Preston

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04St John's Minster is the local parish church here in Preston.

0:00:04 > 0:00:07Although this building is Victorian,

0:00:07 > 0:00:10there's been a church here on this site ever since the seventh century.

0:00:10 > 0:00:13The city has a long and interesting history

0:00:13 > 0:00:15so I've got high hopes for all the objects turning up today

0:00:15 > 0:00:18when we open the church doors. Welcome to flog it.

0:00:43 > 0:00:46Preston has had city status ever since the year 2002

0:00:46 > 0:00:49and it's a place bustling full of people.

0:00:49 > 0:00:52Yet today it seems pretty empty. Where are they?

0:00:52 > 0:00:55Well, I can tell you because they've all turned up at St John's.

0:00:55 > 0:00:58This is the end of the queue for our valuation day.

0:00:58 > 0:01:01Hundreds of people are here with smiles on their faces, the sun is out.

0:01:01 > 0:01:04It could be you going home with a small fortune.

0:01:04 > 0:01:08They've come here to ask our experts that all-important question, what's it worth?

0:01:08 > 0:01:10Believe me, they're going to find out.

0:01:10 > 0:01:13Stay tuned because we could have one or two surprises here.

0:01:13 > 0:01:17Our experts are headed up by James Lewis and David Fletcher.

0:01:17 > 0:01:22I can tell you it's nearly time to get the doors open, so let's get on with the show.

0:01:22 > 0:01:25- What have we got?- This is some sort of ceremonial chain.

0:01:25 > 0:01:29Our experts James and David are already searching

0:01:29 > 0:01:31high and low for hidden treasures.

0:01:31 > 0:01:32What do you think?

0:01:32 > 0:01:35And it looks like there's already a discussion going on.

0:01:35 > 0:01:38- I like these. I think they're underrated.- Yeah.

0:01:38 > 0:01:41- This particular one has a bit of damage there.- Oh, blimey.

0:01:41 > 0:01:44Sorry, guys. Zero.

0:01:46 > 0:01:49'It's a jam-packed big-money show today...

0:01:49 > 0:01:52'but can you guess which of these items

0:01:52 > 0:01:56'will receive a shock valuation of over a thousand pounds?

0:01:56 > 0:02:01- 'Will it be a pilot's watch?' - I think it's absolutely outstanding.

0:02:01 > 0:02:02'A Lalique vase?'

0:02:02 > 0:02:05Look at that, isn't that lovely?

0:02:05 > 0:02:08'Or an ivory walking stick?'

0:02:08 > 0:02:09The quality really is very good.

0:02:09 > 0:02:13Still climbing. I knew we liked this lot. It's a rare one.

0:02:13 > 0:02:14How much?!

0:02:14 > 0:02:18- 'Stay tuned as there are more than a few surprises on their way.'- Sold.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24It's time to open the doors.

0:02:27 > 0:02:32Well, we've managed to get half of that massive queue inside the building.

0:02:32 > 0:02:36This is where the action really starts because someone here

0:02:36 > 0:02:39has got something that's worth a small fortune and it might be you.

0:02:39 > 0:02:42They don't know it yet. That's the beautiful part of the show.

0:02:42 > 0:02:44It's up to our experts to find it

0:02:44 > 0:02:47and it looks like David Fletcher has made a great start.

0:02:47 > 0:02:50Let's take a closer look at what he's spotted.

0:02:52 > 0:02:55- Good morning, Barry.- Morning. - Good morning, Jill.- Morning.

0:02:55 > 0:03:00So, Barry said he was going to buy you a new car and he bought you this?

0:03:00 > 0:03:02Tell me about it.

0:03:02 > 0:03:04It belonged to my late father.

0:03:04 > 0:03:06He used to repair bicycles when he retired.

0:03:06 > 0:03:11It was given to him in part payment for the repair of this guy's bicycle.

0:03:11 > 0:03:14And how long ago do you think that was?

0:03:14 > 0:03:16About 40 years ago.

0:03:16 > 0:03:19Why are you selling it? Jill, do you have any say in this?

0:03:19 > 0:03:21It's been stuck in the loft

0:03:21 > 0:03:23so we're trying to get rid of everything.

0:03:23 > 0:03:27- He hasn't been allowed to have it on the mantelpiece?- Definitely not.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Poor old Barry. So it's got to go? - It's got to go.

0:03:30 > 0:03:32OK. I think this is lovely.

0:03:32 > 0:03:35A very saleable little thing, really.

0:03:35 > 0:03:38Do you know who manufactured it, Barry?

0:03:38 > 0:03:40I believe it's by Bing of Germany.

0:03:40 > 0:03:43You're absolutely right.

0:03:43 > 0:03:47The BW monogram is the Bing mark

0:03:47 > 0:03:52and very helpfully it says Germany so we know that's the case.

0:03:52 > 0:03:57Bing were one of the foremost manufacturers of tinplate toys

0:03:57 > 0:03:58of this type.

0:03:58 > 0:04:01It would have been bought in about 1925 new

0:04:01 > 0:04:05by really quite wealthy, doting parents.

0:04:05 > 0:04:08And it's a Ford Model T...

0:04:09 > 0:04:11..in blue which is strange.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14He said, "You can have any colour as long as it's black."

0:04:14 > 0:04:16Exactly. That's what Henry Ford said, didn't he?

0:04:16 > 0:04:19Well, obviously Bing chose to ignore it.

0:04:19 > 0:04:24It's obviously had a radiator cup of some sort which has gone.

0:04:24 > 0:04:31And at the back the spare wheel has been re-fixed.

0:04:31 > 0:04:34It must be said, it's a little bit rusty too

0:04:34 > 0:04:37which will put a few people off.

0:04:37 > 0:04:39Have you any idea what it might be worth?

0:04:39 > 0:04:42- No, no idea.- Not a clue.

0:04:42 > 0:04:45I would estimate it at 100 to 150.

0:04:45 > 0:04:48- OK.- I would be inclined to put a reserve

0:04:48 > 0:04:52- at the lower end of that estimate, if you're happy, at £100.- Fine.

0:04:52 > 0:04:55And I'm sure it'll sell well.

0:04:55 > 0:04:58It looks just a little bit tired sitting there

0:04:58 > 0:05:01but there'll be plenty of people that want it.

0:05:01 > 0:05:03Not a bad estimate for such a little toy.

0:05:03 > 0:05:08James has found a more traditional antique over on his table.

0:05:08 > 0:05:11Anne, are you a social drinker?

0:05:11 > 0:05:13- Yes.- Ah, good.

0:05:13 > 0:05:15Because the idea of this is a loving cup

0:05:15 > 0:05:20and you would take it, drink from it and pass it.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24The next person would take the other handle, take it, drink and pass it.

0:05:24 > 0:05:28So if you'd didn't mind other people's spit, it was great.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31But other than that, not really the thing for me, I have to say.

0:05:31 > 0:05:33So is it something you use?

0:05:33 > 0:05:36Is it something you've drunk from in your time?

0:05:36 > 0:05:39No, I've never drunk from it but it was used

0:05:39 > 0:05:41by my husband when he was a boy...

0:05:41 > 0:05:47- Was it?- ..for the FA Trophy in blow football.

0:05:47 > 0:05:49Blow football?!

0:05:49 > 0:05:54- Yes.- My word! Now that is not a Preston accent, is it?- No.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56So where are you from and where is this from?

0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'm from Melbourne in Australia

0:05:58 > 0:06:03and that has come from my husband's great-grandmother in England.

0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Not down your line?- No. - This is a rather interesting thing

0:06:07 > 0:06:10because the hallmarks are in lovely, crisp order

0:06:10 > 0:06:17but having this made at the time it was made which is 1799

0:06:17 > 0:06:20is a little bit like somebody today saying,

0:06:20 > 0:06:23"I know, I'm going to have woodchip wallpaper."

0:06:23 > 0:06:28I mean, it was as out of fashion as that. It really was.

0:06:28 > 0:06:31This is a loving cup in the style of a porringer.

0:06:31 > 0:06:35This half-fluted decoration and this spiralled girdle

0:06:35 > 0:06:39up towards the collar is very much in an earlier style.

0:06:39 > 0:06:42But the handles give it away.

0:06:42 > 0:06:46This scroll handle with a plated thumb piece there

0:06:46 > 0:06:49are very typical of the late 18th century

0:06:49 > 0:06:51but genuinely it's a very interesting thing

0:06:51 > 0:06:55and it will appeal to a loving cup collector

0:06:55 > 0:06:58and I would put an auction estimate of...

0:06:58 > 0:07:01250 to 350.

0:07:01 > 0:07:07Now, I think it's worth £320. I think that's what it'll end up selling at.

0:07:07 > 0:07:09But we need to protect it with a reserve.

0:07:09 > 0:07:12If it doesn't make 250, I think you ought to hang on to it,

0:07:12 > 0:07:15because if it makes less than that, somebody's going to take it,

0:07:15 > 0:07:18melt it down and scrap it. That would be a crying shame.

0:07:18 > 0:07:22I really hope the loving cup gets fought over in the saleroom

0:07:22 > 0:07:27for its craftsmanship and not just its silver value.

0:07:27 > 0:07:29Anne, at first sight, this looks like sheer quality.

0:07:29 > 0:07:33There's only two glass manufacturers that can achieve this kind of work

0:07:33 > 0:07:35- and that's Galle and Lalique. - It's beautiful.

0:07:35 > 0:07:38Both French. And let's turn it upside down.

0:07:38 > 0:07:40I'm looking for the R Lalique sign

0:07:40 > 0:07:44which tells us it's made by his factory and in his lifetime.

0:07:44 > 0:07:49- This actually says Lalique, France. It's made after his death.- Yes.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52Had you seen that mark before? It's so feint, you can hardly see it.

0:07:52 > 0:07:57When I first got it, no, I didn't know what it was.

0:07:57 > 0:08:01But I was washing it one day and saw the marks and thought,

0:08:01 > 0:08:03there is something written there.

0:08:03 > 0:08:08I'm quite lucky, I've got quite good eyesight still at my old age.

0:08:08 > 0:08:13Look at that, isn't that lovely? Look at the deer here.

0:08:13 > 0:08:18I'm looking for any little imperfections, restorations, cuts,

0:08:18 > 0:08:20because that will affect the price

0:08:20 > 0:08:23because people that collect Lalique are very, very fussy.

0:08:23 > 0:08:26- You'll notice I'm doing this all the time.- Yes.

0:08:26 > 0:08:28All I'm doing is feeling the rims

0:08:28 > 0:08:32and making sure there's been no chips and it's not been ground down.

0:08:32 > 0:08:34And it is very, very good, isn't it?

0:08:34 > 0:08:37So, what's its story? How did you come by it?

0:08:37 > 0:08:41Well, it must have been at least 15 years ago,

0:08:41 > 0:08:44my husband and I went to see my mum and dad.

0:08:44 > 0:08:48We went into the kitchen and that was sat on the shelf.

0:08:48 > 0:08:49And I said, "Oh, that's lovely."

0:08:49 > 0:08:53- She said, "You can have it if you want it."- Cor, you're lucky!

0:08:53 > 0:08:55So she didn't know what it was either.

0:08:55 > 0:08:59She would have said if she'd known what it was.

0:08:59 > 0:09:01Well, I think this is really, really nice.

0:09:01 > 0:09:05Made in the 1930s, possibly '40s.

0:09:05 > 0:09:11Now, Rene Lalique really wanted people to own pieces of his glass, glasswares of his.

0:09:11 > 0:09:14So it was his idea to have these mass produced.

0:09:14 > 0:09:16- This is moulded glass, you know that?- Yes.

0:09:16 > 0:09:18So that every household could own one.

0:09:18 > 0:09:22So this is not the best you're going to find.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25I looked online at some auction results

0:09:25 > 0:09:29where one of these has sold recently so I've got a pretty good idea

0:09:29 > 0:09:32of what you're going to get for that.

0:09:32 > 0:09:35If you're happy, I think we should put this into auction

0:09:35 > 0:09:38- with a value of £400 to £600.- Oh!

0:09:38 > 0:09:43- Because one recently sold in auction for £600.- Oh!

0:09:43 > 0:09:45And I can only find one little nick on that

0:09:45 > 0:09:50and I can see it cos the light is catching it here. It's just there.

0:09:50 > 0:09:52But that's nothing to be bothered about, really.

0:09:52 > 0:09:54That's a lovely surprise. Thank you.

0:09:56 > 0:10:00Great to see a piece from a respected name like Lalique.

0:10:00 > 0:10:03Over with David is another antique of quality.

0:10:05 > 0:10:06- Hello, David.- Hello .

0:10:06 > 0:10:10You look a pretty sprightly sort of chap. Not the sort of fellow

0:10:10 > 0:10:13who needs to come in here with a walking stick.

0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Not yet.- Not yet!

0:10:15 > 0:10:18This I think is just a miniature walking stick

0:10:18 > 0:10:22carved to show off the skills of the craftsman who made it.

0:10:22 > 0:10:26And the quality really is very good.

0:10:26 > 0:10:28If we look at this dragon for example...

0:10:28 > 0:10:30They're all intertwined.

0:10:30 > 0:10:36Exactly. And then the handle just finishes in a sort of lotus flower,

0:10:36 > 0:10:41I think, with a bat which is a curious motif.

0:10:41 > 0:10:44- The time it must have took. - Time was cheap, wasn't it?

0:10:44 > 0:10:47That's the thing. They spent a long time making these.

0:10:47 > 0:10:52Mind you, they'd have carved it a jolly sight quicker than you and I would

0:10:52 > 0:10:55if we sat down with our Stanley knife and had a go.

0:10:55 > 0:10:57I wouldn't attempt it!

0:10:57 > 0:10:59So how did you come by it?

0:10:59 > 0:11:03- I bought it at a local car boot. - Long ago?- About 12 months ago.

0:11:03 > 0:11:06I hardly dare ask how much you paid for it.

0:11:06 > 0:11:10- I gave £40 for it.- £40. So it wasn't a steal, was it?

0:11:10 > 0:11:11- No.- No.

0:11:11 > 0:11:16- I think you'll get more than that for it. Do you collect antiques? - Er, I do.

0:11:16 > 0:11:20- Anything from the 19th century. - Right.

0:11:20 > 0:11:25I don't think you're going to make a vast profit, but I think you'll make a good turn.

0:11:25 > 0:11:30I would be inclined to estimate it at £100 to £150.

0:11:30 > 0:11:34So after your commission, you'll, with any luck, just about double your money.

0:11:34 > 0:11:36Double the money, yes.

0:11:36 > 0:11:40'Research reveals the stick is Japanese and, thankfully for owner David,

0:11:40 > 0:11:44'it's antique ivory, worked before 1947,

0:11:44 > 0:11:49'so, therefore, it's legal to sell. So now we have four items

0:11:49 > 0:11:51'ready to take off to auction.

0:11:51 > 0:11:54'Barry's toy car came from his father,

0:11:54 > 0:11:57'who'd received it in part payment for fixing a bicycle.'

0:11:57 > 0:12:02'With an estimate of £100 to £150, that's not a bad trade.

0:12:02 > 0:12:07- 'Anne's loving cup caught James's eye.'- My word!

0:12:07 > 0:12:12'And the silver price alone makes an attractive estimate of £250 to £350.

0:12:12 > 0:12:16'And I was taken with Anne's Lalique vase. It's in good condition

0:12:16 > 0:12:21'and I'm hoping it gets the £400-£600 at auction it deserves.

0:12:21 > 0:12:26'Finding an ivory walking stick at a car boot sale must be a dream find.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29'It's most likely late 19th or early 20th century,

0:12:29 > 0:12:34'ornately carved and more than worth its £100 to £150 estimate.'

0:12:36 > 0:12:40This is where we up the tempo. I am excited because it's auction time.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42Let's get inside and catch up with our owners.

0:12:42 > 0:12:45And this is where we are, Frank Marshall in Knutsford.

0:12:45 > 0:12:4870, 5. 80, 5. 5 here.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51This lovely old building has two salerooms.

0:12:51 > 0:12:56Downstairs for the furniture and larger items and upstairs for smaller items and collectibles.

0:12:56 > 0:12:59That's where our auction is taking place today.

0:12:59 > 0:13:02Fingers crossed it's going to be jam-packed full of bidders.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06- 560 I have.- 'With auctioneer Nick Hall already with gavel in hand,

0:13:06 > 0:13:10'let's put Barry and Jill's Model T Ford car in front of the bidders.'

0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Where's this car been all these years?- In the loft.- In the loft!

0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Wrapped in newspaper. - Everything's up in the loft!

0:13:19 > 0:13:23- I was going to throw it away, actually.- No?!

0:13:23 > 0:13:27- He said, "No, you mustn't do that it's worth something."- You can't do things like that!

0:13:27 > 0:13:30There are collectors will pay dearly and, hopefully,

0:13:30 > 0:13:33we're going to find out. It's going under the hammer. Good luck.

0:13:33 > 0:13:38Lovely thing, '20s, '30s Model T Ford, sedan version.

0:13:38 > 0:13:40A nice little model vehicle this.

0:13:40 > 0:13:43Start me at £100 if I could, a £100.

0:13:43 > 0:13:4780? 60? 50 I'll take, it's a start. It's low.

0:13:47 > 0:13:50- It's too low, but it's 50, 5. 60.- Now we're in.

0:13:50 > 0:13:55Five, sir, in the doorway? You're out in the room. 5 online. 70.

0:13:55 > 0:13:5875. 80. 80 online.

0:13:58 > 0:14:00- 80 online.- It's OK, isn't it?

0:14:00 > 0:14:02And 5 against you. At 90.

0:14:02 > 0:14:06- It's chugging along.- £100. The bid's online at 100. Don't stop there.

0:14:06 > 0:14:09There's £100. The bid's online. The book's out. You all done?

0:14:09 > 0:14:13Are you sure? I'm selling online at £100 all done.

0:14:13 > 0:14:14- Finished now.- It's going.

0:14:14 > 0:14:16- Sold 100.- That's great,

0:14:16 > 0:14:18considering you were going to throw that away!

0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Yes!- Well make sure you have a good old look

0:14:21 > 0:14:23- what's in the loft next time.- We will.

0:14:23 > 0:14:26- We've got other bits and pieces. - Put it into auction.

0:14:27 > 0:14:30'I can't believe Jill nearly threw it out.

0:14:30 > 0:14:35'With our next lot, James guessed Anne's loving cup would make £320

0:14:35 > 0:14:39- 'at the valuation day, but how close was he?'- I'm selling.

0:14:39 > 0:14:44- Why are you selling it? - It's just been in the cupboard.

0:14:44 > 0:14:45Not enjoying it, not looking at it?

0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Not looking at it, no.- OK.- I love it.

0:14:48 > 0:14:53It's a bit of Georgian silver in its classic form, something that really is undervalued today.

0:14:53 > 0:14:58But the scrap value for silver has forced the values of Georgian silver up.

0:14:58 > 0:15:02- It's that melt value again. - I'm hoping it'll make more than that.- Let's hope so.

0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Ready for this?- Yes. - Here we go, this is it.

0:15:05 > 0:15:08We'll push on now with the Georgian hallmarked silver.

0:15:08 > 0:15:11A nice little tin-handled cup. Where are we going to go? 200 for it?

0:15:11 > 0:15:16200 start me. Thank you. 200 I'm bid. 210 against you. 220 now.

0:15:16 > 0:15:18230, 240, go 250.

0:15:18 > 0:15:19At 250.

0:15:19 > 0:15:24- It's getting there. It's getting there.- It's getting a smile.

0:15:24 > 0:15:29To the right, 260. Fresh bidder. 270 now. 270 here. 280.

0:15:29 > 0:15:31290. At 3?

0:15:31 > 0:15:33300. 310.

0:15:33 > 0:15:38To my right at 310. Bid against you, sir. At £310 all done.

0:15:38 > 0:15:39Selling at 310.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42- Happy with that?- Yes I am.

0:15:42 > 0:15:44And that was a lovely thing,

0:15:44 > 0:15:46as well. We talk about melt and scrap values

0:15:46 > 0:15:50but that wasn't going to be scrapped. That was lovely.

0:15:51 > 0:15:55'And James's prediction was only £10 off the exact total.

0:15:55 > 0:15:56'He knows his stuff.'

0:16:00 > 0:16:04Can you remember that Lalique vase I valued earlier in the programme? It's about to go under the hammer

0:16:04 > 0:16:08and I been joined by Anne, its owner. We've got £400-£600 on this.

0:16:08 > 0:16:12Had a chat to Nick the auctioneer, earlier. He said, "Love it.

0:16:12 > 0:16:17- "Love the pattern." He would be a little bit cautious and put 3 to 5 on it.- Right.

0:16:17 > 0:16:21Hopefully, his 3 to 5 is like my 4 to 6 and it may end up being £400.

0:16:22 > 0:16:27A nice bit of Lalique glass. Nice condition, signed, as well.

0:16:27 > 0:16:29A good little lot this. May I say 400 for it?

0:16:29 > 0:16:32£400 anywhere? Start me at 400.

0:16:32 > 0:16:34Start me at 3. Start me at 300.

0:16:34 > 0:16:36Come on, get the ball rolling at 300.

0:16:36 > 0:16:40Who's going to start me at £300? This nice, signed, Lalique vase.

0:16:40 > 0:16:44A good size, good pattern, lovely condition. 300 anywhere? Surely?

0:16:44 > 0:16:45Nothing online?

0:16:45 > 0:16:49Nothing online. I'm amazed. We can't let it go.

0:16:49 > 0:16:53One last call. Start the bidding at 300 or we'll move on. Yes or no.

0:16:53 > 0:16:56Unfortunately, sadly, no sale.

0:16:56 > 0:16:59It's going home. But you don't mind,

0:16:59 > 0:17:01because you're the one that said to me,

0:17:01 > 0:17:04"I don't want anything less than £400 with discretion."

0:17:04 > 0:17:06- I'm quite happy to take it home.- OK.

0:17:06 > 0:17:09Give it some love and I know you won't put it in the cupboard.

0:17:09 > 0:17:11- Oh, no! - You'll look at it.

0:17:11 > 0:17:15'The specialist glass collectors just weren't there.

0:17:15 > 0:17:17'But, still, it's a great piece.'

0:17:17 > 0:17:23With this next lot we're hoping to turn £40 into £100-plus, maybe.

0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's a car-boot find and it belongs to David.

0:17:25 > 0:17:28It's that little, tiny, ivory-carved walking stick.

0:17:28 > 0:17:29That's right, yes.

0:17:29 > 0:17:33- Very nice find. Very nice find. - I thought it looked all right!

0:17:33 > 0:17:37It's in good company because there are a lot of Oriental artefacts here, so buyers are here.

0:17:37 > 0:17:40It's been found and hopefully they'll find this one.

0:17:40 > 0:17:44Late 19th, early 20th-century Japanese carved ivory walking stick.

0:17:44 > 0:17:46What are you going to bid me?

0:17:46 > 0:17:47£100?

0:17:47 > 0:17:51£100 anywhere? 100 I have, thank you, to my right on the phone.

0:17:51 > 0:17:54110. Right at the back, against you, 110.

0:17:54 > 0:17:56200 I'm bid.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59Well, bong! What a big jump. 200.

0:17:59 > 0:18:01At 220. The bid's on the phone at 220.

0:18:01 > 0:18:02230 I've got.

0:18:02 > 0:18:07Thank you. 230 online. 240. 240 now. At 250.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10250 now. 300 back on the phone again.

0:18:10 > 0:18:13- They're fighting this out, aren't they?- Yes.

0:18:13 > 0:18:15Your £40 is going a long way now.

0:18:15 > 0:18:18Back on the phone at 350 now.

0:18:18 > 0:18:20380. Back online at 380 now.

0:18:20 > 0:18:23- At £380.- Online again.

0:18:23 > 0:18:26400. Phone bid is in at 4. Yes, no?

0:18:26 > 0:18:30At £400. Nothing in the room. The room's out. 400.

0:18:30 > 0:18:34420 online. Just when you thought you'd got it! Back online. 420 now.

0:18:34 > 0:18:37440 now. 460. Thank you.

0:18:38 > 0:18:40500. At £500.

0:18:40 > 0:18:42This is walking out, isn't it?

0:18:42 > 0:18:45Hammer's hovering. At £500, last call. 520.

0:18:45 > 0:18:47How much?! HE LAUGHS

0:18:47 > 0:18:50At 520. Shakes his head.

0:18:50 > 0:18:53Back online it is at £520. All out in the room.

0:18:53 > 0:18:55Bid's online. Phone's gone.

0:18:55 > 0:18:57Selling at £520.

0:18:57 > 0:18:58HE BANGS GAVEL

0:18:58 > 0:19:02Put it there. I take my hat off to anybody that can turn 40 quid

0:19:02 > 0:19:04from a car boot sale into £520.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08- That's seriously good going. - It is, isn't it?

0:19:10 > 0:19:13That completes our first visit to the auction room today.

0:19:13 > 0:19:17We are coming back later on in the programme, so don't go away.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20We could have one big surprise for you.

0:19:20 > 0:19:23You know I'm a big fan of furniture. So while I was up here in the area,

0:19:23 > 0:19:25I took a trip to Leighton Hall.

0:19:25 > 0:19:27Does it ring any bells?

0:19:27 > 0:19:29Well, all will be revealed.

0:19:29 > 0:19:30Take a look at this.

0:19:43 > 0:19:47Set in the heart of the beautiful Lancashire countryside is Leighton Hall.

0:19:47 > 0:19:52This is no ordinary country house. Granted, it's absolutely stunning on the outside,

0:19:52 > 0:19:56but it's the design classics inside that I'm interested in.

0:19:59 > 0:20:04'There have been records of a manor house on this site since 1246.

0:20:04 > 0:20:06'However, with 26 owners in its history,

0:20:06 > 0:20:09'Leighton Hall has seen some changes over the years.

0:20:09 > 0:20:12'We're here to pick up its story from 1822,

0:20:12 > 0:20:17'when it was sold to one Richard Gillow, who knew exactly how to furnish it.'

0:20:20 > 0:20:23Most people would have heard of the name Gillow

0:20:23 > 0:20:27and his association with fine English furniture.

0:20:27 > 0:20:30Robert Gillow set the company up in 1730 in nearby Lancaster

0:20:30 > 0:20:33and he would design the pieces of furniture.

0:20:33 > 0:20:37And his team of highly skilled craftsmen would passionately make them up.

0:20:37 > 0:20:41I must say we are talking a seriously important and respected business here.

0:20:41 > 0:20:47Most grand houses and stately homes in the United Kingdom would have owned one or two of his pieces.

0:20:47 > 0:20:53But no-one could get exactly what they wanted more than members of the Gillow family themselves.

0:20:53 > 0:20:57'New owner Richard was grandson of company founder Robert

0:20:57 > 0:21:02'and, by the 1820s, the Gillows' family business had done so well,

0:21:02 > 0:21:06'he was able to retire early to live with his wife Elizabeth and their children

0:21:06 > 0:21:09'at his new country home.'

0:21:16 > 0:21:20You don't have to get very far inside this magnificent house,

0:21:20 > 0:21:24which is a super example of Georgian Gothic revival,

0:21:24 > 0:21:28to see that Richard did really well.

0:21:28 > 0:21:30Underneath this cantilevered staircase,

0:21:30 > 0:21:34there is the most wonderful example of a bit of Gillow craftsmanship.

0:21:34 > 0:21:38It's called the daisy table because of its shape and design.

0:21:38 > 0:21:42The jury is out as to what purpose this served.

0:21:42 > 0:21:46I believe, along with a lot of other people, that it was a card table

0:21:46 > 0:21:49and, maybe, you were dealt your hand, you sat here.

0:21:49 > 0:21:53If you lost your money or you lost, you folded your cards,

0:21:53 > 0:21:56but you also folded the little flap you were sitting at.

0:21:56 > 0:21:59And that folds down by virtue of moving this wooden knee

0:21:59 > 0:22:02on this hinge, which is also made of wood,

0:22:02 > 0:22:09tight into the side rail of the table and then this leaf just drops down.

0:22:09 > 0:22:14When everybody was out, it would make another rather interesting shape,

0:22:14 > 0:22:15an octagonal shape.

0:22:15 > 0:22:19Others believe it may have been a dining table for Richard's kids,

0:22:19 > 0:22:22because he did have a brood or 14,

0:22:22 > 0:22:27but it doesn't really have the wear and tear of a small dining table.

0:22:27 > 0:22:30Nevertheless, it is a lovely example.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37There are architectural and design details everywhere I look,

0:22:37 > 0:22:40from floor to ceiling.

0:22:40 > 0:22:42That's beautiful, isn't it?

0:22:42 > 0:22:44The most wonderful fanlight

0:22:44 > 0:22:48which just floods a central pool of light into the dining room.

0:22:48 > 0:22:50Now, I really am spoilt for choice here

0:22:50 > 0:22:54because there are wonderful examples of Gillow furniture everywhere.

0:22:54 > 0:22:57But I guess, really, I should just point out

0:22:57 > 0:22:58some of the obvious to you.

0:22:58 > 0:23:01Here on the floor, that's caught my eye because

0:23:01 > 0:23:03that's a little cellarette.

0:23:03 > 0:23:07These were portable wine cellars, and they were always made this size

0:23:07 > 0:23:10because they had to be moved around.

0:23:10 > 0:23:12Look at that. This one's on castors.

0:23:12 > 0:23:14If I open this up, let's see what's inside.

0:23:14 > 0:23:16Yes, look, there's the booze.

0:23:16 > 0:23:18There's some spirits and some red wine,

0:23:18 > 0:23:20all standing up in little compartments.

0:23:20 > 0:23:22I have seen these lined in lead

0:23:22 > 0:23:26so you can throw some ice in there to keep your white wine cool.

0:23:26 > 0:23:29Now, dining chairs everywhere.

0:23:29 > 0:23:33The first thing I do with a chair is pick it up by the seat here,

0:23:33 > 0:23:36get hold of it firmly, and you can feel the weight of this.

0:23:36 > 0:23:40Again, the finest mahogany. A little tiny detail, look at that -

0:23:40 > 0:23:42that's known as a C scroll.

0:23:42 > 0:23:45It's very delicate, it softens the whole thing.

0:23:45 > 0:23:47And if I turn it sideways, can you see?

0:23:47 > 0:23:53The section of the back actually runs right into this sabre leg,

0:23:53 > 0:23:54the back leg.

0:23:54 > 0:23:56Now look at the curl on that.

0:23:56 > 0:24:00The section of wood that's cut from, that's one solid piece of wood,

0:24:00 > 0:24:03let's say, three inches thick,

0:24:03 > 0:24:07three feet in length by a good 14 inches in width.

0:24:07 > 0:24:11Look at the waste wood involved in taking that shape out.

0:24:11 > 0:24:14But again, you see, that's a sign of quality.

0:24:14 > 0:24:16That's what Gillow is all about.

0:24:16 > 0:24:19But I guess the most obvious thing is the imperial dining table.

0:24:19 > 0:24:24This was designed by Richard Gillow's old firm,

0:24:24 > 0:24:28and it was made for his new house, Leighton Hall.

0:24:28 > 0:24:31He also designed a table very similar to this one

0:24:31 > 0:24:33back in the year 1800,

0:24:33 > 0:24:37and it had a telescopic action which you could unwind from one end,

0:24:37 > 0:24:42so the table would come apart in the middle, allowing you to drop

0:24:42 > 0:24:45separate leaves in, which would be around this width,

0:24:45 > 0:24:48four or five you would take from a cabinet from the wall

0:24:48 > 0:24:49and drop them in.

0:24:49 > 0:24:52So you could make the table a lot longer or,

0:24:52 > 0:24:55if you didn't need the space, bring the table back in.

0:24:55 > 0:24:58Quality throughout.

0:25:01 > 0:25:03Although there is so much to see in all the rooms,

0:25:03 > 0:25:07it's all functional furniture, still in use today.

0:25:07 > 0:25:11And that's what makes for a welcoming and beautiful house to live in.

0:25:12 > 0:25:16Isn't that lovely? You can see the mountains of the Lake District

0:25:16 > 0:25:18from this elegant yet very homely drawing room.

0:25:18 > 0:25:21I must say, the whole house really does embrace you

0:25:21 > 0:25:24when you walk into it. It's got the most incredible feel.

0:25:24 > 0:25:28So this is a very good room to talk about the different furniture designs

0:25:28 > 0:25:31that have influenced the Gillow designs over the years.

0:25:31 > 0:25:34And if I show you here, look, a typical side table here,

0:25:34 > 0:25:38typically English, typically Gillow, wonderful straight, clean lines,

0:25:38 > 0:25:41great proportions, great symmetry, architecturally perfect.

0:25:41 > 0:25:45Here is its French counterpart. The straight lines, where possible,

0:25:45 > 0:25:47have been softened and curved.

0:25:47 > 0:25:50Tulip woods and fruit woods - it's playful, it's feminine.

0:25:50 > 0:25:55It's sort of frivolous. And here is a combination of the two.

0:25:55 > 0:26:00You can see a games table made of tulip wood and kingwood,

0:26:00 > 0:26:05but it's got softened lines to it, yet it remains English.

0:26:08 > 0:26:11Leighton Hall has been passed down through the years

0:26:11 > 0:26:14to the descendants of Richard Gillow.

0:26:14 > 0:26:16It now belongs to his great-great-great-grandson.

0:26:16 > 0:26:22And I met Suzie, his wife, in the hall's music room.

0:26:22 > 0:26:25So what's it like living in such a lovely house

0:26:25 > 0:26:26surrounded by beautiful things?

0:26:26 > 0:26:29It's wonderful, it's a huge, huge privilege.

0:26:29 > 0:26:30I really married it,

0:26:30 > 0:26:34so I've had the job of looking after it for over 40 years now.

0:26:34 > 0:26:38And were you and your husband ever sort of taught to look after

0:26:38 > 0:26:39these wonderful pieces?

0:26:39 > 0:26:42Did you go about it the right way or did you sort of...

0:26:42 > 0:26:45No, we didn't, I'm afraid, because he was brought up here.

0:26:45 > 0:26:49So he was a little boy, rattling around, crashing into the furniture,

0:26:49 > 0:26:52and we just get on with the family life here.

0:26:52 > 0:26:55Obviously, we take as much care of it as we can,

0:26:55 > 0:26:59and hopefully we'll hand it on to another generation.

0:26:59 > 0:27:01But it does look marvellous, doesn't it?

0:27:01 > 0:27:05- And the fact that it's lived in and used...- People do respond very well to that.

0:27:05 > 0:27:10The visitors who come, the overriding thing we hear is,

0:27:10 > 0:27:12"It's so nice to see a house that's lived in."

0:27:12 > 0:27:16Do you feel you have a duty to tell everybody about the Gillow dynasty?

0:27:16 > 0:27:20Well, certainly people who come to the house, because what they come for

0:27:20 > 0:27:24mostly is the furniture. They know a little bit about the Gillows.

0:27:24 > 0:27:25Do you know something?

0:27:25 > 0:27:28The more you look at the pieces, the more you keep learning.

0:27:28 > 0:27:32Well, this is what's so wonderful, because after 40 years,

0:27:32 > 0:27:35every single day somebody I show round the house

0:27:35 > 0:27:38will tell me something. And it's you today.

0:27:38 > 0:27:42- THEY LAUGH - Thank you for letting me look. - It's a pleasure.

0:27:46 > 0:27:49This has been a real treat for me today to see such a full

0:27:49 > 0:27:53and interesting private collection of Gillow furniture

0:27:53 > 0:27:55still in its family seat.

0:27:55 > 0:27:58And those design classics look as good today as they did

0:27:58 > 0:27:59when they were first made.

0:27:59 > 0:28:02And they fulfil their function.

0:28:02 > 0:28:05They've been used, and are still being used,

0:28:05 > 0:28:10by the family today. It just goes to show quality lasts.

0:28:10 > 0:28:14Leighton Hall is quietly all about good taste and quality.

0:28:25 > 0:28:28Welcome back to our valuation day and to St John's Minster,

0:28:28 > 0:28:31and to all of these wonderful people.

0:28:31 > 0:28:33Let's now catch up with our experts

0:28:33 > 0:28:35and see what else we can find to take to auction.

0:28:35 > 0:28:39James is over at his table with Denise and a bit of silver.

0:28:39 > 0:28:43Denise, you have timed this to absolute perfection

0:28:43 > 0:28:49because what you have is a very simple piece of Chinese silver.

0:28:49 > 0:28:53Nothing exciting at all, not early, not necessarily rare,

0:28:53 > 0:28:57but the market for Chinese anything at the moment

0:28:57 > 0:29:02is really fabulous, all right?

0:29:02 > 0:29:04Where did you find it?

0:29:04 > 0:29:07Well, it belongs to a friend of mine. They've just recently got married

0:29:07 > 0:29:11so they've had two houses to put into one, and they had this big pile

0:29:11 > 0:29:14of stuff in the living room and I said I was coming to the programme

0:29:14 > 0:29:17and they said, "Take something from here."

0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Right.- I chose that. - That's what you picked?

0:29:20 > 0:29:22And where did they get it from?

0:29:22 > 0:29:25Well, he's travelled quite a lot

0:29:25 > 0:29:27so I'm assuming he bought it abroad, but I don't know where.

0:29:27 > 0:29:32The marks are really nice and clear but I can't read them.

0:29:33 > 0:29:37- Can you read Chinese?- No, but my son took it into the local

0:29:37 > 0:29:41- Chinese takeaway.- Ha! Yes?

0:29:41 > 0:29:44- And he said that he thought that they meant it was silver.- Yeah.

0:29:44 > 0:29:47And he said something about the symbols around the edge as well.

0:29:47 > 0:29:50- And what did he say about the symbols?- He said that they meant

0:29:50 > 0:29:56- health, wealth, peace...- Longevity. - Happiness. Yeah.

0:29:56 > 0:30:00The reason why the Chinese market is so good at the moment is

0:30:00 > 0:30:06because, under Chairman Mao, nobody was allowed to own anything early.

0:30:06 > 0:30:10Anything looking back to the imperial past was either destroyed

0:30:10 > 0:30:15or buried or sold and chipped out very quietly and very quickly.

0:30:15 > 0:30:18But now, of course, China's opened up to the West,

0:30:18 > 0:30:22it's the fastest growing economy in the world,

0:30:22 > 0:30:26and at the head of every business is a very wealthy businessman

0:30:26 > 0:30:31who wants to buy back anything early and anything Chinese.

0:30:31 > 0:30:35- OK.- Not just early, anything really pre-communist China.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37So I can tell you that, maybe ten years ago,

0:30:37 > 0:30:41if you were to try and sell this, it might have made £20.

0:30:41 > 0:30:45- Yeah.- Something like that. It's now worth around £100.- Right!

0:30:45 > 0:30:48I would say £80 to £120.

0:30:48 > 0:30:51It will certainly make £100 to £110, something like that.

0:30:51 > 0:30:55It might, if they get carried away, make a little bit more.

0:30:55 > 0:30:59- So, at £80-£120, do you think your friends will be happy? - I think they will, yeah.

0:30:59 > 0:31:02You know, they've picked exactly the right time to sell it,

0:31:02 > 0:31:05- and you've picked a very fashionable thing to bring.- Thank you.

0:31:05 > 0:31:08Let's hope the Chinese bowl brings the wealth

0:31:08 > 0:31:12and happiness it suggests when it goes up for sale.

0:31:12 > 0:31:15That looks interesting. It matches what I'm wearing.

0:31:15 > 0:31:17THEY LAUGH

0:31:17 > 0:31:20Over with David, it's great when we get something quirky in,

0:31:20 > 0:31:24today brought in by Enid and Bob.

0:31:24 > 0:31:26I thought you'd brought along two photographs,

0:31:26 > 0:31:30but on closer inspection, although they were originally photographs,

0:31:30 > 0:31:34they're actually printed on pottery.

0:31:34 > 0:31:37- And their tiles, aren't they?- Yes.

0:31:37 > 0:31:41I've never seen anything like this. I mean, I've seen hundreds,

0:31:41 > 0:31:46if not thousands, of tiles, but never portrait tiles like this.

0:31:46 > 0:31:50- Did you take them out of a fireplace surround?- No, I got them like that.

0:31:50 > 0:31:53- They came like that?- Wrapped in a bit of brown paper.- Right.

0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Did you inherit them?- Yes, they came from my father's brother,

0:31:56 > 0:32:01- and they had just been in a box for 25-30 years.- Unappreciated.

0:32:01 > 0:32:03- It's sad, isn't it?- It is, yes.

0:32:03 > 0:32:08When you get them out and look you think, "They are quite nice."

0:32:08 > 0:32:11This is Kitchener and this is Jellicoe.

0:32:11 > 0:32:15Both, I think, in pre-First World War uniform.

0:32:15 > 0:32:20I think it's fair to say that Lord Kitchener represented the Army

0:32:20 > 0:32:24and Admiral Jellicoe represented the Navy.

0:32:24 > 0:32:27Jellicoe was heavily involved with the Boxer Rebellion

0:32:27 > 0:32:29right at the beginning of the 20th century,

0:32:29 > 0:32:33and I suspect this tile dates from very soon thereafter.

0:32:33 > 0:32:36But if we turn them over we get a massive clue,

0:32:36 > 0:32:42and that is a "ceramic," spelt with a K, unusually,

0:32:42 > 0:32:48"copy Of Bassano's portrait of Lord Kitchener by Carter's of Poole, November 1914."

0:32:48 > 0:32:52So what I was saying about the portrait

0:32:52 > 0:32:54being pre-First World War is borne out there, really,

0:32:54 > 0:32:57because obviously this is dated November 1914,

0:32:57 > 0:33:01the month the First World War started, of course.

0:33:01 > 0:33:08And Mr Bassano was a society portrait photographer - aristocrats, important people.

0:33:10 > 0:33:15And Mr Carter, who established the Poole pottery in, I think,

0:33:15 > 0:33:21the 1870s, obviously considered that there was a commercial opportunity here.

0:33:21 > 0:33:24I've never seen anything quite like them before.

0:33:24 > 0:33:28If you were a fan of Poole pottery, you would want to own one of these

0:33:28 > 0:33:31because they're quite important, really.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34I think they're worth about £30-£40 each.

0:33:34 > 0:33:37Strictly speaking, they're not a pair.

0:33:37 > 0:33:40They're two, I think, from a series.

0:33:40 > 0:33:42So we should sell them together in one lot.

0:33:42 > 0:33:46Given that they're worth about £30 or £40 each, in my view,

0:33:46 > 0:33:49I suggest an estimate of £60-£100

0:33:49 > 0:33:54and a reserve just below the bottom estimate of £50?

0:33:54 > 0:33:56Whatever, yes.

0:33:56 > 0:34:00It's nice to find something out about them. We didn't know anything.

0:34:00 > 0:34:03Good. I look forward to seeing you at the sale, then.

0:34:05 > 0:34:07SHE CHUCKLES

0:34:09 > 0:34:14Those tiles would make an unusual fireplace surround, wouldn't they?

0:34:14 > 0:34:18James is asking personal questions of April over at his table.

0:34:18 > 0:34:21- Are you short-sighted or something?- No.

0:34:21 > 0:34:23- Need a big watch, do you?- No!

0:34:23 > 0:34:26What on earth are you doing with that?

0:34:26 > 0:34:31Well, years ago, my mother had a chap that fancied her

0:34:31 > 0:34:33and wanted to go out with her. He kept asking her out

0:34:33 > 0:34:37but she kept refusing. He was a watchman.

0:34:37 > 0:34:39He used to fix watches.

0:34:39 > 0:34:43Unfortunately, when Mother died, when I was only 21,

0:34:43 > 0:34:50- he passed on not long after.- Ah. - And the family came round of the gentleman that owned the shop

0:34:50 > 0:34:53and said, "We have a little box here for your mother."

0:34:53 > 0:34:56I said unfortunately Mother had passed on.

0:34:56 > 0:35:00And they said, "Well, you might as well have the box."

0:35:00 > 0:35:07I was just 21 and I put it in a box in the attic and forgot all about it.

0:35:07 > 0:35:09- Is that where it's been?- Yes.

0:35:09 > 0:35:12OK, it's a very interesting watch.

0:35:12 > 0:35:16- Do you know much about it? - No, nothing.- OK.

0:35:16 > 0:35:23Well, let's go back 60 years into the middle of the Second World War.

0:35:23 > 0:35:30At night, squadrons of bombers are coming over from Dresden.

0:35:30 > 0:35:34If you were in one of those dark, noisy planes,

0:35:34 > 0:35:37looking at your watch wouldn't be easy,

0:35:37 > 0:35:40especially not if it was underneath your flying suit.

0:35:40 > 0:35:44So if you were an observer in one of the planes,

0:35:44 > 0:35:48you would need a watch that would go over your flight suit.

0:35:48 > 0:35:52And this is what you would have worn.

0:35:52 > 0:35:58It's by a factory just outside Dresden and it's incredibly rare.

0:35:58 > 0:36:01I've seen them in books. I've never handled one.

0:36:01 > 0:36:04This is a first for me.

0:36:04 > 0:36:09The hands are, I think, still fluorescent. You can just see, look.

0:36:09 > 0:36:13- Oh, yes.- It's just glowing slightly.

0:36:13 > 0:36:18If we take the back off, all the information is on the back panel.

0:36:18 > 0:36:23Lange and Sohne. They're the makers.

0:36:23 > 0:36:27- And to start with, they didn't make many.- No?

0:36:27 > 0:36:28The ones that they made,

0:36:28 > 0:36:32I think the life expectancy of somebody in one of the bombers...

0:36:32 > 0:36:35wasn't long. You know, it was months.

0:36:35 > 0:36:41- So the majority of them ended up... - Didn't survive.

0:36:41 > 0:36:45A couple of loose cogs there, so it needs a bit of work,

0:36:45 > 0:36:47but not very much.

0:36:47 > 0:36:51- What do you think it's worth? - I've no idea.

0:36:51 > 0:36:53What do you think?

0:36:54 > 0:36:59- A couple of hundred.- Sell it for a couple of hundred?- Yes.

0:37:01 > 0:37:05- You'd be making a big mistake. - Why?

0:37:05 > 0:37:09- It's probably worth a couple of thousand pounds.- You're joking!

0:37:09 > 0:37:11SHE LAUGHS

0:37:11 > 0:37:14I didn't expect that.

0:37:14 > 0:37:17- It's a fantastic watch. - Oh, I am pleased.

0:37:17 > 0:37:23If we put 1,000-1,500 on it, £1,000 as a reserve.

0:37:23 > 0:37:27- Wow.- I think it's absolutely outstanding.

0:37:27 > 0:37:32- I am pleased. It's made my day. - Well, you've made my day.- Oh!

0:37:34 > 0:37:37Those three items have caused enough surprises

0:37:37 > 0:37:40to take them off to auction in Cheshire.

0:37:40 > 0:37:43Denise brought in her neighbour's Chinese silver dish

0:37:43 > 0:37:48so they'll be delighted with James's estimate of £80-£120.

0:37:48 > 0:37:51Those military-themed Poole pottery tiles

0:37:51 > 0:37:53were an unusual find for David

0:37:53 > 0:37:57and he's given them a value of £60-£100 for the pair.

0:37:59 > 0:38:02And April's pilot watch was the star item of the day

0:38:02 > 0:38:05here at St John's in Preston.

0:38:05 > 0:38:08But will it make its estimate of £1,000-£1,500?

0:38:08 > 0:38:11It's now time to find out.

0:38:16 > 0:38:20We're in Knutsford for the auction, for judgement time on our lots.

0:38:20 > 0:38:25Standard sales commission here is 15% including VAT.

0:38:25 > 0:38:28With you, sir, at £170.

0:38:28 > 0:38:30It's auctioneer Nick on the rostrum.

0:38:30 > 0:38:33Let's kick things off with a bit of Chinese silver.

0:38:35 > 0:38:39It was brought in to the valuation day by Denise who's right here,

0:38:39 > 0:38:41but in fact it's owned by Graham, a friend of yours.

0:38:41 > 0:38:45Pleased to meet you, Graham. A lovely thing. An item of quality.

0:38:45 > 0:38:48I've got to say you've hit the market at the right time right now.

0:38:48 > 0:38:53- Why are you selling this?- I'm trying to squeeze two houses into one.

0:38:53 > 0:38:58- I recently got married.- Ah! Right, OK. Downsizing, in a way.

0:38:58 > 0:39:01Cherry-picking the best items to keep.

0:39:01 > 0:39:06- Or maybe the best items to sell to raise some money? I don't know. - Maybe.- Maybe!

0:39:06 > 0:39:13The late 19th/early 20th century Chinese silver bowl.

0:39:13 > 0:39:1680 for it. Thank you. £80 bid. Any advance on 80?

0:39:16 > 0:39:18Five against you. 90.

0:39:18 > 0:39:21Five. 100. 110. 120. 130.

0:39:21 > 0:39:23It's racing up quickly.

0:39:23 > 0:39:26150 I have. 160. 160 online it is.

0:39:26 > 0:39:29New bid at 170. Thank you.

0:39:29 > 0:39:32180. 190. 200.

0:39:32 > 0:39:35210 now. 220. 220 now.

0:39:35 > 0:39:39230. 240 here. 250.

0:39:39 > 0:39:42The gent's bid at 250 now. At £250, selling.

0:39:42 > 0:39:47£250. That was very good, wasn't it? Double our top end. Happy?

0:39:47 > 0:39:50- Very happy.- That'll help. - It certainly will.

0:39:50 > 0:39:55Well done, Denise, for spotting that silver bowl's potential.

0:39:55 > 0:39:57Something more unusual now

0:39:57 > 0:40:00with Enid and Bob's photographic ceramic tiles.

0:40:00 > 0:40:06I've not come across these before so today I have learned something.

0:40:06 > 0:40:09- What have you done with them? Nothing?- Nothing, yeah.

0:40:09 > 0:40:13I think it's about time you put them under the hammer, in that case.

0:40:13 > 0:40:18- Not literally.- Of course not! Let's find out what the bidders think.

0:40:18 > 0:40:19Two early 20th-century

0:40:19 > 0:40:23Carters of Poole rectangular earthenware portrait tiles,

0:40:23 > 0:40:25nicely depicting Lord Kitchener

0:40:25 > 0:40:29and Sir John Rushworth of course, Jellicoe.

0:40:29 > 0:40:32£60 anywhere, someone? 50. 35, I have.

0:40:32 > 0:40:34At 35. And 40.

0:40:34 > 0:40:38- Most of the bidders in the middle of the room.- Seated at 50.

0:40:38 > 0:40:41Five standing. 55. Bidding online. 60 here.

0:40:41 > 0:40:4465. Back in the room. 70.

0:40:44 > 0:40:47Five with you, sir. 75 now.

0:40:47 > 0:40:51- They're historical pieces, really. - Yes.

0:40:51 > 0:40:5390 bid. 95.

0:40:53 > 0:40:55Come on, make 100. 95 in the room.

0:40:55 > 0:40:57Finished online. With you, sir.

0:40:57 > 0:40:58All finished. Yours.

0:40:58 > 0:41:00It's gone. £95.

0:41:00 > 0:41:04Top end of the estimate. Well done, David. You must be happy with that.

0:41:04 > 0:41:07- Yes, thank you very much. - Thank you for bringing them in.

0:41:07 > 0:41:12- We've all learned something today and that's what it's all about, really.- It is.- Bit of knowledge.

0:41:14 > 0:41:15Right on estimate there,

0:41:15 > 0:41:21but now it's time to see whether April's pilot watch matches up to its big estimate.

0:41:21 > 0:41:29Time for April's watch to go under the hammer. Big bucks. £1,000-£1,500.

0:41:29 > 0:41:32Had a chat to Nick the auctioneer. He'd have been slightly more cautious.

0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Not much more cautious!- No, no!

0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Is this your first auction?- Yes.

0:41:37 > 0:41:40What do you think? Sum it up for me.

0:41:40 > 0:41:44- Lots of people and noise.- Buzzing. - Yeah. Great atmosphere.

0:41:44 > 0:41:46It's going under the hammer right now.

0:41:46 > 0:41:50This is what we've been waiting for. Hopefully a big surprise.

0:41:50 > 0:41:55Rare, oversized, stainless steel navigator's watch.

0:41:55 > 0:41:58In reasonable condition. Had a lot of interest presale.

0:41:58 > 0:42:04I'm going to come straight in flat at £1,000. £1,000 bid with me.

0:42:04 > 0:42:06And 50. 1,100.

0:42:06 > 0:42:09(Straight in at 1,000.)

0:42:09 > 0:42:12At £1,200. 1,250. 1,300.

0:42:12 > 0:42:151,400. And 50.

0:42:15 > 0:42:181,550. 1,600. And 50.

0:42:18 > 0:42:241,700. And 50. 18. 1,850. 1,900. And 50. 2,000.

0:42:24 > 0:42:28- And 50. 2,100.- 2,100.

0:42:28 > 0:42:322,150. 2,200. 2,250.

0:42:32 > 0:42:382,250 online. I've got 2,300. 2,300 on the phone.

0:42:38 > 0:42:40April, do you need a seat?

0:42:40 > 0:42:44- Are we going to go 2,400?- 2,300. - Really!

0:42:44 > 0:42:48I've got 2,300. Come on, bid it up. 2,300 on the phone. 2,400.

0:42:48 > 0:42:50They're loving this, aren't they?

0:42:50 > 0:42:532,600. The bid is at 2,600.

0:42:53 > 0:42:56It's against you online. At £2,600...

0:42:56 > 0:43:01I've got 2,700. 2,800. Still climbing.

0:43:01 > 0:43:04Oh, James, this is wonderful, isn't it?

0:43:04 > 0:43:07At £2,800. 2,900.

0:43:07 > 0:43:12Come on. Round it up. 3,000. I knew we liked this lot. It's a rare one.

0:43:12 > 0:43:19- April, this is stunning.- Isn't it? - Good on your mum.

0:43:19 > 0:43:22At £3,000, going once. For 3,000 going twice.

0:43:22 > 0:43:27Last and final call, at £3,000 online I sell.

0:43:27 > 0:43:29£3,000!

0:43:29 > 0:43:32- Come here!- Gosh!

0:43:32 > 0:43:36- Well done.- Well done. I told you there was going to be a surprise.

0:43:36 > 0:43:39We left it till the end. I hope you enjoyed the show.

0:43:39 > 0:43:41Sadly we have run out of time in Knutsford.

0:43:41 > 0:43:44But what an end and what a day! You can always learn something.

0:43:44 > 0:43:47Join us again next time for many more surprises.

0:43:47 > 0:43:51Until then it's goodbye from all of us.

0:43:55 > 0:43:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:59 > 0:44:03E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk