0:00:13 > 0:00:18The best way to see London is on foot. The streets are, literally, paved with history.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson, the lexicographer,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25said, "If you're tired of London, you are tired of life."
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Some 200 years later, it's still the greatest city on Earth
0:00:29 > 0:00:31and a perfect location for Flog It.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58London houses some of the most iconic buildings in the world.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01It's home to many famous museums and galleries,
0:01:01 > 0:01:06with archives documenting hundreds of years of history.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12The collection held at our venue today
0:01:12 > 0:01:16can hardly be called antique - they're still all very much alive.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18We're at London Zoo.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Animals aren't the only attraction today.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37The people of London have turned out in force, hoping their antiques and collectibles impress our experts.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46'We've brought some rare beasts with us, seldom seen in captivity.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48'The exotic Catherine Southon...'
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Anyone else got anything they want to show me?
0:01:51 > 0:01:55'..and the wild Will Axon, who has an unusual talent.'
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- What are you doing there? - Look at this!
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- Ooh!- Found a didgeridoo. Can you play?
0:02:01 > 0:02:05NOTE FROM DIDGERIDOO Oh, that's good!
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- I tell you what, Will, don't give up the day job.- No.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14I may not have a choice.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16'Hopefully, it won't come to that.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21'Coming up on today's show, we're starstruck with some famous namesakes...'
0:02:21 > 0:02:24I'm just about to meet Thomas Hardy.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- BOTH LAUGH - For real!
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- Judith Garland?- Yes!
0:02:29 > 0:02:35'..I reveal the terrifying nightmares that inspired the first ever gothic novel.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39'And which of these items is the superstar at auction?
0:02:39 > 0:02:43'This charming gold bracelet, these tin toy cars
0:02:43 > 0:02:46'or this colourful circus set?
0:02:48 > 0:02:51'Londoners from all corners of the city have come to the zoo,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55'laden with their bags and boxes overflowing with antiques.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59'Our HQ for today is the Prince Albert Suite.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02'Catherine Southon's already getting to grips
0:03:02 > 0:03:04'with a table full of classic automobiles.'
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Richard, the first thing that jumps out at me on all these toys
0:03:10 > 0:03:16are these wonderful racing cars - I absolutely adore racing green.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Tell me where this collection comes from.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23About 40 years ago, my father, who was a carpenter by trade,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26got a job at a Bexhill-on-Sea garage.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- Right.- To refurb it and clear it.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33When he was clearing it, in the garage, he found these cars.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37They were a focal point to his own little collection.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- Were they? He had some nice Dinky Toys as well?- Yeah.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45- He had about 1,000 Dinky Toys. - He was a serious collector.- Yes.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- Are you into cars?- Yes. I've got a vintage car of my own.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- Oh, have you? - I've got a 1936 Sunbeam Talbot.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58- Oh, lovely.- A pre-war car, which is an old road car.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02We enjoy it. We go all over the place in it - rallies, we show it.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- So you are really into cars? - Oh, yes.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I'm guessing by these, never played with... Well. I say that.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13The wheels look slightly rusty, but the bodywork is wonderful.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- They all still work.- Cos they've all got a clockwork mechanism in.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23- These are the limousines. I would say, late 1920s, '30s.- Yes.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27I would have thought so. They have a maker's mark on the boot.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30They do, right on the boot here.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34They've got a distinct maker's mark of Wells of London.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Now, there is a real division here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40We've got English-made toys and we've got American-made toys.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- Oh, American!- We've got a couple that we're not quite sure about.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46We'll come back to those.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49The American ones, I absolutely adore,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53but these ones, the limousines, are slightly more collectable.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- Obviously, the thing that lets these down is the condition.- Yeah.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02My memory says that when they cleared out the garage in Bexhill,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04these were either under a counter
0:05:04 > 0:05:09or could have been a model of a type of car that they sold in the garage.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- Oh, do you think so? That's interesting.- It could have been.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17And over the years, the condensation turns to rust.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Where these were still in their box.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I think the figures inside are just wonderful.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25We have to mention these over here.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28They're in a pretty bad state.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32To me, that looks like a German manufacturer. I can't be certain.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36There's no marks or any indication whatsoever.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38We've got a mixed bag here.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I think, if you're happy to sell,
0:05:41 > 0:05:46I would suggest putting on an estimate of £100 to £150,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49with a reserve of 80, how does that sound?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- That sounds fine. - But it's such a fantastic story.
0:05:52 > 0:05:58I love the history. I love the fact that your father cleared the garage,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00got these and looked after them.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- They could have gone in a skip. - They could have gone in a skip.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06LAUGHING: These look like they may have done once!
0:06:06 > 0:06:09'That's a bit harsh, Catherine.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12'Now, I've got the opportunity to nip outside
0:06:12 > 0:06:15'and meet one of the zoo's very special characters.'
0:06:17 > 0:06:21It's hard not to fall in love with the animals. They are so beautiful.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27I know everybody that works here cares passionately about their welfare.
0:06:27 > 0:06:33You can build up a relationship over several visits, find your favourite animal and give him a name.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35This is a statue of Guy the Gorilla.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40Guy got his name when he arrived at the zoo on Guy Fawkes Day in 1947,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43clutching a tin hot water bottle.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47When he was in his enclosure, he used to scoop up sparrows,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50hold them in his fist and just peer at them.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Then let them go without harming them.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Sadly, he died in 1978.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00He had a heart attack following a tooth extraction.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02He was only 32 years old.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04That was a very sad day for the zoo.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08'From one iconic character from the zoo's history
0:07:08 > 0:07:10'to an iconic character from Flog It.'
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Will is a solitary creature.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17He set up his stall here at the Mappin Pavilion
0:07:17 > 0:07:21away from the crowds, with this marvellous backdrop of the outback.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26I remember coming here in the 1960s as a child with my mum and dad,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and I can remember seeing polar bears here in the Arctic.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Out go the bears and the Arctic and in comes Ayers Rock,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35kangaroos and wallabies - how ingenious.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Just like Will's first item. Let's take a look.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- Thomas, you haven't been here for a while, have you?- No, no.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I'm sure I brought my kids.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48But the last time I recollect coming in, I was about...
0:07:48 > 0:07:50eight to ten years old.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Changed much? Were the Aussies here behind us?
0:07:54 > 0:07:58No. I recollect that they were mountain goats.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- Oh, mountain goats!- Yes. - Maybe they had to jazz it up a bit.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Not sure kids would be interested in mountain goats nowadays.- No.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09They were amusing when you used to see them come down.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- Not afraid of heights! - If you got one standing on top,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15it was different.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Exactly. Listen, enough of what's going on behind us.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Let's see what's on the table. It's pretty obvious, a silver salver.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Is this something you've inherited or purchased yourself?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28No, I was given it by an old lady.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Very nice gift. What was that in exchange for?
0:08:31 > 0:08:35I was doing the flat up. She said, "I've got no-one to leave it to.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40"You might as well have it cos I don't know what's gonna happen when I pass on."
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Very generous of her. Did you know that it was solid silver?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Not really. I just took it home.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52When I found out it was silver, I went, "Gawd blimey!"
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- LAUGHS - Then put it on display?
0:08:55 > 0:09:00Yeah, for a little while. Now, it's been away for...must be 20 years.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I've had it 30-odd years.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06There are various factors when it comes to valuing silver.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08You've got the age.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11It's 20th century. We'll have a look at the marks.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14About 1914, that sort of period.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18The maker, that's an important factor to take into consideration.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I've had a look at the hallmark. Barnard & Sons.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Edward Barnard & Sons - good quality London maker.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Then the other factor... I don't mean to be crude here,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- but it's literally down to the weight.- Yeah.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35It weighs in at just over 40 ounces.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- I don't really like to talk of it in that sort of terms.- No.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42But that's the way we've got to look at it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- What style is it in?- It's in the Georgian style, 18th-century style.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52We see this nice gadrooned border and almost "pie-crust" rim.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54You see a lot of that on furniture.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Imagine a mahogany tripod table, wine table.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Then you've got these little hoofed feet.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04I said we'd mention the hallmarks there, look.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07We've got the lion to tell us that it's sterling silver.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Then the leopard's head, which is London.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Then you've got the date letter for 1914.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17So, Thomas, we've got to talk about value. That's why we're all here.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22- £600 to £800, that sort of estimate. What do you think?- Yeah.- Excellent.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Hopefully, it's going to find pride of place in someone's collection.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- That would be nice.- And we're gonna raise you a bit of cash.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35'Well, it looks like Thomas's good deed paid off.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39'Mappin Terrace has been home to many animals over the years,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43'from Thomas's mountain goats to my polar bears and even grizzly bears,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47'as Catherine can testify to.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50'Fast forward 30 years and Catherine's back at the zoo.'
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Smile!
0:10:53 > 0:10:55'Still admiring the animals.'
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Jennifer, welcome along to Flog It.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02This is a rather nice collection of fishing bits and pieces,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04fishing ephemera, I should say.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Why fishing? You don't strike me as a fisher.
0:11:08 > 0:11:14I'm not, but my late brother who owned these pieces was a keen fly fisherman.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16He fished all over the place
0:11:16 > 0:11:20and obviously started collecting all sorts of fishing bits and pieces.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- So this is a very small part of his collection.- Yes.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28These are little bits and pieces that I'd hung on to.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- You haven't inherited that interest? - I'm afraid not at all.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I do have a marvellous picture of him
0:11:34 > 0:11:38taken on a fishing boat in the Middle East.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41My parents were living in the Middle East.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43He must have been aged about eight
0:11:43 > 0:11:46and he's proudly holding up the largest fish you've ever seen
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- with a big grin on his face, so I guess...- It stemmed from there.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Let's have a little look at this collection.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55What's your favourite piece?
0:11:55 > 0:12:00Of the pins, this one with the fishing rod. That's really nice.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- I think it's quite unusual. - That is a nice piece.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08- Did he ever wear any of these items? - No. He just collected.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's lovely.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- The inkwell, you pointed out. - That, I have had on display.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18I especially love the little bee on the side.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22It's more like a basket. You've got a lobster on the top.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- It's a fishing creel, isn't it?- Yes.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Possibly Japanese, but it's actually an inkwell.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29We haven't got the liner inside.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33No. I've only known it in that condition.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Nice little item there. We've got, also, maybe a paper holder?
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- I've never been able to work out what that was for.- No.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43That is probably a paper holder,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47but it's nicely engraved with the scales and decoration of the fish.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Articulated fish here.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Again, another type of pin.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- Love the way it's got the movement. - Almost see it swimming, can't you?
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Yes, you can.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00And you've got a bigger version here.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04This one, the top of it opens up.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09So, perhaps a pill or snuff might have been kept inside.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13It's lovely that he went out and he was so passionate about fishing,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16he used to collect these lovely little items.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22- I think we should put a value of £80 to £120. Are you happy with that?- I would be. Yes.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24With a £60 reserve.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Who knows? We might have a few fishermen around!- Keen fishermen.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Hopefully, they will take off.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34'There's a lot of silver. It should make its money.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'It's time to take our first batch of items off to auction.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40'Here's a reminder of what's going under the hammer.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44'A good painter-decorator is worth a silver salver at least.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47'Thomas's good work shall be rewarded.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52'Jennifer's bundle of silver from her brother's collection
0:13:52 > 0:13:54'is a good catch.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57'Collected over a lifetime, purely for pleasure,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00'Richard's lovely toy cars have tons of appeal.'
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'Just a short Tube journey away in west London
0:14:05 > 0:14:10'is bustling Chiswick, where our auction is being held today.'
0:14:13 > 0:14:15This is where it gets exciting.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We're going to put those values to the test right here,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20at the Chiswick Auction Rooms in west London.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It's a busy old place.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26They have 52 sales a year, so they know what they're on about.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Let's catch up with our owners and, fingers crossed, we'll have a few good results.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38Wielding the gavel is the sartorially splendid William Rouse.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42Our first item is Jennifer's fishing ephemera.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47What I should be saying is, "Let's hope we reel in the bidders."
0:14:47 > 0:14:50We've got the fishing ephemera coming up.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- My father taught me to fish. We were keen anglers.- I'm surprised.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Fresh water.- Oh!
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Strictly "catch and release" in the River Thames.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01All right, yes.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- Tiddlers in the pond.- Lots of tiddlers, yes. Sticklebacks. Yeah.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09We've got a cliche 80 to 120. I think you're right there.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- I just didn't know, to be honest. - It's a tricky one.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Girls don't like fishing, I know that. Do they? No!
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24This collection of fishing-related items. Nice little mixed lot.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29I'm sure you viewed it. Where do we start? £50 to start me?
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Surely, £50. £40 to get me going. I'm bid. Thank you, 40.
0:15:33 > 0:15:3945 is the next bid. At £40. 45... From the disembodied hand.
0:15:39 > 0:15:4350? 50. 55.
0:15:43 > 0:15:4760. Can't see you bidding. £60 there. Do you want 65?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Yes, he does!
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Are you all done and finished? I'm selling it at 60.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- 60. - £60...
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- It's gone. £60. Well, it was close. - That was a struggle, actually.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Put up a fight, that one. - LAUGHTER
0:16:04 > 0:16:07'Not such an easy catch, after all.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11'Next up is the lovely silver salver.'
0:16:11 > 0:16:14I've been looking forward to this moment.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- I'm about to meet Thomas Hardy. - LAUGHTER
0:16:17 > 0:16:21For real! I bet you... I bet you had your leg pulled at school.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- Not so much that way, but from "Kiss me, Hardy".- Right.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- You know when, Nelson...- Yes.- So it was a bit of abuse at the time.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Be all right if the girls were saying it all the time!
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Your silver salver is just about to go under the hammer.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42There's a lot of money on this. It's a quality item.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- Let's see if we can get that £600 to £800, shall we?- Fingers crossed.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51A large silver salver. On the screen for you.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55It's a good weighty one. Start me at £400 for this.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- Yes. Straight in. - 20, I'll take. £400. 420 there.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02440. 460. 480.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04500. And 50.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07600. £600 there. At £600.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11For the salver, at £600. Are you all done and finished?
0:17:11 > 0:17:13£600, then, in the room. I'm going to sell it, then.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- We're selling. - Sold.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20Thomas, only just, but we got it away. £600. Happy with that?
0:17:20 > 0:17:24UNSURE: Yeah, I AM happy. I wouldn't have let it go for less.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- No.- But I'm happy. - If Thomas is happy, I'm happy.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I'm very happy.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32# Shiny happy people laughing... #
0:17:32 > 0:17:36'And now for the one I've been waiting for.'
0:17:36 > 0:17:40We've got the toys. We haven't got the boy. Richard is on holiday.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44We've got Jean, his sister-in-law. You get on well, don't you?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- We do. Very well. - Did he let you play with his cars?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- LAUGHING - Not very often! They're boys' toys!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Two of them are very nice. - Boxed, that's where the value is.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- Buy two, get the rest for nothing. - The others are a bit rusty.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- Had a bit of use, haven't they? But good luck with that.- Thank you.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07The clockwork toys. Those are rather fun, aren't they?
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Where shall we start this? I've got a bit of interest...
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- CATHERINE: Good. - They're so iconic looking.
0:18:13 > 0:18:14< ..85, thank you.
0:18:14 > 0:18:1790. 95. 100. 110 in the room...
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Fantastic.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22120 there, fresh bidding. 130.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26140? 140 there...
0:18:26 > 0:18:29There's a lot of them.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- There are a lot of them. - 160...
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- He will be pleased. - CATHERINE: More than I thought.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40..170. 170 standing, then, in the puffa jacket. 170.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42170... BANGS GAVEL
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- We're very pleased with that. - That was very, very good.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Where is Richard right now? - In Belgium somewhere.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- They're touring with their motor caravan.- How nice!
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- He demanded that I ring him tonight. - I'm sure he'll be pleased.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00What a great result!
0:19:00 > 0:19:03That concludes our first visit to the auction room.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09Touch and go in places, but we are coming back and, hopefully, there'll be one or two big surprises.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11London has inspired many authors.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16It's been the backdrop for many interesting stories and tales.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Before we go back to the zoo, I'm going to take you on a tour
0:19:19 > 0:19:23of the home that inspired the first gothic novel.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31SPOOKY MUSIC
0:19:31 > 0:19:36'Are you sitting comfortably? I hope you're not afraid.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42'Tis a wild and wintery night, and eerie silence descends.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46'Suddenly, an unearthly crescendo shatters the peace.'
0:19:46 > 0:19:49WOMAN SCREAMS 'Springing from your bed,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53'you rush to the door, frozen with horror.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59'You behold a giant fist encased in chains.'
0:19:59 > 0:20:04Waking from his nightmare, the author Horace Walpole sprung to his desk
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and in a fever, put quill to paper and began to write.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11The year was 1764, and his story, The Castle Of Otranto,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15marked the birth of a brand new genre in English literature -
0:20:15 > 0:20:17the gothic novel.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Horace Walpole's novel took readers
0:20:21 > 0:20:23to the darker corners of the imagination,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27inspiring in its turn, the twin peaks of gothic fiction -
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Frankenstein and Dracula.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34The setting for this fantasy dream was Strawberry Hill in Twickenham,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Walpole's famous gothic castle.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41You can see from Walpole's design of Strawberry Hill
0:20:41 > 0:20:43the roots of his horror story.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Inspired by the mediaeval monastic buildings of the 13th century,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51he used the gothic designs to create his own gothic castle.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54In doing so, he's created the perfect country pile,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57worthy of his illustrious ancestors.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02And he's created his own genre in architecture - the gothic revival.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05And from the dazzling brilliance of the exterior,
0:21:05 > 0:21:10you're plunged into a shadowy world of a mediaeval entrance hall -
0:21:10 > 0:21:12just as Horace designed it,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15wanting to take you on a theatrical tour.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18CHURCH ORGAN PLAYS CHORDS
0:21:23 > 0:21:26As you ascend this marvellous cantilevered staircase,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29you can see the fantasy world coming in to play.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33This wonderful pierced gothic tracery around the balustrades.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36On the newel posts, mythical beasts.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I really like this black tin lantern
0:21:38 > 0:21:40with the stained glass window.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45That one candlelight looks as if it's lighting this entire area.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50It gives this eeriness to it, but it's a play on interior design.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Up there, this area is lit by natural light,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57with these four quatrefoils letting in the sunshine.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00As I get higher, you can see on the walls, painted,
0:22:00 > 0:22:05this trompe l'oeil stonework pattern from a tomb at Worcester cathedral.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09It's there to give a suggestion of what's going to happen next.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12There's a surprise at every vista,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and Horace loved to take people on a guided tour.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17I absolutely love this house.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19It's a theatrical playground,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23a stage for Walpole to perform on to all of his friends.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Whatever you feel about mock gothic,
0:22:25 > 0:22:32you have to understand that Strawberry Hill delivers unrivalled access to both ideas and design.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35The house itself is a remarkable document
0:22:35 > 0:22:38with all of its correspondence and letters intact.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Horace Walpole's cultural legacy lives on,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45and will continue to inspire future generations.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47WOMAN SCREAMS
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Welcome back to our valuation day at London Zoo.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06It's time we caught up with our experts to find more antiques to take to auction.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10I know it's a very busy day. Let's hope they don't get the HUMP.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15'Far from it. Will's next item is about to make his day.'
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Trudy, I've been stuck here all day, in London Zoo.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24All I've had to look at are joeys, emus, a couple of black swans.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26I was going to go home disappointed
0:23:26 > 0:23:28cos I haven't seen a tiger, a lion, elephant, rhino,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32or anything exciting that you associate with London Zoo.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Look at this! You brought them to me!
0:23:35 > 0:23:40I've now seen a giraffe, lions, tigers and the elephant there.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43My favourite are the performing poodles.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47This is quite a collection. Is this from your childhood?
0:23:47 > 0:23:50This actual one isn't from my childhood.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I did have at least five of these as a child,
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- but I played with them and they got a bit demolished.- Ah!
0:23:57 > 0:23:59"Play worn" we call it.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04Then in the '80s, my mum and dad bought a toy shop in Southampton,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- where Chipperfield's is from. - Yes, you're right.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12Somebody came in with this and said would we like to buy it?
0:24:12 > 0:24:16As it brought back all my childhood memories, we bought it.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18It's been in the box since, waiting for today!
0:24:18 > 0:24:22It's brilliant. The condition is what strikes you first.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Like you say, normally, these sort of things, they were made as toys.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29They were given to children as gifts, presents.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33They ripped the box open and, of course, the figures are played,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36the bashing together of the cars, paint gets chipped.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38We won't get them all out now,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42but I've had a sneak look and they are in mint condition.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46I've got this one out at the back,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50with the polar bears in the back - couple of polar bears.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- The condition really is almost mint. - I think all the vehicles are mint.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56The boxes are a bit bashed.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59That's the reason boxes are there, to protect what's in them.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02So, '80s, you say. That's interesting.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05These were reproduced a lot. You know that.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- Yes. - From your toy shop days.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12But these are all genuine pieces from the late '60s, '70s.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Because of that, they're really going to appeal to the collectors.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Nowadays, the public opinion on circuses that have animals
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- has changed somewhat.- Definitely.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27- I remember seeing animals at a circus. How about you?- Yes, definitely.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31The cage used to come down and the lions and tigers would come out.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34We were at the circus one day in Southampton,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36me and my mum and my cousin.
0:25:36 > 0:25:41We were sitting in the front row and she had a drink in her hand.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43They brought the lions out.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47The box was put in front of us with the lions on it facing the centre.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Yeah.- He lifted his tail...- No!
0:25:50 > 0:25:53..and peed right into my cousin's face and into her drink.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- And it was very funny. - It was funny for YOU.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- Not her, no.- That's a risk you take at the front seat.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05- It was either that or water from the clowns.- Yeah.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Listen, we could stand here all day reminiscing about the old days.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11But value-wise...
0:26:11 > 0:26:15I'm thinking of putting an estimate on the collection of £600 to £800.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- How do you feel about that? - That's good. Yeah.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22- Let's reserve at 600. Shall we give a bit of discretion, in case?- Yeah.
0:26:22 > 0:26:28- It would be a shame not to sell for the sake of £20.- Definitely. - For the discretionary reserve.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33- I'm pretty sure there's going to be a battle in the ring...- Good. - ..at the auction.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36I'm really glad you brought them along, Trudy.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40I can tell the kids I saw tigers, elephants, rhinos,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42- performing poodles!- Yes!
0:26:42 > 0:26:46'Oh, the performing poodles will get you every time.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49'Alongside the animals, London Zoo has an extraordinary archive.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53'I've come to talk to someone who knows it very well.'
0:26:53 > 0:26:57- What are we looking at, John? - Photographs of a quagga.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Why quagga?- That was the noise they were supposed to make.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- "Quaggaquagga..." - Quagga quagga quagga.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Part zebra and the rest of it's more pony.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10- Well, it's a zebra without very many stripes.- Yeah.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13And these were the first of the zebra family
0:27:13 > 0:27:18to come into contact with man moving north from the Cape of Good Hope.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21So it was the first one to be shot out.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- By about 1880, there were none left. - This photograph was taken when?
0:27:25 > 0:27:27This was taken about 1870.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32This is the only quagga to be photographed alive, at London Zoo.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36You've spent many years in the archive. You've put a book together.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38What else have you managed to uncover?
0:27:38 > 0:27:42What I thought might be of interest is this photograph
0:27:42 > 0:27:44taken of a thylacine.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47The thylacine is a very interesting animal.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Is that what we know as the Tasmanian...devil?
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- Tasmanian wolf. The Tasmanian devil is happily with us.- OK, right.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59The thylacine is a marsupial, like the kangaroo.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- But it looks like a jackal or a wolf.- It does.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07If you're a carnivorous animal, that is the best shape to be.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11So the extinction of the thylacine, which happened before the Second World War -
0:28:11 > 0:28:16the last one died in Hobart in Tasmania in 1936.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20But this one was photographed in London Zoo in 1864.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25This is, so far as we know, the only exposure made of a thylacine
0:28:25 > 0:28:27alive in the 19th century.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29What a document!
0:28:31 > 0:28:36'As incredible as that is, the archive is full of such treasures.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39'Back at the Prince Albert Suite, it's tea time.'
0:28:40 > 0:28:43In front of me, I have a very stylish
0:28:43 > 0:28:46silver-plated coffee and tea set.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50And a very stylish lady with a very stylish necklace.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52- Thank you. - "Judith", I understand.- Yes.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- Judith Garland. LAUGHING:- Yes!
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Tell me about your surname, first of all, and the name Judith.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- Well... - Were your parents big fans?- Yes.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06- Judy Garland.- Yes, so unfortunately, I was lumbered with that name.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Has to be done, really.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Now, let's have a little look at your set here.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14- It's silver-plated.- Yes. - Not solid silver.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Where did it come from? It's in beautiful condition.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19It was given to my parents as a wedding present.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24- They must have got married in the '30s.- 1936. Yes.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29Well, it's very typical of its period, very typical 1930s.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Art Deco, it's beautifully made.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35It's a really nice quality.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Each individual piece is stamped EPNS,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40electroplated nickel silver.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44I love this little basketware
0:29:44 > 0:29:48on the handle of the coffee pot and the tea pot.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51It makes it a little bit different from all the rest,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53a little bit more special.
0:29:53 > 0:29:58- So your parents had this as a wedding present.- Yes.- Must have been quite important for them.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Yes, I think so. Though I have no recollection of them using it.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05But I remember this was displayed in a china cabinet.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10As a little girl, I used to think that looked like Aladdin's lamp.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- I still do, actually.- It does.
0:30:12 > 0:30:18- It's the proportions. Quite short but also quite elongated.- Yes.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- I love the sugar bowl.- It's lovely, isn't it?- It's so elegant.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Never used, I should imagine. - I don't think so.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27I have no recollection of it being used.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Not something that you wanted to inherit and display?
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Well, I did inherit it from my mother,
0:30:32 > 0:30:36but I'm in the process of down-sizing, myself, at the moment.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41My son and my two goddaughters have no interest in inheriting it.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46It should be displayed, and it's not something that you want to display.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- So I think that probably the time is right to flog it.- Yes.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54- Shall we say £40 to £60 on it? - Yes. That sounds fine. Yes.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58- Let's put a reserve on at £40.- OK. - It DID belong to your parents.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02I don't think we want to go below that. I'll see you at the auction.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07I think my husband started buying me all these
0:31:07 > 0:31:09after we got married.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- At one point you.... - I put it in the drawer.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- Then there couldn't be any more on there.- Exactly.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16It was fashionable
0:31:16 > 0:31:19and I did really like it.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22You mention that it was fashionable back then.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26Unfortunately, to cut to the quick, they're not fashionable now.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30- No.- But, as all our viewers at home are going to know,
0:31:30 > 0:31:34and we keep telling people on Flog It, the price of gold is high.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- Now is the time to be selling gold. - Yes.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Let's have a look at it. It seems a shame just to sort of...
0:31:42 > 0:31:45come in with me size 12s and say what it's worth for scrap.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49The detail on some of these charms is amazing, the casting and quality.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53We've got a little accordion. We can even see who the maker is.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56It's a Hohner accordion.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59They did accordions and mouth organs.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Then here we've got this little seal.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04You still get these in full size.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08We've got a little stylised hedgehog.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11And a tortoise and an owl.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14So, you know, a good mix of charms. What do you think it's worth?
0:32:14 > 0:32:19If someone said, "I'm looking for gold, will you give it to me for £50?" what would you say?
0:32:19 > 0:32:23- No way.- What about a couple of hundred pounds?
0:32:23 > 0:32:26I thought, with the price of gold,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28I thought it'd be worth a bit more.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Would you be able to swallow an estimate of £300 to £500?
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- I wanted a bit more than that, really.- OK.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Well, I'd struggle to stretch more than £400.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41That would be fine.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46- If we put it in at £400 to £600, I'll fix the reserve at 400.- Yes.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- I know we want to get as much for you as we can.- Yes.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Where's the money going to go? Are you going to buy a bit of jewellery?
0:32:53 > 0:32:55No. It's going to the granddaughters.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58- How many have you got?- Two.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- One granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.- Wow!
0:33:01 > 0:33:06Mairi, it's been a pleasure talking to you. I hope we do really well for you.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09'I'm sure Mairi's gold chain will fly
0:33:09 > 0:33:12'and she'll be able to spread her good fortune.'
0:33:12 > 0:33:14That's it for our valuation.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18We've had the most marvellous time here at London Zoo.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20I've got to meet a lot of new friends.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25It's time to head over to the auction for the last time today with our latest batch of items.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30Here's is a p-pick of the bunch that's going under the hammer.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35'It's not every day you get the opportunity to buy Judy Garland's tea service!
0:33:35 > 0:33:38'Mairi's charm bracelet may be old-fashioned,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40'but it's worth its weight in gold.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43'Trudy's original Chipperfield's Circus set
0:33:43 > 0:33:46'is sure to create a roar at auction.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48'And it's straight over to the Chiswick saleroom,
0:33:48 > 0:33:53'where auctioneer William is ready to sell Mairi's charm bracelet.'
0:33:55 > 0:34:00They were given to me by my ex-husband for quite a few years.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02I'm going back now 50 years.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Good luck. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Let's put it to the test.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11This is where it gets exciting! Ready? This is it.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Charm bracelet and a variety of charms on here. Nice little lot.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21- What am I bid for it? Start me at £300?- Surely straight in.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24320. 340. 360. 380.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28380, I'm bid. 400.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31420? 420, I'm bid, now.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34£420. I'll take 440, if it helps.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37At £420, it is.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I'm selling at 420... BANGS GAVEL
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- It's gone. £420. - Wonderful.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Yeah. Made its money.- Thank you. - We're all really happy.- Thank you.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51'Now for our show-stopper - Miss Judy Garland's tea service.'
0:34:51 > 0:34:56I think this is an absolute steal for around £60 to £70.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- That's not a lot of money. - As Deco sets go, this is very nice.
0:35:01 > 0:35:06- It's got a really good look to it, but people don't want to clean them. - No.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10- LAUGHING:- Let's find out what they think, shall we? Fingers crossed.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15- You don't really want it, do you? - Not really.- It's got to go. Here we go. Let's do our best.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22The Squirrel brand 1930s silver-plated four-piece tea set.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25What's it worth? £20 to start me? For the tea set.
0:35:25 > 0:35:2920 I'm bid. 22. 25. 28.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32£28...
0:35:32 > 0:35:34It's next to nothing, all of this.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40£30 there. 32. 35.
0:35:40 > 0:35:4538. £38 is not quite enough.
0:35:45 > 0:35:4938. With me at £38.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53£38. Are you all done? £38...
0:35:53 > 0:35:58William was asking for £38, ready to put the hammer down.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01We didn't get it. That's really, really sad.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04You've got to hang on to that for a little while longer.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08All right. It is a bit disappointing, but never mind.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12'Sad, but true. That's auctions for you - unpredictable.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16'Hopefully, Trudy will have better luck with her circus acts.'
0:36:17 > 0:36:21There's a lot of pressure riding on this lot for Will.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26We've got to get Trudy's mum up and running. The car's broken down. It's failed its MOT.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- We need £600, maybe £700, £800. - Yeah.- As simple as that!
0:36:29 > 0:36:33- There's not a lot of circus memorabilia about.- No, exactly.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37As a collection, it's great. You might pick one or two up.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41As a collection that's been together all this time, it's great.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44Let's give it our best shot. They're going under the hammer now.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50The Corgi circus toys. This is a very good mixed lot.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52And, er...
0:36:52 > 0:36:55I'm glad to say there's been a bit of interest.
0:36:55 > 0:37:01We've got commission bids so I'm straight in at £400 for the toys.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03I've got lots of hands up. 420.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07440. 460. 480. 500.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12And 50. £550. I've got to take 570.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15£600 there. In the room at £600.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- He's on the telephone. - 620.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21640. 660.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23680. 700. 720.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26720, shaking his head. 720 there.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Anybody else want to come in? 720...
0:37:30 > 0:37:35- The hammer's gone down. £720!- Yeah! - They all wanted it, didn't they?
0:37:35 > 0:37:39- Good lot.- You're not going to find those every day of the week.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42- Definitely not. - Thank you for bringing them in.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- We've all learnt something.- Good. - Mum will be pleased.- She will.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50'Let's hope Trudy's mum will be back on the road in no time.'
0:37:50 > 0:37:54It's all over for our owners. The auction is still going on.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58We've had some great results and everyone has gone home happy.
0:37:58 > 0:38:04If you've got anything you want to sell, bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07You can pick up the details on our BBC website.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Till then, it's cheerio from everybody here at the Chiswick Auction Rooms.