0:00:05 > 0:00:07Today we're in South Yorkshire,
0:00:07 > 0:00:08and we're on a mission
0:00:08 > 0:00:11to find all those unwanted antiques and collectables
0:00:11 > 0:00:12and give them a new home.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14This is Sheffield. Welcome to Flog it!
0:00:36 > 0:00:39For hundreds of years, the factories of Sheffield
0:00:39 > 0:00:41have produced steel goods in vast quantities
0:00:41 > 0:00:43and of the highest quality.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46It's this industry that helped create Sheffield's wealth
0:00:46 > 0:00:49and impressive architecture.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53It also put it on the world map as the first city of steel.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Our venue today is the magnificent Cutlers' Hall
0:00:56 > 0:00:58home to the Cutlers' Company
0:00:58 > 0:01:00who've helped maintain Sheffield's reputation
0:01:00 > 0:01:04for producing the finest steel products in the world.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06And today it's our job to find the finest antiques here
0:01:06 > 0:01:08in all of these bags and boxes
0:01:08 > 0:01:10that the people of Sheffield have brought along.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13We'll tell you what it's worth, and if you're happy with the valuation,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- what are you going to do? - ALL:- Flog it!
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Let's get cracking!
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Hoping to find something precious are our very own treasures.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27There's a diamond in the rough - Thomas Plant.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30It's Walker and Hall. It is Sheffield.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- A bit of Sheffield... Silver Sheffield plate, isn't it?- Yes.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36And a polished gem - James Lewis.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Well done, brilliant find.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- So how old do you think the bag will be?- The bag's 1950s. Post-war.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44We've got a great crowd today gathered from all over Yorkshire.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Can you guess which of these items will top the charts
0:01:47 > 0:01:48in the sale room?
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Could it be these diamond earrings that sparkle?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Or will we be raising a glass to this happy chappie?
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Or will this set of knives have the edge?
0:02:02 > 0:02:04We'll be finding out very soon.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Cutlers' Hall has been here since 1638.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It's been rebuilt twice as the company's and the city's fortunes
0:02:12 > 0:02:13have changed over the years.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16The space that we're in today is known as the main hall.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19It's the grandest room in the building -
0:02:19 > 0:02:23it's entertained kings, queens and other dignitaries over the years.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Everyone's steeling themselves for an exciting day ahead,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30and Thomas Plant is about to kick-start the proceedings.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- Are you a Sheffield girl? - Yes, born and bred Sheffield.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- Born and bred. And these are scenes of industrial Sheffield.- Yes.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Do you remember the city like this?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Well, parts of it. Yes. But not all on it.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Is this why you have these pictures?
0:02:45 > 0:02:46Tell me about them.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Well, the pictures were drawn and painted by a friend of mine
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and he used to have 'em on wall and I always liked them,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56because it'd remind me of old Sheffield. I love old Sheffield.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59So I gave him some money what he wanted for them.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- Really. - And that were 1978.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03You're saying that your friend was Mr North?
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- Yes, Frank North.- Frank North. And he painted these?- Yes.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Do you know these areas now?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12This is Corporation Street and Nursery Street.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17And this picture here is the other side of Corporation Street,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20on the left-hand side coming from West Moor.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Were these all steelworks?
0:03:22 > 0:03:24They were all steelworks,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27that was a steelworks, then it became a brewery.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Then after that they pulled them all down and made flats.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31They're all modern ones now.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36They evoke a real sort of postwar Britain, don't they?
0:03:36 > 0:03:41With all this smoke, all this smog, the chimneys...
0:03:41 > 0:03:43These red-bricked houses...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47What's interesting - this genre of picture, of industry,
0:03:47 > 0:03:48isn't normally seen.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- This chap, Mr North, obviously had a good eye.- He did.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53And he had something about him,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57to get up in the morning - or whenever he did this - to think,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00"Do you know what, I'm going to paint my industrial heritage."
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Tell me, why are you bringing them in?
0:04:03 > 0:04:04Well, I've got a bigger family
0:04:04 > 0:04:07and they'd cause arguments if they were left
0:04:07 > 0:04:10to one certain person in the family,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12so I thought, well, I'll sell them,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and the money, if I get anything, they can share between them.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- I don't think we're looking at a king's ransom.- No, no.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19There won't be much to share, I have to... You know.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I'm just building you up here.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24As pictures themselves, they're happy amateurs.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26He was a happy amateur.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28He was very good, but he obviously wasn't trained.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31But he was very, very good.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36But, as they're local, they deserve a decent estimate of £80-£100.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38And I'd sell them as a pair.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Would you be happy with that?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Well, I would. At first I thought individually.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45You know, that I'd sell them.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48But it's up to you what to do.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I think individually, maybe,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52but, in my opinion, no.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- It's always good to keep them together as a pair.- Yeah, fine.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Have a discretionary reserve,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- and we look forward to seeing you at the auction.- Thank you.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Our next items may not say Sheffield,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09but they certainly add a touch of glamour to the proceedings.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Erica, they say diamonds are a girl's best friend.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16They are stunning!
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Are they things you've worn out to balls and state occasions...?
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Yes.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I have worn them to balls... not all that often.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- The first thing to say - we've got platinum mounts.- Yes.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- And a diamond cluster ear pendant. - Yes.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35So, they're very pretty, very fashionable,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- and diamonds never, never go out of fashion.- No.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41The cuts of the stone are brilliant cut.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47And brilliant-cut diamonds really started to come into use
0:05:47 > 0:05:50around 1920, 1925.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Before then it was...
0:05:53 > 0:05:54These are the new brilliant cut.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Before then it was brilliant cut,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59before then it was old cut, and rose cut...
0:05:59 > 0:06:01etcetera.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05So, you can actually date the time the stones were cut
0:06:05 > 0:06:07by the type of cut they have.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09What's the history behind these?
0:06:09 > 0:06:14They were given to me by a friend about 20 years ago
0:06:14 > 0:06:19and I've never really worn them, particularly.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22They were given to her by her husband,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and she had them a long, long time,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28and I thought if I sell them,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I will always want to give quite a lot to Combat Stress,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34because her husband was a great army person.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- OK!- Yes.
0:06:37 > 0:06:38Brilliant cause. Brilliant.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Well, the pressure's on to raise a bit of money, isn't it?
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Yes, please! THEY LAUGH
0:06:43 > 0:06:45OK. When you're talking about diamonds
0:06:45 > 0:06:47you value them on clarity of the stone
0:06:47 > 0:06:49and colour of stone,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51and size of the stone.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53So, they're a good colour,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55they're nice and clear.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00The stones are what we call .2 size stones,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03but they add up to a carat each earring.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07For a pair like that, auction estimate,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I would say 400-600.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13And I think 400 should be a firm reserve,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- if you're happy with that. - Yes.- How do you feel?
0:07:16 > 0:07:20This would be... a sort of firm reserve?
0:07:20 > 0:07:21- Yeah.- Yes.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- And...- Do you want something higher?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Perhaps 500. What you think?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Erm... - What do you think's a good idea?
0:07:29 > 0:07:33If you put 500, we could put 500-700 as an estimate.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35But what I'd say is,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38give the auctioneer that little bit of discretion, if it's high.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42So, if he's got a bid of 460 or 480, he can let it go.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- Yes.- Because, otherwise, for the sake of £20
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- it'll be a shame not to sell them. - So, it had better be 400.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- Are you sure?- Yes, sure. - 400 firm then.- Yes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54400-600 as an estimate.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56We'll take them along to the sale,
0:07:56 > 0:07:57I'm sure they'll do well,
0:07:57 > 0:07:58they're jolly pretty.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and I don't think you'll be taking them home.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Thomas, meanwhile, has spotted something amongst the crowd
0:08:05 > 0:08:10and this time, he's taking a more laid-back approach to his valuation.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Janet, here we are in the queue
0:08:14 > 0:08:18and you've brought along something quite interesting.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Now, these are knife boxes.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I normally open them and they've been converted to letter boxes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Yeah.- Will I find a knife box, or will I find a letter box?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- A knife box.- A knife box?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- Mm-hm. - This is a Georgian box.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34It's 1800s.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Lovely shaped front with a good bit of cross-banding.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It's a good-looking mahogany box.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44And we open it up - look at these wonderful knives.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Tell me, how did you come about this?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Did you buy this all as one?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Yes, my husband bought it a number of years ago,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55and I think it was just a chance find
0:08:55 > 0:08:57and fell in love with it.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59There's a few things which are missing in here.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01You've got...five spoons.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Is it meant to be six?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Don't know.- Don't know? It was always like that?- Mm.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07- Oh, really?- Yeah.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Can I... I want to pick out a spoon? - Yes, do.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12We've an old English pattern spoon
0:09:12 > 0:09:14in solid silver
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and this is George II, 1740s.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20I've got the maker's mark there for Ebenezer Coker.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Right.- I know that one.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- So these are Georgian, which match the knife box.- Yeah.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Now, these up here are not Georgian. I can tell you that immediately.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- Really?- These are Victorian.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33And these will all be knives.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Yeah, they are. - Because of "knife box".
0:09:35 > 0:09:38This has got almost what we call a pistol handle.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39- I knew that bit! - They've got a mark, here.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Looks like TS. TS...
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I mean, that could stand for Thomas Shaw,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47it could stand for Thomas Sansom,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50he was a flatware maker.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52But, obviously, the blades are steel
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- and these would have a skin of silver over them.- Right.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58And a plaster - or gypsum, as we call it - inside,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00to give it that weight.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02They are fantastic. Then here you've got...
0:10:02 > 0:10:03What are these?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06You've got fish - definitely Victorian then.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Georgians didn't have fish knives.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10And then we've got lunch, have we?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Or bread-and-butter?
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And maybe fruit down here, if they're small.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Why are you selling these?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Because we've moved to a much smaller house.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23It's a cottage, which is incongruous with this sort of thing.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Yeah. I have to say, I do believe that this knife box
0:10:27 > 0:10:29has been slightly played with.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Yes, it started life as a knife box,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34it probably was converted to a letter box,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36and has been converted back to a knife box.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40If you want my honest opinion, this here is a later addition.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Oh, is it?- Yeah, and I would have thought that this,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45the actual fitting here,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47would probably be later. It's far too fresh...
0:10:47 > 0:10:49to be 1800.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50It's a good mixed lot.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54You've got the very lovely pistol handles.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56The knife set is great.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59The spoons are all much earlier.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01One has to think, does one say -
0:11:01 > 0:11:04OK, what we'll do - we'll sell the spoons as a lot,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06sell the knives as a lot, and sell the box as a lot.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08But I think...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11As it's a piece, as you bought it as a piece,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- one should keep it as a piece. - Mm.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16And dividing up every single bit and thinking what is this worth...?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18The spoons?
0:11:18 > 0:11:20£150-£200.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22The knives are lovely.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25I mean, a set of 12 of each is fantastic.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29I would say maybe £300. I mean, they're really good, fun things.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32And the box, of course, the Georgian box - £200.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- So we're already at £700. - Yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36So I would suggest you enter this in for auction
0:11:36 > 0:11:39at around about £700-£900.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- Really?- Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. I think it's all there, really.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I think at 700, with reserve,
0:11:45 > 0:11:46with discretion on that,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48means you won't sell it below 600.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I think that's really fair.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Yeah, I'd rather have it kept together,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55because that's the thing - when you open the lid, the "Oh, wow!"
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- It's lovely. - It is, "Oh, wow!"- Yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59And let's hope two people like it at the auction.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- And when they open it they go, "Oh, wow!"- Yeah!
0:12:03 > 0:12:07That really is a beautiful cutlery collection, and one that should feel
0:12:07 > 0:12:09very much at home in this grand building.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13The reason? Cutlers' Hall has always held an impressive collection of cutlery
0:12:13 > 0:12:17that shows just why Sheffield is renowned across the world.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20There are items of all shapes and sizes
0:12:20 > 0:12:23showcasing the best of Sheffield steel,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26but there's one exhibit that manages to bring together
0:12:26 > 0:12:30all the skills and craftsmanship the city has been famed for
0:12:30 > 0:12:32into one penknife.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34And here it is. Look at that!
0:12:34 > 0:12:35Isn't it fabulous!
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It is like a piece of sculpture, a work of art.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It was made by Joseph Rogers & Sons
0:12:39 > 0:12:43here in Sheffield for the Great Exhibition in 1851.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Back then it cost £900 to commission and make -
0:12:47 > 0:12:50that's the equivalent of £40,000 in today's money.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55The scales have all been carved from a piece of mother of pearl.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58There are 74 blades in total.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Many of the blades have been acid etched with topographic scenes,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06and scenes of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09This knife went on to be displayed all over the world
0:13:09 > 0:13:12winning several medals in Paris, New York, in Sydney.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14And here are the medals, look.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18That really does showcase the cutting-edge of the craftsmanship
0:13:18 > 0:13:21here in Sheffield back then in the 1800s -
0:13:21 > 0:13:22but I still think
0:13:22 > 0:13:24that's the cutting edge today.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Back in the main hall there are still
0:13:30 > 0:13:33plenty of valuables for our experts to look at,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35but, right now, it's time for us to head off
0:13:35 > 0:13:38to the auction room to put our valuations to the test.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39And just to jog your memory
0:13:39 > 0:13:43here's a quick recap of what we are taking with us.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Will these diamond earrings have enough carats to tempt
0:13:46 > 0:13:48some big bids at the sale room?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52We couldn't wish for a better place than Sheffield
0:13:52 > 0:13:54to sell these local watercolours.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Let's hope they create a scene in the sale room.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01And the cutlery box certainly wowed Thomas,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04but will it have the same effect on the bidders?
0:14:09 > 0:14:12From Cutlers' Hall, we're heading just two miles south
0:14:12 > 0:14:16across the city centre to Sheffield Auction Gallery.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The sale is already under way, and auctioneer
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Robert Lee is keeping proceedings ticking along at a cracking pace.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Going under the hammer now we have some 20th-century British School.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28A bit of fine art belonging to Elsie.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Two watercolours. And you love the old Sheffield?- Yeah.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34So do I. And these watercolours represent that.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Yes.- They've been on the wall?
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Yes, they were in my dinette for about 34 years.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42They are old Sheffield,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46with the chimneys and the steam and smoke coming out.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- It's very emotive.- Yeah.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49They're evocative images,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52and hopefully they're going to find a new home right here.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Good luck both of you, OK?- Thank you.- Here they go, under the hammer.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58F North, British School, 20th century,
0:14:58 > 0:14:59a Sheffield industrial scene.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Signed lower right. There's another similar.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Nice pair.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05For us to start them - £60.
0:15:06 > 0:15:0865, I need.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09A bit of Sheffield history.
0:15:09 > 0:15:1165, 70.
0:15:11 > 0:15:1375. I'm out. But I'm out too soon.
0:15:13 > 0:15:1580.
0:15:15 > 0:15:1685.
0:15:16 > 0:15:1790.
0:15:17 > 0:15:1895.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19100.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21110.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22120.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23130. 140.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26150. 160?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28150, with the gentleman standing.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Anybody else for 160?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Top left at £150, so far.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Have we done, at £150?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37One last look around.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Hammer's going to drop.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41Good result.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Hammer's gone down. £150.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- You're happy, aren't you? - Yes, yeah.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49And the money will go towards helping looking after the family?
0:15:49 > 0:15:50- Yes.- So, they're OK.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I've got family to sort out.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- It's a good amount of money. - Yes.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Well, that was a great start.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59And next to go under the hammer, a pair of real sparklers.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04We've got some 9-carat gold diamond earrings
0:16:04 > 0:16:06belonging to Erica now, and hopefully for not much longer.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Because all the proceeds are going to charity.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10They are, indeed. Yes.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13We are looking at four, five, six hundred, maybe, James?
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Hopefully, because it's such a good cause, isn't it?
0:16:15 > 0:16:18They're going under the hammer. Let's hope they dazzle. This is it.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Pair of diamond flower cluster earrings,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23graduated brilliant cut stones
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and unpierced screw fittings, stamped nine carat gold.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Forced to start them at £300.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31320.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33I need to progress.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35With me at £300 bid.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36320.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38340. 360.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40380. 400.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42I'm out. Who's on 420?
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Got to be 420 to move on.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46They're going to sell.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48With the lady at £400. Any advance?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50All done at £400.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Hammer's going to drop.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Hammer's down.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56They've gone at the lower end,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58but at least the money is going to a fabulous cause.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Well, that's it, yes.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Are you disappointed? - Slightly, yes.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05I would've liked them to go at the higher price.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- For the sake of the charity, really. - Sure. Every penny counts.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09It does, indeed, yes.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Do you know, that auctions for you.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14They are so unpredictable. It happens on the day.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Maybe another day they might have fetched 500 or 600,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19but that's what we got today.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22They have gone and every penny will go towards that charity.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25And, finally, let's hope we can find a fitting home
0:17:25 > 0:17:27for our last lot of the morning.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Going under the hammer right now, a proper antique,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32a Georgian mahogany knife box. And it's complete.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Janet and Geoff, it's great to see you.- Thank you.- Real quality.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- I can imagine this looked stunning in your house.- Well, it did.- It did.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40But we've moved to a cottage.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42I can understand why you want to sell it.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44There's a lot of quality there. Love the pistol-handled knives!
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Yeah, absolutely.- Quality, quality!
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And a nice weight, a nice balance, as well.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51And it's craftsmanship at its best.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52- The whole lot is beautiful.- It is.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56We've got £700-£900 - a bit of discretion. Good luck on that.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01George III rosewood banded and lime inlaid knife box,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04including old English hallmarked silver spoons.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Bidding is to commence at £520.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09550, I'm after.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11520 with me, so far. Must be 550 to move on.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13550.
0:18:13 > 0:18:14580.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16600. 620.
0:18:16 > 0:18:17650. I'm out.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Who's on 680?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Gentleman on my left standing at £650.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- £650.- We can sell now, can't we? - Yeah.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- 700, sir?- Great.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- In the room at £700.- We've sold it. - Yeah, you've sold it.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31New bid at 700 on my left.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33720. I've got it. 750, sir?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35780, now.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37New bid at 750.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39780, 800 now. 820 I'm after.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41800 in the room.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44So far at £800. Gentleman on my left.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Anybody else for 820. It's going to sell.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49On the left, at £800?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51At £800.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Hammer's gone down. £800.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57That's mid estimate. I'm happy. Are you happy with that?
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- Mm.- Yes. Good. - That's superb.- Quality!
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- It is quality. - Going somewhere it needs to be.- Sure.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Well, the three items are under the hammer. Done and dusted.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I enjoyed that. I hope you did, as well.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20We're surrounded here in Sheffield by great craftsmanship.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23It's a tradition our country is proud of.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25In 1851, the Great Exhibition was set up
0:19:25 > 0:19:27to promote these skills worldwide,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30so I went down to London to find out exactly what effect
0:19:30 > 0:19:32they had on the nation.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43There are few buildings in London that celebrate the achievements
0:19:43 > 0:19:44of the Victorian age
0:19:44 > 0:19:47quite like the Victorian and Albert Museum.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50But this imposing building is only here thanks
0:19:50 > 0:19:53to an exhibition that barely lasted six months,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57but drew in the crowds from every corner of the empire.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01The Great Exhibition of 1851 was set up as an international trade fair
0:20:01 > 0:20:04to showcase everything Great Britain, its colonies,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06and dozens of other countries
0:20:06 > 0:20:10had to offer in the fields of art, science, design and manufacturing.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14It was the first of its kind on such a grand scale.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20But the idea nearly didn't even get off the ground.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23At the time of its planning, the government wasn't at all keen
0:20:23 > 0:20:26on the Great Exhibition and certainly didn't want to finance one.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30It was Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32who took on the challenge.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34He proposed that the whole project
0:20:34 > 0:20:37should be self financing and he gathered advisers and engineers
0:20:37 > 0:20:39at the top of their profession,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43including the railway pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48Late July, 1850, the plans for the festival had been approved
0:20:48 > 0:20:50and Hyde Park was chosen as the venue.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53But despite holding a competition
0:20:53 > 0:20:55to design a grand building for the exhibition,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58none of the proposals could be built in time.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00With less than a year to go before the doors opened,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02it was down to a last-minute sketch
0:21:02 > 0:21:06by a Victorian garden designer, Joseph Paxton, which saved the day.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Paxton was renowned for his glasshouses,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13and his idea was based on the simple structure of glass and iron,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16repeated indefinitely, to create a much bigger building.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25His original design was sketched on a sheet of blotting paper
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and remarkably that piece of paper
0:21:28 > 0:21:30is right here behind this little door.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Take a look.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Isn't that just fabulous!
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It gives you an indication of how inspirational
0:21:37 > 0:21:40and off-the-cuff this idea was.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41With the ink from the quill, look,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43being soaked up by the blotting paper.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47It's really messy and untidy, but this simple sketch
0:21:47 > 0:21:50was transferred into a series of engineering drawings within a week,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53and the building would be easy to erect.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56It would allow beautiful light to come flooding in,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00and create an iconic venue for the largest cultural exhibition
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Britain had ever seen.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Just nine months after Joseph Paxton had sketched his design,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Hyde Park was transformed.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13As this computer simulation shows, 19 acres were covered
0:22:13 > 0:22:15by the giant glasshouse.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22And to give you an idea of the massive scale of the whole building,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25look at this - it was large enough to build around and over
0:22:25 > 0:22:29mature protected elm trees growing in Hyde Park.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It was a veritable crystal palace,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35six times the size of St Paul's Cathedral,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38and packed with amazing artefacts.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Historian Suzanne Fagence Cooper has studied in detail
0:22:43 > 0:22:46the spectacle that awaited the public when the doors opened
0:22:46 > 0:22:48on 1 May, 1851.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51When you walked into the Crystal Palace it would have just been
0:22:51 > 0:22:53the most extraordinary thing.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55It was made of iron and glass,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58you had banners coming down from each side,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01you had things all around you that you had never seen before.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Trees seeming to grow up in the middle of it.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05And what would you choose to see first?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Would you go to the Indian court,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09would you go and see the howdah, the cloth of gold
0:23:09 > 0:23:12that was perched on top of an elephant?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Or you might then go around the corner, out the back,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and there was a special space dedicated to working steam engines
0:23:19 > 0:23:23so you could see the newest industrial technology
0:23:23 > 0:23:28to make Britain the centrepiece of world technology.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31And that was why the exhibition was happening in London.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36There was this sense that London was the beating heart of a new world.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39The variety of objects on display was vast -
0:23:39 > 0:23:44from hand-carved statues to huge industrial machinery.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46And typical of the Victorians,
0:23:46 > 0:23:51every item and exhibit was recorded in detail in illustrated catalogues,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55and they're kept here, in the National Art Library at the V&A.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Now, this is absolutely fascinating.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00In here, the official catalogue,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04are details and descriptions of all the key exhibits,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08And it ranges from - look at this - knife-cleaning machines,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10we've got the first mangle,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12there's a railway signal post,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14there's an early gas meter...
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Chandeliers and candelabra.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21Everything is in here, beautifully documented and illustrated.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23But what sets the Great Exhibition apart
0:24:23 > 0:24:26wasn't just that it was the largest of its kind,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29it was designed to draw in people from every social class
0:24:29 > 0:24:31and show them the modern world.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36The audience for the Great Exhibition is very diverse.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39If you wanted to go to the exhibition many times,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42you could buy one of the season tickets -
0:24:42 > 0:24:44that was a couple of guineas.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46But if you couldn't afford that,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49you could still go and see all these things,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52You could still have access to the Great Exhibition
0:24:52 > 0:24:54through the one shilling tickets.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57And you get the sense that people are travelling
0:24:57 > 0:25:00into the Crystal Palace, into London,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03from all across Britain, and across the world.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06And this is a moment at which
0:25:06 > 0:25:09people do encounter diverse cultures,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11um, and have their eyes opened
0:25:11 > 0:25:17to the wonders of the whole of the world.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21The Great Exhibition was a phenomenal success.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Six million people came to see that vision
0:25:24 > 0:25:27that Prince Albert had championed.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31And the legacy continued long after the doors closed
0:25:31 > 0:25:34on the 15 October, 1851.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38The giant glasshouse that had become an architectural marvel,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42was taken apart and rebuilt in south London
0:25:42 > 0:25:45where it was named the Crystal Palace.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It continued to be used for events and attracted tourists
0:25:48 > 0:25:54up until 1936 when, sadly, it was destroyed by fire.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58But the spirit of the Great Exhibition was to live on.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01It was so successful it brought in far more revenue
0:26:01 > 0:26:03than Prince Albert could have ever dreamt of.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Not only was the project self-financing,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09but with the extra money, they were able to buy a large plot of land
0:26:09 > 0:26:11in the South Kensington area of London,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13to build a number of art and science institutes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16The Victorian and Albert Museum being one of them,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20which first opened its doors to the general public in 1857
0:26:20 > 0:26:22to showcase art and design.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27And 150 years later, it is still being enjoyed by millions of people.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44Back in Cutlers' Hall, before we crack on with the valuations,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46there's just enough time for us to take a break
0:26:46 > 0:26:50and enjoy a spot of traditional Sheffield vocals.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Ladies and gentlemen, we have some lunch-time entertainment for you
0:26:53 > 0:26:57courtesy of members of the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
0:26:57 > 0:27:01who are here to entertain us with a recital of Sheffield pub songs.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06CHOIR SINGS
0:27:06 > 0:27:08That's fabulous!
0:27:08 > 0:27:13PART SINGING (LYRICS INDISTINCT)
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Isn't that good!
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Yeah!
0:27:35 > 0:27:36Wow, that was fabulous!
0:27:39 > 0:27:42There are still lots of people arriving at Cutlers' Hall
0:27:42 > 0:27:46all laden with antiques for our experts to study and value.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50And James has spotted one that certainly stands out from the crowd.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52What an amazing thing.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I mean, you can't miss you walking in with this.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56So, what's he doing here?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58How have you come to have him?
0:27:58 > 0:28:00It was a friend of mine.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02She's recently bought a house and, er...
0:28:02 > 0:28:05She found him in the cellar. He was just sat there in the cellar, so...
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Because you were here today, I suggested I should bring him along.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- And here he is.- Fantastic.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Well, he's clearly an advertising figure.
0:28:15 > 0:28:21An automaton advertising figure that is 1890 to 1910.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23He would have been in the window...
0:28:23 > 0:28:27It could've been a bar, it could've been a pub,
0:28:27 > 0:28:32more likely, though, someone selling retail spirits and beers.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36And you can see a tube here, coming from his right hand.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40So that tube would no doubt have gone into the bottle.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43I'm sure he would have had probably a little bit of turning glass
0:28:43 > 0:28:46to symbolise alcohol pouring out
0:28:46 > 0:28:51into the cup, and then, actually, the cup has a tube, as well.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54He might've actually poured real liquid into there.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58And then the cup goes up...
0:28:58 > 0:29:00and goes back down again.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04His eyes move, his lips move, his arms move...
0:29:04 > 0:29:07I think his legs could be angled at different positions.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11He is carved out of wood and he is covered in gesso,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16and that gesso has been painted to symbolise skin and flesh...
0:29:16 > 0:29:18If you look at the face here,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22and he's almost like a fairground attraction, isn't he?
0:29:22 > 0:29:25But the eyes are set with real glass eyes.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28I mean, it is a fantastic quality thing.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30And done up, in good order...
0:29:33 > 0:29:36It's worth a lot of money done up, but...
0:29:37 > 0:29:41My major concern is the condition.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43I mean, he's not in the best of states really.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45What's going on with the head?
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Blimey.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Yeah. That's not healthy.
0:29:51 > 0:29:52Now...
0:29:52 > 0:29:53Gosh!
0:29:55 > 0:30:00If this was in really fantastic condition...
0:30:00 > 0:30:02I think it would be worth £2,000.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09But it's the amount of work you're going to have to put into it.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12I think if we put a high estimate on, it's going to put people off.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15Now, the estimate I'm going to give you, I'll be disappointed
0:30:15 > 0:30:17if it only makes this.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21But...it's there to shout out to everybody,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24"I'm here to be sold, I don't have a reserve,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27"I'm fresh to the market, come and buy me."
0:30:27 > 0:30:31And I think we should put £100 to £150 on him,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- is that all right?- Yeah, brilliant. - But I think he's going to make
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- between £300 and £500. Fingers crossed.- Yeah.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41If the right person sees him - and I hope they will.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Because he has real potential to be a great object.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Thank you so much for bringing him.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54That little spot up there is the minstrels' gallery,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57normally occupied by musicians entertaining the crowd below.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Today, it's Thomas Plant up there,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02ready to perform his valuation of another set of antiques
0:31:02 > 0:31:04with a local connection.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06So here we are in Cutlers' Hall,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10and on the shield there, the arms are three crossed daggers.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13But we've got penknives here.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Five of them, three are from Sheffield.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- Tell me, Paul, how did you come by these?- Car boot finds.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22In a box, locked, key was jammed.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24The guy couldn't open it, so I went,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26"You're all right, I'll open it when I get home,"
0:31:26 > 0:31:30and basically they were in some tissue paper.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32- Were you disappointed?- No. - I don't think you should be.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Penknives came into sort of being
0:31:35 > 0:31:38because we had little knives on our desk
0:31:38 > 0:31:42to sharpen and to cut our quill. Pen...knife.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43And so we had these quill blades.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46These are not anything to do with pens.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50These are 20th-century penknives with multi-tools.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53So this one here has the wooden handle
0:31:53 > 0:31:55with the steel blade
0:31:55 > 0:31:57and also the shears for cutting.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00And this is your real good gardener's knife.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Good solid steel, well made.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06We've got the Sheffield make there, "Sheffield Made," it says,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- so we can definitely say this one's a Sheffield one.- Right.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11I would say this is 1940s.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14This one I would say probably 1930s.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16A multipurpose tool - file,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18you've got a little screwdriver bit,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21and a blade and also these curves in here
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- for taking off wire, you know, the rubber round a wire.- Oh, right.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Could be that.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Then you've got the fruit knives, which one would carry with you,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32just from day to day.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36What did you spend on this box, this magical lucky dip box?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39I actually paid £15 for the box.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Really. Not knowing these were in there.- Not knowing.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Quick rattle, heard something, weight-wise...
0:32:46 > 0:32:48thought, "Something in there."
0:32:48 > 0:32:52I believe that we will get between £50 and £80.
0:32:52 > 0:32:53OK. Right.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56You've got two here which are really good.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Just lovely, especially this gardening one,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03and this other multi-tool, this slightly earlier one from the '30s,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05is also very nice.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08With regards to reserve, we'll sort of let them go,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10see what they make.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11They make what they make,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14- cos you've got your box still. - I've got the box.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- We won't have a reserve, let's see what they make.- Absolutely.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Next up on James's table is a box
0:33:19 > 0:33:23whose contents aren't such a mystery.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Tell me about these.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29Why have we got a whole collection of official Westminster documents
0:33:29 > 0:33:32in an even more official-looking box?
0:33:32 > 0:33:33My mum, when she were young,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35wanted to go to Australia.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38And she knew quite a lot of MPs
0:33:38 > 0:33:41through past history of war and everything else,
0:33:41 > 0:33:46and she contacted them and told them she wanted to go to Australia,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48and they sent letters giving her,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52or offering her, help and support to do so.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55But you're still here, so did she come back or did she never go?
0:33:55 > 0:33:56- She never went!- Didn't she?- No.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00I'm told a few years later she met my dad,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and they decided to stop here, and then later on,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07when I was nine years of age, they went to go to Australia again
0:34:07 > 0:34:09but she'd lost her parents, so...
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- I think that put an end to it really. - Yeah.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- She must have been an incredible character.- Yeah, she was.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I've got a photo of her here
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- when she was...- On a motorbike!
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Quite happy-go-lucky.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26How long ago was it that she wanted to go?
0:34:26 > 0:34:31Well, before I was even born, and I was born in 1960.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33So we're talking about 50, 60 years ago, the first time.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37- So for a lady at that time... - It was a big thing.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39..to decide to go to Australia on her own,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41that's a real adventure. Gosh.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46All the letters here are saying that she's of great character,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49they've known her a long time.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Here we've got another one, House of Commons,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56Stan Crowther MP. And obviously she had contact
0:34:56 > 0:34:59in the government offices as well,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02because here we've got a wonderful leather-bound box.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Davies & Hunt, Office for Patents,
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Serle St, Lincoln's Inn.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10And a green leather tooled gilt.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13With a bit of polish, that would be stunning.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17You know, the thing is, although we've got great history in the letters,
0:35:17 > 0:35:19those are all very personal,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23but the main value is in the little box.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25And it's not going to be hugely valuable,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28but it's just a nice thing for somebody to have.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30I think together we've got the story of an amazing woman
0:35:30 > 0:35:32with a real spirit of adventure.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Some documentation about her, the photograph,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40and the lovely box with the very official gilt embossing.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42It's not going to be life-changing.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46It's only a little estimate of maybe £30 to £50,
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- something like that. - That'd be lovely, yes.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Let's put £30 on it as a reserve, because it would be a shame
0:35:52 > 0:35:54- to sell it for less than that. - Thank you very much.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- And somebody, I'm sure, will pick up all these things.- Take care of it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Yeah. And they'll probably research your mum as well
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- and have a bit of fun. - Lovely. Thank you.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Well, there you are. You've just seen our experts' final choices.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11They've been waxing lyrical all day,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13but right now it's time to put those last valuations to the test
0:36:13 > 0:36:17as we say goodbye to our magnificent host location, Cutlers' Hall.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19We're going over to the saleroom,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Michael's drinking man might be a little worse for wear,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29but let's hope he'll be the toast of the sale room.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Can Paul's pocket knives prove to be a cut above their valuation
0:36:34 > 0:36:36in the auction room?
0:36:37 > 0:36:40And the Westminster letter and box got James's vote,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43but will they fetch a price to write home about?
0:36:49 > 0:36:50There's not a minute to lose
0:36:50 > 0:36:53as we make our way back to the auction room,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55and Robert Lea is on the rostrum and he is fast approaching
0:36:55 > 0:36:57our next lot.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Well, we couldn't have a Sheffield valuation day
0:36:59 > 0:37:02without a collection of pocket knives, belonging to Paul,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04who's just joined me in this saleroom.
0:37:04 > 0:37:05Wonderful little collection.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Why have you decided to sell these?
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Basically car boot find.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12With the proceeds of the sale are you reinvesting in cash flow
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- for more car boots?- No, they're for lures for...- Fishing.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17..Florida. We're going to Florida next year.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19- You're going fishing? - I'm going sea fishing.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Good luck. Hopefully we'll find a buyer here,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24because everybody needs a pocket knife. Here we go.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Single blade folding pruning knife with secateurs.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29The blade stamped.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Other examples, you've got five of these.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Quality crafted, Sheffield-made.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37£20 is your opening bid. 22, I'll take, elsewhere.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Must be 22 to move on. 22, 25, 28.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45£30 I'm after elsewhere. £28 on the second row only.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Way under estimate. £30. 35, sir.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- £40. 45. 50. - That's better, isn't it?
0:37:52 > 0:37:5545 only. Got to be £50 surely, to move on.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57That's not bad, Paul.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59In the steel city, 45 only?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02£50 new bid. 55. 60.
0:38:03 > 0:38:0665. Getting nearer the price.
0:38:06 > 0:38:0865. 70 now, sir.
0:38:08 > 0:38:1165 on the second row only. Anybody want £70?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Now we're down here at 65.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18Bid now or lose 'em. All done at £65.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Hammer's gone down. Good auctioneering.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25He worked that from a bid of 35
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- right up to 65. Every penny was a bonus.- It was.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- That's one lure. - That's one lure, yeah!
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- Don't lose it!- No, I won't!
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Well, for a collection Paul found in a box he bought without opening,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40that is a great result.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Can our next box of historic items do just as well?
0:38:44 > 0:38:45Going under the hammer right now
0:38:45 > 0:38:48we have some official Westminster documents.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50No, don't worry, we're not going to talk about the economy
0:38:50 > 0:38:54and the Budget - we're talking about a little piece of Tara's history.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- Now, documents belonging to your mother.- That's right.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Box from your father. So you've put them together.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- I think this is a nice little package.- It's a great lot.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04The box is super. It's got that embossed,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06gilded, official coat of arms on the front.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09For me that's the key bit of the lot.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12- I like that.- But the inside has the story there.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16So together... It's not life-changing, it's low value,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18- but...- Tells a little story.- Yeah.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20What do you think? Top end, £50?
0:39:20 > 0:39:24I think...no. I think it should make sort of 35, 40, probably.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- OK. Well, look, good luck. - Thank you.- Let's hope
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- you go away happy on your first day in a sale room.- I'm sure I will.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Victorian patents box with gilt,
0:39:33 > 0:39:34decorated Morocco leather covering,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37containing a small assortment of ephemera including
0:39:37 > 0:39:40postcards and correspondence from the Houses of Parliament.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Forced to start the bidding at 20,
0:39:41 > 0:39:4422, 25, 28, £30.
0:39:44 > 0:39:4635, it needs to be.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Elsewhere.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50With me so far at £30.
0:39:50 > 0:39:5235.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Must be 40.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56£35 bid. Top left.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Anybody else with 40?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00We're moving on, it's going to go at £35. Have we finished?
0:40:00 > 0:40:03With a gentleman... there's your answer.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Bang on. Yeah, £35, it's gone. You're happy, James is happy.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09- That was lovely.- Thank you for bringing it in
0:40:09 > 0:40:11and telling us all about the story, as well,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14because as James said, that was the fascinating part.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16£70.
0:40:16 > 0:40:1775...80...
0:40:17 > 0:40:21Our final lot might be in danger of losing his head, but let's hope
0:40:21 > 0:40:23the bidders don't lose their bottle.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It's my favourite thing of the entire sale.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- I thought it belonged to Michael, but it's not yours, is it?- No.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31- It's yours! What's your name?- I'm Jane.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Jane. So what's he doing with it?
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Well, he was coming to Flog It! and took a picture of it,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40and he turned up with it on the day - I didn't know he was bringing it
0:40:40 > 0:40:42down to you, but he turned up.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- Right. And this was in your cellar? - It was.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Hence the condition, and I love it as found!
0:40:46 > 0:40:49James has put about £150 on it. But it's going under the hammer
0:40:49 > 0:40:52right now and I think we could add a 0 to this, don't you?
0:40:52 > 0:40:55I think in perfect condition it's £2,000.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59An early 20th-century electronically operated automaton
0:40:59 > 0:41:03advertising figure, possibly by Roullet and Decamps,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06must start the bidding at £200.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08210 I'm after.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10210. 220. 230.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12240 I'm after.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15240, 250, sir, 260 I'm after.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17250 in the room, 260, 270 now.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19280 I'm after. 290 I'm after.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22300. 290 in the room. 300, 320, sir.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25340, please. 320 in the room. 340 bid.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28360, sir. 380 I'm after. 400, sir.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30380 on the internet.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32400 I'm after.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34£380 bid on the internet.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Good, the phone's kicked in now.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I thought this was worth about £800 to £1,200, do you know?
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- Really?- Yes, I did.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42460 I'm after.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44440 on the phone.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46That's what I love about it.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48- Thing is, put that estimate on... - And you encourage people.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- Yeah.- 480 bid.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52I need 500. 480 on the phones.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Got to be 500. 500 bid.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56520 now, 520 bid.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58550 I'm after. 520 on John's phone.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02550 it needs to be. 550 I'm bid, 580 I'm after.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06No. 550 on the internet.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09The internet holds it. 580 bid.
0:42:09 > 0:42:10600 I need.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12580 with Liz's phone now.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Got to be 600 elsewhere.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18£580 on the phone with the lady.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Anybody else at 600?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Got to be 600 to move on.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26It's going to sell - shout at me if I've missed you. Are we done?
0:42:28 > 0:42:30£580!
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- Brilliant!- Great, isn't it? - That's lovely. That is great.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- That's something for nothing! - Found in the cellar, yeah!
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- Wow.- Oh, that's brilliant. Absolutely great.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42- Well, he was lovely. He put a smile on my face.- And mine.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- Absolutely lovely. - Mick told us about the day
0:42:45 > 0:42:46when he went down to Cutlers' Hall
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and he says everybody stopped when he wheeled him in.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51He says it were a great day. He loved it.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Don't know what they thought I was wheeling in!
0:42:54 > 0:42:56- He loved it.- Thank you so much for...
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- No, thank you!- ..letting him take it out of your house!
0:42:58 > 0:43:00I didn't know he'd taken it, did I?
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- But you're pleased now! - Of course I am, yeah!
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Well done, and thank you so much for bringing that in.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08After all that excitement, I think we need to put our feet up
0:43:08 > 0:43:11and have a jolly good rest. I hope you enjoyed the show.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Enjoy the rest of the day at home as well.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Join us next time for many more surprises, but until then,
0:43:16 > 0:43:19from Sheffield, it's goodbye from all of us.