0:00:08 > 0:00:10Now, this is Warwick Castle.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13And that is the world's largest trebuchet.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15It's modelled on 14th century drawings,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18and it's an incredibly lethal weapon,
0:00:18 > 0:00:22used for attacking castles during medieval times.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23And apparently, it works.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27And we'll be testing that a little later on in the show,
0:00:27 > 0:00:30but, first, to our valuation day in Coventry.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Coventry is all too familiar with the weapons of war,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00having fallen victim to the bombs of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05The city's thriving industrial centre was targeted,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and many historical buildings were destroyed as a consequence.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11But redevelopment took place on a massive scale,
0:01:11 > 0:01:15and one of the buildings that grew out of the ashes was this one,
0:01:15 > 0:01:20and it's been home to the Coventry Transport Museum since 1980.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24And for one day only, its home to the Flog It valuation day.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26And hundreds of people are already in the queue.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28And since it's opened its doors,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32this museum has amassed the finest collection of vehicles in the world.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Including something that can reach a breathtaking 763mph,
0:01:37 > 0:01:38a Daimler that's carried the Queen,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41not to mention this beautiful car that's just brought me here.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44And hundreds of people, laden with antiques and collectables,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46and let's hope the rain doesn't dampen their spirits.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48We'll get them inside shortly.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51But they're here to ask our experts that all-important question,
0:01:51 > 0:01:52which is, "What's it worth?"
0:01:52 > 0:01:54And when they find out, what are you going to do?
0:01:54 > 0:01:55ALL: Flog It HE CHUCKLES
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Well, they say boys like their toys,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and our experts today are no exception.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02Hunting out the best antiques
0:02:02 > 0:02:08and collectables are the ever-understated Charlie Ross...
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- LAUGHTER - Ooh! How dare you, James!
0:02:12 > 0:02:14..and James Lewis.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15Come on, cameraman.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17You know you're breaking the law here.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Well, that's to beat you with if you don't put me on the programme.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- What else is in there?- Nothing else. I've got the other item.
0:02:23 > 0:02:24There's some tissue paper in there.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Aah! That wasn't a bad guess without opening the box, was it?
0:02:27 > 0:02:30And now, boys, play nicely.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Inside the museum, the Flog It team
0:02:34 > 0:02:37are ready to receive over 900 people for valuations.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40The tables are set, the lights are on, and the cameras are rolling.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43So let's open the doors.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53On today's show, can you guess which of these items will
0:02:53 > 0:02:55sell for three times its valuation?
0:02:55 > 0:02:57An 18th-century silver goblet?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01An oil on tin painting, rescued from a factory?
0:03:01 > 0:03:06Or a Moorcroft vase in perfect condition?
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Well, our motors are certainly running at the valuation tables,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13that's for sure.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16We're surrounded by classic cars and antiques.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19What a wonderful combination for a show.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22And it looks like Charlie Ross is our first expert to the tables.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Let's take a closer look at what he's spotted.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- "Safety First," Chris.- Yes, absolutely!- What have you got here?
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Well, I know what you've got here. But I'm fascinated by it.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Where did you get hold of them?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Well, they originally belonged to my grandfather.- Yeah?
0:03:40 > 0:03:45And my dad as a little boy would have put the cards and stuck them in the book.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- Exactly. Cigarette smokers? - They were both smokers, well,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50he wasn't a smoker when he was a little boy, but...
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- He probably was! Behind the bike sheds!- Yes! SHE LAUGHS
0:03:53 > 0:03:56One of the most famous tobacco companies, Wills,
0:03:56 > 0:04:01formed in the 18th-century, and they started doing cigarette cards,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05actually, in the late 19th century, I think about 1880-1890.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- The cards would have been collected by children.- Mmm.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- Thereby condoning the rotten habit of smoking!- Yes!
0:04:11 > 0:04:14So the faster their parents smoked,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17the quicker they could fill their albums.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Wills were the first people to produce these cards,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and cos their name was so prominent, they produced so many of them.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Mm-hmm.- And they're probably the least valuable.- Yes.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29The companies that only produced a few brands,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32and therefore a few packets, have become hugely collectable.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Right.- But I've never seen the "Safety First."
0:04:35 > 0:04:39There is something, if I can find it fairly quickly, that really amuses me.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42"Never, on any account, throw anything from a moving car,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44"for in addition to the force of the throw,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48"it has the momentum by virtue of the speed of the vehicle."
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- So the vehicle's speed was such a novel thing in those days.- Yes.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55You thought throwing a sandwich out of the car would be fine,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57but if you're going along at 50 miles an hour,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- it is not great if you're hit by a flying sandwich, is it, really? - SHE LAUGHS
0:05:01 > 0:05:03"Do not hang onto a motor vehicle."
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- "Do not attempt to board or alight from a vehicle in motion." - SHE LAUGHS
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- Pretty obvious, this stuff. - Yes, absolutely.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Have you spotted anything about these that you like?
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Well, I like the colours, the colours are really strong.- Yes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- They are, aren't they? - But I also notice it's always men that are driving, and not women.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Oh, I do think women were driving then, were they?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23They were very nicely sitting in the back with nice hats on!
0:05:23 > 0:05:24THEY LAUGH
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Oh, that's very non-PC, isn't it!- Yes!
0:05:27 > 0:05:30What I like is that the album is in good condition.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- Every single card is there, so they've all been collected.- Yeah.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38They've been stuck into the right spot,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and been well cared and looked after.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Mm-hmm.- And that makes it a collectors item.- Mmm.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Here, we've got Great Aeroplanes Of The World, and the same applies.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I think what we've got here is John Player, you see,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56another hugely popular name, and therefore,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- I'm not going to be able to put a huge amount of money on this. - No.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05I mean, I think that the two albums are probably worth between £30-£50.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Right, OK.- I don't think any more than that, I'm afraid.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- No, no, I didn't think it would be. - No.- So I'm quite happy.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- Do you want to put a reserve on them?- Yes, I think so.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Or do you want to just sell without reserve?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- No, I'd like 30.- You would?- Yes. - You want to put 30 quid on them.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- With a bit of auctioneer's discretion.- Yes.- If it gets bit 29, we'll let him sell.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- SHE LAUGHS - Yeah? How's that? - That's OK, that's fine.- OK.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Health and safety advertised with cigarette cards?
0:06:28 > 0:06:31That's an interesting choice. And from one vice to another.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Are you a big wine drinker?- No. SHE LAUGHS
0:06:36 > 0:06:40So what on earth have you got a great big wine goblet for?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44You sit by the fireside at night, guzzling away from this.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45THEY LAUGH
0:06:45 > 0:06:48So, who did this silver originally belong to,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- and how did it find its way into your family?- It was my grandmother's.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- That's my grandmother. That's my grandfather.- Oh!
0:06:56 > 0:07:00She was the housekeeper, and he was the butler.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- And where were they in service? - In London somewhere.- OK. And who to?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- I don't know, I know it was Lord and Lady somebody.- OK.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12So they were in service, and stood they leave,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15and this was given as a gift or...?
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- I really don't know.- Or did they pinch it and they were fired?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20THEY LAUGH
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- My mother actually kept the poker in it at the side...- The poker?
0:07:24 > 0:07:30- Red hot pokers?- Yes! At the side of the fire.- Oh, fire poker?- Yes!
0:07:30 > 0:07:31My goodness!
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I mean, that is incredible, because it survived in relatively...
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Relatively good order, if you think about what she's used it for.- Yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I mean, this is a solid silver,
0:07:41 > 0:07:451760s, Northern European beaker.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47They come in various sizes.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51I've sold them that big before, I've never seen one this size.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Haven't you?- Has anyone ever looked at it before for you?
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Erm... A dealer, when he came to buy Mum's furniture,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01he was interested in it, and he thought it was Dutch.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- OK.- Yes.- Mmm.- And he wanted to take it, I think he said Bermondsey.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Oh, did he indeed?- Yes.- Yeah! - I wouldn't let him!
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- THEY LAUGH - Well done!
0:08:11 > 0:08:16And looking at the shape of it, it's much further north than Holland.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21It's not Dutch. I think this is Swedish.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23It's gilded, gold plated inside,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25so that the wine doesn't react with the silver.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29And this decoration, this is engraved and chased,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31with a little tool called a burin,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35and you remove little tiny bits of silver,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38and then above there, we have a gilded band
0:08:38 > 0:08:40to tie it in with the gilt centre.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- I just wish the object could talk. - Yes.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46And it's the research, and finding out,
0:08:46 > 0:08:47and working out, why is it here?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49How did it get here?
0:08:49 > 0:08:51But I guess the relevant question is, what's it worth?
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- I would have no idea.- 300-500 is what I think it's worth.- Yes?
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- Do you want to reserve? 300 firm? - OK.- Is that OK with you?- Yes.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Thank you so much for bringing it. Really enjoyed looking at it.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Whilst James was gobbling up that wine goblet,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11I went to find out more about Coventry's military record.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Now, earlier on in the show, we found out about the terrible time
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Coventry suffered during the Blitz, and the consequences it caused,
0:09:20 > 0:09:25but Coventry is also connected with a victory, with this very car.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29It's in 1943 Humber, built here in the city.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34But this very car, Field Marshal Montgomery drove to Berlin in 1945
0:09:34 > 0:09:37to deliver the peace treaty.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Now, that's the vehicle with an incredible pedigree.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47There are more items with renowned status in the motorsport gallery,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and Charlie is sticking up for his Flog It favourite.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Now, we get a lot of Moorcroft pottery on Flog It
0:09:52 > 0:09:56And I think people can get a bit blase about it.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58"Well, the factory's still going,"
0:09:58 > 0:10:01erm... "Not another bit of Moorcroft."
0:10:01 > 0:10:03I think that's just the wrong way of looking at it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- I love it. Do you like it?- No.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- What?! - SHE LAUGHS I don't like it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10THEY LAUGH
0:10:10 > 0:10:14There was I, getting all enthusiastic about a bit of Moorcroft, and you don't like it.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- No.- What about your family?- No. - No?- They don't, no.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- How long ago did you inherit it? - Just over 20 years, I've had it.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25So it's taken you 20 years to realise you don't like it?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Yeah, well it's been buried away in a cupboard!
0:10:27 > 0:10:28THEY LAUGH
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Do you know, so many people come to Flog It
0:10:30 > 0:10:33and take things out of cupboards and come along here with them,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35why are they ever in cupboards in the first place?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Mr William Moorcroft did not make that to stick in a cupboard, did he?
0:10:38 > 0:10:42No, he did it for Welsh dressers, and we don't have that now.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- What do you know about it, you know who it's by, obviously. - I know it's Moorcroft, yes.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- Do you know anything more than that? - No.- Do you know where Mr Moorcroft, William Moorcroft,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- who started the factory, was born? - No.- He was born in 1872.- Yeah.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58And he lived to quite a good old age, he died in 1945,
0:10:58 > 0:11:03the end of the war, the factory was then taken over by Walter, his son.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Yes.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- It's the pomegranate pattern, did you know that?- Yes, I did know that.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- You knew that.- Yes.- So you knew a bit more than you were letting on! - SHE LAUGHS
0:11:11 > 0:11:12When was it made?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Er... 1935-ish? - Cor! You're very good!
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Yeah, mid-1930s.- Yeah.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23And it's very, very popular still, and I like the colours.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Now, the Moorcroft factory is still going today.- Mmm.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29And like the Doulton factory, Worcester,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33like so many factories, the colours have become more garish, brighter.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35They have, yes.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38And I prefer these softer colours,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40and that's why I particularly like this.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42You probably think it's a bit dark, don't you?
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Yeah, I do, and also, it's too big... - Yeah?- ..to put on a coffee table.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50No, it's just something that might get broken, something you've got to dust.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- Yes, that's right.- And you might as well have a few bob for it.- Yeah.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Now you've probably done a bit of research, have you, on the value?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- I've had it valued, yes.- HAVE you had it valued?- Yes.- Oh, dear!
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- SHE LAUGHS - This is when I start feeling a bit nervous on Flog It,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04when people say, "I've had it valued."
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Do I want to listen?- No. - Go on, tell me.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Well, what do you think it's worth? - I'll tell you what it's worth.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12Go on, then.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Exactly?- Yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18£365.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- Up a bit.- Ooh! Steady.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- I think it's worth between £300-£400.- Yeah.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- You don't like it, do you?- No, I don't.- So, frankly, it's got to go. - Yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- But I would stick a price on it. - A reserve on it?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- Yes, we must put a reserve on it. - Yeah.- Erm...
0:12:33 > 0:12:37In case, you know, there's a tornado or a thunderstorm or something,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40just as the auction is going to happen and nobody turns up.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43We need to put a reserve on it.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Now, I'd like to see the reserve at 300.- Yeah.- As a fixed reserve.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- 300-320.- Now would you be happy with that?- Say 320.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- 320?- Yeah.- Well, I'm not going to fall out over 20 quid.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54SHE LAUGHS
0:12:54 > 0:12:58But we must remember, this has more less catalogue value,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00because it's not a unique item.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Yeah.- So let's say, 300-400. - Yeah, that's fine.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Put it there, and I'll see you at the auction.- Yes, you will.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07- Thank you.- Thank you!
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Well, it looks like we have literally taken over the whole
0:13:13 > 0:13:17of the museum today, because we are in danger of running out of seats.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20We're filming in the main gallery there, but look at this.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23This is an overspill area, and the queue goes down the stairs
0:13:23 > 0:13:26still, and out the main front door, through the foyer.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Everyone having a good time? Yes!
0:13:28 > 0:13:29Well, I'll tell you what,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32our experts have been working flat out in the other rooms,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36and we're now ready to go off to auction for the very first time.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39And it's Safety First with these cigarette cards.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Will they be smoking in the saleroom?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Nobody knows how this Swedish silver came to be in the UK,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51but we do know it's off to auction.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55And proving that art is subjective,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Gillian can't stand this Moorcroft vase,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00but Charlie loves the pomegranate pattern.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05He was confident of his estimate, so let's see if he's right!
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Today's auction comes from Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:14:13 > 0:14:14only 19 miles from Coventry.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It escaped the Blitz and the post-war redevelopment,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20and is quite a different architectural landscape,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22boasting some 3,000 listed buildings.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28And with a charm all of its own, it's our auction house.
0:14:28 > 0:14:2925, 30...
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Auctioneer, Christopher Ironmonger, is keeping the peace,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and first up, those cigarette cards.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- Not a lot of value here, £30-£50.- No.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42But these two albums, I think, are wonderful
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- and worth every penny at the top end, and more, Charlie.- Yeah.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- Very good.- Absolutely. They're iconic.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- They were used to promote the Highway Code.- Yeah.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52And let's find out what this lot thinks, shall we?
0:14:52 > 0:14:53Here we go.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56And another WD & HO Wills "Safety First" one, there we go.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59We might learn something from that.
0:14:59 > 0:15:0325 for it. 25 I'm bid, eight there, is it,
0:15:03 > 0:15:0525, come on, surely.
0:15:05 > 0:15:0728, is it? At 25, the maiden bid.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11At 25. 26 now. At £25, are we done at 25?
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Are we finished at £25?
0:15:15 > 0:15:16HE BANGS GAVEL
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- Sorry, Christine.- Never mind, I've enjoyed the whole experience.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20It's been fantastic. I've had a great time.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Sadly, Christine was pounds away from selling her cigarette cards.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Now, I absolutely love this next lot.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Belongs to Susan, and it's the Swedish silver wine goblet,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37with that lovely wrigglework, by Johan Gadd.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Now, this has made the catalogue, big photograph.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- You're very pleased with that, aren't you?- I was, yes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45But you did ring the auctioneer, I've just read in my notes.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Weren't quite sure about 300-500. Surely it's worth an awful lot more.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50- Oh, really?- Mmm...
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Oh, you didn't tell ME that on the day!
0:15:53 > 0:15:54THEY LAUGH
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Christopher actually has said, look, you were right, 300-500, so...
0:15:57 > 0:15:58You're still happy, aren't you?
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Oh, yes, of course.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02It's just that somebody pointed it out 10 years ago,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04that it could be worth around a thousand.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- Yeah.- Let's find out who's going to buy it, shall we, and what they're going to pay for it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13And number 185 is the Johan Gadd, 18th-century Swedish silver beaker,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15very attractive piece, this...
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Nice wrigglework on this. I can see why you liked it.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- It's your thing, isn't it?- That's the bit I like.- And the banding.- Yes.
0:16:21 > 0:16:27250 I'm bid, 250, the bid's there at 250, 250, 250, 300, is it?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29250, 260, 270, 280?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32280, 300, 320?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36300 on my right, at 300, seems awfully reasonable at £300.
0:16:36 > 0:16:3920 if you like, £300, it's going to be sold,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41the bid's here at £300, are you done?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43HE BANGS GAVEL
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- It's gone. £300, lower end, we were right, weren't we?- Yes, yes, yes.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48Well, there you go.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52I'm surprised the wine goblet didn't make the upper end
0:16:52 > 0:16:55of the estimate, and of course, if it was English silver,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57you could stick a nought onto that £300.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Right now going under the hammer,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05we've got a great name in ceramics, it doesn't get much better.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Moorcroft, a bit of Walter Moorcroft, as well.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12One of the great designers, artists, pottery thrower and chemist.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- Experimented with a lot of glazes, he did.- He did?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18And, this pomegranate pattern is very, very popular
0:17:18 > 0:17:20with the buyers and collectors.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- But not so popular with you. - No, I didn't like it.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Charlie told me that, you didn't like it.- No.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- THEY LAUGH - But in a way, you know, we don't mind that,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31because we're here to sell things, we don't really want you to keep things.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- So what puts you off this? - The colour.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- The shape.- You don't like the colour, the ground, at all.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- The shape, it's too tall.- Happy with the 320-400, though?- Yes. I'm fine.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Like the money. Rather have the money than the vase.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Yes, yes, I would. Yes!
0:17:44 > 0:17:45SHE LAUGHS
0:17:45 > 0:17:46Fair enough.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50I'm just hoping it'll do... I don't think it's going to do the top end.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- No.- But, erm... If we can get 320-340, I'll be quite happy.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Well, it's now down to this lot. Let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:17:57 > 0:17:58It's going under the hammer now.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04And a lot of interest in this, I can start it straight off at 320,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06on the book, at 320, at 340, is it in the room?
0:18:06 > 0:18:10At 320, 340, 360, 380, is it? 360, I've got.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- 370 might help. - Yeah, that's selling.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- It's selling.- I'm selling it... - Hopefully we'll get that top end.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19370, 380, 390?
0:18:19 > 0:18:20£380.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24390 now. £380, are we done and finished?
0:18:24 > 0:18:25- HE BANGS GAVEL - 380.
0:18:25 > 0:18:32- Yes, the hammer's gone down, £380. Yes.- I'm happy with that!- And I am.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- I bet you are, because you couldn't stand it!- Yes!- Yeah, exactly! - SHE LAUGHS
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- Hey, don't forget, there's commission to pay, all right?- Yeah.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- But nevertheless, it's a lot of money, still, there.- Yes.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Well, that concludes our first visit to the auction room,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46and all three ladies have gone away smiling.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Now, the auction room is packed full of antiques
0:18:50 > 0:18:52from all different periods of history.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54It gives us a strong association with the past.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Now, not far from here,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00there's a building that witnessed more history than most.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I went off exploring. Take a look at this.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Treachery, treason, demise and resurrection.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14There is one castle in the County of Warwickshire that can lay claim
0:19:14 > 0:19:16to all of this and more.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Warwick Castle.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Ten centuries of history soaked into this ground and these walls.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25A building that has survived challenges,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27both ferocious and financial.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42And this is where it all started, on this great big earth mound,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46two years after the Norman invasion of 1066.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48William the Conqueror ordered Henry de Beaumont
0:19:48 > 0:19:51to build a motte and bailey castle right here, overlooking Warwick,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54in a key position of strength.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56It was basically a statement of intent
0:19:56 > 0:19:58to ward off any English uprising.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04The motte and bailey castle was built mainly of timber,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and was quick and easy to assemble.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11It was given to the first of many earls of Warwick, Henry de Beaumont,
0:20:11 > 0:20:13whose job it was to govern the land
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and keep law and order amongst the people.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19But motte and bailey castles weren't built to last,
0:20:19 > 0:20:21so with the Earl's money,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24the wooden castles were reinforced with stone in 1260.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34The stone was bought and transported from local quarries,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38and built around the original footprint of the old castle.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42And while the walls were incredibly strong, the earl behind them wasn't.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44The eighth Earl of Warwick, William Maudit,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47was seen as indecisive and weak.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51An attack was launched on the castle from neighbouring Kenilworth Castle,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54and with weapons like that...
0:20:54 > 0:20:57even the strongest walls would crumble.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00The trebuchet was the largest
0:21:00 > 0:21:04and most formidable siege weapon used in medieval times.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07In essence, it was an enormous catapult.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Well, this is a reconstruction of a trebuchet, built on notes
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and drawings from the 14th century, based on that,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15so it's absolutely accurate,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17and it's an incredible piece of engineering.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22As you can see, it's about 18 metres high, it weighs a massive 22 tonnes,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and it can throw an object 25 metres in the air
0:21:25 > 0:21:27at a distance of 300 metres,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30so it's the ideal weapon to attack your enemy with.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33It was built of oak, incredible tensile strength, the oak has,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35but the throwing arm, that's made of ash.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38And the grain in ash allows it to be much more flexible and pliable,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41it's got a whippiness to it.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42But this is it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45So as you can see, look, they're winding up the windlass.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47The throwing arm's going down.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51It gets attached by a locking mechanism, so it's
0:21:51 > 0:21:55fully in place, and when it's ready to go, the ammunition is loaded.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58You can see the sling is on the end of this rope here,
0:21:58 > 0:22:03and on the other end of the pulling arm, you've got a ballast box,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07and that ballast box is full of around five tonnes of rock,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09so when the mechanism is pulled,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13that ballast box drops straight to the ground incredibly fast,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16whipping the throwing arm right up in the air.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Hurling your ammunition towards the enemy.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20The throwing arm is now in position.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23The locking mechanism is in, so the break is on.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25The rope is being attached now to the slaying.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27In the sling is the ammunition, the projectile
0:22:27 > 0:22:30that you're going to throw in that direction, towards the enemy.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34What could it be today, could it be a ball of fire? A big rock?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Or could it be a rotting carcass, a cow's carcass full of maggots?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Well, I hope that hasn't put you off your afternoon cup of tea and biscuits.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I'm sure it's not going to be that.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45In a moment, we're going to have to just move back,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48just in case something might go wrong, we might be in the way.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51But can you imagine moving this hundreds of metres
0:22:51 > 0:22:53towards your enemy?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55You wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58because it literally just goes, pow!
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- Yes... - CHEERING
0:23:02 > 0:23:05What a wonderful cheer from over there!
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Nine... Eight...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Seven... Six...
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Five... Four...
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Three... Two... One... Pull!
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Wow!
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Oh, my gosh!
0:23:22 > 0:23:26That is incredible!
0:23:26 > 0:23:29That was incredible, that was absolutely incredible.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Wow, look at the whippiness in that throwing arm, still.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38And you can see how beautifully counterbalanced it is now,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41with that ballast box full of five tonnes of rocks.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49The trebuchet, and other tools of war,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53caused major damage to the castle in the 13th century.
0:23:53 > 0:23:59The North Wall was torn down, and the towers were starting to crumble.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04Fortunately, in the 14th century, the earl stepped in and reinforced Warwick Castle,
0:24:04 > 0:24:09building the front facade, which has become one of the most recognisable examples
0:24:09 > 0:24:11of 14th century military architecture.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19But as the centuries changed, so did the fate of the castle.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Historian, Adam Busiakiewicz, told me more.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26In the Tudor period, this castle was, believe it or not,
0:24:26 > 0:24:27seen as old-fashioned.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Nobody really wanted to spend the huge amounts of money
0:24:30 > 0:24:32to rebuild it, or even remodel it, so there we go.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34So what happened to the castle in the end?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Well, in the 16th century, during the Elizabethan period,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40believe it or not, Warwick Castle became a prison for a while.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Still we have on the walls, all types of scratching
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and graffiti that prisoners left.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46That's quite lovely, actually,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48so even the walls are permeating history.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52And what would the castle have looked like during this time?
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- Well, we have accounts that actually, during the time, the Great Hall ceiling had fallen in.- Gosh!
0:24:56 > 0:24:58All the windows had been taken away,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01even some of the towers were said to be falling down,
0:25:01 > 0:25:02so could you imagine that?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Warwick Castle was dying.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07The towers began to fall, and what had been a symbol of strength
0:25:07 > 0:25:09now looked weak and withered.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11But hope was not lost.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Enter Fulke Greville, the man responsible
0:25:17 > 0:25:21for restoring a dilapidated castle into a magnificent country home.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26He was given the castle by James I, with a value of around £470.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28He saw the potential in it,
0:25:28 > 0:25:32and ploughed a huge amount of cash into its restoration.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Somewhere in the region of £20,000, and at the time,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37that was absolutely millions.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Much of what you see today is thanks to the Grevilles.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Fulke Greville used architects who were the first
0:25:48 > 0:25:50to go on a Grand Tour of Europe,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and witness classical design and architecture.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58The Red Room shows elements of that design, particularly the ceiling.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01When you look up there and you see the classical ornamentation,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04that repetitive form of decoration,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06inspired by the classical Renaissance,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09something you'd see in an Italian villa.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10Yet, when you look at the walls,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13you see traditional panelling from floor-to-ceiling.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Note the absence of a dado rail, a very important architectural detail,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20which you'd expect to see with the ceiling like that
0:26:20 > 0:26:22and the cornice like that, but it's not there.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27So that tells us this is a transition from the old to the new.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Now, the room would have changed colours many times
0:26:29 > 0:26:32with each different owner, but thanks to the Grevilles,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34this room has remained very special.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Warwick Castle stayed with the descendants of Greville
0:26:39 > 0:26:41for 374 years.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44That's nine generations.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48But it was sold in 1978 to the Tussauds Group.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Now it's being kept alive by actors telling the castle's history.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56CHEERING
0:26:57 > 0:27:01..fly right at the Tower. All the way down...
0:27:01 > 0:27:06War, triumph, imprisonment and transformation.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Warwick Castle has seen it all.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Its stone has survived centuries of decay,
0:27:10 > 0:27:15and seen some colourful characters along the way.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19And as the saying goes, if only the walls could talk.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Now, back to our valuation day at Coventry Transport Museum.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37George, I have to say, you are far too young and trendy
0:27:37 > 0:27:41to be the sort of guy that buys, or owns, flaky oil paintings like this.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- I am actually a collector, I do collect.- Are you? - Yeah. I've got delftware.- Yeah.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49I've got some Beswick, I've got some Clarice Cliff, erm...
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- Depends what takes my fancy, whatever shines through.- Really?- Yeah.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55So how did it come to be in your possession,
0:27:55 > 0:27:56and what's it doing here?
0:27:56 > 0:28:02- My father saved it from a factory. - A factory?- Yeah.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05The factory was destroyed three days after the painting was removed.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07- Really?- Yeah.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11And then I discovered the inscription on the bottom, so I typed that in.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- Yes.- And then an artist's name appeared.- OK.- Which was Robert Dodd.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16OK.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21- He was prolific for painting marine type work.- Yeah.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Even though he did or oils, he also did in great things.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Because Dodd was a great engraver,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- his work was accessible by everybody.- Mm-hmm.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35So you find that anyone who has his original works engraved
0:28:35 > 0:28:39- is also the type of artist that was copied most of all.- Yeah.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42So here we're looking at a picture
0:28:42 > 0:28:46that was probably not far after Dodd himself.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47It says here...
0:28:48 > 0:28:50.."HIS Majesty's ships."
0:28:50 > 0:28:55Now, that clearly means that the original painting was painted before 1837,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58cos that's Queen Victoria, It would be "HER Majesty's ships."
0:28:58 > 0:29:01This is a George III scene.
0:29:01 > 0:29:07Probably painted around 1820-1840, something around there.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10It's oil, and it's oil painted directly onto tin.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14We look at the centre of the painting, and it's in really good order.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17The only damage is around the outside,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19and that is so easy to repair.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22And I've seen it happen so many times that we look at a picture like this
0:29:22 > 0:29:24and think, "Fabulous, let's clean it."
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- The first thing that comes off when you clean the picture is the dirt. - Yeah.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31The next thing that comes off is the layer beneath the dirt,
0:29:31 > 0:29:32- which is the varnish.- Yeah.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36The next thing, if you clean it too far below the varnish,
0:29:36 > 0:29:38is the last thing that the artist painted,
0:29:38 > 0:29:43so if you've got a face painted by an artist, the last thing the artist puts on,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46the little white dots in the eye to bring the eyes to life,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50if you restore that back too far, the white dots are lost.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Yeah.- And the face becomes flat and lifeless.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- And the same thing will happen here if you're not careful.- Yeah.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00So, for me, leave it like that, but if you just lick it,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03I'm not going to lick it straight on, do you mind if I spit on your picture?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05GEORGE LAUGHS
0:30:05 > 0:30:06Just look there.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- See the way that just starts to come to life?- Yeah, excellent.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- You can actually see all the extra detail coming through. - You can, can't you?- Yeah.- You can.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19I think the right auction estimate would be £300-£500.
0:30:19 > 0:30:25- I think it might make a shade more. It's a very speculative lot.- Yeah.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29It's the sort of thing that might, with a following wind,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- catch on and make you up to £1,000. - Wow.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- Fingers crossed.- Fantastic. - Fingers crossed.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- Shall we put a reserve on it? - Yes, please, yeah.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40- £300 firm is what I'd recommend. - That's brilliant.- Brilliant.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45- But I think it's a great picture, and thank you so much for bringing it in.- No, thank you. Thank you.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Good to see the next generation with a passion for antiques.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52And now to an unusual family collection.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Well, Margaret, the more I rummaged around
0:30:56 > 0:30:59in that little box of yours, the more interesting items came out.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- Yes. - Is there a connection between them?
0:31:02 > 0:31:04- Yes, there is, they are all family pieces.- Yes.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06But from different parts of the family.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- Yeah.- This one belonged to my mother.- Yeah.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12This one belonged to a grandfather,
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- but I'm not sure whether a maternal or paternal grandfather.- Right.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19And these belonged to my paternal grandmother.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20Right.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24I'm absolutely intrigued in particular by these bayonets.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Are they brooches?
0:31:27 > 0:31:32- As I understand it, they are lapel pins.- Yeah.- That were brought back from the First World War.- Yeah.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35What do you think of them?
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- Er... I'm a bit... I think they're a little gruesome, actually. - They are, aren't they?- Yes!
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- Is this a token of love?- Well...
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Would you bring your wife a bayonet pin back?
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- I would not give my wife a bayonet. - SHE LAUGHS
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- I'm more enamoured of the other objects, to be honest. - Yes, they're more appealing.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57And this is a cello, or a double bass, and it is, what is it..?
0:31:57 > 0:31:58- A vesta case.- A vesta case.- Yes.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03- I would really love this object to be silver.- Sorry..!- But it isn't. - SHE LAUGHS
0:32:03 > 0:32:07Do you know, if this was silver, I think it would be rare enough to be worth £200-£300.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- Really?- Yeah. But its plate, and it isn't, so don't get too excited!
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Now, the other object, I'm pretty certain I know what that is,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17if I lift it up, I think it's incomplete.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18- SHE LAUGHS - Is it not?
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- It is, yes!- And what is it?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22It's from a baby's rattle.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- It's from a baby's rattle, or teething ring.- Or teething ring.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30And yes, there we go, there's a large hole in the bear's bottom, here.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31Now, this is silver.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36- I don't know whether it has a hallmark... Yes, it has! - Yes, it has.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38It's got an English hallmark on there.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Do you know, it's so small, I can't see it.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46Properly. But I would estimate that to be about 1908.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51- Now, I think it's a Chester hallmark. - Yes. It's got a date, then. - It's got a date, I think, it's 1921.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Do you know, I think that's good enough for it to be restorable.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57- Really?- Yes, I do.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I would suggest that although that's badly damaged,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03that has more value than the other objects.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- I'm attaching very little value to those.- No.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09I'm attaching a value of probably £30-£40 on the bear, so...
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- You look pleasantly surprised!- I am! I didn't expect it to be...
0:33:12 > 0:33:16No, and I think 10 or 20 there, I think we can put 50-100.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- Now.- Gosh, yes.- Shall we put a reserve of £30 on them?- That's fine.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24James has been doing valuations all over the museum today,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26and it looks like he has hit the road again.
0:33:26 > 0:33:32Debbie, I have to say, in a museum full of the trappings of luxury,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35we can't find anything more contrasting than two medals
0:33:35 > 0:33:39that would have been won in such severe conditions.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Are they family pieces? - I inherited them from my grandfather.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- I believe they were his father's, so my great-grandfather.- Gosh.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46That's about as much as I know, really.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48The great thing about these medals
0:33:48 > 0:33:51is that if you look around the edge, they are named,
0:33:51 > 0:33:56you've got the number there, and "Private T Worrall".
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- Mmm.- "Royal Welsh Fusiliers."- Yeah, Thomas, yeah.- Ah, Thomas.- Mm-hmm.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05So here we have two medals that were service medals
0:34:05 > 0:34:09that have been awarded to your great-great-grandfather for efforts,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11fighting the Boers in South Africa.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15One can only imagine what Thomas Worrall would have thought
0:34:15 > 0:34:18when he arrived in South Africa, just over 100 years ago.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I mean, where all used to watching David Attenborough, aren't we,
0:34:21 > 0:34:22and seeing lions and zebras
0:34:22 > 0:34:26and rhinos going across the Great Plains,
0:34:26 > 0:34:31but for somebody to come from England and see those creatures,
0:34:31 > 0:34:33and see Zulus for the first time, face to face,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36would have been an incredible experience.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Now, if we have a look at the bars, these are called bars,
0:34:40 > 0:34:41along the ribbon, you've got
0:34:41 > 0:34:46Transvaal, Driefontein, Paardeberg and the Relief of Kimberley.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Now, all together, there were 26 bars that you could have on this one ribbon.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55That would have been one long medal, it would be almost like my tie by the time they'd finished with it.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56But it's still a good medal.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00I mean, they've been rattling around in this old tin for quite a long time.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- It's a chocolate tin, isn't it? - It is, yes.- Yeah.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05These were given to a lot of the troops.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07- They had cigarettes in one half. - Mm-hmm.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Chocolate in the other, and a little Christmas card in the centre, as well.- Yeah.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14And Mary actually did the same thing in the First World War,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18- and gave all the troops a little pencil in the form of a bullet. - Really?
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Dividing the chocolate and the cigarettes,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24so that all the troops in the trenches could write home for Christmas.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26- Right.- What have we got here? Ah, now.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29"Parchment certificate of character on discharge.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33"His conduct and character while with the Colours have been,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- "according to the records, very good."- Mm-hmm.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- So he was a good soldier. - That's good news.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41He was five foot six inches tall, had grey eyes,
0:35:41 > 0:35:42and he was a labourer.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47- Mmm.- Gosh, it's very personal, isn't it?- It is, yeah.- He was 31 years.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51I've never seen any photographs of him, so I've no idea what he looks like, even.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I've actually got another document which I didn't bring with me,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57which is the burial certificate for himself and his wife,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and they're buried in one of the churchyards somewhere locally, in Bedworth.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- Are they really?- Yeah.- Would you be able to get me a copy of that?- Sure. - Cos that...
0:36:04 > 0:36:06I've got his birth certificate, as well, if that helps.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Brilliant. Birth certificate, death certificate, bit of history on that.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- I might have a marriage certificate as well.- Perfect. You want to sell them? Find them a home?
0:36:13 > 0:36:18- I'm definitely interested in finding them a home.- For me, people often say, "Why do families sell medals?"
0:36:18 > 0:36:20- I look at it from a different perspective.- Mm-hmm.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25In that the people that collect medals are fascinated with history.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29Whoever buys these will look into your great-grandfather's history.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32They will write down every bit of information about him.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35If they can locate a photograph, that will go with the medals.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- Mm-hmm.- And these will start to really tell a story.- Yeah.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43So, in a way, keeping them in a drawer is not a better thing to do
0:36:43 > 0:36:46than allow them to tell the story of what he did.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- Value. I think they're worth about £200-£300.- OK.- Something like that.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52- All right?- That's great.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55I think they're great medals, I think they've got great character.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- I'd put a reserve of 180 on them. - Mm-hmm.- And an estimate of 200-300.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- That's great.- Is that all right for you?- Absolutely, yes.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- Fantastic. Well, I think they're going to do very well. - Thank you, James.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13Well, time to say goodbye to the fantastic Coventry Transport Museum.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15But before we go, there's just something I'd like to show you.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18In fact, I've been given special permission to sit on this
0:37:18 > 0:37:21particular motorcycle.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24A local chap named Stanley Glanfield rode this
0:37:24 > 0:37:25motor cycle around the world.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Through 16 countries, four continents.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30He clocked up 80,000 miles on the clock.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Now back then, in 1928,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36this motorcycle cost £60. And talking of values,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38let's put this next set of items to the test, shall we?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Let's get over to the auction room in Stratford-upon-Avon
0:37:41 > 0:37:42for the very last time.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45And here's a quick recap just to jog your memories
0:37:45 > 0:37:47of the items we are taking with us.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50MAKES REVVING SOUND
0:37:50 > 0:37:51With the wind in its sails,
0:37:51 > 0:37:55this wonderful painting is navigating its way to the saleroom.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01These medals commemorate the service of Thomas Worrall in the Boer Wars
0:38:01 > 0:38:03over 100 years ago.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08Will they sell to a collector who's interested in their heritage?
0:38:08 > 0:38:10It's not going to make her a million
0:38:10 > 0:38:14but Margaret hopes her collection will get the top end of the estimate.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23At 60 with the lady. At 60... Sold.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- Debbie, good luck. - Thank you very much.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31We're about to put your medals under the hammer.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34The two Queen Victoria South African medals. James, spot-on valuation.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Medals have been a great investment over
0:38:36 > 0:38:37the last few years.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40- And they're picking up. It's getting a stronger market now.- Yeah.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43I think there's interest in the military as well with
0:38:43 > 0:38:45the Gulf War, Afghanistan.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Our respect for the forces are increasing.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49There was a time we didn't talk about the forces.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51But we're really up for it now. It's great.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- They're going under the hammer right now. Here we go.- Fine.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Queen Victoria South African medal.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02And quite interestingly with this one I would add that we've
0:39:02 > 0:39:06got copies of the birth and death certificates for Lucy Worrall.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- And Thomas Worrall.- Do you know, provenance is everything.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11It builds a package and that package is the value.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15I'll start the bidding here at 180 with the commission bid.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20Is it 200 in the room? 200 I've got, 220, 240, 260, 280.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25280 with you, yes? 280. That takes me out. 280 on my right.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30- 280.- Selling in the room.- £280 on my right, 280.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- There gone. It was as simple as that, wasn't it?- Thanks, guys.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Thank you! £280.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- Yes, lovely.- Somebody will love them.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42That sale proves militaria's popularity.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Now to another family heirloom with a military connection.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- Margaret, are you ready for this? - I think so, yes.- OK.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50- There's not a lot of money at stake. - No.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53But it's a nice little collection of silver.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55- A few little odds and ends there. - Yeah.- A good little lot.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58But we're testing the market right now, aren't we?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- This is a good experience. - That's right, yes.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02It's a Flog It first for you.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04LAUGHTER Whatever it gets is going to charity anyway.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Well, it's a cracking little lot, really, Charlie.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09A bit of quality. Something for everybody.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12I just hope people have spotted that it's Chester Hallmark on that little bear.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16- All right, OK. Here we go, it's going under the hammer now.- Great.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Right, we now come onto lot 230 which is the selection of
0:40:22 > 0:40:23base metal collectors items.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28So who's going to start me with £30? £30.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Very collectible.
0:40:30 > 0:40:36£20 then. £20 I'm bid. 25, £30, £35, gentleman's bid at 35.
0:40:36 > 0:40:41Will you go? At 35, 40, sir, 40. 45. 45, 50.
0:40:41 > 0:40:4645, the lady on the stairs at 45. Is it 50 now? Last chance at £45.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48- Well, it's gone.- That's good. - That's good.- Yeah.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- That's good.- Spot on, Charlie.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- Spot on.- Got some money for a good cause, so...
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Bidding in the room,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59the buyer of Margaret's lot told us what attracted her to it.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01It was mainly the teddy bear
0:41:01 > 0:41:04that brought me to it because I have a business partner
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and we actually have a business together
0:41:06 > 0:41:08where we sell animal-related antiques.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11That little bear has found a new home.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16We see a lot of oils on canvas on the show.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18We don't see that many oils on tin.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Especially large examples like this. It belongs to George
0:41:21 > 0:41:25and it's a 19th-century copy of the original by Robert Dodd, isn't it?
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- Yeah.- Yeah, a wonderful thing. Absolutely wonderful.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Why are you selling this?
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Erm, I'm just worried that under my care something's going to
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- happen to it.- Right, it's a bit vulnerable?- Yes.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41So I just thought, maybe it needs to go to someone who can look after it
0:41:41 > 0:41:43or maybe have a bit of restoration done.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Well, look, good luck, both of you on this.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47We've got 3 to 5 riding on this. I think it's a snip.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Here we go, let's put it to the test.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53I can open the bidding with commission at 300.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Straight off at 300 and I think we have some phones as well. At 300.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Who wants 350? I've got 350. 350 there.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03There's a phone line open, look.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08400, 400. 450? 400 on the top phone.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11450. 450. 500? 500, 550? 550.
0:42:13 > 0:42:22- 600?- 600.- Good. - 650? 700? 700? 750?
0:42:22 > 0:42:26750. 800? 800.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- This is very good, George. This is quite scary.- 850. 900?
0:42:30 > 0:42:34- 900. 950? - It's making cracking money.
0:42:34 > 0:42:391,000? 1,000. Go 1,100?
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- 1,200?- Wow.- 1,300?
0:42:46 > 0:42:501,400. 1,500.
0:42:50 > 0:42:541,600.
0:42:54 > 0:42:571,700.
0:42:57 > 0:43:001,600 on that phone, are we all finished?
0:43:00 > 0:43:05- £1,600, George.- £1,600. Top phone at 1,600.- Gosh.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09- GAVEL FALLS - There you go. £1,600. What a moment.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12- I can't believe it.- What's going through your mind right now?
0:43:12 > 0:43:13I was expecting to take it home,
0:43:13 > 0:43:15I didn't think it was actually going to sell.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20- £1,600! Enjoy it, won't you?- Yeah.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22And I know you want to set yourself up in the antiques trade
0:43:22 > 0:43:24and what a wonderful way to start.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26It's a nice little package or a nice little earner
0:43:26 > 0:43:29- as they say for your first one. - Oh, definitely.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32Keep doing it, keep doing it, well done.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37Another happy Flog It customer. And if you think a painting on your wall might be worth a wedge,
0:43:37 > 0:43:38come along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42Details can be found on our website or in the local press.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44Well, that's it from Stratford-upon-Avon
0:43:44 > 0:43:47and another unpredictable auction.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.