Saltaire

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0:00:03 > 0:00:05Today, I'm in Yorkshire.

0:00:05 > 0:00:07Some of you may recognise where I am

0:00:07 > 0:00:11because I had the privilege of filming here eight years ago,

0:00:11 > 0:00:14talking about this village's creator, Titus Salt.

0:00:14 > 0:00:16The clue is in the name.

0:00:16 > 0:00:20Welcome to Saltaire, a World Heritage Site and, of course,

0:00:20 > 0:00:21welcome to Flog It!

0:00:42 > 0:00:47Founded in 1853 by Yorkshire industrialist, Sir Titus Salt,

0:00:47 > 0:00:51this picturesque and historic Victorian village in West Yorkshire was recognised

0:00:51 > 0:00:56as a place of special cultural and physical significance in 2001.

0:00:57 > 0:00:59And being a World Heritage Site,

0:00:59 > 0:01:03today we are rubbing shoulders with the likes of Aylesbury stone circle,

0:01:03 > 0:01:06Stonehenge, the Tower of London and even the Giant's Causeway.

0:01:06 > 0:01:10So, with so much historic pedigree, I've got high hopes

0:01:10 > 0:01:12that in all of these bags and boxes,

0:01:12 > 0:01:16someone has a real treasure worthy of such a location.

0:01:17 > 0:01:19And I'm not the only one with high expectations today.

0:01:19 > 0:01:22So have our lead experts, Michael Baggott...

0:01:22 > 0:01:28Had it been a bit earlier, it would have been well worth it.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30..and David Barby.

0:01:30 > 0:01:34That's very nice, we'll have a look at those. What's that, sir?

0:01:34 > 0:01:37And they're already busy rooting around in the queue,

0:01:37 > 0:01:41both determined not to let any goodies slip by.

0:01:41 > 0:01:44And they've certainly come up with the goods

0:01:44 > 0:01:47finding treasures spanning the centuries,

0:01:47 > 0:01:51but can you work out which of the following is almost 400 years old?

0:01:51 > 0:01:53These sandwich markers? This gold coin?

0:01:53 > 0:01:57Or is it this leather-bound Yorkshire estate ledger?

0:01:59 > 0:02:02So with that little teaser to think about, let's get valuing.

0:02:04 > 0:02:07First up, it's that estate ledger on Michael's table.

0:02:07 > 0:02:12Thank you for bringing in this intriguing book.

0:02:12 > 0:02:15I love the look of old books, old bindings

0:02:15 > 0:02:19and especially gilt labels like this. Where did this come from?

0:02:19 > 0:02:22I got it from my father about three or four months ago.

0:02:22 > 0:02:27He said he got it from a car boot for a couple of pounds a number of years ago.

0:02:27 > 0:02:28You've broken my heart now.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31I was hoping that he was involved with the estate

0:02:31 > 0:02:36- and your grandfather was and your great-grandfather.- Unfortunately not, no.- Let's open this up.

0:02:36 > 0:02:38It's about Yorkshire estates, we know that.

0:02:38 > 0:02:43Right. Ripley Estates and what we've got here.

0:02:43 > 0:02:48If you think of those very large 18th and 19th-century landed estates,

0:02:48 > 0:02:51four times a year on the quarter days, you've got to go

0:02:51 > 0:02:55and pay your rent and this is simply a list of their tenants

0:02:55 > 0:02:59and the amounts paid on the date. It's a fascinating social document.

0:02:59 > 0:03:02We think of rents today and properties

0:03:02 > 0:03:07and you're paying hundreds of thousands of pounds sometimes.

0:03:07 > 0:03:09Rents can be tens of thousands of pounds a year.

0:03:09 > 0:03:12There's some debts in there as well, which is intriguing.

0:03:12 > 0:03:16- So many shillings etc. There's a debt.- You've looked through this?

0:03:16 > 0:03:19I've had a reasonably good look through it

0:03:19 > 0:03:23and that's the interesting fact. I like it for the social issues.

0:03:23 > 0:03:25You look at that and you think, obviously,

0:03:25 > 0:03:28generations gone by, people would say how much it cost.

0:03:28 > 0:03:30"In my generation, it was this much."

0:03:30 > 0:03:32In this generation, nobody can tell me but that book tells me

0:03:32 > 0:03:35and it's fascinating to me, just for the history side.

0:03:35 > 0:03:39The only thing is that when you get to early documents like this,

0:03:39 > 0:03:43they become valuable when they crossover with people's interests.

0:03:43 > 0:03:45We've had a look for Ripley Estate.

0:03:47 > 0:03:50There is, of course, Ripley Castle in Yorkshire.

0:03:50 > 0:03:52We can't be definite to say

0:03:52 > 0:03:56that this is a rent book for their estate. What I think we can say

0:03:56 > 0:04:00is that because the front has Yorkshire estates on it,

0:04:00 > 0:04:04it would have been large enough to go through various counties

0:04:04 > 0:04:07and this would have been the Yorkshire book.

0:04:07 > 0:04:09It runs all the way up.

0:04:09 > 0:04:15If we go to the very last page, we have 19th December, 1899.

0:04:15 > 0:04:19It's quite nice to think that at the end of that century,

0:04:19 > 0:04:21they got to the end of the book, closed it up

0:04:21 > 0:04:25and probably started the new century with a new bound copy.

0:04:25 > 0:04:29- So, this was purchased at a car boot sale?- Yeah.

0:04:29 > 0:04:31Was a lot of money paid for it?

0:04:31 > 0:04:33A couple of pounds, but that was a few years ago.

0:04:33 > 0:04:36- It might have been a lot of money years ago.- It probably was.

0:04:36 > 0:04:40It was almost a year's rent! Because it's a rent book,

0:04:40 > 0:04:42as interesting as it is to leaf through,

0:04:42 > 0:04:45- it's not dramatically valuable. - Right.

0:04:45 > 0:04:49It's got local interest because it's Yorkshire, so I think

0:04:49 > 0:04:52if we put it into auction, we're going to be saying £20 to £40

0:04:52 > 0:04:56and we'll put a reserve of £20 on it, because it's worth that to you,

0:04:56 > 0:04:58all day long, isn't it?

0:04:58 > 0:05:00Your father will be happy that you're putting it in?

0:05:00 > 0:05:04Whatever he gets for it, obviously, I'll take him out for a meal anyway.

0:05:04 > 0:05:07It's a meal or a pint, depending how it goes.

0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Thanks so much for bringing it in. - Thank you. Cheers.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13It's a fascinating piece of social history

0:05:13 > 0:05:15but will there be a market for it?

0:05:15 > 0:05:18Fingers crossed it'll balance the books in the sale room.

0:05:18 > 0:05:21Most items tell a story and our next one is no exception,

0:05:21 > 0:05:24taking us back to the First World War.

0:05:24 > 0:05:28Hello, Terence. You've got your father's medals here.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31What is the story behind them? He won, basically,

0:05:31 > 0:05:34- the First World War trio, didn't he? - Yes.

0:05:34 > 0:05:36He won them two as well but he bought them

0:05:36 > 0:05:39- because he lost his. - So he's lost the originals?

0:05:39 > 0:05:42Yes. That's the Military Medal,

0:05:42 > 0:05:45that's the Distinguished Conduct Medal

0:05:45 > 0:05:50and this is the Afghanistan Star, which is from 1921.

0:05:50 > 0:05:51What was his story?

0:05:51 > 0:05:54Talk me through his story, when he joined the Army and why, maybe?

0:05:54 > 0:05:59He joined the Army and in 1911, his father brought him out.

0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Why?- Because he was under-age.

0:06:01 > 0:06:05- He was only 13.- Gosh, he was desperate to join the Army, then.

0:06:05 > 0:06:11Then the father went into the Army in 1912 as Thomas Victor Smith.

0:06:11 > 0:06:15- His proper name was Ben Kimber.- So he changed his name?- That's correct.

0:06:15 > 0:06:17In order to get back into the army?

0:06:17 > 0:06:20And he went in and he stayed in until 1922.

0:06:20 > 0:06:25- So he saw a lot of action? - He went all the way through it.

0:06:25 > 0:06:27In the Second World War, he joined the fire service

0:06:27 > 0:06:31and he got as high up as a station officer.

0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Which is quite a way up. - What happened to him eventually?

0:06:37 > 0:06:43He died in 1963 and he died from being gassed in the First World War.

0:06:43 > 0:06:47What happened was, when they got mustard gas in their lungs,

0:06:47 > 0:06:50- it ate away at the lungs, and that's it. He died.- Poor chap.

0:06:50 > 0:06:52- What a brave young man.- Yeah.

0:06:52 > 0:06:56- Are you sure you really want to part with these?- Yes.

0:06:56 > 0:07:01I've only got three daughters and my sister, who's getting half of it -

0:07:01 > 0:07:03we're getting half a piece -

0:07:03 > 0:07:07she's only got one son and he says sell them, and so did my girls.

0:07:07 > 0:07:10Have you any idea of the value?

0:07:10 > 0:07:15I rang the auctioneers up and they said about £500.

0:07:15 > 0:07:17Do you know what I was going to say?

0:07:17 > 0:07:20I was going to say £400 to £600 any day of the week.

0:07:20 > 0:07:23What you've got there on the end,

0:07:23 > 0:07:26that's a 1940 Star and Bar trio - £200.

0:07:26 > 0:07:31You've got a DCM and an MM - there's another couple of hundred pounds

0:07:31 > 0:07:33and you've got that extra Afghanistan medal.

0:07:33 > 0:07:36- Are you sure you want to sell them? - Yes, definitely. OK.

0:07:36 > 0:07:37Would you like to put them

0:07:37 > 0:07:42into auction with a value of £400-£600, or would you like to put them in

0:07:42 > 0:07:45with a value of £500-£700 and a fixed reserve at 500?

0:07:45 > 0:07:47Is it going to make 500, honestly?

0:07:47 > 0:07:52Yeah, I do, but in order to make £500, we need to start at 400.

0:07:52 > 0:07:54To give everybody a chance.

0:07:54 > 0:07:58If the auctioneer starts bidding at £400, who will give me 420, 440,

0:07:58 > 0:07:59do you know what I'm saying?

0:07:59 > 0:08:03If he says, who's going to open the bidding at £500, I don't think

0:08:03 > 0:08:05many people will put their hands up,

0:08:05 > 0:08:08- so we need to start the bidding at £400.- Right.

0:08:08 > 0:08:12- I'm hoping they'll do maybe £600. - We'll put them in auction, then.

0:08:12 > 0:08:14Let's do it.

0:08:14 > 0:08:19So, both Michael and I have a valuation each,

0:08:19 > 0:08:22leaving just one more person to catch up with - Mr Barby.

0:08:22 > 0:08:29- Now, Marion.- Yes. - I find these absolutely fascinating.

0:08:29 > 0:08:31What do you think they are?

0:08:31 > 0:08:35- My brother always said that they were hatpins.- Hatpins?

0:08:35 > 0:08:36But they're so small.

0:08:36 > 0:08:39But that's what we've always known them as in the family.

0:08:39 > 0:08:42- Did you ever use them as hatpins?- No.

0:08:42 > 0:08:44Have you ever used them for anything?

0:08:44 > 0:08:48No, but I think my mother and my godmother have in pre-war times.

0:08:48 > 0:08:52Right, you say pre-war times. This is perfectly correct.

0:08:52 > 0:08:54These date from the '20s and '30s

0:08:54 > 0:08:57and they're all Oriental symbols.

0:08:57 > 0:09:02- Yes.- I like to think in terms of the '20s and '30s movies -

0:09:02 > 0:09:07Shanghai, ladies from Shanghai, and anything Oriental

0:09:07 > 0:09:10- had an edge of exoticism.- Yes.

0:09:10 > 0:09:13It was very fashionable in costume, in dress,

0:09:13 > 0:09:16think of all those Mandarin collared outfits that ladies wore.

0:09:16 > 0:09:17I love Japanese work.

0:09:17 > 0:09:20With clutch handbags, very, very fashionable.

0:09:20 > 0:09:26But these have one particular use. These are sandwich markers.

0:09:26 > 0:09:28That's interesting.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32I'm going to pick up one and right at the very back,

0:09:32 > 0:09:35you see that little clip there? That is where you put your sandwich card.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37I think you could associate these

0:09:37 > 0:09:40with a very sophisticated bridge party.

0:09:40 > 0:09:43When people were playing bridge, the hostess would retire

0:09:43 > 0:09:47and come back with a plate or a tray of sandwiches and each block

0:09:47 > 0:09:53of sandwiches would have one of these stuck in and a little label

0:09:53 > 0:09:58saying sardines or cheese or ham, or something like that.

0:09:58 > 0:10:02So these are very functional and can still be used today.

0:10:02 > 0:10:07And all marked sterling silver, so that's 925 quality.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10There's not a great deal of weight, and if you took those purely

0:10:10 > 0:10:15on weight value or scrap value, it would come to just under £13.

0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Yes.- But I think they have interest beyond scrap value.

0:10:19 > 0:10:23I can see a price range in the region at auction

0:10:23 > 0:10:25- of about £30 to £40.- Yes.

0:10:25 > 0:10:30I suggest we put a reserve on them of £30. What do you think?

0:10:30 > 0:10:32- That would be lovely.- Oh, good.

0:10:32 > 0:10:35Marion, you've brought such a lot of interest.

0:10:35 > 0:10:36With these objects here,

0:10:36 > 0:10:40you've recreated a period when these were used, 1920s to '30s.

0:10:40 > 0:10:43Why have you decided to sell these?

0:10:43 > 0:10:45They are just sitting in a little drawer

0:10:45 > 0:10:51and have never been brought out to the light of today.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54So you just have no use for them and want to cash in.

0:10:54 > 0:10:59What would you do with the money? Let's say they go for about £50.

0:10:59 > 0:11:01What would you do with £50?

0:11:01 > 0:11:04I've got 180 teapots

0:11:04 > 0:11:07and it would go for another teapot or go for a trip to Blackpool.

0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Which would you prefer, the trip to Blackpool?- Both.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14I'd go to Blackpool and look for teapots.

0:11:14 > 0:11:18What a fabulous idea. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Marion.

0:11:18 > 0:11:23So, we've got our first three items and here's a quick reminder of what they are.

0:11:23 > 0:11:27Michael kicked off with a large Victorian leather-bound rent book,

0:11:27 > 0:11:29found in a car boot sale for just £2.

0:11:31 > 0:11:34Next, there was certainly no conflict in my mind

0:11:34 > 0:11:37that Terence's medals deserved their story to be told.

0:11:40 > 0:11:44And finally, David served up six tasty silver sandwich markers.

0:11:50 > 0:11:54And now it's the bit none of us can predict. It's auction time

0:11:54 > 0:11:58and we've come to Calder Valley Auctioneers just outside of Halifax.

0:11:58 > 0:12:01Ian Peace will be taking to the rostrum today, but before

0:12:01 > 0:12:03he wields the hammer, I caught up with him

0:12:03 > 0:12:08on the preview day for his take on Terence's World War I medals.

0:12:08 > 0:12:11They relate to Ben Kimber aka Terence Smith,

0:12:11 > 0:12:14who joined the Army at the age of 13. His father pulled him out.

0:12:14 > 0:12:18Wonderful story. I've put £400-£600 on that.

0:12:18 > 0:12:19It's a fabulous group.

0:12:19 > 0:12:22Since the original filming, he has been across

0:12:22 > 0:12:26- and has brought lot of provenance. - Who? Terence?- Terence, the son.

0:12:26 > 0:12:30We've got a copy of the letter to the unit to say,

0:12:30 > 0:12:33my son is under age and I want him back.

0:12:33 > 0:12:36I also liked the fact that after the war, he was short of money

0:12:36 > 0:12:40to put food on the table and then he goes off and sells them,

0:12:40 > 0:12:44then he becomes a fireman, despite going through the war and being injured.

0:12:44 > 0:12:47He becomes a fireman, rises to station officer

0:12:47 > 0:12:50and then has the ability to buy some replacements back. Gorgeous.

0:12:50 > 0:12:53Sadly, that won't really relate to the bidders.

0:12:53 > 0:12:56- They won't know that little bit of detail.- I know.

0:12:56 > 0:13:01Fingers crossed, Phil, the top end of our estimate. Before we discover what they sell for,

0:13:01 > 0:13:04our first lot is the Yorkshire estate book. Good luck, Adrian.

0:13:04 > 0:13:08That's all I can say. Hopefully, a little bit of local interest here.

0:13:08 > 0:13:11We're talking about a leather-bound Victorian Yorkshire estate book.

0:13:11 > 0:13:15They say the pen is mightier than the sword, so hopefully we get

0:13:15 > 0:13:17the top end of Michael's valuation.

0:13:17 > 0:13:20Why are you selling this? I know Dad picked it up at a car boot sale.

0:13:20 > 0:13:23Dad picked it up at a car boot sale, it's been in the attic for years.

0:13:23 > 0:13:26It's time to get rid of it, but it's for somebody to use

0:13:26 > 0:13:29- and look at and the history, I think...- It's all there, isn't it?

0:13:29 > 0:13:32- That fascinated you at the valuation.- There are so many people

0:13:32 > 0:13:36interested in local history now and doing research, and for £20.

0:13:36 > 0:13:39This is a lovely piece of heritage and I know, for the rest

0:13:39 > 0:13:42of the day, when the auction's over, Adrian is off to put a shed up.

0:13:42 > 0:13:45I'm going to help my father, who's 76, put a shed up

0:13:45 > 0:13:48and hopefully, the profits will get us a bacon sandwich.

0:13:48 > 0:13:49- There you go.- No pressure.

0:13:49 > 0:13:52It doesn't get any better than that, does it?

0:13:52 > 0:13:53Not a bacon sandwich, no, Paul.

0:13:55 > 0:13:59Now then, some local history here from Ripley Castle, Ripley Estate.

0:13:59 > 0:14:02The rather beautifully handwritten ledger, there.

0:14:02 > 0:14:07What am I bid for this? £20? £20, 15. Open at 10.

0:14:07 > 0:14:12Thank you, 10 I'm bid. 12.50, 15, 17.50, 20. £20.

0:14:12 > 0:14:14Research.

0:14:14 > 0:14:1822.50, 25, 27.50, £30.

0:14:18 > 0:14:2232.50, 35, 37.50.

0:14:22 > 0:14:24Bit of local interest.

0:14:24 > 0:14:27All done at 37.50.

0:14:27 > 0:14:31It's gone. 37.50. Well done, Michael.

0:14:31 > 0:14:33Bacon sandwich today.

0:14:33 > 0:14:35That's one hell of a bacon sandwich, isn't it?

0:14:35 > 0:14:38- That's one that big. - Thank you very much.

0:14:38 > 0:14:40Enjoy the rest of the day, that does sound good.

0:14:40 > 0:14:44And a bacon butty would go perfectly with our next lot,

0:14:44 > 0:14:46the silver sandwich markers.

0:14:46 > 0:14:48Marion, it's great to see you again.

0:14:48 > 0:14:51I've known you for about nine years and so has David.

0:14:51 > 0:14:54We've seen you on the road at the Flog It! valuation days.

0:14:54 > 0:14:57Marion is our Flog It! superfan and today, you are selling something.

0:14:57 > 0:15:01- Yes.- For the first time on the show, we've got some silver sandwich markers

0:15:01 > 0:15:04- and we're looking for around £40 for these.- I hope so.

0:15:04 > 0:15:06Fingers crossed. OK? Let's give it a go.

0:15:06 > 0:15:09Here we go, enjoy this moment. This is it.

0:15:10 > 0:15:13The silver sandwich markers with ornate finials.

0:15:13 > 0:15:16We'll say 40, 30, 20.

0:15:16 > 0:15:1820, thank you very much. £20, 25.

0:15:18 > 0:15:24- At 25, 30.- Good. - 35, 40, 45.- Marion.

0:15:24 > 0:15:3050. 55. At £55, have you all done?

0:15:30 > 0:15:34Good result, £55. Are you happy?

0:15:34 > 0:15:36You said that would go well.

0:15:36 > 0:15:38- Did you enjoy your experience? - Yes, I did.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41Well, thank you for bringing something like that in.

0:15:41 > 0:15:43If you've got something you'd like to sell,

0:15:43 > 0:15:46we would love to see you bring it along to one of our valuation days.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49You can find details on our BBC website.

0:15:49 > 0:15:52Just log on to...

0:15:52 > 0:15:54Follow the links. All the information will be there.

0:15:54 > 0:15:57We would love to see you.

0:15:57 > 0:16:00Now it's my turn to be the expert and to welcome back Terence.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03We're just about to sell the collection of World War One medals

0:16:03 > 0:16:05and what a lovely story.

0:16:05 > 0:16:10Had a chat to Ian, the auctioneer, yesterday at the preview day.

0:16:10 > 0:16:14He thoroughly loved the story as well and he's met you as well.

0:16:14 > 0:16:16I did, I came down here.

0:16:16 > 0:16:18He loves it and he agreed with me, like I said to you,

0:16:18 > 0:16:21two of those medals are worth that estimate. Who knows,

0:16:21 > 0:16:26- it might even exceed that.- Good. - That's the beauty of auctions. - It would be lovely.

0:16:26 > 0:16:31It would be lovely, wouldn't it? Let's find out exactly what they're worth right now.

0:16:31 > 0:16:33Group of World War One medals rated to Ben Kimber

0:16:33 > 0:16:35and Thomas Victor Smith.

0:16:35 > 0:16:38A very interesting collection and I believe we have a phone bid there

0:16:38 > 0:16:42and I have a commission bid on the book here.

0:16:42 > 0:16:47- I'd like to open the bidding at £400.- Right, we're in.

0:16:47 > 0:16:50At £400, 425, 450, 475.

0:16:50 > 0:16:56At 500. 525, 550, 575, at 600.

0:16:56 > 0:16:58And 25, at 650.

0:16:58 > 0:17:04At 675. 700 on the phone.

0:17:04 > 0:17:05Phone line now.

0:17:05 > 0:17:11725, sir. 725. 750. At £750.

0:17:11 > 0:17:16Any further bids? At £750 on the phone.

0:17:16 > 0:17:18At £750, we're going.

0:17:19 > 0:17:23The hammer's gone down. It's gone above the estimate, £750.

0:17:23 > 0:17:25It went to that guy on the phone.

0:17:25 > 0:17:28Yeah. We could have done with somebody here.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31If there was somebody else in the room also bidding against

0:17:31 > 0:17:35- that guy on the phone, but that's auctions for you.- It is, it is.

0:17:35 > 0:17:38We got it away, that's the main thing.

0:17:38 > 0:17:42- It's been a pleasure meeting you. And a lovely story as well.- It is.

0:17:42 > 0:17:46Not a bad price, but his memories of his father and others like him

0:17:46 > 0:17:49are absolutely priceless.

0:17:49 > 0:17:52That's the end of our first visit to the auction room today.

0:17:52 > 0:17:54We are coming back later on in the programme.

0:17:54 > 0:17:57Now, as you know, the condition of antiques does vary.

0:17:57 > 0:17:59When a bit of restoration is required,

0:17:59 > 0:18:01you have to seek the right expertise.

0:18:01 > 0:18:05While we've been up here in the area filming, I took the opportunity

0:18:05 > 0:18:09to visit a house just outside of Leeds where a dedicated team

0:18:09 > 0:18:13of experts are restoring something on a rather larger scale.

0:18:13 > 0:18:17You could say this is one big antique.

0:18:23 > 0:18:26Over the last ten years of filming Flog It!,

0:18:26 > 0:18:30it's given me the privilege of visiting many stately homes.

0:18:30 > 0:18:34I'm constantly reminded we're a nation very proud of our heritage.

0:18:34 > 0:18:37Today, I've come to Temple Newsam, which is on the outskirts of Leeds.

0:18:37 > 0:18:41Not only to admire the magnificent architecture but also,

0:18:41 > 0:18:45I've been granted permission to go behind the scenes to meet

0:18:45 > 0:18:50the restoration team responsible for acquiring and maintaining

0:18:50 > 0:18:53all the art and artefacts within these magnificent walls.

0:18:55 > 0:18:58As one of the great historic houses of England,

0:18:58 > 0:19:01this impressive Tudor-Jacobean mansion was home

0:19:01 > 0:19:04to the Ingram family for over 300 years.

0:19:04 > 0:19:09It was sold in 1922 and is now managed by Leeds City Council.

0:19:09 > 0:19:13It's these individuals who are responsible for conserving it.

0:19:13 > 0:19:15The curator, Polly.

0:19:15 > 0:19:18Furniture expert, Ian.

0:19:18 > 0:19:20Painting conservator, Jenny.

0:19:20 > 0:19:23And part of the installation team, Kevin,

0:19:23 > 0:19:26where no job is too big or small.

0:19:27 > 0:19:32With over 100 rooms, three floors and some 20,000 antiques,

0:19:32 > 0:19:34they have quite a task.

0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Hello, Polly.- Hello, lovely to meet you.

0:19:39 > 0:19:41Meeting you in the butler's pantry!

0:19:41 > 0:19:43I didn't realise the place was so vast.

0:19:43 > 0:19:46You've definitely got a big project on your hands here.

0:19:46 > 0:19:49What are the main problems with restoration?

0:19:49 > 0:19:51Just as you said, it's size, isn't it?

0:19:51 > 0:19:53There are something like 20,000 objects

0:19:53 > 0:19:56so just trying to keep track of them is one of the things.

0:19:56 > 0:19:58Restoration in itself.

0:19:58 > 0:20:02It's making sure, as a curator, you know exactly what's going on.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04You know your object so that you can

0:20:04 > 0:20:06produce something that is coherent at the end of it.

0:20:06 > 0:20:09- What motivates your work? - Sometimes when you go

0:20:09 > 0:20:11round a gallery space and you just see

0:20:11 > 0:20:15a little child smiling and a family smiling, that's what motivates me.

0:20:15 > 0:20:17Those two or three minutes,

0:20:17 > 0:20:22they are looking at something beautiful and great.

0:20:24 > 0:20:26Having an in-house team is becoming rarer and rarer.

0:20:26 > 0:20:30But for Temple Newsam, it's essential

0:20:30 > 0:20:33and a never-ending mission.

0:20:34 > 0:20:38In the 1940s, the historic interiors were ripped out.

0:20:38 > 0:20:43But in the 1980s, Leeds City Council took the ground-breaking decision

0:20:43 > 0:20:46to restore the house to its former glory.

0:20:46 > 0:20:51Over the last 30 years, that's exactly what's happened, room by room.

0:20:51 > 0:20:55Another objective was to collect as many of the house's original

0:20:55 > 0:20:58treasures - treasures that had been sold off in the 1920s.

0:20:58 > 0:21:03Probably the most significant was the return of the paintings that

0:21:03 > 0:21:06hung in this spectacular room, the picture gallery.

0:21:06 > 0:21:11Lord Halifax, an Ingram descendant, returned 85 heirloom paintings.

0:21:11 > 0:21:13The majority of those were family portraits

0:21:13 > 0:21:17and once again, the house was coming back to life.

0:21:17 > 0:21:21Jenny, hello. Pleased to meet you. You are the painting conservator

0:21:21 > 0:21:24and I know over a period of two of three years,

0:21:24 > 0:21:27you've single-handedly restored most of these fine paintings.

0:21:27 > 0:21:30- What was the biggest challenge? - The biggest challenge was really

0:21:30 > 0:21:33managing the movement of all these pictures,

0:21:33 > 0:21:36- because some of them are quite large. - How did you get that one out?

0:21:36 > 0:21:39We got it down from the wall with the help of the excellent

0:21:39 > 0:21:43installation team and I cleaned it in the gallery itself.

0:21:43 > 0:21:48- Who is that?- That is Arthur, the third Viscount Irwin.

0:21:48 > 0:21:52That painting actually cost only £35 when it was commissioned.

0:21:52 > 0:21:54That gives you a bit of insight.

0:21:54 > 0:21:58What were the main problems with restoring some of the paintings?

0:21:58 > 0:22:01Were the canvases damaged or was it just dust and dirt?

0:22:01 > 0:22:05It was really surface dirt and a lot of dust.

0:22:05 > 0:22:09They were in quite good structural condition but the frames,

0:22:09 > 0:22:12because so many of them are gilded, they're quite difficult to clean.

0:22:12 > 0:22:16The gelding is so susceptible to abrasion.

0:22:16 > 0:22:17I bet that was a big responsibility,

0:22:17 > 0:22:23with everybody watching over your shoulder, bringing these canvases back to life.

0:22:23 > 0:22:26It was a responsibility but that's what you're trained for.

0:22:26 > 0:22:29If you know what you're doing, you can get on with it.

0:22:29 > 0:22:31I had helpers, too. Technicians helping.

0:22:31 > 0:22:35Some of these pictures, you need six strong men just to turn it over.

0:22:35 > 0:22:38I tell you what, it's a wonderful room to walk into.

0:22:38 > 0:22:42It really is a powerful feeling walking through the length

0:22:42 > 0:22:44of this great picture gallery.

0:22:44 > 0:22:49Unsurprisingly, the picture gallery was high on the list to restore.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52In 1996, to mark the room's 250th anniversary,

0:22:52 > 0:22:54that's just what happened.

0:22:54 > 0:22:57They found a scrap of the original green flock wallpaper

0:22:57 > 0:23:02when the room was created in 1746 and replicated it.

0:23:02 > 0:23:05It was the first facsimile wallpaper in the country.

0:23:05 > 0:23:07Traditional methods were used.

0:23:07 > 0:23:11The design was hand printed using a specially carved block.

0:23:11 > 0:23:14The wool used to create the flock was painstakingly chopped

0:23:14 > 0:23:16and sprinkled on by hand.

0:23:20 > 0:23:21More often than not,

0:23:21 > 0:23:25when you start a restoration project, one thing leads to another.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28Inevitably, you have these unexpected discoveries.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31It could be hidden behind a piece of panelling that you're repairing

0:23:31 > 0:23:33or underneath the floorboards.

0:23:33 > 0:23:36It just doesn't happen in the important state rooms,

0:23:36 > 0:23:39it can be anywhere in the house. Take this room, for instance.

0:23:39 > 0:23:43The still room, where the servants worked.

0:23:43 > 0:23:46Nobody knew this was one huge display cabinet full of china.

0:23:47 > 0:23:50This, at some stage in its history,

0:23:50 > 0:23:55was split up into separate units and distributed all over the house in different bedrooms.

0:23:55 > 0:23:57There was carpet on this flagstone floor.

0:23:57 > 0:24:01During the restoration project, when the carpet was lifted up,

0:24:01 > 0:24:06it left a footprint running along this wall, where something had been.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09A few measurements later, and a bit of detective work,

0:24:09 > 0:24:13all these cupboards were reassembled back into this room.

0:24:13 > 0:24:18It's a small but very significant part of the history of this house.

0:24:18 > 0:24:21Something now has been restored how it would have been

0:24:21 > 0:24:24back to its former glory.

0:24:24 > 0:24:29Old houses are like a jigsaw puzzle. A mosaic of styles and fashions.

0:24:29 > 0:24:33They pose many questions, especially when it comes to restoration.

0:24:33 > 0:24:36The current challenge is a bed.

0:24:36 > 0:24:39Polly, you've got a big project on at the moment.

0:24:39 > 0:24:42This, the Queen Anne state bed. Why did you buy it?

0:24:42 > 0:24:45Temple Newsam has the most marvellous furniture collection.

0:24:45 > 0:24:50No furniture collection is complete, really, without a grand state bed.

0:24:50 > 0:24:54We purchased it in 1981 and before that,

0:24:54 > 0:24:57it had been to two country houses, seven antique dealers

0:24:57 > 0:25:01and the Henry Ford Museum in America.

0:25:01 > 0:25:03A lot of history.

0:25:03 > 0:25:07- Yeah.- Can you actually date it? - We can date it precisely to 1711.

0:25:07 > 0:25:10That was right at the end of Queen Anne's reign.

0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Do you think she slept in it? - It's a funny story.

0:25:13 > 0:25:17John, 1st Earl Poulett, was desperate to find favour with her

0:25:17 > 0:25:21so he remodelled his whole house, creating the Queen Anne suite of rooms.

0:25:21 > 0:25:24He even named his third son, Anne, and invited her to the christening

0:25:24 > 0:25:28in the hope that she would perhaps sleep in this bed.

0:25:28 > 0:25:29She never did.

0:25:29 > 0:25:33There's lots of later elements. Lots of new oak, green oak going into this.

0:25:33 > 0:25:38Yeah, there's an awful lot, but we saved the main elements.

0:25:38 > 0:25:44- The headboard, the inner canopy, the valances.- What about the cornices?

0:25:44 > 0:25:47The cornices are, for me, one of the most exciting parts of the bed

0:25:47 > 0:25:50and it was one of the great bits of detective work, actually,

0:25:50 > 0:25:53for this project. In order to get

0:25:53 > 0:25:56new ones carved, we had to study the old ones very closely.

0:25:56 > 0:26:01Was it always in this configuration or did it actually hang?

0:26:01 > 0:26:05In about the early 19th century, there were actually four bedposts.

0:26:05 > 0:26:08Now, the canopy suspends from the ceiling.

0:26:08 > 0:26:12Actually, restoring it back to its suspension is helping to save

0:26:12 > 0:26:16the bed a little bit more because otherwise, the canopy would collapse

0:26:16 > 0:26:20in the middle if you've got pressure coming in from the wrong place.

0:26:20 > 0:26:23- What an exciting project.- Yeah. - It looks fabulous in this room.

0:26:23 > 0:26:27I think it's going to look even better when it's finished.

0:26:27 > 0:26:29A real treat, I think, for people.

0:26:29 > 0:26:33A wonderful bit of work to have done.

0:26:33 > 0:26:38More than 30 people over 18 months have worked on this bed.

0:26:38 > 0:26:43It's a fabulous example of how many various crafts and skills have collaborated,

0:26:43 > 0:26:47each one key to the success of the overall project.

0:26:49 > 0:26:52I must say, it's been a real privilege

0:26:52 > 0:26:56to get an insight into the work and the dedication it takes to conserve

0:26:56 > 0:26:59and restore a magnificent historic house like this.

0:26:59 > 0:27:03It gives us a glimpse into the past, so when people like you and me

0:27:03 > 0:27:06come to visit, they can step back in time.

0:27:12 > 0:27:14We're back to the equally historic

0:27:14 > 0:27:18surroundings of Saltaire's Victoria Hall and its non-stop valuing.

0:27:21 > 0:27:26It is a busy day but not everything needs a valuation.

0:27:26 > 0:27:29So we move from this small man to another.

0:27:29 > 0:27:34- Michael. Great, great name, first off.- Absolutely fabulous.

0:27:34 > 0:27:38I'm very glad you came today because you've brought this little fellow.

0:27:38 > 0:27:41- Does he have a name? - Do you know, he's an old, old friend

0:27:41 > 0:27:45but I've never in the 60-odd years I've had him, given him a name.

0:27:45 > 0:27:48- You've had him 60 years. - I feel guilty about that.

0:27:48 > 0:27:51Oh, my word. Where did you get him from, then?

0:27:51 > 0:27:54He was given to me by my mother, who inherited him from a French uncle.

0:27:54 > 0:27:57He was apparently an avid collector of all things Oriental.

0:27:57 > 0:28:00When would he have been collecting them?

0:28:00 > 0:28:03I would imagine the turn of the century.

0:28:03 > 0:28:06Because there was a huge vogue for Chinese,

0:28:06 > 0:28:10but moreover Japanese, works of art at the end of the 19th century.

0:28:10 > 0:28:16Basically, in about 1868, there was an exhibition in London.

0:28:16 > 0:28:20For the first time, pieces from Japan were exhibited.

0:28:20 > 0:28:24Things that were of a native design rather than for export.

0:28:24 > 0:28:29There was no frame of reference, there was no similarity in design.

0:28:29 > 0:28:33So, of course, immediately, everyone went mad for it.

0:28:33 > 0:28:38This spawned quite a good trade in export wares from Japan.

0:28:38 > 0:28:42We have these two very distinct camps of items.

0:28:42 > 0:28:45We've got those that are made for the Japanese in Japan to

0:28:45 > 0:28:49a very high quality and then we've got those items which were made

0:28:49 > 0:28:51specifically for export.

0:28:51 > 0:28:55This little fellow is made for export. Still lovely quality.

0:28:55 > 0:28:58We've got a carving of a woodsman with his axe,

0:28:58 > 0:29:02but what we've got here is a mixture of carved wood and ivory.

0:29:03 > 0:29:05I thought it was ivory.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08We're all right, we're before 1947.

0:29:08 > 0:29:13This would have been carved in about 1890 up to about 1910,

0:29:13 > 0:29:18but this is a very good and economic way to use small offcuts

0:29:18 > 0:29:24from larger single-piece ivory carvings, which were the most prized.

0:29:24 > 0:29:28If you think, a small section forms the head, the hand, the branches.

0:29:28 > 0:29:31You can take all these waste pieces

0:29:31 > 0:29:34and re-use them and make a whole figure.

0:29:34 > 0:29:36Also, the wood, of course, is far cheaper to carve

0:29:36 > 0:29:39and quicker and easier than the ivory.

0:29:39 > 0:29:42It does actually work very well because you're using

0:29:42 > 0:29:45the wood for the robe and it gives it a lovely contrast.

0:29:45 > 0:29:47If we turn him over, we should... There we go,

0:29:47 > 0:29:50a signature on a small ivory panel.

0:29:50 > 0:29:54I cannot tell you who that is today but what I can say is that

0:29:54 > 0:29:58whilst the head is nicely carved, some of this is quite crude.

0:30:00 > 0:30:03You only realise that these are not the best carving

0:30:03 > 0:30:05- when you see the best carving. - Right.

0:30:05 > 0:30:08When you see the best Japanese carving, it blows you away.

0:30:08 > 0:30:12It's still a very nice figure, and you can imagine someone

0:30:12 > 0:30:15in France buying this and thinking it was the bee's knees

0:30:15 > 0:30:17100 years ago.

0:30:17 > 0:30:20- But you've had him and loved him, haven't you?- I love him to bits.

0:30:20 > 0:30:23I think he has one of the nicest smiles I've ever seen on a figurine.

0:30:23 > 0:30:26The reason that I want to sell him is because I think,

0:30:26 > 0:30:29somewhere along the line, he'll get badly damaged,

0:30:29 > 0:30:31you know, grandchildren and things like that.

0:30:31 > 0:30:33And I don't want to hide him away.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36Yes, I can see how a little figure with an axe is really going to

0:30:36 > 0:30:39- appeal to grandchildren. - Little fingers.

0:30:39 > 0:30:41Well, look, let's put him in at a sensible figure,

0:30:41 > 0:30:44let's say £100-£200.

0:30:44 > 0:30:46But let's put a fixed reserve of £100 on him.

0:30:46 > 0:30:50But as I say, unless it's a very large, one-piece,

0:30:50 > 0:30:55- very fine carving...- I can appreciate that.- ..we're not into, sadly, the many hundreds of pounds

0:30:55 > 0:30:57- that they used to fetch. - Very sadly.- Very sadly.

0:31:03 > 0:31:05HE LAUGHS

0:31:05 > 0:31:10- Mark...- Yes.- I don't think we've had a programme of Flog It!

0:31:10 > 0:31:16without a piece of Clarice Cliff, Troika or Moorcroft coming along.

0:31:16 > 0:31:17And you've made it for me

0:31:17 > 0:31:20by bringing this item of Clarice Cliff along.

0:31:20 > 0:31:26Now, Clarice Cliff is so familiar now as the sort of icon of the 1920s

0:31:26 > 0:31:29and the '30s. And you look at this and you think of the period,

0:31:29 > 0:31:31you think of the Jazz Age.

0:31:31 > 0:31:34And this is emblematic of that particular period.

0:31:34 > 0:31:37The design is bold, the colours are vulgar,

0:31:37 > 0:31:39they're sharp but they're exciting.

0:31:39 > 0:31:43And this is all what you expect to find in a piece of Clarice Cliff.

0:31:43 > 0:31:45This is much more desirable than, let's say,

0:31:45 > 0:31:48the very ordinary crocus pattern.

0:31:48 > 0:31:52Now, this piece of Clarice Cliff is a little candle holder,

0:31:52 > 0:31:56and what I like, just tucked inside, you've got three grooves

0:31:56 > 0:32:00- which make certain your candle is not going to move.- Right.

0:32:00 > 0:32:02So that's quite nice. This should be a pair.

0:32:02 > 0:32:05- Have you got the other one? - Unfortunately not.- Right.

0:32:05 > 0:32:10- Where did this come from?- From my sister-in-law a good few years ago.

0:32:10 > 0:32:13She was clearing out, we admired a couple of pieces

0:32:13 > 0:32:15and she said we could have them.

0:32:15 > 0:32:17We'd never even think about having a pair.

0:32:17 > 0:32:20We put it in the room and it didn't look right,

0:32:20 > 0:32:22so we wrapped it up and put it in storage.

0:32:22 > 0:32:25How long has it been in storage?

0:32:25 > 0:32:29Since we moved into our new home, probably 15 years.

0:32:29 > 0:32:31- 15 years?!- Hmm...

0:32:31 > 0:32:3415 years ago, Clarice Cliff was just coming to emergence

0:32:34 > 0:32:36- as a collectible commodity.- Yeah.

0:32:36 > 0:32:38I like this immensely.

0:32:38 > 0:32:42- This would have been for a dressing table.- Right.- Or let's say a supper party.

0:32:42 > 0:32:46So you just had four people round a circular table,

0:32:46 > 0:32:48you could put that in the middle there,

0:32:48 > 0:32:50with a little candle shade on it, it would look quite good.

0:32:50 > 0:32:52It's that sort of period feeling.

0:32:52 > 0:32:56- Can you tell me actually hold it is? - I would say this piece dates from about 1927.

0:32:56 > 0:32:59- '27.- So it's quite a nice object. Fully marked, is it?

0:32:59 > 0:33:01There's no damage on it? Yes, there we are.

0:33:01 > 0:33:06This is the Bizarre range, Clarice Cliff, melon pattern.

0:33:06 > 0:33:08And there we've got the melon design there.

0:33:08 > 0:33:10You can see that pink design.

0:33:10 > 0:33:12That would appeal to Clarice Cliff collectors.

0:33:12 > 0:33:16- Right.- It's gone beyond just a candlestick.

0:33:16 > 0:33:19Now, my idea of price is round about £90-£120.

0:33:19 > 0:33:21It could go more.

0:33:21 > 0:33:25If there was a pair of them, it would be treble that sort of figure.

0:33:25 > 0:33:28But you never know, there might be somebody in that auction room

0:33:28 > 0:33:32- that has got one and wants the pair. - Wants the pair.

0:33:32 > 0:33:35And is going to buy this. And they'll go any price to get the pair.

0:33:35 > 0:33:39I think we need to protect the price and put a reserve of £90 on it,

0:33:39 > 0:33:43- if that's agreeable. - That's agreeable. I didn't realise the value of it.

0:33:43 > 0:33:45Being a single item, I thought it'd have been less

0:33:45 > 0:33:47because it's on its own without the pair.

0:33:47 > 0:33:52That's true, but I think there are so many interesting characteristics, particularly the design.

0:33:52 > 0:33:56If you get £90 or £100-plus, what are you going to do with the money?

0:33:56 > 0:34:00- Take the wife out for a nice meal. - Oh, it's going to be a special meal.

0:34:00 > 0:34:02She deserves it, putting up with me!

0:34:02 > 0:34:05He's got all the banter, that Mr David Barby.

0:34:05 > 0:34:07Now, our final item is a first for Flog It!

0:34:07 > 0:34:11and one of the oldest treasures we've ever had on the programme.

0:34:11 > 0:34:15Ernie, this is a fantastic condition gold coin

0:34:15 > 0:34:17Where on earth did you get this from?

0:34:17 > 0:34:20Well, me and my two mates were working out in Chesterfield,

0:34:20 > 0:34:24putting a new water main in, and we took some muck out of the ground

0:34:24 > 0:34:26and it dropped into the trench.

0:34:26 > 0:34:30- Good grief!- My mate picked it up, I thought it was a bottle top

0:34:30 > 0:34:33- till he rubbed it and we saw the head on it.- What a fantastic find.

0:34:33 > 0:34:36Of course, as a single coin, it isn't treasure trove,

0:34:36 > 0:34:39but you did take it to the museum?

0:34:39 > 0:34:40Chesterfield Museum, yeah.

0:34:40 > 0:34:45- What did they tell you about it? - 1603 to 1619

0:34:45 > 0:34:48and it was 22 carat gold. It's nearly 400 years old.

0:34:48 > 0:34:52I think the most amazing thing about this coin is that you dig it up

0:34:52 > 0:34:56with a mechanical digger and spot it. I'll tell you more about it,

0:34:56 > 0:34:59not that I can add much to what the museum told you.

0:34:59 > 0:35:02We've got the head there of King James I

0:35:02 > 0:35:05who, of course, is the son of Mary Queen of Scots.

0:35:05 > 0:35:09And, of course, he reigned from 1603 to 1625.

0:35:09 > 0:35:12The denomination of this is actually a laurel -

0:35:12 > 0:35:14a wonderful name for a coin.

0:35:14 > 0:35:17You know, we used to have guineas and sovereigns.

0:35:17 > 0:35:20But you go back a bit, you get angels, half-angels and laurels.

0:35:20 > 0:35:24We've got the denomination actually struck here, which is XX.

0:35:24 > 0:35:27That's the number of shillings it represents.

0:35:27 > 0:35:29So it's a 20 shilling piece.

0:35:29 > 0:35:33We've got the figure of James in profile looking terribly

0:35:33 > 0:35:35imperial and powerful

0:35:35 > 0:35:38with that sort of Roman-style wreath through his head.

0:35:38 > 0:35:42And if we read the inscription on the edge, we've got "Iacobus" -

0:35:42 > 0:35:45so James - "DG, by the grace of god.

0:35:45 > 0:35:50"Majesty of Britain, France and Ireland."

0:35:50 > 0:35:53And if we flip it over, we've got the Royal coat of arms

0:35:53 > 0:35:55surmounted by a crown.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58Now, we have to think about a whole series of things

0:35:58 > 0:36:00when we value coins.

0:36:00 > 0:36:02These are hammered coins.

0:36:02 > 0:36:05A hammered coin is anything which is struck by hand

0:36:05 > 0:36:07and does not have a milled edge.

0:36:07 > 0:36:09So they're individually cut and struck,

0:36:09 > 0:36:13so the first thing is how even is the flan,

0:36:13 > 0:36:15the surface of the coin?

0:36:15 > 0:36:19We've got a little bit of trimming here, but that's fine.

0:36:19 > 0:36:22Then we look at the condition or the definition

0:36:22 > 0:36:24of the features and the motto.

0:36:24 > 0:36:27But really, it is in absolutely wonderful condition.

0:36:27 > 0:36:29For it's age, isn't it?

0:36:29 > 0:36:32This represented an awful lot of money at the time

0:36:32 > 0:36:34to someone who lost it.

0:36:34 > 0:36:37If you lost a coin like this, you spent some time looking for it

0:36:37 > 0:36:39if you'd known you'd lost it.

0:36:39 > 0:36:42This was lost probably within a few years of it being struck.

0:36:42 > 0:36:46And it's just lain there, undiscovered

0:36:46 > 0:36:49until 400 years later... Beep! Beep! Beep!

0:36:49 > 0:36:53Down comes the bucket of the digger, up and we see it.

0:36:53 > 0:36:56I mean, it's a fantastic thing.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59Value - now, most of these coins

0:36:59 > 0:37:00are about £400 to £600.

0:37:00 > 0:37:04When you get something that's in lovely condition,

0:37:04 > 0:37:07that's the one everybody wants to buy.

0:37:07 > 0:37:10So I think we would be safe

0:37:10 > 0:37:12in putting £800 to £1,200 on it

0:37:12 > 0:37:15and a fixed reserve of £800.

0:37:15 > 0:37:19So if it does particularly well, what's going to happen to the money?

0:37:19 > 0:37:21I'm going to spilt it with my other two mates.

0:37:21 > 0:37:24Oh, that's fantastic, split three ways.

0:37:24 > 0:37:26It's just as well that you found it now.

0:37:26 > 0:37:29In the 18th century, if they found anything like this

0:37:29 > 0:37:32and it was between a group of workmen,

0:37:32 > 0:37:34they'd cut it up to however many people there were.

0:37:34 > 0:37:37- Not worth anything cut up, would it? - No, not anymore.

0:37:41 > 0:37:42Well, that's it.

0:37:42 > 0:37:45We've now found our final three items to take off to auction.

0:37:45 > 0:37:49So it's time to say goodbye to our magnificent host location today,

0:37:49 > 0:37:51the Victoria Hall and, of course,

0:37:51 > 0:37:53to the hundreds of people who have turned up.

0:37:53 > 0:37:56It's been a wonderful day, but we now have to put those valuations

0:37:56 > 0:37:59to the test. We're going over to the auction room.

0:37:59 > 0:38:01Here's a quick recap of what we're taking.

0:38:01 > 0:38:04Michael thought this carved Japanese figure was charming.

0:38:04 > 0:38:08But after 60 years in the family, will selling be too emotional?

0:38:10 > 0:38:13David found a Clarice Cliff candleholder,

0:38:13 > 0:38:15but will it light up the saleroom?

0:38:17 > 0:38:20And finally, the sort of object we'd all like to dig up.

0:38:20 > 0:38:23A 400-year-old James I of England

0:38:23 > 0:38:25or James VI Scotland gold coin.

0:38:31 > 0:38:35So we're back at Calder Valley Auctioneers in West Yorkshire

0:38:35 > 0:38:37with auctioneer Ian Peace.

0:38:37 > 0:38:41The place is still packed, but will it be a sad

0:38:41 > 0:38:43goodbye as Michael says farewell to an old friend?

0:38:43 > 0:38:46- How are you feeling, Michael? - Absolutely fine.

0:38:46 > 0:38:48This has been in the family a long time.

0:38:48 > 0:38:51I've had it for about 60 years. My mother had it before.

0:38:51 > 0:38:55So are you regretting now we've come to the moment that you're going

0:38:55 > 0:38:57- to part with this? - Only in a small way.

0:38:57 > 0:39:00- This is quality, it is quality. - I do like it.

0:39:00 > 0:39:02It's a nice entry level carving for someone.

0:39:02 > 0:39:06- You know, that's a good way to start collecting Japanese.- Yeah.

0:39:06 > 0:39:09We're going to find out right now.

0:39:09 > 0:39:10Let's find out what the saleroom think.

0:39:10 > 0:39:14- Someone should be going home with this.- I think so.

0:39:15 > 0:39:19The Japanese signed carved wood ivory figure of a woodsman.

0:39:19 > 0:39:20£100, shall we say? 180?

0:39:20 > 0:39:24I'm opening this at £50. Add £50, at 50. At 60, at 70...

0:39:24 > 0:39:26Come on.

0:39:26 > 0:39:28At £70, at £70.

0:39:28 > 0:39:33At 70, at 80. At £90 here. 100 do I see? £100.

0:39:33 > 0:39:36Gentleman on the right, £100. Are you all done?

0:39:36 > 0:39:37At 110, a fresh bid. 110...

0:39:37 > 0:39:40Ooh, just in time!

0:39:40 > 0:39:42110. Anybody else now? At £110, then.

0:39:42 > 0:39:44GAVEL BANGS

0:39:44 > 0:39:49- Just!- It shows that this is the time to go out and actually buy Japanese

0:39:49 > 0:39:51works of art, especially if they're all at the top level.

0:39:51 > 0:39:55They're very affordable. There's a lot of work in that.

0:39:55 > 0:39:59- We've made the reserve, so I'm happy enough.- Yeah.- Exactly, job done.

0:40:03 > 0:40:07Going under the hammer, we've got a Clarice Cliff candleholder

0:40:07 > 0:40:10- belonging to Mark. Hello, Mark. It's great to see you.- Hello, Paul.

0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Who's this?- This is my wife, Heather.

0:40:12 > 0:40:15- Hello.- Hello.- He was going to treat you, wasn't he?

0:40:15 > 0:40:17- He was talking all about you at the valuation day.- Yes.

0:40:17 > 0:40:21- Happy to sell this?- Yes, yes. - Why are you selling anyway?

0:40:21 > 0:40:25It was a gift from my sister-in-law and it's been in the loft.

0:40:25 > 0:40:28In the loft? Well, good for you for looking after it anyway,

0:40:28 > 0:40:29even if it has been in the loft.

0:40:29 > 0:40:32Tucked away out of harm's way. It's going under the hammer right now.

0:40:32 > 0:40:37The Clarice Cliff Bizarre Fantasy hand-painted candlestick.

0:40:37 > 0:40:42Do I get an open bid of £70? £70. £60, then.

0:40:42 > 0:40:45£60 I have and £70 here. At £70, at £80.

0:40:45 > 0:40:48At £90, at £100, at £110...

0:40:48 > 0:40:51- Good!- £110 I am bid.

0:40:51 > 0:40:55£110, I'll take five. At £115, sir.

0:40:55 > 0:40:57£120 on commission.

0:40:57 > 0:41:01£120 against you. £120, £125, I have £130 here..

0:41:01 > 0:41:03He's determined.

0:41:03 > 0:41:07- Nope, you're out. - Now he's out.

0:41:07 > 0:41:09It's selling for £130.

0:41:09 > 0:41:12That's OK. £130, well done.

0:41:12 > 0:41:14Over the top, there.

0:41:14 > 0:41:17That's added another star onto the restaurant.

0:41:17 > 0:41:22- That's going to be a meal out. - And a bottle of wine.

0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Yes, a bottle of wine. - Somewhere classy I hope?

0:41:25 > 0:41:28- A nice little Italian. - Good for you. Good choice.

0:41:28 > 0:41:32Well, it's time for our final serving

0:41:32 > 0:41:34and it's that scrumptious laurel gold coin,

0:41:34 > 0:41:37circa 1603 to 1625.

0:41:37 > 0:41:41It's definitely the oldest thing here today. Ernie, great to see you.

0:41:41 > 0:41:44You've brought this in to the valuation day. Who's this?

0:41:44 > 0:41:46- I'm Paul. - Hiya, Paul. Great name!

0:41:46 > 0:41:48- Now, I gather that you're the digger driver?- Yeah.

0:41:48 > 0:41:51- So you both work together, you're mates.- Yeah, yeah.

0:41:51 > 0:41:54What were you doing digging this piece of land up?

0:41:54 > 0:41:55Laying a watermain.

0:41:55 > 0:41:57As we were digging, cos it were a summer's day,

0:41:57 > 0:41:59it reflected with the sun.

0:41:59 > 0:42:03Gosh, you were lucky! That could have been one inch under the soil.

0:42:03 > 0:42:07There are five busts of James I.

0:42:07 > 0:42:11The first, second and fifth busts are very rare and valuable.

0:42:11 > 0:42:14Yours, I'm afraid, is the fourth but the condition is lovely.

0:42:14 > 0:42:17So we're just going to have to see if it carries it.

0:42:17 > 0:42:18Smashing thing.

0:42:18 > 0:42:21Real history here. This is what it's all about.

0:42:21 > 0:42:24Antiques is a sense of connection to the past.

0:42:24 > 0:42:26We can all own something like this or something like it.

0:42:26 > 0:42:29- It gave you a great feeling, didn't it?- Yes, it did.

0:42:29 > 0:42:30- A sense of connection.- Yeah.

0:42:30 > 0:42:34The James I gold laurel.

0:42:34 > 0:42:3720 shillings, 400 years old.

0:42:37 > 0:42:38£500, please.

0:42:38 > 0:42:40£500 I have...

0:42:40 > 0:42:42There's a bid on the book.

0:42:42 > 0:42:46£600, at £650, at £700.

0:42:46 > 0:42:52At £750, at £800. £800 bid.

0:42:52 > 0:42:54At £800, behind you £850...

0:42:54 > 0:42:57- Ooh, they're going!- That's good.

0:42:57 > 0:42:59£900.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02£950, gentleman behind you. At £950...

0:43:02 > 0:43:05I can see Ernie going, "Come on, come on!"

0:43:05 > 0:43:09£1,050. £1,100.

0:43:09 > 0:43:11And 50.

0:43:11 > 0:43:16No, shaking your head. It's £1,150 for the gentleman behind you.

0:43:16 > 0:43:18Condition, condition, condition.

0:43:18 > 0:43:20£1,150 then.

0:43:20 > 0:43:22Good price, £1,150. Spot on, Michael.

0:43:22 > 0:43:25When are you next putting a watermain down?

0:43:25 > 0:43:28Yeah, we'd like to come along. We will be your spotters.

0:43:28 > 0:43:30You can stay in the cab then, carry on.

0:43:30 > 0:43:33What we've got, we'll split them with you.

0:43:33 > 0:43:35We absolutely promise.

0:43:35 > 0:43:37Thanks for bringing it in.

0:43:37 > 0:43:40It's a lovely story and that's what the programme's all about. Marvellous.

0:43:45 > 0:43:49Well, that's it. It's all over. We've had a fabulous day here.

0:43:49 > 0:43:51I hope you've enjoyed it.

0:43:51 > 0:43:53And if you've got any antiques you want to sell,

0:43:53 > 0:43:55we would love to see you.

0:43:55 > 0:43:57Bring them along to one of our valuation days

0:43:57 > 0:43:59and it could be you in the next auction room.

0:43:59 > 0:44:03Until then, from the Calder Valley, from all of us here, it's goodbye.

0:44:24 > 0:44:28Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd