Stockport Flog It!

Today we're in a place famous for its vibrant music scene.

It has two symphony orchestras, world-class concert venues,

it also has produced great bands like Oasis and it has this -

the world's largest music school.

Today, we are in Greater Manchester.

Welcome to Flog It!

Our valuation day venue certainly hits all right notes.

We're in Stockport, just southeast of Manchester itself

and set up in the resplendent town hall,

right in the heart of the town.

As you know, I am a big music fan,

so it's wonderful to be up here in the northwest.

Everybody, from Morrissey to the Bee Gees,

Take That, the Stone Roses, you name it - in fact, the list is endless.

They all come from this area.

Just like this massive queue of people surrounding Stockport town

hall, all laden with antiques and collectables ready for a valuation.

MUSIC: Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve

And let's hope our experts pitch their valuations right today.

Mark Stacey is as helpful as ever...

Philip, you won't know anything about that.

-Let me tell you what it is. It's called a pot.

-Really?

..whilst Philip Serrell is positively charming to our crowd.

-I do like your scarf.

-His birthday present.

That's my birthday present, that is. That's nice, too.

-Yeah.

-More linen affair, though.

-Come on, cut all that.

-See you later.

Come on!

Now I'm told the locals are called Stopfordians

and there's certainly no stopping them today,

as over 800 fill the hall, wanting to get

a valuation before they decide whether to flog it at auction.

Remember Julian and Debbie from the queue?

Well, they've travelled 250 miles from Portland in Dorset to be here today.

Well, it's good of you to come.

So Julian, tell me, how did you come by it?

I'm a stonemason by trade and I was working

on a house down in Weymouth. I had a skip there that we were

using for the job and one day, I went to put rubbish in the skip

and knocked a box over that someone had just chucked in there,

and I saw this in there but it was all just rolled up.

I assumed it was a piece of costume jewellery

that someone had just thrown away and I gave it to my mother

and she's had it for the last few years in a drawer in her bedroom.

She's never worn it. And I said we wanted to come to Flog It!

And she said, "Well, take that necklace."

And what do you think you've got?

I thought it was amethyst. But I'm not entirely sure.

Some of them are a purpley colour and some of them aren't. I'm not an expert.

When I told my friend, Andy, I was coming up here today,

that I was going to bring this necklace, he just thought I was mad.

He said, "Don't bring it. It's not even gold."

-I said, "I'm sure it's gold."

-What does Andy do?

-He's a stonemason as well.

-He's a stonemason?

-Yeah.

Tell him to stick to stonemasonry, all right?

If you just flip that over, look - have a look through there.

Can you see that little tab just there, that says nine carat?

Yeah. Oh, yes.

-So that's nine carat gold.

-Nine carat gold.

-So would you ever wear this?

-I don't think I would, probably...

-It's quite showy, isn't it? It is quite showy.

Yeah, I'm...personally, something plain.

But I can see that somebody would like it.

Are they amethysts or not? Well, the truthful answer is I don't know.

I think they're probably paste, in all truth.

It's late 19th century, so I think if we put it into an auction

with an estimate of £30-50, is that OK?

Yeah, that's fine.

Well, how about if we put it in with a 300-500 estimate, then?

-Well, that would be even better.

-Amazing.

Yeah, no, we'll leave it to Adam.

OK?

We'll ask him - we'll tell him you want a minimum

reserve of £200 on it and if he wants to estimate it anywhere...

I mean, if they're amethyst, it might be that it's £500-800.

-They're a lot more expensive, are they?

-Yeah.

And if they're not amethyst, it might be it's 200-400, 300-500 -

it's that sort of ballpark.

We'll sort of tell him we want a fixed reserve of £200

-and where he goes after that, is up to him, really.

-Fantastic.

Depending upon what he finds. Are you happy with that?

-Yeah.

-Very happy. Thank you very much.

-That's paid for a trip up to Stockport, hasn't it?

-Handsomely, yes.

-You're able to go back home again now!

-Thanks very much.

-A really big thank you for bringing it along. Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Some limited edition prints have caught my eye

and after a bit of research, I'm starting to get very excited.

This is one of my favourite items that have ever come in.

This is definitely in my top five in the ten years that we've been

-filming and it's all down to you, Kent.

-Thank you.

-So thank you very much.

So how did you come by these?

-They're my father-in-law's.

-OK.

-He is a retired illustrator.

-He is an illustrator?

-He is indeed.

That's why these would appeal to him. This is why he's collected this kind of thing.

-He's got a good eye for it.

-And where is he now?

-Unfortunately, he couldn't make it today.

-He's a bit poorly.

-Well, I hope he gets well soon.

-Thank you.

Do you know anything about the artist at all?

No, not at all.

When I first saw them, I thought they were quite modern, actually.

Well, they are by John Buckland Wright,

who I believe is a genius, a master of this genre.

He did these when he was living in this country.

But he was born in Dunedin, New Zealand,

in about 1895, somewhere around there.

When you look at this,

this kind of work reminds me of the work of an artist called Eric Gill.

It's just got that...

It's got something about it, you know, where...

where human form meets sort of religious form.

You know it sort of crosses over

and there's lots of things crossing over here.

This whole thing of this lady, metamorphosing into a fish is

superb and he's captured these bodies so beautifully.

-Look at the wrestlers here.

-Sinuous movement.

-Known as Combat.

-It's very good.

He makes the paper come alive.

-He does, doesn't he?

-Yeah. This is a wood engraving.

This is a wood engraving.

This is a copper engraving.

A very small print run. Look at this.

-This is done in 1942.

-Yeah.

-And it's called Combat.

-OK.

-And it's just called Number Two. Can you see that?

-Gosh. Yes.

-I don't think there are any more, because look, it says "artist proof".

-I see.

So this is his copy.

-Any idea of the value?

-Er, I don't know.

I wouldn't even know where to begin.

-What we have to do is, we have to put them into auction as separate lots.

-OK.

-OK?

Let's put a valuation of £400-600 on this.

A fixed reserve of £400.

Let's put £500-700 on this one.

-OK, yeah. That's brilliant. That's really good.

-OK.

With a reserve of £500 - with a bit of discretion,

just so it creeps in slightly under.

And this one, we'll put a valuation of £600-900 on.

Again, with discretion on the £600.

That's absolutely superb.

So it could sell for 10% under the 600.

That seems to be a good idea.

I think that's going to tempt the buyers in.

What wonderful prints!

Now I hope Mark finds something he'll love just as much.

-Hello.

-Hello.

Carol, what a gorgeous-looking vase you've brought in to show us.

-I thought so, yes.

-Now tell me about it.

I know it's a Moorcroft. It's got the Macintyre mark on the bottom.

That's before he obviously went on his own.

Where have you got it from?

A friend of mine - it's got to be 25 years or more, even -

I admired it and he said, "Would you like it?"

So he gave it to me.

I wish I had friends like yours, Carol, who gave me

things like that, because it's just the most wonderful shape.

And you can see it's Moorcroft straightaway,

because it's got that nice, slender line and those lovely arms.

Wonderful, and the lovely use of those sort of bright reds

and blues and the gilding.

-Now, it's not his usual type of work.

-No.

Because we more associate Moorcroft with tube line decoration.

This is from a series of wares that's called Aurelian ware.

And when we look at the mark underneath, we've got the mark,

the Macintyre - we haven't got a William Moorcroft signature.

Don't worry. This dates to about 1900 or so, so it's over 100 years old.

-Now, there's one small negative, Carol. That chip there.

-Yes.

-Now, did you do that?

-It's probably happened while it's been in our possession

but I don't exactly know how, to be honest.

Well, that will affect the value, to be honest with you.

Well, I think it's charming.

I would like to put a bit more money on it

-but I'm going to hold it back because of the chip.

-Right.

-I'm going to say I think it's worth about £100-150.

-Right.

-Now would you be happy with that?

-Yes, I would, yeah.

-And we'll put a reserve?

-Yes.

Of 100, with 10% discretion.

-Right, that sounds fine.

-OK?

And I think on a good day, we might get 120-150.

-That's fine, yes.

-All right?

-That's fine.

-Thank you so much for bringing it along.

-Thank you. You're welcome.

-I love it.

-Thank you.

Well, our experts have now found our first batch of items

ready to send off to auction and I think there's some real gems there.

We might be in for one or two surprises.

You heard what they had to say. Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks,

but more importantly - the bidders. Let's put them under the hammer.

And here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.

We'll have to wait and see what estimate Adam puts on that necklace.

Fingers crossed it's real amethyst rather than paste.

And I'm sure these prints will make as big

an impression on the bidders as they did on me.

Combined total...

And Carol's Moorcroft vase may be chipped,

but Mark still has high hopes for it.

Today, our auctioneers are near Congleton in Cheshire,

just 17 miles south of Stockport.

The auction house charges an 18% commission to buyers

and 15% to sellers but, fingers crossed, we'll see all our items go

for a lot of money today and our first lot is up right now.

It's Moorcroft. It's better than that, as well - it's Macintyre Moorcroft -

the early Moorcroft, which everybody wants.

It belongs to Carol right now, and not for much longer.

-Hello, Carol.

-Hello.

-You're looking fabulous. Who's this?

-Emma, my daughter-in-law.

-Hello, there.

-Hello.

-What do you think of this piece of Moorcroft?

-It's lovely.

-Ah, it's just... It's a classic lot.

Let's hope we get a classic price. It's going under the hammer right now.

The Macintyre Aurelian ware vase of trumpet form.

Lot 251.

I'm bid 50 and five.

£55.

60 online, at £60.

At 60, take five.

At £60. At 60.

-Anyone else, now?

-Gosh, come on!

65. 70 online. At 75.

75. At 75 online.

75, 80, now. 80 bid.

80's the bid and 80.

It's struggling a bit, isn't it?

It is but I tell you what, at least it's going up.

-It's creeping.

-It's creeping up.

£85, 85.

Just need a few more.

Anyone else on this Macintyre vase?

I think this is terrible.

Well, we're going to have to pass it, I'm afraid.

It's the chip on the rim that kills it.

Thank goodness you put a reserve on that.

Nobody wanted it here today. It's as simple as that.

Oh, well. I'm surprised about that,

as Macintyre's such a good name

but there's no point in selling an item for less than it's worth.

Now, remember those John Buckland Wright prints that I loved?

Well, it's time to catch up with Kent again.

We're going to find out what the bidders think right now

and hopefully, there's a lot of online interest and phone interest.

564. John Buckland Wright, abstract etching, Combat Two.

This is the artist proof etching here.

Lot 564 by John Buckland Wright.

Wonderful image there.

And I'm bid, interest here, straight in, 350.

And 360. I'll take 380.

At 360. £360.

Is there 380 now? At 360.

Any more 80? 400.

At 400 and we're selling. At £400.

-Three people, two people wanted it.

-Interesting.

Selling at £400.

400, thank you.

-Not bad. It's made the reserve.

-That's good.

-Yeah.

Next one is 565, John Buckland Wright, artist and model,

limited edition, five of only 30.

That's a proper limited edition.

Lot 565, number five, this one.

Artist And Model.

Another fantastic etching by John Buckland Wright

and 360's bid this time.

-This one really is super, isn't it?

-This one's super.

-Oh, yeah.

-420.

440. 460, here, with me now.

At 460.

Selling this one, at 460.

-Are you all done? At £460.

-Nice one. Isn't that good, eh?!

460.

It's just absolute quality.

And 566 is Metamorphosis IV: Girl Into Fish. I am bid £500

-straight in. I will take 20.

-Gosh.

-At £500. With me, at 500.

Is there 20, anywhere?

Can we sell it at 500?

-While it's on offer, we can take it, if you like.

-Do you want to take it?

-Yeah?

-Nod your head.

-Is that authority to sell?

-Yeah?

-Hmm...

It is. OK, don't let me force you. You can take advice, if you like.

-Hang on to it, if you want.

-I'll just take some advice, for a second.

-That OK?

-I'd take it, if I were you. I'd... I'd sell it.

-Yeah.

£500. And we're selling,

at 500. It's the top bid. They have left £500. All done at £500?

Very good. Thank you very much.

I know my father-in-law would be absolutely chuffed with that.

-Thank you very much.

-That's all right. Thank you.

Been an absolute pleasure.

Adam's had a long look at that necklace

and has catalogued it as coloured paste, rather than the more valuable

amethyst stone. But he has given it

an impressive estimate, nonetheless - £200-£300.

Julian and Debbie,

it's great to see you again. I love the story.

You found this necklace in a skip. I think that's marvellous.

Can we recycle it, for £200? That's the big question.

-Well, it will be a green necklace!

-It's amethyst paste, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Next lot, 740, is a nine-carat gold necklace,

set with the amethyst-coloured stones. I have got 130 bid.

At 140, 150, 160, 170. 180, 190, 200.

210, 220, 230, 240, 250...

-We like this.

-..260, 270, 280,

290, 300. 320.

340, 360,

-380, 400.

-Blimey.

-420. 440.

-Didn't see this coming,

-did you?

-At 420.

Any more now? At £420... 440. 460.

480. 500.

520. £500. At 500. At £500.

-All done, then?

-500 quid!

-Selling, at £500.

-Thank you.

-Bang! The hammer's gone down. It's 500 quid.

-Someone threw 500 quid in your skip!

-I can't believe that.

You go barmy when you get a skip outside your house

and everyone else dumps their clutter in it. You really do.

-But we don't mind that. JULIAN:

-Excellent!

Wow!

Julian and Debbie had no idea it was worth anything like that much.

We have been having a great deal of fun here at our valuation day

in Stockport. In tribute to the region's vibrant music scene,

we've got an eclectic act to provide some entertainment

for our waiting crowd.

Let me introduce Stockport's Samba Band.

MUSIC PLAYS

After all that excitement, I 'm going to take a breather

and let Mark tell us about our next object which, rather fittingly,

is musical, too.

-Hello, Veri.

-Hi, Mark.

-Now, that's an unusual name.

-It's not British, is it?

-No, is from Albania.

You're from Albania?

And you've brought this violin in to show us. Is this a family piece

-or did you pick it up somewhere?

-No, is not from my family.

I bought it from a guy who was working on a house clearance.

-Oh, yes.

-He sold to me.

And did you pay a lot of money for it?

-He wanted £12.

-£12?!

-Yes.

I like the face there exactly. That's the shape.

I say, "All right, I can have it."

Well, I think £12 sounds quite reasonable.

I don't know much about violins

and it does need a little bit of restoration,

with the restringing, etc. We have looked inside

and, unusually, it is not signed Stradivari, which they normally are

and we know they are fake. This is signed by a chap called...

-Carlo Silvestre.

-Silvestre. And it is dated, isn't it?

-Yes.

-1932.

-From Napoli.

-And Naples is a good area for making these things.

Is first place in Italia for musical instruments.

And why have you decided to sell it? You didn't want to play it?

I like to listen to music, but I don't like to play.

And you get two Czechoslovakian fiddles, as well...

-Yeah.

-..which is quite good. And I know we are going to

a very good saleroom, where Adam, I know, plays the violin.

-And I would put something like £100-£150 on it...

-All right.

-..with a £100 reserve.

-Yes.

-Fantastic.

-Thank you so much for bringing it along.

-Thank you.

-And you, for getting on show.

-Lovely to see you.

It will be interesting to see what our auctioneer, Adam Partridge,

thinks of that item. Now, let's see what Philip is up to on his table.

-Where have these come from?

-Well, my dad's 90 and his aunt left them

-to him when she died, so...

-When was that?

-A few years ago.

What we have got here is a little 19th century glass scent bottle.

I would think there is every chance that is probably the wrong top

-for it.

-Ah.

-It is pierced overlay and it has got a Birmingham hallmark

and it has the lion passant. And it has got the Z there,

which tells us this was assayed in Birmingham in 1899.

I think it is a sweet thing. This is a...

..silver-cased... Sometimes, the bigger ones are called

goliath watches. The watch is plated and I quite like... I love things

like this, cos I love the social history of things. And, you know,

someone would have gone to work with their pocket watch

and it would have told time all day long and then,

when they came home,

the pocket watch fits into there and that sits on the mantelpiece

and we have got a little mantel clock...

-Yeah.

-..within a polished silver case.

-Again, we have got a Birmingham hallmark...

-Yes.

-..and the letter E,

which tells us that it was 1904. So, in terms of value...

..I think if we put £100-£200 on them as an estimate,

and I'd like to see a reserve of about 80-90. Is that OK or...

-I'd prefer 100.

-OK. 100-200, as an estimate,

and a fixed reserve of £100.

-Yes, I've got so much debt to pay off, so...

-You've got so much debt?

Yeah, I go to too many Jane McDonald concerts.

-I've been to 180 concerts in four years.

-Why?

Cos she's fantastic.

# You can always go...downtown... #

-Ever thought about buying a CD(?)

-Not quite the same.

-She's a fantastic person, as well.

-Have you met her?

-Millions of times!

Millions of times! She knows I've got a lot of debt, as well.

-Does she?

-Mm.

-She ought to do a Liz Aid concert.

-I wish!

Right, well, I don't know... I'm really sorry.

I'm feeling like there's no pressure, but I'm not sure

-this will help too much. When's her next concert?

-Later in 2012.

I'm more of a Stones man, myself.

# When you go downtown. #

Now, over to Mark's table, where Sue's uncovered a real treasure.

Sue, Sue, Sue.

-Hello. It's nice to meet you.

-It's lovely to meet you

and lovely to meet your tile.

I love it. Soon as you see this, you know exactly who made it.

Now, tell me the history of it with you.

My daughter found it in the cellar of our Victorian house,

-when we bought it in 1975.

-Never.

-There was just one tile.

-And did you know what it was when you saw it?

-Yes, yes. I did.

And how did you know that? Have you been interested in the arts?

-Because I was a textile designer, by trade.

-Ah.

-And also know

a good thing when I see it.

Just like me. I know a good thing when I see it.

And the tile, of course(!)

See, we know who William De Morgan is, but for those who don't,

it is quite important that we see the mark, because this is

-the Merton Abbey mark, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Merton in Surrey,

or South London now.

And we have got the Abbey. Crucially, as well, we have got

-the DM mark, for De Morgan.

-Yes.

-He was very famous in that

Arts & Crafts period of the early part of the 20th century

in these designs. I love this, because it is such a weird bird.

-It is.

-So typically him.

-It is.

-Some sort of duck, really...

-Chasing a moth.

Chasing the moth. Exactly. How much is it worth, though?

-This is the thing, in this market.

-I don't know.

-I really don't know.

-Well, they go up and down, you know.

-Mmm.

In some sales recently, I've seen

-really nice panels, you know, four or five tiles, not selling.

-No.

And then I've seen a really nice pink lustre one making £2,500.

-On its own.

-Yes.

-It's a real mixture.

Today, we've got to be a little bit more realistic.

-Yes.

-I mean, in an ideal world, I would say 200 to 300.

-Right.

-Would you be happy with that?

-Yes, I would.

-We'll put a reserve, of course.

-Yes, a reserve of 250?

-I would say 200.

-200.

-But we'll do it fixed.

-All right, OK.

-So if we can't get 200...

-Fixed. No, if you can't get 200, that's...

If we can't get the 200, we won't sell it. You can keep it for another time.

-But let's see what happens.

-That would be lovely.

And let's hope they don't think we're quackers at the saleroom!

-It doesn't matter if they do. I don't think so.

-Absolutely not.

-I don't care, do you?

-No.

Well, that's our final valuation of the day.

Let's hope we hit a crescendo in the saleroom.

And this is what we're taking with us.

Veri brought in this stringed instrument for just £12.

He's hoping it'll make a massive profit at auction.

Liz is potty about Jane McDonald,

but will our bidders fall for her scent bottle and mantle clock?

And Mark just loves Sue's sweet ceramic tile.

Let's hope the bidders do too.

So, let's find out what the bidders think now, shall we?

I've just been joined by Veri and our expert, Mark Stacey,

and it is that viola going under the hammer.

Oh!

Had a chat to Adam yesterday. You know what he said.

-It's a viola, not a violin.

-Well, I was only a couple of letters out.

You were a couple of letters out.

Adam said, because it's a viola,

-violas fetch a lot more money than violins.

-Oh, do they?

-Yes.

-This could be good news for you.

-Thank you very much.

-Here we go.

125

is a viola.

This should be 100. Start me.

100 bid, take ten.

At £100. I'll take ten now, at £100.

Any advance on £100 for the viola?

Are you all done at 100? Thought it might do a bit more.

-All done at 100 then.

-Oh, well.

-£100.

-He made a good profit on it.

-Yes, it is all right.

-You're happy with that.

-Yes. Very happy.

-Sorry I got you excited.

-Oh, dear.

-I pay just £12.

-Yes.

-Profit, so.

-It's lovely to meet you. Thank you so much.

-Thank you for the show.

Nice to meet you.

Going under the hammer right now, we've got

a 19th century scent bottle and a silver pocket watch.

It's a bit of a mixed lot,

they belong to Liz who unfortunately can't be with us today.

-We've got to represent her, Philip.

-I know, I know.

Let's hope we get the top end.

Next, lot 25 is a Victorian clear glass scent bottle in a silver

sleeve and plated pocket watch in a silver travelling case.

Two in the lot there. £100. Bid me 100 for the two pieces.

£100, start me at 100. 50 then.

-Bid me 50.

-Struggling.

50 is bid. At £50. Where's five? At 55 online.

60. In the room, 60. At five. 70.

-Five. 75 now.

-Here we go.

At £75. Any advance? £75. 80.

Internet 80. Five. 85 bid.

Bid me 90. At 90, 90's online. 90. And five.

Just another one, sir.

Five at the front then. 95. 100 online.

100. 110 now.

Go on.

Is there 110?

Thank you. 110.

120 next.

110 is in the room, at 110. How can you say no? At 110 on the front row.

You're out online. We're selling in the room at £110.

-120.

-Yes! Late. On the internet.

At 120. At 120. Internet now at 120. All done at £120 and away now.

Sold it, yes. Good auctioneer there.

Adam sold that lot for us, didn't he?

-It was struggling at around 50 to £60.

-Worked it well.

-Yeah, yeah.

Liz will be pleased with that. That's the concert ticket paid for.

I absolutely adore this next lot.

It's one of the biggest names in the Arts & Crafts movement. It's up there with William Morris.

-It is William De Morgan and it belongs to Sue.

-Yes.

-Hello there.

-And who is this?

-This is my friend, Barbara.

-Bit of morale support.

-Hello.

-Did you give her a lift in today?

-I did. And I was at the valuation.

That's right, I saw you.

Now, your daughter dug this up in the cellar, didn't she?

-She found it in the cellar.

-It's gorgeous.

People will buy one tile like that, frame it and put on the wall.

-That's right.

-Lot 297. 297.

It's William De Morgan now.

There we go, the Merton Abbey tile, De Morgan there.

-And where are you up to?

-Isn't that cute?

-Lovely, isn't it?

-It is.

-270 online.

280 bid. 280 bid.

At 280.

At 280. 290. At 290. 300, I've got. And 20. 340.

360. 380. 400. And 20.

With me at 420. 440? 460. 480.

-500. 520.

-I don't believe it.

540. 560. 580.

-600. 620.

-Never!

Oh, this little green duck is doing us proud, isn't it?

-Can't believe this.

-680. 700, I'm bid.

No, no.

The market's picked up.

-It's still going.

-Yes.

860. 880. 920. 940.

-£1,000. And 50.

-GASPS

Someone's left a commission bid on the book. He keeps looking down.

He does. Somebody's bid on the book.

At 1,050. I'll take 1,100.

-Yes!

-1,200.

And 50. 1,300.

1,300. 50.

1,400.

And 50.

1,500.

1,450.

Is there any more?

-Unbelievable.

-1,450.

BELL RINGS And the bell's gone!

Wake up, internet bidders!

-Yes, sir!

-1,500.

-Not again!

-Yes, 1,500.

-Hasn't he finished?

And 50. 1,600.

No.

1,550. And selling now at £1,550.

Done.

Sue, £1,550. The hammer's gone down. APPLAUSE

I don't believe it! That's wonderful!

-Wonderful!

-Congratulations!

-Barbara, you've got to look after her!

-That is wonderful, Mark! Bless you!

-Super.

-Thank you so much for bringing that in.

-Thank you.

I hope that gave you the most wonderful thrill.

What are you going to put the money towards?

-I'm going to give it to my grandchildren.

-What are their names?

Emre and Will.

-Take good care of grandma!

-They do.

-She's the best!

And see you next time for more surprises. Goodbye.