0:00:04 > 0:00:08Today, we bring you the best that Flog It has to offer -
0:00:08 > 0:00:10an array of fine art and antiques,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13a splendid collection of national attractions,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17valuations from all around the country and some surprising results
0:00:17 > 0:00:21in the auction room. Now that's got to be worth investing in.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:44 > 0:00:47We've travelled the length and breadth of the country
0:00:47 > 0:00:51in search of exceptional stories and objects to take to auction
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and we weren't disappointed.
0:00:54 > 0:01:00We've travelled to Birmingham Southwell, Edinburgh and Wallasey.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05And we've saved some of my favourite items until now to show you.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Can you spot which one of them gets the bidders most excited at auction?
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Will it be the Victorian silver aide memoire?
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Beautiful condition. Beautiful quality.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Or the rather exotic mirror?
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Is it something you have up on the wall to do your hair in the morning?
0:01:24 > 0:01:26No. Unfortunately, no, it isn't.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Or perhaps the classic piece of pottery?
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Oh, gosh.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- That's quite a lot, isn't it?- It is for something as small as that.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35For a little Beswick figure.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Stay tuned to find out.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43We start today's show in the wonderful Dunster Castle,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47which has stood on top of this Somerset tor since the Middle Ages.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51One family has dominated its history, the Luttrells.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Their family crest is clearly visible
0:01:53 > 0:01:55at the entrance to the castle.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01They lived here for 600 years, but in 1976 they handed Dunster Castle
0:02:01 > 0:02:05and its contents over to the National Trust.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08It's hardly surprising, really, that, after six centuries here,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12the Luttrell family have left behind quite a remarkable collection
0:02:12 > 0:02:15of fine art and antiques, each with their own unique story
0:02:15 > 0:02:18that relates to a different period in history.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20And, later on in the programme,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22we'll be finding out more about the collection,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25but right now we need to meet some collectors of our own.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Can you imagine how delighted Adam Partridge was when he came across
0:02:31 > 0:02:35this wonderful collection of Edwardian postcards
0:02:35 > 0:02:37on our visit to Hopetoun House in Scotland?
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Hundreds of people here at Hopetoun today, aren't there?
0:02:43 > 0:02:44- There is indeed. - Absolutely hundreds.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- And there's hundreds of postcards in this album, as well.- Yes.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Fascinating. It looks to me a sort of Edwardian Art Nouveau design
0:02:51 > 0:02:55on the cover and it's absolutely laden with postcards.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58How did you come to own it? Where did you get it from?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00We actually found it in my dad's loft.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I believe it was his grandmother and great-grandmother
0:03:03 > 0:03:04- that collected them...- I see.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07..so the album's been in the loft for a number of years.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09I'm glad you brought them along today.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Because there's a lot of interest in postcards.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I mean, these were collected 100 years ago.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16The majority you see are views of places.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18We've had a bit of a look through
0:03:18 > 0:03:21and there's absolutely loads of Scarborough in here, aren't there?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Yeah, there is indeed.- So it gives you an interesting profile
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- of your family history, doesn't it? - It does indeed.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And some of them will just have a little note on the back.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- Yeah.- "Stayed here." "See you next week." That sort of thing.- Yeah.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35"Had tea here." So the first one I've singled out,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37a nice local one here on the Clyde.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Obviously, down the Clyde and the old steamers.- Very good.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Sort of takes you back to the day, doesn't it?
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- This is a very famous man, isn't it? Duncan Napier.- Duncan Napier.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49A very famous former resident of Edinburgh, isn't he?
0:03:49 > 0:03:53He is indeed, I think Napier University is named after him.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Move along to the next one that we've marked along here.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58Well, all of these are Edinburgh -
0:03:58 > 0:04:00kind of tourist things that you'd have picked up
0:04:00 > 0:04:02on a trip to Edinburgh.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05But apparently a popular card is this, Princes Street Gardens.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08This bandstand I believe is still there.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- You're familiar with the place? - Oh, aye.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Let's have another look over here.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16This one, this handwritten one.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- This is an interesting one. - Shall I take it out for a minute?
0:04:19 > 0:04:24It says on it, "If you have any to spare, please send it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27"I've had a glorious time in this delightful place
0:04:27 > 0:04:31"that I have only my return ticket left.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33"How can I dodge the landlady?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35"Excuse the card. It's all I can afford."
0:04:38 > 0:04:42This is 1915, July 1915.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48We're at war and it's a very basic piece of card
0:04:48 > 0:04:53and this rascal, by the sound of it,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56is writing to his friend James Simpson telling him
0:04:56 > 0:04:58he's going to run off on his landlady, isn't he?
0:04:58 > 0:05:03That's a nice personal glimpse that isn't one of these manufactured cards.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06All in all, we've got 2-300 cards in there.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- I think there's over 500. - Over 500! OK.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14A lot of the topographical ones, in value terms, are quite common
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and they are sort of 50p to a couple of quid each.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Some of the other ones are going to be a few pounds each.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24They will find their value at auction but we need to put them
0:05:24 > 0:05:27at an estimate that will be relatively enticing.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I think around the £200 mark as an estimate.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32What do you say, 150 to 250 estimate?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- Yeah. - Put a reserve of 150?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- Yeah. - If they don't make that...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- I'd rather keep them. - No point giving them away.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And if they make £3-400, which they could do,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46what would you put that towards?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49My parents are 90 and 91 respectively
0:05:49 > 0:05:53and it's their 65th wedding anniversary this year,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57so I think the money that we acquire from selling the album
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- will go to a wee celebration for them.- Lovely.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02That's a great reason then.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Thank you very much for bringing it along, Douglas.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I look forward to seeing the bidders get stuck into them at the auction.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Thank you very much.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Collecting postcards is called deltiology
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and we've seen quite a few impressive collections
0:06:19 > 0:06:23over the years, including one of commercial cruise liners
0:06:23 > 0:06:25which made a tidy sum at auction.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Selling forever at £840.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32£840!
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Congratulations, that's all down to you.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Cards with messages have been manufactured and posted
0:06:40 > 0:06:43since the creation of the postal services.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45They became popular in the 1880s
0:06:45 > 0:06:49and were often rather saucy with images of nude women on them.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53British seaside postcards became fashionable in the 1930s,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and at their height, a staggering 16 million were sold a year.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Another favourite with collectors turned up at our valuation day
0:07:03 > 0:07:05in Birmingham's Museum and Art Gallery.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Our eagle-eyed James Lewis was first to spot it.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Well, Harry, it's time to go back to the 18th century
0:07:13 > 0:07:16and this is a lovely pocket watch.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- Family piece?- Been in the family as long as I remember.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Not something you'd wear? - Never worn it.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25They are becoming more fashionable. For the first time in years,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28in my living memory, young guys are coming in to the sale room
0:07:28 > 0:07:33to buy them to wear at their wedding but also to wear with dress suits.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37They're wearing the waistcoat underneath the black tie and dinner jacket,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40and there's a gold Albert chain and the pocket watch being worn,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42which is lovely.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Do you know if it's been restored or gold-plated?
0:07:45 > 0:07:48All I know is my father gave it to me, he said it belonged
0:07:48 > 0:07:53to his father, so I've owned it for probably the best part of 30 years.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- More than that I don't know. - The first thing to do with this
0:07:57 > 0:08:01is look at the age. Whenever you have a pocket watch in front of you,
0:08:01 > 0:08:05there are lots of little telltale signs that help you date it.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09The first one and the most obvious is the key,
0:08:09 > 0:08:14because around 1900, pocket watches changed from a key wind to top wind.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17In exactly the same way as a wristwatch has a winder on the side,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19the pocket watch developed the same technique.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23It's got a key so therefore it's pre-1900.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26The second thing, if you look at the glass on the top,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29you've got a flattened section in the centre.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33That flattened section together with the fact that it's a pair case
0:08:33 > 0:08:40tells you it's pre-1825, around that period.
0:08:40 > 0:08:47We are looking at a watch that was made between 1760 and 1825.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Let's open it up and if we open the base up there,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54we see an enamel dial with Roman numerals
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and there is a little clip at the bottom
0:08:57 > 0:09:02and if you push that in and lift, it reveals this wonderful movement,
0:09:02 > 0:09:06and then if you look on the top, you've got the maker's mark.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11H Harris of London, and that's a maker that was working
0:09:11 > 0:09:15in the early 19th century, so from about 1800 through to 1820.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20So this pocket watch was made at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Battle of Waterloo, we'd just lost America,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27the Prince Regent was on the throne and it was an amazing time,
0:09:27 > 0:09:32and this watch has seen all of those events. What's it made from?
0:09:32 > 0:09:35We've got jeweller's marks but it's not gold.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40I think it's a base metal that's been gold-plated around 1890-1900.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42It's a lovely thing.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44I wish it was 18 carat, it's not.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48If it was 18 carat, it would be over £1,000.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52The fact that it's not brings it way down.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57I'd like to see an auction estimate of £2-300, something like that.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01I'd like to protect it with a £200 reserve, how do you feel about that?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03I think it's worth £200.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06If it doesn't make that, I'd rather put it back in the safe.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's a very dressy, good-looking watch.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- I hope it makes what it's worth, about 2-300.- Happy to go with that.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Lovely.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17A lovely timepiece there
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and now for a beautiful item that time almost forgot.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Caroline Hawley is in the rather splendid Southwell Minster.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Alison, thank you so much for bringing this beautiful little
0:10:31 > 0:10:32aide memoir along.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Can you tell me about it, how it came into your being?
0:10:36 > 0:10:42About 30 years ago, I acquired a piece of second-hand furniture
0:10:42 > 0:10:47and there was a secret drawer in there and this was in there.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Was it written in? Was there anything exciting?
0:10:50 > 0:10:51No, nothing at all.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Just as it is in the drawer on its own, nothing else.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58It was amazing, really.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00You lucky lady. Let me tell you about it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06This is the most beautiful aide memoir or diary,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and there's lots of lovely things about it.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14It's silver, silver front, and silver back to it.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Beautiful condition.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22Beautiful quality, which it would be, because it's got the magic maker.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Nathaniel Mills, an excellent quality maker in Birmingham.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30His main work was done between 1826 and 1856,
0:11:30 > 0:11:35and he specialised in small, beautiful objets.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Things like etuilles, vinaigrettes, cases like this, lovely little items,
0:11:40 > 0:11:45and we've got his initials there. This is Birmingham, 1845.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- Really?!- We've got Queen Victoria's head,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53then "N M" for Nathaniel Mills,
0:11:53 > 0:11:58and we've got the lion passant to say it's British sterling silver
0:11:58 > 0:12:02and it's absolutely beautiful. Leather case.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06If we take the little pencil out, that unlocks it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14And it's beautifully lined in silk taffeta, watermarked.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19And each of these little ivory pages is marked with the day of the week.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Value, do you have any idea of value, Alison?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24I don't at the moment.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28I did see one similar to it on a television programme
0:12:28 > 0:12:34- a few years ago and it was valued between 6-800.- Gosh.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35That seems an awful lot.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39These little books are not worth as much as the vinaigrettes
0:12:39 > 0:12:43or other objects. They don't have a great use,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45but it's a beautiful object,
0:12:45 > 0:12:50and you can see it in a display cabinet somewhere.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54I think an auction estimate, a realistic auction estimate today,
0:12:54 > 0:13:01would be about £120-180. That sort of figure.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I wouldn't be at all surprised if it gets lots more
0:13:04 > 0:13:09because of its condition, but that would be a realistic estimate.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14But I would put a fixed reserve of 120 just to protect it.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Are you happy with that? - Yes, I think so.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22I'm sure it will go on to live a long and happy life
0:13:22 > 0:13:25in somebody else's drawer.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- Thank you very much for bringing it. - A pleasure.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32That memoir really is from another era altogether
0:13:32 > 0:13:38and of course the auction house can only sell it as it predates 1947,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and the ivory is worked, meaning that specific ivory
0:13:41 > 0:13:45is deemed of cultural and historical significance.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50We'll be finding out in a moment which of these items makes
0:13:50 > 0:13:53the most money at auction, but right here at Dunster Castle,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55one of the most impressive collections
0:13:55 > 0:13:58has to be these very rare leather wall hangings.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01They tell the story of Antony, a Roman general,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03and an Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07A story made famous by William Shakespeare.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09They were made in the Netherlands, late 1600s.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12They weren't commissioned for Dunster Castle,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15so they've been cut down to fit this very impressive room.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19They're made of calfskin. They've been embossed, gilded and painted
0:14:19 > 0:14:22so they have this wonderful three-dimensional effect.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25They catch the light and I think you'll agree
0:14:25 > 0:14:26they're absolutely stunning.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Right now, we need some stunning auction results.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Remember, if you are buying or selling at auction,
0:14:32 > 0:14:33there is commission to pay.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35It varies from sale room to sale room
0:14:35 > 0:14:39and then there's VAT to pay on top of that, so please do your sums.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Work it out before you start bidding because it can add up.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Right, here's a quick recap of all the items going under the hammer.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Will Douglas' substantial collection of Edwardian postcards
0:14:51 > 0:14:54get the bidders' stamp of approval?
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Let's hope he can make a good contribution
0:14:56 > 0:14:58to his parents' anniversary party.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03The pocket watch is fashionable at the moment
0:15:03 > 0:15:07so hopefully Harry's timed the sale of this attractive piece just right.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13And Alison's silver Victorian aide memoir
0:15:13 > 0:15:17is a striking piece which evokes romantic images of another era,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20but will it resonate with today's market?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29First up, expert and auctioneer Nick Davies
0:15:29 > 0:15:31is on the rostrum at Fielding's Auctions.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37That's it, time is up, no, it's not the end of the show,
0:15:37 > 0:15:38it's Harry's watch time.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41It's going under the hammer, and good luck with it.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43A lovely 18th-century watch.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- It's the young guys that are wearing them now. - Becoming fashionable again.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47It's a weird watch.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51You look at it and instantly think it's going to be 18 carat.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It looks it, it feels it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56But it's a plated one. Not seen one like that for a long time.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- Nevertheless, it's a nice thing. - Unusual, got a good look.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03And I think for a youngster to invest in something like that,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05it's a good starting point.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Much better than buying one of these modern rubbishy things from a jeweller's window.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Exactly, yes. Good luck. - Here we go.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15We're going to find out exactly what the bidders think. This is it.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18The gold-plated pair case pocket watch, H Harris of London.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22We can open slightly below estimate on 180, 190,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and I look for 200 in the room. 190 with me.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27200 anywhere else in the room?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30At 190, are we all done, 200 right in the distance,
0:16:30 > 0:16:31I've got you at £200.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34210 anywhere else? £200.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35We're in, aren't we?
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Anywhere else? At £200, I can sell and will do so,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- at £200 all done. - Just got it away.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Just!
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- That was a close shave, wasn't it? - That was a close shave
0:16:47 > 0:16:48but, yeah, it's gone.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I think that weird case would have put people off.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- I think that's what it was. - Spot on, James, well done.- Cheers.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Not bad considering it was only gold-plated.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Next, we're at Mellors and Kirk auction rooms
0:17:02 > 0:17:04to sell the aide memoir.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Alison, thank you for bringing this in, because we like
0:17:07 > 0:17:12to hold things like this. That one must have been well hidden.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15It wasn't, I just opened the drawer and there it was on its own.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20So this really is a bonus whatever we get today.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Have you still got the piece of furniture?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- No.- I think it's going to well exceed the estimate.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27So do I. Good luck, both of you.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Here we go.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31And the £100 for this lot I have,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and 10, 120, 130, 130,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37140, 150, 150 I am bid,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40160 for it. 160 down here.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- 170 in two places. - 180!
0:17:43 > 0:17:45180, 190, 200.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50190 in front this time. 200 is bid.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54220, at £200, I sell at 200.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57£200, yes! We said it would exceed it, didn't we?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00£200, Alison. That's pretty good, isn't it?
0:18:00 > 0:18:04How much did that piece of furniture cost?
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- I think about £10! - There you go, brilliant.- Well done.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- Brilliant. Spend it wisely. - Will do!
0:18:12 > 0:18:13Alison did well,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17especially considering she found the memoir in a drawer.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Will Douglas be able to put on a nice bash
0:18:19 > 0:18:22for his parents' 65th wedding anniversary?
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Expert and auctioneer Anita Manning is putting his postcard collection
0:18:26 > 0:18:29under the hammer at her Great Western auction rooms.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Well, they say every picture tells a story
0:18:34 > 0:18:38and I'm sure there's quite a few in this Art Nouveau album belonging to Douglas.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41We always have a lot of surprises with postcard albums.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45It's a really hard thing to value. It really is.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47They are always generally quite mixed.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50As with many albums, there are a lot of the usual suspects.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Lots of Scarborough, if I remember rightly. But there are enough...
0:18:55 > 0:18:57These are views of social history
0:18:57 > 0:18:59and some of these places have changed so much.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01People buy into that window of the past
0:19:01 > 0:19:04and that's what this is all about. Let's put it to the test.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05Here we go.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Lot 255 is the Art Nouveau album of postcards.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Can we see £300, 200?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Starting at £100. 100 bid.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Any advance on £100? Any advance on 100?
0:19:21 > 0:19:26110, 120, 130, 140, 150,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30160, 170, 180, 190,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33200, 210, 220, 230.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- Getting there. - 235. 235.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39I'm surprised.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43240 on the books. 250 I'm out.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48And we're in the corner at £250. Any advance?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50We might have made a touch more.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56£250, the hammer has gone down, that's a sold sound. Happy?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I'm happy as well. Thank you for bringing them in.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00It's a good result, really.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Top of the estimate, can't ask for more than that.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06I'm sure Douglas' great-grandmother would be more than happy
0:20:06 > 0:20:09to know her postcard collection went on to fund
0:20:09 > 0:20:12such an important family occasion.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13What a lovely idea.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18I'm sure those postcards have gone
0:20:18 > 0:20:21to an equally enthusiastic collector.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Now, obviously on Flog It we see hundreds of people
0:20:24 > 0:20:26who love to collect art and antiques,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29but there are those who make it their life's work.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31One of these was a Victorian businessman called
0:20:31 > 0:20:34William Hesketh Lever, and during his lifetime,
0:20:34 > 0:20:39he amassed a collection of over 20,000 works of art, all of which
0:20:39 > 0:20:43can be enjoyed by everyone thanks to his public minded principles.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Welcome to the Lady Lever Art Gallery
0:20:56 > 0:20:58here on the Wirral in Merseyside.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02This gallery contains one of the finest collections
0:21:02 > 0:21:03of art in the world.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06It's all down to one man, William Hesketh Lever,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09so I've come here today to find out how the son of a grocer
0:21:09 > 0:21:13became one of the most renowned collectors of art this country has ever seen.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23When William Hesketh Lever joined the family grocery firm,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27he decided to focus on one product, household soap.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30At a time when soap was cut to order from a single block,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34he decided to market pre-wrapped bars under a brand name
0:21:34 > 0:21:40and began manufacturing soap himself in 1886.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42The popularity of his branded soap
0:21:42 > 0:21:45meant he was soon employing thousands
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and the success of the company made Lever very rich.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58One of the reasons Lever's soap sold so well was
0:21:58 > 0:22:01because he understood the importance of marketing,
0:22:01 > 0:22:05which was a relatively new concept in late Victorian Britain.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08He would look for images that were appealing, thought-provoking
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and familiar to promote his products,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15and he found these images in contemporary British paintings of the day.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18He would go to art exhibitions and galleries in London
0:22:18 > 0:22:24to buy pictures which would appeal to the housewives who were his core customers.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Now, this is one of his first purchases,
0:22:28 > 0:22:29and it's titled The Wedding Morning.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It shows a young bride preparing for her wedding day
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and you can see she's just adjusting her veil,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38surrounded by well-wishers and curious onlookers.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Lever then had the image reproduced as an advertisement,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47substituting the clock on the mantelpiece
0:22:47 > 0:22:52and the cup and saucer on the table for bars of Sunlight Soap.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55It was so successful he repeated this formula with other contemporary
0:22:55 > 0:22:59paintings, always adding that all-important brand name.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Lever started collecting art purely for business reasons
0:23:08 > 0:23:11but it did give him the taste for collecting,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15so as he grew richer, he started buying for pleasure.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18As a newly rich Victorian businessman,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21he was no art connoisseur, so he stuck to safe ground,
0:23:21 > 0:23:26only buying works of other contemporary artists he admired.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Luckily enough for Lever, he had an incredibly good eye.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36He collected paintings by some of the most successful artists
0:23:36 > 0:23:39of his time, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti,
0:23:39 > 0:23:40and thanks to Lever,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44the gallery's collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings is world-famous.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Lever now had the confidence and the means
0:23:55 > 0:23:57to move beyond the realms of Victorian art,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00to explore the history and the breadth
0:24:00 > 0:24:02of British artistic achievement.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Now take this wonderful Georgian portrait by Romney, for example.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Lever recognised its beauty instantly
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and you can see why, can't you? When Romney painted this
0:24:16 > 0:24:20back in 1784, he was London's most fashionable portrait painter.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24His assured draughtsmanship shows a relaxed, elegant mood
0:24:24 > 0:24:26which you can see.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29There's an understanding between artist and sitter.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Now, Lever paid £12,000 for this back then,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38which equates to around about £1.2 million in today's money,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41but it was this purchase that shot Lever
0:24:41 > 0:24:43into the top league of art buyers.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Lever transformed from a casual buyer into a serious collector.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52As his business grew, so did his wealth.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56He had enough money to buy some collections outright.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03When one of the best collections of Wedgwood came to the market,
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Lever had none, so he bought the lot. It cost him £17,000.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12That's about £1.7 million.
0:25:12 > 0:25:18Today it's regarded as the best collection of Wedgwood Jasperware in the world.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Soon, Lever's artistic daring knew no bounds
0:25:32 > 0:25:35as the purchase of this incredible statue demonstrates.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I absolutely love this, it takes my breath away.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43It's late 19th century and it's by the French sculptor Ferrary.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47It depicts the ancient story of Salammbo, who sacrifices herself
0:25:47 > 0:25:50to the gods in the form of a serpent, which you can see entwined
0:25:50 > 0:25:54around her, in order to save her own people from an enemy army.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57But this is no virtuous piece.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00The sculptor has made this both sensual and erotic.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06Just look at the expression, it is clearly one of absolute ecstasy.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08This is a work of passion.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Clearly not a purchase for the faint-hearted.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20But if there's one piece that shows just how far Lever's taste had come
0:26:20 > 0:26:24from paintings of girls in frocks, then I guess it's this one.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28Not just because of its size, which I have to say is absolutely immense,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31but because of the classical subject matter.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34The Daphnephoria is by Lord Frederick Leighton,
0:26:34 > 0:26:39and it depicts an ancient Greek festival that celebrated art and beauty.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Leighton's drawing of the picture expresses his belief that art
0:26:43 > 0:26:45is of central importance to society.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Leighton wanted to educate the ordinary working class man
0:26:49 > 0:26:52by exposing him to great fine art like this.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55That's possibly why Lever bought the painting.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58He wasn't daunted by the subject matter. He agreed with it.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Lever wanted to share his collections with the public.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08He felt he needed a purpose-built gallery to display
0:27:08 > 0:27:11the many imposing works he now owned.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14The construction of the Lady Lever Art Gallery,
0:27:14 > 0:27:18named after his late wife, duly commenced and was formally
0:27:18 > 0:27:24opened in 1922 by Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's daughter.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Lever built this gallery to give everyone the chance to see
0:27:30 > 0:27:34the incredible collection he put together during his lifetime.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38He believed art should be an inspiration to everyone.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40And how right he was.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Well, there is no doubt we are visiting some magnificent places
0:27:59 > 0:28:01on today's show and seeing some wonderful works of art.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Right now, we're heading back up north to our valuation day at Wallasey
0:28:05 > 0:28:08where Anita Manning has spotted something of interest.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11She really does deserve a medal, that woman.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15David, welcome to Flog it,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19and thank you for bringing this little medal along.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23On the face of it, it's nine carat gold,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26it's just a little rowing medal,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30but I know that you have done research on it
0:28:30 > 0:28:34and it's something a little more special than that.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I bought the medal because it was going to be scrapped.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41It had a name on the medal and I thought it would be a shame
0:28:41 > 0:28:46if it was scrapped without finding out something about the person
0:28:46 > 0:28:48who won the medal.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50At the time, I just knew "L H Barradell."
0:28:50 > 0:28:55I went to the Maritime Museum and the people in the Maritime Museum
0:28:55 > 0:29:00took me into the library and found out L H Barradell
0:29:00 > 0:29:04was on the naval cadet ship, HMS Conway.
0:29:04 > 0:29:10So this is the ship here. And where did this ship live?
0:29:10 > 0:29:16- It was based on the Mersey. - So it's a Mersey ship?
0:29:16 > 0:29:20While it was there, they used to have this rowing competition
0:29:20 > 0:29:23and this year, he rowed and he won the gold medal,
0:29:23 > 0:29:25which is a solid gold medal,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28and I don't think they give a solid gold medal away for rowing nowadays.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Especially to a 17-year-old.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34It's been really exciting, the research has been good.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39I always feel that it's a very interesting aspect of our industry,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42"antiques," in inverted commas,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45because we're looking at items,
0:29:45 > 0:29:49they can be very fine items which are made by master craftsmen,
0:29:49 > 0:29:54or they can be items which describe part of our social history.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57And to be able to look back,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01to do research on things, where we're learning about the past,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04that is a very satisfying thing.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05It was for me.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09And this is exactly what you've done, so congratulations!
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Thank you very much. - And this will certainly help
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- to sell it.- Yes.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- And we're going to put it into a sale room.- In Liverpool.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22In Liverpool, with all this research, and I think that's quite important,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25that we're going to put the research in there for the buyers,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and hopefully it'll be bought by a collector who is
0:30:28 > 0:30:34interested in the maritime history of Liverpool.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Now, price, we'll put it into auction
0:30:37 > 0:30:40and hopefully it'll be bought by a collector interested in this,
0:30:40 > 0:30:48but I would like to make the estimate in the main fairly low and wide.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52And to put an estimate of £1-200 on it.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- Would you be happy at that? - Very happy with that.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01It's been a fascinating story, both the story of this young man
0:31:01 > 0:31:06and the story of your research, so it's been an absolute delight.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09I'll be at the auction with you and let's hope it takes a flyer.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10Thank you very much.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Let's hope David's research entices the bidders at auction.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Now over to Michael Baggott in Southwell Minster
0:31:19 > 0:31:22who has found an item with hidden depths.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- Jackie.- Michael.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Fabulous hair, I must say that to start with.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32That almost puts this in the shade.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34But what a marvellous thing.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- Have you been to Japan, is that where it's come from?- Never.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42I would love to go to Japan. I'm unsure if it's Japanese or Chinese.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46- So we're thinking either Japanese or Chinese?- Yes.
0:31:46 > 0:31:47It's French.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- Is it really? - It's French.- Wow!
0:31:49 > 0:31:53What basically happened, is in about 1862,
0:31:53 > 0:31:58we start to have exhibitions in this country and in France
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- of Japanese objects. - OK.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04So what happened is they got all these wonderful,
0:32:04 > 0:32:09very monochrome glazed bowls and very austere looking pieces
0:32:09 > 0:32:13and they wrapped them up in all these brightly coloured wonderful prints,
0:32:13 > 0:32:18and when they came over to be unpacked, heathens that we are,
0:32:18 > 0:32:22we took less notice of the pottery and the objects
0:32:22 > 0:32:25and the art world went mad for the prints.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31So that started a craze, the aesthetic movement,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35which loved anything Japanese, anything oriental.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38There wasn't a great distinguish between Chinese and Japanese.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41That's why you sometimes get on these European objects
0:32:41 > 0:32:44a confusion of the styles.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48They're magpies, they're picking from everything they see,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51from prints, from vases, from objects,
0:32:51 > 0:32:52and they're combining them,
0:32:52 > 0:32:57so we've got this, obviously not a bamboo frame, but carved to look
0:32:57 > 0:33:02like bamboo, because that's the oriental material that they use,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04or we believe they use.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09And we've got these two figures which are bijin, or beautiful women,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13and you've got these auspicious cranes flying above them,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17which is usually the Empress, the crane.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22This is of course a mirror. You open it that way.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Now this panel survived in much better condition,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27because that's the one that's closed,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29although it's had a big whack there.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- Right.- And someone's put a bit of angle line on that.- Yes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35These tended to be made in France in about 1870-1880.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Right? As old as that.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Is it something you have up on the wall to do your hair
0:33:40 > 0:33:42- in the morning? - Unfortunately, no, it isn't.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47- They have in the past made relatively good money.- Good.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- But in much better condition than this.- Yes, of course.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- Any idea what it might be worth? - No idea at all.
0:33:52 > 0:33:58- I think, conservatively, let's say £80-120.- Oh, right.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I thought it would be worth more than that to be truthful but...
0:34:00 > 0:34:07- In pristine order, they have made £300, £400, £500.- Right, OK.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11But I would rather be pessimistic and we have a lovely surprise
0:34:11 > 0:34:13than over optimistic and we stand there and it doesn't go.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15- That's fine. - I'll tell you what we'll do.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- We'll put £100-200.- Okey-dokey.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21And we'll put £100 reserve on it and that opens it up so it's there to go.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Yes, it does. Yes, OK.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26But it's a lovely and unusual thing
0:34:26 > 0:34:29- and thank you very much for bringing it in.- Thank you, Michael. Thank you.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Who would have thought the mirror was French?
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Double points if you suspected.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39The next item is quintessentially British and it's our very own
0:34:39 > 0:34:42English gent, Mark Stacey, who spotted it back in Southall.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Sue, we've had a drastic turnout and you have brought in
0:34:47 > 0:34:50a really exciting and quite rare piece of Beswick pottery.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55- Did you know that?- No.- Well, I'm not a Beswick aficionado, as they say.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59But I do know this example was made in two forms.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03The more common form is a black Duchess holding a pie
0:35:03 > 0:35:07and the rare form is holding a bunch of flowers.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11- Where did it come from? - It came through my mother,
0:35:11 > 0:35:15who inherited it from one of her relatives.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18So, the original person who bought it might have bought it new
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- in the sort of 1950s. - I would think so.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Which is when it was made.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27When the first one of these came on the market about, I suppose,
0:35:27 > 0:35:3015 years ago or something,
0:35:30 > 0:35:34it was such a rarity that it made quite a lot of money but of course,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37like a lot of these collectible ceramics,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41once one is discovered, other people say, "I've got one. I've got one."
0:35:41 > 0:35:45So they become a little more common but they're still quite rare.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I mean, they're quite simply made, really.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50They are all hand-painted
0:35:50 > 0:35:52and underneath you have got a little mark here.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Beatrix Potter, Duchess.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00And then F. Warne & Co Ltd. And then Beswick, England.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Interestingly, for those people who are fanatics about Beswick,
0:36:05 > 0:36:11- all this is in gold. Can you see? - Yes.- Gold colour writing.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14The later ones are in brown.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17And they were later taken over by Royal Albert.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20You see some figures made by the Royal Albert factory.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24But this is a nice early mark which dates it to the 1950s, '60s.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29Which, again, is a nice confirmation of the period of it.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Everything seems in good condition.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37It might surprise you to know that if my memory serves me right,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39and I've got it right on this occasion,
0:36:39 > 0:36:44- I think this little figure is worth around £500-700.- Oh, gosh!
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- It's quite a lot, isn't it?- It is, for something as small as that.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53A little Beswick figure. They used to make a lot more than that.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56They used to make over 1,000 but the market has dropped a little bit.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59But I'm sure that there's collectors out there
0:36:59 > 0:37:04that would like that and would pay quite a bit of money for it.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- You look as if you're quite pleased to hear that.- I am. I'm very pleased.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- Thank you very much.- So you're going to be happy to flog it?- Yes.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12I think we should talk about a reserve
0:37:12 > 0:37:15because I don't think we should put it in without a reserve.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I would say, if you are happy with this,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20put a reserve of £400 on it to protect it.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24If we can't get that, I think it's worth hanging on to.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26But if we can get £400 or more,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29I think we are in the ballpark of the collectors' market.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- OK.- Are you happy to do that? - Very happy to do that. Thank you.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37If it does very well, of course, I'll expect a bouquet of flowers from you.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- Thank you very much for bringing it in, Sue.- Thank you. Thank you.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50This piano is one of the most recent additions
0:37:50 > 0:37:52to the collection here at Dunster Castle.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54It once belonged to Vivian Ellis,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57a famous musical comedy composer who started his career
0:37:57 > 0:38:03as a classical pianist and became well known in London's West End.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06For much of his life he lived locally in Minehead
0:38:06 > 0:38:10and he left his beloved piano to the National Trust.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13He's probably best known for the song Spread A Little Happiness,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15which he wrote in 1929.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19Hopefully we can spread a little happiness right now
0:38:19 > 0:38:22as we head over to the auction room for the very last time today.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26Before we do, here's a recap of all the items going under the hammer.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31David's research certainly adds value to that 100-year-old
0:38:31 > 0:38:35rowing medal and proves that antiques deserve time
0:38:35 > 0:38:37as well as money invested in them.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Let's hope Jackie's mirror attracts as much attention as her hair.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Michael has given it a sensible estimate so I'm hopeful.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53And Beswick pottery is a good staple of the auction room,
0:38:53 > 0:38:56and this is a rare breed of Duchess cat.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00The market has dropped off recently but the buyers are still out there.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10First, expert and auctioneer Adam Partridge is on the rostrum
0:39:10 > 0:39:12to sell that rowing medal.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Going under the hammer now, something for budding oarsmen.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20It's a rowing medal, a 20th-century one, belonging to David.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22There's a great story behind that which we heard
0:39:22 > 0:39:25at the valuation day and now we are going to put that to the test.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28You've done a marvellous job on the research
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and we've got the research available for the potential buyers
0:39:31 > 0:39:34so that makes it that bit more interesting.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36With provenance, and as we keep saying,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38provenance is key in this industry.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42It puts the value up. Let's find out what it does right now.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45£100. I'll take 10. At £100. Any advance on this?
0:39:45 > 0:39:47At £100, the bid. Any more?
0:39:47 > 0:39:50At £100. 10 in the room. 110 down here.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53At 110. Any more at 110?
0:39:53 > 0:39:57We're selling this now at £110 with the folder of research. At 110.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01We're down here. Are you all done at £110? At 110.
0:40:01 > 0:40:0320. 120. 130. 130.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05140. 150.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08It's great how it climbs, isn't it?
0:40:08 > 0:40:12At 150, mid estimate, and away now. At £150.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- Yes, £150!- That's good.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Great auctioneering as well but thanks to that bidder there...
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- I'll shake her hand later.- It just quickly went four bids up, £150.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25- David, put it there. - Thank you very much.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29- Thank you.- Thank you. - That was wonderful.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Time to find out how the mirror does under the hammer.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Going under the hammer right now we have a European mirror
0:40:38 > 0:40:40in the Japanese style belonging to Jackie.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43It's only £100 and Michael said if it doesn't sell,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- he's going to dye his hair that colour.- Wow!
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I don't think I did, Paul. You're making it up.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- I didn't.- Perhaps Paul will. - The beard then.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- The beard. - That's almost that colour now.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Anyway, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Here we go. Good luck.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04£100, I am bid for this mirror. 100. 110 for it?
0:41:04 > 0:41:06100, only, bid.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10110, I'll take. 110. 120. 130.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- It's a very unusual thing this, Jackie.- It's very nice, isn't it?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- Too late now, it's not yours. - That's great.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18£140. I shall sell.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20- All done at 140?- £140. Boof!
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- You didn't like it, did you, anyway? - I didn't really, no. I didn't.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- Nor did I.- Didn't you?- No.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30It wasn't my taste either, was it?
0:41:30 > 0:41:34- Three people in the room that hate it and it still sold.- That's fantastic.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37If you've got something like that, we will gladly sell it for you.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Details you can pick up on our BBC website.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Check the links. All the information will be there.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49If you don't have a computer,
0:41:49 > 0:41:51check the details in your local press because we will come
0:41:51 > 0:41:55to a town near you soon so dust them down and bring them in.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Now, how will our Beswick pottery do?
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Our next item belonging to Sue is that Duchess figure,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Beatrix Potter figure.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07I have to say in the 13 years of Flog It,
0:42:07 > 0:42:11I think we've sold four or five of these. Throughout our history.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14And they have all made good money.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17So they are about but they are the ones to collect, aren't they?
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Duchess with the flowers. We are putting it to the test right now.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22It's going under the hammer. This is it.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27£400 for this lot, I am bid. At 400.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30420 for it? 420.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32450. 480. 500.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34550. 600. 600, I am bid.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38650 for you. At £600 against you online.
0:42:38 > 0:42:44At £600, commission bid. And selling, fair warning, at £600.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49I sell... 50. In the nick of time, £650 online.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51- Online.- That was good.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54The internet is coming in. It's a bit slow.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- £650. That's good.- Not bad.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02That's not bad, is it? Mid-estimate, a little above. Yes.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04- Happy?- Very.- Good.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07I'm pleased with that because you didn't have a clue, did you?
0:43:07 > 0:43:10That makes it even more fun for you, doesn't it?
0:43:10 > 0:43:12And you've still got other things, anyway.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14You've still got other figures.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17What a great collection of items we've had on today's show.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Join us again soon when we'll be delving into the past
0:43:20 > 0:43:23to bring you more exciting Flog It finds.