0:00:02 > 0:00:05Things haven't changed as much over the last 300 years as we think.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Back in the 17th century,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10it was all about establishing your place in society.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12And this magnificent country pile
0:00:12 > 0:00:17was built to put its owner at the very top of the social ladder.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20So today, here in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside,
0:00:20 > 0:00:23we will be following in his footsteps,
0:00:23 > 0:00:27where only the best is good enough. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Our venue today is one of England's finest stately homes,
0:00:55 > 0:01:00Stapleford Park, and the building is a mixture of architectural styles
0:01:00 > 0:01:02and different periods of history.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04This wing is over 500 years old,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07but the gables and the niches have been added later,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09giving it a Flemish flavour.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Today's experts Mark Stacey and Elizabeth Talbot
0:01:19 > 0:01:22are already trawling the crowd, delving into bags and boxes,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26hoping to discover a treasure or two.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28SHE LAUGHS
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- Artificial arm.- Artificial arm!
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- Articulated arm. - Yeah, that's right, yeah.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Mark's rarely lost for words,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38but I think he's met his match with this item.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42I've got a good idea. It comes off the end.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- Does it?- Yeah! It ain't what you think.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- Well, I...- I don't know!
0:01:54 > 0:01:55And coming up on the show,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59one of our items today goes for close on £1,000,
0:01:59 > 0:02:00but which is it?
0:02:02 > 0:02:06This vintage football programme from 1925?
0:02:06 > 0:02:08It's a really interesting and rare one.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Or this glorious gramophone?
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Or is it this Art Deco bronze ink stand?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20It'll be really interesting to see what happens.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27Everybody is safely seated inside, so let's get on with the show.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31And this lot are all here to ask our experts that all-important question,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- which is...- ALL: What's it worth?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- And what are you going to do when you've found out?- ALL: Flog it!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Mark's up first. Is he ready, do you think?
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- Hello, Rob, hello, Jackie.- Hello.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48Thank you so much for coming today and bringing your friends along.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Where on earth did they come from?
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Well, I inherited them from my grandparents.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57I remember them sitting on the dresser since I was knee-high.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Since my parents died, they've been sitting in our attic.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Oh, what a shame!
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Well, they are a little bit out of vogue these days.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08They're quite a novelty, they hold a bit of a secret.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11If you just gently sort of nod her head there,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15and the same with the hands... you know, they nod and keep time.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20These are what are generally referred to as bisque figures, painted bisque.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23It has a very sort of dry feel about it,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and they're unglazed,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29so they're painted straight onto the porcelain.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34And they are copies of ones produced by Meissen.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And you can get really big ones like this of Oriental gentlemen.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42Obviously, if they're Meissen, the quality is absolutely first class.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44These are not such good quality.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49- One of them, of course, has got a nasty crack.- Afraid so.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54But they are quite old, actually - they date to probably around 1900,
0:03:54 > 0:03:59so they're well over 100 years old, and they are probably French.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04China and Japan have had a huge influence on European ceramic,
0:04:04 > 0:04:09and the first designs we produced were copying Chinese and Japanese,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13because that's what the rich wanted, so that's what they produced
0:04:13 > 0:04:17before we developed our own styles and the factories got established.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So they're a family piece, but they've been hidden away.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Is that why you've decided to come along and flog them?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- Yes.- Absolutely right.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29I really quite like them, actually, I think they're quite fun.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The damage, of course, is going to limit any value.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Did you have any idea of what they might be worth?
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- No idea at all.- Absolutely none.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39If they were in good condition,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42they'd be probably be worth around £100, the pair.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45I think, because of the damage,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47we've got to look at half that, really.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52We've got to say maybe 40 to £60, something like that, but who knows?
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Would you want to put a reserve on them?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I don't know, I don't think we would.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- I think just let them...run. - See how they go, absolutely.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06And they might nod us into a big profit.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13And moving swiftly along,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17surely there's a bit more sanity at Elizabeth's table.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- Hello!- Hello. - Thank you for coming to Flog It!
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Thank you very much. - Now, what have you brought?
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- It's here.- What, here?- Yeah.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32Oh! Oh, it is, it's a table! Oh, my goodness, that's lovely!
0:05:32 > 0:05:36And you've struggled out of the house with this tucked under your arm?
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Well, not exactly, but we've brought it in.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- Ah...- My husband had to take it out of the car from here.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Ah, very good.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48What can you tell me about it, and why have you brought it?
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- Recently, we bought a house, and this was in the house.- Right, OK.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57An antique, traditionally,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01is defined as something that's 100 years old or more.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05This table is...knocking on the door of being an antique,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07but it's not quite there yet.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- OK.- It will date from anywhere between the 1920s
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and probably the late 1930s.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16It's made of oak, and it's a drop-leaf small dining table,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20which copies the traditional style of English oak furniture
0:06:20 > 0:06:25and drop-leaf tables, gate-leg tables of an earlier period.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29This one, however, is machine-cut, it's very smooth and precisely made,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32so this was in an era when they weren't handcrafting them.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35It was machine-made for mass production.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39And this lasted until, I suppose, the Second World War,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- when it went out of fashion, everybody wanted utility furniture and so on.- I know.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48As a table, it's not a rarity to find a table like this these days,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51but it's a good, solid table.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Do you like it? I mean, do you like it as a table?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It's just the aesthetics doesn't blend with what you have?
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Yeah, I like the table as itself.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04All the other furniture is modern, a bit more modern than this.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Although it's a table that's got many decades behind it,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and it's beautifully crafted and it's good solid oak,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- the value is going to be modest.- OK. - So if you're happy to sell it,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I would advise that you put it into auction for a 60 to £80 estimate.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- Yeah!- Not bad for something which came with the house.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Would you like a reserve on that,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27or do you want to sell it at whatever the market brings?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- I think about 40, 50?- Yeah?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Do you want to put a reserve on? Put 40 on?
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I think that's very fair, we'll put £40 reserve on it.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36Shall we make that firm,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39or do you want to sell it with discretion?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- Just sell it.- Just sell it? - Yeah.- And then what would you do?
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Would you buy another table? Are you lacking a table now?
0:07:46 > 0:07:50No, I think we'll probably use the money for grandchildren.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Oh, that's nice! - We've got three grandchildren.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Oh, have you?- Yeah, so we'll buy something for them.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- They can all share in the excitement of the day.- Yeah, why not?
0:08:00 > 0:08:04It's great to see some furniture at the valuation day,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08particularly a piece that can only make a profit.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Stapleford's drawn a fantastic crowd, and the room is buzzing!
0:08:12 > 0:08:16For his next item, Mark's escaped to the sanctuary of the orangery
0:08:16 > 0:08:21to hear about Graham's childhood collection of football programmes.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22- Hello, Graham.- Hello, Mark.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Nice to meet you.- Yeah, thank you.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We're sitting in the orangery, nice and cool, isn't it?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- Very nice.- It's wonderful.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33You've brought this fantastic collection of football programmes.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Are they your lifetime collection? Where have you got them from?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39I wouldn't say it's a lifetime collection.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42My brother and I started when we were sort of early teens,
0:08:42 > 0:08:47and we inherited some from relatives and just carried on the collection.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49It wasn't a conscious effort,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51it was just something that evolved over time.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54I'm not the world's biggest football fan...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56BOOING ..I have to tell you, Graham,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59but this programme has been drawn to my attention.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04- This is the 1925 between Cardiff... - And Sheffield United, yeah.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- Cardiff won?- They did, the first time that the FA Cup went out of England.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Into Wales.- Yes, indeed. - Which is where I'm from.- Oh, OK.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15So I should be very proud of that, and I am, of course.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18And it's a really interesting and rare one.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I think so, I think it's obviously 80 odd years old now.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24It's in reasonably good condition.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- It is, considering, because it's quite flimsy paper.- That's right.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Is there any others out of the varied mix here
0:09:30 > 0:09:32that you think are quite interesting to us?
0:09:32 > 0:09:37Probably this Northampton Town one, it's only 1970,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39but it's the Fifth Round FA Cup
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- between Northampton Town and Manchester United.- Gosh!
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- And a certain George Best scored six goals that day.- Gosh!
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- The legendary George Best. - So that one's quite interesting.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52The thing is, there's lots of memories for you,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56but we have to look in terms of auction,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58how we're going to sell them, market them.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I mean, the feeling is, and I agree with it,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04is that we put the 1925 programme in as a separate lot.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Yeah, sounds good.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07- 800 to £1,200.- OK.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12And then we put the other collection together as one lot
0:10:12 > 0:10:16at sort of three or 400. Is that all right with you?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- I think that sounds fine. - But we will put a reserve, of course.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- We'll put 800 on the single programme and 300 on the other programmes.- Yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26The auction house should market them properly
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and put them on the internet,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30and of course people find these things,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33so hopefully we'll reach the top ends, if not a bit more.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Thank you very much, Mark.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Good luck with that. I tell you what, the queue keeps moving along.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44We have been working flat out.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47You've just seen three cracking items, so I think it's time
0:10:47 > 0:10:49we put those valuations to the test.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51While me make our way over to the auction room,
0:10:51 > 0:10:55here's a quick run-down of what we're taking.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Will Robert and Jackie be nodding all the way to the bank
0:10:58 > 0:11:02with these cheeky oriental figures, which Mark valued at 40 to £60?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Finders keepers, but Chitra's decided this old oak table
0:11:05 > 0:11:08isn't quite the right style for her interior design.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Will it reach Elizabeth's estimate of 60 to £80?
0:11:12 > 0:11:15It's definitely a game of two halves as Mark has split
0:11:15 > 0:11:17the programmes into two separate lots,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20valuing the earlier at 800 to £1,200, and the rest as a group,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23at three to £400.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Well, the sun is coming out, I'm in a good mood.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39I know our owners are in a good mood as well, but will the bidders be?
0:11:39 > 0:11:41That's the important thing. For our sale today,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45we've come to Gildings Auction Rooms in the heart of Market Harborough.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Hopefully, there's a packed floor inside. It's time for kick-off.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Our auctioneer today is John Gilding, and first up,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56it's Graham's 1925 programme.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02It's a great bit of sporting memorabilia we've split into two lots.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05The first is the FA Cup final programme, eight to £1,200.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08It's going under the hammer right now.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09It's supposed to be rare, Paul,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12but I hope we haven't scored an own goal.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Here we go. The auctioneer said somebody came in and viewed those
0:12:15 > 0:12:17and was very interested.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26£600 I'm bid. 650, 700. And 50.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32800. And 50.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37At £850. Telephone?
0:12:37 > 0:12:38900.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Out in the room. Out on commission.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- £900.- Are you all done?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Sold and away, then, at £900, all finished?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- It's gone, £900.- That's all right. - That's one down.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Now, we've got the boxes, quite a few in the box.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Looking at three to £400.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Now, we have a collection in two suitcases.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Ready for you to fly off to your holidays abroad.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12As hand luggage, of course.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15What would you say for that, please?
0:13:15 > 0:13:19The next lot, £200 opens the bidding. £200 I am bid.
0:13:19 > 0:13:27£200, do I see 10 anywhere, quickly? £200, do I see 10 anywhere?
0:13:27 > 0:13:32All finished and quite sure, then, at £200.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33All away, and done at £200.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Well, I'm sorry I'll have to withdraw that lot.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Sorry about that.- It's all right. Pleased with the first one.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Very pleased with the first one. Somebody out there really wanted that. That is incredible.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47It just shows you what is the rarity value of these, isn't it?
0:13:47 > 0:13:49900 is over the bottom bed,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52so I think we should be pleased with that.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Like all footy games, you win some, you lose some,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58but what a great result for Graham's vintage programme.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Seller's commission today is 16% plus VAT,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04but he'll still make a tidy profit.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Up next, it's Chitra's table.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Going under the hammer right now, we have some furniture.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It's a 1930s oak gateleg dining-room table.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18It belongs to Chitra, who is right next to me, and you look fabulous.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Who have you brought along? What's your name?- Tasheel.- Hello there.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23- How old are you?- Six.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- Six years old. Is this your first auction?- Yes.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- What do you think, isn't it exciting?- Yeah.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34What's Grandma doing? She's selling a table she found in the house?
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- It's actually my uncle's house. - It was in your uncle's house?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41What else did they leave in the house? Anything else?
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Some other furniture, but I don't think it was worth anything.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49I like your shoes. They're lovely, aren't they?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52The auctioneer's up there right now, and he's just about
0:14:52 > 0:14:55to call your lot number, so get ready for this. Here we go.
0:14:56 > 0:15:02The gateleg, lot 500. £35. On commission at 35.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Do I see eight anywhere quickly? £35, all done?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Quite sure then, finished away at £35.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13It was good value for money, £35.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15You can buy a table in auction for £35,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but it didn't cost you a penny anyway.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Every little penny helps.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- Someone's going to be happy with that, aren't you?- Yes.
0:15:25 > 0:15:32Students, take note. That's a lot of table for not very much money.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Now, let's see if Mark's still in Noddyland.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Good luck, Robert and Jackie.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Let's hope this little touch of the Orient
0:15:39 > 0:15:41sells well here in Market Harborough.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44I like it, I really do like it. Basic as well.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Why are you selling this?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- They've just been in the loft for the last seven years.- Didn't like it?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Not especially.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55I know someone that was attracted to it, and he's right here.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00I did like them.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03They are great fun, and I haven't seen a nice pair for ages.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- They're continental, aren't they? - They're French, I think.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Copies of the Mason ones we talked about.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12The quality's still reasonably good.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14One's got a little bit of damage on it,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17so we've put 40 to 60 on it with no reserve, and they should make that.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Here we go, we're going to find out right now.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Let's hope the bidders aren't
0:16:21 > 0:16:23sitting on their hands right now. This is it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29- 91, pair of nodding head figures. - There's no pressure, really.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- We've got no reserve, have we, Jackie?- We decided not to.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38At 38, but 38. 40, 42, 42. 45.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42You're out on the neck. £45 seated.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Look, someone waving their hand at the back of the sale room.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Gentleman standing at £55.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Have you all done, quite sure then? Finished away at £55.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- That's a good result, isn't it? - Brilliant, yes.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57That really is, I'm quite surprised at that.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00I think we can all nod to that, can't we?
0:17:04 > 0:17:08That concludes the end of our first session in the auction today.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11We are coming back here later on in the programme, so don't go away.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14So far, so good. While we were up here in the area,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I thought I'd go off and do some exploring. Take a look at this.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33I'm here surrounded by sheep on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire borders,
0:17:33 > 0:17:34and I'm off to see Calke Abbey.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37I have to admit, I hadn't heard of the place before,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40and I hadn't seen it, so my sense of anticipation is really building.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's a wonderful estate.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We've got this gorgeous long approach,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46we've got mature planted lime trees
0:17:46 > 0:17:48either side of this wonderful avenue.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I'm pretty sure at the end of this,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53we're going to see a spectacular house.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04And here it is. Just look at that. Isn't it pleasing on the eye?
0:18:04 > 0:18:09My first impressions are it's a mixture of architectural styles -
0:18:09 > 0:18:11a bit of Baroque, a bit of Palladian.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14But look at it on this vast estate, tucked in that hollow.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It just says one thing to me - wealth.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25But first impressions can be deceiving
0:18:25 > 0:18:29and on closer inspection, all is not what it seems.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Look at these sandstone columns.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Rather soft, but look at the ravaging it's had
0:18:38 > 0:18:41over the centuries from the elements.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43It's starting to perish and peel away.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46It's losing the definition on all the capitals.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49In fact, the stucco mouldings up there are crumbling as well.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52This house has seen better days.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57There's been a building here since the 12th century.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00This Baroque incarnation dates from 1704,
0:19:00 > 0:19:05and was built by the 4th Baronet of Calke, the wealthy Sir John Harpur.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11But since its glittering prime, time has been a cruel mistress.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15The house's dual personality continues on the inside.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20One room's lavishness is in stark contrast to the neglect of others.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32This magnificent room was once the original entrance hall
0:19:32 > 0:19:36when the house was first built in the early part of the 18th century.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40I must say, it would have made a very impressive first impression.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43It's a raised ground floor, so there would have been a wonderful
0:19:43 > 0:19:46flight of stone steps leading up to it.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49What we see today is mainly its Victorian incarnation,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53but clearly, somebody in the family had a passion for natural history.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57There are just cabinets full of seashells, precious stones
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and items of taxidermy.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03It was the 9th baronet, Sir John Harpur-Crewe,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06who started the natural history collecting,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09decorating the house with his deer and cattle trophies.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12His son, Sir Vauncey, outdid his father.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14His collecting was obsessional.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20I must say, the items are beautifully displayed, aren't they?
0:20:20 > 0:20:24This is a technique, taxidermy, that dates back to
0:20:24 > 0:20:28the ancient Egyptians, and in fact, there word taxidermy comes
0:20:28 > 0:20:29from the ancient Greek -
0:20:29 > 0:20:31dermi, skin, and taxi, to move around.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I must say, between the two of them,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37they would have kept many taxidermists in business.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The next room epitomises the opulence and grandeur
0:20:47 > 0:20:49once enjoyed by the house.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53This is the drawing room, which is sumptuously decorated in the 1880s.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57It's typical of a Victorian drawing room and parlour.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Everything is gilded. The picture frames,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03the architectural detail on the cornice, the dado rail,
0:21:03 > 0:21:04the panelling on the shutters.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07It just highlights things, glittering everywhere.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19After these elegant and impressive rooms, what comes next,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I must say, is a bit of a shock.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Different, isn't it?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41All of this plus those wonderfully elegant state rooms we've just
0:21:41 > 0:21:44seen at the front of the house is exactly how the National Trust
0:21:44 > 0:21:48found the property back in 1984.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50As the years went on,
0:21:50 > 0:21:54the house became more and more costly to maintain.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57While Sir Vauncey's descendants were struggling to keep
0:21:57 > 0:22:01the state rooms in order, understandably, they left
0:22:01 > 0:22:05the rest of the house, gradually, room by room,
0:22:05 > 0:22:06to fall into disrepair.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12They abandoned other parts of the house. Incredible.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26This is the 7th Baronet's bedroom, again, just as it was
0:22:26 > 0:22:28when the National Trust took over the property.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31This is Nettie Cook, one of the conservators
0:22:31 > 0:22:34who worked on the project virtually from day one, I gather?
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Just about. Day two, actually.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38You must have seen and learnt an awful lot.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Absolutely, it's a phenomenal collection, and so much to learn.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- So varied. I'm still learning now. - Whose idea was it?
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Well, it was the vision of one man, the then-curator, John Cheshire,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53who visited the property before it ever came to the National Trust.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58He was absolutely stunned at the amazing collections
0:22:58 > 0:23:03housed in this enormous property, but a property in decline.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Literally about to collapse, in some areas.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10He wanted that wonderful, overwhelming feeling to be passed on
0:23:10 > 0:23:14to visitors, which is why it's presented in this particular way.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18I must say, it is fascinating to go behind the scenes, as it were.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Now, obviously, it's open to the public so we can all view this,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23but to see the rooms full of clutter,
0:23:23 > 0:23:27wonderful items just cluttered around left exactly how they were.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29One thing is missing, though.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32The cobwebs and the dust and the dirt, that's all gone,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- and there's no sign of damp anymore. - Well, no,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38because those sorts of issues are addressed, and there is
0:23:38 > 0:23:42a team of housekeepers here who work very hard to care for the contents.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46A lot of visitors come in, about 120,000 a year,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48they bring in dirt, dust, skin, hair.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53The housekeepers have to remove this sort of debris.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Is it easier to keep the room as it is now or to restore it?
0:23:57 > 0:24:03The whole ethos of things looking as if they haven't been conserved
0:24:03 > 0:24:08is a difficult one for some conservators to actually carry out.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11It could well be that, if there was remedial conservation
0:24:11 > 0:24:17needed in this room, one conservator may actually just go too far.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21There is such a contrast between these rooms and the state rooms,
0:24:21 > 0:24:22and do you know something?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24I prefer these rooms, because they come alive.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27There's an atmosphere about them, isn't there?
0:24:27 > 0:24:28There really is,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and there's a smell, the musty-ish smell which you get.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- Yes!- Because all the surfaces are dry, there's no polish anywhere,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36so you get this dryness to everything.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40What do the visitors think when they come behind the scenes?
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Well, I think some of the visitors really struggle
0:24:43 > 0:24:46with the whole concept, because, of course, it does look as if
0:24:46 > 0:24:49it's a house in decline. We know it's not because there's been
0:24:49 > 0:24:52a phenomenal amount of conservation work, restoration work,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56that's gone on to both the building and the contents. Some of
0:24:56 > 0:24:58the visitors do wonder what on earth is happening.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02But John Cheshire did say that if visitors actually came
0:25:02 > 0:25:04and asked him where the work had been done,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08then he would have actually achieved his goals.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Great!- Perhaps he knew. - He was a man with vision.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- Absolutely.- Thank you for having a chat to me.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17I'm going to enjoy the rest of the house. It's a real eye-opener.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18Jolly good! Excellent.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Calke is a wonderful, unique survivor,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33and the National Trust's decision to maintain it exactly as they found it
0:25:33 > 0:25:36back in the 1980s is a very bold one indeed.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39They were faced with a collection of over 10,000 different objects,
0:25:39 > 0:25:43and their aim was to preserve it exactly how they found it,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47whilst preventing any other further decay.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50It was a monumental task for conservators.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53But a very worthwhile one.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57It's a fascinating glimpse at a country house frozen in time.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09There's nothing ghostly about Stapleford Park.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Our valuation day is bursting with life.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16The crowd are waiting to hear what our experts have to say.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- Do you trust our experts? - ALL: Yes!- Of course they do.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Let's hand the show over to them, and see what they've spotted.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25And Elizabeth's up first.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Two pieces of Victorian green glass brought together.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Do they belong to you, Jean, or you John, or are they a joint concern?
0:26:34 > 0:26:36They're mine.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39They were my grandparents', and then went to my father, and now, me.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44- Your inheritance? And do you like them?- No, I hate them!
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- Hence you bring them today to see if they have any value?- Yes!
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Victorians loved glass.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53They made glass in all sorts of colours and forms, and practiced
0:26:53 > 0:26:56and experimented in all sorts of techniques to create objects.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58They probably date from about 18...
0:26:58 > 0:27:03..70, 80, that period, so they're just over 100, 120 years old.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Do you like them, John? Are they your taste?
0:27:06 > 0:27:09To tell you the truth, I hadn't seen them until yesterday!
0:27:10 > 0:27:13After how many years?
0:27:13 > 0:27:18Jean's had them 13 years, 13 years since her mother died.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22You weren't so embarrassed you didn't show them to John, were you?
0:27:22 > 0:27:26I don't think they're as hideous as Jean does.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30I'm quite intrigued by this one, particularly the motif on it.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34It reminds me of something out of a science-fiction film, with aliens.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Yes, I see what you're saying on that.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38But obviously, it goes back to 1870.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41So they've always, to your knowledge, lived together?
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Always been together, as far as I know.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Good friends and companions?
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Now with this one, when I first saw it,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50I thought, "Oh, what a lovely picture of a stag!
0:27:50 > 0:27:53"How delightful and Victorian!"
0:27:53 > 0:27:56When we turn it round, I see the full story emerging,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58of a heartless huntsman!
0:27:58 > 0:28:02But again, if you think about the period,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05you go back to Victorian times, to hunt, shoot
0:28:05 > 0:28:09and display the mounted trophies you'd get from hunting a stag,
0:28:09 > 0:28:13it was very much of high fashion, so this is typically of its time.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15I do notice that both of them
0:28:15 > 0:28:19have suffered some damage in their long life.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22This one has a chip to the rim. This one, here,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25has a crack just the other side of the handle, there.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27So it will impact on the value.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30How do you take them home today?
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Would you put them back in the cupboard and keep for posterity?
0:28:34 > 0:28:36I would probably have binned them!
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Put them in the bin! That's sacrilege! My goodness!
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Would you have rushed out and rescued them, John?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44No, I don't like them that much!
0:28:44 > 0:28:47As I say, value, commercially, is not going to be high,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49because of the damage, primarily.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52I would have thought, realistically,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56you're looking at between 15 and £25, maybe 20 to 30 on a good day,
0:28:56 > 0:29:00but it's more likely to be between 15 and £25, and I'm assuming,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03correct me if I'm wrong, that you don't require a reserve?
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- You'd be happy to see them gone? - Just let them go.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Thanks for bringing them in.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10If you have any antiques and collectables
0:29:10 > 0:29:13you'd like to sell, we would love to see you.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Bring them along to one of our valuation days,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17just like the people have here, today.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21And I can guarantee you, it is a fun-packed day out.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Just log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Follow the links. All the information's there.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Hopefully, we're coming to a town near you.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32If you don't have a computer, check the details in your local press.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34We would love to see you.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40For his next item, Mark shows off a soft spot for some big cats.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42- Hello Janet. Hello, Gavin. - Hello.- Hello, Mark.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46What a lovely piece of bronze you've brought in to show us today.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Tell me all about it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49We purchased it
0:29:49 > 0:29:54about ten years ago, from an antiques fair in Chelsea, I believe,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58and it wasn't the main purchase.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02I bought another bronze lion,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05and this one came with it, in a way.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10- And I just like the animals, the two lions.- It is rather charming.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14If you bought it in Chelsea, I am very worried about the prices
0:30:14 > 0:30:18paid for it! I can see why you fell in love with it.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Are you bronze collectors? Do you like them?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23Yes, my husband does like to collect animalia,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26so that was the main thing.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Not the inkstand at the side, it was the actual animals.
0:30:28 > 0:30:33You have pre-empted me, really, because you think, "What is it?"
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Of course, if we lift the lid here, we can see it is a desk stand,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39so you would put your inkwell in there.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42The designer, Friedrich Gornik,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45was in operation, really, from the late 19th century
0:30:45 > 0:30:51up to the 1940s, but I think, stylistically, this is about 1910.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55And it's rather fun, because you've got a lovely pair of lions,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59in an almost art nouveau setting.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Very well modelled, I mean, what can you say,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05there's a lot of feeling in the lions. They've obviously come
0:31:05 > 0:31:06to a watering hole,
0:31:06 > 0:31:11but not a watering hole they usually go to, it's a little flowing lake.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13The whole thing sits very comfortably, doesn't it?
0:31:13 > 0:31:17It's a very attractive piece. Do you have a lot of bronzes, Gavin?
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Yes, quite a few.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Mainly French sculptures,
0:31:22 > 0:31:27- Barry, and one or two others.- Yes.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31- And a lot of the big cats. - Big cat people.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35This sort of subject is quite commercial.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37You've got art nouveau collectors
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and people who like animals.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43My feeling is, if you were thinking of selling it,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45is around about five to 700,
0:31:45 > 0:31:49and maybe tacking the reserve just under, 450 fixed.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- Would that fit in with your expectations?- Yes, certainly would.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55You'd be happy with that? We never know,
0:31:55 > 0:31:59I mean, his work, for his figures, can make more than that.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04They can make 650, 850, something like that, and some time ago.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09If the market judges it right, we might get up nearer to the 700.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11Thank you so much for bringing it in.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15Be really interesting to see what happens at the auction, actually.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- That would be great fun. - It might roar successful on the day.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Might not!
0:32:20 > 0:32:24I'm sure it will. That's a quality piece in anybody's book.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28And now, for our final act.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31If you'd like to form an orderly queue this way,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33your antiques will be valued!
0:32:33 > 0:32:37And you'll find out more about this in just a moment,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41because Elizabeth Talbot is just about to put a valuation on it.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46I'm impressed by this, Chris. What can you tell me
0:32:46 > 0:32:48about your fantastic gramophone?
0:32:48 > 0:32:51It belonged to my grandfather.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55He bought it in the early 1900s as a young man,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58when he first started working.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00A lot of happy memories of grandfather playing this
0:33:00 > 0:33:02as young children.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I can imagine, for a child,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09it has quite a magical shape and produces wonderful sounds,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13and it is quite a memorable sort of thing to see in action.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Why have you brought it today, then? It's obviously, sort of,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18an heirloom that's gone back through several hands.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Yes, basically, myself and my brother have got young families,
0:33:22 > 0:33:26and it would be a shame for it to be kept out of the way,
0:33:26 > 0:33:30nobody looking at it, so we thought we'd rather bring it here
0:33:30 > 0:33:34and get it valued and see if somebody would like to buy it,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37go to a really good home, somebody who would care and love it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42It's now over 100 years old, or about 100 years old, in date.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44The condition of it is just lovely.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46It's actually been very happy.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Wherever it's been, throughout the family,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51the conditions have been right.
0:33:51 > 0:33:52You have this lovely blond oak base,
0:33:52 > 0:33:56and it's very typical of the early part of the 20th century.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59A lot of fine art furniture was made in this lovely oak,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01a lovely honey rich colour,
0:34:01 > 0:34:04and that's kept its colour really beautifully.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07These sort of fluted pillars at the corners are typical
0:34:07 > 0:34:09of a lot of detail on case furniture,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13so it's a piece of cabinet making, at the bottom, there.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16We go up to this fantastic horn.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19For it to have its horn at all is lovely,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23because so often, the bases and the horn become separated.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26When I saw it from a distance, I thought it was grained metal,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29it had been made to imitate, with a lithographic finish,
0:34:29 > 0:34:33the grain of wood. In fact, it's the wooden horn, and for that to
0:34:33 > 0:34:36be in such a lovely condition after all this time, is also exciting.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40It's made by HMV - His Master's Voice company.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44The internal movement is in beautiful order,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and everything looks as though it's all raring to go.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50The only damage is superficial.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54The felt, which is probably the most fragile of all the components,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56has just worn through usage,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00and possibly that's reacted to any climatic changes it's been
0:35:00 > 0:35:03involved with over time more quickly than anything else.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Have you any concept of value at this stage,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08have you researched it or thought about it?
0:35:08 > 0:35:10No, no, not really, no, not at all.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13I actually think that, realistically,
0:35:13 > 0:35:17it shouldn't do less than £250, £350.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21I wouldn't be surprised, given its condition,
0:35:21 > 0:35:23if it didn't make slightly more than that.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27My advice would be a £300 to £400 estimate,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30with a £300 reserve discretionary for the auctioneer's discretion.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33And hopefully, it will just carry itself away
0:35:33 > 0:35:35and, you know, make more.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Well, that's it. We've now found our final three items
0:35:43 > 0:35:46to take off to auction. So, it's time to say a fond farewell
0:35:46 > 0:35:49to our host location for today, Stapleford Park.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52So, let's just recap on what we are taking with us.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Rescued from the dustbin in the nick of time,
0:35:55 > 0:36:00Elizabeth valued Jean's Victorian glassware at 15 to £25.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Gavin and Janet's bronze ink stand with those fine lions
0:36:04 > 0:36:05has great pedigree.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Mark valued it at 500 to £700.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Finally, His Master's Voice is another top brand,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16and Chris's gramophone is sure to inspire the bidders.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Elizabeth valued it at three to £400.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23We're back at Gilding's auction rooms
0:36:23 > 0:36:25for the second half of our items.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28So don't go away, this could be a rollercoaster ride.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Our owners are all buckled up, and I'm off to join them.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35And first up, it's Jean's glassware. Will the bids go orbital?
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Going under the hammer right now, we've some Victorian green glass,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44which Jean and John kindly brought in to the valuation day.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- A bit of damage, not a lot of money.- No.- OK?
0:36:46 > 0:36:50So we are not biting our fingernails here, there is no reserve.
0:36:50 > 0:36:51Hopefully, we'll get more than £15.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55It's a jug and a vase. I gather they didn't like it, Elizabeth?
0:36:55 > 0:36:56They didn't.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59In the tradition of Flog It!, they came to sell it, which was
0:36:59 > 0:37:01helpful on the day, wasn't it?
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- So, where have they been? In the cupboard all these years?- Yes.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08I've had them for 13 years, and John didn't see them
0:37:08 > 0:37:10until the night before the valuation.
0:37:10 > 0:37:11THEY LAUGH
0:37:11 > 0:37:15- What else are you hiding? - Oh, loads!- Loads!
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Hopefully, here's a buyer for them. Someone will love them.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21We're going to find out right now.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25More tinted glass. Two pieces, in fact.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28£10 bid. 10, 10, £10 for the green.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- Come on.- The glass here. At £10.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33I'm bid 10, do I see 12?
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Uh-oh, this is looking worrying. They could be going home, John.
0:37:36 > 0:37:41Are you all done? Finished and sold at £10. 12.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- Oh.- £12. I'm bid at £12 in the room.- Late, late.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46At 15. I'm bid 15.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50£18. I'm bid 18. 18 along the line.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Standing at £18.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57I told you it was going to be a rollercoaster ride.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00We were teetering on £10, but hey.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Thanks for bringing in, it was fun.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06There you go. Don't bin it, flog it!
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Next up, the bronze inkwell. This is what I've been waiting for.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- Gavin and Janet. Hello there.- Hello.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16We've got £500 to £700 on this. Hopefully we can get that for you.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Had a chat to the auctioneer yesterday, the preview day,
0:38:20 > 0:38:24and he said he would be cautious.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25He's hoping it's going to sell,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27but he thinks it may sell at the lower end.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29I think he's right, actually.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I think the market is very different.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34You know, if you're buying privately and you want to buy
0:38:34 > 0:38:38from a respectable dealer, you're paying that end-user price.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41If I was an auctioneer and that came in over the counter,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43I would have probably wanted to settle for three to five.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Ooh, well, we're going to find out right now.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Anyway, it's down to the bidders. Here we go.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54114. This lovely big bronze desk stand.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58- Featured well, please, on the internet here.- Looks great.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I mean, it is fabulous quality. Fabulous quality.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Bid 340.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06£340, I'm bid 340.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09At 360, I'm bid 360. 380. 400.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11I'm bid at 420, bid 420, 450.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- At 450, I'm bid 450. - Well, we've got the reserve.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Yeah.- In the door. £450 I'm bid.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20You're out on the net. You can't dwell. The bidding's brisk.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23And you've finished. Sold at 450.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- We've done it, right on the reserve. Pleased?- Yes, I'm happy.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Happy with that?- Very happy. - Fabulous quality.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31It's so good to see things like that on the show,
0:39:31 > 0:39:32it educates us all.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35What a great result.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38And now for some old-time music.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46SCRATCHY RECORDING PLAYS
0:39:49 > 0:39:51HE LAUGHS
0:39:54 > 0:39:57That is a vintage sound, isn't it? Full of nostalgia.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01I expect you've seen and sold many of these before, John, haven't you?
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Not many, but we've definitely seen them before.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08- With wooden horns? - That's the one that's separate.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11They nearly always come without the horn, or a replacement horn.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13That's where the value is, isn't it?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15I would have thought so.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18It was his grandparents', so it's been in the family since the 1900s.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21We put a value of three to £400 on this.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22You have?
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Well, that is a possibility.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- In my estimation, I'd put it in at, like, two to three.- OK.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I like to be able to say, "Come and get me," sort of thing.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Of course, you're an auctioneer. Your top end is virtually our lower.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- That's it.- We're kind of getting there.- I'm sure you'll be there.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42OK, OK.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Fingers crossed. - I shall work very hard.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Well, we'll soon find out. It's coming right up.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51So far, so good. Right now,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54I've just been joined by Chris and Elizabeth, our expert,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57and we're talking about that wonderful gramophone with
0:40:57 > 0:40:59the wooden horn, which is quite unique.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Not many of these have come on the market lately.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03There's something evocative about these.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07They take you immediately to the past. That's such a lovely example.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Well, it's either going to go to a collector or a decorator,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13because, architecturally, it's got that look, so interesting,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17isn't it, it's, as you say, nostalgic.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20We couldn't get a better condition one really, even the workings.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Very, very good. Collector will get that, I would think.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25It's more of a museum piece, really.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28And we're going to find out right now. Here we go.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33247. This lovely wind-up gramophone.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Particularly with the segmented wooden horn.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40What would you say to that, please? Lots and lots of interest here.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44And commission bids start me at £280.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- Ooh.- Wow, come on.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49£280, I'm bid 280.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51You and me then, Mary, at £280.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52- One phone line.- 300.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- And internet. - Somebody bidding on the internet.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58320, I'm bid 320, and you're out on the net? £320 I'm bid.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02Just looks so fabulous.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06380, 400.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09420, 450.
0:42:09 > 0:42:15480 on the telephone, and the commission's lost. £480 I'm bid.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18At 480, 500 on the net.
0:42:18 > 0:42:2150 to bid. 550 I'm bid on the telephone.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25At £550, I'm bid 550. The telephone's in.
0:42:25 > 0:42:26The internet's out.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31£550 I'm bid. You all done? Quite sure, then?
0:42:31 > 0:42:33All out in the room?
0:42:33 > 0:42:35All out on the net. Sold at £550.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38- His hammer's gone down. Happy with that?- Very, very.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40- I'm over the moon. - That's really pleasing.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45- Good for you, wasn't it?- Quality always sells, and that was special.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46That was special.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Well, that's it. It's all over for our owners.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Another day in another auction room. We've had a fabulous time here.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Everything's sold. Everyone's gone home happy.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00And the highlight of the day for me had to be
0:43:00 > 0:43:02that wonderful gramophone brought in by Chris,
0:43:02 > 0:43:03with a wooden horn.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06It flew out above estimate, and he's a very happy man.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Join me for many more surprises the next time.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Until then, from Market Harborough, it's goodbye.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd