't tell Volkan,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- because he didn't want to sell it. - I didn't want to sell it.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48- Oh, I see. - And I won't give it house-room.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Got you! Know where you're coming from, Volkan!
0:40:52 > 0:40:54- I didn't get a say in the matter. - Let's just be quiet
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- and watch it sell, shall we? - Exactly.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02Lot number 743 is the Amphora vase,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and I am bid £20 for that lot. At five. 25,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08the Amphora vase. At 25. 25.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10And 30. And five.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12And 40. 40 bid.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16At £40 only. 40. I'll take five anywhere.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Any more? At £45, and I sell, then, at £45.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21And done. Thank you.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23It's £45. We sold it.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26You see, someone found the beauty in it.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28- It's gone to a different house.- Yes.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- Thank goodness for that.- Never mind. - Thanks for bringing it in.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- "Never mind, never mind"! - THEY LAUGH
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Poor Volkan's lost his vase,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41but at least Cheryl's got rid of it.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Jim's silver vinaigrette is next to face the bidders.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- Why are you selling this? - I've had it for a long time,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- and we have a trust fund for my grandson.- OK.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- So it's all going into that. - By the time he's 18,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57he'll have enough for a car, so let's get enough for a gallon of petrol.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Preparing for the future! That's what it's all about.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- It's not a lot of money, this, and there's a lot of lot there.- Yeah.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05It's quite late for a vinaigrette,
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- but I love the stone setting. - Yes, so do I.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- The malachite is fantastic. - It looks good, doesn't it?
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- It looks 150 quid. - It does. It's a real swanky thing.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18We're going to find out what this lot think.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21It's going under the hammer right now.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Here's a nice lot. 55 I have. At 55.
0:42:26 > 0:42:2855. 60. 60 bid. Five.
0:42:28 > 0:42:3170. Five. 80. Five. 90. Five.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33100. 110. 120.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36130. 140. 150.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39160. 170.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42180. 190. It's the lady's bid.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45At £190 and done, then. At 190 and done.
0:42:45 > 0:42:51Yes! Sold! £190! I knew it looked like a good 150 quid, didn't I?
0:42:51 > 0:42:54- You've got to be happy with that. - I am.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57It'll buy a couple of gallons of petrol when he's 18.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- I wouldn't bank on it! - Not the way it's going up.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04- There'll be electric cars by then. We'll all have them.- Yes.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07I love hearing what people plan to do with the proceeds,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10and what a great result for Jim.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15I thoroughly enjoyed that. What a marvellous day we've had!
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Another day in another saleroom - that's what it's all about.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Keep watching. There'll be more surprises to come.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23But until then, goodbye.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:27 > 0:43:31E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk