0:00:08 > 0:00:12Coventry may be known for the 11th century exploits of Lady Godiva...
0:00:12 > 0:00:16who, according to legend, rode through the city streets naked on horseback.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19But it was a different type of horsepower
0:00:19 > 0:00:22that put Coventry on the map in the 20th century.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26I hope you enjoy the ride - welcome to Flog It!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51From the Triumph to the Jaguar,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54the Alvis to the Rover,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Coventry raced ahead with motor production at the start of the 20th century
0:00:58 > 0:01:00and by the 1950s, it was a world leader.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06And so, fittingly, we're here at the Coventry Transport Museum.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08We can learn about the origins of vehicles
0:01:08 > 0:01:12from the earliest motorcycle through to the fastest car on the planet.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Of course, all the local classic car enthusiasts have turned up for us today.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Look at that! A big thank you for that lot over there.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Today's show is not just about cars, it's about antiques and collectables
0:01:21 > 0:01:24and we have hundreds of people queueing up here in the rain,
0:01:24 > 0:01:26laden with bags and boxes full of them,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29all here to ask our experts a few questions about their items.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But they have one question in common, which is...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34ALL: What's it worth?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37And when they've found out, they're going to Flog It!
0:01:41 > 0:01:43We already have a queue of traffic
0:01:43 > 0:01:47wanting to get a valuation from one of our experts,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50which includes today Charlie Ross, a Formula 1 auctioneer,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54classic car enthusiast and always a safe pair of hands.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I've seen her, I've been close to her, yes.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I think for the purposes of history, we should A,
0:01:59 > 0:02:04not drop them on the floor and B, sell them.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09And Claire Rawle, who is actually a closet train spotter.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- I've found a violin, unless you've got a machinegun in there? - No, it isn't!
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- Have you got a Rolls-Royce at home? - Wouldn't want not to.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- I've had enough of this, shall we go inside?- Yeah.- Come on!
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Well, we're all set up and ready to go
0:02:21 > 0:02:23here inside the Motorsports Gallery.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Actually, I should say revved up and raring to go.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29I'm surrounded by classic cars and hundreds of people.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Over there, there's a Jaguar 2003 Grand Prix car,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36which can reach speeds of up to 200mph.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Charlie Ross certainly has to go at some speed to catch up with that,
0:02:39 > 0:02:40but he just might do it today.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44He's over there now, talking to two ladies who look quite similar.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Veronica and Madeline?- That's right. - Identical twins.- Yes.- Yes.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Not quite identical - one of you must be older?
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- I'm ten minutes older, yes. - Ten minutes older!
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- I'm very proud of the ten minutes. - May I say, you don't look it.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- And you obviously get on extremely well?- Oh, we do.- Very, very well.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Yes.- Very well. - Now, what have you brought along?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Well, I know what you've brought along here.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Well, my mother died last month
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and this is something that she was given when she was 21,
0:03:14 > 0:03:15that was in 1939.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20She told us before she died to each choose one or two things we particularly liked
0:03:20 > 0:03:22and this was one of the things that we chose.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24We always thought it was an inkwell,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26that's what my mother thought she'd been given.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- Do you know how old it is?- No.- All we know she was given it in 1939.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- Do you think it was made in 1939? - No.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- We've no idea, but it looks... - I think it's older.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38It looks more like an antique that was bought.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Yes, this is high quality. It's bronze.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- It IS bronze? Oh, right. - And it's ormolu coated.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49Ormolu, from the French, which was a crushed gold, if you like,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- and the original process was made with mercury.- Oh!
0:03:53 > 0:03:56And if you were an ormolu-er, if there is such a word,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00you didn't live very long because of the mercury fumes.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I think we've got a good clue to the date of this
0:04:03 > 0:04:06by the application of these very stylised
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Art Nouveau mouldings on the outside.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- Yes.- Yes.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16Now I think that date's this to the late 19th century, so 1880-1890.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- Oh.- That is earlier than we thought.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21You've got classical figureheads here,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24you've got a winged putti on the top there
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- and I'm imagining the top comes off? - Yes.- It does indeed.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31And there was a glass insert, but it got broken when someone cleaned it.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Right.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36If there was a glass insert, then I think you've made up my mind for me.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I was torn slightly between it being an inkwell,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42because, by golly, it's a big inkwell!
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Yes! Someone who does a lot of writing, yes!
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Or alternatively, you quite often see something like that
0:04:49 > 0:04:53as an ornament, a pair of ornaments either side of a clock.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- Now, I think this is French.- Yes.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57This is French, without a shadow of a doubt.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- This, indeed, would have been a very expensive thing in its day.- Right.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03And probably would have been really quite expensive,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- even in, when was it?- 1939. - 1939, the beginning of the war.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Before I brought this morning and I opened it, there was a key inside
0:05:10 > 0:05:15- with 21 on it, which she'd obviously kept from her 21st birthday.- Gosh!
0:05:15 > 0:05:19It makes you want to start writing with a fountain pen again, doesn't it?
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- It does, actually. - It's an age of elegance that's gone.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24It is an age of elegance. I'm going to put you both on the spot.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- What do you think it's worth? - Oh, my heavens.- Each.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- You're not allowed to...- I might have said 150, at the very most.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Maybe 150-200, depending if two people want it.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- Very good valuers, girls. You're very good valuers.- Are we?
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I think you've hit the nail on the head there.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44I think I would like to see it make 150-200.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- My safe saleroom estimate would probably be 100-150.- Yeah.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Under no circumstances would I let this sell for less than £100.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- Right, fine.- Not even £95.- Right.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Fixed reserve, £100.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00If it doesn't sell for £100, there's something wrong.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Right.- Great. - So, £100, and away we go.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- Lovely, thank you very much. - Thank you.- That's very interesting.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Charlie's confident the inkwell will make at least £100.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Stay tuned to see if His Nibs is right.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17And for Claire Rawle's first valuation,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19and item which is at home in the car world.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- Good morning, Elizabeth. - Good morning.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27And you have brought a wonderful, wonderful automobilia item along.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29But before we talk about him,
0:06:29 > 0:06:34I couldn't help but noticing a rather wonderful MBE.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- Thank you. - Now, tell me a bit about that.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Well, I'm a school crossing patrol for Warwickshire
0:06:40 > 0:06:42and I've done it for 17 years
0:06:42 > 0:06:46and last March, Prince Charles gave it to me.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Oh, well done. That's a real achievement.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I'm so glad you're wearing it, because you've been rewarded -
0:06:52 > 0:06:55for 17 years you've stood out in all weathers,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59in the teeth of motorists hurtling down a hill towards you.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04Right, we better turn our attention to this rather fine fellow here.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06He is a fine fellow, isn't he?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08He's beautiful. And very apt.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Here we are, Coventry Motor Museum, car mascot.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13He's from a Singer Bantam,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15beautifully modelled,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17he's chrome, over possibly a nickel base,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19a base metal, anyway,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23and then mounted on this rather nice wooden stand,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26so he's making a very decorative ornament, isn't he?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- He sure is.- Yeah.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31And he will date from the late 1930s.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Wow.- You can tell he's earlier because of the work on him,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38the wonderful detail in his feathers and his wings.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Later castings lose quite a lot of that
0:07:41 > 0:07:43because they have been replicated over the years,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45but he is a genuine early one.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48From this period, a lot of cars had mascots on their bonnets,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51which denoted their make. Of course, the best-known
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- is probably the Spirit of Ecstasy on a Rolls-Royce.- Yeah.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It was all part of the finish to the motor car.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Now, he's very collectable
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and I think he will appeal to not just automobilia collectors
0:08:04 > 0:08:07but to anyone who likes a decorative ornament.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I would estimate him between 100 and 150.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Wow.- That's all right.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- Gosh!- And I think, perhaps, pitch the reserve
0:08:16 > 0:08:18just below the lower estimate.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20I'd say about £90.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- Is that all right with you? - That's fine!- That's good, is it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- Yeah. You've amazed me! - Good. Oh, good.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Thank you.- That's quite all right. - Thank you very much.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Our valuation day is packed to the gills
0:08:33 > 0:08:36with people waiting to see an expert - and here's one now.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Charlie Ross has spotted a 200-year-old mahogany box
0:08:39 > 0:08:43in perfect condition. But what's inside it?
0:08:43 > 0:08:47You know, I saw you coming through the door over there with this
0:08:47 > 0:08:51and I almost ran towards it because it's my sort of thing.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53But every time I see one of these, you open it up
0:08:53 > 0:08:57and there's nothing inside because the contents have been broken
0:08:57 > 0:08:59but...
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Look at that!
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Do know when this was made?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05About 1820...
0:09:05 > 0:09:07I think it was made a bit earlier.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Yeah?- I think this is of the Sheraton period.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I think we can go back to 1800 for this box.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17This in about 1800 would have been bought by a very well-to-do family.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- Yes.- This wouldn't have been any old Tom, Dick and Harry owning this.- No.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25It would have held six different sorts of drink, really.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28And of course, a lock - very important in those days,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31not that you'd have people coming into the house, but the servants.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- Servants.- The old servant could just turn the key, have a quick nip.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38It's a real Upstairs Downstairs.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Fantastic lot. It's made of mahogany.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Yes.- Fine quality mahogany.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47It is strung here with boxwood...
0:09:49 > 0:09:50..and beautifully strung.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I'm going to pull one of these out
0:09:53 > 0:09:55and examine it carefully,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57because here is the key.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59What is the damage?
0:10:00 > 0:10:05The gilt decoration, for that still to be intact
0:10:05 > 0:10:07after 200-plus years
0:10:07 > 0:10:09is quite remarkable.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Beautiful blown decanters,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14blown-glass decanters.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Have you pulled all of them out? - Yes, I've inspected all of them.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- No damage?- No damage at all.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21So have you inherited this?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- No, I bought it a few weeks ago. - You bought it?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- Yes.- Crumbs, you must have gone into a jolly nice shop to buy that.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- No. Charity shop.- A charity shop? - Charity shop, yes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Go on, tell me what you paid for it.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35£15.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Fif-TEEN pounds?- Pounds.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- Well, I'll give you 20 quid for it.- No.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43THEY LAUGH
0:10:43 > 0:10:48I think a come-and-get-me saleroom estimate
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- is probably 200-300.- Yes.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Which is a super return on your £15.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- Yes, I'm happy with that. - We'll put a fixed reserve at 200,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58so we will not sell it for a penny less.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- I think we'll be up at the top estimate there.- Right.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- And £15 well spent.- Yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08This French inkwell has a crushed gold coating
0:11:08 > 0:11:10and Charlie is convinced it is worth at least £100,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14but anything can happen at an auction.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Our lovely lollipop lady is hoping
0:11:16 > 0:11:19her car mascot has got a new bonnet to sit on.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25And from a charity shop to an auction house.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28This beautiful box and decanter is sure to be a winner.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Just 20 miles down the A46,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38our auction today is in Stratford-upon-Avon.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42The market town attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year
0:11:42 > 0:11:44to see the birthplace of Shakespeare
0:11:44 > 0:11:48and perhaps take a boat ride down the River Avon.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54And this is where we're putting all our items under the hammer today,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57so let's make our way across town to Bigwood auctioneers.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Right, that bronze inkwell, the Victorian one
0:12:03 > 0:12:05in the style of a Regency design belonging to the twins.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- That's right.- Veronica and Madeline.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Veronica. Madeline. - I see, I got them mixed up.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Identical twins, you see! It's easy to do, isn't it?
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- Do you live close by each other still?- Round the corner.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18So you've never really been apart, have you?
0:12:18 > 0:12:21No, we went to university together. We've done everything together.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- I think that so special, don't you? - It's wonderful.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- We get on well. - Quite rare, identical twins.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- We married friends.- Did you as well?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Yes, my husband introduced Madeline to her husband.- Yes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- So this was Mum's, wasn't it? - Yes, it was.- It was Mum's.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- She died in February.- I'm sorry to hear that. It's a nice thing.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Well, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- It's got that Regency look. - Oh, it's there!
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Very attractively decorated, this,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and who's got, say, £100 for it?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- It's a good thing, isn't it? - It's a nice thing.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Good weight, good shape, lovely style.- Yes.- Good casting.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Got to tempt you somehow. 60, then?
0:12:57 > 0:13:0160 I'm bid. 60, the bid's there at 60 and five, do I hear?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- At 60, and five.- Struggling.- And 70.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Not going to make it, is it?
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Am I going to let the twins down?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11We've got a fixed reserve at £100.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15£75, is it 80, and five?
0:13:15 > 0:13:18£80, are we finished?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21We're all done at £80. Are we sure?
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Do you know something?- Oh, well.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26A fixed reserve of £100. It's worth every penny of that.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- I'm so pleased it didn't sell at £100.- Yes.- I don't mind.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31We've had such fun, to be honest.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Hang onto it.- Yes. - Mum wants you to hang onto that.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Perhaps that's what's meant to be.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Everyone has agreed the inkwell should sell for at least £100 -
0:13:40 > 0:13:42perhaps just not today, though.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Next up, MBE Elizabeth.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- You drive a car, obviously. - Of course.- Now, how do you fancy
0:13:49 > 0:13:52on your car a 19...what is it, 36 Singer car mascot?
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- Have you thought about that?- No!
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- Bit ostentatious.- I don't think it would go very well with my Punto!
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Hey, fingers crossed, here we go, we're going under the hammer now.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- Let's find out if there's any car enthusiasts here.- Please! Please!
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Lot 355 in your catalogue.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14It's in the form of a bantam cast with outstretched wings.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It's got the registration number on it
0:14:17 > 0:14:20and who's going to give me, I don't know, £80 to get me going?
0:14:20 > 0:14:2370 I'm bid, £80, £80, £90,
0:14:23 > 0:14:24- 100 is it?- Come on.
0:14:24 > 0:14:2790 at the front of the room, I'm going to sell it at 90,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29the bid's here at £90.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30Is it 100 now?
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Please, please!- At £90, I'll take five if it helps you.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35At £90, are we done?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- £90, it's gone!- Yes!
0:14:38 > 0:14:41It looked really pretty up there on that picture.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43It did, didn't it?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- He did us proud. - He did, didn't he? Aw, bless Mum.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49There are hundreds of car mascot collectors in the country
0:14:49 > 0:14:52so they often sell well at auction.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53A great result for Elizabeth.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57We've got a cracking lot going under the hammer right now,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59possibly my favourite of the day
0:14:59 > 0:15:01and Charlie, our expert, beat me to it, the devil!
0:15:01 > 0:15:04You were straight in there, weren't you?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's that gorgeous mahogany decanter box
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and Andrew, I've got to say, quality, quality, quality,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12and what a good find as well. Why do you want to sell this?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- I bought it to sell. - You bought it to sell.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- It would be nice to keep it.- Be nice to keep it?- For the three kids.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- OK, and you brought one of them along with you today?- Yes.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- What's her name?- Susan. - Susan, hello!
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Charlie, we had one like this sold recently,
0:15:24 > 0:15:262007 on the show for around £400.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29This is just as good, so hopefully it's up there with that.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30It's rare to have all the bottles
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- and all the stoppers.- Yes, and the gilding's really good.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Stoppers don't rattle as well.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Glasses are wrong, but we can excuse that. Very, very good quality.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42We're putting it to the test now here in this packed salesroom.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Good luck, both of you. This is it.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Who'll give me a couple of hundred for it, decanter box?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49150, 150 I'm bid.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51160, 170, sir,
0:15:51 > 0:15:52180, 190, 200,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54210? 200 by the table,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58at 200, 210, 220, 230,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00230, 240, 250, 260,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03270, 280, 290?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06280, still by the table, at £280.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07290 on the phone,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- 290, 300.- Good, phone's cut in out.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11320?
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- 320. 340, 360.- The interest has gone out of the room.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- It's now on the phone lines.- 380?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20360 on that telephone, at 360, are you sure you're finished?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22380's come back. 380, 400.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27400, 420? 400 it is, on that phone at £400.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Are we all finished? Are we sure?
0:16:29 > 0:16:33We've matched it. £400. There you go.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34What was I saying?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37You can never predict what's going to happen in an auction.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- That's a massive great big profit on £15.- Yes, fantastic.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Yeah, good for you. Pleasure to meet you.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I've said it before and I'll say it again - quality always sells.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- ..at £1,200. - Well, there you are, that concludes
0:16:50 > 0:16:55our first visit to the auction room today and what a nice lot to end on.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02Back at the valuation day,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06hundreds of people are still queueing to be seen by our experts.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Well, hello, June and Phil, it's lovely to see you and thank you
0:17:10 > 0:17:15for coming along today and bringing this magnificent fellow with you.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18So, tell me, why have you brought him to us?
0:17:18 > 0:17:22He came out of the garage of a relative who passed away
0:17:22 > 0:17:24this time last year.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- Basically, we don't like him very much.- Oh, poor fellow.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29So, you don't want to sit and look at him any longer?
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- No, and I don't want to see him looking at me.- Oh, right, right.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36I must admit, I can't say I've ever seen one quite like this before.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- Of course, what it's depicting is your samurai warrior.- Yes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42On his charger, his horse.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Of course, they were ponies really, not like the sort of chargers we had here.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48All the bone is worked in panels - as you can see, obviously,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51there's lines between it - over a base
0:17:51 > 0:17:54which could be anything from wood.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55- He is quite heavy, I guess.- Yeah.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59And then these pieces are all engraved
0:17:59 > 0:18:00and then inked over to give them...
0:18:00 > 0:18:03So, they're sort of carved and inked to give it the colour
0:18:03 > 0:18:06and depth and, of course, it's outlining his wonderful armour
0:18:06 > 0:18:10because being a samurai, he is a warrior, he is the top, top soldier
0:18:10 > 0:18:14and they were absolute experts in the martial arts.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18I don't know if you've noticed down here but there is actually a mark.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Yes.- A signature. Well, it could be a signature.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I have noticed it but I couldn't decipher it.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Well, that makes two of us.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28But the thing is, it's nice to have a mark on it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Now, the other item, which I have to say I prefer,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34is a brush pot holder and earlier.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Whereas this is 20th century,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- this will date from the late 19th century.- OK.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And it's elephant's tusk. You do have to be careful selling it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:49As long as it is pre-1947 and worked ivory, then it's OK, legally, to sell it.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- This is all right. It complies.- Yes.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Now, because they are such different types of items,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58I would suggest that they were sold as separate lots...
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- OK. That would be fine. - ..with separate prices cos I think whoever buys the brush pot
0:19:02 > 0:19:05is not necessarily going to buy the samurai and vice versa.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Now, with him, he's a bit of an unknown quantity.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- I think we're looking at 3-400. - Yeah.- OK.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15I would suggest putting a reserve of just under 300 at 280.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18The brush pot, I think, about 100 to 150.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21And again, if we perhaps pitch the reserve at just under
0:19:21 > 0:19:24the lower estimate at £90 and again perhaps use a bit of discretion.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- Yes, fine.- So, hopefully they will do very well.- Somebody will like it.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Absolutely. Oh, yeah, there is somebody for everything.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- Don't need to worry. - Thank you very much.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Thank you for bringing them. We look forward to selling them.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40From a symbol of war to one of peace, and of local importance.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Well, this brings back lots of memories for me -
0:19:43 > 0:19:46filming in Coventry Cathedral about six years ago.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48I'm a big fan of John Piper.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I know it's not Piper but it's John Hutton and he's very collectable as well.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56I went first of all to the cathedral 50 years ago when it opened,
0:19:56 > 0:20:02and it meant such a lot to me and changed my life so much that
0:20:02 > 0:20:04when they offered these for sale,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06I was happy to buy one to support the...
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- Can I take a look? - ..work of the cathedral.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11This is one of the angels from the west screen, isn't it?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15I mean, when you go in there and your eyes just gravitate to heaven.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18You look upwards and there it is. It's huge.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21It's glass there so that in your mind's eye you link
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- the new and the old. - Of course you do.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Because it is one building and you join them in your head.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29That's the clever thing about John Hutton.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32He was born in New Zealand in 1907.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35He sadly passed away in the late '70s. But he is collectable.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37His work is sought after.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40That's lovely.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I'm going to be cautious to start with,
0:20:43 > 0:20:48and I'm going to put £2-400 on that, if that's all right with you.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- That's fine.- Is that OK?- I'm quite happy for the market to find a level.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Yeah.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57So, let's see what the market does on the day.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I've always thought Charlie was a child at heart
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and this just proves it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Well, this is just the object I was hoping to see today.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- Right.- Coming here to the motor museum in Coventry.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10What's the story behind it?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- It's Ed and Trish, isn't is? Is it yours. Trish?- No, it's not mine.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15No, it's mine.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- I was given it by two uncles as a birthday present...- Yeah?
0:21:19 > 0:21:21..before the war.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Before the war?- About 1939. - Interesting.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29I was trying to work out whether it was just pre-war or just post-war. That answers the question.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- British made, which I like.- Yes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38And this is Tri-ang, which later bought out Hornby and Meccano.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42One huge, great conglomerate. And I'm dying to see if it works.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44It is a bit like starting a lawnmower, isn't it?
0:21:44 > 0:21:50- It is, isn't it?- Tell you what, you hold it and I'll pull it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Marvellous!
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Absolutely magnificent. Silky smooth riding.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59It's like speedway, isn't it? Brilliant.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- So, you're happy to sell it?- Yes. - What do you think it is worth?
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- I haven't a clue. That's why I brought it down here.- Take a fiver?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- Oh, no.- A bit more than that. - I think it is worth £50-100.- Really?
0:22:10 > 0:22:11Yeah, yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I would like to see it go to the sort of top end of that,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17to be honest. But I think if we put it into auction,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20it'll be well advertised, toy collectors will love it.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24A reserve of £50 so that we don't take any less.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Are you happy with that?- Yes.- What are we going to do with it, Trish?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- I think we'll go to London and see a show.- See a show.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34You'd probably much rather see a show than have this sitting in a cupboard, wouldn't you?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Yes.- Thank you very much indeed for bringing it along.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- It's a pleasure. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41That bike wouldn't be out of place in Model World.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44This room is full of toys from a bygone era.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47These mini cars are not the only Minis in the museum.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51So, that's it. It's time to say goodbye to Coventry
0:22:51 > 0:22:55as we drive over to the auction room in Stratford-upon-Avon
0:22:55 > 0:22:57and here's a quick reminder of what we're taking with us.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03He is a master of martial arts but will he win the fight at auction?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08And how much can a little brush pot bring in?
0:23:10 > 0:23:13A John Hutton angel, etched with incredible precision.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18And a toy bike in this condition
0:23:18 > 0:23:20could ride away with the top end of the estimate.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29Back to the auction room now, but whose lot will steal the show today?
0:23:29 > 0:23:32First, manufactured in the 1930s,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35the Tri-ang Gyro Cycle belonging to Ed and Trish.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- We had fun working it, didn't we?- I bet. Do you know what I say?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- "On your bike, Charlie, on your bike."- Even when it went backwards.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Right, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46It's going under the hammer. This is it, look.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49And I can open the bidding at £50.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Straight off at 50 and five do I hear? At 50 and five.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57And 60. And five? 60 with me on the book at 60. Is it five now?
0:23:57 > 0:23:59At £60. It's going to be sold at £60.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Last chance and done. £60.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And he's put the hammer down, straight in and straight out. £60.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Yeah. Well, well, well. One bid on the book.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12And that's it. Not a lot of competition but it went.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Have you got anything like that from the age of three?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18No. All my old Dinky toys, I played with, smashed into each other.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- All the paint's off. - Threw the boxes.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- Great thing about this, it was in its original box.- Yeah.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Like me, I haven't got anything...
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Nor has he now.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Well, so far, so good.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40It's my turn to be the expert now and coming up for you,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43we have that angel in flight. It's the engraving by John Hutton.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45It belongs to Martin and, hopefully,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- a lot of local interest as we said back at the valuation.- Yes.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51And a limited edition like this, what is it, eight of 25?
0:24:51 > 0:24:55- It is pretty rare.- Yes.- So, fingers crossed. Good luck, Martin.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Here we go.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02295 is the John Hutton etching on glass.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07I've been looking forward to this moment cos this is lovely, isn't it?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Framed. I can open the bidding straight off with this at £200.
0:25:09 > 0:25:15On the book at 200. Is it 220 now? 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, sir.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19320, 340, 360. 380?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Come on, let's get that top end.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25380, 400. 420? 400 with me and a commission bid at 400. 420?
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- 420, 440. 460? - There's a phone bid. Look up there.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32460. I'm going to go 500. 520?
0:25:32 > 0:25:34INAUDIBLE
0:25:34 > 0:25:36- I'm clear. With you at 520. - That's more like it.- Yes.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37..on that telephone at 520.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42Do I hear 540 now? At £520 on the telephone. Last chance.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44It's going to be sold.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Brilliant. The hammer's gone down. Worth every penny as well.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- You won't miss it cos you can still see...- The original.- ..the original.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57That would look marvellous on someone's windowsill.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59And finally...
0:25:59 > 0:26:02The first lot going under the hammer will be the ivory brush pot
0:26:02 > 0:26:07followed by the samurai figure. Unfortunately we don't have June.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- Where is she?- June's in the Canary Islands, in the sun.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13But you're supposed to be with her, aren't you? Or did you flip a coin?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15No, I'm decorating the lounge.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- That's a good deal from June's point of view.- I like this.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- This is a good thing. - Yes, it's a nice thing, isn't it?
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Beautifully decorative.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24And the little brush holders, these brush pots
0:26:24 > 0:26:27are very, very collectable - the Japanese ones and the Chinese ones.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- It's a healthy market at the moment, it's boiling.- Good.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Let's find out what they think of it in Stratford-upon-Avon, shall we?
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Here we go. Good luck.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39I've got multiple bids on this and I'm going to start it at £160.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44On the book at 160. Is it 170 now? Got a phone bid, I know. 170 here.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49Going to go 180. 190. That clears me 190. 200?
0:26:49 > 0:26:53200, 220. 240?
0:26:53 > 0:26:55240, 260. 280...?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01260 down here. At 260. By the door at 260. Are we all finished?
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Finished at 260.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06- Amazing.- That's good.- Excellent. - Brilliant. I'm really pleased.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- Get on the phone and tell her. - I will indeed.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12And here's the second lot, the figure.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15So, who's going to start me off with a couple of hundred for it?
0:27:15 > 0:27:16One down, one to go. This is it.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Very handsome figure. 200, 220 over there.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21240, sir? 240. 260, 280.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23300, is it? 280.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26It's going to be sold at 280. Do you want three? 300.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- Phone line, look, up there now. - 320, 340.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33340, 360. 380?
0:27:33 > 0:27:35380, 400. 420?
0:27:39 > 0:27:43420, 440. 440. 460?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47- They like it.- 480. 500.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51500, 520, 540.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54A lot of interest in the room.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57560, 580.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03No? 560 in the room, it is. At 560.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06560 - in the room, Philip.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Is there any further advance on 560?
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Well, I think we'll call that a success, don't you?
0:28:12 > 0:28:13- I'm very pleased.- Well done, Claire.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- Yeah, well done.- Very, very pleased.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- Thank you.- You've got to get on the phone and tell her now.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I will indeed now. Yes. Thank you. Thank you very, very much.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- And don't spend it all on paint. - I won't.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Well, there you are - another day in another saleroom for Flog It!
0:28:30 > 0:28:31I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34I know all of our owners have gone home happy.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Some got what they want, some didn't. But that's auctions for you.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41If you've never been to a saleroom before, get down to your local one.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45It's great fun. Or, better still, come to one of our valuation days and a Flog It! auction.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51follow the links or check the details in your local press.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54But until then, from Stratford-upon-Avon, it's goodbye.