0:00:07 > 0:00:09Today, Flog It! is in Tyneside,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12an area steeped in shipbuilding heritage.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14The larger-than-life vessels built on this river
0:00:14 > 0:00:18have defined the landscape and left a legacy for generations.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47It's hard to overemphasise the impact the shipbuilding industry
0:00:47 > 0:00:49has had on the people of Tyneside.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52For centuries, the majority of men in this area
0:00:52 > 0:00:54either worked in the district's numerous coalmines
0:00:54 > 0:00:56or in shipbuilding,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59driving forward incredible innovations
0:00:59 > 0:01:02now part of our nautical history.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07This is the first ever steam turbine powered ship.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Around the time of its launch in 1894,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13it was easily the fastest ship in the world.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16The Turbinia is a wonderful example of the shipping heritage
0:01:16 > 0:01:21that's housed here at Newcastle's Science And Local History Museum.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And today it's the host venue for our valuations.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28The people of Tyneside are arriving in their droves.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- Oh, look, a bit of maritime memorabilia. What's this?- Cunard.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Oh, look at this!
0:01:34 > 0:01:38We shall be talking about that ship later on in the programme.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40And to carry out today's valuations,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43we have the antique elite reporting for duty.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Always with a keen eye for detail, Anita Manning.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Oh, it's great fun, isn't it? Great fun!
0:01:50 > 0:01:51And he might like a joke,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54but Adam Partridge seriously knows his stuff.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- How much do think it's worth? - It's going to be priceless! - LAUGHTER
0:01:58 > 0:02:00They're a lively bunch here today!
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Let's hope today's valuations are as entertaining.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07In today's show, Anita meets her match,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11when a legendary billiards champion challenges her to a game.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- You can give me a few tips.- It would be wonderful to get you in action!
0:02:14 > 0:02:16A lot of men have said that!
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- Thanks for coming along. - LAUGHTER
0:02:19 > 0:02:23And Adam is in heaven when he meets a fellow boxing fan
0:02:23 > 0:02:26with a signed copy of Muhammad Ali's autobiography.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Let's not forget, this is the century's greatest sportsman,
0:02:30 > 0:02:31some people say.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36The people of Tyneside have turned out in force today
0:02:36 > 0:02:39to get their antiques and collectables valued.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41This wonderful space is just one of the rooms used
0:02:41 > 0:02:44by the Co-operative workers, who were based here
0:02:44 > 0:02:47between 1899 and 1972, when this place
0:02:47 > 0:02:50was used as a distribution headquarters
0:02:50 > 0:02:52for all the shops in the local area.
0:02:52 > 0:02:53So we've got the lights,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57we got the cameras and the people of Tyneside have brought the action.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01The great thing about a Flog It! valuation day is you never know
0:03:01 > 0:03:03what you're going to find.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Somewhere amongst this massive crowd is a little treasure,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and hopefully we can make some history of our very own
0:03:10 > 0:03:11right here, right now, on Flog It!
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Let's hand things over to Anita Manning. Could this be the item?
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Now, Alf, I know I have the privilege
0:03:20 > 0:03:24at this moment of being sitting next to a legend.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Indeed, indeed.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31But I want you to tell me first of all, Alf,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35where you got these napkin rings.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40I was English billiards champion and they asked me to play in
0:03:40 > 0:03:45the world championship. I was booked in at Karachi to play an exhibition.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49I made the highest break that had been made in Karachi - 319.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- So this was a little gift? - I wonder what they're worth.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56They've never been touched. I'm not going to put these on my table!
0:03:56 > 0:03:57SHE LAUGHS
0:03:57 > 0:04:02I'm not that - what do they call it? - aristocracy!
0:04:02 > 0:04:05They'd go well on the table at Buckingham Palace
0:04:05 > 0:04:07or the Duke of Northumberland's.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09But not on Alf's table!
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Not on my table! LAUGHTER
0:04:11 > 0:04:14But there are quite a nice present.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Could you tell me when that match was? When you were in Karachi.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Yes, it would be 1964. - 1964. Let's look at it.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26It's a nice little box and I quite like the label, which says
0:04:26 > 0:04:32"Kashmir Silver Works," and it's from Karachi, the main city there.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35And if we take one of them out...
0:04:35 > 0:04:37They are what I would call white metal.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39White metal, is it?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41They could be a low-grade silver.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Very often in the Indian subcontinent,
0:04:45 > 0:04:51- you had silver which was of a lower grade.- Yes, yes.- A lower quality.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52So they can be that.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55And they are quite nice things, and if you had a title,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59there's a little cartouche where you could have put your initials.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- Yes!- They could have put "Alf the Champion."
0:05:03 > 0:05:04Yeah!
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Have you retired now, Alf?
0:05:05 > 0:05:10I've retired competitively, but I still go and practise.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12And once I get to a billiard table -
0:05:12 > 0:05:16not many people will think of this - I'm in heaven!
0:05:16 > 0:05:18You can forget about all the other heavens,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20that billiard table is heaven to me.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22And this is you as a...?
0:05:22 > 0:05:25That is me in London in 1955.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28That's the Northumberland and Durham Snooker champion.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- But I'm mainly a 3-ball... - You were quite good-looking guy.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32You still are!
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Now, Alf, tell me - why do you want to sell
0:05:37 > 0:05:42these things, if they are part of your career in playing
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- billiards and snooker? - Well, to me they're inconsequential.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50As soon as I die, they're in the recycling, or wherever.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- It's of no consequence. - It's only a...an object.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Yes. Yes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58You have your photographs and you have your memories of Karachi.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00So shall we put these into auction?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Put them in and see... - Property of a gentleman.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- They're not worth a lot of money, Alf.- No, no.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12But if we put them in, maybe, er...
0:06:13 > 0:06:16£50 to £70, something like that.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20That... That is a...terrific amount of money.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21I started work
0:06:21 > 0:06:2344 hours a week in the rag trade
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- for one pound.- Oh, right.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27One pound.
0:06:27 > 0:06:291941.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31We'll put them in...
0:06:31 > 0:06:34We'll maybe put a reserve of, say, 35 on them.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- I'm sure they'll do that. - Yes.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But maybe if we do well with these,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41we can have a game of billiards afterwards,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43and you can give me a few tips.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45It'd be wonderful to get you in action.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47A lot of men have said that.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Thanks for coming along.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51THEY LAUGH
0:06:51 > 0:06:52What a really interesting man!
0:06:52 > 0:06:57You never know what or who is going to turn up on evaluation day.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Now, over to Adam Partridge.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Sally.- Hello.- Do take a card.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Thanks. Any card?
0:07:03 > 0:07:07It was a good way of illustrating what this object is.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09A ivory card case.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11So, where did you get from?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14I don't know. It's always been in... in the family.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16It's just always been there?
0:07:16 > 0:07:18It's not inherited from someone or...
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- I don't which side of the family, but it's a family thing.- OK.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24And, of course, our first concern with anything ivory -
0:07:24 > 0:07:26is it old enough?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Instantly, the answer's yes with this.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30The date line is 1947.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33If there's any doubt, it should not be sold.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35But this is late...right at the end of the 19th century.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- From Canton. Canton in China.- Right.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Its name is Canton export ivory,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42because there are a lot of these about.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46And they were made for the Western market, for cards,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and shipped it to Europe.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52And they are all a similar type of style.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Heavily carved, intricately carved, on both sides and, erm...
0:07:58 > 0:08:02There's been a resurgence in the Chinese market.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Most of these are being bought by Chinese people...
0:08:04 > 0:08:08erm...interested in their history and heritage, et cetera.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11So, in the last couple of years I have noticed some pretty
0:08:11 > 0:08:14strong prices for ivory card cases.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Why are you selling it?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Well, basic decluttering.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Got lots of stuff that, yeah, time to go.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- No sentiment attached.- No. - Get it sold.- Absolutely.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- Let's get it and flog it! - Yes.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Now, there's been a bit of a conflict of opinion
0:08:28 > 0:08:31between me and my off-screen consultant valuers
0:08:31 > 0:08:34who think I am rather too keen on it,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37but my estimate is higher than theirs.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- Do you have any idea on what it's worth?- No.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I am going to suggest 300 to 500.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43- Right.- Yeah.- Very good.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- Which is a pleasant surprise, isn't it?- It is.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48And I think you should make that.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50The only things that draw me back a little but,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53which was pointed out by one of the other valuers,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55is a little bit of damage.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Just a very small bit of a crack on the top there.- Right.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00I really don't think that matters that much.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02And I think it's a pretty good example.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Well we'll take it to auction and see what happens.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06I'm really looking forward to it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Because my feeling is that it might make a bit more.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- Thank you very much. - That's a pleasure. Lovely thing.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12Thank you.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15And from an antique with minute detail,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17to something on a slightly larger scale.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21The museum has a wonderful maritime collection
0:09:21 > 0:09:26and here with me now is curator Ian Whitehead to talk through something
0:09:26 > 0:09:28which looks like it's from the vibrant 1970s -
0:09:28 > 0:09:31something I'm familiar with, these colour schemes!
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Yes. It is very much of that period.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39It is from the 1973 cruise ship Vistafjord.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- These were the original swatches for this vessel.- The original swatches.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45The interior designers would have worked from these.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Chosen colours from the layout,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- obviously, with the client, said, "Yes, let's go for that."- Yes.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52And I'm not big on cruise ships,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54but if I had to go on a cruise right now,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56if I could be in some kind of boutique set-up like that
0:09:56 > 0:09:58surrounded by colour like this,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00I'd be a happy bunny.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Well, the ship is still running as Saga Ruby.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04She's 40 years old.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Does it have a colour scheme like this?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Eh, I doubt it, she's been majorly refitted three times.
0:10:11 > 0:10:151973, last cruise ship built on the Tyne.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19She was a very high-quality ship that came out of the
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Neptune Shipyard of Swan Hunter. Great testament to the work of...
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Yeah, sure.- ..the workers there. - This is the golden era, isn't it?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29This is what Great British engineering was all about.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- Superb lines on a superb vessel. - Absolutely.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Thank you so much for showing me this.- It's been a pleasure.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37And later on in the programme I'll be visiting the yard
0:10:37 > 0:10:39where the Vistafjord was built
0:10:39 > 0:10:42and finding out more about the last shipbuilders on the Tyne.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46But right now, it's time to join Anita on our
0:10:46 > 0:10:50final valuation before our first visit to the auction house.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Jenny, welcome to Flog It! It's exciting with all this stuff
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- going on round about, isn't it?- Wonderful, yes.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02You've brought us a wee couple of scamps along today to look at.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05So tell me a wee bit about them, tell me where you got them.
0:11:06 > 0:11:12Well, in 1947, my husband, he was 16,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16befriended a German prisoner of war.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19In Halifax.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21The camp was fairly open, you know,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25they used to work in the fields, agriculture,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28so they became friends of the family,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32and the family always kept in touch long after the war,
0:11:32 > 0:11:37and long after George - that was his name - went back to Germany.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Did you ever visit him in Germany?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Yes, we visited several times, him and his wife Carla.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47One of the times they gave us these two figures, Max and Moritz.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53- Had you admired them?- No, I'd never heard of them, I'd never seen them.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- Do you like them?- Not really. They're not really my thing.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01They're charming.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04They're German characters from a children's book
0:12:04 > 0:12:08and they're very well-known to German children.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12The first book that come out containing these characters,
0:12:12 > 0:12:18by Wilhelm Busch, came out in about 1886,
0:12:18 > 0:12:24- so these little figures are from that time...- Really?- ..1890 to 1900.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29And they were BELOVED of the German children.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31This wee guy here is bronze.
0:12:31 > 0:12:38He's well cast, he's well modelled and he's sitting on a marble base.
0:12:38 > 0:12:44Now, I have looked quite carefully and cannot see any name,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46cast mark or anything that gives us
0:12:46 > 0:12:51an indication of who did the bronzes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55But what I can say is that they are of quality,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and that makes them interesting.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Price-wise, I would say...
0:13:03 > 0:13:09- ..in the region of 150 to 250. - Really?!- Yep.- Gosh!
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Would you be happy to sell them at that?- I certainly would.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Have you been dying to get rid of them for years?
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Well, no, I hadn't even thought about it, but that's very nice.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22What would you do with the money?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Well, my friend who I've come here with today, Di,
0:13:25 > 0:13:30we go everywhere together looking at car boots and antique fairs,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34so I think we'd have a day out at an antique fair.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38Oh, right, and perhaps buy something that you DO like
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and that you will fall in love with? Maybe a bit of jewellery.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47- That'd be nice.- Shall we put a reserve on the little figures?
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Yes, if you think...
0:13:48 > 0:13:55We'll put a reserve of maybe just 130, just to protect them.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I'm sure that they will fly
0:13:58 > 0:14:03and that they will be well-fancied by the buyers at the auction.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- Good, I look forward to it.- Thank you very much for bringing them along.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Let's see what's being served up right now.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Graham, thanks for coming along to "Flog it!"
0:14:14 > 0:14:17And it's always nice to see things of local interest.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- You've got two volumes here of the History Of Newcastle.- Yes.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Where did you get them from?
0:14:22 > 0:14:23From an antiquarian book shop.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- OK.- In Newcastle.- OK.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- How long ago did you...? - About 15 years ago.- Right.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32So, not that long ago. Do you have a collection of antiquarian books?
0:14:32 > 0:14:33I do.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- All local history or...? - Most of it. Most of it.- Right.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- And you're starting to sell this off?- Yes.- Righto.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40So you've got the two volumes here.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42A well-known book by Brand, isn't it?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45But obviously when we're looking at a book
0:14:45 > 0:14:48the main page we want to see is this title page here.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52History And Antiquities Of The Town And County
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Of The Town Of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59This is by John Brand, master of arts of London,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- and that is 1789.- Yep.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- That makes it the first edition, I think.- First edition.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09First edition, leather bound, with all the maps intact and everything.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Everything's in it.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12I'm just going to see...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Let's show a sample of one of the foldout maps.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17There's a nice example of one.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19How recognisable is that nowadays?
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Other than the cathedral, nothing.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- Other than the cathedral?- Yeah.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- But that's a rather nice engraving isn't it?- It is.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Black and white engraving. A good view of Newcastle.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33And both volumes are full of these
0:15:33 > 0:15:37and explanatory texts of the history of this fine city.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39I'm guessing that you paid quite a lot for them
0:15:39 > 0:15:41from a local book-seller.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- 750.- 750...ouch, yeah.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45But you've enjoyed them, you wanted them,
0:15:45 > 0:15:46you've had the pleasure of owning them
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and now it's time to move them on.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49That's right.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Let's be realistic. What's your aspirations...
0:15:51 > 0:15:53What do you think they're worth now at auction?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55I think probably around about the 300.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Yeah, I think we should do that.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01At what price would you rather have them back if you think,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04well, if they don't make...? Would it be 300? Slightly less, 250?
0:16:04 > 0:16:05- 250.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- Shall we fix the reserve at 250? - Yeah.- I think that's sensible.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11And we can put an estimate then of 250-350.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12- Yeah.- And hopefully...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Two people get stuck in an auction,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17you might end up drawing a bit more on them.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Um, they are lovely things to own
0:16:19 > 0:16:22and what better place to sell them than the local auction?
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Before we head off to auction,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26there is something I would like to show you.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Magnificent cruise ships,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36world famous ocean liners like the Mauretania,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40larger than life supertankers, the Ark Royal,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43and other naval vessels have all been built on this river.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47The Tyne's depth and connection to the North Sea at Tynemouth
0:16:47 > 0:16:50makes it the perfect location for shipbuilding.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54For 600 years, shipbuilding was the lifeblood of this area.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57In fact, the ferry we're on today - the Pride of the Tyne -
0:16:57 > 0:17:00was one of the last to be built, in 1993.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05For centuries, shipbuilding provided an income
0:17:05 > 0:17:08for thousands of families in this area.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Much of the work was contract work,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13but there was no shortage of it, so it wasn't surprising that
0:17:13 > 0:17:17sons often followed their fathers and grandfathers into the yards.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21We met some of the people whose lives
0:17:21 > 0:17:23revolved around the shipbuilding industry.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28The bit I always loved was the process.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30One day there wasn't a ship there,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34the next day the shipwrights were there, the keel went down,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38the ribs went up, the frames, then the plates went on,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42and at the end of the process was something you could be proud of.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45It's got nothing to do with egotism, but you can look at something,
0:17:45 > 0:17:51and in your small way, there was part of you in that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55The river was home to over 20 shipyards during the
0:17:55 > 0:17:5919th and 20th centuries, employing thousands of workers.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01There was Readhead's, there was Brigham's,
0:18:01 > 0:18:02there was the Middle Docks,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05there was Smith's Docks on the other side of the river -
0:18:05 > 0:18:08that's where the energy came from.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12The activity of all the shipyards, that was the heart, the soul,
0:18:12 > 0:18:13the life of the river.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22It's impossible to underestimate the impact the shipbuilding industry
0:18:22 > 0:18:26had on the people whose livelihoods depended on the Tyne,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29and even if one of your relatives didn't work in the industry,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31you knew somebody who did.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38I can remember my father, who worked on the river in latter days,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40he had been at sea for most of his life,
0:18:40 > 0:18:46but he worked as a rigger on the river in the 1950s and 1960s,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49and if it was very busy
0:18:49 > 0:18:53and ships had to be docked or undocked or shifted - which is where
0:18:53 > 0:18:56you took a ship out of its tier for another one to move in or
0:18:56 > 0:19:00move out - we might not see him for a couple of days at a time.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04And then he would come home and sleep the clock around.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And then he would go back and it would start all over again.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Family life was governed in many ways by tides and ships.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17At Wallsend you had the great big supertankers,
0:19:17 > 0:19:23these huge great supertankers looming over basically a back yard wall.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25And I think people had pride in them.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28They could see where their husband went. The kids could see it.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31"My dad, my dad's working on that."
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Even if you couldn't see the ships, the sounds of them
0:19:35 > 0:19:37being built echoed up and down the river.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43You constantly heard the sound of ships' hooters,
0:19:43 > 0:19:48of shot-blasting, of hammering.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52It went on all day and all night.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56I think the main thing on the river in those days was the buzzer.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Each yard had its buzzer, the buzzer determined
0:20:00 > 0:20:02when you started and when you finished.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09And I suppose people around that way, they lived their lives to the buzzer.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12But time was running out for the industry towards the end
0:20:12 > 0:20:15of the 20th century, leaving huge holes
0:20:15 > 0:20:17both emotionally and physically.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Everywhere you look along the river bank here you can see
0:20:21 > 0:20:24signs of a once thriving shipbuilding industry.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Just here you see this massive concreted area,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30that was once Smith's shipyard.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41I've come to look at the Tyne's last shipbuilding yard, Swan Hunter.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43It was the biggest yard here.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49In total, 1,600 ships were built here between 1864 and 1994,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51when the last workers left the site.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Now that is what I call a view.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Just look at that - the Tyne in all its magnificent glory.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06You can imagine the manager standing up here, can't you?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Sort of saying, "This is our shipbuilding empire."
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Not only could they keep an eye on the workforce,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15but they could join in the celebrations of the launch days.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17They must have been such a wonderful spectacle,
0:21:17 > 0:21:21thousands of people here in the docks and on the quayside.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27The day a ship was launched, it was a special day.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31There seemed to be a buzz went round the yard.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34"There's a ship being launched today.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38"Join us at the launching platform." There was usually a band there,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41all the speeches are made, all the ladies are there
0:21:41 > 0:21:43with their fancy hats on.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47The final chocks are knocked out.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51And sometimes there's a slight pause because the ship hasn't moved,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54and there's a sort of, "Ooh..."
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Then slowly, off she goes.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58And it's graceful.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03Not in any hurry, just making her own slow way down into the river.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Everybody's hip-hip-hooraying, "Three cheers for the ship",
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and if you're stood in the right place,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12as the ship went off into the drophole,
0:22:12 > 0:22:17to me in my imagination, the ship looks as though it was curtsying.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21And to me, it was magical. The ship looked as though it went...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27And there was a space there for the next one.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31For the past 20 years, there has been no next one.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35The shipyards began to shut due to the lack of industry investment,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38modernisation and competition from abroad.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Entire communities fought hard for their way of life
0:22:41 > 0:22:43and very existence.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49There was meetings, marches, the unions were involved.
0:22:49 > 0:22:57There'd be a lot of sad, disappointed and I would think angry people.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03They've been building ships on the river here for hundreds of years,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07and then for a whole industry to disappear...
0:23:10 > 0:23:15The generation that lost its jobs in the shipyards
0:23:15 > 0:23:18was effectively written off.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I think it was anyway.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Men who were only in their forties and fifties,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25they never worked again.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30And that was so tragic. And it still makes me angry today.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Countless families were affected in the region, and when the
0:23:37 > 0:23:41largest shipyard - Swan Hunter - finally closed in 1994,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Allen was there.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47The very last day at Swans, we had to come out of the yard,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50and then I walked up the top of Swans Bank,
0:23:50 > 0:23:55and I watched all those proud men, and they looked proud to me,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58coming up that bank,
0:23:58 > 0:24:03and some of them had a black plastic rubbish sack...with them.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08It must have been their bits and pieces of a lifetime of working
0:24:08 > 0:24:14in a shipyard, coming up that bank, and I thought, "This is not right."
0:24:15 > 0:24:19It might have made sense to somebody, it didn't to me.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Today, many people on Tyneside are still struggling to come
0:24:25 > 0:24:27to terms with the repercussions
0:24:27 > 0:24:29caused by the end of the shipbuilding.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33But the pride around the incredible ships built on this river
0:24:33 > 0:24:34will live on for generations.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41If, when you come into this earth, and you leave something
0:24:41 > 0:24:44when you've gone that wasn't there...
0:24:44 > 0:24:51before you, your life's been a total success. You've created something.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Well, our experts have been working hard, we're halfway through
0:25:01 > 0:25:05our day now, which means it's time for our first trip to the saleroom.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08So while we make our way over to the Boldon Auction Galleries,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10here's a quick recap, just to jog your memories,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13of everything that's coming along with us.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18Will Alf's unused silver napkin rings draw in the local nobility?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Let's hope the bidders don't play things too close to their chests
0:25:21 > 0:25:25when it comes to Sally's ivory card case.
0:25:25 > 0:25:2818th-century, leather-bound first edition,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30these history of Newcastle books
0:25:30 > 0:25:33are sure to get the local historians excited today.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39And loved for years in Germany, will Jenny's playful
0:25:39 > 0:25:40Max and Moritz figures
0:25:40 > 0:25:42appeal to a buyer today?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46For today's auction, we're in East Boldon.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51The famous Jarrow March went through this area in 1936,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55when protestors took a stand against the extreme poverty
0:25:55 > 0:25:57and unemployment suffered in Northeast England
0:25:57 > 0:25:59during the Great Depression.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02Whether it's boom or bust, the auction house seems to
0:26:02 > 0:26:05serve both, and is often a measure of the times.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Let's see what today serves up.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Now, look, that chap's here to buy, he's picked up a bidder's paddle.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16In order to buy something, you've got to register your name
0:26:16 > 0:26:18and address and identify yourself.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21You can pick up a bidder's paddle, then you're free to bid.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Hopefully, he's going to buy some of our lots.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Now, remember, there is commission to pay,
0:26:25 > 0:26:30and there is a buyer's premium. Here, it's 17.5% plus VAT,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33but it varies from saleroom to saleroom, so check the detail,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35it's all printed in the catalogue,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and do your sums, because it does add up.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Right, let's get on with the sale.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43These 18th-century, leather-bound books are pure quality.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Belonging to Graham, who is with me right now.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Well, I'm excited about this, you were looking over there then,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51you were lost in thoughts, weren't you?
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- I was looking at other lots - going...- You're nervous, aren't you? - Yeah.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58We're a couple away. Now, I know you paid big money for these, didn't you?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01First editions, little bit tatty on the covers
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- but you can forgive that.- Because everything's intact, maps, pictures,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06pullouts, nothing rebound.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08They are a nice, genuine, honest set.
0:27:08 > 0:27:09We're talking around what, 17...?
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- ..84.- 1784.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Proper antique! That's what that...
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Look, time is up, I'm getting a cue now, this is it.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Your lot is coming up right now, so good luck.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24I'm bid 140 to start them.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26140, 150, 160.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29170, 180.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30190, 200, 220.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33240, 260.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35At 260, front row.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37280, 300.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39320, 340.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42360, 380.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43380, front row - you're out, sir.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- 380.- £380.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50At £380, for the first and the last...
0:27:50 > 0:27:51At £380, and we're away.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54At 380.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56£380.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Definitely local interest there.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- Just knew they'd sell in the room, didn't you?- Exactly.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04- Good valuation, Adam.- Oh, thank you very much.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06And the next item to go under the hammer is that set of
0:28:06 > 0:28:10silver napkin holders from Pakistan.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12And it's a real honour to be standing next to Alfred,
0:28:12 > 0:28:17who is - who WAS, I should say - English billiards champion.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- He's got a good tale to tell. - He's a wonderful storyteller.- He is.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- 78 years, you've got a lot up there, you know.- He has got a lot up there.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Our lot is coming up now.
0:28:27 > 0:28:33I'm bid 40 to start with. 45, 50, five, 60, five,
0:28:33 > 0:28:3670, five, 80...
0:28:36 > 0:28:40With me at £80. Anybody else?
0:28:40 > 0:28:4285, 90, 95?
0:28:42 > 0:28:47Knocks the bid out, at £95, to the room,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50at £95, all done, at £95.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- Aww.- That's marvellous.- That would be a great break in snooker.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- Marvellous.- A poor billiards break, but a great snooker break.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- Do you know where the money's going? - No.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Cos I'm going to double that, it's going to go to
0:29:00 > 0:29:04the under-19 boys championship and
0:29:04 > 0:29:07the under-16 boys and girls championship
0:29:07 > 0:29:10of the English Amateur Billiards Association.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Oh, fantastic. Know what?
0:29:12 > 0:29:14What you're doing is helping to encourage
0:29:14 > 0:29:16the youngsters to come into the sport,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19because without any fresh blood, this sport would not carry on.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20'What a great guy!
0:29:20 > 0:29:22'Still passionate after all these years,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25'and thinking of the players of the future.'
0:29:26 > 0:29:28If we play our cards right we could get
0:29:28 > 0:29:30the top end of Adam's estimate here.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33I love this, absolutely love this Chinese carved ivory...
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- It's a good 'un, isn't it? - Yeah, exquisite detail.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- I mean, it's incredible, where'd you start?- Don't know.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40And you've had this knocking around
0:29:40 > 0:29:43for a little time now, don't know where it came from.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46All my life it's been around, just sort of sitting in a cupboard.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Well, hopefully we should do the top end.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51And I think, yeah, I'm going to go for the top end of estimate.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53I'd like to think as well, fingers crossed.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55This is where it gets exciting.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58The Chinese carved ivory calling card case,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02and I'm bid 160 to start me.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06160, 170, 180, 190, 200,
0:30:06 > 0:30:09220, 240, 260...
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- At 260, 280 now... - Worth a bit more, I think.
0:30:13 > 0:30:1580, anybody else?
0:30:15 > 0:30:19At £260, are we all done and dusted?
0:30:19 > 0:30:21At 260.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- He's sold, he's sold. - Reserve was 250.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Well, it's gone, and we're happy.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Yeah, not sitting in a box any more.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- It's gone to somebody that'll enjoy it, hopefully.- Sure, a collector.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37'And it's the specialist collector we need for our next item,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40'or perhaps just someone with a playful nature.'
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Well, our next lot is bound to put a smile on your face.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47Max and Moritz, the German comic figures. Jenny, I love them.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49And you can't help but smile, can you?
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- Well, no.- And Anita spotted them.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55They were absolutely wonderful, they do bring a smile to your face
0:30:55 > 0:30:59and I can just imagine them, cheery little figures on the mantelpiece.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Now we're going to put it to the test in the room.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Let's find out what they think, shall we?
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Fingers crossed there'll be a couple of phone lines on this.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08- Hope so.- Ready for it?- Yes.- This is what you've been waiting for.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10This is what we've all been waiting for.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Hopefully there'll be a surprise - here we go.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16The small pair of bronze figures, Max and Moritz,
0:31:16 > 0:31:21little turned marble plinths. I'm bid 100 to start them.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25100, 110, 120, 130...
0:31:25 > 0:31:29At 130. 140, 150, 160...
0:31:29 > 0:31:32In the room, the commission's out,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34at 160, it's in the room.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37170, no? At £160, all done?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41160.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45- Sold!- Yep, yep, they're gone. - It's gone.- Fantastic.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- You're happy, aren't you? - Yes, absolutely.
0:31:51 > 0:31:52Well, that was fast and furious.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54That concludes our first visit to the sale today.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57We're coming back here later on but it's wonderful to be surrounded
0:31:57 > 0:32:01by fine art and antiques and looking at the beautiful craftsmanship.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04While we were in the area filming I thought I'd check out
0:32:04 > 0:32:07a local artist who has left an incredible legacy
0:32:07 > 0:32:10both nationally and internationally.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15His name is Thomas Bewick and he lived just west of Newcastle.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33This is the view that Thomas Bewick grew up with.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37He was born here at Cherryburn in August 1753.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40And for me, seeing this place for the first time in my life,
0:32:40 > 0:32:41it's utterly captivating.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I am so in love with it.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47So it's hardly surprising that Bewick's early years
0:32:47 > 0:32:48were so influential.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Wood engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick
0:32:54 > 0:32:57revolutionised print art in Georgian England,
0:32:57 > 0:33:01and some would say he was Northumberland's greatest artist.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11His parents, as well as Cherryburn itself and all of its farm animals,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13were hugely important to Bewick.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15He was the eldest of eight children.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19He helped out with the livestock, he often assisted the milkmaids
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and by the age of 13 he even had his own flock of sheep.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31And it was here by the fire that Thomas Bewick
0:33:31 > 0:33:33did some of his first illustrations.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37With no paper, he used bits of charcoal to draw on the hearth.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Clearly, from early on, Bewick the artist was trying to get out.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51He was constantly in trouble as a young boy,
0:33:51 > 0:33:53playing truant from school.
0:33:53 > 0:33:54Instead of attending,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58he'd go roaming around his beloved Northumberland countryside.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01THEY CLUCK
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Because of his lack of interest in school
0:34:03 > 0:34:05he was sent to be tutored by the local vicar.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Fortunately, his father recognised a passion,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11an interest in drawing, so he sent the young 14 year old
0:34:11 > 0:34:14on a seven-year engraving apprenticeship to Newcastle.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18It was the end of his childhood.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21And leaving Cherryburn was incredibly hard for Bewick,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23who wrote in his memoirs,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26"I can only say my heart was like to break,
0:34:26 > 0:34:31"and as we passed away, I inwardly bade farewell to the whinny wilds,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34"the Mickley Bank and to the Stob-Cross Hill,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37"to the water banks, the woods and to particular trees."
0:34:39 > 0:34:40During his apprenticeship,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Bewick showed great aptitude towards wood engraving.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46But on the weekends he would think nothing of walking the 11 miles
0:34:46 > 0:34:49home back here to Cherryburn.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56Thomas' beloved home is now looked after by the National Trust.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I've arranged to meet up with Shona Branigan
0:35:00 > 0:35:03who teaches wood block printing to members of the public here,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06and she's also going to talk me through Thomas Bewick's
0:35:06 > 0:35:07way of working.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09THEY CLUCK
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Right, well, what he did was he actually worked on boxwood
0:35:14 > 0:35:15which is this kind of wood.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17- Yeah, a dense grain, isn't it?- Yes. - Very hard work.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20It takes a few hundred years to actually grow to this width.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23That's also why I suppose most of his images were really, really small because...
0:35:23 > 0:35:25A tiny piece of wood. It doesn't get much bigger.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- It doesn't get a lot bigger at all. - Now, the tools used
0:35:28 > 0:35:31look like metal engraver's tools used to engrave sheets of copper.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Yes, they're exactly the same that are used.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35He made his own tools when he was an apprentice,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37and yes, they are exactly the same.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- They all have slightly different shaved edges...- Mm-hm.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42..which will give you different marks,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- either thin marks or slightly... - Do little jobs, yes.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47It's an incredibly absorbing thing to actually spend your time doing
0:35:47 > 0:35:50cos your whole world kind of comes down to this little piece here.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Yeah. And I've noticed with these blocks, look,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55that you're working from the sort of dark-to-light technique,
0:35:55 > 0:35:57- is that right?- That's exactly it, yeah.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01So you cover the block dark and then you start to gauge away...
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- Yes.- ..producing the white line?
0:36:03 > 0:36:04That's right. You actually...
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Yeah, this is one of Bewick's original wood engravings.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Everything that's removed from here will print white
0:36:10 > 0:36:12because the ink sits on the surface of the block.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17- And he's done different things to sort of show distance.- Sure.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19You can get different relief by sanding the block down
0:36:19 > 0:36:21in totally one place, can you?
0:36:21 > 0:36:24In different parts, he's lowered the surface from the rest of it...
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- I can see that. Yes.- ..which means that it'll hold less ink
0:36:27 > 0:36:29in the printing press. And then when the print...
0:36:29 > 0:36:32If you see this particular print from this block,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34that section there is lowered and it's got a grey tone to it.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- It has, hasn't it? Which is a little bit lighter.- Yeah, that's right.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41Shona, I take it there was no printing equipment here at the house
0:36:41 > 0:36:43- during Bewick's lifetime.- Yes.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46When the house was taken over as a museum in the late 1980s
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- all of the printing equipment was donated...- Right, OK.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51..by a printer, which is great though because it means that
0:36:51 > 0:36:54having the printing facility here we can actually print Bewick blocks
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and have prints to sell to the public.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59He would love the fact that his work's still being printed
0:36:59 > 0:37:00and sold to people.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03And also to print other people's wood engravings as well
0:37:03 > 0:37:05and keep the craft alive.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Bewick's visits back to Cherryburn
0:37:14 > 0:37:17became less frequent when his father died.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Poignantly, it was at this point that he began his own work,
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Quadrupeds, a book that deals with 260 mammals from around the world.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28It reached a wide audience and it gave him
0:37:28 > 0:37:30some celebrity within his own lifetime.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34The Quadrupeds book was Bewick's first personal work
0:37:34 > 0:37:36and he pursued with a real passion.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40This was the Age Of The Enlightenment, or
0:37:40 > 0:37:42The March Of Intellect, as Bewick called it.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46And he was very much part of intellectual and philosophical
0:37:46 > 0:37:48discussions of the day.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50There was a growing interest in the natural world,
0:37:50 > 0:37:54fuelled by the voyages of the great explorers of the time.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Bewick worked closely with these men, who would bring back animals
0:37:57 > 0:38:01for him to draw, such as monkeys and a platypus,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03often preserved in the ship's rum.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Bewick relied on taxidermy to make many of his illustrations.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10And what's also remarkable about Bewick's work is,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14he made information about the natural world available
0:38:14 > 0:38:16to the wider population.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Up until Bewick's time, having access to the beautifully printed
0:38:19 > 0:38:23illustrations was very much the preserve of the upper classes.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27So, when all 1,600 copies of the first edition
0:38:27 > 0:38:28sold out within a month,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Bewick was instrumental in getting them on library shelves
0:38:32 > 0:38:34and starting a wider circulation.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37This would have pleased Bewick greatly,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40not just because his book was an outright success,
0:38:40 > 0:38:45but because he was a very affable chap with no airs and graces.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48His background had put him in contact with people
0:38:48 > 0:38:52from all walks of life and he was so happy to share his illustrations.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55And every engraver that has come along since has stopped
0:38:55 > 0:38:57and looked at his work in awe.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10We're now back at the Discovery Museum in the centre
0:39:10 > 0:39:14of Newcastle, the location for our valuation day.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17People are still arriving as I'm speaking,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19which is good news for us - more antiques to value.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Let's catch up with our experts
0:39:21 > 0:39:24and see what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27It's over to Adam Partridge.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28Well, John, my eyes lit up
0:39:28 > 0:39:32when I saw you with the Muhammad Ali boxing memorabilia.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Tell me, how did you come to own this?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Well, I went, like it says on the programme, in 1978 to watch him.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- You were there?- Yes. - At the Las Vegas Hilton.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Must have been a pretty exciting trip.- It was.- Great memories?
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- Great memories.- Wow.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51So you've got the biography, signed by the great Muhammad Ali.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Where were you when he signed it?
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- That was in the lounge of the hotel at the Hilton.- The hotel lounge.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01- And what was he like, did he sign it with pleasure?- Oh, yes.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Let's not forget, this is the century's greatest sportsman,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08some people say, and possibly the most famous boxer
0:40:08 > 0:40:09there will ever be.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13- Muhammad Ali, I think he won the Olympic gold medal in 1960.- Yes.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16And then he was a very young heavyweight champion
0:40:16 > 0:40:21- at the age of 22. This is 14 years later, isn't it?- Yes.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25So, sadly, he's on the wane by now, and he lost this fight,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27didn't he, to Leon Spinks?
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- Yes, lost on points.- And are these photos you took yourself?
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- I took them...- Was this in the build-up to the fight?
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- Yes, used to... - Was this the weigh-in?
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- No, training, you could pay to go and see them train.- OK.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- They were all training in the Hilton. - Was that impressive?- Oh, yes.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Ali, that's how he lost really, cos he didn't train that well.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Do you think he was cocky enough to think he'd just walk through him
0:40:49 > 0:40:51and didn't train properly enough?
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Well, his training sessions were good,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55but he wasn't as good as Leon Spinks.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Spinks trained solid and everybody knew...
0:40:58 > 0:41:01It just shows I suppose, that even if you're "The Greatest",
0:41:01 > 0:41:05- you still have to put the work in. - Yes, yes.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Now then, why have you suddenly decided to sell them, John?
0:41:08 > 0:41:09I've just had them in the drawer.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12We've got grandchildren and I'm frightened somebody
0:41:12 > 0:41:14takes them out and starts...
0:41:14 > 0:41:16It'd be a shame if someone took a crayon...
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- "Aw there's a book, I'll write on it."- It would ruin it, wouldn't it?
0:41:19 > 0:41:21I'm really glad you've brought them,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23there's an interest in sporting memorabilia,
0:41:23 > 0:41:25you've got a great name, the downside is the value's
0:41:25 > 0:41:28not that high because he signed a lot of stuff.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30He was a nice guy and he'd sign and sign and sign,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32so the signature's not that rare.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34But as a collection of items there, I think
0:41:34 > 0:41:38you're probably worth £30-35. Sound all right?
0:41:38 > 0:41:42That's all right for me, I've not a clue, I'll take your word for it.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Is there any price at which you'd rather have them back?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- No, just let them go. - No reserve?- Let them go.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50There are lots of collectors of sporting memorabilia out there
0:41:50 > 0:41:52and hopefully this is going to appeal,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54because they don't come much bigger.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59- No.- So I'm looking forward to seeing how it sells.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02- Hopefully we'll get a knockout price.- Thank you very much.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Time there for Adam. It's over to Anita now for round two.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Ann, welcome to Flog It! It's lovely to have you along
0:42:12 > 0:42:17and it's lovely to see these terrific bits of Mason's.
0:42:17 > 0:42:22Tell me, how did you come by them, is this the kind of thing you like?
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Tell me about your association with Mason's.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Well, 30 years ago I moved into a Victorian terrace, a three-storey
0:42:29 > 0:42:31big one, and of course it needed
0:42:31 > 0:42:34quite a lot of filling out, as it were,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and I started picking up bits and pieces here and there,
0:42:37 > 0:42:41- and now I've got over 60 pieces. - 60 pieces?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44And the other things are just spread through the house?
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- But why are you wanting to sell them, Ann?- Ah.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51Well, sadly, I'm moving. My house is up for sale at the moment.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54And I'm moving into a 1930s bungalow.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58And I will have to buy things that match my new house.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01I will take some of these things with me, but not these pieces.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Tell me, why Mason's in particular?
0:43:03 > 0:43:10I just think they're robust and strong and decorative.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Let's have a look, we've got a pair of matching vases here,
0:43:14 > 0:43:20they're transfer printed, and let's have a wee look underneath.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26We have the backstamp for Mason's there,
0:43:26 > 0:43:32but we can see an engraved or an incised stamp for Ashworth's.
0:43:32 > 0:43:38Now, Ashworth's bought over Mason's in the late 1800s,
0:43:38 > 0:43:43they bought over all the patterns and moulds and so on.
0:43:43 > 0:43:48But, I mean, these things are from the 1870s/1880s,
0:43:48 > 0:43:49so they are a good age.
0:43:49 > 0:43:54We have some damage on this, but it's a very pretty early piece,
0:43:54 > 0:43:56and this, the finial on this teapot here
0:43:56 > 0:44:00has been repaired, it has been stapled.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03- I think it's interesting the way they staple things, don't they?- I know.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05I love that as well.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09So, estimate on them, I would say...
0:44:09 > 0:44:11£50...
0:44:11 > 0:44:14- £50/£60, £50 to £70... - Oh, that would be fine. Yeah.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21..and perhaps give the auctioneer some discretion on a reserve of £50.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23I'm not really worried about a reserve, really,
0:44:23 > 0:44:27I just want them... to be loved somewhere, really.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30- You want them to be loved.- Sad, isn't it?- No, it's not sad at all.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32I mean, they are just pots, aren't they?
0:44:32 > 0:44:35- I think it's absolutely lovely, it will certainly draw the bids in. - Thank you.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39- It's been lovely to meet you and good luck with your new house. - Thank you very much.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42And we're on the move too now as Adam marches in
0:44:42 > 0:44:44for our final valuation.
0:44:46 > 0:44:47- Jim and Jean.- Yes.- Yes.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50Very nice to see your collection of regimental swagger sticks.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54I feel I should be standing straight when I talk to you with these.
0:44:54 > 0:44:58And you're a former Lancashire Fusilier yourself, aren't you, Jim?
0:44:58 > 0:45:00Yep, I was a physical training instructor.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03OK, is that what gave rise to the collection?
0:45:03 > 0:45:08Well, I saw one online and with it being Lancashire Fusiliers,
0:45:08 > 0:45:12I bid for it and won it, and my interest grew from that.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15People watching this, some people aren't going to know what a swagger stick is,
0:45:15 > 0:45:17so perhaps you could explain that.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20I'm standing with it like that, probably not correctly,
0:45:20 > 0:45:21what were they used for?
0:45:21 > 0:45:27Well, when you were on parade, say, 18th/19th century,
0:45:27 > 0:45:30and you wore long hair, improperly dressed...or button undone,
0:45:30 > 0:45:33the NCO might just come along and give you a whack on the back.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36- Give you a little crack on the back with it?- Yeah.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39- And then later it became just a sort of ceremonial thing?- Yeah, yeah.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41- A mark of more... - A mark of your rank and that.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44- A mark of your rank and station. - Yeah.- Very good.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47This one's particularly interesting and is why we've singled it out.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50- Of course, it's a Lancashire Fusiliers' one, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54But it's engraved here to... GE Tallents.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57- Yeah.- Now, you've done a bit of research about this, haven't you?
0:45:57 > 0:46:03- Yeah. He was a young lieutenant in 1915 at Gallipoli...- Yeah.
0:46:03 > 0:46:08..where he won the DSO... attack on Hill 114,
0:46:08 > 0:46:12then later on, 1920, became a major,
0:46:12 > 0:46:14he took over the barracks in Bury
0:46:14 > 0:46:16and in 1923 he was a lieutenant colonel,
0:46:16 > 0:46:20he took over the 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers in India.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- So he had a pretty distinguished military career, didn't he?- Yeah.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27So, how did you find this one? Was that online as well?
0:46:27 > 0:46:30- Yes, that was online, I was quite lucky with that one.- Were you?
0:46:30 > 0:46:32Go on, you're smiling, it was cheap?
0:46:32 > 0:46:35- Yeah, very cheap.- Go on.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38Well, it just... I put my bid in and I got it for £19.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40£19, that's not bad at all.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42Jean, what do you think of the collection?
0:46:42 > 0:46:46I think it's brilliant, I've really had to force him to bring them today.
0:46:46 > 0:46:47- Really?- Yes, I really have.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50- What, you've forced him, but yet you are an enthusiast, so what...?- I am.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54- He's downsizing and we need to get rid of quite a bit of stuff.- Yeah.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58- It'll hurt him doing this, but it needs to go.- Really?
0:46:58 > 0:47:00- Yes.- Oh, dear.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02What sort of thing do you think they are going to fetch?
0:47:02 > 0:47:06- I've got an idea of 300 or 400 quid. - Yeah, probably, yeah.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09- Well, there's 12 of them, aren't there?- Yeah.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13- And simple maths... They're worth more than 20 quid each, that's 240, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16- 30 quid each is 360, so they must be worth that.- Yeah.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19And some of them are going to be worth a bit more,
0:47:19 > 0:47:21but on average, 30 quid a lot.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23- So if we put 300 to 400?- Yeah.
0:47:23 > 0:47:24Jean's nodding anyway!
0:47:24 > 0:47:25- Is that all right?- Yeah.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27- Put a reserve of 300?- Yeah.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30If they don't make it, nothing lost, there's no charge,
0:47:30 > 0:47:32- but you'll be able to take them back home...- Back home, yeah.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36I can understand the pain that you might feel when they move on,
0:47:36 > 0:47:39but if it's any consolation - if and when they sell -
0:47:39 > 0:47:42- they're going to go to a collector just as passionate as you. - Yeah, exactly.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46Thanks very much for coming, I've really enjoyed talking to you.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Karen,
0:47:50 > 0:47:56- this little clog is instantly recognisable.- Yes, it is.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58- You know what it is. - I do, yes, Clarice Cliff.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02Some people love Clarice Cliff, some people hate them.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04I love Clarice Cliff.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06I loved her because she was a rebel,
0:48:06 > 0:48:11she was a genius and she was clever enough to marry the boss.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15- Yes.- Tell me, where did you get this?
0:48:15 > 0:48:18I got it from a friend of mine who's sadly gone now.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21And I was just at the house one day, admired it,
0:48:21 > 0:48:24saw it was just lying on a windowsill, and I said,
0:48:24 > 0:48:26"We need to put this in a cabinet to keep it safe."
0:48:26 > 0:48:28And she just went, "No, you can have it."
0:48:28 > 0:48:32An argument sort of went on, and I always lose arguments with her,
0:48:32 > 0:48:35so I brought it home and put it in the cabinet.
0:48:35 > 0:48:39So you're obviously, like me, an admirer of Clarice Cliff.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42Yes, I do like some of her stuff. I like the colours
0:48:42 > 0:48:44and I like that era, you know.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46- Let's look at it a wee bit more carefully.- Yeah.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48It's in the shape of a little clog,
0:48:48 > 0:48:51so it would have been a novelty item. But quite interesting.
0:48:51 > 0:48:56If we look at the underneath, we see that it's in the Bizarre range,
0:48:56 > 0:49:00Fantasque, and we see the signature of Clarice Cliff here.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03This would have been made in the 1930s.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08- And the pattern is called the Melon pattern.- All right.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12So we can identify that exactly to the time.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14What I like about this particular pattern
0:49:14 > 0:49:16and this particular colour weave,
0:49:16 > 0:49:21is I love the combination of blue and yellow and orange there.
0:49:21 > 0:49:26I think they shout at you, they shout Clarice Cliff.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29I was a bit concerned that there wasn't colour all over.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31I thought it would have been coloured in.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34And I just thought maybe it was missed on the production line
0:49:34 > 0:49:38- or something, no?- Well, the production line of Clarice Cliff's
0:49:38 > 0:49:40studio or workshop,
0:49:40 > 0:49:42- there wouldn't have been machines there.- No, no.
0:49:42 > 0:49:47What you had were a group of good-looking women called
0:49:47 > 0:49:51the Clarice Girls, who were trained by Clarice Cliff,
0:49:51 > 0:49:55who executed her designs.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59- Yes.- So she wouldn't have been letting anybody miss bits out.
0:49:59 > 0:50:03- If that bit's missed out, it's meant to be missed out.- OK, yeah.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06So, we know that Clarice Cliff is sought-after,
0:50:06 > 0:50:09and this is an unusual little object.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12- What do you think on value? - I don't know.
0:50:12 > 0:50:17I know they came in different sizes. I don't know, £100?
0:50:17 > 0:50:19- I think you're very good.- Yeah.
0:50:19 > 0:50:24I think you're just right on the spot there. And if we estimate it...
0:50:24 > 0:50:27- Let's make it low and wide.- Right.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29£100 to £200,
0:50:29 > 0:50:34- and that's giving plenty of expansion.- Yeah.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38Plenty of expansion. But I think we will put a reserve on it.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42- Yes, I'd like a reserve on it. - I think we should put £100 reserve.
0:50:42 > 0:50:43Are you happy with that?
0:50:43 > 0:50:46- Yeah, that sounds OK. - Let's go ahead.- Yeah.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49- So, thank you very much for bringing that along.- Thanks very much.
0:50:50 > 0:50:54Well, sadly it's time to say goodbye to our host venue today, the Discovery Museum.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56We've had a brilliant time here but our experts have now found
0:50:56 > 0:50:59their final items to take off to auction.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02So as we say goodbye to the Discovery Museum,
0:51:02 > 0:51:04it's hello once again to the Boldon Auction Galleries,
0:51:04 > 0:51:08and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11Will John's signed Muhammad Ali autobiography
0:51:11 > 0:51:14pull in the bidding heavyweights?
0:51:14 > 0:51:17Ann says they've got to go, but will the bidders think so too,
0:51:17 > 0:51:21when it comes to these Victorian ceramics?
0:51:21 > 0:51:22And they're a niche market,
0:51:22 > 0:51:25so will the military collectors be standing to attention
0:51:25 > 0:51:28for Jim's swagger sticks?
0:51:29 > 0:51:33Clarice Cliff lovers will be delighted by this novelty clog.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40In Boldon, the sale is in full swing
0:51:40 > 0:51:44and auctioneer Giles Hodges is about to test our next lot.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Coming up now, bizarrely enough, is a clog,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- and it's a left shoe, isn't it? - Yes, it is.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53It is the left shoe, am I right? It's not the right foot?
0:51:53 > 0:51:58Did they make pairs or were they all left feet? Karen, what do you think?
0:51:58 > 0:52:01- Probably didn't make pairs, I would think.- No, I reckon they're all left feet.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03- Why are you selling this? Do you like it?- I do like it.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07But I just brought it along and thought, "Well, give it a go."
0:52:07 > 0:52:09"What's it worth?" And hopefully, £200.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11Have you sold many of these clogs?
0:52:11 > 0:52:13Yes, lots and lots of them.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16They are not rare, but they're novelty
0:52:16 > 0:52:20and they bring a smile to folk's faces, and that's why we like them.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Question is, will they pay top money for it?
0:52:22 > 0:52:24We're going to find out right now.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27We've got the little Clarice Cliff Melon pattern clog.
0:52:27 > 0:52:31- I have one, two, three, four bids. - Listen. Four bids.- Yes!
0:52:31 > 0:52:35I'm straight in at 140.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39- 150 now.- Well, it's sold, Karen, hasn't it?- Sure, yeah.- 150, anybody?
0:52:39 > 0:52:43150. 160. 170.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46The bid's upstairs in the room at 170. The commissions are out.
0:52:46 > 0:52:52At £170, ladies and gents. Are we all done? At 170...
0:52:52 > 0:52:54Yes! The hammer's gone down.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56That is a classic collectible, isn't it?
0:52:56 > 0:52:58It really is, yeah.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Will you reinvest that money in antiques or...?
0:53:01 > 0:53:03No, I think I'll just treat myself.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05We're going away for a couple of holidays,
0:53:05 > 0:53:06so we'll probably use it for that.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09- Yeah.- There you go. - Clarice Cliff never lets us down.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15Let's hope the same can be said of our next item.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19Well, I've just been joined by James, Jean and Adam, our expert,
0:53:19 > 0:53:22and we all have a swagger in our step, because so far we've sold all our lots.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25We have the swagger sticks coming up now, there's a collection of 12.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28You never know, if there's a collector out there that really,
0:53:28 > 0:53:30really wants these, James, like you -
0:53:30 > 0:53:34you've made this a big part of your life - they will buy heavily into them.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37- I hope so.- Yeah. You're going to be sad, aren't you, when these go?
0:53:37 > 0:53:39On three or four of them.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41On three and four, we'll talk about that in a minute
0:53:41 > 0:53:44because it's going under the hammer right now.
0:53:44 > 0:53:45These collection
0:53:45 > 0:53:47of 12 fusilier swagger sticks...
0:53:47 > 0:53:50I'm bid 200 to start them.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52At 200 for the swagger sticks.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54At £200, 20 now.
0:53:54 > 0:54:00220, 240, 260, 280, 300.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03It's in the room at £300.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06At £300, are we all done?
0:54:06 > 0:54:12At £300, and we shall be away at £300.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14There we go, they've gone, well done. Well done, both of you.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17Which ones will you miss out of that collection?
0:54:17 > 0:54:20- The Lancashire Fusiliers and the Northumberland Fusiliers.- OK.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24- Have you got any other memorabilia at home?- Yeah.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27- Yeah. So you haven't sold everything?- No.
0:54:27 > 0:54:31- Jean's enjoyed the experience, haven't you, Jean?- I have. - The Flog It! experience!
0:54:31 > 0:54:35'Perhaps not so enjoyable for Jim, who is being very dignified
0:54:35 > 0:54:39'about his downsizing, and our next seller is in the same boat.'
0:54:39 > 0:54:43Well, I've just been joined by Ann, who is in the process of downsizing.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47You're moving from a Victorian terrace to a bungalow, smaller?
0:54:47 > 0:54:49- A '30s bungalow.- A '30s bungalow? - Yeah.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52So are you going to go for a little bit of Art Deco look, then, or...?
0:54:52 > 0:54:55- Yes, but not Clarice Cliff.- Not Clarice... No! No, I don't like...
0:54:55 > 0:54:57Don't get me going, whatever you do!
0:54:57 > 0:55:00I love Clarice Cliff, stop knocking it!
0:55:00 > 0:55:03But anyway, we got a lot of lot here - we've got some vases,
0:55:03 > 0:55:06you got a teapot and stand... There's a lot
0:55:06 > 0:55:08- and there's no reserve, so it's here to go.- No, no.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Fingers crossed we will get that £50 to £60 and not the £10.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14Right, let's put the value to the test.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15Giles is on the rostrum,
0:55:15 > 0:55:18let's hand the proceedings over to today's auctioneer.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22There we are, I'm bid... I've got two commission bids
0:55:22 > 0:55:25and 50 starts me, straight in at £50.
0:55:25 > 0:55:26Five, anybody, now?
0:55:26 > 0:55:30At £50 for the lot. Five, anybody?
0:55:30 > 0:55:32At £50, it's all quiet.
0:55:32 > 0:55:34At £50, the internet's quiet too.
0:55:34 > 0:55:40At £50, ladies and gents, for the first and the last time, at £50...
0:55:41 > 0:55:45- It's gone! - Just on the bottom reserve, though.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48- You said no reserve on this, didn't you?- I, well...
0:55:48 > 0:55:50- I said no reserve, you know... - Could have gone for a tenner!
0:55:50 > 0:55:53- I think we're all happy with that, don't you?- We're happy.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56'The auction house can be the perfect location
0:55:56 > 0:55:57'to trade the old for the new.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00'Let's hope Ann finds what she's looking for
0:56:00 > 0:56:02'to decorate her new home.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04'It's the countdown for our last lot.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07'Let's hope we get a good price.'
0:56:07 > 0:56:10Right, we're just about to deliver that knockout blow with this
0:56:10 > 0:56:13next lot belonging to John, and a little bit of Muhammad Ali,
0:56:13 > 0:56:15- who you saw fight.- 1978, yes.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17- In Las Vegas.- Yes.
0:56:17 > 0:56:18Spot-on valuation.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21I was rather hoping it would sort of be more punchier than that,
0:56:21 > 0:56:24but it is a knockout, isn't it? Let's face it, this is a good thing.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27Yeah, yeah, and if it doesn't sell well, we'll take it on the chin.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29- Yes.- There you go, you thought about that one.
0:56:29 > 0:56:31It's a good 'un, aye!
0:56:31 > 0:56:34Let's see if we can deliver that knockout blow right now,
0:56:34 > 0:56:36it's going under the hammer, good luck.
0:56:36 > 0:56:42I have, again, one, two, three, four bids. I start at 75.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44- Oh, yes.- 80 now.
0:56:44 > 0:56:4880, five. 90, five.
0:56:48 > 0:56:54100, 110. 120, 130, 140, 150, 160.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57It's on my left at 160. 170.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00This is, this is two people, as you say, getting carried away,
0:57:00 > 0:57:04punching it out with each other. Who's got the deepest pockets?
0:57:04 > 0:57:07At £180, are we all done at 180?
0:57:11 > 0:57:15- £180.- That's very nice.- That's a big smile on your face, isn't it?
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Well done, Adam, for spotting that in a queue as well.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22- Well, I'm surprised.- It's just cos the wife says, "Oh, you'll be lucky to get 50 for it!"- Yeah.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24- I thought we had it bang on there, but...- Wow.- ..two people...
0:57:24 > 0:57:27It just goes to show, if you've got anything like this at home,
0:57:27 > 0:57:30bring it in to one of our valuation days and you could be
0:57:30 > 0:57:33standing in an auction room like this, going home with 180 quid.
0:57:33 > 0:57:34- Very nice.- Wow.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37It also proves that when you're collecting autographs,
0:57:37 > 0:57:39the big names always hold their value.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41'And that one was definitely a winner.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44'Luckily for John, the bidders went the distance
0:57:44 > 0:57:47'and it's time for us to ring that final bell.'
0:57:47 > 0:57:50Well, there you are, that's it, the hammer has gone down on our last lot,
0:57:50 > 0:57:52it's another day in the office for Flog It!,
0:57:52 > 0:57:56and what a day it was, I thoroughly enjoyed it, I hope you did too.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59If you've got any antiques and collectables you want to sell,
0:57:59 > 0:58:00we would love to see them.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02Bring them along to one of our valuation days.
0:58:02 > 0:58:06Details of up-and-coming dates and venues you can find on our BBC website
0:58:06 > 0:58:08or check the details in your local press. We'd love to see you.
0:58:08 > 0:58:12But for now, from the North East, it's goodbye from all of us.