0:00:04 > 0:00:07Today's show comes from the city renowned for producing
0:00:07 > 0:00:12the world's finest steel and finest cutlery for over 800 years.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Of course, we're in Sheffield.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Our "Flog It!" faithful have assembled
0:00:38 > 0:00:39at the Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Originally built in 1638.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46This building has been home to the Cutlers' Company,
0:00:46 > 0:00:47the guild that has looked after
0:00:47 > 0:00:50the city's world-renowned industry ever since.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51The first hall on this site,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54which has been replaced by the current building,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58cost the princely sum of £86, three shillings and ten pence.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Let's hope today we can find antiques and collectables
0:01:01 > 0:01:03that are worth considerably more than that.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05We got hundreds of people here, laden with bags and boxes,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08ready to see our experts.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12And steeling themselves to sift through the treasures today
0:01:12 > 0:01:17is the sparkling Anita Manning and the ever-youthful Thomas Plant,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20both working their magic with the crowd.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23They're all eager to go in. There isn't a minute to waste.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26So, without further ado, let's open the doors and look at some antiques.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Ready, everyone? Come on, then.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Our teams have their work cut out for them,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35with over 500 antiques to be inspected and valued.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Which of today's items going off to auction
0:01:38 > 0:01:41will prove to be a cut above the rest?
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Will it be this Victorian tortoiseshell locket,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47complete with gold chain?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Or will this silver tankard have its owners raising a toast
0:01:51 > 0:01:53in the sale room? Don't go away.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56All will be revealed later on in the show.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03This trio of grand chandeliers dates to the 1950s.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06The originals were damaged during the Sheffield Blitz
0:02:06 > 0:02:07of the Second World War
0:02:07 > 0:02:10but they're casting such a fabulous light on the crowd below.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12It's such an exciting atmosphere.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14And up in the minstrels' gallery,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Thomas Plant is ready to shed some light on our first item.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Fantastic chandeliers here in Cutlers' Hall.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23And this is a tasty little lighthouse we've got.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Paul, tell me how you acquired it?
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Car boot find. Addicted to car boots.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Tell me, Paul, are you in the boot before it comes out?
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- Light, the little torch. - Really?- Yeah.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35Never go in the boots.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- No.- I don't agree with that, you know.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- No.- Just as they're getting it out, maybe.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42So what was the story behind this?
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Early morning, three weeks ago, Keepmoat Stadium,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47which is Doncaster Rovers' stadium.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51They have a gigantic car boot every week, and basically,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54a lady just got it out, just the quirkiness of it.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57So it's a lighthouse, but what actually is it?
0:02:57 > 0:02:58I said it's a tasty little light.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- Right.- Well, if I lift off the cap, we can see...
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Yeah.- ..the actual wick and where it would have been fired.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07And so I'm sort of wanting to give you
0:03:07 > 0:03:09a little bit of my thoughts behind it.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- Yep.- It's in aluminium.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- Mm-hm.- OK, we've got a bit of oak round here.
0:03:14 > 0:03:15You know, maybe a bit of stained beech.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- Yeah, yeah.- And again, another bit of aluminium.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Now, whether this lighthouse
0:03:20 > 0:03:22was made by a happy amateur or it was made
0:03:22 > 0:03:25for somebody like the Trinity House organisation...
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- Right.- ..who look after our lighthouses.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- Yeah.- Established by Henry VIII.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- Right.- And this is, you know, a magnificent lighthouse.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35But it's something which... it would have been after dinner,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37the ladies would have adjourned,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41the gentlemen would have sat round a big mahogany dining table
0:03:41 > 0:03:44and passed round this to light one's cigars with.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47If you were involved in that sort of organisation.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- Society...- Society...
0:03:49 > 0:03:52And that's what I think it is. But it is 1920s.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- Right.- It can't be any earlier, can it?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- Why?- Cos of the aluminium. - Oh, right.- Or aluminium.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58Someone introduced aluminium.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Aluminium or aluminium.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Aluminium was really introduced in the first part of the 20th century.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Right.- You know, we sort of built airships
0:04:05 > 0:04:06out of it and other things.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09It was a new metal and so it would have been quite expensive.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Yeah.- And this would have been quite an expensive little thing
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and it's actually been made particularly well.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I love the brickwork here and the little windows are great.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- The windows are great.- Yeah. So have you got an eye for things?
0:04:20 > 0:04:22It's got to be unusual. It can't be your everyday,
0:04:22 > 0:04:2520 cabinet people, sort of thing.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27It's got to be something like that, just bizarre.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29And can I ask and be cheeky?
0:04:29 > 0:04:31- Yeah?- What did you pay for it?
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Well, the lady... - Was it pounds?- It is pounds.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- It was pounds.- It wasn't pence.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- It wasn't pence.- Unfortunately.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Was it one figure pounds or was it two figure pounds?
0:04:40 > 0:04:44It started at two figure pounds and I got it down to a one figure pound.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Are you a hard negotiator?
0:04:46 > 0:04:50I try my best, yeah. Basically, she wanted £12 for it.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52How much did you pay?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I actually paid eight in the end, yes.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Even though I thought it were worth 12, but the principle.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Well done, you.- Try my best, yeah.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02What's this going to make on auction?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05It's not going to make massive, massive amounts of money.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- No, no.- But I think we can put it in at £30 to £50.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09- Brilliant.- Yeah, good.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- You happy?- Yes, very, very.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Shows you a small profit.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- Brilliant profit, yeah. - It's a quirky item.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Absolutely.- I like it. - Yeah.- Hopefully somebody else does.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22That's a great little item to have found
0:05:22 > 0:05:24in the early hours of a car-boot sale.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27I'm sure it will light up the saleroom.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Meanwhile, Anita is about to sail into her first valuation.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Sue, when this item came on the table,
0:05:33 > 0:05:38the first thing that struck me was how lovely and shiny that top part was.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Yes.- Were you up all last night polishing?
0:05:41 > 0:05:45No, not last night but I do like to keep my silver nice and clean.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47I do like polishing silver.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- You do like polishing silver? - I like silver.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Well, we are in Sheffield - the home of silver and silver plate.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Yes.- Well, let's look at it as a whole.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- Right.- And it's quite an exciting piece, Sue.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- Right.- Let's look at the base first of all.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It gives us the mark for Macintyre
0:06:05 > 0:06:09and we have this early green signature
0:06:09 > 0:06:11for William Moorcroft.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Now, this little biscuit barrel
0:06:14 > 0:06:17dates from the time when James Macintyre
0:06:17 > 0:06:20and William Moorcroft collaborated
0:06:20 > 0:06:25and that was between, I think, about 1897 and 1912.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29So we can be very specific about that date.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34And we can see when we look at this object as a forerunner
0:06:34 > 0:06:38of what we know as traditional Moorcroft,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40where we had the pipelining,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44we had these lovely blue colours and gilt.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48So we're looking at the forerunner of Moorcroft...
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Really?- When he started up with his own studio.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53So it's quite exciting.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54- Oh, right!- Now,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56one of the most obvious things,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59and it was a wee bit of a disappointment,
0:06:59 > 0:07:00- I must say...- I know.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03We could see that it has been damaged,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and we can see the crack here,
0:07:05 > 0:07:09which runs right along the body and back up again,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13but we see that it has been repaired by these rivets.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Rivets, I know. It's always been like that, Anita.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18It's always been like that?
0:07:18 > 0:07:22This was repaired a long, long time ago.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- Yeah.- Quite soon after it was made.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30Now certainly before 1912 because there was no superglue.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32No!
0:07:32 > 0:07:36And this is how it would have been repaired, by riveting...
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Rivets, yeah.- ..the two broken pieces together.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43And, to me, I don't find it ugly or terrible.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I think it's just part of the history of it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46It's part of the history.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Yeah.- It's been riveted together.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52And I come from the Clyde and that has a great tradition of riveting.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Yeah.- So I don't mind a bit of riveting myself.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- No.- But what it does do is affect the price.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Yes. Well, I didn't know how much it was worth anyway.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04If this had been in perfect condition,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07we would have been £400, £500.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Oh, would we?
0:08:09 > 0:08:10Oh.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15But with the damage, it takes away so much of the value.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- I know.- It would render it to probably under £100.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24But I think that it's worthwhile putting it on the market.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- Right.- Now, are you happy with us to put it forward with a price of, say,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- £80?- Fine.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33You're very definite about that, Sue.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Fine. I've got to be because it means a lot
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and I don't think my family will appreciate it.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Well, let's put it to sale.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Yes.- Estimate, 80 to 120.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- Oh, that's a good one. I've heard that before, Anita.- Oh, right!
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- Was that one of mine? - One of several.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53So, 80 to 120, but I think
0:08:53 > 0:08:57we should bring the reserve to perhaps about £60.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- 70?- 70, 70.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02And I'm hoping that that might fly.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Well, I'm with you there, Anita.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06I do as well.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Thank you, Sue, for bringing it along.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Thank you very much. It's been lovely.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12With people still arriving at our valuation day,
0:09:12 > 0:09:17there's a real buzz around the floor of the hall and above it.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Well, it's a fantastic atmosphere at Cutlers' Hall, Sheffield today.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23The "Flog It!" team are out.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26I mean, we've got loads of people from Sheffield and we've also got
0:09:26 > 0:09:29something which measures that atmospheric pressure.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31First of all, EGB - is that a relation?
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- I don't think so.- No? - I don't think so.- Let's open it up.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Fantastic pocket or travelling barometer.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39Tell me about it.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41How did you come about it?
0:09:41 > 0:09:45My father bought it a long time ago and when he died, I got it.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49So your father, was he somebody interested in scientific instruments
0:09:49 > 0:09:50or was he a traveller?
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Did he like the weather?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55He was interested in antiques and anything interesting.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58He was a chemist and he was just fascinated
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- with anything that took his fancy, really.- Oh, really?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Yes.- Why have you kept this?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06I don't know. It's just one of those things that was kept.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- And you know it's for measuring atmospheric pressure.- Yes.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12And have you had it out of the box?
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- Yes.- Yeah?- And there's some information in the bottom.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17I think we'll have a look at that.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21But if I just do this, if I just blow on here.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22- Does it move?- It moves, yeah.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26So that's obviously the aneroid barometer in there working,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30so that's quite good fun and it's in this fantastic gilt metal case.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33We see a lot of these pocket barometers.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36This one, however, is a bit special.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38The reason why - it's a good size.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42A lot of these pocket barometers are half this size.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Oh, right.- And they're sort of happy amateur ones.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49This weather watch, as it's been described, is a real tool.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52We have the altitude marker, which as you move it,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55it moves the pressure on here as well.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58I think we might have to look in here for a bit more instructions.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01And, of course, we've not even mentioned who it's made by, have we?
0:11:01 > 0:11:08- No.- I think if we open this, we've got here Negretti and Zambra,
0:11:08 > 0:11:10established in 1850.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I think it was Henry Negretti and Joseph Zambra,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15were the two gentlemen who established
0:11:15 > 0:11:17this business in the 1850s.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Mainly doing photographic and scientific instruments.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23They were patronised by Prince Albert
0:11:23 > 0:11:29so they are the premier makers of these types of instrument.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So whenever you see anything with the name Negretti and Zambra on,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34it is just brilliant.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37So why did you bring it today?
0:11:37 > 0:11:39I was interested in coming to "Flog It!"
0:11:39 > 0:11:41and we've had it sitting there for some time,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44so I thought it was the nearest one that I could come to,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46so that's why I've come today.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Is it something you've thought about selling cos it just sits there?
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Yes, yes.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Obviously, if one was to say, Negretti and Zambra, £50 to £80,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56it'd be disappointing.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- Very disappointing. - It is not worth £50 to £80.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59I can tell you that.
0:11:59 > 0:12:05My estimate would be £200 to £300, fix it at £200, the reserve.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I think I would like a little bit more on the fixed reserve, please.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Oh, you'd like a little bit more?
0:12:10 > 0:12:12250, say?
0:12:12 > 0:12:15250? If you really wanted to do that, let's do it.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20- Yeah?- 250 to 350 with a fixed reserve at 250.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- Yep.- Yes?- Yeah, that's better. Shall we do that?- Yes, that's fine.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27I mean, it's not one I've seen before so it could do rather well.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29OK, thank you very much.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Are you going to be there at the auction?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33No, unfortunately we're away on holiday.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34Oh!
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Well, I hope it's somewhere good.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Madeira.- Well, there you are.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40What could be nicer?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Brenda, a fascinating little group here.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Tell me where you got them, first of all.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53I got them from my father,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56who got them from his father, who got them from
0:12:56 > 0:12:59his father. So it's my great-grandfather's originally.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Can you tell me anything about them?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Not a lot. No, in fact, originally,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07when I was told that there were medals,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I assumed they were war medals and they're not.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12They're not, they're not, they're not.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Now, let's have a look at this one first of all
0:13:14 > 0:13:17because this is quite interesting.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19This one was a medal or a jewel
0:13:19 > 0:13:22which was worn by someone who belonged
0:13:22 > 0:13:26to the Ancient Order of Buffaloes,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28or the Buffs, as they were known.
0:13:29 > 0:13:35Now this was a freemasonry group and this order is, in the main,
0:13:35 > 0:13:40associated with stage hands and theatre people.
0:13:40 > 0:13:46Now, tell me, do you know if your great-grandpa
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- was involved in the theatre? - No, I don't.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54So, we can't put any of the pieces together?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- No, no, I'm sorry.- Now, we also know
0:13:57 > 0:14:01that this is made of nine-carat gold.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07Now, I'd like to have a wee look at the script on the back.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10"This order of merit
0:14:10 > 0:14:15"was conferred upon Frank Pasley, CP,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18"as a mark of appreciation
0:14:18 > 0:14:22"for his service in the cause of Buffaloism."
0:14:22 > 0:14:27And it's dated 1930.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31And that name, Pasley, is that a family name?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Yes. That was my maiden name. - That's your maiden name?- Yes.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38And our other one is a little silver-gilt one
0:14:38 > 0:14:41so it's not all such high value.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- No.- But I think it would be interesting
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- to sell both of these as a group together.- Right.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Value on it, the estimate that I would suggest
0:14:51 > 0:14:53to you would be 150 to 200.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- Would you be happy with that? - Yes.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59- OK.- I'm amazed.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02We'll put a reserve of them,
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- perhaps 130 and I'm sure they'll do very well.- Thank you.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Medals for theatre - that is a "Flog It!" first,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13and now for a piece of local interest.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Here in the city centre is the spectacular Millennium Gallery.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Inside is a fascinating collection of exhibits,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31created very much for the workers of Sheffield.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35This is just a small part of the Ruskin collection
0:15:35 > 0:15:38on permanent display here in the museum.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41John Ruskin, the man who started this collection,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43was one of the greatest figures in the Victorian era.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45He was a critic, he was a writer,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47he was an artist and a social reformer
0:15:47 > 0:15:51and he left a lasting impression on the city of Sheffield.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54He was the only child of a wealthy sherry importer
0:15:54 > 0:15:56and from a young age, he accompanied his father
0:15:56 > 0:15:59on business trips around Britain and continental Europe.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01And they would visit rich clients
0:16:01 > 0:16:05who lived in rather large country houses. And from a young age,
0:16:05 > 0:16:10the young Ruskin got a taste and a passion for landscapes, fine art,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13particularly works celebrating nature.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18Ruskin came to fame in 1843 at the tender age of 24,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20when his first book was published -
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Modern Painters, celebrating and defending the works of artists
0:16:24 > 0:16:26such as Turner.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Turner was far from the great artist we know today back then.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31He was little-known and his work, his style,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35was condemned by the British press and the art world.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40In their opinion, traditional artists, the old masters such as Constable,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44they were the ones that produced real art.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Nowadays, the book is regarded as a classic.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Back then, it was an instant success
0:16:49 > 0:16:53and it established Turner as England's greatest landscape painter
0:16:53 > 0:16:57and Ruskin as a powerful voice to be reckoned with in the art world.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Ruskin's passion for art wasn't just about celebrating famous painters.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11He believed art lay in the beauty of the natural world around him,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13from the smallest pebble to the largest tree,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15to the mightiest of landscapes.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18And he encouraged people to go out and paint it,
0:17:18 > 0:17:23to draw what they saw, and it didn't matter if it was any good or not
0:17:23 > 0:17:26because being in contact with these wonderful natural objects
0:17:26 > 0:17:28means you're enriching your lives.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And I can understand what he's getting at.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32Look at the example here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35A collection of shells and some coral.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Look at the shapes, look at the forms as well.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Nature gets this so right, it's not contrived.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43This is what Ruskin was going on about.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47What really set Ruskin apart from his contemporaries
0:17:47 > 0:17:52was that he believed art should be enjoyed by everyone.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56It shouldn't just be something to adorn the walls of the wealthy.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00In 1875, Ruskin made this idea a reality.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03He bought a small cottage in Walkley, just outside of Sheffield,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07on a hillside location and set up the city's first museum.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12Ruskin wanted it to inspire and educate Sheffield's craftsmen,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16who were losing their skills to mass production and machinery.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19At the least, he hoped it would bring some beauty
0:18:19 > 0:18:23to the lives of people working and living in terrible conditions.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27He deliberately chose a hillside location out of the city
0:18:27 > 0:18:30so that people would have to walk out of the smog and pollution
0:18:30 > 0:18:34out to the countryside to appreciate nature.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38Admission was free and opening times were 9am until 9pm,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42to allow factory workers time to make the journey.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45The museum may have been small but it was a huge success.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48The collection was an eclectic mix
0:18:48 > 0:18:51that reflected Ruskin's wide range of interest,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54which included Renaissance art, Gothic architecture,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56engravings and illustrations
0:18:56 > 0:18:59of flowers and birds, like these ones here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03He even added a collection of coins, geology and a library.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07The gallery drew visitors from all over the country
0:19:07 > 0:19:09but as the number of exhibits grew,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12it had to be moved to bigger premises.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15In 2001, Ruskin's legacy to Sheffield
0:19:15 > 0:19:19was given a new permanent home right here in the centre.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23It's not in the countryside, as Ruskin had intended, but then
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Sheffield is not the smoggy city it was 150 years ago.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31This is just a small part of what Ruskin left behind.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33The rest is in storage.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39'I've got the chance to look at it with curator Louise Pullen.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41'It seems Ruskin made some very
0:19:41 > 0:19:43'personal contributions to the collection.'
0:19:45 > 0:19:46Are these by Ruskin?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Yes, they are. This is one of his quite famous works,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51for a peacock feather.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54This is an enlargement of each individual filament here.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Quite clever.- Very clever.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01He wanted to show the beauty of detail of the different colours.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03He was a very talented artist?
0:20:03 > 0:20:04Indeed, very much.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06'One of Ruskin's passions was geology
0:20:06 > 0:20:10'and he managed to amass quite a collection.'
0:20:11 > 0:20:13All of these drawers are full?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Yes, very much so. We have about 2,000 minerals
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- that Ruskin collected the majority of.- Can I open them?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Yes, of course.- Look at that!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Here they are. Also, this was a museum,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26not just that people could get hands-on but it was also
0:20:26 > 0:20:27- a place of education?- Yes.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31He really wanted people to be able to come out from the smoky city and
0:20:31 > 0:20:34find something of beauty to improve themselves
0:20:34 > 0:20:38by being enlightened, in a way, by things he found beautiful.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41He hoped very much that people would go and start sketching,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44start drawing, start being aware of what was out there.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46And Ruskin's ideas did bear fruit,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48particularly in the case
0:20:48 > 0:20:51of Sheffield knife grinder Benjamin Creswick.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54The curator of the museum noticed him drawing in the corner,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56saw a great talent and introduced him to Ruskin,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00who was so impressed with him that he sat for a portrait,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02a beautiful bust portrait was produced.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- This is an example?- This is an example of it.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06A man of many talents?
0:21:06 > 0:21:07Indeed. From a knife grinder,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10he ended up as model master at Birmingham School of Art.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12That's what it's all about, isn't it?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Finding the talent out there, nurturing it,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- championing it and giving it a fresh start.- Yes.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Louise, thank you so much for talking to me.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Thank you.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24This is a real joy.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Ruskin is one of my heroes and I can literally spend days in here.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32The story of John Ruskin's involvement with Sheffield
0:21:32 > 0:21:34played a big part in his life.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38The collection is a testament to John Ruskin himself.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It's wide-ranging, it's ahead of its time.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43But more importantly, it's a celebration of beauty in many,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46many forms and the great thing is,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50the collection is still growing and it's inspiring people today.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Well, it's fascinating to see such a fabulous array of antiques
0:22:04 > 0:22:06turning up at our valuation tables.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Everyone has a unique story and there's more to come,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12but right now we've reached our halfway point in the show.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14It's time to put those first valuations
0:22:14 > 0:22:16to the test in the auction room,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and here's a quick recap of all
0:22:18 > 0:22:20the items that are going under the hammer.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22The early birds may get the worm
0:22:22 > 0:22:25but Paul managed to bag this light in the early hours in the sale.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Will it spark the bidders in the sale room?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Susan's biscuit barrel may have seen better days
0:22:32 > 0:22:35but I'm sure it will make for a riveting auction.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Brenda's Buffalo medals are a real family heirloom.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Can they cause a stampede at the auction?
0:22:45 > 0:22:47And this barometer is bound
0:22:47 > 0:22:49to create a great atmosphere in the sale room
0:22:49 > 0:22:52but can it also fetch a stratospheric price?
0:22:58 > 0:23:01We don't have to go far to find out.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Our items will be put under the hammer
0:23:03 > 0:23:06just across town at the Sheffield Auction Galleries.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08This is it. The sale has just got underway.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Remember, if you're buying or selling at auction,
0:23:11 > 0:23:12there is a commission to pay.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17Here it is 15% plus VAT, whether you're buying or selling.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Auctioneer Rob Lea has just started the auction
0:23:19 > 0:23:22so let's catch up with our owners and get on with our first lot.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26First up is that table item,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29machined from a chunk of aluminium into a lighthouse.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32I love this. It belongs to Paul.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34It was a car boot find?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- It was.- Do you do many car boots?
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- I love going around them. We do the odd one. I love...- The buzz.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- Four o'clock on a Sunday morning. - Four o'clock on a Sunday morning!
0:23:43 > 0:23:45You see, you've got to get up early.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47It is out there but you've got to get up early.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- Would you do it?- No, not at four in the morning.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51But I'll tell you something,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54this is one of my favourite things in the sale.
0:23:54 > 0:23:561920s or '30s.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Oak and alloy table lighter,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01formed as a lighthouse with a detachable glazed lamp
0:24:01 > 0:24:03enclosing the lighter mechanism.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Getting rare, this lighthouse material.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06£30 for it.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08£12 is your start price.
0:24:08 > 0:24:1015, I'm after.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11Quirky, great item.
0:24:11 > 0:24:1320. I'm out.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15But I'm out too soon. Who's on 22?
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- 22, new bid.- Bidding.
0:24:17 > 0:24:2025. 28. 30. 35.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21Someone in the room is very keen.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23£30 bid at the front.
0:24:23 > 0:24:2435, new bid.
0:24:24 > 0:24:2640. 45.
0:24:26 > 0:24:2740 with the lady on the front.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Must be 45 elsewhere?
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It's got to be 45.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33New bidder, £50.
0:24:33 > 0:24:3545, gentleman standing.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36Anybody else at 50?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39It's going to go. 50, new bid.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40- Great.- 55. 60.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43The gentleman standing at £55.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Have we done? Hammer is going to drop.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Brilliant, well, we've doubled the lower end
0:24:50 > 0:24:52and that's what it's all about. That's a nice thing.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Good for you.- A good profit.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59- Well done.- Couple of bottles of rioja.- Good spot!
0:24:59 > 0:25:02I'll get back out there on Sunday and see what happens.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07And next up, not quite in perfect condition is our second lot.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Oh, crumbs, guess what's coming up next?
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Yes, it's that broken biscuit barrel.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Don't say that.- Well, it's cracked and it's got studs in it as well,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- doesn't it?- Rivets.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Rivets! Who put those in?
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I don't know. It's old, it's always been in it.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Do you know? It is great because it is Moorcroft - Macintyre Moorcroft, I love it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27But the damage will let it down a bit, won't it?
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- A lot. Unfortunately.- Yes.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Circa 1908, William Moorcroft,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35from Macintyre and Co, the pottery biscuit barrel.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Very nicely decorated.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39I must start it at £55.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41A good start.
0:25:42 > 0:25:4470. I'm out.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Who's in with 75?
0:25:46 > 0:25:4875. 80, Sir?
0:25:48 > 0:25:5185, 90, 95.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52Well done, Anita.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54£90 bid so far.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Anybody else with 95?
0:25:56 > 0:25:58A lovely piece.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59Top of the shop at £90?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Are we all finished? The hammer is going to drop.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02All done, are we?
0:26:05 > 0:26:07There you are, the hammer has gone done.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09There is such a long pause between the auctioneer saying,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12"the hammer is going down," and it actually going down,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14but it went eventually after 30 seconds.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15That's a cracker.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Going with me at 95.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20At 95.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Brenda, good luck. We've got the two medallion pendants
0:26:23 > 0:26:26going under the hammer. One silver and one gold.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I think the price is spot on.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Yes, I'm hoping for a good price on these
0:26:31 > 0:26:35because we've got a lot of gold in it and it's a
0:26:35 > 0:26:39marvellous medal with this great Buffalo head on the top.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- I like it.- And it's unusual, isn't it?
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Right, let's put this to the test. Here we go. Good luck, Brenda.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Nine-carat gold Buffaloes medallion pendant.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51We've got a silver medallion pendant - philanthropy.
0:26:51 > 0:26:52Two good medals.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58Commission starts this...hold on. 140, 150, 160, 170, 180.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01In green. 190. 200, sir.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03210. 220 and I am out.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06The gentleman in green holds it at £220.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09230, I'm after.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Got to be 230 elsewhere.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15They're going to go. On my left at £220, are we done?
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Thank you, sir.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Oh, that's good. £220. Happy?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- Yes.- Very happy. - Happy, yes.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Wonderful. - Were you getting worried slightly?
0:27:26 > 0:27:29No, not really.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32We put a reserve on it at 130 so I was quite happy when they came in
0:27:32 > 0:27:35at that, the rest is a big bonus.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Nearly £100 more. Well done.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Well done, Anita.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40And finally, hoping to add
0:27:40 > 0:27:42to the exciting atmosphere in our sale room,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45it's that beautiful barometer.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46It's just a shame that Barbara
0:27:46 > 0:27:49is on holiday and missing all the auction action.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I think this is real quality.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Great maker.- Yes, superb.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Negretti and Zambra, the best London maker.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59They did great scientific instruments and this is one of them.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02This is for your proper ballooner.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Let's gauge what it does right here, right now. This is it.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10A late Victorian compensated aneroid barometer by Negretti and Zambra
0:28:10 > 0:28:12of London. A great name.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Another plus point, we've got the original leather-covered case.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17I must start it at £200.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18210, I'm after.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21210? It needs to be to move on.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25210, 220, 230, 240, 250.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29I'm out. But I'm out too soon.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30260, it needs to be.
0:28:30 > 0:28:37- It's only just started, hopefully. - 260, 270, 280, 290, 300.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- This is more like it, Thomas. - It's much more like it.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43- 320.- Two serious phone bidders having a battle.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- 340.- Old school.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Old school, yes!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50320 with Liz's phone.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Anybody else at 340?
0:28:53 > 0:28:54Shout out if we have missed you.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Anybody else wants to bid? It's going to go at £320.
0:28:57 > 0:28:58Have we done?
0:29:00 > 0:29:03- Hammer's gone down.- Brilliant. - That was good.- Awesome.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06When Barbara and Gareth get back from their holiday,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08they'll have a cheque in the post
0:29:08 > 0:29:12- and they will be over the moon with that result.- Absolutely!
0:29:12 > 0:29:14£50 bid on the internet.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15Anybody else for 55? Sold!
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Well, there you are - our first three lots under the hammer.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23You certainly need nerves of steel in an auction room.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Thank goodness this is the city of steel. There's plenty of it about.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Now, there's one group of people in the city
0:29:28 > 0:29:30who kept the wheels of industry turning
0:29:30 > 0:29:32through our country's darkest hour.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34While we're here in the area filming,
0:29:34 > 0:29:36I went off to find out more about them.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Sheffield has always been known for its high quality cutlery and silver
0:29:42 > 0:29:46and when the Industrial Revolution came along in the 1700s,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49it also became famous for mass production.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54By the end of the 19th century, mills and factories in the region
0:29:54 > 0:29:58were using massive steam-driven machines like this one
0:29:58 > 0:30:03to produce more steel than any other city on the planet.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08This was a heavy industry of massive machinery and punishing work.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Working in the mills was tough. At times, dangerous business.
0:30:12 > 0:30:18It was seen as a man's world, but all that changed in 1939.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20With the outbreak of World War II,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23it became necessary for companies to step up production
0:30:23 > 0:30:25to meet the demands of modern warfare.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28They switched from making knives and forks to aeroplane parts
0:30:28 > 0:30:33and from sewing machines to machine guns and other items of weaponry
0:30:33 > 0:30:35like this massive great big Grand Slam bomb.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39It weighs ten tons and was made by Vickers-Armstrongs.
0:30:39 > 0:30:40Whatever the military wanted,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43it could be made right here in Sheffield.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47However, as war dragged on,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50more and more men were called upon to fight overseas
0:30:50 > 0:30:53and with very few men left here to do the heavy industry work,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55factories struggled to keep running.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58It was then that the women of South Yorkshire were called upon.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Although they weren't officially conscripted, single women,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07those without young children and any whose jobs weren't deemed vital
0:31:07 > 0:31:11to the war effort, had to register at the labour exchanges.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Suddenly, women from all backgrounds found themselves in the tough world
0:31:15 > 0:31:16of the steel foundries.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19I'm here to meet Kathleen Roberts and Kit Sollitt,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22two of the women who were made to work
0:31:22 > 0:31:24in the steel mills during the war.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28You were both told then just to turn up for work at the factory.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30It must have been quite daunting to start with?
0:31:30 > 0:31:36It was either that or the Army or the Land Army.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40Even though I was married, I was sort of called up
0:31:40 > 0:31:43and I couldn't pick and choose where I wanted to go.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Were you frightened on your first day at work?
0:31:46 > 0:31:47Terrified, absolutely.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49All the muck,
0:31:49 > 0:31:53the stench, the smoke, the fire.
0:31:53 > 0:31:54A frightening environment.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58I used to think, I'll never be able to stick this out.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01What did the men think at the time?
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Were there still men working there?
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- They didn't think a lot of us, did they?- Middle aged men didn't.
0:32:06 > 0:32:07The young men did!
0:32:09 > 0:32:13I expect the language was quite shocking in the factory as well?
0:32:13 > 0:32:14It was.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18You weren't used to that sort of environment, were you?
0:32:18 > 0:32:20You learned words you never knew existed!
0:32:20 > 0:32:22THEY LAUGH
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Yes. Very naughty.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27What were you actually doing?
0:32:27 > 0:32:31We had coils of steel and we had to roll them
0:32:31 > 0:32:35till they were more or less like ribbon.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38We never knew what they were meant for.
0:32:38 > 0:32:39- They never told you?- No.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44We asked every week when we got our orders for the week,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47"And what is this for?" And we'd be told...
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- Mind your own business! - We never ever knew.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- I was in the steel foundry. - Right, OK.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58You had to push all this stuff into a barrel,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03wheel it right down the foundry, under Bessemer that would be going.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Used to have to put a damp sack over my head to run direct under it
0:33:07 > 0:33:10because if someone was working at the bottom of the foundry,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13you were expected to take this mixture down to him.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16At the end of the first day, I said to this chap,
0:33:16 > 0:33:17"I'll never stick this."
0:33:17 > 0:33:20He says, "Oh, you will,
0:33:20 > 0:33:22"you'll get used to it. You'll have muscles like me."
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- I hoped not.- No, thanks, you said!
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Even so, women like Kathleen and Kit
0:33:29 > 0:33:32did stick it out in the factories for years
0:33:32 > 0:33:35but the work wasn't just strenuous, it was also dangerous.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42We didn't have health and safety regulations in those days
0:33:42 > 0:33:47- and people lost fingers, they lost hands.- Oh, yes.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- Some really nasty accidents. - Did you ever get injured?
0:33:50 > 0:33:54I did hurt my back pretty bad one day.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56And, erm...
0:33:56 > 0:34:00I was taken to hospital and as a result,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02they put me in a plaster cast
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- and I still have back trouble to this day.- Oh, gosh.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09It was jolly hard work and never got a thanks.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Nobody ever thanked us when we left work.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14But what an achievement though!
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Without the women, these factories would not have run.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20But they couldn't have done, no. No.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25However, when the war ended in 1945,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28and the men came back to work and took up their jobs in the factories,
0:34:28 > 0:34:32the efforts of the thousands of women like Kathleen and Kit
0:34:32 > 0:34:33were soon forgotten.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39That was until three years ago when Kathleen brought the story
0:34:39 > 0:34:41to the attention of the local newspaper.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Finally, after 70 years,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47the women of Sheffield who helped keep the steel industry rolling,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50were given the recognition they deserved.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55We were all in a sort of a dream.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58We just couldn't believe that it was happening.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01It's marvellous. It's marvellous. It's taken a long time, hasn't it?
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Yes. Because Kit's 93.
0:35:04 > 0:35:05You're what? You're 93?
0:35:05 > 0:35:10- 93, yeah.- 93?!- Yes, I am. - I'm 91...
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- No!- ..on the 12th of January.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Wow! Well, you don't look it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16We've no walking sticks.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18We're still knocking around.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Thank you so much for talking to me today, because, you know,
0:35:21 > 0:35:22you both are heroes to this city.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24You really are.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27You really are. And I think it's fabulous as well.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- We've had a long life and we're still here.- Yeah, exactly!
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Today, the mills of South Yorkshire are still the envy of the world,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42producing vast quantities of the finest steel, machinery and cutlery.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45You name it, they can make it
0:35:45 > 0:35:48and I think it's safe to say their continued success is down
0:35:48 > 0:35:51in no small part to the women of Sheffield,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53ladies like Kathleen and Kit,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56who helped keep the factories running throughout the war years,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59and it's brilliant that their achievements
0:35:59 > 0:36:02have now been recognised and given a place in history.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Back at Cutlers' Hall in the centre of Sheffield,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11there are still plenty of antiques to be valued.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14And while our dedicated team of experts
0:36:14 > 0:36:16pore over each and every one,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18I took the chance to look over an item
0:36:18 > 0:36:22that is a real part of this building's history.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Now, I expect you're wondering what a hawksbill turtle is doing
0:36:25 > 0:36:27on the wall here at the Cutlers' Hall
0:36:27 > 0:36:29and its association with Sheffield steel.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Well, I can tell you, it goes back as far as 1773,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37when a merchant presented a turtle to the Cutlers
0:36:37 > 0:36:39imported live via the Liverpool docks.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42They didn't know what to do with it, so they killed it,
0:36:42 > 0:36:46cooked it and ate it as turtle soup and thus began a tradition
0:36:46 > 0:36:48of eating turtle soup at every annual meeting
0:36:48 > 0:36:52right up until 1912 and hawksbill turtles
0:36:52 > 0:36:55have been harvested for their shells as far back as Roman times.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58It's a very valuable material
0:36:58 > 0:37:00that can be used in all sorts of products.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03The Cutlers here used the turtle shell
0:37:03 > 0:37:06for the handles of knives and forks and of razors.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Now, there's 13 sections on the shell.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11You can see them here, look. One, two, three, four, and so on.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16These can be peeled off into separate layers, thin layers,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18so they almost look translucent
0:37:18 > 0:37:21or they can be put back together under heat,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24fused to create a thicker section.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26This makes the shell look a lot darker.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28It can also be carved.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30It can be tooled and fashioned.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32It can also be inlaid with precious metals,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35like brasses and pieces of silver.
0:37:35 > 0:37:41But, thank goodness, this trade was banned by CITES in 1973.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Today, we use a modern plastic.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45It looks just as good and you wouldn't know the difference.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48So it means a happier life for these fellows.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53We do see a lot of antique tortoiseshell items on "Flog It!",
0:37:53 > 0:37:56because those made before the ban can still be sold.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00And Anita has a particularly fine piece on her table.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Georgina, I love jewellery
0:38:02 > 0:38:05and it's a delight to have that lovely tortoiseshell locket
0:38:05 > 0:38:06along at "Flog It!" today.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Can you tell a little bit about it and where you got it?
0:38:10 > 0:38:15Well, an aunt gave to me ten years ago at my ruby wedding
0:38:15 > 0:38:19and she acquired it, I think, from a friend, many years ago.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- Have you worn it? - A few times.- You've enjoyed it?
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- Yes.- So why pass it on?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Is it not something that you would wear regularly?
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Well, I don't have any daughters.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30I have a lovely daughter-in-law,
0:38:30 > 0:38:34but I don't think she's one to wear tortoiseshell.
0:38:34 > 0:38:35Well, let's have a look at it.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Think about the date and time that it was made.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42It is a traditional piece of Victorian jewellery,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45made maybe 1860, 1870.
0:38:45 > 0:38:52So it has a good age and it is encrusted with this gold decoration.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- It is gold, is it? - I would say that it is.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59We often had gold and tortoiseshell combined
0:38:59 > 0:39:01and it is a nice combination.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03There's a decoration called pique d'or
0:39:03 > 0:39:07where the gold is inlaid into the tortoiseshell.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12But this is... It's like overlaid, but it's very sweet.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16If we open it up, did you keep photographs in here?
0:39:16 > 0:39:18That's my aunt's husband who's in it
0:39:18 > 0:39:21and he died quite a few years earlier.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Right. But I still think it's a good thing to pass it on
0:39:24 > 0:39:25to someone who will enjoy it.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28We have another Victorian piece here in the chain.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32This has been part of a Victorian guard chain,
0:39:32 > 0:39:37which is the long 60-inch chains that ladies wore round their neck
0:39:37 > 0:39:40and they kept maybe little watches or little pencils on it.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44And very often, these were split and if there were three daughters,
0:39:44 > 0:39:48might be split into three parts of 20 inches each,
0:39:48 > 0:39:52so this has been split and the catch here is not original.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- That's been put on at a later date. - Oh, has it?- Yeah.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58So it's quite a nice wee Victorian lot.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03I'm not sure tortoiseshell is as popular as it was
0:40:03 > 0:40:05maybe five, ten years ago,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08but it's still a nice collectable for a person
0:40:08 > 0:40:10who wants to collect Victorian stuff.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14Price on it, you're maybe 100-150.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16- Really?- In that region.
0:40:16 > 0:40:21Would you like to go ahead and sell it within that estimate?
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Yes, yes. That would be fine, yes.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25You're not going to miss it?
0:40:25 > 0:40:26I don't know. I feel a bit guilty,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28cos it was Auntie Connie's,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31but I need to get my engagement ring repaired,
0:40:31 > 0:40:32so it would go towards that.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I think that's... That's a very good thing.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39- I mean...- Yes. I can't wear my ring, and you know, you think, well,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42I could probably get the cash up to it, but this would be a way of...
0:40:42 > 0:40:43Of helping it along.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- Yes.- Yeah. Good idea.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Well, let's put it to auction and let's hope
0:40:48 > 0:40:51that there are lots of Victorian jewellery collectors at the sale.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- Yes.- Thank you very much for bringing it along.- Thank you.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01What I love about our valuation day is that it also gives me a chance
0:41:01 > 0:41:03to get amongst the "Flog It!" crowd
0:41:03 > 0:41:06and see what treasures they've brought in.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Meg, have you got the time on you?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12I'm looking there. It's quarter to 12.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- I fell for that one!- I see you're holding that, you're clutching that.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Is that quite precious to you? It's a bit of Staffordshire pearlware.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22It is, it is and I would love to say that it's from my family,
0:41:22 > 0:41:23- but it's not.- Isn't it?
0:41:23 > 0:41:27- How did you come by it?- I found it in a charity shop.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- How long ago?- About two... About 18 months, two years ago.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34- Do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?- £14.99.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Well, that was a very good buy, wasn't it?
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Were you just attracted to it because visually
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- it's a pretty object? - Yes.- Yeah?
0:41:41 > 0:41:43And it's just something very...
0:41:43 > 0:41:45- I love old things.- Yeah, so do I.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I used to collect early Staffs as well.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- You know all the flat back figures? - Yes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Designed to go on a mantelpiece against the wall.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- Yeah.- Do you know it's pearlware, do you?
0:41:53 > 0:41:54- No.- Yes, it's pearlware,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56because you can see there's a blue tinge to the glaze.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Can you see that?- Oh, right. Yes. - There's a slight blue-ness.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- Yes, I can now.- Yeah? I would say this is circa 1810, 1820.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07I like the two characters leaning against these faux-marble columns.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08Can you see they're faux marble?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Like the columns here in the building.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Painted to look like real marble.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Can you see there, there's some damage?
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- Yeah.- There would have been a cartouche there, or a scroll.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Just acting as a pediment, architecturally quite strong.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Cos this whole shape resembles the facade of a building
0:42:23 > 0:42:26and this was a powerful message back in the 1800s.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28People everywhere went to church
0:42:28 > 0:42:31and this is no different to other fashions of the time
0:42:31 > 0:42:34like needlework samplers and tapestry samplers,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36all with messages of religion.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38I think this is brilliant, I really do.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42And I think we'd put a value of £80 to £120 on this.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Gosh.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Can I tell you,
0:42:46 > 0:42:51if this was in good condition, and all the other elements were there,
0:42:51 > 0:42:55the other cherubs and the cartouche at the top, the scrollwork,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57this would realise in the region of £400-500.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Gosh!
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- Yeah, it's quite rare. - I'm quite happy with 80 to 130.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05I know you are. I bet you are. Now, are you sure you want to sell it?
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- Oh, yes.- Why do you want to sell it?
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Erm, because my eldest granddaughter, Fern,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13- she's at uni.- Yep.- She's 21,
0:43:13 > 0:43:16and so she's off to Vietnam.
0:43:16 > 0:43:17Is she? Well, hopefully,
0:43:17 > 0:43:19what I'm holding is Fern's spending money in Vietnam.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21Good luck to her. Good luck to you
0:43:21 > 0:43:24- and I can't wait to see you in the auction room.- Thank you.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Having come down from his lofty heights on the balcony,
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Thomas has dug up a very unusual item.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33So, Carol, it is amazing
0:43:33 > 0:43:37what is unearthed at these "Flog It!" valuation days.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39This might shock a few people.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41It certainly did in the past.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Tell me, what do you know about this?
0:43:46 > 0:43:47Not very much at all, really.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50I acquired it recently in the last two weeks.
0:43:50 > 0:43:51Have you done some research?
0:43:51 > 0:43:54I thought it was something medical but I couldn't research it,
0:43:54 > 0:43:55cos I didn't know what it was.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Well, it was one of these extraordinary things,
0:43:58 > 0:44:00these electric shock machines.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04The Victorians were obsessed by sort of shocking one's body
0:44:04 > 0:44:06into doing certain things.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10You know, nervous disposition, deviancies of some kind, hair loss,
0:44:10 > 0:44:13you know, you've got some combs here,
0:44:13 > 0:44:16to sort of rub over your hair to make your hair grow back.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21This one was obviously to go over parts of the body, I'm sure.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24I think there is a slight theory that this treatment
0:44:24 > 0:44:26had some form of effect,
0:44:26 > 0:44:30but I just don't know how much and I think at a home sort of level,
0:44:30 > 0:44:34you've got to be pretty crazy to sort of find the socket,
0:44:34 > 0:44:37plug yourself in, and end up rubbing yourself down with this.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40I mean, you know, just imagine you got carried away
0:44:40 > 0:44:42- and the glass broke. - Yes!- It would be awful.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45I mean, that's really quite a rare Bakelite plug in there, isn't it?
0:44:45 > 0:44:47And a Bakelite handle.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49I don't think it's ever been used.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54- No, I don't. No.- You see, you've got from weak to strong, high-frequency,
0:44:54 > 0:44:57but I would imagine there'd be the odd collector out there
0:44:57 > 0:44:59who might be interested in this.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02- What do you think this wood is? - This is going to be beech wood.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04- It's just...- Is it?- Yeah. It's nothing special.
0:45:04 > 0:45:09- No, no.- The date of this object, I would say, 1940s, 1950s.
0:45:09 > 0:45:11- Yeah.- I don't think it's pre-war.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14It looks in too good condition.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18From a value point of view, as it's in such nice condition,
0:45:18 > 0:45:20it's got to be worth 30 to 50.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23- What do you think? - I thought about 25 to 40.
0:45:23 > 0:45:24You should be doing my job.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27No reserve on this. It's got to go.
0:45:27 > 0:45:28Otherwise it goes in the bin.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32- It certainly will.- Let's hope we're shocked at the result.- Me too!
0:45:32 > 0:45:35OK, that's enough of the puns, Thomas.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38Anita, please restore some decorum to the proceedings.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43Pat, this is a wonderful item.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47It was made in 1763
0:45:47 > 0:45:53and it was made by one of London's most prestigious silversmiths,
0:45:53 > 0:45:54John Swift.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57- Really?- So it's a marvellous item.
0:45:57 > 0:45:58Tell me where did you get it?
0:45:58 > 0:46:01Well, it belonged to my partner, who unfortunately,
0:46:01 > 0:46:04died earlier this year.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08He, I think, was given it by an uncle of his,
0:46:08 > 0:46:11who lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14Ellis, when he was about two,
0:46:14 > 0:46:17went to the United States with his mother and father
0:46:17 > 0:46:21and unfortunately for the family,
0:46:21 > 0:46:26mother and father lost all of their money during the Wall Street crash.
0:46:26 > 0:46:33And Ellis, with his younger brother now, were shipped back to Liverpool,
0:46:33 > 0:46:38to grandmother, and I think his uncle gave this to Ellis
0:46:38 > 0:46:43at that time and said to him, "If you ever need money, sell it."
0:46:43 > 0:46:45What a wonderful story!
0:46:45 > 0:46:50Well, he died at 95 and he didn't sell it.
0:46:50 > 0:46:51And he hadn't needed to sell it.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56And he didn't... Well, I think it probably did at some stage,
0:46:56 > 0:46:57but he didn't sell it.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01Yeah. It's quite an impressive looking little guy.
0:47:01 > 0:47:07It didn't start off life, however, in the 1760s like that.
0:47:07 > 0:47:12- Right.- At that time, it was a plain drinking tankard,
0:47:12 > 0:47:14with no decoration,
0:47:14 > 0:47:17probably a slightly flattened lid
0:47:17 > 0:47:20and none of this embossed work on it.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22- Right.- It would be simple.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Tastes changed.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27In the Victorian era,
0:47:27 > 0:47:30where we had the industrialisation
0:47:30 > 0:47:33and wealth that was brought by industrialisation,
0:47:33 > 0:47:36people wanted ornate decoration.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39The ornate decoration... It was as if it showed their wealth
0:47:39 > 0:47:43and this has been elaborately worked on.
0:47:43 > 0:47:48- Right.- If we look along here, we see it's flowers, it's leaves,
0:47:48 > 0:47:53all sorts of busy decoration on the body.
0:47:53 > 0:48:00And when we turn it round, we see that it has become a pouring vessel.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02I think Ellis knew that it had been altered
0:48:02 > 0:48:05and that the spout had been put on later,
0:48:05 > 0:48:09but I don't know whether he knew that it was embossed later.
0:48:09 > 0:48:15I mean, it's an intriguing item and it shows us how antiques can change
0:48:15 > 0:48:19with the style of the period that they live through.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21- Right.- The purists don't like it,
0:48:21 > 0:48:25but I think that it's all part of the hurly and burly of life,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28so we have the addition of this embossed work,
0:48:28 > 0:48:30we have this pouring spout here
0:48:30 > 0:48:35and I kind of think that this lid has been pushed up a little bit.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38So, tell me what are your thoughts?
0:48:38 > 0:48:40Did you like this item?
0:48:40 > 0:48:43I think I would've preferred it in its original state
0:48:43 > 0:48:48and had I not seen the advertisements for "Flog It!"
0:48:48 > 0:48:51I would have completely forgotten about it
0:48:51 > 0:48:52and I saw that, and I thought
0:48:52 > 0:48:54I would bring it along and that's what I've done.
0:48:54 > 0:49:00But it's an interesting story, how it came back here, and also,
0:49:00 > 0:49:02an interesting story about what had happened
0:49:02 > 0:49:06during the course of its nearly 300-year-old life.
0:49:06 > 0:49:13As it is, in today's market, I would put an estimate of £300-500 on it.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17- Right.- Would you feel satisfied to let it go forward at that price?
0:49:17 > 0:49:20Yes, if somebody wants it.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22It's better that somebody has it who wants it,
0:49:22 > 0:49:24rather than it's in the back of my cupboard.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27Well, I think it's wonderful and I loved the story,
0:49:27 > 0:49:29and that's what "Flog It!" is all about.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32So we'll put it to auction, 300-500.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34We'll put a reserve of £300 if you wish.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37- Yes.- OK, thank you. - Thank you.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46Well, that's it, our experts' final choices. You've just seen them.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48And what a day we've had here.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to our magnificent host location,
0:49:51 > 0:49:54Cutlers' Hall, as we head over to the sale room
0:49:54 > 0:49:55for the last time today,
0:49:55 > 0:49:58and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01Will Georgina's tortoiseshell run at the auction
0:50:01 > 0:50:04and fetch enough to get her ring repaired?
0:50:06 > 0:50:10I don't think many people want to try a bit of electro therapy,
0:50:10 > 0:50:14but let's hope this set sparks some interest in the sale room!
0:50:15 > 0:50:18And Margaret's Staffordshire ornament has seen better days
0:50:18 > 0:50:21but I'm sure it could be meeting a new owner.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26And this silver tankard may have undergone plenty of face-lifts,
0:50:26 > 0:50:29but I'm sure the collectors will see the beauty
0:50:29 > 0:50:31that lies just below the surface.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40We're back in the auction room for the last time
0:50:40 > 0:50:41and Robert Lea is in full flow.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44He's fast approaching our lots.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48First up is the exquisite tortoiseshell locket.
0:50:48 > 0:50:49Georgina, you're a woman of style.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51- You look stunning.- Thank you.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54And so is your item that we're putting under the hammer,
0:50:54 > 0:50:56this Victorian tortoiseshell locket.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59I think it's beautiful. Why don't you want it?
0:50:59 > 0:51:02I always thought it was a bit like plastic.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05And the aunt that left it to me left me quite a few other items
0:51:05 > 0:51:08which are more sort of like costume jewellery, which I actually prefer.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Well, I love it. I love jewellery
0:51:10 > 0:51:13and I love tortoiseshell and it really is just a cracking piece.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15Nice big piece.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18- It will suit today's market.- Yeah. Anyway, look, good luck with that.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21- Thank you very much.- Good luck. We're going to put that to the test.
0:51:21 > 0:51:22- Here we go.- 247.
0:51:22 > 0:51:2519th-century oval tortoiseshell locket
0:51:25 > 0:51:27with a pique-style inlaid detail.
0:51:27 > 0:51:28It's a beauty, isn't it?
0:51:28 > 0:51:31Must start the bidding at 85, 90.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33Five. 100. 110 I'm after.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37- That's good.- 110, 120, 130.
0:51:37 > 0:51:38I'm out. 130.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41Gentleman in the room. 140, 150 now.
0:51:41 > 0:51:42160 I'm after. 150 in the room.
0:51:42 > 0:51:43- 160, 170, sir.- This is good.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46Look at this. And there's a telephone come in.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48180 on the internet, 190 I'm after.
0:51:48 > 0:51:49180 bid on the internet.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51- 190 will do.- This is excellent.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53This is real quality.
0:51:53 > 0:51:54190, new bid. In the room.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56200. 210, sir?
0:51:56 > 0:51:59220 I'm after. 210, room bid.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01220, 230, sir?
0:52:01 > 0:52:03240 I'm after, 230 in the room.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04240, 250, sir?
0:52:04 > 0:52:05260 I'm after, 250 in the room.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08- It's got to be 260 now. 260, 270, sir.- Crikey!
0:52:08 > 0:52:10280, please. 270 the room.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12280, 290. 300 I'm after.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14320. 340 I'm after.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17320 in the room. 340, 360.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19380 I'm after. 360 in the room. 380.
0:52:19 > 0:52:20400, sir.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22- 380 on the internet.- It can't be!
0:52:22 > 0:52:24£400. 380 with the internet.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27Anyone? £400 for it. It's going to sell at 380. One last look.
0:52:27 > 0:52:28All done, are we, at £380?
0:52:30 > 0:52:35- Great result. £380.- That was a nice wee surprise!- That was really good.
0:52:35 > 0:52:36You must be over the moon with that.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38- Yes, I am.- That was real quality.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41- Yes, that's marvellous. - And quite a few people saw that.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- They really did. - We had the internet,
0:52:43 > 0:52:47we had the phone and we had a lot of competition in the room.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49Now I'll be able to get my engagement ring repaired.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51I've actually taken it into the jewellers,
0:52:51 > 0:52:54so it's going to be nearly £100 to get it repaired.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Well, that will sort that out and then you can wear it again.
0:52:57 > 0:52:58- Wonderful, wonderful.- Yes.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00Well done. Great result!
0:53:00 > 0:53:03Georgina gets to wear her engagement ring
0:53:03 > 0:53:06and hopefully that locket will adorn its new owner.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10But I'm not so sure our next lot will see much use.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Carol, let's hope we don't get arrested right now.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14We're about to give the bidders a bit of high voltage.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17Yes, it's the electrotherapy treatment machine.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19No reserve, it's here to go.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21- Yes.- Have you had a few laughs with that at home?
0:53:21 > 0:53:23Well, I was only given it recently by a family member.
0:53:23 > 0:53:27So no-one's seen it, actually.
0:53:27 > 0:53:28- You haven't plugged it in?- No, no.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31You could have had a few practical jokes with this one.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33Obviously, it doesn't appeal to you and you just thought,
0:53:33 > 0:53:35- bring it on to "Flog It!" and sell it.- Yes.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37OK. Cracking little thing, really.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40- Well, they're quite weird, aren't they?- Yes.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43You know, we don't really do it now.
0:53:43 > 0:53:44- Do we?- No.- Not with this!
0:53:46 > 0:53:501950s Tesla violet ray electrotherapy device
0:53:50 > 0:53:54with assorted glass wands in a fitted wooden case.
0:53:54 > 0:53:55I've got commissions. £28, 30.
0:53:55 > 0:53:5835, 40.
0:53:58 > 0:54:0145 I need elsewhere.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04£45, it needs to be to move on.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06Anybody else fancy it? It's going.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09- I'm tingling!- For the electrotherapy device.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12Give yourself a shock! With me at 40.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16All done, are we? At £40.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19That's good, £40. That's cracking. That's really good.
0:54:19 > 0:54:20I'm happy with that, yeah.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23That's going to end up in a bygone museum somewhere, I would imagine.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26- It was perfect. - Or on a dinner party table.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28Could you imagine that? At a dinner party...
0:54:28 > 0:54:29- Yeah, just...- Yeah!
0:54:30 > 0:54:33- Put your finger in that!- No!
0:54:33 > 0:54:35Well done. Thanks for bringing that in,
0:54:35 > 0:54:37because it gave us all a big laugh at the valuation.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47Prepare to meet my valuation.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49Yes. Guess what's coming up.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52Meg, good to see you again and here is Andrea, Meg's daughter.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54- Hello.- Hello.- We've got 80-120.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58I'm hoping for that top end of 180, maybe £200.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01- Whatever.- I like this. I like it a lot.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03Fingers crossed somebody else falls in love with it as well.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- Cos you love it.- I do. - I love it and you love it.
0:55:06 > 0:55:07- Yes.- If all three of us love it,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10that means that lot out there in this packed saleroom
0:55:10 > 0:55:13are also going to love it. That's what it's all about, isn't it?
0:55:13 > 0:55:16- Yes.- Let's put it to the test. Here we go!
0:55:16 > 0:55:19Early 19th-century Staffordshire pearlware
0:55:19 > 0:55:21moralising mantelpiece ornament.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24A bit of damage on it, but it hasn't detracted.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28Commission bidders. They're willing to start the bidding at £420.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31I'll take elsewhere, 420.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33440, 460, 480.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35- Straight!- 500, 520.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39- 550, 580. - SHE GASPS
0:55:39 > 0:55:43600. 620. £600 bid on commission.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46620, I'll accept elsewhere.
0:55:46 > 0:55:48£600 bid on commission.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50Anybody else for 620?
0:55:50 > 0:55:52It's going to sell. One last look around.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Bid now or lose it. With me at £600, all done, are we?
0:55:55 > 0:55:56Hammer's going to drop.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02£600!
0:56:04 > 0:56:06Ooh, I'm shaking for you.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09- I'm tingling.- I'm speechless for once!
0:56:09 > 0:56:12What do you think of that? If you knew that was worth £600,
0:56:12 > 0:56:13- would you have kept it?- No.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14No. You wouldn't have treasured it.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16- You'd have still sold it?- Yes.
0:56:16 > 0:56:18- Think of the money. Think of the money.- Yeah.- Wow!
0:56:18 > 0:56:20I think we'll have a bit of a party as well now.
0:56:20 > 0:56:22- Yes, we will.- Wow! What a surprise.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24I told you there was going to be a surprise, didn't I?
0:56:24 > 0:56:26That's what the show is all about.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28Phew!
0:56:28 > 0:56:30I'm speechless as well.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34- Meg, enjoy that money, won't you? - I will.
0:56:34 > 0:56:3622, £20 with the internet.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38Ten apiece so far.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40And going under the hammer right now,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42we've got a George III silver tankard,
0:56:42 > 0:56:46later converted by the Victorians to a jug with a pouring spout
0:56:46 > 0:56:49belonging to Pat. Nevertheless, despite that,
0:56:49 > 0:56:51we've still got a value of £300-£500.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54- There's a lot of silver there. - There is a lot of silver.
0:56:54 > 0:56:58- So fingers crossed.- Well, I'm hoping that it will do its £300.
0:56:58 > 0:57:00It certainly deserves that.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02If it had been left alone, it would have made a lot more
0:57:02 > 0:57:05and the purists would have liked it as it was.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07Sure. This is it. Here we go.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10George III hallmarked silver tankard, by John Swift, London,
0:57:10 > 0:57:141763, later converted to a jug by the Victorians.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16Lots of interest on it.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18Lots of interest. It's not going to melt, then.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21At 420. 440. 460. 480.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25500. 520. 550. 580, sir.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28- This is what auctions are all about. - Look.- 600.
0:57:28 > 0:57:29580 on the phone. 600.
0:57:29 > 0:57:34- 620. 650. 680. 700.- Whoo!
0:57:34 > 0:57:36720. 750.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40That phone bidder is desperate for this. Look.
0:57:40 > 0:57:41800.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44820. 850.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46- 850!- 880.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49- Yes.- 900.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52920. 950. 980.
0:57:52 > 0:57:55- Wow!- 1,000.
0:57:55 > 0:57:56(£1,000!)
0:57:56 > 0:57:58980 bid so far.
0:57:58 > 0:58:001,000 I need elsewhere.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02980 on the phone.
0:58:02 > 0:58:03One last look around.
0:58:03 > 0:58:04Are we done?
0:58:06 > 0:58:07Hammer's gone down. £980.
0:58:07 > 0:58:11What a cracking result! Just shy of £1,000, Pat.
0:58:11 > 0:58:12You've got to be over the moon with that.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15I'd be hopping up and down right now.
0:58:15 > 0:58:19Well, it just shows you, we really didn't know at that point.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23£300, brought to auction and the market decided.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26What a way to end the show here in Sheffield.
0:58:26 > 0:58:28With Pat over the moon.
0:58:28 > 0:58:29With £980,
0:58:29 > 0:58:32it just goes to show there are always surprises in an auction room.
0:58:32 > 0:58:34See you next time.