0:00:02 > 0:00:04Our venue today was inspired by fine art, Italy
0:00:04 > 0:00:06and entertaining.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Set in the idyllic Suffolk countryside,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11it's been described as a stunning architectural oddity
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and it's certainly one of England's finest mansion houses.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But why don't you be the judge of that?
0:00:16 > 0:00:19This is Ickworth House. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:41 > 0:00:44So how did Ickworth, an Italianate palace,
0:00:44 > 0:00:45end up in Suffolk?
0:00:47 > 0:00:50This remarkable Georgian house was built
0:00:50 > 0:00:52for the eccentric Hervey family
0:00:52 > 0:00:55to reflect a passion for Italian architecture,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59and to showcase an extensive art collection.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Completed and enhanced by a succession of Hervey men,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07they were supported by strong, intelligent and often wealthy women.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10But more about them later on in the show.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Most of the original artwork that Ickworth was built to house
0:01:17 > 0:01:19was collected over the years on the Grand Tour of Europe.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22But it never actually made it here.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25It was confiscated in Rome by Napoleon's troops,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28but we do have a wonderful Flog It! crowd here today,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30armed with their own treasures and fine art.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33All keen to fill Ickworth House and, of course,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36they want that all-important valuation from our experts,
0:01:36 > 0:01:37and I know, before we go inside,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40there is one question on everybody's lips, which is...
0:01:40 > 0:01:42ALL: What's it worth?
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Now owned by the National Trust,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54today's throng don't have to worry about Napoleon's troops.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57But two leaders in the field of antiques,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59ready to go to war to seize any advantage
0:01:59 > 0:02:01are Philip Serrell...
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Just stand back.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05..and Adam Partridge.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07I'll have a look at this box.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09I think you'll find it has a green sticker on it.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11THEY LAUGH
0:02:11 > 0:02:13You're late again!
0:02:13 > 0:02:16So, without further ado, let battle commence.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23On today's show, there are some tricky valuations.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- Have you seen me guess before? - Oh, yes.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I've seen the hit and misses.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30It's not going well now, is it?
0:02:30 > 0:02:33But whose guesses are widely short of the mark at the auction?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Absolutely stunned.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39130, 140, 150, 160...
0:02:39 > 0:02:40Hammer's gone down, job done!
0:02:45 > 0:02:47This is the west wing, at one stage originally used by the
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Hervey family for grain storage,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and today it is filling up fast with the good folk of Suffolk,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56laden with antiques and collectables.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58It's time to start the valuing so let's catch up with Adam Partridge
0:02:58 > 0:03:00and see what he has spotted.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06And like a magpie, our expert happened to see
0:03:06 > 0:03:10his first item twinkling in the queue.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12This is a wonderful dish.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Thank you so much for bringing it in to Flog It!
0:03:15 > 0:03:17It's just my sort of thing.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19I was glad you liked it as you walked past, actually.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22You saw me stop and seize on it, I do that.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24You have an instinct in your stomach sometimes
0:03:24 > 0:03:26and you think, "Oh, gosh, I must see that."
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Can you tell me what you know about it?
0:03:29 > 0:03:31We've owned it about 30 years, I suppose.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34We used to use it as a muffin dish occasionally.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- You can get the hot water in. - That's right.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40There's a little screw there, isn't there?
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- It's round here.- There we go.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46So you unscrew that and put your hot water in there
0:03:46 > 0:03:48to keep your muffins warm.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Muffins or drop scones or whatever you have.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53I don't know a lot about it. I think
0:03:53 > 0:03:56it might have come down from Sir William Preece,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58who helped Marconi
0:03:58 > 0:04:00do his first transatlantic cable.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- Oh!- They were a much more elegant family, a rich family.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Well, it is a very grand muffin dish, isn't it?
0:04:06 > 0:04:09It is, it's lovely to use but it is grand.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13It's not the sort of thing one rolls out and uses on a regular basis, is it?
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- How often do we have muffins these days?- Exactly.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17There's no marks on it at all
0:04:17 > 0:04:20but those of us who know about these things,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22it's written all over it, it doesn't need a mark.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24It's an Arts and Crafts piece from around
0:04:24 > 0:04:27about 1905 or so,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30it was designed and made at the Guild of Handicrafts
0:04:30 > 0:04:33by Charles Robert Ashby,
0:04:33 > 0:04:34so it has a really good pedigree.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37The Guild of Handicrafts moved to Chipping Campden
0:04:37 > 0:04:39in about 1902,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41so it would have been made in the real height of the Arts
0:04:41 > 0:04:43and Crafts movement.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45It's handmade, hand-beaten,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48which is quite important because it is only silver-plated,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and silver plate these days, generally speaking,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54is a dreadfully depressed market.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57But this is all in the style and the design
0:04:57 > 0:04:59that makes this a valuable piece
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and this little hard-stone finial inset
0:05:02 > 0:05:04into the lid is just a lovely touch.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06It's such a smooth, elegant shape, isn't it?
0:05:06 > 0:05:08It's just very, very pleasing, isn't it?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Down to value.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11My estimate would be £400-£600.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- We'll put a reserve of 400 if that suits you.- Yes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18And there is a massive appeal for works of this period.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19Good.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21The other satisfying thing is that
0:05:21 > 0:05:24there is no value to the metal so it will not ever be melted,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- it will always be preserved as an object.- Lovely.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Thank you so much for bringing it in, it's the nicest thing I've seen for a while.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- That's grand, thank you. - Thank you so much.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Adam's not the only one discovering gems amongst the crowd.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44There's a wealth of unusual treasures walking through the doors today.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Giles, these belong to you.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48That's right,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I got them from my godmother when she died
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and she had had them for quite a long time.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58I don't know how she came by them but she always thought they were quite special
0:05:58 > 0:06:00so I have brought them along today just to give you
0:06:00 > 0:06:01a chance to see them.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Looking at a couple of them, they are dated, so what you have got here
0:06:04 > 0:06:08is pre-late 18th-century Scandinavian washboards
0:06:08 > 0:06:10and the detail is absolutely exquisite.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12They would be used for dividing the linen up.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15When it comes out on rolls and it wants to dry,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18you pick up one of these to separate the sheets
0:06:18 > 0:06:21and fold them, literally to lift up and let the air get through.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I particularly like this one with the handle.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Most people tend to put them on the wall and I guess that's where you've had them.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Yes, they hang on the wall as a memento of my godmother.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Is it true they used to give these as mementos when they were trying to get married?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36They were, yes, originally carved by the chap
0:06:36 > 0:06:39who is in pursuit of that gorgeous young lady.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Look at the detail, look at the quality of the carving!
0:06:42 > 0:06:45It really is excellent execution, isn't it?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48This one is dated 1769,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50this one is dated 1762.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I think they're fabulous, I really do.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55A lot of the early naive ones,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58dating from the 18th century, with a lot less carving,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01will fetch around £200-£300 in auction.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02So you're looking at works of art here.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Beautiful, beautiful examples
0:07:04 > 0:07:06of master craftsmen at the top of the genre.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Individually, if you put these on the market,
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- they'd fetch around about £800-£1,200 each.- Right.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17So I've got three grand sitting on my lap of Scandinavian folk art.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18They're not for sale.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I wish they were. I was just about to twist your arm.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- Please put them on the wall and enjoy them, won't you?- Yes, I will.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27What a treat. You never know what you're going to find.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And these possessions have often gone on an interesting journey
0:07:30 > 0:07:33before they make it to the Flog It! valuation tables.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37So just tell me, why have you, a lady,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39got a gentleman's pocket watch?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41It's my father's watch, he owns it at the moment.
0:07:41 > 0:07:47It used to belong to my mother's stepfather, so my stepgrandfather.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50My grandmother remarried again when she was in her late 70s, 80s.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- So she got married at 80, bless her!- Yeah.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54And she married William, whose watch it was.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Me and my sister were bridesmaids at their wedding.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- So you went to your gran's wedding as a bridesmaid?- Yeah.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- That's pretty cool, isn't it? - It was, yeah, very good.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04And then, when he died, my grandmother inherited it
0:08:04 > 0:08:06and when she died, my mother inherited it
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and then my mum died 20 years ago, so my dad's had it ever since.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12So you tell me what it is and what it's worth.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13I haven't a clue what it's worth.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16It's a pocket watch with a gold-coloured chain. Is it gold?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- I don't know.- Right, we'll have a look at it.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22If we pick this up and have a look at the back,
0:08:22 > 0:08:23that isn't a good start.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- It's not a good start. - Not a good start, this.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Rolled gold. Now, that basically means gold-plated.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35So that's actually not a good starting point, is it?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- What about this? Where's he got that from?- I haven't a clue.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41It looks like it's got Arabic writing on it.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44One of our researchers looked earlier
0:08:44 > 0:08:49and we think this is a Turkish 100 Kurush coin. And it's gold.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- And so today, this is worth its weight in gold.- Mm.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57In pure financial terms, if you offered me that or that, I think
0:08:57 > 0:09:01that's worth £10 or £20 and I think that's worth between,
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- I don't know, £100 and £200, perhaps £250.- Blimey.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07But we've got this in the middle, haven't we?
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Do you know what this chain's called?- Albert chain.- All right.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Have a look through there. Can you see that?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- I can't see what it says. - Can't you see it?- No.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- No, I can't, no. - Do you want these, as well?
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Yeah, I might need them! LAUGHTER
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Hey, come on, concentrate. You're not that old, look.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Help us! Right, so what we've got there, look, we've got a chain.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29And I mean, it's hard to see.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32That says nine carat, which is, in a way, the lowest grade,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34but nonetheless, this has still got a value.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Now, the sad thing is
0:09:36 > 0:09:39that this is probably going to end up in the melting pot,
0:09:39 > 0:09:40but from your point of view,
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- the price of precious metals have gone through the roof.- Yeah.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47So I think if we estimate it at £250-£350
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and we put a £200 reserve on that,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- I think you should make between £300-£400.- Yeah, it'd be lovely.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56What I would really like you to do with the proceeds
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- is go and buy some glasses. - Some new glasses!
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- Yeah, maybe I need to, yeah. - All right.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02LAUGHTER
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Well, you don't need glasses to see how busy it is today.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09And while the valuations are going on, I thought I'd slip away
0:10:09 > 0:10:13from the west wing to have a quick look inside the Rotunda.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Here you can find a renowned collection of paintings
0:10:19 > 0:10:22such as this one of the fourth Earl, known as the Earl-Bishop.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29It was painted in 1790 by French artist Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun,
0:10:29 > 0:10:34who was a court painter to Queen Marie Antoinette.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Her portraits often idealised the model.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40In other words, they weren't always as attractive in the flesh
0:10:40 > 0:10:42as they appeared on canvas.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45And this made her very popular with her sitters.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Well, the Earl-Bishop must have appreciated her talent
0:10:49 > 0:10:51because a year after she painted his portrait,
0:10:51 > 0:10:55he commissioned a self-portrait of the artist herself.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57And here it is hanging in the Smoking Room on the wall.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00And I have to say, in my opinion,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02this is the best painting in the house.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06It's absolutely exquisite. Beautifully executed.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Vigee Le Brun was interested in fashion
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and she painted clothing in great detail.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Just take the ruff around her neck with all the lacework,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18the light and the shade, being able to look through this fine weave.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20And again, the folds in the fabric,
0:11:20 > 0:11:24this wonderful, rich, red velvet texture.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27That's just fabulous.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Another professional with an eye for fine detail
0:11:33 > 0:11:37is Adam Partridge, who knows quality when he spots it.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- Susan, welcome to Flog it! - Thank you.- Lovely to see you.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Nice to see you again.- Now, can you tell me where you got it from?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- My husband's nan and grandad.- OK.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- So it's passed down through your family in-laws.- That's right.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- And do you use it?- No.- Really?- It was in the garage until last weekend.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- What?- I don't know.- What is it doing in a garage? It's very nice.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- Do you know the wood? - Is it rosewood?- Very good.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- You don't need me, do you? - I do. How old do you think it is?
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- I think it's early 19th century. 1830s?- Oh, really?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Looks like it might be a tea caddy, but it's not, is it?- No.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- Shall we have a look?- Yes, look inside.- Da-da-da! There we go.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19My favourite bit, I think, is behind here.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Because that's where you've got the maker's mark. Bailey & Blue.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Never heard of them. - Never heard of them?
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Well, they're not very commonly seen,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28but they're good manufacturers.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30London manufacturers of Cockspur Street.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- And I believe they were perfumers to the Queen.- Oh, were they?
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Or to the royal family.- That's nice. - So it's a quality thing.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43So this is a box that covers every use that you need, really.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- For travelling.- Travelling. Exactly.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49This bit is for your writing and your stationary and then we fold up
0:12:49 > 0:12:51and you've got your toiletry section
0:12:51 > 0:12:53with a selection of little glass bottles.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Unfortunately, the condition's not great.- Yes, I know.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Did you do that? - No. That's how I inherited it.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- And then you've got these little pots here made from ivory.- Yes.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04And lots of little lidded compartments there
0:13:04 > 0:13:06and you've got a drawer at the bottom,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- which would've been where you keep your jewellery.- I think so.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- You don't have a key either, do you? - No.- Poor box.- Yeah, poor box.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- We need to get it to a loving home, don't we?- Very true, very true.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18So, Susan, obviously, it's called Flog It!,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20it's all about selling it,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24we've got to talk the vulgar stuff now about the money side of things.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- What do you reckon? Value it for me. - About £100.- Very good.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33I was going to put our old favourite estimate on it of £80-£120.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Because it actually is the right estimate for this,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38factoring in the condition isn't great.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43If this was absolutely perfect, it would be worth £300-£500.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44- Really?- Yeah, I think so.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47But as it is, I think £100 is a fair indication.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- Is that all right with you? - Yeah, that's fine.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51I think a £50 reserve would be sensible.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- And if it makes £100-£150, which we hope it'll make...- Bonus.- Bonus!
0:13:55 > 0:13:59Absolutely! Do you have any plans on the proceeds if it sells?
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- To go to Parkinson's UK.- Excellent. Very good charity.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- And I think that's a lovely cause. - Thank you. Very kind.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Well, we've certainly got some desirable items
0:14:10 > 0:14:12to put before the bidders.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Now, before we head off to auction for the very first time,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I just wanted to show you the library.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Because it is a magnificent room.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It's the largest of the state rooms here,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25but there's something very unusual about it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29And I wonder if you can guess what it is? It's quite obvious, really.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32There are only two walls in this room.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35One wall is the outer circular wall of the Rotunda,
0:14:35 > 0:14:36which you can see here,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and it's almost dissected in half with this straight wall.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Can you see that? Making a semicircle.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Used more for entertaining rather than a study,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50this doubled up as a ballroom more notably,
0:14:50 > 0:14:51for the annual servants' ball.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56I wonder if we're going to have a ball now as we go off to auction.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59And here is a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us
0:14:59 > 0:15:01that are going under the hammer.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05The Arts and Crafts collectors should warm to this
0:15:05 > 0:15:07silver-plated muffin dish.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13We have Julie's gold watch and chain with the unusual Turkish medallion.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18And will Susan's neglected travelling box find a loving home
0:15:18 > 0:15:20amongst the bidders?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30We've popped just over the border into Norfolk for today's auction
0:15:30 > 0:15:34to the historic market town of Diss, famous for its mere, or lake,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36which is at the heart of the town.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Just around the corner are the auction rooms.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44And the sale room is absolutely rammed.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Do remember, there is commission to pay,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55whether you're buying or selling in an auction room.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Here, at TW Gaze, it's 12.5% plus VAT.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01But it does vary from saleroom to saleroom,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03so check the details in the catalogue. It's printed there.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Or otherwise, ask a member of staff.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Elizabeth Talbot's just about to get on the rostrum,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10let's get on with the sale.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11270, 280. 290 in the room?
0:16:11 > 0:16:14And I'm sure our viewers will recognise our regular
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Flog It! expert Elizabeth there on auctioneering duty today.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20And first up is Susan's rosewood box.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24I really do like this.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27And I don't think there's a lot of money on this, but it's something
0:16:27 > 0:16:29that, you know, it's kind of hard to sell
0:16:29 > 0:16:31unless you're in the trade and you do them up and move them on.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Lots of people like treen, don't they, Paula?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Yeah, I like treen, I do like treen, but it's the contents
0:16:36 > 0:16:39which is kind of like, you know, what do you do with it?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- So we're going to find out what it's worth. Ready?- OK.- Here we go.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- This is what we've been waiting for.- OK.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- It's a lovely lot, this one. - Start me at 100.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- £100 on the box. - Coming in at mid estimate there. No.
0:16:54 > 0:16:5650, I'll take.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Yes, 50 bid. 50, I have. 55 is gallery.
0:16:59 > 0:17:0460, 65, 70, 75.
0:17:05 > 0:17:0780, 85.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Where's 90? Surely worth more.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- She's trying hard with this one. - 90, 95.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- Come on.- Still good value, I think, at 95. Any advance?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- 95. The hammer's gone down. - Oh, well done. Thank you.- Job done.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27So we're off to a good start,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30but will the collectors spot this rather special handmade muffin dish?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Wonderful bit of silver, Anthea. - It is lovely, isn't it?
0:17:35 > 0:17:36If I owned this, I wouldn't be selling it.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40And I bet our expert, Adam, who valued this, wouldn't be selling it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It was a real delight to find it.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44I think it's one of the nicest things in the whole sale.
0:17:44 > 0:17:45I'd love to own this.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49And of course, this is an important piece of 20th-century design.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- It is beautiful. It's so smooth. - Why's it going?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Well, we haven't got that elegant lifestyle.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- You couldn't put it out because you'd have to polish it.- I'm shivering.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01I'm tingling. This could be brilliant!
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- We're putting it under the hammer right now.- Fingers crossed.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Start me at 500. Classic design.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11£300 to start.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Come on, £300. A good piece here at 300. Where are you?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22No bidding. Anybody in at 300? No?
0:18:24 > 0:18:26No? We'll pass on that one, then.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- Unbelievable!- I'm pleased it didn't reach the reserve.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32If it was going to sell on the reserve, it would be cheap.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33I didn't want it to sell on the reserve.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- You didn't?- Not really.- Good.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Two were sold a couple of months ago for £600 a piece.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41There you go, that's its value. £600.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43There's another day in another auction room.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I wish it had made £600.- So do I.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Thank you so much for bringing in real quality.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- Yes, it was lovely just to see it. - Thank you.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Well, the Arts and Crafts collectors were just not out in force today.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56It's such a shame.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Let's see if our next lot fares any better.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03If you'd have sold this five years ago,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05I think you'd have got between a third and a half
0:19:05 > 0:19:07of what you're going to get today.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09And I think it'll make jolly good money
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- and it'll make a full price and hopefully, you'll be pleased.- Good.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- Let's hope so.- I think we all will be.- My dad will be.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Let's put it to the test. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25It's a lovely lot. I start at £150. 150 bid.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29At 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, I'm out.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31It's gone on the reserve. Here we go.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34220, 230, 240, 250,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37260, 270, 280, 290,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40300, 320, 340, 360.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- More, more.- 380. 380.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45The back wall at 380 now. Looking for 400.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49The back wall at £380 now.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Any advance?
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Spot on, Philip. Does that money go to Dad? It's Dad's watch.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Yep. Dad's having it all. Yeah.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00So it'll go towards whatever he wants to put it towards.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Well, I'm sure he's going to treat you.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05No, no. He doesn't need to treat us.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- 130, 140...- Well, I hope Julie's dad enjoys spending all that money!
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- A great result.- It's £200 on commission, I'm looking for ten.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Well, that concludes our first visit to the auction room today.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21We are coming back later on in the programme.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Now, they say history is written by the victors.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Well, it's also mostly written by men about other men
0:20:28 > 0:20:31and the lives and contributions of their wives
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and daughters have sometimes - more often than not - been overlooked.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38But as with a lot of families, Ickworth's history is shaped
0:20:38 > 0:20:41on its women, as I found out. Take a look at this.
0:20:41 > 0:20:47MUSIC: Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op.6, No.8 by Corelli
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Earls, Lords and Sirs.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Walking around a stately home, we are often greeted by nobility.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And because hereditary status usually descends through
0:21:04 > 0:21:08the male line, that's the history we are presented with.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13However, Ickworth House wouldn't be the place it is today or have such
0:21:13 > 0:21:17an interesting story to tell but for the women who married Ickworth men.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21They brought money, they brought notoriety, but ultimately,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24they saved Ickworth House so we could all enjoy it.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30The Ickworth Estate first passed into the hands of the Hervey family
0:21:30 > 0:21:32in the 15th century - through marriage.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38But it was this chap, John Hervey, who - on paper at least - was considered to be
0:21:38 > 0:21:41the founder of the family fortunes, back in the 18th century.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43But how did he do it?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Well, he married two extremely wealthy heiresses.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51After his first wife died during childbirth, he married this lady,
0:21:51 > 0:21:52Elizabeth Felton,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55who, incredibly, bore him 17 children.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58And it's through her family connections that secured
0:21:58 > 0:22:00a peerage for John.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Baron Hervey of Ickworth
0:22:01 > 0:22:05was duly promoted to the Earldom of Bristol.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12And how did the first Earl of Bristol spend his wife's fortune?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Well, he drew up grandiose plans for a new house which eventually
0:22:16 > 0:22:20became the Ickworth we see today.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And purchased some beautiful objects to fill it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Thanks to the wealth of his wives,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29the first Earl was able to commission a considerable
0:22:29 > 0:22:33amount of silver from some of the leading silversmiths of the day.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Things like these three silver sugar casters,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39dating back to 1723.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Look at this wonderful pierced filigree work,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45I mean, the attention to detail is absolutely superb.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49It's a lasting legacy for us all to enjoy.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52But it wasn't just the money the Hervey women brought to the
0:22:52 > 0:22:56table - the first Earl's son, John Lord Hervey was soon to
0:22:56 > 0:23:00contract a love match with the beautiful and witty Molly Lepel.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05One of the house managers at Ickworth,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Sue Ellis, has studied her intriguing life in the 18th century.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Molly was one of Queen Caroline's maids of honour.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17She was a great wit and beauty at the court of George II.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21She married Lord John Hervey in secret and at the time,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Lord Chesterfield said that they were a perfect beau and belle.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Unfortunately, Lord Hervey was famously unfaithful.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33He was much talked of for his notorious philandering
0:23:33 > 0:23:34and flirting at court
0:23:34 > 0:23:37and was the cause of the famous remark that there
0:23:37 > 0:23:39were three human species -
0:23:39 > 0:23:42men, women and the Herveys.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Despite her husband's errant ways,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Molly was universally admired by both men and women for both her wit
0:23:51 > 0:23:56and good sense and she was friends with Pope and Voltaire
0:23:56 > 0:23:58and also with Horace Walpole.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Later in life, Walpole corresponded with her
0:24:01 > 0:24:05and he always spoke about her with great respect and admiration
0:24:05 > 0:24:09and many of her letters were published after her death.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12And here are some of Molly's personal possessions,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15along with the silver kettle stand, there is a small enamel pillbox,
0:24:15 > 0:24:20but I love the little miniature portrait of her.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Now, she died in 1768 and I'd imagine
0:24:23 > 0:24:26she was around about 35 years old there.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29This is from the court of George II and it was
0:24:29 > 0:24:32the flavour of the month really, to have a miniature done of you
0:24:32 > 0:24:36so you could give it to your loved one so he could carry it everywhere.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40I particularly love this enamel pillbox, I really do.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42There's a cameo portrait of John,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44her husband looking to the right,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46incredible detail.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Bordered by the most beautiful
0:24:48 > 0:24:50blue and green enamel work
0:24:50 > 0:24:51you'll ever see,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54inset with little green emeralds.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Stunning! Absolutely stunning.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Fortunately for the house and estate,
0:25:01 > 0:25:06Molly's spirited legacy lived on in later generations of Ickworth women.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10When, in 1907, Frederick the fourth Marquess of Bristol
0:25:10 > 0:25:14inherited Ickworth, the estate was nearly insolvent.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Luckily for him, his wife, Theodora Wythes, had the money
0:25:18 > 0:25:21and the determination to do something about it.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Theodora was the granddaughter of a Victorian railway contractor
0:25:27 > 0:25:30from whom she inherited an immense fortune
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and she devoted a large part of it to the restoration of Ickworth.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It's probable that without Lady Bristol, the house that we
0:25:36 > 0:25:40see today wouldn't have survived in such a reasonable state of repair.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45When Theodora came to Ickworth,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48she was appalled by the lack of modern conveniences.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52She was a middle-class girl and she was used to hot water
0:25:52 > 0:25:56and electricity, so she put her money to good use at Ickworth
0:25:56 > 0:25:59and she installed a massive Cornish Trentham boiler to provide hot
0:25:59 > 0:26:03water to the Rotunda and instead of an old man having to pump
0:26:03 > 0:26:07the water by hand, the pump was electrified and in fact
0:26:07 > 0:26:11electricity was installed so there was electricity in all the rooms.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14MUSIC: "Moonlight Serenade" by Glenn Miller
0:26:15 > 0:26:19One person who remembers Lady Bristol is Lily Thrower. Now
0:26:19 > 0:26:25in her 90s, Lily worked as one of the housemaids at Ickworth in 1937.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Lily, you were 17 years old when you came to work here
0:26:31 > 0:26:33and you were the sixth housemaid. Was there a hierarchy in maids,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36and you work your way up to the first one?
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Well, if you stayed there long enough,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40you might get a little bit higher.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42What did the job involve?
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Well, first thing I had to get up six o'clock in the morning...
0:26:46 > 0:26:47- Early starts.- Yes.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Get the head housemaid a cup of tea, go down, light the fire
0:26:51 > 0:26:54in the servants' room before we had our breakfast.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59And other jobs came along during the day.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- Where you able to finish at five o'clock or six o'clock?- Oh, no,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05not five o'clock. More like nine o'clock, yes.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Right, OK.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09We had jobs to do in the evening, you see.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11They got a lot of work out of us!
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Was that six days a week, did you get one day a week off?
0:27:15 > 0:27:19We had one afternoon a week and one Sunday a fortnight.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21That's almost like the hours you'd expect to
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- work in the Victorian period. - Yes, yes. Very hard.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Very hard.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31- So what did you make of Lady Bristol?- She was a very nice lady.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34She used to come down to our housemaids' sitting room every
0:27:34 > 0:27:38morning with the Bible and read out the Bible, you know.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40We weren't allowed to speak to her
0:27:40 > 0:27:43and she didn't speak to us, either.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Oh, I was hoping you were going to say she would look out for you
0:27:46 > 0:27:49- and look after you a bit.- No, no. She was a marchioness, you see.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53There was definitely a hierarchy above stairs AND below.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56If she did speak, we could answer, but...
0:27:56 > 0:28:00- Otherwise, don't speak unless you're spoken to.- No, no.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06The formidable marchioness clearly ran her house according to the
0:28:06 > 0:28:08strict conventions of the day.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13And from one careful custodian to the next,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17it was Theodora, Lady Bristol, who was able to hand over Ickworth House
0:28:17 > 0:28:21to the National Trust so future generations can enjoy it.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24And that's thanks in large part to the women of Ickworth.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Back in the west wing, it's the fine people of Suffolk and the Flog It!
0:28:37 > 0:28:41team that are enjoying Ickworth's hospitality today.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Over with Phil, there's a table full of happy memories.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- So, this has been in the roof. - It's been in the loft, yes. 45 years.
0:28:50 > 0:28:5445 years? Looking at it, you've got a better loft than I have!
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- And this was yours? - Mine and my older brother's.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00Dad knew someone who was selling this big train set
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- and he just came home with it one day.- He was a great dad, then!
0:29:04 > 0:29:08If you think of boys' train sets, you think of Hornby and Tri-ang.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11They are the two major makers.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15It's very much a 20th-century Tri-ang collection - 00 gauge,
0:29:15 > 0:29:19- but this isn't just it, is it? - No, there's other items as well.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21There's quite a lot of other items.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- Have you got a list of what there is?- Yeah.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Can I just have a quick flick through?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29So here we've got a list of everything you've got
0:29:29 > 0:29:31and it tells us all whether it's boxed or not.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34That's just what you need.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37You've got so much of this, did you ever have a favourite?
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Funnily enough, it's actually the motorcoach.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42The V on the front lights up in the dark,
0:29:42 > 0:29:46so my clearest memory is switching all the lights off in the front
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- room to watch it go round with the V lit up.- That's a lovely story.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51So what's it worth now?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I would be inclined to put it as one lot, I think
0:29:54 > 0:29:57it'll do very well in the auction room and you should put a cautious
0:29:57 > 0:30:03estimate of 150 to 250 and perhaps a fixed reserve at about £120.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08- Can we squeeze the reserve up to maybe 140?- Yes, I'm happy with that.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10So fixed reserve 140,
0:30:10 > 0:30:12estimate 150 to 250.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17And fingers crossed that there is just a train waiting to take us away.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21MUSIC: "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glenn Miller
0:30:24 > 0:30:28And come to rest at Adam's station is some first-class silverware.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- What a beautiful tea service. - Isn't it pretty?- Yes.
0:30:32 > 0:30:39- It's really very nice indeed. Do you use it?- No, I don't do it justice.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- I used to use this.- Nice little milk or cream jug, isn't it?- Exactly.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- It's the most usable thing, really.- And this.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48I was just about to say,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51it's very unusual these days to find the stand still with the teapot.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53It's got a bit of a wobble to it.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57But it's 1803, so if I was 210 years old, I think
0:30:57 > 0:30:59I'd have a bit of a wobble, as well.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02How did you come to own it in the first place?
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Well, I think it's a wedding present to my grandfather.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- When do you think he got married? - Well, I'm 91...- Are you?
0:31:11 > 0:31:16- And he's been dead a long time. - You don't know specifically?- No.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- It would have been a very nice present to have got.- Yes.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23- It's a great shape.- Isn't it? - Early 19th century.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26The acorn finial is a lovely little touch,
0:31:26 > 0:31:30all intact and in pretty good order.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34It's by one of the most famous families of silversmiths,
0:31:34 > 0:31:35the Bateman family.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Yes, that's what I said to my daughter, I thought it was Bateman.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42This one is marked for Peter, Ann and William Bateman,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44hallmarked for London 1803.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47In terms of value, it's a rather valuable set,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49it's a very collectable manufacturer.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51It's got a lot of commercial attributes,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54it's in good condition, has original decoration,
0:31:54 > 0:31:58the original gilt interiors and the presence of the standard make it
0:31:58 > 0:32:01really rather attractive to the collector.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- I would suggest an estimate of £600-£800.- How lovely.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Does that sound acceptable to you?
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Yes, as long as there's a nice reserve on it.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- I was going to suggest a reserve of £600.- Oh, yes.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15I will put 600 to 800...
0:32:15 > 0:32:16We'll be back at the auction
0:32:16 > 0:32:20and we'll watch it find a new home where I'm sure it will be cherished.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- Lovely, thank you very much indeed. - Pleasure.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27And Betty's silverware wouldn't look
0:32:27 > 0:32:30out of place inside the elegant surroundings of the Rotunda.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Now, earlier on in the show, we found out about the notable
0:32:38 > 0:32:41women of Ickworth, so we couldn't leave here today without
0:32:41 > 0:32:44showing you this particular portrait of a member of the Hervey family.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48This is Lady Elizabeth, a favourite daughter of the fourth Earl.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49After an unhappy marriage,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52she was befriended by the Duchess of Devonshire
0:32:52 > 0:32:56and later became involved in a famous love triangle with the Duke.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58It's painted by Angelica Kauffman,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01one of the leading artists in the Victorian day,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05in fact one of the most famous female artists in our history.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07She became a founding member of the Royal Academy.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10A real star in her own right, and as you can see,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12it's beautifully executed.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15So, what became of Elizabeth?
0:33:15 > 0:33:17Well, after Georgiana, the Duchess, died,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20she married the Duke in 1809.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22It's believed that the miniature portrait she is
0:33:22 > 0:33:28wearing in the locket around her neck there is that of Georgiana.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Isn't that interesting?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I wonder if our experts have found anything as intriguing as that
0:33:33 > 0:33:35back at the valuation tables?
0:33:38 > 0:33:42Well, actually, our final item is a fascinating piece of social history.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45It's been brought in by a lady I'll let Phil introduce.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Judy, Judy, Judy. That's a great line - who said that, then?
0:33:51 > 0:33:55- Cary Grant.- Blimey! So you've brought along...
0:33:57 > 0:34:02- ..this album by Margaret Ives - who is she, then?- She was my friend.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07She was an actress, costume designer, stage designer, singer...
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- All-round character. - She just did it all.- She did, yes.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- And this is dated from March 1946 to June 1947.- Yes.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19It's designs created for stage, radio artists...
0:34:19 > 0:34:24I can't quite see why radio artists would want a costume, but still!
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Stage productions and television.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28This would have been designs for clothes that were
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- worn in various programmes.- Yes.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36- I tell you what, though - looking at that, I wish I'd got a waist like that!- Don't we all, I'd love it!
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Keep the cameras up, guys! No panning down!
0:34:39 > 0:34:41That is just beautiful, isn't it?
0:34:41 > 0:34:43It's gorgeous.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Ivy Benson, now, I've heard of her. She was a singer, wasn't she?
0:34:46 > 0:34:50No, she was a bandleader. All women's bandleader. Very famous.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Toured all over the world during the war, entertaining the troops.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57That's why they wore glamorous dresses, to entertain the troops.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Look at this, I don't quite understand this one.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Jack Hylton - was this something for the weekend, was it?
0:35:03 > 0:35:04SHE LAUGHS
0:35:04 > 0:35:07No! That was one of his singers.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Was it?- It's Ivy Benson and Jack Hylton.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Oh, right. So there's a whole load.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16So these would all have been in Jack Hylton's band, wouldn't they?
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Probably, if it says so on there. That's for individual...
0:35:19 > 0:35:21That's a dancer, that's a vocalist...
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- Yes.- That's a vocalist and that's Ivy Benson on the end.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Yes. But there's some lovely ones of Ivy Benson's further back.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32I think they're lovely, I really do. Now, Carol Carr - who was she?
0:35:32 > 0:35:35- She was a singer, a lovely singer. - Television?
0:35:35 > 0:35:39She would have been on television, yes. Probably as old as me
0:35:39 > 0:35:40or older than me.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44- Get out of here, you're a baby! - Oh, I am!
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- What are they worth?- I have no idea.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Not a lot, I shouldn't imagine.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51- Do you know how we arrive at a value of something?- No.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53It's comparison.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Now, for me to arrive at a figure for these,
0:35:56 > 0:36:00I've got to look at dress designs by Margaret Ives.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- That's never going to happen, is it? - No, that won't.- So I've got to guess.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09- Yes.- Do you watch this programme?- Oh, I do.- You've seen me guess before?
0:36:09 > 0:36:10Oh, yes. I have.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13I've seen the hit and misses!
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It's not going well now, is it? Um...
0:36:16 > 0:36:18I think that if you want to sell this,
0:36:18 > 0:36:23- you should sort of put £50-£80 on it.- Oh!
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Does that surprise you good or surprise you bad?
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I thought it would be more like 20, 25 or something like that.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31No. I tell you what, Judy, you're a good sport, I like you.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Shall we put this in with an estimate of £50-£80 and
0:36:34 > 0:36:36do you want to put a reserve of 40 on it?
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- Are you happy with that?- Yes. - Good show.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42Now, I'm just going to go back and work on my waist! Lord above!
0:36:43 > 0:36:47# I'm as restless as a willow
0:36:47 > 0:36:48# In a wind storm... #
0:36:48 > 0:36:52And for the youngsters out there who don't remember Carol Carr, Carol
0:36:52 > 0:36:56was a former forces sweetheart who sang with popular dance bands
0:36:56 > 0:37:00and became the first singer to appear on British television
0:37:00 > 0:37:03when it resumed after the Second World War.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07# It might as
0:37:07 > 0:37:11# Well be
0:37:11 > 0:37:15# Spring. #
0:37:15 > 0:37:16Isn't that fabulous?
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Well, that's it - our experts have now made their final choices
0:37:24 > 0:37:26of items to go off to auction.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29What a wonderful, jam-packed day we've had here at Ickworth House.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- Have you all enjoyed yourselves? - Yes!
0:37:32 > 0:37:33That's what it's all about, job done.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Right now, we've got some unfinished business in the auction room,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38so while we make our way over to Diss,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41here's a recap of all the things we're taking with us.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48There's Betty's beautiful but unused tea set -
0:37:48 > 0:37:50with Bateman's as the silversmith,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I'm sure it'll stir up some interest.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57And who knows what the album of dress designs
0:37:57 > 0:38:00from the 1940s will make at auction?
0:38:00 > 0:38:02A unique lot and possibly the one to watch.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07But first up, it's full steam ahead for the Tri-ang train set
0:38:07 > 0:38:11collection as the huff and puff of the auction gets under way.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15£700, all done?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Boys and their toys, eh?
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Look, all three of us with big grins on our faces.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23We've all got our train sets!
0:38:23 > 0:38:27But this one has been in the loft for 45 years.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31- Did you enjoy using it and playing with it?- Oh, yes.- Good for you.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33Let's find out what they're worth, shall we?
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Let's hope they go to a good collector at their new home.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39A good comprehensive lot
0:38:39 > 0:38:41and I start at £100.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43£100, at £100 I have.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47110, 120. 130, 140, 50...
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- This is good.- Yeah.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51170, gentleman at the front,
0:38:51 > 0:38:53at 170 now, looking for 80.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55At 170 in the room, now.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58At 170, any advance on £170?
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Yes, hammer's gone down. That was short and sweet, wasn't it, really?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- Yes.- We are on the right track,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08so to speak.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- He's chuffed with that(!) And you must be, as well?- Yes, that's good.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16I need to split it with my older brother because it was both of ours.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- But nice memories. - Thanks for bringing it along.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Well, it certainly made me feel nostalgic
0:39:21 > 0:39:25and I'm sure it did for you, too.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Well, right now it's time for tea.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29No, don't rush to the kitchen and put the kettle on, because we're
0:39:29 > 0:39:33selling our very own silver tea set that's here, belonging to Betty.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37Bateman service, we're looking at £600-800, this is quality.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Why are you selling this? - Because it's in the safe.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44It's been safely kept away in that safe, you haven't over-polished it.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It's quite unusual to see a whole Bateman set like that,
0:39:47 > 0:39:49with the teapot stand. That's crucial.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- The teapot stand is worth 500 quid alone.- Really?
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- This is a lovely set.- I use the stand more than...- Do you, really?
0:39:55 > 0:39:58As a little bonbon dish or something?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00They often become separated, as you know.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04That's the important thing and of course the magic name of Bateman.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06All the collectors want Bateman.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Thank you for bringing a bit of quality in, let's find out
0:40:08 > 0:40:12if we get a quality price from this packed saleroom.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Let's hand things over to Elizabeth.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Into the cabinet lot,
0:40:16 > 0:40:17a Georgian four-piece
0:40:17 > 0:40:19silver tea set.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21I start at £420.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24At 450, 480, 550, 600 bid.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Oh, good, it's getting its value straightaway.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31700. 50. 800.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34This is silver that definitely will not go for melt.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37I'll take 50 elsewhere. It's a lovely set.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39At £800 only, am I missing anybody?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41£800, it will sell.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45£800, top end of the estimate,
0:40:45 > 0:40:47- well done.- 800?- £800.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49That's not bad, is it?
0:40:49 > 0:40:51That's not bad at all!
0:40:51 > 0:40:52Well done, Betty.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56Now it's time for a bit of old-school glamour with our last
0:40:56 > 0:41:00lot of the day. One which Judy thought was only worth about £20!
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Going under the hammer right now, a classic item.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07An album full of stage dress design belonging to Judy,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09who is with me right now.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12I've just learnt that Judy did a parachute jump when you were 75?
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- Yes.- To raise money for your local Methodist church.- Yes.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18And I believe the proceeds of this sale today are all going
0:41:18 > 0:41:22towards the church to help raise money for a new kitchen.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- How about that, Phil? - She's absolutely bonkers!
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Did you try and change your mind at the last minute?
0:41:28 > 0:41:30- I tried, but...!- They shoved you out? - Yes!
0:41:30 > 0:41:33You're sitting on this handsome chap's lap and you went forwards
0:41:33 > 0:41:35and you couldn't go back!
0:41:35 > 0:41:38I know you've got a new stunt you want to do soon, haven't you?
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Listen to this!
0:41:40 > 0:41:43They've got a nice new zip wire opening up in Wales
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- and it's over a mile long... - It's the biggest in the country...
0:41:46 > 0:41:50..it's the biggest in the country, so I aim to have a go at that.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54- You'll be bungee-jumping next, I bet!- No! I draw the line at that!
0:41:54 > 0:41:56My eyes might fall out!
0:41:56 > 0:41:57THEY LAUGH
0:42:00 > 0:42:05If we get £1,000 now, I think Phil's eyes would go doi-i-ing!
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Lot 70, the album of stage dress designs
0:42:10 > 0:42:11by Margaret Ives.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14I have interest on this little album here.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17I start at £40. £40 I have.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21At 42, 45, 48 and 50. Five and 60.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Five and 70. Five and 80.
0:42:25 > 0:42:2980 with me at £80, now. Five, new bidder, 90. Five, 100.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- That's good, isn't it?- Yes!
0:42:31 > 0:42:32110, 120, 130, 140,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34150, 160, 170...
0:42:34 > 0:42:37This is great. This is what an auction is all about.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39The middle gentleman at 170 - where's 80?
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Any advance on £170?
0:42:42 > 0:42:45At 170 on the album and selling...?
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Yes, hammer's gone down, job done!
0:42:49 > 0:42:51£170! That's great!
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Wonderful! That's marvellous!
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Absolutely marvellous, more than I expected!
0:42:56 > 0:42:59We might have saved you from the zip wire, mightn't we!
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Didn't I say that was the one to watch?
0:43:03 > 0:43:05People love to own a unique item.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Well, that's it. It's all over for our owners.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Another day and another saleroom,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14and I think our experts have done really well.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18It's not easy putting a value on an antique as you've just found out,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21but everyone's gone home happy and that's what it's all about.
0:43:21 > 0:43:22I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25See you next time for many more surprises.