0:00:05 > 0:00:09Today's show comes from Surrey, but can you guess where we are?
0:00:09 > 0:00:14The town behind me is home to 135,000 people.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17It was also once home to Lewis Carroll.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19And today, for one day only, it's home to "Flog It!"
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Can you guess? Well, you got 20 seconds to work it out.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Roll the titles.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Today's valuations are taking place in Guildford -
0:00:49 > 0:00:51the most populated district in Surrey.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53And a town that dates back to Saxon times.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55But today's venue is much more modern.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58The cathedral overlooking the town was opened to the
0:00:58 > 0:01:03public in 1961 and has been welcoming worshippers ever since.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06We have a very healthy congregation here today.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08And I know a lot of these people will be hoping
0:01:08 > 0:01:10the angels will be looking down on them.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Especially if their items have been chosen to go through to auction,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15where they could be worth a small fortune.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Somebody in this crowd has got something that's worth
0:01:17 > 0:01:19a great deal of money. It's our job to find it.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22So let's get on with it. Are you ready to go in?
0:01:22 > 0:01:23- ALL: Yes!- Come on then.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Delivering the valuation sermons today are our experts.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31We've got James Lewis and Mark Stacey, and they are already
0:01:31 > 0:01:35fighting over something they've spotted in the queue.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- He doesn't like me. - Of course he does.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38He wants to touch the Welshman.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41No, he just smells old meat on you.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42Excuse me!
0:01:42 > 0:01:43THEY LAUGH
0:01:47 > 0:01:49So, as the crowd take their seats,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52here's what's coming up in the next 45 minutes.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Today we are travelling the world. We've got this vase from Persia.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58This walking cane from Japan.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00And this music box from Switzerland.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Plus, I will be exploring the story of Marianne North,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08who travelled far and wide to paint unusual and exotic plants.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Now that everybody is safely seated inside,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14the first port of call is our off-screen experts
0:02:14 > 0:02:17who are based here, because they have to assess,
0:02:17 > 0:02:21analyse and appraise every single item that goes through to auction.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Let's catch up with our experts
0:02:23 > 0:02:25and see what they are waxing lyrical about.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Margaret, I have to tell you that I was not expecting to find
0:02:32 > 0:02:36a big lump of Persian silver here in Guildford today.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38I looked at it and I thought, am I tired?
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Have I had too much wine for lunch?
0:02:40 > 0:02:43But no, it is slightly wonky, isn't it?
0:02:43 > 0:02:45It is very much on the skew, yes.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Have you fallen out with somebody and hit them over the head with it?
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- No, I just dropped it. Many years ago.- Did you actually drop it?
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I dropped it, many years ago. But I did.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55And it's been in the loft ever since.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Of course, Persia now, the majority of Persia is Iran.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Persian silver isn't common to find here.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05So you must have an interesting story about how you came by it.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07It's not that interesting.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11My father had a customer who was Persian, as we called them then.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15And when he came over to visit my father, he brought it as a gift.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19That's not a bad thing for a customer to be giving.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20What did your father do?
0:03:20 > 0:03:24He was an importer/exporter of oriental carpets.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29- Ah! OK. So he was dealing with a lot of Persians?- Mm-hmm.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Lovely. But they are wonderful pieces of art.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I think they're beautiful and they are wonderful to be seen made.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- Yeah.- You know, the noise, the cacophony of noise...
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Have you been out there?
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- Yes, I have.- Go on, tell me about your trips there.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I went when I was about 20, for the first time.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51And I went back about five, six, seven years ago.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Because I thought, I must go back and see the same.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- And I thought, well, I would like some more silver.- Yep.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59But unfortunately,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03when I went back I found that it's all European-type now.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- They don't do any of this. You couldn't find them...- Really?
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Yeah, you couldn't find it at all.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10And it was very disappointing, actually.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15Do you know, I think it's a little bit like the Chinese market,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18in a strange sort of way. When the Ayatollahs took over,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22in the same way as when Chairman Mao was in charge in China,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26looking back, in China, to the imperial past
0:04:26 > 0:04:33and I suppose in Iran their similar royal past, in China,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36if you were caught with imperial silver or imperial bronze,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- you could actually be executed. - Oh, yes. Yes.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40And in Tehran in Iran,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44people were burying things in their back gardens left, right and centre.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47And this is the sort of thing that they were burying.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I can see traces of black here.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53It was all black when I started cleaning it, yes.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56And it was actually quite a torturous thing to do.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Somebody has got to spend some more hours on it.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00Yeah, it needs a bit of work.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04But let's have a look at what we're dealing with here.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Because, when you're looking at Persian silver,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11I always feel that it takes its influence from all over the world.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- There was an awful lot of trading between Persia and China.- Mm-hmm.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- And here we have a dragon.- Yes.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Almost certainly influenced from the Chinese.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- There's another one there. - Two dragons.
0:05:27 > 0:05:34And where we have engraving and chasing on a smooth ground there,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38we have a much more Islamic-style reserve.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42And much more Islamic influence in its design.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48The handles have no resemblance to Chinese.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51But again, they go back to the Islamic influence.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55So it's a really interesting piece of silver.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Um...date...
0:05:57 > 0:06:03- About 1880, I should think. - You think it's as old as that?
0:06:03 > 0:06:07I think so. 1888-1890. We've got a silver mark here.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10And I can't read it.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- Don't ask me. - It's not because it's too small,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15it's just that I don't know what it means.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19But I know a chap who does, so I could find out for us.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24Preliminary estimate, even bent over like that, 300-500.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27But I think it should make a bit more with a following wind.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- Lovely. - But I like it very much.- Thank you.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- Thank you very much.- Thank you so much for bringing it.- Thank you.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34- My pleasure.- It's a good thing.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Hopefully the bidders will see past the damage,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39and the silver vase will shine at auction.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Over to Mark Stacey now, who's found something unusual.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47What a delightful item you've brought in, Annie.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- But you don't like it.- No.- Why not?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Because it just looks like it's a whole lot of little dead
0:06:52 > 0:06:56bodies attached to a stick. So I don't like it, no.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I spotted you sitting in the cathedral here
0:06:59 > 0:07:01and went straight over to it.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Cos I only saw the head of it, actually.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07And I recognised straightaway that it was Japanese.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Carved with those almost thousand faces, little Noh masks,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14as they're called. They are charmingly carved.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17It's obviously been loved cos a lot of them are worn.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22It's been a favourite walking cane for somebody. Over many years.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25It fits into a period we call the Meiji period.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29And I think this would date to around about 1900.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32So it's 100-odd years old.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Mm.- It's carved ivory at the top.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38And you have white metal on the tip and around the collar.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43- It's probably silver but it won't be to an English standard.- No, no.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Which is why we generally refer to it as white metal.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48But the other thing that I just absolutely love,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51if we just look at the shaft, it's bamboo.
0:07:51 > 0:07:59And the carver has rather humorously carved this snake motif.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02The snake is heading towards a little toad.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04SHE LAUGHS
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- And he's also signed it here. - Yes, I saw that.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10This is a little Japanese signature.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12And I think it's absolutely wonderful.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15It's not in perfect condition. There's a few splits to the ivory
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and there's a couple of splits to the bamboo.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- Yeah. - But this is a real collector's item.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26- Have you ever thought of a value?- I have no idea what it could be worth.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30So if I said it was worth £50 would you be disappointed?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I have to be honest, I wouldn't be disappointed at all.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35THEY LAUGH
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Well, I'm not going to say that.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41I think, actually, there's going to be a lot of buyers for this.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46A lot of collectors. Walking canes are very, very highly sought after.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51- And I think this would have an estimate of around 200-300.- Really?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53And it might even make more.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Yeah, so I better tell my husband what I'm doing, hadn't I?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- Does he know you've brought it? - No.- Oh, dear.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- No, but he likes it and I don't.- Oh.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Could you persuade him it'll be all right?
0:09:04 > 0:09:08It might take a few glasses of wine tonight. What do you think?
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- I have every confidence in you.- Mmm.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I think you could be very persuasive if you want to be.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14SHE LAUGHS
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- Are you happy to put it into the auction?- Absolutely.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- And we'll put a reserve on it. - Yeah.- Of £200 fixed.- OK.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21So we won't sell it below 200,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24because it is such a charming object.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Well, thank you.- It's making me smile all the time I see it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- I'm glad that you like it. - I adore it.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Remember, there are strict rules on selling ivory,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37but that cane is fine because it dates well before 1947.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Even after 12 years of doing "Flog It!" we never know what will
0:09:43 > 0:09:44come through the doors.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47And during a break in the filming, a guy called David arrived with
0:09:47 > 0:09:50something that could be very special.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- What can you tell me about this? - I can tell you it's Turner.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59- I got it off a dealer who had it for several years.- Is it signed?
0:09:59 > 0:10:03I've no idea. I haven't seen it. I only have the paperwork.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05How did you come by this?
0:10:05 > 0:10:10I look after an art dealer who's got three of these Turner paintings.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Over the years I've looked after him, lent him money all the time.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16He just came up to me last week and said, "It's yours.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19"It'll sort out everything I owe you."
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- Is this something you're thinking of selling?- Without a doubt.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27I'm a working class guy. That in my home wouldn't look correct.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31I don't know what to say really. My gut feeling is it looks right.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32And it feels right.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Can I show this to a colleague and get a second opinion?
0:10:35 > 0:10:36- Course you can. - Can you take a seat here?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Of course I can, yeah. You want that with it?
0:10:39 > 0:10:40Yes, please, yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Gosh, it's not every day we come across a...
0:10:43 > 0:10:47a watercolour by Turner. One of our greatest painters.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Is it right or isn't it right? I don't know.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Who can I ask? I know. I'm going to ask Anthony.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56He's our fine art expert. Where is he?
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Anthony is one of our off-screen valuers.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03And he's right here. So...
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Anthony. Do you mind if I be really rude and butt in?
0:11:08 > 0:11:09Can you have a quick look at that?
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It's all on the back.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I mean, they've got "Joseph Mallord William Turner" on here
0:11:20 > 0:11:22but it's not by Turner, in my view.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Oh, it's in Andrew Wilton's catalogue.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- Andrew Wilton is THE world authority on Turner.- Right.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36- Nobody will argue with him. - OK.- Whatever he says goes.- Is right.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38So that's right?
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I think it is. If it's in his catalogue then it is.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46I would have thought 25,000-30,000 would be a reasonable
0:11:46 > 0:11:48estimate at auction.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- OK.- One needs to study it much longer to make...- Sure.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59You just heard what Anthony said there.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01It does need a bit more research.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Thing is, we mustn't get carried away at this stage.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08My gut feeling is that it looks right. It feels right at the front.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11But on the back, all of this is just a bit too clean,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15a bit too new, a bit too positive. All the information is there.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18That's the kind of thing that puts me off it.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22And you can find out
0:12:22 > 0:12:25if that painting is real or not later on in the programme.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Let's hope it's good news for David.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Time to see what other treasures are waiting to be found.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Back to James Lewis.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Lisa and Marion, let me take you back to the mid-19th century,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40before the days of TV, before even "Flog It!" had started.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42No radio, where the
0:12:42 > 0:12:46only music you could actually entertain yourself with, unless
0:12:46 > 0:12:51someone was playing the piano or a violin, was something like this.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Mechanical music started really in the late 18th century.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58By the 19th century it was in full flight.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01The best musical boxes are made in Switzerland.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- And this one is actually a Swiss one.- Ooh.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07But it's having said the best were made in Switzerland,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09almost all of them were made in Switzerland.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Also the also-rans as well.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Swiss family or something that has been imported locally?
0:13:15 > 0:13:17No, it's a family heirloom.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- It was my great, great uncle's.- OK. Was this on your side of the family?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Yes, it was on my father's side of the family.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27OK, let's look outside first.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33The panel and the top here is, I think, papier mache.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38It's quite difficult to tell without seeing the reverse side of it.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40And it's, of course, set into wood.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44The majority of these musical boxes are ebony in border,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47normally have a rosewood panel in the centre,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51with a little arrangement of musical achievements in the middle.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55I've never seen one with a mother of pearl inlaid
0:13:55 > 0:13:57lacquer panel before.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01But if we look at the little figures there, they are Chinese men.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Stereotypical Chinamen.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08But very strangely, in an English or European landscape.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Already we've got a complete mix of styles.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12Let's open it up.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15There we are.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20We got the airs here. Ten airs. Ten musical tunes.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Whenever you are looking at a musical box,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27the more tunes the better. And ten is quite a good number.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Then you also look at how complicated it is.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Does it play on bells, on drums, on cymbals?
0:14:33 > 0:14:36This one has bells, playing on three bells.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38No drums. But a short cylinder.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41The shorter cylinders are normally the cheaper boxes.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Let me open it up.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47We can see a steel comb here.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51And that steel comb, it's important that it is in good condition.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Because every little steel tooth that is damaged
0:14:54 > 0:15:00is about £15-£20 to repair. So it soon starts to add up. There we go.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05It's not a bad quality box. But it's not great. Do you play it regularly?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- Not regularly, no.- Not regularly.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11We go through stages where we get it out and wants to listen to it again.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Then it goes back for safekeeping.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15When it first came, we were fascinated by it.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19And it was in very poor condition. My dad spent ages cleaning it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23I don't think we could even tell that the butterflies were coloured.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24Oh, really?!
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- And he painstakingly cleaned it up for us.- He's done a great job.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33Really good job. OK. It will end up going to a collector, I'm sure.
0:15:33 > 0:15:40- I hope so.- Good.- Value, I should think it's going to make £200-£300.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41Something like that.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- It's in working order I presume, is it?- BOTH: Yes!
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Are you happy to let it go?
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Because once this starts you've got no choice. Here we go then.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57MUSIC PLAYS
0:16:05 > 0:16:07What a day we're having.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Everybody is thoroughly enjoying themselves.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12And our experts have made a cracking start.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14They have found the first items to take off to auction.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17It's time to put those valuations to the test.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19But before we do that,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21here's a quick reminder of what we are taking with us.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24There is the leaning vase of Persia.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29We've got the intricate Japanese walking cane.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37And let's hope the music box hits the high notes in the auction room.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41We've travelled from Surrey to the West Sussex town of Washington,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45where we are hoping our items will do well for our sellers.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48In charge of today's proceedings is auctioneer Rupert Toovey,
0:16:48 > 0:16:52who looks like he's ready to go. First up, it's that music box.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Will it sell, that's what we want to know.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- You're looking really doubtful! - Yeah. I am slightly doubtful.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I want this to sell, I really want it to sell.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02But I am slightly doubtful.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05I brought the bag just in case it doesn't.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06THEY LAUGH
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- It's a big bag. - Got the shopping trolley.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- THEY LAUGH - I hope it goes. I really do.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16A late 19th-century Swiss musical box, playing ten airs.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Lovely thing there.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Bids to match. We are opening at £250. 250 here. Can I see the 280?
0:17:23 > 0:17:27£250. 280 can I see? 280. 300. 320.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33£300 I have here with the book. At £300. Is there any advance on 300?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35£300. 300.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Yes, the hammer has gone down! £300. Top end of the estimate.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- There you go, your record is safe. - Ye of little faith.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48James is top of the pops. Well done. Thank you for bringing that in.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- That's very good. - Gosh, I was worried.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53'It turns out my reservations were wrong and Marion
0:17:53 > 0:17:56'and Lisa are going home with smiles on their faces.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59'Talking of faces, the walking cane is up next.'
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- So you don't like it. And your husband does.- Mm-hmm.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05So you basically won, you're not giving it house room.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07How did you get around that?
0:18:07 > 0:18:10We had a little conversation about it.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12THEY LAUGH
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Does this happen often?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Um...
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- Probably, yes. I think women normally win.- They do, they do. Yes.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Yes.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24THEY LAUGH
0:18:24 > 0:18:27This could fly away. I haven't seen such a nice one for a long time.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- No, you see, I found the faces full of character.- So did I.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31Each one is different.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34And there is just something very, very interesting about it.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Let's put it to the test. It's going under the hammer now.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41Japanese ivory and bamboo walking cane, Meiji period.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44We are opening the bidding here on the books at £180.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47180 here. Can I see the 190?
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- 180.- I think it'll get 200.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55- £180. 190. 200. 220.- 200.- No? 200 it is here with the book.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57At £200. Can I see the 220?
0:18:57 > 0:19:01At £200. Is there are any advance? £200. Selling now. £200.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Well, it's sold.- I'm so surprised. - I'm quite surprised as well.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07But you were right with the valuation.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Well, the estimate was right,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12but I really thought that might go certainly mid or even top.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I thought the cluster of faces on the top would really help
0:19:16 > 0:19:18sell that but it clearly didn't.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Yet another reminder that you cannot predict what will
0:19:22 > 0:19:25happen at an auction. But Annie is going home happy.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Time to see if the damaged silver vase will attract the buyers.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30It looks like a trophy. But I know it's not.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32It isn't, it's a vase, silver vase.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- And Persia, obviously the old Iran.- Iran, Yep.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- And this is from what is now Tehran. - That's right.- Wow.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41This is the beauty of the internet, really.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Buyers can find this from all over the world
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and hopefully this will be going back to Tehran for big bucks.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- All for you.- Oh, I hope so! THEY LAUGH
0:19:48 > 0:19:50That's what it's all about.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks. Here we go.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Let's hand the proceedings over to Rupert.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Persian silver two-handled vase. Early 20th century.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It's a beautiful object. Lovely size as well.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04We are opening the bidding here at £300.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08£300. Can I see 320? 350. 380. 400.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10420. 420 now in the room.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14420 now. Can I see the 450? £420. Can I see the 450?
0:20:14 > 0:20:18450. 480. 500.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19500!
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- 500. 550, Tom. 600. - Sorry?- 600.- 600, sir.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27600. 650.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- 700.- Would you like to go 700?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34At £700 now on the phone.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36At £700 now on the phone, against you all.
0:20:36 > 0:20:42£700. Is there any advance at £700? Fair warning. 700.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43BANGS GAVEL
0:20:43 > 0:20:46The hammer's gone down. You'll take that, won't you, £700?
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Absolutely.- That'll help you out. - That's fantastic!
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Not bad for a vase with a dent.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Not bad indeed, James.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58There you are, that concludes our first visit to the auction room.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00It was a little bit touch and go in places.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02But hey, that's auctions for you.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04You can never predict what's going to happen.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Earlier on I took a trip to Kew Gardens, just outside of London,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11to take a look at some work by an artist from this part of the world.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Take a look at this.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew houses one of the most famous
0:21:21 > 0:21:23collections of plants in the world.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26And it attracts well over one million visitors each year.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33The curvaceous lines and perfect symmetry of Kew's Palm House,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36designed by architect Decimus Burton, has long been
0:21:36 > 0:21:39an instantly recognisable icon here at the gardens.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41And quite rightly so.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45But today I've come here to explore a much more modest building,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47one that I believe to be a hidden gem.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53And there it is, look, a Victorian pavilion.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55The Marianne North Gallery,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59tucked demurely away on the corner of the east side of the gardens.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02The question is, who was Marianne North?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07She was born in 1830 in Hastings, which is
0:22:07 > 0:22:09just a short distance from today's auction.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Her parents were wealthy
0:22:11 > 0:22:13and she travelled abroad with her father, who was an MP.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17That wanderlust combined with the love of exotic plants,
0:22:17 > 0:22:21which she had seen here at Kew, would shape the rest of her life.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24At the age of 40 she began her astonishing trips around the world.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28She was very close to her father, and when he died in 1869,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31she decided to travel as a way of filling up her life
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and learning to live without him. And boy, did she globe trot!
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Between the years of 1871 and 1885, she visited
0:22:39 > 0:22:46America, Canada, Jamaica, Brazil, Tenerife, Japan, Singapore,
0:22:46 > 0:22:51Sarawak, Java, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, New Zealand,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54South Africa, the Seychelles and Chile.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Everywhere she went, she would paint.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59In total, she brought back 832 paintings.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03A snapshot of the world's flora and fauna in situ.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08She really was unlike most women of the Victorian era.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10She shunned marriage
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and travelled the world to follow her artistic passion.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16I can't wait to see inside now the restoration is complete.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19'I'm meeting up with author Laura Ponsonby,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21'who has written a biography about Marianne.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24'And we are going to take a closer look at her work.'
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- I'll get the door for you. - Thank you very much.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Come in. Come in and have a look.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37- Gosh!- Isn't it amazing?- It's very overwhelming. It's full of colour.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Have you ever seen anything like it before?- No, I haven't. I have not.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42And I tell you something,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45my first feeling is there is not an inch of wall space.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49I think you are more or less right. And everybody who comes in goes, wow!
0:23:49 > 0:23:51I never knew this was here.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58First thoughts when you actually focus on the artwork,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00they don't look like the sort of
0:24:00 > 0:24:02botanical, scientific paintings you would expect.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- You know, the ones done in watercolour.- Yes.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- No, they are not that at all. You see, they are oils.- And very rich.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Oil on paper. And she absolutely adored colour.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14She started painting in oils when she was in her 30s.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Before that time, she painted in watercolour.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21- Her basic thing was to show a plant in its habitat.- It is in situ, yes.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24That's exactly how you'd expect to see it, isn't it, really?
0:24:24 > 0:24:26It's a snapshot. It's a little photograph.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Where is this? I think I've been there.- Yes, you have.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- That's in Sri Lanka. - Yeah, I have been there.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33That's in the Kandy Botanic Garden.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And this is, in fact, a jackfruit tree.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39And, like Kew, it's got a river going round it as well.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Just look at the work! You can see the countries where she's been.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Australia. You can see Jamaica, America.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- She was an adventurous, tough woman. - She was an adventurous, tough woman.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53But she spent months in some countries without servants,
0:24:53 > 0:24:54without any help.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59She did. In India, for instance, she spent nearly 15 months, I suppose.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02She had letters of introduction. She knew someone...
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Sure, and her father was well-connected.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Yes, you are absolutely right. So she went all over the place.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09What does it tell you about her, really?
0:25:09 > 0:25:10That she was really determined?
0:25:10 > 0:25:14She was determined, she was very adventurous
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and wanted her own way, I think.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- The sort of lady you'd love to meet, I bet.- Yes, I would like to.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23I think she was amusing. She could be quite difficult sometimes,
0:25:23 > 0:25:24but a good sense of humour.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28And had known a lot of interesting people. Very determined.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32She showed that determination when she convinced
0:25:32 > 0:25:36the director of Kew to allow her to build this gallery in the grounds.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Not only did she pay for it,
0:25:38 > 0:25:43but she took a year away from painting to arrange the pictures.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47It's probably a daft question, but do you have a favourite?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Well, I mean, there is
0:25:49 > 0:25:52one in the little annexe at the back that I really like.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54- And it's interesting too.- OK.- Yes.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56You know, it's not just scientific detail.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57As you walk past some of these images,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00you can see little river snakes and the eyes of crocodiles
0:26:00 > 0:26:03poking their heads above the surface of the water.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Which you can easily miss, but they are there.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Anyway, it's in here. It's just in the corner.
0:26:10 > 0:26:11This one.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15It's a plant which is called Northia. It actually named after Marianne.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17The first name, the genus name.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20She did it when she was in the Seychelles.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- It's a lovely image, isn't it? - Yes, it is nice.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- You can see it's got a little bird in it.- Yes, I've just spotted that.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27A couple of fruits. I think she brought that back...
0:26:27 > 0:26:28You have to look hard,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30cos some of these little animals are camouflaged.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Yes, she hides them away. It's quite interesting, isn't it?
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Suddenly you see a monkey or a bird, or something of that nature.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44How would you sum up Marianne's legacy?
0:26:44 > 0:26:47I think it's unique, really. I don't think there is anybody else
0:26:47 > 0:26:49who has done anything quite like that.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52And of course, it's so interesting where she has been
0:26:52 > 0:26:55and all her experiences, and I think people enjoy that,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58looking at the places perhaps they've been to on holiday
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and they come and see what Marianne painted.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- It's very interesting.- I think so. It's most fascinating.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06I think this place is well worth a visit.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08I'm going to come and spend a few more hours in here.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- Yes, you certainly could.- Thank you so much for showing me around...
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- Not at all. - ..and being my guide today.- Good.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15'Marianne often ventured to places
0:27:15 > 0:27:18'that were virtually unknown to Europeans.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22'And some of her paintings show plants that were new to science.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25'Helping to advance our knowledge of the natural world.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28'But the years of exhausting travel took their toll,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31'and she retired to Gloucestershire, still surrounded by flowers.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35'She died there in 1890,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38'a long way from the exotic locations that she loved.'
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Marianne North, the intrepid traveller, has provided us
0:27:43 > 0:27:45with an exquisite Victorian set piece,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48tucked away in this corner of Kew Gardens.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52And inside, the most extraordinary collection of botanical paintings.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56Although not classical, are all the richer for it.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58I think we can safely say Marianne North
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and her gallery are definitely one-offs.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16We are back at the valuation day in Guildford.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19In just a few minutes we'll have an update on the painting
0:28:19 > 0:28:20that could be a Turner.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24But before that, let's find some final items to take off to auction.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Over to Mark Stacey.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Jane, this is a heck of lump, isn't it?- It certainly is.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Tell me the history of it, please.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36I think my mother bought it from an auction house back in the '50s.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I remember it a long, long time.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43She used to keep it in the cloakroom, full of umbrellas and walking sticks.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- Wow! Well, it's big enough for that, isn't it?- It is.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- In the '50s, I suppose, this was considered out of fashion.- Yes.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53People wanted the more modern designs, you know,
0:28:53 > 0:28:54the straight lines and things.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57But as soon as we see this type of pottery,
0:28:57 > 0:29:01with this very distinctive pink-y interior and these lovely
0:29:01 > 0:29:05subtle colours, there is only one factory you think of, really.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09- Yes.- Poole Pottery.- Absolutely. - Based in Dorset.- Yes.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13It's beautifully decorated with these stylised flowers.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- Such a lovely range of colours in there.- It's a nice shape.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21It would take quite a lot to fire this. A big lump like this.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23If we have a look underneath...
0:29:23 > 0:29:25we've got a lovely set of marks there.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30We've got the marks for Carter, Stabler, Adams - Poole.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Which is the early mark, the 1920s-30s mark.- Yes.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35So that fits in.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38They kept reducing these designs and sometimes you just see them
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- with "Poole pottery," and they are slightly later.- Later.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44But it's a really, really good piece.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46There's a little bit of damage, isn't there?
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- Yes, there is a slight chip. - Which could easily be restored.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Yes, that's always been there, I'm afraid.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I think it really is a lovely object.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59- Why have you decided to sell it now? - We've got six grandchildren now.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01And they love charging around.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05It was in the lounge and we have a new rescue dog as well,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08who plays with a ball. And I thought, it's going to get smashed.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's such a shame if it got smashed beyond repair.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15You need the right space for it as well, don't you? Aesthetically.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16It's not going to be safe, I'm afraid.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19I must say, I must be honest with you, Jane, I think
0:30:19 > 0:30:23a few years ago this would have been worth a lot more money.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28I think if it was absolutely perfect we would easily expect to get
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- the £500 mark for it.- Yes.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35I think we've got to take into account the small chip on it.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- Yeah.- And the fact that Poole isn't...- It's not as popular.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39..quite as fashionable as it was.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43- I would properly suggest an estimate of £300-£500.- Yes.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- I'd be happy with that. - To put a reserve on it of 300.- Yes.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48- So it protects you.- No, that's fine.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52I really mean it, I love it and it's the most impressive
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- piece of Poole I've seen for quite a long time.- Lovely, thank you.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Thanks for bringing it in.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00An eye-catching piece of pottery there.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Now back to James, who has found an important
0:31:02 > 0:31:05and impressive collection of militaria.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Jimmy, I have to say, we see loads of medals on "Flog It!"
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Every valuation day, maybe ten or 15 groups.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15But they are normally these three.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17They are named after three cartoon
0:31:17 > 0:31:20characters in the First World War - Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23But this one, the Military Cross,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26it's the first time I've ever seen it on "Flog It!"
0:31:26 > 0:31:30- That's a good thing. Are they family medals?- No. No.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32How did you come to get them?
0:31:32 > 0:31:37My wife had a small shop, antiques shop, for about 20 years.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41She passed away seven years ago and obviously bits
0:31:41 > 0:31:43and pieces used to come into the house.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- Yeah.- And get left behind. And that's how I've come to get this.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49She always there wasn't quite sure what they were worth
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- and wanted to make sure.- No.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Who was it that won these? Do you know much about him?
0:31:54 > 0:32:01Only what I read of the little bit of history. This is his identity card.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03It was James Rowland West.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- He was in the Berkshire Regiment. - OK.- First of all.
0:32:07 > 0:32:13After that he was in the Dorset Territorial Army.
0:32:13 > 0:32:14Interesting. OK.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19Well, the first thing we need to know whenever we are looking
0:32:19 > 0:32:23at a Military Cross is, why did he win it? What did he do?
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Cos that's part of the story. You got a photograph of him.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29You've got some papers to do with him.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31You've got the miniatures, you've got the medals.
0:32:31 > 0:32:32But what's the story?
0:32:32 > 0:32:34I have to say, I'm not great with technology.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37I was afraid I was going to drop it so I have my own helper,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39my own Debbie McGee here.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Thank you very much, Debbie.
0:32:41 > 0:32:48This is a supplement to the London Gazette, 18th July, 1918.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53"Captain James Rowland West, Royal Berkshire Regiment.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01"He moved about fearlessly among his company,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04"controlling and supervising their advance.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07"And when a platoon was losing direction,
0:33:07 > 0:33:11"he crossed a fire swept zone to redirect them.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13"He took command of another company,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17"which had lost all of its officers, in addition to his own,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21"and showed splendid leadership and courage throughout."
0:33:21 > 0:33:26- So, a very brave man.- Wonderful. - And a very skilled soldier as well.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27Thank you.
0:33:27 > 0:33:34So there we go. And that, knowing the story puts it in perspective.
0:33:34 > 0:33:40For a man to have that peace of mind to say, they're in trouble, I'm
0:33:40 > 0:33:45going to risk my life, crossing all of that gunfire, to look after them.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48- And to cross back. I mean, I couldn't do it.- No.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51And I don't think very many people could.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53An incredible man.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58But then Hitler raises his head 20 years on, World War II.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02The man, I'm sure, would have liked to have been back in the Army,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04- fighting the Germans.- Sure.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07But he's too old, so he ends up in the Home Guard.
0:34:07 > 0:34:13And here we have an inquisition into the death of this man.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18- So, what happened?- He was on a training exercise in Warminster.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21They had these aircraft, Hurricanes, coming over,
0:34:21 > 0:34:26involved in the training exercise. And killed 14 people.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- A British Hurricane?- Yes. Yes.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32- I think there was more than one Hurricane involved.- What on earth?!
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Did they suddenly have a rush of blood to the head
0:34:34 > 0:34:36and think the Germans were in Warminster?!
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Well, I think there was smoke and fog, things like that.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43They got involved... And this guy was one of them.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- It happens so often to these great heroes, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Lawrence of Arabia.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- All the things he did and he ends up in a motorbike crash.- Yes.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- Yes.- Incredible.- Yes. - It's an amazing story.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56They are a great set of medals.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59I think your wife did the right thing not just putting them
0:34:59 > 0:35:03- in the antiques shop. I'm sure they are going to make about £1,000.- OK.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- That's...- And I wouldn't be surprised,
0:35:05 > 0:35:09if the right people get behind it, they might make a shade more.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14- OK. Wonderful. - Auction estimate - 800 to 1,200.
0:35:14 > 0:35:19I would recommend a firm reserve of eight. Don't let them go below that.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- No, OK.- I'm sure they will do well. - OK. Thank you very much.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24- Cheers.- Good luck.- Cheers.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27And thanks for bringing this along to "Flog It!" today
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- and sharing a wonderful story. - OK, thank you.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Earlier in the programme we met David, who came along to the
0:35:37 > 0:35:41valuation day with what he believed was a painting by Turner.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44On the back was the name of an art expert - Andrew Wilton.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46We've arranged for the two of them
0:35:46 > 0:35:49to meet at London's Dulwich Picture Gallery, where hopefully
0:35:49 > 0:35:52we'll find out once and for all if that painting is genuine.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- You've got a picture to show me? - I certainly have.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Thanks.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06The label refers to small paintings he did on blue paper,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08and this is on blue paper,
0:36:08 > 0:36:14- so I can see why your former owner linked it up with this series.- Yes.
0:36:14 > 0:36:20A lot of them are views at Petworth. This is clearly not Petworth.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24- I'm afraid it's clearly not by Turner.- Right.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29It doesn't bear any resemblance to anything that Turner ever did,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31apart from the fact that it's on blue paper.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34But, of course, a lot of artists worked on blue paper.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36What's interesting about this drawing is that it does
0:36:36 > 0:36:42remind me of a Turner water colour. It says, "The Thames near Windsor."
0:36:42 > 0:36:45We must be somewhere near Eton College.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48I can show you what that looks like.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53Fortunately there is a book here that reproduces both
0:36:53 > 0:36:57the view of Windsor and the view that he did of Eton College.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Just downstream from Windsor.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05Here is Eton College, and the Etonians on the bank,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07reading and talking.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Here are some local people with eel pots.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14There was a great deal of eel fishing in the Thames.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Turner was very interested in that as well.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Wherever he went, he was interested in what people were doing.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23When we look at this drawing, we don't see any of that interest.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28It's a very generalised evocation of a river with some trees
0:37:28 > 0:37:30and the notion of a few people.
0:37:30 > 0:37:36Apart from the compositional parallel with this view of Eton,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38there's not much to identify it at all.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42I hope you can see that this is a different
0:37:42 > 0:37:45way of looking at the world from this one.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49Yes, I do see the difference. And that's all I can say to you, really.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52The good thing is, you like it.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55And you can enjoy it as a picture on your wall.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57I hope it's been useful even if it hasn't
0:37:57 > 0:37:59been as thrilling as you might have wished.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Certainly not as thrilling, but it has been very useful.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Thank you very much.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Feeling a bit sick. I believed it was real.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14I believed I had a little nest egg sitting there. Very disappointed.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17But God loves a trier and I shall try again.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19I'll keep going and going and going, I'm going to take it home now
0:38:19 > 0:38:22and put it on my wall and just enjoy looking at it.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24So, it turned out that painting
0:38:24 > 0:38:26wasn't quite what David was expecting.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29But I'm sure you'll agree it was very exciting.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Time to head off to today's auction now.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34And here's a reminder of what's going under the hammer.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38There is that huge ceramic vase.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44And that poignant collection of World War I medals.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52We are back in West Sussex, where today's auction is taking place.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55The next item up for grabs is that colourful pottery.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Going under the hammer right now, another "Flog It!" favourite -
0:39:00 > 0:39:01a bit of Poole pottery.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04I remember my days when I went down to the factory
0:39:04 > 0:39:06down in Dorset, before they closed down.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09They are now open in Stoke-on-Trent, so they are still in business.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- But this is from the 1920s, Jane. - Yes.- A really nice piece.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I think it was painted by a lady called Anne Hatchard as well.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Oh, right. I didn't know that. - Yes.- Lovely colours.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Right, let's put this to the test.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Carter, Stabler, Adams - Poole Pottery vase.
0:39:22 > 0:39:241920s. Painted by Anne Hatchard,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27and monogrammed with a Truda Carter patterned YT.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30It's a wonderful thing. Little chip to the foot, but lovely.
0:39:30 > 0:39:36Opening the bidding here at £220. 220 here. Can I see the 250?
0:39:36 > 0:39:41£220 here. 250? At £220. 250 can I see?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44£220. 250. 280. 300.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49300 now with the phone. At £300. Beating the book. At £300.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52At £300. Can I see 320?
0:39:52 > 0:39:57At £300. 320 can I see? £300. On the phone at £300.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59We are selling at £300.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Fair warning. - BANGS GAVEL
0:40:01 > 0:40:04That gavel's just gone down. £300.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- Jane, it's gone. You've said goodbye.- Absolutely.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08You don't have to take it home.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- No. That's good. - Yeah. Are you happy with that?
0:40:11 > 0:40:12Yes, I'm happy with that.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15'Yet again, Mark's valuation was right on the money.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17'Time now for our final lot of the day.'
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Going under the hammer right now, a collection of medals.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22There has been a great deal of interest here.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23Awarded to James Rowland,
0:40:23 > 0:40:27who was accidentally killed in 1942 in a Hurricane demonstration.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29They belonged to Jimmy, who was left them by his wife.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Unfortunately he can't be here today. But his friend Jim is.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- To confuse things a bit. - Just call me Jimmy.
0:40:35 > 0:40:36Do you know much about his medals?
0:40:36 > 0:40:41I didn't know a lot until the "Flog It!" show.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Jim had the paperwork on the inquisition into his death
0:40:44 > 0:40:46when he was shot by a Hurricane, unfortunately.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50But it was "Flog It!" that found out how he won the Military Cross.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54- A very brave man in the First World War.- Sure. Yeah.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58Survived that and then got killed in 1942, rather tragically.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Well, I've been told there are telephone lines booked on this.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- The collectors are seriously after this one.- When it comes to medals,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08anything with a great story is what sells it.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11We've got the provenance, we've got the story, unfortunately
0:41:11 > 0:41:14we don't have Jimmy, but we'll talk to him hopefully later. Here we are.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17We are putting them under the hammer. Let's do it.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Group of four First World War awards to James Rowland West,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25comprising the Military Cross - George V issue, the 1415 Star.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29A wonderful group of medals and a wonderful story to go with them.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31We are opening the bidding here at £800.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35800 is the lowest we can start. £800. Can I see the 850?
0:41:35 > 0:41:36£800. 850 can I see?
0:41:36 > 0:41:38850?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41850 now I have here on the phone. At 850.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- 900. 950. - Would you like to go to 950?
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- Yes, please.- 950. 1000. 1,100.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Would you like to go 1,100?
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- 1,100. 1,200 here. 1,300?- 1,300?
0:41:53 > 0:41:58- Yes, please.- £1,300 on the phone. 1,400 can I see?
0:42:00 > 0:42:031,300. 1,400 can I see?
0:42:03 > 0:42:07£1,300. 1,400 now. Thank you, sir.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12- At 1,400.- £1,400.- 1,600, sir?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- 1,700?- 1,700?
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Jimmy would be pleased with this.
0:42:16 > 0:42:181,800. 1,900?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Would you like to go 1,900?
0:42:22 > 0:42:28£1,800 in the room. At 1,800. 1,900 can I see?
0:42:28 > 0:42:29£2,000 I'm bid on the phone.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34At 2,000. £2,000. Can I see 2,200?
0:42:34 > 0:42:36£2,000!
0:42:36 > 0:42:382,200 can I see?
0:42:38 > 0:42:42At £2,000, Tom, with you on the phone. At £2,000.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Is there are any advance on £2,000?
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Selling. £2,000.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Yes! What a great result!
0:42:50 > 0:42:52What a great result for a wonderful piece of history.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Our experts have said it time and time again on the show,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58it's the story behind the object, the provenance, the social history,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01that's what you bought into then. £2,000. What a way to end the show.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04You must tell Jimmy. Well done, Jim. Thank you very much for coming in.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07See you next time for many more surprises on "Flog It!"
0:43:07 > 0:43:10But for now, from West Sussex, it's goodbye.