London Flog It!

The best way to see London is on foot. The streets are, literally, paved with history.

In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson, the lexicographer,

said, "If you're tired of London, you are tired of life."

Some 200 years later, it's still the greatest city on Earth

and a perfect location for Flog It.

London houses some of the most iconic buildings in the world.

It's home to many famous museums and galleries,

with archives documenting hundreds of years of history.

The collection held at our venue today

can hardly be called antique - they're still all very much alive.

We're at London Zoo.

Animals aren't the only attraction today.

The people of London have turned out in force, hoping their antiques and collectibles impress our experts.

'We've brought some rare beasts with us, seldom seen in captivity.

'The exotic Catherine Southon...'

Anyone else got anything they want to show me?

'..and the wild Will Axon, who has an unusual talent.'

-What are you doing there?

-Look at this!

-Ooh!

-Found a didgeridoo. Can you play?

NOTE FROM DIDGERIDOO Oh, that's good!

-I tell you what, Will, don't give up the day job.

-No.

I may not have a choice.

'Hopefully, it won't come to that.

'Coming up on today's show, we're starstruck with some famous namesakes...'

I'm just about to meet Thomas Hardy.

-BOTH LAUGH

-For real!

-Judith Garland?

-Yes!

'..I reveal the terrifying nightmares that inspired the first ever gothic novel.

'And which of these items is the superstar at auction?

'This charming gold bracelet, these tin toy cars

'or this colourful circus set?

'Londoners from all corners of the city have come to the zoo,

'laden with their bags and boxes overflowing with antiques.

'Our HQ for today is the Prince Albert Suite.

'Catherine Southon's already getting to grips

'with a table full of classic automobiles.'

Richard, the first thing that jumps out at me on all these toys

are these wonderful racing cars - I absolutely adore racing green.

Tell me where this collection comes from.

About 40 years ago, my father, who was a carpenter by trade,

got a job at a Bexhill-on-Sea garage.

-Right.

-To refurb it and clear it.

When he was clearing it, in the garage, he found these cars.

They were a focal point to his own little collection.

-Were they? He had some nice Dinky Toys as well?

-Yeah.

-He had about 1,000 Dinky Toys.

-He was a serious collector.

-Yes.

-Are you into cars?

-Yes. I've got a vintage car of my own.

-Oh, have you?

-I've got a 1936 Sunbeam Talbot.

-Oh, lovely.

-A pre-war car, which is an old road car.

We enjoy it. We go all over the place in it - rallies, we show it.

-So you are really into cars?

-Oh, yes.

I'm guessing by these, never played with... Well. I say that.

The wheels look slightly rusty, but the bodywork is wonderful.

-They all still work.

-Cos they've all got a clockwork mechanism in.

-These are the limousines. I would say, late 1920s, '30s.

-Yes.

I would have thought so. They have a maker's mark on the boot.

They do, right on the boot here.

They've got a distinct maker's mark of Wells of London.

Now, there is a real division here.

We've got English-made toys and we've got American-made toys.

-Oh, American!

-We've got a couple that we're not quite sure about.

We'll come back to those.

The American ones, I absolutely adore,

but these ones, the limousines, are slightly more collectable.

-Obviously, the thing that lets these down is the condition.

-Yeah.

My memory says that when they cleared out the garage in Bexhill,

these were either under a counter

or could have been a model of a type of car that they sold in the garage.

-Oh, do you think so? That's interesting.

-It could have been.

And over the years, the condensation turns to rust.

Where these were still in their box.

I think the figures inside are just wonderful.

We have to mention these over here.

They're in a pretty bad state.

To me, that looks like a German manufacturer. I can't be certain.

There's no marks or any indication whatsoever.

We've got a mixed bag here.

I think, if you're happy to sell,

I would suggest putting on an estimate of £100 to £150,

with a reserve of 80, how does that sound?

-That sounds fine.

-But it's such a fantastic story.

I love the history. I love the fact that your father cleared the garage,

got these and looked after them.

-They could have gone in a skip.

-They could have gone in a skip.

LAUGHING: These look like they may have done once!

'That's a bit harsh, Catherine.

'Now, I've got the opportunity to nip outside

'and meet one of the zoo's very special characters.'

It's hard not to fall in love with the animals. They are so beautiful.

I know everybody that works here cares passionately about their welfare.

You can build up a relationship over several visits, find your favourite animal and give him a name.

This is a statue of Guy the Gorilla.

Guy got his name when he arrived at the zoo on Guy Fawkes Day in 1947,

clutching a tin hot water bottle.

When he was in his enclosure, he used to scoop up sparrows,

hold them in his fist and just peer at them.

Then let them go without harming them.

Sadly, he died in 1978.

He had a heart attack following a tooth extraction.

He was only 32 years old.

That was a very sad day for the zoo.

'From one iconic character from the zoo's history

'to an iconic character from Flog It.'

Will is a solitary creature.

He set up his stall here at the Mappin Pavilion

away from the crowds, with this marvellous backdrop of the outback.

I remember coming here in the 1960s as a child with my mum and dad,

and I can remember seeing polar bears here in the Arctic.

Out go the bears and the Arctic and in comes Ayers Rock,

kangaroos and wallabies - how ingenious.

Just like Will's first item. Let's take a look.

-Thomas, you haven't been here for a while, have you?

-No, no.

I'm sure I brought my kids.

But the last time I recollect coming in, I was about...

eight to ten years old.

Changed much? Were the Aussies here behind us?

No. I recollect that they were mountain goats.

-Oh, mountain goats!

-Yes.

-Maybe they had to jazz it up a bit.

-Not sure kids would be interested in mountain goats nowadays.

-No.

They were amusing when you used to see them come down.

-Not afraid of heights!

-If you got one standing on top,

it was different.

Exactly. Listen, enough of what's going on behind us.

Let's see what's on the table. It's pretty obvious, a silver salver.

Is this something you've inherited or purchased yourself?

No, I was given it by an old lady.

Very nice gift. What was that in exchange for?

I was doing the flat up. She said, "I've got no-one to leave it to.

"You might as well have it cos I don't know what's gonna happen when I pass on."

Very generous of her. Did you know that it was solid silver?

Not really. I just took it home.

When I found out it was silver, I went, "Gawd blimey!"

-LAUGHS

-Then put it on display?

Yeah, for a little while. Now, it's been away for...must be 20 years.

I've had it 30-odd years.

There are various factors when it comes to valuing silver.

You've got the age.

It's 20th century. We'll have a look at the marks.

About 1914, that sort of period.

The maker, that's an important factor to take into consideration.

I've had a look at the hallmark. Barnard & Sons.

Edward Barnard & Sons - good quality London maker.

Then the other factor... I don't mean to be crude here,

-but it's literally down to the weight.

-Yeah.

It weighs in at just over 40 ounces.

-I don't really like to talk of it in that sort of terms.

-No.

But that's the way we've got to look at it.

-What style is it in?

-It's in the Georgian style, 18th-century style.

We see this nice gadrooned border and almost "pie-crust" rim.

You see a lot of that on furniture.

Imagine a mahogany tripod table, wine table.

Then you've got these little hoofed feet.

I said we'd mention the hallmarks there, look.

We've got the lion to tell us that it's sterling silver.

Then the leopard's head, which is London.

Then you've got the date letter for 1914.

So, Thomas, we've got to talk about value. That's why we're all here.

-£600 to £800, that sort of estimate. What do you think?

-Yeah.

-Excellent.

Hopefully, it's going to find pride of place in someone's collection.

-That would be nice.

-And we're gonna raise you a bit of cash.

'Well, it looks like Thomas's good deed paid off.

'Mappin Terrace has been home to many animals over the years,

'from Thomas's mountain goats to my polar bears and even grizzly bears,

'as Catherine can testify to.

'Fast forward 30 years and Catherine's back at the zoo.'

Smile!

'Still admiring the animals.'

Jennifer, welcome along to Flog It.

This is a rather nice collection of fishing bits and pieces,

fishing ephemera, I should say.

Why fishing? You don't strike me as a fisher.

I'm not, but my late brother who owned these pieces was a keen fly fisherman.

He fished all over the place

and obviously started collecting all sorts of fishing bits and pieces.

-So this is a very small part of his collection.

-Yes.

These are little bits and pieces that I'd hung on to.

-You haven't inherited that interest?

-I'm afraid not at all.

I do have a marvellous picture of him

taken on a fishing boat in the Middle East.

My parents were living in the Middle East.

He must have been aged about eight

and he's proudly holding up the largest fish you've ever seen

-with a big grin on his face, so I guess...

-It stemmed from there.

Let's have a little look at this collection.

What's your favourite piece?

Of the pins, this one with the fishing rod. That's really nice.

-I think it's quite unusual.

-That is a nice piece.

-Did he ever wear any of these items?

-No. He just collected.

It's lovely.

-The inkwell, you pointed out.

-That, I have had on display.

I especially love the little bee on the side.

It's more like a basket. You've got a lobster on the top.

-It's a fishing creel, isn't it?

-Yes.

Possibly Japanese, but it's actually an inkwell.

We haven't got the liner inside.

No. I've only known it in that condition.

Nice little item there. We've got, also, maybe a paper holder?

-I've never been able to work out what that was for.

-No.

That is probably a paper holder,

but it's nicely engraved with the scales and decoration of the fish.

Articulated fish here.

Again, another type of pin.

-Love the way it's got the movement.

-Almost see it swimming, can't you?

Yes, you can.

And you've got a bigger version here.

This one, the top of it opens up.

So, perhaps a pill or snuff might have been kept inside.

It's lovely that he went out and he was so passionate about fishing,

he used to collect these lovely little items.

-I think we should put a value of £80 to £120. Are you happy with that?

-I would be. Yes.

With a £60 reserve.

-Who knows? We might have a few fishermen around!

-Keen fishermen.

Hopefully, they will take off.

'There's a lot of silver. It should make its money.

'It's time to take our first batch of items off to auction.

'Here's a reminder of what's going under the hammer.

'A good painter-decorator is worth a silver salver at least.

'Thomas's good work shall be rewarded.

'Jennifer's bundle of silver from her brother's collection

'is a good catch.

'Collected over a lifetime, purely for pleasure,

'Richard's lovely toy cars have tons of appeal.'

'Just a short Tube journey away in west London

'is bustling Chiswick, where our auction is being held today.'

This is where it gets exciting.

We're going to put those values to the test right here,

at the Chiswick Auction Rooms in west London.

It's a busy old place.

They have 52 sales a year, so they know what they're on about.

Let's catch up with our owners and, fingers crossed, we'll have a few good results.

Wielding the gavel is the sartorially splendid William Rouse.

Our first item is Jennifer's fishing ephemera.

What I should be saying is, "Let's hope we reel in the bidders."

We've got the fishing ephemera coming up.

-My father taught me to fish. We were keen anglers.

-I'm surprised.

-Fresh water.

-Oh!

Strictly "catch and release" in the River Thames.

All right, yes.

-Tiddlers in the pond.

-Lots of tiddlers, yes. Sticklebacks. Yeah.

We've got a cliche 80 to 120. I think you're right there.

-I just didn't know, to be honest.

-It's a tricky one.

Girls don't like fishing, I know that. Do they? No!

Let's find out what the bidders think.

This collection of fishing-related items. Nice little mixed lot.

I'm sure you viewed it. Where do we start? £50 to start me?

Surely, £50. £40 to get me going. I'm bid. Thank you, 40.

45 is the next bid. At £40. 45... From the disembodied hand.

50? 50. 55.

60. Can't see you bidding. £60 there. Do you want 65?

Yes, he does!

Are you all done and finished? I'm selling it at 60.

-60.

-£60...

-It's gone. £60. Well, it was close.

-That was a struggle, actually.

-Put up a fight, that one.

-LAUGHTER

'Not such an easy catch, after all.

'Next up is the lovely silver salver.'

I've been looking forward to this moment.

-I'm about to meet Thomas Hardy.

-LAUGHTER

For real! I bet you... I bet you had your leg pulled at school.

-Not so much that way, but from "Kiss me, Hardy".

-Right.

-You know when, Nelson...

-Yes.

-So it was a bit of abuse at the time.

Be all right if the girls were saying it all the time!

Your silver salver is just about to go under the hammer.

There's a lot of money on this. It's a quality item.

-Let's see if we can get that £600 to £800, shall we?

-Fingers crossed.

A large silver salver. On the screen for you.

It's a good weighty one. Start me at £400 for this.

-Yes. Straight in.

-20, I'll take. £400. 420 there.

440. 460. 480.

500. And 50.

600. £600 there. At £600.

For the salver, at £600. Are you all done and finished?

£600, then, in the room. I'm going to sell it, then.

-We're selling.

-Sold.

Thomas, only just, but we got it away. £600. Happy with that?

UNSURE: Yeah, I AM happy. I wouldn't have let it go for less.

-No.

-But I'm happy.

-If Thomas is happy, I'm happy.

I'm very happy.

# Shiny happy people laughing... #

'And now for the one I've been waiting for.'

We've got the toys. We haven't got the boy. Richard is on holiday.

We've got Jean, his sister-in-law. You get on well, don't you?

-We do. Very well.

-Did he let you play with his cars?

-LAUGHING

-Not very often! They're boys' toys!

-Two of them are very nice.

-Boxed, that's where the value is.

-Buy two, get the rest for nothing.

-The others are a bit rusty.

-Had a bit of use, haven't they? But good luck with that.

-Thank you.

The clockwork toys. Those are rather fun, aren't they?

Where shall we start this? I've got a bit of interest...

-CATHERINE: Good.

-They're so iconic looking.

< ..85, thank you.

90. 95. 100. 110 in the room...

Fantastic.

120 there, fresh bidding. 130.

140? 140 there...

There's a lot of them.

-There are a lot of them.

-160...

-He will be pleased.

-CATHERINE: More than I thought.

..170. 170 standing, then, in the puffa jacket. 170.

170... BANGS GAVEL

-We're very pleased with that.

-That was very, very good.

-Where is Richard right now?

-In Belgium somewhere.

-They're touring with their motor caravan.

-How nice!

-He demanded that I ring him tonight.

-I'm sure he'll be pleased.

What a great result!

That concludes our first visit to the auction room.

Touch and go in places, but we are coming back and, hopefully, there'll be one or two big surprises.

London has inspired many authors.

It's been the backdrop for many interesting stories and tales.

Before we go back to the zoo, I'm going to take you on a tour

of the home that inspired the first gothic novel.

SPOOKY MUSIC

'Are you sitting comfortably? I hope you're not afraid.

'Tis a wild and wintery night, and eerie silence descends.

'Suddenly, an unearthly crescendo shatters the peace.'

WOMAN SCREAMS 'Springing from your bed,

'you rush to the door, frozen with horror.

'You behold a giant fist encased in chains.'

Waking from his nightmare, the author Horace Walpole sprung to his desk

and in a fever, put quill to paper and began to write.

The year was 1764, and his story, The Castle Of Otranto,

marked the birth of a brand new genre in English literature -

the gothic novel.

Horace Walpole's novel took readers

to the darker corners of the imagination,

inspiring in its turn, the twin peaks of gothic fiction -

Frankenstein and Dracula.

The setting for this fantasy dream was Strawberry Hill in Twickenham,

Walpole's famous gothic castle.

You can see from Walpole's design of Strawberry Hill

the roots of his horror story.

Inspired by the mediaeval monastic buildings of the 13th century,

he used the gothic designs to create his own gothic castle.

In doing so, he's created the perfect country pile,

worthy of his illustrious ancestors.

And he's created his own genre in architecture - the gothic revival.

And from the dazzling brilliance of the exterior,

you're plunged into a shadowy world of a mediaeval entrance hall -

just as Horace designed it,

wanting to take you on a theatrical tour.

CHURCH ORGAN PLAYS CHORDS

As you ascend this marvellous cantilevered staircase,

you can see the fantasy world coming in to play.

This wonderful pierced gothic tracery around the balustrades.

On the newel posts, mythical beasts.

I really like this black tin lantern

with the stained glass window.

That one candlelight looks as if it's lighting this entire area.

It gives this eeriness to it, but it's a play on interior design.

Up there, this area is lit by natural light,

with these four quatrefoils letting in the sunshine.

As I get higher, you can see on the walls, painted,

this trompe l'oeil stonework pattern from a tomb at Worcester cathedral.

It's there to give a suggestion of what's going to happen next.

There's a surprise at every vista,

and Horace loved to take people on a guided tour.

I absolutely love this house.

It's a theatrical playground,

a stage for Walpole to perform on to all of his friends.

Whatever you feel about mock gothic,

you have to understand that Strawberry Hill delivers unrivalled access to both ideas and design.

The house itself is a remarkable document

with all of its correspondence and letters intact.

Horace Walpole's cultural legacy lives on,

and will continue to inspire future generations.

WOMAN SCREAMS

Welcome back to our valuation day at London Zoo.

It's time we caught up with our experts to find more antiques to take to auction.

I know it's a very busy day. Let's hope they don't get the HUMP.

'Far from it. Will's next item is about to make his day.'

Trudy, I've been stuck here all day, in London Zoo.

All I've had to look at are joeys, emus, a couple of black swans.

I was going to go home disappointed

cos I haven't seen a tiger, a lion, elephant, rhino,

or anything exciting that you associate with London Zoo.

Look at this! You brought them to me!

I've now seen a giraffe, lions, tigers and the elephant there.

My favourite are the performing poodles.

This is quite a collection. Is this from your childhood?

This actual one isn't from my childhood.

I did have at least five of these as a child,

-but I played with them and they got a bit demolished.

-Ah!

"Play worn" we call it.

Then in the '80s, my mum and dad bought a toy shop in Southampton,

-where Chipperfield's is from.

-Yes, you're right.

Somebody came in with this and said would we like to buy it?

As it brought back all my childhood memories, we bought it.

It's been in the box since, waiting for today!

It's brilliant. The condition is what strikes you first.

Like you say, normally, these sort of things, they were made as toys.

They were given to children as gifts, presents.

They ripped the box open and, of course, the figures are played,

the bashing together of the cars, paint gets chipped.

We won't get them all out now,

but I've had a sneak look and they are in mint condition.

I've got this one out at the back,

with the polar bears in the back - couple of polar bears.

-The condition really is almost mint.

-I think all the vehicles are mint.

The boxes are a bit bashed.

That's the reason boxes are there, to protect what's in them.

So, '80s, you say. That's interesting.

These were reproduced a lot. You know that.

-Yes.

-From your toy shop days.

But these are all genuine pieces from the late '60s, '70s.

Because of that, they're really going to appeal to the collectors.

Nowadays, the public opinion on circuses that have animals

-has changed somewhat.

-Definitely.

-I remember seeing animals at a circus. How about you?

-Yes, definitely.

The cage used to come down and the lions and tigers would come out.

We were at the circus one day in Southampton,

me and my mum and my cousin.

We were sitting in the front row and she had a drink in her hand.

They brought the lions out.

The box was put in front of us with the lions on it facing the centre.

-Yeah.

-He lifted his tail...

-No!

..and peed right into my cousin's face and into her drink.

-And it was very funny.

-It was funny for YOU.

-Not her, no.

-That's a risk you take at the front seat.

-It was either that or water from the clowns.

-Yeah.

Listen, we could stand here all day reminiscing about the old days.

But value-wise...

I'm thinking of putting an estimate on the collection of £600 to £800.

-How do you feel about that?

-That's good. Yeah.

-Let's reserve at 600. Shall we give a bit of discretion, in case?

-Yeah.

-It would be a shame not to sell for the sake of £20.

-Definitely.

-For the discretionary reserve.

-I'm pretty sure there's going to be a battle in the ring...

-Good.

-..at the auction.

I'm really glad you brought them along, Trudy.

I can tell the kids I saw tigers, elephants, rhinos,

-performing poodles!

-Yes!

'Oh, the performing poodles will get you every time.

'Alongside the animals, London Zoo has an extraordinary archive.

'I've come to talk to someone who knows it very well.'

-What are we looking at, John?

-Photographs of a quagga.

-Why quagga?

-That was the noise they were supposed to make.

-"Quaggaquagga..."

-Quagga quagga quagga.

Part zebra and the rest of it's more pony.

-Well, it's a zebra without very many stripes.

-Yeah.

And these were the first of the zebra family

to come into contact with man moving north from the Cape of Good Hope.

So it was the first one to be shot out.

-By about 1880, there were none left.

-This photograph was taken when?

This was taken about 1870.

This is the only quagga to be photographed alive, at London Zoo.

You've spent many years in the archive. You've put a book together.

What else have you managed to uncover?

What I thought might be of interest is this photograph

taken of a thylacine.

The thylacine is a very interesting animal.

Is that what we know as the Tasmanian...devil?

-Tasmanian wolf. The Tasmanian devil is happily with us.

-OK, right.

The thylacine is a marsupial, like the kangaroo.

-But it looks like a jackal or a wolf.

-It does.

If you're a carnivorous animal, that is the best shape to be.

So the extinction of the thylacine, which happened before the Second World War -

the last one died in Hobart in Tasmania in 1936.

But this one was photographed in London Zoo in 1864.

This is, so far as we know, the only exposure made of a thylacine

alive in the 19th century.

What a document!

'As incredible as that is, the archive is full of such treasures.

'Back at the Prince Albert Suite, it's tea time.'

In front of me, I have a very stylish

silver-plated coffee and tea set.

And a very stylish lady with a very stylish necklace.

-Thank you.

-"Judith", I understand.

-Yes.

-Judith Garland. LAUGHING:

-Yes!

Tell me about your surname, first of all, and the name Judith.

-Well...

-Were your parents big fans?

-Yes.

-Judy Garland.

-Yes, so unfortunately, I was lumbered with that name.

Has to be done, really.

Now, let's have a little look at your set here.

-It's silver-plated.

-Yes.

-Not solid silver.

Where did it come from? It's in beautiful condition.

It was given to my parents as a wedding present.

-They must have got married in the '30s.

-1936. Yes.

Well, it's very typical of its period, very typical 1930s.

Art Deco, it's beautifully made.

It's a really nice quality.

Each individual piece is stamped EPNS,

electroplated nickel silver.

I love this little basketware

on the handle of the coffee pot and the tea pot.

It makes it a little bit different from all the rest,

a little bit more special.

-So your parents had this as a wedding present.

-Yes.

-Must have been quite important for them.

Yes, I think so. Though I have no recollection of them using it.

But I remember this was displayed in a china cabinet.

As a little girl, I used to think that looked like Aladdin's lamp.

-I still do, actually.

-It does.

-It's the proportions. Quite short but also quite elongated.

-Yes.

-I love the sugar bowl.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-It's so elegant.

-Never used, I should imagine.

-I don't think so.

I have no recollection of it being used.

Not something that you wanted to inherit and display?

Well, I did inherit it from my mother,

but I'm in the process of down-sizing, myself, at the moment.

My son and my two goddaughters have no interest in inheriting it.

It should be displayed, and it's not something that you want to display.

-So I think that probably the time is right to flog it.

-Yes.

-Shall we say £40 to £60 on it?

-Yes. That sounds fine. Yes.

-Let's put a reserve on at £40.

-OK.

-It DID belong to your parents.

I don't think we want to go below that. I'll see you at the auction.

I think my husband started buying me all these

after we got married.

-At one point you....

-I put it in the drawer.

-Then there couldn't be any more on there.

-Exactly.

It was fashionable

and I did really like it.

You mention that it was fashionable back then.

Unfortunately, to cut to the quick, they're not fashionable now.

-No.

-But, as all our viewers at home are going to know,

and we keep telling people on Flog It, the price of gold is high.

-Now is the time to be selling gold.

-Yes.

Let's have a look at it. It seems a shame just to sort of...

come in with me size 12s and say what it's worth for scrap.

The detail on some of these charms is amazing, the casting and quality.

We've got a little accordion. We can even see who the maker is.

It's a Hohner accordion.

They did accordions and mouth organs.

Then here we've got this little seal.

You still get these in full size.

We've got a little stylised hedgehog.

And a tortoise and an owl.

So, you know, a good mix of charms. What do you think it's worth?

If someone said, "I'm looking for gold, will you give it to me for £50?" what would you say?

-No way.

-What about a couple of hundred pounds?

I thought, with the price of gold,

I thought it'd be worth a bit more.

Would you be able to swallow an estimate of £300 to £500?

-I wanted a bit more than that, really.

-OK.

Well, I'd struggle to stretch more than £400.

That would be fine.

-If we put it in at £400 to £600, I'll fix the reserve at 400.

-Yes.

-I know we want to get as much for you as we can.

-Yes.

Where's the money going to go? Are you going to buy a bit of jewellery?

No. It's going to the granddaughters.

-How many have you got?

-Two.

-One granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.

-Wow!

Mairi, it's been a pleasure talking to you. I hope we do really well for you.

'I'm sure Mairi's gold chain will fly

'and she'll be able to spread her good fortune.'

That's it for our valuation.

We've had the most marvellous time here at London Zoo.

I've got to meet a lot of new friends.

It's time to head over to the auction for the last time today with our latest batch of items.

Here's is a p-pick of the bunch that's going under the hammer.

'It's not every day you get the opportunity to buy Judy Garland's tea service!

'Mairi's charm bracelet may be old-fashioned,

'but it's worth its weight in gold.

'Trudy's original Chipperfield's Circus set

'is sure to create a roar at auction.

'And it's straight over to the Chiswick saleroom,

'where auctioneer William is ready to sell Mairi's charm bracelet.'

They were given to me by my ex-husband for quite a few years.

I'm going back now 50 years.

Good luck. Let's find out what the bidders think.

Let's put it to the test.

This is where it gets exciting! Ready? This is it.

Charm bracelet and a variety of charms on here. Nice little lot.

-What am I bid for it? Start me at £300?

-Surely straight in.

320. 340. 360. 380.

380, I'm bid. 400.

420? 420, I'm bid, now.

£420. I'll take 440, if it helps.

At £420, it is.

I'm selling at 420... BANGS GAVEL

-It's gone. £420.

-Wonderful.

-Yeah. Made its money.

-Thank you.

-We're all really happy.

-Thank you.

'Now for our show-stopper - Miss Judy Garland's tea service.'

I think this is an absolute steal for around £60 to £70.

-That's not a lot of money.

-As Deco sets go, this is very nice.

-It's got a really good look to it, but people don't want to clean them.

-No.

-LAUGHING:

-Let's find out what they think, shall we? Fingers crossed.

-You don't really want it, do you?

-Not really.

-It's got to go. Here we go. Let's do our best.

The Squirrel brand 1930s silver-plated four-piece tea set.

What's it worth? £20 to start me? For the tea set.

20 I'm bid. 22. 25. 28.

£28...

It's next to nothing, all of this.

£30 there. 32. 35.

38. £38 is not quite enough.

38. With me at £38.

£38. Are you all done? £38...

William was asking for £38, ready to put the hammer down.

We didn't get it. That's really, really sad.

You've got to hang on to that for a little while longer.

All right. It is a bit disappointing, but never mind.

'Sad, but true. That's auctions for you - unpredictable.

'Hopefully, Trudy will have better luck with her circus acts.'

There's a lot of pressure riding on this lot for Will.

We've got to get Trudy's mum up and running. The car's broken down. It's failed its MOT.

-We need £600, maybe £700, £800.

-Yeah.

-As simple as that!

-There's not a lot of circus memorabilia about.

-No, exactly.

As a collection, it's great. You might pick one or two up.

As a collection that's been together all this time, it's great.

Let's give it our best shot. They're going under the hammer now.

The Corgi circus toys. This is a very good mixed lot.

And, er...

I'm glad to say there's been a bit of interest.

We've got commission bids so I'm straight in at £400 for the toys.

I've got lots of hands up. 420.

440. 460. 480. 500.

And 50. £550. I've got to take 570.

£600 there. In the room at £600.

-He's on the telephone.

-620.

640. 660.

680. 700. 720.

720, shaking his head. 720 there.

Anybody else want to come in? 720...

-The hammer's gone down. £720!

-Yeah!

-They all wanted it, didn't they?

-Good lot.

-You're not going to find those every day of the week.

-Definitely not.

-Thank you for bringing them in.

-We've all learnt something.

-Good.

-Mum will be pleased.

-She will.

'Let's hope Trudy's mum will be back on the road in no time.'

It's all over for our owners. The auction is still going on.

We've had some great results and everyone has gone home happy.

If you've got anything you want to sell, bring it along to one of our valuation days.

You can pick up the details on our BBC website.

Till then, it's cheerio from everybody here at the Chiswick Auction Rooms.