0:00:04 > 0:00:08We've got an exciting show for you today from the Dorset coastline,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10as I get special access to go out with this lot,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I found out more about the history of these volunteers, and the
0:00:17 > 0:00:22vital role they play, in this bewitching, but sometimes dangerous, coastline.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Thomas Hardy said of the Dorset coastline,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56"The atmosphere below is languorous and so tinged with azure,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00"that what artists call the middle distance partakes of that hue."
0:01:00 > 0:01:02But this idyllic place of land
0:01:02 > 0:01:07and sea can transform from tranquil to tumultuous in an instant.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15We've travelled five miles from the English Channel to our valuation
0:01:15 > 0:01:19day venue, Lulworth Castle, where the water has followed us!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24And we'll be taking a look at the landscape
0:01:24 > 0:01:27and what it's like to live here later on in the programme.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30But right now, hundreds of people have turned up to Lulworth Castle.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32It is raining outside, so we brought them inside.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35But it hasn't dampened their spirits, because here they are,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38look, laden with antiques and collectables to show our experts.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40If they get a great valuation and you like it,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- what are you going to do? - ALL: FLOG IT!
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And our experts are eager to share their knowledge,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49but some items have stumped even wise old Mark Stacey.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Well, I've never seen one of those.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Wow, what on Earth is that?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56It could be a rare find.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58And fountain of all knowledge David Fletcher
0:01:58 > 0:02:01has also got some mysteries to solve.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Some of them are modern, some of them are old.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07But the question is, are they silver, do you think?
0:02:07 > 0:02:10And that's the joy of antiques.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13But, luckily, they have spotted what this is.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- Well, I just found a little cherub. - Is that a he or she?
0:02:16 > 0:02:20I don't know, it's very cherubic. I think it could be you in your youth, David.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23When I was cherubic.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25If you say so, David.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31And on today's show, David has found a fine four-fendered friend.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32I've been singing that song.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36It's been going round and round and round in my head.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39And Mark's got some of his own little friends.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42And they've all got rather sort of cheeky faces, haven't they?
0:02:42 > 0:02:46And David's got some surprises up his sleeve.
0:02:46 > 0:02:47You look surprised?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- I'm staggered!- Good.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But which will be the biggest surprise when they go under the hammer?
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Lulworth Castle and its estate is set in around 12,000 acres of land.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10It incorporates farms, villages and even five miles of coastline.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Later on in the programme I'll be giving a grand view of some of
0:03:13 > 0:03:17that land but right now, it's time to get on with our first valuation.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19And David's found something that's really pleased him,
0:03:19 > 0:03:23an unusual collection we rarely see on Flog It!
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Beverley, thank you for braving the foul weather
0:03:27 > 0:03:29and joining us here today.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Now you've brought with you a collection of handwritten envelopes,
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and I can only really describe
0:03:35 > 0:03:41the collection as postal history, for want of a better word.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Erm, is this a subject you're interested in?
0:03:43 > 0:03:49No, we came by these albums...my husband used to work in a large house
0:03:49 > 0:03:55in Wareham, and when the owners died, about 15 years ago, there was
0:03:55 > 0:04:00a house sale, and these were in a job lot right at the end of the auction.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02The box went for about £5.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05My husband immediately was really taken by them,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07he's much more into history,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11and he said they were a fascinating account of life in the 1830s.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Yeah, what interests me most of all about these letters is that
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- none of them have stamps, as such.- Mm-hm.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Now, the postage stamp didn't come into being until the late 1830s...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- OK.- ..and from that time onwards,
0:04:25 > 0:04:30- the person who sent the letter paid to send it.- Yes.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Up until this date, the recipient paid.- OK.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37And none of these bear what we think of today as being conventional postage stamps.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- But they all have post office franks on them.- That's right.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45But what also fascinates me is that many of them bear the name,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48beneath the address, of a member of the nobility.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51William Gladstone, in this instance.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Marlborough, in this instance.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Well, when my husband started investigating,
0:04:55 > 0:05:00it seemed that a lot of the envelopes were addressed to the Baker family...
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- Right.- ..and that Mr Baker was a solicitor,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06and these were letters of correspondence that he received,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10that possibly were then given to his daughters, who cut them out
0:05:10 > 0:05:14and, somehow, they then managed to get the signatures
0:05:14 > 0:05:18of the people who had been in correspondence with their father.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21So this would seem to suggest that the recipients of
0:05:21 > 0:05:25these letters, at some stage, brought them back to the originator.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- Exactly, yes.- I can't prove that.- No, and I can't.- And neither can you.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I mean, what I find is so fascinating about this,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35this is the sort of case which we are faced with all the time, really.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41- Erm, the whole issue raises more questions than I can provide answers.- I know, yes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- It deserves a week's research, a fortnight's research.- Really?
0:05:45 > 0:05:46- But sadly I haven't got that time. - No.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50What I'm going to do in a moment is put a provisional value on them for you...
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- OK.- ..and suggest that the auctioneers very kindly do some homework for us.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Now, if I came up with a figure of £600-£800,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01as a collection...
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- You look surprised?- I'm staggered! - Good. Well...
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I'm totally staggered.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- I HOPE I'm in the right sort of area there.- Really?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Now, if for any reason they think I've overvalued them dramatically,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- or even undervalued them, they will get back to us.- Yes.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20But for the time being, we'll stick with that. We'll keep you posted...
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- Thank you.- No pun intended.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25..and I'll see you at the auction.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28How exciting! Well, I'm overwhelmed, thank you.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Good, thank you, and I'm really looking forward to the day.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32Good, yes, fascinating.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Let's see if the auctioneer can shed more light on these stamps later.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40With stamp collectors, it's the rare ones with a darn good story
0:06:40 > 0:06:44and great provenance that command the highest prices.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48This stamp, called the British Guiana, dated 1856,
0:06:48 > 0:06:52recently broke all records when it sold at auction.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56It turned out to be the only survivor in a temporary run of just
0:06:56 > 0:06:59three stamps, while the postmaster of the time was awaiting
0:06:59 > 0:07:02a shipment from Britain of the proper ones.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Measuring just one inch square, it fetched a mind-boggling
0:07:06 > 0:07:09£5.6 million,
0:07:09 > 0:07:14proving the best things can come on small packages!
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Now Mark's found a set of objects on which is etched the monarch
0:07:17 > 0:07:21who would have ruled over British Guiana when it was still a colony.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- Hello, Barbara.- Hello.- And this is? - Hannah, my daughter.- Your daughter.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- Moral support?- Yes, indeed, yeah. Much needed.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33She wants to know how much they're worth!
0:07:33 > 0:07:37She's got her shopping trip planned already, from the faces, haven't you?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39New shoes or something like that?
0:07:41 > 0:07:44You've brought in some typical gold bullion coins.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47We've got two full sovereigns and two half sovereigns.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Where do they come from, Barbara?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53They actually belong to my husband who, erm...they were passed to him from his father.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Other than that, I don't know any more about them, really.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Well, it was a standard coin, of course, in Britain.
0:08:00 > 0:08:07These are all from the reign of King George V, so he reigned from 1910-1935.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08You can get variations.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12You can get...some of them are minted in odd mints,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14like Sydney or Perth in Australia,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and some reigns are rarer than others, you know,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20if you had a George III or George IV...
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Other than that, the price is determined, really,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25by the gold bullion price.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30At today's prices, we'd be looking at somewhere around the £400-£500 mark...
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- Right.- ..for the four coins.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38So that's what we would put them in at, with a reserve of around £400.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- Right.- It should comfortably do something like that.- Right, OK.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Would you be happy with that? - Yes, that's fine, yeah.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- Well, Hannah's smiling. Look, Hannah's quite happy.- I know.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52You haven't sort of thought of keeping them? Because some people keep them as investments.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Well, they've just been sitting with a few other coins, that we found out
0:08:56 > 0:09:00aren't worth very much, so, really, they're not doing anything at all
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and I could buy a new dress with the money!
0:09:03 > 0:09:06So you're actually going to turn it into a practical use?
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Erm, I've got plans to. I don't know what he's thinking.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Ah, well I'm glad you've got plans for it.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Well, let's hope, really, that the gold price rises dramatically before the auction,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- then we'll all be in for a surprise, won't we?- That would be lovely, we'll look forward to that.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- We'll look forward to meeting you again.- Thank you, that's really kind.- You're welcome.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Let's hope Barbara's husband is planning a shopping spree
0:09:26 > 0:09:28if these sell well at auction!
0:09:28 > 0:09:31# Golden years... #
0:09:31 > 0:09:34The ever-changing landscape, here, shifting through wind
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and weather, has inspired artists for generations.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Writers like Thomas Hardy to Victorian landscape painter
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Frederick White have all been passionate about the area,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47and one man who is in love with it is artist Colin Willey.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Thank you for coming in, Colin, and bringing in some of your work.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54I instantly recognise it as Lulworth Cove.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57What inspires you about the Cove?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Erm, it's just such a beautiful place.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Every time I come back it looks different.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06The sea changes colour, and wearing away the rocks,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09and if you look at it from different levels, you know,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12you can see the shape of the cove changing.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15If you're low down, you're going to get a very thin cove,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19then you can view it from quite high up and you'll see the full cove.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21And you sell your works to the rich and the famous,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23you've exhibited at the Royal Academy,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26is it always Lulworth Cove, or is it something different?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Erm, no, I paint all over Dorset.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32I've got probably about five or six favourite places
0:10:32 > 0:10:36I like to go back to again and again, Lulworth Cove being one of them,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38and, you know, you always find something new,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41you see something different that you haven't seen before.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43That's always really exciting, when you do that.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Subject matter for a lifetime, really.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- Yeah, well, carry on enjoying it, won't you, because your work is fabulous.- Oh, thank you.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54For our next item, we're travelling from the dramatic coastline of Dorset
0:10:54 > 0:10:59to the more tranquil setting of a European city that's famously waterlogged,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01and David's brimming with good advice.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- Hello, Marianne.- Hello. - Thank you for coming along today.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Now, do you have any Italian blood in your family?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- No.- No.- No, not that I know of. - Not that you know of.
0:11:12 > 0:11:19Erm, I ask because this wonderful picture frame is Italian.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20Oh.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- You didn't know that? - No, I didn't.- No, OK.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29I think this could have been made in Venice in about 1880.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Really? - The end of the 19th century.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37The print it contains dates from that period as well,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- so the frame and the image are contemporary with each other.- Yes.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46What I like about frames like this is they can tell us so much about
0:11:46 > 0:11:48decorative styles.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51This is in the Rococo style.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56Now, the Rococo style is characterised by C scrolls and S scrolls,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- shell motifs like this.- Mm-hm.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- It first came to England in the middle of the 19th century from France.- Yeah.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Today, it's not everyone's cup of tea.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Do you like it?
0:12:07 > 0:12:11I like it, but I wouldn't have it hanging on my wall, I'm afraid.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Besides, it would pull the wall down, I think.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16"I like it but I wouldn't have it hanging on my wall!"
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Do you know, I'm inclined to agree with you, really.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23For many people it's a bit overblown, really, a bit florid.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27What I particularly like about it, and this is important,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30is that it's gilt wood, rather than gilt plaster.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Now, fortunately, there is a little bit of damage.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- I say fortunately because it enables us to prove that fact.- Yes, yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41You can see quite clearly the ground wood.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- Now, the gilding is gold leaf. - Really?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48So it's important, as far as its value is concerned, that it
0:12:48 > 0:12:51should be gilt wood, as I say, and not gilt plaster,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- and that's typical of what we would expect to find.- Yes.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- I have got a pair.- You've got a pair to it?- Yes, yeah.- That's great.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- That makes a big difference.- Yes.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- A pair is always worth three times as much as one.- One.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08That's a fact, which sometimes throws us valuers, but it's true.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13I think, erm, what will happen to this is that whoever buys it
0:13:13 > 0:13:16will take out the print, throw it away, throw the glass away,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- and put a mirror plate in there. Convert it into a mirror.- Yeah.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- The image inside, the print, is worth absolutely nothing.- Nothing.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27And, just imagine, this would look magnificent on a mantelpiece
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- above a big fireplace in a Victorian house.- Yeah.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32It would look absolutely superb.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36We need to think a bit about what its pair are worth.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42I would like to estimate them £100-£150, with a reserve of £100.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Erm, not your cup of tea, perhaps not my cup of tea,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48but there will be plenty of people out there who would like to own this,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51even more, they'll want to own a pair, so I think we'll do all right.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- OK, thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Now we just need someone with a big Victorian house
0:13:56 > 0:14:00to fall in love with these Italian frames-cum-mirrors.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Well, once you climb the stairs to the tower,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09this is the spectacular view that I promised you, and just look at it.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12It is absolutely magnificent. You can see for miles up here.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Right over there in the distance, that's Poole Harbour,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18the second natural largest harbour in the world.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Up there, there's the Iron Age fort, look,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24just sticking out on the horizon, with the cloud coming down over it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27And this land, out there, that's leased to the Ministry of Defence.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29I told you it was spectacular.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33It really IS worth climbing these stairs if you do visit Lulworth Castle.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Please, please, please don't miss out.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And right now, it's time for us to go over to the auction room for the first time,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42and here's a quick recap of the first three items that are going under the hammer.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46We've got Beverley's unusual early postal franks,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50but will they be rare enough to send the bids through the roof?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53There are the gold sovereigns belonging to Barbara's husband,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56which she'd like to swap for a dress.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59And Marianne's pair of Rococo frames,
0:14:59 > 0:15:02which David and she agreed would make a more appealing mirror.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04But what will the bidders think?
0:15:05 > 0:15:1030 miles away is the small but perfectly formed town of Sherborne,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12named by the Saxons "Scir Burne",
0:15:12 > 0:15:15because of the clear stream running past.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Sitting next to pastures and rich lands, it appealed to settlers
0:15:19 > 0:15:21from the Romans to the Saxons,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25who liked it so much they built a magnificent abbey.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28You can still see what's known as the Monks' Conduit,
0:15:28 > 0:15:33in other words, their very own, but not entirely private, watering hole.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Well, no wonder the auctioneers, Charterhouse, settled here too,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41which is where our objects are just about to go under the hammer.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And on the rostrum today is auctioneer Richard Brummel.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Selling at £280.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Just a quick reminder, if you're buying or selling at auction,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52there is commission to pay. It varies from saleroom to saleroom.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Here, today, at Charterhouse, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00So factor that in to the hammer price, but also deduct that from
0:16:00 > 0:16:04the hammer price if you're selling something, because it does add up.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08First, it's time for those typical gold sovereigns,
0:16:08 > 0:16:13owned by Barbara's husband. But, sadly, Barbara can't be here today.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16But we do have our expert, Mr Mark Stacey...
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- Thank you, Paul.- ..and you've valued plenty of sovereigns in your lifetime, haven't you?
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- Well, we do see a lot of them. - It's sort of standard fodder in the auction room.- It is, it is.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27And the price, obviously, is reflected in the current bullion prices.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- Exactly.- So we've put, I think, a relatively safe £400-£500 for the four.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Which means they're going to sell, even if they go to scrap...
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- Exactly.- ..because whoever buys them at, let's say, £500-£400
0:16:37 > 0:16:40has got to pay commission, which is 15% plus VAT.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43If you add that to £500-£400, they will still sell
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- because they're tucked slightly under the bullion price.- We hope.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Anyway, let's put these gold sovereigns to the test. Here we go.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54And two half sovereigns, here. A lot of bids here.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56I'm straight in at 350, 380, 400, 420, 450.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59At 450, 480.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04At 480 now. At £480. I sell it at £480. Your last chance.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Selling far away at 480, it sells at 480.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Yes! Straight in. - £480, top of the estimate.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12£480, in and out.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- There's nothing more you can say, really.- No. Job done.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19And we hope that should at least buy Barbara a dress or two.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23In a moment, Beverley's curious envelopes with those early form of stamps on them,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26that David really prized, are going under the hammer.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31But first, Richard has something to say about the HIGH valuation.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35We've reduced the valuation of £600 down to £100,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37because now we've had a chance to have a good look at them,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40we can see that actually we've only got half the story.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42We've just got the front of the envelopes,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44the backs have all been cut off.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48In addition to that, they've also been stuck down just in the corners,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52so, as a result, they're worth a lot less than half a full envelope.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55That's a shame, but Beverley's stoical about it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- Now, you're happy still if you can get £100-£150.- Yes, absolutely.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02OK. Let's put it to the test, it's going under the hammer now.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Straight in here at £50, I have bid now at £50 with me,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09at £90 I have now, at 90.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11£100 is bid, on the internet.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14It's an internet bid, at £100 I have bid, at £100.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16And 10, 120, competition. Someone else coming in here.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20At 120 now, 120. At 120, 130.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23At 130, 140. At £140.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Interesting little collection here. At £140 I sell.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Last chance, fair warning, 140.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Hammer's gone down, £140.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Yeah, well, he knew, didn't he? - He did, yeah.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35He's had a bit more time to do research.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37You do get put on the spot at the valuation.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I must say, I'm indebted to the auctioneer for doing the research.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43It's just what we hoped he would do, and he's very kindly done that.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- We got the right valuation in the end, and we sold them.- Absolutely.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48And my embarrassment has turned to glee!
0:18:50 > 0:18:52David, I wouldn't have done any better.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54It's so hard to put a value on something like that.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It was really difficult, yes. No, I accept that.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- But we've had fun, haven't we? - We've had a lot of fun, yeah.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05It happens to the best of us, and proves the point, rare doesn't always mean valuable.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Now, how will David fare with his next valuation?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The pair of Italian pictures, brought in by Marianne
0:19:11 > 0:19:15and friend Liz are about to go under the hammer.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19I know they're yours, aren't they? I know you're best friends, but look, just there, look.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20You're in the right place!
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Hopefully, by the time we finish this chat, the hammer will go down
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and someone will come along and go, "Yep, I'm having those, taking them home."
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- You like these frames, don't you? - I think the frames are amazing.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32They're Italian.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- I think there'll be enough people here who will.- Yes.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Hope so.- And I think they'll make great mirrors. Good luck!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- OK, thank you.- Good luck, here we go! They're going under the hammer now.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42And I'm straight in there at £70, I have bid now.
0:19:42 > 0:19:4670, 80, 90, 100, and 10.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- 120, 130.- Go on!
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- 140.- At £140, front right, £140 bid now.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54150, 160, 170,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57180, 190, 200.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01At £200 I have, still seated in the very front row, at £200 I have.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Fair warning, I sell the pair. Selling at 200.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- Yes! That's a good result. - Thank you.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- £100 each, isn't it? - Yeah, lovely, thank you.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12It's a pleasure. I'm not always confident with my valuations,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- but I knew they'd do all right. - Yeah.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- It's a decorator's piece.- Yeah.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20David, you're vindicated - a great price!
0:20:20 > 0:20:24And those will surely end up on one satisfied customer's wall.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27170, David's bid at £170, 170.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Talk to anyone around here that lives near or on the sea, and makes their living from it,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and they'll tell you they have a healthy respect for it.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Well, respect is one thing,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38but what about the volunteers who put their lives at risk,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41day in and day out, saving people like you and me
0:20:41 > 0:20:45that get caught out by the waves when we're swimming or sailing.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Well, I went along to one of the oldest lifeboat
0:20:47 > 0:20:50stations along this coastline, in Lyme Regis,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53to find out more about the volunteers, their history,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56and what it's like to spend a day with them.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Well, I'm on the seafront here in Lyme Regis on a lovely sunny day
0:21:14 > 0:21:16with the iconic Cobb just behind me there
0:21:16 > 0:21:20in the distance to meet the men and women who provide
0:21:20 > 0:21:25the totally voluntary service for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and I'm told my day starts right here,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31outside this water sports shop, to meet a young chap called Murray.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Hi, Murray!- Hi, Paul, all right?
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Murray has been volunteering with the RNLI for over two years.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41This is the day job, I guess, so that's quite convenient really
0:21:41 > 0:21:43because the lifeboat station's just over there
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- so you don't have that far to go. - About a two minute run.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Well, I'm going to spend the day with you so can I follow you around and you show me the ropes?
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Yeah, sure, come on down, I'll show you.- Should we lock up first?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- Nah, we'll let somebody else bother about that.- OK.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00As a seafaring nation we've always been at the mercy of the waves.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06So back in 1824 the charity the RNLI was created by philanthropist
0:22:06 > 0:22:12Sir William Hillary to save the lives of those who got caught out by the sea.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Right from those early days, the men and women manning the boats
0:22:15 > 0:22:20volunteered their time and the same is still true today,
0:22:20 > 0:22:25since its formation, saving more than 140,000 lives.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The Lyme Regis station is amongst the oldest,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32with 40 volunteers ready to drop everything when they get the call.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Joining Murray and I is Colin Jones, who has been doing this for 40 years.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42What was life like back then, 40 years ago, Colin?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Erm, we had a very, very small station.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49We didn't have drysuits, we had, basically, a pair of waders
0:22:49 > 0:22:52and it would fill up with water and you were, basically,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- soaking wet in the middle of the winter with the snow.- And that's no good, is it?- No.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58And also, because we used to push the boat into the water,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01we probably couldn't speak for the first ten minutes.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05In 1979, Colin put his local knowledge to the test
0:23:05 > 0:23:08when he helped rescue a family who were on a small yacht,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11the White Kitten, that was in severe trouble.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15It was pretty rough.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Strange for that time of year, I had to move out to sea.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22We were going in towards rocks so I sailed it out to seawards
0:23:22 > 0:23:27for several miles and then set a course and brought it in.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31They were firing white parachute flares off the end of the Cobb
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- to guide me in.- Wow.- To give you an idea of the conditions,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37as we came in to the harbour the rudder just snapped off.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- So we were very, very lucky. - That is some story.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42How do you feel when you hear a story like that?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45I think at the moment, when you're in the moment,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47you do what you need to do.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50But to think what Colin went through with the kit that he's got,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52we've got it a lot easier.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54The boats have come a long way since White Kitten, so it's
0:23:54 > 0:23:58pretty inspiring to hear what he went through, that's for sure.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Colin and his crew received the RNLI's bronze medal
0:24:01 > 0:24:05for that rescue and Colin's in good company.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Since the lifeboats were launched here, the tally of medals is
0:24:08 > 0:24:13one gold, six silver and three bronze for saving dozens of lives.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16You've both put your lives at risk, day in and day out when
0:24:16 > 0:24:20you get the call, and I know you've seen some difficult situations.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- Why do you do it? - I've been by the sea all my life.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25You get to respect the sea
0:24:25 > 0:24:30and people sometimes underestimate its ability to catch you out
0:24:30 > 0:24:32and that's why, in a sense,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35because we work by the sea, we're willing to go and help them out.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Yeah. And what was your calling?
0:24:38 > 0:24:41I windsurf and surf a lot and, erm, I kind of thought,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45"Well, I expect somebody else to come and help me out when I'm in difficulties
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- "and therefore I should put my hand up and do my part as well."- Yeah.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53And these volunteers certainly do that.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Over the course of one year across Britain
0:24:56 > 0:25:01they went out on an average of 23 launches a day, rescuing 23 people
0:25:01 > 0:25:06every day and the scenarios they might have to face are limitless.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Surfers in trouble, people cut off from the tide
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and boats which have capsized amongst them.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15And they wouldn't be able to do that without a lot of hard work
0:25:15 > 0:25:20behind the scenes. Crucial to their operations is practice.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Here at Lyme the volunteers have to put in over 200 hours of training
0:25:24 > 0:25:27before they become full seagoing crew,
0:25:27 > 0:25:31learning boat skills, communications and navigation.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Well, I've been invited on an exercise
0:25:34 > 0:25:37and the scenario is somebody has gone overboard, we don't know
0:25:37 > 0:25:41the full extent, we haven't got a lot of information but we're getting kitted out.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43This is a bear suit, this stops you from, sort of,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47sweating like mad and getting too cold.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49And then you've got to put these drysuits on.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- There is a sense of urgency, isn't there, guys?- Yeah.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Let's face it, because speed is of the essence.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01OK, go!
0:26:03 > 0:26:07We have to get our skates on to try and launch within seven minutes
0:26:07 > 0:26:11of our call-out, which would be the optimum response in a real rescue.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Now, that's going some. Gosh, it feels really real now.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Today, helmsman Elliott Herbert commands the rescue.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23On land, he's with the town council.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26At sea, he's been volunteering for 14 years.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34All right, guys, we've been launched now, erm,
0:26:34 > 0:26:38for a man overboard off a yacht approximately four miles off.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41It's important everyone on board takes a role in the operation
0:26:41 > 0:26:44and so I've been given my job for the day.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Once we get into the vicinity, Paul, I want you to keep a good lookout, OK?
0:26:48 > 0:26:49OK.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- OK, guys, hold it on.- Right, here we go.- Hold it off.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00- Elliott, wow, look at the speed of this!- Here we go.- Whoa!
0:27:00 > 0:27:04An amateur like me wouldn't be able to go out on a real call-out,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07known as a shout, but I've been given special permission
0:27:07 > 0:27:09to see what volunteering involves.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Now, this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17For the purpose of this practice,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21one of the RNLI volunteers is acting as a sailor who has
0:27:21 > 0:27:24gone overboard his yacht, with a flare to alert rescuers.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Retrieving him will test the speed and the efficiency of their
0:27:28 > 0:27:33rescue operation and it teaches new volunteers about the drill.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37How long would you expect to survive the conditions like this?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40With the correct equipment you've got a couple of hours.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- Without the correct equipment you've got minutes.- Minutes. - Absolutely, minutes.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48So it's vital, really, that you guys can get there as quick as possible.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51The 40 volunteers at Lyme are in good company.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55There are 235 lifeboat stations nationwide
0:27:55 > 0:28:00and an incredible 5,600 volunteering year round and I'm honoured
0:28:00 > 0:28:04to be joining their company today to be shown how it's done.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06OK, guys, so we're coming into territory now.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10This is his last known position and, Paul, like I said, keep your eyes peeled now.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Eyes peeled.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Today, for this practice the weather is fine,
0:28:15 > 0:28:20but imagine doing an actual rescue in storms or freezing-cold conditions.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24There he is, look, there on the port side!
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- Murray, Paul, do you want to get up the front, here?- Yup.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- All right, guys, go on in neutral.- OK.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Right the way down the boat, Paul. That's it. Are you all right, buddy?
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Are you all right?
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Ah, well done. Well done.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49- Well, we'll get you back to harbour now and we'll get you a cup of tea. Get you warmed up.- Grab a seat.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52I know this was just a practice run but these guys do this
0:28:52 > 0:28:56day in and day out for real, saving the lives of people like you and me.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59They are the real heroes.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09We're back at our valuation day venue, Lulworth Castle,
0:29:09 > 0:29:13and Mark Stacey has found a whole crowd of new friends.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21Joan One and Joan Two. I don't think I've ever had two Joans. I have now.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24You've brought this lovely selection of Chinese items in.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- Are they yours, Joan?- They're mine, yes.- And what did you use them for?
0:29:27 > 0:29:32For dinner parties. Yes. I didn't always use the 12. Mainly 8.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37- But they were always used. - As names?- Yes, place names.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- And you've had some lovely dinner parties, have you? - Oh, yes, yes, we used to.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41I'm too old now to have them
0:29:41 > 0:29:45but people don't have dinner parties any more, do they?
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- Well, not so formal.- No.- Much more informal these days, aren't we?
0:29:49 > 0:29:51You know. Now, where did you get them from?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- I got them from Hong Kong, they belonged to my mother-in-law.- Right.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56I lived there, we all lived together,
0:29:56 > 0:30:00and when she died, of course, we took them over.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- And when was that, roughly? - In the '60s.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05I don't think they would have been made a lot before that, actually,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08because they're simply marked underneath -
0:30:08 > 0:30:11sterling, Hong Kong - and there's a little maker's mark, which
0:30:11 > 0:30:13we haven't been able to find.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I think they probably date to the, sort of, 1940s.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Yes, well, that's right, yes. - That sort of period.- That's right.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23- And they're rather charming. Do you like them, Joan Two? - I think they're very charming.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Now, well, if we have a little look at this figure,
0:30:25 > 0:30:29I mean, you can see that they're all really modelled as
0:30:29 > 0:30:35little Chinese characters in different agricultural and fishing pursuits.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40This one happens to be holding two large forks, I suppose tilling the ground.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- And they've all got rather, sort of, cheeky faces, haven't they?- Mmm.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46And they're rather fun, a little bit of decoration.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49I think they would have been made for people
0:30:49 > 0:30:51who were ex-pats of visiting...
0:30:51 > 0:30:56- Yes...- the colonies then to take back with them as little
0:30:56 > 0:30:58souvenirs and gifts.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Erm, I could certainly see them on my table if I was entertaining.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05- I think they'd make everybody laugh and it would get conversation going. - Yes, oh, absolutely.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Because people would say, "Oh, what have you got?"
0:31:07 > 0:31:10And they could say, "Well, I've got somebody carrying milk,"
0:31:10 > 0:31:12or whatever it is, do you know what I mean?
0:31:12 > 0:31:13It's rather fun.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Have you seen them before? Because I haven't.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Yes, we have seen them. - You have seen them?
0:31:18 > 0:31:20The Chinese were really good at producing these little
0:31:20 > 0:31:23novelty items and normally they're a little bit older,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25they go back to the end of the 19th century
0:31:25 > 0:31:28or the beginning of the 20th century.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- But it's lovely that you've got a set of 12.- Mmm.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33What do you think they're worth, Joan One?
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Well, I'd like to think they're worth £100 or £200.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40I'd like to think, but they probably won't be, but they're so lovely!
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Do you know, you're quite right.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47I'm going to be a little bit meaner than that but only a little bit
0:31:47 > 0:31:50because I think we've got to try and encourage the bidding to go on.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Right, yes.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53So I'm going to fall back on
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- an old auctioneer's cliche estimate...- Mm-hm...
0:31:56 > 0:32:02- which is 80 to 120.- Right.- And fix in the reserve at £80.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Because I think that will give them a chance
0:32:04 > 0:32:07because at that sort of price maybe you'll find somebody will be
0:32:07 > 0:32:12- bidding a bit too enthusiastically...- Yes.- ..and we might get 120, 140 or something.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Right.- Would you be happy with that? - Yes, I'd be quite happy.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18And hopefully we can find a new home for them.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22I'd love to put my name on them but I can't, unfortunately, because I'm not allowed to buy them.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25But I look forward to seeing you both at the auction.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Yes, I look forward to coming.- See you soon.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Well, as they say, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind
0:32:31 > 0:32:37and with that valuation, I hope we'll lure in the bidders for such charming pieces.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Now, from whimsy to full-blown childhood fantasy.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45Terry and Pamela, thank you for coming today.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50- It's hardly open-car weather out there, is it, really?- Certainly not.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52But you've brought a coupe, or an open car,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56with you and, of course, it's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59And ever since I saw it in the distance I've been singing that song.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01It's been going round and round and round in my head!
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Erm, I remember it very well.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07So, Terry, are you a collector of Corgi toys?
0:33:07 > 0:33:12I used to be, yes, yes, until I moved house and I had to...
0:33:12 > 0:33:15I got rid of them all because we were downsizing to a flat.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- OK, right. - Because I had a big house.- Right.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22- My brother gave me this one.- Oh, OK. So that was part of his collection?
0:33:22 > 0:33:24- Yes.- Right, I see.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26So you bought these, your brother and you,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28- as adults rather than as boys? - Yes, yes.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Which explains why it's in such good condition.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35I bought Dinky toys and Corgi toys when I was a boy,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39a bit before this one was made, I hasten to add, and played with them all.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- So they all got smashed and I think most boys did, didn't they, really? - Yes, they did.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46So it's wonderful to see one in such good condition as this,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48and in its original box.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51- With the price on.- With the price. 22/6, yeah.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55Yes, that's £1... 2/6...
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I can't remember, 12½ pence, isn't it?
0:33:58 > 0:34:00So it was £1, 12½ pence.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03It doesn't matter because it's worth an enormous amount more
0:34:03 > 0:34:06than that now. So you're just thinning your collection out a bit?
0:34:06 > 0:34:08It helps the old-age pension, I would say.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14And you were happy to see the collection weeded out, Pam, were you?
0:34:14 > 0:34:18- Yes.- Yes.- It was a whole roomful. - A whole roomful, right, OK.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I see from the book you've brought along, not the original,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24the book itself was written by Ian Fleming, wasn't it?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- I don't know.- Was it? - Yeah, the James Bond man.- Oh, right!
0:34:27 > 0:34:30So this was a bit of a departure, really, from his usual,
0:34:30 > 0:34:35sort of, genre. And I see that the film starred Dick Van Dyke,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39who I just about remember, and Benny Hill, the late, lamented Benny Hill.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- Mm-hm.- Yes.- So what a cast that was. Anyway, I'm digressing, really.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45We need to think obviously about what it's worth.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46Erm, it will help your pension a bit
0:34:46 > 0:34:50- but it's not going to send you off on a world cruise, I'm afraid.- No, no, we realise that.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52Erm, but you expected that.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57I would suggest an estimate of about 80 to 120, if that's OK.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02- Can we have a reserve?- I think a reserve of £80 will be OK.- Yes, OK.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06- Yes. And let's hope that we have a pleasant surprise. OK?- Yes.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- So you're both in agreement? - Yes.- Good.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12- OK. - If I get £100 I'll buy you a drink.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Oh, I look forward to that, OK! Mine's a pint.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17The collectors ought to be out in force for that Corgi toy
0:35:17 > 0:35:20in pristine condition,
0:35:20 > 0:35:25especially if they enjoy a trip down memory lane, like David and I.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27# A fine four-fendered friend
0:35:27 > 0:35:29# Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
0:35:29 > 0:35:32# A fine four-fendered Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! #
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Mark loves a trip down memory lane but on this occasion
0:35:35 > 0:35:40he doesn't go quite as far back as the object he's examining.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42And very interesting it is, too.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Liz, Carol, nice to see you.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Where did this charming Snaffles print come from?
0:35:48 > 0:35:51It came from our father's home and, really,
0:35:51 > 0:35:56- we didn't know much about it at all, did we? No.- Well, he is quite well known.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58This is a print, of course, that's the first thing to make clear,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02this is a print but it is signed in pencil at the bottom
0:36:02 > 0:36:06and Charles Johnson Payne is the artist but he's known as Snaffles.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10And he produced a wide range of illustrations for magazines
0:36:10 > 0:36:12and periodicals at the time,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15from the early part of the 20th century onwards.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20And mostly we see lots of hunting scenes and lots of rural life.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22This is quite a humorous one.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Obviously we've got a hard-working famer there,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27in his fields. It's just obviously harvest time, you know,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29you've got everything going on.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33And here are the bombers going over, obviously to do their duty,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37as it were, and he's shouting after them, erm,
0:36:37 > 0:36:42an expression of support with a naughty little word crossed off there.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44We don't know what the word is, it's been censored.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Not on this occasion, I have to add, by the BBC.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- This was on the original print. - Of course. Yes, yes.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53We haven't tried to cover any rude words ourselves.
0:36:53 > 0:36:54So we don't know what that is.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57But it's full of that wartime patriotic spirit.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59And they are quite collectable.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Did you know anything about the artist before you found it?
0:37:02 > 0:37:04We have, sort of...
0:37:04 > 0:37:08It was my son, who's in the Army, and he seemed to know the name.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12He said, "I think he did some war paintings."
0:37:12 > 0:37:17And so he had a quick look and found a few of his paintings. And that's all we know, really.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21Well, he is a very well-known, a very famous artist in that period.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24He died in the 1970s, I think.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27And these are quite collectable, these prints, now.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30It's in the original frame, it looks in good condition
0:37:30 > 0:37:33but this has got a good, good feel about it.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37They do come up for auction quite regularly so we can gauge the price.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40They're normally estimated at around £300 to £500.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45Something like that. So I think that would be a sensible estimate and reserve to put on them.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Maybe put the reserve at 300.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Yup. Are we going to go for it?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- Three?- Yeah, OK.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55There's a lot of discussion going on here.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57But it's sensible to do it now before the auction.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02I was going to say that, yes. Well, we've got another sister,
0:38:02 > 0:38:03so we've got to do the right thing.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08- I think we are, I think we should get over the £300.- If we're lucky.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10- Shall we go for three?- Yup.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Three at fixed so we won't go a penny below 300.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17- If you're happy we'll meet again. - Right, OK, thank you.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Some sunny day at an auction house.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24Yes, you will, and hopefully with a nice big sale of this wonderful Snaffles print.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35It's hard to say goodbye to this place,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38especially surrounded by pastoral fields and jagged rocks,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41but goodbye it has to be as we're going over to the
0:38:41 > 0:38:44auction room for the very last time. Anything can happen, and here's a
0:38:44 > 0:38:48quick re-cap of the items we're taking with us.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51The delightful 1940s Chinese name-place holders
0:38:51 > 0:38:55brought in by the two Joans are set at a price to sell.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00Will this sleek as a thoroughbred Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
0:39:00 > 0:39:02turn everyone's heads at auction?
0:39:02 > 0:39:07And hopefully the three sisters will get their fixed price of £300
0:39:07 > 0:39:11and much more for the Snaffles classic.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15Back at the saleroom, first up it's those name-place holders
0:39:15 > 0:39:20with those lovely Chinese characters which would grace any table.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26- Belonging to Joan and...Joan as well!- Yes.- The Joans are here.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27- A right pair.- They are.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30I know you're related but you're also really good friends, aren't you?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Oh, yeah, absolutely, oh, yeah, certainly.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Well, we're going to find out what the bidders think in this
0:39:35 > 0:39:37packed saleroom right now. This is where it gets exciting.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Anything could happen. Yeah. We could get that top end.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Or you could be taking them home.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44If you take them home, you're going to throw a dinner party
0:39:44 > 0:39:45and invite Mark and myself.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Oh! If they don't go I'll take them home.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49And I'm straight in at £50, is bid on that, £50,
0:39:49 > 0:39:53here with me at £50 I have. With me the main bid at 50, 60, 70,
0:39:53 > 0:39:5580, £80.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Seated at £80 I have now. At £80 I have an away, now.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Seat 80, 90 on the internet,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02100 is bid. At £100, thank you, 100.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- At £100...- On the internet!- ..110 on the internet.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08At 110 internet bid gets it, £110 I have bid at 110,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- selling online at 110... - GAVEL BANGS
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- 110.- £110 sold online.- Much better. That's actually quite good.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Well, it was nearly the top end, wasn't it?- Yes, yes, that's fine.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20We're happy, Joan's happy, what a big smile! Happy, Joan?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- Yes, very well done.- Absolutely, yes.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26And we are too with a solid sale there.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Now, can we beat that with the truly scrumptious Corgi toy
0:40:29 > 0:40:32so many children enjoyed, like me.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36One of my favourite lots going under the hammer right now,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39purely because I had this toy Corgi car when I was a young lad as well.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42It's the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang one. It belongs to Terry and Pamela.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Terry's not here today, Pamela, is he?- No, he isn't.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47He's left you in charge. OK.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Well, you're in safe hands, we have David here. I had this car.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Do you know, the first thing I did when my mum bought it for me?
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- Rip the box apart, threw the box away and played with the toy.- Of course, yes.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Do not throw the boxes away, keep the boxes.- Absolutely.- Well,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03let's find out what the bidders think, shall we? It's here to go.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05It's going under the hammer now.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Pretty Chitty Chitty Bang Bang model here and along with the book...
0:41:08 > 0:41:09You almost want to sing it, don't you?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12..and we're straight in here at £50 I have bid now.
0:41:12 > 0:41:1550, 60, 70 and at 80. Room bid at £80 I have, right at the back.
0:41:15 > 0:41:1980, 90, 100. At £100, 110.
0:41:19 > 0:41:25120, 130, 130 the front row, the very front row at £130 I have.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27You're out at the back, the internet outselling,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- front row at 130... - GAVEL BANGS
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- Well!- That's good, that is more than they're making at the moment...
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Really?- ..so I'm pleased with that.- Yeah, I'm really pleased.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36Good, excellent.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Another good sale and over David's estimate,
0:41:39 > 0:41:43it's finally time for the print by famed illustrator Snaffles
0:41:43 > 0:41:47owned by the three sisters who've all made it along today.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- Well, look, good luck all of you. - Thank you!
0:41:50 > 0:41:54And I'm sure you're going to have a little bit of a celebration
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- later on.- Oh, yes!- We've got the champagne ready.- Have you?
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Right, here we go, it's going under the hammer now.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02I've got a lot of bids here. I'm straight in here at £200, it's bid.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06At 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300...
0:42:06 > 0:42:11- We're going to go at 300.- ..320, 350, 380, 400, 420, 450. At 450.
0:42:11 > 0:42:18- 480, 500...- We've got the reserve price.- ..550, 580, 600, and 20...
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- It's climbing! This is the beauty of an auction, isn't it?- ..650.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- This is where it gets exciting... - 700, you're out, madam.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27The internet is out, on the telephone, selling here at £700.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- Your last chance, selling at 700... - GAVEL BANGS
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- Brilliant!- £700!- Excellent! - That's a good result.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35- That's a great result, isn't it?- Yeah!
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Well that's a lot of money that you can celebrate with.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39There is commission to pay, it's 15% plus VAT,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42we all have to pay that but, look, go out and enjoy yourselves, won't you?
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- We will!- Thank you!- And take care, thank you so much for coming in.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46- Thank you!- Thanks very much.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49And that's what we like, a runaway sale!
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Fantastic and plenty for the three sisters to share.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57- It's in the room and I sell, selling at 300... - GAVEL BANGS
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Everyone has gone home happy and that's what it's all about.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02See you next time for more fun in the auction room.