Wiltshire 55 Flog It!


Wiltshire 55

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LineFromTo

I'm here in the heart of London, where later on in the programme,

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I'll be showing you

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some of the hidden work by one of our greatest architects,

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Sir Christopher Wren.

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But right now, it's time for me to catch up with the rest

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of the team at our valuation day, so I better get my skates on.

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Welcome to "Flog It!"

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Today's valuations come from Longleat, in Wiltshire.

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A 16th century Renaissance palace, Longleat House

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was built by Sir John Thynn, a political player in the Tudor court.

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A well read man, he started a book collection at Longleat,

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which has been growing ever since.

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Nearly five centuries later, it is

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one of the largest private book collections in Europe,

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with over 40,000 volumes catalogued within seven libraries.

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But today, it is

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the volumes arriving outside the house that we're interested in.

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And here, on the beautiful east side of the house, bathed in the morning

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sunshine, the crowds are already gathering in their numbers.

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Somebody here is going to go home with a small fortune today,

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so don't go away.

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It is up to our experts to find that hidden gem

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and take it off to auction.

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And it is a responsibility our two experts,

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Michael Baggott and Claire Rawle,

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enjoy immensely, as they get to meet all the local characters.

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My family might have used these planes here.

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-We don't know.

-Oh, that is marvellous.

-We don't know.

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I'll get Paul to come and have a look at that.

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That is right up his street.

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And he's not wrong. Thank you, Michael,

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I'll have a look at that tool box later on in the show.

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There are certainly plenty of treasures to go around.

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-Oh, you've got quite a selection.

-A Longines and an Omega.

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-Oh, OK.

-But I've got a gold one here but no name on it.

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I like this one, sort of like a jumbo watch.

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Which reminds me, we can't keep our "Flog It!" fans waiting.

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It is time to get cracking with those valuations.

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And on this glorious day,

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where better to set up than in the gardens here at Longleat?

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Whilst our crews get their cameras ready,

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here is what is coming up on today's show.

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Barbara is shocked to discover the value of her Beatles signatures.

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-As much as that?

-This is, of course, if they are all genuine.

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But when the autographs are sent to the auctioneer's experts,

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the jury is out.

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One said...

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I wouldn't like to say no,

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but equally, I wouldn't like to say yes.

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So are they are or aren't they genuine?

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Well, find out when the bids come in later on in the show.

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Well, everybody is now safely seated,

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so it is lights, camera, action.

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This is where the action is taking place today, outside, right here.

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So let's now catch up with our experts

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and join up with Michael Baggott.

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He has spotted a real gem.

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So, Wendy, I absolutely love your rat. Is it something you've bought?

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-No, my twin sister bought it many years ago.

-Marvellous.

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-At a car-boot sale.

-You're joking! At a car boot?

-Yeah.

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And she only paid a couple pound for it at the most.

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-So, did your sister give it to you?

-Yeah.

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Well, she had about five at the end,

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and they all come to me.

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-Did she know what she had bought?

-Oh, yes.

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-So, she knew it was a netsuke?

-Yes.

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-Yeah.

-Something like that she told me they were.

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This is not the best netsuke in the world, but it is a very nice one.

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-Thank you.

-And it is Japanese.

-Oh.

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And for people that don't know what netsukes are, they're the

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toggle that you would use to secure an inro or a sagemono.

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And sagemono just means various hanging things.

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Now, it is basically...

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When the Japanese wore Japanese dress and not Western suits,

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you had no pockets.

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So everything that you needed as a gentleman or a lady was

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suspended from the obi, from the band.

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And this little toggle would slip through

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-and stop anything falling on the floor.

-Oh.

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Netsukes are carved in different materials.

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The best ones tend to be carved ivory.

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That isn't necessarily so, but wood,

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a nice little exotic hardwood like this, is easier to carve.

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What wood is that?

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That is going to be something like a tropical rosewood.

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-And if we look, we can see the two little holes in the base.

-Yeah.

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And that is where the cord for the inro or the purse or

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pouch would have passed through.

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And what is really nice is we've got that little signature there,

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-that two-character signature of the artist who carved it.

-Oh.

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And the detail is quite nice. It is not very fine.

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The very fine ones of these, you will have the hairs of the rat

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picked out and it will almost come alive in your hand.

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But this is a lovely, middle-range example of a netsuke.

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In terms of date, we are looking towards the end of the 19th century.

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So we are 1880 to 1900.

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Any ideas of what it might be worth now?

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-No, none at all.

-Let's say £30 to £50.

-Oh!

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-And let's say a fixed reserve of £30.

-Oh, yeah.

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So it is very much entry-level.

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The only problem with these is that in the last ten or 15 years,

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-there has been massive modern copies.

-Yeah.

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And they have sort of flooded the market

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and people are a little bit wary about them.

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-But that's right as rain. You now, that is 120 years old.

-Oh, my God.

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-If it's a day.

-Yeah.

-So, if this one does well,

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you'll have to find out the other three.

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I'll have to find the others out again, yeah.

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-Thanks very much for bringing this in.

-Thank you. Thank you very much.

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Now, I wonder what Wendy's other netsukes are like,

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originally a functional piece of wood, as Michael said,

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to hold in place items hanging from the sash of a kimono.

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By the late 18th century, these exquisite animals were being

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carved up by artists Masanao and Tomotada.

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Now, highly sought after, a world record was broken in 2010

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when this 18th-century ivory netsuke made

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£265,000 at auction.

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So, dig them out, Wendy, you never know what you've got.

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Now, on what is possibly the hottest day of the year,

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lots of people are taking advantage of a bit of shade underneath

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the lime trees, and it is also where I can catch up with Nick and Moira

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and that marvellous tool chest.

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So, tell me a little bit about this. I guess you are the man to do that.

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-These were yours, were they?

-No, these were my father's.

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And I am led to believe that he'd done his apprenticeship in a small

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village just outside of Warminster

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and a lot of the tools were used and some of the joinery work was

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actually in Longleat at the moment,

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so there is a connection between these tools and Longleat.

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-Right. So what trade did you take up?

-I'm a carpenter.

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-You are a carpenter as well? You followed Dad in his footsteps?

-Yeah.

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-You must have used some of these planes.

-I've tried.

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I tried using the big one at the bottom, what they call a triplane.

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I find it far easier to get the router out

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and run it down or go down to the DIY shop.

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-To be married to a carpenter is pretty handy.

-Oh, yes.

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-Your house must be in tiptop condition.

-Oh, yeah.

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-Built-in wardrobes?

-Yes.

-Best of everything?

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Everyone else's house is.

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Just look at the fruit wood, look at what you are using there.

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Some of those planes are beautifully made.

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-I would say some of these date back a good 150 years.

-Yeah.

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What catches my eye are this sort of thing.

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You know, the little side rebate planes where you can actually

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put a groove on the side of the wood.

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-And there is lots of varieties of moulding plane there.

-One like that.

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Yeah. And I mean, that's lovely, isn't it?

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-Look how beautiful that is. Look how beautiful that is.

-Yeah.

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Have you any idea what sort of value all of these planes are?

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I don't know.

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£150, £200 perhaps.

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I'd say you are about spot on.

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If I had to put a value on this, I'd have said £100 to £200.

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You are looking at about £6-£8 per moulding plane.

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Again, the same sort of money with the big jack planes.

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The box itself, the tool chest,

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well, that's worth a good £60 to £80 as well.

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A fixed reserve at 100. Hopefully, we'll get that top end.

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-Yeah.

-And I'll see you both in the auction room?

-Will do.

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-Yes, thank you.

-We'll see you there.

-Good luck.

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BOTH: Thank you.

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Well, I'm really glad Michael spotted that item in the queue,

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exactly what I'd like to get my hands on.

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And back in the main area,

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another person capitalising on an early queue discovery

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is Claire Rawle.

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-Hello, Jean.

-Hello, Claire.

-I feel really quite honoured today,

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cos you've come a long way here, haven't you?

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Well, I have, I've come from London.

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-But it was just nice to get some fresh air.

-Yeah.

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-And be out of London for a couple of days.

-You're making it a holiday?

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-You're staying here?

-Just for a couple of nights, yes.

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-Excellent, well done. Anyway, to business.

-Yeah.

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So, we have a selection of wristwatches

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and pocket watches, all from sort of different eras as well.

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-So what can you tell me about them?

-I can't really tell you an awful lot.

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I know that the larger one was my grandfather's.

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In fact, I think both of the pocket watches were.

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I don't know how old they are.

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And I'd be really quite interested cos recently my uncle died.

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Right.

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-So I've really got no-one to ask.

-Oh, OK.

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-So, were the wristwatches your uncle's, then?

-Yes, they were.

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-This one is Victorian, the large, the sort of jumbo sized watch.

-Yes.

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And then you've got the more standard.

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Again, both open-faced pocket watches.

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Then of course, you move into wristwatches,

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because wristwatches only really turned into wristwatches

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at the beginning of the 20th century.

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This is a nine-karat-cased one,

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and this is the earliest of the wristwatches.

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And as you can see,

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it looks a little bit like a pocket watch still,

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because it has got this very clear open face

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and it is quite a thick case.

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And the earlier ones did tend to look still a little

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bit like the pocket or the fob watches that you saw at the time.

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The two at the end here are much more recent.

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We've got two very good makes - Longines and Omega.

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And the two of those could date from

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maybe sort of the '70s, into the '80s.

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-Oh, that recent?

-Reasonably recent.

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Oh, I didn't realise they were that recent.

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Yeah, but modern collectibles and still desirable

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because people always like retro styles.

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These are much more collectible, whereas those are more practical.

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So you've got quite a mixture of ages and styles.

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So, you've obviously decided...

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You've dumped them out of a drawer somewhere, haven't you?

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-You decided the time has come.

-That's exactly it.

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And also I'm going to be moving flats in London

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-in the next couple of months.

-Yeah.

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And I really wanted the money to go to buy something nice,

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-to remind me of my uncle, who was my favourite uncle.

-Oh, that's great.

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That's much better, isn't it, than having watches just sitting,

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hidden away. As a group, we're looking at £300 to £400.

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And quite a lot of that value is actually in the two more

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modern wristwatches.

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It's not always age that defines value, it is

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-whether something can be worn and used.

-Used.

-Yeah.

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-So if you are happy with that...

-I am, very much so.

-Excellent.

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Well, I'll look forward to seeing you at the auction.

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And I really hope that they sell well and you will be able to

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then buy something great

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-to remember your uncle by.

-Something really nice, yes.

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-Brilliant. Well, thanks very much.

-That would be lovely.

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Well, what a brilliant start we've made already.

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Our experts have found three items ready to take off to the sale room.

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They will be working flat out throughout the rest of this day

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to find some more gems.

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But right now, let's put those values to the test.

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Here's a quick recap of all the items going under the hammer.

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There is Wendy's wooden netsuke,

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that is around 120 years old and bought for only a couple pounds.

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Hopefully, the bidders will appreciate this tool chest

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as much as I do.

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And Jean came all the way from London for her valuation,

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so let's hope she gets a good result.

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We've headed just a few miles northeast to the market town

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of Devizes in the heart of Wiltshire,

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where today's auction is happening.

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It is already filling out with browsers and bidders.

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And wielding the all-important gavel is auctioneer Alan Aldridge.

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40.

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Well, it looks like the bidders are taking to their seats.

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The auction is just about to start. Whatever you do, don't go away.

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This could get very, very exciting. But do remember, if you are

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thinking of selling something or buying on auction, there is

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commission to pay. Here, it is 18%.

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That includes the VAT and all the other little, hidden extra costs.

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But factor that sum into your cost, won't you, because it does add up.

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Right, let's get on with the sale.

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And in this crowded sale room,

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let's hope our first diminutive lot wasn't hard to spot.

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Going under the hammer right now

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we have a little netsuke belonging to Wendy.

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-It was a car boot find and it's been kept in a...

-Drawer.

-Shame!

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Some of these can be worth, as we know, an awful lot of money.

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It's a lovely 19th-century rat.

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-I think it is just amusing and it will find a home today.

-Yeah.

-Right.

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OK, we're going to find out if this rat can run up a drain pipe

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right now, it's going under the hammer.

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A netsuke in the form of a rat. Give me £35 for him.

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25 to start me.

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Ten to get me away.

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Ten I've got. I've got ten. I've got 15.

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At £15. At 15. Is there 20? At 15, is there 20?

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20. 25.

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30.

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At £25. What about 28?

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-At 28.

-£28.

-Yep.

-29.

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At £28. At 28. At 28...

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£28, and that hammer has gone down. That is a sold sound.

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He used a bit of discretion.

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You know, it was a car boot find and it was a gift, so cost you nothing.

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-It'll buy my grandchildren some ice cream on holiday.

-That's perfect.

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I couldn't think of a better way of spending your money, Wendy.

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And the next lot is the one I valued.

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-Michael, it is great to see you again.

-Thank you.

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Michael brought in those wonderful carpentry tools in that

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lovely box, which really belong at Longleat, don't they?

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That is definitely true.

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Every time I think of these lovely, old, artisan tools,

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I think of things made with precision and love and discipline.

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Anyway, let's find out what the bidders think, it is

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going under the hammer right now. This is it.

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A very nice carpenter's pine box,

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containing 13

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tri-moulding planes, etc.

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Start me at £150 for it.

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100 to get me away? 50. 40. 30.

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30 I've got. 30, I've got 40.

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45. 50. 55?

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60. 65?

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70. 75?

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80. 85?

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-We're selling, aren't we?

-90.

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92?

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95. 100.

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What about 98?

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Go on, then, at 98.

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At £98...

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Is there 100 anywhere else?

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Sold. £98. Well done, you.

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-And well done, Alan, on the rostrum as well.

-Yeah, very good.

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-Happy with that?

-Yes, I think so.

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Those little tiny moulding planes will be on display

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-on a shelf somewhere.

-I think so.

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Hopefully, in a craftsman's workshop.

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Or a nice oldie rowdy pub.

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Yes.

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Great idea, Michael.

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Now, let's hope we can raise some funds with our next item

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so Jean can buy something special to remind her of her favourite uncle.

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We are looking at £300 to £400.

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You could say time's up. It is for Jean because...

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Hey, you are selling the watches.

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But this is Jean's first ever visit, Claire, to an auction room.

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-Exciting.

-About time.

-It's really exciting.

-It is, isn't it?

0:16:530:16:57

-I'm loving it, yeah.

-Great.

-And it's noisy, it's really loud in here.

0:16:570:17:00

There is a cracking atmosphere and things are flying out the door.

0:17:000:17:03

We'll find out what the bidders think.

0:17:030:17:05

Here it is, going under the hammer.

0:17:050:17:07

Very interesting little lot of watches. Five items in total.

0:17:070:17:11

And should be somewhere around about £350, £400.

0:17:110:17:16

350, start me?

0:17:160:17:17

Three to get me away.

0:17:170:17:20

Two? 150.

0:17:200:17:22

150 I've got. 150 I've got.

0:17:220:17:25

175.

0:17:250:17:26

Two.

0:17:260:17:28

225.

0:17:280:17:29

250.

0:17:290:17:30

-275. Three.

-Great.

0:17:300:17:33

325. At 300.

0:17:330:17:35

Is there any more?

0:17:350:17:37

£300...

0:17:370:17:39

-Yes! The hammer's gone down.

-Well done, yeah.

-Claire was spot on.

0:17:390:17:42

-Great valuation.

-She certainly was.

-Happy with that?

-Certainly am.

0:17:420:17:45

-Thank you.

-Good.

0:17:450:17:46

And now you can say, on your first visit to the sale room,

0:17:460:17:49

you had a great day out on "Flog It!" and you sold something.

0:17:490:17:51

-Oh, I certainly can. It's been fabulous.

-Thank you.

0:17:510:17:54

And you're going home with a bit of money.

0:17:540:17:55

Aren't you right. That's fabulous, thank you very much.

0:17:550:17:58

25. 30.

0:17:580:18:00

35.

0:18:000:18:01

At £30 on my left.

0:18:010:18:03

Well, that's our first visit to the auction room done and dusted.

0:18:040:18:08

Now, in this series, we're taking a look at famous people

0:18:080:18:11

throughout history who were born in the places where we visit.

0:18:110:18:16

So today, I'm going to be finding out about one of our greatest

0:18:160:18:19

architects, who was born just a few miles down the road.

0:18:190:18:23

I'm, of course, talking about Sir Christopher Wren.

0:18:230:18:26

Behind me is one of the most famous buildings to dominate

0:18:440:18:47

the London skyline - St Paul's Cathedral.

0:18:470:18:50

Its dome has been a symbol of our capital city for centuries,

0:18:500:18:54

it's even survived the Blitz.

0:18:540:18:55

And below it, some of the country's greatest events have taken place.

0:18:550:18:59

But what about the man who designed it?

0:18:590:19:01

Well, believe it or not, Sir Christopher Wren isn't only

0:19:010:19:04

just responsible for this spectacular building,

0:19:040:19:06

his name is all over this city.

0:19:060:19:08

And today, I'm here to explore some of his hidden treasures.

0:19:080:19:12

Wren was born just a few miles from today's valuation day

0:19:140:19:18

location in Wiltshire in 1632.

0:19:180:19:21

But it is here, in London, that his legacy would be most prominent.

0:19:210:19:26

He designed and redesigned some of our greatest buildings,

0:19:280:19:31

including Hampton Court Palace,

0:19:310:19:35

the Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

0:19:350:19:38

But he had no formal training as an architect.

0:19:380:19:41

Back then, architecture was basically a rich man's hobby,

0:19:410:19:44

a series of mathematical calculations the educated

0:19:440:19:48

would use to create their visions.

0:19:480:19:50

Now, whilst Wren had designed a few buildings elsewhere,

0:19:500:19:53

it was an event that took place in the city of London that would

0:19:530:19:56

secure his name in history.

0:19:560:19:59

The Great Fire of London in 1666

0:20:010:20:03

destroyed over two thirds of the city.

0:20:030:20:06

That was over 13,000 homes and buildings.

0:20:060:20:09

Officially, the death toll was just six people.

0:20:100:20:14

But without any real knowledge of who lived where,

0:20:140:20:16

it was more likely to be hundreds or even thousands.

0:20:160:20:20

Wren was a favourite architect of King Charles II

0:20:210:20:24

and the obvious choice to lead a rebuilding programme.

0:20:240:20:28

Within two weeks of the disaster, he had surveyed the damage

0:20:280:20:32

and was already drawing up plans to rebuild the city.

0:20:320:20:36

He was soon involved in scores of other new projects across London.

0:20:360:20:40

Including this, the first of my hidden gems - the monument

0:20:430:20:46

to the fire itself, the event that led to the most prolific period

0:20:460:20:50

in his life.

0:20:500:20:52

Now, it stands 202 feet away from where the fire first started

0:20:520:20:56

and it rises 202 feet into the sky,

0:20:560:21:00

exactly the same height as it is the distance.

0:21:000:21:03

Now, that tells us

0:21:030:21:04

that Wren really cares about the finer points of detail.

0:21:040:21:08

And there's also a tube station named after it.

0:21:080:21:10

The fire the monument commemorates was so devastating

0:21:140:21:17

because housing regulations weren't really enforced back then.

0:21:170:21:21

Cramped, wooden, thatched-roofed houses stood side-by-side

0:21:210:21:25

and were engulfed when the fire took hold.

0:21:250:21:28

The fire that started here in Pudding Lane made people

0:21:290:21:32

realise just how dangerous the buildings in London were.

0:21:320:21:36

And Wren became part of the team that reformed

0:21:360:21:39

the standard of buildings -

0:21:390:21:40

out went the thatched roofs, in came slate,

0:21:400:21:44

out went the clapperboard wooden buildings, in came brick and stone

0:21:440:21:48

to make London a much safer place.

0:21:480:21:51

But Wren's work had other surprising consequences.

0:21:510:21:55

The rising new housing led to a rapid growth in industry -

0:21:550:21:59

furniture makers, potters

0:21:590:22:01

and metal workers were all in high demand, replacing what was lost.

0:22:010:22:06

He realised that it wasn't just homes that needed rebuilding,

0:22:100:22:14

Wren is reputed to have built a pub on this site.

0:22:140:22:18

Legend has it that upstairs he built an office from which

0:22:200:22:23

he could observe the work at nearby St Paul's.

0:22:230:22:26

And downstairs, the workers who were rebuilding the city could

0:22:260:22:29

enjoy a sup of ale when their work was done.

0:22:290:22:32

It is a claim to fame this pub is making the most of,

0:22:320:22:35

and who can blame them?

0:22:350:22:37

Wren was building a community, not just grand facades and ornate,

0:22:370:22:42

decorative buildings.

0:22:420:22:43

He realised that people needed more than that.

0:22:430:22:47

Including places to worship.

0:22:490:22:51

Over 87 churches were destroyed during the fire

0:22:510:22:55

and Wren constructed over 50 new ones.

0:22:550:22:59

And this is one of his creations - St Mary Le Bow

0:22:590:23:02

in the heart of the city.

0:23:020:23:03

And it is where the phrase "Born within the sound of Bow bells"

0:23:030:23:07

actually originates from.

0:23:070:23:09

And I've arranged to meet the rector, George Bush, to find

0:23:090:23:12

out about the tower that Wren built.

0:23:120:23:15

It is an incredible work of architecture and engineering,

0:23:180:23:22

that tower. The west face of the church is quite austere,

0:23:220:23:25

-but when you look up and see the tower, wow!

-Yes.

0:23:250:23:27

It is likely that Sir Christopher Wren,

0:23:270:23:29

who was working here from 1671 to 1680,

0:23:290:23:34

it's likely that he was very involved in the design

0:23:340:23:37

and building of the tower,

0:23:370:23:39

possibly rather less so in the facade of the church.

0:23:390:23:41

You can see that, it is quite noticeable.

0:23:410:23:44

-I mean, that is on a par with St Paul's, that tower.

-Yes.

0:23:440:23:48

It is his second most ambitious project.

0:23:480:23:49

-Yeah.

-And it is the second most expensive project.

0:23:490:23:52

Why is this church so important to the city?

0:23:520:23:55

The medieval church on this site had a tower,

0:23:550:23:58

and in that tower, was a bell,

0:23:580:24:01

Bow bell, and that rang out at nine o'clock every evening

0:24:010:24:06

to indicate to the apprentices

0:24:060:24:07

and everybody else in the city that the working day was over.

0:24:070:24:10

And the sound of that bell was picked up at all the gates,

0:24:100:24:14

and then the city settled down for the night.

0:24:140:24:18

So, if you were born under the sound of that bell,

0:24:180:24:21

-you were a true Londoner.

-If you could hear that bell...

-Yeah.

0:24:210:24:24

..that meant that you were Londoner.

0:24:240:24:26

To be born was an even greater blessing,

0:24:260:24:29

to be born within that sound.

0:24:290:24:31

Resonating throughout our history, that's incredible.

0:24:310:24:34

I didn't know it was from this church.

0:24:340:24:36

You think it is in Bow, in East London, but this is Mary Le Bow.

0:24:360:24:39

Cos this was right at the centre of the city, in the middle

0:24:390:24:43

of Cheapside, which was the main trading street in the city.

0:24:430:24:46

That's where the hub of the city was.

0:24:460:24:48

Absolutely, the centre of the city.

0:24:480:24:50

-And obviously, the bells still ring out today.

-Yes, and a new tower.

0:24:500:24:54

In Wren's tower, we now have 12 bells,

0:24:540:24:57

which are wrung very regularly for services and celebrations.

0:24:570:25:01

So thanks to Sir Christopher Wren's enduring architecture,

0:25:010:25:05

Londoners can still live and work within the sound of Bow bells.

0:25:050:25:09

His legacy stretches far and wide over this great city.

0:25:100:25:15

And if you ever visit London, you'll probably be closer to

0:25:150:25:19

a building designed by our most famous architect than you think.

0:25:190:25:23

Welcome back to Longleat, where the sun is still shining bright

0:25:340:25:37

and people are beating a path to the valuation tables here,

0:25:370:25:41

in the beautiful gardens.

0:25:410:25:43

-Having a good time everyone?

-ALL: Yes!

0:25:460:25:48

Hey, look, fingers crossed, it could be you or you going home

0:25:480:25:52

later on in the programme with lots of money!

0:25:520:25:54

They could have that hidden gem.

0:25:540:25:56

But right now, let's catch up with Claire,

0:25:560:25:58

who has indeed found a hidden jewel.

0:25:580:26:01

Hello, Sue and Debbie. It is lovely to see you. You look glorious!

0:26:010:26:05

Well, you've brought along something so pretty today.

0:26:050:26:08

-It really is glorious.

-Yes, we love it.

-So, shall we have a look at it?

0:26:080:26:11

-Yeah.

-So, if we look in here...

0:26:110:26:13

And there it is, a little piece of treasure.

0:26:130:26:15

That is so, so pretty.

0:26:150:26:17

So, obviously, it is an amethyst and seed pearl set in nine karat with

0:26:170:26:21

a chain, but what can you tell me about it?

0:26:210:26:24

It belonged to my husband's aunt.

0:26:240:26:25

And when we were tidying up the house, we found it. I've loved it.

0:26:250:26:29

-I've worn it a couple of times.

-Oh, right.

0:26:290:26:31

-And only yesterday you found the actual box.

-Yes.

-Oh, really?

0:26:310:26:34

I've kept it out of the box

0:26:340:26:36

and I suddenly found the box to put it in.

0:26:360:26:37

-Just sort of sitting around in a drawer somewhere?

-Yes.

-Exactly.

0:26:370:26:40

-Tidying up.

-Yeah.

-It's lovely.

0:26:400:26:42

And I love the combination of the sort of amethyst with

0:26:420:26:45

-the little seed pearls.

-Yes.

-Very, very Victorian.

0:26:450:26:48

And as I say, it is set in nine karat gold

0:26:480:26:51

and a nine karat chain in there.

0:26:510:26:53

And at the back of it, if we just have a little look at it.

0:26:530:26:56

Then you've got the brooch. It has got a brooch pin.

0:26:560:26:58

Yes, I've worn it as a brooch.

0:26:580:27:00

Yes. It is a brooch or a pendant. So, they're very often...

0:27:000:27:03

You know, this is a good multipurpose jewel, then.

0:27:030:27:06

It is the sort of thing that could be worn.

0:27:060:27:08

But also there are collectors of jewellery that actually

0:27:080:27:11

just like it displayed in boxes.

0:27:110:27:12

-I mean, it is just so beautiful.

-It is.

0:27:120:27:14

-It is dainty with not being too big.

-Yes.

0:27:140:27:17

But on the other hand, it's not so dainty that, you know,

0:27:170:27:20

you feel it's lost when you wear it.

0:27:200:27:21

Right, though, I understand you've got the link, haven't you, at home?

0:27:210:27:24

-Yes, a link which goes just to the chain.

-That's right.

0:27:240:27:28

Cos it needs something that means that it can hang on the chain.

0:27:280:27:30

So it is quite important to get that bit with it before we auction.

0:27:300:27:33

-I found it on the carpet this morning.

-On the carpet?

0:27:330:27:36

Right, OK. Just glad it didn't go up the Hoover, I guess.

0:27:360:27:39

Good, so we'll get the link with it so it can hang on its chain.

0:27:390:27:42

Now, I think it will actually sell very well.

0:27:420:27:45

I think you're going to be looking close to £300 for it.

0:27:450:27:47

-Mm!

-Really, I'd say an estimate of three to 350 on that, very easily.

0:27:470:27:52

-Fantastic.

-And I'd put a reserve,

0:27:520:27:55

just perhaps pitch it under the 300, perhaps at 280.

0:27:550:27:58

I really wouldn't like to see it go for any less than that.

0:27:580:28:01

-No, I think the same actually.

-Yeah.

0:28:010:28:03

Jewellery is selling well at the moment.

0:28:030:28:05

I think that will be a sensible price. Are you happy with that?

0:28:050:28:08

-Very happy.

-Excellent. Good.

0:28:080:28:09

Well, I shall look forward to seeing you at the auction.

0:28:090:28:12

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you for coming. Great, thank you.

0:28:120:28:15

Now, while the valuations continue apace,

0:28:180:28:21

why don't we take a few minutes to do some exploring inside?

0:28:210:28:25

Longleat House opened to the public in 1949.

0:28:270:28:31

But before that, you could often look at stately homes

0:28:310:28:34

by appointment.

0:28:340:28:35

During the 18th century, it was common for butlers

0:28:380:28:41

or housekeepers to show visitors around the house.

0:28:410:28:44

Now, on one occasion, the Second Marquis was here,

0:28:440:28:47

in the Green Library, looking at some books, as you do.

0:28:470:28:51

He heard voices close by coming towards the library.

0:28:510:28:54

He didn't want to be sociable, so he hid in a gap,

0:28:540:28:57

a void in the bookcase.

0:28:570:28:59

He squeezed in there and hid in there.

0:28:590:29:01

He didn't want to see anybody.

0:29:010:29:03

Now, in big old houses like this,

0:29:030:29:04

it was quite common for spaces like that because walls got

0:29:040:29:08

moved around and room sizes got altered, creating these voids.

0:29:080:29:12

However, on this occasion,

0:29:120:29:14

the couple that were in here gravitated towards this

0:29:140:29:17

side of the library,

0:29:170:29:19

noticed there was just a little, tiny gap in the bookcase like that.

0:29:190:29:23

He hadn't pushed it too... And they pushed it open, they were curious.

0:29:230:29:27

And they looked inside, and there he was, the Second Marquis.

0:29:270:29:30

That must have been so embarrassing for all parties concerned.

0:29:300:29:34

Well, I expect the Second Marquis was particularly red-faced.

0:29:360:29:40

What a great family legend.

0:29:400:29:41

And now, back outside in the gardens, there are some more

0:29:410:29:45

rosy cheeks, but that is thanks to all this sunshine we are enjoying.

0:29:450:29:48

Barbara, thank you for bringing in this unassuming looking album.

0:29:520:29:57

It doesn't look great at the start of it. But if we open it up...

0:29:570:30:00

-Well, that gives it away, doesn't it?

-Yes.

-The Beatles!

-Oh, yes.

0:30:010:30:05

So, this is your autograph album?

0:30:050:30:07

Well, yes, I collected various autographs over the years.

0:30:070:30:11

As I was an Army wife and we moved around a lot,

0:30:110:30:13

I put them into an album to keep them safe.

0:30:130:30:17

So, are these autographs that you yourself got or were

0:30:170:30:20

they given to you?

0:30:200:30:22

The Beatles and the Cliff Richard one were given to me

0:30:220:30:26

-by my very first boyfriend.

-Oh, lovely.

-Many years ago.

0:30:260:30:30

-He had a member of the family who worked for the BBC.

-Oh.

0:30:300:30:34

So he was enamoured of me

0:30:340:30:37

and so he thought I would quite like the autographs.

0:30:370:30:40

-To prove his love.

-Yes.

0:30:400:30:41

And we've obviously got,

0:30:410:30:45

from the Beatles here, we've got

0:30:450:30:47

Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, George Harrison.

0:30:470:30:50

And then on a separate one, which usually it's on a separate one.

0:30:500:30:53

-"Love to Barbara, from John Lennon."

-Yes.

0:30:530:30:55

I am not an expert by any means in autographs.

0:30:550:30:59

And the one thing I think we've come to realise over

0:30:590:31:02

the years on "Flog It!" is that sometimes these

0:31:020:31:05

signatures are acquired genuinely,

0:31:050:31:09

somebody passes a book or a piece of paper into a dressing room,

0:31:090:31:12

but it is not actually that person who signed it.

0:31:120:31:15

Right. Yep.

0:31:150:31:16

-So I think what we have to do is give these to the auctioneer.

-Mm-hm.

0:31:160:31:21

And he will call in a specialist who will be familiar

0:31:210:31:25

with the genuine signatures and how they're done.

0:31:250:31:28

Your story is promising.

0:31:280:31:30

Because, you know, it is a BBC connection.

0:31:300:31:33

You could see someone taking a quiet moment

0:31:330:31:36

and just getting the signatures from them

0:31:360:31:38

rather than in the humdrum of a concert or something like that.

0:31:380:31:42

-So, there is hope.

-Well.

0:31:420:31:45

Of course, we have got a dedication there.

0:31:450:31:47

-They are always better when they are just the name.

-Yes, of course.

0:31:470:31:50

Because then they can be for any person.

0:31:500:31:53

I think the other autographs, and with them Cliff Richard,

0:31:530:31:57

is collectible. But he's been going for a long, long time.

0:31:570:32:01

He has done an awful lot of autographs.

0:32:010:32:03

And we have got The Shadows. And of course Cilla Black.

0:32:030:32:07

These, I think, are a matter of fives, tens, 15s of pounds.

0:32:070:32:13

But they add to the history, because it is your album that you

0:32:130:32:17

collected and it shows the continuity.

0:32:170:32:19

Beatles signatures, any idea of the value?

0:32:190:32:22

Not a clue.

0:32:220:32:24

I think we'd be cautious and say £800 to £1,200,

0:32:240:32:28

-and put a reserve of 800.

-As much as that?

0:32:280:32:31

That might be on the low side on the day.

0:32:310:32:33

-Wow.

-But 800 to 1,200 certainly.

0:32:330:32:36

-This is, of course, if they are all genuine.

-Yes, of course.

0:32:360:32:39

And of course, there is...

0:32:390:32:40

You can sort of have a middle ground that two might be right

0:32:400:32:45

and one might be signed by somebody else.

0:32:450:32:47

There's a whole degree of grey in between.

0:32:470:32:49

But we will leave that to the auctioneer.

0:32:490:32:51

But as four genuine Beatles signatures, 800 to 1,200,

0:32:510:32:55

-no problem at all.

-Wow.

-Fixed reserve of 800.

-Mm-hm.

0:32:550:32:59

But, I mean, this is your...

0:32:590:33:00

your life and your autographs,

0:33:000:33:02

why have you decided to part with it now?

0:33:020:33:04

Well, I've had them for... What, it must be nearly 50-odd years now.

0:33:040:33:09

Um...

0:33:090:33:11

They don't do anything, they are just stuck in a drawer.

0:33:110:33:14

I've got the memories.

0:33:140:33:15

You've got the memories, you don't need the notes of paper any more.

0:33:150:33:19

No. And I think, obviously, gradually,

0:33:190:33:21

they start to deteriorate a little bit.

0:33:210:33:22

No, I think we are all right.

0:33:220:33:24

Pencil is best for autographs as long as you don't rub it.

0:33:240:33:27

But no, I think we are fine. Thank you so much for bringing them in.

0:33:270:33:31

-My pleasure.

-And hopefully we'll have a favourable results on the day.

0:33:310:33:34

Thank you.

0:33:340:33:35

The big question is, are those Beatles signatures genuine?

0:33:350:33:38

Keep watching to find out.

0:33:380:33:40

Now, from the glamour of the pop world to the charm of a bygone era,

0:33:400:33:43

when people still used calling cards.

0:33:430:33:47

Well, hi, Sandy.

0:33:500:33:52

You've brought along this silver salver or card tray, take your pick.

0:33:520:33:56

Salver, I'm not sure exactly what it is.

0:33:560:33:58

Yeah, well, I'd call it a card tray.

0:33:580:34:00

I expect salvers to be that much bigger.

0:34:000:34:02

-Right.

-So tell me a bit about it, where has it come from?

0:34:020:34:05

Well, I don't actually know very much about it at all.

0:34:050:34:07

My mother used to go to this little antique shop round the corner

0:34:070:34:11

-many, many years ago and buy things.

-Yeah.

0:34:110:34:14

And this is one of the items that she just put away.

0:34:140:34:17

She never showed it or displayed it.

0:34:170:34:19

And I actually have not displayed it, as you can tell. I've not cleaned it.

0:34:190:34:22

So you are not overly enamoured with it either, then.

0:34:220:34:25

-I'm afraid not.

-Right.

0:34:250:34:26

Obviously, she'd bought it and then she decided that she'd keep it

0:34:260:34:29

-for the future, but she never did anything with it.

-OK.

0:34:290:34:31

So you've inherited it and kept it in the cupboard ever since.

0:34:310:34:34

-Yeah.

-Well, it is a nice thing. I like it because it is quite plain.

0:34:340:34:38

It is very much made in the Georgian style

0:34:380:34:41

and it is very clearly marked on the back. So if we just turn it

0:34:410:34:45

over, it has got a Birmingham assay mark and it dates from 1939.

0:34:450:34:49

Right.

0:34:490:34:50

And look, you've got a silver mark, the year mark and the maker's mark.

0:34:500:34:54

And it is all nicely...

0:34:540:34:55

-Obviously, it hasn't been over polished over the years.

-No.

0:34:550:34:58

So it is very well marked indeed. It is a very nice, plain item.

0:34:580:35:02

You do base the value a bit on weight. And we have weighed it.

0:35:020:35:05

And it is nine troy ounces.

0:35:050:35:07

I don't know what that means.

0:35:070:35:09

It is not hugely heavy, but it is a good chunky piece.

0:35:090:35:12

So, based on its weight and its style, I'm thinking at auction

0:35:120:35:16

-you're looking at about between £70 and £100.

-All right.

0:35:160:35:20

-I don't know if that sounds about right to you.

-I don't mind.

0:35:200:35:23

-I'll go with whatever you say.

-OK.

0:35:230:35:25

And I think a reserve of £70, a fixed reserve of 70,

0:35:250:35:28

-if you are happy with that.

-I'm quite happy.

-And it should do fine.

0:35:280:35:31

-Wonderful.

-Have you got any idea what you might buy in its place?

0:35:310:35:35

-Just probably put it in the holiday fund.

-Sounds good.

0:35:350:35:39

Well, thanks for bringing it along, it is a lovely thing.

0:35:390:35:41

-As I say, it should sell very, very well.

-Wonderful.

0:35:410:35:44

-I'll see you at the auction, then.

-Wonderful.

0:35:440:35:46

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:35:460:35:48

Well, we have really met some lovely people here

0:35:480:35:51

and we'll be sorry to say goodbye.

0:35:510:35:53

Well, what a marvellous day we have had here at Longleat House,

0:35:550:35:59

our magnificent venue for today.

0:35:590:36:01

Everybody has thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

0:36:010:36:03

But right now, it's time to put our last set of valuations to the test.

0:36:030:36:07

We have some unfinished business to do in the auction room, so here

0:36:070:36:11

is a quick recap of all the items that are going under the hammer.

0:36:110:36:15

We've got that sparkly amethyst and seed pearl necklace,

0:36:150:36:18

which can also be worn as a brooch.

0:36:180:36:21

And here is a tongue twister, it is Sandy's silver salver,

0:36:240:36:28

or card tray, which is much easier to say.

0:36:280:36:31

And to end it all, it is the exciting autograph album.

0:36:360:36:39

Michael's estimate is conditioned on the autographs being genuine,

0:36:390:36:43

but are they? Well, we'll have to wait and see.

0:36:430:36:46

The auction is still going strong in Devizes with plenty

0:36:520:36:54

of flurries, nods and winks to keep Alan, our auctioneer, very busy.

0:36:540:36:59

And next under his hammer is that really good-looking

0:36:590:37:02

piece of adaptable jewellery.

0:37:020:37:03

I take it Debbie cannot be with us today.

0:37:070:37:09

-No, Debbie is doing a personal training course today.

-Oh.

0:37:090:37:12

-She is very upset about not coming to see this.

-Oh.

0:37:120:37:14

-Does she want to become a personal trainer, then?

-Yes.

0:37:140:37:16

Oh, good luck to her. A lot of money here.

0:37:160:37:18

We are looking at £300 to £400?

0:37:180:37:20

-It's quality.

-Lovely thing, don't you think?

-Oh, I do, yes.

0:37:200:37:23

And as you say, lovely quality. It should, I think, sell easily.

0:37:230:37:27

And you know what we say, quality always sells.

0:37:270:37:29

Let's find out what the bidders think, here we go. This is it.

0:37:290:37:33

Edwardian amethyst and seed pearl

0:37:330:37:35

brooch-pendant with a 20 inch chain,

0:37:350:37:39

up around 400 quid.

0:37:390:37:41

Who has the 400?

0:37:410:37:43

350.

0:37:430:37:45

Three to start me.

0:37:450:37:46

250 to get me away.

0:37:460:37:48

250 I've got. 250, I've got 275.

0:37:480:37:51

-It took a long time to get in, didn't it?

-It did.

-At £300.

0:37:510:37:54

320. 320.

0:37:540:37:56

350. At 320.

0:37:560:37:58

Not going to dwell on it.

0:37:580:38:00

£320...

0:38:000:38:02

-Well done, Alan, good auctioneering.

-Yes.

-320.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:38:020:38:05

-That's good.

-We're happy?

-Yes.

0:38:050:38:08

-You best get on the phone.

-I will do. Thank you very much indeed.

0:38:080:38:11

And I hope Debbie is happy with that result, too.

0:38:120:38:16

Going under the hammer right now

0:38:160:38:17

we've got a 20th-century silver salver.

0:38:170:38:19

It is not a lot of money, it belongs to Sandy.

0:38:190:38:21

-In fact, this was your mother's, wasn't it?

-It was.

0:38:210:38:23

It is good quality English silver.

0:38:230:38:26

-Is this valued on the scrap?

-It is a bit, I'm afraid.

0:38:270:38:30

It is a bit with this.

0:38:300:38:31

-We want the top-end of the estimate, whatever happens, don't we?

-Indeed.

0:38:310:38:34

-That would be nice.

-Shall we find out what the bidders think?

-Well, yes.

0:38:340:38:37

-Wonderful.

-It is going under the hammer now. This is it.

0:38:370:38:40

Look, that's your lot.

0:38:400:38:41

Hallmarked silver salver, somewhere around about £75.

0:38:410:38:45

75.

0:38:450:38:47

60 I've got. 60 I've got. 60 I've got. 65. At 60.

0:38:470:38:50

65. 70.

0:38:500:38:53

70. At £70, is there five anywhere else? At £70.

0:38:530:38:57

All going...

0:38:570:38:59

Gosh, that was... I tell you what, hammer action or what?!

0:38:590:39:02

Yeah.

0:39:020:39:04

-So, it's gone. Happy?

-Yes, very happy.

-Good.

0:39:040:39:08

It never has to be polished by you

0:39:080:39:09

and you don't have to put it back in the attic.

0:39:090:39:12

Thank goodness for that.

0:39:120:39:13

Well, it is certainly a nice little sum to go into Sandy's holiday fund.

0:39:130:39:17

Now, I couldn't wait to find out

0:39:170:39:19

if those Beatles autographs were genuine, so on the preview day,

0:39:190:39:23

just before the auction, I caught up with auctioneer Alan.

0:39:230:39:26

-Have you done your research?

-Yes, Paul.

-And?

0:39:260:39:29

What we do, we have a couple of chaps who we use for advice.

0:39:290:39:34

-We sent them to those chaps.

-Yeah.

-They came back as no.

0:39:340:39:39

Now, we use three fellows.

0:39:390:39:41

Two definitely said no,

0:39:410:39:43

one said,

0:39:430:39:46

wouldn't like to say no,

0:39:460:39:47

-but equally, wouldn't like to say yes.

-OK.

0:39:470:39:50

So...

0:39:500:39:51

Lennon, definitely wrong.

0:39:510:39:53

But maybe the others.

0:39:530:39:57

But only a very small maybe.

0:39:570:39:59

So, you've revised the estimate, the new figure is now what?

0:39:590:40:03

-150 to 250.

-OK. Reserve at?

-With a set reserve, 150.

-OK.

0:40:030:40:07

Because there are still some good names in there.

0:40:070:40:09

There are some good other names, but also,

0:40:090:40:11

if somebody makes up their mind that they are the Beatles,

0:40:110:40:14

-they could still make £500, £600, £700.

-Yes.

0:40:140:40:17

But by putting the secretarial, it is up to the buyer to decide.

0:40:170:40:21

So, you are calling them secretarial, meaning someone

0:40:210:40:25

backstage passed these, they signed them, passed them back out the door.

0:40:250:40:28

-Exactly.

-Looks like The Beatles signed them, but they didn't.

0:40:280:40:31

-That is exactly what it is.

-So the onus is on the buyer, yeah.

0:40:310:40:34

Well, good luck. Good luck with that.

0:40:340:40:36

Let's hope that we do get some high notes there.

0:40:360:40:39

Well, although the auction house think Barbara's Beatles

0:40:390:40:42

signatures are probably not genuine, which is a real shame,

0:40:420:40:46

at the end of the day, it is still down to the bidders to decide.

0:40:460:40:49

What went through your mind when Alan bring you up and said,

0:40:530:40:56

"Look, you know, in our opinion,

0:40:560:40:57

"those autographs aren't signed by The Beatles?"

0:40:570:41:01

Well, it was disappointing, I don't mind admitting.

0:41:010:41:04

-But, you know, you have to accept these things.

-Sure.

0:41:040:41:08

But we still have a reviewed valuation of £150 to £250 because

0:41:080:41:12

of the other artists involved, and there are some good names there.

0:41:120:41:16

I think so, yeah.

0:41:160:41:17

Hopefully, you're going to get the top end of the revised estimate.

0:41:170:41:20

-I'll keep my fingers crossed.

-Ready for this?

-Yes.

-Let's do business!

0:41:200:41:23

It's going under the hammer now.

0:41:230:41:25

All the others in there are all proper autographs,

0:41:250:41:27

but we think The Beatles ones are secretarial.

0:41:270:41:30

But at the end of the day, you have got to make up your mind.

0:41:300:41:33

I've got a few bids on my book.

0:41:330:41:35

And I will come in at...£300.

0:41:350:41:39

That's more of a yes, isn't it?

0:41:390:41:41

320. At 300. 320.

0:41:410:41:44

320. 340. 360.

0:41:440:41:47

380. 400.

0:41:470:41:49

420. 440. 460.

0:41:490:41:53

480.

0:41:530:41:54

500. 520.

0:41:540:41:57

540. 560.

0:41:570:41:59

This is good. Whatever comes of this, this is very good so far.

0:42:010:42:05

570?

0:42:050:42:07

At 560.

0:42:080:42:09

Against you all, with me at 560...

0:42:090:42:13

-That is a good result.

-Oh, wow!

-That is a very, very good result,

0:42:130:42:16

considering that revised estimate.

0:42:160:42:18

-You know, it blew that out of the water.

-That's tremendous.

0:42:180:42:21

And as Michael said, you know, it is more of a yes or erring

0:42:210:42:25

on the side of caution that one of those autographs might be right.

0:42:250:42:28

-Because one alone is worth £500.

-I know there are roller coasters

0:42:280:42:31

at Longleat, I didn't expect one today at auction.

0:42:310:42:33

-Well, you must be pleased with that.

-Oh, I am absolutely thrilled.

0:42:330:42:36

-You know, was prepared to... OK, I was lucky to get 150.

-Yes.

0:42:360:42:41

Which would have paid for my piano to be tuned.

0:42:410:42:43

Now I can pay for that

0:42:430:42:44

and put some money aside towards my trip to Australia.

0:42:440:42:47

-Fantastic! Well, enjoy it, won't you?

-I will.

0:42:470:42:50

What a brilliant result. You never can tell what is going to happen.

0:42:500:42:54

Well, there you are. What can I say? Job done!

0:42:560:42:58

It is all over for our owners, and they have gone home happy.

0:42:580:43:02

That's the main thing. And one or two big surprises.

0:43:020:43:05

I hope you enjoyed today's show.

0:43:050:43:06

If you've got anything you want to sell,

0:43:060:43:08

we would love to see you.

0:43:080:43:10

Bring it along to one of our valuation days.

0:43:100:43:12

Details of up-and-coming dates

0:43:120:43:14

and venues you can find on our BBC website.

0:43:140:43:16

Or check the details in your local press.

0:43:160:43:18

Dust them, down them, bring them in.

0:43:180:43:20

But until then, from Devizes, in Wiltshire, it's cheerio.

0:43:200:43:23

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