0:00:06 > 0:00:08So here's a question for you.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12What has this paper mill here in Hemel Hampstead
0:00:12 > 0:00:15and the French Revolution got in common?
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Well, a lot more than you may think.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22All will be revealed later on in the programme. Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Today's show comes to you from the east of England,
0:00:47 > 0:00:51and later on we'll be finding out how this mill became
0:00:51 > 0:00:55the birthplace of paper's Industrial Revolution.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02A few miles due north, and also no stranger to innovation,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05it was only a few years later that our valuation day venue,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Wrest Park, was built.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12The vision of one man, Thomas Earl de Grey -
0:01:12 > 0:01:16he created Wrest Park in the 1830s.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Unusually, he picked an 18th-century French style,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22which today makes it an exceptional rarity.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Apparently when constructing this house,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Thomas de Grey carried around with him
0:01:30 > 0:01:33three books on French architecture for inspiration.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35And just look what an amateur architect
0:01:35 > 0:01:39has managed to achieve. It's absolutely outstanding.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Well, our experts' job here today is to find out what
0:01:42 > 0:01:45the good folk of Bedfordshire are clutching in their hands.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47The best items will go off to auction,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50where hopefully they will make a small fortune. Isn't that right?
0:01:50 > 0:01:53ALL: Yeah!
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Of course, we've got to find them first.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58So it'll be no surprise to learn that every bag and box
0:01:58 > 0:02:01in the queue is being positively plundered
0:02:01 > 0:02:04by expert Christina Trevanion.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Hello, hello, everybody. Ooh, this looks good.
0:02:07 > 0:02:08Ooh, fab. Oh, wow!
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Sweet. Oh, my goodness.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17But Christina's got competition from the ever-friendly David Harper.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Hello, everybody. Hello. What have we got?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I'm looking for wild and wacky and funky.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24And he's just as inquisitive.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25What on earth is that?
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Royal Doulton, my gosh, look at that.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30The kind of things that you come across in this business,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33it's absolutely bonkers, isn't it? Eh?
0:02:34 > 0:02:38But such enthusiasm can lead to territorial behaviour
0:02:38 > 0:02:40over potential booty.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41There's nothing in this box, David.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45I'm very intrigued, because I can see the look in your eyes.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- LAUGHTER - Get my stickers out. - Hang on a minute.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49You're mine, you're mine, you're mine!
0:02:49 > 0:02:53I think we'd better break these two up before it leads to fisticuffs.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Let's get everybody down to the formal lawns
0:02:56 > 0:02:59where we'll be holding our valuations today.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01And while our off-screen experts start gearing up
0:03:01 > 0:03:04and our crew do their final checks,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07let's give you a sneak preview of what's coming up in the show.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Today, our experts seem to have the wrong end of the stick.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17Christina's encouraging Kevin to keep it, not flog it.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- I don't use it or anything, and it's been up in the loft for quite a few years.- What do you mean?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23You could put your barometer in your top pocket.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- HE LAUGHS - How can you not use that?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28And David Harper forgets he's supposed to be the expert.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31What on earth, Binnie, is that?
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Don't ask me! THEY LAUGH
0:03:35 > 0:03:38But will their predictions come good at the auction?
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Come on.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Ready... Ready, ready. Sold!- Yes, sold!
0:03:43 > 0:03:46I can't wait to see.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- Having a good time, everybody? - ALL: Yes!
0:03:48 > 0:03:49Yes, what a turnout we've got.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52This really is sort of the great British summer time.
0:03:52 > 0:03:53We just need strawberries and cream.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56We've got the antiques, we've got the experts. Right now,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00we need to find out what's hiding in all of these bags and boxes.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04So let's hand the proceedings over to Christina with her first item.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Kevin, other than David Harper's trousers,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12you certainly win the prize for being the brightest here today.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- You're like a little ray of sunshine.- Thank you very much.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- What on earth are you wearing? - It's a shirt that a friend did for me
0:04:18 > 0:04:21made out of all tickets from some early punk rock gigs.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- Have you still got the tickets? - A lot of the tickets, yeah.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- Cos those'll be worth quite a bit of money now, won't they? - I'm sure they will, yeah.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- Anyway, you've not come to me with tickets.- No, I haven't.- You've come to me with a barometer.- I have.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Tell me about this. Where's it come from?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Well, it was a present from my gran.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39I believe originally it was part of a pair, there was a clock as well.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- Right.- It's a silver case, and apart from that
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- I don't really know anything about it at all.- OK.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Let's have a little closer look at it.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51So we've got a lovely hallmark on the bottom here, which tells us...
0:04:51 > 0:04:54We've got the lion passant there, which is the standard for sterling silver.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58We've got the date letter Y and the town assay office for Birmingham.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Cos the anchor was Birmingham. Now, Y tells us...
0:05:01 > 0:05:041899 was Z, so 1898 must be Y.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07And LE, which is the maker's mark for Lawrence Emanuel.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12OK? So we know that that is a sterling silver covered case.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Let's open it up and see what happens inside.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20So we've got this lovely, what we call a Goliath travelling...
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Basically a pocket watch. This is actually a barometer, in this case,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- but you do get Goliath watches as well.- That's right, yeah.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30And at the moment, it's between rain and change, so I'm a little bit concerned. We'd better be quick.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- I think it might be raining tonight, yeah.- Do you think?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Oh, my goodness, Kevin. OK, we'd better be very quick.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38So really, your main value is not so much in the barometer,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42but it's in the case. They do appear on the market quite regularly,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44it's not a particularly rare thing.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46But having said that, they are quite sought after
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- when they do appear on the market.- Good.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- I mean, what are your expectations? - I thought perhaps about £100.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54- OK.- Something along those lines.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58That sounds sort of slightly top end, as far as I'm concerned.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03- I think probably £60 to £100, with a firm reserve at 60.- Yes.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- What are your thoughts?- Yes. Yeah. - Yeah? Are you happy at that?
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Cos I don't use it or anything, and it's been up in the loft for quite a few years.- What do you mean?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12You could put your barometer in your top pocket.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- How could you not use that? - Be ideal, wouldn't it?
0:06:14 > 0:06:18It will tell you your personal weather forecast. Like having Carol Kirkwood in your pocket.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- I mean, it's been in the loft for probably 20 years now.- Oh, has it?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- It has, yeah.- Fair enough. Well, I'll tell you what,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- let's find somebody who will appreciate it and love it. - That's right, yeah. That's it.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30And hopefully it will be fair and very dry on the day of the auction.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- Let's hope so.- Let's hope so. Thanks so much for bringing it in.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34Thank you very much.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Well, there's clearly something in the air today,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40because Kevin's not the only one dressed to impress.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45The beautiful grounds here at Wrest seem a fitting backdrop
0:06:45 > 0:06:49for Judy and Mary's sartorial elegance.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53I've got to tell you, you two, I absolutely adore Clarice Cliff.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57But I adore the way you two look even more.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59You look fantastic. What's it all about?
0:06:59 > 0:07:04I started to collect clothes about ten years ago,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08and with a group of friends who are scattered about the countryside,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10my friend Mary lives close, we do events
0:07:10 > 0:07:14like 1940s country houses events, or the railways,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and we just dress up in the era and enjoy ourselves.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20OK. And do you also like the 1920s and the '30s?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- I love the 1930s.- Really? So that Art Deco period?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26It's not long after the First World War - you know,
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Deco started 1925 as kind of a kneejerk reaction
0:07:30 > 0:07:33to all the devastation that's gone on before,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35and then we get this colour and the geometric shapes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39That, to me, is stunningly modern even now, isn't it?
0:07:39 > 0:07:44And made by one of the most respected and revered
0:07:44 > 0:07:47potters, painters of the 20th century, Clarice Cliff.
0:07:47 > 0:07:53Born in 1899, the final days of the Victorian period, in poverty.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57At the age of about 13, she went into the potteries,
0:07:57 > 0:08:02as all girls did, living in and around Stoke, and started painting.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04But Clarice would go to one department
0:08:04 > 0:08:08and would master a particular type of painting,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10and then she'd beg to be put into another department.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14She wanted to learn. And the result is, everybody seems to love it.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17And suddenly, Clarice Cliff is elevated to her own studio
0:08:17 > 0:08:21and out comes that range in 1927.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Now, I know it's not yours, Mary, but would you like to own it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26I think it's lovely.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- And yes, I would like to own it, but it's not mine to say.- No.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- It's Judy's.- And Judy, where did it come from?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35It came from my mother,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39and I know that she bought it for six pence
0:08:39 > 0:08:44from the local jumble sale, and I think it was in the mid-1960s.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- OK.- And it stood on what we called the top landing
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- with a plant in it on top of a chest of drawers for decades.- Oh, my gosh.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Well, I can see that it's had a plant in there,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56because it's lost all of its colour and decoration, really, hasn't it?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00If we were to send that to auction in its state,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03you've got to be very sensible.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06£40 to £60, £50 to £70, that kind of range.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- How would you feel about that? - That's fine.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Cos I'm not going to put this one out on display,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15and I'd like to sell it and buy a rose tree,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18or a couple of rose trees, cos my parents both love gardening,
0:09:18 > 0:09:19- I love gardening.- OK.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22And I would see that more often than I see this at the moment,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- which is in the cupboard.- OK. Shall we go 40 to 60?- Yes, that's fine.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28And shall we let it go for whatever it'll make, its market price,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- or do you want to protect it with a reserve?- £40.- £40.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- With a bit of discretion?- Yes, absolutely.- Well done. Marvellous.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- And I hope you're both coming to the auction?- We are.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39And I hope you're both going to be looking as gorgeous
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- and elegant as you are now.- We'll do our best.- And I'll do the same.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- Lovely. Thank you.- Thank you very much indeed.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Well, I look forward to seeing that.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51In the meantime, the main dress code here today is sunhats and shades,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54as it's turning out to be a scorcher.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Hm, I know what's missing.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Well, the temperature's rising,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03so I've decided to lay on a few refreshments.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08HE LAUGHS
0:10:08 > 0:10:10How about that?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Ice creams, everybody? - THEY CHEER
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Your favourite lolly is here!
0:10:18 > 0:10:23What a treat - just the ticket for keeping everybody cool today.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26And talking of cool, Christina's next item
0:10:26 > 0:10:28has been on a journey to a very cold climate.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Ian, I have to be honest,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36normally a pair of silver-plated asparagus servers
0:10:36 > 0:10:39would not make it onto my table. Tell me about them.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Basically, they went on the Australian Antarctic expedition.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- So there's the penguin and the AAE. - Look at that!
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Now that was between 1911 and 1914, wasn't it?- That's right.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Which at that point was really just seen as a bit of a no man's land,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- wasn't it?- That's right. - It was just so hard to get to,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59and such a sort of hostile environment,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02that it was really quite a risk going out there, wasn't it?
0:11:02 > 0:11:07So the fact that these little chaps have got AAE and the penguin there
0:11:07 > 0:11:11is absolutely fascinating. And it's really quite bizarre to think
0:11:11 > 0:11:17that they would have taken a pair of asparagus servers on an expedition.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21I know! Don't forget the asparagus. THEY LAUGH
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Just in case.- That's right. - Just in case.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25So how on earth have they come into your possession?
0:11:25 > 0:11:30- These are as rare as hen's teeth. - My father was given them.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34He went to Pangbourne, British nautical college,
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- and the chief executive officer was a chap called John Blair.- Right, OK.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- He gave them to my father. - So how did he get them?
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- Was he on the expedition?- He was on the Australian expedition,
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- and I believe he was on the British expedition as well.- Oh, my goodness.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Well, I mean, I'm quite sort of blown away by these.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58To think that they've been so far
0:11:58 > 0:12:01in such an important part of maritime history -
0:12:01 > 0:12:04not just maritime history, but geology, glaciology,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06really important discoveries,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10scientific discoveries that they made - is really quite special.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13It's incredibly difficult to value. I mean,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16if they were to come in to me, and knowing that, I would probably put
0:12:16 > 0:12:19somewhere in the region of £800 to £1,200 on them.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22But I know that you would like more than that for them.
0:12:22 > 0:12:28If we put them in at £1,500 to £2,000 with a reserve of £1,500,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- how would you feel about that? - I don't know. I think,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34because it's the centenary for them as well,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38I'd like to just try that bit more if they can go.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- Or maybe with discretion.- OK.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45Shall we say, sort of, £1,600 to £2,000?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- Yeah.- How would you feel about that? Yeah?
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- So if we said £1,600 to £2,000 with a firm reserve at £1,600.- OK.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55If they don't sell, there won't be a charge.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58To some extent, if they don't sell, I'm not too worried.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- Yeah, if they go, they go. If they don't, they don't.- Exactly.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03But I think it's an absolutely fascinating story to cover
0:13:03 > 0:13:05and I'm very grateful that you brought them in.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Because this really, I mean, really as rare as hen's teeth,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11as rare as asparagus servers on an Antarctic expedition!
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- I think we need to change the phrase now. - THEY LAUGH
0:13:14 > 0:13:19- No, they've been fascinating. Thanks so much for bringing them in. - You're very welcome.- Thank you.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Christina's right - these servers come with an enthralling history.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Led by geologist Douglas Mawson,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30the Australasian Antarctic Expedition was intended
0:13:30 > 0:13:33to be a scientific study of the continent.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Travelling by steamship, it took three months
0:13:36 > 0:13:38just to reach base camp.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Tragedy soon struck when, during a three-man expedition
0:13:42 > 0:13:46to survey the coastline, one of the team fell into a crevasse,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48never to be seen again.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Six of their dogs and most of their supplies were lost in the accident,
0:13:52 > 0:13:57and only Mawson survived to make it back to camp several weeks later.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03So these small servers come with a big story.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06So let's hope that's reflected in the saleroom.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Well, the sun is shining,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and everybody is enjoying these glorious surroundings.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15And we've found some wonderful treasures so far.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18And we're going to put those valuations to the test
0:14:18 > 0:14:19in the auction room right now.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22So while we make our way over there, here's a quick recap
0:14:22 > 0:14:25of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28We've got Kevin's late Victorian travelling barometer.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31It's a good-looking piece, so it should do well.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Freed from its duties as a plant holder,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38will Judy's Clarice Cliff bowl
0:14:38 > 0:14:41realise its full potential in the saleroom?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45And our third item is the asparagus servers -
0:14:45 > 0:14:50amazing provenance, but appealing to a niche market can be tricky.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Who knows what'll happen?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57We're heading into Tring for today's auction,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01located midway between Hemel Hempstead and Aylesbury.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04It's been a market town since the 17th century.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Our saleroom hasn't been going for quite that long,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09but Tring market auctions is clearly
0:15:09 > 0:15:12an established feature of the town.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Today, we're in the capable hands of resident auctioneer, Stephen Hearn.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Before the auction got underway, on preview day,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24we caught up with Stephen to get his opinion on the asparagus servers.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It is something for a particular collector,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32who collects things associated with Antarctic expeditions,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36but as a general sale item,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40it's going to be difficult to find that person out there
0:15:40 > 0:15:43who's going to pay that sort of figure for it.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45But there again, we'll give it a go.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Who knows, there may be some ambitious Antarctic explorer
0:15:49 > 0:15:53out there who would like to take his asparagus tongs with him.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Well, we don't have to wait long to find out,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00as Ian's servers are going under the hammer right now.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Ian, it's great to see you again. I think these are wonderful.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- I really do.- They are unusual. - Absolutely.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09If I don't sell them today, I won't be upset.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12OK, so we've got a win-win situation going on.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Cos I know it's top, top money, isn't it?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Yeah, I have to be honest, I don't think they're going to sell.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21But it's such a great story behind them. But I'm not sure that maybe this is the right market for them.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I don't know. But it's so great to have seen them.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26But it's good to test the water with this kind of thing, isn't it?
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- Yeah, quite.- It's all about good timing and when to sell.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- You never know.- So let's hope we hit it right.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- It's going under the hammer now. - Miracles do happen.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Now, we have a particularly interesting item here.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Where do we start? Anybody got £1,000 for a collectable item?
0:16:38 > 0:16:411,000? 500 to start me?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- 400 to start me.- Oh!
0:16:43 > 0:16:44300. 200.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47At 200 we're bid, then, at 200.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49At 220.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51250. Are you 80?
0:16:51 > 0:16:52300.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- At £300...- Interesting that he's found the level, though.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58At £300, then, we're going to have to stop.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01He's going, then, at £300.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- Sorry.- No, that's fair enough.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06But interesting that there was interest in that £300 region,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08so that does tell us that there is a market for it,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- just not at the level that we expected. Yeah.- OK, thanks.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- Interesting learning curve.- Yes. - THEY LAUGH
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Yes, better luck next time, Ian.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20A specialised sale might be the best bet
0:17:20 > 0:17:24for a piece with such an amazing history attached.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Now it's time to up the glamour stakes.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Going under the hammer right now, a good old "Flog It!" favourite.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Yes, it wouldn't be the show without, wait for it...
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Ta-da. ..not Judy and Mary, but Clarice Cliff.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- No, never!- Yes, we've got a Bizarre range fruit bowl, haven't we? - THEY LAUGH
0:17:42 > 0:17:44And it's not a lot of money, £40 to £60.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47But look, girls, you have style. You really do.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50We should get you on the show with your whole collection one day,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- do you know that?- You should do. I'd love that.- We should.- It's massive.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Anyway, we're going to put this to the test. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59The Bizarre fruit bowl. There we are, what about that one?
0:17:59 > 0:18:02A piece of Bizarre, ought to be £80 for it.
0:18:02 > 0:18:0340 I am bid, then.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Five, 50. Five, 60.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- Five, 70.- Great.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Yes, 70 I'm bid for it, and five now.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- At £70 and five? No?- Marvellous.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15I'm selling, then, it's going down for the £70.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- Thank you.- £70 and it sold top end of the estimate.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Well done, David. I can see that £70,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24less that commission, 15% here, plus the VAT,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27going towards some more vintage clothes. Am I right?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- They can cost a bit more than that.- Accessorise?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Yeah, accessorise as well. Nice handbags, some gloves, jewellery.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- But I actually want to buy two rose bushes with it.- Oh, is that what you're going to do?
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- Cos my parents love gardening. - Aw, think of Mum and Dad.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- And so that's what I'm going to buy.- Good for you.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- Watch them grow, nurture them and enjoy the blossoming and the flowering.- We will.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Because that's what it's all about, isn't it?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50A great way to spend the money, Judy.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53And now it's time for a change of style.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57From the charm of the 1940s to a homage to the late '70s.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Well, the pressure's certainly rising in here,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03and right now we're going under the hammer, we've got
0:19:03 > 0:19:06a Victorian travelling barometer belonging to Kevin,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09who's with me right now, again, in the most magnificent shirt.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- I like that. Public Image Ltd.- Thank you.- There were a great band,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- weren't they?- They still are. - Are they still together? - They're still going, yeah.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- Fronted by John Lyndon?- John Lydon, yeah.- Lydon. It's Lydon, isn't it?
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Crikey. Johnny Rotten, wasn't it, of the Sex Pistols?- That's the one.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Anyway, why are you selling the barometer?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It was a present that my gran gave me.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29She gave me a load of bits and pieces, but to be honest with you,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31it's been in the loft for years and years and years.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- So I thought I might get something for it.- In the loft!
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Well, it's going under the hammer right now.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Let's find out how it does.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40What about that one, £100 for it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:4280, I am bid 90, 100 we have.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Here we go. £100 straight away.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47120. 130. 140.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50140. 150, is it, yes or no, sir?
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Think about it. 140.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54150, you're in now.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55150, then.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59I sell at £150, thank you, sir.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Yes, sold!- Fantastic!- I do miss the gavel sells.- I know, me too!
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- It's a lot more than I thought it would get.- £150.- Brilliant.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Yeah, very good.- That's fantastic. Congratulations.- Thank you.- Wow.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- I can see another shirt coming along, can't you?- I can as well. THEY LAUGH
0:20:12 > 0:20:17And why not? I think you've got a good thing going there, Kevin.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Well, there you are. Three lots done and dusted under the hammer.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24And I have to say, it's absolutely electrifying in there.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27And we're coming back here later on in the programme.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Now, here's a question for you:
0:20:29 > 0:20:31what is hydrogen bonded cellulose mat?
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Well, here's a clue -
0:20:33 > 0:20:35we're surrounded by it, we take it for granted,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and we cannot live without it. Have you guessed?
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Well, I can tell you - it's paper.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Now, not far from this auction room
0:20:42 > 0:20:44is a place called Frogmore Paper Mill,
0:20:44 > 0:20:49which staked its claim in history by bringing paper to the masses.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52I went to investigate to find out more.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01It was nearly 2,000 years ago that paper first appeared, in China.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Slowly, the secret art of papermaking crept westward,
0:21:05 > 0:21:09through Asia on to India, until the Moors brought it to Europe,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13eventually arriving in England in the 15th century.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20So, what's Hemel Hempstead got to do with all of that?
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Well, there's been a mill here on this site
0:21:22 > 0:21:25since before the Domesday Book.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27And over the centuries, this place has been used for fulling,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30creating cloth and for milling flour.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35But in 1774, the corn mills were replaced with papermaking machinery.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Back then, all paper was handmade in individual sheets
0:21:40 > 0:21:42using white cotton rags,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46which were cut up into fine fibres to create a pulp.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51Here at Frogmore Mill, they still hand-make paper today -
0:21:51 > 0:21:54one of the very few remaining in the UK.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56I've arranged to meet up with Sue Woolnough,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00who's going to let me try my hand at it.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Let me introduce you to Gary, who's our papermaker.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Nice to meet you. - Hi, nice to meet you.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Now, Sue's promised me you're going to let me have a go
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- at making some paper by hand. Is that right?- Absolutely.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Let's go for it.- I need an apron, then.- Apron hanging on the press.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14- There we go.- Thank you.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17The pulp's all premade, we've added that into the vat,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and we form the sheet on what is called a mould.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- So basically it's a sieve, so that...- All the water just drains through?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26All the water will drain through and leave the fibres on the surface.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- First things first, you have to give it a good old stir up.- OK.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Using your arms.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- That's quite refreshing, actually. - SHE LAUGHS
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- It is, it's enjoyable.- And you kind of scoop the mould and deckle in,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- and bring it out, kind of in a quick motion.- OK.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- So it's down... That's it. - And then give it some small shakes.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Put it onto this vacuum table. - Over to your left.- That speeds the process up a little bit.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- So the water drains through there? - We're taking some of the water out.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Then carefully remove the deckle. - Try not to splash.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Was that a bit rough?- That's fine.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- So I pick this up.- Yeah.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- So you want to...- And tip this over.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07That's it. Sort of roll and lift your left.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Lovely.- Lovely. And you've got your first sheet of paper.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Well, that looks really good. I'm quite impressed with that.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17And then that obviously goes in the press, does it?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21This is the bit where the paper is stacked up,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24weighted down,
0:23:24 > 0:23:29and the water is squeezed out using a lot of elbow grease.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33It really does pay to get as much pressure on there
0:23:33 > 0:23:35as you possibly can.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41The more pressure we get on there, the better.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43I reckon I've got one more left in me.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45HE LAUGHS
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Just mind, the floor can get slippery with the water.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Time to see the result. Pressure's on.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Right, this is going to be quite exciting.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04We've crushed it a little bit, but it'll peel off OK.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Turning that press around certainly made me hot. - THEY LAUGH
0:24:08 > 0:24:10And that's your sheet of paper.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14- So you can see now that you could actually hang that.- Wow.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- Look at that.- That'll get you down to around about 50% moisture.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20It would still take a day or two to take the remaining moisture
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- out of the sheet. - It is a lengthy process,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24just to actually make one sheet of paper.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26- It certainly is. - It is, yeah.- Absolutely.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Throughout the 1700s,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34the process for papermaking wasn't much different to this.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38But that was about to change - cue the French Revolution.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41SOUNDS OF GUNFIRE
0:24:43 > 0:24:48In 1799, Nicolas Louis Robert invented a papermaking machine.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51But Napoleon's France wasn't the place
0:24:51 > 0:24:54for securing finance for inventions.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59The patent was brought to England and financially backed
0:24:59 > 0:25:04by London-based stationers Henry and Sealy Fourdrinier.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08The first machine was installed at Frogmore Mill,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and after various improvements, Frogmore became
0:25:11 > 0:25:15the world's first mechanised paper mill.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18So this mill was the birthplace of paper's Industrial Revolution?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Absolutely, it was. The Fourdrinier machine
0:25:21 > 0:25:25became the basis of machines used worldwide still today.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- And how old is this machine? - It's 112 years old.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32And it's still working today. What a great invention!
0:25:32 > 0:25:34It is, certainly, fantastic.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Gary soon gets the machine up and running for us,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39starting with the pulp mixture in the pulper chest,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42which then goes into a refiner before bubbling up
0:25:42 > 0:25:47into the head of the machine and feeding directly onto the trays.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51- And as you can see now, that's just starting to come down there.- Yeah.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Instantly you can see it's turning from pulpy water
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- into a roll of paper.- Very, very quickly.- And then the next section
0:25:58 > 0:26:01after that, once all the water's drained out...
0:26:01 > 0:26:04There's a granite roller there, so what that does is it actually...
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- That's like the press that we had? - Exactly.- It's tightening it down.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- Exactly.- OK. Evenly.- So that, again, is pressing lots of the water
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- out of that paper. - Wonderful, isn't it?- Yes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15And you have a miracle at the end, paper.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17It is like magic. It is like magic.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Prior to mechanisation,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26gentlemen ordering paper wouldn't receive it for days, but after,
0:26:26 > 0:26:32a completely finished piece of paper could be produced in a few minutes.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Instant paper. But that's mass production, and you can't knock it,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39cos I know that brought down the price of paper,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42more books could get printed, more people could read,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46- we all got educated. - Yes, the Education Act of 1870
0:26:46 > 0:26:50committed to universal education,
0:26:50 > 0:26:55and mechanisation of the papermaking process was able to meet that demand.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59However, the need for more paper led to shortages
0:26:59 > 0:27:02of the rags needed to produce it.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05The race was on to find an alternative material.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09An inspiration came from an unlikely source -
0:27:09 > 0:27:15wasps. It has been noticed that wasps were nature's papermakers,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19pulverising wood to make their paper-thin nests.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22When did wood pulp replace the use of rags?
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It was the latter part of the 19th century,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28and it was actually here that they developed the use of caustic soda
0:27:28 > 0:27:30to soften those wood fibres for use.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- And is wood pulp universally used today, still?- It is used.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39And wood pulp is in most of the papers that are produced.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Of course, most of the paper we use today is made from...
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Well, paper. That's because the majority of products
0:27:45 > 0:27:49in this country are recycled. And it's a good job too -
0:27:49 > 0:27:52surprisingly, in this digital age,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56the demand for paper is growing. In this country alone,
0:27:56 > 0:28:01we produce over four million tonnes of paper each year,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03a lot for newsprint, where the paper
0:28:03 > 0:28:07whizzes through the machines at 60mph.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12And it all started right here at Frogmore.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14And here at the back of the mill
0:28:14 > 0:28:17is what was the beating heart of the place.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21This huge monster is known as paper machine number two,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24and it was an operation for nearly 100 years.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27And it's driven and heated by steam power.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36It stopped operating in 2009 because the economic downturn
0:28:36 > 0:28:41reduced prices of paper to such a level that this was costing
0:28:41 > 0:28:44twice as much to produce as they could sell it for.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Now, Frogmore are hoping to get this up and running
0:28:47 > 0:28:52one day in the near future, and I really, really hope they do.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Because this, along with the mill,
0:28:55 > 0:28:59well, it's an incredible part of our industrial heritage.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01And it's such a majestic old thing, isn't it?
0:29:01 > 0:29:05It's such a shame to see it mothballed.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Welcome back to Wrest Park.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19We're thoroughly enjoying our elegant surroundings here,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23and it feels like the whole of Bedfordshire has turned out.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26There are crowds both outside and inside this beautiful house,
0:29:26 > 0:29:30and amongst the items brought in there are some very bizarre objects.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35What on earth, Binnie, is that?
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Don't ask me! HE LAUGHS
0:29:38 > 0:29:42My great uncle, I believe he was,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44was in the Merchant Navy.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- And he was on a cable laying ship. - Right.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49And this was from his ship.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52So we've got the ship - "Cable Ship Silvertown, London."
0:29:52 > 0:29:55So that's a cable laying ship, and there is his ship.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- And what was his name? - John Youngman.- John Youngman, OK.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02- So when was he living?- Well, we were trying to find that out, weren't we?
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Well, here we go, this is where the detective agency comes in.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08So I know that the first cable laid was in 1858,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11transatlantic cable, and the first telegram
0:30:11 > 0:30:15ever sent transatlantically was from Queen Victoria
0:30:15 > 0:30:19to the President of the United States of America in 1858.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23- So this chap was not laying cables pre-1858.- Right.- No.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27So there's no doubt about it. This ship,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30the cable ship Silvertown, would have been built
0:30:30 > 0:30:32as a cable-laying ship.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36So that would be 1870,
0:30:36 > 0:30:411890, 1900. That sort of period of time,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43when they were laying cables all over the old,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46you know, the old Empire. So that's down to Cape Town.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- You know, South Africa was part of the British Empire.- Of course.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51That's something he brought back as well, and that's...
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Oh, OK, so he obviously joined the Masons somewhere on his travels.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58It's got his initials on it, and we weren't sure if it was
0:30:58 > 0:31:00something Masonic or if that was simply
0:31:00 > 0:31:03to do with the navigation of the ship.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Yeah. I think it's more Masonic.- We thought so, yes.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09That's a standard Masonic thing. And I've seen them before in museums.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- Oh, really? - It's a museum piece.- Yes.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Which doesn't necessarily make it worth any money.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18- Do you think is worth any money? - Well, I wouldn't have thought so.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Adele thought that it was interesting, and here we are.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26What it's worth, I've got to tell you, I don't know.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30I would guess, as a novelty item, put it in at £20 to £30.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Ring the South African government and say,
0:31:32 > 0:31:33"Look, do you want to make an investment
0:31:33 > 0:31:37"and improve your communications with the rest of the world
0:31:37 > 0:31:40"and buy the final piece in your cable jigsaw?"
0:31:40 > 0:31:42- THEY LAUGH - "And get connected?"
0:31:42 > 0:31:44- Shall we do it?- Yeah, you do it.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- Brilliant.- And then I can blame you for everything, can't I?- Oh, listen,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- people blame me for an awful lot of things, so I'm used to it. Shall we do it?- Do it, yes.- Great.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Do it.- Well, we'll see you at the auction. Marvellous. - Thank you very much.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- Well done. Fascinating object, thank you.- Thank you.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01# Oh, oh, telephone line
0:32:01 > 0:32:04# Give me some time
0:32:04 > 0:32:07# I'm living in twilight... #
0:32:07 > 0:32:11I love dipping in and out of all of these bags and boxes,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13cos you never know what you're going to find.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17That's the beauty of being on the great antiques hunt, isn't it, here at a "Flog It!" valuation day.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- Hi, what's your name?- Dave. - Dave, do you mind if I take a seat next to you?- No, not a problem.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- Now, that looks like it's from the Orient. Am I...- Yes.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Can I see through that?- Yes. - Oh, it is, look at that, see.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- An Imari pattern. Well, the Imari colourways, anyway.- Yes.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- So how long have you had this? - I bought it recently
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- on an internet site.- Right.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37I just wondered if it was worth getting restored.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- How much did you pay for this? - It was just under £20.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Just under £20? Actually, do you know something,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47you got a real bargain. I'd say that's around about 1760, 1780.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51- Wow.- Made specifically in China for the English market.- Yes.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53You could get that restored, but it would cost you
0:32:53 > 0:32:57- in the region of £300.- Right.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00If this was in fantastic condition, in museum quality condition,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- original condition, this would be worth £500.- Mm.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06But that's nice. So look, hang onto it.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- I think you've got something that's worth £100.- Lovely.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- And it's got a lot of history attached to it.- Yes.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- You know, that's a little document of social history, isn't it?- Yeah. Yeah, it's lovely.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23So, Carol, you've brought me in a good lot of goodies here,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26haven't you? Look at this. All that glistens is not gold,
0:33:26 > 0:33:30- sometimes, but in this case it is. - It is, yeah. Yeah, very much so. THEY LAUGH
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- What's all this?- Well,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36- three of those were my mother's.- OK.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38These are just things I've either bought myself
0:33:38 > 0:33:43- or I've had bought for me over the years.- OK. And this one?
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I've got a funny feeling that was my sister's, who passed away.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Oh, really? Oh, gosh. OK.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52So, we've got a really good job lot here,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- and I've had a look at everything, and it's all nine carat gold.- Mm-hm.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58And then you've got sort of three semiprecious stone-set rings.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Which, if you squint and look very carefully,
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- there's a diamond in there. - Oh, is it?- Yeah.- I didn't know. THEY LAUGH
0:34:06 > 0:34:08But you do have to play a bit of spot the diamond.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- Oh, right. OK, get the magnifying glass out.- Yeah.- Right.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15But again, they're all in nine carat gold,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17and even though they're tiny, weeny stones,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- they would be something that you would put a value on.- Right.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- But probably quite a minimal value.- Yeah, OK.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26But I would suggest, because we've got sort of little bits of value
0:34:26 > 0:34:29here, there and everywhere, that we probably would be best
0:34:29 > 0:34:31- to sell them as... Offer them as one lot.- Mm-hm.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I have to be honest with you, I think these are probably
0:34:34 > 0:34:36- going to be a good dealer's lot.- Right.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- So I think they will probably sell to the trade.- As in melted down?
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Potentially. I think these are very saleable.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43I think these are quite dated now,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46and I can quite see why you're selling them, cos maybe it's time
0:34:46 > 0:34:48to use the money to buy something that you'll wear
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- that's maybe a bit fresher.- Oh, yes.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- Yeah.- So, did you used to wear these? - I did, actually, yeah.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- So it's time to upcycle. - Yes, definitely.- I like it.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02OK. Well, I've weighed them all, and altogether we've got about...
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- I think it's about 37 grams altogether.- Right.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08So that would give us a scrap value of between £200 to £300,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10- which is what we would be basing it on.- OK.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13If they go to a private person who loves these bracelets and things
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- then brilliant. But we need to cater for everybody.- Yeah.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19I don't think we'd want to let them go for any less than that,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22so I think a firm reserve of £200.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25And I think it will all depend on the gold price on the day.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- I'll watch the market, then. - Yeah, quite.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- Yeah, hopefully it'll go sky-high.- Yeah.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31THEY LAUGH
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Right, well, Janet and Jen, aren't we just in
0:35:40 > 0:35:44the most perfect location to look at something
0:35:44 > 0:35:49so beautiful and so elegant as a Moorcroft vase.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- I love it. Is it yours, Janet? - It is mine, yes.- Right, OK.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56What do you know about the wonderful William Moorcroft?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Only that my husband gave me this about 15 years ago,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03and I collect more modern pieces. So it's an older piece,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06and it actually doesn't really fit in with my modern pieces.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- Really?- I know.- Aw. So you collect modern Moorcroft?
0:36:08 > 0:36:12- I do, yeah. From the sort of '80s, more.- Ah, that's interesting.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15And it's nice to know, isn't it, that a factory that was formed
0:36:15 > 0:36:18in 1912 by William Moorcroft
0:36:18 > 0:36:21is still functioning perfectly well today,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24making really good quality, high-end things
0:36:24 > 0:36:27and selling them all over the world. It's a rare being,
0:36:27 > 0:36:31- a company like that. And Jen, you're Janet's friend?- Yes, I am.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33And she wanted a bit of moral support,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35so I've come along today to help her.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- Has she been a help?- More of a hindrance, to be honest.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40THEY LAUGH
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Well, I don't like to cause an argument or anything!
0:36:42 > 0:36:45- Now, Jen, do you like this? - Yes, I do. I like the shapes of it.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47I think it's very beautiful. And the colours.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50And of course, very influenced by one particular movement -
0:36:50 > 0:36:53- what is it?- Oh, Art Nouveau. - Oh, yes.- The sinuous lines.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57- Oh, I say, Jen, you did that so well.- Thank you very much. - THEY LAUGH
0:36:57 > 0:36:59But you're right, it's got all the shape, hasn't it, Jen?
0:36:59 > 0:37:04- Yes, it's beautiful.- Very flowing, very organic. So, so, gorgeous.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- Signed, no doubt.- Yes, on the bottom.- There we have him.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10William Moorcroft. Perfect signature.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12He founded the company in 1912.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15I can tell you that in 1929,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18he gets a Royal warrant from Queen Mary, who collects his wares,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22and from 1929 onwards you find a sticker
0:37:22 > 0:37:24on the base of a Moorcroft piece.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- And it would be rare for someone to remove that sticker.- OK.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31So I'm going to take a guess that it's 1912 to 29.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36- So let's pitch it circa 1920. - OK.- That'll be safe.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38- Now, you're a collector of Moorcroft.- Mm.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41So what valuation would you put on that?
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Well, I thought somewhere around the £200 to £300.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47- OK. Jen, what do you think? - I'd go higher on that, really.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50You know what? You know, yeah, I think I would as well.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Between 300 and 500, or more.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- I think even more, but if we went three to five...- Yeah, OK.
0:37:56 > 0:37:57we're going to give it
0:37:57 > 0:38:00a real come-and-get-me estimate, here, boys.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03The internet's going to be crazy, the room's going to be going wild
0:38:03 > 0:38:05because it will look bargain territory.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07I think we could push it to five to seven.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- But it's up to you.- I might even buy it myself.- I know! - THEY LAUGH
0:38:10 > 0:38:12- That would be wonderful. - But it's up to you.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15- Where do you want to go with it? - I think we'll go three to five.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- Ooh, I like it.- I think we will. - I like it. Shall we do that?
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- We will, yeah.- Go for it.- Shall we inject a real bit of excitement? - Absolutely.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- And let them go crazy. I'm on for it.- Wow.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27- OK, look forward to an exciting day.- Thank you.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- Brilliant. Well done, you two. Lovely to meet you.- You too.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Thank you very much indeed. - See you at the auction.- Thank you.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Well, what a glorious day we've had here at Wrest Park.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43And the people of Bedfordshire have certainly done us proud.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45We've found some wonderful treasures. But right now,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47it's time to say goodbye to this magnificent
0:38:47 > 0:38:50historical setting, as we head over to the auction room
0:38:50 > 0:38:53to put our final valuations to the test.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59One of the oddest lots I think I've seen on "Flog It!" -
0:38:59 > 0:39:01it'll be fascinating to see
0:39:01 > 0:39:04what Binnie's cable laying memorabilia makes.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06We're on safer ground, though,
0:39:06 > 0:39:09with Carol's collection of gold jewellery.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12And finally, there's Janet's Moorcroft vase,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15and as Jen pointed out, its sinuous Art Nouveau shapes
0:39:15 > 0:39:17should excite the bidders.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24As we return to the saleroom, it's all eyes on Stephen Hearn
0:39:24 > 0:39:26as the auction continues at pace.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28And the very next lot under his careful management
0:39:28 > 0:39:31is that cable laying memorabilia,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34brought in by mother and daughter, Binnie and Adele.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39What history! I mean, it's been in your family a long time, hasn't it?
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Yes. Yes, it was my great uncle
0:39:42 > 0:39:46who was in the Merchant Navy,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50- and that's about all I know about him.- It's just... It's fantastic.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51- It is great.- I mean, isn't it great?
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's just an example of why this business is so fascinating.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58- Yeah, and we are going to put it to the test right now. Here we go, this is it.- Right, OK.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03Now we have an interesting lot here. Cable laying memorabilia.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06There it is, my word. There we are.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09A little collection. £50 for it.
0:40:09 > 0:40:1030?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Unique collection.
0:40:12 > 0:40:1420.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Two, five, eight,
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- 30. No?- Go on.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20At £30, then, sir, you've got it.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24- You were right.- It's gone for £30. Thank you.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- It's £30, and it's gone. - It's fine.- I don't believe it.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29I didn't think it would sell.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33- And you can buy this quirky history for £30.- I know!
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- You were right when you said bonkers. - It is bonkers!
0:40:38 > 0:40:41We like a bonkers lot on "Flog It!", Binnie.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43That's what makes it so much fun.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Going under the hammer right now, we have a collection of jewellery.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49It's mainly gold. We're looking at £200 to £300.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Carol, there's a lot of gold there.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Yeah, well, that's just a small collection
0:40:54 > 0:40:56- that I was left from Mum.- Right.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59And a sister who passed me one of her rings
0:40:59 > 0:41:02when she got really ill, and sadly we lost her.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- So I'm hoping I'm going to sell that jewellery...- OK.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- ..and I want to buy something that I can wear.- Oh, to remember her by?
0:41:08 > 0:41:12- That's a great idea.- That's a nice memory for me to wear.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13OK, well, good luck, both of you.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16It's going under the hammer right now.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Best of luck.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19250 for it.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20200. 150. 160,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22180 for the box.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- 200, I am bid at 200, we have it. - Oh, straight away.
0:41:25 > 0:41:26At 210, 220,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28230, 230, 240, no.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Sure? At 230, then, for the box,
0:41:31 > 0:41:34then we sell at £230.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36- Thank you.- Fantastic.- Good result.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- Oh, lovely.- £230.- Great, yeah. Pleased with that.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- Are you happy with that? - Oh, yes, very.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43And I hope with that you can buy a lovely piece
0:41:43 > 0:41:46to remember your sister by, Carol.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Finally, it's time for our last lot -
0:41:49 > 0:41:52that superb piece of 1920s Moorcroft.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- Why are you selling it?- Because I collect the more modern Moorcroft.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Oh, right. No, there's nothing wrong with it.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- They have some great designers and they're just as collectable.- Yeah.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02- But for me, it's that early stuff.- Yeah.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04The colourways and the tubelining's brilliant.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07And signed by the man himself.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Here we go. We're putting it to the test. This is it.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14We have a Moorcroft vase now, and a rather splendid one.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17What about that one? We ought to be looking about 400 or 500 even.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20400. Yes?
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Three? All right, 300 we're bid, then.
0:42:23 > 0:42:2420.
0:42:24 > 0:42:2650. 80.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28390, 400.
0:42:28 > 0:42:29Are you 20?
0:42:29 > 0:42:3050. 80.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- At 480.- Come on.- 500.- Yes.- Yes.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Yes? 500. 520.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36Are you 50?
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- 580.- Good.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41600.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43At £600, now, then. At 600.
0:42:43 > 0:42:4520, perhaps?
0:42:45 > 0:42:46Yes? 620.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49And 50. 650.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51680. No?
0:42:51 > 0:42:54At £650, then.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56At £650.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00£650 and the hammer goes down.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- That's brilliant, thank you. - Well done.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04- Oh, that is fantastic!- Well done.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- Brilliant, well done.- Thank you.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10A great name in ceramics always does the business.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14And condition, that's what it's all about. And it's the early stuff.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16You've got to be so pleased with that.
0:43:16 > 0:43:17- I'm thrilled to bits.- Brilliant.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Well, what a wonderful way to end today's show.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22We've thoroughly enjoyed this auction, I hope you have as well.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24And I did guarantee one or two surprises,
0:43:24 > 0:43:27and we had one big one at the end. But until the next time,
0:43:27 > 0:43:30it's goodbye from all of us here at Tring.