Somerset 12

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0:00:04 > 0:00:07I'm here in the control tower at HMS Heron,

0:00:07 > 0:00:09the Royal Navy's airbase in Somerset.

0:00:09 > 0:00:11It is the largest base in the country,

0:00:11 > 0:00:13with 4,000 personnel stationed here.

0:00:13 > 0:00:16And today, so are we. Welcome to "Flog It!".

0:00:38 > 0:00:42There is a real art to landing and taking off in naval aircraft.

0:00:44 > 0:00:47Nowadays, an aircraft can land horizontally onto their hangers,

0:00:47 > 0:00:50but in the early days, with planes like the Sopwith Pup,

0:00:50 > 0:00:52it was far trickier.

0:00:52 > 0:00:56The Navy have only been flying aircraft from ships since 1911.

0:00:56 > 0:00:59Although today's aircraft are much safer,

0:00:59 > 0:01:03their crews still face incredible challenges.

0:01:03 > 0:01:04Throughout the day,

0:01:04 > 0:01:07there will be aircraft taking off and landing just behind us.

0:01:07 > 0:01:10Today's valuations will be taking place inside

0:01:10 > 0:01:12the Fleet Air Arm Museum, which is

0:01:12 > 0:01:14situated on the base here at Yeovilton.

0:01:14 > 0:01:18We've deployed some of our top antique experts on a mission

0:01:18 > 0:01:22to value today's items - Admiral Thomas Plant

0:01:22 > 0:01:24and Commanding Officer Christina Trevanion.

0:01:26 > 0:01:30- How long does he go for? Oh. - Well, the longer you wind it...

0:01:32 > 0:01:34How's that?

0:01:35 > 0:01:37Good luck.

0:01:37 > 0:01:40Somebody here in this queue is going home with a small fortune today,

0:01:40 > 0:01:41and they don't know it.

0:01:41 > 0:01:43It's our experts' job to find those treasures, put them

0:01:43 > 0:01:47through to the auction room, where we will be making somebody's day.

0:01:47 > 0:01:49And that's what this is all about.

0:01:49 > 0:01:53Today, our fleet of off-screen experts will be commandeering tables

0:01:53 > 0:01:57to bring you the very best insights from the front line of antiques.

0:01:59 > 0:02:01Coming up in today's show,

0:02:01 > 0:02:05Christina gets nostalgic about the glory days of foreign travel.

0:02:05 > 0:02:07Can you imagine tripping up the steps

0:02:07 > 0:02:09with your crocodile-skin suitcase? Brilliant!

0:02:09 > 0:02:12And Thomas creates quite a stir in the sale room with a set

0:02:12 > 0:02:15of Fougasse propaganda posters.

0:02:15 > 0:02:18- Yes!- Fantastic!- Wow!

0:02:19 > 0:02:22We've got a huge team with us here today at the Fleet Air Arm Museum,

0:02:22 > 0:02:26many are positioned under that stunning Concorde.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31Today's valuations are taking place amongst some wonderful examples

0:02:31 > 0:02:33of aviation history.

0:02:35 > 0:02:38So, Joe, I am struggling to hold your attention a little bit here,

0:02:38 > 0:02:42you keep sort of longingly looking over my shoulder.

0:02:42 > 0:02:45Tell me, have you got a particular attraction to this plane?

0:02:45 > 0:02:49Well, yes indeed. My father, in fact, helped to build it.

0:02:49 > 0:02:53- It is an airplane that, as I believe, is called the Fairey Delta - 2. Right.

0:02:53 > 0:02:55Which was designed for a world speed record.

0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Oh, I see.- And he...

0:02:57 > 0:03:02I think they built two, so this may be one he worked on,

0:03:02 > 0:03:03but certainly he worked on one of them.

0:03:03 > 0:03:08- How exciting!- It's nice to see one in the flesh.- I bet. Wow.

0:03:08 > 0:03:11- Back to the antiques.- Indeed.- Sorry.

0:03:11 > 0:03:13Tell me about this rather gorgeous travelling trunk

0:03:13 > 0:03:14that you brought in.

0:03:14 > 0:03:18It was given to me by my mother, never been able to use it.

0:03:18 > 0:03:21It is so heavy, I can barely lift it.

0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Gosh, it is quite heavy, isn't it?- It's heavy.

0:03:23 > 0:03:26- And do we know who RVM is? - Sadly, not, no idea.

0:03:26 > 0:03:30The colour of it is like a rich toffee caramel, isn't it?

0:03:30 > 0:03:31It's beautiful.

0:03:31 > 0:03:35- Crocodile skin, which is slightly controversial now.- Well, yes.

0:03:35 > 0:03:39But in the 1920s, when this was made, incredibly fashionable

0:03:39 > 0:03:42and suggested a sort of exoticism, really,

0:03:42 > 0:03:44that in that sort of glory days of travel.

0:03:44 > 0:03:47How appropriate that we are stood next to the 1960s version

0:03:47 > 0:03:48of exotic travel,

0:03:48 > 0:03:51with Concorde in the background, it's wonderful.

0:03:51 > 0:03:52Can you imagine tripping up the steps

0:03:52 > 0:03:54with your crocodile-skin suitcase?

0:03:54 > 0:03:57When we look inside, it's got all the...

0:03:57 > 0:03:59Lift that top up there.

0:03:59 > 0:04:03It's got all the fittings which would originally have

0:04:03 > 0:04:06included everything that you needed for travel -

0:04:06 > 0:04:09glass bottles with tops, with all your potions and lotions

0:04:09 > 0:04:11and powders and all sorts of things.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14- It would have been literally your travelling dressing table.- Right.

0:04:14 > 0:04:19This fabulous watered silk purple interior dates it for us.

0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Oh, does it?- Yes.

0:04:21 > 0:04:24The purple is slightly later, so we know that this was certainly

0:04:24 > 0:04:28- a 20th century one rather than a 19th century one.- Right.

0:04:28 > 0:04:30Really, a piece of this calibre and this quality,

0:04:30 > 0:04:32we would expect to find a maker's name.

0:04:32 > 0:04:36And we have one, which is great, on this lock of furniture.

0:04:36 > 0:04:40Drew & Sons, Piccadilly, London. That doesn't surprise me at all.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43A really premium, quality maker.

0:04:43 > 0:04:45Beautiful, beautiful dressing case.

0:04:45 > 0:04:47Very sad that it hasn't got the bottles,

0:04:47 > 0:04:50however there is a market for these crocodile-skin cases.

0:04:50 > 0:04:52They are every sort of interior designer's dream, aren't they?

0:04:52 > 0:04:55They're just beautiful. And the colour and the pattern...

0:04:55 > 0:04:57And it's certainly helped in its value by the fact that it

0:04:57 > 0:04:59- is in such excellent condition. - Good.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02And this is obviously helped by the fact that we've got

0:05:02 > 0:05:05the original protective dust cover.

0:05:05 > 0:05:07Let's pop that down there. So...

0:05:08 > 0:05:12- Value wise...- Yes. - What are we thinking?

0:05:12 > 0:05:14I don't know, 150, 200, something like that.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17Oh, my goodness, you don't need me here at all!

0:05:18 > 0:05:21For a more comfortable estimate, I would say 100-200.

0:05:21 > 0:05:23- OK.- Because we do see quite a lot of them.

0:05:23 > 0:05:25- We don't see them in such good condition.- No.

0:05:25 > 0:05:27- But we do see them with bottles still.- Ah, yes.

0:05:27 > 0:05:30- What are your thoughts about that? - That's absolutely fine.

0:05:30 > 0:05:31- Are you sure?- Yes.

0:05:31 > 0:05:33- And if we were to put a reserve of 100.- Yes.

0:05:33 > 0:05:37- So we wouldn't let it go for any less than 100.- No.- Is that OK?

0:05:37 > 0:05:40- That's absolutely fine. - And why are you selling it?

0:05:40 > 0:05:43- I can't even lift it!- Oh, really?

0:05:43 > 0:05:46If I was going away for the weekend,

0:05:46 > 0:05:47I wouldn't have anything inside it.

0:05:47 > 0:05:50- You'd have good muscles when you came back.- Absolutely.

0:05:50 > 0:05:51Yes.

0:05:51 > 0:05:54Imagine how heavy it would've been with all those bottles.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56- Yes, yes.- Good Lord, it would have been... Yeah.

0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'd have a nice young man to carry it for me.

0:05:58 > 0:06:00Oh, gosh, wouldn't that be nice?

0:06:00 > 0:06:02- And Joe, obviously.- Joe.

0:06:04 > 0:06:07Brilliant. Well, let's see if we can find a good new home for it.

0:06:07 > 0:06:11- Thank you very much, Christina. - Thanks so much for bringing this in.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14Wonderfully evocative, that suitcase.

0:06:14 > 0:06:17Our next classic item has a timeless glamour.

0:06:18 > 0:06:22- Angie, is that right?- Yes, yes. - And Jerry.- Hello, Tom.

0:06:22 > 0:06:25You've brought along a very nice, I think, bangle.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28- It's a bangle, not a bracelet. Bracelets are loose.- Yes.

0:06:28 > 0:06:32Like a tennis bracelet, which is chain-linked

0:06:32 > 0:06:34and hangs from the wrist.

0:06:34 > 0:06:36Bangles are fixed and they are hard

0:06:36 > 0:06:39and they don't have a movement to them, so it is a bangle.

0:06:39 > 0:06:40Very pretty.

0:06:40 > 0:06:43With aquas, rose quartz, aquas.

0:06:43 > 0:06:48And then in between it are these little naive-cut diamonds.

0:06:48 > 0:06:53So it has got a fantastic... And a great use of stones here.

0:06:53 > 0:06:58It dates from the Edwardian Period, so 1900 to 1920.

0:06:58 > 0:07:01It has got a real boldness to it.

0:07:01 > 0:07:04A real sort of showiness.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08Normally Edwardian bangles are quite thin, with stones

0:07:08 > 0:07:11and diamonds on either side, but this has real showmanship,

0:07:11 > 0:07:13real pizzazz, real chutzpah.

0:07:13 > 0:07:15It has got something going for it.

0:07:15 > 0:07:16It is a good-looking object.

0:07:16 > 0:07:19There are a few things which are wrong with it,

0:07:19 > 0:07:21but that is an old piece of jewellery.

0:07:21 > 0:07:25But otherwise, it's a general repair job and shouldn't cost much.

0:07:25 > 0:07:30But extremely wearable today. Is it something you've worn?

0:07:30 > 0:07:34- No, I never have, but my mother wore it all the time.- Why haven't you?

0:07:34 > 0:07:36Is it not your colour?

0:07:36 > 0:07:39Well... I don't know, it just wasn't me.

0:07:39 > 0:07:41And because it moved around my wrist

0:07:41 > 0:07:44and I thought, "It's going to come off and I'm going to lose it."

0:07:44 > 0:07:45Do you have much idea about value?

0:07:45 > 0:07:50Well, I would hope the reserve will be around the 500 mark.

0:07:50 > 0:07:54I would want to say between 400 and 600, and fix it at 400.

0:07:54 > 0:07:56I think you've got a better chance then.

0:07:56 > 0:08:01If one is too strong, you tend to kill the sale immediately.

0:08:01 > 0:08:05- Right.- But like all things in life, it is that risk at £400.

0:08:05 > 0:08:06What are your thoughts?

0:08:06 > 0:08:08Well, I'm trying to raise some funds

0:08:08 > 0:08:12cos my granddaughter in America has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

0:08:12 > 0:08:15- Mm, yes.- So I was trying to raise a bit of money to help the family.

0:08:15 > 0:08:16Absolutely.

0:08:16 > 0:08:18- So that is why it's being sold?- Mm.

0:08:18 > 0:08:22We've put it at 500 to 700 and with a fixed reserve at 400.

0:08:22 > 0:08:26- What do you think about that?- 450?

0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Five to 700, 450 reserve, shall we do that?- Yes, let's do that.

0:08:29 > 0:08:34Well done, Jerry. Interjected in well. I think it should make that.

0:08:34 > 0:08:37It is a good-looking item, and I hope it makes a lot more.

0:08:37 > 0:08:39I look forward to seeing you at the auction.

0:08:39 > 0:08:41BOTH: Thank you very much.

0:08:41 > 0:08:43A lot of sparkle there.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46The building is full of wonderful treasures here today.

0:08:50 > 0:08:53So, I thought... I love it that you brought me a nice local piece in.

0:08:53 > 0:08:56Thank you. Local? That's a surprise.

0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Definitely not very local.- No, no.

0:08:58 > 0:09:00In fact, this bowl has certainly travelled quite a long way.

0:09:00 > 0:09:03- Tell me about how you came about it. - Well, it was left to me from

0:09:03 > 0:09:06my parents when they passed on. I loved the depth of it.

0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Yes, quite unusual. It's more of a basin...- That's right.

0:09:10 > 0:09:13..I would say, rather than a bowl or a plate. It is very much a basin.

0:09:13 > 0:09:18But if we turn it over, look at this wonderful back here.

0:09:18 > 0:09:21This is very much a Chinese porcelain.

0:09:21 > 0:09:26This sort of pitted gray porcelain is typical of Chinese porcelain,

0:09:26 > 0:09:29and this is absolutely what we here in Great Britain were trying

0:09:29 > 0:09:31to replicate in our porcelain and couldn't do.

0:09:32 > 0:09:36With the addition of China clay, in the early 19th century, we did.

0:09:36 > 0:09:39But up until that point, this was like the Holy Grail.

0:09:39 > 0:09:43The Chinese knew that and they started exporting it to this

0:09:43 > 0:09:46- country in very much this style. - Right.

0:09:46 > 0:09:47This however is slightly later.

0:09:47 > 0:09:51- This is actually a late 19th, early 20th century example.- Is it?

0:09:51 > 0:09:54This beautiful porcelain - there's a white,

0:09:54 > 0:09:58almost translucency to it. And very much hand-painted.

0:09:58 > 0:10:01We can see all the individual brushstrokes, it's really beautiful.

0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Do you like it?- Oh, I like it.

0:10:03 > 0:10:06The only trouble is, it has been in the cupboard for a long time.

0:10:06 > 0:10:07Right, OK.

0:10:07 > 0:10:11Mainly for safekeeping, I do have a dog that runs about a bit.

0:10:11 > 0:10:14Your dog, I think, has got to it before you've noticed it though,

0:10:14 > 0:10:16- hasn't it? - I have no idea, I hope he hasn't.

0:10:16 > 0:10:19Well, we have got a very, very fine hairline crack

0:10:19 > 0:10:21just on the rim there.

0:10:21 > 0:10:25Collectors will not like that, sadly.

0:10:25 > 0:10:27But I think at auction we are going to be looking at a slightly

0:10:27 > 0:10:30conservative estimate of maybe £100 to £200.

0:10:30 > 0:10:32What are your thoughts about that?

0:10:32 > 0:10:35Well, I would like to see more £200 than I would 100.

0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Wouldn't we all!- Exactly.

0:10:38 > 0:10:40Um...

0:10:40 > 0:10:44150 to 200, with a reserve of 150 would be a...

0:10:44 > 0:10:46Oh, my goodness, you drive a hard bargain.

0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Well, we've got to try. - We've got to try.

0:10:48 > 0:10:51I think that is on the cusp of having a no sale,

0:10:51 > 0:10:53but as long as you are prepared for that...

0:10:53 > 0:10:58An estimate of 150 to 200, and a firm reserve of 150.

0:10:58 > 0:11:01And we'll just hope that somebody really likes it.

0:11:06 > 0:11:09Pat, tell me about this delightful box.

0:11:09 > 0:11:15Well, it was given to me 55 years ago...by my very first boyfriend.

0:11:15 > 0:11:17Very first boyfriend, 55 years?

0:11:17 > 0:11:2155 years. Don't try and find out how old I am!

0:11:21 > 0:11:23I'm not doing that in my head, I promise.

0:11:23 > 0:11:26So, was this a gift? Did it last?

0:11:27 > 0:11:31Yes, it's lasted quite a while

0:11:31 > 0:11:33but he went off to uni to become an architect

0:11:33 > 0:11:37and I was left at home and that was the end of that.

0:11:37 > 0:11:43- This was a memento?- This was just an "I love you, have this."

0:11:43 > 0:11:45First love.

0:11:45 > 0:11:49- First love, it was first love. - Lovely, isn't it?- Yes, it is.

0:11:49 > 0:11:52- It is lovely.- It is. - All those things.- All those things.

0:11:52 > 0:11:56- All those wonderful things. - Special things and then heartbreak.

0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Yes, but that's... - That part of it, isn't it?

0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Yeah, it is all part of it but it is so special, that time.- Oh, yes.

0:12:03 > 0:12:08- It's beautiful. Silver-gilt inside so mercury gilded...- Yes.

0:12:08 > 0:12:12..inside, with this guilloche enamel.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14It is marked 925 on the back.

0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Most probably it's going to be continental.- Yes.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24And this guilloche enamel, which is translucent,

0:12:24 > 0:12:29with the engine turning on the top, has this wonderful opalescence to it.

0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Yes, yes. - Like a piece of Lalique.- Yes.

0:12:32 > 0:12:36This is what you see, this pretty opalescence.

0:12:36 > 0:12:39- It's dead, dead pretty.- Mm, mm.

0:12:40 > 0:12:44- How old would it be?- Yes, good question. How old would it be?

0:12:44 > 0:12:50I would have thought between 1920 and the Second World War.

0:12:50 > 0:12:55- I think it's sort of that sort of period, Art Deco.- Deco.

0:12:55 > 0:12:58The Deco period. A little pillbox.

0:12:58 > 0:12:59Where has it been?

0:12:59 > 0:13:02In my jewellery box, in the cupboard.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06- So, in your jewellery box in the cupboard. You haven't seen it...- No.

0:13:06 > 0:13:10- Probably the last time you saw it was over a year ago.- At least.- At least.

0:13:10 > 0:13:12So, you should sell it

0:13:12 > 0:13:15- because somebody will put it in their bijouterie cabinet...- Yes.

0:13:15 > 0:13:19..a cabinet and they will put it in there and it will be on show.

0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Yes, yes, which is better. - Which is much better.

0:13:22 > 0:13:25Now, OK, it's not going to be worth a king's ransom.

0:13:25 > 0:13:26No. Oh, what a shame!

0:13:26 > 0:13:31No. It's a £60 to £80 little box but it's sweet.

0:13:31 > 0:13:34- I would suggest 60-80 with a discretionary 60.- That's fine.

0:13:34 > 0:13:35Was that all right?

0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Thank you for bringing it in. - My pleasure.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41It's been quite nice to sort of discuss the...

0:13:41 > 0:13:45nuances and the fun of one's first kiss.

0:13:45 > 0:13:48MUSIC: Love Is In The Air by John Paul Young

0:13:48 > 0:13:52And now for a piece of local interest.

0:13:56 > 0:14:00The Roper family have lived at Forde Abbey for over 100 years now.

0:14:00 > 0:14:04Today, the 2,000-acre estate is opened to the public,

0:14:04 > 0:14:06but the family are primarily farmers.

0:14:06 > 0:14:08By working closely to the land,

0:14:08 > 0:14:11they've managed to be self-sufficient.

0:14:13 > 0:14:15It is a tradition they have inherited

0:14:15 > 0:14:19from the founders of Forde Abbey, the 12th century Cistercian monks,

0:14:19 > 0:14:22a French Catholic order who came to Britain

0:14:22 > 0:14:23from the Burgundy region of France.

0:14:26 > 0:14:28A breakaway group from the Benedictines,

0:14:28 > 0:14:32the Cistercians strove for a more austere way of life,

0:14:32 > 0:14:34believing a simple life lived in poverty

0:14:34 > 0:14:36was a way of getting closer to God.

0:14:36 > 0:14:39SINGING

0:14:44 > 0:14:47Working the land and being agriculturally self-sufficient

0:14:47 > 0:14:50was key to the Cistercian way of life.

0:14:50 > 0:14:53Alice Roper is the younger generation of the family who

0:14:53 > 0:14:56have inherited the monks' incredible history.

0:14:57 > 0:15:01This, presumably, is the same vegetable garden the monks used.

0:15:01 > 0:15:06This has been a vegetable garden as far back as history tells us.

0:15:06 > 0:15:09We imagine the monks would have had grown all their vegetables here.

0:15:09 > 0:15:12- Obviously the kitchen is just round the corner.- Close proximity.

0:15:12 > 0:15:16Absolutely. We still grow all the veg for the tearoom and everything now.

0:15:16 > 0:15:17- Which is lovely, isn't it? - It's lovely, yes.

0:15:17 > 0:15:20Carrying on in their footprint.

0:15:20 > 0:15:23Alice's mother Lisa has her own herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle,

0:15:23 > 0:15:26which provides meat for the estate.

0:15:28 > 0:15:32The family also produce goats' milk and work the surrounding farmland,

0:15:32 > 0:15:33as the monks did before them.

0:15:36 > 0:15:40In 1148, just seven years after construction started,

0:15:40 > 0:15:42the first 12 monks were ready to move in,

0:15:42 > 0:15:45and the Cistercian community stayed for the next 400 years.

0:15:47 > 0:15:50You can understand why when you step inside this building.

0:15:50 > 0:15:54It really does embrace you. There's the most wonderful feel to it.

0:15:55 > 0:15:56This is the great hall,

0:15:56 > 0:15:58where the monks would have greeted their guests

0:15:58 > 0:16:00and addressed each other en masse

0:16:00 > 0:16:03and, of course, dined here when the abbot was present.

0:16:04 > 0:16:07Mind you, when the monks lived here for those 400 years,

0:16:07 > 0:16:08there was absolutely no heating.

0:16:08 > 0:16:11It would have been really, really cold, exceptionally damp

0:16:11 > 0:16:12and quite austere.

0:16:12 > 0:16:14But nevertheless...

0:16:15 > 0:16:19..I still think it would have been a fantastic place to live.

0:16:31 > 0:16:33For me, the cloisters are probably the most beautiful

0:16:33 > 0:16:37part of what remains of the original abbey.

0:16:37 > 0:16:40This is where the monks would have walked for exercise and meditation.

0:16:42 > 0:16:45Every day began with a prayer at two o'clock in the morning,

0:16:45 > 0:16:47and most days were spent in silence.

0:16:50 > 0:16:52Although the Cistercian philosophy was to lead a simple life in

0:16:52 > 0:16:57a state of poverty, the reality was the order became incredibly wealthy.

0:16:57 > 0:17:01Many local landowners bequeathed their estate

0:17:01 > 0:17:03to the monks upon their death.

0:17:03 > 0:17:06In exchange, it was requested that the monks prayed

0:17:06 > 0:17:07for their deceased souls.

0:17:08 > 0:17:12Incredibly, there still exists a log book recording these donations,

0:17:12 > 0:17:14and Mark Roper, Alice's father,

0:17:14 > 0:17:17has grown up with this ancient religious document.

0:17:19 > 0:17:22You have the monastic cartulary...

0:17:22 > 0:17:26which is which is created by the monks. It's all written by them.

0:17:26 > 0:17:30Apparently, it is really title deeds of lands that they were

0:17:30 > 0:17:34given in exchange for a life after death.

0:17:34 > 0:17:38Right, OK. Obviously this is how they accumulated their wealth.

0:17:38 > 0:17:39I think they did.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42I think that's exactly how they did, because the monks, apparently,

0:17:42 > 0:17:44their writ ran at about 30,000 acres.

0:17:46 > 0:17:47How did you come by this?

0:17:47 > 0:17:50Was this part of the treasures of the abbey or...?

0:17:50 > 0:17:52Oh, God knows what happened to it,

0:17:52 > 0:17:56but it turned up again in a collection

0:17:56 > 0:17:58of people called Phelips.

0:17:58 > 0:18:03My grandmother bought in the early 20th century.

0:18:03 > 0:18:06- So now it's in its rightful place. - I think it is, yes.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10as well as being hugely successful landowners,

0:18:10 > 0:18:12the monks were scholars and devoted many hours

0:18:12 > 0:18:17to their philosophical writings in the cartulary, the scholar's room.

0:18:17 > 0:18:19Alice has really embraced their history.

0:18:19 > 0:18:22I gather this is where all the intellectual work was done

0:18:22 > 0:18:25while the others were toiling hard in the field.

0:18:25 > 0:18:29Yes, this is where the official monks would do

0:18:29 > 0:18:31all their writings, which they used to do.

0:18:31 > 0:18:33They used to do elaborate etchings down the side

0:18:33 > 0:18:35of their books and things.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38All the wonderful illuminated manuscripts and things like that.

0:18:38 > 0:18:42That's it. And the third abbot was deemed to have a huge library.

0:18:42 > 0:18:44It consisted of 12 books, but in those days,

0:18:44 > 0:18:47if you imagine, they're all done by hand, they were probably big volumes.

0:18:47 > 0:18:52But 12 books back in 1140 was deemed to be a very large library,

0:18:52 > 0:18:54which is a bit funny nowadays.

0:18:54 > 0:18:55ALICE LAUGHS

0:18:55 > 0:18:58So having seen this, would you like to see where they used to sleep?

0:18:58 > 0:19:00- Sure, yes, please. Is it close by?- Yes.

0:19:09 > 0:19:12OK, this is the monks' dormitory, which is where the

0:19:12 > 0:19:13monks would have slept.

0:19:13 > 0:19:16If you can imagine, it wouldn't have been exactly like this.

0:19:16 > 0:19:18Not in this length, it would have been divided up?

0:19:18 > 0:19:20Yes, it would have been.

0:19:20 > 0:19:24Each one of these windows would have been a cubical for a single monk.

0:19:24 > 0:19:28- There to there, that's your space. - That is your space.

0:19:28 > 0:19:31- What was in that space? - In that space, you had a bed.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34They'd have had a candle and they'd have had a desk that they

0:19:34 > 0:19:38would pray at, and obviously their Bible and their...

0:19:38 > 0:19:40A hook where they would have had two different cassocks -

0:19:40 > 0:19:42one for the winter and one for the summer.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45- They changed twice a year and that was it.- No layers then.- No layers.

0:19:45 > 0:19:50- Not in the freezing cold? - No, they would have frozen in here.

0:19:50 > 0:19:55We've always said that they acted as the olden day social services.

0:19:56 > 0:19:59Poor people and destitute people would come to the monasteries

0:19:59 > 0:20:01and the monks would look after them.

0:20:01 > 0:20:04They would feed them in return for the paupers

0:20:04 > 0:20:06working on the land and helping out.

0:20:07 > 0:20:10- That's a fair exchange.- It is a fair exchange.

0:20:10 > 0:20:12They used to look after the sick as well,

0:20:12 > 0:20:17- and act as the local hospital and poor house.- Yeah.

0:20:17 > 0:20:20I'd imagine many people had arrived knocking at the door, poor people.

0:20:20 > 0:20:22Once they had a meal and a bed for the night,

0:20:22 > 0:20:24they probably stayed for many years.

0:20:26 > 0:20:28Although the monks left over 400 years ago,

0:20:28 > 0:20:31their presence can still be felt at Forde Abbey, and the Roper

0:20:31 > 0:20:35family pay daily homage to them in the way they run the estate.

0:20:44 > 0:20:46Well, I must say, everything is turning up here

0:20:46 > 0:20:48today in the world of fine arts and antiques.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50I should say, it's flying in.

0:20:50 > 0:20:52But right now it is going to be flying out -

0:20:52 > 0:20:54straight to the auction room.

0:20:54 > 0:20:57We are ready with our first set of valuations to put to the test

0:20:57 > 0:20:59in the sale room.

0:20:59 > 0:21:02For those with wanderlust, this Drew & Sons suitcase

0:21:02 > 0:21:04might just be the ticket.

0:21:07 > 0:21:10Diamonds, rose topaz, aquamarine, gold.

0:21:10 > 0:21:13If bling is your thing, this exquisite bangle is a must-have.

0:21:16 > 0:21:17And will Arthur's blue-and-white,

0:21:17 > 0:21:21late 19th century bowl bring the Chinese collectors in?

0:21:25 > 0:21:29Will Pat's art deco pillbox, a gift from her first love,

0:21:29 > 0:21:30find the perfect partner?

0:21:33 > 0:21:36We've travelled 22 miles to Bridgwater,

0:21:36 > 0:21:40the historic market town divided by the River Parrett.

0:21:40 > 0:21:43In the past, these riverbanks were a rich source

0:21:43 > 0:21:46of clay for the local brick and tile manufacturers.

0:21:48 > 0:21:51Later in the show, I'll be meeting some potters who continue to

0:21:51 > 0:21:53work with local materials.

0:21:53 > 0:21:56But right now, it is time to get on with our auction.

0:21:56 > 0:21:58And on the rostrum today, it's Claire Rawle,

0:21:58 > 0:22:00a familiar face on "Flog It!".

0:22:00 > 0:22:03Well, it is the moment of truth for Arthur.

0:22:03 > 0:22:07Was he right to stick to his guns with that top-end fixed reserve?

0:22:08 > 0:22:11Well, I've got my fingers crossed for both of you.

0:22:11 > 0:22:14We've got this large, 19th century Chinese bowl going under the hammer.

0:22:14 > 0:22:15I love this, absolutely love it.

0:22:15 > 0:22:19- How long have you had this?- Been handed down to me from the family.

0:22:19 > 0:22:20Right, so it means a lot to you.

0:22:20 > 0:22:23I can understand why you want to protect it, you know, with £150.

0:22:23 > 0:22:26If you don't get that, it is going home.

0:22:26 > 0:22:28Chinese is incredibly popular at the moment,

0:22:28 > 0:22:30but it is 19th century and we have got some damage there,

0:22:30 > 0:22:32just worries me we are not going to get to that reserve.

0:22:32 > 0:22:34There was a damaged piece just a minute ago,

0:22:34 > 0:22:36and that made very good money as well.

0:22:36 > 0:22:39I think this will sell. Do you know, I have got high hopes for this.

0:22:39 > 0:22:41I really do. I do.

0:22:41 > 0:22:45Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry.

0:22:45 > 0:22:48- Let's put it to the test.- Yeah, the bidders will decide.- They will.

0:22:48 > 0:22:52The large, Chinese, blue-and-white bowl. Nice one there. Lot 252.

0:22:52 > 0:22:56- And I have to start away at £100.- I knew that.- At 100.

0:22:56 > 0:22:58At 100. Do I see 110 anywhere?

0:22:58 > 0:23:02At 110. 120. 130. 140.

0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Don't worry.- 150.- Yes!

0:23:05 > 0:23:10At 150. Now 160 anywhere? At £150, it is a room bid.

0:23:11 > 0:23:15The Internet is not out. At £150, then. You're all done.

0:23:15 > 0:23:17The bid is in the room. Selling then.

0:23:17 > 0:23:19I knew that would sell.

0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Well done. Well done, you. - Thank goodness!

0:23:21 > 0:23:23Panicking at the last moment.

0:23:23 > 0:23:25You were confident on the day. Well done as well.

0:23:25 > 0:23:29- You stuck to your guns, £150. It's gone.- I'm pleased.- Brilliant.

0:23:29 > 0:23:31Job done, we are all happy.

0:23:31 > 0:23:34If you have got anything like that, we would love to sell it for you.

0:23:34 > 0:23:36Bring it along to one of our valuation days.

0:23:36 > 0:23:39Details of up and coming dates and venues you can find

0:23:39 > 0:23:41on our BBC website. Log on to...

0:23:43 > 0:23:46Or follow the links, all the information will be there.

0:23:46 > 0:23:49If you don't have a computer, check the details in your local press.

0:23:49 > 0:23:50We'd love to see you.

0:23:58 > 0:24:01Angie and Jerry, fingers crossed, it's good to see you again.

0:24:01 > 0:24:02We've got a packed sale room.

0:24:02 > 0:24:05Thomas, totally agree with the valuation - £500 to £700.

0:24:05 > 0:24:07We are talking about that wonderful bangle.

0:24:07 > 0:24:10Lots of detail and lots of gold. It is quality, Thomas.

0:24:10 > 0:24:12It is superb quality.

0:24:12 > 0:24:14It is lovely and the colours work so well on the bangle.

0:24:14 > 0:24:16I think it should do quite well.

0:24:16 > 0:24:19All the money is going towards...? Tell us, remind us again.

0:24:19 > 0:24:22Well, Kendall, my granddaughter, has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

0:24:22 > 0:24:24And that is quite costly in the States.

0:24:24 > 0:24:27- It will go towards the medical costs.- Yeah, well, good luck with that.

0:24:27 > 0:24:29Good luck to her as well. Right, let's put it to the test.

0:24:29 > 0:24:31It's going under the hammer right now.

0:24:31 > 0:24:34Let's hand the proceedings over to Claire Rawle.

0:24:34 > 0:24:39Coming on to Lot 12. This is pretty. Nice little gold bangle here at 380.

0:24:39 > 0:24:41At 380, do I see 400 anywhere?

0:24:41 > 0:24:44At 380. At 380. Now 400?

0:24:44 > 0:24:46At 380 it's going to be, then.

0:24:46 > 0:24:48400 on the Internet. 420 with me.

0:24:48 > 0:24:52At 420. Now 450 out there? At 420.

0:24:52 > 0:24:54450 it is. Net bid now.

0:24:54 > 0:24:55Internet now.

0:24:55 > 0:24:58Slows things down a bit, but crikey it's valuable, isn't it?

0:24:58 > 0:25:03You all done in the room? Selling then at £450...

0:25:03 > 0:25:07- Just got it away. Just got it away. - Good.- But it is gone. It's gone.

0:25:07 > 0:25:09You're happy, aren't you, really? We need the money.

0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Yes.- That is what it is all about, isn't it?- It is.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Well, good luck in Florida. - Thank you very much.

0:25:17 > 0:25:19Going under the hammer right now

0:25:19 > 0:25:21we have the enamel silver pill box belonging to Pat.

0:25:21 > 0:25:26This was given to you by your first love 55 years ago.

0:25:26 > 0:25:27- Yes, it was.- A long time ago.

0:25:27 > 0:25:30- Yes, it was.- You've managed to hang on to it, though.

0:25:30 > 0:25:34I'm hoping this will sell, cos my daughter who delivered me

0:25:34 > 0:25:39- today works for Mind. She teaches horticultural.- OK.

0:25:39 > 0:25:42She's a therapist with the Mind organisation,

0:25:42 > 0:25:46so if I get some nice money for this, then that's going to go...

0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Good cause. - ..to my daughter's charity.

0:25:48 > 0:25:49Great. She's here today.

0:25:49 > 0:25:51Let's hope there's no missing bids right now,

0:25:51 > 0:25:54cos our lot is just about to go under the hammer. This is it.

0:25:54 > 0:25:55Nice item, this.

0:25:55 > 0:25:58The little enamelled, silver triangular pill box.

0:25:58 > 0:26:03This one, I'm straight in at 65, £70. At 70. 5. 80.

0:26:03 > 0:26:0485.

0:26:04 > 0:26:0690. 95.

0:26:06 > 0:26:09100. 110.

0:26:09 > 0:26:10Right. It's gone.

0:26:11 > 0:26:16140, bid's here. At 140. Now 150 anywhere? At £140.

0:26:16 > 0:26:17150. Telephone bidder.

0:26:17 > 0:26:21At 150. On the telephone this time at 150. At 150.

0:26:21 > 0:26:25Are you all done now? It's going to sell at 150... 160. He's back again.

0:26:25 > 0:26:27160. Do you want to go 170?

0:26:27 > 0:26:29170 on the telephone. Are you sure?

0:26:31 > 0:26:34- There are a lot of collectors for this.- Yeah, there is.

0:26:34 > 0:26:35GAVEL DROPS

0:26:35 > 0:26:38- £170, hammer's gone down. That's a sold sound.- Very good.

0:26:38 > 0:26:40- We're happy with that. - I'm very happy with that.

0:26:40 > 0:26:42- All the money's going to the Mind charity.- Yes.- Brilliant cause.

0:26:42 > 0:26:44Really happy, thank you.

0:26:50 > 0:26:52Going under the hammer right now,

0:26:52 > 0:26:56Jacqueline and Joe's crocodile case. It is absolutely exquisite.

0:26:56 > 0:26:58It is not complete, though, but it has got all its compartments.

0:26:58 > 0:27:01Where did the contents go, do you know? You never had them?

0:27:01 > 0:27:04- It was given to me like that. - And what did you do with it?

0:27:04 > 0:27:07- It was in the bottom of our wardrobe.- And that's it. That's its life.

0:27:07 > 0:27:10That's where it's been, but that's why it's in pristine condition.

0:27:10 > 0:27:12- What have we got, £100 to £200? - Yeah.

0:27:12 > 0:27:15- The leather case alone is worth that.- You'd hope so.

0:27:15 > 0:27:16And the work involved.

0:27:16 > 0:27:19If you asked somebody to make that today, they'd charge you £500.

0:27:19 > 0:27:22Anyway, it's going under the hammer right now. This is it.

0:27:22 > 0:27:23342.

0:27:23 > 0:27:27Very nice case indeed. I've got to start away at £85. At £85. At 85.

0:27:27 > 0:27:30Do I see 90 anywhere? At £85.

0:27:30 > 0:27:3290. Five. 100.

0:27:32 > 0:27:35In the alcove at 100. 110 on the net. 120 on the net.

0:27:35 > 0:27:36130. Off it goes.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39At 130. 140. 150.

0:27:39 > 0:27:40At 150.

0:27:40 > 0:27:42At 150. 160. 170.

0:27:42 > 0:27:46- At 170. 180.- There's a lot of people that collect these kind of things.

0:27:46 > 0:27:48Do you want to come back in...? No, it's going again.

0:27:48 > 0:27:50200 we're up to. 220.

0:27:50 > 0:27:52At 220.

0:27:52 > 0:27:55- 220.- Quality always sells, and it just oozes it, doesn't it?

0:27:55 > 0:27:58- It's beautiful. - Anyone want to come back in? No?

0:27:58 > 0:28:01At 220, then. The bid's on the Internet at 220.

0:28:01 > 0:28:04You all sure? Selling then at 220...

0:28:04 > 0:28:10Well done, £220. Well spotted. Spot on as well, top end of the estimate.

0:28:10 > 0:28:13Sheer quality, that's what got that sold.

0:28:13 > 0:28:14- Well, well done.- Thank you.

0:28:14 > 0:28:16- Hope you enjoyed the "Flog It!" experience.- We have.

0:28:16 > 0:28:18- Yes, we have. - We can die now totally happy.

0:28:18 > 0:28:20THEY LAUGH

0:28:29 > 0:28:32Well, we are literally surrounded by craftsmanship from the past here,

0:28:32 > 0:28:35in the saleroom in Bridgwater, as you've just seen with

0:28:35 > 0:28:38those items that have just gone under the hammer.

0:28:38 > 0:28:40But what about the craftsmanship of today?

0:28:40 > 0:28:43Well, I travelled south across the border to Dorset to meet

0:28:43 > 0:28:45a family of potters. Take a look at this.

0:28:53 > 0:28:56It's incredible what you can find tucked away in remote

0:28:56 > 0:28:58parts of the British countryside.

0:28:58 > 0:29:00Nestled in the village of Mosterton

0:29:00 > 0:29:03is a small family ceramics business.

0:29:03 > 0:29:06The oldest and founding member is David Eeles.

0:29:06 > 0:29:09And after 50 years...

0:29:09 > 0:29:11Three generations of the Eeles family are still

0:29:11 > 0:29:15here in the village of Mosterton, in Dorset, throwing pots

0:29:15 > 0:29:17and earning a living from their wares.

0:29:23 > 0:29:26David, now 79, focuses on decoration.

0:29:26 > 0:29:30He uses fine oriental brushes and his style is very much

0:29:30 > 0:29:34influenced by early Chinese and Japanese ceramics.

0:29:34 > 0:29:37- Hello, David. Pleasure to meet you.- And you.

0:29:37 > 0:29:41Thank you for taking time out to talk to me today. Sit down, please.

0:29:41 > 0:29:45- Thank you.- Nearly 80 years old, and like a true artisan,

0:29:45 > 0:29:48still working with your hands.

0:29:48 > 0:29:51Why was clay your medium in the first place? What drew you to clay?

0:29:51 > 0:29:53In art school, initially,

0:29:53 > 0:29:55they gave you all these wonderful crafts to try.

0:29:55 > 0:29:59One that came along at the age of about 15 was ceramics,

0:29:59 > 0:30:01and I just got hooked by it.

0:30:01 > 0:30:05I mean, it is such a plastic medium, you can make anything with it.

0:30:05 > 0:30:08- It's very versatile.- Very versatile.

0:30:08 > 0:30:12I've developed a technique of glazes

0:30:12 > 0:30:14and colours over the past 60 years,

0:30:14 > 0:30:17which are mainly based on Chinese work,

0:30:17 > 0:30:23but it means that when you find one that really works, you hang onto it.

0:30:23 > 0:30:25One of the greatest crafts in the world, without any

0:30:25 > 0:30:27shadow of a doubt. I love it.

0:30:27 > 0:30:30I'm still doing it and I shall be doing it till my dying day.

0:30:30 > 0:30:31Well, I hope you do,

0:30:31 > 0:30:33- and I hope there are many more years to come as well.- I hope so.

0:30:33 > 0:30:37David hasn't always lived in Dorset.

0:30:37 > 0:30:39His formative years were spent in London.

0:30:39 > 0:30:42Like many aspiring artists of his generation,

0:30:42 > 0:30:45he attended Willesden College of Arts and Crafts,

0:30:45 > 0:30:48in North West London. It was a thought-provoking

0:30:48 > 0:30:50and inspirational time for the young David,

0:30:50 > 0:30:54who shortly after graduating, married Patricia,

0:30:54 > 0:30:59a fellow student, and set up shop in Hampstead's artist quarters.

0:30:59 > 0:31:02Ceramics was their specialism and their pottery soon became

0:31:02 > 0:31:05a thriving part of London's arts and crafts scene -

0:31:05 > 0:31:09their traditional slip pots being sold in some of London's most

0:31:09 > 0:31:11fashionable shops.

0:31:11 > 0:31:13By now, the Eeles family was expanding,

0:31:13 > 0:31:17and so they decided to leave London behind,

0:31:17 > 0:31:19choosing instead a 17th century coaching inn

0:31:19 > 0:31:21for the family-run business.

0:31:23 > 0:31:26What is so unique about the Eeles' ceramic business

0:31:26 > 0:31:31is that it has been, and continues to be, a truly family affair.

0:31:31 > 0:31:36Patricia is less hands-on these days, but sons Simon

0:31:36 > 0:31:40and Ben have worked alongside their father since their teens.

0:31:43 > 0:31:46Well, your father was inspired by potters from the Far East,

0:31:46 > 0:31:48so I guess you are carrying on the tradition here.

0:31:48 > 0:31:52Yeah. All these glazes you see here are all Oriental-type glazes.

0:31:52 > 0:31:55We've got a Shino glaze there. We've got Chun glazes here.

0:31:55 > 0:31:57It's sort of an off-white, nice blue colour.

0:31:57 > 0:31:59That's made up with English materials,

0:31:59 > 0:32:02granites and feldspars from Cornwall.

0:32:02 > 0:32:05We've got a molecular formula that we work to, which is

0:32:05 > 0:32:07the molecular formula of a Chinese glaze.

0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Gosh, you are almost chemists, aren't you?- We have to be, yeah.

0:32:09 > 0:32:13To get good quality glazes all the time, the recipes are all kept,

0:32:13 > 0:32:16all written down, so we get exactly the same recipe each time.

0:32:16 > 0:32:17Yep. That's how we do it.

0:32:19 > 0:32:22The Oriental-inspired Eeles family pottery has been making

0:32:22 > 0:32:25Japanese raku-style pots for ten years.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28It is a look that is achieved at the glazing stage,

0:32:28 > 0:32:31and they have kindly agreed to let me have a go.

0:32:31 > 0:32:34- Right, the glazing.- OK, Paul, what we are going to do is

0:32:34 > 0:32:36we're going to dip it in the slip and then the glaze.

0:32:36 > 0:32:38So if I do one to show you what to do...

0:32:38 > 0:32:42- So we dip it in here. Just down to the top.- Just to the neck.

0:32:42 > 0:32:45- Just to the neck.- Very gently. - Lift it up and let it drip.

0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Stop it dripping and then you just put it down there.- OK.

0:32:48 > 0:32:51- If you do yours, and then that one can be drying.- OK.

0:32:51 > 0:32:54It is exceptionally porous.

0:32:54 > 0:32:57It is, yeah, it's very porous, so the actual moisture gets sucked out

0:32:57 > 0:33:00- very quickly.- Oh, look, there's a little, tiny bit missing there.

0:33:00 > 0:33:02That's all right, you can go back in again.

0:33:02 > 0:33:05There you go, that's fine. And just drop that down there.

0:33:05 > 0:33:07What we are going to do now, Paul, is we've got to put the glaze on.

0:33:07 > 0:33:10You have a go. Don't do the same mark as you did before.

0:33:12 > 0:33:15That's right. And just hold it there, it will all just drip off.

0:33:15 > 0:33:18- That is quite satisfying, isn't it?- Yeah, it is.

0:33:18 > 0:33:21- That will be the bit that will go hard glasslike in the firing... - Sure.

0:33:21 > 0:33:24- ..and chip off the pot later. - There would go.

0:33:24 > 0:33:27And then it becomes a waterproof vessel - you can

0:33:27 > 0:33:30- fill it up with water, put some flowers in it.- That's right.

0:33:30 > 0:33:32Hopefully it all fires well and doesn't blow up in the firing.

0:33:32 > 0:33:34No, it won't.

0:33:34 > 0:33:38While the glaze dries out a bit, there is an opportunity for me to

0:33:38 > 0:33:42catch up with older son Ben by the Chinese-inspired, triple-tier kiln.

0:33:42 > 0:33:45Basically, that's an oven for finishing pots,

0:33:45 > 0:33:48and this one takes 5,000 pieces.

0:33:48 > 0:33:49Ben, this is incredible.

0:33:49 > 0:33:52A three-chamber kiln, and you helped build this with your dad.

0:33:52 > 0:33:55I did, yes. I was 16, I had just left school.

0:33:55 > 0:33:57It was one of the first jobs I had with Father.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00We built it over the winter and it took us

0:34:00 > 0:34:02about three months to build it.

0:34:02 > 0:34:03It's like a giant bonfire,

0:34:03 > 0:34:06but it takes us 35 hours to fire and it uses

0:34:06 > 0:34:10about six tonnes of wood altogether to fire it up all the way through.

0:34:10 > 0:34:13And even after that, it takes four days to cool down,

0:34:13 > 0:34:16and it is still hot enough inside to bake a potato.

0:34:16 > 0:34:20You have got a lot of work in there. Is that a year's work?

0:34:20 > 0:34:22Yes, it is. We fire it up once a year.

0:34:22 > 0:34:24We used to do it about twice a year,

0:34:24 > 0:34:27but we do the raku a lot now, so that has sort of taken over.

0:34:27 > 0:34:29But shall we go off and see the raku kiln now?

0:34:29 > 0:34:32- Yeah, cos that's fired up, isn't it?- It is.

0:34:35 > 0:34:37So they are ready to go in now.

0:34:37 > 0:34:40They have been warmed up in the electric kiln

0:34:40 > 0:34:41and they are ready to go in.

0:34:41 > 0:34:45So what we'll do is we're going to pop these in here

0:34:45 > 0:34:47using tongs, because that is pretty hot in there.

0:34:47 > 0:34:50That is about 800 degrees in there. That is the one you did, Paul.

0:34:50 > 0:34:53- You can see the bit that you missed the glaze on the top there.- Sure.

0:34:53 > 0:34:54So that is yours. That goes in there.

0:34:54 > 0:34:57So, say, they will be in there for about a half an hour

0:34:57 > 0:34:59and then we'll lift them all out again.

0:34:59 > 0:35:01We have a little digital read around here

0:35:01 > 0:35:03so we can tell what the temperature is in the kiln.

0:35:03 > 0:35:06So that is 633 degrees centigrade.

0:35:06 > 0:35:09So as we've just stoked, you'll see that will start to rise.

0:35:09 > 0:35:11I tell you what, it is so cold. It really is cold.

0:35:11 > 0:35:14There is a bitter wind blowing. We are in the middle of February.

0:35:14 > 0:35:16But this is the kind of job, I guess,

0:35:16 > 0:35:18you look forward to doing if you are a potter.

0:35:18 > 0:35:22- In all weathers.- We are all pyromaniacs at heart.

0:35:22 > 0:35:26- We love a bit of flame. - What is the temperature, Paul?

0:35:26 > 0:35:28- Yeah, that is 1,000 degrees now. - Thank you.- That's hot.

0:35:28 > 0:35:30A quick look in here, Paul.

0:35:30 > 0:35:32See, that's the temperature it is in there. You can see.

0:35:32 > 0:35:35Cool, what a white heat. That has got a shiny look to it now.

0:35:35 > 0:35:36I think that is ready to go.

0:35:36 > 0:35:39Get them out with these tongs cos it is very hot in there.

0:35:39 > 0:35:43Just lift it out and then drop straight in the sawdust.

0:35:43 > 0:35:46And that will catch fire, and then Ben has to put the sawdust on.

0:35:46 > 0:35:50That has gone in the sawdust and, if you see, there is a lot of smoke.

0:35:50 > 0:35:53- I can.- And what that is doing is penetrating through

0:35:53 > 0:35:55the cracked glaze into the pot.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58So when the pot is cold, you chip the glaze off

0:35:58 > 0:36:00and you've got that ghosted pattern of smoke into the pot.

0:36:00 > 0:36:02Sure, I understand that.

0:36:02 > 0:36:04And because that sawdust is so uneven and the air gets

0:36:04 > 0:36:07through it, that's how you create those lines, isn't it?

0:36:07 > 0:36:09Yeah, it sort of goes just through the glaze,

0:36:09 > 0:36:11so just as much smoke as you can get.

0:36:13 > 0:36:16I can see the appeal of using the raku technique.

0:36:16 > 0:36:19There is something incredibly immediate and gratifying

0:36:19 > 0:36:21about the whole process, and the results are fabulous.

0:36:21 > 0:36:23Well, they have cooled down.

0:36:23 > 0:36:27We have given it ten minutes and now for the moment of truth.

0:36:27 > 0:36:30- There we go. Tip it out.- Tip it out.

0:36:30 > 0:36:32There it comes.

0:36:32 > 0:36:35- Looking rather black at the moment.- It does, doesn't it?

0:36:35 > 0:36:36Looking sorry for itself.

0:36:40 > 0:36:43So you can see now where all the smoke has gone through all the little

0:36:43 > 0:36:47pinholes, into the pot behind and created that smoke pattern.

0:36:47 > 0:36:51There is a little bit of clay here that needs to be washed off later.

0:36:51 > 0:36:53So that will all be washed off. It's beautiful, isn't it?

0:36:53 > 0:36:55That is really clever.

0:36:55 > 0:36:58Look at that lovely, strong line through there, Paul, it's beautiful.

0:36:58 > 0:36:59That lovely black contrast.

0:36:59 > 0:37:01And you know this one is yours, Paul,

0:37:01 > 0:37:02cos you got that black bit,

0:37:02 > 0:37:05where you didn't quite get the glaze quite to the top.

0:37:05 > 0:37:07- Yeah.- I think that is the nicest one of the lot.

0:37:07 > 0:37:08- Oh, you're just being kind.- No.

0:37:08 > 0:37:10Beginner's luck in that dip, I think.

0:37:10 > 0:37:13You've got a job. When are you going to come back and do it again for us?

0:37:13 > 0:37:15Maybe in the summer.

0:37:15 > 0:37:18It has been wonderful finding out about such a long-lasting

0:37:18 > 0:37:20and successful family business.

0:37:20 > 0:37:24Here is to many more years of Eeles pot-making.

0:37:34 > 0:37:37Welcome back to our valuation day venue here -

0:37:37 > 0:37:40situated at the military naval aviation base.

0:37:40 > 0:37:43I am stepping inside the Fleet Air Arm Museum now,

0:37:43 > 0:37:44where it is lights, camera, action.

0:37:44 > 0:37:46Let's catch up with our experts

0:37:46 > 0:37:49and see what else we can find to take off to auction.

0:37:49 > 0:37:53You've brought along a cotton handkerchief that has

0:37:53 > 0:37:57a name on it, synonymous with nursing. Very important.

0:37:57 > 0:38:00But tell me, how did you come by this?

0:38:00 > 0:38:04Well, it was given to me by a lady called Miss Willit.

0:38:04 > 0:38:07And I was going off to do my nursing training

0:38:07 > 0:38:10and she just thought it would be a nice present for me to have.

0:38:10 > 0:38:12And how long did you nurse for?

0:38:12 > 0:38:17- Over 30 years.- Do you miss it?- Yes, I do.- What kind of nurse were you?

0:38:17 > 0:38:19General nurse in general practice.

0:38:19 > 0:38:21You must have seen all types.

0:38:21 > 0:38:23You get your favourites.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26But then you get really fond of them.

0:38:26 > 0:38:29This matron at the school, she was a descendent?

0:38:29 > 0:38:32Yes, she was a great niece of Florence Nightingale's.

0:38:32 > 0:38:36- Great niece of Florence Nightingale. - Just in the forefront, wasn't she?

0:38:36 > 0:38:39A bit of a firebrand, a bit of a leader.

0:38:40 > 0:38:43I think she was a great innovator in nursing methods

0:38:43 > 0:38:47and she set up a nursing school in St Thomas's.

0:38:47 > 0:38:50She was one of these celebrities we all knew about.

0:38:50 > 0:38:52- And we still talk about her today. - Yes.

0:38:52 > 0:38:57So we've got Nightingale, 1865, on this silk handkerchief.

0:38:57 > 0:39:00It is quite big for a lady's handkerchief, isn't it?

0:39:00 > 0:39:03- It could have been a table centrepiece as well.- Mm.

0:39:03 > 0:39:06If you think about it, it doesn't have to be a hanky

0:39:06 > 0:39:10cos of this very pretty Honiton lace border around it.

0:39:10 > 0:39:11Where has it been in your house?

0:39:11 > 0:39:15Just in a drawer, wrapped up in tissue paper.

0:39:15 > 0:39:18I think it has got a bit of value.

0:39:18 > 0:39:21- Right.- You know, she's a bit of a cult figure, isn't she?- Yes.

0:39:21 > 0:39:25And if you have got the right people and the Internet

0:39:25 > 0:39:29and the right collectors, I think this could go for hundreds.

0:39:29 > 0:39:32And obviously, the provenance is the important factor in all of this.

0:39:32 > 0:39:36In my eyes, I would have thought this is worth at least £200.

0:39:36 > 0:39:40200 and 300, and we could put a discretionary reserve at the 200.

0:39:40 > 0:39:42- Is that all right?- Yes, that's fine.

0:39:42 > 0:39:44- I like it. - That's more than I expected.

0:39:44 > 0:39:49I think you've got to find the right people. I think it is quite special.

0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Thank you very much.- Thank you.

0:39:52 > 0:39:56Finding the right buyer is key to any piece going to auction,

0:39:56 > 0:39:59and some will have a wider appeal than others.

0:39:59 > 0:40:02Take a look at Christina's next find.

0:40:02 > 0:40:04It might not be everyone's cup of tea.

0:40:04 > 0:40:06So, I hope you are not afraid of heights.

0:40:06 > 0:40:08I'm clutching your teapot here because we are perched up here.

0:40:08 > 0:40:11There's a wonderful view with everything behind us.

0:40:11 > 0:40:12Tell me where it has come from.

0:40:12 > 0:40:16It was my mother's, and she may have got it from my gram, I don't know.

0:40:16 > 0:40:19Do you know if there were originally any other pieces with it?

0:40:19 > 0:40:22- No, I only know that piece. - It certainly tells us what it is.

0:40:22 > 0:40:26I mean, I think even without having to look at its bottom, I think

0:40:26 > 0:40:28a good guess is this particular style,

0:40:28 > 0:40:32- especially these palmetto leaves, tell us that it is Doulton.- Mm-hm.

0:40:32 > 0:40:35And we have got the nice mark on the bottom here which proves

0:40:35 > 0:40:37it for us, which is quite an early Doulton mark.

0:40:37 > 0:40:40We've got artists' marks ER and HHH.

0:40:40 > 0:40:42We've looked up a few of those,

0:40:42 > 0:40:44they don't seem to be any of the big names.

0:40:44 > 0:40:47When you have got Barlows, you can add a few notes onto the end of it,

0:40:47 > 0:40:50but sadly, nothing we can attribute to any of the famous artists.

0:40:50 > 0:40:53Doulton actually originally started by producing sewer

0:40:53 > 0:40:55pipes in the late 19th century.

0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Which is what this material was... - Made of.- Exactly.

0:40:59 > 0:41:02So often people think they have got items made from sewer pipes,

0:41:02 > 0:41:04which isn't necessarily the case. Don't worry,

0:41:04 > 0:41:06you haven't got a sewer-pipe teapot.

0:41:06 > 0:41:08Doulton was very instrumental in encouraging

0:41:08 > 0:41:11artists from the local Lambeth School of Arts to producing

0:41:11 > 0:41:14these wonderful ornamental wares and he very much encouraged them,

0:41:14 > 0:41:18which is why we get some really wonderfully wacky Doulton

0:41:18 > 0:41:20pieces just like this.

0:41:20 > 0:41:21But I think the thing that strikes me

0:41:21 > 0:41:25about it is this wonderful shell design.

0:41:25 > 0:41:28It's just really beautiful.

0:41:28 > 0:41:31- Do you like it?- Yes, I love it. - It's rather sweet, isn't it?

0:41:31 > 0:41:34- I do love it.- Just a bit unusual. - It's a different and it's tactile.

0:41:34 > 0:41:37- It is, absolutely. Do you sort of want to...?- Yeah, feel it.

0:41:37 > 0:41:38Yeah, exactly.

0:41:38 > 0:41:41I think that is a wonderful thing about Doulton is that it does

0:41:41 > 0:41:43throw some rather unexpected things that you.

0:41:43 > 0:41:45And it is very much of its time.

0:41:45 > 0:41:48- The Victorians were wonderfully eccentric.- That's right.

0:41:48 > 0:41:49I am slightly concerned.

0:41:49 > 0:41:53- There should be a little lip, as in a normal teapot spout.- Yeah.

0:41:53 > 0:41:58Some person has obviously chipped it on the end and had it ground down.

0:41:58 > 0:42:00Unfortunately, that will affect the value.

0:42:00 > 0:42:03And then we have also got a couple of other little chips

0:42:03 > 0:42:04just on here as well.

0:42:04 > 0:42:07So I think at auction...

0:42:09 > 0:42:11..we are probably looking somewhere in the region of

0:42:11 > 0:42:15- maybe £60 to £100, how would you feel about that?- That's fine.

0:42:15 > 0:42:18So if we put an estimate of 60 to 100,

0:42:18 > 0:42:21- and then perhaps if we put a reserve of £50 firm...- That's right.

0:42:21 > 0:42:24And we'll hope that it doesn't fall off this very precarious table

0:42:24 > 0:42:28up here on this wonderful balcony before we get it to the auction.

0:42:28 > 0:42:31While our valuations are going on around me,

0:42:31 > 0:42:33I thought I'd take the opportunity

0:42:33 > 0:42:35to have a quick look around the museum.

0:42:35 > 0:42:39Everywhere you turn, you are surrounded by aviation history.

0:42:39 > 0:42:43Just take a look at this, a wonderful old piece of aviation art.

0:42:43 > 0:42:48It was salvaged from the side of a Firefly, of 1772 squadron,

0:42:48 > 0:42:50which flew in the Pacific during the Second World War.

0:42:50 > 0:42:52It was shot down by the Japanese.

0:42:52 > 0:42:56Thankfully, the pilot, Chris Maclaren,

0:42:56 > 0:42:59and his observer, Wally Prichard, survived.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02And this panel was rescued and kept as a memento.

0:43:02 > 0:43:03Isn't that lovely?

0:43:03 > 0:43:06And there it is signed, look, Chris and the observer, Wally.

0:43:06 > 0:43:10And I love the way these two characters have been portrayed,

0:43:10 > 0:43:14almost as a comic caricature of Popeye and Bluto.

0:43:14 > 0:43:17Aviation art is thought to have begun in the German

0:43:17 > 0:43:20and Italian military at the beginning of the 20th century.

0:43:22 > 0:43:26It appears like tribal markings for those going into battle,

0:43:26 > 0:43:28and the tradition continues today.

0:43:28 > 0:43:29Take a look at this, for instance,

0:43:29 > 0:43:33a relatively recent piece sprayed with stencil onto

0:43:33 > 0:43:37the side of a Lynx helicopter, which was flown during the First Gulf War.

0:43:37 > 0:43:41It's in the style of a musical artist from the 1900s, Flory Ford.

0:43:43 > 0:43:45Others are more sinister.

0:43:45 > 0:43:47I wanted to meet a modern-day aviation artist here,

0:43:47 > 0:43:51at Yeovilton, but no-one could be found.

0:43:51 > 0:43:55It seems these unofficial markings are considered the military

0:43:55 > 0:43:56equivalent of graffiti

0:43:56 > 0:44:00and often those behind it want to remain anonymous.

0:44:00 > 0:44:02The Banksy syndrome.

0:44:02 > 0:44:05Let's hope Thomas has more luck identifying the artist

0:44:05 > 0:44:07behind our next item.

0:44:09 > 0:44:14Robert, tell me. You have brought along these propaganda posters.

0:44:14 > 0:44:15How did you come by them?

0:44:15 > 0:44:18Well, I bought a collection of books from an elderly

0:44:18 > 0:44:22lady about 15 or 16 years ago, took the books home,

0:44:22 > 0:44:24put them in the loft and three or four years ago,

0:44:24 > 0:44:28I got them out to start sorting them out to sell. And in amongst them,

0:44:28 > 0:44:31I found an envelope, and it had these lovely posters in it.

0:44:31 > 0:44:33Wow, fantastic.

0:44:33 > 0:44:35So are you in the book trade?

0:44:35 > 0:44:38Yes, I had my own bookshop in Bournemouth for 12 years.

0:44:38 > 0:44:40Retired five years ago.

0:44:40 > 0:44:44And now I sell a few books on the Internet, second-hand,

0:44:44 > 0:44:48- just to supplement my passion.- These are by this man called Fougasse.

0:44:48 > 0:44:53- Cyril Kenneth Bird is his real name. - OK.

0:44:53 > 0:44:56- Fougasse was his pen name, I suppose, so to speak.- Right.

0:44:56 > 0:44:59The interesting thing about Bird, the artist,

0:44:59 > 0:45:01was that he was in the First World War.

0:45:01 > 0:45:04- Right.- And he was at Gallipoli, so that hideous battle.

0:45:04 > 0:45:07- And it was quite rare for a Brit to be in Gallipoli, an Englishman.- Yes.

0:45:07 > 0:45:09He was badly wounded and injured out

0:45:09 > 0:45:14and then I suppose he turned to cartoons, convalescing, and drawing.

0:45:14 > 0:45:17- He was editor of Punch.- Right. - And these are of World War II,

0:45:17 > 0:45:20- cos we can see Adolf here, can't we?- Yes, we can.

0:45:20 > 0:45:22- Adolf Hitler, there he is there. - Yes.

0:45:22 > 0:45:24- And you've got Herman Geren.- Yes.

0:45:24 > 0:45:29- The two ladies in the '40s, lipstick and rouge.- Yes.

0:45:29 > 0:45:33Having tea, Russian tea. And don't forget, "Walls have ears,"

0:45:33 > 0:45:37and there is Adolf there, in this repeating pattern.

0:45:37 > 0:45:38It has got a real

0:45:38 > 0:45:42- humour to it.- Yes. - So it was making the public aware.

0:45:42 > 0:45:44- Yes.- But in a humorous way.- Yes.

0:45:44 > 0:45:47I think they're worth between four and £600.

0:45:47 > 0:45:49- I think they are.- Right.

0:45:49 > 0:45:52- Because they are in such good, clean condition.- Thank you.

0:45:52 > 0:45:54I would reserve them at roundabout three,

0:45:54 > 0:45:57with a little bit of discretion, but I think that will be fine.

0:45:57 > 0:46:00You've got the militaria interest, decorative appeal

0:46:00 > 0:46:02it's quite funny, quite good.

0:46:02 > 0:46:04I mean, they're good lavatory pictures.

0:46:04 > 0:46:07- True.- Do you know what I mean? They are, aren't they?- Yes, they are.

0:46:07 > 0:46:09They are. And I quite like them.

0:46:09 > 0:46:12- So anyway, that is what I would say. - Well, thank you, that's very good.

0:46:12 > 0:46:18- I'm very pleased with that. - Now, if we achieve the £400,

0:46:18 > 0:46:21what do you want to do with that money, buy more books?

0:46:21 > 0:46:25No, I've got plenty of books at the moment.

0:46:25 > 0:46:28My wife and I now are both retired, we enjoy the sunshine,

0:46:28 > 0:46:31so I think it will go towards the cost of two airline tickets.

0:46:34 > 0:46:36There's such a diversity of items!

0:46:36 > 0:46:38Take a look at this piece.

0:46:39 > 0:46:43- George, Kirsty, hello.- Hiya.- Hello.

0:46:43 > 0:46:46Now, erm, first of all, I want to compliment you on your look.

0:46:46 > 0:46:47- Thank you.- Thank you.

0:46:47 > 0:46:51- You're referring to the tattoos. - And are you interested in antiques?

0:46:51 > 0:46:53We are very much!

0:46:53 > 0:46:56It is a daily occurrence that sit down, cup of tea,

0:46:56 > 0:46:57antique programmes...

0:46:57 > 0:47:00Go to car boots, go to any antique fairs we can.

0:47:00 > 0:47:03We really are a little bit too enthusiastic about it!

0:47:03 > 0:47:05It's good...people look at us and think,

0:47:05 > 0:47:07"No, you're too young to like that!"

0:47:07 > 0:47:10- We say, "No, it's for everyone!" - So, tell me about the plaque.

0:47:10 > 0:47:13What happened and what went through your mind

0:47:13 > 0:47:16and was this a purchase or was it an inheritance?

0:47:16 > 0:47:20- This was a purchase from a boot sale.- Yeah, local to here.

0:47:20 > 0:47:25Local to here and we walked around and I wanted to buy something.

0:47:25 > 0:47:29I couldn't...looked around, didn't find anything and then spotted that.

0:47:29 > 0:47:32Instantly fell in love with it but walked off.

0:47:32 > 0:47:35He wasn't sure wasn't sure if he wanted it,

0:47:35 > 0:47:38I had to keep prodding him. If you want it, go and get it!

0:47:38 > 0:47:42So, tell me, what attracted you to it?

0:47:42 > 0:47:45I think it's the filigree and the flower frame

0:47:45 > 0:47:48and then, like, the Virgin Mary.

0:47:48 > 0:47:50It just sort of caught my eye and I was just like,

0:47:50 > 0:47:53"I really, really like it."

0:47:53 > 0:47:55- You've not been to Lourdes?- No.

0:47:55 > 0:47:58It's in southern France, in the Pyrenees,

0:47:58 > 0:48:03erm...this is Bernadette, she apparently saw

0:48:03 > 0:48:07the Virgin Mary at least 18 times while gathering wood.

0:48:07 > 0:48:09Right, OK.

0:48:09 > 0:48:13And the basilica or the cathedral is built on top of the cave where

0:48:13 > 0:48:17she saw the Virgin Mary, hence the scene you have here.

0:48:17 > 0:48:19- It all fits in, doesn't it? - It all makes sense, yeah.

0:48:19 > 0:48:24It all works and within this very Gothic arch,

0:48:24 > 0:48:29with this oriole window here, it dates, I would say 1920s.

0:48:29 > 0:48:33A souvenir one would have bought if you were a tourist.

0:48:33 > 0:48:38Now, the added bonus to all of this is the musical box.

0:48:38 > 0:48:41Did you know there was a musical box?

0:48:41 > 0:48:43I did, when the lady sold it to me

0:48:43 > 0:48:46but she didn't have the key and I don't have a key that fits it.

0:48:46 > 0:48:47- Have you wound it up?- No.

0:48:47 > 0:48:50I haven't, I don't even know what it plays.

0:48:50 > 0:48:52We don't know if it works or anything.

0:48:52 > 0:48:53It's one of those mysteries.

0:48:53 > 0:48:57Well, it's quite nice, it's a bit like adding value.

0:48:57 > 0:49:01The person who buys this is going to add value by finding a key.

0:49:01 > 0:49:05- So, how much did you pay for this?- I paid- £10. £10!

0:49:05 > 0:49:08Well, come on, let's see if we can double your money

0:49:08 > 0:49:10and if not make a bit more.

0:49:10 > 0:49:13- I mean, I'm going to put £30 on it.- Wow!

0:49:13 > 0:49:16- That's more than what I thought. - It's more than what we thought,

0:49:16 > 0:49:19- to be honest.- Put £30 and let's reserve it...I don't know, 15.

0:49:19 > 0:49:21I think that would be fair and give you a bit of profit.

0:49:21 > 0:49:24So, do you want to have a little antiques shop one day or...?

0:49:24 > 0:49:26- I'd love to.- It would be nice.

0:49:26 > 0:49:28I think I'd be a rubbish antiques dealer,

0:49:28 > 0:49:30cos I wouldn't want to sell anything,

0:49:30 > 0:49:32I'd want to keep it all and look at it!

0:49:32 > 0:49:34Well, you never know, with the profit you make on this,

0:49:34 > 0:49:37you'll be able to buy something at the auction.

0:49:37 > 0:49:39- That would be good!- I'll look forward to seeing you there.

0:49:39 > 0:49:42- We'll look forward to seeing you too.- Thank you very much.

0:49:42 > 0:49:44- Been a pleasure.- Thank you.

0:49:47 > 0:49:48Well, that's it.

0:49:48 > 0:49:52What a marvellous time we've had here at the Fleet Air Arm Museum

0:49:52 > 0:49:53and HMS Heron.

0:49:53 > 0:49:56But before we leave the military base for the last time today,

0:49:56 > 0:50:00here is a quick recap of what we are taking with us to the auction room.

0:50:00 > 0:50:03Careless Talk Costs Lives.

0:50:03 > 0:50:06Fougasse's iconic propaganda posters should resonate

0:50:06 > 0:50:07with the collectors.

0:50:09 > 0:50:12With such a popular name attached to it, someone is bound to reach

0:50:12 > 0:50:17deep into their pockets for this silk handkerchief.

0:50:18 > 0:50:19And it is certainly quirky,

0:50:19 > 0:50:23but will Angela's Royal Doulton teapot find a new home?

0:50:26 > 0:50:30This Lourdes souvenir is sure to find a devoted buyer.

0:50:32 > 0:50:35It's not just the selling that auction houses do.

0:50:35 > 0:50:38Before they can advertise their wares,

0:50:38 > 0:50:40they need to be sure of their authenticity.

0:50:40 > 0:50:44I caught up with auctioneer Claire Rawle, who had been getting

0:50:44 > 0:50:48a bit twitchy about that Florence Nightingale handkerchief.

0:50:48 > 0:50:51Thomas got excited about this, he put £200 to £300 on it.

0:50:51 > 0:50:54This was given to Liz when she started her nursing career by a

0:50:54 > 0:50:57great-niece of Florence Nightingale, so the provenance is there.

0:50:57 > 0:50:59Looking at that signature,

0:50:59 > 0:51:01Thomas was led to believe it belonged to Florence Nightingale.

0:51:01 > 0:51:04Right. Well, actually, there are quite a lot of letters

0:51:04 > 0:51:07and things archived of Florence Nightingale's.

0:51:07 > 0:51:08In fact, we've sold some here.

0:51:08 > 0:51:11So it was quite easy to check the writing,

0:51:11 > 0:51:13and it is not her signature.

0:51:13 > 0:51:16Does that differ greatly from Florence's signature?

0:51:16 > 0:51:18It does in certain key areas.

0:51:18 > 0:51:19The N is quite similar,

0:51:19 > 0:51:21but it is once you get to the end of the signature.

0:51:21 > 0:51:23If you look at a lot of documents

0:51:23 > 0:51:26and letters with her signature on it, then I think once you

0:51:26 > 0:51:30get around the G and the end of the signature, it's not, it's just...

0:51:30 > 0:51:32I mean, it is obviously hand written,

0:51:32 > 0:51:35of that date. That's like a laundry mark, really.

0:51:35 > 0:51:37- But it is not her signature. - It's not hers, no.

0:51:37 > 0:51:40Anything that has her personal connection is worth a small fortune.

0:51:40 > 0:51:42Yeah.

0:51:42 > 0:51:46And because of this new information, Claire has amended the valuation.

0:51:46 > 0:51:47What have you put on this now?

0:51:47 > 0:51:50Well, we are down to £80 reserve, so 80, 120,

0:51:50 > 0:51:53which with the family history, I think we stand a chance of getting.

0:51:53 > 0:51:56Well, you never know what is going to happen in an auction,

0:51:56 > 0:51:58so let's get on with it.

0:51:59 > 0:52:02Right, Liz's handkerchief, or should I say Florence Nightingale's.

0:52:02 > 0:52:03I had a chat to Claire.

0:52:03 > 0:52:06She has reduced the valuation to £80 to £120.

0:52:06 > 0:52:08And she believes great provenance,

0:52:08 > 0:52:11and that is what it is all about, but not her signature.

0:52:11 > 0:52:13Well, good luck with this anyway.

0:52:13 > 0:52:15Hopefully you can get the top end plus a little bit more.

0:52:15 > 0:52:17It is going under the hammer now.

0:52:17 > 0:52:19Linked to Florence Nightingale.

0:52:19 > 0:52:22Well, you've read the history, it does come from the family.

0:52:22 > 0:52:24And I've got 55 here to start it away.

0:52:24 > 0:52:27At 55. At 55. Do I see 60 anywhere?

0:52:27 > 0:52:30Bid is with me at 55. At 55.

0:52:30 > 0:52:32At 55. 60. Five?

0:52:32 > 0:52:3470. Five?

0:52:34 > 0:52:37Go on, one more. You know you want it.

0:52:37 > 0:52:41- At 75.- Claire is doing her best, isn't she?- She is, isn't she?

0:52:41 > 0:52:43No! You call that a tissue?

0:52:45 > 0:52:4875, it is still with me. 80 if you want it.

0:52:48 > 0:52:5175. Are you sure? You all done?

0:52:51 > 0:52:54- Well, sadly, it is not going to sell at that.- Tried her best.

0:52:54 > 0:52:56- Tried our best.- Thank you anyway.

0:52:56 > 0:52:59It is one of those difficult things on the valuation day.

0:52:59 > 0:53:02It is so immediate, you don't get too much time to research.

0:53:02 > 0:53:05If it was Florence Nightingale's, I'm sure it would have flown away.

0:53:05 > 0:53:07I think, Liz, you're meant to keep this.

0:53:07 > 0:53:09It has got a family connection and it was given to you

0:53:09 > 0:53:11- because of your nursing career.- Yes.

0:53:11 > 0:53:12Maybe hang onto it for a little while.

0:53:12 > 0:53:16Perhaps I'll give it to a museum, I expect, send it to London.

0:53:16 > 0:53:17That's a good idea.

0:53:23 > 0:53:25Angela, good luck, good luck.

0:53:25 > 0:53:27We've got a bit of damage on this, a bit of grinding down.

0:53:27 > 0:53:30I'm talking about the Doulton Lambeth stoneware teapot,

0:53:30 > 0:53:32which is just about to go under the hammer.

0:53:32 > 0:53:35- Why are you selling this? - Because I'm afraid I will break it.

0:53:35 > 0:53:39- Are you really?- Yeah.- Sturdy old stuff, stoneware.- Is it?- Yeah.

0:53:39 > 0:53:42- It's durable, that's what it was made for, you know.- Absolutely.

0:53:42 > 0:53:45- A bit of use.- Yeah.- Anyway, look, it's going under the hammer now.

0:53:45 > 0:53:48The Royal Doulton Lambeth stoneware teapot,

0:53:48 > 0:53:52with the seashell decoration to it, lot 272.

0:53:52 > 0:53:55And I have to start away at £42. At 42.

0:53:55 > 0:53:56Do I see five anywhere?

0:53:56 > 0:53:58Bid's at 42. At 42, now five.

0:53:58 > 0:54:02At £42, now five. At 42, now five.

0:54:02 > 0:54:06At 42. At 42 it is, then. 45.

0:54:06 > 0:54:0948. 50, sir? 50 I have. I've got 50 here.

0:54:09 > 0:54:11Do you want to go five at the back?

0:54:11 > 0:54:15Five at the back. At 55. Are you sure? At 55.

0:54:15 > 0:54:18Right at the back of the room, then, at £55. You all done?

0:54:18 > 0:54:20It's going to sell at £55.

0:54:20 > 0:54:23Well done, the man at the back there.

0:54:23 > 0:54:25- That's gone.- He must like it.- Yes!

0:54:27 > 0:54:28Brilliant, I love it.

0:54:28 > 0:54:30Well, Angela's teapot found a new home.

0:54:31 > 0:54:35Our next sellers bought their item in a car boot sale

0:54:35 > 0:54:36for a rock bottom price.

0:54:36 > 0:54:39Your Lourdes plaque is just about to go under the hammer.

0:54:39 > 0:54:41- You paid about £10, did you?- Yeah.

0:54:41 > 0:54:44We got a fixed reserve put on by Thomas of 15, so we don't

0:54:44 > 0:54:46want to make just a fiver profit, we want to double this.

0:54:46 > 0:54:48We want to send you out so you can keep car booting.

0:54:48 > 0:54:53- I must say, look at these shoes. - I wore my best shoes today.

0:54:53 > 0:54:56- They're fantastic! Do you go car booting together?- Yes.

0:54:56 > 0:55:02- Do you get competitive? - Um, I...yes, yes.- You do?

0:55:02 > 0:55:04So why do you want to sell this one?

0:55:04 > 0:55:07It's just one of the things that takes up a bit of room.

0:55:07 > 0:55:11You'd rather get rid of it and buy something else, wouldn't you?

0:55:11 > 0:55:13Well, hopefully, hopefully, it will find a new home here

0:55:13 > 0:55:17and will double their money, because that's what it's all about really.

0:55:17 > 0:55:19I hope so, I really do. It's an awkward subject, you know,

0:55:19 > 0:55:21religion doesn't always sell as well,

0:55:21 > 0:55:23but it's just a wacky thing with a musical box,

0:55:23 > 0:55:26so somebody can have a bit of fun with it, making it work.

0:55:26 > 0:55:30Let's put it through the test. It's going under the hammer right now.

0:55:30 > 0:55:35Lot 132, so I have to start this at £12. At £12, looking for 15.

0:55:35 > 0:55:3915 I have, thank you. At £15, do I see 18 anywhere?

0:55:39 > 0:55:46Bid's at 15 in the room. At 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30...

0:55:46 > 0:55:52- That's a lot more.- ..32, at my right at £32. At 32, now five anywhere?

0:55:52 > 0:55:56At 32, are you all done? It's going to sell at £32.

0:55:56 > 0:55:58Brilliant. £32. That's a great result.

0:55:58 > 0:56:01That's definitely better than I thought it would be.

0:56:01 > 0:56:03There is commission to pay, don't forget.

0:56:03 > 0:56:06It's 15% plus VAT here, but it does vary from saleroom to saleroom,

0:56:06 > 0:56:09- so well done with that. - Yes, I'm happy with that.- Yeah.

0:56:09 > 0:56:11I think you're happy with that as well.

0:56:11 > 0:56:14Now they can invest in a new antique.

0:56:14 > 0:56:17And straight from the home front, Robert came across these posters,

0:56:17 > 0:56:20hidden among some old books he'd bought.

0:56:20 > 0:56:23I think they could generate quite a stir.

0:56:23 > 0:56:25Careless Talk Costs Lives.

0:56:25 > 0:56:27You know what is going under the hammer right now.

0:56:27 > 0:56:30They belong to Robert, and I think these are highly collectible,

0:56:30 > 0:56:32I really do.

0:56:32 > 0:56:33Why are you selling them?

0:56:33 > 0:56:35Well, I've had them a long time.

0:56:35 > 0:56:37They came in a book collection that I bought

0:56:37 > 0:56:39- and they have been in the drawer. - Very nice.

0:56:39 > 0:56:42Look, they're going under the hammer right now. Let's put it to the test.

0:56:42 > 0:56:44Here it is.

0:56:44 > 0:56:45A set of eight.

0:56:45 > 0:56:49Careless Talk Costs Lives series by Fougasse.

0:56:49 > 0:56:50Nice series, this,

0:56:50 > 0:56:53and I have actually had quite a bit of interest in them.

0:56:53 > 0:56:56So I am going to have to start them

0:56:56 > 0:56:58at 400.

0:56:58 > 0:57:00Straight in and we've sold.

0:57:01 > 0:57:06At £480. At 480, do I see 500?

0:57:06 > 0:57:08500. I've got to go 550.

0:57:08 > 0:57:10So I am now looking for 600.

0:57:10 > 0:57:13At 550, now... 600 on the telephone.

0:57:13 > 0:57:17At £600 on the telephone. At 600, looking for 650

0:57:17 > 0:57:19if the other telephone is going to do anything.

0:57:19 > 0:57:23At £600 on the telephone here. At 600.

0:57:23 > 0:57:26Are you all done now? Internet's... No, 650 on the Internet.

0:57:26 > 0:57:29At 650, looking for 700.

0:57:29 > 0:57:31700 on the telephone.

0:57:31 > 0:57:35At £700. 750 on the net. At 750.

0:57:35 > 0:57:38800 on the telephone. At £800.

0:57:38 > 0:57:41At £800. Now 850.

0:57:41 > 0:57:46At 800 is on the telephone. All out on the Internet. He's hovering.

0:57:46 > 0:57:49At £800 on the telephone. You all done out there?

0:57:49 > 0:57:53- At £800.- £800!

0:57:53 > 0:57:55At £800...

0:57:55 > 0:57:58- Yes!- Fantastic!- Wow!- Fantastic!

0:57:58 > 0:57:59- Thank you, thank you.- Wow.

0:57:59 > 0:58:01It doesn't get much better than that, does it?

0:58:01 > 0:58:04- It really doesn't.- Wonderful.- Thank you so much for bringing those in.

0:58:04 > 0:58:07- Thanks for giving me the opportunity.- How about that!

0:58:07 > 0:58:10What a way to end today's show here, in Somerset.

0:58:10 > 0:58:11I hope you have enjoyed it.

0:58:11 > 0:58:13I told you there was going to be a big surprise, didn't I?

0:58:13 > 0:58:17Join us for many more, but until then, from all of us, it's goodbye.