0:00:05 > 0:00:07Today we're in West Yorkshire,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10in the charming, historical village of Saltaire.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It was founded as a model village by Yorkshire industrialist
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Sir Titus Salt in 1853,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19and it's a perfect example of culture and architecture,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22so it's got to be the right place to meet the locals
0:00:22 > 0:00:26to look at the unwanted antiques. Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Along with the mills and the workers' cottages,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Sir Titus Salt built a recreation centre for his village,
0:00:53 > 0:00:58and here it is - the Victoria Hall, and it's our venue for today.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Offering their expertise to the good people of Saltaire
0:01:06 > 0:01:08are two of "Flog It!"'s very best -
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Mr Michael Baggott and Mr David Barby.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18So all the ingredients are set for a fabulous day.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21This is the end of the queue.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23We had to start getting them in early,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26because it started to rain, but all these people are laden
0:01:26 > 0:01:30with bags and boxes full of unwanted antiques and collectables,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33all hoping they're one of the lucky ones to go off to auction
0:01:33 > 0:01:37and make a small fortune, and you've all come to our experts
0:01:37 > 0:01:40to ask that all-important question, which is "what's it worth",
0:01:40 > 0:01:43and when they've found out, hopefully they'll flog it.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Here is the main venue. Look - this is where the queue ends,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50right here, and as you can see, our experts are hard at work.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54On today's show, we have some impressive pedigrees,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56including some Moorcroft and a Lowry
0:01:56 > 0:02:00as well as a few more unusual items such as an optical-testing kit
0:02:00 > 0:02:04and a collection of medals. Which of these earns the most at auction?
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Stay tuned to find out.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Kicking us off is David Barby, with something everyone should recognise
0:02:16 > 0:02:18on the easel.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22It's Karen and Rachel. You're sisters.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- Mother and daughter. - Oh, mother and daughter!
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- That's ingratiating, isn't it? - Yeah. That was very nice.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30THEY LAUGH
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Well, I find this an extraordinary image.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38This is by Lowry, one of the most famous of mid-20th century artists.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42I want to know why you acquired this image. Did you buy it,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- or was it bequeathed to you? - It belonged to my late husband.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- Right. - He had it before we got married.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- Right. - I don't know where he acquired it.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Well, this is a famous image, known as the Bearded Lady.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57First of all, you might look at it and be repulsed...
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- Yes.- ..because of the amount of hair. There's more hair on the face
0:03:01 > 0:03:04than there is actually on her head itself.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07But then I look deeper into the picture,
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- and I look at the eyes, which are rather sad.- Yes.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16And then the mouth, which is one of those half-smiles,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- if you're put in front of a camera. - Yes.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21So it's a very engaging image.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Nobody knows who she is.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Can you shed any light? Have you done any research?
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Well, I've done a little bit of research.
0:03:30 > 0:03:36I think the story basically goes that Lowry was on a train journey.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38This bearded lady was sat opposite him.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42He was sketching her out of sight, without her knowing.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- Behind a book, almost?- Yeah.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48And eventually she kind of spotted him,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and there was a bit of an argument,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and the story goes that at the end they were the best of friends.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- Oh, that's nice.- And he did this in dedication to her, really.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- And we don't know who she is, but there she is for posterity.- Yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Lowry's such a popular artist,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10and there are, I would say, millions of reproductions.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15This one is fortunate that it's got Lowry's signature,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18LS Lowry, here, which is a bonus.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Now, I've checked on our records
0:04:22 > 0:04:25of what this print has been sold for,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28and they vary in price over the last few years.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- The lowest record is £240.- Right.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36And then the highest price has been 340.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Lowry is always a good seller.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42So if this goes up for sale,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46I would anticipate the auctioneer will put a reserve
0:04:46 > 0:04:48in the region of about 300,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52then guide it between £300 and £400.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Why do you want to sell it, Karen?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Um, because I don't particularly like it.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03My daughter and my son do, but what I thought I would do
0:05:03 > 0:05:07was split it three ways, then buy something that I do like
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- with my share. - Rachel, Karen, thank you very much.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I hope you do well at auction.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15David thinks the bearded lady is strangely appealing.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Let's hope the bidders agree.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Every now and then on the show, we get big families that turn up.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28It's a proper day out. Today, we've got a family of 18 -
0:05:28 > 0:05:31well, not technically a family, but they do know each other,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and they've all arrived together on a coach.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Starts with Val, doesn't it? All of these ladies...
0:05:37 > 0:05:41It kind of ends here with you, but I gather Vicky is in charge.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- So what's this all about?- We're all from St James's Hospice in Leeds.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48We've got 20 charity shops, and we all work in the charity shops,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52so we've brought in items that we've had donated to get valued.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Wow! So you're all the manageresses of each individual shop? Good luck!
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Hopefully one or two of you will get chosen to go through to auction,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04and if it sells, the money will go back, as you say, to charity.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- Fingers crossed. Enjoy the day! - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Michael's next, and he's spotted an imposing timepiece.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Joan, thank you so much for bringing this impressive clock along today.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24Where did it come from? Not off the mantelpiece this morning, did it?
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Yes, it did. It came off the piano in the study this morning.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Oh, my word! Is it a family piece?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Yes. It was from my great-great-aunt Polly,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36and it's come down the family.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39You must remember it as a young child.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Yes, I do remember it, on everybody's sideboard,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45in the lounge, in my grandma's, and then in my aunt Lily's,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- and then my brother's. - These were made for the houses
0:06:49 > 0:06:52of the middle-class Victorian gentleman,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54who wanted a really good-looking clock.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- It is good looking. - It's beautiful looking,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- but it possibly isn't of the finest manufacture.- Oh.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Now, this wooden base that it's on is very suggestive
0:07:04 > 0:07:08of something which isn't here. Have you got one?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12A dome? Yes, but Mother inadvertently cracked it.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Well, they're very fragile, and if you hit them in the right place,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- not meaning to... - She must have.- ..they will go.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23But what we've basically got is this lovely French mantel clock,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- in gilt brass. These are panels of alabaster.- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- If it was a better quality clock, these would be marble.- Oh.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- So alabaster is the cheaper option. - Yes.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36These components... We've got a sailor,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39in sort of classical garb,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and we've got the crossed oars and the anchor and the bulrushes,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46all relating to water and to seafaring.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49You could get a clock in whatever theme you liked.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51If you were a sailor, you could get a sailing clock.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56I've seen them with firemen on, with agricultural figures.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59The favourite of the day has to be the nude lady,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01or the classical lady.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04There are, unfortunately, lots of them about like this,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07and because they've fallen out of fashion,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10they sort of fall into that middle ground.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Had you any thoughts as to the value of this?
0:08:12 > 0:08:16No. I was wanting to know what you thought about the value of it.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Right. When you look at it, and it's so imposing,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22you might think a lot of money,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25and you might think I'm being dreadfully mean,
0:08:25 > 0:08:30but it's going to be something like £60 to £120 at auction,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34and I really wouldn't put the reserve any more than £60 on it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38What you can hope is that there are two people with large houses
0:08:38 > 0:08:41that think, "That's a good-looking clock for the money,"
0:08:41 > 0:08:45and go for it, but you have to start it off on a realistic figure.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49We'll put it into the auction. We'll pop the cracked dome on as well,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52cos someone might fancy superglueing it on
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- and just keeping the dust off. - Mother tried that,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- with elastoplast, I think, in one part.- Elastoplast?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- Something like that. - That's a new one on me.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04I've never tried that before. We'll see how it does at the auction.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Thank you very much for struggling in with it today.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11It did look pretty from over there when I looked across.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I said to Bill, "It looks a lot prettier here than it does at"...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Lovely at a distance.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Who knows - we might get a bit extra for the plaster on the glass dome!
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Craig has just bought the most fabulous thing from one of his neighbours,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27but what does he know about its history?
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Craig, that's a lovely example of Tunbridge Ware.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I didn't know this event was taking place at all.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41I'm over here from the Manchester area
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and staying in a nearby hotel,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and I brought this with me to clean it.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- That's rather lucky, isn't it? - Total coincidence,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51that you happened to be 200 yards away from the hotel.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- So you know nothing about it? - Not at all.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57It's a beautiful thing. It's an attractive object.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Seems to be in a reasonable condition.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02But any information gratefully received.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05It is a little writing slope, a tiny little one,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08originally made as tourist ware. It's from Tunbridge Wells,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and that's why it's called Tunbridge Ware.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Small, tiny little micro-mosaics of wood,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17forming the most wonderful little inlaid pattern.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- It's almost photographic, isn't it? - Oh, it's mesmerising.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23A lot of work's gone into that -
0:10:23 > 0:10:26micro-mosaic banding all around each side,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and along the top.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32I would say this dates to around 1860, 1870,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35when it was at the height of production,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37and families made this in Tunbridge Wells
0:10:37 > 0:10:41to sell to the tourists, because it was Royal Tunbridge Wells.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44It was a spa town. People came.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Inside it's beautifully fitted, as well.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50You can forgive this bit of velvet for being slightly shabby,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53can't you? It's seen the good days.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57But look at this! It's rosewood. It's absolutely stunning.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Two little inkwells, with the tops...
0:10:59 > 0:11:03I think it's divine, I really do. It needs a bit of TLC,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07but look at the quality! Are you thinking of selling it?
0:11:07 > 0:11:10You've only just acquired this. I won't ask you how much for.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Well, I paid £200 for it.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Yeah. If this was in good condition, you'd be looking at around £600.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Wow!- It really is that nice.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26Because of its condition, I would pitch this at £300 to £500,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- a fixed reserve at 250. - It's fun, this, isn't it?
0:11:30 > 0:11:32It is fun, but that's auctions for you.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34That's why you don't put price tags on things.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38It is a bit of a gamble, but as long as you protect your item
0:11:38 > 0:11:41with a fixed reserve, you can't really go wrong.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43'What a treat! I love Tunbridge Ware.'
0:11:43 > 0:11:46But before we go over to the saleroom in Halifax,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49let's take another look at the rest of our lots.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53I must say, keeping up with the traditions of Titus Salt,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55we've certainly had an industrious morning.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59We have now found our first three items to take off to auction.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01I think there's some real gems there.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04You've heard our experts. You've probably got your own opinions.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Let's leave you with a recap of the items going under the hammer.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Karen's Lowry print is signed by the artist,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17which should make all the difference.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22Michael has put a conservative estimate on the 19th-century clock.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29And I think Craig's Tunbridge Ware is really something to write home about.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35'We've come over the Calder Valley auction rooms in Halifax,
0:12:35 > 0:12:40'and I tell you what - the atmosphere in the building
0:12:40 > 0:12:42'is absolutely buzzing.'
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I don't know about our owners, but I'm certainly nervous right now.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Anything could happen. It's an auction.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Let's get on with it.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54There's a standard seller's commission of 15 percent plus VAT,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58and auctioneer Ian Peace is wielding the gavel for us.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Going at £280.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08It looks like time is up for Joan's mantel clock,
0:13:08 > 0:13:12gilt metal and marble. This was Great-Great Aunt Polly's?
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Yes. How did you remember that? - Well...
0:13:15 > 0:13:17HE LAUGHS Yes, it was.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20It's been in the family a long time. Why do you want to sell this?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Because I don't want it. - You just don't want it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25It's not in keeping with my house.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28It wants to be in a big Victorian house,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30and mine's a modern bungalow.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- It looks the part, that's for sure. - It's bang for your buck, isn't it?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37I mean, it's out of favour at the moment,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41but I don't think they can be any lower in value than this, really.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43No. They've hit rock bottom, and the thing is,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46there are those houses out there, and they're difficult to furnish
0:13:46 > 0:13:49because they're so big.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52You should be buying this kind of kit now and furnishing them.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55If you've got the imagination to buy that for £60,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58and if you don't like winding it up, take the movement out,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- put a digital movement in, and it'll last forever.- Exactly.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Let's find out what this packed saleroom think,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08because it's so busy in here, someone's bound to love this. This is it.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Lot 176 is the gilt-metal and marble mantel clock.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17What am I bid, 176? May I say £50? 40?
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Good-looking clock. 40 I'm bid.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- THEY WHISPER - "Go on, more," says Joan!
0:14:21 > 0:14:2480. 90. £90.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Oh, it turned the corner! - £100.- He's still in.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31At £100, sat down over there. £100. All done?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34There you go. Now you know where your clock's going.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Oh, lovely.- That gentleman there.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- I'll tell him to look after it. - Go and tell him to look after it!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I'm sure he will.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46You can feel the heat in here right now.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48It's getting hotter for me. It's my turn to be the expert.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52We're about to sell Craig's micro-mosaic box,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56a bit of Tunbridge Ware. We're looking for £300 to £500.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Fingers crossed we get it.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02Lot 344 is this lovely Victorian Tunbridge Ware writing slope.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Can I have an opening bid of £200, please?
0:15:05 > 0:15:09£200? 150 I have. 150.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13At 175. 175.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15At 200. And 25.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21- At 225. Are you all done at 225? - That's not going to sell, is it?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24At 225. We're not quite at the mark at 225.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28250 do I see? Then, at £225...
0:15:28 > 0:15:30HE BANGS HAMMER
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- Didn't sell it.- Never mind.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- You're not bothered, are you? - Not at all.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38I'm not bothered, either, because I'm pleased it didn't sell at 250.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41If it had sold at 350 or £500, I'd have said, "It's gone,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44and you've made a bit of money." I think hang on to that.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- I think it's beautiful. - It's wonderful.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49It didn't sell, and it doesn't matter.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Craig is very happy to take that home with him.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Remember the Bearded Lady? Well, she's up next.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Right! The Lowry print, and we have that and we have Karen.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03We do not have Rachel, unfortunately. Where is she today?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- She has to work, unfortunately. - But it is yours.- Yes.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09What I want to know is, did he use artistic licence,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13or was there really a woman walking around Manchester like that?
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- But it is all down... - It is all down to...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20It's all down to those modern collectors.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Now lot 79, the Lowry, the signed, coloured artist's proof.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26There we are. The Bearded Lady.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Lot 79.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31£200 to open. £200 I have.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34£200. At 200.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36At 220. 240.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41260. 280. At £280. At £280. You all done?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- It's worth more than that. - 300.- There.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46I'll take ten if it helps. At 300.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Chance to get a signed Lowry. At 310.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53310. I can just see your head there. 320, on the stairs.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55330. At 340, anywhere?
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Then, at £330, your bid at 330... Are there any further bids?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- At £330... - HE BANGS HAMMER
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- All right.- Just!
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- Within expectations. - Yes, within expectations.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10You see, it really is subject matter at the end of the day,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and someone's got to live with that. That's the problem.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- You've got to like it. - Yeah, you've got to like it,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- and you didn't, did you?- I didn't. - Well, you've got £330.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26I think someone has got that for a good price.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30There are plenty of items in the sale with a bit of age,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33but I don't think any of them go back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Who lived in a house like this?
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Well, if you look up at this splendid Elizabethan house,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54the clues are up there, the initials carved in stone
0:17:54 > 0:17:59by a master mason - ES. They're on these architectural pavilions.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03There's six in total adorning this three-storey building,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07but they're kind of crowning it off. So, who is ES?
0:18:07 > 0:18:11Obviously a very important chap - maybe a member of royalty
0:18:11 > 0:18:14or a leading politician that's found favour in the royal court.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Wrong. This house belonged to a woman -
0:18:20 > 0:18:23a formidable woman. These massive stone letters commemorate her -
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, otherwise known as Bess of Hardwick,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31and this is Hardwick Hall, which inspired the popular rhyme,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33"Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall."
0:18:39 > 0:18:43In her day, Bess was deemed one of the most eligible women
0:18:43 > 0:18:45on the circuit. She was considered good looking,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49and she was popular on the social scene and at court.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53She was obviously intelligent, because she amassed in her lifetime
0:18:53 > 0:18:55a fortune something equivalent, in today's money,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59of around £13 million to £14 million,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03and outside the royal court, she was the most powerful woman in the country.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07But as well as beauty and wealth,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Bess had something that can still be appreciated even today -
0:19:11 > 0:19:13a love of wonderful architecture.
0:19:15 > 0:19:21Now, remarkably, Bess started out life here at Hardwick in 1527
0:19:21 > 0:19:23as a member of a family of minor gentry
0:19:23 > 0:19:26living in the original, smaller manor house.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29But by marrying wisely,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32four times, in fact,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Bess was able, in the last quarter of the 16th century,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37to commission this beautiful house to be built,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41and at the time, it was of the cutting edge
0:19:41 > 0:19:44of architectural design and detail.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Let me show you why. Here we're in the Great Hall,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and as you can see, the main entrance is there,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53so it runs on a central axis right through the house,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55breaking with all medieval traditions,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59so, you see, this footprint has been inspired by Classical Renaissance,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and so too has this wonderful stone screen -
0:20:03 > 0:20:05again, Classical Renaissance.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09So this is Bess saying, "Look, I've educated myself."
0:20:09 > 0:20:12"I've worked my way up. I now have the money."
0:20:12 > 0:20:16"I know what the height of fashion is, and I want it."
0:20:16 > 0:20:18"I have arrived."
0:20:18 > 0:20:21She'd gained power, wealth and sophistication
0:20:21 > 0:20:24with each of her four marriages.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Her first marriage, to her cousin Robert Barlow,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30was over by the time she was 16. He had become ill and died,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33but he had left her with a little money,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35and a foot up the social ladder,
0:20:35 > 0:20:40making her a suitable wife for the elderly Sir William Cavendish,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43whom she wedded in 1547.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48It was through this marriage that Bess really came into her own.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50The couple had eight children together,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and she became a resourceful and capable manager
0:20:53 > 0:20:56of their large household.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Sadly, Sir William Cavendish died in 1557.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Two years later, Bess was at the altar again.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09This time the bridegroom was Sir William St Loe,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12and once again, Bess was climbing into the upper echelons,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16the St Loes being an older and more established family.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20But sadly, Sir William died five years later.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22He was the big love of Bess's life.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Upon his death, he left Bess almost all of his property.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31So who would Bess's final husband be?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33No less than an earl - George Talbot,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Sixth Earl of Shrewsbury,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38who would leave Bess one of the richest people in England
0:21:38 > 0:21:42on his demise in 1590 - second only to the Queen herself.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48So what would this exceptional woman have been like?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51To find out, I'm going to talk to biographer Mary Lovell,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54who has made a particular study of Bess.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Mary, what is it about Bess of Hardwick
0:22:00 > 0:22:02that captures your imagination?
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Well, she was such a strong and resourceful woman,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08in an age when women had very few legal rights.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12When you married, as a woman, everything you owned became that of your husband.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15She was involved in so many business deals,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18and particularly as she was an older woman -
0:22:18 > 0:22:21she was in mining, she was in finance,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23she was in land deals, she was in money lending.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28She would never lend a penny without a mortgage.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31But Bess, she was in some tight spots during her life,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and she managed to get herself out of them by her own nous, really.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39There's no other word for it. I think that's why I like her so much.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Is there anybody today who's comparable to Bess?
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- I've given this a lot of thought. - Apart from yourself.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Apart from myself! Lots of woman are successful businesswomen,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and make jobs and employ lots of people,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55but there's no-one who does all the things Bess did,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58and, of course, she was a big noise at the Elizabethan court.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01She was friends with Elizabeth, Mary, Queen of Scots.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04There were so many elements in Bess's life.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06That's what makes her such a personality for us.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- She was a modern woman then. - Why did she build Hardwick Hall?
0:23:10 > 0:23:13She'd moved into Old Hardwick Hall. She'd built wings on it,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17but it didn't have the symmetry and the beauty that she wanted,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20so she moved across the park here,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23and she's got her initials 18 times -
0:23:23 > 0:23:27not once, but 18 times - socking great six-foot letters on the roof.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- In those little pavilions. - Yes. This house was Bess's,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35you know? It was not anybody else's. Hardwick, as you see it now -
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Bess could have just gone out for a ride,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40and you actually feel her presence here.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45So, there we are - Bess of Hardwick, a self-made woman
0:23:45 > 0:23:48who is still a bit of an enigma.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51But as long as this magnificent house, Hardwick Hall, keeps standing
0:23:51 > 0:23:54she's hardly going to be forgotten.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Welcome back to our valuation-day venue,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12the Victoria Hall in Saltaire. Now let's catch up with our experts
0:24:12 > 0:24:16and see what other treasures we can find.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22David is in his element with this bumper piece of Moorcroft.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27This is fabulous. I can't believe you've brought this along to sell.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32- It's Bill and Julie, isn't it? - Yes.- Is this a joint decision?
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Yes.- So, why are you selling this?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Well, much as we love it, and we do like it immensely,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41it is a bit big to be in the display cabinet.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44And we don't want it sitting on the hearth,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47because I'm quite clumsy, and I don't want it to end up
0:24:47 > 0:24:49as a jigsaw puzzle. HE LAUGHS
0:24:49 > 0:24:52You shouldn't be collecting pottery or porcelain.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56But I think this is a lovely piece of modern Moorcroft,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and what I like about this is its design,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03and the way that the design is created by all this tube-lining,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07which is that liquid clay which literally draws the pattern onto the surface.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10But the beauty is that, when it's fired,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12you get the glazes running into one another,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16so each piece is unique. I think it's terrific.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Have you tried this tube-lining?
0:25:18 > 0:25:23Yes. I tried tube-lining at the factory.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Oh, you're a member of that exclusive collectors' club?
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Yes, yes, and also the painting.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Tube-lining in the morning and doing the painting in the afternoon.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- But it's not as easy as it looks. - Oh, no. It is not.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40You need a steady hand and an even pressure
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- to get the tube-lining right. - Very delicate operation.- Yes.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Now, this piece was designed - what, mid-1990s?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- And the artist was Sally Tuffin. - That's correct.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Now, Sally Tuffin inherited, I think, all the qualities
0:25:54 > 0:25:57of William and Walter Moorcroft,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01particularly in her decoration and her overall design.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I love the way this fish curls,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and the whole thing is so magical,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and the colours are extraordinary.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Anybody collecting Moorcroft would be delighted to have this piece.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19Now, let's talk in terms of value. How long ago did you buy this?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- About 18 months ago. - About 18 months ago.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24I won't ask you the price you paid.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I saw one of these, an identical one,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29up for sale at an auction house on the east coast,
0:26:29 > 0:26:35and their guide price was £1,300 to £1,500.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39These pieces were originally selling
0:26:39 > 0:26:42for something in the region of £5,000 to £8,000,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46so anybody buying this at auction
0:26:46 > 0:26:49at, sort of, anything under 2,000,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51would be getting an absolute bargain.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53What are you going to do with the money?
0:26:53 > 0:26:57In all probability, we will buy another piece of Moorcroft, smaller.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00I would love a piece of Florian Ware to put on display.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I'm now going to ask you how much you paid for it.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- Paid 1,300 for it.- You paid £1,300.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10I think you paid the going rate 18 months ago.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13With Moorcroft, it's a peculiar market,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16because collectors are fanatical.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- Yes.- If somebody wants a piece by Sally Tuffin,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22of the carp pattern,
0:27:22 > 0:27:27- they will pay whatever it takes to get that piece.- Yes.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29So you might be surprised at the end of the day,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33and I would say, for the purpose of auction,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37that the guide ought to be 1,500 to 2,000.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- Sounds fine.- Yes. - And if it makes more than that,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- I will be deliriously happy for you. - Not as happy as we are.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Fingers crossed that we all end up happy after the sale.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Now, what has Michael found? Let's find out.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58Angela, thank you for bringing in a lovely box like this.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01A lovely box like this usually means treasure inside.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03- Mmm.- Let's have a look. Oh, wow!
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Isn't that fantastic?
0:28:05 > 0:28:10I inherited them after my father died in 1985.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12So these aren't in the cutlery drawer at home,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15being used on Saturday nights and Sunday evenings?
0:28:15 > 0:28:18I'm afraid they're not.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21We've obviously got a large serving knife and fork.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25They actually have a specific use. Do you know what it's for?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Absolutely no idea at all.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Well, you have to go back to the end of the 19th century,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35and the one thing that you could put on your table
0:28:35 > 0:28:38to distinguish you from all your middle-class neighbours
0:28:38 > 0:28:42- would be a freshly grown melon. - Really?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44They were incredibly difficult to get hold of,
0:28:44 > 0:28:49very expensive to grow, and so this is actually a melon knife and fork.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- How interesting! - They are solid silver,
0:28:52 > 0:28:54and they're hallmarked along there.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57It's for a very large Sheffield company,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Martin, Hall and Company,
0:28:59 > 0:29:03and they were going into the 19th and then into the 20th century.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06The knife is 1879.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11We've got this beautiful sort of Renaissance-style handle,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14and a beautiful engraved blade.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- The sad thing is that I have seen these sets before.- Yes.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21But all the ones I've seen are in mint condition,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23and in their original cases.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- The fad for serving melon, I think, was short-lived.- Yeah.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30So they've lain locked away in a cupboard or in a drawer?
0:29:30 > 0:29:32In a drawer, yes.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36So why have you decided to get them out and bring them to "Flog It!"?
0:29:36 > 0:29:41Well, just that reason. They would have continued lying in the drawer.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45In terms of value, any idea what they might be worth?
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Absolutely no idea. I know they'll have a certain value
0:29:48 > 0:29:51just from the silver, but I don't know what that would be.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56I think we're quite safe in saying £100 to £150.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58- Really?- And put a fixed reserve of £100 on them.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- So, if you're happy... - That's excellent, yeah.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- ..we'll pop them in the sale... - Yeah. Yeah.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07..hope there's a couple of people with melons in their grocery bags,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11waiting to raise their paddles, or their melons to bid, if they want.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14But I think they'll do very well on the day.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- Oh, that would be great.- Thank you so much for bringing them in.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20I think Michael has another happy customer there.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24David's beady eyes have picked out something rather unusual.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31Tim, this is an extraordinarily beautiful box,
0:30:31 > 0:30:35hand-constructed. It's walnut, and I would date this
0:30:35 > 0:30:38possibly to the earlier part of the 20th century.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41I'm intrigued to see what is inside.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46Oh! This is an extraordinary arrangement of lens,
0:30:46 > 0:30:50and I would imagine this is probably a travelling optician's set.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54- Correct.- And if this was made at the beginning of the 20th century,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57often in newspapers of the day would be advertised
0:30:57 > 0:31:03an ophthalmic surgeon or optician would be visiting a certain hotel
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- to receive clients.- I see.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09So he would set up his equipment
0:31:09 > 0:31:12and then invite people to have their eyes tested,
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- with a view to making up glasses. - I see, yes.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Is it part of your family background?
0:31:17 > 0:31:22No. I picked it up in an antiques shop about 40 years ago.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Right. Why are you deciding to sell it now?
0:31:24 > 0:31:28I think mainly everybody we know has seen it,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32so I thought it was time it moved on to somebody who might appreciate it.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34I find it intriguing,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36because first of all it's in such lovely condition,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40but we have all these various labels at the back -
0:31:40 > 0:31:43spherical, concave,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45concave, cylindrical, convex.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Gosh, what a difficult choice!
0:31:48 > 0:31:51I have tested my own eyesight with it.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54And you put these onto the bridge of your nose...
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- Onto the victim, yes. - And then you fit in these...
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- Keep going until you find the right lenses to match.- Oh, right.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05And then there's extraordinary test types.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08I normally get to about halfway down,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10and I could never read the small print.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13I think that's extraordinary.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's nice to have these relevant pieces with it.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18If you could read the small print, you wouldn't need glasses.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22That looks an absolute blur to me, an absolute blur.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24How much did you pay for it 40 years ago?
0:32:24 > 0:32:28If memory serves me well, it must have been between £12 and £15.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32- That wasn't a lot to pay, was it? - No.- These have been up for sale.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35They're not particularly rare. They do exist -
0:32:35 > 0:32:38not in large numbers, but when they come up for sale,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41on average they make somewhere between £90 and £150,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45that sort of price range. If we put a reserve of £90 on this,
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- would that be acceptable? - Yes, that would be acceptable.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Thank you! I shall see you at the auction.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Next, a rare reaction from Michael.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06David, it's not often I'm left speechless
0:33:06 > 0:33:08when people produce things from their bags,
0:33:08 > 0:33:13but this is such an amazing archive of your family's material.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- Can you tell me about it? - Yeah, by all means.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It was passed down to me by my grandfather.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23It's basically his life in the army,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26which most of it was predominantly through boxing, amateur level.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Good grief! So, this'll be a photograph
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- with your grandfather in it.- Yep.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Point him out for us! - He's this one here.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Handsome-looking chap, probably with the best haircut there, isn't he?
0:33:39 > 0:33:44- Definitely.- So this was done when - in 1923, 1924,
0:33:44 > 0:33:49and we see "Winners, Rhine Army Boxing Team Championship".
0:33:49 > 0:33:52So throughout his career with the army,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- the boxing went hand-in-hand with that, did it?- Yes.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59- So we've got - what, a selection of his medals...- Yes.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01- ..and trophies.- Yeah.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04We've got a lot more than we can actually fit on the table today.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07I mean, if we just look at that medal,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10that's a wonderful thing. "Ville et Portus Dover".
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Those are the Dover coat of arms, City of Dover,
0:34:13 > 0:34:18and we've got "12th Infantry Brigade Team Boxing Championship,
0:34:18 > 0:34:231926, lightweight winner, Colonel Wood."
0:34:23 > 0:34:26So he served again in the second war?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Yes. I think maybe the back end of the First World War
0:34:29 > 0:34:33through the Second World War. It's absolutely fantastic.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36So we've really got a cross-section here,
0:34:36 > 0:34:39not only of military history but of boxing history.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41So what regiment was he in?
0:34:41 > 0:34:44He was in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Very local to today, then. Is there a history of the military in your family?
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Yeah. About six generations of my family have been in the military.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Good grief! Were you serving?
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Yes. I served in the Royal Artillery.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59But, yes, I had a good time, though. It was good.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Were you boxing as well?- Yes, I did do a little boxing myself.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Good grief! So it really is in the blood?
0:35:05 > 0:35:08- Yes.- Well, I can confess to a secret
0:35:08 > 0:35:13- that, actually, my father was a professional boxer.- Oh, right!
0:35:13 > 0:35:17So I know what it's all about, and the rigours and the commitment
0:35:17 > 0:35:20that you have to do to make it a success,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22so I can really appreciate the efforts
0:35:22 > 0:35:24your grandfather went through to win
0:35:24 > 0:35:27all these fantastic trophies and cups.
0:35:27 > 0:35:34I almost feel a little bit vulgar trying to put a value on it for you,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38because it is of such great sentimental value, I would imagine,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42in your family. But why now have you decided to move it on?
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Well, I've only got a young daughter myself.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48She never actually met my grandfather.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50And it's kind of just stuck in the loft,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53so we'd like it to go to a home
0:35:53 > 0:35:56where maybe a collector might want to keep it together,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59or even somebody who will look after it and display it.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04I think it's something that will appeal to a boxing collector,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06there's no doubt of that. It's difficult,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08because it is a very niche market.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13I think let's be safe
0:36:13 > 0:36:15- and let's say £300 to £500...- OK.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18..with a £300 reserve for the collection.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20- Right.- Where it goes to from that,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24I don't know. It might make three, five,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26might make £1,000 on the day. I just don't know.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I'll be as interested as you
0:36:30 > 0:36:32to see how much this makes on the day.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Thank you so much for bringing along
0:36:35 > 0:36:40- the most fascinating collection I've seen in a long time.- Thank you.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43What a marvellous collection! It deserves a good home.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Well, our experts have now made their final choices for today.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52That's our last items found, so it's time to say goodbye
0:36:52 > 0:36:55to our magnificent venue, Victoria Hall,
0:36:55 > 0:36:57and all the hundreds of people who turned up.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01We've had a marvellous day, but we have to put those valuations to the test.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04And fingers crossed, we have one or two big surprises.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07While we make our way to the saleroom in the Calder Valley,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15Nobody in the saleroom would be able to miss the splendid Moorcroft vase
0:37:15 > 0:37:17designed by Sally Tuffin.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Joan's silver serving knife and fork
0:37:19 > 0:37:21would work for cake as well as for melons.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27I hope the collectors are there for Timothy's optical-testing set.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31And finally, David's collection of his grandfather's medals
0:37:31 > 0:37:35and boxing trophies are bound to find a new home.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43It's time to put our experts to the test!
0:37:43 > 0:37:45It's always good to see a packed saleroom.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49I hope you're staying focussed for this one!
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Optical lenses. They're all cased, in beautiful condition,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and they belong to you, and not for much longer.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58- Hopefully. - Tim, why are you selling them?
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Well, I've had them for about 40 years,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04so I thought it was time to give somebody else the enjoyment.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08I'm hopeful we'll sell these. There's other items of a similar nature.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13You're in good company, and hopefully we should get that top end of around £130.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17An early 20th-century mahogany-cased optical testing set.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19What am I bid on that?
0:38:19 > 0:38:21£100? 80? £50?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23At £50. At £50.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26At 60. At 70. And 80 there.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Oh, we'll sell them.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32And £90. At £90. Selling for 90.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36In the market at £90. Are you all done at £90?
0:38:37 > 0:38:40That's a good lot. It's such an unusual lot.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- A really good thing to see. - I was quite pleased.- So was I.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45- Happy?- Yes, very happy.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51I like it when more curious items like that reach their estimate.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Talking of unusual, here comes Angela's melon knife and fork.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Angela, I'm hoping you get the top end,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02that £150. But you've dropped the reserve, haven't you, to £80.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Michael had a fixed reserve of £100.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08We're talking about that lovely large silver fork and knife.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- For melons.- For melons! This could be our choice dessert right now.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15You need to go out and buy a melon.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I like melon, but I can't imagine using it for...
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Someone will, and we're going to find them now. Here we go!
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Lot 67, the cased Victorian hallmarked silver
0:39:25 > 0:39:28dessert serving knife and fork.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Right. 100, may I say? 80? 50?
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- HE WHISPERS - 55. 60.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36And five?
0:39:36 > 0:39:40At £60 there. £60. £60. 65. £70.
0:39:40 > 0:39:4375. 80. 85. 90.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- 95. 100. And five. - Oh, it's done the business.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49115. 120. And five.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53- 130. And five. 140. And five. - Michael's feeling proud.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- £150.- I feel vindicated now!
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- THEY LAUGH - I knew he was going to say that.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03There was no worry, was there? At the top end, £150.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Michael is a really good silver expert.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- Happy? You are happy, aren't you? - Very happy, yes.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11And it's Angela's first auction experience.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Well, that should encourage her!
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Julie and Bill, good luck!
0:40:16 > 0:40:18This is the moment I have been waiting for.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21We've got that wonderful piece of Moorcroft.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24It's a great name in the industry. Here we go.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28164, the large Moorcroft double-handled vase
0:40:28 > 0:40:33designed by Sally Tuffin. Do I get an opening bid of £1,000?
0:40:33 > 0:40:35£1,000?
0:40:35 > 0:40:38800? Thank you. £800. At 800.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40900. 1,000.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- We're back up now to where he started.- Yes.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46At 1,100. At 1,100.
0:40:46 > 0:40:491,200 do I see?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52At 1,100. Are we all finished at 1,100?
0:40:52 > 0:40:56At 1,100. We're not in the market at that level.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- 1,100. Are we all done? - HE BANGS HAMMER
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- He was right.- Back home, I'm afraid.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- At least it's not a bookcase...- No.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09..or something massive. At least you can pick it up and carry it.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12You're not too disappointed? It's going back to a lovely home.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- I do really like it. - You just wanted to test the market.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Yes!
0:41:17 > 0:41:22Bill is going to have to be extra- careful around the Moorcroft now.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Right. Now I'm going to deliver a bit of a knockout blow,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31because going under the hammer we've got medals and a boxing trophy
0:41:31 > 0:41:34belonging to David. Thank you for bringing them in.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Hopefully we'll get the top end.
0:41:36 > 0:41:37Michael, we're in good company today.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41There are other medals in the sale, and the collectors are here.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44It's an archive. There is a silver content too,
0:41:44 > 0:41:47but I was conscious we had to move that above scrap,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50because there's no way I want any of this stuff melted down.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53If it comes to it, it can go back with you for another day,
0:41:53 > 0:41:55so we'll see if there's the interest in it
0:41:55 > 0:41:58as a complete sporting and military archive.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- OK. What are we hoping for? - Um, I'll be happy with 300,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04- but it might make 500.- OK.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08307, an interesting collection of war medals and boxing trophies.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12What a collection! I'd like an opening bid at £200, please.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15£200 for that collection. 150. Thank you. 150.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18175. I've 200. And 25 here.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22225. 250. 275.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24At 300 there.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26- Well, we're there.- Yeah.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28I have 325. 350.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31375. I have 400.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33- At 425.- This is good!
0:42:33 > 0:42:35At 450. 475.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38It does deserve to make every penny of this.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41And 25. 550.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45575. 600.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47And 25.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49650.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- At 650...- My word!- That's very good.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Collectors love an archive they can research, that's the thing.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Yes. The hammer's gone down. £650. Top, top money.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02Yeah, that was good. Thank you very much.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05It's a pleasure. Glad they did so well.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13Well, that's it! It's all over.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Another day in another saleroom for "Flog It!".
0:43:15 > 0:43:18We've had a bit of a mixed day, some highs and some lows,
0:43:18 > 0:43:22but everyone has gone home happy, and that's what it's all about.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25Hope you enjoyed the show. See you next time for some more surprises,
0:43:25 > 0:43:29but until then, from the Calder Valley, it's goodbye.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:33 > 0:43:37E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk
0:43:37 > 0:43:37.