0:00:02 > 0:00:06MUSIC: Flute Concerto No 2 in D Major by Mozart
0:00:06 > 0:00:09What do you do when you have a big collection of fine art and antiques
0:00:09 > 0:00:11and nowhere to put them?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Well, the answer is, you build a museum
0:00:14 > 0:00:18and that's exactly what John and Josephine Bowes did in County Durham,
0:00:18 > 0:00:20back in the 19th century.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Welcome to the Bowes Museum and welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:45 > 0:00:48The exterior of the Bowes Museum looks like a French town hall
0:00:48 > 0:00:52and the reason for this is that Josephine Bowes was French,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55so they designed and built it in the French style,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57using metric measurements
0:00:57 > 0:01:00which must have confused the local builders no end.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06John, who was the illegitimate son of the 10th Earl of Strathmore,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09had met Josephine, an actress, in Paris.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11They fell in love, married
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and set about indulging their shared love of collecting.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19And we can see the fruits of their passion here at the museum -
0:01:19 > 0:01:23the hundreds of paintings, the collection of fine French furniture
0:01:23 > 0:01:27and all manner of fascinating objects from all over Europe.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32But now, it's time to get to the front of the building,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36where a large queue is eagerly waiting.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Could there be anywhere more appropriate for our experts
0:01:40 > 0:01:42to make their valuations
0:01:42 > 0:01:45than this temple of fine art and antique collecting?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Hundreds of people have turned up,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50laden with their own antiques and collectibles. Yes, look!
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And, hopefully, one or two will be going home
0:01:53 > 0:01:56delighted with the news of what our experts will have to say
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and you might make a small fortune in auction - but not you, madam!
0:01:59 > 0:02:02But right now, there's only one question on everybody's lips,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- which is... CROWD:- What's it worth? - Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Preparing herself to provide the answers
0:02:11 > 0:02:14is auctioneer Elizabeth Talbot.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17This is lovely. A little Bunnykins bowl.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19And that is just the sort of weather I'd love to be having now.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21That's beautiful. We'll have a look inside.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23And joining her today
0:02:23 > 0:02:26is knowledgeable antiques expert Paul Laidlaw.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Very pleasing, very pleasing. And... - CLEAR RINGING
0:02:31 > 0:02:33..no problems with that at all.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Well, we can't keep the people waiting.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38The crowd is already making their way up through the museum
0:02:38 > 0:02:42to the valuation tables and later on, we'll be exploring
0:02:42 > 0:02:46more of the fabulous collections housed in the Bowes Museum.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51But first, let's have a look at some of the things that are coming up
0:02:51 > 0:02:54that give today's show a European flavour.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- We have Russian silver.- It's been in pride of place in the cabinet?- No.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01THEY LAUGH
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- It's been wrapped in tissue in the attic.- Oh, has it?
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Paul Laidlaw has a rare Italian find.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- I tell you what, it's a scarce object.- Really?
0:03:10 > 0:03:14These do not turn up so very often at all.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20And I find myself converted to the beauty of handmade lace from Venice.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25And the museum here has many rare and early examples in its collection,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29like this one. It's a beautiful deep collar of raised needle lace.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37We've set up our valuation tables in one of the fine picture galleries
0:03:37 > 0:03:39and here we are, surrounded by fine works of art
0:03:39 > 0:03:43from artists from all over the world. It's quite incredible.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46But there's one artist I want to point out to you.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Up there, those large 19th-century French landscapes
0:03:49 > 0:03:51are by Josephine Bowes herself.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55She was an incredibly talented artist. They're beautifully executed.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58There is one picture which stands out for me, though,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00and it's the great British bull up there.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02That's definitely not Josephine's taste,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04more the taste of her husband, John.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08But right now, we're interested in the taste of our experts.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Let's take a closer look at what they've found
0:04:10 > 0:04:11at the valuation tables.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Elizabeth is starting us off
0:04:16 > 0:04:18with a piece of silver which is a long way from home.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Lovely to meet you.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Thank you so much for bringing your lovely little cup.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- Tell me what you know about it. - Well, it was a family item.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It belonged to my grandfather first and then my mother
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and when she died, it passed on to me.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34And you've treasured it and prized it, have you,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- and it's been in pride of place in the cabinet?- No.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39THEY LAUGH
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- It's been wrapped in tissue in the attic.- Oh, has it?
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Hence, probably, why it's in such lovely condition.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47It's really pristine, isn't it? What do you know of it as an object?
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Well, until I came here, I didn't have a clue what it was
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- and I was told it was a Russian vodka cup.- Mmm-hmm.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Yes, it is Russian, very distinctively Russian.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00One of the factors which makes it so distinctive
0:05:00 > 0:05:01is the way it's been decorated.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- First of all, the view on it is of the Kremlin.- Right.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Which is a bit of a giveaway. But this black on silver -
0:05:07 > 0:05:09this is a very specific form of decoration
0:05:09 > 0:05:12which the Russians prize themselves in.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- It's called niello work. N-I-E-L-L-O.- Yeah.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20It's a combination of sulphides of copper, silver and lead
0:05:20 > 0:05:22which makes this rich black colour
0:05:22 > 0:05:25which they can rub into a surface which has been predecorated.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- Oh, right.- It makes the engraved decoration stand out,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32almost like a lined drawing, an engraving.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33That makes it very distinctive.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38It was made between about 1899 and 1917. It's that sort of period.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40That would be about the time
0:05:40 > 0:05:43my grandfather had his business in Berlin
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- where he was a master jeweller. - Really? Oh, wow.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47And he had a big shop in Berlin,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49so it might have been amongst his stock there.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51I think it's lovely and I really like it.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55We don't see so very much Russian artefacts in this country.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- There are pockets of it, but always lovely quality.- Yeah.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- Presumably, you have little idea of its actual value.- None at all.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Generally, there is a huge collectors' market
0:06:04 > 0:06:06for Russian silver and, of course, Russia and its economy,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09being as strong as it is, there is a lot of interest
0:06:09 > 0:06:11from the homeland of people looking to buy back
0:06:11 > 0:06:14or to collect their own traditional artefacts,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17so it's a good time to be selling it, I think.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Do you want to guess what it might be worth?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21No idea, really. Not at all.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I would think that it would be worth in the region of about £150-£200,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- would be my estimate for auction. - Goodness, yeah.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- That's not a bad price. - Is that all right?- Yeah.- OK?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32In which case, if we place a reserve on it for you.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37£150 reserve, estimate of £150-£200 and we'll just see.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40If it's protected with a reserve, it'll just find its feet.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- Thank you.- It's good of you to come in. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47In such splendid condition, we should have a good shot at selling that.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Paul, next, who has also come across some family items.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Hi, Ann, Chris, how are you? You come armed.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59There's got to be a great story behind these objects.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The ceremonial sword was brought home from the Second World War
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- by my dad. He was in the Royal Navy on landing craft.- I see.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- Before the war, he was trained as a telegraphist...- Yes.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- ..and he worked on a newspaper. - Right.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14He volunteered for the air force but they put him in the navy
0:07:14 > 0:07:16because he could do the Morse code.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19He was over the moon about that. He wasn't!
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- I think he was seasick most of the war.- Yeah.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Anyway, somehow he came by this when he was in Italy
0:07:25 > 0:07:27and he brought it home with him at the end of the war
0:07:27 > 0:07:30and it's been in our family ever since.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31But most recently, just on the shelf.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Most recently on a bedroom shelf, really.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- I don't know where else you're going to put your dress dagger.- Yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- As far as I know, it's a ceremonial sword.- Absolutely is.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47So, that's that, but a generation before, someone earned these medals.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51These belonged to HIS father, my grandfather,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53who was a stetcher-bearer, a medic, in the First World War.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Wonderful. Two generations.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01We have, here, the British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Anyone that served in the First World War
0:08:03 > 0:08:06would be entitled to these, so we can imagine
0:08:06 > 0:08:09the hundreds of thousands, millions that circulate, OK.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14What I like about the Victory Medal is this fabulous ribbon here
0:08:14 > 0:08:19bears the colours from all the flags
0:08:19 > 0:08:21of the allies during the First World War.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25It's a poignant remembrance, so far as I'm concerned.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- Now, I did hint on huge numbers that are out there.- Yeah.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33And all of the corps of these, the non-regimental - the artillery,
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- the engineers, the medical corps - they're pretty unloved.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Everyone respects what these represent
0:08:41 > 0:08:45but there are a great deal out there and they command modest sums.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49This little pair here, medical corps, get £20-£40 in auction.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52And there's nothing you or I can do about that. That's the going rate.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Look, the guy survived the war, which is lovely,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59and one of his sons survived the Second World War,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02applying for the RAF, ending up landing craft.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Well, it could have been invasion of Sicily,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10and at some point, he probably traded this
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- for cigarettes or whatever.- Yeah.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16I thought I remember him saying he won it at a card game, but...
0:09:16 > 0:09:20There you go. No, that's entirely plausible. What is it?
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Well, it's actually a pre-war
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Italian air force cadet's dress sidearm,
0:09:26 > 0:09:31represented here by the crossguard modelled as wings.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- I tell you what, it's a scarce object.- Really?
0:09:34 > 0:09:37These do not turn up so very often at all
0:09:37 > 0:09:41and there's a very healthy demand for such.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46Value-wise, I'd suggest £150-£200 under the hammer,
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- which is a pretty healthy little sum.- Yeah.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54I'm hoping that you would like to take this to auction
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- and see what comes of it.- Yeah.- Yes. - And the medals, likewise?
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- Absolutely.- Yeah.- Well, two separate lots, I'd advise that for sure.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Different markets, different collector base.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10£20-£40 on our medical corps Great War pair, £20 reserve.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14And the dagger, £150-£200's our estimate, £150 reserve,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17and we are aiming for the sky. We hope for good results.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- Sounds good.- That's great, thanks.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Won in a card game. What a good story!
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Now, we step back in time to the style of the 1940s.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Thank you so much for coming in and bringing a beautiful brooch,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32which we will talk about in a little while,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35but I must, first, acknowledge your wonderful attire.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- I think your outfit's stunning. - Thank you.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- Is this how you always dress? - It is, yes.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- I just enjoy this era immensely. - Well, you wear it very well.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- It's lovely.- Thank you.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- You obviously appreciate jewellery as well.- Yes.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Which is why we have in front of us this little brooch.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52So, what is the story behind your brooch?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Well, it was from a neighbour when they were clearing the house
0:10:55 > 0:10:58and they know I enjoy jewellery and I do appreciate the piece
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- but it's not from my era, obviously. - But nonetheless, it's very pretty
0:11:02 > 0:11:05and it does date from the late Victorian period.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It isn't hallmarked but stylistically,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10it dates itself quite precisely to the late 19th century.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12I would strongly assume that that is gold.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I think, if it were tested, it would prove to be gold and it is set
0:11:15 > 0:11:20with this lovely little fly with turquoise, ruby and small diamonds.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22The Victorians loved their insect-related jewellery.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I know other eras did as well,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26but certainly the Victorians loved it.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29This is a bar brooch which could be worn on a collar or a tie.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It could be used in different ways or on a lapel it would look nice.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34It is a very wearable piece of jewellery
0:11:34 > 0:11:36and looks surprisingly modern
0:11:36 > 0:11:39because the simplicity of the bar sets the fly off nicely.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42If you were to sell it, would you then be reinvesting it
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- in your collection of something else?- Definitely.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Is that a silly question?
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- Do you have any idea of value at all?- Not really sure.- No?- No.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Strangely enough, bar brooches are not as valuable as they once were
0:11:53 > 0:11:55and as one might expect they would be,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58but I think that for a piece that's that pretty and works that well,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01it should fetch in between £80 and £120.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- So, would you be happy to sell at that level?- That would be fine.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07So, if we put it in auction at £80 to £120
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and protect it by a reserve of £80 at the bottom end?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Yeah, that would be fine. - Fixed or with discretion?
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- With discretion.- OK, the auctioneer will get as close as he could,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18but just for the sake of not selling it,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20just one bid beneath, he'd let it go.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- But I still think you outshine it, I'm afraid.- Thank you.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24You have my vote.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26What a glamorous look.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Now, I'm not sure about Paul's next choice though.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Catherine, tell me about them. Where do these hail from?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Well, I inherited them. They've been in the family for...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37They must've been in a cupboard for 100 years.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41These are uncommon. They're strange!
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Yes, and this one, if you twirl it around, it makes music.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- Can we? Does it?- Yes, yes!
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Yes!
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- TWINKLING MUSIC-BOX MUSIC PLAYS - Oh, my word!- Yeah.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Yeah, I get it and I see the mechanism.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58There are teeth on the end of that handle.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- It's striking a comb....- Yes.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- ..on the inside of her drum-like body there.- Uh-huh.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05And I've got to say,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- is that a whistle on the end of the handle?- Oh, I don't know!
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Oh, if it is I...- That's what it looks like to me.- Yes!
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Now, what can I tell you about her?
0:13:15 > 0:13:16I concur on age
0:13:16 > 0:13:20because we are certainly into the tail end of the 19th century.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Right, right.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I've referred to bisque-headed dolls previously,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26and I can tell you that this is an early composition.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- A plastic, OK?- Mm-hm, mm-hm.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- This is quite modern technology in its day.- Right.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Arguably less expensive than a porcelain head.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38However, there are refinements.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42She's got glass eyes, an open mouth and teeth,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46and those are high-end features on any doll of this time.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51She is refined, and she was not inexpensive.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Now, I mean, so if this is a... Can you trace this to an ancestor?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Um, possibly.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- It's a guess that... It's my guess, it's probably German.- Right.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Er, because my great-great-grandfather
0:14:04 > 0:14:06was a businessman who exported, er,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09textile machinery to Germany and had a factory there as well
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and I suspect he brought it back for his, er...
0:14:12 > 0:14:14children or his granddaughter.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Now her friend... Well, if this little girl is a rich girl,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21on the other hand, I think we're looking
0:14:21 > 0:14:23at the other end of the social spectrum here.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Er, a black lady in her original dress,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and it looks like what she'd be wearing
0:14:29 > 0:14:33if she was West African or West Indian,
0:14:33 > 0:14:34with the head wrap,
0:14:34 > 0:14:39but a Victorian printed textile band decorating the dress
0:14:39 > 0:14:41and she is made of...
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- she's fabric-stuffed.- Uh-huh.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Yeah, but, look, little black glass bead eyes
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and the wee pursed lips stitched on.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51I think she's utterly charming
0:14:51 > 0:14:57and I'll wager she is as rare a survivor as her upmarket friend,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01because I suspect she wasn't overly expensive...
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- 100-odd years ago.- Yeah.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05What do they do for you? Do you like them?
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Absolutely nothing.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I could see £100-£200 in these.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12That's not a lot of money and you're getting, in my opinion...
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- rare dolls.- Yes.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Are they definitely going? - Yes.- Yeah?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Because I have no use for them or no desire to keep them.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- I'd say, if you get north of 80... - Mm-hm.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- ..we're in business.- OK.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- But I'm hoping for £1-200. - Really? Mm-hm.- Sound OK?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Yeah, yeah.- Catherine, it looks like we're in business.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31And bye-bye, the dolls.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I really hope Paul is right with his valuation.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's time for me to take the opportunity
0:15:38 > 0:15:40for a look around the area.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The Battle of Towton was the key conflict in a series
0:15:49 > 0:15:52of gruelling campaigns that dominated medieval England
0:15:52 > 0:15:56during a 30-year period known as the War of the Roses.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05They were so called after the red rose of the House of Lancaster,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and the white rose, the emblem of the House of York.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14These were two warring lines of the same royal family, the Plantagenets.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Henry VI, the ruling king at the time of the battle,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19was the head of the House of Lancaster.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Having lost most of England's territories
0:16:23 > 0:16:24in France in the mid-1400s,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26he suffered periods of mental illness,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29which made him unfit to rule as the King of England.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32However, he was married to Margaret of Anjou,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35who was a strong, fiery character
0:16:35 > 0:16:39described by Shakespeare as "the she-wolf of France".
0:16:39 > 0:16:43It was Margaret who raised the army of Lancastrians
0:16:43 > 0:16:46to fight the Yorkists, but what drove her to this march to war?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Well, the reasons are quite complex,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51but basically it boils down to the fact
0:16:51 > 0:16:55that she wanted her son to be heir to the throne and rule the country.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Standing in the way of her ambition
0:16:59 > 0:17:02was the tall, good-looking, 19-year-old Edward,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05head of the House of York, the white roses.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08He was the cousin of King Henry VI,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11and, having been backed by Parliament,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13he had a legitimate claim to the crown
0:17:13 > 0:17:15and was marching north from London.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21In 1460, the English Parliament passed an Act of Accord,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24letting York and his line succeed Henry to the throne.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27They recognised the legitimate right the family had,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29so they declared Edward the King.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34With two living Kings, the whole country was now divided
0:17:34 > 0:17:37between these two branches of the Plantagenets.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Almost every man of noble birth had gathered his men
0:17:41 > 0:17:42and was preparing for battle.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Edward was here at Pontefract,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50with his army of tens of thousands of men,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53on his way to secure his throne
0:17:53 > 0:17:56by victory over his rivals in battle.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59In the medieval times,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02it was the only sure sign of the will of God.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10On the 28th of March, 1461, a bitterly cold day,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Edward and his army set off north from here,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17to meet the Lancastrian troops.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18So, the scene was set
0:18:18 > 0:18:22for one of the bloodiest battles in English history.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26To find out more, we have to visit the site of the battle itself.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Which is situated near the village of Towton in Yorkshire.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I'm meeting up with the archaeologist Tim Sutherland,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36who, over 500 years after the event,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40has been unearthing extraordinary discoveries that tell us more
0:18:40 > 0:18:44about this monumental moment in British history.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Tim, can you tell me what happened on the 29th of March, 1461?
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- Right, we've got Yorkist army coming up from London.- Yeah.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54And they're arriving from the south. They appear on that horizon there.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- Yeah.- And the Lancastrians coming on this horizon from York, basically.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00And when they meet here, they clash hand-to-hand,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03but before that, there's an arrow storm,
0:19:03 > 0:19:04an arrow engagement where the...
0:19:04 > 0:19:07the two armies are significantly far apart,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10where they can only attack each other by arrow.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12SOUNDS OF BATTLE
0:19:17 > 0:19:20But the wind is in the faces of the Lancastrians,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22it's blowing from the south, as it is today.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- What that means is that... - They had the advantage.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- The arrows from the Yorkists are actually going further.- Yeah.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30And they can actually put them inside the Lancastrian army,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34whereas the Lancastrians are shooting their arrows south
0:19:34 > 0:19:35and they're falling short.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36What that means is,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40the Yorkists have already got an significant advantage.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Officially, the death toll is 28,000,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52which is almost inconceivable.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54BATTLE SOUNDS INTENSIFY
0:19:55 > 0:19:57And then, towards the end of the battle,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00we get the Duke of Norfolk arriving behind us here
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and arriving on the flank of the battlefield.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- And of course the Lancastrian army see this...- Yeah.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07And then they think, "Right, that's it, I'm off,"
0:20:07 > 0:20:09and then they're starting to flee.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Then, of course, it's basically a massive big drop into a river.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20And so, of course, people would have been tumbling down into the river,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23and, although it's only a very narrow river today,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25you'd be wearing massive padded jacks and armour
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- and this, that and the other. - Yeah, and leather.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- So trying to cross a swollen river...- Mm.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30..would have been a nightmare.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- Ugh.- So again, a significant number of people get killed.- Gosh.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So, Edward and the Yorkists won the battle.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39What have you found and is this dig still going on?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Literally, over the last few days,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43- we've been finding teeth.- Teeth.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Teeth. Human teeth.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47After it's been ploughed for the first time in a year,
0:20:47 > 0:20:48we start to find human teeth.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50And if it's too muddy, and the mud's too sticky,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52then, of course, it sticks to the teeth
0:20:52 > 0:20:54and any other artefacts and we can't see anything.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- Yeah, what about arrowheads? - We found, significantly,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I mean, these are very, very rare on the medieval battlefield,
0:21:00 > 0:21:01in fact, they're unique in England,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and when you find them in the ground, they look like that.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08That doesn't look, I wouldn't look at that and say it's an arrowhead.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10No, it doesn't look like an arrowhead.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12And it's only when you analyse them closely,
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- and these have been chopped in half and then polished.- OK.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16And you can see how they've been made.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19They used to think that they fire braised,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- fire welded them in a blacksmith's forge.- OK.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23What we're finding now
0:21:23 > 0:21:25is these have actually been welded together with copper alloy.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28It's manufactured in a completely new way,
0:21:28 > 0:21:29and every time you have a battle,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31you need hundreds of thousands of these arrowheads.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33So, of course, you've got to replenish them
0:21:33 > 0:21:35and what we're tending to believe now
0:21:35 > 0:21:37is that this is an early form of mass production.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38Right, it's a factory system,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- not by a professional blacksmith then, but...- No.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42..probably by several different people.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Once they're out of the soil, they don't last long.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46So we've incorporated these into the plastic
0:21:46 > 0:21:48so we can preserve them and analyse them,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50but, once they're out of the ground,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53they literally might last a year before they crumble into dust.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55With your hard work and your colleagues' work,
0:21:55 > 0:21:56this must have added an awful lot of gravity
0:21:56 > 0:21:58to the battle here at Towton.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I think why this is important, is that
0:22:01 > 0:22:05we've introduced new concepts to medieval battlefield archaeology.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Er, we've discussed and proven
0:22:07 > 0:22:11that medieval arrows were manufactured in a different way.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14We've managed to work out that you can actually find
0:22:14 > 0:22:16physical evidence of a medieval battle.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Everyone thought that was impossible before,
0:22:19 > 0:22:20but we managed to prove it,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24and so, by studying this landscape, we can actually pick out things,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27answer the right questions and hopefully provide some answers.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33The sheer scale of the battle,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and the fact that the outcome saw one king of England
0:22:36 > 0:22:38and his line replace another,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42makes the Battle of Towton of the greatest importance.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Edward went on to be a good ruler
0:22:44 > 0:22:48and the country benefited under his reign,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51but, looking at the amount of bloodshed,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54one can only be thankful that democracy
0:22:54 > 0:22:55has replaced the rule of the sword.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04The auction is beckoning.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08But before we go, let's have another look at what we're taking with us.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12The silver shot glass is from Russia.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Let's hope the bidders are going to love it.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20These two dolls are not my taste,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23but I recognise they are unusual.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26And they are therefore likely to appeal to the collectors.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Two military lots next - medals from the First World War...
0:23:33 > 0:23:37..and a rare ceremonial dagger, dating from the Second World War.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45And our last lot is the elegant gold brooch which has a lot of style,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47just like its owner.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55We're heading west, across the Yorkshire Dales,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57to the glorious South Lakeland,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00which is home to Eighteen Eighteen Auctioneers,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02a business that has been going since -
0:24:02 > 0:24:05yes, you guessed it - 1818.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Remember, if you are buying or selling in an auction room,
0:24:08 > 0:24:12there is commission to pay. Now here, at Eighteen Eighteen Auctioneers,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14it's 20%, including VAT.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17But these commissions do vary from saleroom to saleroom,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20so check the details. It's all printed in the catalogue.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23If you're unsure, ask a member of staff.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Don't get caught out when that hammer goes down.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29And we have two auctioneers looking after us today -
0:24:29 > 0:24:32David Brookes and Kevin Kendal.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36And we have a dazzling start to our sales.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Right now, I'm going to take you straight back to the 1940s.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Here we go. Look at that.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- Here's Beverly and doesn't she look fabulous?- Stunning!
0:24:43 > 0:24:46You always look great, I've got to say that.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48And now, it comes to your brooch,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51so it's a wonderful thing and I think this is gold, don't you?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- I do.- It's got some pretty stones on it.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Yes, it has and it's beautifully crafted. The finishing is all nice.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00It's not just a piece of cheap costume jewellery.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02A lot of effort and skill has gone into making it.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And I guess, if you sell this,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- the money's all going towards more costumes, is it?- Definitely.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Let's put it under the hammer. Here we go.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Yellow metal bar brooch with a fly motif.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Rather nice, set with ruby, turquoise and diamonds.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20£100 if you like for it. £100, surely. Start me at 80 then.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- £80, thank you, sir.- That's good.
0:25:22 > 0:25:2580 bid. 80 bid. 5 anywhere?
0:25:25 > 0:25:28I've got one bid at 80 only. I'm looking for 5s now. 5 anywhere?
0:25:28 > 0:25:30£80, the one and only bid. I'm going to sell then.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Are you all done this time? At 80.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35HE BANGS GAVEL
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Maiden bid.- Maiden bid. It's gone at £80.- That's fine.- That's OK.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- That's money in the bank for more clothes.- It is, yes.- Simple as that.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45I wonder what Beverly will buy with the money.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Next, we have two lots steeped in history.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51Going under the hammer right now,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55something I've never seen on the show before. I think this is quite rare.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57It's a wonderful Italian dress dagger.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Paul, our expert, found this and it belongs to Chris and Ann.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Now, Ann cannot be with us today, Chris. Where is she?
0:26:03 > 0:26:08She's up in Newcastle. She's recording an album for a charity.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11But hopefully, if anything goes on the dagger,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- it will go towards the production costs.- Brilliant!
0:26:14 > 0:26:16I like stories like that and I like this dagger.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- It's a very rare thing.- Yeah.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23It's the only one I've seen come on the market in donkey's years.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26It's going under the hammer right now.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Italian air cadet's ceremonial dagger.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Can I start then at £110 for a start. 100? I'll start at 80 then.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35£80 we'll go. £80 bid.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Any interest on the net? 85. 90. 5. 100 now.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41100. 110 anywhere? 100.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43I'll take 10s anywhere. £100.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Are we all done this time? No, at 100.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48This is reserved. I'm afraid we're going to have to pass that today.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Gosh, that's a blow. But we have two lots
0:26:51 > 0:26:55and all the money from the medals is going towards production costs.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Fingers crossed with that as well.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Here we go. Let's find out what they're worth.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02The First World War medal pair.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04What can I ask for this for a start? £20.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08£20, thank you. £20, straight in on the net. 22.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- There's no reserve on these, is there?- No.- 25.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- Come on, this is more like it.- 28.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Hugely undervalued, these. 28. 28. 30 anywhere? 28.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- £28, going this time then. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- Hammer's gone down at £28. - You need the money.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Yeah.- That's on the money.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28I think the dagger, too obscure. Find yourself a specialist...
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- Militarist.- And I think you'll beat your expectations, OUR expectations.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- Smashing. Yeah, well, it's worth doing.- Yeah, all is not lost.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Get it into a specialist militaria sale, as Paul says,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41and, hopefully, the proceeds will go towards those recording costs.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45That's great. That's great. Hopefully. Thanks very much.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46What a shame the dagger didn't sell.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49But it was worth protecting with a reserve.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Now, here's a rare lot.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Catherine, it's good to see you again, and good luck today.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Going under the hammer right now, we have those two dolls, 19th century.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- One is French, one is African.- Yes.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02I think there's a connection between both.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04The African one could be Mozambiquean, something like that.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06It's got that French connection.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I personally find dolls spooky... PAUL L LAUGHS
0:28:08 > 0:28:10..but I know there's a lot of collectors out there.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- That one's particularly spooky, given the...- Very much.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15HE ROLLS HIS TONGUE
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Not for me. But, as I said, there's a lot of collectors out there.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Fingers crossed they're here. - Yes.- Good luck.- OK.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23It's going under the hammer right now.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28The vintage jester, and also the other doll in the lot there,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- start me 50.- We've got a fixed reserve of 80.- Mm-hm, mm-hm.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Any interest at £50?
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- Thank you, £50 in the doorway. - Yes, £50.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- £50 we have bid at the back.- No.- No.
0:28:39 > 0:28:4155 on the internet.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Bidding 60.
0:28:43 > 0:28:44- 65 on the internet.- Come on.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46£70 in the doorway.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48No further interest, £70.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49It's against you at 75.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Do you want to bid 80?
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- Thank you, £80.- We've got it. - Oh, got it, good.
0:28:53 > 0:28:54£80 in the doorway.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58In the doorway, 80, and we will now sell at the £80...
0:28:58 > 0:28:59GAVEL BANGS
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Good auctioneering. Good auctioneering.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Cor, that was close, wasn't it?
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Right on that fixed reserve of £80.
0:29:06 > 0:29:07Brilliant.
0:29:08 > 0:29:09They've gone.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13But they made it, which is the main thing.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18The next lot may be small but it is in immaculate condition.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Good luck. We're just about to sell the Russian shot glass.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- It's been in your family a little while.- Yes.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26It's good quality, isn't it, hence the value.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28The Russian buyers do buy quite heavily
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- and they will like this kind of thing.- Hopefully.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- We're on the internet.- Hopefully, they'll pick up our reference.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- It's easily postable in bubble wrap and a little box.- Yes.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39So it's got everything going for it. Let's put it under the hammer.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Russian silver vodka shot glass.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Again, various commissions.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47I'm going to have to start the bidding at 130, 140...£150.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- Ooh.- Straight in.- With me at 150. - Straight in and sold.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54160, 170, 180. Commission's out. 180 in the room.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56190 on the internet. 200 in the room.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59220 on the internet. 240 in the room.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02240 in the room. Have we finished? It's your bid, sir, at 240.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07- I don't think there's anything going.- In the room here at £240.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- Hey, worth toasting that one. - Brilliant. Better than I thought.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Well, you know why, don't you?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16That was quality and we keep saying it on the show.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- Our experts always say it. Quality always...- Sells.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26That's the end of our first visit to the saleroom and so far, so good.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29Some happy owners and that's what it's all about.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32We are coming back here later on in the programme, so don't go away.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35There could be one or two big surprises.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But right now, it's time to turn our attentions
0:30:38 > 0:30:41to one of the Bowes Museum's most recent collections
0:30:41 > 0:30:43and what a treasure trove it is!
0:30:44 > 0:30:48MUSIC: Gnossienne Number One by Erik Satie
0:30:48 > 0:30:51In 2006, the Bowes Museum was given
0:30:51 > 0:30:54a world-class collection of antique lace.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56It had been collected over 50 years
0:30:56 > 0:31:00by father and son Anthony and Arthur Blackborne,
0:31:00 > 0:31:0219th-century lace dealers.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09The museum accepted the gift with delight
0:31:09 > 0:31:11because it fitted in extremely well
0:31:11 > 0:31:14with their already quite extensive textiles collection,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17which was put together by the museum's founder, Josephine Bowes,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20who collected textiles throughout her life.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Things like seat coverings like this,
0:31:22 > 0:31:24which were being ripped off because fashions changed.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27She was buying them up and hanging onto them.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29She also bought lace from dealers
0:31:29 > 0:31:32but nothing like the quality of the Blackborne collection.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Blackborne & Co was founded in 1850
0:31:38 > 0:31:41during an expansion of the lace market,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44caused by the growth of the middle classes.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47The firm's shop in the West End of London was ideally located
0:31:47 > 0:31:50close to the fashionable shopping areas.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52The firm commissioned new lace
0:31:52 > 0:31:55and remodelled historic lace for fashionable wear.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59The Blackbornes also acquired a huge collection of old patterns
0:31:59 > 0:32:01and earlier examples of lace for study.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06Both father and son worked at creating a market for old lace
0:32:06 > 0:32:08in the newly developing antiques trade.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19Lace-making is thought to date back as far as the 16th century
0:32:19 > 0:32:20and the museum here
0:32:20 > 0:32:24has many rare and early examples in its collection,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27like this one, and this is a very good starting point.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30It's a beautiful deep collar of raised needle lace,
0:32:30 > 0:32:35thought to be Venetian, circa 1660 to 1680.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37It looks just like the lace collar
0:32:37 > 0:32:41shown on this portrait of Maria Anna van Berchem,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45the daughter of a rich Italian family living in Antwerp.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47The painting, dated 1660,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50is part of the collection here at the Bowes Museum,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54and it's extraordinary that something as fragile and intimate
0:32:54 > 0:32:58as this collar can survive intact for so many centuries.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05But what's even more impressive has to be this next piece.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08I never thought something like this would get my pulse racing.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Lace doesn't really do it for me,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14but that is divine. Look at the detail.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17It's superb. This is an English cavalier's piece.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22It's a gentleman's cloak band, circa 1635.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24It would be very expensive in its day,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27the equivalent of, let's say, an expensive car today,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33And this is just an accessory of clothing over the shoulders.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37But what I find fascinating about this is it's English lace,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41it's beautifully hand-worked and this is in mint condition.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45It's just a wonderful series of geometric patterns
0:33:45 > 0:33:49and some of it's quite repetitive but it's really pleasing on the eye.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54And there is speculation that this was once worn by King Charles I.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Certainly, in this 17th-century portrait of him,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04he is wearing something very similar and this collar is top quality,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07so it may well have belonged to the king.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11What is rather exciting,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14not all of the 7,000 pieces have been unpacked
0:34:14 > 0:34:15and further researched.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18So, in a rare opportunity,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22I'm going to delve inside one of the so far untouched trunks
0:34:22 > 0:34:26with the help of the museum's keeper of textiles, Joanna Hashagen.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36So, here we are, in one of the storerooms
0:34:36 > 0:34:39where we've put some of the lace trunks.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41It's all gents' clothing, isn't it?
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- Tunics, officers... - That's it, yeah.- So, the boys' room.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47This is one of the menswear wardrobes,
0:34:47 > 0:34:48but this just happened to be a space,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- because we're still sorting them.- OK.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53These are the last remaining trunks of all the collection.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- Go on, open it up. Have a look. - Right, it's very old.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- It's a lovely leather-bound trunk. - It is.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Probably Anthony Blackborne's, who started the business in 1850.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06So, here we are.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11And it's just full, jammed full, as most of the trunks were,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13of bundles of lace.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16We've started cataloguing the whole collection
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- and we're up to 7,000 pieces, we think.- Sure.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- And here's another, what do you reckon?- 200 or 300, I would say.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- I reckon so, too. - Just laying flat like that.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28This is part of the shop stock that was left over
0:35:28 > 0:35:31after the Second World War. Their main collection is on show.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34But, together with this and the study collections,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37it's one of the largest collections of lace in the world.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Incredible. What happens next?
0:35:39 > 0:35:43We then look at this collection. We take it out of the trunk
0:35:43 > 0:35:44and start cataloguing it,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47select some for conservation and for going on display
0:35:47 > 0:35:50or for study collection, they go into drawers for access.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- So, for us now, it's off to the conservation room.- That's right.- OK.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02Here we are, the next stage. It all looks quite impressive.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03I absolutely love this.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06I'm gravitating towards this. I want to wear it!
0:36:06 > 0:36:10A man's cravat and it's pure baroque, these swirling forms.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15It's Venetian needle lace, between 1670, 1690, perhaps.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18But what we've done here, which is so exciting,
0:36:18 > 0:36:20is that we've taken the cravat end
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- and we've reformed it into how it looked originally.- Right.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25And Luca Costigliolo, who is a theatre designer,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28has helped us with this. We've looked at portraits.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31So, we've made it look as it was when it was worn,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34which just means so much, than flat bits of lace, doesn't it?
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- And a parasol there.- Now, this parasol, yes, hasn't been conserved.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40This is a 19th-century, about 1860s,
0:36:40 > 0:36:42rather grand parasol for a lady to carry,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45but it's made of 17th-century Venetian needle lace,
0:36:45 > 0:36:48the same as the cravat. Because in the 19th century,
0:36:48 > 0:36:51it became really, really fashionable to wear these heavy laces
0:36:51 > 0:36:53and so, Arthur Blackborne had a workshop
0:36:53 > 0:36:56actually remodelling very high quality lace
0:36:56 > 0:36:58which was so expensive in its own day.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Great thing to do - recycle it. - Yes, exactly, yes.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06So, it still had a real value, even in the 19th century.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Can I talk values, sort of approximate values with you?
0:37:09 > 0:37:14One of the best examples I have is of Queen Charlotte's dressing table
0:37:14 > 0:37:17which was adorned with lace cos lace was used for furnishing as well.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- Sure.- So, you can imagine how expensive it must have been
0:37:20 > 0:37:22to have yards of it, you know.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24And there's a painting of her with her lace dressing table,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27which is French needle lace, and in there,
0:37:27 > 0:37:33there's a bill of 1762 which says that the lace cost £1,079.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37But the mahogany dressing table underneath it,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- which was made by the royal cabinet maker, William Vile...- £10?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42No, £5, 5 shillings.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Gosh, and there's me dreaming
0:37:46 > 0:37:49of being a wonderful royal cabinet maker.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- You need to be a lace maker!- Yes, yes. I'm so tempted to put that on.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Look at it. It works well with that colour! Thank you for your time
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- and I think you've done a terrific job here.- Thank you.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03For many centuries, handmade lace
0:38:03 > 0:38:06ranked alongside the most precious jewellery
0:38:06 > 0:38:09as the ultimate status symbol.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11So, having seen some of the exquisite examples
0:38:11 > 0:38:13on display here at the Bowes Museum,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16I'm hoping the next time you and I look at a work of art,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19an oil painting on the wall, we not only notice the jewellery,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23but we understand and appreciate the values of lace too.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Back to the picture galleries,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34where we are still finding some great items.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Let's get over to our experts and see what they've found.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40And it's time to catch up with Elizabeth.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42So, David, we have here a Rolex watch.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45It's the pinnacle of watch names, very collectible.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Tell me the history of it, please.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51I bought it in Singapore in 1969 from... It was a NAAFI shop.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- It cost me £53.- Did it really? A lot of money in those days, I guess.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- It was a month's wages.- Yes.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00- So you were serving at that time, were you?- Royal Marines.- Right.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02So, was that a treat for you to buy that?
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Well, I was going diving out there at the time
0:39:05 > 0:39:07and if you'd got to have a diving watch,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09you either bought a Rolex or an Omega,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13which were the two top watches, the decent diving watches at the time.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15So I went and bought myself one.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17My goodness, so although it was a luxury good,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- you bought it to utilise as a watch. - As an everyday watch.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- I wore it every day. - You've obviously worn it quite a bit
0:39:23 > 0:39:27because my only comment would be the condition of it is not quite...
0:39:27 > 0:39:30It's had a new face and a new bevel on many years
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- cos I done rock climbing and it gets damaged on the rocks.- Good for you.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36I lost a strap cos I used to put a cloth strap on
0:39:36 > 0:39:37for the military years and I lost that
0:39:37 > 0:39:40so I just put a replacement strap on many years later.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42It complements it quite well, I have to say.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44It's lost the bezel from round the outside
0:39:44 > 0:39:47and then a bit of damage on the glass, as you would expect,
0:39:47 > 0:39:49but apart from that, it's very collectible.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52It's been a good watch that I've worn since '69.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54And when David bought his watch,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57it would have looked something like this.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Rolex, obviously, a fantastic name, in terms of watches,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02as you pointed out. Established in 1905
0:40:02 > 0:40:05and one of the best Swiss manufacturer of watches,
0:40:05 > 0:40:06certainly in the 20th century.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Because of the cult status, they hold as superb timepieces,
0:40:10 > 0:40:12but they are also very wearable still
0:40:12 > 0:40:14and people do like that vintage look.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17They like to invest in something which maintains the value,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19that is still worth quite a bit today.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22So, you haven't worn it for a little while, then?
0:40:22 > 0:40:25No, I don't know whether it stopped keeping good time or not,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28but it's worked ever since I put it on
0:40:28 > 0:40:30and I took it into a jeweller's shop two years ago.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I thought I'd get it done up again and he said, "I can't touch it."
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- You've got to send it back to them. - It's got to go back to them
0:40:36 > 0:40:38and they said that'll cost £1,000
0:40:38 > 0:40:40but it will be worth about £8,000 afterwards,
0:40:40 > 0:40:42so I put it back in the drawer.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Until we came along and you think you'll now call it quits.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47I saw "Flog It!" was coming, cos we watch it all the time,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51so we brought a few other trinkets and we've had a day out today.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Well, it's been lovely to see you.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55So, we're looking to liquidise the asset you have here
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- and put it at auction.- Yes.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00For the reasons we've discussed and the condition it's in,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03obviously it won't be worth the £8,000.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05That's after restoration and so on,
0:41:05 > 0:41:07but there have been other precedents set,
0:41:07 > 0:41:10so we can trace the likely interest and I think, at the moment,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13in that condition, it wouldn't be unfair to suggest
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- a price of between £3,000 and £5,000.- Right.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Well, I was hoping to get £4,000 at least for it.- Right.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22But you don't think that would make £4,000?
0:41:22 > 0:41:26I think if you suggested an estimate of £4,000 and upwards from there
0:41:26 > 0:41:29at the moment, in that condition, it would probably frighten people off.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33- So, £3,000 to £5,000.- £3,000 to £5,000 would be sensible.- Yep.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36And a fixed reserve of £3,000 on it to safety-net it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- Yes, that's fine. - We'll see you at the auction.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40- OK, thank you.- Nice to see you. Take care.- Thank you.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44That's what I call a well-loved watch.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Over to Paul now,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49who has found something that brings back a bygone era.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Pat, Mike, hi.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54You have got an astonishing collection of photographs
0:41:54 > 0:41:57of stars of stage and screen, back in the day.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02- How do you come to own such a collection?- I inherited it.- Right.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04I think it must have been my paternal grandmother
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- that started the collection.- Yeah.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- I know she was very keen on theatre and music hall.- I see.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12- I never knew her. She died before I was born.- Right.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16I found these in an old shoe box among Mum's photographs
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and I gathered them together in the albums.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21So, we're looking at the 1920s and either side
0:42:21 > 0:42:26and your grandmother, I guess, would have seen some of these celebrities.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- Must have done. Dad was born in 1917.- Yeah.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34And he remembers going to music hall and theatre with his mum.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36Where is this? Is this the Northeast?
0:42:36 > 0:42:39No, it would be in Surrey or Hampshire, that sort of area.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42- That's where they lived then.- Do we know how many there are?- Go on.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- About 130.- Yeah.- 130?- Yeah, I think so.- That is good going.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- They knew how to take a photograph then.- Anna Neagle.- Yes.- Anna Neagle.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Now there's a name I recognise. That looks signed, doesn't it?
0:42:53 > 0:42:56I've come across this technique before.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00While you can see an impression that you think was made by a pen nib,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- it is, nevertheless, a printed process.- Right.- Right.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08Very sophisticated and would certainly catch the unwary
0:43:08 > 0:43:10and you wouldn't want to have
0:43:10 > 0:43:14a signed portrait of Audrey Hepburn, back in the day,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17and then find out it was one of these sophisticated reproductions
0:43:17 > 0:43:19which are inferior by far.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22That's a little insight into how careful we have to be
0:43:22 > 0:43:23in this field of autographs.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Talking about Audrey Hepburn and the later stars,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Vivien Leigh, that looks like. Late 1940s.
0:43:29 > 0:43:34If that had been signed in her hand, there's a lot on its own.
0:43:34 > 0:43:35However, we've got, going back,
0:43:35 > 0:43:38- a whole load of people that most people have never heard of.- Sure.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42- Yes.- And I think, under the hammer, they're not worth £1 a card.- No.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44My estimate would be a cautious,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48though likely realistic, £40 to £80 for the collection.
0:43:48 > 0:43:50- Would you part at that? - I would, yes.- Yeah?
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- Would you like a reserve? - I'm not bothered about a reserve.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56- You'll let them go. - Yeah.- £40 to £80's our estimate.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59I think they'll do that - if the gods are with us, even more -
0:43:59 > 0:44:02- and I can't wait to see what happens on the day.- Grand.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05- Thank you.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:44:06 > 0:44:11Now it's to a tea set, currently being valued by Elizabeth.
0:44:11 > 0:44:12- Hello, Clare.- Hello.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15Thank you for bringing this lovely shiny tea set.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18What's the history behind it?
0:44:18 > 0:44:23It was given to me by my mother for our 25th silver wedding anniversary
0:44:23 > 0:44:28and her husband bought it for her 25th, for their wedding anniversary.
0:44:28 > 0:44:34- Yes?- So she passed it on to me. Now I've no use for it.- OK.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- You don't serve your tea in this every day?- No, no.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39- So, you're looking to sell, then? - Yes.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42- Do you know who it's by or the date of it or anything?- No.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45Nothing at all. The great thing about silver is in most cases,
0:44:45 > 0:44:48when it's English silver, it's possible to be very precise
0:44:48 > 0:44:50about when it was assayed, tested and passed
0:44:50 > 0:44:54as being full of sterling silver and normally we find out who made it
0:44:54 > 0:44:55and the date it was assayed,
0:44:55 > 0:44:58so it gives you a good, big package of information.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02The marks on yours indicate that it was assayed in 1965
0:45:02 > 0:45:05but it was made by JB Chatterley & Sons Ltd
0:45:05 > 0:45:09and that was originally John Bishop Chatterley & Sons,
0:45:09 > 0:45:12who was established in about 1880 in Birmingham.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15But this one is mid-20th century in date,
0:45:15 > 0:45:18so we're getting quite late, in terms of production of tea sets.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21And it looks as though both your parents and yourself
0:45:21 > 0:45:23have not really used it very much
0:45:23 > 0:45:27and it's been kept in wonderful crisp, clean condition.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29No, it's never been used, hardly.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32- Well, it's all the better for that now.- Yeah.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34So, if you were to sell it, what would you do?
0:45:34 > 0:45:36Would you buy something else?
0:45:36 > 0:45:38It's our 40th wedding anniversary next month,
0:45:38 > 0:45:43- so we'd like to go away somewhere. - Oh, congratulations.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47- So, keep the wedding theme going but in a different format.- Yes.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50Oh, that's lovely. I mean, it is good.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54It borrows strongly from the 18th century Georgian style of tea sets
0:45:54 > 0:45:58that we find from 200 years earlier. It's quite heavy gauge silver,
0:45:58 > 0:46:00so quite a decent weight to each of the pieces, which is nice.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03But, like yourself, most people in the market these days,
0:46:03 > 0:46:06wouldn't buy it to use it. Value will reflect that though -
0:46:06 > 0:46:08that the demand will not be for the usage of it,
0:46:08 > 0:46:10but more for the aesthetics of it.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12I would think that, currently,
0:46:12 > 0:46:15you'd be looking at a realistic open-market value
0:46:15 > 0:46:17- of about £250 to £350 for the set.- Yeah.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20Which, compared to where it was a few years ago,
0:46:20 > 0:46:22is weak and a bit disappointing,
0:46:22 > 0:46:26but that's very much reflective of the 21st century way of living.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29People just... We don't drink tea in a leisurely way any more
0:46:29 > 0:46:30out of nice things like this.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33Would you be happy to put it for auction at £250 to £350?
0:46:33 > 0:46:35That's fine.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39The silver market can fluctuate up and down within a week or two.
0:46:39 > 0:46:40The markets are forever changing,
0:46:40 > 0:46:42so if the silver prices continue to go up,
0:46:42 > 0:46:45- it might be that you make a little bit more.- Right.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48That's a fair assessment, as it stands, at the moment,
0:46:48 > 0:46:51and we'll try our hardest to get as much as possible. Is that OK?
0:46:51 > 0:46:54- That's lovely.- Wonderful. Thank you very much for coming in.- Thank you.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58Back to Paul, who has found something right up my street.
0:47:00 > 0:47:01Enid...
0:47:03 > 0:47:06..what are you doing, bringing me a bugbear?
0:47:06 > 0:47:08- Well... - Does that mean anything to you?
0:47:08 > 0:47:11- No, it doesn't, not at all. - Well, we'll go into that later.
0:47:11 > 0:47:12I am nutty about your nut.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14Where did you get that?
0:47:14 > 0:47:18My sister gave it to me 30-odd years ago, she was a district nurse
0:47:18 > 0:47:22and one of her old ladies gave it to her as a memento and a thank you,
0:47:22 > 0:47:24and my sister doesn't particularly like quirky things,
0:47:24 > 0:47:26she gave it to me,
0:47:26 > 0:47:28and it's been in my lounge ever since.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30Did it come with any story? Was there an explanation?
0:47:30 > 0:47:31No, nothing, nothing about it at all.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34- Just a bizarre, carved... well, coconut.- Yes.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36- This much anyone would know. - Yes, yes.
0:47:36 > 0:47:37Yes, it's a coconut.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40- And we could call this scrimshanked, I dare say.- Yes.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42You know, you know, scrimshawed...
0:47:42 > 0:47:45- sailor work, let's say.- Yes. - Tusks and so on.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47- These are the Royal arms, of course. - Yes.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50We've got the Imperial crown, and this is a Georgian crown,
0:47:50 > 0:47:52and we've got our lion and our unicorn.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54So in a sense, we're thinking,
0:47:54 > 0:47:56"OK, is it official in some way?"
0:47:56 > 0:47:57- Right, yes.- "What's the story?"
0:47:57 > 0:47:59It says David Stewart...
0:47:59 > 0:48:01- ..10th, Roman numeral...- Yes.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04- ..10th band, Jamaica...- Yes.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06..1793.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10Well, that's exactly where we'd expect this to come from,
0:48:10 > 0:48:13..and I said "bugbear" at the off. Well...
0:48:13 > 0:48:14that little chap there...
0:48:14 > 0:48:18- Yes.- ..the little grotesque mask, is a bugbear.- Is it?
0:48:18 > 0:48:20- He's like a wee haggis, isn't he? - Never known.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22It's a generic flask.
0:48:22 > 0:48:23Oh, is it?
0:48:23 > 0:48:25- It had a plug.- Oh, right!
0:48:25 > 0:48:27- A turned, wooden...- Yes? - ..bung.- Yes?
0:48:28 > 0:48:31- It was never really practical.- No?
0:48:31 > 0:48:33- It's to give it a function.- Yes?
0:48:33 > 0:48:34A bugbear's a mythical creature,
0:48:34 > 0:48:38- and this is a Caribbean islands' little craft.- Is it?
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- Carving these coconut husks.- Right.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43- It wasn't done by David Stewart.- No?
0:48:43 > 0:48:47David Stewart would have thrown, I doubt a guinea,
0:48:47 > 0:48:48- but a penny or whatever...- Yes?
0:48:48 > 0:48:52..at a local artisan and said, "Can you personalise it for me?"
0:48:52 > 0:48:55- Oh, right. - As a little souvenir...- Yes, yes?
0:48:55 > 0:48:57..to bring back home.
0:48:57 > 0:48:58Yes, what a story.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01- Isn't it, just? - Yes, what a story, yes.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04- He was over there for a reason in 1793.- Yes?
0:49:04 > 0:49:07Now this much I know from my history.
0:49:07 > 0:49:1010th, when you see 10th, that's almost certainly his regiment.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14- Is it?- And this will, he will be a military man.- Oh, right.
0:49:14 > 0:49:20At this time, there was a slave rising...
0:49:20 > 0:49:24- Was there?- ..in Jamaica...- Yes. - ..and we would, of course,
0:49:24 > 0:49:26send troops out there to quell that uprising.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30- I see, yes.- Horrible aspect of Empire.- Yes, yes.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32Now, I've looked this up a little bit.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34- He comes up straight away. - Oh, does he?
0:49:34 > 0:49:36He is recorded in official lists
0:49:36 > 0:49:40- of the movement of officers and so on.- Amazing!
0:49:40 > 0:49:43If he's in the Indies in 1793,
0:49:43 > 0:49:46- if he was a young man at 20... - Yes?
0:49:46 > 0:49:49..at 40, he could've been fighting Napoleon, could he not?
0:49:49 > 0:49:52- Oh, yes.- What became of this man? - Yes, yes, yes.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54All day long,
0:49:54 > 0:49:56that's worth £200 to £400.
0:49:56 > 0:49:57Right, yes.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59- Not a stratospheric sum.- No.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01- That's a lot of money for a coconut. - It is, it is, yes.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05If we get somebody hankering after material to the 10th Regiment...
0:50:05 > 0:50:07- Yes? - ..well, if it was my cup of tea,
0:50:07 > 0:50:10- I'd fight you in the streets for it. - Yes, I know.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12So, um, it's got real potential,
0:50:12 > 0:50:16but I can assure you, we'd be pretty unlucky not to see
0:50:16 > 0:50:18- £200 to £400 for that under the hammer.- Right, OK.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21Off to the auction. Bye-bye, bugbear.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23I never knew what it was called.
0:50:23 > 0:50:25Never knew. That's lovely.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27And now for my favourite part of the show.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Here's what's going under the hammer.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33First, we have the Rolex watch,
0:50:33 > 0:50:35which looks like it really has lived.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43Followed by the albums containing photos
0:50:43 > 0:50:45of the stars of the stage and silver screen.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50It may only be a coconut,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53but the carving on it transports us back to the 18th century.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56It is a unique piece.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01And we round things off elegantly with the Edwardian silver tea set,
0:51:01 > 0:51:03fashioned in the Georgian style.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10We're heading back to the Lakes and the auction house
0:51:10 > 0:51:12for our final selection of items.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16Looking after our first lot is auctioneer David Brookes.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21Going under the hammer right now, we've got that wonderful photo album
0:51:21 > 0:51:24showing the stars of stage and screen from the 1920s,
0:51:24 > 0:51:27belonging to Pat and Mike. Good to see you both again.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29These have been in the family a long time.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32Yes, they were my paternal grandma's.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Is this something that the dealers will pick on
0:51:34 > 0:51:36for one or two specific photographs in there?
0:51:36 > 0:51:39There's a lot of value in, let's say, four or five items,
0:51:39 > 0:51:41- rather than the generic book. - Without a shadow of a doubt.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44Some of these stars have stood the test of time,
0:51:44 > 0:51:46so there's a few that make the album.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49Yeah, fingers crossed. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53The selection of vintage postcards. Celebrity interest.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56- Start me at 40 then, please. £40? - Right, we're in.- Thank you sir.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59- Bidder in the room.- 42. 45.
0:51:59 > 0:52:0148. 50 now.
0:52:01 > 0:52:0455. In the room at 55.
0:52:04 > 0:52:0660. 65. 70.
0:52:06 > 0:52:0975. 80 on the internet.
0:52:09 > 0:52:1385 in the room. Have we finished?
0:52:13 > 0:52:1590. 95, room bidder.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18It's against you on the internet. We have 95. 100 now.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20110. 110 in the room.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22In the room at 110. They're having a think.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25120 now on the internet. No? Thank you anyway.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27120 here on the internet.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30And we will sell if no further interest at 120 to the net buyer.
0:52:30 > 0:52:34- Hammer's gone down. £120.- Ooh.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36- Good result.- Yeah, good result.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39One or two there that thought, "There's something interesting,
0:52:39 > 0:52:41"I'm going to invest and take a chance on it."
0:52:41 > 0:52:44- It was a good valuation. - That's terrific. Thank you so much.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46Well, good stuff.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50Job done. Time now for the Rolex watch.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53But will its poor condition hold it back?
0:52:53 > 0:52:56There's only one name in watches, as far as I'm concerned,
0:52:56 > 0:52:59as far as you're concerned. That's the Submariner, it's the Rolex.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02- Classic.- Are you going to replace it with anything?- I don't think so.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04I've got a mobile phone now.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07- Oh, yeah, everyone tells the time from their phone, don't they?- Yep.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09I tell you what though, people are buying Rolexes
0:53:09 > 0:53:12and they're paying good money for them and it's still working,
0:53:12 > 0:53:15so there you go, that's the great Swiss movement in it.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18Let's find out what it's worth right now. Here we go.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20Rolex Submariner.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23Now, this has seen 20 years' service in the Royal Marines,
0:53:23 > 0:53:26hence its condition, but it'll scrub up very nicely.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28Start me at 2,000 then somewhere.
0:53:28 > 0:53:302,000. We'll come right back, we'll take a bit of time.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Start me at 1,500 online. 1,500 bid.
0:53:33 > 0:53:361,500. 1,600.
0:53:36 > 0:53:3916. 17. 1,700 now. 1,700.
0:53:39 > 0:53:411,700. You're out on the internet.
0:53:41 > 0:53:441,800. 1,900 now.
0:53:44 > 0:53:471,900 bid. 2,000 bid on the net. 2,000 bid.
0:53:47 > 0:53:512,000 bid now. 2,200.
0:53:51 > 0:53:532,200. Is that 4 online? No.
0:53:53 > 0:53:562,200. Are you all done this time, then?
0:53:56 > 0:54:00At 2,200. We are reserved. The best bid was £2,000 on the internet
0:54:00 > 0:54:02but we have instructions not to sell. Sorry.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05I'm pleased you put a reserve of £3,000 on it, you know.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08- Well, it was worth...- Oh, gosh, it's worth the top end of that.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10It's worth the 5, they just didn't want it today.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12It's one of those things. That's auctions for you.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14- It's been a day out.- Yeah.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17- Thank you for bringing it to the valuation day.- My pleasure.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21What a good sport. Time for some refreshments.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Cup of tea, maybe, but don't rush to the kitchen to put the kettle on.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28This tea's courtesy of Clare here and Elizabeth, our expert.
0:54:28 > 0:54:31We have a silver tea set for you going under the hammer.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34- Have you got fed up with cleaning it?- Yes, I don't clean it much.- No!
0:54:34 > 0:54:36Do you know what, everyone that comes on the show
0:54:36 > 0:54:40that wants to sell silver says exactly the same thing.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43No-one wants it any more, do they? It's going under the hammer now.
0:54:43 > 0:54:48A four-piece silver tea set. 1965. Have various commissions.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51I'm going to have to start the bidding with me at 250, 280...
0:54:51 > 0:54:54Straight in, sold. Top end.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57350. 380. At £380 bid.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00400, 420.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03450. 480.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05500. Commission's out. 500 in the room.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09- That's very good.- That's good. - In the room at 500.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13Any interest on the internet? In the room here at £500. Going.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16The hammer's gone down at £500.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19- I told you it was a good time for people to buy, didn't I?- Yeah.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22They see something in that which means if they sit on that
0:55:22 > 0:55:25for ten years, that will be a good investment for them.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28There's a lot of silver there. You've got to be pleased with that.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30I'm very pleased with it, yeah. It's great.
0:55:30 > 0:55:35That's brilliant. And who knows, they may even drink tea from it.
0:55:35 > 0:55:36Going under the hammer right now,
0:55:36 > 0:55:39possibly my favourite lot of the whole day,
0:55:39 > 0:55:41it's the oldest in the saleroom as well,
0:55:41 > 0:55:42it's dated, it's Jamaica at 1793.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45It belongs to Enid, and it's that wonderful carved coconut.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48I was really jealous when I spotted this, because I love it!
0:55:48 > 0:55:50- It's real history.- Let's hope, yeah?
0:55:50 > 0:55:53I think this is going to go to a collector, right here, right now.
0:55:53 > 0:55:54Here we go.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56The 18th-century carved coconut.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58I rather like this piece myself, actually,
0:55:58 > 0:56:03but I've got to start the bidding with the commission here at £120.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06- The auctioneer said he liked it as well.- Oh, good.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08Get to you on the internet.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10130, 140 with me.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12- You're bidding 150, 160... - Oh, come on, come on!
0:56:12 > 0:56:14- 170, 180.- He's got a bid on the book, look.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16- 190.- Commission bid.- 200.
0:56:16 > 0:56:17220 in the room.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20220 in the room, 240, thank you.
0:56:20 > 0:56:21260, 280.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24300, I'll come back to you, David.
0:56:24 > 0:56:25320...
0:56:25 > 0:56:27No? 320 on one phone.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30- Are you bidding, on the other phone? - Come on. Yes, of course you are.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34- It's going to do 400, come on, it's got to.- You bidding, on the phone?
0:56:34 > 0:56:36Make your mind up time, 360, thank you.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39380, 400.
0:56:39 > 0:56:40420.
0:56:40 > 0:56:44- This is more like it, isn't it, Enid?- Absolutely.- 440...
0:56:44 > 0:56:46440 against the internet.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48We're going to the other phone at 460.
0:56:48 > 0:56:50- Yes. Good man.- Nice!
0:56:50 > 0:56:51480.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53500, I've taken, in the room.
0:56:53 > 0:56:54In the room with 500, I'll take 50s.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56500 in the room.
0:56:56 > 0:57:02550. Make no mistake at £550 and going...
0:57:02 > 0:57:03£550, Enid.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06The bidders weren't shy on that coconut, were they?
0:57:06 > 0:57:07- That was very good, yes.- Wow!
0:57:07 > 0:57:08- Yes.- Happy?- So pleased.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11- He's happy. I'm really happy. - Yes, yes, so am I.- Yeah.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14- What a day and what a great way to end today's show.- I know, yes.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16What are you going to spend all the money on?
0:57:16 > 0:57:18Oh, I don't know, I haven't thought yet.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20You don't know yet, haven't thought about that, too excited.
0:57:20 > 0:57:22Sadly, that's all of the time we have for today,
0:57:22 > 0:57:25but I told you there's going to be one big surprise.
0:57:25 > 0:57:26We thoroughly enjoyed being in Kendal,
0:57:26 > 0:57:29and join us soon for many more surprises in the saleroom,
0:57:29 > 0:57:31but, until then, it's goodbye from all of us.