0:00:06 > 0:00:09Today we've pitched up at one of Britain's finest historic estates,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12complete with neoclassical mansion and Tudor hall.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Inside it's a treasure trove of fine art and antiques, definitely
0:00:16 > 0:00:19the jewel in the crown of Cheshire's rich heritage,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21both inside and outside.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Of course, we are at Tatton Park. Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:48 > 0:00:51The Egerton family lived here at Tatton for over 300 years,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53and often entertained guests in style,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55in the mansion house and gardens.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58But I bet they weren't expecting this many to show up.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Inside the mansion house there's a whole host of fine art
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and antiques, from paintings by the Italian master
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Canaletto, to special pieces of furniture commissioned
0:01:09 > 0:01:11by the local firm Gillows.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14But it is outside today that we will be valuing all the treasures
0:01:14 > 0:01:18hidden in these bags and boxes, and this lot have all turned up to
0:01:18 > 0:01:21ask our experts that all-important question, which is...
0:01:21 > 0:01:23ALL: What's it worth?!
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Well, the weather is holding off for us to have an antiques party
0:01:30 > 0:01:32alfresco in the stunning garden.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37And talking of things bright and beautiful,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40our experts today include the formidable Mark Stacey.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43What have you got here? A silver plate or silver?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Silver plate, I think.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47ANITA LAUGHS
0:01:47 > 0:01:50And the lady of the house, Anita Manning.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- It is empty.- I'm afraid so. It is only little, as well.
0:01:53 > 0:01:54SHE LAUGHS
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- Get away!- I thought we were sharing things today.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Away and look for a piece of Lalique!
0:01:59 > 0:02:01THEY LAUGH
0:02:05 > 0:02:09And lending a helpful hand, David Fletcher is on the lookout too.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11It could be anything.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Coming up, we find out if David has bitten off more than
0:02:17 > 0:02:21he can chew with these bacchanalian feast plaques.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25And Mark will be waxing lyrical about this fabulous French doll.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Tatton Park houses treasures from all around the world, lovingly
0:02:29 > 0:02:33preserved by four generations of the Egerton family, the last of whom,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Maurice, decided that the paintings, artefacts and glorious buildings and
0:02:37 > 0:02:40gardens should be given to us to enjoy,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44and so he gave Tatton Park to the National Trust, who have leased it
0:02:44 > 0:02:48to Cheshire East Council. More about the philanthropic last baron later,
0:02:48 > 0:02:53but first let's see what family heirlooms are being offered up to "Flog It!"
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- Who is W Stocker? - That's my grandpa.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58He was a book dealer, was he?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- Yes, he was, he had five bookshops in London...- Wow.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03..that closed during the war.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- There's a fascinating envelope there. - SHE LAUGHS
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Because it says a "Longfellow first edition." I can't believe...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12It absolutely isn't, it's got photographs in there.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- They've always been in there and just put in a drawer. - Can you get them out?
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Yes, sure.- It is always nice to
0:03:18 > 0:03:20see what's going to be revealed here.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22I've put my...
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- OK. So they are of famous people... - Yes, they are.- ..I believe.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30OK. Sometimes there's two. That's it.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32That's great, isn't it?
0:03:32 > 0:03:35You've really got the great and the good of the late 19th century.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36You've got people like
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42John Ruskin, the painters Millet
0:03:42 > 0:03:43and Landseer.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47These were all great times of change.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51You know, The Origin Of Species created such a stir.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Dickens and his Dickensian novels that we all know today.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59And the painters, Landseer, were changing the mood of paintings.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03I think what these are are photographs of paintings,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- maybe in the Royal Society. - That's interesting.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09So they haven't gathered all these people together to sit there and pose.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13These are copies that you could have, to have at home,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17if you were interested in learning and educating yourself.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21But I want to learn a little bit more about your grandfather because he sounds a fascinating man.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Oh, he was. He had five bookshops.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27He spoke six languages fluently.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29He tended to hoard things like this,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- just out of interest, really. - And they've been hidden away.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- You obviously... You haven't framed them and put them out yourself. - No.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- And it's such a shame. I want, really...- To go to somebody who appreciates them?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Yes, someone who appreciates them and will love them,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44because it is such a shame to put them in a drawer.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I think you're right, actually.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50We should put them in with the auctioneers sort of £80-£120.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Yeah, that's great.- And we'll put a reserve of £80.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- Yeah.- I mean, it is not a huge amount of money. Even if we got £100 for it.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Have you earmarked the funds for anything in particular?
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Well, we are actually trying to buy a new house at the moment.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07We've managed to raise quite a bit of cash already,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11but it is the last little bit I am scraping the barrel for.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Well, £100 would be a very little bit, wouldn't it? Might get a brick.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16It's not far off that we need, to be honest.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- In that case, every little helps. - Absolutely, every penny counts.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Well, I jolly well hope we get a good price for them.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- And we hope you get the key to that new house.- Yes, me too. Thank you.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- Phil...- Hello. - ..welcome to "Flog It!".
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Now, this little brooch caught my eye in the queue this morning,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41and it was sparkling in the sunlight. Tell me where you got it.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46Well, it was my wife who inherited it from her late auntie.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48And we've had it for, perhaps, 12 months now.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52But it is just stuck on the dressing table upstairs and we thought,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55"Let's get it valued and see what it is worth."
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Did your wife like it?
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Yes, she liked it, but it is not something she would wear.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Let's look at it, let's think of the date first of all.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08Now, this little brooch dates from 1880, 1890,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- so we are over 100 years old... - Right.- ..in that.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14It is a little spray of flowers and leaves.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Now...
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- the stones are diamonds. Did you know that?- No.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20Did your wife know that?
0:06:20 > 0:06:24I think so. Well, we didn't know really what it was.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27We have a good cluster of diamonds here.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31They are rose cut diamonds, that's an older style of cut.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35These diamonds have been set in silver,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37with a gold backing.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41And that was quite a common thing for that time.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45Often things could have been made as a present, and it would have been
0:06:45 > 0:06:49something that was commissioned, maybe by a husband for his wife.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Oh, I see.- Or his girlfriend, or both.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54ANITA LAUGHS Yeah. Yes, whichever.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Collectors will be interested in this little brooch
0:06:57 > 0:07:01because it perfectly expresses the period that it was made.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Has anyone looked at this and given you a value before?- Yes, they have.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07They valued it between £500 and £600.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- Between five and six.- Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Obviously, it is valued at what somebody is going to give you,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- isn't it?- Yeah.- You know, basically.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18There is a difference between insurance valuation
0:07:18 > 0:07:20and resale valuation.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21If that was going to auction,
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I would like to estimate it a little more conservatively than that.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29I would like to put it in, probably at...
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- 300 to 500.- OK.- In that region.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- Yeah.- And having a firm reserve of £300.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- OK.- I'm sure that little brooch will
0:07:39 > 0:07:41be as fancied by the buyers as it
0:07:41 > 0:07:45was by me. And that it will reach a good price. Are you happy with that?
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- Yes, I'm happy with that.- Thank you very much for bringing it in.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Thank you very much...- I just love it to bits.- Good. Thank you. Thanks a lot.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Sparkling in the sun, just like you, Anita.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59And this mansion house is also full of gems.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I've been told there is a magnificent
0:08:03 > 0:08:06collection of Gillows furniture here, possibly the biggest
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and the best in the country. And as you know, I love my furniture,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13so I have left our experts hard at work to show you just one room,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17the drawing-room, with this suite of Gillows furniture.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21This suite of furniture was made for the house in 1820, and its style is rococo revival.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25As you can see, it is totally over the top, frivolous, rich in carving
0:08:25 > 0:08:30and gilding, and it is upholstered with silks from Macclesfield.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32So everything is local, which is really nice.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36And incidentally, this style of furnishings in the 1820s, where
0:08:36 > 0:08:39things were brought into the middle of the room, was all the rage.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Prince Regent had this at Carlton House,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46so you can see you had to keep up with the Joneses, didn't you?
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Now, back to the busy gardens outside,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53where David has also found some elaborate craftsmanship.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Well, Andrew, this fine house here has seen some wonderful parties
0:08:57 > 0:09:01in its time, I'm sure, but we've got one heck of a party
0:09:01 > 0:09:06going on on these two plaques that you and I are holding.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10It's a representation of what is known as a bacchanalian feast,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12you know, Bacchus, the god of drink.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Um... And these children, and they are just children,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19"putti" to give them their neoclassical name,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21are enjoying themselves.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23They're drinking,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25which of course they shouldn't be doing at their age.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28They're getting animals and poultry
0:09:28 > 0:09:30ready for the table.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34There is some putti over here at this end, actually getting on with
0:09:34 > 0:09:38the business of rolling a barrel into place.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41These characters here are carrying grapes over towards the press,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44presumably where they are going to be made into wine.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46And they are having a great time.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Now, what can you tell me about them?
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Well, they were my wife's first husband's, he was an antiques dealer.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Oh!- He died.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59And then, obviously, when I met her and married her, we've...
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- they've just been in the attic ever since.- OK.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05They are signed.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Gruhe.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10G-R-U-H-E.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13That one is actually dated as well. What is the date?
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- 93.- 93.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Yes, he was a German sculptor who lived in the 19th century and just
0:10:20 > 0:10:24into the 20th century, so this was produced near the end of his life.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26And I'm guessing here,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29but I think these must be furniture mounts. You know, you can
0:10:29 > 0:10:33imagine a grand sideboard, perhaps, with these set in the back.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36They are made of metal, of course.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Some sort of base metal which has been silvered.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41It is a sort of silver plating.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44And you don't want them hanging on your wall?
0:10:44 > 0:10:47We've got a modern house now and they don't really go with
0:10:47 > 0:10:51anything we've got there, so we just thought we'd fetch them along.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I would suggest the pair probably has a value in the region of
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- £60-£100.- Right, yeah.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59I guess there is an argument for putting a covering reserve on.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00What is your view?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03I think, really, if somebody likes them, we are
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- just willing to let them go.- OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Let's do that, we'll put an estimate of £60-£100 on them.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Sounds good.- No reserve.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- They're not going to make you a fortune.- No, just nice to know a bit more about them.- Good.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17Thank you very much.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20OK, well, we are going on that basis, and I'll see you at the sale.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Yeah.- Thanks, Andrew.- Thank you very much.- Thanks very much.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Now, before we call it a wrap and head off to the auction room for our
0:11:26 > 0:11:31first visit, let's have a quick look back at what else is coming with us.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Claire's photos of Victorian society have been
0:11:33 > 0:11:35stuck in a drawer for years.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Will they help her finally get the key to the new home?
0:11:41 > 0:11:42And staying in the Victorian era,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46will this delightful diamond brooch shine as bright at the auction?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52And finally, these elaborate feast plaques may not be to
0:11:52 > 0:11:56everybody's taste, but will they go down well in the saleroom?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02We're leaving the grandeur of Tatton and heading across the county
0:12:02 > 0:12:04border to Partridge & Bray,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Liverpool's newest auction house.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Well, as you can see,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12the auction room is jam-packed full of bidders.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13What an atmosphere.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16But will they be as impressed with our Tatton Park treasures
0:12:16 > 0:12:19as our experts were? There's only one way to find out.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Here's our first lot.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24And it's Claire's grandfather's photos of the famous Victorians,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27which are going under the hammer with Adam Partridge,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29ably assisted by his young son.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33We're talking about the collection of imported photographs,
0:12:33 > 0:12:3680 to 120 put on by Mark. It is a very important collection.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- It is quite interesting. - Is your photograph amongst it?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- No, it's not, is yours?- Yes, I slipped a "Flog It!" card in there.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Signed or unsigned?- Signed.- Oh...
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Well, I'll not say anything there.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- And hopefully we can send you home smiling. Fingers crossed.- I hope so.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53This is a tricky one, I wouldn't like to put a value on this.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I'm not worried, I just think it's good fun, really.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Let's see what this lot in this packed auction room think.- Yes.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Very interesting lot. Five Hughes & Edmonds sepia photographs.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07They are depicting renowned figures of the Victorian
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and Edwardian period. I think they are quite rare, these.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I'm bid £80. I would take five. 95.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- 110. 120.- 120.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- Oh.- I'll take 140.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- At 130.- Oh, that's surprised us.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25£130. All done and selling...
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- That's fab.- Brilliant. That's fantastic.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Straight in and straightforward. Blink and you'll miss that one.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I had every confidence.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35'What a great start.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39'But how confident will the buyers be about Phil's diamond brooch?'
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Have you been looking forward to this?- Yes.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Because you didn't expect anything was going to happen...
0:13:44 > 0:13:47No, I didn't expect it to be anything like this.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50And you didn't think that we were going to retain it that...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- No, I just expected just to come in, get the valuation... - And go home with it?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Yes.- But how are we supposed to sell it if you go home with it?
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Exactly, but I didn't realise all this went on, you see.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00No, a lot goes on behind the scenes.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- And where did this come from, remind us again?- It was my wife's auntie.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- She had left it in her will.- OK. - So, well, hopefully...
0:14:07 > 0:14:09And your wife didn't want to wear it.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11No, it's not really her cup of tea.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- It will go to a collector.- Yes.- Who will put it in a lovely little
0:14:14 > 0:14:18bijouterie cabinet along with other items from that age
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- and enjoy looking at it. - Yes, good, good. So we shall see.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25And there's plenty of collectors here. Let's put it to the test.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26It's going under the hammer now.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30553 is a Victorian gold and silver
0:14:30 > 0:14:32diamond set floral brooch.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35300, the diamond brooch. Three. Two, then.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38200. 200 bid. At 200.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41At 200, I have. At £200, at 200.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Ten. 220. 230. 240.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48250. 260, sir. At 250.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51At 250. Any advance on 250? 60.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- 270.- Yes!- Cor, we are getting...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58290. At 290 now. At 290.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Any more at 290?
0:15:01 > 0:15:04At 290. Any more at 290?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- We are only one bid away.- Yeah.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I'm afraid it's got a fixed reserve.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- So we can't sell it.- Oh!- £10 away.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13Never mind.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- That's how close it is in an auction.- That's fine.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20We nearly got there. You know it is worth that, you know it is worth that.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Oh, what a shame, we were so...
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Although the brooch narrowly missed its reserve, every cloud has a silver lining.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Phil decided to keep it in the family
0:15:30 > 0:15:34and give it to his 90-year-old auntie, who had always loved it.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Next up is Andrew with those decadent wall plaques.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40If any of you have got a keen eye,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42you might be able to spot a lot of things that are going on with
0:15:42 > 0:15:47our next lot, two bacchanalian feast plaques, which have been on your wall?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- No.- No, not at all, you didn't like them?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Not really, they didn't fit in with our property,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- so they've just been sat on the cupboard gathering dust.- OK. OK.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58And we have a value of £60-£100 on these.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02It is an odd thing. You either love them or you hate them on this kind of thing.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- They are just good fun. - They're great fun.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Talk about underage drinking today. Some of these kids
0:16:07 > 0:16:10are even younger than I was when I started drinking.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12But as you say, Andrew, it is the displaying of them,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16that's the difficult thing, isn't it? Because there is nothing else you can do but put them up there.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Look, fingers crossed.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20We are going to find a new home for them, that's what it's all about.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Right now it's going under the hammer. Let's see what the bidders think.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27And the next lot is a pair of cast gilt-metal rectangular
0:16:27 > 0:16:31plaques with bacchanalian scenes there. What do we say for them?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Bid me £50, the pair. Start me at £50. Should be all in £50.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35Where's your bid at £50?
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- Who wants to start me off at £30? - It's quiet.- £30 a pair, surely.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42£30.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45£30. Thank you, sir. At £30. I'll take £5. They're here to sell.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50It's £30 only. At £30 the back of the room. £30. £35. Thank you. £40.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51£45. £50.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53£55.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57£50 it is at the moment. £50. I'll take £5. At £50, then.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Are you all done at £50 only? The pair of plaques at £50.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Any advance on £50?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07And the hammer's gone down. It's gone down at £50.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- Just under the £60 mark, but we had no reserve.- That's fine.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13We tried our hardest. That is auctions for you. Happy with that?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- We don't have to clean them again. - No, not at all.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17Somebody else can appreciate them.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20You don't have to put them back in the cupboard either.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28As we've just seen, people here are selling items that have
0:17:28 > 0:17:30been in their family for many generations.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33But what if you were to inherit a complete estate
0:17:33 > 0:17:34and then just give it away?
0:17:34 > 0:17:37I've been taking a closer look at the possessions of
0:17:37 > 0:17:41the last Baron of Tatton, who inherited one of the most opulent
0:17:41 > 0:17:44estates in the country, filled it full of the most magnificent
0:17:44 > 0:17:47treasures and then gave it all to us.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01For nearly 300 years, generation after generation
0:18:01 > 0:18:05of the Egerton family has lived here, at Tatton Park in Cheshire.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Each in turn putting their own stamp on the estate,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11creating the beauty and the splendour that we see today.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22But for me, it was Maurice, the last Baron Egerton,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26who's left a particularly striking imprint on this estate.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29He was a devoted natural historian, he travelled the world
0:18:29 > 0:18:34documenting and collecting rare and exotic artefacts and animals.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38All of which now have pride of place in this magnificent house.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41The result is that during his 38-year tenure,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46Tatton was transformed into a museum of Maurice's passions.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50It's a feast for the eyes and I can't wait to explore the rest.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55It's not hard to see how Maurice, or Lordy, as he was affectionately
0:18:55 > 0:18:59known, became so keen on collecting objects of beauty and fascination.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Growing up at nearby Rostherne Manor,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05which is in the next village just down the road,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Maurice would've visited this house as a youngster regularly
0:19:08 > 0:19:12and marvelled at all the great oil paintings on the wall,
0:19:12 > 0:19:17the precious books and the exquisite pieces of furniture his father,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21uncle and his grandfather collected and cared for.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25And as a young man, being surrounded by so much exquisite fine art,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27it would've been such an education.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32He himself was treated with kid gloves growing up.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34He wasn't born to be Baron.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38But his two elder brothers sadly died very young and from then on,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40he was groomed to take over the Tatton title
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and ownership of the estate.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49And at the age of 21, he accompanied his father to Rhodesia,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52modern-day Zimbabwe, on a hunting trip.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Here, they were caught up in the Matabele people's uprising
0:19:56 > 0:19:59against the occupation of the British South Africa Company.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Although traumatic, the experience gave him an insight
0:20:02 > 0:20:06into the changing continent that he was to grow ever-passionate about.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Between 1896 and 1958,
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Maurice made around 40 trips abroad overseas to far-flung places -
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Alaska, Namibia, and the mountainous regions of central Asia.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22And there, he met up with the local people
0:20:22 > 0:20:26and brought back personal objects they'd used and made.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Tatton park's curator, Caroline Schofield, has been
0:20:31 > 0:20:35piecing together the inspiration behind Maurice's collection.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Was it these trips to Africa that kick-started his passion
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- for collecting?- I think so.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45He had a trip to Africa in the late 19th century, to Rhodesia,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48and from then, started to travel quite widely
0:20:48 > 0:20:50and spent a lot of time in Africa.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53You can see from the collection here that he was a really
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- passionate collector.- Do you think he was an accidental archivist?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I think he would've made a fantastic museum curator
0:20:59 > 0:21:03because he kept very careful records of everything he did.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08And these diaries detail the various trips he's done.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10And there are a number of these, so really, he's recording
0:21:10 > 0:21:13lots of detail about his various travels around the world.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16And the objects themselves give you an insight into his character
0:21:16 > 0:21:18because he was really interested
0:21:18 > 0:21:21in what people used to work and what they made and what they dressed in.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24You can see that by the things he's brought back.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- They're not exactly precious, but in their own right...- Yeah.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29The materials themselves are not valuable,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33but the craftsmanship and the rarity of the objects is where
0:21:33 > 0:21:36the value lies and the fact that they were collected by Maurice Egerton.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Caroline's very kindly let me
0:21:40 > 0:21:44take a closer look at some of the more intriguing items on display.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48There's a lovely little group of arrows there with
0:21:48 > 0:21:50an incredibly dangerous sharp tip to it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52They're coated in poison, so we can't touch those,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56but, interestingly enough, there's a little squashed-up bird's nest
0:21:56 > 0:21:59which the tribesmen used to contain the poison.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01So they dipped their arrowheads into that.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05This is nice, this shows the personal touch
0:22:05 > 0:22:08because there's a photograph of a girl wearing this metal skirt.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12So he's obviously met her, so it means an awful lot.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15He got this in 1932 and he's paid five shillings for it.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23So while generations before him had focused on making the buildings
0:22:23 > 0:22:25and grounds magnificent at Tatton,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28for Maurice it was all about what treasures
0:22:28 > 0:22:30to fill the house and gardens with.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33In 1930, with a collection of artefacts too large to house
0:22:33 > 0:22:37in the main building here, Maurice had an extension built.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And it is this room I'm walking in now. It is a vast space.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43It's known as Tenants' Hall.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46And here, he housed his collection of animal skins
0:22:46 > 0:22:49and trophy wall mounts.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Despite how tastes have changed,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54taxidermy was a popular form of interior decor.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59And Maurice had a master collection to rival any natural history museum.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02And some of the pieces are just extraordinary.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08I have to show you these elephant feet.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11I have seen these used before as plant pots,
0:23:11 > 0:23:17stick and umbrella stands, or even a litter bin in a gentleman's library.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19I wonder what Maurice used them for.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Collecting wasn't his only passion.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26Maurice was also a thrill-seeker and saw Tatton as the perfect venue
0:23:26 > 0:23:29to road-test the latest in motoring and flying machines.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34- I take it Maurice was a pioneering aviator in his day.- Yes, he was.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36He was a friend of the Wright brothers
0:23:36 > 0:23:40and he went to see them fly various aviation exhibitions in France
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and then he bought his own airplane, a Wright Flyer,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46one of the six first made by Short Brothers.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49So he was quite a pioneer, really.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52And he was also streets ahead with his motorcars.
0:23:54 > 0:24:00And this is his Benz Comfortable Motor Car. It wasn't his first car.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04The first car he had was a Darracq, which he had around about 1900.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06The car is registered M1.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Maurice had the first vehicle registration in Cheshire and
0:24:09 > 0:24:14he transferred the registration from his Darracq to this one around 1924.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- So... - He was fond of that numberplate.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's been very useful for us because we were able to
0:24:19 > 0:24:22auction off the registration a couple of years ago.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- What did that make? - It made around £350,000.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30And the funds form the basis of the Tatton Park Trust.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32It's been a really brilliant thing for us to be able to tap into,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35to do work here, good work here.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39But despite travelling the world and forging friendships everywhere,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Maurice remained the ultimate bachelor.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45He never married and reached the ripe old age of 84
0:24:45 > 0:24:47with no heir to the Tatton estate.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51He increasingly spent his final years in Africa
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and he had this African hut built here, on the estate at Tatton,
0:24:54 > 0:24:59to remind him of a place he really called home.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Always a forward-thinker of his time,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06he was committed to finding ways for the Kenyan farmland to thrive.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09And he used these glasshouses at Tatton to develop bean
0:25:09 > 0:25:13and pea species which would grow well in an arid environment.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16All his hard work really paid off.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20He may have had blue blood, but he definitely had green fingers.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23He cultivated the most incredible collection.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Upon his death, he requested that his heart be buried in Africa
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and his estate left as a legacy to the nation.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Tatton Park and its incredible contents were gifted to the
0:25:34 > 0:25:38National Trust so future generations could appreciate it and enjoy it.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Welcome back to our "Flog It!" valuation day, where we're
0:25:49 > 0:25:52enjoying the stunning views and fair weather here in Cheshire.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Before we catch up with our experts to look for more antiques,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59I have a little surprise for you.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01The Egerton family have lived here throughout their life,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05entertaining their guests with all sorts of wonderful treasures.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09So today, we're going to transport you back in time to the late
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Georgian period, courtesy of Lauren Scott and her golden harp.
0:26:12 > 0:26:13Take it away, Lauren!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16APPLAUSE
0:26:19 > 0:26:21HARP RECITAL
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Derek, we're in a fantastic setting
0:26:49 > 0:26:52and you've brought this absolutely charming box in.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Before we look at it,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I want to know what our little crowd think of it.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Do you like it?- Yes. - What is it for, do you know?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- Some kind of jewellery?- No. It's actually a glove box.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07It's a very elegant ladies' glove box.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10You can imagine a lady coming back from a ball,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12or a night out at the theatre
0:27:12 > 0:27:15and she takes her long gloves off with her button hook
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and she folds them, or her maid folds them
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and puts them away in a lovely, charming box, like this.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26- Where did you get it from?- I bought it from a charity shop.- Never!
0:27:26 > 0:27:29I did, yeah. It was absolutely black, covered.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- You couldn't see the brass at all. - You couldn't see the decoration?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34I could see there was something there,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38some metal because you could just feel it, but it was black all over.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43- And you've cleaned it off.- Yeah. - And what did you pay for this?- £25.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- Gosh! Doesn't sound like a lot of money, does it?- No.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- Do you know what we call this type of decoration?- It's Boulle.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Boulle work, yes.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55And this is after a French person called Andre Charles Boulle,
0:27:55 > 0:28:00who invented this process somewhere in the late 17th century.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Now, this is not to say your box is late 17th century.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Unfortunately, it's not. It's late 19th century.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10But the principles are the same. This is ebonised wood.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14And then this brasswork is cut out and set into the tortoiseshell,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17which is below. And somebody's had their initials put on there.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20So it might've been a gift, something like that.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22But pretty much, it's OK.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24There's just a tiny bit of tortoiseshell there,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- which isn't too much to repair.- No.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29It's time for it to go, I presume.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33- It is, yeah. I keep a thing for a few months, then it's bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- On to the next thing.- Oh, you've got no sentiment about you.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38None whatsoever.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41I think if we're being really sensible about it,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44we should think of an estimate of £80-£120.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45- Would you be happy with that?- Yeah.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Now, what do you feel about a reserve?
0:28:47 > 0:28:50I'd just like to let it find its own level. It's going to go, so...
0:28:50 > 0:28:52It's going to go.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- What if we put a sort of £50 discretion reserve on it?- Yeah.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Just so the auctioneer knows we don't want to give it away for £20.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01So at least then, if you sell it for £45, after commission,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- you've still made a reasonable profit.- Yeah.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- Would you be happy with that? - I would be happy, yes.- Fantastic.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Well, let's hope every glove box collector turns out for the sale!
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- OK. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Stella, welcome to "Flog It!" - Nice to meet you.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25Why have you brought me in this little array of buttons?
0:29:25 > 0:29:30They've been sitting in my workbox for quite some considerable time.
0:29:30 > 0:29:36And every time I tidy it out, I put them out and then they go away.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40When I knew "Flog It!" was coming, I thought they might be of interest to the programme.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44They certainly are of interest. How did you come by them?
0:29:44 > 0:29:47They were given to me by an old lady, a friend of Mother's,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50who was a neighbour, and she saw me born and grow up.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Have you never been tempted to put them on...?- Never.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57They've always remained in the envelope that the lady gave them.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Always stayed the same place.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01- They are really quite special.- Good.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03They're what I call Ruskin buttons.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08And this was from the studio of John Taylor.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Set up in about the 1890s.
0:30:10 > 0:30:16Taylor was fascinated by the high glaze of Chinese
0:30:16 > 0:30:18and Oriental porcelain.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22He made decorative items like vases, pots,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24but he also made functional items,
0:30:24 > 0:30:29like door pulls and tiles for fireplaces and so on.
0:30:29 > 0:30:35And all of them had this wonderful, wonderful high glaze.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37And I love, in particular, this lovely...
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- it's almost like a duck-blue. - It is, yes.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43And we have these pale-green ones, a couple of coffee ones
0:30:43 > 0:30:46and these lovely mottled ones. Which are you favourites?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48- I think the mottled ones.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- Did you know they were Ruskin buttons?- No.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Well, I knew there was an association with Ruskin,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59but I didn't know quite how old they were or anything about them.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03The studio existed between the 1890s and 1935.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08And sadly, when they closed down in 1935,
0:31:08 > 0:31:13- all records of the processes were destroyed.- That's sad.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18And nobody has ever been able to reproduce that wonderful high glaze.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- No.- If we were going to put them into auction,
0:31:21 > 0:31:26we're probably best not to put them in with a high estimate.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30I would suggest an estimate of £60-£80.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- Now, would you be happy with that? - I would.- Happy with that.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Would you like to put a reserve price on them?
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- I think £60.- Put £60, yes.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43Because I think somebody may...they may be of interest to a collector.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- I think so, too.- Yes.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48£60-£80, reserve of £60.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51I'm sure they'll do well. And thank you for bringing them in.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54- It's been a pleasure to look at them.- Thank you very much indeed.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55I've enjoyed it.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59The buttons may have been easy on the eye for Anita,
0:31:59 > 0:32:01but up next, it's all eyes on Mark.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- Janet, hello.- Hello, Mark. - Sunny Tatton Park.- Yes.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10These kind of dolls really scare me.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13The wax ones even more than the bisque-headed ones.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Have you had it a long time?
0:32:15 > 0:32:17I was six when she was given to me.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- So, um...- A little while ago.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21A little while ago, yes,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25but she was given to me by the old lady who lived next door.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27It was an antique almost then, actually.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- I think we're going back to France with this one.- Yes.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35And the late 19th century. So it's over 100 years old. Well over.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37And she is quite remarkable.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Considering it's wax and wax is quite a sort of soft material,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44it's been obviously well looked after. You haven't played with it.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48When the lady gave her to my mother to give to me,
0:32:48 > 0:32:52my twin brother looked at her and immediately scratched the face
0:32:52 > 0:32:55because it was something we'd never seen before.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58My mother was aware of this.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00She then came and took the doll from us
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- and we never saw it again for 20 years.- Gosh!
0:33:03 > 0:33:06She's very well-made. The quality is very, very good.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09Lovely little blue glass eyes.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- And the costume is rather grand, isn't it?- Oh, gosh, yes.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17It's wonderful, with this frockcoat and her lovely little shoes.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21And even a little handkerchief and gloves.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25And if you look carefully, she's got matching earrings and necklace.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30And I love this little chatelaine here with her pocket watch on.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32It's wonderful quality.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Why have you decided to get rid of her now?
0:33:35 > 0:33:37I don't really look at her any more.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Perhaps if she goes to a collector, she'll have some friends.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44That's a very good point.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- And even though they frighten me, they don't frighten everybody.- No.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50And there's quite a lot of collectors out there who like these
0:33:50 > 0:33:53sort of dolls and I think she should do quite well at auction.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56We should put something like £150-£250 on her.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Something like that.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00And, you know, I have a sneaky feeling there'll be
0:34:00 > 0:34:02two or three people who really go for her.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04But we'll protect it with £150 reserve
0:34:04 > 0:34:08because even though it's time for her to leave you,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- I don't think it's time to leave you at a bargain basement price.- No.
0:34:11 > 0:34:17So if we put £150 on her to tell people we're serious. Fixed reserve.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19I think she'll find a new home quite readily.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Yes, that sounds OK to me.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Thank you very much, Janet.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26There you are, our experts have now made their final
0:34:26 > 0:34:30choices of items to take off to auction for the very last time,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32so, sadly, it's time to say goodbye to our wonderful
0:34:32 > 0:34:34palatial surroundings.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Everybody has thoroughly enjoyed themselves here.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39And the weather has been marvellous, too.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40But right now, it's time to up the tempo.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Let's put those valuations to the test.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45And here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Derek found this wonderful Boulle glove box in a charity shop.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54He's hoping it will fund his next antique investment.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Stella's Ruskin buttons have been tucked away in her sewing box,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03but could they be worth a pretty penny?
0:35:06 > 0:35:08And finally, this French wax doll
0:35:08 > 0:35:10which sent a shiver down Mark's spine.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Will she create a similar ripple at auction?
0:35:16 > 0:35:19We've hot-footed it back to the auction house,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22where auctioneer Adam Partridge and his right-hand man, Nick Bray,
0:35:22 > 0:35:26are discussing the interest they've had in that delightful wax doll.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Well, this appeals to me mainly
0:35:28 > 0:35:31because it's such a rare survivor in such good condition.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Wax dolls, you generally see them in pretty poor condition.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- What do you think about it? - I just love everything about it.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39All the original features, the jewellery,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43the wax arms, the wax limbs, it's just perfect.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45The beautiful little gloves, its dress.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Here she is, as original as you can find in her period clothing,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51with the glass eyes.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53So I can see there being an awful lot of interest on this doll.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57- One of my clients is coming over from Germany to bid on her.- Really?
0:35:57 > 0:35:59So I don't think she'll want to go home empty-handed.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02The doll collectors and the doll buyers that come to see this
0:36:02 > 0:36:06will fall in love with it when they handle it and touch it
0:36:06 > 0:36:07and see how perfect she is.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- What you're saying is it has to be seen to be appreciated.- I think so.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14And she'll sell better seen in the flesh, or in the wax,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- as to on the clinical photograph online.- Yeah.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20So there's going to be loads of interest on her.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Is she going to make plenty of money?- Yeah.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Double estimate and more. I think she's going to go to a good home.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- You hope she does, don't you? - I would like her to, yeah.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Double estimate and lots of international interest.
0:36:31 > 0:36:32That's what I like to hear.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35We'll have to wait to find out if their predictions come true
0:36:35 > 0:36:38because first up, it's Stella's collection of Ruskin buttons.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43This next lot has to be one of my favourite lots in the entire sale.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46It's not worth a great deal of money, but I think these
0:36:46 > 0:36:49little things are so precious and they belong to Stella.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52And not for much longer. We're talking about the Ruskin buttons.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57- Love your name - Stella. "Radiating star", isn't it?- It is, yes.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59These buttons are beautiful!
0:36:59 > 0:37:02I love that turquoise glaze, the enamel.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04I love those buttons.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06I would have them on my clothes in my wardrobe,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- but unfortunately, I can't buy them. - You're not allowed to buy them.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13- Did you ever think about sewing them on your clothes?- No, no.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17They've sat in my workbox for a long time, so I decided when I saw
0:37:17 > 0:37:21"Flog It!" coming to Tatton Park, I would put them in and sell them.
0:37:21 > 0:37:26- Precious little things.- Yes, they are. I hope they go to a collector.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Yes, so do I. And I hope we get a little bit more than £60-£80.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30So do I!
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- Hopefully. You never know, do you? - No, you don't.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37So let's see what they fetch. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Next lot is a set of Ruskin buttons. Nine buttons.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44They're worth a tenner each. £90.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47About £60, then. £60? £60.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49I've got £40 bid.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52At £45. At £45, then. £45.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- Oh, come on!- At £45.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57I don't think they're going to sell.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02At £45, £50. £55. At £55. At £55.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Any advance on £55?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09That comes from a firm reserve, I'm afraid.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- We could've sold those if we had to. - It doesn't matter.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- Don't sell them at the lower end. - No, I'm not going to.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17At least you protected it with a reserve.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19I think they're worth at least that.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21£20 a piece. They are nice.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24You'll take them home and you never know,
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- you may use them for something. - Well, you never know.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30No. Treasure them. There's always another sale in a few years' time.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- I'll put them back in the workbox. - Yeah.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- I loved them, Paul loved them, and you loved them.- It doesn't matter.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38It's been worth it. Thank you very much.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- That's auctions for you.- It is.- It's all about who's here on the day.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42Luck of the draw.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Well, let's see if that Boulle glove box
0:38:45 > 0:38:50bought for just £25 in a charity shop fares better.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Next up, we've got that wonderful glove box
0:38:53 > 0:38:55inlaid with metal Boulle work.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Unfortunately, we don't have its owner, Derek. He can't be with us.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02But we do have Derek's daughter. Hello. Where's Dad today, then?
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- He's had to go to work, I'm afraid. - He couldn't get the day off?- No.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Hopefully, you can go home with some good news and say,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11"Dad, it's tripled its estimate." That'd be nice, wouldn't it?
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- It would be nice. - Have you been to an auction before?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16One time with my dad, but...
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- Did you buy, or sell?- He was buying.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- Did he get lucky?- Yeah.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23I think he just bought a box of odd bits,
0:39:23 > 0:39:27but some of the stuff was worth quite a lot more than what he paid.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Well, let's hope he gets lucky today, Mark.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- I hope so. It's a full room. - Let's put it to the test.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Here we go, it's going under the hammer right now.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37The next lot, a lovely little late 19th-century Boulle work
0:39:37 > 0:39:40glove box with initials EB to the lid.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Let's hope we've got two EBs here today for the Boulle-work glove box.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46I'm bid £50, £60, £70, £80, take five.
0:39:46 > 0:39:47At five, £90, £95...
0:39:47 > 0:39:48- Ooh!- This is good.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51..£100, £100, £120, £130, £140, £150, £160.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54In the room at £160. I'll take £170.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57At £160. Any advance now on £160?
0:39:57 > 0:40:01Are you done at £160? We sell, then, at £160.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03Well done. Marvellous!
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Yes! Not bad for £25.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I think he'll be happy with that.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10I might get some pocket money.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11THEY LAUGH
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Now for the moment we've been waiting for.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18She's divided opinion, attracted international interest
0:40:18 > 0:40:20and our auctioneers are hoping
0:40:20 > 0:40:22she'll more than double her estimate.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24It is, of course, the French wax doll.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Janet, your wax doll has been causing
0:40:29 > 0:40:31- quite a stir at the preview day. - Has she?
0:40:31 > 0:40:36Yesterday, all the browsers were picking it up and looking at it.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Personally, I find them scary. I don't like dolls.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- And I know Mark doesn't like dolls. - I really don't. It's not my scene.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- This is quality, a good wax doll.- Yes.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48- And you've had this since you were six years old.- Yes.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- Don't add any more on.- No.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51But at least it's been in the box,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- it's been kept safe for about 20-odd years, is it?- Yes.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57But she was on display at home for a long time.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- And she's been kept in good hands. - Yes.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02And that's why she's held her value.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07They're made of wax, so they're very easy to get damaged and broken.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09And it's got that lovely sort of original clothes.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- Which all helps, doesn't it? - Which all helps.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14And I'm sure there's going to be quite a lot of collectors.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16We could be in for a surprise!
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Don't go away, don't disappear to the kitchen to make a cup of tea
0:41:18 > 0:41:21because this is going under the hammer right now.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- Anything can happen in an auction, cant it?- Oh, gosh, yes.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Let's find out. This is it.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29It's a very nice 19th-century wax doll.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Three phone lines on this 19th-century wax doll.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- They're on the phone lines. - Start me in the room at £200.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- Straight in there.- Let's get on. We all know it's going to make more.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43£150. Start me at £150. On this phone at £150.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46£160, £170, £180, £190.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51£200, £220, £220. £240 with one of you now?
0:41:51 > 0:41:54At £220, £240, £260.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59- £260, Janet, that's got above the top end already.- Yes.- £280, £300.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Online, £320 next.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03£320. Do you want £340, either of you?
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- £340. £360? - Janet, this is exciting!
0:42:07 > 0:42:11£400 with Nick. At £400. £20, £440.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16£460, £480.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- £500.- £500!- £520.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23£560.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26This was a come-and-buy-me, wasn't it, from our resident doll expert?
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- Yes!- £600. £620, £640?
0:42:29 > 0:42:31£620 on this phone.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36Are you all done on this wax doll at £620? It's selling at £620.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Oh, it's yours!
0:42:38 > 0:42:41Yes! The hammer's gone down. How about that? £620.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Don't forget, there is commission to pay, it's 20% including VAT here.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47- Nevertheless, that's a lot of money. - Yes.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51- How exciting was that?- Absolutely... - How exciting was that?
0:42:51 > 0:42:56- Good job that was wrapped up and put in a box for 26 years.- Yes.- Wow!
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- Amazing!- Any idea what you're going to put the money towards?
0:42:59 > 0:43:02The money's going to go to the Wood Street Mission,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05which was founded in Manchester in 1869
0:43:05 > 0:43:07to help families that need help.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Good cause. Any every penny helps.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Well, what a day. What a day we've had!
0:43:12 > 0:43:14I told you there was going to be a lovely surprise at the end.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17Stay tuned for many more to come in the future.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19But for now, from all of us, it's goodbye.