0:00:09 > 0:00:11Today, we've travelled to Yeovilton, in Somerset,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14home to Europe's largest helicopter squadron.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17And I'm inside the Commando Helicopter Force hangar
0:00:17 > 0:00:21here at HMS Heron, the Royal Navy's largest airbase.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:42 > 0:00:47Today, Flog It! is at HMS Heron, a naval aviation base in Somerset.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53Surrounded by air traffic, it is a very humbling reminder of the risks
0:00:53 > 0:00:57the men and women deployed from here are taking with their lives.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59And later in the programme, I'll be catching up with
0:00:59 > 0:01:03an engineer from the Commando Helicopter Force.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Well, we're certainly at the sharp end of the Royal Navy here
0:01:06 > 0:01:09today at HMS Heron, and I'm right at the front of the queue,
0:01:09 > 0:01:10the very sharp end.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13The question is, are our experts up for duty today?
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Putting up a strong, united front today, we have
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Christina Trevanion and Charlie Ross, experts in their fields.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Oh, WMF. The famous old WMF.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- Do you know what WMF stands for?- No.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29- Wurttemberg...- I think it's German.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- Metallen...- Fabriken.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36It's incredible the items people bring along to our valuation days.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Well, look at this, somebody at the front of the queue. Is it yours?
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- It is, yes.- What's your name? - My name's Heather.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Heather, thank you very much for bringing
0:01:44 > 0:01:47something in that we all recognise as an aircraft wheel.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50We're going to be carrying out today's valuations
0:01:50 > 0:01:55inside the Fleet Air Arm Museum that's situated here, on the base.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00It houses Europe's largest naval aviation collection -
0:02:00 > 0:02:02aircraft that take off from ships.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07And let's hope some of today's items reach as enviable heights.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Can you antique hunters spot what will soar in the auction today?
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Will it be the Edwardian silver hatpin stand and jewellery box?
0:02:17 > 0:02:21An unusual floor lamp once used in an exclusive London
0:02:21 > 0:02:23department store?
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Or a Bergman bronze inkwell, dating back to 1900?
0:02:28 > 0:02:32We've got our experts. We've even got our off-screen experts here,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35working hard behind the scenes. We've got our items.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38But most importantly, we've got you, our big crowd.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41And also, we've got Yeovilton Military Wives' Choir
0:02:41 > 0:02:44coming in later on to entertain us at lunch time.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46But right now, let's get on with our first item.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49So, Jackie,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53we've gone from one 1960s flight of fancy to an Edwardian one.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54We have.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Thank you so much for bringing these items in today.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- This belonged to your...? - Grandmother.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Your grandmother. And did she use them?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04I'm sure she did, because they were out in India and, obviously,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06they led quite a lifestyle.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09My grandfather was playing polo with the Prince of Wales
0:03:09 > 0:03:10and things like that.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13So I think they would have had the jewellery that would have
0:03:13 > 0:03:15- gone into these pieces.- Quite.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- It wouldn't have been just your average lady on the street.- No.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20I know they're Birmingham silver.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23They were given to me by my mother when I was about ten.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- They've just been on my dressing table ever since.- Right.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Obviously, they've gone from cracker rings
0:03:29 > 0:03:30right up to diamond rings.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35- Oh, perfect! That's the kind of evolution we like.- Absolutely.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37We've got a little jewellery box here, which is,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40as you very rightly say, hallmarked for Birmingham silver.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44The maker's mark here, which is Henry Williamson Limited.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47The town mark, which is the anchor.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49The lion passant, which is the standard of silver.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- And the date letter, which in this case is for 1910.- Right.- OK?
0:03:53 > 0:03:57And then, if we look at the earring stand here,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00we've got the hallmark just on the back here -
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Clark & Sewell.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Again, the anchor. The lion.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- And the date letter H, for 1907. - Oh, right.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- Have they been sitting in the sunshine?- Unfortunately, yes.- Yes.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12On my dressing table.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14As you very rightly just pointed out, as was
0:04:14 > 0:04:17so often the case, you would have your dressing table in the window.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- Yes.- And obviously, the sunlight has bleached
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and eroded that lovely velvet top away.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- So, sadly, we have got a little bit of a condition issue there.- Sure.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28But nothing that can't be quite easily rectified, really.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31So, 1907, that sort of Edwardian era.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Corsets weren't being quite so strict
0:04:33 > 0:04:35and things were just relaxing slightly,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38so you would have dangly earrings that you would pop onto here
0:04:38 > 0:04:41and you would select your earrings for the day.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- Yes, absolutely.- How decadent!
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- And then in here.- Yes.- You've got the fitted ring interior here.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- We don't often see them with this fitted.- Really?- Yeah.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Very, very pretty. And really quite sought after.- Really?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Yes, very much so. These types of things,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00because they are pretty and because they are still very useful today...
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- I mean, you would use this today. - I do, yes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- It still has a market.- Fine. - And it's got a great market.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Value wise, had you any thoughts on value?
0:05:08 > 0:05:11You know, when you grow up with something and it's always there,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- you don't think about value, so I have no idea.- OK.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19Well, I was thinking, as two pretty, usable pieces of silver,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22I was thinking somewhere in the region of £150 to £200.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23Fantastic.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27With a reserve of 150 with some slight discretion should we need it.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Yes, that's fine. - Is that all right?- That's fine.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32I shall miss them dreadfully, but...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Well, we'll have to use the money to buy something that will
0:05:35 > 0:05:37ease that pain slightly.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- Yes, definitely.- Diamonds are quite nice, they'll help.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44There's a fantastic atmosphere here today.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Everyone seems to have had a good delve into their treasure
0:05:46 > 0:05:50troves and brought along some really exciting pieces.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Go on, where did you find this magnificent figure?
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Well, Charlie, I found him in an antique shop in the Emporium,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- here in Yeovil. - Really? When?- Last week.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Last week?!- Yes. - Now, you're actually in the trade,
0:06:03 > 0:06:04so you're buying and selling all the time.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I've got a little shop very close to here - upholstery, furnishings.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10No pressure, then.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- Did you pay a lot of money for him?- I did, Charlie.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- I'm getting a bit nervous now. Definitely Italian.- Yes.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Based on an African servant. And there he is, in all his glory.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25He's not that old, is he? 1960s?
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- Well, he's drawing his pension, Charlie.- He's 65, is he?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31How do you know he's 65?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Well, I bought him from a dealer who had owned him for 35 years,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37and he said he knew that he had a history of at least 30 years
0:06:37 > 0:06:40prior to that. So he is a pensioner.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43He's a pensioner. He doesn't look like a pensioner.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45His body's in slightly better condition than mine.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47He's a combination of all sorts of things.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I think the main body is plaster, isn't it? Looking at it.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- Yeah, plaster, resin and wood at the bottom.- Oh, wood at the bottom.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57There's a nice carved plinth at the bottom.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- And I think this is actually metal. - Metal lamp, yes.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01We've got a gilt metal candelabra.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I rather suspect that he was originally one of a pair.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- I'd heard that there were four originally made.- Four, were there?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Yes. He's reputed to have come from a very upmarket store
0:07:10 > 0:07:13in London, from their carpet department,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15and he was there to adorn the Persian carpets.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16Oh, really?
0:07:16 > 0:07:22I can imagine that in a London store. What is his drape made from?
0:07:22 > 0:07:23Is it canvas?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26I think it's cloth that's been dipped in some sort of resin
0:07:26 > 0:07:27- or plaster.- Yeah.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29It's very stylishly done.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Um... Who would buy it?
0:07:31 > 0:07:33That's my... I mean, you did.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- I couldn't resist him. - What were you going to do with it?
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Well, he was just so bonkers, I just thought, "Why not have him
0:07:39 > 0:07:43"and see where I can put him?"
0:07:43 > 0:07:46But I think, in the right market, a decorator's piece,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- interior designer's piece. - It needs cleaning.- Yes, he's filthy.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51And it needs a little bit of restoration.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52His thumb is off here and there.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54But I think if he were cleaned up
0:07:54 > 0:07:57and this candelabra were regilded...
0:07:57 > 0:08:01And it's a jolly good size. Are we going to get you a profit?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Well, I think he's worth about...
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Difficult thing to value.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06If you wanted it, you'd pay £1,000 for it, wouldn't you?
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I think it's worth £200 to £300. What did he cost?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- He cost me £200.- £200. Well...
0:08:13 > 0:08:16So if we put a reserve of 250?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Could we push it a little bit higher?
0:08:18 > 0:08:21275 maybe? Bearing in mind there are auction fees.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I don't think that's untoward.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We'll put a fixed reserve of 275.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- We'll put an estimate of 300 to 400.- Yes.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- And I don't think that'll frighten people off.- No.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36And I think somebody will be wacky enough, as you were, to buy it.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Thank you very much indeed. - Thank you. Pleasure.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44We are incredibly lucky today to be carrying out our valuations beneath
0:08:44 > 0:08:47the wings of the first-ever British-built Concorde,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49dating back to 1969.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55And while we were at Yeovilton, surrounded by modern aviation,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57here on the military base, I arranged to meet
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Lieutenant Commander Neil Masterson,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02an engineer with the Commando Helicopter Force.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Neil, what does your job involve?
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Well, basically, I am the Aircraft Engineer Officer for the squadron.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13So, when the commanding officer says he wants X number of aircraft...
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Like ten Seaking helicopters to go to Afghanistan.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19If he wants ten aircraft to go there, I need to provide him those ten
0:09:19 > 0:09:22aircrafts in the right role fit, with the right weapon systems.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Our primary role is to support the Commando Royal Marines.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Yeah, and how many engineers do you have working for you here?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32At any one time, I've got about 160.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35And they are split across four flights, four front-line flights.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38The guys stay with the aircraft, they maintain the aircraft.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40The aircraft have to live in the field sometimes
0:09:40 > 0:09:43and the engineers have to live out there with them.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Yeah. And also make sure they return home safely.- Absolutely.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48That's the main aim of the operation -
0:09:48 > 0:09:51get the guys back safe, with the helicopters.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Singing for us today,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57we have many of the wives who are left behind here, in Somerset,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00when their husbands risk their lives in front-line action.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02# The world is listening
0:10:02 > 0:10:07# To what we say...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10# Sing it louder, sing it clearer
0:10:10 > 0:10:13# Knowing everyone will hear
0:10:13 > 0:10:16# Make some noise, find your voice
0:10:16 > 0:10:19# Tonight
0:10:19 > 0:10:22# Sing it stronger, sing together
0:10:22 > 0:10:25# Make this moment last forever
0:10:25 > 0:10:27# Old and young
0:10:27 > 0:10:30# Shouting loud tonight
0:10:30 > 0:10:35# Hear a thousand voices
0:10:35 > 0:10:40# Shouting loud. #
0:10:40 > 0:10:43APPLAUSE
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Well, that was absolutely fabulous,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50and the acoustics in here are marvellous.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Right, let's catch up with our next expert and another item.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58So, Derek, we've got this spectacular
0:10:58 > 0:11:00collection of aircraft below us and this rather glitzy,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03wonderful collection of regalia here in front of us.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- Thank you.- Tell me a little bit about it. Where does it come from?
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- Basically, this was all to do with my grandfather.- Right.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13And it's something that was passed down to me.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- And this is Grandfather wearing... - This piece here, actually.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Which is the moose.- Yes. - Order of the Moose, here.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- We've got two quite different groups here, haven't we?- We have indeed.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28There are Buffaloes, the Royal Order of the Buffaloes,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30and then we've got the Moose.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33And then we've got the Trinity Lodge with a Knight Order Of Merit on it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36And I suppose the main aim really of these lodges was to,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39I think primarily, especially with the Moose and the Buffalo,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- was basically to look after... - The people, yes.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Exactly, orphaned and widowed people, particularly.- Yes.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Definitely.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Which is really charitable, isn't it? And a great cause to support.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55So, very similar to Masonic regalia, but not Masonic.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00He was secretary. That was in '39, 1940,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- '41.- Quite early then, really.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- Yeah. - And he's obviously been in it...
0:12:04 > 0:12:08Cos you've got a 25-year pin here, which is wonderful.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I've been the keeper of it, but I believe, I think
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- it could be used somewhere better than being stored in the loft. - Quite.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18It's a bit difficult when you're not involved in the lodges
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- to know quite what to do with it, isn't it?- Exactly.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- And I assume you're not involved. - No, I'm not.- Which is your favourite?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Cos they're all really rather beautiful, aren't they?
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- Which is your favourite?- I would say, probably this little thing here.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31That one there.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36That one's silver and that's obviously got my grandfather's
0:12:36 > 0:12:38name on there and the date.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- Oh, yeah.- That is '52?
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- That's way before I was born. - Funnily enough, that is
0:12:44 > 0:12:47actually probably the most valuable one in this collection.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Because, as you very rightly pointed out,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51we've got a nice silver hallmark on the back there.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55The others, sadly, although they look really rather wonderful...
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- They do.- They're not silver gilt and definitely not gold, sadly.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02So as such, really, when we're valuing collections like this,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04we tend to value them on their silver weight
0:13:04 > 0:13:07as well as the content as well.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10And unfortunately, because you haven't got any silver weight
0:13:10 > 0:13:14that's of any great note, the value is going to be reflected in that.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I think, if we were to offer it at auction,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- we would offer it as one complete lot.- Yes.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22And I think we might be looking
0:13:22 > 0:13:24somewhere in the region of sort of £60 to £100.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26What are your thoughts about that?
0:13:26 > 0:13:31I think it'd be nice for it to go somewhere where it's appreciated.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34£60 to £100, with a firm reserve at 50.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38It doesn't seem very much for such a huge array of rather
0:13:38 > 0:13:40beautiful things,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43but unfortunately, that's just the market we're in at the moment.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- If it was gold... - I'd be booking the holidays tomorrow.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49You would, you'd be off to the Caribbean before I could say
0:13:49 > 0:13:50- Jack flat.- We would.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Will our experts be flying by the seat of their pants?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Are they on the money? Anything could happen in an auction room,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01and we're going there right now.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03And here's what's coming with us.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Jacqueline's Edwardian silver hatpin stand and jewellery box
0:14:07 > 0:14:08are sure to be a hit
0:14:08 > 0:14:09with the silver collectors.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Dawn's mid-20th century floor lamp could be the striking piece
0:14:14 > 0:14:18an interior designer is searching for.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22And Derek's collection of medals from the Order of the Buffalo
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and Moose should draw in the specialist collectors.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Today, our auction house is in Bridgewater,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35a small Somerset town brought to life every year
0:14:35 > 0:14:38by the biggest illuminated carnival in Europe.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Over the decades, the floats have become bigger,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43bolder and even more spectacular.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48Let's hope today's auction is an all singing and dancing event, too.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Now, it may look calm and peaceful outside,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55but hopefully, in there, it's going to be packed full of bidders.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59There's going to be excitement and tension, so don't go away.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01On the rostrum today, we have Claire Rawle.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04And don't forget, if you want to sell something at auction,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06there is a seller's commission to pay.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11And here at Tamlyn's, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15And let's kick off with a little bit of glamour from the Edwardian era.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Jacqueline and Joe, I hear you're downsizing,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- everything's got to go. - Unfortunately.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20And this is just the start of it.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22A silver hatpin stand and jewellery box.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- It's been on my dressing table since I was ten.- Yeah.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Catching a bit of sunlight as well. There's a bit of sun damage.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Lots of memories, anyway. Happy memories for you
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and hopefully we'll find
0:15:33 > 0:15:35a new home right here, right now. Good luck.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38102. The hatpin stand and the little trinket box.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Little silver items here. Lot 102. And these...
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I have to start away at £65.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47At 65. 70. Five.
0:15:47 > 0:15:4980. Five. 90. Five.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52100. 110. No, at 110 with me.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54At 110. Do I see 120 anywhere?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- 110?- At 110 here with me.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59At 110. You all done? Nobody on the internet?
0:15:59 > 0:16:00At 110 it is, then.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02At £110...
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- No, didn't quite make it, I'm afraid.- You can't declutter.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07Sorry about that.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- Maybe it was the little bit of damage.- On the top of the...
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- Yeah, it could be, could be. - Very possibly.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16People are so fussy nowadays, everything has to be so right.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17- Pristine.- Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Well, clearly, the silver collectors weren't out in force today
0:16:20 > 0:16:21to push the bids up,
0:16:21 > 0:16:26but Jaclyn's going home with a lovely reminder of her grandmother.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Next up, will Dawn make her money back on her recent purchase?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31We've got a decorator's dream.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34I absolutely love these, but I love them in pairs.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Symmetry by a door, you know. It's like the wow factor.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- How much did you pay for this?- £200.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41So we've had to reserve it at 275 with commission.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Let's hope we find it a home, anyway.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45It's going under the hammer right now.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Well, 202. Here we go.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Oh, my goodness me. Well... - Here he is.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Showing on the screen. In all its magnificence, beside us.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56I'm sure you've seen the history.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59One of only four believed to have been made.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Decorate an oriental carpet shop.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04So, I'm going to start this one at £150.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07At 150. At 150. At 150.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- 160. 170.- Oh!- 180. 190.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- Oh, yes, it's going.- 200. 220.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- It's gone.- No, 275!
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Now 250. 250 I've got on the internet.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- Oh!- At 250.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I've got to go 260, just to be awkward.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26At 260. Do you want to go 270 or 280 out there? Would be better.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28At 280 on the internet.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- It's gone.- At £280 on the internet.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33At £280.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Now looking for 300. At £280, room's all out.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42Internet then at 280. You all sure and done? Selling at 280...
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- We did it, it's gone. - It's gone.- It's gone.- Yes.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48You look disappointed.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Well, at least Dawn has covered her costs and not lost any money today.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55They are very niche, so the question is,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58will there be a specialist buyer out there for Derek's medals?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Going under the hammer right now,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02a collection of Buffalo medals belonging to Derek.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04And our expert here is Christina as well.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I think we've seen these on the show before, Buffalo medals.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- I can recall that we have.- Yeah. - Now, how did you come across these?
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Um, they were my grandfather's.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15They've been stored for a long time.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19And I'm going to donate the proceeds back to the Buffalo,
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- the Royal Order of the Buffalo, which are still active.- Brilliant. - So...
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- Looking out for people. - If it's 3,000 or 4,000,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I might have to keep a couple of hundred pounds back.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Well, good luck to both of you. Good luck to both of you.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33It's going under the hammer right now.
0:18:33 > 0:18:34352.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Well, lots of people like these,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40because I've got to start them away at...
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- We've got a reserve of 50.- £90.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- Great.- Do I see five anywhere? Bid's with me at 90.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50At £90, bid's with me at 90. 95. 100 with me.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53At £100. At 100.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55110 on the internet. That clears me now.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56- Excellent.- At 110 on the internet.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59At £110 on the internet.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00No-one in the room, then?
0:19:00 > 0:19:04At £110, then, on the internet. Are you all done at 110?
0:19:04 > 0:19:08That was quick, straight in at the top end and straight out.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- Wonderful.- Great result, congratulations.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- Thank you so much for bringing those in.- No problem. Thank you.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- Take care, thank you. - Well done, Christina.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Those medals made the top end of your valuation,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21and the money will be going back to the organisation they came from.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Well, there you are, that's
0:19:23 > 0:19:27the end of our first visit to the saleroom today. So far, so good.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Before I return to Yeovilton to join up with our experts
0:19:30 > 0:19:32to find some more antiques, I'm going to nip up to London
0:19:32 > 0:19:34to the Royal Society to find out
0:19:34 > 0:19:37more about one of Somerset's greatest thinkers.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45London is one of the most exciting cities in the world.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46It has always buzzed with activity
0:19:46 > 0:19:50and it's the place where a lot of new ideas have surfaced first.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52So it wasn't surprising that the youthful
0:19:52 > 0:19:56and ambitious Thomas Young headed for the capital.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59When a revolutionary way of thinking emerged during the 17th
0:19:59 > 0:20:04and 18th centuries, which swept away rational thinking and superstition,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08it's hardly surprising that the men leading it assembled here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12At the heart of this age of Enlightenment
0:20:12 > 0:20:14was a group of natural philosophers,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16or what we would now call scientists.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19They met to discuss and share their advancement of knowledge,
0:20:19 > 0:20:23achieved through observation and experiment of the natural world.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29The organisation which they formed in 1660 and we know
0:20:29 > 0:20:33as the Royal Society is still at the forefront of science today.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39It was to this esteemed body that the 20-year-old Thomas Young
0:20:39 > 0:20:41from Milverton, in Somerset,
0:20:41 > 0:20:46submitted his papers on vision in 1793, which led
0:20:46 > 0:20:50to his election as a fellow of the Royal Society the following year.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54This was just one step along the way for one truly exceptional
0:20:54 > 0:21:00individual, who, by the time he died at the age of 56, had left his mark,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04contributing to human knowledge in fields right across the board.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09He'd been a physician, a linguist, a musician, an archaeologist,
0:21:09 > 0:21:14a mathematician, a philosopher, an Egyptologist and a physicist.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16And on top of all of this,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19it was noted that he was very good at ballroom dancing.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24He could even play the bagpipes and ride astride two galloping horses.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29His expertise spanned many subjects, making him a polymath,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33unlike today's scientists who tend to specialise in one area.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Not a household name today but, within the scientific world,
0:21:38 > 0:21:43Young has been described as the last man who knew everything.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47I think it's fair enough to say this man was an absolute genius.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Young had been a child prodigy, learning to read by the age of two
0:21:55 > 0:21:59and, by the time he was 13, had knowledge of a dozen languages,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01including Greek and Latin.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05As an adult, he studied medicine in London and Edinburgh,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07physics in Germany and Cambridge.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13And then, on inheriting some money,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17he set himself up as a physician in London where, for a time,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20he was also a professor at the Royal Institution, an organisation
0:22:20 > 0:22:26that promotes science education and research which still exists today.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29And there's a portrait of Thomas Young hanging on the wall
0:22:29 > 0:22:32in a prominent position at the top of this staircase. And here it is.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33This is Thomas Young,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37who was the Foreign Secretary for the Royal Society for 25 years,
0:22:37 > 0:22:42right up until his death in 1803, no doubt putting his language
0:22:42 > 0:22:45skills to good use, communicating with people all over
0:22:45 > 0:22:50Europe at a time before there was a Foreign Secretary for government.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54It was this facility with language, along with his interest
0:22:54 > 0:22:58in Egyptology, that enabled him to notch up another huge achievement.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01His analysis of the three inscriptions in different
0:23:01 > 0:23:04languages on the Rosetta Stone played a large
0:23:04 > 0:23:09part in deciphering the mystery of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Now, if you have to pick one thing from the astonishing list of Young's
0:23:12 > 0:23:17contributions to knowledge, it would have to be his wave theory of light.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19This was the most important experiment of his career,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22which dealt with the very nature of light.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25And his findings still resonate with us today.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30It was this important work which brought him into conflict
0:23:30 > 0:23:34with the ideas already laid down by this chap, Sir Isaac Newton,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38which, in the early part of the 19th century, was almost unthinkable.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43An expert in this field, I've arranged to meet Dame Athene Donald,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47professor of experimental physics at Cambridge University
0:23:47 > 0:23:51and a current-day fellow of the Royal Society.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Doing experiments is exactly what the Royal Society is all about.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56The motto is 'Nullius In Verba',
0:23:56 > 0:23:57which means "take no man's word for it".
0:23:57 > 0:24:03- Right.- And this originated because there had been an awful lot of what
0:24:03 > 0:24:06we would now call science just based on philosophy, debate,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08instead of doing experiments.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12And when the Royal Society was founded, it was very much key
0:24:12 > 0:24:16to it that you would do experimental science to learn and to test ideas.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- And to challenge.- And to challenge.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Thomas Young set out to question Newton's established
0:24:21 > 0:24:26theory of light, working entirely in a new experiment-led way.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29So the point of the experiment was to see whether Newton's
0:24:29 > 0:24:32ideas about light being made of particles,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36little blip-like things, was correct. Young wasn't convinced,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40and he was looking to see whether light was actually
0:24:40 > 0:24:44made of waves instead, so whether one should represent light as waves.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47And so the point of the experiment was to test that by looking
0:24:47 > 0:24:50for interference for light going from two different sources.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- So we have two slits here. - Side-by-side.- Side-by-side, yes.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59This experiment is incredibly complicated, but let's give it a go.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01So let me plug this in.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03And if you look at the screen,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06we can see this pattern of fringes here, alternating light
0:25:06 > 0:25:09and dark, which comes from the interference of the two
0:25:09 > 0:25:12beams of light that pass through the two slits.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14So that's what he saw.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17And if you want me to explain it,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21it's probably easiest to see using this kind of analogue set-up.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- So... - The good old overhead projector.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25The good old overhead projector, yes.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27This is what I use in my lectures, too.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29So if you imagine that I dropped a stone into a pond,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- you'd have a pattern of ripples. - The ripples going out.- That's right.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35These are alternate light and dark, corresponding to troughs
0:25:35 > 0:25:37and crests, as we would call them.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Now, here I can introduce the idea of a second slit, so...
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Another pebble dropped in, but not on the same spot.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- And you can see a pattern. - I can see that! That's very clever.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Some places they are together, some places they knock each other out.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52You see the fringes, which is what we saw on that.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55And this pattern is a pattern of implying waves.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56Young came along and said,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59"Look, if I do this experiment, it has to be waves."
0:25:59 > 0:26:02So Young, I'm afraid, originally was really trashed.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04People said, "That can't be right."
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Newton had been, if you like,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08the Bible that people had used for about a century.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12And it took a long time for the ideas to be accepted,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14maybe tens of years.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17But of course, slowly, during the course of the 19th century,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21- it took over and became accepted. - And what are your thoughts on Young?
0:26:21 > 0:26:22His legacy...
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I teach this stuff, it's absolutely fundamental to the way we think
0:26:26 > 0:26:30about so much about different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32So he's had a huge influence.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Well, what an extraordinary chap Thomas Young was.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45His list of achievements seems never-ending. A true polymath.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49He seemed to cram so much into his comparatively short life.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51His story is fascinating.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55And I think it's fair to say they don't make them like that any more.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Back in Yeovilton, people are still arriving to get their antiques
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and collectibles valued.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Welcome back to the Fleet Air Arm Museum here
0:27:07 > 0:27:09in Yeovilton, in Somerset.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12We've had some wonderful finds so far today,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14but let's see if we can top that, shall we?
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Let's now catch up with our experts to find some more gems to
0:27:18 > 0:27:19take off to auction.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27- Chris, what brought you here today? - Well, mainly because of the aircraft.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29- Oh, right. - I've been working on aircraft
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- for the last ten years of my career. - Oh, really?- At Airbus.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Any chance you worked on something like this, the Concorde?
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- This is a little bit before my time. - Yeah.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42I've worked on the 380 and the A400M.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- These are amazing, aren't they? - Oh, yes, superb aircraft.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48And a Rolls-Royce engine, where my father worked.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- Your father worked for Rolls-Royce, did he?- Yeah, yeah.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Anyway, I digress. What have you got here? A clinometer?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- A clinometer, that's correct. - Are you a military man?- No, no, no.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- Tooling.- Tooling. - Tooling and engineering.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04- What sort of date's that? Is that 1900-ish?- From 1850, 1900.
0:28:04 > 0:28:05- I reckon.- Yeah.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07And what is a clinometer?
0:28:07 > 0:28:11It's to generally measure heights of objects -
0:28:11 > 0:28:14trees, buildings.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Provided you know the distance away from it, you can
0:28:16 > 0:28:20- work out the height through the angle of reading.- Right.
0:28:20 > 0:28:26- Do you think that's a military piece?- I don't really know.- No.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- It could be military. - It's very sturdy, isn't it?
0:28:29 > 0:28:32I mean, it's beautifully manufactured and tooled.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37- How did you come across it?- I was given that by a colleague at work.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I did a favour for him one day and he said, "What do you want for it?"
0:28:41 > 0:28:42I said, "No, it's just a favour."
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- And the next day, he brought that in for me.- How lovely.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- And that was about 40 years ago. - Have you ever used it?
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- On one occasion, actually. - Have you?- Oh, yeah.- Did it work?
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Well, yeah, we think so.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- We measured the height of the tree. - Yes.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Which was growing in the garden, a very tall conifer which
0:28:59 > 0:29:03we were having cut down, so we decided to physically measure it.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Fantastic. So you look through it...
0:29:06 > 0:29:09- Ta-da! Like that? - No, the other end.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12And then, what's with the level?
0:29:12 > 0:29:16You move the level around so that the sunlight passes through
0:29:16 > 0:29:18the bubble at the top, down through the aperture in there.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20So you've got to have good eyesight
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- and be a mathematician and a steady hand.- That's correct.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24And the sun's got to be shining.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Given all that, it works a treat, I suppose.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29It's got a maker's name on it.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- I think it's Pallant.- Pallant.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- Pallant of London.- Pallant of London, who made scientific instruments?
0:29:35 > 0:29:39- That's right. - Probably brass and metal.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41I think some of those scientific instruments are works of art
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- in themselves.- Oh, they are. Definitely, yes.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45What about a value of it?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- Ooh... - It's very much a collector's piece.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50I don't know whether people would still use something like that.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51I wouldn't think so.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54There are more sophisticated ways of measuring the height of a tree
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- or a building.- Definitely.- Yeah.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00I think it's worth £100, £150.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Yeah, that'd be nice.- What do you think?- I sort of said around 100.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Would you? Yes. I mean, it's a bit of a guess for me,
0:30:08 > 0:30:13- but I would be fairly happy to put 100 to 150 on it.- Right, yeah.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- As an estimate. And we ought to put a reserve on it.- Yeah.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- What sort of reserve, just to cover you?- Um... Probably about £80.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22£80. Make sure we don't...
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- 80 with a little auctioneer's discretion, perhaps?- Yeah.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Just if he gets close.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28We'll put that on it, take it off to auction
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- and we'll see you at the auction. - Yeah.- Looking forward to it.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36An interesting scientific tool there, also known as a tiltmeter.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Right, let's see what's caught Christina's eye.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- So, Pete, I love it that you've come dressed for the occasion.- Yeah.
0:30:43 > 0:30:44When we've finished,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- are you going to go and fly off in a biplane somewhere?- Oh, yes.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- Put your goggles on and go.- Get in my plane and fly over the Channel.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54In the meantime, you've brought these in to us today.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57So, tell me, when did you acquire them? When did you get them?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00I got them about a year ago in a place called Sherborne,
0:31:00 > 0:31:01in a flea market.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03- So quite locally, really.- Yeah.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- About five miles down the road. - Oh, brilliant, OK.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Yeah, I basically took them home. And my partner
0:31:08 > 0:31:11and my children, they thought...
0:31:11 > 0:31:14- Especially the monkey, they didn't like it.- Oh, no!- Yeah, I know.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17I loved it. I thought he was really cute, you know.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19So did you get told off for coming home with stuff again?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- Yeah, they told me to put it in the garage.- Oh, no!
0:31:22 > 0:31:23Yeah, yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Cos I love it, he is so much fun. Do you mind if I...?
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- No, carry on.- He's brilliant. - Just wind him right up.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Wind him up, and off he goes.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Oh, he's just brilliant and it just really evokes that wonderful
0:31:36 > 0:31:39era of the sort of early 1900s when you had these organ grinders
0:31:39 > 0:31:42wandering around the streets with wind-up organs.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46And then they would often train monkeys to bang symbols,
0:31:46 > 0:31:47real monkeys.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51And obviously, the toy maker, in this case, I think it's Schuco.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54- Oh, right.- He's not actually marked, so it's a bit difficult to tell.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Cos there were a couple of factories that were making them.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- And it's wonderful that he's still working.- Yeah.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- Often you find that they've been overwound by...- Yeah.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Overexuberant children had overwound them.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- And they just got stuck.- Yeah.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11And unfortunately, there's
0:32:11 > 0:32:14very little that you can do to repair that once it's happened.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- So in a way, it's great that your children didn't like him.- Yeah.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Because it's kept him fresh. Brilliant.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21And tell me about this one.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Again, I thought it was a lovely face on him, you know.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Lovely looking little tiger.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Yeah, I just thought he was...
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Again, he looked very old.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32We don't know a huge amount about him, sadly.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34He has got this label on the back,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- saying "Made In Republic Of Ireland".- Yeah.
0:32:37 > 0:32:38But we can't really track down...
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Having done a little bit of research,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43we can't track down anything particular, so it might just
0:32:43 > 0:32:46be that he's a regional piece, made in Ireland, nice to have that label.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- Yeah.- Really, your value is in this wonderful mechanical monkey
0:32:50 > 0:32:53over here, who just completely makes me smile.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55I think he's just such a great thing.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57- You've obviously bought them quite recently.- Yeah.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59- So, what did you pay for them? - £20 each.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Oh, that's not too bad, then. - Yeah.- OK, fair enough.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04So £40 in total.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- I think we might be looking at a touch more than that.- Yeah.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10I would say, if we were to put them in auction,
0:33:10 > 0:33:11- we'd put them in one lot.- Yeah.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14- Your main value, I think, being in this one.- Yeah.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- And we'll put him in as a lucky bonus.- Yeah.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20And I think I would estimate them at sort of £60 to £100.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- OK, yeah.- How would you feel about that?- Yeah, that's OK.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26- And if we put a reserve on, just to protect them?- Yeah.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29- So if we put 60, with discretion? - Yep, that's OK.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- Are you happy with that? - That's fine, yeah.- Perfect.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35So before you get in your plane and fly away in that wonderful
0:33:35 > 0:33:38jacket, do you want to have one last...one last farewell cymbals?
0:33:38 > 0:33:40- Say goodbye to Monkey. - Yes, goodbye, Monkey.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- He's going to be waving goodbye to you, too. There you go.- Bye!
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Well, let's hope Peter's monkey generates as much
0:33:47 > 0:33:48excitement in the auction house.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53And now for our final valuation here, at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58Becky, Tony, you have made my day by bringing this wonderful object.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I'm going to ask you what you know about it, then hopefully,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02I'll fill in the gaps.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- Well, I don't know a lot.- Do you know what it's made of?- Bronze? - Correct.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Do you know where it was made? - Austria?- Correct.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11What do you mean you don't know a lot?
0:34:11 > 0:34:13You went straight to the top of the class here.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- Is there anything you don't know about it?- That's it.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19- I know no more.- You don't need to know much more than that.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22This is about 1900 in date,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25so it's a good 100 plus years old.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- Do you know what the bird is? - A thrush?
0:34:28 > 0:34:30A mistle thrush, very good.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34I wonder if there is a question I could ask you that you don't
0:34:34 > 0:34:37know the answer to. Do you know what happens when you lift up the lid?
0:34:37 > 0:34:40- Oh, yes.- What happens?- There's an inkwell there.- There's an inkwell.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- Is it the original inkwell? - I wouldn't have thought so.
0:34:42 > 0:34:48Bergman probably is best known for much, much smaller bronze
0:34:48 > 0:34:52items, of which the factory made thousands and thousands.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55And the more impressive pieces become more and more valuable
0:34:55 > 0:34:58because they were done on a lesser scale.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00And this is, by any standards,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04a large Bergman cold-painted bronze.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08The paintwork is in superb condition!
0:35:08 > 0:35:11And, you know, we've done a little bit of research, cos I'm not sure
0:35:11 > 0:35:15what colour a mistle thrush egg should be, and that is right.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17- Good.- Absolutely right.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21When I first saw it, I thought, "Someone's put a chocolate egg
0:35:21 > 0:35:25"in there just to make it impressive," and I was doing
0:35:25 > 0:35:27this, thinking I was going to take a chocolate egg out, but no.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30That's what it was like as a child, I wanted to take the egg out.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Well, that's a good reason to sell it, really, isn't it?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- One day you'll get it out of there. - I've grown out of that now.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- Are you allowing Dad to sell it? - Oh, absolutely.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42"Absolutely" sounded a little bit like, "I think he might give me
0:35:42 > 0:35:45"some of the proceeds." I might be wrong.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46You might be, Charlie.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49- Would you say the egg is bronze?- No.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53I think actually it's a semi-precious stone.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58And the decoration in the nest is wonderful!
0:35:58 > 0:36:01See the little feathers there? There's another feather here.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03And the signature must be on it somewhere.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- Under its tail, I believe. - It's under the tail, is it? Yeah.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08I will just check. There we go.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12"Geschutzt", which means manufactured or made by Bergman.
0:36:12 > 0:36:18And Bergman also did naughty bronzes.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Rude bronzes.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- And when he did a rude bronze, he didn't sign it Bergman.- Ah!
0:36:24 > 0:36:26He didn't.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30He signed it Namgreb, which is Bergman backwards.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34So people wouldn't realise what a naughty chap he had been.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36But his naughty ones are very valuable, too.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38Where did you get it from?
0:36:38 > 0:36:41It must have been a local auction house in Yeovil.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44You bought it at an auction room? Right.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48- Do you remember what you paid for it?- No.- How long ago?- Over 30 years.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49Over 30 years ago.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- I'd be fascinated to know what you paid for it.- So would I.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Yeah. Value, what's it worth?
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Don't tell me you haven't got a clue,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00cos somebody told me you knew what you wanted for it.
0:37:00 > 0:37:05- I said I thought it was worth over 500.- Did you? Yeah.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09I saw a bird on its own somewhere, and that was the best part of 500.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10Yes.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14Well, you'd find that the nest really does detract from the value...
0:37:14 > 0:37:16I'm lying.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18I think it's worth at least £1,000.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23- Well, that is good.- At least £1,000. - That's wonderful.- Happy?
0:37:23 > 0:37:25If I get half, I'll be more than happy.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28We'll put a discretionary reserve of 1,000,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30with an estimate of 1,000 to 1,500.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- Made my day.- Yeah. Well, thank you so much for bringing it along.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- Thank you, Charlie. - It's been brilliant.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38It's been fascinating spending the day surrounded by such
0:37:38 > 0:37:40incredible aviation history.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Before we leave, here's an airplane that made history.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49This magnificent looking aircraft is the Fairey Delta 2.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51It came into production in 1954.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56Two years later, in March, 1956, it broke the airspeed record,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00flying at over 1,000 miles an hour, piloted by Peter Twiss.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Let's hope some of today's items can break
0:38:02 > 0:38:04some records in the auction room.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07It's time to say goodbye to our fantastic host venue,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09the Fleet Air Arm Museum,
0:38:09 > 0:38:13here on the Naval aviation base at HMS Heron.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17And before we go, here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21A beautiful instrument in its own right, the clinometer
0:38:21 > 0:38:25is bound to appeal to a collector of scientific tools.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Peter's toy monkey and tiger weren't wanted at home,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32but their nostalgic feel should find them a new owner at auction.
0:38:34 > 0:38:35And how will Becky feel
0:38:35 > 0:38:38if the Bergman bronze inkwell finally flees the nest?
0:38:42 > 0:38:45The auction room is packed here in Bridgewater at today's sale.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47And if you'd like to come along
0:38:47 > 0:38:49to one of our Flog It! valuation days,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52don't forget to check our website to see if we're in your area soon.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Right, let's catch up with the first seller.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57If you want to measure the height of your house or
0:38:57 > 0:39:00a tree in your garden, you're going to need this next lot.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02It belongs to Chris, but you've got to be here to buy it.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04A clinometer, never heard of one before.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06I don't think I've ever seen one before.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08You can learn so much from watching Flog It!
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- It's an academics' thing, really. It is beautifully made.- Oh, yeah.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12Exciting instrument.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Let's hope we hit the roof right now. It's going under the hammer.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Good luck.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20122 is this little pocket clinometer.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23There we are, showing to you there in all its glory. Lot 122.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25And I start away at £55. At 55.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29Do I see 60 anywhere? Bid's with me at 55. 60. Five.
0:39:29 > 0:39:3070. Five.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- There's a bid on the book, Chris. - In the room now at £80.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36At £80. At 80. Do I see five anywhere?
0:39:36 > 0:39:4085. 90. 95.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41You sure?
0:39:41 > 0:39:45At 95. Right at the back there, at £95, then. At 95.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46You all sure?
0:39:46 > 0:39:50- Selling then at £95.- It's gone.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- That's a good price. - Happy?- Not bad.- Yeah.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57It always surprises me how, in the auction room,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00a home can be found for most things.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03But will that be true for Peter's tiger and monkey?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Two toys going under the hammer right now,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09one clockwork, belonging to Peter. Now, you got these at, what, a fair?
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- A flea market.- In Sherborne. - Yeah.- Down in Dorset.- Yeah.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14What attracted you to them?
0:40:14 > 0:40:18- Are you a toy collector or was it the monkey?- The cheeky monkey, yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21My daughters like that sort of thing. Well, I thought they did, but...
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- But they changed their mind. - Yeah.- Right.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Anyway, let's see what we can do for you. Pete, here we go.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30A clockwork monkey and a little soft toy tiger.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32182.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35So, I have to start this one. I've got £40 on him.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37At £40. Do I see two anywhere?
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Bid's at £40 for two little toys. At £40. At 40. Now two anywhere.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- At £40, now two.- Come on!
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- It's sitting in their hands.- £40...
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- Nobody wants them? - No-one for toys today.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I'm going to have to withdraw them at that. Sorry, not sold.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- Sorry, Pete.- Oh, dear.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Oh, no, you're going to have to take them home.
0:40:53 > 0:40:54- Oh, no! - What's the missus going to say?
0:40:54 > 0:40:56She's going to say, "Put them in the garage."
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Tell her... Look, tell her
0:40:58 > 0:41:01there might be a specialist toy sale coming up in the area soon,
0:41:01 > 0:41:02and that's where there'll go
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- but, in the meantime, they need a home.- Yeah. OK.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- Take them home and love them, please.- I will.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09- I'll love them.- Good.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Our next item was most definitely loved by Rebecca
0:41:13 > 0:41:15when she was a little girl.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17I've been looking forward to this lot,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I think this is the star attraction today.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21It's a Bergman bronze, cold-painted
0:41:21 > 0:41:24model of a thrush on a naturalistic base.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Rebecca and Tony, it's great to see you.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27There is a lot of lot here.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31The paint's good on it, that's all-important, really.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35And the egg is such a glorious colour, isn't it?
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- And it adds an extra dimension to the figure.- Yeah.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42It's just great modelling, absolutely superb modelling.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- It really is. Happy? - Absolutely, yeah, very.- Right, OK.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49This is where it gets exciting. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50This is it.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Nice little bird on its nest there, lot 142.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56I have to start it away at £750.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58At 750. Do I see 800 anywhere?
0:41:58 > 0:42:01At 750. At 750.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05Do you want to come back 800? 800 I have on the net. 850 with me.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08900 on the net. It's galloping off now. 950.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09At 950.
0:42:09 > 0:42:10£1,000 I have on the internet.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14At £1,000. At 1,000. 1,100.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Do I see two out there? 1,200.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19At 1,200. At 1,200. Now 13, the other one?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22At £1,200 on the internet. Room's gone very quiet.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24At 1,300 now on the internet. 14.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- At 1,400.- Great.- At 1,400.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Do you want to go 1,500, the other one?
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- At 1,400.- All of a sudden, I feel comfortable.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Are you all done out there? At £1,400...
0:42:35 > 0:42:40No bids in the room? At £1,400, then, on the internet. You all done?
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Well done. Well done, Charlie, good valuation. It's gone. £1,400.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46- Spot on. - Yeah, top end of the estimate.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48That's it, say goodbye. Lots of memories, though.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Don't forget, though, there is commission to pay.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53You've got to pay wherever you go, in any saleroom.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56- Here, it's 15% plus VAT, so factor that in, won't you?- Yeah.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59When you get the check in the post in a few weeks.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01I've already spent it, it's all right.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04Just as well dad Tony is so generous
0:43:04 > 0:43:09and the inkwell went for the top end of Charlie's valuation.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11We've had a marvellous time here in Bridgewater
0:43:11 > 0:43:14and I hope to see you again very soon.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15Until then, it's goodbye.