0:00:05 > 0:00:08Today's show comes from the city renowned for producing
0:00:08 > 0:00:12the world's finest steel and finest cutlery, for over 800 years.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Of course, we're in Sheffield, and welcome to Flog It!
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Our "Flog It!" faithful have assembled at the Cutlers' Hall
0:00:39 > 0:00:40in Sheffield.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Originally built in 1638,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46this building has been home to the Cutlers Company,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48the guild that has looked after the city's
0:00:48 > 0:00:51world renowned industry ever since.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52The first hall on this site,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55which has been replaced by the current building,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58cost the princely sum of £86, 3 shillings, and 10 pence.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Let's hope today we can find some antiques and collectables
0:01:01 > 0:01:04that are worth considerably more than that.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06We've got hundreds of people here, laden with bags and boxes,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09ready to see our experts.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12And steeling themselves to sift through the treasures today
0:01:12 > 0:01:17is the sparkling Anita Manning, and the ever youthful Thomas Plant,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19both working their magic with the crowd.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22They're all eager to go in.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25There isn't a minute to waste, so without further ado,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27let's open the doors and look at some antiques.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28Ready, everyone?
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- CHEERING - Come on, then.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Our teams have their work cut out for them,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36with over 500 antiques to be inspected and valued.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39But which of today's items going off to auction will prove to be
0:01:39 > 0:01:41a cut above the rest?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Will it be this Victorian tortoiseshell locket,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47complete with gold chain?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Or will this silver tankard have its owners
0:01:51 > 0:01:53raising a toast in the saleroom?
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Don't go away, all will be revealed later on in the show.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03This trio of grand chandeliers dates to the 1950s,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06the originals were damaged during the Sheffield Blitz
0:02:06 > 0:02:07of the Second World War.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10But they're casting such a fabulous light on the crowd below.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12It's such an exciting atmosphere.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14And up in the minstrels' gallery,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Thomas Plant is ready to shed some light on our first item.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Fantastic chandeliers here in Cutlers' Hall,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23and this is a tasty little lighthouse we've got.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Paul, tell me how you acquired it.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Car boot find, addicted to car-boots.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Tell me, Paul, are you in the boot before it comes out?
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- Light, the little torch.. - Really?- Yeah.- Hassle...
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- I never go in the boots, I don't agree with that.- No.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41No, just as they're getting it out, maybe.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43So, what was the story behind this?
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Early morning, three weeks ago, Keepmoat Stadium,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47which is Doncaster Rovers' stadium,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50they have a gigantic car boot every week
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and basically the lady just got it out, and I just...
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- The quirkiness of it...- So, it's a lighthouse, but what actually is it?
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- And I said it's a tasty little light.- Right.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04Well, if I lift off the cap, we can see the actual wick
0:03:04 > 0:03:05and where it would have been fired.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07And so I'm sort of wanting to give you
0:03:07 > 0:03:10a little bit of my thoughts behind it.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11- Yeah.- It's in aluminium.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14OK, we've got a bit of oak round here,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18maybe a bit of stained beech, and again, there, a bit of aluminium.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Now, whether this lighthouse was made by a happy amateur,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25or it was made for somebody like the Trinity House organisation,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29who look after our lighthouses, established by Henry VIII,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31and this is a magnificent lighthouse,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34but it's something which would have been...
0:03:34 > 0:03:37After dinner, the ladies would have adjourned,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and the gentlemen would have sat round the big mahogany dining table
0:03:41 > 0:03:45and passed round this to light one's cigars with,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49if you were involved in that sort of organisation, society,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- and that's what I think it is. But it is 1920s.- Right.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55It can't be any earlier, can it, cos of the aluminium.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- Oh, right, so it was introduced... AMERICAN ACCENT: Aluminum... - or aluminium.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Well, aluminium was really introduced
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- in the first part of the 20th century.- Right.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07We sort of built airships out of it, and other things.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09It was a new metal, and so it would have been quite expensive,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and this would have been quite an expensive little thing,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and it's actually been made particularly well.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I love the brick work here, and the little windows are great.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Yes, the windows were great. - So, have you got an eye for things?
0:04:20 > 0:04:22It's got to be unusual.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25It can't be your everyday 20 cabinet people, sort of thing.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28It's got to be something like that, just bizarre.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Can I ask, and be cheeky? What did you pay for it?- Well, the lady...
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- Was it pounds?- It is pounds. - It was pounds.- It wasn't pence.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- Unfortunately.- Was it one figure pounds or was it two figure pounds?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43It was under two figures, it started at two figure pounds
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- and it got down to one figure pounds. - Are you a hard negotiator?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I would try me best, yeah.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Basically, she wanted £12 for it.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- How much did you pay? - Uh, I actually paid £8...- £8?
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- ..in the end, yes, even though I thought it was worth £12, but... - £8?!
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- ..the principle, try me best. - Well done, you.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02What's this going to make at auction?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- It's not going to make massive amounts of money.- No, no.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10- But I think we can put it in at £30 to £50.- Brilliant, yeah, good.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- You happy?- Yes, very, aye. - It shows you a small profit.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Brilliant profit, yeah. That's the idea.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- Let's put a reserve on at £20. - Yep.- I think that's fair?- Yeah, yeah.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- It's a quirky item.- Absolutely.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I like it. Hopefully somebody else does.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Yeah, absolutely.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31That's a great little item to have found in the early hours of a car boot sale.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I'm sure it will light up the saleroom.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Meanwhile, Anita is about to sail into her first valuation.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Sue, when this item came on the table, the first thing that struck me
0:05:41 > 0:05:45was how lovely and shiny that top part was.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Were you up all last night, polishing?
0:05:47 > 0:05:51No, not last night, but I do like to keep my silver nice and clean.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- I do like polishing silver.- You do like polishing.- I like silver.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59Well, we are in Sheffield, the home of silver and silver-plate.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Well, let's look at it as a whole.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04It's quite an exciting piece, Sue.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05Right.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Let's look at the base first of all.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11It gives us the mark for Macintyre
0:06:11 > 0:06:17and we have this early green signature for William Moorcroft.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23Now, this little biscuit barrel dates from the time when
0:06:23 > 0:06:26James Macintyre and William Moorcroft collaborated.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31And that was between, I think, about 1897 and 1912,
0:06:31 > 0:06:36so we can be very specific about that date.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41And we can see, when we look at this object, as a forerunner
0:06:41 > 0:06:44of what we know as traditional Moorcroft,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46where we had the pipe-lining,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50we had these lovely blue colours, and gilts.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- So, we're looking at the forerunner of Moorcroft... - Really?
0:06:54 > 0:06:57..when he started up with his own studio.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- So it's quite exciting.- Oh, right!
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Now, one of the most obvious things,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- and it was a wee bit of a disappointment, I must say... - I know.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10..we could see that has been damaged.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14And we can see the crack here, which runs right along the body
0:07:14 > 0:07:19and back up again, but we see that it has been repaired
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- by these rivets.- Rivets, I know.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23It's always been like that, Anita.
0:07:23 > 0:07:24It's always been like that?
0:07:24 > 0:07:31This was repaired a long, long time ago, quite soon after it was made.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- Now, certainly before 1912, because there was no superglue.- No, no.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41And this is how it would have been repaired,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45by riveting the two broken pieces together.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49And to me, I don't find it ugly or terrible.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I think it's just part of the history of it.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54It's part of the history. It's been riveted together.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59And I come from the Clyde, and that has a great tradition of riveting,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01so I don't mind a bit of riveting myself.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05- But what it does do is affect the price.- Yes.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Well, I didn't know how much it was worth, anyway.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10If this had been in perfect condition,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13we would have been £400, £500.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Oh, would we?
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- But with the damage, it takes away so much of the value.- I know.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26It would render it to probably under £100.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- But, I think that it's worthwhile putting it on the market.- Right.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36Now, are you happy with us to put it forward with a price of, say, £80?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Fine.- You're very definite about that, Sue.- Fine.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I've got to be,
0:08:41 > 0:08:42because it means a lot
0:08:42 > 0:08:46and I don't think my family will appreciate it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- Well, let's put it to sale. - Yes.- Estimate, £80 to £120.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- Oh, that's a good one, I've heard that before, Anita.- Oh, right.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Was that one of mine? - One of several.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59So £80 to £120,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03but I think we should bring the reserve to perhaps about £60.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- £70.- £70.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09And I'm hoping that that might fly.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Well, I'm with you there, Anita, I do, as well.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Thank you, Sue, for bringing it along.- Thank you very much.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16It's been lovely.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18With people still arriving in our valuation day,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21there's a real buzz around the floor of the hall
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and above it.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Well, it's a fantastic atmosphere at Cutlers Hall, Sheffield, today.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29The "Flog It!" Team are out.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I mean, we've got loads of people from Sheffield,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35and we've also got something which measures that atmospheric pressure.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- First of all, E.G.B. - is that a relation?- I don't think so.- No?
0:09:39 > 0:09:44Let's open it up. Fantastic pocket or travelling barometer.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Tell me about it. How did you come about it?
0:09:47 > 0:09:51My father bought it a long time ago, and when he died, I got it.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Your father, was he somebody
0:09:53 > 0:09:55interested in scientific instruments,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58or was he a traveller? Did he like the weather?
0:09:58 > 0:10:02He was interested in antiques, and anything interesting.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07He was a chemist and he was just fascinated in anything that took his fancy, really.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- Oh, really?- Yes. - Why have you kept this?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13I don't know. It's just one of those things that was kept.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- And you know it's for measuring atmospheric pressure?- Yeah.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18And have you had it out of the box?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- Yes, and there's some information in the bottom.- There's...
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Well, I think we'll have a look at that, but if I just do this,
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- if I just blow on here... does it move?- It moves, yeah.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32So that's obviously the aneroid barometer in there working,
0:10:32 > 0:10:37so that's quite good fun, and it's in this fantastic gilt metal case.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40We see a lot of these pocket barometers.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42This one, however, is a bit special.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45The reason why, it's a good size.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46A lot of these pocket barometers
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- are half this size...- Oh, right.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51..and they're sort of happy amateur ones.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52This weather watch,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54as it's been described,
0:10:54 > 0:10:55is a real tool.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58We have the altitude marker, which, as you move it,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01it moves the pressure on here.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05I think we might have to look in here for a bit more of the instructions.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08And of course, we've not even mentioned who it's made by, have we?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- No.- I think, if we open this...
0:11:11 > 0:11:14we've got here Negretti and Zambra,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16established in 1850.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18I think it was Henry Negretti
0:11:18 > 0:11:21and Joseph Zambra were the two gentlemen who established
0:11:21 > 0:11:23this business in the 1850s,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25mainly doing photographic
0:11:25 > 0:11:27and scientific instruments.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30They were patronised by Prince Albert,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33so there are the premier makers
0:11:33 > 0:11:36of these types of instruments.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37So whenever you see anything
0:11:37 > 0:11:39with the name Negretti and Zambra on,
0:11:39 > 0:11:40it is just brilliant.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43So why did you bring it today?
0:11:43 > 0:11:48Well, I was interested in coming to "Flog It!", and we've had it sitting there for some time,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51so I thought it was the nearest one that I could come to,
0:11:51 > 0:11:52so that's why I've come today.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55And is it something you've thought about selling
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- because it just sits there? - Yes, yes.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Obviously, if one was to say Negretti and Zambra,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02£50 to £80, it'd be disappointing.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- Very disappointing.- It's not worth £50 to £80, I can tell you that.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11My estimate would be £200 to £300. Fix it at £200, the reserve.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Um, I think I would like a little bit more on the fixed reserve, please.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- Oh, you would like a little bit more?- Yeah, £250, say.- £250?
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- If you really wanted to do that, let's do it.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- £250 to £350, with a fixed reserve at £250.- Yeah.- Yes?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Shall we do that?- Yes, that's fine.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34I mean, it's not one I've seen before, so it could do rather well.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35OK, thank you very much.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Now, are you going to be there at the auction?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39No, unfortunately, we're away on holiday.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Oh!
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Well, I hope it's somewhere good.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Well, Madeira, so... - Oh, well, there you are.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47What could be nicer?
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Well, let's hope that barometer fetches enough
0:12:51 > 0:12:53for Barbara to take another lovely holiday.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Well, it's fascinating to see such a fabulous array of antiques
0:12:57 > 0:12:59turning up at our valuation tables.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Everyone has a unique story, and there's more to come.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05But right now, we've reached our halfway point in the show.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08It's time to put those first valuations to the test
0:13:08 > 0:13:11in the auction room, and here's a quick recap of all the items
0:13:11 > 0:13:12that are going under the hammer.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15The early birds may get the worm,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18but Paul managed to bag this lighter in the early hours.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Will it spark the bidders in the saleroom?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Susan's biscuit barrel may have seen better days
0:13:25 > 0:13:28but I'm sure it will make for a riveting auction.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32And this barometer is bound to create a great atmosphere
0:13:32 > 0:13:34in the saleroom, but can it also fetch
0:13:34 > 0:13:36a stratospheric price?
0:13:43 > 0:13:45We don't have to go far to find out.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Our items will be put under the hammer
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- just across town at the Sheffield Auction Galleries. - AUCTIONEER SPEAKS
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Well, this is it. The sale has just got under way.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55And remember, if you're buying or selling at auction,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59there is a commission to pay. Here, it's 15% plus VAT,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01whether you're buying or selling.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Auctioneer Rob Lee has just started the auction,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07so let's catch up with our owners and get on with our first lot.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11First up is that table item,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14machined from a chunk of aluminium into a lighthouse.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- I love this, it belongs to Paul. It was a car boot find?- It was.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Do you do many car boots? - Uh, I love going round them.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- We do the odd one, but I love the four o'clock on a Sunday morning. - The buzz.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Four o'clock Sunday morning! You see, you've got to get up early.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32It is out there but you got to get up early, Thomas, haven't you?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- Would you do it?- No, I wouldn't, not at four o'clock in the morning.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36But I tell you something,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38this is one of my favourite things in this sale.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- AUCTIONEER:- A 1920s stroke 1930s oak and alloy table lighter,
0:14:42 > 0:14:43formed as a lighthouse,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47with a detachable glazed lamp-cover, enclosing the lighter mechanism.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Getting rare, this lighthouse material. £30 for it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54£12 is your start price. £15, I'm after.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Quirky, great item.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00£20, I'm out, going out 2-2? Who's on £22? £22, new bid.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Oh, bid in.- £25, £28.
0:15:03 > 0:15:04£30. £35.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Someone in the room isn't very keen.- £30 bid on the front.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- Whoa.- £35, new bid. £40. £45? £40 with the lady on the front.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Must be £45 elsewhere.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- Got to be £45 to progress. New bidder.- Whoa!- £50.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21£45, gentleman standing. Anybody else have £50?
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- It's going to go at... £50, new bid!- Great.- £55? £60?
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Gentleman standing at £55, have we done? Hammer's going to drop.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33- HAMMER BANGS. - Brilliant.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Well, we doubled the lower-in, and that's what it's all about.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Very good.- Yeah, that's a nice thing.- Yeah, yeah.- And good for you.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Impressive, good profit.- Well done! - Couple of bottles of Rioja.
0:15:41 > 0:15:47- Good spot!- I'll get back out this Sunday, see what happens.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52And next up, not quite in perfect condition is our second lot.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Oh, crumbs, guess what's coming up next?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Yes, it's that broken biscuit barrel.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- Well, it's cracked. It's got studs in it, as well, hasn't it?- Rivets.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- Rivets, who put those in?- I don't know, it's always been in it.- I know.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08It's great, though, because it is Moorcroft.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Macintyre and Moorcroft, I love it.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- But the damage will let it down a bit, won't it?- A lot.- Yes.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14- Unfortunately.- Yes.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18AUCTIONEER: Circa 1908, William Moorcroft and Macintyre and Co.,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21The pottery biscuit barrel. Very nicely decorated.
0:16:21 > 0:16:27- Must start it at £55. Lovely design. - That's a good start.- Oh, yes.- £65.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28£70?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31I'm out. Who's on £75?
0:16:31 > 0:16:35£75. £80, sir? £85? £90. £95?
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Well done, Anita!
0:16:38 > 0:16:41£90 bid so far. Anybody else for £95?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Lovely piece. Top of the shop at £90, have we finished?
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Hammer's going to drop!
0:16:46 > 0:16:47All done, are we?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- HAMMER BANGS - There you are, the hammer's gone down.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54There's such a long pause between the auctioneer
0:16:54 > 0:16:55saying the hammer's going down
0:16:55 > 0:16:56and then it actually going down!
0:16:56 > 0:16:59But it went eventually, after 30 seconds. That was a cracker.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Well done.- Thank you. - Smashing result.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07And finally, hoping to add to the exciting
0:17:07 > 0:17:10atmosphere in our saleroom, it's that beautiful barometer.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It's just a shame that Barbara's on holiday
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and missing all the auction action.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- I think this is real quality. Great maker, the best. - Oh, it's super.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Negretti and Zambra, the best London maker,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24and they did great scientific instruments
0:17:24 > 0:17:25and this is one of them.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28This is for your proper ballooner.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Well, let's gauge what it does, right here and right now.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32This is it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35A late Victorian compensated aneroid barometer, by Negretti
0:17:35 > 0:17:38and Zambra of London. Great name.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Another plus point, we've got the original leather-covered case.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42Must start it at £200.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45£210, I'm after, £210?
0:17:45 > 0:17:48It needs to be, to move on. £210.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50£220. £230. £240, £250.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52That's good.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56I'm out, but I'm out too soon. £260, it needs to be.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58It's only just started, hopefully.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01£260. £270. £280.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04£290. £300.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- This is more like it, Thomas. - Much more like it.- £320.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- Two serious phone-bidders, look, having a battle.- £340.- Old school.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Very old school, yes.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16£320, with Liz's phone.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Anybody else with £340?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Shout out if we've missed you.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21Anybody else want to bid?
0:18:21 > 0:18:23It's going to go at £320.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24Have we done?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- HAMMER BANGS - Hammer's gone done.- Brilliant.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29- That was good.- Awesome.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32And I know when Barbara and Gareth get back from their holiday,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34they'll have a cheque in the post,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- and they'll be over the moon with that result.- Absolutely.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41£50 bid on the internet, anybody else for £55?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- HAMMER BANGS - Sold.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Well, there you are. Our first three lots under the hammer.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48You certainly need nerves of steel in an auction room
0:18:48 > 0:18:50but thank goodness this is the city of steel.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51There's plenty of it about.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Now, there's one group of people here in the city,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56who kept the wheels of industry turning
0:18:56 > 0:18:58through our country's darkest hour.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00While we're here in the area filming,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I went off to find out more about them.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Sheffield has always been known for its high quality cutlery and silver.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12And when the Industrial Revolution came along in the 1700s,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15it also became famous for mass production.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19By the end of the 19th century,
0:19:19 > 0:19:20mills and factories in the region
0:19:20 > 0:19:24were using massive steam-driven machines, like this one,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28to produce more steel than any other city on the planet.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34This was a heavy industry of massive machinery and punishing work.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Working in the mills was tough,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38at times dangerous, business.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44It was seen as a man's world, but all that changed in 1939.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46With the outbreak of World War II,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49it became necessary for companies to step up production,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51to meet the demands of modern warfare.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54They switched from making knives and forks to aeroplane parts
0:19:54 > 0:19:58and from sewing machines to machine guns and other items of weaponry,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01like this massive great big Grand Slam bomb.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04It weighs ten tonnes, and it was made by Vickers-Armstrongs.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Whatever the military wanted,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09it could be made right here, in Sheffield.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13However, as war dragged on,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16more and more men were called upon to fight overseas.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19And with very few men left here to do the heavy industry work,
0:20:19 > 0:20:21factories struggled to keep running.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24It was then that the women of South Yorkshire were called upon.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Although they weren't officially conscripted,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30single women, those without young children
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and any whose jobs weren't deemed vital to the war effort,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36had to register at the labour exchanges.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Suddenly women, from all backgrounds,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42found themselves in the tough world of the steel foundries.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45I'm here to meet Kathleen Roberts and Kit Sollitt,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48two of the women who were made to work in the steel mills
0:20:48 > 0:20:50during the war.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54You were both told, then, to just turn up for work at the factory.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56It must have been quite daunting to start with?
0:20:56 > 0:21:01It was either that, or the army, or the land army.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Even though I was married
0:21:03 > 0:21:05I was sort of called up
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- and I couldn't pick and choose where I wanted to go.- No.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- Were you frightened on your first day at work?- Terrified, absolutely.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16All the muck, the stench,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19the smoke, the fire.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20Yeah, frightening environment.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24I used to think, "I'll never be able to stick this out."
0:21:24 > 0:21:27What did the men think at the time?
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Were there still men working there?
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- They didn't think a lot of us, did they?- Middle-aged men didn't.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34The young men did.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39I expect, the language was quite shocking in the factory as well?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- It was.- You weren't used to that sort of environment, were you?- Very ripe.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46It was. You learned words you never knew existed.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Yeah. Very naughty.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52What were you actually doing?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55We had coils of steel
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- and we had to roll them till they were more or less like ribbon.- Yeah.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- And we never knew what they were meant for.- They never told you?
0:22:04 > 0:22:10No, we asked every week when we got our orders,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12"And what is this for?" And we'd be told...
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- "Mind your own business!" - We never, ever knew.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- I was in the steel foundry. - Right, OK.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23You had to push all this stuff into a barrel,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25wheel it right down the foundry
0:22:25 > 0:22:29under the bessemer that would be going.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Used to have to put a damp sack over me head to run direct under it,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36cos if a molder was working at the bottom of the foundry,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39you were expected to take this mixture down to him.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42At the end of the first day, I said to this chap,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45"I'll never stick this." He said, "Oh, you will.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50"You'll get used to it, you'll have muscles like me." I hoped not!
0:22:50 > 0:22:51"Oh, no thanks," she said!
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Even so, women like Kathleen and Kit
0:22:55 > 0:22:58did stick it out in the factories for years.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02But the work wasn't just strenuous, it was also dangerous.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08We didn't have health and safety regulations in those days,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- and people lost fingers... - Oh, yes!
0:23:10 > 0:23:13They lost hands, they...
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Some really nasty accidents.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16Did you ever get injured?
0:23:16 > 0:23:19I did hurt my back pretty bad one day.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23And, uh, I was taken to hospital,
0:23:23 > 0:23:28and as a result, they put me in a plaster cast,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30and I still have back trouble to this day.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- Oh, gosh.- It was jolly hard work, and never got a thanks.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Nobody ever thanked us when we left work.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39But what an achievement, though.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43You know, without the women, these factories would not have run.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- Well, they couldn't have done, no. - No.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52However, when the war ended in 1945 and the men came back to work
0:23:52 > 0:23:54and took up their jobs in the factories,
0:23:54 > 0:23:58the efforts of the thousands of women, like Kathleen and Kit,
0:23:58 > 0:23:59were soon forgotten.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02That was until three years ago,
0:24:02 > 0:24:06when Kathleen brought the story to the attention of a local newspaper.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Finally, after 70 years,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13the women of Sheffield who helped keep the steel industry rolling,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16were given the recognition they deserved.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21We were all in sort of a dream,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24we just couldn't believe that it was happening.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It was marvellous, it's marvellous. It's taken a long time, hasn't it?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- Yeah.- Yes.- Because Kit's 93...
0:24:29 > 0:24:31You're what? You're 93?!
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- 93, yeah.- 93!
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- Yes, I am.- I'm 91...- No!
0:24:37 > 0:24:39- ..on the fourth of January.- Wow!
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- Well, you don't look it! - We've no walking sticks, do we?- No.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44We're still knocking around.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Thank you so much for talking to me today,
0:24:46 > 0:24:51because you both are heroes to this city. You really are!
0:24:51 > 0:24:53And I think it's fabulous, as well.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55We've had a long life, but we're still here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56Yeah, exactly!
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Today, the mills of South Yorkshire are still the envy of the world,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08producing vast quantities of the finest steel, machinery and cutlery.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11You name it, they can make it.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14And I think it's safe to say their continued success
0:25:14 > 0:25:17is down, in no small part, to the women of Sheffield,
0:25:17 > 0:25:18ladies like Kathleen and Kit,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22who helped keep the factories running throughout the war years.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24And it's brilliant that their achievements
0:25:24 > 0:25:28have now been recognised and given a place in history.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Back at Cutlers' Hall, in the centre of Sheffield,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37there are still plenty of antiques to be valued.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39And while our dedicated team of experts
0:25:39 > 0:25:41pour over each and every one,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I took the chance to look at an item
0:25:44 > 0:25:46that is a real part of this building's history.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Now, I expect you're wondering what a Hawksbill turtle
0:25:50 > 0:25:52is doing on the wall here at the Cutlers' Hall,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55and its association with Sheffield's steel.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56Well, I can tell you.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59It goes back as a far as 1773,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03when a merchant presented a turtle to the Cutlers',
0:26:03 > 0:26:05imported live via the Liverpool docks.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07They didn't know what to do with it,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10so they killed it, and cooked it, and ate it as turtle soup.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13And thus began a tradition of eating turtle soup at every annual meeting,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16right up until 1912.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And hawksbill turtles have been harvested for their shells
0:26:19 > 0:26:21as far back as Roman times.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26It's a very valuable material that can be used in all sorts of products.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29The Cutlers' here used the turtle shell
0:26:29 > 0:26:32for the handles of knives and forks, and of razors.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Now, there's 13 sections on this shell. You can see them here,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37look - one, two, three, four, and so on.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42These can be peeled off into separate layers, thin layers,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44so they almost look translucent.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Or they can be put back together under heat, fused,
0:26:47 > 0:26:52to create a thicker section. This makes the shell look a lot darker.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56It can also be carved. It can be tooled and fashioned.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It can also be inlaid with precious metals
0:26:58 > 0:27:01like brasses and pieces of silver.
0:27:01 > 0:27:07But thank goodness, this trade was banned by CITES in 1973.
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Today, we use a modern plastic.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It looks just as good, and you wouldn't know the difference,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14so it means a happier life for these fellas.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19We do see a lot of antique tortoiseshell items on "Flog It!"
0:27:19 > 0:27:21because those made before the ban can still be sold
0:27:21 > 0:27:26and Anita has a particularly fine piece on her table.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27Georgina, I love jewellery,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31and it's a delight to have that lovely tortoiseshell locket
0:27:31 > 0:27:32along at "Flog It!" today.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Can you tell me a little bit about it, and where you got it?
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Well, an aunt gave it to me ten years ago, my Ruby wedding,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44and she had acquired it, I think, from a friend many years ago.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- Have you worn it?- A few times. - You've enjoyed it.- Yes.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50So, why pass it on?
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Is it not something that you would wear regularly?
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Well, I don't have any daughters.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57I have a lovely daughter-in-law,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59but I don't think she'd want to wear tortoiseshell.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- THEY LAUGH - Well, let's have a look at it,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04think about the date and time that it was made.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07It is a traditional piece of Victorian jewellery.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Made maybe 1860, 1870,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13so it has a good age,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17and it is encrusted with this gold decoration.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- It is gold, is it? - I would say that it is.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24We often had gold and tortoiseshell combined,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27and it is a nice combination.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29There's a decoration called pique
0:28:29 > 0:28:33where the gold is inlaid into the tortoiseshell.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37But this is like overlaid, but it is very sweet.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39If we open it up...
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Did you keep photographs in here?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44That's my aunt's husband that's in it.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47- He died quite a few years earlier. - Right.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48But I still think it's a good thing
0:28:48 > 0:28:51to pass it on to someone who will enjoy it.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54We have another Victorian piece here in the chain.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58This has been part of a Victorian guard chain,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- which is the long 60-inch chains... - Oh, yes.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03..that ladies wore round their neck,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06and they kept maybe little watches or little pencils on it.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Very often these were split.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10If there were three daughters,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14- it might be split into three parts of 20-inches each.- Oh, right.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16So this has been split.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18And the catch here is not original,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21- that's been put on at a later date. - Oh, has it? Right.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24So, it's quite a nice wee Victorian lot.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27I'm not sure tortoiseshell is as popular
0:29:27 > 0:29:30as it was maybe five or ten years ago,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32but it is still a nice collectible
0:29:32 > 0:29:36for a person who wants to collect Victorian stuff.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40Price on it, you're maybe £100 to £150.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Really?- In that region.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Would you like to go ahead and sell it, within that estimate?
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Yes, yes, that would be fine.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51You're not going to miss it?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I don't know. I feel a bit guilty, because it was my Auntie Connie's
0:29:54 > 0:29:58but I need to get my engagement ring repaired, so it would go towards...
0:29:58 > 0:30:01I think that's a very good thing, I mean...
0:30:01 > 0:30:04I can't wear my ring, and you think,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07"Well, I could probably get the cash up to do it,"
0:30:07 > 0:30:09- but this would be a way of... - Of helping it along?
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- Yes.- Yeah, good idea. Well, let's put it to auction,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16and let's hope that there are lots of Victorian jewellery collectors
0:30:16 > 0:30:17- at the sale.- Yes.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- Thank you very much for bringing it along.- Thank you.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Having come down from his lofty heights on the balcony,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Thomas has dug up a very unusual item.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29So, Carole...
0:30:29 > 0:30:34it is amazing what is unearthed at these "Flog It!" valuation days.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38This might shock a few people. It certainly did in the past.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Tell me, what do you know about this?
0:30:43 > 0:30:44Not so very much at all, really.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47I acquired it recently, in the last two weeks.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Have you done some research? - I thought it was something medical,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52but I couldn't research it cos I didn't know what it was.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Well, it is one of these extraordinary things,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57these electric shock machines.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58The Victorians were obsessed
0:30:58 > 0:31:03by sort of shocking one's body into doing certain things.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08You know, nervous disposition, deviances of some kind, hair loss.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12You've got some combs here to sort of rub over your hair,
0:31:12 > 0:31:14to make your hair grow back.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18Here, this one was obviously to go over parts of the body, I'm sure.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22I think there is a slight theory that this treatment had some form of affect...
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Yeah. - ..But I just don't know how much,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27and I think, at a home sort of level,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30you've got to be pretty crazy to sort of find the socket,
0:31:30 > 0:31:35plug yourself in, and end up rubbing yourself down with this.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- Just imagine you got a bit carried away and the glass broke.- Yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39It'd be awful!
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I mean, that's really quite a rare Bakelite plug in there, isn't it?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45And a Bakelite handle, and I don't think it's ever been used.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47No, I don't, no.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50You see, you've got from weak to strong, high frequency,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54but I would imagine there'd be the odd collector out there
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- who might be interested in this. - What do you think this wood is?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59- This is going to be beech wood. - Is it?
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- Yeah, it's nothing special, to be honest with you.- No, no.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07- The date of this object, I would say 1940s, 1950s.- Yeah.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08I don't think it's pre-war.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11It's just, it looks in too good condition.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15From a value point of view, as it's in such nice condition,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18it's got to be worth £30 to £50. What do you think?
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- Well, I thought about £25 to £40. - You should be doing my job.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25No reserve on this, it's got to go. Otherwise, it goes in the bin.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26It certainly will.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- And let's hope we're shocked at the result.- Me, too.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32OK, that's enough of the puns, Thomas.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Anita, please restore some decorum to the proceedings.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Pat, this is a wonderful item.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44It was made in 1763,
0:32:44 > 0:32:49and it was made by one of London's most prestigious silversmiths,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- John Swift.- Really?
0:32:52 > 0:32:55So, it's a marvellous item. Tell me, where did you get it?
0:32:55 > 0:33:01Well, it belonged to my partner, who unfortunately died earlier this year.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05He, I think, was given it by an uncle of his,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08who lived in Boston, Massachusetts.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Ellis, when he was about two,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14went to the United States with his mother and father.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18And unfortunately for the family,
0:33:18 > 0:33:23Mother and Father lost all of their money during the Wall Street crash,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27and Ellis, with his younger brother now,
0:33:27 > 0:33:31was shipped back to Liverpool to Grandmother,
0:33:31 > 0:33:36and I think his uncle gave this to Ellis at that time,
0:33:36 > 0:33:37and said to him,
0:33:37 > 0:33:40"If you ever need money, sell it."
0:33:40 > 0:33:42What a wonderful story.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Well, he died at 95 and he didn't sell it.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48He hadn't needed to sell it.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50And he didn't...
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Well, I think he probably did, at some stage, but he didn't sell it.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Yeah. It's quite an impressive looking little guy.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04- It didn't start off life, however, in 1760s like that.- Right.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09At that time, it was a plain drinking tankard,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13with no decoration, probably a slightly flattened lid,
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- and none of this embossed work on it.- Right.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19It would be simple.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Tastes changed.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24In the Victorian era,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27where we had the industrialisation
0:34:27 > 0:34:30and wealth that was brought by industrialisation,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34people wanted ornate decoration.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36It was as if it showed their wealth,
0:34:36 > 0:34:41- and this has been elaborately worked on.- Right.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45If we look along here, we see its flowers, its leaves,
0:34:45 > 0:34:50all sorts of busy decoration on the body.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52And when we turn it round,
0:34:52 > 0:34:57we see that it has become a pouring vessel.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I think Ellis knew that it had been altered
0:34:59 > 0:35:02and that the spout had been put on later,
0:35:02 > 0:35:06but I don't know whether he knew that it was embossed later.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Yes, I mean, it's an intriguing item.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11And it shows us how antiques
0:35:11 > 0:35:16can change with the style of the period that they lived through.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18- Right.- The purists don't like it,
0:35:18 > 0:35:22but I think that it's all part of the hurly and burly of life.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25We have the addition of this embossed work,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27we have this pouring spout here,
0:35:27 > 0:35:32and I kind of think that this lid has been pushed up a little bit.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36So, tell me, what are your thoughts, did you like this item?
0:35:36 > 0:35:38I think I would have preferred
0:35:38 > 0:35:40it in its original state.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44And, had I not seen the advertisements for "Flog It!",
0:35:44 > 0:35:47I would have completely forgotten about it.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50And I saw that, and I thought I would bring it along,
0:35:50 > 0:35:51and that's what I've done.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56But it's an interesting story, how it came back here,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59and also an interesting story about what had happened
0:35:59 > 0:36:02during the course of its nearly 300-year-old life.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05As it is, in today's market,
0:36:05 > 0:36:10- I would put an estimate of £300 to £500 on it.- Right.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Would you feel satisfied to let it go forward at that price?
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Yes. If somebody wants it...
0:36:16 > 0:36:18It's better than somebody has it that wants it,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21rather than it's in the back of my cupboard.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Well, I think it's wonderful, and I love the story,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26and that's what "Flog It!" is all about.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29So, we'll put it to auction, £300 to £500.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- We'll put a reserve of £300, if you wish.- Yes.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- It's had a colourful past.- It has.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Let's hope it has a colourful future.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- Yes, and I hope whoever gets it enjoys it.- OK, thank you.- Thank you.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Well, that's it, our experts' final choices.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53You've just seen them, and what a day we've had here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to our magnificent host location,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Cutlers' Hall, as we head over to the saleroom for the last time today,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Will Georgina's tortoiseshell run at the auction
0:37:06 > 0:37:08and fetch enough to get her ring repaired?
0:37:09 > 0:37:11I don't think many people
0:37:11 > 0:37:13want to try a bit of electrotherapy,
0:37:13 > 0:37:17but let's hope this set sparks some interest in the saleroom.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20And this silver tankard may have
0:37:20 > 0:37:21undergone plenty of facelifts,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24but I'm sure the collective will see the beauty that lies
0:37:24 > 0:37:27just below the surface.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36We're back in the auction room for the last time.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Robert Lee's in full flow. He's fast approaching our lots.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45First up is the exquisite tortoiseshell locket.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- Georgina, you're a woman of style. You look stunning.- Thank you.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50And so is your item that we're putting under the hammer,
0:37:50 > 0:37:54this Victorian tortoiseshell locket. I think it's beautiful.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55Why don't you want it?
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Yes, well, I always thought it looked a bit like plastic,
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- and the aunt that left it to me, left me quite a few other items... - Yeah.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05..which are more sort of like costume jewellery, which I prefer.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Well, I love it. I love jewellery, and I love tortoiseshell,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11and it really is just a cracking piece.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Nice big piece, will suit today's market.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- Yeah. Anyway, look, good luck with that.- Thank you very much.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Good luck. We're going to put that to the test. Here we go.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22247, 19th century oval tortoiseshell locket,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25with a pique style in-laid detail. It's a beauty, isn't it?
0:38:25 > 0:38:30- We'll start the bidding at...£85, £95, £100...£110, I'm after.- Oh.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31That's good.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34£110, £120, £130...
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I'm out. £130, gentleman in the room. £140, £150 now.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40£150 in the room, £160, £170, sir?
0:38:40 > 0:38:43This is good, look at this! And there's a telephone coming in.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47£180 on the internet, £190 I'm after.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50This is excellent, this is real quality.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53New bid in the room, £200, £210 sir?
0:38:53 > 0:38:58£240, I'm after £230 in the room.
0:38:58 > 0:38:59£240, £250 sir?
0:39:01 > 0:39:03£260, I'm after £250 in the room. £360, now.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- Crikey.- £280, £290 now.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08£270 in the room, £280, £290 now.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10£300 I'm after. £320.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13£340, £360?
0:39:13 > 0:39:15£380, I'm after £360 in the room.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- £400, sir?- Oh, I can't believe it.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21£400. £380 with the internet.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Anyone want £400 for it, it's going to sell at £380.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26One last look, hold it now with £380...
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- HAMMER BANGS - What a result, £380! - That was a nice wee surprise.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32- That was really good.- Absolutely.
0:39:32 > 0:39:33You must be over the moon with that.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Yes, I am.- So, that was real quality. - Yes, that's marvellous.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38And quite a few people saw that, they really did.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40We had the internet, we had the phone,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43and we had a lot of competition in the room.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Now I'll be able to get my engagement ring repaired.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48I've actually taken it into the jewellers,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51so it's going to be nearly £100 to get repaired, so that'll be good.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53That'll sort that out, and then you can wear that again.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- That's wonderful.- Yes.- Well done.
0:39:56 > 0:39:57Great result!
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Georgina gets to wear her engagement ring
0:39:59 > 0:40:03and hopefully that locket will adorn its new owner.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07But I'm not so sure our next lot will see much use.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Carole, let's hope we don't get arrested right now.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11We're about to give the bidders a bit of high voltage.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Yes, it's the electrotherapy treatment machine.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15No reserve, it's here to go.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Have you had a few laughs with that at home?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Well, I was only given it recently by a family member,
0:40:20 > 0:40:24- so no-one's seen it, actually. - You haven't plugged it in?- No, no.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- THOMAS BUZZES - You could have had a few practical jokes with this one.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Obviously, it doesn't appeal to you and you just thought,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- bring it along to "Flog It!" and we'll sell it.- Yes, that's right.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- Cracking little thing, really.- Well, they're quite weird, aren't they?
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- Yes.- I mean, we don't really do it now, do we?
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- No.- We could with this.
0:40:43 > 0:40:471950s Tesla violet ray electrotherapy device
0:40:47 > 0:40:50with assorted glass wands in a fitted wooden case.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55I've got commissions. £28, £35, £40.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57£45 I need elsewhere.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02- (What?!)- £45 it needs to be to move on. Anybody else fancy it?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04- It's going.- I'm tingling.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06For the electrotherapy device.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Give yourself a shock.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11With me at £40, holding now, we're at £40...
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- HAMMER BANGS - That's good!- Oh, good.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- £40, that's cracking, that's really good!- I'm happy with that, yeah.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20That's going to end up in a bygone museum somewhere, I would imagine.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22- It was perfect. - Or on a dinner party table.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Can you imagine that at a dinner party?- Plug it in.- Yeah!
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- Put your finger in that!- No.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Look, well done. Thanks for bringing that in, because it gave us all a big laugh
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- at the valuation day.- Absolutely.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37What an unusual item.
0:41:37 > 0:41:43It just goes to show, you never quite know what will turn up in an auction room on "Flog It!".
0:41:43 > 0:41:44And going under the hammer right now,
0:41:44 > 0:41:47we've got a George III silver tankard,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50later converted by the Victorians to a jug with a pouring spout,
0:41:50 > 0:41:51belonging to Pat.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55Nevertheless, despite that, we've still got a value of £300 to £500.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- There's a lot of silver there. - There is a lot of silver.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- So, fingers crossed.- Well, I'm hoping that it will do its £300.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04It certainly deserves that.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07If it had been left alone, it would have made a lot more,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09and the purists would have liked it as it was.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Sure. This is it, here we go.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14George III hallmarked silver tankard by John Swift,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18London 1763, later converted to a jug by the Victorians.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19Lots of interest on it.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Lots of interest,
0:42:21 > 0:42:22that's not going to melt then.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25£420, £440, £460, £480, £500.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28£520, £550, £580, sir.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31- This is what auctions are all about. - Oh, look.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34£580 on the phone, £600, £620.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39- £650, £680, £700.- Whoa! £720, £750.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44That phone bidder is desperate for this, look.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48£800, 820, £850.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- £850!- Yes!
0:42:51 > 0:42:55£900, £920, £950, £980.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57- What...- Wow.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- £1,000.- (£1,000.)
0:43:00 > 0:43:02£980 bid so far.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04£1,000 I need elsewhere.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06£980 on the phone.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09One last look around. Have we done?
0:43:09 > 0:43:11- HAMMER BANGS - Hammer's gone down.
0:43:11 > 0:43:12£980, what a cracking result!
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Just shy of £1,000, Pat.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16You've got to be over the moon with that.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- Brilliant.- I'd be hopping up and down right now.- Yes.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Well, it just shows you. We really didn't know at that point.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27£300, brought to auction, and the market decided.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30- What a way to end the show here in Sheffield!- Brilliant.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33With Pat over the moon with £980.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36It just goes to show, there are always surprises in an auction room.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38See you next time.