0:00:02 > 0:00:04I'm 60 metres below ground on a lake of drinkable water
0:00:04 > 0:00:06that's 9.5 metres deep.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08So, where am I, you may be asking?
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Well, I'm in Cornwall's only slate mine.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12And later on in the show,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15I'll be delving into the county's mining history.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Today's show comes from Cornwall,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43whose beaches attract more than four million people every year.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I have a special affection for this county,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49because this is where I was brought up, in Falmouth,
0:00:49 > 0:00:52and that's where we're heading today.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- Dydh da. Now, there's a bit of Cornish, What does that mean?- Hello.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Hello, and hello to everyone here.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- Anyone know anything else?- Yeah.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03- SHE SPEAKS CORNISH - Get on with it.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06That's what I'm doing right now. Thank you.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09We are here at the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall, which houses
0:01:09 > 0:01:10some of the county's finest
0:01:10 > 0:01:12maritime heritage.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16And, for one day only, we've taken it over as our valuation day venue.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19The whole town has turned out, laden with antiques and collectables.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24They're all here to ask our experts that all-important question,
0:01:24 > 0:01:25which is?
0:01:25 > 0:01:26- ALL:- What's it worth?!
0:01:26 > 0:01:30They're not slow in coming forward, here in Cornwall,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and, as the queue builds, outside, Philip Serrell has already had
0:01:33 > 0:01:35an offer he can't refuse.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Would you like to see my tortoise?
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- That's the best offer I've had all day, darling.- There he is.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44And inside, hoping to strike the right chord, is Caroline Hawley.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Oh, wow. If you can play it,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50you might give me a little tune when we get in there.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53What did I say that for?!
0:01:53 > 0:01:55So, let's get those doors open,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59get everyone in and get the valuations underway.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04While everyone settles down, let's take a peek at what's coming up.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11Today's journey is an emotional one, with feelings of passion.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Well, she's made my day. Absolutely.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17I've seen some lovely things today, but she's one of my favourites.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- And desire.- We see lots and lots of things on Flog It!,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23but I'd like to own that.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- But it could all end in tears at the auction.- 433.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Are you OK? - SHE SOBS
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Aw. Are you OK?
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Good luck, everyone. And thank you for turning up. I really mean that.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41What a turnout we've got today. And hopefully, someone's journey
0:02:41 > 0:02:42starts right here, right now.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45It could be you. It could be you that has something valuable
0:02:45 > 0:02:47that goes off to auction and makes a small fortune.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49That's what this show is all about
0:02:49 > 0:02:52and it's our experts' job to find it, so let's get started.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Philip was on the lookout for something local,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58but will Roger's two copper pieces fit the bill?
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- Roger, how are you? - Fine, thank you, Philip.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06This smacks of a man who's got an interest in bits of copper.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- Well, being Cornish, yes.- There's a reason for that, isn't there?
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Because there are a number of really good
0:03:11 > 0:03:15arts and crafts schools around the country, where metalware
0:03:15 > 0:03:19was produced, and the one that you always think of in Cornwall
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- is Newlyn School...- Hmm.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27- ..and the man who you associate most is John Pearson.- Exactly.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29And John Pearson did fish, didn't he? And he did galleons.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34And, as well as the Newlyn stamp, sometimes there's a JP monogram,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- isn't there?- That's on my pieces.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- So, you're a collector?- Yes.- So, you know exactly what you've got?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42So, Roger, when you refer to an industry, these things weren't
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- made in factories, were they?- No, they were made by simple fisherman.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49They'd learned to make the copper from a man called McKenzie,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52so they could earn some money on the days that they couldn't fish.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- Who was McKenzie? - He set up the Newlyn Copper School.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58So, really, this is a thing that fisherman did as
0:03:58 > 0:04:01almost like a bit of pocket money, as a second industry, in a way.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- Yes.- But I also know that Newlyn collectors, of which you are one,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- they want it stamped Newlyn, don't they?- Ideally, yes.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12So, here is the question - where's the stamp?
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- There isn't one. - There isn't one and let me guess
0:04:14 > 0:04:17that the reason why you're selling it is because
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- it hasn't got Newlyn stamp on it. - Basically, yes. And this is too big.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24The rest of my Newlyn collection are smaller trays, coffee jugs.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29- When was the Newlyn factory set up?- 1884-1885.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32And did they always stamp their wares?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34From about 1904-1907.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- So, there's a 20-year period where they didn't stamp stuff?- Exactly.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39So, there is a chance...
0:04:39 > 0:04:41I mean, hand on heart, do you think this is by Newlyn?
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Hand on heart, I believe it is, because it's shown
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- all the characteristics of Newlyn.- Which is what?
0:04:47 > 0:04:50The scores on the lid and on the bottom of the handle,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and also the wave form and the rivets.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56But the key thing for you is that it don't say Newlyn.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Basically, yes.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- And that's the key, isn't it?- Well, no. The key is it just doesn't fit
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- in with the rest of the collection. - All right, Roger. But for me, it has to say Newlyn.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07And I think you've got to pitch this as though it isn't Newlyn
0:05:07 > 0:05:10and if people get excited about it, then it might go and take off.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12But what I think is really interesting is,
0:05:12 > 0:05:17at the outset of this little chat, I said there were little schools
0:05:17 > 0:05:19all around the country,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21and, in my eyes, you've got a Cornish, hopefully, example
0:05:21 > 0:05:25here from Newlyn but now you've gone to completely the other end of the
0:05:25 > 0:05:29country, and we go up to the Lake District in Keswick, and you've got
0:05:29 > 0:05:32KSIA, which is the Keswick School of Industrial Arts and this is,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36in a way, it's another one of these little enclaves where
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- metalwares were produced and, again, highly collectable, isn't it?- Mm.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And what I think's lovely about this is that you've got
0:05:44 > 0:05:47the stamp here and what that little KSI does,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50it converts a copper tray that's probably worth about two quid
0:05:50 > 0:05:53into something that's probably worth about £20-£40.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Now, the way I would sell these is I would sell them as one lot
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and hope to appeal to a metalware collector.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03I would sell it as a Keswick School of Industrial Arts oval dish
0:06:03 > 0:06:08and then I would call this a copper jug, probably from Newlyn.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- I don't know that we can say definitely, can we?- No, we can't.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And I think we should put an estimate on the two for £60-£90
0:06:14 > 0:06:17and a fixed reserve of 50 quid. Do you think I'm right on price?
0:06:17 > 0:06:18- I think you are right on price.- OK.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Well, let's keep our fingers crossed
0:06:20 > 0:06:22and let's hope that two people in the sale room take
0:06:22 > 0:06:26a shine to our so-say bit of Newlyn.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28The lack of markings on the jug
0:06:28 > 0:06:30makes the stamped Keswick piece more appealing.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Caroline has found a fine figure with plenty of panache,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40but does this have the markings of provenance?
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Lovely to meet you, Linda. - Thank you.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46And your gorgeous, gorgeous girl. Absolutely delightful.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Tell me, how on Earth did you acquire her?
0:06:49 > 0:06:54Well, a friend of mine had a friend who was a luvvie, Dame Anna Neagle.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58And the story is that when Anna Neagle was performing
0:06:58 > 0:07:01in Peter Pan, she had this made for her, or she bought it for her.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I don't whether she had it made or she bought it,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06because she thought it, kind of, looked like Peter Pan
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and, when Anna Neagle died, it was returned to this lady.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12And when she died, I acquired it through my friend.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Gosh, Linda, you are so lucky.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I think she's absolutely adorable.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21And I've had a really good look, back to front, all ways round -
0:07:21 > 0:07:23she's not marked, at all.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25I would expect to see the name
0:07:25 > 0:07:29of Joseph Lorenzo, Ferdinand Price,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Chiparus - one of those makers.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- That's unfortunate, isn't it? - Unfortunately, there's none of them.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38But it doesn't take away from the fact that she is a beautiful
0:07:38 > 0:07:40cold-painted bronze figure.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43She's got a little bit of damage down her cheek,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46but she is absolutely beautiful.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49On this Onyx base. She's exactly what everybody wants.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53There's a bit of damage to the paint, in one or two areas,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55but nothing horrific.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59And, in my opinion, she's much better than a totally-naked female.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03I think she's coquettish, she's a bit of a luvvie.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06The movement in this figure, the style.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- She is just lovely and I'm sorry it's not signed...- So am I...
0:08:11 > 0:08:15But, all day long, she's going to get £300-£500, all day long.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18But I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised
0:08:18 > 0:08:21if she didn't get £1,000, either.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23So, I think, for auction,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- we'll put her with an estimate of between £300-£500.- OK.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28- Are you happy with that?- Absolutely.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- And then I think we'll see what happens.- Can we have a reserve?
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Of course we can have a reserve!
0:08:33 > 0:08:35What would you like? Bottom estimate? £300?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Whatever you think.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Well, I think if we put a reserve of £300,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43just to stop her falling through the safety net.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44- There's no danger of that.- No.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47She is a delight. She's made my day.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Absolutely. I've seen some lovely things today,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54but I think she's one of my favourites.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- Thank you, Linda.- Thank you.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58If it had a Joseph Lorenzo mark, there would be no need
0:08:58 > 0:09:01for some pixie dust, to make this one fly.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07Now, I've spotted an appealing piece of local art, brought in by Kate.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12Kate, this is absolutely charming. A little study of William Holman Hunt.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15I think, the greatest of all the Pre-Raphaelite painters.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18It's a little watercolour, highlighted with French white.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- How did you come by this?- I bought it in a lot about ten years ago...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- Did you?- ..with a sketchbook.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27What else was in the sketchbook? Can I ask?
0:09:27 > 0:09:32Not another Holman Hunt, but a lot of little studies by Ralph Todd.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34It's a Ralph Todd, isn't it?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36And there's a little monogram, Ralph Todd.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39A well-respected artist from the Newlyn School,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42but he struggled to make a living from his art
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- and I don't understand why, because look at the quality of that.- Quite.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49This is Holman Hunt, who died in 1910.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I think Todd died in 1932, didn't he?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Why are you thinking of selling this now?
0:09:55 > 0:09:59It was part of a lot. Other elements of it, I'm keeping.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03But that and another portrait, I just want to sell.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Do you mind me asking you what you paid for this sketchbook?
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- Ooh! That's a cheeky question. - OK. OK.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Well, I think Todd's work, a little study like this,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16he'd quite easily get £100 to £160-70, but I think,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20because of the subject matter, William Holman Hunt, the great
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Pre-Raphaelite artist, I think, because of
0:10:22 > 0:10:27that subject matter, £200-£300.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Fantastic.- Happy with that?
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- Very much.- Is that a good return on that sketch?- It is.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37In fact, Ralph Todd had a son called Arthur Ralph Middleton Todd,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40who was also a highly-accomplished Newlyn artist.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Now, I wonder what's under that box?
0:10:44 > 0:10:45Hi, Philip.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- Pleased to meet you, Philip. - You're...?- Peter.- Peter.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- That's not really a Cornish lilt there, is it?- No.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I'm afraid I'm a Mancunian.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- Oh, I shouldn't apologise for being a Mancunian.- Not at all.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- I'm quite proud of that. - And what brought you down here?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Well, I came in as a merchant seaman...- Really?
0:11:00 > 0:11:04..in the '60s, and I met the wife and the rest is history.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07That is fantastic. And you've brought me a purple box.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09With a secret underneath, I think.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Do I had to lift it up? - You have to lift it.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- You've got to make sure it doesn't dash away.- Oh!
0:11:13 > 0:11:14That's lovely, isn't it?
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- So, tell me about the tortoise. Does he have a name?- Well, not really.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20To me, well, "Doorstop" was his most. And perhaps "Damn"
0:11:20 > 0:11:22when you caught your toe on it, now and again.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24How long have you had it?
0:11:24 > 0:11:26I've had it several years, but it's been in the family.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28My stepfather had it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31He was a Canadian champion wrestler, believe it or not!
0:11:31 > 0:11:32- A wrestler?- He was a wrestler.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Was he one of those television things
0:11:34 > 0:11:36that Kent Walton used to talk about?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- No, no. He was born in 1898.- Oh, right.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41So, he was mid-20s between the wars.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44What we're assuming is that he picked this up on his travels,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48and then eventually he passed away and my mother gave it to me.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- And you don't want it?- Well, I can't say it has a sentimental attachment.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55So you thought you'd come along to Flog It! and see if you could
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- flog a tortoise? - Exactly.- So, how old is it?
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- Circa 1900, I would have thought. - And what is it made of?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04To be honest, all these years, I thought it was brass.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Apparently, it's turned out to be... - Bronze.- ..cold-painted bronze.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Shall we turn it over and see what it says?- Love to.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14So, there's a little mark just here, which says, "Made in Austria",
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and that would date it to around about 1900, as you say.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19And there's a B, here,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23and a great exponent of cold-painted bronzes was a man called Bergman.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25This may or may not be by him,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28but certainly, just on the tail, there's a B and a shield.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30So, let's hope it's by Bergman.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33In terms of value, it's an interesting one,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36because I think he's quite fun. I think anybody would look at this
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and think this is worth £200-£400.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42And I think it is worth £200-£400.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45And that, in my opinion, would be a sensible estimate for it.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48And I think you should put a reserve of it of £200.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49There is a "but" coming.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53The "but" is, it wouldn't surprise me if it made possibly £800,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56possibly a little bit more. It wouldn't surprise me.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59I think you need to put a fixed reserve of £200.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- How does that sound? - That sounds wonderful.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03And what would you do with the money?
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Well, obviously, I'd better do mother right -
0:13:05 > 0:13:07she's got to make sure she has a bit
0:13:07 > 0:13:08and then I have the other half to see to.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Then, what's left, I might buy something to go fishing with.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- I might buy a new fishing rod. - A new fishing rod?
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Well, let's hope that Terry the tortoise goes and does really well.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19And do you know what? We've seen lots and lots of things
0:13:19 > 0:13:22on Flog It! and not all of them would I like to own,
0:13:22 > 0:13:23but I'd like to own that.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Bergman is a big name for collectors,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28so if the auction house confirms that stamp,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31it could add even more value to the tortoise.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Now, on Flog It!, we're not the only ones who've had our fair share
0:13:39 > 0:13:43of strange and curious artefacts. The museum has, too,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45and I've popped upstairs, to show you one such collection.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Now, this is a replica of a shop that was in Market Street
0:13:52 > 0:13:53in Falmouth in the 19th century
0:13:53 > 0:13:57and it was owned by a local chap called John Burton,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01who became world-famous for his shop of quirky curiosities,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and, as you can see, it is called The Old Curiosity Shop.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07People from all over the world would gravitate to see this,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10because you could buy anything and he was lucky enough to buy
0:14:10 > 0:14:13all of this from returning sailors from their long voyages
0:14:13 > 0:14:15from all over the globe.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20John prided himself on being able to supply anybody with anything quirky.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And it's said that he provided a museum in Edinburgh
0:14:23 > 0:14:27with a replacement whale vertebrae. Can you believe that?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Well, I've pulled a few things from out of the cabinet to show you,
0:14:30 > 0:14:31so take a look at this.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Let's start with this sawfish bill.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39It's technically known as the sawfish rostrum.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Now, in the sea, alive, this would be covered
0:14:42 > 0:14:47with electro-sensitive pores, which allow the fish to detect food
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and any movement, in case it was going to be attacked.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Also on the table, we've got some wonderful examples
0:14:54 > 0:14:58of some devil's masks, which are really great fun.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Now, all of these curios, all of these things, plus John's
0:15:02 > 0:15:07larger-than-life personality, made his shop a must-see attraction.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Before we head off to auction, I'm going to explore
0:15:12 > 0:15:14a local landmark.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28This is Prideaux Place, a 16th-century manor house
0:15:28 > 0:15:30on the north Cornish coastline
0:15:30 > 0:15:33that overlooks the pretty fishing village of Padstow.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Now, like many great stately homes, it has a venerable history.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40This one dates right back to the Tudor times,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42but it also has its secrets
0:15:42 > 0:15:45and those are kept in that part of the house, there, the north wing.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Now, the public don't get to go in there,
0:15:47 > 0:15:52but today, we've been given special permission to go behind the scenes.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58The estate has belonged to the Prideaux family since the time
0:15:58 > 0:16:04of Henry VIII and is currently inhabited by Peter Prideaux-Brune,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06a descendant of William the Conqueror.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- Hello, Peter.- Ah, Paul! Good morning to you.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10- Come in!- Thank you.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Inside, it feels like a peaceful family home, but over the centuries
0:16:16 > 0:16:20it's faced many challenging times, the most recent being
0:16:20 > 0:16:22during the Second World War.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36The US National Archives show that, on 28th November 1943,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39150 American soldiers,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43from Company B, 121st Engineer Combat Battalion,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47came marching up the drive here at Prideaux Place.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Peter's mother was at home at the time with their young baby daughter,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55so it must have been quite a fright for your mum looking out the window.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58At first glance, friend or foe?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02I think it must have been terrifying because she looked out of the window
0:17:02 > 0:17:09and there were troops in grey-ish uniforms marching up the drive.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10Well, I mean, she immediately thought,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12"Well, it must be the Germans."
0:17:12 > 0:17:18My father had left her with a Colt 45 revolver
0:17:18 > 0:17:23and she hadn't a clue how to work it so she went to the door
0:17:23 > 0:17:27and met these soldiers with this huge revolver,
0:17:27 > 0:17:32and a very nice young officer saluted and said,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35"Excuse me, ma'am, we're a billeted army. We're the American army."
0:17:35 > 0:17:37She said, "Oh, yes, you'd better come in, then."
0:17:41 > 0:17:43The American soldiers were part of a secret mission.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46They would be the first troops to set foot on Omaha Beach
0:17:46 > 0:17:49on the 6th June, 1944,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53as part of the D-Day landings in Normandy, north-western France.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58In the many months leading up to the invasion,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02more than 10,000 American soldiers were billeted around Cornwall.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Many stayed in tented encampments
0:18:04 > 0:18:07but Prideaux Place was one of the few permanent buildings.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15Today, Prideaux Place attracts around 30,000 visitors each year,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18but behind the scenes of this sumptuous interior,
0:18:18 > 0:18:22there's still an area that's kept hidden away from the general public.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35And that's the north wing, where those Americans lived, leading up
0:18:35 > 0:18:39to the Allied invasion of German-occupied western Europe.
0:18:42 > 0:18:50Through this door, you are instantly transported back in time to 1944.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02These were originally the servants' quarters in the house,
0:19:02 > 0:19:07but they were converted into billets for the soldiers.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Look at that! There's the first thing you actually see, look.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11"Ideal Home" custard powder.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I guess all these were lockers.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Look, there's a Private Howe,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Private Bruce,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Corporal Bekelesky.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25PFC - Private First Class Harper.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27HE LAUGHS Look at this!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30He was also known as...Farty.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39And this room is clearly not for the privates.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Look, this door denotes it was the sergeant's room,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45so he was billeted here.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48There's one surviving bit of plaster on the wall. Look at this.
0:19:48 > 0:19:54Now, that is the badge of the US Army's Corps of Engineers, look.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Time, literally, has stood still up here in the attic.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It's hard to imagine how the American soldiers must have felt
0:20:09 > 0:20:12being so far away from home, their family and friends
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and taking part in a mission which, at this stage,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18they know nothing about. I'm meeting up with military historian
0:20:18 > 0:20:20and author Richard Bass, to find out more.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Richard, thanks for joining me today
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and I'm going to pick your brains now.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32So, where did the troops come from in America?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- Was it all over the States? - Yes, it was.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39The young soldiers came from every single state in North America,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42most of the big cities as well. They were taken from all walks of life.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44They were truck drivers,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47they were shop clerks, farm hands, for example.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49They had no military experience, whatsoever.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53What do we know of their reaction of coming to an English stately home
0:20:53 > 0:20:56in a small English village? I mean, it must have been
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- a cultural shock for them. - It was a cultural shock.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01All the Americans soldiers were absolutely delighted.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03They were enchanted with England.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06They thought everything was quaint, because everything was in miniature.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09What about the food and the English girls?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Yes, the American soldiers loved English girls.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14They thought they were much prettier than those at home,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17but the food... They weren't at all keen on the food.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Brussels sprouts and mutton, they absolutely hated.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Actually, I'm not keen on Brussels sprouts and mutton, either, myself!
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Tell me about their training. What took place down here in Cornwall?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Well, the soldiers here carried out a number of exercises
0:21:32 > 0:21:34and rehearsals at a place called Slapton Sands,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- which is in South Devon.- On the beach?- On the beaches, that's right.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41They were practising what they were going to do in Normandy.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Everything was done under battle conditions,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51so, on the day itself, they wouldn't flinch, at all.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Everything was done with live ammunition, live explosives.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57As a result, consequently, several of the soldiers
0:21:57 > 0:21:59were actually killed just during rehearsals.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07In April, 1944, Company B moved out of Prideaux Place
0:22:07 > 0:22:09for final manoeuvres.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12They were told to leave all personal possessions behind.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18One of the items left at the house was this collection of letters.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I think this is a little treasure trove.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24They're all addressed to a Private John Fontaine.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26He would have treasured these.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28He would have carried them around with him.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32This was his connection back to his family. All handwritten.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41When the American troops landed in Normandy, their task was to
0:22:41 > 0:22:45clear beach obstructions placed by the German enemy, to open up
0:22:45 > 0:22:47the roads that connected Omaha Beach
0:22:47 > 0:22:50to the land above, on the cliff tops.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Their war cry would be, "Clear the way."
0:22:57 > 0:23:01We know from our own research that John Fontaine survived the war
0:23:01 > 0:23:04and went back to his hometown in Rhode Island.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07He married and had four children - all boys.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13But that wasn't the case for everyone.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Unfortunately, Corporal Bekelesky was one of the first
0:23:20 > 0:23:24to be killed on Omaha Beach on 6th June 1944.
0:23:31 > 0:23:3651 of Padstow's American guests were killed in action.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38For some, their final resting place
0:23:38 > 0:23:41'would be the Normandy American Cemetery in France,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43which overlooks Omaha Beach.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55The Battle of Normandy was the largest land, sea and air operation
0:23:55 > 0:23:59ever undertaken. It took years of meticulous planning
0:23:59 > 0:24:03and endless training, some of which took place here in Cornwall.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07In 1944, the future of Europe was at stake
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and it's highly unlikely that the war would have been won
0:24:10 > 0:24:14without the precious help of those American GIs.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31We are now halfway through our day
0:24:31 > 0:24:35and you have just seen the first items ready to go off to auction.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I've got my favourites, you have probably got yours,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40but let's find out what the bidders think.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42While we're going over to the auction room, here's a quick recap
0:24:42 > 0:24:45of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Roger's copper jug and Keswick tray should attract some attention.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57This fine-looking Art Deco figure is certain to fly.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04And what will the collectors make of the portrait of English painter
0:25:04 > 0:25:05William Holman Hunt?
0:25:08 > 0:25:12And, with a steady pace, will this tortoise be a winner in the auction?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18We are heading to the town of Lostwithiel, which is believed
0:25:18 > 0:25:21to have taken its name from the old Cornish meaning,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23"the place at the tail of the forest."
0:25:25 > 0:25:28There aren't as many trees now, but luckily for us,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31there is Jeffreys' Auction House
0:25:31 > 0:25:33and Ian Morris has the gavel in his hand.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Don't look so sad. Anything can happen in an auction room
0:25:37 > 0:25:41and, I tell you what, you could pick up a few bargain, as well.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44If you are thinking of selling, there is commission to pay.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49Here it's 15% plus VAT, but it varies from sale room to sale room,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52so check the details printed in the catalogue. Ask a member of staff.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Don't get caught out or you could be disappointed.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00First up, this copper jug and tray. Over the 14 years on the show,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03we've seen plenty of Newlyn copper and Keswick School
0:26:03 > 0:26:05and we have two items right now going under the hammer,
0:26:05 > 0:26:06belonging to Roger.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09One is definitely Keswick, the other, the jury's out.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12OK, so you're selling this cos you don't think it's Newlyn, either,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- do you?- It doesn't fit in with the rest of the collection.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18The rest of the collection is fairly small and, of course, it's a very high piece.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Yes, I personally don't think it is Newlyn
0:26:20 > 0:26:24and I think Ian's in the same school of thought. It's not catalogued as Newlyn.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26But, look, the Keswick piece will definitely fly,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28so thank you for bringing that in,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30because we get an opportunity to talk about Newlyn, as well.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33What I think is lovely is that here we are, in Cornwall,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35the piece that's going to sell this is the Keswick bit.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39- There isn't a saleroom further away from Keswick than here, is there? - Not really, no!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Anyway, good luck. And, hopefully, all the proceeds
0:26:41 > 0:26:44will go to purchasing another piece of Newlyn.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- Definitely.- We love the collectors. We love investing in antiques -
0:26:47 > 0:26:48that's what it's all about.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51And right now, hopefully, we're going to sell a couple. This is it.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Keswick copper. Also with a crafted copper jug.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57The jug and the tray, I've got four bids on here
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- and I've got to start at £90. - Yes.- £90, I'm bid.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04At £90. 95. £100. 110.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07At £100, the bid's on the book. 110, anywhere?
0:27:07 > 0:27:11At £100. Done. Going. At £100.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15£100. That hammer's gone down. Job done!
0:27:15 > 0:27:16- Super.- Super.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- Proper job.- Proper job. Yeah.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21A good result for Roger.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Now, Caroline has some news about this sculptured lady.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28Fingers crossed.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Well, Linda and Caroline, I'm expecting big things for this.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- It is classic Art Deco. - Gorgeous. I did some research...
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- Oh, listen to this, Linda. - I've done some more research, Linda,
0:27:38 > 0:27:43since I've seen you and I'm almost 100% sure it is a Josef Lorenzl.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- Right.- It's not signed, but I'm sure it is a Lorenzl figure.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- That means highly sought after. - Yes. Yeah.- One of the best.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Well, this is exciting, isn't it? What we're looking at here is what? Three to five?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57If I stick my neck out, I think it's going to get 1,000.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02- You'd settle for 300?- Yeah, I would. - OK. Well, let's find out what it does, shall we?
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- Because, hopefully, we can get four figures.- OK.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06The Art Deco bronze, exotic dancer.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11Bids on the books means I've got to start at £420.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16- At 420.- Right. Mid-estimate. - At 420. 440. 460. 480. 500.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19520. 550. At 550, the bid's on the book.
0:28:19 > 0:28:25- We're done? 580. 600. 620. - Gosh, that was late coming in.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29£600...
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Hammer's gone down! Yes! Just over the top end. £600. Fantastic.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- That was a good result.- Yes, it was. I'm happy with that.- So am I!
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Are you happy? Oh!
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- Because, one minute ago, you said you'd be settling for 300.- I did.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42And now we've got six.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- So, you know, that's really good.- Wonderful.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Yeah. Thank you for bringing that in.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Well, it seems the bidders also thought this figurine
0:28:50 > 0:28:52was by a famous sculptor.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55The provenance of this watercolour has also been under scrutiny
0:28:55 > 0:28:57since the valuation day.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01You've been doing a lot of detective work.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04I have been doing a little research and it's by his son,
0:29:04 > 0:29:08which was Arthur Ralph Middleton Todd. He was born in 1891.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12I don't know if that's going to affect the value.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16I think if anybody's interested in Todd and the family, hopefully...
0:29:16 > 0:29:20- It'll make no difference. - It'll make no difference. And it's beautifully executed.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- Well, he was a good portrait painter.- Very good portrait painter.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27I think it's a wonderful piece of history and I'd love to own it.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- I hope it has a good home. - So do I. So do I.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32We're going to find out right now. Good luck, Kate.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Watercolour portrait, WH Holman Hunt.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37What do I say for that? £200 away? 150 away?
0:29:37 > 0:29:38£100, I'm bid. At £100.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42110 to get on. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46150. 160. 170.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51At 170, I'm bid. 180 now. At 170, I'm bid. 180 not... At £170.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Got to pass, I'm afraid.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Not enough. It did affect it, didn't it?- Yeah, probably.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01Yeah. Never mind. It's still a lovely thing to look at
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- and you get to keep it.- Indeed. - Well, thank you for bringing that in.- Not at all. Not at all.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09Although AR Todd may not be as well-known as his father,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12he's still highly regarded and his work has been exhibited
0:30:12 > 0:30:15in galleries like the Tate and the Royal Academy.
0:30:18 > 0:30:19Now, more good news.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22The auctioneer has confirmed this tortoise is a Bergman,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24as Philip thought.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30- The reserve isn't £200 any more.- It is...- £700.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Right, that means we have to revise the estimate to 700-900,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37cos it's illegal to have a reserve higher than the bottom estimate.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Was it your idea to say 700 or Ian's?
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Well, he was going to alter it, but not by that amount,
0:30:42 > 0:30:49but I found a site that was offering one in a retail position for £2,900.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Right, OK. We're going to find out what it makes right now,
0:30:52 > 0:30:54cos it is going under the hammer. Here we go.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Bergman, the Austrian bronze sculpture of a tortoise.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59A little Bergman stamp on its tail there. £200, I'm bid.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01At £200, at £200. 220 now.
0:31:01 > 0:31:06At £200. 220. 240. 260. 280.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08260. 280. Straight in.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- 380. 400. 420...- 400.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13450. 480. 500.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16520. 550. 580.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20600. 620. 650. 680.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- 700. In the room. - £700.- £700, I'm bid.
0:31:23 > 0:31:29720? At £700. At £700...
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Well done, Peter. I mean, you were spot on.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35£700, a fixed reserve, and it made it. That tortoise was pretty fast.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40- Congratulations. That's a lot of money.- Thank you.- And I know you've got a new grandchild coming soon.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42- A new great-grandchild. - A great-grandchild!
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- You don't look old enough.- Oh, thank you very much.- Wow! Well, look,
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I think that's a really good little nest egg for your great-grandchild.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- Lovely.- Don't you? - And thank you very much.- Pleasure.
0:31:55 > 0:31:5733.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59Well, there you are.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Our first three lots done and dusted under the hammer
0:32:02 > 0:32:05and three happy owners. It doesn't get much better than that
0:32:05 > 0:32:07and we're coming back here later on in the show,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09so don't go away.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13Now, we all know Cornwall is famous for its tin and its copper mines.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15The landscape is peppered with their ruins,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19but the county's also famous for its slate mines,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23believed to be some of the most durable and desirable in the world.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27So earlier in the week, I set off to dig up some facts for myself.
0:32:29 > 0:32:30The origins of Cornwall's tin
0:32:30 > 0:32:35and copper deposits date back to around 300 million years.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Rising temperatures and powerful geological activity
0:32:40 > 0:32:42deep within the Earth's crust
0:32:42 > 0:32:46gave rise to granite, a hard, tough rock, containing many metals,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48including tin and copper.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54Cornwall's rich mineral resources have been exploited
0:32:54 > 0:32:57since medieval times, but it was the industrial advances of the 18th
0:32:57 > 0:33:01and 19th centuries that really sparked a mining boom.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Steam power enabled deep shaft mining and the drainage
0:33:04 > 0:33:07from pumping of water from below the Earth's surface.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Now, whilst tin and copper were the main focus of the industrial
0:33:10 > 0:33:15mining here, Cornwall had another natural resource to offer
0:33:15 > 0:33:18that was in great demand - slate.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Slate has been mined here in Cornwall since medieval times
0:33:23 > 0:33:27and used primarily for roofing, paving and as a building material.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33The most famous of the county's slate mines is at Delabole,
0:33:33 > 0:33:37which is one of the oldest and deepest quarries in Europe.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Slate from here was transported all over the world.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44The Delabole pit is still a working quarry today,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46but it's one of a few to survive.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56Some 300 years ago,
0:33:56 > 0:33:58there had been another slate quarry here, at Carnglaze,
0:33:58 > 0:34:02near the village of St Neot, which is 17 miles from Delabole.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Now, unlike its neighbour,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07the workers here did something quite unique.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Instead of quarrying for slate on the Earth's surface,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12they went underground.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Thankfully, much of the history of what was Cornwall's
0:34:24 > 0:34:27only underground slate mine has been preserved,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31not only by the past owner, but the present owner, Caroline Richards,
0:34:31 > 0:34:35and she's got her own interesting story of how she acquired this mine.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37And Caroline is somewhere down there.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I'm going to meet her and have a chat.
0:34:40 > 0:34:46This is amazing. I'm going 60m below ground and 150m into the hillside.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51- Caroline.- Hi.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55Pleased to meet you. I've got to say, I'm really jealous.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56How did you get to own your own slate mine?
0:34:56 > 0:35:00We were actually looking for woodland to restore
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- and we were looking to retire. - Where are the trees?!
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- Outside. 6.5 acres of woodland... - OK.- ..with a cottage.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- And that's what you bought. - That's what we bought
0:35:09 > 0:35:12and it turned out there was an old slate mine in the back garden,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15but even then, there wasn't lighting to all of it underground
0:35:15 > 0:35:17and so we still didn't realise the extent of it.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- And have you learned a great deal about mining in Cornwall?- I have.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23I've had to learn an enormous amount along the way.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I had a bit of a head start, because I was a geography teacher
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and I was always interested in archaeology, geology,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32- history, that sort of thing. - So, how is slate formed?
0:35:32 > 0:35:35This particular slate started off about 400 million years ago
0:35:35 > 0:35:38as mud at the bottom of an ocean and then it got caught up
0:35:38 > 0:35:41at a time when the tectonic plates underneath it were closing.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45That gave a great deal of lateral pressure, that turned it into slate.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Mid-Devonian slate is what it's called.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49That's what it is, is it, Mid-Devonian?
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Cornwall varies from early Devonian through to Carboniferous.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56So, why did the miners change this from a quarry into a mine?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00By coming underground, they got to the better-quality slate.
0:36:00 > 0:36:01It wasn't weathered, like it was outside.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06And because there were tin and copper mines starting to grow in the area, as well,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09there were a lot of people with the skill set needed
0:36:09 > 0:36:12for going underground for slate mining, at the same time.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14How safe was it working here,
0:36:14 > 0:36:16compared to the tin or the copper mines?
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Underground here, you've got solid slate, so it's good, strong rock.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23- You can see that it's unsupported... - It is, yes.- ..to a huge height.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26And it's very safe, very strong.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29In its heyday, how many men would have been working down here, then?
0:36:29 > 0:36:33- We believe about 20 teams of five...- Gosh.- ..in total,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35because there was such a constant demand for the product.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Extracting the slate was a hard manual job,
0:36:39 > 0:36:45as an account in the 1890s by a visitor, Mr WP Watkins, shows.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51'They sat on three-legged stools and used mallets and curious chisels
0:36:51 > 0:36:54'with flat heads and wide triangular blades, to dress the slate.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00'In the candlelight, they were only half visible.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03'And as they struck, the men maintained the rhythm.'
0:37:05 > 0:37:10One of the chambers also houses an underground lake of drinkable water
0:37:10 > 0:37:11that is 9.5m deep.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16So this is the only water supply you have to your house,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18- so you drink this water? - We do, indeed, and we don't
0:37:18 > 0:37:21have to treat it or anything - it's just drinkable straight as it is.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25It has to be tested every year, just to prove that it's drinkable.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27And does it stay at this level all the time?
0:37:27 > 0:37:30It keeps itself fairly static, but after heavy rainfall,
0:37:30 > 0:37:35it will rise maybe a few feet and, then, by the end of a week, maybe,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37it will have gone back to its normal level.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Does your house have connections to the mine, as well?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42It does, indeed, cos it wasn't a house at all,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45it was the engine house for the steam engine that was used
0:37:45 > 0:37:49for hauling the carts of slate up from the lower caverns here,
0:37:49 > 0:37:50from the lower chambers.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Tin, copper and slate mines fell into decline in Cornwall
0:37:58 > 0:38:03by the 20th century, due to larger deposits found overseas.
0:38:03 > 0:38:09This mine closed in 1903 and, as other mines shut down,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12the miners followed the work overseas.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22Welcome back to our valuation day venue, the Maritime Museum Cornwall.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25The valuations here in Falmouth are still in full swing
0:38:25 > 0:38:28and Caroline is being put to the test.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- So, Alison...- Yeah.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35..when I came to Falmouth today, I was expecting maritime items, I was
0:38:35 > 0:38:40expecting Newlyn School, and I was wondering about mystery objects,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44and you have brought the latter. Tell me what you know about this.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47It was given to my dad, who was a fencing master,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and I think it was given to him because it looks like a sword.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54- But this is not a fencing sword, is it?- No. No, it's not.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57We think it is a club for hitting people with.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Yes, I think I would agree with you on that one!
0:39:00 > 0:39:03And it looks like it hails from somewhere in the Pacific.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- I was told Papua New Guinea. - Yeah. Or possibly Polynesia.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Well, it's fascinating.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12And it's a bit of a dangerous item to have about.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- How long have you had it? - It's been in the house as long
0:39:15 > 0:39:18as I can remember, so since I was very little,
0:39:18 > 0:39:19so easily 30 years.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- I see. And it was around when you were a child?- Yes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- And was it used to control you?- Yes.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27My brother and I were told if we didn't behave then our dad
0:39:27 > 0:39:31- would hit us with what he called his bommyknocker.- Bommyknocker?!- Yes.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- So, this is a bommyknocker? - It's a bommyknocker.- Right.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36It's got a big piece knocked off.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Was that knocked off on you, by any chance?
0:39:38 > 0:39:42No, it's always been like that, as long as I can remember.
0:39:42 > 0:39:43Well, I think something like this
0:39:43 > 0:39:49very much depends on a, its origin, b, its age...
0:39:49 > 0:39:53- I don't think it's been made as a tourist item.- No, I don't think so.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55For several reasons.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- Can you see the binding at the top of it?- Yeah.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00That looks to me like it's been there a long time.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- That looks 19th century.- Yeah.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05It's a hardwood cane, which has split and then,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08take my word for it, it is very heavy.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09It is.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13The stone, which looks like some volcanic black, sort of, rock...
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- I think it might be, if that's where it's from.- Yeah.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20It's an amazing object. There's something I'm not sure about.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24I'm not sure how that stone is meant to attach to there.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26It doesn't look like it belongs.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31And I think this needs a great expert in this kind of thing
0:40:31 > 0:40:35- to look at it.- OK.- Really. And it would need an awful lot more research.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39However, I think if this is put into a good auction, I think
0:40:39 > 0:40:44- the market will give you the market price of this thing.- OK.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Have you ever given it any thought, as to the value of it?
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I had a tentative value put on it a few years ago.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52It was suggested it might be a couple of hundred pounds' worth.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57It could be anywhere between £80 and £8,000.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- Yeah.- And I don't know.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03- But are you prepared to give it a go on Flog It!?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07And I will be as interested as you to see where this delightful thing
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- is going to go. - Yeah.- It is interesting.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- Thank you very much, Alison, for bringing it along. - Thank you for having a look.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17I'll be very interested to see how that does later.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Right, then, Philip. Time's ticking.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- Martin, how are you? - I'm well, thanks, Philip.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26- That's not a Cornish accent. - No, no.- Where are you from?
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- I was born in Germany, actually, but Essex boy, really.- Yeah?
0:41:29 > 0:41:30- Essex boy for many, many, many years.- Yeah.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33And tell me all about this, then?
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Well, I've had it for probably 20 years
0:41:35 > 0:41:39and I've only worn it half a dozen times at a black tie do
0:41:39 > 0:41:42or something like that, when the circumstances were right.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45And it was my grandad's, but I don't use it, so...
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- You don't need a watch in Cornwall? - Who needs a watch in Cornwall?!
0:41:48 > 0:41:53I love brands and you've got there one of the world's great brands -
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Hermes. And it's interesting. Hermes were a French company,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00set up in the early part of the 19th century, and what's little
0:42:00 > 0:42:03known about them is they cut their teeth making saddlery.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- Ah, no, I didn't know that. - Let's just have a good look at it.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09We've got Hermes written on the circular dial,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12- you've got a stamp there... - Yeah, I couldn't make out the mark.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15No, I can't either. But I'd think this is probably 18 carat gold,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17but I can't guarantee that.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Looks like you might have another minor stamp there
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- and there on the buckle.- Yeah.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22I would think there's every chance
0:42:22 > 0:42:24that this bracelet might be original.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26- I think it is. - And that's lovely.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Might be shooting myself in the foot here,
0:42:28 > 0:42:33but I'm going to ask the question. You've got a 1930s Hermes gold
0:42:33 > 0:42:37watch that belonged to your grandad and you're going to sell it.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I think I'd much rather somebody was using it
0:42:39 > 0:42:42- and I think someone will love it. - Yeah.- You'd probably love it.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44You're looking at somebody who'd love it!
0:42:44 > 0:42:46I think it's absolutely fantastic. I love watches.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49And there's an interesting thing about this, you know.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52In this country, did you know, that on mechanical items,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54- you don't pay capital gains tax?- Oh, no.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56So, if this goes and makes £30,000,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- there is no capital gains tax to pay.- Wow.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Nice little take home bit there.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03But what I think is lovely about it, we're looking at a watch
0:43:03 > 0:43:08that's 80 or 90 years old, but that could be 1970s, couldn't it?
0:43:08 > 0:43:10It's timeless. Let's put it in the auction.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13I think that this is going to make between £200 and £400.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15I think we put a fixed reserve on it of £200
0:43:15 > 0:43:18and I think someone is really going to treasure that,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- and what I really hope is I hope they keep that strap.- Yeah.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- Absolutely. Fixed reserve. - Fixed reserve, £200.
0:43:25 > 0:43:26- Let's hope time flies.- Good.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35While the valuations are going on downstairs, I have popped up here,
0:43:35 > 0:43:38to show you one of the museum's most important exhibits -
0:43:38 > 0:43:42the history of the packet ships. In 1688, Falmouth was made
0:43:42 > 0:43:47the Royal Mail Packet Station. And ships brought letters, bullion,
0:43:47 > 0:43:51private goods and passengers back and forth from the colonies,
0:43:51 > 0:43:55turning Falmouth into a global news hub. They were boom times
0:43:55 > 0:43:58for the town, but it came at a price. It was a risky business
0:43:58 > 0:44:01sailing the high seas for the captains. Not only were there
0:44:01 > 0:44:06the dangers of storms of the high seas, but also of mutiny and attack
0:44:06 > 0:44:07by pirates.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13Packet vessels weren't fighting ships, but they were armed,
0:44:13 > 0:44:17with small deck cannon and guns, which frequently saved them
0:44:17 > 0:44:19from being captured. And hand pistols,
0:44:19 > 0:44:22like these, standard issue ones, often helped protect
0:44:22 > 0:44:26the letters and the bullion, which was frequently entrusted
0:44:26 > 0:44:29on those voyages. So, that is a wonderful example
0:44:29 > 0:44:33of what was around, but what I love is this mail bag.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38This is the only surviving example of a mail bag from a packet ship.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42It was donated to the museum, kindly, by a Falmouth resident,
0:44:42 > 0:44:44who found it in his attic.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49That really is a wonderful document of the packet's social history -
0:44:49 > 0:44:51a hardy survivor.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Let's catch up with today's experts and see if they have discovered
0:44:56 > 0:44:58any more hidden gems.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03Hello, Richard, Annette.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Tell me, how do you come to own this gorgeous guitar?
0:45:05 > 0:45:09We bought it from a chap down here, from Hull,
0:45:09 > 0:45:11who used to play in a group called The Ramrods.
0:45:11 > 0:45:16- Hang on, from Hull? The guy was from Hull?- Yeah.- I'm from Hull.- Yeah.
0:45:16 > 0:45:17How extraordinary.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20- And his group was The Ramrods?- The Ramrods.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24- And he moved down here, did he? - He moved down here to play.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27Right. And then, why did he sell his guitar?
0:45:27 > 0:45:30- Oh, he got a bit hard-up financially.- Financially.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33- His rent and all.- So The Ramrods weren't doing too well?
0:45:33 > 0:45:38- They was, for so many years... - They broke up after so many years.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41They played down here for a good four years, for sure.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44- So, when did you buy it? - In the early '80s.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47And I would imagine, from the style of this, that he played in the '60s?
0:45:47 > 0:45:51- Yes.- Yes.- I have to say, I don't know The Ramrods,
0:45:51 > 0:45:54but I think this guitar is fabulous.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58It's a Fender Jaguar, dates from around 1960, '62,
0:45:58 > 0:46:00'63, that sort of period.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04- Yeah.- Look at this lovely faux tortoiseshell scratch plate.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07And this is a sunburst model.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09And the original strap, by the looks of it,
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- lovely leather strap.- Could be.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15- This has seen some action, hasn't it?- Oh, yes.- Do either of you play?
0:46:15 > 0:46:17He plays a little. Yes, he plays a little.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20What do you play, a little, Richard?
0:46:20 > 0:46:23A bit of country and western, that sort of thing. Three-chord stuff.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- Ooh! Would you serenade me with this?- No, no. I don't think so.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Go on. Well, it's in very good condition.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34- Has it been in your home, just on display?- Yes.- Since the '80s.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38Oh, yes. And then we decided, time of life,
0:46:38 > 0:46:42to get rid of the things that our grandchildren are not interested in.
0:46:42 > 0:46:47- No.- So, that's one of the reasons why we wanted to...- How interesting.
0:46:47 > 0:46:51Well, I have to say, I don't know anything about The Ramrods. I shall look into that.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54But it's great, it's come from Hull, come all the way down to Falmouth.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58It's quite difficult to put a value.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01I mean, if this belonged to one of the Beatles, for instance,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05and we could attribute it to a certain rock star or band,
0:47:05 > 0:47:07it would make it very interesting.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10Yes.
0:47:10 > 0:47:14And they do sell, but I would say possibly to be safe,
0:47:14 > 0:47:16an estimate of 300 to 500.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19- Yes.- And would you want a reserve on that?
0:47:19 > 0:47:24- Yes, definitely.- Yeah. So, if we put a reserve of 300?
0:47:24 > 0:47:28- A fixed reserve of 300?- Yes.- Are you happy with that?- Yes.- Yes, yes.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31Well, I think it's lovely and we'll put it to auction, then,
0:47:31 > 0:47:33300-500, fixed at 300.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- Yeah.- Right, lovely. - Thank you, both of you.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39That guitar certainly rocks.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45Now, there's no time for a break. Or is there, Philip?
0:47:45 > 0:47:49- Can I have a cup of tea, please? - You may, indeed.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51- Maddie, I think this is lovely.- Thank you.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55- How long have you had it?- About three or four years.- Is that all?
0:47:55 > 0:47:58- Yeah.- What possessed you to buy it or did you inherit it or...?
0:47:58 > 0:48:02- Well, I went to an auction to have a look...- As you do.- ..as you do.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05I went to a viewing
0:48:05 > 0:48:08- and I happen to run a teashop in St Ives in Cornwall.- You do?
0:48:08 > 0:48:11I do, indeed, yeah. And I thought, "Wow."
0:48:11 > 0:48:14Because it's a really quaint place, actually. It's a corner shop.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17It looks like an old curiosity shop and I thought, "Well, just the job.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21"Put it on the outside," albeit I don't sell Lyons Tea, but, you know,
0:48:21 > 0:48:26it's got that vintage look about it. But have you felt the weight of it?
0:48:26 > 0:48:28- It's heavy, isn't it? - And I thought to myself,
0:48:28 > 0:48:31"Hang on a minute, it might pull the building down."
0:48:31 > 0:48:34So it's been in my conservatory, unfortunately, ever since.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37- Well, Lyons were an Irish company, weren't they...?- I don't know.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39..that set up making tea and, of course,
0:48:39 > 0:48:42they opened their famous tearooms, didn't they?
0:48:42 > 0:48:45- The Corner House?- Yeah. - Which I used to go to
0:48:45 > 0:48:49- with my mother, when I was... that big.- Well, there you are!
0:48:49 > 0:48:52- I would think this sign probably dates from the '20s.- Yes.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55What I think is lovely about this... This is an enamelled sign.
0:48:55 > 0:49:00- It is, isn't it?- Enamel signs are very difficult to preserve
0:49:00 > 0:49:03because, through the years, you get farmers...
0:49:03 > 0:49:06They get used for target practice for airguns,
0:49:06 > 0:49:08- They get used for 101 different things...- Yes.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12- ..and actually this has survived. - Well, what I also know is...
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Is this emblematic of being by royal appointment?
0:49:15 > 0:49:16It must be, mustn't it?
0:49:16 > 0:49:19And I think what's interesting here, the animals.
0:49:19 > 0:49:20- Are they lions?- Lions, yeah.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23They've lost their gilding, which would have been really beautiful.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26A little bit. There's still some there. But I wouldn't restore it.
0:49:26 > 0:49:28I'd leave it just the way it is,
0:49:28 > 0:49:32and I think at auction, if this came into my saleroom,
0:49:32 > 0:49:34I'd estimate it at £60-£90.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37- Oh, right.- I'd put a fixed reserve on it at £50.- Right, that's fine.
0:49:37 > 0:49:42And if you have a really good day, it could make 150-200.
0:49:42 > 0:49:47- That would be fabulous.- So what did you pay for it?- About the 50 mark.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49- Phew.- But, of course, with commission on top,
0:49:49 > 0:49:51it was probably getting on for 60.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53- 60, yeah.- But having said that,
0:49:53 > 0:49:55I would be satisfied with that, absolutely.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59So you're happy to get it in and thank you very much, thank you.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02It's been great. Thank you, Philip, nice to meet you. Cheers.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06It certainly would look great outside, or even inside, a tea shop.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Well, that's it. It's time to say meur ras,
0:50:11 > 0:50:13which is thank you, and goodbye
0:50:13 > 0:50:15to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18our magnificent host location, but it's not over yet.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21We've got some unfinished business to do in the auction room.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24We're putting our last three valuations to the test,
0:50:24 > 0:50:26so while we make our way over there, here's a quick recap, just to
0:50:26 > 0:50:30jog your memory, of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34We'll all be surprised to see how this ethnic wooden club
0:50:34 > 0:50:36does at auction.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42Time could change everything for this Hermes watch.
0:50:42 > 0:50:49We're hoping this iron-mounted tea sign will bring in the buyers.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55And I'm sure this guitar will be music to someone's ears
0:50:55 > 0:50:56at the saleroom.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03As we return to the auction in Lostwithiel, all eyes are on Ian Morris.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05300 away? 300 away.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08And first going under the gavel is Alison's unusual club.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10The auction room has done a little more research.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14We've all come to the conclusion it is Polynesian, OK?
0:51:14 > 0:51:17Question is, how collectible will this one be?
0:51:17 > 0:51:20We've seen some great results on the show before. Hard to value.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23- Really hard.- Hard to value.- Not many experts.- There's not many experts.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26And they keep it to themselves, so fingers crossed,
0:51:26 > 0:51:28they've come down here and viewed this.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33For the knot battle club, probably Polynesian.
0:51:33 > 0:51:34£60, I've got on the book.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38At £60. £60. £70. £80. £90.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41£100. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45150. With you. At 150, at the back.
0:51:45 > 0:51:46At 150. 160 not? Are we done?
0:51:46 > 0:51:50At 150, going clubbing tonight. £150.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52- There we go.- £150.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55- That was good. I'm happy.- Yeah.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58That's £150, rather than sitting, gathering dust.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00So, yeah, I'm happy with that.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02That's the positive outlook on it, isn't it?
0:52:02 > 0:52:04Well done and thank you for bringing it in,
0:52:04 > 0:52:06cos it has given us a wonderful talking point.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09Thankfully, Alison got a good result.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Going under the hammer right now,
0:52:12 > 0:52:15we have a 1930s gold Hermes watch, belonging to Martin, and we've just
0:52:15 > 0:52:19been joined by our expert, Philip, who would like to own this watch...
0:52:19 > 0:52:22- I must add. But you can't. - I know. I can't, I can't.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25I like it, as well. It's a good brand. Was that grandad's watch?
0:52:25 > 0:52:27- It was my grandad's watch. - And you've never worn it.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30- Don't wear a watch. - Never wear a watch.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33So, that's why you're selling. Fingers crossed we get the top end.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36- OK? It is collectible.- Absolutely. - It's very collectible.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38We're going to find out what the bidders think.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43The Hermes 18 carat gold wristwatch, on brown leather strap.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Can I say £200 to start me?
0:52:45 > 0:52:48£150 on the book. At 150. 150. Sorry?
0:52:48 > 0:52:52- 200. At 200. At 200 on the phone.- Right, we're there.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56220. 240. 250. 280. 300?
0:52:56 > 0:52:58300. 320. 350?
0:52:58 > 0:53:01350. 380. 400?
0:53:01 > 0:53:05- This is better.- 400. 400 on the phone. At £400. 20 anywhere?
0:53:05 > 0:53:08- Phone's taking it now. - At £400, I'm bid. 420 now.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10At £400.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13Yes, hammer's gone down. Top end of the estimate. Well done, Philip.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15- Well done.- Good price.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19Do you know what? That watch would look great on a modern lady today.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21I'm glad it's gone. Somebody's going to use it, which is...
0:53:21 > 0:53:24- You know, I don't use it. - That's the most important thing -
0:53:24 > 0:53:26- these things have to be used.- Good news.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30- Thanks, Phil.- Pleasure.- There's no point in keeping a beautiful
0:53:30 > 0:53:31piece like that in a drawer.
0:53:34 > 0:53:39I love this next lot. It's from a bygone era - the tea sign.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Maddie's Lyons teashop sign. It's fantastic.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44- Philip, you fell in love with this. - Oh, I'd love to own it.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47- It's a great thing. - Yeah, it's nostalgic, isn't it?
0:53:47 > 0:53:48It's just a cool thing.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51And with a cup of tea, it's always nice to have a piece of cake.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55- It certainly is, Paul.- Now, what have you brought along today for us?
0:53:55 > 0:53:57- Well, I've brought you a cake. - Look at this!
0:53:57 > 0:54:01I mean, it's not just any old cake - it is a Flog It! sponge cake!
0:54:01 > 0:54:05- Look at that! With a hammer on it. A gavel.- There you go.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08I'm just hoping if I get it wrong, I don't get it in the face.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10- Yes, exactly. Isn't that brilliant?- Thank you.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13Thank you so much. That's really, really nice.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16And let's see if we can get top dollar for this tea sign.
0:54:16 > 0:54:18- Well, let's hope so. - I hope it does really well.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21I do as well, cos I know I'd like to own it and so would you,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24but we're not allowed to, so let's hope it really does really well.
0:54:24 > 0:54:29The wartime mounted shop sign, "Lyon's Tea Sold Here."
0:54:29 > 0:54:33- I've got two, four, five bids on the sheets, there.- Really?
0:54:33 > 0:54:36My top - and they're all very close together, is £85.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39At £85. 90 now. At £85, 90 and up.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43I have £90 right at the back. I have £90. All my bids are out.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47- Gosh, they were so close, all those bids.- At £90, I'm selling. £95.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50£100? £100. 110?
0:54:50 > 0:54:52110. 120?
0:54:52 > 0:54:53At 110, I'm bid. 120 and up...
0:54:53 > 0:54:55At £110.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57GAVEL BANGS 110, the hammer's gone down.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00- Sold.- Sold. That was quick, wasn't it?- It was a cake sign.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03There was a lot of people that wanted that for 80-odd pounds,
0:55:03 > 0:55:05- but we got 110.- That's great.
0:55:07 > 0:55:09And it was so lovely of Maddie to bring us a cake.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14Now, fingers crossed for our final item of the day.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17Right now, it's time to rock the saleroom.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19Yes, literally, because we have a Fender Jaguar guitar
0:55:19 > 0:55:22going under the hammer, belonging to Richard and Annette.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24Great to meet you both.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27I've got to say, I had a Fender Jaguar. Do you play?
0:55:27 > 0:55:30No, not for... Only about three chords.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33Three chords, that's all you need to write a great rock song!
0:55:34 > 0:55:36- E, G, A. Smoke on the Water.- Yes!
0:55:38 > 0:55:40Look, I think 300 to 500 is sensible
0:55:40 > 0:55:43and let's hope he can find a young guy to earn a living from this
0:55:43 > 0:55:46guitar, write some songs, get in a band and earn a living.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50That's what it's all about. OK? Fingers crossed. Here we go.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53What's it for the Fender? Bit of interest in this, as well.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56Three, four bids on the books. I've got to start at £420.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58At 420. Hit the right note.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01- 420. 440. - Yes, this guy's buying it, look.
0:56:01 > 0:56:06500. 520. 540. 560. 580. 600.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10620. 640. 660. 680, with you. I'm out on the book.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13700. 720? 720.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14740.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17740. 760. 760. 780?
0:56:17 > 0:56:18- 800.- Telephone bid.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21At £800. 820, both in the room.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23850. 880.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26880. 900? 900. 920.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28- 920.- Are you all right?
0:56:28 > 0:56:30Hold on to me.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32980. 1,000. And 50?
0:56:32 > 0:56:34And 50. 1,100?
0:56:34 > 0:56:36- £1,050.- Are you OK?
0:56:36 > 0:56:38£1,050, gentleman in the glasses.
0:56:38 > 0:56:42At £1,050. At £1,050.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44- £1,050. Yes!- Golly!
0:56:44 > 0:56:47Those guys just missed it, look.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49Everyone loves an under bidder
0:56:49 > 0:56:50and thank those guys for that,
0:56:50 > 0:56:54because that guy had to pay £1,050, because those two wanted it.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57There's a tear in your eye. I can see it. There's a tear in your eye.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00- Yeah, yeah.- Wow! That is a lot of money, isn't it?
0:57:00 > 0:57:03- What are you going to do with that? - Grandchildren.- What are their names?
0:57:03 > 0:57:07- Lowenna, Alan and Brett. - Lowenna's a good Cornish name.
0:57:07 > 0:57:08Just a bit.
0:57:08 > 0:57:12And my granddaughter, she's expecting her first baby in June,
0:57:12 > 0:57:15so that's our first great-grandchild.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18- Aw!- Aw! How lovely. - What a way to end the show, as well.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22Rock and roll! I hope you've enjoyed it, as well.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Join us again for many more surprises but, until then,
0:57:24 > 0:57:28from all of us here in Lostwithiel, it's goodbye, isn't it?
0:57:28 > 0:57:32It really is, with a big major chord. Da-nah!