0:00:03 > 0:00:07Where do sea lions, hippos and gorillas live
0:00:07 > 0:00:10by a stunning 16th-century Renaissance palace?
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Well, there's only one place I know
0:00:12 > 0:00:15and that's Longleat House in Wiltshire
0:00:15 > 0:00:18which is home for our valuation day today.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Welcome to "Flog it!"
0:00:19 > 0:00:21HE BARKS
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Longleat, the ancestral seat of the Marquesses of Bath
0:00:47 > 0:00:52caused a revolution in the world of zoology back in 1966
0:00:52 > 0:00:55by becoming the first place outside of Africa
0:00:55 > 0:00:58to open a drive-through safari park.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Despite his peers insisting that a Wiltshire man should stick to sheep,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10the 6th Marquess of Bath instead adopted lions, tigers
0:01:10 > 0:01:12and a whole menagerie of other animals.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Now welcoming over one million visitors every year,
0:01:23 > 0:01:28the safari park's success has been credited with saving the house
0:01:28 > 0:01:30and its numerous treasures within.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40We've got our own crowd of cheeky monkeys here today
0:01:40 > 0:01:42but it's the antiques that are on safari,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44trekking their way across the county
0:01:44 > 0:01:47to our valuation tables and for the lucky few,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49the expedition will end in the auction room
0:01:49 > 0:01:51where hopefully someone will be going home
0:01:51 > 0:01:53with a small fortune and it could be anyone.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55THEY CHEER
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Making their way through the queue and already showing signs
0:02:00 > 0:02:03of territorial behaviour are today's experts.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give you a sticker.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- Do you think anyone would notice if I just quickly did that?- No. No.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Claire Rawle knows who her favourite safari animal is.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Got to be a lioness, really, don't you think?
0:02:17 > 0:02:19But I think David got the wrong idea.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I did see a little group of black and white cows,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23presumably Friesians.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Although Claire maybe fancies herself more as a lion tamer.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28I tell you what I've noticed here now.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30For all these naughty boys, there is...
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- And I've been a very naughty boy. - Have you?- Yes.- You have.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Maybe we'd better get cracking with the show.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41We've got the run of the house and the grounds for our valuations
0:02:41 > 0:02:43today and we've got plenty to fit in.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Coming up, Matthew's worried his kids' football practice
0:02:49 > 0:02:50is causing untold damage.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Every time a ball flies anywhere near it, my heart stops.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59And it seems his fears are justified at the auction.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01In perfect condition,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04it would be probably in the region of £2,000, £3,000.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Wow, Matthew. Did you hear that?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09But does the damage scare off the bidders?
0:03:09 > 0:03:11We'll find out later on in the show.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- £640.- Wow.- Wow.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Good luck, everybody. Fingers crossed.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21It could be you going home with a lot of money, or you.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Everybody is now safely seated.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27The bags and boxes have been unpacked and the sun is shining.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30I've got a feeling it's going to be a marvellous day
0:03:30 > 0:03:33so now it's time to let our experts loose.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36And Claire has pounced first
0:03:36 > 0:03:39on a rather unusual piece of Scandinavian jewellery.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44You've brought this really lovely charm bracelet,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47for want of a better word. I think it's great, actually.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48It's a design I haven't seen
0:03:48 > 0:03:51by a designer who is actually very, very collectable,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Georg Jensen from Denmark
0:03:54 > 0:03:58and he's known for some lovely sort of simple designs.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01The great thing about Georg Jensen is that everything of his
0:04:01 > 0:04:03is marked very clearly and you can actually see,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06just about, there is a mark there
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and it will usually always carry the import marks as well.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11So there is never any mistake with his stuff.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13It's very well marked.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15I love some of the charms. They're so different.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I suppose particularly the fish because I do like fishes
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and I think that's a lovely shape and I'd quite like to wear that.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- Have you got a favourite?- Yes. Mine is this saucy little mermaid.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- Oh, right. Yes, she's a naughty girl, isn't she?- Yes, she is a bit.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30She's setting herself off but, yeah, it's lovely.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33It is a lovely item and obviously you know the history of it
0:04:33 > 0:04:35so tell me about it.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Yes, well, I bought it in 1963 or 1964
0:04:38 > 0:04:40and it cost me 4 pounds 10 shillings.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- OK. Quite a lot of money, really. - Yes. I just fell in love with it.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I didn't know anything about Georg Jensen.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Since discovered of course how well-known he is and then
0:04:49 > 0:04:54I have subsequently collected these three Georg Jensen charms.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Oh, right. So those are by Jensen, are they?- Yes, those three are.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00And the other ones have sort of come from my travels, really.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03So it was obviously a fond item for you for quite a few years.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04Yes, definitely.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08You obviously decided, though, that you want to part with it.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11I do, yes. I don't wear it any more
0:05:11 > 0:05:15and I think it's a shame just to keep it lying there, really.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So we need to talk money because you've decided to sell it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23My feeling is that I think maybe low estimate £250,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25£300, something like that.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- I guess I had thought probably around about £300.- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I think I'd like to put a reserve of £300 on it
0:05:31 > 0:05:33because if I don't sell it,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35I will keep it and I know it will go up in value.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Perhaps a bit of discretion for the auctioneer?
0:05:38 > 0:05:42I think £300 fixed. All right. Would that be all right?
0:05:42 > 0:05:44I'd always like a bit of discretion,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- I'd always prefer to get it under the £300.- I understand that.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49But I think you're not putting a ridiculous price on it.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I think we'll go for £300 and I guess the auctioneer
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- will probably put £300-£350 as an estimate on it.- Yes, OK.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- And the name will carry him forwards so we'll see what happens.- Yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Wonderful.- OK. Thanks very much. - Thank you, thank you.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Whilst our "Flog It!" followers soak up the sun in the formal gardens,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11the majesty of the 16th-century Longleat House
0:06:11 > 0:06:13is home to David's valuation.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Here we are in the Great Hall at Longleat
0:06:17 > 0:06:21and just think of all the great and good who've walked
0:06:21 > 0:06:24on these hallowed flagstones. And in front of me now,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- I have two autograph albums that belong to you, Robert.- Yes.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31And both of these are crammed with autographs
0:06:31 > 0:06:33of the great and good too.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Tell me how you come to own these.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38They belonged to my grandmother
0:06:38 > 0:06:44- and she worked in the booking office at the Caird Hall in Dundee.- OK.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- And had access to the great and good. - Right, right.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- So these are mainly theatrical people.- Yes.- OK.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54You've been kind enough to tag some of them
0:06:54 > 0:07:00and the first one in this album is none other than Paul Robeson.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01And it says, "With all good wishes
0:07:01 > 0:07:06"and many thanks for such a lovely reception, Paul Robeson, Dundee,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08"March 4, 1930."
0:07:08 > 0:07:10So inscribed, signed and dated.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13What more could you ask for in an autograph? That's fantastic.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- Very famous man. Old Man River he sang, didn't he?- Old Man River.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I shan't attempt to sing it.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20THEY LAUGH
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Anyway, what have we got in here?
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Again, I'll turn to the ones that you've picked out.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Anna Pavlova, ballet dancer, another big star,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35with a couple of photographs which I think probably help
0:07:35 > 0:07:37although they're not original photographs.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41On the following page, Clara Butt.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Concert singer who died in the 1930s.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I don't know what that word says.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54So your grandmother obviously got to meet these people
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- so she must have had access to the changing rooms?- Oh, yes.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I think she used to look after them
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- and their hotel accommodation and stuff like this.- Really?- Yes.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Gosh, what an interesting life she must have had.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10And you've treasured these and you have now decided to sell them.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12That's right.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16And I think we need therefore to talk about what they might be worth.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21I would have thought we've got between £150 and £200-worth here.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23As far as you're concerned,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26is it price-sensitive or do you want to sell them anyway?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- I think I'll sell them anyway. - Sell them. OK.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Well, that's very philosophical of you.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32I think the names are big enough,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35the names are good enough for this little lot to do very well
0:08:35 > 0:08:38so I think we'll say no reserve, we'll take a bit of a risk,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42but I think we'll be safe and we'll come out smiling.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- £150-£200 and no reserve.- Right. - Right, Robert?- Thank you very much.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- Look forward to seeing you again at the sale.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Those albums really do evoke the glamour of a bygone era
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and back in the gardens where the folks are enjoying
0:08:56 > 0:08:59a bit of a respite from the heat under the lime trees,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01it's time to conjure up some nostalgia
0:09:01 > 0:09:04for a more recent historical era.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11How many of you here have memories of the safari park
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- going right back to the early part of the 1970s? Do you?- Me.- Me.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Hold those stories
0:09:15 > 0:09:17because I'll talk to you later on in the programme.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I've got my own memories.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I came here with Mum and Dad and my sister in a MK1 Ford Cortina.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Now, that dates it, doesn't it? What fun it was too.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Now, look, I've got a photograph of the 6th Marquess
0:09:28 > 0:09:31who created the safari park with his wife
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and what they've done is they've just got their picnic rug out
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and plonked it down amongst the giraffe and the zebra
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and enjoyed a good old packed lunch.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41That's the kind of thing you did back then.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Anyway, we'll hear about those stories a little later on
0:09:43 > 0:09:46because we're going to catch up with our experts
0:09:46 > 0:09:47and find out what they're up to.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Well, Claire has found her own animals to get nostalgic about.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Little tin plate clockwork toy. They're great.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- They're like the Billy Goats Gruff, aren't they?- They are.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- So what can you tell me about it anyway?- Not that much.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08I know it was my father's when he was little and in the late '70s,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11my grandfather said, "You might as well take this
0:10:11 > 0:10:15"and then we know where it is," and really, it's been in a box
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- because it's not for children to play with at the moment.- Not really.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20I couldn't give it to my two when they were little
0:10:20 > 0:10:23so it's kind of been in a box, it's been up in the loft
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and I can't seem to find out that much about it. I know it's German.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30It is German. I think it's quite an early one.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34It's pre-1920s certainly, by the look of it, the way it's made
0:10:34 > 0:10:36and there are really good collectors out there
0:10:36 > 0:10:39because they don't very often survive.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42It's amazing, actually, that it's survived as well as it has
0:10:42 > 0:10:46because it's made of pressed metal and it's fairly flimsy.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49And it's just tabbed together and then sort of printed decoration.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50And they do break quite easily.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54The clockwork mechanism is actually very simple.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- But it works, doesn't it?- It works. - I...- Do you want to do it?- Go on.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00You do it and see what it does.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- How does it go?- Oh, they've got their horns locked together.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09SHE LAUGHS
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Oh, it's brilliant.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12THEY LAUGH
0:11:12 > 0:11:13We could be here...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15OK, we could be here for quite a long time, couldn't we?
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- Stay.- Good boys. There we are. It's lovely.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21And the fact that it works, as well, to a collector is great.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24It needs to go to somebody who collects these sort of toys, I think.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28You're right and I think actually, it will sell well at auction.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33I've seen similar make actually very good money, in excess of £100.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38Now, I think one always has to be sensible and probably £80-£120
0:11:38 > 0:11:41but I'd perhaps suggest putting a reserve of 75 on it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- 75 would be lovely.- Brilliant. OK.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I look forward to seeing you at the auction
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- and see how the billy goats do.- Yes, that would be lovely.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55Well, right now, it's time to leave this beautiful, peaceful setting
0:11:55 > 0:11:57as we up the tempo.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58It is auction time.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Our experts have found their first items to put under the hammer
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and here's a quick recap, just to jog your memory,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06of everything that we're hoping to sell.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Merrin has fixed a strong reserve on this charm bracelet
0:12:10 > 0:12:13but the name Georg Jansen should carry it through.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Robert's grandmother compiled a good theatrical selection of names
0:12:18 > 0:12:20in these autographs albums.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Let's hope it gets a good selection of bids.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27And I'm sure these collectable tin plate toy goats
0:12:27 > 0:12:29will find rich new pastures in the saleroom.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Head north-east from Longleat and you'll reach the busy market town
0:12:37 > 0:12:40of Devizes in the heart of Wiltshire,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43home to our auction house, Henry Aldridge & Son.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Putting his years of experience to good use,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Alan Aldridge is up on the podium today.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50£20 for that. £10 get me away.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55The auction is just about to start but remember, if you're thinking
0:12:55 > 0:12:59of selling or buying in a saleroom, there is commission to pay.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Here, it's 18%, that includes the VAT and the lotting costs
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and the photography but it does vary from saleroom to saleroom
0:13:05 > 0:13:08so factor it in to whatever you're selling.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10So, let's get on with our first lot,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13those billy goats ready to fly into action.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18One of my favourite items in the entire sale, absolutely love it.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22We're locking horns with you. Belongs to Paula and not for much longer.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25I'm sure there's collectors all over the country want these
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- two little locking rams.- I hope. - And it still works.- Yes, it does.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33It's the top-end quality of German tin plate toys previous to the 1920s.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36We had great fun on the day, didn't we?
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- We did, trying to get it going.- Yeah.- Off the table.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42I agree with you with the valuation. That's what I'd put on it.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47Let's find out what the bidders think. I can't wait to see this. Here we go.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Butting goats, circa 1920.
0:13:49 > 0:13:5260 I've got. 60 I've got.
0:13:52 > 0:13:5470.
0:13:54 > 0:13:5880. 90. 100.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00This is going to be a slow climb.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02At least we're going in the right direction.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05120. 120 on my right. Got 120.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Come on, it's worth more.- Got 120.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10At 120, am I all done?
0:14:10 > 0:14:12HE HITS GAVEL
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Top end of the estimate. £120. - It was top end of it.- Yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18It's OK. I just wanted more but I'm happy it's the top end.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- You're happy with it anyway. - Yes, thank you very much.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Thank goodness it's in good condition.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24That's what it's all about.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26That's what the collectors want nowadays,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28condition, condition, condition. It has to be perfect.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Next up is that fabulous piece of Georg Jensen.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Time and time again we see it on "Flog It!"
0:14:37 > 0:14:40and it always does well. You look like the lady that
0:14:40 > 0:14:42obviously fell in love with this and can carry it off and wear it.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Why are you selling it?
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Because it's a charm bracelet, it tends to catch on things and rattle
0:14:48 > 0:14:53so it's just sitting in the jewellery box not being worn and I decided...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- It's got to go.- I wanted to come to "Flog It!" and it's got to go.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59It's a good item and I think the name will sell it.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Yeah, very much so. He's very in vogue, isn't he?
0:15:02 > 0:15:05I mean, it's very clean lines. It's a design that just goes on and on.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Well, let's hope it charms the bidders.- Oh!
0:15:08 > 0:15:11There's a good line to get us over to the rostrum. Over to you, Alan.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Here we go.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19A Georg Jensen bangle with attached charms. To get me away.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23150. 150 I've got.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25160.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28180. 200.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30210.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34At 200. At £200. Is there ten?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38They normally fetch a bit more than this. At £200.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- We're not quite there, ladies and gentlemen.- Well, I eat my words.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46What was I saying, "Georg Jensen always sells"?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Maybe it is because it's a charm bracelet.- Oh, dear.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- And I don't think it's overpriced. - No. Well, I don't mind keeping it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- I'm not too sad.- Good.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Well, it's a great item to keep hold of, Merrin.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Now for the autograph albums
0:16:00 > 0:16:03on which there's been a small change of plan.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Initially, there was no reserve but now we have a reserve of £60
0:16:08 > 0:16:10and I don't blame you for protecting it
0:16:10 > 0:16:12because we don't want to let things go for nothing.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Between the wars, this was, wasn't it? Opera singers, dancers.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Life wasn't very glamorous for a lot of people between the wars but this
0:16:20 > 0:16:24gives just a snapshot of the side of life that was glamorous, really.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- Why are you selling this? - Well, it's been on the book shelf...
0:16:28 > 0:16:30On the book shelf?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32So at least it has been out on display and not in a drawer
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- or has it been in a drawer? - No, no.- Good.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39There are some very interesting autographs in here
0:16:39 > 0:16:43as you can see - actors, actresses, musicians.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44I can start at 150.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47150 I've got. 175.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- 200.- I wonder if this is really going to fly.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Two and a quarter. Two and a half. Two and three quarters.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55300.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- 300, Robert.- 325. 350.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01At 325. 350.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03375.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06I wonder if this is Paul Robeson's autograph.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09410. 420.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14420. 430? At 420.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16At 420, am I going?
0:17:16 > 0:17:17HE HITS GAVEL
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- That's brilliant. That is absolutely brilliant. £420.- Amazing.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- You weren't expecting that, were you?- No.- I wasn't either.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25I must say, what a great provenance.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- It could not have been better, really. I'm thrilled.- So am I.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33So am I. That's actually shocked me.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The pen is mightier than the sword, that's for sure, isn't it?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41£100 away.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Well, that's the end of our first visit to the saleroom today. So far so good.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47We're coming back here later on but right now,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50we're returning to our valuation day venue.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54The 6th Marquess of Bath set up the safari on the estate
0:17:54 > 0:17:57in 1966 and back then, it was described by the media
0:17:57 > 0:18:01as the most unsuitable use of England's green and pleasant land
0:18:01 > 0:18:04that ever entered the head of a nobleman.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Today, the lions of Longleat are famous all over the world.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I went to investigate to find out how it all came about.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Now, the best way to go on safari is with a guide.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- Ian, hi.- Hi, Paul. - Thanks for showing me around today.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- That's fine. Jump on it, then. - I will do, yeah.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30'With over 20 years' service,
0:18:30 > 0:18:35'nobody knows the park like deputy head warden Ian.'
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Right. We're off on safari.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47It was in 1964 that the circus impresario Jimmy Chipperfield
0:18:47 > 0:18:51put the idea to the 6th Marquess that he introduce game
0:18:51 > 0:18:53to roam around on his estate.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56"But won't the cages have to be awfully big
0:18:56 > 0:18:58"if the cars are to drive into them?"
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Lord Bath asked.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01"No," Chipperfield replied.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04"It's the people who are going to be in the cages,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08"their cars and the lions who are going to be free."
0:19:11 > 0:19:14The 6th Marquess was sold on the idea
0:19:14 > 0:19:17and poured his resources into making it a reality.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Lord Bath, you've obviously spent an awful lot of money on this
0:19:23 > 0:19:27but keeping lions in the manner to which they have been accustomed
0:19:27 > 0:19:30must be expensive too. How expensive is all this?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Between £50,000 and £60,000, we spent on it
0:19:33 > 0:19:38and to keep the lions is about £1,000 a week.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40So what we need is 1,000 cars a week.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42If we don't get 1,000 cars a week...
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- That's it?- That's it.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50Initially, 50 lions, all extras from the film Born Free,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53were brought in to roam the 100-acre reserve.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57And as it turned out, Lord Bath needn't have worried.
0:19:57 > 0:20:023,000 cars visited the park in the first weekend alone.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07And within five months, the capital cost of the venture had been repaid.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Brilliant to see the lions so up-close like this.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13It really is fascinating just watching them.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14How many lions have you got here?
0:20:14 > 0:20:19In this part, we've got the two big males, four females and eight cubs.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21We've got two prides of lions. 35 lions in total.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24And they're not frightened of this car, are they?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26That's one of the hiccups with the lions here.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Because they're so used to people, they're more dangerous than
0:20:29 > 0:20:31the ones in the wild because the ones in the wild,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34they're cautious of people where these lot don't care.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37If anybody got out of the vehicle in this section, they'd spot straightaway.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40They wouldn't be afraid, they'd go straight over which is why
0:20:40 > 0:20:44we've got patrol vehicles in here all the time watching for safety.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49It's a tried and tested safety regime but in 1966,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52this had never been done in this country before
0:20:52 > 0:20:54and there was a storm of protest.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Local residents were afraid of having a jungle on their doorstep
0:20:58 > 0:21:00and questions were asked in Parliament.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And the press thought there was an unnecessary risk to life
0:21:04 > 0:21:08and sceptics felt the whole venture couldn't be done safely.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18You have 140,000 people a year coming to look over Longleat House.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Doesn't it seem a fairly safe bet that among those people,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25there's bound to be somebody stupid enough to get out,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28try and feed them, take a photograph?
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Of course, there's always that risk and we have four patrol wagons
0:21:31 > 0:21:33and they're always on the move
0:21:33 > 0:21:35trying to stop if that sort of thing occurred.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39But the danger is people will drive through with their windows open
0:21:39 > 0:21:40and put their elbows out.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43They must not do that. If they do that, it's their own fault.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46If they stay in the car and obey the regulations,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49it's safer than me going across the main street of Warminster,
0:21:49 > 0:21:51I promise you.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Since then, the drive-through has welcomed millions of visitors
0:21:54 > 0:21:56and no-one has been killed
0:21:56 > 0:22:01but the park has had to continually guard against public complacency
0:22:01 > 0:22:04with constant reminders about the dangers involved
0:22:04 > 0:22:07if they don't follow the rules.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14As well as all the warning signs, regular safety demonstrations
0:22:14 > 0:22:19over the years, like this one from 1974 utilising dummies have reminded
0:22:19 > 0:22:23the public what could happen if regulations aren't adhered to.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27All our stomachs churned over and our legs shook.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29It really was horrifying.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Has the care in looking after these lions changed
0:22:35 > 0:22:38over the last 25 years or so? Have you seen a difference?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Definitely. Major difference. When we used to feed the lions,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43we used to feed them from the back of a pick-up,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- get out with the lions and chuck meat towards them.- Gosh.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48- So that was quite hairy.- Yeah.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Their housing was a railway carriage with the doors.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54If you ever used to have to lock them in, you'd just shut the doors
0:22:54 > 0:22:57behind them, rush out and slam the door shut.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01So it was all quite hairy stuff. Now they've got proper housing, you know.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02Individual cages, you know,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05cages from babies to mums to look after
0:23:05 > 0:23:08and they have got sort of air conditioning in it
0:23:08 > 0:23:09so it's really cool.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Of course, the lions were just the start
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and soon the park welcomed lots of other animals.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21In 1968, the most expensive consignment of animals to enter
0:23:21 > 0:23:24the country arrived at nearby Avonmouth Docks,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28including the breed which is waiting to be fed right now.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- I understand they're Rothschild's giraffes.- That's correct, yeah.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- Gosh.- You can see the size of our big male.- Yeah.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- You've had 100 giraffe born here. - Over.- That is incredible, isn't it?
0:23:43 > 0:23:47- We've had one baby born on Friday. - Have you really? Can we see her?
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- He's in the shelter. - Oh, in the shade over there.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55The giraffes that came here in 1968, how related are they?
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Is it sort of like the fifth or sixth generation?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Yeah, it's probably the sixth generation.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Good guess, wasn't it?- Yeah.- I mean, giraffe are creatures of flight
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and it's wonderful to see that they have so much space here
0:24:07 > 0:24:09so they can actually run and exercise.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12They can go off when they want. They don't have to stay here.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14They can wander off. HE LAUGHS
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I'm watching you. That one has a cheeky face.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19What's he called, or she?
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- That one is Gertie.- Gertie.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23Look at that tongue.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25HE LAUGHS
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Perhaps wisely bypassing the mischievous monkeys,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35it's time to leave the park
0:24:35 > 0:24:38as I'm heading down to the Half-Mile Lake.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Created in the 18th-century by 'Capability' Brow
0:24:41 > 0:24:45who was working for the 1st Marquess of Bath.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48It was altered to give the illusion of a natural river
0:24:48 > 0:24:51winding through the landscape.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55Originally made to delight the eye of those on carriage tours,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58today, it's put to a rather different use.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04- These are Californian sea lions. - They are, yes.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- How many have you got?- We've got six girls and two boys.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11They are normally used to saltwater so how do they adapt to freshwater?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Doesn't really bother them that much.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15In the morning, we top up the salt they would get
0:25:15 > 0:25:18if they were living in the wild by giving them salt tablets
0:25:18 > 0:25:21and multivitamin tablets and that seems to work really well.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- They look quite happy, don't they? - Yeah, yeah.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25They live perfectly well without it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- We just try and keep it as natural as we can.- He's a big fella.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31He is. That's Buster. He's our bull. He's the largest.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32HE BARKS
0:25:32 > 0:25:34And the noisiest. Here, Buster.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Straight in the mouth.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42The sea lions share their home with a pair of hippos
0:25:42 > 0:25:44and Nico the gorilla
0:25:44 > 0:25:47who lives on an island in the centre of the lake.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51There he is, look, enjoying the sunshine.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55He arrived at Longleat from a zoo in Switzerland in 1986
0:25:55 > 0:25:59and it's believed he is now the oldest silverback gorilla in Europe.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10I doubt, when the 1st Marquess created this late,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14that he could envisage some 200 years later it would be full of
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Californian sea lions, hippos and a silverback gorilla
0:26:18 > 0:26:20but what can I say? That's Longleat for you.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Within the beautiful Elizabethan house and amongst the splendour
0:26:35 > 0:26:38of the formal gardens, our experts are still hard at work
0:26:38 > 0:26:42providing valuations to all our visitors here at Longleat.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46And one expert, David, has come to the front of the house
0:26:46 > 0:26:48to look at the back of a picture.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53An old picture dealer once told me when I was a young lad
0:26:53 > 0:26:55you can learn more from the back of a picture
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- than you can from the front. - Oh, really?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I took that with a pinch of salt but there was a grain of truth in it
0:27:01 > 0:27:03and that is borne out by the fact that
0:27:03 > 0:27:05if you look at the back of this picture,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09- we see it has a label from the Fine Art Society...- Oh, I see.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12..who were a rattling good firm of dealers
0:27:12 > 0:27:16and that label is original, it's authentic
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and it's what you'd hope to see on the back of a picture like this.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24- Also, I see there's a label here that says Mrs Richardson.- Yes.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- My auntie was a cleaner and that for her.- So there is a direct link.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- A link, yeah.- Right.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33So let's turn it around and find out what we see on the other side.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41And I was right. It's a jolly good picture.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Signed, which is nice, by a man called Alfred Parsons.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Very well-known watercolourist who died in 1920.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Now, I love this little picture very much.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Parsons was a Victorian artist, really.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58He lived in the 20th century but this is the sort of picture
0:27:58 > 0:28:02that would appeal to a Victorian public.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06This herbaceous border could almost be here at Longleat.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09I don't think it is but it's a lovely flower bed,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- or two lovely flower beds.- Yes.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- It looks great and it's high summer, isn't it?- Yes.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16The sun is out, the gardener's been working there
0:28:16 > 0:28:18and he's left his trug behind.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20He's perhaps gone off for a cup of tea
0:28:20 > 0:28:22so it's a very atmospheric picture.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24It is a watercolour of course.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26It's behind glass, which you'd expect.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30This wonderful moulded gilt frame of the period.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33This would have been its original frame
0:28:33 > 0:28:35which definitely adds to its appeal.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40- So you've decided that you're happy to sell it.- Yes.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Do you have any idea what you think it might be worth?
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- We thought round about £1,000.- Right.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- I must say, I think £1,000 is a bit optimistic.- Yes.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Parsons CAN make four figures but by and large,
0:28:54 > 0:28:59he tends to be somewhere around about £600-£800.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03So if I may, can I suggest an estimate of £600-£800
0:29:03 > 0:29:05- and a reserve of £600?- Yes.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- So we won't sell it for less than £600.- No, OK, then.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12- So if we don't get bid £600, you'll have to take it home.- Yes.
0:29:12 > 0:29:13Let's hope that we do.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18And in this heat,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22one chap hoping he won't have to carry his item home is Matthew.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Tell me something about him because I gather it's a family item, is it?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Yes. It belonged to my grandfather
0:29:29 > 0:29:33who was given it by a chap called Bert Crowther
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- who was an antiquities dealer.- Yeah.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40He supplied antiquities for the royal family and the Beatles
0:29:40 > 0:29:42- and people like that.- Oh, right.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- And my grandfather father was a good friend of his.- Oh, OK.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49And he brought it back from Rome and gave it to my grandfather.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53- It's been in the family ever since. - So you've had it in your garden?
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- Yes, yes.- And do you know the history of it at all?
0:29:57 > 0:30:02- We believe it's by a sculptor called Emil Wolff.- Yeah.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- I think it's about 150 years old. - Right.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Yeah, it's after Emil Wolff because there's no signature on it
0:30:08 > 0:30:12so we're quite sure that it's not by him.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Though he was a German, he actually worked in Rome
0:30:16 > 0:30:20and they would have continued in workshops out there making figures,
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- copying not just his figures but others as well.- Right.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26It still has age and it is marble,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29which is nice, as opposed to reconstituted stone.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31And it's depicting winter.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36It's this lovely figure of a young boy clutching this lion skin
0:30:36 > 0:30:39to him to keep him warm. And I thought also that the lion
0:30:39 > 0:30:42today is a nice tie-in with the lions of Longleat.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- It's the perfect place, isn't it?- Yes. Yeah.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46And his poor little nose,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49he has obviously had a little bit of a tumble every now and then.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Yes, I think he's a bit too well-travelled.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- As you say, he's travelled about a bit, hasn't he?- Yes.- Yes.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57But what made you decide to part with it now?
0:30:57 > 0:31:01Well, I've got three lovely kids who like to play football
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- and ball games in the garden.- OK.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07And every time a ball flies anywhere near it, my heart stops.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Yeah, well, when you've got children, they've
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- got to have the space, haven't they, to do these things?- Yes.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16So obviously you're thinking of selling him
0:31:16 > 0:31:18so it's time to let him go.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21It's very difficult with this because if it was by Wolff
0:31:21 > 0:31:23then you'd be looking at thousands of pounds
0:31:23 > 0:31:26but I think my feeling is in the hundreds
0:31:26 > 0:31:31- so I'd suggest an estimate of £250-£350...- Right.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32..if that's OK.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35But I think perhaps just pitch the reserve a little below that
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- and put it at £200.- Great.- You'd be happy with that?- Yes, definitely.
0:31:39 > 0:31:40Excellent.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Have you got any idea what you might put the money towards?
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- I think I'll treat the kids. - Lucky kids.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- Perhaps a break away or something. - They know this, do they?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- They're looking forward to it? - They will do, yes.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Well, the secret's out now.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58And Longleat has been treating the kids and creating childhood memories
0:31:58 > 0:32:01since the park first opened in 1966.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Earlier on, we asked members of this wonderful crowd here
0:32:06 > 0:32:09of their memories of the safari park in the early days
0:32:09 > 0:32:12from the '70s, let's say, and they didn't disappoint.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15With me right now, I have Nick and Moira and Chris.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17What can you tell us about coming here?
0:32:17 > 0:32:21Well, I remember coming here as a schoolboy for birthday parties
0:32:21 > 0:32:23because it was a real treat in those days.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27I think it cost £10 to get in, which was a fortune and price per car
0:32:27 > 0:32:30so we used to chuck as many people in the car as we could,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- the whole birthday party.- What, ten?
0:32:32 > 0:32:36As many as you could get in. People in the boot, everything.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Moira, what are your early memories of Longleat?
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Coming down and having a good day out with the monkeys
0:32:41 > 0:32:45and everything else. I've also done it with Brownies of
0:32:45 > 0:32:47seven to ten-year-olds by the bus loads.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50And Nick?
0:32:50 > 0:32:53I can remember bringing my father down years and years ago
0:32:53 > 0:32:57because he had worked on here back in the early 1920s.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00So you're interested in the house really.
0:33:00 > 0:33:01I was interested in the house.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Dad was very interested in the animals
0:33:04 > 0:33:06because he was brought up in a farming community.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Of course, with home movies becoming popular in the '70s,
0:33:12 > 0:33:15many of those memories are on tape
0:33:15 > 0:33:19and you know, some visits can spark a lifetime's work.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22This little boy in the knitted jumper grew up to be
0:33:22 > 0:33:27Longleat's deputy house steward. Thanks for the footage, Jeff.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Now, long before the park was created, it was the house
0:33:30 > 0:33:35people came to see after it opened to the public in 1949.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Behind us we have this magnificent Elizabethan facade,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47Longleat House, dating from the late 16th century.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51And shown from a different view on the modern guidebook.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55But, Jill, you have brought along something which takes us
0:33:55 > 0:33:58back to the good old days of the early 1950s when things were
0:33:58 > 0:34:02a bit gentler, bit less flashy and I rather like that, I must admit.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06What you've brought along is an early guidebook.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08How did you come by this?
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Do your family have connections with this house?
0:34:11 > 0:34:14My grandfather took night watchman's job in the house.
0:34:14 > 0:34:20When he retired from the house, it was presented to him.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- That's my assumption. I don't really know.- OK.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28This guidebook actually was the second produced, I understand.
0:34:28 > 0:34:35- I see.- It was published in 1951. It's described as follows.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39- "Longleat from 1566 to the present time."- That's right.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42And it's written by the then Marchioness of Bath
0:34:42 > 0:34:44and signed by four members of the family.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50The 6th Marquess of Bath, who I understand was born in 1905.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Handily someone has written a few notes here under these signatures.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59Christopher, Christopher John, I think, who was born in 1934.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Valentine who was born in 1937,
0:35:02 > 0:35:08and Alexander who became the 7th Marquess
0:35:08 > 0:35:10and is still alive and lives here.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14There are some colour illustrations but generally speaking,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18the illustrations are black and white
0:35:18 > 0:35:22and the text is instructive,
0:35:22 > 0:35:25perhaps just a little bit academic to today's taste.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27I suppose quite scholarly, really.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- I don't frankly think it's going to make a lot of money.- No.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- But you have decided you'd like to sell it.- I have, yes, yes.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38I think we're going to take a bit of a punt on this, really
0:35:38 > 0:35:40and I would be inclined to estimate it at £10-£20
0:35:40 > 0:35:43so it's not going to be the most important thing
0:35:43 > 0:35:47that's ever been sold on "Flog It!", I'm afraid,
0:35:47 > 0:35:51but it's interesting and who knows? A couple of people might like it,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54particularly for those autographs, I think,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56and pay a bit more than that.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00But I would like, if it's OK by you, to offer it without reserve.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- Yes, that's fine.- So prepare for the worst but hope for the best. OK?
0:36:04 > 0:36:06And I'll see you in the saleroom
0:36:06 > 0:36:10- when I hope it will be a bit cooler than it is today.- Hopefully.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Well, it really has been a gloriously sunny day
0:36:13 > 0:36:17and the wonderful people of Wiltshire have done us proud.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Yes, it's time to say goodbye to Longleat House,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25our magnificent host location for today. And as a backdrop,
0:36:25 > 0:36:27it doesn't get any better than this but right now,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30we have to go over to the auction room for the very last time
0:36:30 > 0:36:33to put our valuations to the test. Don't go away.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36There could be one or two big surprises and here's a quick recap
0:36:36 > 0:36:39of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42We've got Gwen's lovely watercolour,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45clearly painted on another summer's day.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50Then there's Jill's early guidebook. Will it attract some local interest?
0:36:50 > 0:36:54And here's hoping this statue won't be used as a goalpost
0:36:54 > 0:36:56by Matthew's kids any more.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Welcome back to Devizes.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Now, on the preview day,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07while all and sundry browsed for possible purchases,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09I caught up with our auctioneer Alan
0:37:09 > 0:37:11to get his opinion on Matthew's statue.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Now, I'm not sure about this little fellow, are you?
0:37:16 > 0:37:17I mean, he's...
0:37:17 > 0:37:23It looks like the kind of thing you'd find in a cemetery.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26I know it's marble but it looks like monumental marble
0:37:26 > 0:37:29or monumental stone. It's got that feel about it.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33We've put a value of £250-£350 on this
0:37:33 > 0:37:36with a fixed reserve at £200 despite the damage.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Well, I thought the reserve could be slightly more, Paul.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- I don't disagree with the valuation because of its damage.- Yeah.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46It's a lovely little thing.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50I know you find it spooky. I find it charming.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I think it's a little girl more than a little boy,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55being looked after by the lion skin
0:37:55 > 0:37:59and the winter bit is to symbolise the coming of spring
0:37:59 > 0:38:02more than the dreariness of winter, to look after the child for winter.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- I see.- But to symbolise the coming of spring.- Right.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09- So it's all about hope. - It's hope. It's all hope.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- OK, well, let's hope we get the top end.- Fingers crossed.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- And it's marble. - You've upped the reserve.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18We have upped the reserve to £300and now we would hope it would fetch
0:38:18 > 0:38:21£460, maybe £470, somewhere around there.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25It will be interesting to see if Alan's right
0:38:25 > 0:38:27but as the fun of the auction starts,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30it's Gwen's watercolour that's first under the hammer.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36It's a beautiful painting. Has it been on the wall for a long time?
0:38:36 > 0:38:40No, not actually on the wall. It's been taken down.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44We've had it for so long that we just got fed up with it.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46- Have you?- Yeah.- Just fallen out of love with it.- Yes.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Well, at least it's been kept out of sunlight
0:38:49 > 0:38:52because the colour on it is absolutely vivid.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56The condition is beautiful. We're looking at around £600-£800.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Yeah, well I love this picture. I love the artist. I love the subject.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02It's in a great frame and it was originally sold by
0:39:02 > 0:39:05the Fine Art Society but there is a big but,
0:39:05 > 0:39:07you know I'm a pessimist, the market for
0:39:07 > 0:39:11- Victorian watercolours at the moment is not what it was.- No.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Fingers crossed. Art is an arbitrary subject.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15I'm sure somebody will love this.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Interesting picture. Very attractive. 300, I've got.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24300 I've got. 350
0:39:24 > 0:39:27At 300. 350. 350. 400.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30450. 500. 550. 600.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32- We're in.- 650.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36At 650. Is there 700?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38- 650 now.- At £650.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Is there 700? At 650 all...
0:39:41 > 0:39:42HE HITS GAVEL
0:39:42 > 0:39:45- Yes.- A bang-on estimate. - There you go.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Well done, David. Ye of little faith.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50You were having second thoughts then, weren't you?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52I must be a bit more confident, mustn't I?
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- Yes!- A bit more optimistic.- £650. I think that's great.- Yes.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00A great estimate there by David.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05Now will we have a page-turner with the early 1950s Longleat guidebook?
0:40:06 > 0:40:10It turned up at the valuation day. That's exactly what we wanted to see
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- and lots of memories for you, Jillian.- Yes, it has.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16And it must be special to you because you hung onto that
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- for such a long time. - I didn't really know why had it.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20I just found it in the drawer one day.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Well, let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29A signed copy of Longleat and it's local.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- Will it get more than £10?- £25.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36£10. Thank you, sir. £10 I've got.
0:40:36 > 0:40:3920. 25. 30.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41What about 28? 28.
0:40:41 > 0:40:4430? What about 29?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48It's big money here we're talking. Pound coins.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50At £28.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Sold £28. Better than a tenner.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Paul, I must say, that is the right place and it's sold well.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59I bet there's not many guidebooks knocking around
0:40:59 > 0:41:01signed by Lord Bath from the 1950s
0:41:01 > 0:41:06so somebody has picked up a little bit of history there thanks to you.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07That's all right.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15And now for our last lot, Matthew's statue titled The Winter.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18It's not my favourite item in the sale but as they say,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Since the valuation day, the value has been changed.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27The reserve has gone up slightly. Alan has put it up.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- He's keen on this. He thinks it will do well.- Oh, good.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- It's a nice thing. - So good luck, both of you.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34Here we go. We're going to put it to the test.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41Next, we have a very nice statue. In perfect condition,
0:41:41 > 0:41:44it would be probably in the region of £2,000, £3,000.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Wow. Matthew, did you hear that?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48But in its present condition,
0:41:48 > 0:41:53we have to work on about 10% of that so it's £200 to get me away.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54200 I've got.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57220. 240. 260.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01280. 300. 320.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03340. 360.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06380. 400.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10420. 440. 460.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14480. 500. 520.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17540. 560.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19580.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I'm very surprised. Are you?
0:42:22 > 0:42:24620. 640.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28660. 680. 700.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31720. 740.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Two people seriously want this. They're fighting it out.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Douglas on the phone on this?
0:42:37 > 0:42:41At 740. 740 on my extreme left.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42All going at 740.
0:42:42 > 0:42:43HE HITS GAVEL
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Well, I'm so surprised. I didn't like it.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49I really didn't like it. £740.
0:42:49 > 0:42:54- Wow.- Wow. Well, come on, say something.- That's brilliant.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56- Fantastic.- It is, isn't it?- Yes. - I had no idea.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00- It just goes to show sometimes, it's not about condition.- Yeah.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02Glad you got it.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Anything can happen in an auction room and that's what it's all about.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08It's so hard to put a value on something
0:43:08 > 0:43:11when two people really fight over it and want to take it home.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Sadly, we've run out of time from Devizes in Wiltshire
0:43:16 > 0:43:19but until the next time, it's goodbye.