Wells Flog It!


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Today, we're in the ancient city of Wells in Somerset, first granted a royal charter by King John in 1201.

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It's officially been a city since 1205 and what a wonderful location for us

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to unearth some unwanted antiques.

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Welcome to Flog It!

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At the heart of this ancient, unspoilt market town is the cathedral,

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our magnificent valuation day venue, and later on in the programme,

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I'll be taking you on a whistle-stop tour and I can't wait.

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But first, well, I can't wait to see what's in all of these bags and boxes.

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As you can see, the locals have turned out in force today.

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We've brought them into the cloisters where it's lovely and warm because it's biting cold outside.

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But somebody today could be going home with a lot of money and it could be you

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because you've got a big smile on your face.

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We'll look inside there later.

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It's our job to find the best antiques, put them into auction and hopefully make a small fortune.

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'Two people always eager to get going are our lead experts, Anita Manning and Will Axon,

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'both highly experienced valuers and auctioneers.

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'They are guaranteed to root out interesting objects.'

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Look at that. They are a bit big for me, I reckon. That's wonderful.

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You see, Scotland invented football. Did you know that?

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'Well, before we get the ball rolling, here's what's coming up...

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'Will discovers that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...'

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-I mean, I don't really like it, so...

-I know.

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That's where we disagree. I like it, you don't. That's antiques!

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Everyone's got different opinions.

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'..Anita spots the best in show...'

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-These dogs are a pair of, I think, they are fox-haired terriers?

-That's right.

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'..and there's a shocker in the sale room.'

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There was something there, wasn't there?

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I think it's time we got everybody to the tables. Let's get on with the show.

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What a fabulous turnout. Everybody is seated inside. We've got our work cut out today.

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Let's get on with the valuations, and it looks like Will Axon is our first expert at the blue tablecloth.

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Let's take a closer look at what he's spotted.

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'And it's two fierce looking bronze dragons brought along by Brian and Ann.'

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-Well, I hope they've got the Addams Family theme tune playing over this bit...

-That's right.

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..because when I look at these, I'm thinking dark, Gothic dining room, high-backed chairs

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and perhaps, sort of, a couple of ghostly figures at the table.

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-Yeah.

-But are these something that are on your dining table at home?

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-I'm not trying to insinuate that you are anything like the Addams Family, of course.

-No, no.

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-But are these on your dining table at home?

-They were there for about a year.

-OK.

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-And then, Ann, you weren't keen on them, were you?

-I don't like them.

-Right.

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-So it was Brian who bought them, was it?

-It was indeed.

-Yes.

-Where did you get them from, Brian?

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-A very small antique fair about 20 years ago.

-OK.

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-I suppose, for want of a better word, it's a winged dragon, isn't it?

-That's right, yeah. That's true.

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With a fairly decent size catch in its jaws.

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-A good weight to them would suggest that perhaps they are made of bronze.

-Right.

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-I don't know, did you buy them as bronze at the time?

-I bought them as bronze, yes. Hopefully, you know.

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I think that's right.

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I mean, you've got a bit of obvious areas here where the patination for the bronze has worn away.

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You do get that sometimes when bronze is over-cleaned or just handled.

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Just holding this one now, as I am, I'm having a bit of a brainwave.

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-I'm wondering whether these were actually chamber sticks.

-Oh, right.

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Because what I'm thinking is, if they were originally designed as a pair,

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-you'd expect them to be opposing pairs.

-You would.

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So his tail is scrolled to the right, you would expect this tail to be scrolled to the left

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so they would sort of mirror each other.

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But having, sort of, naturally lifted them up like that, it kind of lends itself, the design,

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-to perhaps being carried about as a chamber stick.

-Oh yeah, yeah.

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I'm not sure I'd like to go to sleep with this fellow on my bedside table though,

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-maybe when you woke up, he'd soon get you out of bed. So you bought them, right, OK.

-Yeah.

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You bought them as bronze, they are. You bought them having a bit of age, I think they are late 19th century.

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-So what do we need to make to get your money back, the money you spent 20 years ago?

-Yeah.

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-It was about £50.

-About £50, 20 years ago. Well, the market's gone up, down, up, down since then.

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How do you feel if we sort of estimate them at £50 to £80? Are you happy with that?

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-That'd be fine, yeah. Be lovely.

-Happy with that. You don't mind what I value them at, do you?

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-No, I don't mind.

-You just want them out of the house. So let's put them at £50.

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-I'll fix the reserve at £50.

-Right.

-Cos you forked out for them, it's not like you inherited them

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-and they stand you in at nothing.

-No.

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£50 fixed reserve and I think, at that, they've got to be worth it.

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And, Ann, what have you got your eye on to spend the £50 on?

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I'd like a nice piece of Deco or a little piece of Clarice Cliff.

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-Ah, you notice the LITTLE piece of Clarice Cliff. How about a big bit of Clarice Cliff?!

-Yes, please.

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I don't know if we'll be able to get that far,

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-but let's hope we get some money into the Art Deco/Clarice Cliff fund for you.

-Oh, please.

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'Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too, Ann, and we'll find out later how you get on.

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'Next, something's caught my eye.'

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John, this is a fascinating book.

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It's leather bound, it's a little volume that, let's say,

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a site foreman would have used in the construction industry.

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-How did you come by it?

-It'll be one of my grandfathers.

-Was he in the building industry?

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Not as I know of. I've never checked what he actually did, but it's just come down through the family.

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It's just been in the family a long time. Incidentally, it's that size, and you know why it's that size,

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because it has been used by a site foreman or a carpenter...

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-Yes.

-..to go in the top pocket.

-That's it, yes.

-In the jacket, hasn't it?

-Yes.

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-What I love is the title. I love my wood, I'm a wood worker.

-I know that.

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-We've seen you on the programme.

-And you brought this in for me?

-Yes.

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OK, this is Measuring Made Easy To The Meanest Capacity.

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-So basically this book is designed to save you money.

-That's right.

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And it's absolutely fascinating.

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-I didn't think books like this existed. It's even got the prices of timber, as well, hasn't it?

-Yes.

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Sawyers selling wood in London, for instance, selling oak by the length, a 50 foot length.

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Ash a 50 foot length. This is really quite a nice little comprehensive guide to actually buying wood

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in its cut and felled form.

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-It looks like, here, the date it was printed. It was published in 1850.

-1850.

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And the condition is excellent, apart from the spine and obviously a little bit of use.

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So why are you selling this?

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Well, I've got a daughter and two granddaughters and they won't want it

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so it's surplus to requirements.

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-They're not going to take up carpentry, are they?

-Somebody else might enjoy it.

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We're going to find a very small market for this, the minority market, the woodworkers

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and the tree lovers.

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-But I think it might have a value of around £40 to £60.

-Yeah, it could do.

-Are you happy with that?

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-I'd be happy with that, yes.

-Can we put it into auction with a reserve of £20?

-We can, yes.

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-That would be nice.

-And see what happens.

-We'll see what happens.

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'I love old books like that and I really hope that it measures up in the sale room.

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'Will and I aren't the only ones busy valuing. Anita's got a table full.'

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Norman, welcome to Flog It!

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-and thank you very much for bringing along this little collection of objects.

-My pleasure.

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-Can you tell me, where did you get them?

-Well, some of the vesta cases came from my father.

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How he got hold of them, I don't know.

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The two items here were...

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My ex-wife's aunt died, they were going to throw them in the skip

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and I said no way were they going in the skip.

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The others I seem to have acquired over the years, but don't ask me where they came from, I've no idea.

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-So you developed the collecting habit?

-Yes.

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But recently they've just been stuck in the drawer and I feel that's a waste.

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-If somebody, a collector likes them, wants them, yeah.

-You're happy to pass them on?

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-I'm happy to pass them on.

-Now is the time, Norman.

-Yes.

-Let's have a look at the collection.

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We have a mixture here of silver vesta cases.

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-And vesta cases are little boxes where we keep our matches.

-That's right.

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-We have silver ones, we have white metal ones.

-Yes.

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If we look at this one here, this is a fairly standard vesta box.

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We open it up, we can see our silver hallmark...

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..the hinge is good, it's in good condition, although it does need a wee bit of er...

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-TLC.

-TLC. And we have this edge here, which we use for striking the match.

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My favourite is this one here.

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Yes.

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There were manufactured, in Victorian times,

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-novelty vesta boxes.

-Right.

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They didn't necessarily need to be fine silver ones

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and this is an example of this

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where we have Gladstone here.

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People will be interested in him even although he's not silver.

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These two items here are matchbox holders

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-and they are silver, and this one here is oriental silver.

-Yes.

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-So quite a nice collection here. I feel we should put these as one lot.

-Right.

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Now, the silver buyers love that, when they see lots of items together in one lot

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because they feel that they might get them for a job lot price.

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We hope that they won't go for that, we know that they won't, we will protect them with a reserve price.

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I think we want to be putting them in maybe...

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..50 to 80, 60 to 80.

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Now, I know that sounds cheap for a quantity of items,

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but we've got to take into consideration

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that some of them are base metal and there are some of them which are tired and not in good condition.

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We do have ones which, with a wee clean, would look well.

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I think, maybe, if we put them in £60 to £80,

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-with a reserve of £60 firm.

-Yes.

-Firm.

-Firm, yes.

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-How do you feel about that?

-Yes, that would be fine. Yes.

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-I personally think that they will go further than that.

-Right, yes.

-Yes, that sounds...

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-And the reserve will protect them.

-That's right, yes.

-Shall we go for it?

-Definitely.

-Definitely.

-Flog it.

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Let's flog it!

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'Ah, Norman's got the right idea. But before we do just that,

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'here's a quick recap of what we are taking off to auction and why we're taking it.'

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If these bronzes WERE made as chamber sticks, well, they're enough to scare anything off

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that would go bump in the night. They don't scare me, though. I like them.

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I'm putting this book into auction because I've never seen anything like it before.

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I never realised they could actually find something to work out the price of scantlings of wood

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and that's quite nice, so let's see what it does.

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These are the best examples out of a vesta collection.

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These are the ones the buyers are going to go for -

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Gladstone and this really nice silver example.

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Right, it's auction time and as you know by now, anything can happen in the sale room,

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it's not an exact science, and this is where we are putting our valuations to the test,

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Tamlyn & Son in the heart of Bridgwater.

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Now, I know our owners are inside right now feeling really nervous.

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It's OK for you at home - you can sit back, relax, have a cup of tea and put your feet up

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and enjoy the action, but for that lot, it's a roller coaster ride, so let's get on with the action.

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'We're in safe hands with auctioneer Claire Rawle.

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'Remember, though, when you are buying or selling at auction, you have to pay commission

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'and here it's 16% plus VAT.

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'So, let's kick things off with the bronze dragons.'

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Good luck, that's all I can say. Hopefully we'll light the sale room up.

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We've got some continental chamber sticks in the form of mythical beasts. A nice little lot.

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-Yes, I like these.

-A really nice lot. Why are you selling them?

-I don't like them.

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-What, too scary?

-Yeah. Just not my thing.

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You know, if they are your thing, they're flavour of the month right now, that's for sure.

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Yeah, well, we were saying on valuation day, weren't we, on a darkly candlelit dining room

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with some oak furniture, they'd look the business. A bit Addams Family, I know where you're coming from.

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-Yes, but a nice prop.

-They are nice quality as well. They are crisply done.

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-We'll keep our fingers crossed anyway.

-Fingers crossed.

-Let's see what this lot thinks, it's packed.

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Someone is going to go home with them, surely? This is it.

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A nice pair of decorative, late 19th-century,

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bronze, dragon chamber sticks.

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Nice attractive items, these,

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they are showing to you at the back of the room,

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lot 250 and these I have to start straight in at £135.

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Just like that. Flavour of the month.

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Do I see 140 anywhere?

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At £135, are you all done, then? It goes to my bidder at 135.

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That did light up the sale room. You have to be pleased with that.

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-Brilliant.

-I like it when that happens.

-That's lovely.

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They must have had commission bidders on the book

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and they came in at the highest price and sold.

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-Well done, you two.

-Well, thank you both very much.

-Good work.

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'Well that's a fair old amount. I wonder if they WILL buy any Clarice Cliff. John's book is next.

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'Fingers crossed it also does well.'

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Remember that little, leather-bound volume I found at the valuation day at Wells Cathedral,

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sort of mid-1800s and it said "to the meanest capacity"?

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Well, we're just about to put it to the test and I've been joined by John, its owner

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and hopefully for not much longer.

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-Do you think I valued this to the meanest capacity?

-Yes, I should think that was about right.

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It think it's better to be that way, than be too optimistic

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as if we said it might do £80 or £100 and it struggles, then we're all a bit deflated, aren't we?

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-We are.

-But I'd love it to do that, that's for sure.

-It would be nice.

-It would be, wouldn't it?

-Yes.

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-Right, here we go. Are you ready for this?

-Yes.

-Let's test the market. Let's find out what it's worth.

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Lot 310 is this little book,

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the Practical Measurer, Or Measuring Made Easy.

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There we are, nice, little, early book this, lot 310.

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£12 to start it. At £12, do I see 15 anywhere?

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The bid is with me at 12 for the Measures etc.

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At 12 now. 15? 15, 18, 20.

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There's a bid left on the auctioneer's book.

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At 20.

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Do I see 2 anywhere? The bid's at 20. £20, it's going to be, then.

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Are you all done? Selling at £20.

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Well, it's gone. We had a £20 reserve, it's gone right on it.

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-That's OK.

-You're happy with that, aren't you?

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-Yes. Thank you very much.

-I think we got our figures right, don't you?

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Well, so far so good.

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Next up, I've just been joined by Norman and we have a collection of around 14 mainly vesta cases.

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You must be a bit of a collector, then, surely?

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Well, when my dad died I found some in his things and the rest just appeared.

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-They gravitate towards you, that's what happens.

-I don't know where they came from.

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-Hey, look, not a lot of money for 14 items, £50-£60.

-They're not all silver.

-No, some of them are though.

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-Not all silver and some not in the best of conditions.

-OK.

-But we have some interesting ones there.

-OK.

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-So this is a good trade lot then.

-Yes.

-A really good trade lot.

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Let's find out what they think, they're here today with a packed room. It's very exciting.

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Let's do it, shall we? Here we go.

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Lot 145, little mixed lot here,

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various vesta cases, matchbox holders and a nail buffer.

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Nice little mixed lot -

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oh, and this one I have to start straight in at £210.

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Something pretty in there.

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£210, it is. At 210, do I see 220 anywhere?

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-I thought it was a lot of lot.

-£210, then.

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At 210, it looks like it's going to my bidder, then, are you all done?

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-I don't believe it!

-Straight in at £210.

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A wee bit conservative.

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-Come and buy me.

-Well, it was, wasn't it, really?

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But there was something there that somebody wanted, one of those items.

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-It could have been that matchbox holder that was Chinese silver.

-That's right.

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-So we had one or two interesting ones there.

-Yeah. Well done.

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-Thank you for bringing that in...

-Thank you.

-..and not throwing it away.

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Putting it in the right place at the right time. If you've got anything like that, we'd love to see it.

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Bring it along to one of our valuation days.

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You too could have a surprise in an auction room just like this.

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Log on to the BBC website at...

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Follow the links, all the information will be there

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and hopefully it will be near a town not far away from you.

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'So that's it for our first visit to the sale room

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'so let's head back to the city of Wells for that tour I promised you earlier.'

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They say size doesn't matter and if you're talking about the city of Wells, it couldn't be more right.

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Wells is the smallest city in England - however, architecturally and aesthetically,

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it packs a real punch and according to the locals, it's the best kept secret in Somerset.

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So come with me and I'll show you why.

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One of the first unusual features you might spot here are two water-filled gullies

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that run down both sides of the high street.

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They look like drains but they aren't. However, they are a clue to how the city got its name.

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Because of these - the wells.

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Three pools that are the source of the water that actually runs down the high street out there.

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Now, it may look tranquil on the surface but believe me, there is a lot of pressure there

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because around 40 gallons of water, on average, are produced every second.

0:18:520:18:58

Now, if you work that out that's around four million gallons of water per day, which is quite incredible.

0:18:580:19:05

If you look closely enough, you can actually see the bubbles coming up from the bottom.

0:19:050:19:09

You can see how much pressure is down there.

0:19:090:19:12

As well as being an important water source for the local community, natural springs like these

0:19:190:19:24

have always been the focus of spiritual interests since, well, pre-history really.

0:19:240:19:31

Stone-age flints and Roman pottery have been found all over this area

0:19:310:19:36

but the earliest recorded example of a religious building to be found here, well, that's a Roman mausoleum

0:19:360:19:43

and it's thought that that settlement was quite small.

0:19:430:19:47

It wasn't until a Saxon king, Ine of Wessex,

0:19:470:19:50

founded a minster church here back in 704 that the town really took off.

0:19:500:19:56

Today the wells are in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace.

0:19:580:20:01

It's a magnificent palace set in 14 acres of gardens that's been home to the bishops

0:20:010:20:05

of Bath and Wells for 800 years.

0:20:050:20:08

It dates from the early 13th century

0:20:120:20:14

and it's the most perfect and complete surviving example of its type.

0:20:140:20:18

There have been over 50 bishops of Bath and Wells over the years

0:20:290:20:33

but I think there's one that has made more of an impact on the city than most.

0:20:330:20:37

Back in the 15th century, Bishop Beckington was responsible for several important buildings

0:20:370:20:42

and here is just one example.

0:20:420:20:44

It's known as the Bishop's Eye and it really is the gateway to the Bishop's Palace.

0:20:440:20:49

But I think Beckington's greatest contribution to the people of Wells

0:20:490:20:53

has to be providing them with fresh water.

0:20:530:20:56

He devised a mechanism, back in 1451, to get water from the wells, which is over in that direction,

0:20:560:21:01

to the centre of the market place, which is just down here.

0:21:010:21:05

Moving on from the market place,

0:21:070:21:09

this is the quaintly named Penniless Porch.

0:21:090:21:12

It's where the beggars used to congregate.

0:21:120:21:15

The city of Wells is a conservation miracle.

0:21:170:21:20

Its historic heart has been preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages

0:21:200:21:24

and there are no finer examples than this.

0:21:240:21:27

Vicars' Close. In 1348, Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury

0:21:270:21:32

founded a college so that the Vicars Choral,

0:21:320:21:35

the cathedral choir, could all live together.

0:21:350:21:37

Now, initially, they lodged out there amongst the townsfolk where they could succumb to temptation,

0:21:370:21:43

so in order to keep them in line, so they couldn't get up to any mischief, he built this place.

0:21:430:21:48

Now, it's a street that comprises of 42 small, little houses, one up and one downs,

0:21:480:21:53

and also, a communal hall where they could all eat in.

0:21:530:21:57

Now, interestingly enough, this is now the only totally complete medieval street in England

0:21:570:22:05

and more fascinating than that, it's the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe.

0:22:050:22:11

Now, that takes some beating, doesn't it?

0:22:110:22:14

And for me, well, I've never been in such a place where there is such a sense of connection to the past

0:22:140:22:20

where time has just, literally, stood still.

0:22:200:22:24

And it has, it really has, it's remarkable.

0:22:240:22:29

Not a lot has changed. Little front gardens have been added.

0:22:290:22:33

Not a lot - as you can see, there's not a lot of space there.

0:22:330:22:36

And also the chimney stacks have been raised somewhat.

0:22:360:22:39

Now, that's to take away the smoke from the winter fires so that it wouldn't ruin the choir's voices.

0:22:390:22:47

Isn't that fascinating?

0:22:470:22:49

I just love this.

0:22:490:22:51

CHORAL MUSIC

0:22:510:22:54

Another addition was the Chain Gate.

0:22:540:22:56

This beautiful, high-level walkway allowed the clergy to enter

0:22:560:22:59

the cathedral from the Vicars' Close without getting their feet or robes wet.

0:22:590:23:04

It also prevented them bumping into the less savoury residents of Wells.

0:23:080:23:13

And finally, the jewel in the crown of these ancient streets and magnificent buildings

0:23:210:23:26

has to be Wells Cathedral itself.

0:23:260:23:28

Just look at it there. It is so inspiring.

0:23:280:23:31

It is an architectural delight that ticks all the boxes

0:23:310:23:33

and it's the first English cathedral of its kind to be designed in the Gothic style back in 1180.

0:23:330:23:40

And the magnificent west front that we're looking at now, circa 1230,

0:23:400:23:44

boasts the largest gallery of medieval sculpture you will find anywhere else in the world.

0:23:440:23:50

And looking at it here, with the sun shining down on that soft stone,

0:23:500:23:54

those yellow ochres just grinning through in this sunlight

0:23:540:23:57

really, really beckons you in. It is so inviting.

0:23:570:24:00

And from the bottom here

0:24:000:24:02

in the lower orders, you've got in these niches

0:24:020:24:06

lots of biblical themes,

0:24:060:24:08

rising up to kings and bishops, then through to an order of angels,

0:24:080:24:11

and then you see the 12 apostles,

0:24:110:24:14

and then right at the very top, Jesus Christ.

0:24:140:24:17

That is just incredible, isn't it? It really is.

0:24:170:24:21

You could just stand here for hours

0:24:210:24:23

admiring such wonderful architecture.

0:24:230:24:25

Inside is no less spectacular.

0:24:300:24:33

The scissor arches are unique,

0:24:330:24:36

taking master mason William Joy ten years to build.

0:24:360:24:40

They were a medieval engineering solution

0:24:400:24:42

to a very real problem of sinking tower foundations.

0:24:420:24:46

And there is the famous Wells Clock,

0:24:490:24:51

which has what is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism

0:24:510:24:55

in Britain and probably the world.

0:24:550:24:56

It's still in original condition and it still works.

0:24:560:25:00

The mechanism was made in about 1390

0:25:000:25:03

and the clock face

0:25:030:25:04

is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.

0:25:040:25:08

You'll also find the tombs of those influential bishops,

0:25:110:25:15

Beckington and Ralph,

0:25:150:25:17

who made such an indelible mark on the city.

0:25:170:25:21

Well, I think you'll have to agree me, this is a truly remarkable city,

0:25:300:25:33

extremely rich in medieval architecture, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here

0:25:330:25:38

and I hope it's inspired you to come and look for yourself because it just is a great day out.

0:25:380:25:45

What a marvellous day we're having at Wells Cathedral. The sun is starting to beam through

0:25:510:25:57

these wonderful stained glass windows, creating a kaleidoscope of colour,

0:25:570:26:01

but I had to come to this viewing gallery to look at that scissor arch.

0:26:010:26:05

Look at the beautiful perspective of the cathedral, looking right down the nave.

0:26:050:26:09

Our experts are working flat out down there.

0:26:090:26:12

Well, Sharon, thanks for coming along today

0:26:120:26:15

and bringing what I think is actually the oldest thing I've seen today.

0:26:150:26:19

-Oh. Very good.

-Without taking into account the marvellous building we are in at the moment.

0:26:190:26:26

But I know what it is, do you have any ideas?

0:26:260:26:29

Well, I've looked up on the internet and I know it might be Whieldon ware.

0:26:290:26:32

-Right. Yes.

-It might be tortoiseshell ware.

0:26:340:26:36

-OK.

-But I don't know anything about the date or...

-Right. No problem.

0:26:370:26:43

Without attributing it directly to Thomas Whieldon, it is certainly what we would call Whieldon type.

0:26:430:26:49

-Yes.

-Thomas Whieldon, his life basically spanned the 18th century.

0:26:490:26:54

He was born around 1720 and went on through the 18th century.

0:26:540:26:59

Now, he was well known for experimenting with glazes

0:26:590:27:04

and the magic word, tortoiseshell,

0:27:040:27:08

which is spot on for describing what we have here.

0:27:080:27:12

-This is what we would call a tortoiseshell glaze.

-Yes.

0:27:120:27:15

I'm going to flip it over, because people might say,

0:27:150:27:18

I've never seen a tortoiseshell with splashes of green, blue and yellow,

0:27:180:27:22

but if I flip it over and we look at the back, I mean, that's great, isn't it?

0:27:220:27:26

That sort of naive, tortoiseshell, experimental glaze

0:27:260:27:29

really shines out on the back, which is a shame actually,

0:27:290:27:33

because the back can be more interesting than the front.

0:27:330:27:36

But I'll spin it back over and have a look at the front,

0:27:360:27:39

because we've got this, as you say, nice sort of tortoiseshell glaze

0:27:390:27:43

and the plate itself has this rather nice,

0:27:430:27:47

I suppose it's almost a sort of basket weave moulding, isn't it?

0:27:470:27:51

-Yes.

-It's almost a basket weave moulding edge

0:27:510:27:54

and then this sort of scalloped rim.

0:27:540:27:56

-I want you to tell me now how you have come by it and why you have brought it along today.

-Right.

0:27:560:28:01

I've got a tea rooms, and I set it up 23 years ago

0:28:010:28:05

and I was looking for some old china to put on a shelf around the top of the dresser.

0:28:050:28:10

I know the sort of thing, yes.

0:28:100:28:12

-And my husband's grandmother, who was 104, she had a pile of plates and she said, take these.

-Yeah.

0:28:120:28:18

-And this was one of them, but it was actually covered in mud.

-Really?

0:28:180:28:23

And water scale, because she used to keep plants on it in the conservatory.

0:28:230:28:29

I think the plants might be why the glaze has flaked slightly.

0:28:290:28:32

There is a bit of crazing on the glaze and water doesn't necessarily mix...

0:28:320:28:36

-It was in a terrible state.

-Was it?

0:28:360:28:38

You've done really well to get it up to this condition.

0:28:380:28:41

I would say, I'm going to avoid the 80 to 120 estimate,

0:28:410:28:46

I'm going to come in a little bit under that, if that's OK with you.

0:28:460:28:49

I'm going to say sort of 50 to 80.

0:28:490:28:52

-How do you feel about that?

-Yes, that's fine.

-Is that OK?

-Yes. Yes.

0:28:520:28:56

Now we come to the point of reserve. Would you be happy

0:28:560:28:59

-to just see where it ends up?

-Yes, I'm happy with that.

0:28:590:29:03

-I don't really like it, so...

-That's where we disagree. I like it, you don't.

0:29:030:29:07

But hey, that's antiques. Everyone's got different opinions.

0:29:070:29:10

This is one of my favourite occupations on valuation day,

0:29:110:29:14

dipping in and out to see what is being brought along.

0:29:140:29:17

I've already spotted a bit of Clarice Cliff. It wouldn't be Flog It! without Clarice,

0:29:170:29:22

but in the case of emergencies, we've got a fire bucket.

0:29:220:29:26

Cherie, I'm always interested to see pictures in Flog It!

0:29:320:29:36

and I particularly like this little pair of dog portraits.

0:29:360:29:39

Could you tell me, where did you get them?

0:29:390:29:44

Well, they were bequeathed to my husband by a very dear friend

0:29:440:29:47

about 30-odd years ago and we have always enjoyed looking at them

0:29:470:29:53

and when they were in his cottage, we always admired them

0:29:530:29:57

and they looked really superb in his little olde worlde Dorchester cottage.

0:29:570:30:01

We've really enjoyed having them, looking at them,

0:30:010:30:05

and a lot of people have said how well they have been painted.

0:30:050:30:08

So, they've been part of your life for a considerable amount of years.

0:30:080:30:13

Tell me, why do you want to sell them?

0:30:130:30:15

We have a modern house and it's decorated in the modern style

0:30:150:30:19

and these pictures just don't fit any more

0:30:190:30:22

and they have been in my secretaire drawer for about five years now.

0:30:220:30:27

-It's time to pass them on.

-Yes.

0:30:270:30:31

They are both signed and we can see the signature in the corner here.

0:30:310:30:37

-It's J A Wheeler.

-Yes.

0:30:370:30:41

Now, I am not familiar with that artist's work,

0:30:410:30:43

but I see that you have a document here with details of him.

0:30:430:30:48

Can you tell me a bit about the artist?

0:30:480:30:53

Well, as far as I know, he was born in Cheltenham

0:30:530:30:57

and he came to live in Bath

0:30:570:30:59

and I think he painted most of his work in Bath after the Army,

0:30:590:31:03

he was in the Army first of all, and then he went on from there.

0:31:030:31:07

He's a self-taught artist, I believe.

0:31:070:31:10

These dogs are a pair of, I think they are fox-haired terriers.

0:31:100:31:14

-That's right, yes.

-They are very realistic.

0:31:140:31:18

-They are very, very detailed and they are very well executed.

-Yes.

0:31:180:31:24

If they were coming to me, without research and just looking at them,

0:31:240:31:28

I would probably estimate them 150 to 250.

0:31:280:31:34

-OK.

-Would you be happy to put them in at that price, 150 to 250?

0:31:340:31:39

I should think so.

0:31:390:31:41

-Will we put a reserve on them?

-Oh, yes, please. Yes.

-We'll put the reserve at the bottom estimate.

0:31:410:31:47

-Yes.

-£150.

-Yes.

-But they are well worth that and they may well fly.

0:31:470:31:52

Will you be sad to let these go?

0:31:520:31:55

Yes, we will, but it's going for a good cause.

0:31:550:32:00

My grandson or daughter is due in a few days

0:32:000:32:05

and we have a 20-month-old grandson,

0:32:050:32:07

so this will go towards their university fees.

0:32:070:32:12

-Oh, that's wonderful. You're a wonderful granny.

-Oh, thank you!

0:32:120:32:18

'What a lovely lady, and I'm sure those dogs will find a new home.

0:32:180:32:22

'Time for one more valuation, Roger's collection of shot and powder flasks.'

0:32:220:32:28

OK, Roger, you've brought in this nice collection here.

0:32:280:32:31

-You are aware of what they were used for, aren't you?

-Yes.

0:32:310:32:35

-I mean, we've got powder flasks and we've got shot flasks.

-Shot flasks.

-Exactly.

0:32:350:32:39

Powder ones usually in the copper. You would calibrate how much powder was going to go into your musket,

0:32:390:32:45

into your black powder musket. And with the shot, once you'd put your powder away you would have

0:32:450:32:50

to come out with your shot bag and put the shot in there as well.

0:32:500:32:53

Damp it down, load up, take aim and fire

0:32:530:32:56

and fingers crossed, the bullet goes that way and not that way!

0:32:560:33:01

-Tell me, how have you come by this? Are these things that you were buying?

-No.

0:33:010:33:06

-It was one of my uncles, he was a builder and he dabbled in antiques.

-Yes?

0:33:060:33:10

All different, nothing specific, just different things,

0:33:100:33:14

but when he died, it passed to one of my brothers.

0:33:140:33:17

-And when my brother died...

-Passed it on to you.

0:33:170:33:20

Yes. And they've been in the cupboard ever since. You know, as usual.

0:33:200:33:25

-The old story. We hear it all the time. Some are going to be worth more than others.

-Yes.

0:33:250:33:30

I think these nicely embossed leather ones here, for example this one here,

0:33:300:33:35

this is a bit up my street, coming from the racing part of the world.

0:33:350:33:39

We've got what looks like a huntsman here, blowing his horn,

0:33:390:33:44

and perhaps leaping over some sort of ditch or dyke,

0:33:440:33:47

and down here at the bottom, which is what interested me, we've got the Hawksley & Co mark for the makers.

0:33:470:33:54

-Right.

-Now they are a good firm of makers,

0:33:540:33:57

they are sort of at the top end of the makers for this type of thing

0:33:570:34:00

so that's going to help that one along.

0:34:000:34:02

-This one has got the James Dixon mark on the bottom.

-Right.

0:34:020:34:06

Again, that's nice, and it's got sort of dead game,

0:34:060:34:09

typical sort of country house still life, that sort of thing,

0:34:090:34:12

because these were military as well as, shall we say, people who were huntsmen.

0:34:120:34:18

-Yes.

-Who were shooting, or black powder shot sportsmen.

-Yes.

-Exactly.

0:34:180:34:22

So I've been looking at these and what sort of price they've been making recently

0:34:220:34:27

and you know, the market for these has narrowed somewhat, shall we say.

0:34:270:34:31

-Yes.

-They're not such wide appeal.

0:34:310:34:35

I'm thinking £20, £30 apiece, and I'm just thinking out loud here, but what do you think?

0:34:350:34:39

Shall we keep them as one lot, or split them down the middle

0:34:390:34:42

and put the leather ones together and the copper ones together?

0:34:420:34:46

-I'd be happy splitting them, really.

-Yes, I think so.

0:34:460:34:49

There is one train of thought - keep them together and there's a lot there for your money.

0:34:490:34:54

-Or split them up, then you give people the option.

-Yes.

0:34:540:34:56

Do they want to go for just the one or do they want to go for both?

0:34:560:34:59

Let's live dangerously and split them so we've got four copper ones,

0:34:590:35:03

four leather ones. We'll split the reserve, £100 fixed on each.

0:35:030:35:07

-How does that sound?

-£100 reserve on each.

-On each.

-Yeah, right.

0:35:070:35:10

So we'll be looking at 100, 150 as an estimate, fixed at 100.

0:35:100:35:14

I think they should do a little bit more than that,

0:35:140:35:17

-but let's price them sensibly. All right?

-Fair enough.

0:35:170:35:20

-Let's shake on it.

-OK.

-Well done, Roger.

-Cheers.

0:35:200:35:23

That's it, our experts have now made their final choice of items

0:35:250:35:29

to take off to the auction room,

0:35:290:35:31

so we have to say farewell to Wells Cathedral,

0:35:310:35:34

this wonderful Gothic building that has embraced us all day today.

0:35:340:35:38

I can't wait to come back here, but we've got to get over to the sale room,

0:35:380:35:42

put some pressure on to find out exactly what it's worth.

0:35:420:35:45

And here's our experts to give you a quick rundown

0:35:450:35:47

of what we're taking, but more importantly, why we're taking it.

0:35:470:35:50

I think this genuine 18th-century Whieldon type tortoiseshell plate could turn out to be

0:35:500:35:57

good value for someone at the auction, and I think the back's the best bit.

0:35:570:36:02

Mr Wheeler was not a professional artist but he certainly could paint.

0:36:020:36:08

I think these little oils may give us a surprise at the auction.

0:36:080:36:15

This collection of eight powder flasks, well, I really like them.

0:36:150:36:19

I think they stand a good chance at auction and I'm hoping they are going to go off with a bang.

0:36:190:36:23

So we're back in Bridgwater with auctioneer Claire Rawle

0:36:230:36:27

and the hustle and bustle of the sale room.

0:36:270:36:29

Gosh, it is full, isn't it? That's a good sign.

0:36:310:36:35

Hopefully they are all here to buy and put their hands up to bid on our lots. Fingers crossed.

0:36:350:36:39

Whatever you do, don't go away, this could get really exciting.

0:36:390:36:42

So let's crack on with the sale

0:36:420:36:45

and keen to sell her Whieldon plate is Sharon.

0:36:450:36:49

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-The Whieldon tortoiseshell plate.

0:36:490:36:52

-It's 18th century, it's a nice lot, but I know you've added now a reserve, haven't you?

-That's right.

0:36:520:36:57

Our Will likes no reserves.

0:36:570:36:58

-Well, yes, I always try to twist a few arms.

-You do, don't you?

0:36:580:37:02

I think you're right in doing that. You've got to protect it. If you love it, protect it.

0:37:020:37:06

-Sharon was all with me to let it go no reserve.

-Were you?

-Yes. My husband, he's the sensible one.

-Ah!

0:37:060:37:13

-We're the gamblers, he's the banker.

-Hopefully we'll get that top end.

0:37:130:37:17

Let's find out what the bidders think,

0:37:170:37:19

because at the end of the day, it is all down to them.

0:37:190:37:22

-We can speculate and pontificate, but...

-The proof is in the selling.

-And the pudding. This is it.

0:37:220:37:26

Lot 430 is this late 18th, early 19th-century Whieldon type plate

0:37:260:37:31

and it's being shown to you at the back of the room

0:37:330:37:35

in the cabinet there and I have to start this one away at £40. At 40.

0:37:350:37:40

I have 40, do I see 42 anywhere?

0:37:400:37:42

The bid is with me at 40. At 40 for the plate.

0:37:420:37:46

At 40 it is then. Are you all done? Selling to my bidder at £40.

0:37:460:37:50

It's gone on that reserve. You did the right thing.

0:37:500:37:55

-Yes.

-You did the right thing, yes, exactly.

-Phew!

0:37:550:37:58

Good luck with the tea room. That's all I can say. Great place.

0:37:580:38:02

'That was close. Sharon didn't want to take it home, did she?'

0:38:020:38:08

Going under the hammer right now, or should I say in the firing line,

0:38:080:38:11

it is Roger with four powder flasks and four shot flasks,

0:38:110:38:15

-split into two lots, valued by Will.

-Yes.

0:38:150:38:17

But since the valuation date, Roger has been keeping us on our toes

0:38:170:38:20

-because you have changed the value twice.

-Twice.

0:38:200:38:25

-You rang the auctioneer and said, "I want a bit more money."

-Yes.

-So you put it up to what?

-140.

0:38:250:38:30

-140. And then you called her again in the last few days and you dropped it.

-To 130.

0:38:300:38:35

Were you put under pressure to do that or did you have a re-think?

0:38:350:38:39

No, I looked on the internet and compared the prices and then just...

0:38:390:38:44

But listen, they are yours at the end of the day and you can decide what to do with them

0:38:440:38:48

and it gets me out of a stink because if they don't sell, it's your fault!

0:38:480:38:53

-Right. OK.

-Can't be fairer than that, can we?

0:38:530:38:56

Let's see if we hit the target. Here we go, this is it.

0:38:560:38:58

Moving on to lot 175, the first of the powder flasks.

0:39:000:39:03

These are the copper ones, some by Dixon & Sons.

0:39:030:39:06

There are four altogether in the lot, 175,

0:39:060:39:10

and I have to start away at...£100.

0:39:100:39:15

£100.

0:39:150:39:16

Do I see 110 anywhere?

0:39:160:39:17

110, 120, 130.

0:39:170:39:20

We've sold them.

0:39:200:39:22

At 130, do I see 140 anywhere?

0:39:220:39:25

At £130 then, the bid is in the room. All done at 130.

0:39:250:39:28

You were right, Roger. If you'd left it at 140 you'd have got 140,

0:39:280:39:32

because they went on your new reserve.

0:39:320:39:34

And now the next lot, the shot flasks.

0:39:340:39:37

-You've been tampering with the reserves here as well. You did the same thing?

-Well...

0:39:370:39:41

-Tampering.

-Tampering, yes.

-Went up to 140.

-Back down again.

-Back down, 130.

-130.

0:39:410:39:48

-And I'm going to stick my neck out and predict a 130 hammer price here.

-Yeah.

0:39:480:39:52

19th-century leather shot flasks. There we are.

0:39:520:39:55

There's one by Dixon & Sons in there,

0:39:550:39:57

there's four altogether in the lot, 220,

0:39:570:39:59

and start away, I've got £90.

0:39:590:40:02

At £90, do I see 100 anywhere?

0:40:020:40:04

See if we can get the same bidder going in the doorway.

0:40:040:40:06

Now 100. At £90, do I see 100?

0:40:060:40:10

-Come on.

-We're struggling.

-Are you all sure in the room at 90?

0:40:100:40:13

No, they have to stay with me, I'm afraid.

0:40:130:40:16

We got rid of half.

0:40:160:40:18

The leather ones obviously weren't for him, but we didn't even get to the 100 that I said.

0:40:180:40:23

So, you're in the clear, I can't even blame you. So, 50%.

0:40:230:40:25

'That's auctions for you!

0:40:250:40:28

'But Roger still sold half the collection for £130

0:40:280:40:31

'and keeps the rest.

0:40:310:40:34

'Next up, Cherie's dog paintings. She couldn't make it,

0:40:340:40:37

'but before the sale, she called the auction room

0:40:370:40:40

'and raised the reserve from £150 to £200.'

0:40:400:40:43

I think these are a lovely pair of oils. The artist has form, and this is his subject,

0:40:450:40:50

he's good on hunting, he's good on dogs, horses and so on. I like these, I think they'll do very well.

0:40:500:40:56

It's a shame Cherie can't be here, but she is actually on holiday in Peru,

0:40:560:41:00

-so she's enjoying herself.

-Lovely.

0:41:000:41:03

But we won't be ringing her up, will we, to tell her that they've gone?

0:41:030:41:06

She'll be trekking somewhere and won't have a signal!

0:41:060:41:10

Look, good luck anyway, this is it.

0:41:100:41:12

355, John Arnold Wheeler, the pair of terrier portraits.

0:41:130:41:18

Nice little portraits these.

0:41:180:41:20

In the back cabinet there, so lot 355,

0:41:200:41:22

and I have to start these straight in at £300.

0:41:220:41:26

Nice. That's what I like to hear.

0:41:260:41:28

-No messing about.

-No messing.

0:41:280:41:30

-450. 500.

-The dog lovers are here.

0:41:300:41:34

520, 550, I'll take 580.

0:41:340:41:36

580. Got to go 600. 620? 620.

0:41:360:41:40

-Highest price of the day.

-Looking for 650.

0:41:400:41:42

650 on the back telephone. 680.

0:41:420:41:45

700? 700.

0:41:450:41:47

The Jack Russell lovers are here in force, or at least on the telephone.

0:41:470:41:52

800. 800 on the back telephone.

0:41:520:41:55

At £800, now 50 anywhere?

0:41:550:41:57

-And there's another phone.

-850 here. 900?

0:41:590:42:01

900 with Kate. At 900. Now 950?

0:42:010:42:04

-950?

-That's astonishing.

-He's back again.

0:42:040:42:09

At 950 it is then. Are you all sure and done? At 950.

0:42:090:42:13

I am very happy with that.

0:42:130:42:15

I think we should get on the phone. That is an amazing result.

0:42:150:42:19

That's top money for that artist. I tell you what, somebody paid a lot of money for that.

0:42:190:42:23

-He was a Bath artist, so we're selling it in the right area.

-Locally.

0:42:230:42:28

The great thing is, all that money is going towards her grandchildren's university fees

0:42:280:42:32

-so she's already building up a pot fund for that.

-Isn't that wonderful?

-Yes.

0:42:320:42:36

Thinking ahead for the future for the rest of the family.

0:42:360:42:39

Because it would have been their inheritance, so they're being looked after.

0:42:390:42:43

-It's a good thing to do.

-Yes, and it's a wonderful result.

-£950. That is incredible!

0:42:430:42:48

It's all over for our owners, in fact, the auction has just stopped, just like that.

0:42:530:42:57

There's a buzz in the room. Some of the lucky bidders

0:42:570:43:00

are now collecting their lots and going home very happy.

0:43:000:43:03

And I think all our owners have gone home happy,

0:43:030:43:06

especially Cherie with the two portraits of the Jack Russells, selling for a whopping £950.

0:43:060:43:11

I hope you are enjoying this moment, Cherie, and I hope everybody else has enjoyed today's show.

0:43:110:43:18

Join me again soon for many more surprises, but until then, from Bridgwater, it's goodbye.

0:43:180:43:22

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0:43:400:43:43

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0:43:430:43:47

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