0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Dunham Massey,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06the ancestral home of the Earls of Stanford and Warrington.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09I think it's pretty safe to say the family that lived here
0:00:09 > 0:00:11were complete hoarders.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12During their time in residence,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16they amassed a staggering 25,000 different objects,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19objects which tell a story of love and political intrigue.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21And later on in the show,
0:00:21 > 0:00:23I'll be sharing some of my favourites with you.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25But right now, it's those all-important valuations.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:51 > 0:00:54One of Merseyside's most impressive buildings is today's
0:00:54 > 0:00:56valuation venue, Wallasey Town Hall.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01In 1940, during the Second World War,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04it took a direct hit by German bombers.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09George VI and Queen Elizabeth came to see the effects
0:01:09 > 0:01:10of the early raids.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12But worse was to follow.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Liverpool and Merseyside soon became the most heavily bombed area
0:01:16 > 0:01:18in the country outside of London.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Having the largest west coast port, Merseyside was targeted because the
0:01:24 > 0:01:28docks brought in food and materials vital to Britain's survival.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33But despite the death toll and destruction,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37the port stayed open, and visiting the area, Churchill said,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40"I see damage done by enemy attacks,
0:01:40 > 0:01:45"but I also see the spirit of unconquered people."
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Merseyside is an area of the powerful sense of pride
0:01:49 > 0:01:51in its history, and quite rightly so.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54And that strong connection with the past, combined with
0:01:54 > 0:01:56the unflagging determination
0:01:56 > 0:01:57of this massive crowd here,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00is sure to provide us with a lively valuation day.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- Isn't that right? - CROWD:- Yeah!
0:02:03 > 0:02:06And who better to match that resolve and do us proud
0:02:06 > 0:02:09with their expert knowledge than the spirited Anita Manning...
0:02:09 > 0:02:11SHE LAUGHS LOUDLY
0:02:11 > 0:02:14OK. Actually, you're mine forever.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20And working alongside Anita is tiptop chap, Nick Davies.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- Hi, Nick, how are you doing? - I'm fine. How are you getting on?
0:02:22 > 0:02:26It's great. The people in the queue are absolutely fabulous.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30And I found a couple of marvellous items that you had bagged before me.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Ah, got to be quick. Got to be quick.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33Don't worry, Anita.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36There's plenty to go around on this breezy day.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39So as the flags flutter outside,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43it's time for a flurry of steps inside.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Whilst everybody finds a spot in the main hall,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and our off-screen experts start unwrapping all manner of goods,
0:02:49 > 0:02:54how about we have a quick reveal of what's coming up in today's show?
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- In 1912...- Anita imagines the thrill of being an Edwardian woman.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Women threw away their corsets,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07they would pin these hats onto their extravagant hairdos,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09and it was that extra bit of flash.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Whereas Nick is butching it up as a Victorian man.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Cos if your hands got a bit hot and sweaty,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20you could have a really good grip on the sword.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24But who will win the battle of the sexes over at the auction?
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Ooh! Ooh!
0:03:29 > 0:03:30We did stick it to them.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Everyone having a good time? - ALL:- Yeah!
0:03:33 > 0:03:36That's what it's all about. This is where it's going to happen,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38right here, right now. It's lights, camera, action.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41It could be you going home with a lot of money. Fingers crossed.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Or you, or you. And you're all on TV right now.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46I'm being filmed, there's a camera up there. Give it away, look!
0:03:46 > 0:03:48There we are.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Well, as you can see, everybody is so excited.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54They're all safely seated inside now in the warm,
0:03:54 > 0:03:55so let's get on with the valuations
0:03:55 > 0:03:59and hand the proceedings over to expert, Nick Davies.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Well, Phil, we were having a bit of a chat before we sat down here,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- haven't we?- Yes.- You were telling me something about this building
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- in your family, and a connection? - Tell me about it.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11My family were Roland Owen and Son, haulage contractors.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- They actually hauled a lot of the stone on this building.- OK.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- And my uncle Bob had a team of horses and a wagon...- Right.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25..and he was sitting on a great big crate, and when he got off it,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28a guy said to him, "Do you know what you've been sitting on?
0:04:28 > 0:04:31"You'll be able to tell your family you've been sitting on
0:04:31 > 0:04:34the top of Wallasey Town Hall.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Because the box he had had the urn in it
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- that goes right on the very top. - Right somewhere above our heads.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- Absolutely.- So the urn was in the box.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Fantastic, what a lovely little story.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51- And is that any relation to this? - His brother was quite a...
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- quite a showman, really.- Right.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58He had a lot of things that made sound, made pictures,
0:04:58 > 0:05:03made any sort of noise whatsoever. And this was Uncle Steve's.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06He loved his equipment, and he loved tinkering with things.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08So he's probably taken this apart at some point,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and oiled it and put it back together again.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13It looks in great condition, and we know what it is.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16It's a cylinder phonograph by Edison.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Obviously Edison was very famous for his telephone work
0:05:19 > 0:05:22and his telegraphy, and this has come from that.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Now, it's the standard issue. They did various versions,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28another one was the Edison Gem which was a little bit smaller.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33And this is probably circa... about turn-of-the-century, 1898,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35somewhere around about that sort of period.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Have you used it at all?
0:05:37 > 0:05:42Well, we kept it because we've got a great big box full of recordings,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- and we thought we'd have a party and play it.- Yep.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- But the opportunity's never come up. - You haven't had a phonograph party?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- No, we haven't.- Bring your phonograph, bring your wax seal.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Let's take this one off and have a quick look, shall we?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58That's where all the music is, he says...
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Recorded onto these wax cylinders.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- Have you got any more of these? - I think 57.
0:06:06 > 0:06:0957? SHE LAUGHS
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- So you've got the top 40 and a few bonus ones as well?- Yes.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- And you've got the cover as well, I know.- Oh, yes.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- Yes, we've got the cover. - And obviously the horn.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20So it's all there. Let's talk about value.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I'd have thought it should fetch,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25with all those cylinders, somewhere around about £200 to £300,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- reasonably conservatively, I would say.- Lovely.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- Is that suitable for you? - That would be superb!- Fantastic.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The million-dollar question, does it work?
0:06:35 > 0:06:38That'll probably be enough. If I'm right, I think we just move that?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Yes.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41MUSIC PLAYS It's coming.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- You've got a hornpipe. - A very nice hornpipe.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52It's always great to see these phonographs, which are
0:06:52 > 0:06:56the earliest commercial medium for recording and reproducing sound.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Their production came to an end in the 1920s
0:07:01 > 0:07:05when the competing gramophone triumphed in the marketplace.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08And the rest, as they say, is history.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Peter, welcome to "Flog It!", and thank you very, very much
0:07:15 > 0:07:19for bringing this little item along. I'm very excited.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23This is the first time that I've been in the Wirral peninsula.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27And this is the first time "Flog it!" has been in the Wirral peninsula
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- as well.- Now, do you come from this area?- Yes.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- What sort of work did you do here? - I don't work. I'm a pensioner.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- You're a pensioner now? - I'm 80 in 12 weeks' time.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Ah, well congratulations.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46I have fallen in love with this little item here.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- The little British Bulldog.- Yep.- Can you tell me, where did you get it?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Handed down from my mother-in-law.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Has it been with you for a long time?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- It's been with me for over 50 years. - For over 50 years?- Yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Let me tell you a little bit about it,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04because it's a very interesting little item.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08It was made by Royal Doulton, designed by Charles Noke,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11a very prestigious designer.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15And he was famous for designing and making character jugs,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- depicting various different characters of the day.- Yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24This little bulldog was made in 1941.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Now, 1941, the middle war years, it would have been produced
0:08:29 > 0:08:31to cheer people up,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34as a piece of perhaps propaganda.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37And here we have the good old British Bulldog,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40and he's draped by this Union Jack.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Let's take a wee look at the underneath of it.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48We see the mark here for Royal Doulton.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53And we see this number here, which is the registration mark,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56which tells us when it was registered.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And this was in 1941.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04But if we look at the item itself, and think about the time that it
0:09:04 > 0:09:07was made, these middle war years,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10it was a time where people needed to...
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- They needed to... I don't know, feel good about things.- Yes.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I think that it's an evocative thing.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- And I know that you've enjoyed it. - Oh, I have enjoyed it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23One wee thing that maybe I should point out,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27and I don't know if you've noticed, our Union Jack here, we have a
0:09:27 > 0:09:32little discolouration in the blue, so it's faded a wee bit on there.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36So the collector will take that into consideration.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37Price-wise, what do you think?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- I have no idea.- Take a guess, Peter.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43- £50?- £50?
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Well, a wee bitty more than that.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51But I would say that we could estimate it
0:09:51 > 0:09:53perhaps £80 to £120.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- Now, would you be happy to put it forward?- I'm more than happy.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03I think that might even be a wee bit of a conservative estimate.
0:10:03 > 0:10:10- Right, OK.- But let's put it in, and let's let the market decide.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Thank you very, very much for bringing it along.- My pleasure.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Used to portray the courage and spirit of Britain during
0:10:18 > 0:10:20the Second World War,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23it was of course Winston Churchill who became known as the British
0:10:23 > 0:10:28Bulldog, because of his famously stoic and tenacious manner.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Qualities also shown by the people of Merseyside.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Earlier on in the programme, we mentioned
0:10:36 > 0:10:39some of the effects of the Liverpool Blitz during World War II.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Well, I've got a couple of photographs that I'd like to show you.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45One is of the most magnificent Willis organ, installed
0:10:45 > 0:10:48here in this concert hall, in the 1920s.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51It would have been right down there where the stage is now.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53It was absolutely huge.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Sadly, 20 years later, during the war, in 1940,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01this building took a direct hit, and the state of the organ there,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04well, it's reduced to matchsticks.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06The hall was rebuilt but it took a long time.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10In fact, right up until 1951, and by then times had changed.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Things had moved on. There was no need for a big organ down the end of the room.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It was all about a big stage with a live band on it
0:11:16 > 0:11:18and wonderful dances.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Yes, this hall has been the scene of many a formal do.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24You can almost hear the swish of the ball gowns.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Not normally one to stand on ceremony himself,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Nick Davies is, however, lording it over us on the balcony.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Hello, Jean, you've brought a rather nice ink stand for us here.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Can you tell me a little bit about it?
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I can't tell you much about it except that it's been in my loft for quite
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- a long time.- Right. It's beautiful.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47It just reeks elegance of its day, doesn't it?
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's by a gentleman called William Atkins.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52He was a silversmith in Birmingham at that period
0:11:52 > 0:11:55and made this type of desk furniture. And it's been presented to someone.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58It's got a presentation engraving to the front.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- So you've no idea who Mrs Ward is? - No.- No?- None.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Well, neither do I, but it's come from Llandudno, apparently,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09because it was gifted to her by the church over there.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11But it's hallmarked in Birmingham, in 1907.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17- So it actually predates this building by about, eh, seven years. - Oh, right.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20And as it says on the presentation, it was presented in 1910.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It's got a lovely pen rest but no pen. Often they go missing.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28In the days of tablets and laptops and computers,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- this seems a little bit obsolete, doesn't it, really?- Probably.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35And it's a shame, because it's so elegant. It's beautifully made
0:12:35 > 0:12:38with all the intricate work, the reeded borders,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42the twin ink wells that all match. It's raised on four bun feet.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Yes.- It's hardly been used.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- It seems like it's been in your loft for donkey's years.- Yes, probably has.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51What kind of a house would this have been in, in that era?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Well, I think if you can imagine a typical Edwardian
0:12:54 > 0:12:59gentleman at his partner's desk, with his stationary box on top
0:12:59 > 0:13:03and his big ink blotter by his side, and his desk set right in front of him.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06So let's talk about the money side of thing, the valuation.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I'd see this at about £100-150.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11We'll put a reserve on it at around about 90,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- just to make sure that everything's covered.- OK.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16And I'm sure we'll be fine with that. So are you happy with that?
0:13:16 > 0:13:17- I'm happy with that.- Confident?
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- Yes, yes.- Going to go to the auction and see it fly?- Yes.- Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- Excellent. I'll look forward to seeing you there.- OK.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29There you are, our first three items picked out by our experts,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and how exciting is that? The day really is flying past.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Let's get over to the auction room, put those valuations to the test.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38And here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42There's Phil's phonograph that she inherited from her uncle Steve.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45With all those extra cylinders, it should attract interest.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51And Peter rose early to be one of the first in the queue.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Let's hope his enthusiasm pays off with a good
0:13:53 > 0:13:55result in the sale room.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00And finally, Nick was impressed by this silver ink stand.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Rescued from the loft,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05I'm sure its auction will give Jean something to write home about.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08We're heading across the Mersey into the busy
0:14:08 > 0:14:11city of Liverpool for today's auction.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14And regular viewers will no doubt recognise "Flog It!"
0:14:14 > 0:14:18favourite Adam Partridge on the rostrum.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Remember, if you are buying or selling in an auction room
0:14:22 > 0:14:23there's also commission to pay.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It does vary from sale room to sell room.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Here, at Adam Partridge's in Liverpool, it's
0:14:28 > 0:14:3020% inclusive of VAT.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37Our first item up for grabs is Jean's Edwardian silver ink stand.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40It's got everything going for it. I love the rectangular form.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44I think it's good. This silver won't go to mount. I think it's quality.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- And it's been liberated from the... - Loft.- What's it doing up there?!
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Well, I don't know.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I just went up to have a look, when I saw you were coming to Wallasey.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Is all the family silver up in the loft?- Well, it might be.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59It might be. This will look great on a writing table.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02The only thing going against it, it's got a presentation
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- engraving on it. That's the only thing.- Can that be polished out?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08I think it could be, yeah. It's just a nice, pretty example.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12It's just that engraving, so we'll see whether that makes a difference.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14OK. Let's find out what it's worth, shall we?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16It's going under the hammer now.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20210 is an Edwardian silver ink stand. We've got 80 already.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- We've got one hand going up.- 90.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Five. 110. 110, over my right.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30At 110, worth a bit more, is it? At 110 on my right-hand side. £110.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Any further at 110? We'll sell now at £110.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- It's gone, Jean. £110. - Yes, that was good.- Good result.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Fantastic.- Well done, Nick.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49And right now we're flying the Union Jack for Britain with this wonderful little bulldog,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and it belongs to Peter, and Anita is our expert.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54We've seen these on the show before.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I think since that James Bond movie came out, they're all coming
0:15:57 > 0:16:00out of the woodwork. Why are you selling this?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- It's just sitting there... - Doing nothing.- ..and I don't even look at it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Ah, you've fallen out of love with the little bulldog. Confident, Anita?
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- Top end?- The blue colour in the Union Jack is slightly faded.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14But hopefully... He's all there.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Apart from that, he's in good condition.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Oh, those collectors are a fussy bunch.- No cracks or...
0:16:19 > 0:16:23No, he's in very good nick, actually. I think we'll get this away.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Oh, here we are.- Oh, look at him, isn't that cute?
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- Straight in at £80 online.- There you go.- 80 bid. At £80. Internet at 80.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33That's good. My commission bids were 40. At £80 only.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35At £80, is online at 80.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39At 80. Are you all done at 80? We'll sell at 80, then.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Anyone else on this at £80? All finished at £80.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Short and sweet at £80.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Well, there you go. It's gone for £80.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50The collectors loved it. You're happy, Peter, aren't you?
0:16:50 > 0:16:51I'm happy.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56As they say, the cheque will be in the post in about three weeks' time, less their commission.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- OK?- Thank you very much. - No, thank you.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02I'm glad we're sending Peter home happy.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Going under the hammer right now,
0:17:05 > 0:17:07we have an item which pioneered the home sound system.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Yes, it's the Edison phonograph
0:17:09 > 0:17:12and it belongs to Phil, who's right next to me in lovely bright red.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Look at that. Is that Liverpool or what?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Well, yes, you couldn't come to Liverpool without wearing red.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- Oh! Or blue.- Or blue.- Or blue, or blue!
0:17:21 > 0:17:24We had a laugh at the valuation day, didn't we?
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- It's all about good working condition.- It's super.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Lots of spare cylinders. And the horn is there.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Here we go, we're putting it under the hammer right now.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37270 is the Edison standard model phonograph there. £200 start.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40120, 130. Bid already. At 130.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Any advance on 134 for the phonograph? 140.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46150. 160. 170. Bid 180.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- Come on. - 180 is this side. At 180.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53At 180, 190 online. 200, the room.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Oh! Oh!- 210 online.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59- Yeah.- 230.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- 250 online.- And there's interest.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- 260.- Oh, it's a great party machine!
0:18:06 > 0:18:09280, the phonograph now. 290.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11300. In the room still.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Wow! £300!
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- Got it!- Yes!- £300.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20I have to say, Phil said, just before Adam started
0:18:20 > 0:18:24auctioneering this off, "I can't wait to see the back of these damn things."
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- You did, didn't you? Look, they've gone.- Brilliant.- They've gone to a good home.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- And they are a great collectable. - They are.- Pleased?- Yeah. Wonderful.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- Good.- It's a great party machine.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Well, let's hope somebody really enjoys playing that phonograph
0:18:40 > 0:18:44and showing it off to the family and friends.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Well, there you are. That's our first set of results done
0:18:47 > 0:18:48and dusted here in the sale room.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51We are coming back later on in the programme.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Now, the grand stately home of Dunham Massey is just a few
0:18:54 > 0:18:57miles east from here, and it houses one of the largest
0:18:57 > 0:19:00collections in the care of the National Trust.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02And while we're in the area filming,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05I had the opportunity to go off and explore.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17As we know with our own homes, if you have a cupboard underneath
0:19:17 > 0:19:21the stairs, or a small spare bedroom, you just stuff things in it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24You let it pile up rather than sort it out
0:19:24 > 0:19:27and sell it or throw it away. It just gets sky-high.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32But if your home is Dunham Massey, then space really isn't an issue.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35In fact, it turned the family that lived here into unwitting hoarders.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Thank goodness it did, because each of those objects tells
0:19:39 > 0:19:44a fascinating story of 300 years of family history and drama.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Dunham Massey was actually home to two great families.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55The Booths, otherwise known as the Earls of Warrington.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58And then the Greys, the Earls of Stamford.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Marriage brought them together, and the money they made from
0:20:01 > 0:20:03coal and farming was carefully managed.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09They bought quality items made to last and looked after what they owned,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11never throwing anything away.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Now, the first treasure I want to show you is also Dunham's largest,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18the exquisite state bed,
0:20:18 > 0:20:23and here it is, filling this magnificent Queen Anne room.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It was inherited by the Second Earl in 1680,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30and then passed down through the family, treated as a precious family
0:20:30 > 0:20:35heirloom, right up until the Ninth Earl sent it off for restoration.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39But sadly and suddenly, the Ninth Earl passed away
0:20:39 > 0:20:43and the bed was sent back to the house. Work hadn't even begun.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45The bed was still left in its packing cases
0:20:45 > 0:20:47and that's where it remained for the next 100 years,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50until the National Trust took over the house,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53looked inside these packing cases and discovered this bed.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Can you imagine that when they opened it up?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59They took the brave decision back then to conserve and restore
0:20:59 > 0:21:04the bed, a project which took eight years, with a price tag of £200,000.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08I like the playful use of design here with the four supporting posts
0:21:08 > 0:21:10because they're modelled on palm trees,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13which would have been all the rage, something exotic.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Look at the foliage at the top.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17That's created with ostrich and egret feathers,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19sort of hanging down rather dandily.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23But if you look closely at the feet where it terminates to the floor... Gilt.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25But that's copying the roots of a palm tree.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27It's quite whimsical, isn't it?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30But I have to stress the word conservation
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and not restoration here, because not a great deal has been done.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It's kept as honest as possible, and for me, my favourite
0:21:37 > 0:21:40thing of the whole bed has to be...
0:21:40 > 0:21:42You're not going to believe it. The wear marks.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44I love that bruised fabric.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47That's centuries of wear, where the hands have grabbed it.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51They've drawn those curtains closed, and they've drawn them back open.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53That is a massive visual link to our past.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56An incredible bit of our heritage.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02But of course it's not all about big statement pieces.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Some of the most intriguing stories come in small packages.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Now here in the Oak Room, there's some fascinating objects that have
0:22:11 > 0:22:14been collected by the family over the years.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16This portrait here, that's Lady Henrietta,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20who got married in 1763 to George, who later
0:22:20 > 0:22:22became the Fifth Earl.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24What you have to bear in mind, at this particular
0:22:24 > 0:22:26time in our history, marriage
0:22:26 > 0:22:30in aristocratic circles was more of a business arrangement, really.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Let's face it. It was a way of acquiring land or a title.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37But this was a marriage that had something else.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Now here is a handwritten letter by George's father to his mother, who
0:22:43 > 0:22:46was away sorting out the marriage plans with Henrietta's parents.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51It quite clearly shows that their son was desperately in love,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54and I'll read you the last three lines.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57"If proper, you may tell the Duchess", that's Henrietta's mother,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01"she has made me the happiest man in the world by making G,"
0:23:01 > 0:23:02that's George, "happy."
0:23:02 > 0:23:05And it certainly was a match made in heaven. They really did
0:23:05 > 0:23:09love each other, producing no less than ten children.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13And here are some little miniatures painted on ivory,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17showing the couple. The detail is absolutely exquisite.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20This little, tiny locket was designed to be carried around on your person.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23And here they're still exchanging love tokens,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26some 20 years after their marriage. I think they're exquisite.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30They are the best I have ever, ever seen.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32While this couple were playing happy families,
0:23:32 > 0:23:36other valued items in the house show a family in turmoil.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42This ribbon is thought to have been a garter ribbon of Charles I.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47The oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in the UK.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Charles I placed great importance on the Order of the Garter,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55and portraits like this one show him proudly wearing his blue ribbon.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00A few years later, however, thanks to the English Civil War, Charles I
0:24:00 > 0:24:04was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight by Parliamentary forces.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06A member of the family tried to rescue him.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Although he failed, he was rewarded with this ribbon for his chivalry.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14But when Charles I was finely executed in 1649,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17it put this family at loggerheads.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21At Dunham, young Sir George Booth opposed the King's execution.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Even leading a failed uprising.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30But his brother-in-law, the Puritan Lord Thomas Grey, did not.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34In fact, here we have a copy of Charles I's death warrant.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Now, on it you can quite clearly see the signature of Thomas Grey,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41and it's just above Oliver Cromwell.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43As the only peer to sign, as befitting his status,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46he was allowed to go first.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49So what you have here is the same family that fought with
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Charles I also helped him lose his head.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57A fascinating insight into turbulent times in England.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01But let me take you now from a king's death to restoration...
0:25:02 > 0:25:07..as our next piece concerns Charles's son, the restored King Charles II.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11And in my opinion, I've saved the best till last.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15The library is almost the same as it was when it was first
0:25:15 > 0:25:18created by the Second Earl in the early 1700s.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22What dominates the room, though, is that fabulous carving.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25It really is astonishing.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28It's by Grinling Gibbons, my favourite woodcarver.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32He is the Michelangelo of woodcarving.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Now this execution of the crucifixion is his earliest known work.
0:25:36 > 0:25:41He did this in 1671, and I know that Charles II wanted to buy
0:25:41 > 0:25:44this but somehow it managed to end up here as a purchase
0:25:44 > 0:25:48by the Second Earl, and what a purchase for Dunham Massey.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51To really appreciate this you have to get up close to take
0:25:51 > 0:25:56a better look. I've been given permission to climb these library steps to do just that.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58So, here we go.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03And the higher you get, well, the more it takes your breath away.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07This is phenomenal. He is a virtuoso woodworker.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Look at all these undercuts.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11He's got in there with chisels and gouges.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It must have taken hours and hours and hours by candlelight
0:26:14 > 0:26:19and by natural daylight. I couldn't even draw that, let alone carve it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20The inner frame itself,
0:26:20 > 0:26:24that really is still life at life-size proportions.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27When you look at the wonderful, wonderful wheat sheaves.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31and the little flowers and the buds and the petals, it's exquisite.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Then, you look at the narrative of the work itself
0:26:34 > 0:26:36and you see the horses and the horsemen.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39There's a chap here with his hand on his hip.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41And a wonderful beard and facial expression.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46Can you imagine how long that would have taken him? Months and months and months.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47Possibly years.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Well, I really am tingling, and you'll have to forgive me
0:26:50 > 0:26:53because I want to stay up here for, well, for a long time,
0:26:53 > 0:26:57to take it all in, so you go one, and I'll catch you up.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12Welcome back to Wallasey Town Hall, on the Wirral peninsular.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Our off-screen experts are being kept very busy with the queue still
0:27:15 > 0:27:20snaking its way out of the main door, through the grand staircase.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25It's also where Nick Davies has made a surprising discovery.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Well, Amy. What's a nice girl like you doing with two swords like this?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32- My grandad gave them to me.- OK.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35They've been passed down, like throughout the family.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Been passed down through the family. Fantastic. Good family provenance.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40That's what we like.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44Honestly, we can discount this one more or less straight away.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49Doesn't have any great value. Poorly made, not great quality.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53This chap, however, is really nice - is in really good condition.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57On here, on the hilt here, you've got VR.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58- Do you know what would stand for?- No.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Queen?
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- Victoria.- Queen Victoria. VR.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07So we can date this quite easily to her reign.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09- Do you know what this is made of?- No.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13This is sharkskin, with this wire binding in it as well.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15And the reason why they use this, cos if your hands got
0:28:15 > 0:28:19a bit hot and sweaty, you could have a really good grip on the sword.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21The leather scabbard's in great condition.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Often these are bent or twisted, or bits missing.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27And also the tip here.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31So a nice brass tip to protect the tip of the sword.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34And talking about the sword itself, let's have a look inside.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36We'll be very careful. A lot of people around!
0:28:36 > 0:28:40We don't want any accidents. There's the blade.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44And it's marked on the bottom - "Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London."
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Henry Wilkinson. Ring any bells with you?
0:28:46 > 0:28:48If you were a lad and you were shaving, it probably will.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Wilkinson Sword.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54You've seen the adverts with the slashed swords just like this.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59It's what's known as an 1854 pattern officer's sword.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02And it's engraved down the hilt. you've got the Prince of Wales'
0:29:02 > 0:29:04plumes engraved there as well.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07And it's in really good condition.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10There is a little bit of pitting, a little bit of greying to the blade.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Can you see that grey colour coming through?
0:29:12 > 0:29:16It's a really good example and dates-wise, it's Victorian.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21It's going to be about 1850-1860, somewhere round about there.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24If you're happy for us to put for sale,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26we can put it through the auction,
0:29:26 > 0:29:32and I think we'd probably estimate it around £100-£120.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36We'll put this one with it, shall we? You don't want to keep that, do you?
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- No.- No. Very wise. What would you do with the money?
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- It's not long since my grandad passed away.- Right.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46I'm putting the money away so I can take his ashes
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- to Spain where he liked to go and so I can spread them.- Lovely.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- And you used to go there with him? - Yeah.- Excellent.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Well, hopefully, we'll do a little bit better and good old
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Henry Wilkinson will give a bit of support to your grandad.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Thanks ever so much for bringing them along
0:29:59 > 0:30:01and I look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:30:01 > 0:30:02Thanks, Amy.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06Back in the main hall,
0:30:06 > 0:30:10Anita's found two lovely examples of Art Nouveau decadence.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Barbara, welcome to "Flog It!"
0:30:15 > 0:30:21and thank you for bringing along these wonderful, wonderful hatpins.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22It's my pleasure.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Can you tell me first of all, a wee bit about where you got them?
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Well, we used to live in New Zealand and I used to work in a
0:30:30 > 0:30:32second-hand shop and one day,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35in amongst all everything,
0:30:35 > 0:30:40the hatpins came in and I just took a fancy to them
0:30:40 > 0:30:43and asked my boss how much he wanted for them.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47And he said, "Oh, have them." He used to call me Barbie.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49"Have them, Barbie, for 20 cents."
0:30:49 > 0:30:5220 cents! Well, I think that was a bargain.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- I think so, yes. - I love this type of thing.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57These are hat pins that would have been made
0:30:57 > 0:31:01in the beginning of the 20th century.
0:31:01 > 0:31:06They were made by a very prestigious silversmith, Charles Horner.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10He was based in Halifax and made this type of item.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14Now these were made in 1912.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19Now let's think of the fashion at that time.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Just a wee bit after the Edwardian time,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24when women threw away their corsets.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27They had dresses that were looser and more flowing
0:31:27 > 0:31:31and they had these enormous, wonderful hats.
0:31:31 > 0:31:37Now, they would pin these hats onto their extravagant hairdos with
0:31:37 > 0:31:41something like that and it was that extra bit of flash that were the
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Art Nouveau styles of that time,
0:31:44 > 0:31:49where we had these lovely carved motif here.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53And we have a little amethyst-coloured glass
0:31:53 > 0:31:54thistle shape.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- So it appeals to the Scottish in me. - Yeah.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01And it appeals to me as a lover of Art Nouveau items.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04So I think they are absolutely gorgeous.
0:32:04 > 0:32:10Now, tell me, have you ever worn a fabulous big hat at a wedding
0:32:10 > 0:32:12and worn one of them?
0:32:12 > 0:32:16No! No, definitely not.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Well, they were certainly a good buy for 20 cents.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22They're not rare but they're in very good condition.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28I would estimate them probably £45-£60.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Would you be happy for me to put them into sale at that price?
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- Yes, yes.- Yeah?
0:32:35 > 0:32:39I'm sure they'll do much better than that, but I think that is
0:32:39 > 0:32:42an estimate which will attract the bidding.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Will you be sorry to see them go?
0:32:44 > 0:32:46In one way, I will, because I do think they're pretty,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50but...they're not...of no use.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Maybe the next time you go for a wedding,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- you're wearing a big hat, you'll think...- I should have kept them.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Should have kept them. Anyway, thank you for bringing them along.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02- Thank you very much. - They are lovely.- Thank you.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05# Get my hat, I'm checking out... #
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Now it might seem a bit incongruous that there is an American
0:33:10 > 0:33:13flag flying here inside Wallasey Town Hall in Merseyside.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Well, there's a good reason for that.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18During the Second World War, American soldiers were billeted
0:33:18 > 0:33:21all over Wallasey and the surrounding area of New Brighton
0:33:21 > 0:33:24and those American troops proved rather popular with the young ladies
0:33:24 > 0:33:27with their gifts of chocolates and nylons.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31And in 1944, this whole area celebrated an all-American week.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37This culminated in a formal presentation where the Mayor of
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Wallasey received the American flag
0:33:40 > 0:33:45from Lt Colonel Earl Swingle of the US Army and a plaque of dedication.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49And here we are today. Now, there's something I want to show you
0:33:49 > 0:33:52because until recently, staff that worked here thought this was
0:33:52 > 0:33:55just a picture until someone opened the cabinet up.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Take it out.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06Now, somebody opened this and had a wonderful surprise
0:34:06 > 0:34:10because inside, there are the names and addresses of all
0:34:10 > 0:34:15the American soldiers that served here during the Second World War.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Every single one of them. Look at this!
0:34:18 > 0:34:21This is absolutely fabulous.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24These guys came from all over the US.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27They came from Vermont, the came from New York,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31they came from Ohio, Oregon, Montana, Ohio, California.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33This is quite incredible.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I think I'm going to put that back and hopefully, somebody else, let's
0:34:36 > 0:34:40say in another 50 years' time, might have another pleasant surprise.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51While evaluations continue apace in the main hall, making
0:34:51 > 0:34:55the most of the afternoon sun, Nick Davies has headed outside with John.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02- Magnificent big building.- Beautiful. - And some miniatures.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03Tell me how you came about them.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07Well, my father, a Yorkshireman - his job was to clear houses
0:35:07 > 0:35:11when they were left vacant. These are a couple of things he came across.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13So houses locally did he clear, or...?
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Over in Bridlington in Yorkshire.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17I've had them about nearly 20 years now.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23- Do you know who these chaps are? - I don't.- Neither do I.- No, I don't.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26They are typical miniatures of the period. They'll be painted on ivory.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31They're circa around 1850-1860, somewhere in that region.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32Very elegant gentleman.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36The artist's obviously a very good portrait painter.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37The faces are particularly good.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41The lower one is better painted and the one above.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43The hair is absolutely fantastic.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47And you look closely, the detail in those is quite remarkable.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51Single-hair brushes to paint them. I mean, patience of a saint.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54It'll be no good with me. I can't paint a door.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Which one of these two is your favourite?- I like the first one.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59- The one at the bottom. - This one here?- Yes, yes.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I suspect it's a gold mount, although I haven't tested it
0:36:02 > 0:36:05and it isn't marked, but a gut feeling it's probably gold.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07We'll just turn it over there
0:36:07 > 0:36:09and on the back, a fantastic plaited-hair panel
0:36:09 > 0:36:12with some gilt initials in the bottom corner.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13I think it's SM.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17The hair...memorial locket, so it's obviously when someone's died
0:36:17 > 0:36:20and this period, memorial hair lockets were very,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24very fashionable so it's been plaited in with quite some skill,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27really, hasn't it, and it's in great condition.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31We'll jump up to the chap on the top and flip it over and we have hair
0:36:31 > 0:36:35again but it looks a little bit hastily put together, shall
0:36:35 > 0:36:40we say, or maybe over the years, it's just come apart, so to speak.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I'm just flipping them back over again.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44I still think the bottom one is painted best
0:36:44 > 0:36:47and I'd agree with you, I think that's the better example.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Do you like them?
0:36:49 > 0:36:53Yes, I think there are collectors who'd probably appreciate them.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- More than yourself? - More than myself.- Excellent.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- So you're happy for us to sell them? - Oh, yes, yes.- OK.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01So we'll put them through to the sale.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05This chap at the bottom, he's probably worth around £80-100.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Depending on the mount of this one,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09I'd probably put him in at around £60-£80,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13- so that's where I'll leave it. Is that happy with you?- I'm happy, yes.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Thank you.- What would you like to do with the money?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- I'm going to buy a new fishing rod. - A new fishing rod?- Yes.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23I broke one the other day so the money from these will go
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- towards that.- And you can step over what, how many feet into the...?
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Over there! And do a bit of fishing. Fantastic!
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- Excellent. Well, let's hope you catch a big one.- Thank you.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- See you at the sale.- Thank you.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Well, that's it. As you've just seen,
0:37:36 > 0:37:37we found our last three items to
0:37:37 > 0:37:40take off to auction and what a fabulous time we've had.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- Do you agree it's been good? - ALL: Yes!- Yes!
0:37:43 > 0:37:46We've met some wonderful characters and seen some superb antiques
0:37:46 > 0:37:49and right now, we're going to put that last batch to the test.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52So we have to say goodbye to our magnificent venue today,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54the town hall and hello to the auction room
0:37:54 > 0:37:58and here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02It's all about doubling up for our last visit to the saleroom today.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04First, we've got the two Victorian swords.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Let's hope we can help Amy Lee raise some funds for the memorial
0:38:08 > 0:38:12trip to her late grandfather's favourite holiday spot.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17There's those gorgeous little hatpins,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21sure to attract bids with the name Charles Horner attached.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25And finally,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29it's the two miniatures of those mysterious elegant gentlemen.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Will a lady bidder take a shine to them?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34I think John might be pleasantly surprised.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41As we return to the noise and the commotion of the sale room,
0:38:41 > 0:38:46it's all eyes on Adam Partridge as the auction continues relentlessly forward.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Amy Lee, good luck with Grandad's swords.- Thank you.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53I've got to say, this is the cutting edge in the sale room right now.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57- So tell me all about Grandad.- Every year, we used to go away on holiday.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- To...?- To Spain.- Yeah?
0:39:00 > 0:39:04So we used to go every year and at December, he passed away.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05- So you've inherited the swords? - Yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09And what you plan to do, we're going to sell the swords to get enough
0:39:09 > 0:39:12money together for you to go out to Spain...
0:39:12 > 0:39:14..and spread my grandad's ashes.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Do you know what, he would love that, wouldn't he?
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It's put a smile on your face. It means a lot to you. Did you ever go there with him?
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- Yeah.- Aw! Well, it's going to mean an awful lot to you.- Yeah.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- And your mum and dad, so what a trip.- Yeah.- What a trip.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28We have to hope the swords work for them, then.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Yes. You've got me nervous now. - We'll have to wait and see.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- Right, fingers crossed. Ready for this?- Yeah.- Here we go.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35It's going under the hammer.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Sword two in the lot there. Lot 180 is the number and I'm bid 110.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42At 110, the bid at 110.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Any advance on 110? 20. 130. 140.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46There you go.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Sold already. Straight in.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51150. A bidder at £150. At 150.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54At 150, all done now.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56£150.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00- Short and sweet.- £150. Well done. - Really pleased for you.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Really pleased.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06And we wish you all the best, Amy Lee, on your trip to Spain.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Barbara, Anita, good luck. Let's stick it to them.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Going under the hammer right now, two silver hat pins. I love these.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15They're kind of Art Nouveau and they're very, very fashionable.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Ready for this? Let's put the value to the test. Here we go.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24- I've got 40 and five bid.- We've sold! Yes. We've sold straightaway.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27We did stick it to them!
0:40:27 > 0:40:3270 at the back of the room. 75 online and 75. 80 bid. 80's at the back.
0:40:32 > 0:40:38£80 on the hatpins at 80. Any more now at £80? Five. 85. 90.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43No, 85, Internet. £85 on these and we sell, then.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46£90. Hasn't finished yet.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50All done, then. At £90.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Bang, that's finished. £90.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I thought we might get one more bid then, didn't you?
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Well, it doubled the lower estimate. A great result for Barbara.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Now, can we do twice as well with our last lot?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Right now, we really do need to reel in the bidders,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11because all the proceeds of the next sale are going towards a new
0:41:11 > 0:41:15fly fishing rod for John, who's right next to me. A keen fisherman.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19- Definitely.- Yeah?- Yeah. - Trout, salmon?- Trout, trout.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21And sea fishing.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Right now, we're talking about antiques.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26We've got two wonderful miniatures painted on ivory going under the hammer.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- We've got a valuation by Nick of £140-180, somewhere around there? - Yeah, somewhere around there.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32We'll be happy with £150.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- They are quality. Good decorator's pieces.- Absolutely.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- And Adam hasn't split them up. - No.- So selling as a pair.- Yes.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- I think one is a lot stronger than the other.- Absolutely.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42- That's the one to get.- Yeah!
0:41:42 > 0:41:44But look, let's put it to the test, shall we?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51At 135 is this 19th-century English school oval portrait miniature there.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54It's gone quiet. It's that tumbleweed movement.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59- The tension's building. - Interest ticking over online.- Great.
0:41:59 > 0:42:07- And we're up to £200.- Yes, straight in.- At £210. They are still going.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Yes. As long as we've got that.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13240. 240 bid. At 250. At 260.
0:42:13 > 0:42:19- Nice lot, this.- At £260. John is shaking his head.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21280 bid. 280 bid.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24At £280, at 280.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28Any more? 290. At 290. 300. £300 now.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33At £300. Any more now at 300? And it's up online at 300.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34Any more at 300?
0:42:34 > 0:42:3620.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40- 20! Yes! Late legs. - Someone's coming in.- Yeah.
0:42:40 > 0:42:46At 340. Any advance again? At £340. Are you all done, 340?
0:42:46 > 0:42:50Last chance to bid in the room or online.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Yes! That's what auctions are all about.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55That roller coaster ride of highs and lows. £340.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58That's a lot more than what we originally said.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Well done, and thank you for bringing them in.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03And I'm sure John will be out shopping for his fishing rod
0:43:03 > 0:43:04in no time.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10Well, there you are. That's it. It's all over and I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12If you've got anything you want to sell,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14we would love to do it for you.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17Bring your items along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Details of up and coming dates and venues you can find on our website.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit. Follow the links.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27All the information will be there and we would love to see you.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Dust them down and bring them in.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32But right now, it's goodbye from Liverpool.