0:00:06 > 0:00:10I'm on the roof of one of the most extraordinary buildings in the country.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Below me, kings and queens have been wined and dined,
0:00:13 > 0:00:15from Queen Elizabeth I, during the Tudor period,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19right up to our present queen, Queen Elizabeth II.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21But today, for one day only,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24this magnificent house becomes our backdrop for a valuation day.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27So I am going to hoist the flag for our visitors.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Where are we?
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Well, I can tell you where we are -
0:00:31 > 0:00:35today we are at Longleat House in Wiltshire!
0:00:35 > 0:00:37- ALL:- Hooray!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Welcome to Flog It!
0:01:04 > 0:01:09It was back in 1947 that Henry Thynne, the sixth Marquess of Bath,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12faced with increasing pressure of taxation,
0:01:12 > 0:01:16decided to open Longleat to the public on a fee-paying basis.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21This unprecedented idea was a gamble.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25The car-owning population was still small,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27petrol was rationed,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and the country was suffering from austerity.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34But the house opened in 1949
0:01:34 > 0:01:38and counted more than 100,000 visitors in its first year,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42each paying half a crown to tread where kings once stayed.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Today it's the people of Wiltshire and the surrounding counties
0:01:48 > 0:01:50who are going to be treated like royalty.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51Isn't that right?
0:01:51 > 0:01:52- ALL:- Yes!
0:01:52 > 0:01:53Of course, it is.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55And over there, doing what they do best,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59are our experts ready to wait hand and foot on our visitors,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01because, this great big crowd of wonderful people
0:02:01 > 0:02:04want to know the answer to the all-important question, which is...
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- ALL:- What's it worth?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And on this gloriously hot day, ready to greet our visitors
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and hoping to coax out the crown jewels, is Michael Baggott.
0:02:17 > 0:02:18Oh.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22What do you do to keep your biscuits, if you've got no lid?
0:02:22 > 0:02:26And the lady of the house today is the ever-charming Claire Rawle.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30That's just the job! Parasol.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33I tell you what... Could I borrow? Do you think?
0:02:33 > 0:02:37I think, with a frilly edge, Claire, it's far more you than me.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Oh, I don't know, Michael.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44So it's time to make our way from the magnificent south front
0:02:44 > 0:02:47round to the beautiful topiary gardens,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49where the valuations will be taking place.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54And we've got a rather special show for you today.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58When Nick brings in this mysterious item, Claire's intrigued.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Approximately 1904,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04my grandfather came across this teapot in the Himalayas
0:03:04 > 0:03:06wrapped in paper in the snow.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08So he actually just found it, wrapped up in the snow?
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- Apparently so. - Wow, OK.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16And this teapot leads to a momentous discovery!
0:03:16 > 0:03:1830,000 for this alone?
0:03:18 > 0:03:20We could be rocking and rolling.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Will we break our Flog It! record for the highest value item
0:03:23 > 0:03:25ever sold at auction?
0:03:25 > 0:03:2835. £40,000.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33You'll just have to wait and see!
0:03:38 > 0:03:39Later on in the programme,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I'll be exploring inside Longleat House
0:03:42 > 0:03:45to discover some of its fascinating history.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47But right now, here in the formal garden,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49the valuations are already under way.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Let's catch up with our expert Michael Baggott,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and take a closer look at what he's found.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Sue, thank you so much for coming along today
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- because you've made my day. - Really?- You have.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- You've brought this little chap here.- Very small.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08This golden little chap.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09Where did it come from?
0:04:09 > 0:04:11It came from my father-in-law,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13who literally dug it up on the edge of Salisbury Plain,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17about 40, 45 years ago.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20He was ploughing, and it literally turned up.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21So he wasn't out with a metal detector?
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- They hadn't been invented, had they, then?- Oh, yes. Oh, yes.- Well, no.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28How do you find something as small and delicate as that?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Because he was called Hawk-eye!
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Do you know what it is, actually?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Well, not really. I just know that it's a very early coin.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Or an earlier coin.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41You've got a beautiful half guinea in gold.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42Oh, a half guinea?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45On the front we've got the royal coat of arms, quartered,
0:04:45 > 0:04:50and we've got the motto and, of course, the date 1774.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54On the obverse side we've got King George III.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Well, we could see that.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Coins come down to rarity.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03The rarity of how many were minted at a particular time,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and small variations.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07The main thing is condition.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11The only defect we've got, at the very bottom there -
0:05:11 > 0:05:13that slight knock to the edge.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15It's probably where the ploughshare
0:05:15 > 0:05:17shifted it out of the soil.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20In all other respects, the condition is absolutely wonderful.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And we grade coins in different finenesses,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26and this is very fine to extremely fine.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I mean, obviously, the past couple of years
0:05:28 > 0:05:33everybody has been talking about the price of gold going up and bullion.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- This is beyond bullion. - Yeah.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40I think, for a normal example you'd be thinking £180-£200.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44But I think this is so fine in terms of condition,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48let's put £250-£300 on it.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49We've got to do that,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52because we've got to protect your interests, as well.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- So we'll put a reserve of £250 on it.- Yep.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58But, obviously, it was discovered years ago
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and it's been in the family... Why sell it now?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Because it's stuck in a drawer, nobody sees it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07If a collector had it, they might at least put it on show.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I hate to break it to you, Sue,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11but most coin collectors have cabinets.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Well...- Which have thin drawers. - Well, OK.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- It's going from a deep drawer into the thin drawer.- Well...
0:06:18 > 0:06:21as long as somebody would appreciate it, then that's fine.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Thank you so much for bringing it in, you made my day.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24You're welcome.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Gosh, wouldn't it be great to dig up
0:06:26 > 0:06:29something like that in your own back garden!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Over on Claire's table,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35is another lucky discovery twinkling in the sunshine.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- Well, hello, Ian. Nice to meet you.- Hello.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Now, I'm not, I have to admit, the greatest fan of glass.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43But I do like cranberry glass - this rich red colour.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Tell me a bit about its history.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49I bought it about three years ago from a charity shop.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53And I bought it because, one, it was quite cheap - about £2 -
0:06:53 > 0:06:56and, secondly, the metal collar I felt
0:06:56 > 0:06:59meant that two art forms had been used in it.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Yeah, because it's quite tricky, isn't it, really -
0:07:02 > 0:07:04applying metal to a glass body.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06This piece of cranberry glass,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08would probably have been made in Bohemia
0:07:08 > 0:07:09at the turn of the 19th, 20th century.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Being red, it has gold added to it.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14That's how you get the red colour in glass,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17which always makes it more expensive.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18And then, curiously,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20you've got this wavy thing...
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Although it looks like pewter, it's actually silver.
0:07:23 > 0:07:24Fantastic.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27It's hallmarked. It's got a modern Sheffield hallmark.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I think it's from about 1989.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32So, I guess somebody else looked at the vase and thought
0:07:32 > 0:07:35that's a pretty little vase, however, we'll embellish it
0:07:35 > 0:07:36with some silver
0:07:36 > 0:07:39and don't seem to have damaged the vase, at all.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Glass isn't selling hugely well at auction at the moment,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44but it's so pretty, it is cranberry,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46and, obviously, you've the silver addition on the neck.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49So, I think you'll see a bit of a profit on your hands.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Oh, good.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It would be difficult not to, really, wouldn't it?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56So, my feeling is...
0:07:56 > 0:07:59£40, £50 - that sort of region.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I don't have that grabs you.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- That grabs me well.- Excellent.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Reserve of £35.- That's fine. - Excellent.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08We'll see what happens at auction. Thanks very much.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Thank you very much.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12It really is a scorcher today.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15The sunhats and parasols are out in force,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and there's a real family atmosphere.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Oh, nearly!
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Oh, look!
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- I've won. - PAUL LAUGHS
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Chris, Sally, thank you for bringing me boxes.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31They're full of promise.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Now, I'll take a wild stab in the dark -
0:08:34 > 0:08:36it's either fish servers or fruit knives.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37Fruit knives.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Let's have a look.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Should be two tiers...
0:08:40 > 0:08:41Absolutely perfect.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44So, we've got a set of silver and
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- although it's not very PC - ivory-handled fruit knives.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Often these sets are electroplate and ivory.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- You've got ivory and solid silver. - Yeah.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56Which is a bit odd, really.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Because if you put solid silver next fruit acid,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- it doesn't like it at all. - Oh.- It reacts quite badly.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05If we look at just a couple of pieces.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07We've got the full set of hallmarks.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Everyone will know that the lion passant is sterling silver.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Yep.- Date letter in the centre, which is for 1859.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17And the last mark is Queen Victoria's head.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20And the monarch's head as a punch is the duty mark.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21Oh, right.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24At this time, there was a duty payable on all wrought silver,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26and that's simply the receipt mark
0:09:26 > 0:09:28to say that it has been paid.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Oh, right, OK.- Lovely set.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Problem.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Better if they were fish servers.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39Because people still use those today.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Fruit services, hardly ever used.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Put it this way, when was the last time you went to a dinner party
0:09:45 > 0:09:47and had a knife and fork to eat your fruit?
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- Erm...never. - Yes.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51That everyone's experience.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Any idea of the value?
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Absolutely not.
0:09:54 > 0:10:01Well, I think we'll be sensible and say £150-£250 for set.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- All right. - But a fixed reserve of 150.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07But I think, on the day, we can just hope for a couple of very refined Wiltshire folk.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I'm sure there's some out there!
0:10:09 > 0:10:10I'm sure there are!
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Thanks very much. - BOTH: Thank you.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Well, there you are, our first three items.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Our experts have been working flat out.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28I've already got my favourite, you've probably got yours,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30but right now it's down to the bidders.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Let them decide exactly what it's worth.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35And he's a good recap of all the items
0:10:35 > 0:10:36we're taking to auction with us.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Sue's father-in-law, was hawk-eyed
0:10:41 > 0:10:44to spot this coin as he was ploughing that field.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48And Michael was very pleased to spot it in the Flog It! queue.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53This wee cranberry glass, with its silver collar,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55should find a home at auction,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00but will the silver fruit cutlery?
0:11:00 > 0:11:04It's attractive, but rather out-of-date in today's world.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05Fingers crossed.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18Only 20 miles from Longleat, is the historic market town of Devizes.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23Originally, a medieval town, Devizes prospered in Georgian times
0:11:23 > 0:11:26when many of its finest buildings were erected.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30And on its outskirts is our auction house,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Henry Aldridge and Son, a family run business,
0:11:33 > 0:11:38now operated by a father and son team - Alan and Andrew.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Well, this is the moment I've been waiting for - auction time!
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Don't go away, anything could happen.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47This is where it gets exciting.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49The sale is just about to start,
0:11:49 > 0:11:50but remember if you are selling
0:11:50 > 0:11:52or buying in a saleroom, there's commission to pay.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Here, it's 18% - that includes all the other costs, and the VAT.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Let's get on with the sale.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Alan is already in full swing up on the rostrum,
0:12:01 > 0:12:06and our first item to go under the hammer is the fruit cutlery set.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Will it sell?
0:12:08 > 0:12:12They're ready to go, as a presentation set.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16They are quality, but it's something that nobody really wants to own.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Long gone are those days of the formal dining room
0:12:19 > 0:12:21where they belong.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- Fish knives, very popular. - Very popular.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25£1,000 a set now.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29The fruit knives have always been the ugly sister of those sets.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Good luck! That's all I can say, good luck.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33They're going under the hammer at right now.
0:12:33 > 0:12:3712 place setting, Martin Hall. Nice bit of silver in these.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39We can't weigh it, but there is a nice bit of silver.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Couple of hundred pound.
0:12:41 > 0:12:42Couple of hundred?
0:12:42 > 0:12:45150? One, start me.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46One I've got.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48One I got, one I got, 110.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50At 110.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52At 100, is there 10?
0:12:52 > 0:12:53120.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55130?
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Got 120. Is there 30?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00At £120, not quite enough.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Is there 130 anywhere? Quick!
0:13:03 > 0:13:04- Not enough. - No.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07I mean, I do remember, 10 years ago,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10getting £300, £400 a set at auction.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13So we took that into account, but I think just the wrong day.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- Yeah.- OK.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Yes, tough thing to sell. I thought they would struggle.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- But I had my fingers crossed for you.- So did I!
0:13:21 > 0:13:23What a shame for Sally and Chris,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26but maybe on another day they might do a bit better.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Going under the hammer now, we've got some cranberry glass.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33A little bit of Bohemia.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- In fact, Ian, you paid £2 for this, didn't you?- Yes.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37We're going to turn that into, hopefully, £30-£40.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Why are you selling it now?
0:13:39 > 0:13:45Because I've had it, I don't collect glass, I just found it so attractive.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- And you bought it because was a bargain, really.- Yes, as well.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Let's face it, it was, wasn't it? - It's nice. It's very pretty.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52With a rather unusual silver collar around it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- So... - Good for you for spotting that,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57because it's a little bit of detail that will help get this one away.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Yeah. - And it's not too big.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Some of them can be just too pretentious and showy.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05But this one is quite nice. So let's find out what the bidders think.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07It's going under the hammer right now.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Cranberry glass vase.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Nice bit of silver.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12At £20, I've got.
0:14:12 > 0:14:1425. 30, then?
0:14:14 > 0:14:1630. £30.
0:14:16 > 0:14:1832? 32.
0:14:18 > 0:14:2034? 34.
0:14:20 > 0:14:2436. At £34, am I done?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Done. Hammer's gone down. You were spot on, really.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28Yeah, that was good.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30A confident valuation.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31- Happy with that?- Yes.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33On a £2 investment, I think it's brilliant.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35I wish we could all do that every day of the week.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Five. 30. 35. At £30.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Going under the hammer right now,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45possibly with one of the oldest things in the entire sale.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48The George III half guinea, belonging to Sue.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I absolutely love the story. I think it's lovely.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- Obviously, valued for over melt. - I did that deliberately.- Good.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Because everybody's got their scrap hat on, at the moment
0:14:57 > 0:15:00when it comes to gold and this is such a lovely coin
0:15:00 > 0:15:02and it is in very fine condition.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I think it is. I think it's superb.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06One of the best I've seen, apart from the little edge.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- And I could live with that. - I could. It's not on the face.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11We'll find out what the bidders think.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13It's going under the hammer right now.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17This is the gold George III half guinea.
0:15:17 > 0:15:181774.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22I can come straight in at 160.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25At 160. I've got 170.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26180. 190.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28200. 210.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29220. 230.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32240. 250.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33At 250, is there 60?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36At £250...
0:15:36 > 0:15:37All done?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39£250.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40- Gosh.- Brilliant.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43The nice thing is we put it in over-scrap.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45It's a coin collector's piece
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and someone's appreciated that here today.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- Yes, it certainly won't go to melt. Stunning.- We'd no idea what it was.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53And that's the beauty of Flog It! -
0:15:53 > 0:15:56you get to find out all about your items,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00and enjoy spending the proceeds from the auction too.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04And coming up, don't miss out on the spectacular events
0:16:04 > 0:16:06that unfold at auction
0:16:06 > 0:16:08when we come back later on in the show.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09Yes, please.
0:16:09 > 0:16:1155.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14£60,000.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16This is a dream, really.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17And that's all to come!
0:16:17 > 0:16:21But first it's time to head back to our valuation day venue.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22All going and done.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Longleat House is widely regarded as one of the best examples
0:16:26 > 0:16:29of Elizabethan architecture in the country.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32So, before I joined up with our experts to look for more antiques,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I decided to take a closer look to find out
0:16:35 > 0:16:37why the house is so exceptional
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and to discover some of its hidden secrets.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53'To understand how extraordinary a building like Longleat is,
0:16:53 > 0:16:57'you really need to travel back in time, back to when it was built.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00'It was in 1541 that Sir John Thynne,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03'Steward to the Duke of Somerset,
0:17:03 > 0:17:05'purchased the former priory at Longleat.'
0:17:05 > 0:17:09During Medieval times, and indeed the Tudor period,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12the landed gentry and nobility lived in castles
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and fortified manor houses built around a courtyard.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19The focus was definitely inwards, the priority was defence.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22England was such a feudal society
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and the remit was fortified architecture.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27But all that was about to change.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32'In 1558 Elizabeth I came to the throne.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37'The new queen's religious and economic policies brought
0:17:37 > 0:17:40'both relative peace and prosperity to the country.'
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Queen Elizabeth I travelled around her kingdom a great deal.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49It was vital to show her presence,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52and ambitious members of her court were eager to accommodate her,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56and this sparked off a building frenzy known as "prodigy houses" -
0:17:56 > 0:18:00huge great mansions designed to enhance your reputation.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03It was a symbol of power and family permanence.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08Longleat was the first house in the country to be built opening
0:18:08 > 0:18:10outwards, the outside house.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13It was saying, "Look at me, I'm here to show off and impress."
0:18:13 > 0:18:18And as architecture goes, that's a supreme statement of confidence.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22'But Longleat is also exceptional because Sir John was at the
0:18:22 > 0:18:28'forefront of a design revolution known as the Italian Renaissance.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32'Sir John created one of the first classical Renaissance palaces
0:18:32 > 0:18:37'in England, a dominant feature of which are the windows.'
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Back in the 1500s glass was hugely expensive.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44In fact, if you moved house, you took your windows with you.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47And an architectural delight like this,
0:18:47 > 0:18:52with more windows than walls, was a statement of extreme wealth.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59'And in the Great Hall you can still see many original 16th century
0:18:59 > 0:19:03'features, including the elaborate wooden screen under
0:19:03 > 0:19:04'the minstrels' gallery.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12'And the bold hammer beam roof.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18'And to find out more about Sir John Thynne,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21'the driving force behind this Elizabethan wonder,
0:19:21 > 0:19:25'I've arranged to meet up with Dr Kate Harris,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28'curator of Longleat's historic collections,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'in the temperature-controlled archives.'
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Kate, can you tell me a little bit about Sir John the builder?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39I suppose the most remarkable thing about him is the height to
0:19:39 > 0:19:46which he rose, the good luck of going to service with Protector Somerset.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51And Somerset, of course, was the most important patron of architecture
0:19:51 > 0:19:56at that period and had four or five really major projects on the go.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Wow, so he's bringing all these elements here to Longleat.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02That's what the locals hated, that he brought a building style,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06a classical Renaissance building style, to his own house.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11They regarded it as a style that is befitting of a prince, no less,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15and completely not suitable for an upstart from Shropshire.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18And are these the floor plans for Longleat?
0:20:18 > 0:20:19These are plans of 1800.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- You can see just how complicated an interior was at this stage.- I can.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25And the roofscape would have been that much more
0:20:25 > 0:20:29complicated as well because you've got a whole range of buildings
0:20:29 > 0:20:31within the court that you can look down on.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Gosh, it's a maze when you look down on it!
0:20:33 > 0:20:36In the early 20th century they were still
0:20:36 > 0:20:39worrying their heads about how to sweep the chimneys.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41They had to have a diagram...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44so that they could be sure which flue connected to which hearth.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49- They were cleaning the right one!- So they're all numbered.- OK.- With a key.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- This dates from about 1912, 1915.- Oh, I see.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56So number 71 there would be the Red Library, so you look there
0:20:56 > 0:21:00and you think, "Right, I've got my roof plan, that's the one."
0:21:00 > 0:21:03It would be a good day to go up and look at the roof for yourself.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05I will do, I will do.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07'And what better way to get there
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'than up the original 16th century stairs?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13'Stairs that Elizabeth I might have used.'
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Well, no wonder the chimney sweeps were confused! Just look at that!
0:21:21 > 0:21:22Without a roof plan,
0:21:22 > 0:21:26you wouldn't know what room you were standing above.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'This extraordinary late 16th century roofscape is
0:21:30 > 0:21:35'punctuated by a forest of chimneys and banqueting houses.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38'The Elizabethans liked to use roofs for recreation,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41'and banqueting houses provided a small,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'secluded space containing a fireplace and chairs for relaxing.'
0:21:48 > 0:21:49Now put to other uses,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52this one actually now contains the bell tower.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56But originally this was where you came after dinner,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00maybe to take some spices, have a glass of wine, have an intimate
0:22:00 > 0:22:05conversation, and, of course, take in these stunning views.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07But unfortunately, a little later on,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11these banqueting houses gained a rather dubious reputation as
0:22:11 > 0:22:16a place of maybe too much privacy, if you know what I mean, wink-wink.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21'And privacy was something of an issue.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24'Downstairs, the layout of the main reception rooms
0:22:24 > 0:22:28'is pretty much the same as it was in the Elizabethan period.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31'One opulent room leads directly into another,
0:22:31 > 0:22:36'so the most important and richly decorated spaces had to be used
0:22:36 > 0:22:38'as a thoroughfare by all family, guests
0:22:38 > 0:22:41'and household servants alike.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48'This was also true of the most significant room in the house,
0:22:48 > 0:22:49'the long gallery.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54'An architectural feature that made its appearance
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'in grand houses of the Elizabethan era,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'the long gallery soon became the centre of family life.'
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Used for entertaining and taking exercise on cold and wet days,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10the long gallery was also used for displaying art, and quite
0:23:10 > 0:23:15fittingly, the art on display here today brings us full circle.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20These beautiful, fragile tapestries are as old as the house.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Dating back to the 16th century, in their day, items like these
0:23:24 > 0:23:28were priced more highly and valued more highly than paintings.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30And today they are one of the most priceless
0:23:30 > 0:23:34and precious artefacts in this magnificent house.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Elizabethan houses like this one were built to enhance
0:23:41 > 0:23:46and carry your family's reputation forward for future generations,
0:23:46 > 0:23:47and considering all, I think
0:23:47 > 0:23:52that upstart John Thynne did a rather splendid job, don't you?
0:24:01 > 0:24:03'Back in the formal gardens,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06'the good people of Wiltshire are still arriving.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14'Now, when you bring an item along to a Flog It valuation day,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16'you never know where it might lead,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20'and that's certainly true of Nick, who brought in this teapot.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24'And here's the beginning of his extraordinary story.'
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Well, hello, Nick. It's good to see you on this wonderfully sunny,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30hot day with your glorious teapot, which I just love.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32What's the history of this one?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Well, my grandfather on my mother's side was
0:24:35 > 0:24:38a captain in the Indian Army,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42and in approximately 1904 he was seconded
0:24:42 > 0:24:48to an expedition into Tibet with a guy called Colonel Younghusband.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51And apparently it was quite a big affair,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and during the course of that expedition, my grandfather came
0:24:54 > 0:24:59- across this teapot in the Himalayas wrapped in paper in the snow.- OK!
0:24:59 > 0:25:03And, er, it was then inherited by my mother,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05and when my mother died, I inherited it.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07So that's the story that I got from my mother.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11OK, so he actually just found it wrapped up in the snow?
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Apparently so.- Wow, OK. It's so obviously Tibetan.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17It has a slightly primitive look to it, doesn't it?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Yes, I fear there's a few dents, but, erm...
0:25:20 > 0:25:21I'm not really surprised!
0:25:21 > 0:25:25But as to its original age, I have absolutely no idea at all,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27and its value, I have no idea.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28Yeah, well, obviously he found it in
0:25:28 > 0:25:30the very early days of the 20th century.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33It's going to date from the latter part of the 19th century,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- so it probably wasn't that old when he found it.- Right.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37From my understanding,
0:25:37 > 0:25:41because I think these were actually in fairly ordinary daily use,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I mean, it wasn't just sitting on the side waiting for high days
0:25:44 > 0:25:48and holidays when the family came round. I think they were used daily.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Oh, my understanding would be the same.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54It's brass and silver, not quite so highly burnished at the moment.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56And you very often find with Tibetan items,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00they've got this rather crude sort of brass embellishment on them.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Makes them look very primitive but I think actually is charming.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I think the story behind it is actually amazing,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10and within that, I'm sure there's a lot more history involved.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14You've obviously decided that it's time for it to find a new home.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I think so. I have the story, I have the memories,
0:26:17 > 0:26:18and that's perfectly OK for me, really.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21You know, no-one can take away the story and you've got other
0:26:21 > 0:26:24things that relate to that journey as well, haven't you?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I think it will sell fine at auction.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29My feeling is probably 80-120, that sort of, you know,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32good old auctioneer's estimate. Does that feel OK with you?
0:26:32 > 0:26:33Yes, I would think so, yes.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37- Yeah, I think a reserve, perhaps, of £80 with discretion on it.- OK.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40But it's a fascinating story and I'm sure there's an awful lot
0:26:40 > 0:26:44more behind that, but I shall look forward to seeing you at the auction
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- and watching it fly away. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50'A rather humble estimate by Claire, but her instincts about there
0:26:50 > 0:26:54'being more to the story and history of the piece are correct.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01'Photographs taken during the 1903 British Expedition to Tibet
0:27:01 > 0:27:03'undertaken by Nick's grandfather
0:27:03 > 0:27:06'and led by Colonel Francis Younghusband are thought to
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'have depicted Mount Everest to westerners for the very first time.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14'However, this expedition was effectively a temporary invasion
0:27:14 > 0:27:20'by British forces, possibly to counter feared Russian influence.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23'And around 3,000 Tibetans are thought to have been killed.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34'In terms of associated items, this area requires specialist knowledge.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38'But objects connected with the exploration of Tibet, and especially
0:27:38 > 0:27:42'this controversial expedition, are very collectable,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44'as we'll see later on in the programme.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51'But first, while some of our visitors
0:27:51 > 0:27:53'are enjoying a bit of shade,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56'Dee is putting her best foot forward in the topiary gardens.'
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Dee, thank you for bringing this wonderful large snuff box.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Erm, before I tell you anything about it, what do you know?
0:28:05 > 0:28:09It's my partner's and apparently it belonged to his great aunt.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12It's a very unusual thing for a great aunt to own!
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Was she a snuff box collector, or...?
0:28:14 > 0:28:18No, I think it was part of a family of three, and that's the largest one.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- Three, all shoes?- All shoes.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23It's certainly one of the largest ones I've seen.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28- We've basically got a mahogany, solid mahogany body.- It is mahogany.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- That's been carved as a lady's shoe. - Mm-hm.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34And then all of this very meticulous detail,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37all the seams, the buttoning, the decoration,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- that's all done with little brass pins, and they're nailed in.- OK.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46It's a sort of pique work, which is gold inlaid in tortoiseshell.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50Same technique, small pins to form a decorative effect.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52So do you think this would have been a table snuff box?
0:28:52 > 0:28:54This is a table snuff box,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57unless you've got a giant pocket to put it in.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01And you would have it on your table and gentlemen would partake of snuff
0:29:01 > 0:29:04at a particular point during the evening.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06But we've got a label there, that's interesting.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11Stuck on, so it's not period with it, but someone's written,
0:29:11 > 0:29:17- "Henry John Perkins, Fox White City Exhibition Circa 1875."- Yeah.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Had I seen this without that date,
0:29:20 > 0:29:24I would have thought it's more likely to be 1840-1850.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27But we'll just call it a Victorian snuff box.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Any idea of what the value might be?
0:29:29 > 0:29:31We have no idea.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Because the small ones always make £100-£150,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38and this is such a big example, it's the biggest one I've seen,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42let's say £300-£500 and put a fixed reserve of £300 on it.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Yeah, that'd be good.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46And then hopefully we'll see towards the top end.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48So if we do particularly well,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50any plans for what you'll do with the money?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- We're going on holiday later this year.- Oh, marvellous.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55So we'd use the money to spoil the children...
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Oh, that's brilliant. - ..and be completely frivolous.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- Thank you so much for bringing it in.- You're welcome.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Well, there you are, our experts have just made their final
0:30:08 > 0:30:11choices of items to take off to the sale room,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14so it's time to say farewell to our magnificent host location,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Longleat House in Wiltshire,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19but right now we've got some unfinished business to do
0:30:19 > 0:30:22in the auction room, and here's a quick recap of all the items
0:30:22 > 0:30:24that are going under the hammer.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27'We are all on tenterhooks with this teapot.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30'We've seen how the story starts, but where does it end?
0:30:30 > 0:30:35'Certainly not with an estimate of £80-120, I can tell you.'
0:30:39 > 0:30:42'And last but definitely not least, this huge snuff box.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45'Let's hope we can raise lots of money for Dee's kids to
0:30:45 > 0:30:47'spend on their holiday.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56'It's a full house in the sale room at Devizes,
0:30:56 > 0:30:58'and with the atmosphere building, it's time to see
0:30:58 > 0:31:01'if the mahogany snuff shoe walks out with a new owner.'
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Dee, good luck with the snuff shoe. Absolutely love this.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07I wish I did this valuation.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10And £300-£400 is nothing to be sniffed at!
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Why are you selling it now?
0:31:12 > 0:31:15It just sits in the house. It's not doing any good.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Didn't it inspire you to go out and buy more snuffboxes
0:31:17 > 0:31:19and start a little collection?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Because, really, they look great on a shelf or display cabinet.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24- It's not my thing. - Not your thing?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Let's see if we can get you to the top end of that estimate.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Here we go.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Very unusual table mull,
0:31:31 > 0:31:35in the form of a boot. Lovely thing.
0:31:35 > 0:31:41Somewhere around about £400? 400, three start me, two get me going.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Two I've got, and ten? 220. 230...
0:31:45 > 0:31:48It's a good start. It's a good start.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51250, 260. 270, 280.
0:31:52 > 0:31:563, 310, 320.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58At 310?
0:31:58 > 0:31:59All going!
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Yes, job done, hammer's gone down.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- That was a good valuation. - That's great, thank you.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Thank you for bringing it in, as well.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10A great result for Dee.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Now, on the preview day at the auction, I caught up with Alan to
0:32:13 > 0:32:17have a rather revealing chat about the lot we've all been waiting for.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24I think the most intriguing item to turn up at our valuation day
0:32:24 > 0:32:27had to be this Tibetan teapot, brought along by Nick,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30who had a few other things and some other items at home,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34part of a larger collection that he's since decided to sell.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36He's brought them along to the auction room.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38I know, Alan, you've done some research.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40You've had these for a couple of weeks now.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42And it turns out they're part of
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- a very significant and important collection.- Yes.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46Talk me through what we've got.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49How many lots, and what sort of money's on them?
0:32:49 > 0:32:53- OK, starting with the photographs, we've put them into three lots.- OK.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Because we could have made them an archive.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It would have made it probably quite an expensive archive.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01So, putting them into three lots...
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Gives a chance for other people...
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Yes. For two or three people to invest in them.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Wonderful items of social history.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11They're extremely rare. What do you expect to get or the photographs?
0:33:11 > 0:33:1560-odd photos. Something in the region of £2,000-£3,000 per lot.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17That's a lot of money, isn't it?
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Yes.- Were you happy with the teapots at £80?
0:33:19 > 0:33:24I tested the teapots. It has a very high silver content.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- So we upped the reserve slightly... To?- £300.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31OK, let's look at this little figure. Isn't she stunning?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34She is absolutely stunning. We tested for silver.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38It's a very low-grade silver, if it is silver.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40But it's still an important artefact.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42There's a hole to test beneath.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45So we had to just leave it as "silvered".
0:33:45 > 0:33:49But, in terms of her quality, it's absolutely stunning.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- How much do you expect this to fetch?- She could be a surprise.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56We've put a very conservative estimate.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00I think she's about £800-£1,200. That's come and buy me with bows on.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01Do you have a favourite?
0:34:01 > 0:34:05This little fellow here. I think this is so beautifully made.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Condition is superb.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09The jewels, turquoise, rock crystals,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13and I think one of the fun things, on the back,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16and that all the little skulls wrapped round his shoulders.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20- What a jolly little fellow!- Wow! What do you expect that to do?
0:34:20 > 0:34:25- Has there been a lot of interest? Interest from China?- Yeah.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29China, the rest of the world, United States, Canada, Britain.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Conservatively, we put in 12,000-13,000.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- 12,000-13,000 alone on this one? - Yes.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39And he is... I think that's a come-and-buy,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I hope it's a come-and-buy.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44I can see it doubling, potentially trebling, that figure.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46- 30,000 for this alone?- Yeah.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Which puts these at around 20 as well.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50So, really, really, we could be looking at...
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- We could be rocking and rolling! - We could be rocking and rolling.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56The teapot has turned into, what, £80,000 on a good day?
0:34:56 > 0:34:58And I expect you've done a lot of marketing as well.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00We've done a fair bit, Paul.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04It's been in Tibetan newspapers, Boston Times,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Australian newspapers, Indian newspapers, Himalayan newspapers.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- You name it.- The list goes on. - It's been there.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13You're a good auctioneer. That's what you have to do.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15We really want to make Nick as much money as possible.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18That's what we're here to do, isn't it?
0:35:18 > 0:35:20It just goes to show, with pricing antiques,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22it's not just about the item.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26History and provenance can be incredibly important
0:35:26 > 0:35:27in determining value.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32And, as the big moment approached, I had a chat with Nick
0:35:32 > 0:35:36to gauge his feelings on all of these exciting developments.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- Nick, it's good to see you again. - And you, Paul.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Boy, that Tibetan teapot has certainly caused a stir!
0:35:41 > 0:35:45Were you aware how significant this collection was?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47No, in a word. I remember these things
0:35:47 > 0:35:50all the way through my life, really, childhood and so on.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55My wife was saying to me, "Perhaps you should sort of sell them."
0:35:55 > 0:35:58So, she saw the advert for "Flog It!" at Longleat.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00If I hadn't brought along the teapot,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04none of these items would have seen the light of day, I don't think.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06It's wonderful, documented social history.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09It's an expedition that hardly anybody knew about.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10At the preview day yesterday,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12there were experts from all over the country.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14And every museum you could imagine.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16I think these are going to go for a lot of money.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20Hopefully, it's going to be a day in your life to remember.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22With the tension mounting in the saleroom,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Nick's first lot is about to go under the hammer.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28I'm getting excited. I hope you are,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30because I think the numbers will add up right now.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Please don't go away. We valued the teapot at Longleat,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36which led to the rest of the collection being brought along.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38Yeah, that's right, because I spotted the teapot,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40and then I understood that Nick had other items,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43so I advised him strongly to get them looked at and get some proper
0:36:43 > 0:36:46advice on them, because they're so specialised, lovely, lovely, things.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49And Alan has done a lot of research.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52He's contacted people in Nepal, China, all over the world, some
0:36:52 > 0:36:56of the greatest institutions are going to be on the phone and online.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58So fingers crossed.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00First lot, start me
0:37:00 > 0:37:05somewhere around about £4,000 for this first group of photographs.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09- That's punchy!- £4,000? Three, start me, two, get me away.
0:37:13 > 0:37:162,000, I'm in. 2,100, 2,200, 2,300,
0:37:16 > 0:37:212,400. 2,500, 2,600.
0:37:21 > 0:37:242,700, 2,700.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27They're having to wait for the confirmation on the phone.
0:37:27 > 0:37:293,500 with me.
0:37:29 > 0:37:313,600 anywhere else in the room?
0:37:31 > 0:37:353,650, 3,700. 3,800, back with you.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39£3,800. It's taking its time,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42because the bidders are making their minds up, bidding on the phone.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45I'm going to be good to you. 3,950.
0:37:45 > 0:37:484,050 with you, Brian.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50At 4,050.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Is there 4,100 anywhere else?
0:37:53 > 0:37:55At 4,050.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Yes, first lot done, at 4,050.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01That's very good!
0:38:01 > 0:38:04OK, here's the second group of photos.
0:38:04 > 0:38:071,500 I've got. 17?
0:38:07 > 0:38:122,300, 2,400, at 2,700, is there anybody else?
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- Not bad for 36 photographs!- No!
0:38:15 > 0:38:20'Not bad at all, Nick, and after the single group shot made £250,
0:38:20 > 0:38:24'just on its own, the last batch of pictures didn't disappoint.'
0:38:24 > 0:38:2817... 2,500.
0:38:28 > 0:38:292,800...
0:38:29 > 0:38:31- Suspense.- 3,000.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37£3,000! That's fantastic.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42Well, that adds up to £10,000 for the photographs alone.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45This is the first of the figures. Here we go.
0:38:45 > 0:38:471,200, straight in.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50- That's good value for money. - Three? Four?
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Eight?
0:38:53 > 0:38:55You can wake me up in a minute!
0:38:55 > 0:38:5720?
0:38:57 > 0:39:01Wow, we're making history here. You are a big part of this. Thank you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:0433? 34?
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Well, all I can say is thanks to you guys, really.
0:39:11 > 0:39:1437? 38?
0:39:14 > 0:39:15All going?
0:39:19 > 0:39:23I think we're all bit shocked. And Claire's feeling emotional.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25It hasn't finished. It really hasn't finished.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28We're going to have some more.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31The next Tibetan deity went for £1,600,
0:39:31 > 0:39:37and the gilt with epousee panel raised a very healthy £1,800.
0:39:37 > 0:39:38All done.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42But now, what about that very special item
0:39:42 > 0:39:45that started this incredible story?
0:39:45 > 0:39:46This is our teapot.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48This was actually where we came in.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51This was the beginning of the journey, yes.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Interesting little thing.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56I think, probably, £1,200?
0:39:56 > 0:39:591,200, straight in. At 12, I've got.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Oh, fantastic!
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Is there 14 anywhere else?
0:40:03 > 0:40:0514. 15, 16.
0:40:05 > 0:40:0817, 18,
0:40:08 > 0:40:1019 is back.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Am I all done at £1,900?
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- £1,900.- That was good for a teapot!
0:40:16 > 0:40:18That's brilliant, that's amazing. Well above estimate.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Slightly, slightly yes!
0:40:22 > 0:40:24And I think we're all very happy about that.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29OK. Now, this is the big one.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32I know that the auction house has been waiting for this,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Alan, in particular. He really rates this.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37The deity, Mahakala.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41Let's say somewhere around about 25,000?
0:40:41 > 0:40:45- 25,000, straight in. - Ho-ho-ho! Big bucks!
0:40:45 > 0:40:47At 25 I've got, 26.
0:40:50 > 0:40:5426? 27, 28.
0:40:54 > 0:40:5635.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- 40?- What's going through your mind right now?
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Feels like a dream, really.
0:41:03 > 0:41:04Are you totting this up, thinking,
0:41:04 > 0:41:08"Gosh, I've got so much money, what am I going to do with it?!"
0:41:08 > 0:41:1155, 60.
0:41:11 > 0:41:12HE MOUTHS INAUDIBLY
0:41:13 > 0:41:1561. 62.
0:41:17 > 0:41:2163, 64, 65.
0:41:23 > 0:41:2566?
0:41:25 > 0:41:27At 65 here.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29For the first time.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31For the second time.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33At 65,000...
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- Done!- Well!
0:41:39 > 0:41:44That is the most expensive item we have ever sold on "Flog It!"
0:41:44 > 0:41:45- in 12 years, yes.- Really?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47You must be so happy!
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- Well, it's incredible.- You must be. Come on, come on. Talk to me.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52It is fantastic, yes. Fantastic.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56You are taking this very calmly. You should be jumping up and down, now.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Well, my wife will actually do the jumping up and down bit,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01but it's actually surreal.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03I bet it is.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Because I honestly thought,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09we might make a couple of hundred pounds from the teapot, you know?
0:42:09 > 0:42:13And yeah, the bits and pieces... A few hundred. If I was lucky.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17- It just goes to show you the significance of this collection. - Absolutely.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20And Nick isn't the only one pleased with this sale.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Fantastic sale, very, very pleased with it.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28The Tibetan things went absolutely beautifully.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32The photos and the teapot stayed in the United Kingdom.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34One lot went to Europe.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37The other lot went to Hong Kong where, hopefully,
0:42:37 > 0:42:41it will find its way back to Tibet, where it belongs.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45200 I've got, 220. 240, 260.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49280, 300. At £300, all going!
0:42:49 > 0:42:55We've certainly ended on a real high, here. £118,300.
0:42:55 > 0:42:56That's incredible.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59I know you've got commission to pay on that,
0:42:59 > 0:43:02but it's still an awful lot of money. That's a "Flog It!" best.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06- That's just made my year, it really has. It really has.- Excellent.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08What can I say? Sadly, we've run out of time
0:43:08 > 0:43:11here in Devizes, but see you next time, and hopefully,
0:43:11 > 0:43:14there's going to be many more big surprises. Stay with us.