0:00:05 > 0:00:08We're at the home of the British oyster industry,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12and later on, I'll be getting hands-on with a conservation project
0:00:12 > 0:00:15that hopes to save this world-famous delicacy.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18We're in Essex. Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:42 > 0:00:44We'll be back at the coast later on in the show,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46but right now, today's valuations
0:00:46 > 0:00:48are taking place at one of the county's
0:00:48 > 0:00:51most famous stately homes - Layer Marney Tower,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Britain's tallest Tudor gatehouse.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59The tower rises an imposing 80 feet into the air.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01And hundreds of people have turned up here today
0:01:01 > 0:01:02from all over the surrounding area,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05hoping their antiques and collectables will reach
0:01:05 > 0:01:08the dizzy heights in the auction room. But before all that,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12they're here to ask our experts that important question, which is...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15ALL: What's it worth?
0:01:16 > 0:01:19And the two people with the answer are our "Flog It!" experts.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Today, we've got the erudite Elizabeth Talbot...
0:01:23 > 0:01:25That's lovely, a piece of history.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- Are you looking to sell that, then, are you, or...?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:01:29 > 0:01:32..and the very knowledgeable Philip Serrell.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34What on earth is that worth?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40So, as the people of Essex take to their seats
0:01:40 > 0:01:43and our experts prepare for a busy day of valuations,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45let's look at what's coming up.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50We have something really exciting.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54It is a rare and intriguing picture by a troubled artist.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56It's quite a coup for "Flog It!".
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I think there's a considerable amount of value here,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01because of its rarity and its story and its provenance.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06We have the rare, framed 1960s original collage
0:02:06 > 0:02:08by Kenneth Halliwell.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11See how it does in the saleroom later.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16The area I'm standing in right now is known as the holding bay.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19This is where the lucky owners are brought with their items
0:02:19 > 0:02:21to be researched before they hit the filming tables.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25And talking about the valuation tables, let's get straight over to
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Mr Philip Serrell, our first expert,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29who's got a real gem on his hands.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30Let's take a closer look ourselves.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- Charles, how are you? - I'm fine, thanks very much.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Been waiting long today?
0:02:37 > 0:02:40All day, but it's been most enjoyable because its a lot of fun, nice people here too.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It might be worth it. What have you brought along, then?
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- Well, these are figures that I saw when I was in India.- Yeah.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50They represent various trades, as you see.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54And because I was in India towards the end of the Japanese campaign...
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- When would that have been? - That was in 1944, '45.- Yeah.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04And I was an engine fitter servicing aircraft that were being
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- used at the end of the... - Can I ask you a very rude question?
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- By all means.- How old are you?
0:03:09 > 0:03:12A week ago, I was 90.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14You're joking!
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- It's a fact.- 90?- 90.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Well, I don't know what's in the water,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21but I think I could probably do with some. Really?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23That's remarkable, seriously.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27And I don't feel a day over 20, so... No, no, that's an exaggeration.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32Yes, 90. And when I came home, my fiancee at the time...
0:03:32 > 0:03:35We had visited an aunt who had recently been
0:03:35 > 0:03:36to a house clearance sale.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- In India?- No, no, no, this was back in the UK.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42And she had bought these on spec.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45And because I was recently returned from India and I thought,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48"Oh, look, I recognise some of these people."
0:03:48 > 0:03:50She said, "Do you like them?" I said, "Yeah."
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- As she gave them to us. - Really?- Just like that.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55And so they have been in my possession,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57and my wife's, who has now passed away.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- Yeah.- And they have been in my possession ever since.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I think they're very much 20th century.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Yes, do you think? Where might they have been made?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07I would think they were probably made in India.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- They're made out of, I think, terracotta.- Yeah.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12And my guess is that they were made
0:04:12 > 0:04:15somewhere between about 1900 and 1920.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17They are all various named trades, are they?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21That's right, and their names on the little base. For instance, khansama.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22Khansama, what would khansama do?
0:04:22 > 0:04:24A sort of a waiter. There's probably a tray...
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- He's probably carrying a tray. - So he's carrying a tray.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- Good facial features, aren't they?- Well, yes.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- And little whiskers there.- Yeah.- And the modelling, I think, is excellent.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35I mean, for instance, that one is a water carrier.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36- Can I turn it around?- Yes.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39And that's a bhishti.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Carrying the water in an animal skin.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43This is your favourite one?
0:04:43 > 0:04:48Well, I think this one. He's the groom, he's carrying a saddle.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50So, you have made your mind up, Charles,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- that after all these years, it is time for them to go.- I think so.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Um, I don't think you are going to get rich on the proceeds.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- I think they should carry an auction estimate of £80 to £120.- OK.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03I'd put a reserve on them of £80,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05give the auctioneer 10% discretion.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08And I think if you had a bit of luck, they might make 150.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10I actually think they're quite fun things.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Yes.- What I think is more remarkable is you, really.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16What was your happiest memory of India?
0:05:16 > 0:05:18We got...
0:05:18 > 0:05:23We got to know an Anglo-Indian family who made us welcome in their home.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Yeah.- And there were some very attractive girls there.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- But they were all... - I'm going to stop you there.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30I think this is... Charles, this is a daytime programme,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32we can't go any further with your story.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- It's beyond...- Let's just hope they sell well at the auction.- OK.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Oh, I wish he had let him finish the story.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Interesting owner and interesting item.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43Now, over to Elizabeth,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46who is enjoying the wildlife in the rose garden.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Barbara, I love your little birds. Thank you for bringing them in.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Do they have a story behind them?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Not really too much of a story from my point of view.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58I've almost sort of inherited them or I picked them out from an
0:05:58 > 0:06:03elderly neighbour who was getting rid of and anything you wanted, really.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- So you chose these as your... - Yeah, it was a reminder of him
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- and, yeah, the happy times we'd had with him.- How lovely.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- Yeah.- And are you a seamstress or a sewer at all?
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Um... A sewer. Or was a sewer, yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I mean, they're novelty pin cushions,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20which were a very popular element
0:06:20 > 0:06:24in the sewing box of Victorian ladies and Edwardian ladies.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26And right through to the First World War,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29you would find variations on novelty pin cushions.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31And the silver ones come in lots of natural forms.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33You get everything from elephants and hedgehogs
0:06:33 > 0:06:35to different sorts of birds. There are collectors
0:06:35 > 0:06:38who will sort of look specifically for some of the rarer models.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41But what I like about yours is that you've got two different sizes,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43you've got a nice little family here.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47They have obviously been, I think, re-stuffed
0:06:47 > 0:06:48and recovered at some time.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52I don't think that's necessarily the right fabric to the top.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Nonetheless, they have been preserved as little cushions,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57which is superb.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59And the assay marks tell me that they
0:06:59 > 0:07:03were made by the silversmiths company of Sampson Mordan.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- Right.- A very famous manufacturer of particularly novelty
0:07:07 > 0:07:09and miniature items.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12And he was working right up until the First World War.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Right. Do you think a Birmingham assay?
0:07:15 > 0:07:16Because the chap who used to...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Mr Walker came from Birmingham, the family were...
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Interesting question, they are actually Chester.- Oh, right.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25They could have been Birmingham, but in this case, they are Chester.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29And the dates are 1912, 1914 and 1916, quite interestingly.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- So, no rhyme or reason to that. - No.- Just fact, really.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34So, why are you parting with them?
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Well, first of all, the interest was to bring them here and see what
0:07:38 > 0:07:41you thought of them, if they were silver, and if they were, any value.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- And I don't really think my children will be fighting over them.- OK.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48So it might be a thing to just, yeah, you know, move on and...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Part with at this stage.- Yeah. - Well, Barbara, I think realistically
0:07:51 > 0:07:54we should put those in to auction with an estimate of £100 to £150.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55OK, thank you.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58But I suggest that we place a reserve of £100 firm, or fixed,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02so that that's the minimum that we would accept on the day.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- I think that is very fair... - Right, OK.- ..for you and for them,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07and I think 100 to 150 is a good expectation.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Right. That's great. - Wonderful.- Thank you very much.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Something for the collectors there.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Now, those are not the only beautifully made small objects
0:08:15 > 0:08:18at Layer Marney Tower.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Homes like this often have little hidden gems tucked away,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and this is one of them. You can't miss it, though.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29It is a giant dolls' house.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32It would have been a real labour of love for the person who made it.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36It's called Mandalay, and it was started in 1979
0:08:36 > 0:08:42by Miss Iris Patricia Kemp while she was waiting for a heart operation.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Her father had seen a picture of a Georgian dolls' house
0:08:45 > 0:08:47in a magazine, so he copied it.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51He made the superstructure, the shell, and Iris did the rest.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56And the house just grew and grew and grew into 18 rooms.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58And it's all here!
0:08:58 > 0:09:00And when you stand back and look at the detail,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03it really is quite exquisite. There is so much going on in every room.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And once she'd finished furnishing
0:09:06 > 0:09:10and decorating each room, she even created a family to live there.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12And she gave them all names.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13We've got Mrs Greenway, look, the cook,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16prepping the supper for the evening.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18And here, at the bottom of the stairs in his suit,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22that's Matthews, the butler, in charge of all the domestic staff,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25possibly the most important person in the house.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30Now, that is a fascinating piece of family history, a unique piece.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31Now let's join up with our experts,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and hopefully they're looking at something fascinating
0:09:34 > 0:09:35and unique as well.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Philip has found something that makes him feel very much at home.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- This is daft, you know, David.- What?
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- Well, because I have driven up from Worcester.- Yes, I know.- OK?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51And I've driven, what, 180 miles to be in Colchester.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54If I walk out my office and go 50 yards down the road, that is
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- where these were made.- Yes. - So, where did you get these from?
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- These belonged to my wife's grandmother.- Right, yeah.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07And, um, she passed them onto her daughter-in-law.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12And, um, so Chrissie's mother
0:10:12 > 0:10:14has asked us to bring them along to "Flog It!".
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I think they're lovely. They are really, really lovely.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20And, you know, you don't need to look at the mark too much,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- cos I know exactly what they are. They are Royal Worcester.- Yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28They were made somewhere between 18... I would think,
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- '72, '75 and about 1880.- Yes.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36In terms of decoration, you know, they're almost Japanese
0:10:36 > 0:10:41in influence, with these ferns, the guilt ferns, and the insects.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Very Japanesque in style, really.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46And that was the rage from about, I don't know,
0:10:46 > 0:10:481865 through to about 1880.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- And I think this is beautiful. This is a dressing table set.- It is.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Got a pair of candlesticks, a pair of little jars,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57probably for hat pins, two pots.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59This is a ring stand. And a little tray.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02If you want to be really picky,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05you've got some gilding that has rubbed around there.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07But this rich enamelling of these butterflies, I think,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- is absolutely fantastic. And they are all different.- Yes.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13And it is all in good order as well, which is lovely.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- I think you need to put it in at 200 to 300 estimate.- Right.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- And reserve it at 180. That's what I would do.- Yes.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- And it'll sell all day long.- Yes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I really, really hope that a private collector buys these
0:11:23 > 0:11:26and takes them home and enjoys them, because I think they're lovely.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- I've got a feeling they might get broken up or split up.- Yes.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31But, you know, hey-ho. That's...
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Whatever makes the money for you, that's all that matters.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36When you think Chrissie's grandmother bought this in 1920
0:11:36 > 0:11:40or in the '20s, and evidently she paid £7...
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- That was a tump of money.- Wasn't it?
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- Huge amount of money. - That was a tump of money.- Yes.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48If it wasn't so hot I'd work that out,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50but we'll just settle for "a lot of money",
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- and I hope you get as much at auction.- Yeah.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56That Worcester set gives us a glimpse into a bygone era.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01It's not unusual to have collections of cigarette cards
0:12:01 > 0:12:05brought to "Flog It!", but every collection is unique and individual.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07So, Maurice, tell me about yours.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Well, this was collected by my father and my grandfather,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- between the wars, mainly.- Uh-huh? - And I've inherited them.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16And they've just been in the wardrobe for the last 20 or 30 years,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and nobody really looks at them,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22so I decided to sort them out and file them up like this.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25So, this is just one book of obviously a much larger collection.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- How many would you...?- I reckon there's 1,000 in the collection.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- Really?- There's two catalogues like this and a lot of loose ones.- Yes.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- There's a lot of cards. - There are a lot of cards, yes.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38And some albums, as well, with them stuck in, as well.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40It's fascinating, because there are quite an array
0:12:40 > 0:12:43of different cigarette manufacturers represented in the collection.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46For some smokers, they had one brand that they favoured
0:12:46 > 0:12:47and they stuck to that,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50and that's all that you would find in a collection of cards,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but this one has everything from the Lambert & Butler,
0:12:53 > 0:12:55right through to Gallahers and all the others.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Some rarer, some more common factories,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59and some of them are not marked at all,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01so it's quite a cross section.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03And some of them date from the 19th century -
0:13:03 > 0:13:05so from actually Victorian times...
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Victorian times, that's right.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10People don't always recognise that they date from that early.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12But right through until the '20s and '30s.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Have you got any favourites amongst the...?- I have.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Those, those early ones.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- These football ones, Gallaher ones. - Oh, the football ones?
0:13:20 > 0:13:21I really like those ones.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- Yes.- And these rare Crowfoot Cigarettes and those ones there.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- With the animals on? - Yeah, lovely animals, they are.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29So, you've done all the hard work,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32you've laid them out, so people can see nicely what there is,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- and now it's time to sell them. - Now it's time to sell them, yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Cigarette cards, they're not infrequently seen at auction,
0:13:38 > 0:13:43but each collection can attract bidders for different reasons,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45and all it takes is for one collector to be desperately
0:13:45 > 0:13:48chasing a card that they haven't got in their collection
0:13:48 > 0:13:52and another person to be chasing the collection for a different reason,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54because they want this set, that set -
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and you've got that competition,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58which can make it do magical things on the day.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02So it's quite difficult to be accurate.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06I would recommend an estimate of £100-£150 for the collection...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- Yeah. I'm happy with that.- ..and that that we put a £100 reserve on it,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12we put it firm and fixed, so if it doesn't make £100, which,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14gosh, it should do - but if it doesn't, I would put them
0:14:14 > 0:14:16back in the wardrobe and keep them for the future
0:14:16 > 0:14:19because, you know, it's an insult not to sell them for at least £100.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- OK, I'm happy with that. - That all right?- Yes.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38This is Hylands House just outside of Chelmsford.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41And it's a great example of how buildings like this
0:14:41 > 0:14:44don't have to become relics or museums.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46This place has stayed relevant for each generation
0:14:46 > 0:14:48ever since it was built.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51English judge Sir John Comyns
0:14:51 > 0:14:55built the house as a family home in 1730.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58The original design was a red-brick building,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01which was very much the style of the time.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Now, the majority of grand mansion houses like this one have remained
0:15:06 > 0:15:09in the same family for generations, spanning 300 or 400 years.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14They've become a symbol of power and family permanence. Not this one.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17It was only in the Comyns family for three generations
0:15:17 > 0:15:19and then it was bought and sold on the open market,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22like any other modern house today.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26You can see it bears no resemblance to the original build -
0:15:26 > 0:15:28and there's a good reason for this.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32In 1797, the new owner, a Danish merchant,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35engaged the services of Humphry Repton,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37a pupil of Capability Brown,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39to redesign the building and the grounds,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43and what stands today is very much Repton's work.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47White walls and classical columns were now in vogue,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51and it's a style that the settlers took with them to America.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Now, does it remind you of anywhere?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56MUSIC: The Star-Spangled Banner
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Yes, that's right - the White House.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00You're not the only person to think so,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03because a number of film and TV directors have used Hylands
0:16:03 > 0:16:07to replicate the presidential home.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09But the real story of the building lies inside,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11so let's go and take a look around.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Through the years, various owners have called Hylands home,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20and they've enjoyed its grandeur.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22It has also played an important part
0:16:22 > 0:16:25in the lives of many ordinary people,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28who stayed here in much less pleasant circumstances.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Now, this room was originally the library.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Today, it's used as the boardroom, where meetings take place.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40But between the years of 1914 and 1918, it was known as Ward B.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Like many other great stately homes, they were taken over and adapted
0:16:44 > 0:16:48to be used as military hospitals, to take care of wounded soldiers
0:16:48 > 0:16:50during the First World War.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54And it's believed that 1,500 servicemen were treated here.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00After World War I, the house returned to being a private home.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01But just a few years later
0:17:01 > 0:17:06Hylands would once again play a vital role on behalf of the country.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11I've arranged to meet Kerry Lowen, estate manager of the house,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14to talk about this period of its history.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Kerry, why was Hylands so important during the Second World War?
0:17:18 > 0:17:22It was chosen by the SAS to be its headquarters -
0:17:22 > 0:17:25the newly-founded SAS - in 1944.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30And from here, they planned all their exploits overseas.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32So why did they choose THIS place?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35It was already marked down by the MoD for the Navy
0:17:35 > 0:17:36and not being that close to the sea...
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- No, we're quite landlocked, aren't we?- We are, very.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43And the SAS were looking for a headquarters.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49We believe that Lieutenant-Colonel Paddy Blair Mayne knew the owner,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- the last owner, Christine Hanbury...- Right, OK.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- ..and therefore they came here. - There was the correlation.- Yes.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55- OK.- Yes, I believe so.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- And the house was the right size...- Absolutely.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- And the infrastructure, the road system...- Plenty of space.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01- It was perfect.- Yes.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04There was a lot of land, they could actually parachute down to it, couldn't they?
0:18:04 > 0:18:06I guess they could. Fortunately they didn't.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08They did a lot of other things but not quite that.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10And I'd imagine there some wonderful stories.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13I know there's a story you wanted to tell me about this staircase.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Yes, about the jeep.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18There were two American officers who were visiting,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21and Paddy, he had a bet with them
0:18:21 > 0:18:25that he could get their jeep up this grand staircase.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26- Gosh.- So, immediately...
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- It's quite narrow, isn't it, when you look at it?- It is.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32And I must admit, when I heard the story, I didn't believe it myself.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35But actually I've seen a Willys Jeep, and you could fit it up there.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Wow.- And he managed...- Only to that first landing, though...
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Yes, he managed to drive it through the entrance hall
0:18:40 > 0:18:42and up to this first landing.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- Got it stuck, to great cheers of hilarity...- Yeah.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Undeterred, he marched over to the stables,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52which was where the other guys were sleeping,
0:18:52 > 0:18:56because the house was only used for officers and sergeants,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58marched them back over here, eight of them,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and got them to carry it from there up to the grand staircase landing.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- I bet they were laughing their heads off all the way.- They were.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And woke Mrs Hanbury up in the process...
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- And she caught them? - ..and she caught them. Scolded them severely and sent them to bed.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- That is a great story.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Well, you mentioned Mrs Hanbury, the owner of the house.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21How did she get on with the SAS, the troops that were stationed here?
0:19:21 > 0:19:24I think she kept a very close eye on them, and the house itself,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26but actually I think they got really well
0:19:26 > 0:19:29because we know that she got invited on more than...
0:19:29 > 0:19:34a couple of times a week to join the officers in the officers' mess,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- which was actually the library.- Mm.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Having lost her own son,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41I think she did keep a sort of mothering, watchful eye over them,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45and when they left, and waiting for them all to come back.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48When Christine Hanbury died in the 1960s,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Chelmsford Council took over the property.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54They opened the grounds to the public almost immediately,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58and in the 1980s, started restoration work on the house.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Eventually, the fabric of the building was repaired and restored,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07and soon afterwards work began on bringing the interior back to life.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Now, you have to remember that this was a house that was bought and sold
0:20:10 > 0:20:13so many times, it didn't have the wealth of content
0:20:13 > 0:20:16that other great historic houses have.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20So the curators here have worked extremely hard to find objects
0:20:20 > 0:20:22that may have once belonged here -
0:20:22 > 0:20:25like this beautifully-figured walnut longcase clock.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30It was made by Edward Hudson of Chelmsford, a local maker,
0:20:30 > 0:20:34circa 1745. It has two dials -
0:20:34 > 0:20:39the outer dial, which is in brass, the chaptering has Roman numerals.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The subsidiary dial has been silvered, that's the second hand.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44The beautiful thing about this second hand
0:20:44 > 0:20:48is every time it moves, a little figure up there
0:20:48 > 0:20:51swings backwards and forwards. It's the image of the Grim Reaper,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55reminding us that time is passing by.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58I think that's quite wonderful.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59Hylands House,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03a glorious piece of history that has stood the test of time.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Surrounded by people and antiques - that's what this show is all about,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21and I can guarantee we're going to have one or two surprises right now
0:21:21 > 0:21:25because our experts have made their first choice of items to take off to auction.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28You've heard what they've had to say, I've got my favourites,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31and I know you have too. But let's put it to the test in the saleroom -
0:21:31 > 0:21:35let's see what the bidders think, and here's a quick recap of all the items going under the hammer.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Charles's marvellous collection of terracotta Indian figures
0:21:40 > 0:21:43is unusual, so it should be noticed at the auction room.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48The three silver pin cushions fashioned as birds
0:21:48 > 0:21:50are classic collector's items.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55There's always collectors for cigarette cards -
0:21:55 > 0:21:58so Maurice's collection will do well.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02And lastly, the glorious dressing table set
0:22:02 > 0:22:04from Philip's hometown of Worcester.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12For today's sale, we've travelled south, to the town of Rayleigh
0:22:12 > 0:22:17and the auction house, which is packed with potential bidders.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19The man in charge today is Mark P Stacey,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22who is sharing the rostrum with his brother, Paul.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I shall sell to you, sir, then, at £10.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31We are starting with the collection of Indian figures.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34When I grow up I want to be just like Charles, cos I think you're fabulous.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- You are still playing tennis, aren't you?- Yes.- And you're 90.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- I'm taking up wing walking soon.- Wow!
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- I bet you could beat me at tennis as well.- Easily.- Yes, yes.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Cos you're a keen, regular player, aren't you?- Absolutely. I'm good at it, too.- Mm.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Only I say that, of course, you wouldn't.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54I reckon this is a rare occasion where our vendor is older than the lot.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56You may well be right.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Talking about the lot, though, I do really like those ten Indians.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- They're fun.- I know they're made for the export market,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06but I think there's something about them. The lot's going under the hammer.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Now we move to lot 530,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13a collection of ten assorted Indian painted clay figures.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15There we are. Very unusual.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18A commission bid, I have.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Starting at £70.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Commission bid at 70. At £70 with me. It's a commission bid.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Any advances now at 70?
0:23:25 > 0:23:28At £70 now, last opportunity, then.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31It's a commission bid and selling at 70...
0:23:32 > 0:23:34The hammer's gone down on £70,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37it was the lower end of estimate. That was fast and furious, Charles.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Blink and you'll miss that one. Sorry it didn't get any higher.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Totally satisfied anyway,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45and it's been an enjoyable occasion,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- a lot of fun, too.- It's great fun. Auctions are great fun.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50If you've got anything like that, we would love to see you.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Details of up-and-coming dates and venues are on our BBC website
0:23:55 > 0:23:57or check the details in your local press.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Dust them down and bring 'em in, and we'll flog 'em.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04What a fantastic man!
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I've just been joined by our next owner, Maurice,
0:24:09 > 0:24:10and our expert Elizabeth.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11Going under the hammer right now
0:24:11 > 0:24:13we've got a collection of cigarette cards.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15All of these are loose, thank goodness,
0:24:15 > 0:24:16they're all in the sleeves.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- They are.- And that's why we're looking at around £100-£150.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- Yes. And there's lots of them. - Great albums.- Lots of them.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Right, let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Moving on, lot 590,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31large collection of cigarette cards including Wills, Players.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Two albums, and there's two boxes there, as well.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I have two commission bids and I must start the bidding at £80.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Bids at £80, 95 anywhere?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40At £80, bid. 85, thank you, sir.
0:24:40 > 0:24:4290's on the internet. Against you, 95.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43At £95, now.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45It's in the room at 95.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46Come on, come on.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49100 on the internet against you, sir.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50110.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52110 is bid. 110 now.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54In the room against you on the internet. One more?
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Are you all finished, then, at £110?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59It's in the room, and I shall sell at £110.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Hammer's going down.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- They've gone. Gone within estimate. - Yes, I'm happy with that.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09If they'd been stuck down - £20.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11He says. They sell them much lower than that.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Yes, definitely. So well done.- Thanks a lot.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- Thank you for bringing them in. - Yeah, thanks a lot.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Going under the hammer now, we have our Royal Worcester
0:25:21 > 0:25:24dressing table set, belonging to Chrissie and David.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25David, good to see you again.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I know, Chrissie, you had to rush off to work,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30but at least you could make the auction. I know these are yours.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- They were Grandmother's as well. - They were, yes.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- Sad to see them go?- Yes, but they have been in a box for 27 years.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- Doing absolutely nothing. - Absolutely.- Up in the loft.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- So why not sell them?- Yep. - Let somebody else enjoy them.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44And on the day, we had our Royal Worcester expert with us,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48- Mr Philip Serrell... - They should fly.- They should fly.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53A very nice Royal Worcester dressing table set enamelled
0:25:53 > 0:25:56in butterfly decoration on a blue ground, lovely lot there. Lot 715.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Commission bids, I have. Must start the bidding at £140.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02140 is bid. 150 anywhere?
0:26:02 > 0:26:05140. 150. 160. 170.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08At £170, advance if you wish at 170.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I shall sell, then, at £170.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15It's a fair warning, I'm selling at 170...
0:26:15 > 0:26:17170 and sold.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21- It's gone down.- I'm disappointed in that. Genuinely disappointed.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23What were you hoping for, Philip?
0:26:23 > 0:26:27A difficult thing to sell. Because they're not fashionable. Um...
0:26:27 > 0:26:30But I think that someone could break those up,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34and I thought they might have just topped 250, 280.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- But you've got to put the estimate right to get there. - Sure.- Absolutely.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- You're happy, aren't you?- Yes, yes. - Absolutely.- Job done.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Well, at least they may be staying together as a set.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Just been joined by Barbara and our expert, Elizabeth.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50I'm talking about collectables,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and of course, there is a market all over the world for collectables.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56They buy online. Everyone is using the internet.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58They are texting each other and they are tweeting,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01exactly what we are doing right now with the little birds.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05But since the valuation day, I know we have still got that fixed reserve
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- but you have put the value up slightly, haven't you?- I have.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- And you've raised that reserve, haven't you?- I have, yes.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- We didn't want to go CHEAP, you see(?)- Cheap-cheap!
0:27:15 > 0:27:18These little novelty pin cushions are highly sought after.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20They are, and it is nice to have three, so I have high hopes
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- for them.- 200 to 300?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Yeah, should do it.- Should do it. So there's no worry, is there?
0:27:25 > 0:27:26You didn't have to worry about that.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Let's find out what the bidders think, they're going under the hammer.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34We come to the set of three graduated silver pin cushions
0:27:34 > 0:27:38in the form of hatching chicks. Nice little lot, that one there.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Commission bids, I have. Must start the bidding here with me at £100,
0:27:41 > 0:27:42commission bid's at £100.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44- Straight in, Barbara, at £100. - Good.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45120.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48130. 140. Against you. 150.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50160. 170.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52180. You're out.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53180, my bid.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55- Come on, come on, bid more, bid more.- Commission bid.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58£200, my bid, against you on the internet.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59210. 220, my bid.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Two people...
0:28:01 > 0:28:02220 now.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Finished on the internet?
0:28:04 > 0:28:06230 coming back in, 240's my bid.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08At 240 now. Against you, internet bidder.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- Commission bid's at 240, any advances, please?- Yes.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13There's a phone over there.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14260 is against you.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16270. 280.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Against you, sir. One more? 290.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21300, I have.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- That's more like it, isn't it? - Right, very good, yeah.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26310. 310's on my left. 310 now.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29310 on my left, coming in on the phone. At 310 now.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31At 310 now. Bid's on my left,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33are we all done?
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Fair warning, last chances then, please. At £310.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37Hammer's going down.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40- Exciting, thank you. - That is a sold sound.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43That was worth the wait, wasn't it? It really was.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- And you didn't have to worry. - Right, yeah.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47I WAS thinking, "Have I done the right thing?"
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Those birds were very popular and got double the estimate.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Well, some good results there and some very happy owners,
0:28:55 > 0:28:56and that is what it's all about.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Our first visit to the auction room, done and dusted.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01We're coming back here later on in the programme, don't go away.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Now, Essex has become best known in recent years for its party culture,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08but it's also home to a very traditional industry,
0:29:08 > 0:29:10that of the oyster fishermen.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13It's a food that's enjoyed all over the world.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17But times are getting a lot harder for the men who catch them.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21I went to Mersea, which is just a few miles up the coast, to find out more.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36The Essex coast is one of the best places in the world to find oysters.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Richard Haward's family have been dredging oysters
0:29:39 > 0:29:42here on the Blackwater Estuary for generations,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44all the way back to 1792.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53And I am here to spend the day with Richard and his son Bram.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55At this time of the year, it is
0:29:55 > 0:29:57actually illegal to fish for native oysters.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01So fishermen like Richard and Bram can only land their catch
0:30:01 > 0:30:03when there is a letter R in the month,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06so the season really runs from September until April.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09And as we are filming this in the heart of the summer -
0:30:09 > 0:30:11it's actually August - there is no fishing.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14But there is still plenty of work to do, and I'm going to help the guys out.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18So, Bram, what exactly do I need to do?
0:30:18 > 0:30:20- Put those on for a start? - Yep.- Keep nice and clean.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Today it's not about going fishing,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31but tending to the stock of oysters growing in the estuary.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40What is a good catch? On a good day, how many oysters can you land?
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- Uh... 5,000, plus.- Really?- Yep. - That's a lot of oysters, isn't it?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Yeah, it is a lot of oysters, but you do a lot of hours for that amount.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Dad loves it, doesn't he? I mean, he loves being here. Look at him.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Even though he's past his time and age, he doesn't look it.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- I started at four o'clock this morning.- Did you?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00So what are the hours for an oyster fisherman?
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- I started at four this morning. - You started at four?!
0:31:02 > 0:31:06- Why, because of the tide? - Tide, yeah. There's low tide then.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08I was hand picking them, picking them by hand.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10You can only really fish at low tide, then, can you?
0:31:10 > 0:31:14No, but when you go handpicking, you are obviously in the mud,
0:31:14 > 0:31:15picking them up by hand.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Then you wait for the tide to come up, and then go catch them in the boat.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- So you just make the most of it. - Yep.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- When the boat can't get out, you do it...- Yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Well, good on you. Was Dad up at four?- Yeah, right(!)
0:31:34 > 0:31:36What are we going to be doing today, Richard?
0:31:36 > 0:31:38We're going to be catching, we hope, mainly small oysters,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41which we're going to take from here on the river
0:31:41 > 0:31:44and relay on our own beds in the creeks, where they should get
0:31:44 > 0:31:47better food and grow and fatten and make a much better oyster.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- Is that something you have to do every season?- Well, yeah.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Some you can take straight out of the river, but they are rarely
0:31:53 > 0:31:56as good as anything you can produce in the creeks.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58That is the way it has been done for a long, long time.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Richard's family are part of a conservation project
0:32:01 > 0:32:04to protect the rare British native oyster,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07which has been in decline for years.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11We are hardly catching any native oysters at all at the moment.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14We leave them there to spawn, and then for the spawn to settle
0:32:14 > 0:32:17and become what we call spat and then grow
0:32:17 > 0:32:20but that takes four to five years before they're big enough to sell.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23So it is a very, very long-term project.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- Why are they in decline? - Probably overfishing years ago.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32Erm... Combined with...predators.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Several things eat oysters, especially when they're young.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36Erm...
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Changes in the water, the quality of the water. Combination of all of those things.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44There were wild oyster beds all around the British Isles.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47A lot of those beds now are just nonexistent
0:32:47 > 0:32:49and have been probably for nearly 100 years.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Obviously you've been in business all your working lives,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56but I mean, this family business goes back generations, doesn't it?
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- Yeah, I'm the seventh, Bram's the eighth.- Yeah.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02- Hopefully there'll be a ninth. - Yeah, there will be a ninth, and he's in training.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09'This is time-consuming work.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13'And when they are fishing, the boat will often be at sea for eight hours
0:33:13 > 0:33:17'a day, and may return with a catch of only 100 kilos of shellfish.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22'And they need at least 150 kilos just to break even.'
0:33:23 > 0:33:25What we've got here are rock oysters, and you can tell
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- cos they look like rocks, I guess.- That's right.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Native oysters are sort of rounder and smoother.- That's correct.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34So basically what we're doing now
0:33:34 > 0:33:36is just separating oysters
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- that have got stuck together. - That's correct.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Do you separate them because it would stunt their growth
0:33:41 > 0:33:42if they're stuck together?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44It would stunt their growth, make them grow a funny shape.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47And quite honestly, if you left them too late,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- you wouldn't manage to part them into single oysters.- Really?
0:33:50 > 0:33:51I don't think I'm strong enough.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54It's jolly enjoyable on a day like this,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- but obviously you're out in all weathers.- Yes, in the middle of...
0:33:57 > 0:34:00And this gets rather difficult if it's pouring with rain and cold.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05And cold. Yeah, the rain's not really a problem. The cold...
0:34:05 > 0:34:08The problem when you become an old man like me...
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- PAUL LAUGHS - How old are you now? If you don't mind me asking.- 68.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15- And you're still working every single day.- Yeah.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18When do you think you'll retire? Will you ever retire?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- My boy says never.- Never.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- Well, Bram needs a hand, doesn't he? Let's face it.- Yep.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24For a few more years, anyway.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26The trouble is I won't do what he tells me, so...
0:34:26 > 0:34:27Is he in charge now?
0:34:27 > 0:34:29He's in charge of the boat, yeah.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39- So this is your stretch of water? - It is, we own this bit of seabed.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- How much of this seabed do you own? - We've got seven acres here.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Seven acres, that is a large area, isn't it? That really is.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47- And are there marker buoys showing where...?- We've got
0:34:47 > 0:34:52- marker buoys and we've got withes - sticks that mark what we've got.- OK.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54- So, I guess we've got to get these back in the water?- Yep.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57OK. So just literally straight in?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Well, slowly. Don't go too quickly, else they'll all end up in a heap.
0:35:00 > 0:35:01If you just...
0:35:02 > 0:35:05I see, cos you don't want them to land on top of each other.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06No, you want them spread out.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09So they're down there now for how many years?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12- Probably three or four, I would say. - Three or four years.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Can I do this one?- Yes, you can do that one, but be careful.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Don't go with it.- No.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- Welcome to your new home, guys.- Yep.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Where will these end up once they've been picked up?
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Where will they be sold to?
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Well, a lot of them we sell into London
0:35:26 > 0:35:29because London's nearby, 60 miles, and a big sender.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32And we've got our own stall up there as well.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35But other than that, round the country, Middle East, Far East...
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- All over Europe?- Little bit, not so much at the moment, but...
0:35:41 > 0:35:42There you go, guys.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Last one...
0:35:47 > 0:35:50There we are, that's the work done for today - but Richard
0:35:50 > 0:35:54and Bram will be back doing exactly the same thing tomorrow.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57I've had a marvellous time here helping these guys out.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59It couldn't be any better.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01And I think it's wonderful that generation after
0:36:01 > 0:36:04generation of the same family are keeping a local traditional
0:36:04 > 0:36:09industry well and truly alive. And long may it continue.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Welcome back to our valuation day here at Layer Marney Tower.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26And as you can see, we still have hundreds of people
0:36:26 > 0:36:28waiting to see our experts, so fingers crossed
0:36:28 > 0:36:31we're going to find some real gems right here, right now.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35So let's join up with our experts and take a look at our next item.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40You've brought a lovely historical piece in today, Jill.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- What can you tell me about your cribbage board?- Not a lot, really.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49This was left with my mother's things, and we inherited it.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52And we were afraid that when anything happened to us,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55the children would just throw it away, they wouldn't be interested.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57- Just disregard it as "that old thing".- Yes, yes.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59At first glance, it looks a very sort of plain
0:36:59 > 0:37:03and straightforward piece of engine-cut brass.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Cribbage boards have an interesting history.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09They were believed to be invented by a British soldier and poet
0:37:09 > 0:37:14called Sir John Suckling in the 17th century, so quite a long time ago.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19Um, and it was sort of a game, where you put in your little pegs, or
0:37:19 > 0:37:24even sort of pared down matchsticks, and keep score along the board.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27But obviously, you can score dominoes or card games with it.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30And it was adopted particularly on board ship
0:37:30 > 0:37:32and by military personnel.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35It is an easy to carry along game and you can sort of have
0:37:35 > 0:37:39lots of that, whiling away at boring hours in trenches, etc,
0:37:39 > 0:37:43and whilst on board ship, playing with your colleagues.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Yours is late, it is a 20th-century piece of brass,
0:37:46 > 0:37:50which intrinsic, isn't worth a lot, it's not that unusual.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54But what makes yours special is the engraving right in the middle.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55And it is...
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Now, can you, via your mother, tell me anything about that?
0:38:05 > 0:38:07No, nothing at all.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Is there any family connection to the ship or anything?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- Not as far as I know, no.- OK.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Well, certainly, to my knowledge,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17there have been several HMS Excellents
0:38:17 > 0:38:19through the years, over the centuries,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22and it has always been associated with being a training ship.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26Gunners would use it to practise their shooting
0:38:26 > 0:38:28skills from on board ship.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31And that was really what it was known as being.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34What it is is a little pocket...
0:38:34 > 0:38:38It's a slice of history there, ready for somebody to tap into.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42And in the current market, military and naval
0:38:42 > 0:38:45and British history is very much at the fore of people's consciences.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47A very popular field for collecting.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50So, it is a very modest piece,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53but actually it is quite a heart-warming piece, too.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57In terms of value, unless further research throws up
0:38:57 > 0:38:59a huge discrepancy, I think the value
0:38:59 > 0:39:02is actually going to be quite modest.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03I would think roundabout
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- sort of £30 to £50 at auction would be realistic.- That's fine.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08- Does that sound all right?- Yes.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11And we'll put a reserve on, if you would like one?
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- Yes.- A reserve? Lower end of the estimate, at £30.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14That would be fine.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18We'll fix it at 30, and then you've got peace of mind.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20- And we'll see what the response is to it.- Thank you.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- Thank you for bringing it in. - Thank you very much.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27If only that cribbage board could talk, the stories it could tell.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31We've taken a step away from the valuations,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34which are taking place outside, in the glorious sunshine,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37to the shade of the great barn, a cooler part of the building,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40in fact, the oldest part of the estate here.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41And I've just been joined by Iris.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45And thank you so much for bringing in a Kenneth Halliwell collage,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47dated 1966.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Now, I had the good fortune of filming with "Flog It!"
0:39:49 > 0:39:53recently about a playwright from Leicester called Joe Orton,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56who was Halliwell's live-in partner. And of course, Joe Orton,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59you know, one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century,
0:39:59 > 0:40:01tackled subjects which so many people were frightened to
0:40:01 > 0:40:05talk about on stage - What The Butler Saw, Loot, plays like that.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Still very, very popular today.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12Now, while Orton's career was taking off, unfortunately...
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- Halliwell's was declining. - Halliwell's was declining, yes.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17What can you tell me about this and how did you come by it?
0:40:17 > 0:40:21We used to own a second-hand record shop in Ilford.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25And my partner and I went round to an elderly lady.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28And she had this above the mantelpiece.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32And I was quite fascinated by it, but I wasn't sure what it was.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I went to look and I noticed it was Halliwell, and I questioned her.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39And she said that a neighbour was a friend of Joe Orton's
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- and Kenneth Halliwell's.- Right, OK.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43So I asked if she would be interested in selling it,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46because she seemed to need some money at the time.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49And she said, yes, she would be interested.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52- And I made her an offer and she accepted.- Right.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- And have you had it on a wall ever since, enjoying this?- No.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- I took it home and... - Where has it been?
0:40:58 > 0:41:00I considered putting it on the wall,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02but I thought it was a bit depressing.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05And I've got a cousin in Devon who said to me,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08"Do not put it on the wall because it is bad karma."
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- Really? - So it never ever went on the wall.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14What do you think is depressing about it? I...
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Structurally, I think it is very, very good.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19There are the eyes that stare at you.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22And I think the stairway doesn't lead anywhere.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24No, I don't think it's supposed to, really, is it?
0:41:24 > 0:41:26I think Halliwell felt his life...
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Was slightly trapped and he was going around in circles.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30And there was an exhibition, I think.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34Well, Orton's career really peaked in 1966, he persuaded Halliwell
0:41:34 > 0:41:36to have an exhibition on the King's Road of all his collages.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38This possibly would have been one of them.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42It's dated '66, it could have been for that exhibition.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43Possibly.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- But sadly, none of his work sold.- No.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48And a year later, in '67,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50he killed Orton and then committed suicide...
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- That's right.- ..in his flat, in Islington, in North London.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54- In Noel Road.- Yes, yeah.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I think he's a man with exceptional talent, actually,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- and I think he's been overlooked. - Yes.- I really do.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02And I think there's a considerable amount of value here
0:42:02 > 0:42:05because of its rarity and its story and its provenance.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10My gut feeling is if you put this into auction with
0:42:10 > 0:42:14an estimate of around £800 to £1,200, I think it will sell.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15Yes.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18What's the least amount of money you would let this go for?
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Well, I think a reserve of 1,000 would be correct.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23OK.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27If we pitch that at 800 to 1,200 with a reserve at 800,
0:42:27 > 0:42:28would you be happy?
0:42:28 > 0:42:31I think...I think tucking it slightly under the £1,000 mark
0:42:31 > 0:42:35gives it a chance to get that £1,000.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- Yes, yes, I agree.- Yeah?
0:42:37 > 0:42:40I'm confident it will get that.
0:42:40 > 0:42:41I think there will be a lot of interest
0:42:41 > 0:42:44because it's been a long time since one of these has gone on the market.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- Yes. - And this is a particularly good one.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50- Hm. That'd be great.- Yeah.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52That's a really exciting picture to see
0:42:52 > 0:42:54and definitely one to watch at the auction.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Now, back out in the sunshine,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00where Elizabeth has a table full of bright Staffordshire ware.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Well, Lynn, if all, you've come dressed for the wedding.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04- You look beautiful.- Thank you.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08But you've actually taken your accessorizing to another level
0:43:08 > 0:43:11because you have brought along this amazing set to match your outfits.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14It wasn't planned, it just happened, honestly.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17A lot of hard work went into that, it's very beautiful.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21Well, thank you for coming along and bringing a coffee set with you.
0:43:21 > 0:43:22And do you know much about it?
0:43:22 > 0:43:28Not too much, just that I think it's probably 1930s
0:43:28 > 0:43:33and it came from a maiden aunt of my husband's.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36I noticed that it had Shelley on the bottom.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39And it is just very, very pretty.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41And, Yvonne, you know this set as well?
0:43:41 > 0:43:43I don't know the set, but I do know Auntie Dot,
0:43:43 > 0:43:47and she was a lovely, gentle lady,
0:43:47 > 0:43:51very quiet and just a lady, really.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55But Lynn was very kind. She knows I was desperate to get on the show.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58So she found this treasure to bring.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01So you are both getting something out of the day today.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03- Yes, definitely, definitely.- Good!
0:44:03 > 0:44:06The Shelley which I suppose we all think of is the bright
0:44:06 > 0:44:10- and colourful, avant-garde pieces. - The different handles, yes.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14Which were running parallel with the Art Deco period
0:44:14 > 0:44:18that was so strong in the design world at that stage.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Now, what you have here is a service which is...
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- I know you know the name of the flowers.- Anemones.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27Well, this is actually the Anemone pattern.
0:44:27 > 0:44:32And the name of the shape of both the cups
0:44:32 > 0:44:35and the coffee pot is the Vincent shape.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38Seeing it here on this beautiful day, the sunshine coming down.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41- On the lovely blue cloth. - It just seems...
0:44:41 > 0:44:46I mean, it's in lovely condition and it's very English and it just...
0:44:46 > 0:44:48It is very happy, a happy service.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52Having seen it all spread out now, can you bear to part with it?
0:44:52 > 0:44:54Yes, I can. Yes.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57I think we're looking at round about £100 to £150
0:44:57 > 0:44:58within total.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01- Does that sort of still suit you? - Yeah, I haven't...
0:45:01 > 0:45:05Up until I was going to bring it, I wondered if it would only be
0:45:05 > 0:45:08sort of worth about £60, something like that, so that's...
0:45:08 > 0:45:10It should be worth more than that.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13And I think if it doesn't reach £100, I would certainly not
0:45:13 > 0:45:17- worry about hanging onto it for a little while longer.- OK.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20- Another visit to "Flog It!". - Yes, another visit, yay!
0:45:20 > 0:45:23- So if we put it through... If you are happy to sell it at that.- Yes.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25A £100, £150 estimate.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27We'll set a reserve on it of 100,
0:45:27 > 0:45:29so you've got peace of mind on the day.
0:45:29 > 0:45:34And we'll see what we do on the day. Does that suit you?
0:45:34 > 0:45:36That would be absolutely wonderful, thank you.
0:45:36 > 0:45:37Thank you so much for bringing it in
0:45:37 > 0:45:40- and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.- I'm sure we will,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43- thank you.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45I wonder if we're going to see them both at the auction.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Layer Marney Tower isn't just an important, historic building,
0:45:48 > 0:45:50it's also a family home.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52And two of the current members of the family are right here,
0:45:52 > 0:45:56right now. Nick, good to see you, and his daughter, Alice. Hi.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59- Now, Nick, you grew up here and your parents bought this house.- Yes.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01That must have been quite incredible at such a young age.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Well, I was actually born here in the bedroom that we live in,
0:46:05 > 0:46:06sleep in, whatever now.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09So it's all I've ever known and I think that probably takes away
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- some of the glamour, because you just get used to it.- Sure, sure.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14What made your parents buy this building?
0:46:14 > 0:46:18- Were they after an historic building to do up?- No, they weren't.
0:46:18 > 0:46:23They were married in the church next door in 1957.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26And my father was out in South Yemen, posted out of there with the Army.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28My mother wrote to him and said,
0:46:28 > 0:46:31"Layer Marney's come up for sale."
0:46:31 > 0:46:34Just because by the by and, "Your daughter Victoria's well"
0:46:34 > 0:46:36and this and that. And he wrote back and said, "Buy it."
0:46:36 > 0:46:38She bought it. Against all advice.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40Well, Alice, I notice you're wearing a "Flog It!" T-shirt.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42- You're helping out with us today.- Yeah, yeah.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45- What was it like growing up here for you?- Erm... It was fantastic.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48It's the perfect, perfect place to....
0:46:48 > 0:46:50- Play hide and seek. - Grow up. Play hide and seek!
0:46:50 > 0:46:52- Great parties!- Really great. - Poor old Dad.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Thank you for taking time for talking.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56- Cos I know we've got work to do! - Yeah!
0:46:56 > 0:46:58Shall we get on with it? Come on.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01And now over to our resident fashion guru,
0:47:01 > 0:47:03Mr Philip Serrell.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05- Peter, how are you doing? - I'm doing fine, thanks.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07- It's a warm day, isn't it? - Phew, yes!
0:47:07 > 0:47:09You've got very appropriate clothing on.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11My daughter'll be killing me now, cos she told me not to wear it!
0:47:11 > 0:47:13Yeah, well, there are shirts, and that is a shirt.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16Did you ever have a part in Hawaii Five-O?
0:47:16 > 0:47:18This is my "No, Dad" shirt.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20"No, Dad, don't wear it."
0:47:20 > 0:47:23- So, you brought these along.- Yes. - I think they're lovely.- Yep.
0:47:23 > 0:47:24This is salt-glazed,
0:47:24 > 0:47:29and it's very much in the shape of a 17th-century German bellarmine,
0:47:29 > 0:47:32but probably English. Stoneware.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35- And this is a lovely cobalt blue.- Yes.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38And this, sort of, shrinkage on here is, when it's fired,
0:47:38 > 0:47:41the glaze just shrinks and you get almost, like, this mottled effect.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43And I think they're absolutely lovely,
0:47:43 > 0:47:46but condition is just everything with these.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49- And the condition just ain't good, is it?- No.- Why's that, then?
0:47:49 > 0:47:52Well, because it was in the bottom of a swimming pool,
0:47:52 > 0:47:54- laying like that, and a digger caught it.- Oh!
0:47:54 > 0:47:57About 20 foot down in the ground.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59Did you see these the minute the digger caught them, or...?
0:47:59 > 0:48:01That one I did, yeah.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03It glanced off the top and just caught it,
0:48:03 > 0:48:07and then, obviously, we got down into the bottom and started...
0:48:07 > 0:48:09- Having a good dig around. - By hand, and then...
0:48:09 > 0:48:12- Did you find any more? - No. They were the only two in there.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15We dug the rest of the pool, and that was the only two there.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17- And when was this? - 25 years ago, easily.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19There was supposed to have been a brewery there.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22- Whether there was or not... - That's a lovely story.
0:48:22 > 0:48:23- Yeah, it's great. - Let's leave it at that.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26Let's not look into this too deeply, let's just leave it at that.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28I think they're cool things, actually.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31What I really like about that is you've got a loop handle there,
0:48:31 > 0:48:33- so someone has got a strap of clay...- Yeah.
0:48:33 > 0:48:34..they've put it on there
0:48:34 > 0:48:36- and they've just pushed that down like that...- Yeah.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39- ..And then it's gone down there, and then it's just...- Thumbprint.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41It's just thumbed. And it's salt glazed,
0:48:41 > 0:48:45because the salt gets chucked in to the kiln at a certain temperature,
0:48:45 > 0:48:47and it gives it that, sort of, mottled, brown finish,
0:48:47 > 0:48:49and I just think they're lovely.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53- They're just a bit of fun.- Yeah. - OK? They are just a bit of fun.
0:48:53 > 0:48:55I mean, do you just want to see the back of them or...?
0:48:55 > 0:48:58Yeah, I mean, they've been hanging about for yonks
0:48:58 > 0:49:00and my wife's now fed up with polishing them and cleaning them
0:49:00 > 0:49:02- and...- Yeah.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04- Wives have a habit of doing that, don't they?- Yeah.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06- Yeah, they do. - I'm under instructions.- Really?
0:49:06 > 0:49:09- Yeah.- It's a tough life, innit? - It is a tough life.
0:49:09 > 0:49:14Erm, I think that I would put probably a 30-50 estimate on them.
0:49:14 > 0:49:15Oh! As much as that(?)
0:49:15 > 0:49:19And I'd reserve them at 20 quid and keep everything I'd got crossed - everything I'd got crossed.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23And she was hoping to retire!
0:49:23 > 0:49:25Yeah, well, she CAN...
0:49:25 > 0:49:27but not on the strength of these.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30And I think you should wear that shirt at the auction
0:49:30 > 0:49:32because that would provide a suitable distraction to the bidders,
0:49:32 > 0:49:34and they're not going to see that damage.
0:49:34 > 0:49:36- I'm sure I can find a better one!- Really?
0:49:37 > 0:49:39Oh, all right. OK.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43I love it when people find things like that.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49Well, there you are, our experts have now made their final
0:49:49 > 0:49:52choices of items to take off to auction,
0:49:52 > 0:49:55and I think there could be one or two surprises there.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57So sadly it's time to say goodbye to our magnificent
0:49:57 > 0:50:00host location, Layer Marney Tower.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03Right now, we've got some unfinished business to do in the saleroom.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06And here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10This cribbage board with its inscription really is
0:50:10 > 0:50:12a little piece of history.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18And I'm looking forward to seeing how this Kenneth Halliwell
0:50:18 > 0:50:20collage does in the saleroom.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26It's pretty, it's Shelley and it's not a lot of money,
0:50:26 > 0:50:30so we will be saying goodbye to Lynn's coffee set.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33I liked Peter's stoneware jugs,
0:50:33 > 0:50:36and the story of how he found them was first class.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41We're heading back to Rayleigh in Essex,
0:50:41 > 0:50:43where our sale is taking place.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46Let's now find what auctioneer Paul Stacey
0:50:46 > 0:50:47makes of the Halliwell collage.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52I love this. I really do. If I could own this, I'd love to buy it.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55It belongs to Iris. It is, as you know, a Kenneth Halliwell collage.
0:50:55 > 0:50:59And I had the fortune of finding out about Kenneth Halliwell
0:50:59 > 0:51:01and his partner Joe Orton when I did a piece for "Flog It!"
0:51:01 > 0:51:03about six months ago.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05And I went to the museum in Islington
0:51:05 > 0:51:09where there is a large collection of his work.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13I never thought I would see an original come on the market
0:51:13 > 0:51:18in my life, so for me, this is a great "Flog It!" find.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22It's...it's a very rare thing, with so much history behind it.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25It is a definite winner, there is no doubt about that at all.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29- How many phone lines have you got booked?- Three at the moment.- Great.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32And I think there's... You know, potentially there could be
0:51:32 > 0:51:33other buyers that'll also just come
0:51:33 > 0:51:35just purely to buy this
0:51:35 > 0:51:37because it is such a unique thing.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41Halliwell did without a doubt live on the edge anyway.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43Erm... And everything else.
0:51:43 > 0:51:47I think the whole thing is fantastic, very, very interesting.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50- Unique thing. It's going to do very, very well.- Yeah.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52Good luck with that. Well, I don't need to say good luck,
0:51:52 > 0:51:54it's going to sell itself.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56- It's going to be good, yeah. - We'll just wait for the surprise.
0:51:56 > 0:52:00Whatever you do, don't go away, this could get very interesting.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04But before we find out how it does we have a couple of other items
0:52:04 > 0:52:07to go under the hammer.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Our next item isn't a great deal of money,
0:52:09 > 0:52:10but it is a great deal of fun
0:52:10 > 0:52:13and you can get a great deal of use out of it if you play games,
0:52:13 > 0:52:16especially cribbage. Because it was made, wasn't it, Jill,
0:52:16 > 0:52:19- as a cribbage board?- Yes, that's right.- It's machine polished,
0:52:19 > 0:52:20- it's a nice piece of brass.- Yep.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22But you can score with other games.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26I use them for dominoes and things like that, lots of family fun.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28And not a lot of money, so hopefully
0:52:28 > 0:52:30someone's going to buy this and put it to use.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32- Hope so. - It's going under the hammer now.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Moving now to 560.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39We have a brass peg cribbage board with the inscription
0:52:39 > 0:52:42HMS Excellent, 1916.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Commission bids, I have, straight in at...
0:52:45 > 0:52:49- Commission bid!- Yes!- £38 is bid. It's a commission bid with me at 38.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Any advances now? 38 is bid,
0:52:51 > 0:52:5440 we're looking for. 40, thank you, sir.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56Back of the room at £40. 42.
0:52:56 > 0:53:00One more takes it if you want it, sir. 45 now.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03Back of the room at £45 and selling. Are we all done?
0:53:05 > 0:53:07- Yes!- That was all right. - It was good, wasn't it?
0:53:07 > 0:53:10- Thank you very much. - Someone's going to put that to use.
0:53:10 > 0:53:11Yes. Thank you.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14That is an excellent start.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16Let's hope it's a sign of things to come.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20A wonderful little lot going under the hammer right now -
0:53:20 > 0:53:23two 19th-century stoneware flagons, belonging to Peter
0:53:23 > 0:53:27- and his wife Tiggy, who we didn't meet at the valuation day.- No. - Thank you for turning up today.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- I feel we will get that top bid. - I hope so, they're lovely things.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33- I like the salt glaze one. - Lovely texture to the body.
0:53:33 > 0:53:34Right, let's find out what the bidders think.
0:53:34 > 0:53:38They're going under the hammer right now. This is it.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41Lot 745, we come now to small stoneware flagons, as catalogued.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45Where we going to be with this lot? 10 to start us, 10.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47Cheap lot for £10. 10 bid, thank you, sir. 12, anywhere?
0:53:47 > 0:53:49Are we all done at 10?
0:53:49 > 0:53:5112, 14, 16.
0:53:51 > 0:53:52And 16, and 18, now.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56£18. Are we all done? Fair warning, I'm selling at 18.
0:53:56 > 0:53:57Hammer's going down...
0:53:58 > 0:54:02- Well, he sold. He sold at 18. - I can retire on that.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04- Absolutely right. - But I tell you what,
0:54:04 > 0:54:06you've had the pleasure of finding them, cleaning them
0:54:06 > 0:54:09and owning them, and I think that's where the value is, really.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12- You saved them, that's the thing. - Yeah. They're back in circulation.
0:54:12 > 0:54:13- Exactly.- Absolutely right.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23OK, normally on the show we are selling Shelley tea sets,
0:54:23 > 0:54:25but right now we're selling a Shelley coffee set.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27It's going under the hammer, and it belongs to Lynn,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30who's right next to me. Hello. And I know you're here with Yvonne.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33- You're best friends?- We are. - You were both at the valuation day.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35I think it's a first for us on the Shelley coffee set.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37- Is it really?- Yeah, we've had hundreds of tea sets.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40Well, it is more unusual, but it's such a bright and vibrant pattern,
0:54:40 > 0:54:43in lovely condition, and it's a Vincent shape, so hopefully...
0:54:43 > 0:54:46- And it should draw in the bidders. - I hope so.- OK. And it's complete.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50Let's find out what they think. It's going under the hammer right now. Good luck, girls.
0:54:51 > 0:54:55We come now to a decorative Shelley patterned coffee set, as catalogued.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Where are we going to be? Let's get going at £90.
0:54:58 > 0:55:00£90 straight in. £90 is bid.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Thank you. 95 anywhere?
0:55:02 > 0:55:0595. 100. 110. 120.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08120 on the commissions. 130 anywhere?
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Coming in, madam? 130, thank you.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12140's against you. 140. 150.
0:55:12 > 0:55:17160 is with me. Against you at £160 now.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19It is my commission bid against you in the room.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22I'm selling on the commissions at £160.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24Hammer's going down...
0:55:24 > 0:55:26- There you are, it's gone. Sold. - That's great.- That's brilliant.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29- That is brilliant.- We're happy, you're happy. Great valuation.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32So - you've experienced the valuation day,
0:55:32 > 0:55:34they saw the whole process go through,
0:55:34 > 0:55:36- you've now witnessed the auction.- Yes.- Wonderful.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39- And you're going home happy?- We are, very happy. Wonderful day out.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44And it made a little over the top estimate for them.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47Well, it has been a long wait, but it is my turn to be the expert.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Yes, we are talking about the Halliwell collage.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52Iris has just joined me in this packed saleroom.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55- I tell you what, it's getting hotter by the minute.- It is.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57Especially as your lot is going under the hammer.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00- What's going through your mind right now?- I'm just nervous.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02Are you? I'M nervous for you as well.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06Look, I know it's going to sell - I've got in contact with the museum in Islington
0:56:06 > 0:56:09and I know there are three phone lines booked.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12I've had a chat to the auctioneer on the preview day
0:56:12 > 0:56:14and he's very excited about it.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17- He's had lots and lots of interest. - That's really good.- So...
0:56:17 > 0:56:21Iris, I think you could be doing a little dancing,
0:56:21 > 0:56:23you're in the money. Well, are you ready for this, Iris?
0:56:23 > 0:56:25- I certainly am.- So am I.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Let's hand the proceedings over to the auctioneer
0:56:27 > 0:56:30and find out exactly what the bidders, what the phone lines
0:56:30 > 0:56:32and what the internet thinks.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34Let's get some big money. Here we go.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39We have the rare, framed 1960s
0:56:39 > 0:56:42original collage by Kenneth Halliwell.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44Shall we say about 500 to start?
0:56:44 > 0:56:46500 anywhere? 500 I've got straight in, thank you.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49600. 650.
0:56:49 > 0:56:54700. 750. 800. 850.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56900. 950.
0:56:56 > 0:56:591,000. 1,100.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02At £1,100 now. Gentleman standing at 1,100.
0:57:02 > 0:57:03At 1,100...
0:57:03 > 0:57:06Could be going in the room. It could be going in the room.
0:57:06 > 0:57:071,100.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09..1,200. Against you.
0:57:09 > 0:57:111,300. 1,400.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13- 1,500.- We've got a phone line now.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16We've got a phone line coming in. This is getting exciting.
0:57:16 > 0:57:191,600.
0:57:19 > 0:57:201,800.
0:57:20 > 0:57:221,900.
0:57:22 > 0:57:252,000. 2,200.
0:57:25 > 0:57:262,400.
0:57:26 > 0:57:282,600.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30- What's going through your mind now? - It's amazing.
0:57:30 > 0:57:35At 2,600, for the last time, are we all done and selling?
0:57:35 > 0:57:3627. 28 I'll take, sir.
0:57:36 > 0:57:372,800.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40From the museum, with the 2,800.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43..For the last time and selling at 2,800...
0:57:43 > 0:57:46Your sale, well done. Thank you.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48£2,800 for Iris!
0:57:48 > 0:57:50Oh! What's going through your mind?
0:57:50 > 0:57:52- It's brilliant.- Yeah?- Brilliant.
0:57:52 > 0:57:55Oh, how exciting was that? I told you there was going to be
0:57:55 > 0:57:57a surprise. We have Mark joining us now from the museum.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00I interviewed Mark a few months ago. This is Mark from the museum
0:58:00 > 0:58:02in Islington. Come in. You were the lucky buyer.
0:58:02 > 0:58:05- Whew! It was close, wasn't it? - It was close. We were a bit worried.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08- You got to your threshold nearly. - Very near.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10- One extra hundred. How about that? - Well, I'm delighted.
0:58:10 > 0:58:14This is the lady who's looked after it for the last two years.
0:58:14 > 0:58:18Thank you very much. Appreciate it for the Borough of Islington.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20And the good news is, everybody can go and see it.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22You can go to Islington, you can see the museum there.
0:58:22 > 0:58:25We've been there on "Flog It!", it's well worth it.
0:58:25 > 0:58:27And Iris, thank you so much for looking after it.
0:58:27 > 0:58:29- And enjoy that money, won't you? - I will.
0:58:29 > 0:58:31I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:58:31 > 0:58:33Please join us again for many more surprises.
0:58:33 > 0:58:37But right now, from Essex, it doesn't get any better than this. Goodbye.