Wallasey 30 Flog It!


Wallasey 30

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Welcome to the Walker Art Gallery.

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It's one of several museums looked after by National Museums Liverpool.

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And today, I've got special permission to go behind the scenes

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to see how they care for their millions

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of often priceless objects that are sometimes in danger

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of deterioration or, even worse, falling apart.

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All that's to come, but right now,

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I've got to get to the other side of the Mersey for our valuations.

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Welcome to "Flog It!".

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Yes, today's show covers both sides of the river,

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an area known as Merseyside.

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We're kicking off on the west bank, on the Wirral Peninsula,

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whose history has always been shaped by the Mersey,

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ever since the 14th century,

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when the monks at Birkenhead Priory

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started a cross-river ferry service.

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The 19th century saw the birth of the area's renowned

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shipbuilding tradition,

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when John Laird opened his shipyard.

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Fast-forward to 1962

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and the world's first commercial hovercraft service began.

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Yes, on the Wirral Peninsula!

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And overlooking all that history is our valuation day venue -

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Wallasey Town Hall.

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Today, the good folk of Merseyside

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have come from both sides of the river to the town hall

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on the Wirral Peninsula for our valuation day.

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And judging by the size of this crowd,

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I think we're going to be in for a cracking show.

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They're here to have their antiques and collectables valued.

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And if they're happy with that valuation, what are you going to do?

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ALL: Flog it!

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And already looking for potential items in the queue

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is Nick Davies,

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a man in need of some sunglasses.

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LAUGHTER

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That'll affect the shipping, that will, it's so bright!

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-HORN BLARES

-Oops, sorry!

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However, antiques are like homing beacons

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for our other expert, Philip Serrell.

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You know, I'm really looking forward to seeing John Lennon's glasses.

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I know somebody's got these... There they are!

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It's him! He's got 'em.

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-Fantastic.

-He's got 'em.

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I'm going off to find Ringo.

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Well, I don't know about A HARD DAY'S NIGHT,

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but we've certainly got a good day's work in front of us.

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So, let's get everybody inside.

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Oh, it's a good job we British know how to queue.

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No overtaking or queue-jumping here, I tell you.

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But whilst everybody finds their fair place,

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I'm going to cheat and jump ahead

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and give you a sneak preview

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of what's coming up on today's show.

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Nick finds an intriguing inscription a little bit maddening.

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What happened that night?

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We'll never know.

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We will never, ever know.

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How frustrating!

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And Philip has some fun with his valuations.

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Have you got a figure in mind for this?

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-Well, I have.

-Oh...

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25 online, 30 bid...

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But who will have the last laugh in the saleroom

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when more than one of our items

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goes on to make several hundred pounds?

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Ooh!

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No, that's good.

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Oh, my goodness.

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So, with the hall filling up

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and a lovely buzz of anticipation bouncing off the walls,

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let's get straight into our first valuation

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with Nick, up in the gods.

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Well, hello, Phil.

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Here we are in Wallasey Town Hall,

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a gem of a building.

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And you've brought a nice little gem for us as well, here.

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Can you tell me a little bit about the bangle?

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-You shouldn't use the word "junk", but I...

-Right.

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It was in a box of various pieces of jewellery,

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which I inherited,

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and I've always taken a fancy to it.

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-But I didn't know any history about it...

-Right.

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..but I thought it was very pretty.

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-But I don't wear blue very much...

-Right.

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-No, you're all in purple regalia there.

-I'm in purple.

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Well, I can tell you it's come from where I've come from,

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actually, it's come from Birmingham.

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-It was made in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.

-Fantastic.

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And it's hallmarked around the edge, so we can date it exactly to 1904.

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So, Birmingham Jewellery Quarter was turning out

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about a million items a week at this period.

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They were, as a manufacturing hub, really prevalent.

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Sapphire and sea pearls,

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or river pearls, as some people like to call them,

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nice graduated colour.

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One little problem with it, I think.

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I think the centre stone, right in the middle,

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has been replaced with a paste stone.

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-Yes, it's a different colour altogether.

-It's slightly different.

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It's a little bit more vibrant, if the truth be told.

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Why do you want to sell it?

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It means nothing to me.

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I just think it's a very pretty thing.

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-So you never wanted to wear it yourself?

-No, no.

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-No?

-Not at all.

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So, from a valuation point of view,

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-I'd probably put around about 100 to 150 on it.

-Wow!

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So it's not really junk?

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No, definitely not junk.

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We can use the bottom estimate as a reserve, I think that's fair.

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It may go on and do a little bit more. It's a pretty thing.

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-As I said, the trouble with it is the replaced stone.

-Yes.

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And to get that put back right will cost, either a jeweller or someone,

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you know, a fair bit of money, to be fair.

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But it's a really pretty thing, it should do well.

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It'll look after itself on the day. Are you happy with that?

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I'd be thrilled, because, obviously, the junk isn't junk.

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And that's the beauty of "Flog It!",

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you don't know what you could have stashed away

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until you bring it along to one of our valuation days.

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-Mary, how are you?

-All right, fine, Philip.

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-This is a bit topical around here, isn't it?

-I know, isn't it?

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-Where's it come from?

-It was an old aunt's.

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You've got a great accent, you know.

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-So you're a Liverpudlian?

-No, I come from Birkenhead,

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Prenton, on the Wirral.

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-And where has this come from, Mary?

-It's came out the loft.

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-Out the loft?

-Yeah. We're just getting the loft all done

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and we come across some pictures belonging to an old aunt,

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and, erm, I just thought, "I'd love to go on 'Flog It!' ", so here I am.

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Brilliant, here you are.

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-That's lovely.

-I watch it all the time.

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-This is not worth millions, OK?

-No.

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But I just quite like it. I mean, it's just lovely.

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And what I like about this is that

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there's a sort of little story going on here,

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because this was painted in 1903 by Owens -

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-whoever Owens is - certainly not a recorded artist.

-No.

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But this ship, if you look at it very closely,

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can you see there, it says "Panama"?

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-Oh, yeah. Yeah.

-Right.

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The Panama was commissioned in 1902, right?

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And this was painted in 1903.

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And in 1920, the Panama,

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it was taken in as a hospital ship.

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So this ship,

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which was about for 40 years,

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became a hospital ship.

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-Oh.

-And I just think it's really, really interesting.

-Yeah.

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-And it's quite primitive.

-Yeah.

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But the fact that it's round here,

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I just think it's got a lovely story to tell.

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-So you can't shed any light on this at all?

-None whatsoever.

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Erm, just handed down.

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Just found it in the loft with two other prints

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that are not really worth looking at, but I thought this one might be,

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-so that's why I'm here today.

-What were you hoping it might be worth?

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-A meal out or something, really.

-What sort of meal do you have?

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-About a ton, a couple of bevvies and that, you know?

-A couple of bevvies?

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Yeah.

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-Right, a couple of bevvies and a what?

-A meal.

-And a meal.

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-How much is that?

-Or am I just going to go to the chippy?

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We might just be going and getting some sandwiches actually.

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-It's going to make, my love, somewhere between £30 and £50.

-Yeah.

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This artist isn't recorded.

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-And you need to put a reserve on it of, sort of, £25 firm.

-Yeah.

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And that protects you, then.

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But I just think it's quite a sweet little thing.

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-Brilliant.

-Not much of a meal really.

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No, it'll just get me over to Liverpool to the showroom, won't it?

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-Will you just do one more thing for me?

-What, love?

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-Say "Mersey" again.

-Mersey.

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I just love that! It's brilliant, isn't it?

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And speaking of that great river,

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how about we pop outside for a moment

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to take in the spectacular scenery?

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This has to be one of the most famous rivers in the world

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and, historically, that's due of course to Liverpool's Mersey Docks,

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Britain's biggest port.

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From the 18th century onwards,

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it led the way in the transportation of Lancashire coal,

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Staffordshire pottery and Welsh sheep, to name but a few.

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Nowadays, of course, it's famous for the 1960s music scene,

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the Mersey Beat, which gave us

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Ferry Across The Mersey.

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But it gives us a great excuse to play

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that fabulous Mersey Beat music.

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# People

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# They rush everywhere... #

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-How are you?

-I'm very well indeed.

-It's a busy old day, isn't it?

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Not when you've stood outside for an hour waiting to get in.

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It's really cold out there.

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It's true, there's thousands of folk here. It's really lovely.

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And for us it's lovely when you get that volume of people through.

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-And I love things like this.

-Gorgeous, isn't it?

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We've got a steam engine, we've got a tender,

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three carriages and a level crossing,

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although I'm not quite sure that's got the gate in the right order.

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We've got our buffers over there and a track, and we've got some more in

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a box down here, so, for me, you know...

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Bit of a start for a collection for someone, isn't it?

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So, were these yours?

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No, they weren't. I work for a local charity and this came

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into one of our charity shops.

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So this has come in for you to raise money...

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It's a little bit of serendipity, yes.

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Well, you can see this is Hornby, and the Hornby factory

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was set up by Frank Hornby in 1901.

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Their first clockwork train came about in about 1920.

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But I would guess...this is around 1930, something like that.

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That sounds about right.

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Hornby's still going today, branded by Meccano.

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I think it's interesting.

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Condition is everything with these things and this,

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-like all toys should be, has been well played with.

-Yes.

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I think we've had the odd derailment here and there...

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-I think loved is the word that's best used.

-Absolutely.

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In good order, these things could make a couple of hundred pounds,

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but in a way...you've got to sell them, haven't you?

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We have indeed, and we need the money

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so we can keep our charity going, yes.

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Well, what I think we should do is put an estimate of £30 to £50.

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That sounds fine to me.

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That would be fantastic, wouldn't it?

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-Absolutely fantastic, yes.

-That would be fantastic.

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I just love these. I love them.

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# Pardon me, boy

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-# Is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?

-Yes, yes... #

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These collectables make you feel really nostalgic for times gone by.

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But we've no time to linger -

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let's catch up with expert Nick Davies.

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Can you tell me a little bit about the medals,

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how you've come about them?

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Well, they don't belong to me.

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But I acquired them from my mother,

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who's been dead now 15 years,

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and she had them from her friend before that.

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Just been in the loft, my loft.

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-They've been stuffed in the loft and forgotten about...

-They have.

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-..for all these years. It's a bit of a sad tale, really.

-Yes.

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But one that we should all be very grateful for, as well.

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They were awarded to this gentleman.

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He was Albert Edward Aston -

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lost in action in November 1917

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in the First World War, over in France.

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It was a battle in northern France which was the first major

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tank battle by the Allies,

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so it was an important moment in the war.

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It was one of the pivotal battles that shifted strength

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from one side to the other.

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And he was part of the Machine Gun Corps,

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which was...

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Must have been pretty gruesome, in those days...

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and hard work.

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So, we've got a First World War medal pair here.

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A typical medal pair. We've got the British War Medal

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and the Victory, or Civilisation Medal nearer to me.

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The nice thing about it, not only have we got the medals,

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but we've got really interesting paperwork,

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and this social history really puts flesh on the bones for the medals.

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It says here,

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"It is my painful duty to inform you

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"that having no further news been received..." -

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relative to his rank and name -

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"..he has been missing since the 30th November 1917."

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And they regretfully conclude that he is dead.

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-It's a poignant thing, really.

-Yes.

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And not only that, with his dog tag as well.

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The great thing about First World War medals

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is the research you can do on them.

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And you can really get under the skin of the conflicts.

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It's something that you can't do with the Second World War medals

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because they weren't named around the rim.

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So you have that real tie to the history of the moment,

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which I think's really important.

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From a valuation point of view,

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I'd probably put them in around about £80 to £120,

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and they're just a really good, clean set of medals.

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-Yes.

-But they're great history.

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I presume, if they've been stuffed in the loft for some time,

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that'll be better than leaving them back in the loft, I presume?

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-Well, it would, yes.

-Good. Excellent.

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It is a sad story, but a story that must be told,

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and this is a great way of connecting to the past.

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So thank you very much for bringing them in

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and I'm sure they'll do really well at the sale for you.

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'And now for a piece of local interest.

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'I daresay that a lot of people walking past

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'this old Midland Railway Building in the heart of Liverpool

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'don't know to what use it's put to today.'

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I think they might be quite surprised to find out

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that this rather unprepossessing side street

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leads to a team of specialists

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working in state-of-the-art facilities,

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looking after countless objects of national significance -

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otherwise known as the Conservation Studios.

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'The inside of this building doesn't give much away either.

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'It's only the signage and the lettering outside each department

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'that really gives us a clue as to what goes on here.'

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'So, how about we start with the Organics Department?'

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-Hi, Tracey, it's Paul. Pleased to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

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So, this is Organics.

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What do you do here?

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I look after all of the organic materials

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that belong to National Museums Liverpool.

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It can include material from ancient history, or from the present time.

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It includes things like wood, basketry, fur, feathers, hair.

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-It's varied.

-It's massively varied, yes.

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-So, every day is quite exciting.

-Yes, every day is really different.

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Well, talking about organics, I know what this is, it's a life belt.

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This is from a ship called the RMS Lusitania

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and we know that from...

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It's actually got the name printed on one side.

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She was torpedoed in 1915,

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sunk by a German U-boat,

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with the loss of about 1,200 men, women and children.

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We think this is the only existing example of the life jacket

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from the Lusitania.

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So, what are you going to do to this?

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Well, it needs cleaning,

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but there's a limit to how much cleaning I can do...

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Without stripping it all of its social history and what it means?

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Yeah, and also without causing more damage,

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because if this was immersed in water, it would probably

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-get more stained from the cork blocks that are inside it.

-Yeah.

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So, I can only really do a surface dry clean.

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So, while you're working on this,

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obviously you're working on other things?

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Yeah, there's usually a lot going on, yeah. In fact,

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we've got an object next door that you might be interested to see.

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-OK, surprise me.

-If you'd like to come through?

-Come on, then.

0:15:180:15:21

Oh, man, it's a mummy! How fascinating!

0:15:210:15:23

-Can I have a look in there?

-This is one of the earliest objects

0:15:230:15:26

that came into World Museum's collection.

0:15:260:15:29

It's about 3,000 to 3,500 years old.

0:15:290:15:31

So, what will you exactly do today?

0:15:310:15:33

Well, today I'm continuing with the cleaning using this sponge,

0:15:330:15:36

which is quite a gentle way of getting

0:15:360:15:38

a little bit more dirt off the surface.

0:15:380:15:40

And you might be able to tell that I've cleaned this part of the face.

0:15:400:15:44

-It's a little bit cleaner than the other half.

-Yes, I can see that.

0:15:440:15:46

The gilding is coming through.

0:15:460:15:48

Yes, and this decoration is a bit more visible here.

0:15:480:15:51

What will you do about the face?

0:15:510:15:53

Well, if I can find any loose fragments inside, I'll fix them

0:15:530:15:58

back in position.

0:15:580:15:59

And to do that, I'll use some tissue,

0:15:590:16:01

which I'll fix to the underside of the face, to make a little support.

0:16:010:16:04

-Make a little bridge?

-Yeah, exactly.

0:16:040:16:06

And it's interesting that you can actually see the mummy

0:16:060:16:08

-through that gap.

-I think so. I think that's quite nice.

0:16:080:16:11

It's a shame that it's damaged, but it does give us a bit more information.

0:16:110:16:14

-There's a fragment down there but it looks like...

-There is!

0:16:140:16:17

Yeah, shall we try and get it out, do you think?

0:16:170:16:19

-Will you help me?

-Well, I'll hold the light, shall I? I'm quite clumsy...

0:16:190:16:23

Yeah, if you position that light...

0:16:230:16:24

I think I've got that piece...

0:16:300:16:32

-Yeah, very good. OK? Got it.

-You've got it?

0:16:320:16:35

-Coming to you...

-Got it.

0:16:350:16:37

-Have you got it?

-Yeah.

0:16:370:16:39

-I hope I'm not going to be cursed!

-There we go, we've got it!

0:16:390:16:42

PAUL GASPS

0:16:420:16:43

So, I think this has come from the inside of the face somewhere.

0:16:450:16:50

Wow, it's quite amazing.

0:16:500:16:52

In fact, it's overwhelming to think, you know,

0:16:520:16:54

it's 3,000 years old. And it's all in a day's work.

0:16:540:16:57

-All in a day's work!

-Tracey, thanks so much for showing me around.

0:16:570:17:00

-It's a pleasure.

-I feel very privileged to be part of this.

0:17:000:17:03

'Yes, it's all happening here. And next door, in Paper Conservation, they're responsible

0:17:030:17:08

'for anything from 16th-century books to photographs and watercolours.'

0:17:080:17:12

'Today, they're washing an 18th-century print

0:17:140:17:18

'in de-ionised water, to remove acidity

0:17:180:17:20

'in the paper and discolouration, so that they can put it on display.'

0:17:200:17:24

'Downstairs, there's another department I'd like to show you,

0:17:250:17:29

'which deals in some really heavyweight antiquities.'

0:17:290:17:33

-Hi, Lottie.

-Hi, Paul.

0:17:370:17:38

-Great to meet you.

-And you.

0:17:380:17:40

You've got the right lifting gear.

0:17:400:17:42

Yes, it's really handy in this kind of work.

0:17:420:17:44

-I see you're working on a bust, which is in several parts.

-Yes.

0:17:440:17:48

It has really been in the wars, this one, unfortunately.

0:17:480:17:50

-It's like putting a jigsaw puzzle back together again.

-Absolutely.

0:17:500:17:53

-But I bet there's some missing pieces.

-There are, and we've got

0:17:530:17:56

bags and bags of where the marble has just crumbled

0:17:560:17:58

away to nothing and there is really very little we can do with that.

0:17:580:18:02

Erm, when it became fashionable in the late 18th and 19th century

0:18:020:18:05

to collect these Roman and Greek pieces,

0:18:050:18:07

they were often already in bits and restorers were using iron pins and

0:18:070:18:12

ancient resins to stick them back together and make whole sculptures.

0:18:120:18:16

I'm using this as an advantage to take these out,

0:18:160:18:19

so that they can be replaced with stainless steel or Perspex pins,

0:18:190:18:23

which won't corrode and cause any damage.

0:18:230:18:25

And that's what's happened there. They've rusted now.

0:18:250:18:27

-Yes, you can see how deformed and rusted they can become.

-Mm!

0:18:270:18:30

There is a lot going on in here.

0:18:300:18:31

Missing heads, missing limbs, it's proper surgery!

0:18:310:18:34

You're halfway through cleaning something, aren't you?

0:18:340:18:37

-I noticed that.

-Yes. This is another piece from the Ince Blundell collection, and here,

0:18:370:18:41

I'm using steam to clean it.

0:18:410:18:43

And you can see that this side has been cleaned

0:18:430:18:46

and this side is still filthy.

0:18:460:18:48

STEAM CLEANER HISSES

0:18:490:18:52

-It's pretty quick!

-Yes.

-It's very quick. Well, I envy you lot here.

0:18:530:18:57

-It's a great studio, so I'll leave you to get on with that.

-OK.

0:18:570:19:00

-Thank you very much.

-Nice to meet you.

-Good luck with it!

-Thank you.

0:19:000:19:03

'The range of specialist skills and knowledge of materials put to use here really is amazing.'

0:19:030:19:08

'In the Ceramics Department, Janet is using her chemistry training

0:19:090:19:12

'to repair an 18th-century Wedgewood bowl.'

0:19:120:19:16

'Whereas, in the Ship And Historic Models Department, Chris is

0:19:180:19:21

'working on a model of a Liverpool liner, the Letitia.

0:19:210:19:24

'This has been in storage since the Second World War

0:19:240:19:28

'but now it's destined for display at the Maritime Museum.'

0:19:280:19:31

'But for me, there's just time to visit one last department

0:19:330:19:36

'and it's one I'm particularly keen to look at.'

0:19:360:19:39

-Dave, hi.

-Hello.

-It's Paul. I recognise that as a Constable.

0:19:410:19:45

-This is indeed.

-I can see you've taken an X-ray of it.

0:19:450:19:48

-What are you doing to this anyway?

-Well, this is Constable's cottage

0:19:480:19:51

at East Bergholt from the Lady Lever Art Gallery collections.

0:19:510:19:55

We think Constable made additions to the canvas.

0:19:550:19:57

We spend a lot of our time looking at the paintings in great detail,

0:19:570:20:00

by X-ray, microscope examination, so that we can find out as much as

0:20:000:20:05

we possibly can technically about the paintings, to see how they were made.

0:20:050:20:08

I've got the prints of the X-ray here.

0:20:080:20:11

We can see that there is, erm, a female figure here.

0:20:110:20:14

There's drapery and lines of flowing material here, and another figure,

0:20:140:20:18

carrying what looks like a water jar, which is highly interesting

0:20:180:20:22

because it's nothing to do with the current composition.

0:20:220:20:25

-No, it's not, is it?

-And it may not be anything to do with Constable either.

0:20:250:20:28

We're not quite sure whether he has reused this existing canvas...

0:20:280:20:31

-And old canvas that he's stumbled across?

-Yes. Indeed.

0:20:310:20:34

Erm, so, that's fascinating.

0:20:340:20:35

Tell me about this piece.

0:20:380:20:39

I can see it's yellowing up through varnish, look.

0:20:390:20:42

Well, this is my current cleaning project.

0:20:420:20:44

This is by the Master Of Frankfurt,

0:20:440:20:46

Holy Family With Music-Making Angels.

0:20:460:20:48

At the moment, the priority is to remove discoloured varnish

0:20:480:20:51

and over-paint and address some problems with flaking paint

0:20:510:20:54

-underneath the varnish.

-Sure.

-It's a beautiful picture.

0:20:540:20:57

-It's got some fantastic fine detail in it.

-(Oh, it's incredible!)

0:20:570:21:00

So, I'll be revealing that, hopefully, when I remove all

0:21:000:21:03

the discoloured varnish and some of the over-paint from it.

0:21:030:21:06

Well, shall I show you how I do this?

0:21:060:21:09

This is, we're just using a combination of organic solvent.

0:21:090:21:12

I will just work on this area, gently rolling this cotton wool swab.

0:21:120:21:15

-Mm-hm.

-And the solvent will gradually dissolve the varnish.

0:21:150:21:19

And you're revealing the colour of the blue underneath.

0:21:190:21:22

Clearly, it's making such a huge difference...

0:21:220:21:24

-And you keep looking at that cotton wool, making sure nothing else is coming off.

-Yes, absolutely.

0:21:240:21:28

We treat this layer by layer, stage by stage.

0:21:280:21:31

So, we're working very carefully

0:21:310:21:33

and also going back to things like X-rays, which I have of this picture.

0:21:330:21:37

It's quite rewarding to know that you're all

0:21:370:21:39

so passionate about your work and that our fine art

0:21:390:21:42

and antiques are in safe hands for many more generations to come.

0:21:420:21:46

So, look, good luck with that.

0:21:460:21:47

Thank you. Well, that's what we do. That's what we're here for.

0:21:470:21:50

Well, I've got my favourite and you've probably got yours.

0:21:580:22:01

So, let's put those valuations to the test, shall we?

0:22:010:22:04

Let's head over to the auction room for the very first time today.

0:22:040:22:07

And here's a quick recap -

0:22:070:22:08

just to jog your memory - of the items we're taking with us.

0:22:080:22:11

We've got the Edwardian sapphire and sea pearl bracelet.

0:22:110:22:14

Phil doesn't wear it, but will somebody else want to?

0:22:140:22:18

She's hoping for a memorable night out

0:22:220:22:24

with the proceeds from this picture.

0:22:240:22:25

Let's see if Mary's study in gouache

0:22:250:22:28

raises enough to show her a good time.

0:22:280:22:31

The Hornby train set.

0:22:360:22:38

It's been well played with, but I'm sure all proceeds will be

0:22:380:22:42

welcomed by the Wirral charity Mark works for.

0:22:420:22:46

And then there's Jean's First World War medals.

0:22:470:22:50

The attached paperwork really brings the story

0:22:500:22:53

of this lost soldier into relief.

0:22:530:22:55

We're sailing across the choppy waters of the Mersey

0:23:030:23:06

for today's auction, heading into the vibrant city of Liverpool.

0:23:060:23:09

We'll be in the capable hands of "Flog It!" veteran, Adam Partridge.

0:23:120:23:15

40 now, 5, 50, 5, 60, 5...

0:23:150:23:19

Remember, if you are buying or selling in an auction room

0:23:190:23:22

there is commission to pay. It varies from saleroom to saleroom.

0:23:220:23:25

All the details are printed in the catalogue, or ask a member of staff.

0:23:250:23:29

Here, today, at Adam Partridge's saleroom in Liverpool,

0:23:290:23:32

it's %20 inclusive of VAT, so factor that in to the hammer price

0:23:320:23:37

because that is always added on or, if you're selling, it's deducted.

0:23:370:23:41

Well, there are plenty of browsers, but will this translate into bids?

0:23:430:23:47

As everyone takes their seats, the auction gets under way.

0:23:470:23:52

It's not long before our first lot comes round the bend.

0:23:520:23:55

We all love our boys' toys on this show, don't we?

0:23:570:23:59

You brought it to the right expert.

0:23:590:24:01

I did indeed, yes. We came down and met Phil outside.

0:24:010:24:04

And the rest is history.

0:24:040:24:06

And the rest is history. Every penny goes to charity,

0:24:060:24:08

-so it's a great cause.

-It does indeed, yeah.

0:24:080:24:10

Let's find out what it makes.

0:24:100:24:12

Small collection of Hornby Dublo. Tin plate accessories. £30 the lot.

0:24:130:24:18

Start me there, £30.

0:24:180:24:19

Oh, come on. Come on.

0:24:190:24:20

£20, then. 20 bid. A bid at 20. Is there 5 now? At 25 online.

0:24:200:24:26

At £25... Any advance then on £25? That's it... 30 here.

0:24:260:24:30

30 in the room now. At £30...

0:24:300:24:33

-It's a great name, though, Hornby.

-It is, it's local, isn't it?

0:24:330:24:36

£30 over here. 5 online, 35.

0:24:360:24:38

40, sir. For the hospice. Thank you, sir.

0:24:380:24:40

-Pulling teeth, aren't we?

-Yeah.

-MARK LAUGHS

0:24:400:24:43

We're selling in the room then at £40...

0:24:430:24:46

Yes! Steaming ahead at 40 quid.

0:24:460:24:49

That was great.

0:24:490:24:50

And every penny will go to the charity.

0:24:500:24:52

It certainly will. That's right.

0:24:520:24:53

Thank you for bringing that and carry on to do all the good work.

0:24:530:24:56

I will do. Thank you both very much indeed. Thanks for your help.

0:24:560:24:59

A good, solid, mid-estimate sale there. I'm pleased for Mark.

0:25:000:25:04

Going under the hammer right now, two First World War medals

0:25:050:25:08

belonging to Jean, but with no family connection, am I right?

0:25:080:25:11

-That's right, yes.

-So, how did you come by them?

0:25:110:25:13

Well, I found them in my loft,

0:25:130:25:15

but originally they came from my mother's loft.

0:25:150:25:17

With the First World War, you've got the names.

0:25:170:25:19

All the research is easy to do, because it's all around the rim.

0:25:190:25:22

They're all named, they're a matching pair.

0:25:220:25:24

-They should be fine. They should sell.

-Yeah.

-Fingers crossed.

0:25:240:25:26

-Yes, fingers crossed.

-We're going to find out right now, Jean.

-OK.

0:25:260:25:29

Ready for this? Here we go. This is it.

0:25:290:25:32

A nice little lot of World War I medals there.

0:25:320:25:35

What about £80 for them?

0:25:350:25:36

80? Is that bid straight in at 80?

0:25:360:25:38

-I think we're straight in.

-That's good.

0:25:380:25:40

£80, straight in at 80.

0:25:400:25:41

I'll take five, anywhere? At £80.

0:25:410:25:43

5, and 90,

0:25:430:25:44

and 5, 100, 110, 120...

0:25:440:25:46

Oh, my goodness.

0:25:460:25:47

No, 130 this side.

0:25:470:25:49

At 130.

0:25:490:25:50

Any advance now on £130?

0:25:500:25:52

The bid's on my right-hand side here at 130.

0:25:520:25:56

That's a good sold sound.

0:25:570:25:59

-So, well done, you. Thanks for bringing those in.

-OK.

0:25:590:26:01

-Great.

-Well done, Nick, as well.

0:26:010:26:03

Just above the top estimate, fantastic.

0:26:030:26:05

Next up, is Mary's small study of the vessel Panama.

0:26:060:26:10

Mary, I think we've hit trumps here with the right sale,

0:26:100:26:13

because half of the sale here today at Adam's saleroom

0:26:130:26:16

is a maritime sale.

0:26:160:26:17

The walls are adorned with maritime images

0:26:170:26:19

and that's exactly what you've got.

0:26:190:26:21

-Yeah.

-So, good luck.

0:26:210:26:22

-It's a wonderful gouache.

-Oh, thanks.

-Why are you selling it?

0:26:220:26:25

Well, it's just no interest to me, you know what I mean?

0:26:250:26:28

-It wasn't mine anyway, it was an old auntie's, so I just thought...

-OK.

0:26:280:26:31

Had you enjoyed it on the wall?

0:26:310:26:33

I haven't ever had it on the wall!

0:26:330:26:35

-Oh, that's why you're selling it, girl!

-It was in the loft.

0:26:350:26:38

-So, good luck. We get top money right now.

-Oh, thanks very much.

0:26:390:26:42

Yeah, here we go.

0:26:420:26:43

JS Owen, the gouache small study

0:26:430:26:45

of a single funnelled vessel, Panama, there were are.

0:26:450:26:48

That's rather nice, isn't it?

0:26:480:26:49

And £30?

0:26:490:26:51

£30 for it?

0:26:510:26:53

£20?

0:26:530:26:55

£20, this little gouache,

0:26:550:26:56

there it is, held up for you.

0:26:560:26:58

£20 for this?

0:26:590:27:01

Surely, £20?

0:27:020:27:04

Online, £20 is bid.

0:27:070:27:09

We're starting off at 20, is there 5 anywhere?

0:27:090:27:11

Oh, we've got a bid online.

0:27:110:27:12

At £25. Online again at £25.

0:27:120:27:17

Is that it? At £25.

0:27:170:27:19

At £25, at 25.

0:27:190:27:21

Saving your money for the bigger pictures, are you? At £25.

0:27:210:27:24

We'll sell then online at £25.

0:27:240:27:27

Sold it. He sold it to a bidder online for £25, on the reserve.

0:27:290:27:33

Yeah, bang on the reserve.

0:27:330:27:34

I mean, honestly, I thought it might have made a little bit more.

0:27:340:27:37

-I'm disappointed.

-I think the only sandwich you're going to get

0:27:370:27:40

out of that is a chip butty.

0:27:400:27:42

-Yeah, treat yourself.

-It was worth it.

0:27:420:27:44

It was worth coming just to see you both anyway.

0:27:440:27:46

-Have you enjoyed it?

-I've had a lovely day.

0:27:460:27:48

Well, it's nice to meet up with you, too, Mary.

0:27:490:27:52

And next up, it's Phil's pretty sapphire and sea pearl bracelet.

0:27:520:27:56

Now, did you ever wear it?

0:27:580:28:00

-No, I don't wear blue.

-You don't wear...

0:28:000:28:02

Oh. Strictly a red girl.

0:28:020:28:04

As I got older, I realised it was very draining.

0:28:040:28:06

Right, OK.

0:28:060:28:08

You'll find that!

0:28:080:28:09

LAUGHTER

0:28:090:28:11

Really? Tell me more.

0:28:110:28:14

Lilac's very good

0:28:140:28:15

and any plum colour's very good for your complexion.

0:28:150:28:19

Well, there you go.

0:28:190:28:20

It was worth coming for this, wasn't it? Just for this.

0:28:200:28:23

Right, OK, we have to monitor gold prices because it does vary,

0:28:230:28:26

but fingers crossed that they're steady

0:28:260:28:28

and we're going to get the top end.

0:28:280:28:29

-Yeah.

-Good luck, this is it.

0:28:290:28:31

Late Victorian/Edwardian nine carat gold snap bangle.

0:28:310:28:36

-I like it, actually. I like it a lot.

-It's very nice.

0:28:360:28:38

£100. Where's 10 now?

0:28:380:28:39

140, 150, 160, 170?

0:28:410:28:43

No, 160 here.

0:28:430:28:45

SHE GASPS Oh, great, great!

0:28:450:28:47

-Good money.

-Yes.

0:28:470:28:49

At 160, all done then?

0:28:490:28:51

Anyone else, then? We're selling at 160...

0:28:510:28:54

170, online.

0:28:540:28:55

-Oh, look.

-Yes, yes.

-Late bid online, 170.

0:28:550:28:57

Online and selling now at 170.

0:28:570:29:01

-Yes!

-Yes!

-That hammer's gone down. That's a good old sound, isn't it?

0:29:010:29:05

Great, that's absolutely wonderful. Really pleased.

0:29:050:29:08

-Thank you so much.

-Cos I liked it.

0:29:080:29:09

I'm pleased we could help.

0:29:090:29:10

Well, there have been some highs and some lows, but that happy result

0:29:120:29:16

completes our first visit to the saleroom.

0:29:160:29:19

Now, when the outbreak of the First World War was announced in 1914,

0:29:200:29:23

crowds of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace

0:29:230:29:26

and they all stood there cheering.

0:29:260:29:27

What they didn't realise was the slaughter that was to follow,

0:29:270:29:31

and quickly, casualties started arriving back in this country.

0:29:310:29:35

It became quite apparent that hospitals couldn't cater

0:29:350:29:38

for the beds required,

0:29:380:29:39

so many private buildings became auxiliary hospitals.

0:29:390:29:42

One of those wasn't far away - Dunham Massey.

0:29:420:29:46

And while we were up here filming, I went to investigate.

0:29:460:29:48

For around 300 years, Dunham Massey was the family home

0:29:540:29:57

of the Earls of Stamford and Warrington.

0:29:570:30:00

But by the outbreak of the First World War,

0:30:020:30:05

the 9th Earl of Stamford had passed away

0:30:050:30:07

and the estate was being run by his widow, Lady Stamford.

0:30:070:30:11

She was living at Dunham with her daughter, Lady Jane.

0:30:120:30:15

In 1916, Lady Stamford wrote a letter to her son telling him

0:30:180:30:23

that she was thinking of turning the house over

0:30:230:30:25

to a hospital for officers, because it wouldn't do for Tommies.

0:30:250:30:28

But something must have changed her mind

0:30:280:30:31

because in April 1917, Dunham Massey was full of rank and file Tommies.

0:30:310:30:37

Have a look at these pictures.

0:30:400:30:42

Any recent visitors to Dunham Massey would recognise this as the saloon.

0:30:420:30:46

But during the First World War, it looked much more like this...

0:30:480:30:52

The transformation of the original hospital took months to achieve.

0:31:010:31:05

As you could imagine, this house was brimming full of treasures.

0:31:050:31:08

First, the carpets and the chandeliers had to be removed

0:31:080:31:11

and then heavy, precious pieces of furniture, works of art

0:31:110:31:14

from the walls had to be put into storage and, finally,

0:31:140:31:17

these faux marble columns - a technique known as scagliola,

0:31:170:31:20

because they are hollow inside - had to be shuttered up

0:31:200:31:23

and boxed in, exactly like they are today.

0:31:230:31:26

And then, rows and rows of beds neatly put into position

0:31:260:31:30

to create the ward, exactly as it is here.

0:31:300:31:33

Later on, further wards were created by adding more beds.

0:31:330:31:37

Over the next two years,

0:31:400:31:41

nearly 300 patients were treated at Stamford Hospital.

0:31:410:31:45

They came from all over Britain and abroad.

0:31:470:31:50

Grievously injured,

0:31:500:31:51

their journeys from the battlefields would have been torturous.

0:31:510:31:54

Recreating this world was made possible by two key documents.

0:31:570:32:01

One here, I have in front of me, it's a beautiful handwritten journal.

0:32:010:32:05

It is the details of every single patient that's passed through the doors.

0:32:050:32:10

Sister Bennett handwrote this.

0:32:100:32:12

She was the nursing sister in charge of the whole hospital.

0:32:120:32:14

It records the name of the person, their rank, their regiment,

0:32:140:32:20

their injury, their treatment and their discharge dates.

0:32:200:32:24

It's beautifully written as well.

0:32:240:32:26

But what brings it to life is this recent discovery,

0:32:260:32:29

this scrapbook also belonging to Sister Bennett.

0:32:290:32:32

She put this together and really,

0:32:320:32:35

what you can do now, is you can actually put names to faces.

0:32:350:32:38

Here, look, we've got a Private Hodson.

0:32:380:32:41

He was admitted on 18th October 1917,

0:32:410:32:44

discharged around ten months later on 3rd June 1918.

0:32:440:32:48

If you look at this photograph, the chap on the end...

0:32:480:32:51

Look, there he is, Hodson. It's beautiful.

0:32:510:32:54

I mean, despite appalling injuries,

0:32:540:32:56

all of these guys in this photograph are smiling.

0:32:560:33:00

There's a happy atmosphere, there's a positiveness about it.

0:33:000:33:04

Volunteers working for the National Trust here at Dunham

0:33:070:33:10

then used Sister Bennett's information to find out what happened

0:33:100:33:13

to the soldiers who were treated here.

0:33:130:33:16

They found many of the men went back to the front line.

0:33:170:33:20

Like Corporal Arthur Topham, treated for shrapnel wounds.

0:33:200:33:23

Discharged to duty in 1917.

0:33:250:33:28

He was tragically killed in action just a few months later.

0:33:280:33:32

Others were lucky.

0:33:330:33:34

Gunner Carl Brodie was sent back to France after recovering

0:33:340:33:38

from a shell wound but he survived the war and made it home to Canada.

0:33:380:33:43

For some, this was just a brief respite from the horrors of war.

0:33:440:33:48

But whatever their fate, while they were here,

0:33:480:33:51

they received the best possible medical attention.

0:33:510:33:55

Ground-breaking techniques were put into practice here,

0:33:550:33:58

in this very room.

0:33:580:33:59

Wounds were kept open, washed repeatedly

0:33:590:34:02

to stop gangrene from setting in, that was pioneered here.

0:34:020:34:05

This was an age before antibiotics,

0:34:050:34:08

antibiotics weren't developed until 1928.

0:34:080:34:11

Now, this puts a smile on your face. Look at this.

0:34:150:34:17

This is a copy of the hospital rules.

0:34:170:34:19

"Patients are asked not to smoke in the ward before 8am or after 9pm."

0:34:190:34:24

But it seems the 13 hours in between is perfectly fine.

0:34:240:34:27

I think the term "best care" has to be taken into context, don't you?

0:34:270:34:32

Lady Stamford's daughter, Lady Jane, was only 15 when the war broke out.

0:34:340:34:38

She trained as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse

0:34:390:34:42

and soon came to work here to look after the soldiers.

0:34:420:34:46

In 1991, Lady Jane sadly passed away.

0:34:470:34:51

But in the 1980s, the National Trust recorded two short interviews with her.

0:34:510:34:55

She recalled the area at the bottom of this grand staircase

0:34:550:34:59

being turned into an operating theatre.

0:34:590:35:02

Despite it being the darkest place in the house

0:35:020:35:05

and rather prone to cobwebs, it was suitable because just through there

0:35:050:35:10

there's a toilet and a hand basin, which was absolutely essential.

0:35:100:35:14

Her most vivid memory is assisting in an operation

0:35:140:35:17

with Private William Johnstone, who underwent brain surgery.

0:35:170:35:21

He had a bullet in his brain, you see, and this had to be got out.

0:35:230:35:28

Once they'd made the hole in the brain,

0:35:280:35:30

I was given the job of shining a torch right into it and I saw

0:35:300:35:36

the brain sort of pulsating and so I held the torch in front

0:35:360:35:41

and saw the bullet being extracted by the surgeon.

0:35:410:35:46

It was very interesting.

0:35:460:35:47

You always wonder whether you're going to be a bit squeamish and

0:35:470:35:51

sort of faint, but having being given the job to do,

0:35:510:35:55

one forgets oneself.

0:35:550:35:57

Next door, the great hall became a recreation room for patients.

0:35:580:36:02

Here, soldiers could relax,

0:36:020:36:05

play the piano or in the case of the hospital's longest resident,

0:36:050:36:09

Percy Chaplain, find time to woo Mabel,

0:36:090:36:12

one of the housemates whom he married after the war.

0:36:120:36:15

The soldiers spent a lot of time outside,

0:36:210:36:23

here, in the inner courtyard.

0:36:230:36:25

Sister Bennett was a great advocate

0:36:250:36:28

of the restorative qualities of clean, fresh air

0:36:280:36:31

and some bath treatments.

0:36:310:36:34

On a day like today, that's perfectly acceptable.

0:36:340:36:37

As well as relaxing in the courtyard,

0:36:440:36:45

soldiers were encouraged to make the most of the outside space.

0:36:450:36:49

They could play croquet on the lawns or go boating on the moat.

0:36:490:36:54

It's about as far as it's possible to get from the brutality

0:36:540:36:57

of the front line and the contrast must have been dreamlike.

0:36:570:37:02

When peace was eventually declared in 1918,

0:37:050:37:07

the bells rang out again and again.

0:37:070:37:10

There was singing and dancing in the wards

0:37:100:37:13

and a feast was held here in the great hall.

0:37:130:37:15

As one nurse recalled, "It was a festive scene as 72 of us

0:37:150:37:19

"sat down to the most sumptuous repast.

0:37:190:37:23

"The staff, the patients

0:37:230:37:24

"and the household were all here together to celebrate peace as one."

0:37:240:37:29

Welcome back to Wallasey Town Hall on the Wirral Peninsula,

0:37:390:37:43

where there's still a hive of activity.

0:37:430:37:45

Hundreds of people have turned up.

0:37:460:37:47

The queue actually ends at the front door, look.

0:37:470:37:50

And here we have this staircase, lined with enthusiastic people.

0:37:500:37:53

If you go that way, I'll go this way. How are you, everyone?

0:37:530:37:56

-ALL:

-Hurray!

-Having a good time?

0:37:560:37:58

-ALL:

-Yay!

-And what are you going to do?

0:37:580:38:00

-ALL:

-Flog it!

-He-he-hey! That is what it's all about.

0:38:000:38:04

And as we go into this room, a little holding bay, look,

0:38:040:38:06

-more people. Hi, everyone!

-CHEERING

0:38:060:38:09

Thank you for turning up today!

0:38:090:38:11

It could be you, you or you, going home with lots of money,

0:38:110:38:14

so stay with us.

0:38:140:38:15

And as we go into the main hall now,

0:38:150:38:17

there are literally 300 or 400 people sitting down. Look at this.

0:38:170:38:21

This really is lights, camera, action. What a spectacular setting!

0:38:210:38:25

So, let's join up with our experts and get on with our valuation.

0:38:250:38:29

And charging ahead is Philip, even if he is a bit back to front!

0:38:290:38:33

-D-R and that ship, that's JUST what we want to see.

-Yes.

0:38:330:38:36

-Why is that, Helga?

-Because it comes from Della Robbia, in Birkenhead.

0:38:360:38:41

So, Della Robbia, factory, ceramics factory,

0:38:410:38:44

set up in 1894 in Birkenhead and...

0:38:440:38:47

-It was short-lived, wasn't it?

-Yes.

0:38:470:38:49

-But it was very popular at the time.

-About 15 years, something like that?

0:38:490:38:53

Yes, 15, 20 years.

0:38:530:38:55

-And this is a Della Robbia charger...

-Yes.

0:38:550:38:58

..made round about 1900, 1904,

0:38:580:39:01

-something like that, I would guess.

-Yes.

0:39:010:39:03

So, where would this have come from?

0:39:030:39:05

My husband's grandfather bought Della Robbia,

0:39:050:39:09

possibly from the factory, possibly from new. I don't know.

0:39:090:39:11

Oh, that's fantastic, isn't it?

0:39:110:39:13

So, he would have really been a patron of the arts.

0:39:130:39:15

This could possibly have been bought from the factory

0:39:150:39:18

-and have been in your family from day one.

-Yes, possibly.

0:39:180:39:21

I think that's fantastic. I REALLY do.

0:39:210:39:23

"Flog It!" has come to Wallasey...

0:39:230:39:25

-..and you want to sell your local pot.

-I do.

0:39:260:39:28

Why's today the day to sell it?

0:39:280:39:30

-Because...of "Flog It!".

-We're here!

0:39:300:39:32

It's nice to see all the different faces that you

0:39:320:39:35

-feel you know from television.

-Ah, well, it's lovely to be here.

0:39:350:39:38

And you know what? This is what the market wants.

0:39:380:39:40

Real flavour of the moment. You've got a few issues with it.

0:39:400:39:43

The glaze is flaking around the rim. I can sort of live with that.

0:39:430:39:47

But here, look, you've got a bit of a crack. A slight crack just there.

0:39:470:39:53

It's bizarre, this world.

0:39:530:39:54

You can live with flaking but these fire cracks...

0:39:540:39:57

I think they're going to reduce the value a little bit.

0:39:570:39:59

-Have you got a figure in mind for this?

-Well, I have.

-Ooh...

0:39:590:40:05

-Will it be as much as £100?

-A little more than that.

0:40:050:40:09

Would it be as much as £500?

0:40:090:40:11

-A little more than that...

-Hold fire!

0:40:110:40:14

-You've done your homework, you, haven't you?

-SHE LAUGHS

0:40:140:40:16

I think this is a lovely thing. I think it's a lovely, lovely thing.

0:40:160:40:19

And I think the market will really clamour for it.

0:40:190:40:23

I think there will be a lot of interest in it.

0:40:230:40:25

I think it could make anywhere between

0:40:250:40:29

£800 and £1,000.

0:40:290:40:31

£700, £900, that sort of region.

0:40:310:40:34

In an ideal world, I would like to see an estimate of £700 to £900

0:40:350:40:40

and a reserve, say, of £650. That would be MY ideal.

0:40:400:40:44

-What were you hoping to get for it?

-SHE SIGHS

0:40:440:40:47

-I don't think I'd like to go below £700, probably.

-OK.

0:40:470:40:51

-So, if we put £700 to £900 as an estimate...

-Yes.

0:40:510:40:53

-..and we put £700 as a fixed reserve...

-Yes.

0:40:530:40:57

-No discretion, that's it, minimum.

-Yes, OK.

-OK.

0:40:570:41:00

Well, I think that's absolutely lovely.

0:41:000:41:03

And why are you selling this particular piece then?

0:41:030:41:05

It's difficult to store. I... I worry about it.

0:41:050:41:09

It's the side of a wardrobe at the moment

0:41:090:41:11

-and it's hardly the best place for it.

-No.

0:41:110:41:14

I think Della Robbia deserves better than the side of a wardrobe, really.

0:41:140:41:17

-Yes, I think so.

-Keep our fingers crossed!

0:41:170:41:20

Eagle-eyed viewers will recognise this highly collectable pottery

0:41:220:41:26

because back in 2005, we took a look at the Della Robbia

0:41:260:41:30

collection at the Williamson Art Gallery.

0:41:300:41:33

Because it's so rare, we've only had two previous examples on "Flog It!".

0:41:340:41:38

'Helga's piece is by far the largest,

0:41:380:41:40

'so it'll be interesting to see how it fares at auction.'

0:41:400:41:43

Yes, the hammer's gone down!

0:41:430:41:44

'But first, it's time for some more gems up on the balcony with Nick.'

0:41:440:41:48

Well, Cath, where do we start? Oh, what a night!

0:41:500:41:53

Oh, what a night!

0:41:530:41:56

People are going, "What on earth are they going on about?!"

0:41:560:41:59

Engraved on the top of this fantastic desk snuffbox,

0:41:590:42:02

Victorian one, is inscribed, "Oh, what a night!"

0:42:020:42:06

-What have you been up to?

-The mind boggles.

-The mind boggles.

0:42:060:42:10

-I wonder what this night was about. Any ideas?

-I shudder to think.

0:42:100:42:16

Tell me where they've come from. How are they in your possession?

0:42:160:42:19

They were my late father-in-law's and he used to have them

0:42:190:42:22

in his glass cabinet and he lived in Bisley and he was in the forces.

0:42:220:42:27

-Did he see much action?

-He was a prisoner of war, Japanese.

-Really?

0:42:270:42:34

-Yeah.

-Goodness me!

0:42:340:42:35

Well, let's tell you a little bit about the box itself, shall I?

0:42:350:42:38

It's Victorian, it's hallmarked in Birmingham, 1872.

0:42:380:42:43

It's lovely quality. It's a real bruiser. Heavy as well.

0:42:430:42:48

Often, these are quite thin.

0:42:480:42:49

It's a table snuffbox, what we call,

0:42:490:42:51

so slightly larger than your pocket one, obviously.

0:42:510:42:54

-I thought it was a card box.

-No. I think it's snuff, I really do.

0:42:540:42:59

I think with the engraving round it, and with, "Oh, what a night!"...

0:42:590:43:04

I'm still intrigued with that. I can't get over that!

0:43:040:43:07

If we take a closer look at this one, it's absolutely fantastic and

0:43:070:43:10

you can always spot quality because underneath is as good as the top.

0:43:100:43:16

It's absolutely beautiful.

0:43:160:43:17

All this foliate engraving, and it's a really good,

0:43:170:43:20

heavy depth of gauge of engraving as well.

0:43:200:43:23

And open it up, and it's pin clean inside.

0:43:230:43:26

Absolutely pin clean. And a cracking hallmark in there.

0:43:260:43:30

It looks like it was stamped yesterday, doesn't it? I mean...

0:43:300:43:34

It's hardly been used.

0:43:340:43:35

But, you know, it's back to the same question - what happened that night?

0:43:350:43:40

We'll never know. We will never ever know.

0:43:400:43:43

How frustrating!

0:43:430:43:45

With it, we've got a little trinket box as well, silver again.

0:43:450:43:49

A little problem with one of the legs. It's legless.

0:43:490:43:52

With the sort of Dutch-inspired relief moulded figures on the top.

0:43:520:43:57

-A little bit of a contrast to the other one.

-Yeah.

0:43:570:44:01

But for different things as well, little trinkets, rings,

0:44:010:44:04

bits and pieces on a lady's dressing table.

0:44:040:44:06

-Fashion-wise, even now, this is a little bit...

-Fussy.

0:44:060:44:10

-Fussy.

-Yes.

0:44:100:44:11

-Terribly difficult to clean, as my mum would have said.

-Yes.

0:44:110:44:14

If we're going to talk about the money side of things...

0:44:140:44:16

-probably put them together as a lot. OK?

-Yeah.

0:44:160:44:19

If that was perfect, I'd probably keep them separate,

0:44:200:44:23

but I just think it might put some of the buyers off, OK?

0:44:230:44:26

I think that one's probably worth £200 to £300 on its own

0:44:260:44:29

and that one's...probably around about 100.

0:44:290:44:33

-So, I think if we put them in at 300 to 500 for the two...

-Yes.

0:44:330:44:37

..we can put a reserve on them. I'd put a reserve at £300.

0:44:370:44:40

-I think they're worth that every day of the week.

-Right.

0:44:400:44:43

I can be a hard valuer. I think they'll do a little bit more.

0:44:430:44:46

-What do you think about that? Are you happy?

-Yes. Very nice.

0:44:460:44:50

-Do you like them?

-I like them, yes.

-Which is your favourite of the two?

0:44:500:44:54

-That one.

-It's cos of the night out again, isn't it?

-Yeah!

0:44:540:44:57

I'm with you, Cath.

0:44:570:44:59

What a great inscription to spark the imagination!

0:44:590:45:02

Austin, how are you? Lovely to see you. Do you know what?

0:45:060:45:09

I've seen so many good things today.

0:45:090:45:12

Out of everything I've seen, I'd take these home.

0:45:120:45:15

-Thank you.

-I think they're fantastic.

0:45:150:45:17

How have they come into your possession?

0:45:170:45:18

My sister lived in a flat in London a while back,

0:45:180:45:21

and she moved into a larger place.

0:45:210:45:23

These were her kitchen/dining room chairs, and I've always thought

0:45:230:45:27

they were a bit stylish, so I...had them off her.

0:45:270:45:29

-You've got a good eye. What did you pay her?

-£100.

-£100.

0:45:290:45:32

These are made out of oak and I would say that they dated from that

0:45:320:45:36

1925-1935 period.

0:45:360:45:39

I think they're so stylish, with this horseshoe seat,

0:45:390:45:42

and they're just such cool chairs. They really are.

0:45:420:45:45

Now, I think I know who they're by.

0:45:450:45:47

Heal's.

0:45:470:45:48

You're right.

0:45:480:45:49

Really? Right, let's just have a look.

0:45:490:45:52

Oh, dear me!

0:45:520:45:54

There we are, look - Heal's.

0:45:570:45:58

Tottenham Court Road, London.

0:45:590:46:02

This is a registration mark on here, and you can date that

0:46:020:46:07

to within the year. I would suggest it's probably...

0:46:070:46:10

Well, it's got 33 on the end of it,

0:46:110:46:13

so there's a fair chance it might be 1933.

0:46:130:46:16

Um... Have you ever given any thought

0:46:160:46:18

as to what they might be worth?

0:46:180:46:20

Well, I was offered £100 by a dealer for them a couple of years ago,

0:46:200:46:25

which I thought was a little bit on the low side.

0:46:250:46:27

So, maybe, I don't know... 150, 200 quid?

0:46:270:46:29

150, 200 quid. OK, fine.

0:46:290:46:32

I would put...probably £300 to £500 on them as an estimate.

0:46:320:46:37

And I would put a reserve on them of £250, give the auctioneer...

0:46:370:46:41

You're looking surprised.

0:46:410:46:43

-Very surprised.

-Really?

-Yes.

0:46:430:46:45

Nice surprise?

0:46:450:46:46

Very nice surprise.

0:46:460:46:47

We'll put a reserve of 250, but we'll give him £25 discretion.

0:46:470:46:51

10% discretion.

0:46:510:46:52

-Fair.

-OK, that's fair.

0:46:520:46:54

Of all the shows that I've done, I'm going to remember these,

0:46:540:46:56

because I think they're lovely. They're a real thing of

0:46:560:46:59

-the moment and they're really stylish, so thanks for bringing them, really.

-It's a pleasure.

0:46:590:47:03

I'm not surprised Philip's taken with these chairs.

0:47:040:47:07

Heal's is a British name to be reckoned with.

0:47:070:47:10

Starting out as bed makers in 1810,

0:47:100:47:13

they advertised in Charles Dickens' novels...

0:47:130:47:16

..later embracing the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement

0:47:170:47:21

with their furniture.

0:47:210:47:22

They have a long history

0:47:220:47:23

of promoting design innovation in Britain.

0:47:230:47:26

It'll be interesting to see how these gems fare at auction.

0:47:260:47:30

-Judith, how are you?

-I'm very well.

-Have you come far?

0:47:340:47:37

-No, I'm from the Wirral.

-From the Wirral.

-Mm.

0:47:370:47:40

-I think this is lovely.

-Do you?

-I do, yeah. And do you know what?

0:47:400:47:44

When I started, sort of suitcases and vintage luggage, well,

0:47:440:47:49

there wasn't such a term. They were just old things that no-one wanted.

0:47:490:47:53

-This is a crocodile skin case.

-I thought it might be.

0:47:530:47:56

And it's just absolutely lovely. Is there anything inside?

0:47:560:47:59

-There's a silver-topped box...

-Silver-topped box.

0:47:590:48:02

What's all that, there?

0:48:020:48:03

And this was presented to my great aunt, I think,

0:48:030:48:07

on her retirement from that particular company.

0:48:070:48:10

I have a feeling that she was a rep and it might have been a tea company.

0:48:100:48:16

-She was Esther.

-Esther.

0:48:160:48:18

-So she was Great Aunt Esther.

-Great Aunt Esther, or Auntie Sis.

0:48:180:48:22

They must have thought something of her

0:48:220:48:24

because they bought her a crocodile skin case and here...

0:48:240:48:29

These are actually hallmarked silver.

0:48:300:48:32

Hallmarked silver and monogrammed with her initials.

0:48:320:48:35

This would have been a very expensive gift.

0:48:350:48:37

Now, the sad thing is that there are various bits and bobs missing.

0:48:370:48:41

Don't think we'd have had this ring in there originally.

0:48:410:48:44

And it's nice that we've got the retailer, Finnigans here,

0:48:440:48:47

of Manchester. But I think this is a really, really lovely thing.

0:48:470:48:52

When it gets sold, if we sell it, what do you think will happen to it?

0:48:520:48:56

I don't know if it'd be a prop or something cos

0:48:570:48:59

-I can't see anybody using it.

-Can you not?

0:48:590:49:02

-No.

-Well, I'll tell you what I think's going to happen to it -

0:49:020:49:05

I think sadly, we're going to lose Aunt Esther's plaque

0:49:050:49:09

and I think these little bottles here...

0:49:090:49:11

I think they're either going to get sold separately, or they might even

0:49:110:49:15

-go in the melting pot...

-OK.

0:49:150:49:17

..and then I think someone will take all this out

0:49:170:49:19

and they'll re-line it and then they'll have a really

0:49:190:49:23

-fantastic crocodile little attache case.

-That's good.

0:49:230:49:28

And I think that's really cool.

0:49:280:49:29

I'd like to own it. I think it's a lovely thing.

0:49:310:49:33

The estimate really ought to be £80 to £120

0:49:330:49:36

and I think we need a fixed reserve of £60 on it

0:49:360:49:39

and that's going to give the auctioneer something to work with.

0:49:390:49:42

And the thing I love about it, this is the ultimate recycling, isn't it?

0:49:420:49:45

-I think so, yes.

-You know?

0:49:450:49:47

Cos someone's going to really love this and use it.

0:49:470:49:49

I'd love to own this.

0:49:490:49:51

Well, that's it.

0:49:530:49:54

Our final items have now just been found by our experts

0:49:540:49:57

and what crackers they really are.

0:49:570:49:59

I think we could have one or two surprises, so don't go away.

0:49:590:50:03

But what a day we've had here in Wallasey and the town hall,

0:50:030:50:06

but sadly, it's time to say, "Goodbye, everybody," isn't it?

0:50:060:50:09

As we head over to the auction room for the very last time today.

0:50:090:50:13

So, coming across the water with us

0:50:150:50:17

is this impressive Della Robbia plate.

0:50:170:50:19

It has a bit of damage, but it's still highly collectible.

0:50:190:50:23

And then there's Cath's Victorian silver boxes,

0:50:260:50:28

with that fabulous sentiment on the snuffbox.

0:50:280:50:31

This lot is sure to appeal to the bidders.

0:50:310:50:35

And then there's Austin's set of Heal's chairs.

0:50:360:50:39

Phil's recognised their stylish kudos, but will the bidders?

0:50:390:50:43

And finally, it's Judith's travelling case.

0:50:450:50:48

Exotic animal skins are not to everyone's taste, but I'm

0:50:480:50:51

sure this will go on to have a new lease of life on the high street.

0:50:510:50:55

It's as busy as ever at the auction house in Liverpool,

0:51:000:51:02

but before the sale got under way, on the preview day,

0:51:020:51:05

I caught up with Adam to get his opinion on one of my favourite lots.

0:51:050:51:09

These belong to Cath. They've been in a cabinet for a long time.

0:51:110:51:14

-Hopefully, we can get, you know, £300, £400.

-Oh, I'm sure we will.

0:51:140:51:17

-I just love this one.

-So do I.

0:51:170:51:18

This is a table snuffbox with a presentation inscription.

0:51:180:51:21

-So it's meant to be shared around.

-Yeah, absolutely right.

0:51:210:51:23

But, also, normally the inscription -

0:51:230:51:25

what do they say on the occasion of your wedding?

0:51:250:51:28

"Oh, what a night!"

0:51:280:51:29

-Yeah.

-Do you think that's been given by a lady

0:51:290:51:32

to her male admirer, do you think?

0:51:320:51:34

-Possibly.

-Yeah.

-Could be, couldn't it?

0:51:340:51:35

Or could it be, all the chaps were out and they had a great night

0:51:350:51:38

and they thought, "We'll give this to old Charlie boy...

0:51:380:51:41

"Oh, what a night!"

0:51:410:51:43

I just love the potential...

0:51:430:51:45

-Yeah, the social history behind it.

-..imaginative stories that could be conjured up from that.

0:51:450:51:49

-And you're not going to split them up?

-No.

0:51:490:51:51

-No. But I think they'll easily sell.

-Brilliant.

0:51:510:51:53

-That's what we like to hear.

-Yeah, and I think it's a great lot.

0:51:530:51:56

-For me, that is one of the nicest ones.

-But you have to sell that

0:51:560:51:59

-to get that one away.

-I think so.

-I think you're right.

0:51:590:52:02

Well, we'll have to wait and see how they fare

0:52:030:52:05

because, with the auction getting under way,

0:52:050:52:07

Adam's taking his place on the rostrum,

0:52:070:52:09

and our first lot up for grabs is Helga's impressive charger.

0:52:090:52:13

I've got the pleasure in saying, going under the hammer right now,

0:52:150:52:18

we've got some Della Robbia from just up the road.

0:52:180:52:20

We've got a fixed reserve of £700.

0:52:200:52:22

This arms - sort of modelled as an arms dish, isn't it?

0:52:220:52:24

-It's a wonderful charger, Helga.

-Yes, it's beautiful.

0:52:240:52:27

-I've got to say how fabulous you look.

-Thank you.

0:52:270:52:29

This is quality and I think you're a lady of quality,

0:52:290:52:32

so why are you selling this?

0:52:320:52:33

It's big, it's awkward to display,

0:52:330:52:37

and it's pushed at the side of a wardrobe.

0:52:370:52:39

-It's a thing of the moment, it really is.

-It is.

-Hopeful.

0:52:390:52:41

Ready for this? Here we go. Fingers crossed.

0:52:410:52:43

It's going under the hammer now.

0:52:430:52:45

Late 19th-century Della Robbia charger. Models an arms dish.

0:52:450:52:48

What a lovely lot that is.

0:52:480:52:50

520, 540 I'm bid.

0:52:500:52:51

At 540. Any advance on 560?

0:52:510:52:55

580. 580 bid.

0:52:550:52:57

At 580. 600.

0:52:570:52:59

And 20. It's £600 only bid.

0:52:590:53:03

20. 620 bid.

0:53:030:53:04

640. 640 bid and 60.

0:53:040:53:07

660 on the phone now. At £660.

0:53:080:53:12

Any advance, then, on £660? Any more? 80.

0:53:120:53:16

680. 700.

0:53:160:53:18

-It's gone.

-Sold. Yeah.

0:53:180:53:21

It's gone, well done!

0:53:210:53:22

At £700 alone...

0:53:220:53:23

At 700. It's going to be sold at 700. Are you all done on this?

0:53:230:53:27

At £700. A lovely piece,

0:53:270:53:29

at £700.

0:53:290:53:32

Brilliant result. Just through on the reserve. Well done!

0:53:320:53:35

-And you're pleased with that, aren't you?

-Yes, I'm pleased, yes.

0:53:350:53:38

-And, hopefully, the new owner will be pleased.

-Exactly.

0:53:380:53:40

Well, it just got there and I'm pleased for Helga.

0:53:400:53:44

Next up is Judith's travelling case.

0:53:450:53:49

We've got some real style and quality going under the hammer

0:53:500:53:53

right now, just like its owner, Judith. Good to see you.

0:53:530:53:56

-Thank you.

-This is lovely.

0:53:560:53:58

And Philip zoomed in on this, didn't you?

0:53:580:54:00

I mean, it is just superb quality,

0:54:000:54:02

and quality always sells.

0:54:020:54:04

-I believe so. And I'm hoping so.

-Why are you selling this?

0:54:040:54:07

We've got no use for it in our home, and I've got a couple of sons

0:54:070:54:10

getting married in the next year or so,

0:54:100:54:12

so I thought I would put the money towards the brides' flowers.

0:54:120:54:15

-Yes, that's about...

-That's nice, isn't it?

-From my mum.

0:54:150:54:18

-Aww. That's nice, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Good luck, both of you.

0:54:180:54:21

Here we go. Let's put it to the test.

0:54:210:54:23

Lovely lot, this one. The lady's crocodile toilet case.

0:54:230:54:26

It's worth that. 80's bid online.

0:54:280:54:30

-At £80, 5. In the room, 85.

-That's good.

0:54:300:54:33

£95. In the room now, 95.

0:54:330:54:37

To the phone, then - 100. 110. 120.

0:54:370:54:40

130. 140.

0:54:400:54:42

150. 160.

0:54:420:54:45

170. 180.

0:54:450:54:47

190. 200.

0:54:480:54:50

-A phone bid's always comforting, isn't it?

-Yes.

0:54:500:54:53

200 bid. 10. 210 in the room.

0:54:530:54:55

At 210 over here now.

0:54:550:54:57

At 210. 220 bid.

0:54:570:54:59

At 220 on the phone now...

0:54:590:55:01

-Phone line - 220, he's asking for.

-Good move.

0:55:010:55:06

On the phone at £220.

0:55:060:55:09

They've snapped up the crocodile case.

0:55:090:55:11

£220, we'll sell this then.

0:55:110:55:14

On the phone at £220.

0:55:140:55:16

At 220.

0:55:160:55:18

Philip, well done. Yes. And you've got to be over the moon with that.

0:55:180:55:22

I am. Indeed, I am. It's lovely.

0:55:220:55:24

Well, sold for almost four times the reserve!

0:55:240:55:27

Now, let's hope Phil's prediction on the next lot is as accurate.

0:55:290:55:33

Going under the hammer now we've got a set of four

0:55:340:55:36

Heal's chairs. It's a retailer synonymous with quality.

0:55:360:55:39

It comes from the Tottenham Court Road in London and I love these.

0:55:390:55:42

It's style and I don't know why you're selling them, actually.

0:55:420:55:45

Well, they're surplus to requirements.

0:55:450:55:47

Philip, good luck with this.

0:55:470:55:48

I would really love to own these, I think they're such a cool lot,

0:55:480:55:52

and if they don't make the top end of £500, there's no justice at all.

0:55:520:55:56

Let's find out what this lot think.

0:55:560:55:57

Let's hand the proceedings over to Adam.

0:55:570:55:59

Interest here straight in at £200. At £200, the Heal's chairs.

0:56:010:56:05

We've got a reserve at 250.

0:56:050:56:07

At 200... £200. Is there 10 anywhere? At 200...

0:56:070:56:10

-At 200 it is, then. At £200.

-No.

0:56:110:56:15

We'll have to see about those.

0:56:150:56:17

-My advice to you would be put them in a 20th-century modern sale.

-Mm.

0:56:170:56:21

-£50 a chair for those is a nonsense, in my view.

-Yes, it is, really.

0:56:210:56:24

It needs to go with things that are surrounded from that period

0:56:240:56:27

because people will buy into that.

0:56:270:56:29

I wish Austin all the best with those chairs

0:56:290:56:31

and I'm sure they will attract the interest they deserve.

0:56:310:56:34

Finally, it's time for our last lot of the day,

0:56:350:56:38

and you'll have to forgive me if I break into song.

0:56:380:56:41

# Oh, what a night Late December... #

0:56:410:56:43

That's the song, wasn't it?

0:56:430:56:44

I've forgotten who sang it but it is Oh, What A Night,

0:56:440:56:46

because it's on that snuffbox.

0:56:460:56:48

Cath, good luck with this.

0:56:480:56:50

I had a chat to Adam on the preview day, yesterday.

0:56:500:56:52

-The snuffbox - we've got two items of silver in your lot.

-Yeah.

0:56:520:56:55

Adam's not separated them because the snuffbox is going to get

0:56:550:56:57

-the trinket box away.

-Yeah.

-That's kind of how it works

0:56:570:57:00

-in the auction business, isn't it?

-Bit of damage to the trinket box as well.

0:57:000:57:03

-Yeah, but, oh, what a night. Oh, what a day!

-PAUL LAUGHS

0:57:030:57:06

And it's going under the hammer right now

0:57:060:57:09

and, hopefully, it's going to hit the roof. Here we go.

0:57:090:57:11

Birmingham, 1872.

0:57:110:57:13

It comes with another Victorian box

0:57:130:57:16

with the engraving of, "Oh, what a night!"

0:57:160:57:18

I've never seen anything like it. Great thing. £300, please.

0:57:180:57:21

Bid, at £300. I'll take 20.

0:57:210:57:24

At 300. 20. 340. 360.

0:57:240:57:26

380. 400. And 20.

0:57:260:57:28

440. 440's in front, here.

0:57:280:57:30

At 440. You're out, Desmond. It's 440 down here.

0:57:300:57:33

At 440. A lovely lot. Is there any more on this then?

0:57:330:57:37

At 440. We shall sell, then, in the row,

0:57:370:57:40

at £440.

0:57:400:57:42

-Spot-on there, weren't you, really?

-Brilliant. Yeah, good.

0:57:440:57:47

-Thank you very much.

-You're happy as well, aren't you?

-Yes.

0:57:470:57:49

-Yeah, there is commission to pay, but it's a lot of money.

-Yes.

0:57:490:57:52

-So you're going to pamper yourself.

-Can have your own, "Oh, what a night!" now, can't you?

0:57:520:57:56

Don't tell me husband! LAUGHTER

0:57:560:57:59

I think the cat might be out the bag now, Cath,

0:57:590:58:02

but I'm sure you'll have a great night out, anyway.

0:58:020:58:05

It's all over for our owners. As you can see,

0:58:090:58:11

the auction is still going on, but what a day we've had here.

0:58:110:58:14

Lots of highs and lots of lows, and some maybes,

0:58:140:58:17

but that's auctions for you - you never know what's going to happen,

0:58:170:58:21

so join us again next time for more surprises.

0:58:210:58:23

But, until then, from Liverpool, it's goodbye.

0:58:230:58:26

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