0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today's show comes from Greater Manchester,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09which has given us the Gallagher brothers, Steve Coogan,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Danny Boyle and Nobby Stiles!
0:00:11 > 0:00:15But today we're more interested in Clarice Cliff and Mappin & Webb.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42'We're holding one of our famous valuation days in Stockport
0:00:42 > 0:00:46'and laying on the red carpet is the resplendent Stockport Town Hall,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49'which was opened in 1908 by the hottest celebrities
0:00:49 > 0:00:52'of the day - the Prince and Princess of Wales.'
0:00:57 > 0:00:59That is the end of our queue -
0:00:59 > 0:01:04it goes all around the corner. I'll show you where it starts.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08We have our work cut out today. This is where the journey starts
0:01:08 > 0:01:10for our owners - the valuation day.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13It gets exciting because you never know what's going to turn up.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18Hopefully someone here has something valuable - it's our job to find it.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26'Expert Mark Stacey is seeking something stylish...'
0:01:26 > 0:01:30What do you think? Very good for the weekend in Brighton.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34'..whilst Philip Serrell showers us with his star quality.'
0:01:34 > 0:01:38That has the look of Mark Stacey, doesn't it? Do you not think?
0:01:41 > 0:01:43'And there's another famous face -
0:01:43 > 0:01:47'even our auctioneer Adam Partridge has turned up
0:01:47 > 0:01:50'to have a peek at our items.'
0:01:52 > 0:01:54'Our VIP venue is quickly filling up
0:01:54 > 0:01:57'and we've got loads of show-stopping items
0:01:57 > 0:01:59'coming up on today's programme.'
0:01:59 > 0:02:02'But which of our objects makes over five times
0:02:02 > 0:02:04'its estimate?'
0:02:04 > 0:02:09'Is it the mosaic necklace and earrings set?'
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'Or could it be the pair of Richard Joyce Royal Lancastrian vases?'
0:02:13 > 0:02:16'Or maybe the folk-art leather cow toy?'
0:02:16 > 0:02:20'Keep watching and you'll find out.'
0:02:20 > 0:02:24'Our team has over 1,000 items to value and have their work cut out
0:02:24 > 0:02:27'selecting their favourites to take off to auction.'
0:02:27 > 0:02:30'So let's get going.'
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- Frank, how are you? - I'm very well.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- Whose is this? - This is my grandfather's.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Your grandfather's own special truncheon?
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- Yes.- And you're selling it?- Yes.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Why?- Well, it's of no use to me now. It's been in a drawer
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- for the last 20-odd years... - But it's your grandad's!
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I know. But Grandad's no longer here,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53so I don't think he'd mind.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- They'll be saying that about you and I one day!- Yeah!
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- Let's have a look at it.- Yes. - At the top, we've got GR,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- which is George Rex - George V.- Fifth.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07And we've got the shield here,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- which would relate to where he was a Special Constable.- Stockport.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- So this is a Stockport thing. - Stockport borough, yes,
0:03:14 > 0:03:20- that's where he lived.- And he was a Special Constable from 1914 to 1919,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23so one year after the Great War. And on the back,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- which is a lovely touch - we've got John Gibson.- That's his name.
0:03:27 > 0:03:33- Yes.- So this tells us everything there is to know...- Right.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38..about John Gibson, about his time as a Special Constable
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- and he wouldn't have taken it on the beat?- No, it was presented to him.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- It was a ceremonial thing. - Yes, he was too old
0:03:45 > 0:03:49to serve in the War. He was born in 1869,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- so he volunteered. - So in 1869 - he would've been 45.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I suggest he was a lucky man.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Looking at it that way, yes.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01So John Gibson's ceremonial truncheon -
0:04:01 > 0:04:04what's it going to make at auction?
0:04:04 > 0:04:08The early ones can be worth a lot. I don't think this is going to be
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- massively valuable.- No.- For me,
0:04:11 > 0:04:16it's the story that it tells and, I think, in terms of value,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20- I'd go with 50 to 80 as an estimate. Does that surprise you?- It does!
0:04:20 > 0:04:23To be honest, I thought there'd be a lot of them,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- if you know what I mean. - Not to John Gibson.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29But not with that on, no. I admit that.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31We'll put 50 to 80 as an estimate
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and we'll reserve it at £40 and I'm sure it'll sell well.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37But, Frank...
0:04:39 > 0:04:44- ..it's your grandad's!- I know! Bless him.- I hope we do John Gibson proud.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I hope so too!
0:04:46 > 0:04:52'It's really lovely to see a local item with so much provenance.'
0:04:52 > 0:04:54'Let's see what Mr Stacey's up to.'
0:04:54 > 0:04:58You've made my day. I just adore these vases.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I'd like to take them home.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- Where did you get them from? - These have been in the family.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07My grandma bought them years ago, I think in the 1930s.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- My mother said she bought them in some sort of sale.- Gosh.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Might've been a church sale.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- So she didn't paid much for them. - I don't think she would've done.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20And you've done some research, I gather.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25Well, I didn't know much until we went to the Manchester Art Gallery
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and there was a display case with what looked like
0:05:28 > 0:05:30these sort of vases.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34They were on glass shelves so I got on the floor and had a look up.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36A sneaky look under.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And underneath were the same markings as on mine.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44They are lovely. As you know, they are Pilkington's Royal Lancastrian,
0:05:44 > 0:05:50which is a very good name. And they're painted by Richard Joyce
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and I'm calling them a pair
0:05:52 > 0:05:54because they look like a pair to me.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59There are little differences in colours, but I think
0:05:59 > 0:06:02that's sometimes hand-painting and firing.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The design of the deer did seem very different.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09I'm surprised you say they're the same artist.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Well, yes, I see what you mean.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16These are almost more masculine, more stylised.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Yes, and that's more realistic. - You've got more fur in this.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- I wondered why, underneath, this one is the...- The bird, the phoenix.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- The crane?- Oh, yes, the crane. And on the other,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32you have got a stag. But the other marks are the same.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- You haven't got Richard Joyce's mark on this.- There is an R somewhere.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Is there? I can't see that. - Very small, on one of them.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42There it is.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Underneath the... - Oh, yes, there is! A tiny one.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50Not his usual mark. But I'll leave them to the auctioneer to decide.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53If he decides they'll be better sold separately,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- I think we'd allow that.- Oh, yes. - So, in terms of value,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00what do you think they might be worth?
0:07:00 > 0:07:04SHE SIGHS I have seen some on the Internet
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and, sort of, £500. Around that.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10I don't think you're far off really.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13In an ideal world, I would like
0:07:13 > 0:07:15to put 800-1200 for the pair.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Something like that, expecting them to make £1,000 plus.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Would you be happy with that?
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- Yes, I think I would.- And we'll put a reserve at the lower end, the 800.
0:07:27 > 0:07:33But they're wonderful. And I'm so pleased they came to me and not
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Philip Serrell.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Helen, there's all sorts of things come into Flog It!
0:07:45 > 0:07:52This innocuous-looking collection of books is one of the few things
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I've seen on this show that makes the hairs on the back of my neck
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- stand on end.- I know. - They are the collection
0:07:58 > 0:08:02of... a Second World War soldier, aren't they?
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Prisoner of war, yeah. - Prisoner of war.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I'm not going to go through them all now. There's a letter here
0:08:10 > 0:08:12to his darling wife.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16And I'll just read it. "My darling wife,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18"if this doomed letter
0:08:18 > 0:08:21"should ever reach your fair hands,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25"it will denote that your loving husband has passed away
0:08:25 > 0:08:29"in the journey to the land of eternal peace." It's just unreal.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33There's a bit here. He's drawn a picture of the envelope.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- I know.- It's addressed to his wife,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- who's a Manchester lass.- Yeah.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43And in the corner, it says,
0:08:43 > 0:08:48"If this letter be found on my dead body,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- "please post it, whatever your nationality. Thank you."- I know.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- Ohh.- Makes you want to cry, doesn't it? Yeah.- So,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I find this just amazing.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02You tell me all about it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I found the diaries at my local tip
0:09:05 > 0:09:10in a suitcase in a skip being looked through by a man who worked there.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I looked in as I was passing and noticed one and picked it up
0:09:13 > 0:09:18and saw what they were and said "You can't let these stay in the skip."
0:09:18 > 0:09:22"Can you put the case in my car?" And he said "We're not allowed."
0:09:22 > 0:09:26And I said "You've got to, just look at them." So he did.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30And I've had them for the last four years, I've kept them safe
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and I didn't know what to do with them really.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37The first thing we've got to do to protect yourself
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- is make sure you've got title to sell them.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44That's something we need to check on. The acid question is
0:09:44 > 0:09:46- what's it worth?- Don't know.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Do you want the truth? I haven't got a clue.- No, I haven't.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55I haven't got a clue. But I could be a zero out with this.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57But I'm going to stick my head above the parapet
0:09:57 > 0:10:03and if these came to auction - I'd be really broad about it -
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I'd probably put
0:10:05 > 0:10:08a £300-500 estimate on them. In a sale that's live on line,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12I am sure that the interest the Internet will generate
0:10:12 > 0:10:14will see that they make their money.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Yep.- Let's keep our fingers crossed
0:10:17 > 0:10:21and let's hope it goes to a really good home and makes a lot of money.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22OK.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28'Our items are being sold at Adam Partridge Auctioneers outside Macclesfield.'
0:10:28 > 0:10:33'I visited the sale room on the preview day to catch up with Adam
0:10:33 > 0:10:36'to find out more about those Pilkington vases.'
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Pilkington's Royal Lancastrians - you see a lot of these.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Yeah, we sold a big collection of it recently.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45You got some good prices, didn't you?
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Hopefully we will tomorrow. Mark took these in,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52he wasn't sure if they were a pair but thinks £800-1200 if they are.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Yes. I noticed that.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58About whether they're a pair or not, it said, "Auction house to research."
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Apart from the fact they're a different shape, different colour,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06different decoration and a different year mark,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10they're kind of a pair! So we've split them. They're not a pair.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15The running theme of the stag is a theme
0:11:15 > 0:11:18that the decorator Richard Joyce used to use quite a lot.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- Are they a year apart?- Yeah, they're very close. The stag there
0:11:22 > 0:11:24was 1909
0:11:24 > 0:11:30and yours is the crane-looking device, which is for 1910.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34So just a year apart. I think his estimate, 800-1200, about right.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39So obviously we've split them halfway, put 400-600 each on them,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41with a 400 reserve on each.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46I think they'll sell about that level. No great surprises. Whoa!
0:11:46 > 0:11:50'And now what we've been waiting for - it is auction time!'
0:11:50 > 0:11:53'We've got a packed auction room,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56'so let's hope they get the taste for our items.'
0:11:56 > 0:12:00'And here's our first lot.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Fingers crossed we get a lot for this. Philip's put £50-80 on it,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08ceremonial truncheon. They stopped issuing them in 1926,
0:12:08 > 0:12:13so John Gibson, your grandfather, served at the right time.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Let's hope it goes through that top end to the estimate.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23George V wooden Special Constable's truncheon, for John Gibson,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26World War One period. Do we say £50?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Bid me 50. 40, 5, 50,
0:12:30 > 0:12:325, 60, 5...
0:12:32 > 0:12:3465, any more? £65.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Any advance on this? Are you all done?
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- £65.- Mid-estimate.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Selling at 65. Any more now?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Spot on. Well done, Frank. Bang on.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51That was great. I enjoyed that. Somebody will enjoy it.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54'It's marvellous that Frank is passing that truncheon on
0:12:54 > 0:12:57'to someone who will cherish it.'
0:12:57 > 0:13:02'Now, remember those Pilkington vases?'
0:13:02 > 0:13:06You put a value on of £800-1200. Obviously Adam has split them up.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I'm not surprised, Paul.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Not quite the same. - Not a pair. The first lot's 4-6
0:13:12 > 0:13:16and the second lot's 4-6. Hopefully we'll get you £1200.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Let's find out what this lot thinks
0:13:18 > 0:13:21in this jam-packed sale room. Here we go.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26The Royal Lancastrian vase by Richard Joyce, the first one,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28will you start me at £400?
0:13:28 > 0:13:304? Maybe 3, then?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33At 300, 20, 340.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37At 340, 360 now. 380.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39400. And 20.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43At 420. 440. 440, the phone.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45460, 480.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Oh, 460 on the net. - A battle on line and on the phone.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51480's on the phone,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53500. And 20.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55520. Any more now? 520.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59Going to be sold, then, at 520 for this first one.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Brilliant.- We're happy with that. - That's almost mid-estimate.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Let's see if we can get the same for the next one.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12267 is another one. Slightly similar,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14but clearly not a pair. Lot 267.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Thank you, Adam.- A pair, are they?
0:14:17 > 0:14:20You can stick your tongue out at me, Mr Stacey. £400?
0:14:20 > 0:14:24£400? Maybe 3 for this one, the second one.
0:14:24 > 0:14:263 bid. At 300. 20 next.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29320, 340 bid. 360.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31360 bid.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34At 360 on the phone this time. 380 on line.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37400. 400, the phone.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39420, 440.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42460, 480. 480, the phone.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46480. 500. And 20.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- 520, the phone. 520. 540. 560. - This is good.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Interesting. - Perhaps they are different.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55580. 600. 600, the phone.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57At 600. And 20.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00This is where the collectors know something we don't.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02At 680...
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- For it to go like this.- At 680.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Are you done? At 680. You're out, on line.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- HE RINGS BELL Last chance to bid. - And the bell's gone down!
0:15:11 > 0:15:13He rings the bell to jivvy up the Internet bidders.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Grand total of £1200 - top end of the estimate.- Brilliant!
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- You'll get a cheque in the post in about three weeks.- Lovely.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26I hope the vases go to somebody who'll appreciate them.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31'If, like Helen, you find items you'd like to sell at auction,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33'check you're legally allowed to.'
0:15:33 > 0:15:37'It's important to disclose how you came across the item
0:15:37 > 0:15:43'to the auctioneer and make sure they're happy to make the sale.'
0:15:43 > 0:15:45I've just been joined by Helen
0:15:45 > 0:15:50and we're about to see something that you cannot put a valuation on.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52It's so hard to value
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- these prisoner-of-war diaries. - Absolutely right.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58All you can do is put a guesstimate on it.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02But, you know, I'm a sucker for that sort of stuff.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- It makes the hairs on your neck stand on edge.- If it doesn't sell,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- you should take it home and do a lot of research.- I'm going to.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- I don't mind if it doesn't sell. - Try to trace the family.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15That's where it belongs.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Let's see. This is your lot. Here we go.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24World War Two prisoner-of-war diaries.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Extensively catalogued by our man.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Certainly interesting and poignant reading. Start me £300, please.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34How about £300 for the diaries?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36200, then?
0:16:36 > 0:16:39£110. 20. 130.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41At £130. Any more on these?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44At £130.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- It's not going to do it, Helen. - I don't mind.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Any advance on 130?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Close. I'll pass.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- OK.- Well, do you know, in a way,
0:16:55 > 0:17:01I'm pleased they didn't sell at £140 than not sell at 280 or something
0:17:01 > 0:17:05or whatever we put on it because they are patently worth
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- a lot more than that.- Oh, they are.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- Get on a mission.- I'm going to.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13We'll keep in touch with you, I promise you this,
0:17:13 > 0:17:19and we'll ring you up and find out how it's going and you can tell us.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- I'll let you know. - It's not often you're pleased
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- that something hasn't sold! - I am pleased.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27'We look forward to finding out how Helen gets on.'
0:17:27 > 0:17:31'That concludes our first visit to the auction room.'
0:17:33 > 0:17:38There are around 50 items of militaria for sale today,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41but it's not just items that tell a story,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44it's buildings and landmarks too.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47So before we return to the Town Hall to look for more antiques,
0:17:47 > 0:17:52there's another special Stockport landmark that I want to show you
0:17:52 > 0:17:56and it's got its own unique story to tell.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03I'm 40 feet under the town centre
0:18:03 > 0:18:05and this is Stockport's air-raid shelter
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and I want to tell you how these tunnels
0:18:08 > 0:18:13became a lifeline for many families during the Second World War.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'1938 - Britain is preparing for war.'
0:18:16 > 0:18:20'Towns and cities around the country were under threat
0:18:20 > 0:18:23'from explosive and incendiary bombings.'
0:18:24 > 0:18:27The Government asked their local authorities
0:18:27 > 0:18:30to provide air-raid shelters for their citizens.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34But Stockport had heavily congested roads and all the buildings
0:18:34 > 0:18:36were tightly knitted together
0:18:36 > 0:18:39and it left little space
0:18:39 > 0:18:42to provide these overground communal air-raid shelters
0:18:42 > 0:18:46and it was there that the answer hit them -
0:18:46 > 0:18:50"let's put the air-raid shelters underground."
0:18:52 > 0:18:55'Tunnelling started in 1938
0:18:55 > 0:18:58'and they were ready just after the War broke out the following year.'
0:18:58 > 0:19:03'They were opened with great ceremony by the Mayor of Stockport.'
0:19:04 > 0:19:08'They were originally designed to hold up to 3,850 people,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10'mainly women and children
0:19:10 > 0:19:14'as, of course, most of the men were serving in the War.'
0:19:16 > 0:19:18AIR-RAID SIREN
0:19:18 > 0:19:20'Air raids began in London
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'in September 1940 - the Blitz had started.'
0:19:27 > 0:19:31'Soon after, Manchester was targeted and without underground shelters
0:19:31 > 0:19:34'THESE shelters became refuge to Mancunians
0:19:34 > 0:19:39'who were prepared to walk six or seven miles to Stockport.'
0:19:39 > 0:19:41'Expansion was needed.'
0:19:41 > 0:19:45'Work began on extending the tunnels and, by 1941,
0:19:45 > 0:19:50'there was room for over 6,500 people and the tunnels ran
0:19:50 > 0:19:52'for nearly a mile.'
0:19:52 > 0:19:56'This was the largest purpose-built air-raid shelter in Britain.'
0:19:56 > 0:19:58What made this shelter so unique
0:19:58 > 0:20:01was the fact that it was bomb-proof.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Literally, people felt safe being down here.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Most people in a domestic situation
0:20:06 > 0:20:10would've had Morrison shelters - like a steel cage -
0:20:10 > 0:20:14or an Anderson shelter. There's a reconstruction of one here.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16This would be in the average back garden.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21People would put them up themselves, cover them with earth or sandbags,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25just like this one. But you weren't safe from a direct hit here,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28you'd be safe from shrapnel.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31They're prone to flooding, they get damp
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and the space is very small.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38On contrast, the people of Stockport felt incredibly safe down here
0:20:38 > 0:20:43because nothing was going to penetrate these walls.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49'After the air-raid shelter was expanded in 1941,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52'these triple-tier bunk beds were added -
0:20:52 > 0:20:55'very narrow, but much better than sleeping on benches.'
0:20:55 > 0:21:00'The shelters had all the basics, there was a sick bay, a canteen
0:21:00 > 0:21:03'and a 16-seater flushing toilet!'
0:21:03 > 0:21:07'And a baby boy was even delivered at this nurses' station.'
0:21:07 > 0:21:09'Wardens managed the shelters
0:21:09 > 0:21:14'and there was a tool store in case they had to dig themselves out.'
0:21:14 > 0:21:17'Locals even called the shelter The Chestergate Hotel
0:21:17 > 0:21:21'because of its relatively luxurious facilities.'
0:21:21 > 0:21:25'But what was it really like to be down there
0:21:25 > 0:21:28'at the height of the War?'
0:21:28 > 0:21:33'Gordon Coomber was a lad of just seven when the War broke out.'
0:21:33 > 0:21:38So, Gordon, what happened when you would hear the air-raid siren?
0:21:38 > 0:21:40AIR-RAID SIREN
0:21:40 > 0:21:44When you heard the siren, it was too late, really, to come here
0:21:44 > 0:21:48because it was built specially for the office workers,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- shop workers - we used to come in at tea time.- Ah, right.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54You didn't wait for any sirens, you came at a set time.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57No, especially during the Manchester Blitz.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59It's quite damp down here,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01but at least it is dry, isn't it?
0:22:01 > 0:22:05And there's fresh air, you can smell fresh air.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Well, you'd be amazed how little there was during the War.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The ceiling, down to about here,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14was a constant fog,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16because, of course, most people smoked.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- Ah.- And then people would come in in wet clothes in winter,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- steam rising from them... - And you couldn't dry out.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Let's take a seat here.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31What was the atmosphere like down here?
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- I imagine people were scared of what was going on up there.- I'm sure,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- and scared of what was happening to their property.- Yes, yes,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43a lot of people would've got out of here safe, gone home
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- and found their road was bombed and their house was gone.- That's right,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49nothing there any more.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53People would congregate in their "streets" -
0:22:53 > 0:22:57they'd sit together so they were with the neighbours.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01What atmosphere was down here? Did people entertain themselves?
0:23:01 > 0:23:04They did, but occasionally -
0:23:04 > 0:23:08the Theatre Royal is no longer there, St Petersgate -
0:23:08 > 0:23:10and if there was an air raid,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13sometimes the cast would come down
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and give an impromptu show down here.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21- But you'd get people in every night with accordion, banjo...- Guitar.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24They'd even play the spoons!
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Very noisy places. Very noisy indeed.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31There's quite an ambient sound in these tunnels.
0:23:31 > 0:23:37That was one point of conflict - people in bed trying to sleep.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41So there were all these nuances going on underneath the scene!
0:23:41 > 0:23:44People getting under each other's skin,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- I could imagine that.- But generally, they were a happy place.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52- But we, as children, thought they were a playground.- Well, you would.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55We didn't realise how serious it was.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Gordon, thank you for sharing your memories with us.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02And I think we can go upstairs and get some daylight now!
0:24:03 > 0:24:07'Shortly after the War finished in 1945, the tunnels were closed,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11'but luckily, in the '90s, funding was found to open up the shelter
0:24:11 > 0:24:15'to the public and preserve it for posterity.'
0:24:18 > 0:24:21This was a safe haven for many families
0:24:21 > 0:24:26and I'm sure it'll remain fond in the hearts of future generations.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45'Time to return to our valuation day above ground
0:24:45 > 0:24:50'in Stockport's Town Hall, which was used as a hospital during the War,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54'but today it's been commandeered as our valuation-day nerve centre.'
0:24:57 > 0:25:02- This has been in pride of place in your jewellery box?- Not quite.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- Where's it been all these years? - It's been in a little box
0:25:06 > 0:25:08in a polythene bag,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12buried under my waterproofs as a hiding place.
0:25:12 > 0:25:18I think that's disgraceful, to keep such a piece under your waterproofs.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- I'm sorry.- We'll forgive you, you brought them in -
0:25:22 > 0:25:25you've redeemed yourself. What do you know about their history?
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Very little. They were my mother's and I think
0:25:28 > 0:25:31she inherited them as well.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33So I have got no idea,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- but I think they're a bit Italian-ish.- You're spot on.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40They're not British, they're Italian.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45The Italians and the Romans had been making this sort of jewellery
0:25:45 > 0:25:49for hundreds of years. They'd been used in mosaics and micro mosaic
0:25:49 > 0:25:51and this is what we have here.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56We have little micro mosaic set into, I think, carnelian,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59which is a type of agate. And we have
0:25:59 > 0:26:02little panels of birds
0:26:02 > 0:26:05and then some classical scene and then another bird.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07And matching earrings with birds in.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11And they sit beautifully here, as we can see,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13with these little gold swags.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18And on the back, we've got a little swing. They're lovely quality.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23In terms of date, I think they date in the Edwardian period.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27- Oh, right.- You can imagine an elegant Edwardian lady
0:26:27 > 0:26:31with a high collar - think of Lady Marjorie
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- from Upstairs Downstairs.- Right.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Before she boarded the Titanic, she would've worn these
0:26:37 > 0:26:41at evening dinner with the matching earrings. Value -
0:26:41 > 0:26:43I'd like to put 200-300 on them.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- Really?- Would that be OK? - That'd be lovely.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51- We'll put 200 as reserve, because we don't want to give them away.- No.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55We don't want them to sell for nothing. I think they'll do well.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- I think they're beautiful.- Good.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- Is there an ambition you'd like to put it towards?- Yes.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I've always had fascination for Japan. I've been with Scouts,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10but there were 150 of us,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13so we didn't see much and I'm going next year
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- to see the Japan I want to see. - So you can put it towards
0:27:17 > 0:27:21a bit of spending money. And we've rescued them
0:27:21 > 0:27:26- from your waterproofs. Thank you very much, Barbara.- Thank you.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32'I've had a look through all those bags and boxes
0:27:32 > 0:27:36'and I've found an item I'd like to share with you.'
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Rita, thank you for coming in today. So how did you come by this?
0:27:40 > 0:27:43I went to a jumble sale and picked it up for 50p.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- Did you?- Oh, yes.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- What, here in Stockport? - Erm, possibly round this area,
0:27:48 > 0:27:53- it's a long time ago.- How many years ago?- About ten years ago.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58It caught my eye. I like these naive folk toys - that's what it is,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01it's a little toy for a child.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04It would've been pulled along by string.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08It's got that whole make-do-and-mend feel about it,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10which you get with folk art.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14We have had Victorian examples on the show before, slightly larger,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18bigger wheels and their heads have been articulated,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21and they've managed to fetch around £300-400.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24This one is Continental and it's made a bit later,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28I would say this is 1930s to 1940s,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31somewhere around there. This kind of folk art
0:28:31 > 0:28:34is made by artisans, crafts people,
0:28:34 > 0:28:39that were professionals. This is a by-product of what they were making.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Maybe they were working in a tannery
0:28:42 > 0:28:44or saddlers with leftover leather
0:28:44 > 0:28:47and they had an eye for sculpture and art.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52- It's lovely.- It's got soul. I can't believe you only paid 50p for it.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54No.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57I think, if we put this into auction,
0:28:57 > 0:29:02we could give it a price guide of... £50-70,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05with a reserve at £50.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- Ten per-cent discretion.- Lovely.- OK?
0:29:08 > 0:29:12And we can turn your 50 pence, hopefully, into that top-end figure.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16- Lovely.- That would be nice. Thank you for bringing it in.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20'It amazes me what bargains you can pick up at car-boot sales
0:29:20 > 0:29:23'if you have an eye for something special.'
0:29:23 > 0:29:26'Now over to Philip,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28'who's with Paul and his friend Gary,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32'who had something special until he gave it away.'
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- You gave it to him?- Yeah. - Yeah, he was going to skip it.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40So do you feel a bit uncomfortable with him being there?
0:29:40 > 0:29:45- No, he gave me a lift here, so... - He gave you a lift?! Right.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- You know what this is.- I do now.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Five or ten years ago, I wouldn't have known,
0:29:50 > 0:29:54but it's one of the joys of doing Flog It! is it's a learning curve.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59- So I know where you saw this on television.- That's it.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02So I'll let you tell the story.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07Well, four weeks ago, I was watching Flog It!, saw that
0:30:07 > 0:30:09and I watched it go to auction, made £200.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Very similar.- It was.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- Do you know whose sale room it was in?- Was it in Cheltenham?
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- It was in my sale room! I sold it! - Cheltenham, yeah!
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- You know where this is a view of, don't you?- St Paul's Cathedral.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Yep, St Martin in the Fields.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30It's a lovely condensed panoramic view of London by John Piper
0:30:30 > 0:30:33and it's a cool thing. John Piper was most noted
0:30:33 > 0:30:35for his work at Coventry Cathedral,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38so... why did you get rid of it?
0:30:38 > 0:30:41I just needed some room in me flat.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44I didn't know anything about it and he needed a table,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- so I said he could have it.- What did the one in my sale room make?
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- Was it £200?- £200, yeah. - Better condition than this one,
0:30:50 > 0:30:54but we can put £100-200 as an estimate on this,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57£100 fixed reserve, give Adam ten per-cent discretion
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- so that's all fine, isn't it? - Sound.- Right, that's sound.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07For me, one of the best achievements that Flog It! has done
0:31:07 > 0:31:09is getting guys like you knowing
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- that this is John Piper. All the best.- Cheers.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- And to you too. Hope it makes £300 in the auction.- So do I!
0:31:16 > 0:31:19That's £100 each, then!
0:31:19 > 0:31:26'That's the great thing about this business - we never stop learning.'
0:31:26 > 0:31:30We're back at the sale room and there's plenty of bidders lined up both in the room and online.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35'On the sale-preview day, Adam took time out
0:31:35 > 0:31:39'to tell me more about the importance of Internet bidding.'
0:31:42 > 0:31:48- We know the room's going to be packed tomorrow.- You might say that.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- Some of that will be because you're here.- Yes.- Your owners are here
0:31:52 > 0:31:54and onlookers as well.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Less people are coming to auctions, which is a shame.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Are they buying on line or on the phone?- Yes, on line.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Last sale, we had over 700
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- registered bidders on the Internet, which is...- Wow.
0:32:07 > 0:32:13You can only fit 80 people in here, but they're all around the world.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- That's incredible.- It's risen every year.- You're a fast auctioneer,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21so it doesn't slow you down, but in some rooms, it must.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Brings me down to 100 an hour. Remember me in the old days?!
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Yes!- When I had hair - 180 an hour, no problem.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31But the Internet, old age - brought me down to 100 an hour.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33Thanks for talking to us, Adam.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37- I know you're on the rostrum later - good luck.- Thank you.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Without auctions, we wouldn't be here. Let's test out our valuations.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45'I hope those bidders are on line, poised for action
0:32:45 > 0:32:49'because my lot is about to go under the hammer.'
0:32:49 > 0:32:52We've got your Edwardian pull-along,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56stuffed, leather toy cow going under the hammer right now.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Hopefully, it'll do the estimate. It's been heavily viewed.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It's been played with, I've seen people nod the head.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Good little bit of folk art, this.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11Papier-mache pull-along toy in the form of a cow and it moos!
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I'm bid 40 and 5 straight in. 50's on line.
0:33:14 > 0:33:175 in the room. 55, 60 and 5.
0:33:17 > 0:33:2070, 5, 80, 5,
0:33:20 > 0:33:2290, 5, 100, 110,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24120, 130, 140, 150,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26160? 150 at the back.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28That's nice, that's good.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31160 on line. No?
0:33:31 > 0:33:33170 on line, then. Still going on the Internet.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36170. Are you all done on the cow?
0:33:36 > 0:33:40- £170.- That's fantastic. £170.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Brilliant result. Wasn't that a good result?!
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- I don't know about the mooing. It didn't moo for us.- No!
0:33:48 > 0:33:51- I've never heard it moo. - I think he's imagining that!
0:33:51 > 0:33:55But it certainly mooed just then - £170.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59'That's the power of the Internet for you.'
0:33:59 > 0:34:00Going under the hammer now,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04we've got some classic British 20th century modern -
0:34:04 > 0:34:08if I said John Piper, you'd know what I'm talking about.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12That wonderful coffee table that Philip brought in. Paul and Gary,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- whose table was it?- Mine originally.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- And then gave it... - Gave to him after five years.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22- You've been using it?- Yeah, but I saw the potential.- And saw Flog It!
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- I did. - It's a bit bruised and battered,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27but it's a lovely thing.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Let's find out what the bidders think. It's going under the hammer.
0:34:31 > 0:34:341950s coffee table
0:34:34 > 0:34:38with the John Piper views of London on the top there.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- I'm bid £100...- Well done.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44At 100. At £100.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Any advance on £100?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50You all done at 100? 10. 20.
0:34:50 > 0:34:5330? No? 120 here. Anyone else?
0:34:53 > 0:34:56120. All done and selling this now.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58£120. It's about its money
0:34:58 > 0:35:01and we'd sell at 120.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03That's gone down.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Little knocks on the corners made it struggle.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08That's a fair price, I'm pleased.
0:35:08 > 0:35:1070-50's a fair split, isn't it?
0:35:10 > 0:35:12THEY ALL LAUGH
0:35:12 > 0:35:16'And there's time to squeeze in just one more lot.'
0:35:16 > 0:35:21Under the hammer now, the necklace and earrings belonging to Barbara,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- who needs to go to Japan. That's why we're selling.- Yes.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28- Why do you need to go to Japan? - I went to Japan last year
0:35:28 > 0:35:31with 150 other Scouts...
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Brave of her.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36..and didn't see much of Japan that I wanted to see,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- so I'm going next year.- How lovely.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42- So you love Japan? - It's beautiful.- I was a Scout.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- Were you?- A Cub and a Scout. - Well done.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Yes, got lots of badges!
0:35:47 > 0:35:50We can recycle you and come back as a leader.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Anyway, let's talk about the necklace.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55OK. Beautiful colour.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Lovely little panels of birds and flowers and the matching necklace.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Shall we put it under the hammer?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- Right.- Let's go. This is it.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10A lovely lot, this. A 19th century necklace with micro-mosaic panels
0:36:10 > 0:36:15with matching earrings. Micro-mosaic stuff making great prices now
0:36:15 > 0:36:18and very popular. What a lovely set.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Lot 760. I'm bid £200.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24- Take 220 next... - Straight in at 200, Barbara.
0:36:24 > 0:36:2640, 60, 80, 400, 20, 40, 60...
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- This is flying. - ..520, 540,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31560, 580, 600 and 20, 640...
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Wow. 660, 680, 700 here. And 20.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Come and buy me. Look, Mark's doing his "Come and buy me".
0:36:38 > 0:36:41740, 760, 780...
0:36:41 > 0:36:46- This is an upgrade.- 800... - This is an upgrade from economy.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49840, 860...
0:36:49 > 0:36:51880, 900...
0:36:51 > 0:36:53£900...
0:36:53 > 0:36:56920, 940,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58960, 980...
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Hey, this is wonderful.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- £1,000. And 50. - Was this your grandma's?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08I don't know where it's come from. Mum had it.
0:37:10 > 0:37:121200. 1250.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17- First class soon. - < 1300. 1350. Japan...
0:37:17 > 0:37:201400. 1450.
0:37:20 > 0:37:231500. 1550.
0:37:23 > 0:37:261600. 1650.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- What's Japanese for "This is bonkers"?- 1650 on the phone.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34At £1650. Are you all done?
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- What did we value it at?- 200-300!
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Phone bidder.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45- £1650...!- Wow!
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Don't clap me, clap him!
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I love it when that happens. Well done, Adam Partridge.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- What do you think of that? Sum it up.- I can't! I can't!
0:37:54 > 0:37:57It's going to be great. Just amazed.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00As long as my children don't say
0:38:00 > 0:38:03"Oh, yes?" as they've been listening!
0:38:03 > 0:38:06When you woke up this morning, you were expecting £200-300.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- I said "It's Flog It! day today!" - It's a good day.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- It's a beautiful day! - I knew it was good quality.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17I thought... He says, trying to get out of it.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19I thought it was Edwardian.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21I suspect it's mid-19th century.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25- Yes, definitely.- Which has pushed the quality and the price up.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- Doubled the value.- But fantastic.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30- We got the right price.- Thank you.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Barbara!- Hugs!
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Barbara's off to Japan!
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Join us next time for more surprises on Flog It!
0:38:37 > 0:38:41What a lovely way to end today's show. See you next time.