0:00:02 > 0:00:08We're on the south coast in Bexhill-on-Sea. It's got all you'd want from a seaside resort -
0:00:08 > 0:00:11the beach huts, the spectacular views, the sunshine,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15the promenade, a stick of rock if you fancy it,
0:00:15 > 0:00:20but none of those are the main attraction today because we are in town. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:38 > 0:00:43With many seaside towns located on the south-east coast,
0:00:43 > 0:00:49it's no surprise they were favourites with the Victorians and the Edwardians.
0:00:49 > 0:00:55Even today, they still retain much of their original charm and style. And Bexhill-on-Sea is no exception.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Like any seaside town worth its salt, Bexhill has a pavilion
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and a rather splendid one.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05It was opened in 1935 and was the dream of the 9th Earl De La Warr.
0:01:05 > 0:01:11It's the first Modernist building in Britain, built using different techniques and materials.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15It's called the De La Warr Pavilion. I'm now at the front of the queue.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Our experts are looking for the best antiques to take off to auction.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Hoping to spot a dream item are lead experts Michael Baggott...
0:01:23 > 0:01:29We may bring the gin out at about two o'clock. Hang around. I'll be looking for you then.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31And David Fletcher...
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Walking sticks, OK. Do you do a lot of walking?- Well...- No.
0:01:37 > 0:01:43And to help our experts out, we've got a couple of basset hounds to sniff out the real gems.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48- So are you all ready to go inside, everybody?- Yes!- Come on then.
0:01:48 > 0:01:54Amongst all these bags and boxes, there is sure to be something with a good pedigree.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Provenance or a good brand name is so important when valuing antiques,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01but are the following all they claim to be?
0:02:01 > 0:02:04This Mappin & Webb silver bowl,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07this painting by G Dillon
0:02:07 > 0:02:10or this jumbo Dunhill lighter.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14The answer isn't as easy as you think. We'll reveal all later,
0:02:14 > 0:02:19but first, let's get valuing and we start with David Fletcher.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- Hello, Dylan.- Hello there.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23What can you tell me about your clock?
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Well, I like it very much. We think it's '20s or '30s.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33I bought it in a jumble sale in North London just before my children were born.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38We had a lot of fun with it. It helped teaching them to read the time.
0:02:38 > 0:02:44They liked to read the lettering. We went through the story on it. Paid a shilling.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- OK. Of course, it wasn't new then.- No.
0:02:47 > 0:02:54It would have been made, I think, as you suggest, probably in the 1920s or 1930s.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56More likely the 1930s, I think.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01- It's in the High Art Deco style. - Yes.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05It's interesting that you should have brought this to us here today
0:03:05 > 0:03:11because the building we're in, the De La Warr Pavilion, is a classic Art Deco or Modern Movement building
0:03:11 > 0:03:16and this is very much of the same time with the same characteristics.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- Yeah. - I love this very simple lettering.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24It was a lot of the simplicity in the design that I was attracted to.
0:03:24 > 0:03:30It's obviously made for a nursery. It has a nursery rhyme on it - Old Mother Hubbard.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34We all know the rhyme, so I won't repeat it.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Underneath the figure 6 is the word "foreign".
0:03:37 > 0:03:39"Foreign", that's right.
0:03:39 > 0:03:46And I think that suggests that the case itself, which is china, would have been made in Germany.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Yes, I agree.- We'll have a quick look at the movement.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Which I'm afraid is not going.
0:03:53 > 0:03:59It's a very simple movement operated on this main spring here.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- No bells and whistles, probably French.- Yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05But it does the job.
0:04:05 > 0:04:12- Now, we need to discuss its value, really. Have you any thoughts on what it might be worth?- Not really.
0:04:12 > 0:04:18- But I know what I would like as a return.- What would you like? You're a very shrewd businesswoman.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23I would like at least a minimum of £50.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27I thought you were going to say 500! I think we're in the same area.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31It's got all those characteristics we discussed,
0:04:31 > 0:04:36but above all, it's in the Art Deco style and it speaks of its period.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40For all those reasons, I think someone will give us £50 for it.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- Right.- So I'm happy to go with a £50 to £80 estimate.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- Right, that's good.- And you'd like a reserve putting on it, presumably?
0:04:48 > 0:04:55- I think I would.- £50?- A £50 reserve would be good.- We're in agreement. - Yes.- Shake on that. OK...
0:04:55 > 0:05:00So an item that's a bit different and quite charming to start us off.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05However, Michael has spotted something a bit more grown-up.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Margaret, you've brought my favourite thing - silver spoons.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12They're lovely in their case. Where did you get them?
0:05:12 > 0:05:15I know very little about them. My mother gave them to me.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18She had been given them by an elderly neighbour.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21I was going to say - we've got the maker's name here.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26That's Sverre Nielsen, Oslo. There isn't a Norwegian connection?
0:05:26 > 0:05:32- No, but she was a great traveller. - Ah! She may have picked them up in Norway and brought them back.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38Because they're Norwegian, they don't have a date letter code struck on them.
0:05:38 > 0:05:44You do see these predominantly from about 1925 up to about 1935.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50But what I haven't seen before and what is wonderful are the different scenes on the reverse of the bowls.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- They're beautiful, aren't they? - They're Norwegian scenes, pure Norwegian.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59We've got sort of a winter Alpine scape.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02We've got a chap going along on a reindeer,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04the Viking ship, of course.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09The lovely thing about these is the bowls have first been engine-turned,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- so they've got this lovely pattern and very bright silver.- Yeah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16They are breathtakingly beautiful.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- Why have you decided to bring them in to Flog It?- They sit in a drawer.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27- Although they're very pretty, I don't have any emotional attachment to them.- There, you see.
0:06:27 > 0:06:34I'm an odd person. I would have them in a drawer and occasionally look at them. That would be enough for me.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38The value isn't great, but if I put it in perspective and say,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42were these a set of six English coffee spoons,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46fully hallmarked in sterling silver, they might be £25.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- All right.- But I think these are so attractive,
0:06:50 > 0:06:55I'm going to break all boundaries on coffee spoons
0:06:55 > 0:07:02- and say they've got to be £120 to £180.- Wow!- If you're happy, we'll put a fixed reserve of that on them.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08We'll take them along to the auction where everyone will disagree with me, but we'll give them a go.
0:07:14 > 0:07:20For me, there's always a surprise at every valuation day and today, I've come across this.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It's a box, but it's not full of paperwork.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26It's full of the French army...
0:07:26 > 0:07:29circa early 1800s, fighting the Battle of Waterloo.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Here's the French artillery.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36They're lead soldiers, hand-painted. It brings back lots of memories
0:07:36 > 0:07:40because I used to collect lead soldiers and paint them by hand.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44I belonged to the Kingston Military Modelling Society when I was 15
0:07:44 > 0:07:49and I played war games with these old colonel types. Aren't they beautiful?
0:07:49 > 0:07:54I love finding items like that, but right now, let's get back to the valuations.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- Hello, Tracy.- Yes.- And Amy?- Hi.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59This is amazing. I love it.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04I saw you standing in the queue with a collection of walking sticks.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08This one caught my eye. I was amazed to see it really
0:08:08 > 0:08:11because I work and live in Bedford
0:08:11 > 0:08:15and this is signed or at least it has the inscription,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17"JP White of Bedford".
0:08:17 > 0:08:21JP White was a very well-known Bedford person.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- We didn't even know it was on there, did we?- No.
0:08:24 > 0:08:30Why would you? I'm making a massive assumption and that assumption is that this is the same JP White.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36He was a furniture designer and cabinet maker who was born in, I think, 1855.
0:08:36 > 0:08:44- Oh.- And he set up a works in Bedford called the Pyghtle Works in 1896.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47The inscription is on a silver band
0:08:47 > 0:08:53and the silver band is hallmarked "Birmingham, 1905".
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- Oh, right.- I am so tempted to say that this belonged to that JP White.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- It would be good if it is. - Of course, I can't prove it.- No.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08But to anyone interested in furniture history, this is a piece of wooden gold dust.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13It's fascinating. What do you think the handle is made of?
0:09:13 > 0:09:19- We didn't know what that was. It's not amber.- It's not any form of stone.- I don't know either.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24I think amber is a good shout and I think it's meant to simulate amber.
0:09:24 > 0:09:30- It's more resin.- Exactly. It's a resin or a composition material. - That's what I thought.- Yeah.
0:09:30 > 0:09:37So, as I say, this caught my eye and I so hope that I've made the right connection.
0:09:37 > 0:09:43- I could be barking up completely the wrong tree. So you're happy to sell it?- Yes, we are.- Yeah.
0:09:43 > 0:09:49- Now, I think we've got to keep our expectations low.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54So I would suggest a "come and get me" estimate, really, of £20 to £30.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00- Right.- And a covering reserve of £20.- That's good.- I wouldn't like to see it given away.- No.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04It's a Bedford walking stick, I'm a Bedford man, I'm feeling tired.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10- I'll walk off and get a cup of tea and a biscuit. See you at the sale. - Thank you.- Bye-bye.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15Well, the day's hardly started, David! But while you take a break, we'll soldier on.
0:10:15 > 0:10:21Helen and John, thank you for bringing in this wonderful, wonderful jug.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25How did you acquire it? Was it passed down through the family?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28No, it was left to me by an old lady I befriended.
0:10:28 > 0:10:35She lived next door to me and when she died, she left me her cottage and all the contents.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38The jug was one of the things in the cottage.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42That's fantastic. Was it a particular favourite of yours?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Not really. I didn't think much about it at all.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51- That's just been on the landing, on a chest of drawers for all these years. - How do you feel about it, John?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Well, I like it because of the military history.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57I quite like military history.
0:10:57 > 0:11:03I thought this was the Battle of Sevastopol. It has the redan and the fortifications.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06We've got the widows on this side
0:11:06 > 0:11:08with "Royal Patriotic Fund".
0:11:08 > 0:11:11But there we've got the scene of battle.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15You've researched all that, so it's Sevastopol in the Crimean War.
0:11:15 > 0:11:21The Crimean War, 1854, and there's a small date on the bottom that says "1855".
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- We'll have to look at that now. - It's very small.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- We've got almost everything we need to know.- Yes.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30"The Royal Patriotic Jug.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34"Published by Samuel Alcock & Company."
0:11:34 > 0:11:39They were great potters in Stoke and specialised in transfer-printing.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43And we've got the date. I wish everything was this accommodating!
0:11:43 > 0:11:46"January 1st, 1855."
0:11:46 > 0:11:48And we've even got here the designer.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53So we've got this wonderful scene, albeit sad,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- but it is to elicit sympathy, isn't it?- Yes.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00You've got a particular interest in this because of your profession?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02My profession... I'm a potter.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08I taught pottery at the local art school for 25, 30 years, at Eastbourne.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13And so as a technical piece, it's wonderful.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- You can see its cast down here. You can see the seam lines.- You can.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22It has this soft gold and this beautifully soft, modulated, decorative rim here,
0:12:22 > 0:12:27so it's a real exemplar of its kind and I loved it.
0:12:27 > 0:12:34- So marks out of ten?- It ticks all the boxes, so I think it's a ten out of ten number for...- It's a ten.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38That's from a pottery tutor. You can't get any better than that.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41We'll have to have you do all our pots in future!
0:12:41 > 0:12:47It is a super thing. So if it goes up at auction, John, will we not see you and you'll be at the back,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49trying to buy it back?
0:12:49 > 0:12:54- I don't think so. - We have bid against each other. - We have in the past.- Have you?
0:12:54 > 0:12:58That's fraught with difficulties. Always stay together at an auction.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00An early flirt with divorce.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06- Any ideas what it's worth?- Well, I thought it was less than £100.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Wallet, wallet. Wallet, chequebook, it's in here somewhere.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I mean, I'm not a potaholic
0:13:13 > 0:13:17and I prefer 18th century to 19th century,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21but this does it all for me. I think this is a fabulous jug.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25The military connections help enormously as well.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Let's put it in at £300 to £500. - Wow!
0:13:28 > 0:13:33Put a fixed reserve of £300 on it. If it doesn't make that, put it back on the dresser.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- Are you happy to sell it?- Yes.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42- It won't lead to the potential for a divorce?- We're both happy.- My wife tells me I'm happy.- Both smiling.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47That's great. That's good enough for me. Thank you very much for bringing it in.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49And it's good enough for me.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55We've got four items to take off to the saleroom and here's a quick reminder of what they are.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01David found that the cupboard certainly wasn't bare when he found this Art Deco children's clock.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09Michael spotted six silver spoons with the most wonderful, enamelled Nordic scenes.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Suave and sophisticated, David found the quintessential gentleman's accessory,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20a lovely rosewood walking cane.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And finally, Michael went potty for this patriotic jug,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26commemorating the Crimean War.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31It's a short trip along the coastline from one seaside town to another.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37That's the moment we've been waiting for. It is sale day today at the Eastbourne Auction Rooms.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43Let's get inside and catch up with our owners. Hopefully, we're going to have a few surprises.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46'The place is packed and taking to the rostrum today
0:14:46 > 0:14:50'is auctioneer Paul Achilleous.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55'It's back to the nursery with our first lot, Dylan's Art Deco Old Mother Hubbard clock.'
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Not a lot of money. I think this one could fly away, Dylan, hopefully.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- I hope so.- And you got this in a jumble sale?- I did, yes.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- And all the kids learnt to tell the time from it?- Yes.- That's lovely.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12- How much did you pay for it? - One shilling. - Well, we're bound to make a profit.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- It's going under the hammer now. Let's see what the bidders of Eastbourne think.- Yes.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Transfer-printed with Old Mother Hubbard scene. Nice one there.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Due to conflicting bids, we'll start this at £50.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27At 50. 5...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- We're in at 50.- Good. - At £60. I'll take 2 if it helps?
0:15:30 > 0:15:3362. 65. 68. 70. 5.
0:15:33 > 0:15:3680? No, 75 is yours.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40At 75. Anybody else? 80 bid on the internet now.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Do you want 5 in the room? 85 is bid.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46At 85. 90 on the net. At 90. And 5 in the room.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Come on.- It is a bit of Art Deco.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Yes.- Rounds it off at 100. Is there 10?
0:15:52 > 0:15:56At 110 in the seat. 120, sir? 120. 130, will you...?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59140 now? 130. 140, internet. 150?
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Yes, this is good.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04At 140, selling to the net then...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07£140 and the hammer's gone down!
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- Very good indeed.- That's more like it. I knew that one would fly.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- It just had something about it. - I'm so pleased.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18'And hopefully, it'll teach another generation to tell the time.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21'Next up, Margaret's silver spoons.'
0:16:21 > 0:16:25It's a packed saleroom. It's a good time to sell silver.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28At 120 to 180, they're there to be bought - £20 each.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34You've heard what our experts have had to say. Let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36It's down to them. Good luck.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41And where are we here? Who's got £80 to start those?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Can I see 80 for those? 80 bid on the net. And 5.
0:16:44 > 0:16:4690? At £85. 90 is bid.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48And 5. 100, sir.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- 110 bid.- Easily...- 120 now?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53At 110 only. At 110. Is there 20?
0:16:53 > 0:16:57At £110 only. 120 anywhere else? 120 is bid now.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Is there 30? At 120 only. Anybody else then? At 120.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04All done and I sell it on that bid of 120 now...?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08£120. Happy?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- Yeah, that's OK. - It could have done a bit more.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16- It could have done a bit more. - I'd have gone 130, 140, 150...
0:17:16 > 0:17:21They were beautiful, but they're of a period and style that people don't collect yet.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- If you've got a spare £120...- That was a bargain.- ..buy those spoons.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Not for now, but in 10, 15, 20 years' time
0:17:28 > 0:17:32because the quality is there, that's the most important thing.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37'Well, someone did get a bargain, but that's the gamble of the saleroom.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40'It's Amy and Tracy's walking cane next.'
0:17:40 > 0:17:46And I can see, Amy, a bidding card. Look at this. Let's take a look at the number.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52We are selling a walking cane, yet I know there are a lot in the saleroom.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- You want to now buy some more?- Yes.
0:17:54 > 0:18:00- I thought we'd broken you of the habit.- No.- It gets under your skin, this collecting thing.- I love it.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- We both do.- Yeah.- I know what it's like.- This is a nice one.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08It's of particular interest to me because it bears the name "JP White"
0:18:08 > 0:18:14who is a very well-known furniture designer. He had his own manufacturing works in Bedford.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- Let's hope there are Bedford bidders online.- We'll find out now.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20You have the rosewood walking cane,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24the floral, embossed silver collar, engraved "JP White, Bedford".
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Again an unusual one there.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31And double bids here. We start at 50 and 5 and 60's bid.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33At £60. I'll take 5 from you?
0:18:33 > 0:18:365. 70. 5. 80. At £80.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Anybody else then? 5.
0:18:38 > 0:18:4090. 5. 95 it is.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45At 95. 100? Anybody else coming in? Are we all done on that bid...?
0:18:47 > 0:18:51The hammer's gone down, sold. You were spot-on with your enthusiasm.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- I feel very proud of my home town. - That is a lot more.- Fantastic.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- £95.- That's really good. - Shopping money?- Yes!
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- We're going to spend it straight away!- These girls can shop!
0:19:03 > 0:19:08'I love results like that and they say you've got to speculate to accumulate.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11'And I know that's just what Amy and Tracy will do.'
0:19:11 > 0:19:15We've got a Royal Patriotic Jug just about to go under the hammer.
0:19:15 > 0:19:22It's a bit of Crimean War memorabilia. Very important time in our history. Hello, John, Helen.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27- We've been joined by Michael. - I fell in love with this. I saw it at a distance.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32I might have over-egged it, but it's super. It deserves to make that money.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- I'm sure it's worth £300. Let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?- Yes.
0:19:37 > 0:19:43It is all down to the bidders. Let's find out what it's worth. It's going under the hammer now.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Royal Patriotic Jug with a transfer-printed decoration,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50commemorating the Crimean War.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52We'll start at 150 here with me.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55At 150. Is there 160 anywhere? At 150 only.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58160's bid on the net. 170, is it?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00170's bid. 180, is it?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03170 has it. At 180 on the net now. At 180.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06190 it is. At 190. 200, is it, on the net?
0:20:06 > 0:20:09At 190. 200 is bid. At 200.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11220 I'm bid. At 220. 240, is it?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14At 220 now. 240 I'll take? 240 on the net.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17At 260 in the room. At 260. 280 do I see?
0:20:17 > 0:20:21At £260. Is there 80 anywhere? At £260 only. Anybody else at 260?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- At £260 now. Are you all done? - Where are those hands?
0:20:25 > 0:20:28280 back in on the net. At £280.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30It's on the internet at £280.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34I'll take a chance and sell it at £280. Is there 300 anywhere?
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- At £280 anywhere else? - He'll sell it. Sensible decision.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42280 then. On the net then at 280 and I sell it...
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- He's sold it. Is that OK?- Yeah. - Just below.- Well, OK.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52If I tell you that's more than I think any Alcock jug has ever made, that's quite a good result.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- That's fine.- Are you happy with that? - Yeah.- I think we're happy with that.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02The auctioneer used his discretion. I know we didn't have a 10% discretion on it, but he took that.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Now, that was close!
0:21:07 > 0:21:13That concludes our first visit to the auction room today. We are coming back for more action later.
0:21:13 > 0:21:20All the antiques and collectables we've seen so far are a tangible and tactile link to the past,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23but I'm going to take it even further back in time.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27I'm sure this will jog some memories from school history lessons.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38Over the years on the show, I've got quite used to visiting Grade One listed buildings,
0:21:38 > 0:21:42but today, I'm actually visiting a battlefield -
0:21:42 > 0:21:46one of 43 battlefields that are now protected by English Heritage.
0:21:46 > 0:21:53Arguably, the field I'm standing in is the most significant battlefield this country has ever seen
0:21:53 > 0:21:59because 1,000 years ago, two great armies clashed against each other - the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03And the outcome would change the face of Britain for ever.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05And the year was 1066.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15The battle only lasted one day, but it was an epic.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20It was the largest, closest-fought battle in Medieval Britain
0:22:20 > 0:22:27and became the most famous battle in English history. I am, of course, talking of the Battle of Hastings.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46It all began with the death of Edward the Confessor.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Edward on his deathbed, pointing to Harold Godwinson,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54entrusting England to his care.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02However, there was another claimant to the English throne - William, Duke of Normandy.
0:23:04 > 0:23:10When Duke William heard that Harold, in his view, had seized the crown, he was absolutely furious.
0:23:10 > 0:23:16William's claim rested on the spurious premise that Edward had offered him the throne
0:23:16 > 0:23:21and that Harold had sworn under duress to accept William as king.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25However, this didn't bother William. He was an arch opportunist.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30He thought he had right on his side and the endorsement of the Pope,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33so he decided to avenge with arms.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40While William waited with his ships and men for favourable winds to England,
0:23:40 > 0:23:45King Harold had his own problems - he was being invaded by Vikings.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50They'd landed on the north-east coast and overrun the city of York.
0:23:50 > 0:23:57Harold reacted quickly, marching his troops 200 miles from London to Stamford Bridge in five days.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01The battle was fierce, but decisive. Harold was triumphant.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Meanwhile, on the coast of France, the Normans were on their way.
0:24:10 > 0:24:17Carried by a favourable breeze, they landed on the south coast and, with Harold's army up in the north,
0:24:17 > 0:24:22they met no resistance. But King Harold soon marched south to confront the Normans.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32Although the Normans were seasoned fighters, they were about to face an army as large as their own,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35some 5,000-7,000 strong.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40When William heard that Harold's men were camped six miles north of Hastings,
0:24:40 > 0:24:45he marched his troops to confront them. Right here where I'm standing.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49I wonder what went through their minds when those two armies met
0:24:49 > 0:24:54on that Saturday, 14th of October, 1066.
0:24:54 > 0:25:01Each side arranged their battle formation. William had footsoldiers in front with arrows and crossbows,
0:25:01 > 0:25:06with more powerful footsoldiers in the second rank, wearing chain mail.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11Finally, William himself rode with the cavalry of knights.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Harold drew up his army taking the high ground.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18His formation was very different as the English fought on foot.
0:25:18 > 0:25:24His men were already exhausted after two forced marches and a major battle,
0:25:24 > 0:25:30so Harold had no choice but to fight defensively, forming a shield wall,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34as he waited for reinforcements to swell his ranks.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39When the order for battle was given, the English army were here and the Normans down there
0:25:39 > 0:25:42on the lower ground.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45They took the initiative and advanced.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53The English hurled all manner of missiles down upon them,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57but again and again the Normans came back, wave after wave.
0:25:57 > 0:26:04But they couldn't penetrate this solid shield wall. It was the most marvellous form of defence.
0:26:04 > 0:26:10The Normans failed to break the English shield wall and it struck fear into William's footsoldiers.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Terrified by this ferocity and facing an extremely steep slope,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19William's Bretons to the left of the battle line turned and retreated.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Some of the English broke ranks to pursue them, only to be cut down and slaughtered
0:26:24 > 0:26:29when they found themselves isolated from the main English force.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34As the battle went on, no side was giving any quarter.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40Confusion and alarm rose amongst the Normans when one of William's horses was killed
0:26:40 > 0:26:43and it was assumed William was, too.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48But he wasn't. He rushed towards his men, took his helmet off, held his head up high and said,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52"Look! I am alive and, with God's help, I shall conquer!"
0:26:54 > 0:27:00By early afternoon, both sides had been fighting continuously for hours at full pelt.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Already hundreds of men had died when William had an idea.
0:27:04 > 0:27:11Seeing that the English had been lured from the shield wall earlier, when his left flank had turned tail,
0:27:11 > 0:27:18he staged fake retreats. They'd be chased, then wheel around and slaughter their pursuers.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26The plan worked, but it didn't thin out the English army enough.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30With light beginning to fade, William made one final push.
0:27:30 > 0:27:36He ordered his bowmen to fire their arrows high into the air so they rained down on the English.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41What happens next is one of the most famous moments in British history.
0:27:41 > 0:27:48An arrow seemed to strike King Harold. Legend has it it hit him in the eye.
0:27:48 > 0:27:55Finally, the English wall had broken. The Normans found Harold and hacked him down.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05So it was all over. Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon king, was dead.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09This stone marks the spot where he's thought to have fallen.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12William, Duke of Normandy, was now King of England.
0:28:12 > 0:28:20To commemorate those who fell and his victory, he built an abbey here on this site on the battlefield.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25Just standing here today, it's really thought-provoking to think
0:28:25 > 0:28:30of the thousands of men who died in a fierce battle on that one day.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33It's a battleground that's not only infamous,
0:28:33 > 0:28:39but which has brought about the biggest political and cultural upheaval in a thousand years.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43For that reason alone, this site is well worth protecting.
0:28:52 > 0:28:58So time to forward wind and travel a few miles back to our valuation day in Bexhill-on-Sea.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02We're still battling to get through as many valuations as possible.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05It's Michael who triumphs first.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10Ella, thank you for bringing in this stunning little cup.
0:29:10 > 0:29:17- Can you tell me how did you acquire it?- It was given to my husband I think in the '60s.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22Before I knew him. His boss was Jewish, the story goes,
0:29:22 > 0:29:27and it belonged to his daughter and my husband said it was
0:29:27 > 0:29:31the equivalent of a Bar Mitzvah cup, only for the daughter.
0:29:31 > 0:29:39- She married out of the faith, he got rid of all her things and gave that to my husband.- Good grief.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44It's interesting that you say it was the equivalent of a Bar Mitzvah.
0:29:45 > 0:29:51You get a lot of secular items produced
0:29:51 > 0:29:56that are then purchased and might have an inscription in Hebrew, to be used as a Kiddush cup
0:29:56 > 0:29:59or a ceremonial vessel.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04Certainly all British silver should have a hallmark on it.
0:30:04 > 0:30:10- We've got the maker's mark. M&W. - Mappin and Webb. - You can work that out.
0:30:10 > 0:30:16We've also got the Sheffield town mark and we've got the date letter for 1904.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20So we're slap bang in the middle of the reign of Edward VII,
0:30:20 > 0:30:25but more importantly we're in the crucible of English Art Nouveau.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30You've got this hammer finish or planishing. This was introduced, this finish,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34by people like the Guild of Handicraft.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40They would finish everything and hand work it, so it would have all these dimples.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46Ironically, because it was so popular, firms like Mappin's produced wares
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- that were mechanically planished. - Yes.
0:30:49 > 0:30:56So far from being wrought by hand, it's actually machine-done, but made to look as if it's by hand.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01What certainly does require a great deal of skill is the stem.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05I think it's absolutely wonderful as an example of Art Nouveau silver.
0:31:05 > 0:31:11- Why have you decided to bring it in and part with it today?- Because I'm getting rid of all my silver
0:31:11 > 0:31:18- and collecting pots because they don't need cleaning.- Is it a nightmare to polish?- It is, yes.
0:31:18 > 0:31:25All these little bits here. It was black. I gave it a quick clean this morning to bring it down.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Right, well.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32I don't think I'd get fed up polishing it if it was mine.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35We have to think in terms of value.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40I think we need to put it into auction for £250-£350.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45It's the nicest cup of its type I've seen.
0:31:45 > 0:31:52- And put a fixed reserve of £250. Is that in line with what you were thinking?- I had no idea,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56but I'd like somebody to appreciate it who will clean it.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01Well, I'd appreciate it and clean it, but I can't buy it, sadly.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05It's been an absolute joy to see. Thank you for bringing it in.
0:32:05 > 0:32:11I don't blame Ella for not liking all of that polishing - she's not the only one!
0:32:11 > 0:32:15- Hello, Sue.- Hello.- This is quite a lighter.- A bit dirty!
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Well...I was going to say you could have given it a clean!
0:32:19 > 0:32:24But it doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter at all. It's by Dunhill.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29- Yeah.- It's really, of its type, as good as things get, really.
0:32:29 > 0:32:37You know, if you wanted, in the 1930s when this was made, a top-of-the-range show-off lighter,
0:32:37 > 0:32:42- you bought one of these. - As early as that? - Yeah, it dates from the '30s.
0:32:42 > 0:32:47- So does it have a story? - Not one that I can remember.
0:32:47 > 0:32:52It's been in a drawer for so long, 20 years probably.
0:32:52 > 0:32:59- It could have come from my father, but I really don't know.- It just sort of appeared one day?- Yes!
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Are you going to miss it?- No.
0:33:02 > 0:33:09I'm not surprised, really. I love these things because they speak of their period,
0:33:09 > 0:33:15they evoke the 1930s. They evoke conspicuous consumption.
0:33:15 > 0:33:21You can imagine a well-to-do chap lighting his cigar from one of those, you know.
0:33:21 > 0:33:27They are high status objects. Have you any idea what it might be worth?
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- I said a fiver!- A fiver, OK.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36I think it's worth a bit more. I think it's going to make between £60 and £100.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40- That is a surprise. - Is that good news?- Yes.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Very pleased to hear that. I think we should put a reserve on it.
0:33:44 > 0:33:49- Do you?- Well, what's your view? - I don't want it.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- OK, get rid of it.- Get rid of it. - We'll sell it without reserve.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58- Yeah.- Why don't we? It'll make its money.- You reckon?
0:33:58 > 0:34:04- We'll estimate it at £60-£100. Let's go for it!- Definitely. Definitely flog it!
0:34:04 > 0:34:11So another item dating to the 1930s, just like our fabulous valuation day pavilion.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Time for one last valuation now and it might be a bit special.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20Tony, thank you for bringing in this interesting picture today.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- Is it a family thing? - No, I bought it at auction
0:34:24 > 0:34:29- about six months ago. - Oh, recently?- Yes.
0:34:29 > 0:34:36- Did you buy it because it appealed to you? "I'll put that on my wall." - Yes, I liked the image. Yes.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41A very naive image, I suppose, of fishermen on a beach.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45So when you bought this, what did they describe it as?
0:34:45 > 0:34:50Just a painting by G Dillon and describing the scene on the picture.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- It's comprehensive in a way.- Yes.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59I saw this this morning and I'll be honest - I thought it had a naive charm,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03but I didn't think it was a dramatically important thing,
0:35:03 > 0:35:08- but we have this marvellous process to look up artists' names.- Yes.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10- G Dillon is Gerard Dillon.- Yes.
0:35:10 > 0:35:16- He was born in 1916 in Belfast. - Right.
0:35:16 > 0:35:24- Mainly scenes of solitary men because I don't think he was a terribly happy soul.- Oh, right.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27We now have a problem, though.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Is it genuine?
0:35:30 > 0:35:37- I'm not an expert in paintings and I'm certainly not an expert in Gerard Dillon.- Right.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41But there are people who are experts in Gerard Dillon.
0:35:41 > 0:35:47So now we come down to the most important question of value.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Yes.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53If it isn't right, you still had a good buy at £50.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58It's a decorative oil painting. It might be worth £100 or £200.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Good.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05- If it's right...- Yes.- ..we could put a nought on what you paid.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08- 500.- Right.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Right, good.
0:36:10 > 0:36:16- But we wouldn't stop there because we'd put another nought on. - Oh, right.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19A conservative estimate would be £5,000-£10,000.
0:36:19 > 0:36:25- Excellent.- So if you're happy to leave this with us,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- we will seek those expert opinions. - Right.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33And with our fingers crossed and a fair wind,
0:36:33 > 0:36:38we will place it into the auction with a £5,000 reserve, a £5,000-£10,000 estimate,
0:36:38 > 0:36:44- our fingers crossed and we'll see where it ends up.- Fantastic.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47- Are you happy with all that? - Certainly!
0:36:47 > 0:36:53- You bought it to go on the wall. You don't want to put it back? - Not for £5,000!- Certainly not.
0:36:53 > 0:36:59- Well, we'll see how it turns out. - Yes.- As I say, it's 50/50 at the moment.- Yes.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05But it's really intriguing and this is what the world of antiques is about,
0:37:05 > 0:37:11- investigation and discovery.- Yes. - Thank you so much for bringing such an intriguing item along.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16- Thank you!- There's still a long way to go, but exciting nonetheless.
0:37:16 > 0:37:22That's it. What a marvellous day we've had here. Our experts found some cracking items.
0:37:22 > 0:37:29Now it's over to the auction room and it's time to bid farewell to our wonderful host location,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31the De La Warr Pavilion.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36Michael took a shine to this Mappin and Webb silver bowl.
0:37:36 > 0:37:41David is sure this Dunhill lighter will spark some interest.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46And, finally, subject to additional research, we may have discovered work
0:37:46 > 0:37:49by Irish artist Gerard Dillon.
0:37:49 > 0:37:56So we've moved back up the coast to Eastbourne and we've got some news on Tony's painting.
0:37:56 > 0:38:02The sale room is still heaving, which can only be a good thing for our lots.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08On the show right now we've got some real quality. We've got Ella.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Quality! Look at you!
0:38:10 > 0:38:15And I knew I could put you with this Art Nouveau silver bowl.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20You can almost place owners with their objects. Quality.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23We're looking at £250-£350 on a good day.
0:38:23 > 0:38:30It's a regular name, but the quality is exceptional. It's really a little masterpiece.
0:38:30 > 0:38:36I think we'll have a buyer for this. Do you know that? I think we will.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Going under the hammer right now.
0:38:38 > 0:38:44The Mappin and Webb Art Nouveau silver bowl with naturalistic stem and planish decoration.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47It's Sheffield 1904-05.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50There it is. With me at 160.
0:38:50 > 0:38:55I'll take 70 from you. At 170. It's bid on the 'net. 180?
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- We want to see more than that. - At 180. Is there 90?
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- Oh, come on!- 180. 190. 200 now.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- You have to see past the weight of it to the quality.- 220 bid. 220.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11- At 220. 230 do I see? - This is more like it.- At 220 only.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Sounds cheap to me. 30 anywhere?
0:39:14 > 0:39:18At £220 only. All gone on that bid of 220?
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Selling it... I'm not selling it, actually!
0:39:22 > 0:39:26230 I'll take. It's not being sold at 220.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Gosh, I can't believe that. Just shy. Two more bids.
0:39:30 > 0:39:38- Literally.- I'm glad it didn't go at the bottom end. It was worth more than that.- It's a shame.
0:39:38 > 0:39:44Ella, I'm ever so sorry. I feel like we've let you down, but we protected it with a reserve.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- If you put anything into auction, stick a reserve on it.- Yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:56- It's going home.- Yes.- You'll maybe have to put it in another sale room, maybe in six months' time.
0:39:56 > 0:40:03So you win some, you lose some. Hopefully, our next lot will set the bidders on fire.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05It's Sue's Dunhill lighter.
0:40:05 > 0:40:11- I like the fact that it's all tarnished, as if it was covered in oil.- It's filthy!
0:40:11 > 0:40:15- But that's its charm. - It's patinated with age, Sue!- Yeah!
0:40:15 > 0:40:19It's got character, personality. Everything's going for it.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- Whoever buys it will keep it like it is.- Really?- Yeah.
0:40:23 > 0:40:29And it's not a great deal of money. We're only looking at £60-£80, which is nothing for a Dunhill.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Let's hope we can top £100.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37The Dunhill silver-plated jumbo lighter. Nice thing.
0:40:37 > 0:40:42What a nice one it is, too. I'll start this at £40
0:40:42 > 0:40:44and I'll take 5 from you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48At £40. Is there 5? 45 on the internet. 50. And 5.
0:40:48 > 0:40:5060. 60.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53At £60 I've taken in the room.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55£60 in the room. 5 on the 'net?
0:40:55 > 0:41:00At £60. Double bids there. One on the internet, one in the room.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04- The bid is in the room at £60. - Spot on estimate.
0:41:04 > 0:41:0765, back in on the internet. At 65.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12Try one more. 70 it is. At £70 in the room.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16Two people now getting stuck in. This is what auctions are about.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Fair warning on the internet. I sell it, room bidder, on 70.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25Those two last bids took it up to a respectable £70.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- A respectable £70.- Very nice. - Well summed up, Paul.
0:41:28 > 0:41:35It's time to reveal if Tony's painting IS actually by Irish artist Gerard Dillon.
0:41:35 > 0:41:40I've certainly been looking forward to this one for quite some time.
0:41:40 > 0:41:47This is where it's opinion versus opinion. Is it or is it not G Dillon, the Irish artist?
0:41:47 > 0:41:55- I've just been joined by Tony. - Hello.- We'd like to think it was. We sent it off to Bonhams.
0:41:55 > 0:42:01And, in their opinion, it's not by the Irish artist G Dillon.
0:42:01 > 0:42:07- They even sent it to a lady in Ireland who is writing a book... - On G Dillon.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11She knows the family very well and, in their opinion, it's not.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15This is the most important thing. On the day, I didn't know.
0:42:15 > 0:42:21- I'm not a specialist in that. - Tony, we have to be seen to be doing the best.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26- We sent it to the best in the country and, in their opinion... - It's not..
0:42:26 > 0:42:30But it's here today and now it gets interesting.
0:42:30 > 0:42:37- Everybody has their own opinion. - Yes.- We only need two people who feel that it's right,
0:42:37 > 0:42:42right enough for them to bid, and we could see a very handsome return on your money.
0:42:42 > 0:42:49I think we leave this to our bidders in the room. Let's find out exactly what this is worth right now.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53G Dillon. Figures carrying a boat, by the look of it.
0:42:53 > 0:42:58- 240 I'm bid. I'll take 50. - Good grief.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- 240. 250. 260 with me. - Straight in at 240.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04260 on commission. I'll take 70.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08- 270. I'm out. - Someone's having a go.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Is there 80? 270 it is. 280. 290.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14- You're in!- 320.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19340. 360.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22- Great.- 380. 400.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25420?
0:43:25 > 0:43:30No, 400 has it. At £400. I'll sell it on that bid, then.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32Are we all done at 400?
0:43:32 > 0:43:36- He's sold it at £400. - Wow. Fantastic.- Well, I never.
0:43:36 > 0:43:43- Someone's taking a gamble. Two or three people were prepared to. You must be delighted.- Thrilled!
0:43:43 > 0:43:47Considering you just bought it down the road. There you go.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50You can never predict an auction.
0:43:50 > 0:43:55We've had a fabulous day here. I know Tony's made up - he's made a big profit.
0:43:55 > 0:44:00Hope you enjoyed our surprises. Cheerio.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media - 2012
0:44:20 > 0:44:22Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk