Coventry Flog It!

Where I'm standing today is totally unique.

Over there are the remains of a 12th-century cathedral,

created by none other than Lady Godiva and her husband.

Over here, the bombed-out remains of a medieval cathedral

and over here, one of the country's most modern cathedrals.

Only one city can boast three cathedrals, and that's Coventry.

Welcome to Flog It!

Today, we're at the fantastic Coventry Transport Museum,

home to 240 cars and 94 motorcycles

and hundreds of people laden with antiques and collectables,

all here to see our experts and get a valuation.

And if you're happy with the valuation,

what are you going to do?

ALL: Flog it!

But it didn't stay dry for long.

Armed with an umbrella and a smile, James Lewis and Claire Rawle

go in search of antiques that will get them misty-eyed.

And being British, they couldn't help but mention the weather.

-What have we got?

-A sewing machine...

-A what?!

-A sewing machine.

I thought you said a swimming machine!

-Quite a good idea in this weather!

-Yeah, just the job.

There's already a lot of traffic queueing up

to find out whether they'll be flogging it at auction.

So, let's get off to a speedy start.

It's time to get these people inside, into the warm,

and get on with the valuing.

In fact, it's 9:30, the countdown has already begun. Look.

THEY CHEER

-Are you ready...?

-BUZZER

Are you ready to go inside?

-ALL: Yes!

-Come on, then!

At last, shelter from the rain

comes in the form of Coventry Transport Museum.

Over 850 valuations will take place on these tables

in the next eight hours.

And here's a peek of what we'll see today,

and not everything is as it appears.

The Olympic flame has arrived at Flog It!

Well, the torch, at least.

Used in the 1948 Games, this is sure to set the auction room on fire,

but will it get bronze, silver, or stacks of gold?

And what is the pleasant surprise in store for the readers of this book?

And at auction, things are getting tense.

-I'm shaking!

-I can see you standing there, like this...

Well, our experts' motors are certainly running

here at the valuation tables.

We're surrounded by cars and antiques

and it looks like James Lewis is our first expert to the tables.

Let's take a closer look at what he's spotted.

Well, Joy, I have to tell you, I have always been a book lover.

Not normal books, but this type of book. What a fantastic object!

I can just imagine somebody sitting back in their study

in late Victorian or Edwardian England, pretending to work,

the wife is saying, "Now then, George,

"you're not having a whisky again, are you?"

And he says, "No, no, no.

"I don't have any whisky in here... apart from in there."

What a wonderful way of hiding a bit of tipple in your study!

I absolutely love it.

It has the novelty factor, the fun factor,

it's useful, and it's an antique that looks the part, as well.

Is it something that you've drunk from in your years?

-I don't think I fancy drinking out of it.

-Why not?

It smells a bit musty!

It wouldn't smell musty by the time you've had a good old malt in there!

So, tell me, how did it come to be in the family?

Well, it belongs to my father, and he worked in London.

-He worked in hotels.

-OK.

And he often used to get the bus, the Green Line bus,

near a shop that we called the second-hand shop.

Whether he got it from there, I don't know,

I'm not sure where he got it from, but he used to play tricks on us

and say, "I've got a good book here."

Particularly if he got...if somebody else came to the house, you know.

-Did he use it?

-Not that I'm aware of.

So, your mother wasn't a hard-nosed drink stopper?

-And he was more a red wine man, anyway.

-Was he?

Oh, yeah, that wouldn't be good for red wine.

Well, let's have a look at it.

The whole thing is bound in what would originally have been

a royal blue Morocco leather.

And then it's detailed and stamped in gold here,

and the thing that I love about it is the author is James Dixon.

And James Dixon was a silversmith,

working in Sheffield throughout the 19th century.

If we turn there, that gives it away.

We've got James Dixon and Sons of Sheffield and, I should think,

that would have been made in England about 1910, something like that.

The fact that it says Made In England

would indicate it's slightly later,

but the overall look is very much an Edwardian look.

So, do you think it's silver all the way down,

-or is it just the neck that's silver?

-Yeah.

HOLLOW KNOCKS

So, there's a very large, rectangular...

Somebody that liked a drink.

It says, doesn't it? 24 ounces. 24 ounces of whisky in there.

-Oh, my goodness!

-My goodness.

That would sort you out for the night.

So, anyway, it's a great object.

I love it, and it's the sort of thing that you would like to see

in a gentleman's library, say, something like that.

Value? £100-£150.

-Something like that.

-Yeah.

-Is that all right?

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Good.

I think it will do very well indeed.

Mmm, that made me quite thirsty!

Now, for more practical silver.

Gwen, this is very pretty. A dear little purse.

How did you come by it?

Well, my great aunt, her name was Gladys Fletcher,

and I was the only one in the family that had the same initial

-before I married...

-Oh, that was handy.

-So, you were given it because you had the same initial?

-Yes.

It's a really, really pretty item, this purse. It's so sweet.

But what do you do with it today?

-You couldn't get very much in it, could you?

-No.

You could maybe squeeze your credit card in,

but you wouldn't get your phone in there.

So, sadly, it hasn't got a practical use these days.

However, it's so, so decorative,

I think a collector would want it to put in a cabinet.

Now, you know it's silver, because it's got the assay marks on it,

it was assayed in Birmingham in 1917.

So, quite an interesting time, really.

It was actually made at the time of the Great War,

it's still got that late Edwardian look to it...

and then you've got the little suspension chain,

and this is called a little finger ring,

because you'd actually put it on your finger

and carry it in that way.

And if we have a closer look at it,

obviously, you've got a little button there which you press,

and then you open it up

and it's beautifully fitted inside in leather.

Now, it could easily have been used as a card case,

because people had visiting cards in those days,

and when you went round to visit,

you left your card to show you'd been there,

and it was all part of social etiquette and visiting,

and then, of course, we find the initials that were hiding.

So, there they are, the initials that meant you were given it.

It really is very sweet.

Now, the other items we have here - a manicure set.

Very often, they were given as gifts in a fitted case,

and I would think these probably originally came from a fitted case.

People don't use them,

but they tend to sell these days for the silver that's in the handles.

Obviously, we got a set of three, and then a funny little extra one.

-So, it's something you've decided to part company with?

-Yeah.

-Well, it's better than keeping it in a drawer, isn't it?

-Yes.

When it's sold,

are you going to splash out on anything in particular?

-Well, we're going to Disneyland Paris in the summer, so...

-Oh, wow!

-..it will go towards that.

-Right, so, we need to talk about value on them.

I would suggest selling them as a group,

because the main value is going to be with the purse,

rather than the manicure set.

So, I think we're looking at an estimate of 70 to 90,

-if that's all right with you?

-Fine, yes.

-Good.

And a reserve...of £70,

with perhaps a bit of discretion,

so that if the auctioneer gets within 10%, they can be sold.

-Does that sound all right to you?

-That's absolutely fine.

Excellent. Well, we'll put them in, we'll do our very best

to get you on one of those really good rollercoaster rides in Disney.

Sad.

The Transport Museum celebrates Coventry's motoring history,

and one man is just as interested in the city's past.

Martin, of all the official jewels

that you could possibly bring along today... These are fabulous!

-Not only that, they're Coventry, as well.

-Well, yes.

This is the nearest I'll get to wearing the civic regalia.

These are mayor and mayoress jewels, presented to the mayor for one year.

The leading maker of official jewels, as they were called,

-was a firm called Fattorini.

-Right.

And they made a lot of pieces that were hallmarked in Birmingham,

so not too far away from here.

Now, I've had a look. They're not Fattorini, unfortunately,

but they're still wonderful quality.

If we take this one to start with, the mayoress's piece...

It's solid nine-carat gold,

and then it's set with these freshwater seed pearls.

The centre is enamelled and then applied again in gold

with, it looks like, an Indian elephant.

What was the logic of an elephant to Coventry?

Well, the elephant was a symbol of strength in heraldry.

OK. Let's move now to the mayor's jewel.

I mean, here we have the sceptre and the sword.

Within the outside, we have, alternating,

rose-cut diamonds with green enamel leaves.

So, both nine-carat gold,

one set with diamonds, one set with fresh water seed pearls...

1948/49, so just after the war,

but they've got a really limited market.

That's what you have to remember.

If you found a jewel of this quality that wasn't an official piece,

that was just pretty, then it would be substantially more valuable.

How did they come to be in your possession?

Well, I'm very proud of my city,

-and so I collect lots of things to do with Coventry.

-OK.

And a friend rang me up one day and said,

"I think you might be interested in these..."

And now I think it's time to pass them on to someone else.

OK. So what did they cost you, 30 years ago?

I can't remember exactly.

-Around about 250 to 300...

-OK.

-..something like that.

Yeah, OK. So, ideally, we certainly want to get the money back.

-I'd love that.

-30 years ago brings us back to 1982/83...

-'80-ish.

-So, early '80s.

You actually bought these

at the peak of the previous gold market,

but that will sort of justify the valuation that I'll give you,

which isn't that much bigger than it was 30 years ago.

Now, we're back up to £300-£500, something like that.

I think they'll certainly sell well,

and I hope they will find a new home in Coventry

-and somebody who has loved them as much as you do.

-So do I.

It's a very good read and an even better tipple,

the Pleasant Surprise hip flask

could reach the top end or end up in the drink.

They don't make manicure sets like these any more,

but will Gwen's silver set make the £70 reserve?

And Martin has had these mayoral jewels for over 30 years,

but now it's time to sell.

Will their provenance do Coventry proud into sale room?

Just 19 miles from Coventry

is the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

The river Avon is 75 miles long,

and its gentle current makes it a perfect place for an afternoon row.

And today, we're docking at Bigwood Auctioneers,

where Christopher Ironmonger is the man on the rostrum.

You can find anything at auction, from taxidermy to teacups.

But beware, there is commission rates to pay,

and it does vary from saleroom to saleroom.

Here, it's on a sliding scale.

The seller's charge is 15% up to £1,000,

12.5% between £1,000 and £2,000,

and 10% over £3,000.

And right now, we have a little surprise for you.

Yes, it's that hip flask disguised as a book.

It belongs to Joy, and not much longer, I would imagine,

-because I think this is lovely.

-It's great fun.

We're looking at £100-£150. I think you're spot on with the value.

So, why are you selling it?

Well, I decided I wanted to come to 'Flog It!'

cos I've been once before and thoroughly enjoyed myself

and enjoyed myself this time.

It belonged to my dad, you see. He would have so enjoyed being here.

-Oh, bless.

-It was lovely.

-Here we go.

The James Dixon and Sons EPNS spirit flask

tooled in the form of a book. It's got "A Pleasant Surprise" on it.

There we are, the registration marks, etcetera.

And I've got an opening bid on the book, a commission bid of £85.

At 85. At 90, do I hear it? 90, 90, 90? 100?

100, 100. 110. 110.

Good, we're getting the top end.

140? 135. 140?

140, 140? 145? 145.

150? 150. 155?

150 in the front row. At 150.

Do you want 160, up there?

That's a good, good sale.

£150, gentleman's bid, are we done?

-GAVEL BANGS

-There we go. Well done, you.

-Well done, James.

-Thank you.

-Thank you for bringing that along as well.

-Don't forget, there is a seller's commission to pay here.

-Yes, OK.

-But otherwise... Well done, you.

-Thank you very much.

-And it was a good experience, wasn't it?

-It was.

It was a lovely experience, thank you all very much.

Well, I think congratulations are in order right now.

I've just been joined by Gwen and our expert Claire,

but it's Gwen's 44th wedding anniversary.

-Is there a special name for that?

-Not that I know of.

-No, not that I know of either. Do you know?

-No.

44 years, that's a triumph.

I know you've brought your husband along, and he's over there.

Hello, there! Waiting in the wings.

We're just about to put the silver purse with the manicure set

under the hammer at £70-£90. Why are you selling this?

Just because it was just in a drawer, so, you know...

-Best to go to a collector.

-Never even looked at, so...

-Best to go to a collector, and I'm sure it will, actually.

-Yeah, yeah.

Silver's good at the moment, isn't it? So...

-It will sell.

-It's popular.

Now, I have the silver purse, Birmingham 1917,

and you've got the manicure implements etcetera.

Who's got £60 to get me going? 50 over there.

At 50, 50, 50, 55, 60,

65, 70, is it?

65 at the back of the room.

-At 65. 70.

-It's gone.

-Five, Sir?

70, here at 70, at the front of the room.

At 70, it's going to be sold at 70. Is there any...? 75?

-Last chance at £70.

-GAVEL BANGS

Spot on, there. Well done, Claire.

Yeah, that was a good trade lot, that one.

You know, that will be split up and moved into different places,

but it will definitely find a good home with collectors.

-That's good.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-And is this your first auction experience?

-It is! I'm shaking!

It is! I can see you standing there like this...

No need to be nervous, Gwen!

So, to our next lot.

We've got a pair of nine carat gold civic badges going under the hammer

for the mayor and the mayoress of Coventry.

-A lot of local interest, hopefully, Martin.

-I hope so.

-Should be, shouldn't it?

-I hope so.

-Yeah. How did you come across these?

Well, I'm very keen on Coventry, having been brought up there,

and I couldn't resist them 30 years ago to add to my own collection.

-Did you buy them in auction?

-No, I bought them from a friend.

OK. Good things?

-Very.

-Unusual.

-Not very commercial.

But, gold is doing very well.

-I'm just hoping they'll make above the scrap value.

-Oh, yes.

Well, let's find out. They're going under the hammer right now.

We've got the diamond rose cuts etcetera,

seed pearls in little cases there.

Anyway, I've got a commission bid,

I can start straight in at £500 on the book.

We're straight in! 500.

It's gone up to 6.

600 in my book. I've got 650.

700, 750? I've got 800, 850?

800 on the book. At 800, 850, is it?

850, 900, 950.

900 with me on the book. At 900, do you want 50? You're out.

-At £900, are we done?

-GAVEL BANGS

-Happy?

-Of course, very good.

-Very good, £900.

Back to our valuation day and to a museum that is embracing

the old and the new, the slow and fast.

And Claire was certainly quick to spot a good find.

You have brought in a lovely postcard album.

This is something very dear to my heart,

because I've always had a special interest in ephemera.

This is something that has come through the family, is it?

This postcard album belonged to my auntie,

and when she died in the late '80s, I inherited a lot of her things.

Unfortunately, it has just been sort of tucked away somewhere.

When we brought it out we were really fascinated to see the postcards.

You can see her name, Beth Cadbury, on all the postcards.

Right, so she's a Cadbury, now. Are we talking chocolate Cadburys?

-We are talking chocolate Cadburys, yes.

-Excellent.

Of course, there was a huge interest in collecting postcards

in this period, because this is an early 20th-century album.

Ranging from the Edwardian period, sort of 1910,

let's have a quick look through. It's really quite a nice collection.

A few have come out. The trouble with these old albums is the paper gets quite brittle.

-Very fragile.

-As you can see, some really pretty cards.

They're lovely, the chromo-lithographic ones.

-It's just knowing which ones are...

-The popular ones. People collect different things.

Some people prefer transport, some people prefer Christmas cards.

So, they appeal to a wide range of people which is good,

because it opens up the market for you. So, really, a very nice album.

-Now, have you ever had it valued in the past at all?

-No, no.

Oh, right, so you sort of...

I've no idea what, if it's worth anything at all, but it's just

so lovely, and we haven't really got room in our little house.

The only way to look at them is to frame them.

And you can't frame loads of postcards.

No. It's always the problem with things in albums.

Bearing in mind we're in a transport museum,

I thought, I bet they haven't got this in here!

The Irish donkey cart.

I think it opens up, doesn't it?

Yes, that's right. It will open up.

It'll all drop out, like in a concertina.

And I thought that was rather sweet, as well,

the sort of children pulling the little cart.

One of the good things about it, it's all to one person.

It's a very personal collection, so to a collector,

I think it would sell well.

I think I would certainly put about £40-£60 on it,

but I wouldn't be surprised to see it make more than that.

And I think we ought to put a reserve on it.

-If you would be happy with a reserve of £40?

-Yes.

-Does that sound all right to you?

-That's fine.

And have you got an idea what you're going to put the money towards?

We're taking the grandchildren away at Easter, so...

-Down to the New Forest. They're mad on ponies!

-Oh, brilliant.

Well, I have hopes for this.

And I hope it goes towards

the beginning of a new hobby for the grandchildren.

OK.

And, for something never before seen on "Flog It!", an Olympic torch.

Paul, I have to say, there are certain things in history

that everybody wants to get their hands on.

I think the World Cup is one.

And I think very close behind that is an Olympic torch.

What's it doing here in the centre of Coventry?

Well, it's been gathering dust for the last 40 years in my loft.

Not doing anything with it, but with the Olympics

still in everybody's mind, I thought it was a good time to, perhaps, sell.

How is it in your loft? Do you have Olympic athletes in the family?

Well, my father used to run, but I'm sure he would have told me

-if he had been a stage bearer in the Olympics.

-Gosh, yes.

We kept a pub, and it probably came into his possession

from someone coming into the pub and perhaps selling it some time ago.

So, do you think someone's paid off their bar bill with this?

Swapped it for a pint of beer, or paid off their slate?

-It could have been something like that.

-Gosh!

He gave it to me as part of my 21st birthday present.

I was more interested in the stereo that I got at that time.

And then, this has just gathered dust and kicked around in the loft.

I've got a feeling there will be more demand for this than there will be for your old stereo.

You may be right!

This was obviously for the London Olympics of 1948.

The torch was designed by Ralph Lavers. And he had them cast in aluminium.

Of course, in the 1940s,

aluminium was still a very fashionable material,

which is why it would have been used for a modern Olympiad.

There were 20 of them made, and each person would have kept

their individual torch as a souvenir of their leg.

And of course, the people that carried them

were past Olympiads, gold medallists, silver medallists.

I think the design is an interesting one.

It looks remarkably like a toilet plunger,

when you hold it the other way up.

But, the thing that I find interesting about, it's got

a cavity here, which is obviously where the flame has been held.

But, I think that should contain an inner section.

It must've done. So, I think there's an inner section missing.

But, having said that, what a wonderful thing to own.

I'd love to own one of these.

It's the sort of thing that evokes lots of emotions,

and when you're talking about emotion, figures go out the window,

and your heart kicks in, rather than your head.

But, it's a great time to sell it.

-We should put an auction estimate of £600-£1,000.

-Gosh!

-All right?

Yeah, yeah.

That's not bad for something that looks like a toilet plunger, is it?

HE LAUGHS Certainly isn't, no!

Now, just time to race back to Claire's final valuation,

and she's got a confession.

Turning to these, I do have to admit to you I'm

slightly out of my comfort zone with this type of pottery and porcelain,

so tell me the history of them, how you came by them.

We actually bought these at auction. We were looking at Moorcrofts.

They didn't sell in the antiques sale

because they didn't reach their reserve,

so I asked Tony to have a look at them because they appeared in

the next week's sale,

and he agreed with me that they were worth investing in.

-Why are you selling them?

-We both quite like the newer designs.

Moorcroft have got some really good designers now,

Rachel Bishop, Perry Goodwin. We like the bolder colours.

-They've got a new one out, which is called the Female Form.

-Oh, right.

And it stands at about 28 inches high. Big! But it's £4,200.

We are just saving up a pot of money towards that.

Very nice thing to have, though. Obviously, this is much earlier.

This dates to the early part of the 20th century,

and you can see that in the design, really.

It's the sort of Florian Ware, the MacIntyre, was the factory,

and this was a typical design that was done at that time.

And you have got the semi-tube lining which is more obvious.

Yes, and it is a typical colourway this, where you have got

the lovely blues and green against the creamy white background.

But, these are lovely. And they are so bright and so clean,

as though they haven't been used, so a lovely feel inside.

Because, if we take a look, you've got the factory mark underneath.

-The design itself just sings out, doesn't it?

-Recognisable, isn't it?

Yes. Out of a lot of items of ceramic at the moment

Moorcroft has continued to be very collected

and actually quite expensive.

So, you want to put them in a sale,

have you got an idea what you would like for them?

I watch "Flog It!" Every day.

Oh, right, excellent. Well done, well done!

So you've seen a bit of this going through, over the years.

-Quite a bit going through and you can keep an eye on the prices that way, can't you?

-Yes, yes indeed.

I mean, these, I think, would do well,

so I don't know if you felt round about the £600

would be, sort of, the lower end?

-I don't know how you feel about that.

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Good.

So we'll do a firm 600. Six to eight. And really hope they fly away

-and then you can put the money towards your female form.

-Yes.

They once belonged to a Cadbury,

and they certainly are a sweet piece of history.

This little light of Paul's is sure to brighten up the auction,

but just how much will it sell for?

And Moorcroft is a superior ceramic,

but will the current market allow it to make the £600 reserve?

Back a Bigwood's, I caught up with auctioneer

Christopher Ironmonger to see if the Olympic torch

is going to get gold.

Look at that, Christopher. Maybe I should be running along doing that.

Flying the flag for Bigwood's.

Well, this belongs to Paul.

Now, he has picked the right year and the right country to sell this.

-He has indeed.

-This is the year of the Olympic Games.

Now, this is the Olympics of 1948.

James, our expert has put £600 to £1,000 on that.

Well, I am confident that it'll go.

Quite interestingly, it was known as the Austerity Games

because it wasn't that long after the War,

so probably this is a fairly simplistic design compared to

the Olympic torches that I think we are going to see this year,

which are fairly elaborate.

We've already got some phone lines booked,

we've got quite a bit of interest in it.

I'm confident that we'll well exceed the estimate.

Let's hope we can break a record with this one.

We will certainly do our best.

But first, a smaller historical record.

Meg and Keith, the postcard album is just about to go under the hammer.

Now, I know this was a personal collection sent to your aunt,

-wasn't it?

-Yes, she collected it.

And there is not a lot of money involved in this. £40, maybe £60.

-Well, look, good luck. Good luck.

-Thank you.

That's all I can say, because I wouldn't sell this.

Would you if it was your own?

Well, maybe no. I know, but you have got other things.

-They'll probably go to a good home.

-A collector?

-Yes.

Incidentally, the first postcard was sent in London and it was

hand-painted and it had a Penny Black on it, and that was in 1840.

Shame that is not in this collection, isn't it?

-I was going to say, "I didn't notice that one."

-No, nor did I.

That would've been slipped out.

-You'd have saved that one, wouldn't you?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

Early 20th century postcard album,

principally compiled of cards sent to Ms Beth Cadbury

of Rose Hill, Worcester.

And I can't open the bidding at £50.

On the books at 50, with commission at 50.

60 over there.

I've got 70 with me. At 70. And 80.

-And 90. And 100. And 110.

-Wow.

-120 is it?

It's gone big time.

Are you done at 110?

Bid's with me on the book.

You are out at the back. 110 it is.

-Sold.

-Good.

-And a great result.

We see it time and time again on the show,

postcard albums always sell well.

Thank you so much for coming in. There is commission to pay

and I know you are sharing the money out with the grandkids, aren't you?

-Yes, we're taking them on a holiday.

-Who have we got behind you?

-This is Georgie and this is Abby.

-Hello, Abby. Hello, Georgie.

-Are you going on holiday straightaway?

-Yes.

The car is parked outside.

Well, it doesn't get more immediate than that, does it?

-Where are you going, may I ask?

-New Forest.

-Oh, how lovely.

-With all the ponies.

-Yes.

Well, if you're going to buy Moorcroft,

you've got to buy the early stuff - McIntyre Moorcroft.

And that's my favourite and yours. That is real, real quality.

Tony and Teresa, it's great to see you.

-Sounds like a pop duo, doesn't it? Tony and Teresa, TNT.

-That's right.

Dynamite! Well, let's hope this one goes off with an explosion.

-I hope so.

-Why are you selling this? This is absolute quality.

-I would like a more modern piece.

-You like your modern pieces.

-I do, indeed.

-Do you? How long have you had this then?

A few years. We bought it for an investment.

And how much did you pay for it?

-600.

-600. Well, hopefully, hopefully, we can get your money back.

We have enjoyed it £600 worth.

You've had £600 worth of smiles out of it.

Now, have you seen anything in the auction that you like?

Because I just noticed you're holding a bidding paddle.

-What are you buying?

-There is a piece of Moorcroft over there.

-Piece of Moorcroft. Hey, well...

-That I may have missed.

But you are selling Moorcroft, that's not that modern.

No, I know, but it is a vase, not a teapot.

Well, look, let's sell the teapot first, shall we?

It is going under the hammer now.

Early 20th century Moorcroft McIntyre and Co.

teapot and hot water pot

with the Florian Ware blue poppy pattern. Rather nice, isn't it?

What are my bids for this? Who has got 500 to get me going?

400 then? 400 on bid. 400 it is.

At 400. 420 now?

At 400. 420 is it?

420. 440? 440. 460.

He has got a commission bid on it, he's looking at the books.

-Is he?

-Yeah, looking down.

480? 480. 500?

At £480. Are you done at £480?

-We are not going to sell it.

-500 is it? Last chance at 480.

No-one wanted it today, it's as simple as that.

-I'll have to like the teapot.

-I think you will.

You know you said you were going to bid on a bit of Moorcroft,

-you don't have to now, do you?

-I'll keep that one.

That bit of Moorcroft is going home. And that's a better piece.

-It is obviously meant to stay with you.

-Obviously, yes.

-Not disappointed.

-No, you're still smiling.

-Yes.

And it just goes to show, there are no guarantees at auction,

even with big names like Moorcroft.

And flying the flag for team GB, we have Paul Eastwood

and Mr James Lewis.

The Olympic torch is about to go under the hammer.

I had a chat to the auctioneer, Christopher, yesterday.

And he's very enthusiastic about it.

He agreed with the valuation, but he said it should do the top end.

And we both said, you are in the right place at the right time.

Have you purposely saved it for this year?

-Did you think about selling it last year?

-No.

-Last year I thought about making a table lamp out of it.

-Did you?

-I'm glad I didn't.

-No, exactly!

Because it is a great time to sell it,

purely because you have got instant PR for this.

It depends whether the missing burner will really put

a lot of people off.

So, that is why I've conservatively estimated it.

Yeah, it might put the academics off,

but I don't think it will put the general collectors off.

-Hopefully not.

-No, they'll overlook that,

because it looks architecturally really, really good.

It is going under the hammer right now, here it is.

Games of the 14th Olympiad, held in 1948,

very appropriate coming up this year.

And I start off with commission bids on the book

and I'm going to start it at 1,050.

1,050.

-1,050.

-Well, that's our top end, isn't it?

1,100 there.

1,150 I've got.

1,200? 1,200.

And that clears my commission bids. At 1,200.

Look, there's a couple people on the phone now.

It is out of the room, it is backwards and forwards

to the phones.

14?

Let's go in hundreds. 15 now.

-I don't believe it.

-15. 16.

17.

18.

19.

2,000.

Go 22.

24.

26.

28.

3,000.

32.

34?

-32.

-I just love these moments.

At 3,200. Any further advance?

It is going to be sold. £3,200.

-Yes, hammer's gone down.

-Well done.

-Thank you very much!

-£3,200!

-Brilliant.

-What a wonderful way to end today's show.

What a lovely surprise. Thank you so much, Paul, for bringing that in.

Enjoy the money, won't you? Enjoy the money. Well done.

Well, sadly, we've run out of time here.

What a marvellous time we've had at Stratford-upon-Avon

and in Coventry.

I hope you have enjoyed it. Join us again soon

for many more surprises, but until then, it's goodbye from all of us.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd