0:00:05 > 0:00:08This beautiful stately home surrounded by parkland
0:00:08 > 0:00:11is Hagley Hall, situated just south of Birmingham.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14It's the seat of the Lyttelton family,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17an aristocratic dynasty stretching back well over 600 years
0:00:17 > 0:00:21and later on in the programme, we'll be meeting the current viscount.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:42 > 0:00:47Birmingham's manufacturing history goes back to the mid-16th century,
0:00:47 > 0:00:54when the city was described as "swarming with inhabitants and echoing to the sound of anvils".
0:00:54 > 0:00:57This industriousness only brought more people and, by the 1900s,
0:00:57 > 0:01:02it was described as the City of 1,000 Trades.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Our venue today is the city's Museum and Art Gallery.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09It's a beautiful building in its own right,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12but it looks particularly special today
0:01:12 > 0:01:15with this fantastic queue wrapped around its foundations
0:01:15 > 0:01:19and they're here to get their antiques and collectibles valued.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22And if they're one of the lucky ones chosen to go through to auction,
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- what are you going to do? - CROWD: Flog It!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27'And doing the job of valuing our items today,
0:01:27 > 0:01:32'we have a fine pair of experts - the reflective Thomas Plant...'
0:01:32 > 0:01:35It's rather nice. Do you look at it and say, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall"?
0:01:35 > 0:01:38'Sorry, Thomas, you're not the fairest expert of them all.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'That title has to go to our second expert for the day,
0:01:41 > 0:01:42'Christina Trevanion.'
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Why hasn't it ever been worn?
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- I couldn't find the right girl at the time.- Awww!
0:01:50 > 0:01:53'So that's the perfect cue to propose we move our wonderful queue
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'from outside the museum to the comfort inside,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59'where our off-screen experts can take a closer look
0:01:59 > 0:02:01'at what they've brought along today.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08'And later on in the show, I'm unnerved by a local ghost story.'
0:02:08 > 0:02:12He was visited by a bird in his room who told him
0:02:12 > 0:02:16that if he didn't mend his ways, three days hence at midnight, he'd die.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17Gosh.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21'And on a lighter note, Thomas once again proves his worth.'
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- We didn't know it was THAT good, did we?- Well, I had an inkling.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30'Ha! And I know for a fact we have got a great show for you.'
0:02:36 > 0:02:38That is the museum's motto.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40But that could easily be applied to our experts,
0:02:40 > 0:02:45working hard away at the valuation tables, looking for items to take off to auction
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and I've just been told Thomas has spotted a real gem.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Let's take a closer look. He's just over there.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56So, Adam, you've brought along a Georg Jensen christening set.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Tell me, how did you come by it?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Well, I went to a flea market
0:03:00 > 0:03:04and this chap wanted to sell it for £155 but he sold it to me for £55.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07What's intriguing for me is what attracted you to it in the first place?
0:03:07 > 0:03:08I thought it looked pretty.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I've not seen anything like it before and it's silver.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15I was already into silver and I thought it's pretty
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and the design, you can see the beads.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21And also this hammered effect on the bowl of the spoon, can you see that?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23We call that planished when it's hammered.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28I mean, it is Danish, being Georg Jensen, quality silversmithing.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It's got a real heavy gauge, but it's the pureness of design
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- which attracts me to it and it must have attracted you.- Absolutely.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36Why did he sell it to you so cheap?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38He said he was moving to Australia
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and he said £55 for a quick sale and I just bought it.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44I didn't think you could buy a piece for £55.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47I didn't know it was that valuable, to be honest,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50until I went home and I saw them going for...
0:03:50 > 0:03:51- Good money.- Yeah, good money.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- Yeah, hundreds, really. - Hundreds, yeah.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57That would be probably £150-£200.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58He said to me that it's very rare
0:03:58 > 0:04:01that you'll come across something with the original box.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03With the box.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09It's come from Liverpool. This has a date on it here, an import date.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11So it has the Danish hallmark,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13but it has our British hallmark
0:04:13 > 0:04:17cos every time something was imported from Europe or the Americas,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20we would have to assay it and stamp it ourselves
0:04:20 > 0:04:25cos obviously in Britain, we've been hallmarking and producing silver since 1300.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31We're quite difficult about having things come in to Britain which is silver.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33We need to make sure that they've been tested
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and make sure they're the same purity as our sterling standard, which is 925.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41So this goes off, gets assayed so that means we can date it
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and these came in in 1939 and this beaded design
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- was actually designed in 1916. - Really?- Isn't that mad?- That's mad.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Cos it looks so modern, doesn't it?
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It does, and that's one of the things that really attracted me is the design of it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- It does seem really modern. - Are you into design?
0:04:58 > 0:05:03I am into design. I studied product design and I really liked the...
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Do you have a favourite chair?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Cos everybody who's into design always has a favourite chair.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10I like the Scandinavian ones.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- Scandinavian, yeah. - Like Arne Jacobsen.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I like all things Scandinavian
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and I have to say they have this amazing ability
0:05:17 > 0:05:20to produce line and form with a crisp production
0:05:20 > 0:05:22and it doesn't look out of place.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It doesn't look too flashy,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26it just looks pure class.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- I think you've had a really good buy, Adam.- Thank you.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31You must be pinching yourself. Why have you come to "Flog It!"?
0:05:31 > 0:05:32Hopefully I can sell it
0:05:32 > 0:05:36and I'll have enough money to buy a washing machine.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- You need to wash your clothes. - I need to wash my clothes!
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Now, we're going to work hard at this for you.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I think if we put it in at £120-£180,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- so you sort of double your money. - Absolutely.- Fix the reserve at £100.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- Are you happy with that? - I'm very happy with that.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52With the box, it could really do well.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56They are really popular things. You've obviously got a natural eye.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Thank you.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00'And someone else with a good eye -
0:06:00 > 0:06:04'very handy in the antiques business - is Christina.'
0:06:04 > 0:06:06So, Roger, we're here in the Industrial Gallery
0:06:06 > 0:06:11and we're surrounded by all this beautiful ornate metalwork here.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Isn't it gorgeous? - Yes, it's tremendous.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18And how appropriate that you've brought this beautiful piece of metalwork in to show me!
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Where's it come from?
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Well, I acquired it off somebody's house where the lady had passed away
0:06:25 > 0:06:28and I got the family's permission to take it and keep it.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Aw, that's nice, OK. - And I've had it about six years.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- So relatively recently, really, then.- Yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35So, what attracted you to it?
0:06:35 > 0:06:39The enamel and the candle still in the holder,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- which I think makes it more attractive.- It does.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I think it's not British. I think it came from France.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48It probably dates to the late 19th century
0:06:48 > 0:06:52and I think this enamelwork on it is really particularly lovely.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56I see a lot of silver-plated chambersticks which frankly are a bit dull.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Before we had electricity, before we had electric light,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03obviously you needed chambersticks to be able to see.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04We didn't have the convenience
0:07:04 > 0:07:07of just being able to flip on a light switch, did we?
0:07:07 > 0:07:12- This one is like a shining light in the chambersticks of chambersticks, isn't it?- Yes.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15To have this enamel on it is really beautiful
0:07:15 > 0:07:17and I think the thing that really attracted me to it
0:07:17 > 0:07:19is not only has it got its candleholder here,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22the sconce, we've also got the Vesta holder here,
0:07:22 > 0:07:27so you would have had your matches in there and the strike on there
0:07:27 > 0:07:32so that when you were carrying around your chamberstick in the dark,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36if it went out, you'd have your supply of Vestas on there.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38I've often seen mantel clocks
0:07:38 > 0:07:41with this sort of champleve enamel technique on.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43You don't often see chambersticks.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48The technique of champleve enamelling is very, very similar to what we call cloisonne enamel
0:07:48 > 0:07:52and that's made basically like a stained glass window
0:07:52 > 0:07:56so you'd have wirework separating the different pools of enamel,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59whereas champleve enamel, they would hollow out wells
0:07:59 > 0:08:02and then fill them with enamel and then fire them.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06So, similar techniques, different names. I think it's a lovely thing.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08If you can imagine it being used,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10it wouldn't just be your standard chamberstick.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12If we say "upstairs and downstairs",
0:08:12 > 0:08:15it would have been an upstairs item rather than a downstairs item.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17It's a really beautiful thing
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and originally it would have cost a lot of money.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21How much do you think it's worth?
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I haven't a clue,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26but what I've thought about is something like at least £30.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29£30, yeah, I think that's about fair.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I would put somewhere in the region of £40-£60,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- maybe £50-£70 on a good day.- Yes.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- So, are we happy at £40-£60, reserve of £40?- Yes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41We'll put it forwards for auction
0:08:41 > 0:08:45and hopefully we'll get a really good result for you.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46OK, thank you!
0:08:46 > 0:08:49'We're conjuring up Tales From The Arabian Nights
0:08:49 > 0:08:52'with that charming chamberstick
0:08:52 > 0:08:54'and now for something a little bit closer to home.'
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Look what I have just found!
0:08:57 > 0:09:01I love it to bits, a jumping Jack, and it belongs to Sheila,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02who is right next to me.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I want to know its whole family history,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08where it's come from and how you came by it.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10My grandfather bought it for my mother
0:09:10 > 0:09:13when she was two years old in the early 1900s.
0:09:13 > 0:09:20It came from Spurn Head, near Hull, and he was called Mr Spurn
0:09:20 > 0:09:25and he lived in an ottoman in my mother's bedroom and then
0:09:25 > 0:09:30when she died, I took it over from her and it's lived in my wardrobe.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- It's never been on display, to my knowledge.- Oh, bless him!
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- And that's the way it's stayed. - Mr Spurn!
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Because he's been kept away, I think he's retained that lovely,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45bright colour, but it is a wonderful piece of traditional folk art,
0:09:45 > 0:09:51- made by a sailor.- Yes. - A jumping Jack, Jacks were sailors.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- That's right.- And you even know where he came from - Spurn Head.- Yes.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55I think this is fantastic.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00Folk art traditionally was made by people that were really good with their hands,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03but weren't necessarily professionals.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05They didn't make this to actually sell,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09they made it to give to somebody - a loved one, a child, maybe.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12So it's been made by a rigger, a sailor, maybe,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and I would say he's late Victorian, around 1880/1890,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18which coincides with when you came by it.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22He's articulated in a rather splendid fashion
0:10:22 > 0:10:25because, as you can see, he's double-sided
0:10:25 > 0:10:29and if I do that, you can see just two tufts of string.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31That would hang down with a bobble on it and if you pulled that,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34that would make the Jack jump
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and it would also pull his arms up in the air.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40He's got one hand eaten away with a bit of rot and woodworm,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44which is a sign of the fact that he's got the age, he's genuine.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49What I also like about it is somewhere along the line in your family,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51one of his legs probably came off
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- and he's been mended with a really crude rusty nail.- Right, yes.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00Now, because that nail has softened over the years and darkened
0:11:00 > 0:11:03and it's not sharp at all, it's actually quite tactile.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Isn't he great?- Yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It's quite hard to put a value on folk art, it really is,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11because there's no academic account of things.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14You can't do your comparables, they literally are one-offs.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- That's why I love this. Have you any idea of its value?- No, none at all.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21I think if he was in exceptionally good condition,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25without the big rusty nail, I think you'd be looking at £200-£300.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27But with the damage, it's going to hold it back slightly.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30He now becomes a decorator's item.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- Yes.- And a rather tasteful decorator's item
0:11:34 > 0:11:37because when you touch him, you actually want to hug him, don't you?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Yes.- He's very tactile and I think that's the chemistry there.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42When we put him up for sale in auction,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45when he's being viewed, people will pick him up
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and they will caress him and they will fall in love with him.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51I think if we pitch this at £80-£120,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55the standard auctioneer fare, really, with a reserve at £60,
0:11:55 > 0:11:57I think we'll get him away.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Now, that's a really low price to put on.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Could we put a reserve on of £100?
0:12:01 > 0:12:05OK, we'll value him at £100 with a reserve of £100.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Thank you very much indeed.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11I can't wait to see you in the auction room anyway cos I love this.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14'We'll soon see how this toy story goes a little later on
0:12:14 > 0:12:17'as we head off for our first trip to the auction room
0:12:17 > 0:12:21'and here's a quick reminder of the items we're taking with us.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23'First up is the delicious Danish design,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27'but will the cutlery set be to the bidders' taste?
0:12:29 > 0:12:30'Christina lit up Roger's day
0:12:30 > 0:12:33'with the history of his enamel chamberstick,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'but will it have the same effect in the saleroom?
0:12:40 > 0:12:44'And let's hope Sheila's wooden toy jumps to infinity and beyond!'
0:12:56 > 0:12:59We've travelled across counties today to Fielding's Auction Rooms
0:12:59 > 0:13:01where we're always assured of a warm welcome
0:13:01 > 0:13:05from our expert Nick Davies, who today is on the rostrum.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Fingers crossed everything will fly!
0:13:08 > 0:13:10'And with a packed auction house,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'hopefully we won't need to cross a thing.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18'But do remember - the seller's commission here today is 18%.'
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Going under the hammer right now,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22we've got a boxed silver christening set.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Doesn't sound too exciting, does it? Shall I rephrase that?
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Going under the hammer right now,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30we've got a boxed silver Georg Jensen christening set.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Yes, that's got you going, hasn't it? A bit of 20th century modern.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Adam, tell us the story. How did you come by it?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I came by it in a flea market. I bought it for 55 quid...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Did you know it was Georg Jensen, the Danish designer?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- I did, actually, but I didn't know it was really that good.- No, no.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47And obviously you did some research.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50That's the great thing about buying something -
0:13:50 > 0:13:51it takes you on a journey of discovery
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and this is what antiques is all about.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Absolutely, and what I like is that Adam spotted it
0:13:55 > 0:13:58and he liked the simplicity of design.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- It has a quality to it which most things don't.- No.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04So fingers crossed we'll get the top of Thomas's estimate.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06You will definitely make a profit, put it that way.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- Won't he?- Yeah!- Big profit! That's what it's all about.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Anyway, let's put it to the test. Good luck, Adam.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16A Georg Jensen knife, spoon and fork christening set in a little box.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- Really sweet thing, I like this. - This is very good, Adam.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22100 I'm bid. 110 now.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24120, 130?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26120 with the gentleman now.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28130, fresh bid. 140, 150?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30140 standing still.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- 150 now anywhere else? - Come on.- 150 anywhere else?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37At £140, I'm going to sell. Last chance...
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- That's good. - It's a very good profit.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40I'm going to finish at 140...
0:14:40 > 0:14:45The hammer's gone down. £140, well done! Well done.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Now, listen to this, guess where the money's going.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49What are you going to spend that on?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51I'm going to spend it on a washing machine.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It's the last thing you buy but, the older you get,
0:14:53 > 0:14:58you realise it's the first thing you should have bought. Well done!
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- It's essential, you're going to need it.- Thank you very much.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04'Sometimes we just have to be practical,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08'but I hope Adam continues to visit the antique fairs.'
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Right now, we're just about to light up the saleroom with Roger's little chamberstick.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I absolutely love this. It's the enamelwork that caught your eye.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- That's right.- Roger, why are you selling this?- Well, I don't need it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- OK.- I was lucky.
0:15:22 > 0:15:29I told you it was given to me about five years ago.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31If we get the estimate, it's worth every penny of that.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Well, it's difficult.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36The enamel has got really beautiful colours, hasn't it, Roger?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39It's a nice thing. How useful it is, I don't know.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Good luck, both of you. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44Enamel candle holder, there we are.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48It's got a stamp compartment underneath, a sweet little thing.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50£40 for it? Quickly, for this one.
0:15:50 > 0:15:5335 then, no interest at 35?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Oh, come on, bid, bid, bid!- There's a guy down the front he's missed.
0:15:56 > 0:16:0040. 42? £40 on the second row, at £40 it'll be.
0:16:00 > 0:16:0142 anywhere else?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- At £40... - Oh, I think that's it, Roger.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- We've done it, Roger, well done! - Thank you! We've done it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Gosh, that was close. I was getting really worried.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13It would have been awfully sad if that didn't sell for 40 quid.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- Absolutely.- Cos of all the work that involved.- Very good.- You pleased?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- Yes, I am, thank you.- Good for you. Thank you for bringing that in. - OK, goodbye.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24'As Roger says goodbye to his old flame, now it's my turn.'
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Going under the hammer,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30we've got an exquisite piece of sailors' folk art.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32It belongs to Sheila and you know I like this.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I think this is a hard thing for you to sell,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37I would personally keep it as we've discussed,
0:16:37 > 0:16:39but we've fixed it with a £100 reserve.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- That's right.- If we don't get that, it's going back home.- It is.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- That's for sure and we're surrounded by people.- Oh, yes.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- Surely someone can fall in love with this.- You just don't know.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52This is your lot. Here we go.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54We move on to the carved wooden double-sided jumping Jack,
0:16:54 > 0:16:58as he's known. Bids with me at £80, £90 and £100.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I look in the room, 100, the paddle is aloft, the lady's bid at £100.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- It's gone.- It's out of my hands. Do I see 110 anywhere else?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07At £100, maiden bid towards the back of the room at £100.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12First and last, anybody else jumping in for Jack? At £100, all done?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- It's gone.- It has, yes. - Brilliant, I'm happy.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16There was just no competition.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- There was one bidder that wanted it at 100.- Uh-huh.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20- No-one else to push him.- No.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- But we've sold it so I'm ever so pleased.- Oh, yes.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Thank you for bringing him in.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Not at all, it's been a pleasure and I've enjoyed being here.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- Thank you, Sheila. - I've had a lovely day.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32MUSIC: "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
0:17:32 > 0:17:36That's our first visit to the auction room done and dusted.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37So far, so good.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41OK, it was touch and go in places, but we're coming back here later on,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Now, most of us know who our parents are, who our grandparents are
0:17:45 > 0:17:47and who our great-grandparents were.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50But what about your great-great- great-great-great-great-great...?
0:17:50 > 0:17:54That's seven generations back. Do we know who they were? Not many of us.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56While we were in the area filming,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59I went off to investigate a house that can do just that -
0:17:59 > 0:18:02trace their family history back seven generations
0:18:02 > 0:18:04and they've even got the family portraits.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Situated just outside of Birmingham,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17perfectly set in its own Grade 1 grounds, is Hagley Hall.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Complete with its own church and cricket pitch,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22it's a world unto its own.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25The Hagley estate has been in the same family
0:18:25 > 0:18:29for an astonishing 15 generations ever since 1558,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32when Sir John Lyttelton purchased the land.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36For the next 450 years
0:18:36 > 0:18:39and for all the momentous events in the country's history during that time,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42this green and pleasant patch of England
0:18:42 > 0:18:45has been home to this ancient family.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49The present house as we see it today
0:18:49 > 0:18:53was built in the 1750s by George, first Lord Lyttelton,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55who was secretary to the Prince of Wales
0:18:55 > 0:18:58and briefly Chancellor of the Exchequer.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Now, this was the era of the Grand Tour -
0:19:00 > 0:19:03where young men finished their education in Europe,
0:19:03 > 0:19:08returning back to England with a passion for all things Classical.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11And in architecture, that meant the Palladian style,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14of which Hagley is the perfect example.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18In fact, Hagley was the last great Palladian house
0:19:18 > 0:19:20to be built in this country.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25George and his family were among the elite of British aristocracy
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and, as such, held privileged positions
0:19:28 > 0:19:30in the royal courts of the ruling monarchy.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Hagley's austere, almost plain exterior
0:19:34 > 0:19:38couldn't be more opposite to what greets you when you enter the house.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42It's a riot of decorative ornamentation everywhere you look.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47It's like walking into a confectionery box of architectural detail.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50The bas relief panel above this magnificent chimneypiece
0:19:50 > 0:19:51is something to behold.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54That's a copy of a baroque oil painting,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58but all of that panel has been achieved with plaster casts
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and carving in that plaster as it's setting.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02It's quite an incredible technique
0:20:02 > 0:20:07and that's been done by the Italian stuccadore Francesco Vassalli.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10We know he did it because it's signed, which is very rare.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Little is known about Vassalli,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14but he must have been at the top of his game -
0:20:14 > 0:20:16well known throughout Italy,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20well known enough to be brought over here to do that one panel
0:20:20 > 0:20:22which cost 50 quid back in 1759.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24We know it cost £50
0:20:24 > 0:20:27because there's an inventory for it in Lord Lyttelton's accounts.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It is quite incredible.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32I'll take a closer look because to appreciate this sort of thing,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34you have to see the light and shade,
0:20:34 > 0:20:35the undercuts in the plaster,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38which depicts Pan winning the love of Diana
0:20:38 > 0:20:40with this snow-white fleece.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Look at the fleece! The whole thing's almost moving.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Can you see it? It just makes it look real.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50It comes alive, that whole panel jumps out to you. Very impressive.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Something else that grabs your attention,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59on the opposite wall to the fireplace, is this large roundel.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01If you have a look at the figure, that's Cybele,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03the goddess of fertility.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06But she's been crowned with a castle on her head.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07I didn't know what that was about,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11but apparently she's the protector of the house.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12And it would have been this room
0:21:12 > 0:21:15where Lord Lyttelton first greeted his guests
0:21:15 > 0:21:18and to celebrate the completion of the house in 1760,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21he held a three-day house-warming party
0:21:21 > 0:21:25and it seemed like the whole county was invited.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27You could imagine the scene, arriving here,
0:21:27 > 0:21:31glittering evening gowns full of silver and gold thread
0:21:31 > 0:21:35sparkling in the candlelight, fine wine and conversation
0:21:35 > 0:21:38as if you've been transported to a different realm.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46And you enter the saloon,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50this is where all the entertaining would have taken place.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54The decoration has been stepped up a gear.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55All the family portraits
0:21:55 > 0:21:58have been framed with these garlands and swags,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02dripping down the wall with architectural detail.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06And the ceiling with the putti flying around in the clouds.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09This is more free-flowing rococo,
0:22:09 > 0:22:15some of the finest plaster relief work I have ever seen in any country house in England.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21'This is the drawing room,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25'unaltered since Lord Lyttelton's original design,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28'and enjoying the sumptuous surroundings is the current custodian,
0:22:28 > 0:22:30'the 12th Viscount Cobham.'
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Lord Cobham, you inherited the house several years ago when your brother died,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39so you're now responsible in maintaining this house and the grounds.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41What's been the greatest challenge for you?
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Oh, in a way, trying to find out all the details about the wretched family,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48which I knew nothing about when I came here
0:22:48 > 0:22:52and then tackling the the maintenance that hadn't been done for a while.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53The conservation...
0:22:53 > 0:22:54The conservation on the roof,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57the stonework on the house was a major problem.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58We're sitting in this room
0:22:58 > 0:23:02which really is the culmination of the first Lord Lyttelton's interior design tastes.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Was the room designed for the tapestries?
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Because looking at the borders, they're not cut down at all.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10No, they predate the house by about 25 years.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13In fact, they date back to, I think, 1725
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and the house was finished in 1760.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17So the walls...
0:23:17 > 0:23:20The walls and the whole room was designed around them
0:23:20 > 0:23:24and George put pictures into the room so it was his showpiece.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26It really does flow, the whole thing,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28right through to the mirror frames.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33It does and I believe that the whole room was designed around the hoho birds,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35which reflected in the mirror over the...
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- You can see, that's typical of Chippendale.- Yes, indeed.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41On the cresting of the mirrors, that hoho bird,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- and it's picked up in the tapestries.- It is.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Let's talk about the completion of the house in 1760
0:23:48 > 0:23:50and that three-day house-warming party.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- That must have been some bash. - I think it was.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56George was a far worse entertainer than he was a builder
0:23:56 > 0:24:02cos he tried to rank everybody invited according to their relative status and wealth,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07which was rather like trying to start on Debrett's from nothing.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Apparently the party developed into an absolute shambles
0:24:10 > 0:24:12while everyone decided that they were seated
0:24:12 > 0:24:14either above or below where they should have been
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and Thomas, his son, who was known in the family as Naughty Tom,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21failed to dance with the lady with whom he was meant to be dancing with,
0:24:21 > 0:24:22who was a most important lady.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Cos it's all about etiquette, isn't it?
0:24:24 > 0:24:29Absolutely, but he decided there was a far better girl that he had found in one of the local villages
0:24:29 > 0:24:31that he was going to start the dance with, which he did.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35So it was quite a party, but not entirely as George had wanted,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I think, is probably the way to put it.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- Was he the black sheep of the family, the son?- He was.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44He was clever, intelligent, bright, but he also was a hedonist.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47He loved his ladies and loved gambling.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50He was, I think, quite spoiled by George.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Very unfortunately, he went very much to the bad.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54What happened, eventually?
0:24:54 > 0:25:00Supposedly he was visited by a bird in his room who told him
0:25:00 > 0:25:04that if he didn't mend his ways, three days hence at midnight, he'd die.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07So he asked his pals and girls around for the night
0:25:07 > 0:25:11and they thought it'd be funny to move the clock forward an hour
0:25:11 > 0:25:13so when he was still hale and hearty, but not on tremendous form,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17at 11 o'clock reading 12 o'clock,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- they departed and he was found dead in his bed the next morning.- Gosh.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25And that was actually a well known supposed ghost story
0:25:25 > 0:25:29that ran through the 18th and 19th century.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Horace Walpole, the 18th-century man of letters and extraordinary wit,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43was a good friend of Lord Lyttelton's
0:25:43 > 0:25:46and he visited Hagley Hall shortly after it was finished
0:25:46 > 0:25:54and he wrote, "I wore my eyes out with gazing, my feet with climbing and my tongue with commending,"
0:25:54 > 0:25:58and I know exactly how he felt after being inside.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03Hagley Hall is the perfect time capsule of 18th-century rococo decoration.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Welcome back to Birmingham's Museum and Art Gallery
0:26:18 > 0:26:23where we have set up shop in the splendid Rotunda Room in the heart of the museum,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27the perfect place for our experts to uncover some real gems.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28Let's catch up with them now
0:26:28 > 0:26:31and see what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Thomas has found a great pair to start with.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- So, ladies, are you two sisters? - BOTH: We are, yes.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44- I can see, you answered the same! So, what's your name?- Judy.- Sue.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- Judy and Sue. And are there any more of you?- Three.- Three more!
0:26:48 > 0:26:50- Five of you.- Five girls.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Father said when a man has a daughter, he proves himself a man,
0:26:53 > 0:26:57but when a man has five, he proves himself a bit of an idiot!
0:26:57 > 0:26:59A giant, I would say, a giant!
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Anyway, you've brought along a pair of vases.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06- What do you know about those? - Only that they're Satsuma.- Yep.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09And they came from Great-Aunt Dora after she died,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13- who was a real character. - Why was she a character?
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- She was a character because she married a priest.- A Catholic priest?
0:27:17 > 0:27:21A Catholic priest! She met him when she was a cocktail waitress.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22Oh, I don't believe that!
0:27:22 > 0:27:24In a pub called the Flying Horse in Nottingham.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- I don't believe that story! What was her name, Great-Aunt...?- Dora.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Great-Aunt Dora was a cocktail waitress.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34So did she go on lots of holidays, was she glam?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37She was glamorous and she had personality, hadn't she?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39But he actually was ordained in Rome
0:27:39 > 0:27:41and was stationed there during the war.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44And collected lots of antiques while he was in Italy.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46These are some of his?
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Yeah, and when he came back to the UK,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52he wanted to open an antiques shop when he came out of the priesthood.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55He ended up being a butcher in a supermarket!
0:27:55 > 0:27:57So he wanted to be an antiques dealer,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- but he opened a butcher's shop. - Yeah.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Let's talk about Great-Aunt Dora's little vases.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05You're quite correct, they are Satsuma.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- What date do you think they are? - Well, I don't know.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- Do you know what period they are? - I would say, would they be...
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Early 20th century? - Got it, Sue.- Good on you.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17There's a period in Japan
0:28:17 > 0:28:20like we have Georgian, Edwardian or Victorian -
0:28:20 > 0:28:21what is the name for that?
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- Shall I put you out of your misery? - Go on, then.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29It's called Meiji - about 1869 to about 1912, that sort of Meiji period
0:28:29 > 0:28:31and that's exactly what these are.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34They're very finely done and what's lovely is the detail.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35And you've got a scene going on.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40These are open cartouche fans with scenes of an interior,
0:28:40 > 0:28:44samurai practising or having a bit of a scrap within a heart
0:28:44 > 0:28:46and then some other geisha girls there,
0:28:46 > 0:28:51within these bands, and all heightened in gold.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Why did you bring them today?
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Well, we just thought there's obviously some value to them
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and we thought there's five of us sisters
0:28:58 > 0:29:01and what we make on them would go towards a nice holiday in Turkey.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06- Right. It's going to maybe... - No, no, not the full cost.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08No, not at all, unless it's...
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Is this one of those 99p holidays I see advertised?
0:29:12 > 0:29:15The things they've got going for them are the size.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20The decoration is good and detailed. The gilding is quite strong.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23The bad things is that they could be a bit finer potted.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- They're quite thick potted, but they're not bad.- No.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Therefore I think they're worth £100-£120.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- We might get you three figures. I'd reserve them at £80.- Yes.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- You happy with that?- £80, yes?- Yes. - We'll be guided by that.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- Will you come to the auction, you two?- Yes.- Yes.- I'd love to see you.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Thank you very much, Tom. - Nice to meet you.- Thank you.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48'Two sisters and two Satsumas somehow have to take five to Turkey.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50'You do the maths.'
0:29:51 > 0:29:53'Christina knows how to keep it simple
0:29:53 > 0:29:57'as she uncovers a very special little party piece.'
0:29:57 > 0:29:59So, Kath, this little box is quite intriguing.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02I saw you in the queue and I had a little look at this
0:30:02 > 0:30:05and there's coronation commemorative wares
0:30:05 > 0:30:09and then there's EXCITING coronation commemoration wares
0:30:09 > 0:30:10and I got quite excited about this
0:30:10 > 0:30:13cos when you think of coronation commemoratives,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15you think of mugs, mass produced,
0:30:15 > 0:30:19limited edition of 100,000 which isn't a very limited edition, is it?
0:30:19 > 0:30:22You don't think of little medallions like this.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Was there a relative at the coronation in 1911?
0:30:25 > 0:30:27I think it's possible, yes.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30I think it was probably presented to a member of the family who went
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- so that's where I think it came from. - I would agree.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35It's intriguing in many respects.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36Let's take it out of its little box,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38which I think may have been the original box.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40I think it might have had a fitted case originally,
0:30:40 > 0:30:42but let's have a little look at it.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45So we've got here what I initially thought was a coin set into a mount,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48but it's not, it's a little presentation medallion
0:30:48 > 0:30:52and it says...
0:30:52 > 0:30:55So it's the coronation of George V
0:30:55 > 0:30:59and inevitably you would have had a reception for heads of state,
0:30:59 > 0:31:01for important dignitaries
0:31:01 > 0:31:04and I think that this was possibly given out to somebody who went to that.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07And the reason I say that is because it screams quality.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12The fact that it has all this enamelling work to it
0:31:12 > 0:31:14and these wonderful armorials here,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16which unfortunately we haven't been able to trace,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18but I think we could, given some more time.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21And also this wonderful little coronet surmount
0:31:21 > 0:31:23which is set with these stones.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- It's really, really beautifully made.- Yes, it is.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28And it doesn't surprise me that when I turn it over
0:31:28 > 0:31:32and look at the back, there we go, we've got a wonderful mark there
0:31:32 > 0:31:36for the company Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company Ltd.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Now, they were brilliant makers
0:31:38 > 0:31:41and they had a Royal warrant to obviously the King and Queen
0:31:41 > 0:31:46so this sort of quality I would expect to find of those makers.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49So a really, really beautiful thing.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- Although it looks gold, unfortunately it isn't!- Never mind.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57And we've got a nice silver hallmark here and we know it's silver
0:31:57 > 0:32:00because it's got the standard sterling silver mark
0:32:00 > 0:32:02- which is the lion passant. - Was it London, sorry?
0:32:02 > 0:32:05It is, yes, London, which was where Goldsmiths and Silversmiths were based.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08And of course a contemporary hallmark for 1911
0:32:08 > 0:32:10which you would expect
0:32:10 > 0:32:14and if only it could talk, it could tell us a few things.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Can you imagine the gossip from that reception?- Yes, gosh!
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- I wonder what it could tell us. - The amazing things that went on.
0:32:20 > 0:32:25- What everyone wore! - Yes, the costumes and outfits.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Absolutely, and if you think of the reception itself,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30this piece was potentially quite an important part of that history.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Value-wise, at auction,
0:32:34 > 0:32:38I've not seen one of these sell in recent years.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42We've seen them sell about 10-15 years ago for sort of £30-£40
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- and I would hope obviously that we can improve on that.- Yeah.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49- I would like to put a conservative estimate of £60-£80.- OK.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53I think it would definitely appeal to a royal memorabilia collector
0:32:53 > 0:32:56and I think it's quite an interesting piece, really.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- It's quite unusual. - It is quite unusual.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01So I think £60-£80 with a reserve of £50
0:33:01 > 0:33:04and I think hopefully it will fly away for you.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- Thank you.- Thanks so much for bringing this in.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08Thank you very much.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13'Let's see if this gets its crowning moment in the sale.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15'And finally, before we make tracks,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17'our Thomas finds himself a tank engine!'
0:33:17 > 0:33:19WHISTLE BLOWS
0:33:19 > 0:33:24So, Pat, tell me about your train set. How did you come to own it?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26I had it as a child.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27My parents bought me bits and pieces
0:33:27 > 0:33:31and then I saved up my pocket money and bought bits and pieces.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34I do hear this story quite a lot, that girls bought trains
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- and had trains bought for them. - I know, I was a tomboy.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Were you a tomboy? - I loved my dolls as well.- Oh, really?
0:33:40 > 0:33:46- But I did like my trains as well and cowboy sets and all that.- Fabulous!
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Well, tell me when you bought this.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49This has got to be in the '50s, I would think.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51But this is an earlier set.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Were you conscious of it being second-hand when you had it?
0:33:54 > 0:33:59No, not at all. Whether it was passed on from my parents, I don't know.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Cos I was just working this one out.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03It's an O gauge set and in the '50s...
0:34:03 > 0:34:10Might it have been very late '40s? Say about '48, '49?
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- Then it would have been sort of OO gauge.- Yes.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18This is O gauge so we need to establish that. It's not clockwork.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- No.- It's electric. You can see the electric motor in here.
0:34:22 > 0:34:28- Oh, right, yes.- And a good heavy engine, isn't it?- Very heavy, yes.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30And it's a County of Bedford class engine,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34and the counties locomotives and tenders,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36they were in production from about 1935.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41- Oh, good. I'm not that old! - No, you're not, this is the thing!
0:34:41 > 0:34:44And then the Pullman carriages are the same date and the signalling.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48- And they're different colours. - They are different colours, yeah.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51If I was a real anorak when it comes to trains,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53members of my saleroom sell lots and lots of trains
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- and know all about the different colours.- Oh, right.
0:34:56 > 0:35:02I only know a little bit about the locomotives and this is a 4-4-0 set.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- Do you know why? - Is it the...
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Four wheels at the front, four at the back
0:35:07 > 0:35:11- and there's nothing on the back there.- No.- And that is the tender.- That is lovely.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15- That is lovely, in good condition with the box.- Yes.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- Where's it been all these years? - Up in the loft.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Before that, it was at my parents' house because it was left there
0:35:22 > 0:35:25when I moved around and then when we moved to our house,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29it was put up in the loft and it's been there for nearly 40 years.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Really? So your boys didn't play with it?
0:35:31 > 0:35:36Not very often, not that particular one. I bought them a separate one.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38I bet you bought them a OO gauge.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Cos you need a heavy set of track to do it, a really big track.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45- I've got some track, I've still got some but...- It's not that valuable.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50- No.- Have you an idea what it's worth? - I haven't the foggiest idea.- Really?
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Honestly, I really don't know.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56I got it out of the loft and I thought, "I can't just leave it,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59- "it's too nice," and there's nobody to have it now.- It's lovely.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01OK, you haven't got the box.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05There's metal fatigue on the wheel, but that's quite understandable.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Metal fatigue is when the wheels crack.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Considering it's been up in the loft all that time.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15- Yes, the whole collection I would sell for £200-£300.- Oh, right.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16- Yeah, and I'd reserve it at £150.- OK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20- And I think it should sell for a bit more.- I was hoping so.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23The thing is, if this was boxed, £300-£500 on its own.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- The value lies in the engine and the tender.- Yes.
0:36:26 > 0:36:33- So I would say £200-£300, fix the reserve at £150 - done.- Yes.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38Great, let's keep our fingers crossed! You're usually very good.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43MUSIC: "Love Train" by The O-Jays
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Well, there you are.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Our experts have now found their final items and I have to say,
0:36:48 > 0:36:53what a marvellous day we've had here at Birmingham's Museum and Art Gallery.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57Hundreds of people have turned up, they've thoroughly enjoyed themselves
0:36:57 > 0:37:00and all day long, we've been surrounded by history.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03But right now it's time to make some history of our very own
0:37:03 > 0:37:07as we go over to the auction room for the very last time.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10And here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14'Sisters Judy and Susie are flogging their Satsuma vases
0:37:14 > 0:37:17'for an all-important family holiday.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24'Someone in Kath's family was a guest at King George V's coronation reception.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26'If only we knew who!
0:37:26 > 0:37:29'But all royal memorabilia is highly collectible.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34'And finally,
0:37:34 > 0:37:38'let's hope some train guys make a commotion about the locomotion.'
0:37:43 > 0:37:45'We're heading in one direction
0:37:45 > 0:37:48'and that's to Stourbridge for our last visit to the auction room.'
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Right now, we've got two Satsuma vases going under the hammer.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59They belong to a great-aunt and five sisters will inherit them.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Two of them are here, Judy and Susie.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04It's great to see you again since the valuation day.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07- Where are the others?- Oh, they couldn't make it, but Julia's here.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Hello, Julia! Good luck.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Let's hope it's a nice even figure we can divide into five!
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Thomas, do you think we will get that top end?
0:38:16 > 0:38:20I think it'll be very difficult because it's Japanese, not Chinese.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22- It's all about fashion. - Fashion, fashion, fashion.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25We've got to hit that right moment in time. Is this that moment?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27We'll find out. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31Two very small Satsuma vases, little hexagonal examples,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34nicely decorated though. Where do we open with those?
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Bid's with me at 75 and I look for 80 in the room.
0:38:37 > 0:38:3975 with me on a commission, 80 anywhere?
0:38:39 > 0:38:44At £75 with me, anyone coming in for the little hexagonal Satsuma vases?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46At £75 they'll stay with me, 80 anywhere else?
0:38:46 > 0:38:50Last chance at 75, are you sure and done? All finished?
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- Nope, didn't sell. - They didn't sell.- Awww!- Oh, dear.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57- They're going to be shared around again.- We can't go to Turkey now!
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Is that what you wanted to do? I'm sure you can still get to Turkey.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Why do you want to go to Turkey, just for a holiday?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- Just for a holiday, yes. - A bit of nice warm weather?- Yes.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10I'm sure that'll happen, OK? So, who's going to take them home?
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- Judy will take them home. - Good luck, Judy. Don't drop them!
0:39:16 > 0:39:18'Unfortunately you just can't sell them all,
0:39:18 > 0:39:22'but I'm sure there'll be a good reception for our next item.'
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Well, it's been in the cupboard for many years
0:39:24 > 0:39:26and now we've liberated it.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Ooh!- We have, haven't we? Yes, I like that.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Kath's coronation reception brooch is just about to go under the hammer.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36It's seen the light of day! We've rescued it.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Now, why has it been in that cupboard?
0:39:38 > 0:39:39It's not something I'd wear.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42No, I know how easy it is to put things in the cupboard
0:39:42 > 0:39:43when you don't really want them
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and you forget about them over the years, don't you?
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Yes, I just felt it would be nice to see
0:39:48 > 0:39:51if I could find a good buyer for it, somebody might want to buy it
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- and add it to their collection of royal commemoration things.- Sure.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- And there are collectors out there for that.- Oh, hugely, yeah.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Coronation and royal memorabilia is a huge collectors' field
0:40:00 > 0:40:02so hopefully...
0:40:02 > 0:40:05It's been on the internet so hopefully it's been viewed
0:40:05 > 0:40:07by a good wide audience as well so hopefully it'll sell well.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- We're just about to find out. Are you ready for this?- Yes.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12It's going under the hammer now.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15A silver gilt enamel George V and Queen Mary coronation pendant.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Really sweet little brooch there, bid's with me at 40 and 45
0:40:18 > 0:40:22and 50 I look for in the room. 45 with me and the lady's bid at 50.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- It's gone.- Brilliant!- 50, 55 anywhere else? At £50, 55 anywhere?
0:40:26 > 0:40:27Come on, come on!
0:40:27 > 0:40:31She'll take it with her at £50 if we're all sure and done...
0:40:32 > 0:40:38- £50.- There we go. Somebody wanted it.- You've done it!
0:40:38 > 0:40:41It's not going back in the cupboard, that's a good thing.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43- And thanks for bringing it in. - Thank you.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47- Yes, it was a really interesting thing so thank you.- Thank you.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50'Now Kath has abdicated herself from the medallion,
0:40:50 > 0:40:54'it's full steam ahead for our final item.'
0:40:54 > 0:40:55Boys and their toys, eh?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Well, it's not just boys that like train sets.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02Patricia does too and good on you! Were you a tomboy as a little one?
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- Yes.- Cos Mum and Dad got you this, didn't they?- That's right, yes.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Why do you want to sell them now?- I haven't got anybody to give them to.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11I've got two grandsons,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14but they're not really interested in that sort of thing.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Well, I think there's a great market for this, don't you?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Certainly the county class locomotives
0:41:19 > 0:41:23and it's an O gauge electric which makes it quite rare and interesting.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Yeah, yeah. He's the right man for toys!
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Thomas is certainly not just a fine art expert.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33- He's our toy expert, aren't you? - Well, I do sell a lot of toys.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38- I know a little bit.- Well, good luck. We're looking for £200-£300.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Hopefully we're on the right track.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Anyway, here we go!
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Moving on to trains now, a Hornby GWR,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47the County of Bedford locomotive.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49We've got a lot of bids and interest in this,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- and we'll open the bidding at... - Lots of interest, did you hear that?
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- Yes, I did.- ..£520...- Oh!
0:41:57 > 0:42:02Do I see 540 in the room or is it staying here at 520?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- We've got a lot of bidders. - Wow!- 540 anywhere else in the room?
0:42:05 > 0:42:12At £520 then, the trains will go at 520. All finished at £520, all done?
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Gosh! The opening maiden bid, £520, straight in, straight out.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21- Patricia, fantastic! £520! - That's brilliant.- Thank you, Thomas.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25- No, it was very good.- Well done, Thomas.- We knew it was good, but...
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- We didn't know it was THAT good, did we?- Well, I had an inkling.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32If you own something like that, you now know what it's worth
0:42:32 > 0:42:34and we'd love to sell it for you!
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Well, I think that deserves celebrating, don't you?
0:42:40 > 0:42:41What are you going to do?
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Well, I was putting it towards a holiday,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- but my laptop has gone kaput on me. - Get a new laptop?
0:42:47 > 0:42:52- I think it'll have to go towards that.- Well done.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54- Thank you ever so much. - Well done, both of you.
0:42:54 > 0:42:5855 fresh bid, 60...
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Well, that's it, it's all over for our owners.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02As you can see, the auction is still going on,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05but what an exciting time we have had here.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07OK, hands up, it was touch and go in places,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09but that's what auctions are all about!
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Hopefully you can join me soon for another one,
0:43:11 > 0:43:15but until then, it's goodbye from all of us here in Stourbridge.