0:00:03 > 0:00:06This is Soho House on the outskirts of Birmingham,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09home of the great industrialist Matthew Boulton.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13Some of the greatest minds of the 18th century met here once a month,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16by the light of the full moon,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19calling themselves the Lunar Society.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24The ideas they discussed here would change the course of history -
0:00:24 > 0:00:27that's what comes from an enquiring mind.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50MUSIC: Get Lucky by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Birmingham's role at the heart of the Industrial Revolution
0:00:53 > 0:00:56was largely thanks to one man,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59the pioneering engineer and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05He paved the way so that by the Victorian times,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08it was known as the city of 1,000 trades.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10We'll be hearing more about Mr Boulton
0:01:10 > 0:01:13and the Lunar Society later on.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Today, we're on our own voyage of discovery
0:01:17 > 0:01:19here at Birmingham's Museum & Art Gallery,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22situated right in the heart of the civic centre.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26It's full of the finest examples of man's ingenuity and talent
0:01:26 > 0:01:29but meanwhile, our experts are on their own voyage of discovery,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32delving into all of these bags and boxes, looking for treasures
0:01:32 > 0:01:35to take off to auction and there's only one question on their lips,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37which is...
0:01:37 > 0:01:38- ALL:- What's it worth?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40MUSIC CONTINUES
0:01:40 > 0:01:44On their own quest for enlightenment are our industrious experts,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46James Lewis and Thomas Plant,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50who'll be hoping to see lots of Birmingham's famous anchor hallmark
0:01:50 > 0:01:52on the gold and silver brought in today.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54# We're up all night to get lucky
0:01:54 > 0:01:56# We're up all night to get lucky... #
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Yeah, that's nice, it's Birmingham.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01James, James, that's not a magnifying glass.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03THIS is a magnifying glass.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Thomas, size isn't everything, mate.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Ha - I'm keeping well out of that debate.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11Coming up on today's show,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Thomas shares his knowledge of technical terms...
0:02:14 > 0:02:18You know how stamps is philately or paper money is scripophily -
0:02:18 > 0:02:21fishing is called piscatoria.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23..James practises his bedside manner.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- How do you feel?- All right.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29I think if it made any less, I'd be disappointed.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30- So would I.- OK.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Oh, no.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35'..and one of our contributors makes a special effort at the auction.'
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Harry's in full dress with a swagger stick.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40Look at this. Ooh!
0:02:42 > 0:02:45We have taken over the museum's Rotunda Gallery
0:02:45 > 0:02:47for our main valuation day venue.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51It really is lights, camera, action right here, right now.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53In the very centre is the Archangel Lucifer
0:02:53 > 0:02:57by one of the 20th century's greatest sculptors, Jacob Epstein.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01He shows Lucifer leaving Heaven and as he's falling,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05his hands are shielding him from the flames of Hell as you can see.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Before he falls, he's the bringer of light and the most beautiful angel.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11I think we should focus on that aspect
0:03:11 > 0:03:15and let's hope our next item has all of those qualities.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Let's catch up with our experts.
0:03:17 > 0:03:18MUSIC CONTINUES
0:03:18 > 0:03:23And to kick us off is Thomas, who's spotted a real catch.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- So, are you a fisherman, Luke? - Yeah, I am.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- What do you fish?- Carp.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28- Carp?- Yeah.- That's in the big lakes?
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Yeah, fishing lakes.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31And is your whole family into fishing?
0:03:31 > 0:03:34My mum was. My dad still is and I am, yeah.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- Now, you've brought along these two pair of reels here.- Yeah.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- Salmon reels by Farlow & Co. from London.- Yep.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43How have you come by them?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Well, my mum bought them in about 1960 or 1970
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- from a second-hand shop in Erdington. - Did she pay much for them?
0:03:49 > 0:03:51She said, like, nine pounds, she said.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- That's quite a lot of money then. - Yeah.- Did she use them?
0:03:54 > 0:03:55She hasn't used them, no.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- She liked them, that's why she didn't want to use them.- They're lovely.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59- Yeah.- They are really nice.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Now, do you know what the collecting term is called for fishing?
0:04:02 > 0:04:03I'm not sure.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06You know how stamps is philately or paper money is scripophily,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09fishing is called piscatoria -
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- pisca as in Pisces, piscatoria... - Yeah, yeah.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14..so, a bit of piscatoria here.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- I think these are rather special. - I know, they're quite nice.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I think they are lovely. How much is a modern reel now?
0:04:19 > 0:04:24Oh, they can be from five pounds to thousands, some of them can be.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25Yeah, yeah.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Well, I have a funny feeling that at auction,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- these are going to do quite well.- Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34You've got lacquered brass. What do you think this is made out of here?
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- I'm going to guess ivory of some sort.- It's not ivory. No, it's horn.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- Oh, it's horn?- You're quite right, it's an animal product.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45Well annotated here, patent lever number 1,850
0:04:45 > 0:04:50by C Farlow & Co., 191 The Strand, London.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51It's a pair of them.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56You've got, on here, you've got the initials of the owner -
0:04:56 > 0:05:00F R H 1 and F R H 2.
0:05:00 > 0:05:06- Even being conservative, I think 500-700 is conservative.- Yeah.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- They could end up making £1,000. - Yeah.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15They are rare. To have them cased, they're 19th-century, numbered -
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- it's the most popular sport.. - It is, yeah.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20..and there are people with real money out there to spend on these.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- It makes me want to go and start fishing, really.- Yeah. It is good.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25MUSIC: Fishin' Blues by Taj Mahal
0:05:25 > 0:05:27# Any fish bites if you got good bait
0:05:27 > 0:05:29# Here's a little tip that I would like to relate... #
0:05:29 > 0:05:33I love fishing and those reels are a REAL catch...
0:05:33 > 0:05:35# I'm a-goin' fishin'
0:05:35 > 0:05:36# Yes, I'm goin' fishin'
0:05:36 > 0:05:40# And my baby goin' fishin' too... #
0:05:40 > 0:05:43..but is James as confident about our next item?
0:05:46 > 0:05:51Harry, anyone who knows me knows I gravitate towards anything African.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56You've brought a really interesting mass of Masai artefacts.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Now, what are they doing here in Birmingham?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01How did you come to have them? What's the story?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Well, the story is I was brought up in Kenya.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I came back when Jomo Kenyatta became president.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10He basically booted us all out in '62
0:06:10 > 0:06:13and my father was in the government service,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17he worked for the Kenya government, British Home Office.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Some Masai tribesmen lost some cattle.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23They were stolen overnight and my father rounded up some askaris,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25we called them, they were soldiers, basically.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28He got the cattle back to the Masai, the Masai said,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30"Thank you very much, have a shield and some spears."
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- How wonderful.- Because they hadn't got any currency,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- this was all they'd got.- And what sort of timing was this?
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Early 1950s.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40So we're talking about things that were collected over 60 years ago.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Yeah.- So people automatically think that these things
0:06:42 > 0:06:45are tourist objects that are post-war
0:06:45 > 0:06:49but it's not long before these actually become true antiques.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- There were no tourists in Kenya in the 1950s.- No, not many.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54We've got first of all the shield
0:06:54 > 0:06:57and the spears which are the classic warrior pieces.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01The shield made of cattle skin or vellum
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and then of course the dyes - the white is made from clay
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- and the red, I'm sure you know... - I'd say, probably, some blood.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- Blood, exactly, cattle blood.- Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15Mixed with, again, a bit of soil, a bit of earth and then smeared on.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21And then we've got the two spears, both with a point at the bottom
0:07:21 > 0:07:26and for a Masai boy to become a warrior, one of his biggest tasks,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29the most important thing that he can do, at least it used to be,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31is to kill a lion.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Originally, the idea would be the spear would be jammed in the ground
0:07:35 > 0:07:39and as the lion charges, it leaps just before it makes its kill
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and the shield hides the spear
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and then as the lion is about to kill the Masai warrior,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49away goes the shield, the lion falls on his spear.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Absolutely right, yes.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Traditionally, these are known as leaf spears
0:07:53 > 0:07:56but traditional Masai spears, lovely.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00But then we got a whole mass of other things - we've got the comb.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- I've never seen these before - they're like pine cones.- They are.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Seed pods, but I don't know what. - Seed pods.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- They're wonderful, aren't they? Very tactile.- Yeah.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13A couple of knives, a fly whisk, necklace and a zebra skin drum.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Together, I think the best thing to do with these
0:08:19 > 0:08:20is to put them as one lot.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25The shield is going to be worth 40 or 50, £60.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28The spears are worth about £30 each.
0:08:28 > 0:08:34We're talking about £100 there, 120, about £150.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38I would put 150 to 200 or something around there as an estimate.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41OK, what would you say as a reserve?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44I think 150 as a reserve - if they don't make that,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46hold them back and try them again another day.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Happy to go with that.- Lovely.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50JAZZY MUSIC
0:08:52 > 0:08:56There's a huge crowd here today and I love seeing if I can spot
0:08:56 > 0:09:00some gems before the experts decide what they're going to take to auction.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Can I just have a look at this camera...- Yes.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04..because look, look, here.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06There's a great example of great British craftsmanship.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Look at that.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12J Lancaster & Son, made right here in Birmingham.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14There's its patent number, look at that, 1891.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17This is a later Victorian box camera.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Now, plenty of these have survived
0:09:19 > 0:09:21but I'll tell you where the value is -
0:09:21 > 0:09:23It's in the bellows. It's a box bellows.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27If you pull this out, those bellows have to be in perfect condition.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Also, the lens. That's very, very critical.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32If it's scratched, it's worthless but this one's very clean,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34it's in very good condition.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Kirsty, how did you come by this? - It was my father's.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Was he a photographer or a collector?
0:09:40 > 0:09:42No, I think he got it from his dad so...
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- It's been in the family quite some time?- Yeah.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I just wonder if it took photographs of your family,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- you know, three generations back, let's say.- Possibly.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- That would be quite amazing, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54This one looks to be in perfect condition
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and it's made of Cuban mahogany, I mean, there's no expense spared.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59I think it's absolutely lovely.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00I think if you put this in to auction,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- you might be looking at around £150-£250.- OK.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07..because it's a lovely piece of kit for a photographer.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Photography items are highly collectable so who knows?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Well, look, thank you for coming in anyway. Thanks.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Now, Thomas has found an old friend.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Ruth, Flog It! wouldn't be Flog It!
0:10:27 > 0:10:29without a piece of Clarice Cliff.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33This is what we have here, a piece of geometric Clarice Cliff.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35As far as I know, it's early Clarice, is that right?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Well, it is early cos it's got this geometric design.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40I think Clarice has a bad press sometimes
0:10:40 > 0:10:44because some people don't like her because of the jazzy patterns
0:10:44 > 0:10:48but I think she's a really important person in 20th-century art.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Some patterns are rarer than others
0:10:50 > 0:10:53and this is just simple, a Bizarre pattern and the gold backstamp,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55which is an earlier backstamp -
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Newport Pottery, went on to Wilkinson's.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01It rings well.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- There aren't any major dings. There's a bit of paint loss.- Yes.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Has it been in your family for a long time?- Well, I think it has.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09It was my aunt's, my great aunt's.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Why have you brought it here today?
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Well, the thing is I had nightmares that one of these days,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15it's going to just go crunch
0:11:15 > 0:11:18and then it's going to be worth nothing.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Well, it will always be worth something to me
0:11:20 > 0:11:22but I think it's time that it went
0:11:22 > 0:11:26because I'm trying to save some money to put on another play.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- Put on another play?- Yes. - So are you a...
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Do you write plays or are you a director? What do you do?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33A bit of both, actually.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37I write the plays, I direct them and I'm actually sometimes in them.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- I mean, we're not going to get you a king's ransom.- No, I know that.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I think I could say auctioneer's estimate - one, 120.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- Well, that would be all right. - Reserve it at £80.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Where we're selling it, the auction house,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51what he doesn't know about Clarice Cliff isn't worth knowing.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- Oh, gosh.- I haven't felt more confident
0:11:53 > 0:11:56about a piece of Clarice Cliff ever.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Oh, I doubt that. Is that the truth? Really? No.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- Well, because it's going to the right place.- Well, that's fantastic.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05It's going to the right place where they specialise in Clarice.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06- Really?- Yeah, he does.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07It's nice to meet you
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and I look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11- Thank you very much. Cheers, thank you.- Thank you.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13MUSIC: How Bizarre by OMC
0:12:13 > 0:12:15# How bizarre, how bizarre... #
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Well, we've already seen hundreds of people
0:12:17 > 0:12:20and we're only halfway through our day.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Our experts have been working flat out
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and they've now found their first items to take off to auction
0:12:25 > 0:12:28so don't go away because this is where it gets exciting.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Anything could happen and here's a quick recap
0:12:30 > 0:12:33of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35MUSIC: Love Me Again by John Newman
0:12:35 > 0:12:38# I need to know now, know now
0:12:38 > 0:12:41# Can you love me again? #
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Ruth's classic Clarice Cliff fruit bowl
0:12:43 > 0:12:48with its striking abstract design is highly collectable.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Harry's Masai collection with his dad's story
0:12:50 > 0:12:55gives a fascinating glimpse into our recent colonial history
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and I predict Luke's piscatoria -
0:12:57 > 0:12:59or fishing reels to you and me -
0:12:59 > 0:13:01will net a few bidders.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04# Can you love me again?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07# Now I'm rising from the ground
0:13:07 > 0:13:09# Rising up to you... #
0:13:09 > 0:13:12We've travelled a short distance to the market town of Stourbridge
0:13:12 > 0:13:14and Fieldings Auctioneers,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17where we're always assured of a warm welcome
0:13:17 > 0:13:19from our very own Nick Davies.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Seller's commission here at Fieldings is 18%.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26First up is our old friend, Clarice Cliff.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Clarice never lets us down.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Well, it has on two occasions over about 13 years of filming
0:13:32 > 0:13:36so the percentage is up there. Look, good luck with this.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Thank you.- I know you need the money, don't you?- Yes, I do.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Tell us all about this.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Well, really, I'm selling it so that I actually can put the money
0:13:43 > 0:13:47into a new production and I will put my play on sometime in the summer.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Is there a role for us two?
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Why not? Now then, my next play will be all about an auction house.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Right, let's put this Clarice Cliff to the test, shall we?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00It's going under the hammer right now.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Lot 170, Clarice Cliff Holborn fruit bowl
0:14:03 > 0:14:04in the original Bizarre pattern,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06£100, straight off on a commission at £100...
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Opening the bidding, do I see 110 anywhere...
0:14:08 > 0:14:11At £100 maiden bid, nice early bizarre pattern...
0:14:11 > 0:14:13At 100, 110 anywhere else...
0:14:13 > 0:14:14110, 120...
0:14:14 > 0:14:16You're out, 110 seated it is...
0:14:16 > 0:14:17At 110, 120 anywhere else...
0:14:17 > 0:14:19We're in the room at 110...
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Are we all sure and done at £110...
0:14:21 > 0:14:22Finished and done...
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- It's good.- I think that's good as well.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Yeah, I'm OK with that.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27Good luck with the play.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Thank you very much. Cheers.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Short and sweet, a confident result for Clarice.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Now, our next item couldn't be more different.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38Going under the hammer right now,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40we have a Masai warrior's shield and some spears -
0:14:40 > 0:14:43good tribal artefacts and I've been joined by Harry,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46who's in full dress with a swagger stick.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Look at this. Ooh!
0:14:48 > 0:14:50So, what's this all about, Harry?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Well, my father was in the prison service in Kenya
0:14:53 > 0:14:56and one of the local Masai tribes gave him the spear and shield.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58This is what he wore every day.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Oh, brilliant, hope it brings you good luck.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03It's going under the hammer right now. Good luck, Harry. This is it.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Any bids and interest? I can open here at 130.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07- 140.- Right, we're in.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09150 in the room? 140 with me. 150.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Right in the distance, I've got you at £150.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Paddle aloft, thank you.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Do I see 160 anywhere else?
0:15:14 > 0:15:18At £150, he'll take them home with him, be sure of that.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20At 150. 160 anywhere else? Last chance.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23At 150 to sell then, all done. Are we finished?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- £150, they've gone. - I'm very happy indeed.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- They'll only rust in the shed. - And I love this.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29And you're obviously going to keep this.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- This is not for sale. - This is part of the wardrobe.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33Fancy dress.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35290, 300, 310, 320...
0:15:35 > 0:15:36'So far, so good.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39'Our lots are racing off the podium.'
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Well, it's time to reel in the bidders
0:15:43 > 0:15:45as we cast out this next lot number.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49And it is those wonderful salmon fishing reels belonging to Luke.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- I think these are quality pieces. - Oh, they're just amazing.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- What's the biggest carp you've ever caught?- 21-pounder.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Oh! Man, that's massive. I've caught a five-pound carp -
0:15:56 > 0:15:58I thought that put up a fight - but 21.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00That is a fish that size, isn't it?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I mean, great fish. Great fish.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Oh, I love my fishing. Right, OK.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Hopefully, we are going to sell these.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10£500 straight off, on a commission at £500.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Do I see 520 anywhere in the room?
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- We're in. £500.- 500.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17520, anywhere else for the reels?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19At £500, maiden bid, on commission.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21520, right in the distance.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23540, 560?
0:16:23 > 0:16:24- That's more like it.- 580?
0:16:24 > 0:16:25600.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- 620, 640...- Yes.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32£620, on commission at 620.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35640. Anybody else want to have a go?
0:16:35 > 0:16:37At £620 on commission.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38With Alison at 620, all done?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Yes, £620.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- That's good, yeah.- That proves fishing memorabilia
0:16:45 > 0:16:46is big business.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48What do you think Mum will do with it, give you some?
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- I know you're studying... - We're going to go halves, yeah.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Going halves? That's all right, that's quite generous!- Well done.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Thank you for coming in. - Yeah, thank you.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58'Quality kit.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59'What a great return.'
0:16:59 > 0:17:02200 with you, sir. At £200, all done.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04That's the end of our first visit to the auction room today.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06We are coming back here later on.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Now, most of us have heard of James Watt, the great Scottish engineer
0:17:09 > 0:17:11and inventor of the steam engine,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13but who was the man behind him?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Well, he's Birmingham's most famous industrialist,
0:17:16 > 0:17:17and he's even on the back of the £50 note.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Go on, go and check who it is.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Well, if you don't know, you're going to find out right now.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31The 18th century was the age of invention,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33discovery and expansion
0:17:33 > 0:17:36on a level that had never been seen before.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40So, it's no wonder that it became known as the Age of Enlightenment.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45In Birmingham, one of the leading lights of the British Enlightenment
0:17:45 > 0:17:48lived here at Soho House in Handsworth.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57When Matthew Boulton moved to Soho House in 1766,
0:17:57 > 0:18:01it was at the centre of a vast 200-acre estate
0:18:01 > 0:18:04overlooking his famous Soho Manufactory,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08the most complete manufacturer of metals in England.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11It was just the first of a long line of visionary
0:18:11 > 0:18:13accomplishments that he achieved
0:18:13 > 0:18:15giving him international fame during his lifetime
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and lasting fame in the history books
0:18:18 > 0:18:22as one of the founding fathers of the Industrial Revolution.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32'Boulton inherited his father's buckle and button business in 1759.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34'And within a year, he had started building his great,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37'one-stop Soho Manufactory
0:18:37 > 0:18:41'that was to revolutionise production methods.'
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Within a few years, it was turning out jewellery, coins, medals,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49decorative objects, fashionable ormolu
0:18:49 > 0:18:51and of course, silver tableware -
0:18:51 > 0:18:53not to mention Sheffield plate -
0:18:53 > 0:18:54and exporting them all over the world.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58And here is a wonderful marble bust of Matthew Boulton himself.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00But this is a Boulton masterpiece.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Boulton's greater skill was as an entrepreneur.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09He could spot talent and an opportunity at distance.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13He didn't need to think twice, he struck when the iron was hot.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16And his greatest partnership was with James Watt,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18the Scottish engineer and inventor.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'Recognising the potential in Watt's early designs,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26'Boulton brought him to Birmingham,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28'and the resulting Boulton and Watt steam engines
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'became the driving force for much of the emerging
0:19:31 > 0:19:32'Industrial Revolution.'
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Boulton's wide-ranging and prodigious talents
0:19:38 > 0:19:41attracted fellow enquiring minds.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46And amongst them, they managed to discover oxygen,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48harness the power of steam...
0:19:49 > 0:19:52..pioneer the theory of evolution...
0:19:53 > 0:19:56..and revolutionise the British pottery trade.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03'In 1766, this elite group of friends
0:20:03 > 0:20:06'founded the Lunar Society
0:20:06 > 0:20:08'with the intention of meeting each month
0:20:08 > 0:20:10'by the light of the full moon.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14'Alongside Boulton were some of the leading thinkers of the day -
0:20:14 > 0:20:15'James Watt,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17'Erasmus Darwin,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19'Joseph Priestley
0:20:19 > 0:20:20'and Josiah Wedgwood.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25'To tell me more about this extraordinary group
0:20:25 > 0:20:28'is Professor Jennifer Tann.'
0:20:28 > 0:20:31So, how and why did the Lunar Society start?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35The Lunar Society was a group of friends.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38It started with just three or four people
0:20:38 > 0:20:42who were local to Matthew Boulton, in this place.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45They were all hugely intelligent
0:20:45 > 0:20:48in different trades and so on,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50and they liked being sociable.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54The 18th century was a coffee house society.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58And it was a society where their business papers
0:20:58 > 0:21:00were full of personal reminiscences as well.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Much more fun to work on than later times.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06So, apart from their obvious intelligence and curiosity,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09what sort of people were they? What sort of chaps were they?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Remembering that some of them were Nonconformists,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14so they didn't belong to the established Church of England,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16so they couldn't have gone to university,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18to Oxford and Cambridge.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Er, others were sons of tradespeople,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25like Matthew Boulton himself.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29But it was a time when people could be very upwardly mobile socially.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33And Boulton opened this house
0:21:33 > 0:21:36to visitors from overseas
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and, erm, the nobility from here.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41He courted them for his own business.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- Sure. They were clients? - Yes, indeed.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46But he also loved it.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48They played, they had fun.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Sure, and bounced ideas, as you say, off of each other.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- Indeed, I think they built on the ideas of each other.- Yes.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57There was a little bit of teasing about competition
0:21:57 > 0:22:01between Josiah Wedgwood, the potter, and Matthew Boulton,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04because Boulton wanted to make cameo brooches.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06And he said, something like,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09"Well, I think I might become a potter, too."
0:22:09 > 0:22:11And Wedgwood sort of said, "What?!"
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- But this didn't happen and they remained the best of friends.- Sure.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16All very successful men.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19So, set the scene, OK? Let's say the Lunar Society are meeting.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20It's not quite the full moon today,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23but paint the picture of supper time here.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Well, they'd start about two o'clock in the afternoon.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29So, they'd arrive in daylight in their carriages
0:22:29 > 0:22:31and would travel really some distance.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Erasmus Darwin came from Lichfield,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36which would have taken a while to get here.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37But they rolled up about that time.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Dinner was a sort of three o'clock in the afternoon onwards kind of meal.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43Lasting through to the early hours...
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I think the "onwards" was the operative word.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Lots of fine wine.- Yes.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Boulton had a wonderful cellar.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52But they'd sit round here and share ideas,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55building on, "Have you heard about this?
0:22:55 > 0:22:56"What about the other?"
0:22:56 > 0:23:01For instance, when the Montgolfiers in France sent up the balloon,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Erasmus Darwin tried to send Matthew Boulton a balloon from Lichfield,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08but it got blown some distance to Hagley Hall instead.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Fabulous, really, isn't it, to think that, you know,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13some of the discussions and inventions that took place
0:23:13 > 0:23:17from here have really shaped Britain's history in some way.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Yes, it has. It has made a huge contribution.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23There were lots of other coffee clubs,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25but nothing quite like the Lunar Society,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28which was deliberately kept informal,
0:23:28 > 0:23:29no minutes,
0:23:29 > 0:23:30no membership list,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32nothing.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Just a network of friends who had fun,
0:23:35 > 0:23:36who played,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39who sparked off each other intellectually.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42And had huge, huge curiosity
0:23:42 > 0:23:45about life and the external environment.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48They were really extraordinary people.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52And when Boulton died and it had really fizzled out,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56and some of them had died already and left the area and so on,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59it just got left as a sort of...
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- ..episode in time.- Which is lovely, isn't it?- Yes.- It really is.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Since those heady days nearly 250 years ago,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Soho House has being a vicarage,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19a girls' school, a hotel and a police hostel.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23But thankfully, it has now been returned to its former glory,
0:24:23 > 0:24:24when it entertained a group of friends
0:24:24 > 0:24:27who would help shape our future.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30And Josiah Wedgwood summed up the Lunar Society by saying,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32"We were living in the age of miracles,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35"in which anything could be achieved."
0:24:38 > 0:24:41# One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock rock
0:24:41 > 0:24:44# Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock rock
0:24:44 > 0:24:46# Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock rock
0:24:46 > 0:24:49# We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
0:24:49 > 0:24:51# Put your glad rags on... #
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Welcome back to our valuation day
0:24:53 > 0:24:56here at Birmingham's Museum and Art Gallery.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58It's now time to catch up with our experts
0:24:58 > 0:25:01to see what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Let's take a closer look at what James Lewis has just spotted.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Tom, I have to say, you're the sort of person I would expect to
0:25:12 > 0:25:17be wandering around Birmingham with an iPad or a laptop.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20An inkwell? I guess you've inherited it from someone, yeah?
0:25:20 > 0:25:24No, no, I've bought myself a couple of years ago.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26I bought it in the NEC.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- So you're a collector? - Oh, yes, yes, yeah.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Lovely, OK, so what attracted you to that?
0:25:32 > 0:25:33Well, I collect inkwells,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- so there was, like, a link there. - OK, yeah.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41And compared to my other ones, this one stood out to me,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- because of the decorative features to it...- Yeah.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49- ..and the quality, which I like too. - Yeah, let's have a look.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52We've got a pineapple-shaped, hobnail cut,
0:25:52 > 0:25:56clear glass well in the centre, with a silver cover,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00hallmarked in the top. Rupert Favell is the maker.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02We've got the lion and we've got the K,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- which is the date letter for 1885. - Gosh.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Erm, the base is nicely engraved
0:26:07 > 0:26:12and we've got a whole sea of leafy acanthus scrolls
0:26:12 > 0:26:14on a matted ground.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- You see these little pinpricks that have been hammered in?- Yeah.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Just gives the ground that bit of texture,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22so that the engraving stands out.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Now, whenever you have a well that is detachable,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- the first thing you must make sure is that that matches that.- Yeah.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33And you've got that same engraving around the outside, so good news.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34Now, value...
0:26:34 > 0:26:36I don't want to know what you paid
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- because that will affect what I tell you.- Yeah.- Erm...
0:26:40 > 0:26:44£80-£120, I think it's pretty enough to make that.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49- I think if it made any less, I'd be disappointed.- So would I.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53OK, oh, no. OK, what did you pay?
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- I paid about 300.- Did you?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58OK, right, that's your difference,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02a lot of the time, between auction price and retail.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06- Yeah.- And we all know that all the shows that are on the TV,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08how difficult it is
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- to buy retail, and sell and get your money back.- Yes.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14And of course, the dealer, he may well, he or she,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17may well have bought it from auction, may have bought it for,
0:27:17 > 0:27:22say, 130, £150, then paid the buyer's premium on the top,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25and then they've got their petrol, their stall costs,
0:27:25 > 0:27:26all the overheads...
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Yeah.- ..and they've got to earn a salary out of it.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31So a lot of the time, you're paying double
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- what your dealer has paid for it at the fairs.- Yeah, yeah.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34How do you feel?
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- All right, all right. - Sure?- I think so, yes.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40OK, so what are you going to do?
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Are you going to reinvest the money in something different?
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- Erm, antiques, still antiques. - Brilliant, well done you.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Have a look at the auction when you go,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52and the key to an auction is not to set your heart on one thing.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54If you're going to buy and then sell it on,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56it's go and look at that auction
0:27:56 > 0:27:58and mark everything in the catalogue.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- Yes.- It doesn't matter if you like it or not.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03If you're doing it to make a profit, mark everything,
0:28:03 > 0:28:08pick up the bargains, sell them and use the money to buy what you love.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- Sounds perfect. - That's the way to do it.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14It's so nice to see somebody of your age with an interest,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- and I hope you do really well with it.- Thank you.- Well done, you,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18and I'll see you at the auction.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- Thank you very much. - Lovely to see you.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Top tips from James.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25MUSIC: Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Now, I've got a story for you.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Now, have you ever wondered why Birmingham silver,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32and I've got an example here,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34has the assay mark of an anchor stamped on it?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37You're completely landlocked, you're in the middle of the country,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39yet you have an anchor as a hallmark.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Well, there is a rather simple explanation.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Matthew Boulton, the famous silversmith and manufacturer,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48was lobbying for an assay office in Birmingham,
0:28:48 > 0:28:50and also in Sheffield at the same time.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52Now, he went down to London to do this,
0:28:52 > 0:28:57and with his colleagues, they got granted the rights for one.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00So they went off to a pub called the Crown and Anchor,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03and legend has it, that's where they tossed the coin,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05and Birmingham got the anchor,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07which you can quite clearly see here,
0:29:07 > 0:29:09and Sheffield got the crown.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13And now over to Master Plant
0:29:13 > 0:29:16for a lesson in English ceramic history.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- Roy.- Yes.- This is quite a feminine object, really, isn't it?
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- Yeah.- Two burly chaps,
0:29:24 > 0:29:28sitting in between a Blue Children Doulton Burslem vase.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Tell me, how has it come into your possession?
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Well, it was my mother-in-law's originally.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38She was in service in the 1920s and '30s, at Reddings Road, Moseley,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42and the lady who owned the house went to Canada,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- and she gave it to her as a going-away present.- Oh, really?
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- Yeah, she was an upstairs maid, my mother-in-law.- An upstairs maid?
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- Yeah.- Fabulous, I bet you she saw some stuff.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Oh, yeah, some of the stories she told.- Yeah?
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Like two of them working a vacuum cleaner,
0:29:56 > 0:29:58one jumping up and down on the bellows
0:29:58 > 0:30:00and the other one working the hose.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- Isn't that fabulous?- Yeah.- I hear this story quite a lot, actually.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Somebody's been in service, and their employer gave them a gift,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10erm, and, you know, when they left their service.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14And what a lovely gift. Did she prize it highly?
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- She did, indeed, you know, it had pride of place in her house.- Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21And then, the last 20 years of her life, she came to live with us...
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Yeah.- ..and she gave it to us as a present, like, you know.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25Well, that's very sweet.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28So, it's a classical shape, almost campana.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Campana is a little different, it has handles here,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34but ovoid Greek-urn-shaped.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36And it's, as I've mentioned, it's by Doulton Burslem,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39the art pottery. Part of Royal Doulton,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42British, English porcelain, beautifully done.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44And you've got the mark there, for Doulton Burslem,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46and the little England mark,
0:30:46 > 0:30:47- and that helps you date it.- Yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Dates it between 1891 and 1910.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53The gilding is superb -
0:30:53 > 0:30:57this lovely gold handle, the decoration here,
0:30:57 > 0:30:58a quality piece.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03And this type of decoration, we call Blue Children ware,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06cos the children are always blue, and it's a lovely scene, isn't it?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- It is, indeed. - You've got a little girl on a bench
0:31:09 > 0:31:12with her dolly, talking to a toad.
0:31:12 > 0:31:17- Yes.- Is she imagining if she kisses that toad, it turns into her prince?
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It could be...yeah. THEY LAUGH
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Have you ever...had ideas of value?
0:31:23 > 0:31:24Not really...
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I did have an idea in 1988, but...
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- 1988, yeah?- But evidently, it's gone down since then.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I'm afraid, this is my thing I was going to say to you,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35it's great quality but it's one of these things
0:31:35 > 0:31:38which is almost yesterday's antiques.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43In the late '80s, early '90s, these were making £600-£800.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45You know, good money.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- Yes.- Today, it's probably not making as much.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- No.- I'd probably almost half it, to be candid.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Between £300-£400, with a reserve at 200.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Don't give it away.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58But the size is going for it.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Are you happy with that?
0:32:00 > 0:32:01Yes, I think that's fair enough.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05I mean, it's better to be sold than get broke on my sideboard.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Is that where it is at home?
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Well, it's been on the sideboard, yeah,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12but we've got a great-grandson who comes and...
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- How old is he?- He's three, now. - You don't want to have it around
0:32:15 > 0:32:16with him, he'd be like this.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19I've got a four-year-old... "Can I have a look at this, please?"
0:32:19 > 0:32:22They tend to kick and throw before they...
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- before they let you know. - Yeah, of course, of course,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26I think you're doing the right thing,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29and maybe your great-grandson might benefit from the sale.
0:32:29 > 0:32:30That's right.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32MUSIC: Time On My Hands by Al Bowlly
0:32:32 > 0:32:38# Time on my hands You in my arms... #
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Well, Joyce and Bob, welcome to Flog It!
0:32:41 > 0:32:46Erm, I have to say, somebody about 130, 140 years ago,
0:32:46 > 0:32:51has either left you together their entire personal timekeeping,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53- one for the home and one for travel...- Mm-hmm.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56..or are these things that you've bought separately
0:32:56 > 0:32:57or inherited separately?
0:32:57 > 0:33:02- Yes.- OK.- The main clock, the large clock is an inherited timepiece
0:33:02 > 0:33:05that goes back to pre-1900,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09and that was owned by my father's mother and father.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Let me stop you there, because you've said "a timepiece".
0:33:13 > 0:33:15And actually, as an auctioneer,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17- I only learnt it relatively recently...- Hmm.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20..that there is a difference between a clock and a timepiece.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Oh, right.- Do you know what it is? - No.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25A clock chimes,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28so it's got a gong, or if it's got a bell,
0:33:28 > 0:33:29- then it's a clock.- Oh, right.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32If it hasn't, it's a timepiece,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34- and that's the definition of the two.- Oh, right.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38So here we have one, and I think you've just about dated it
0:33:38 > 0:33:42- precisely what I would have said as well, about 1900 in date.- Yeah.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47This is a mantle clock with mercury compensating pendulum,
0:33:47 > 0:33:49and with the mercury,
0:33:49 > 0:33:53you could add little drops of mercury into these glass tubes
0:33:53 > 0:33:55to change the weight,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57- keeping the time correct on the clock.- Right.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59We've got an ivory in-dial,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01a visible escapement, Roman numerals.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03We've got a circular gong,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06which is associated with Continental pieces,
0:34:06 > 0:34:11and again, that will date it to after about 1880.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Generally, before then, you would find a bell.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16So, that's that, but this little chap,
0:34:16 > 0:34:18what a beautiful little watch.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- Hmm.- Gorgeous, isn't it? - What's the story with that?
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Well, that goes back to my grandfather.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28He used to regularly go to a local pub
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- on the edge of Birmingham... - Right.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33..and somebody came up to him and said,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37- "Would you like this watch?" - No, I don't believe it.
0:34:37 > 0:34:38"Cos I need to have a drink."
0:34:38 > 0:34:44So consequently, for about £2,
0:34:44 > 0:34:46- he gave him £2 to buy... - You hear these stories.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49..quite a few pints in those days, I should think,
0:34:49 > 0:34:50going back to the '70s,
0:34:50 > 0:34:54and he ended up having that in exchange for the £2.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Well, it's a great little watch.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Well, the man in the pub was trying to flog a lady's fob watch.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- Yes.- Yes.- So we've got an outer case that's engraved
0:35:04 > 0:35:06with foliate scrolls around the outside,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08which is typical of the period.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10And then inside, we've got a movement,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12and the movement is inscribed,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- "The Waltham Watch Company, Massachusetts".- Uh-huh.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Now, Waltham was the leading manufacturer
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- of watch movements...- Right, uh-huh.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24..and they exported them in their hundreds and thousands,
0:35:24 > 0:35:25probably millions.
0:35:25 > 0:35:30And we've got a Continental ten-carat gold case.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32You've got a top winder on there,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34which would date it to 1900, or slightly later.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39Pre-1900, they tended to be key-wound. Now, value...
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- There's a bit of a chip to the enamel at the bottom, there.- Mm-hmm.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44There's also a chip to the glass case that
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- I didn't see to start with.- Yeah.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- But the biggest problem is that... - HE TAPS ON GLASS
0:35:49 > 0:35:51- That's a new piece. - That's a new piece.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53We've got three bevelled glass panels,
0:35:53 > 0:35:54- and then a new piece here...- Yeah.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Yes.- ..which does considerably lower the value.- Hmm.- Oh, right.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59So taking all that into consideration,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I think £100-£150 is the right sort of investment.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07- This little chap, though, really like that.- It's a very nice watch.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- I should think that's going to be worth around the same as this.- Hmm.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Around £100, probably.- Yeah.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16I would have hoped, maybe, a little bit nearer the 200 level.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21- OK.- But if you say 150, if that was a sort of reserve price?
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- These things, you've got to be comfortable in letting them go.- Yes.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- Hmm.- So, if you feel that anything less than 150
0:36:27 > 0:36:29you wouldn't be happy with, don't sell it at less,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- and let's put £150 on it. - Yeah, yeah.- Hmm.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- It's got a chance.- I think so, yeah. - Yeah, right.- Certainly, yeah.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36- But it would certainly be a pretty thing to have.- Yeah.- Right.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- So, sale it is.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- Good luck, and I think we'll do all right.- Thanks very much.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Well, it's now time to say goodbye
0:36:44 > 0:36:47to our incredible valuation day venue,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Birmingham's Museum and Art Gallery.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52And who'd think that when we started filming here this morning,
0:36:52 > 0:36:56the incredible stories that we would uncover here today?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59And I hope you've learnt a thing or two, because I certainly have,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02but right now it's off to the auction room for the very last time.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04This is where anything could happen,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07so don't go away, it's going to get rather exciting.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10We've got some gems to go under the hammer, and here's a quick recap.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Let's hope we can recoup some of the £300
0:37:17 > 0:37:19budding antique dealer Tom paid
0:37:19 > 0:37:20for his inkwell.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Roy's impressive Doulton vase, a beautiful example of
0:37:26 > 0:37:28quintessential English porcelain,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31at a knockdown price.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34And a pair of stunning timekeepers,
0:37:34 > 0:37:35and highly collectable.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46We're back at Fieldings Auction Rooms in Stourbridge,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48and it's a packed saleroom today.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51All done and finished?
0:37:51 > 0:37:55First up is Tom, our budding Flog It! expert.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59I think every good old traditional partner's desk needs an inkwell,
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- don't you?- It does.- There's definitely room for inkwells,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- they set the scene.- Yeah.
0:38:03 > 0:38:04Now, what do you think we're going to get?
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- Will we get you your money back? - I think that's a struggle.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10- Maybe two.- Two?- Two on a good day. - OK, it's a nice thing,
0:38:10 > 0:38:12- I like the pineapple.- Yeah.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14That draws me in. OK, look, good luck.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- Thanks, fingers crossed. - This could be an expensive lesson.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Here we go. We're putting it to the test.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21402, which is a Victorian hallmarked silver
0:38:21 > 0:38:25clear glass inkwell, London '80-'85, nice example.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- Straight in at £100. £100 then, that's the bidding at 100.- Good.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Do I see 110 in the room anywhere?
0:38:29 > 0:38:31At £100, maiden bid, first and last, it'll be.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34110, 120, 130, says no.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36120 on a commission it is, then.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37120, with Andrew on commission.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39130, anywhere else?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42At £120, and I'm selling, all done at 120...
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- And the hammer's gone down. You were spot on, James, spot on.- Yeah.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48- That's a knock.- Yes.- It is a knock.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Hopefully, your others that you have bought have given you good returns
0:38:52 > 0:38:53or they will in the future.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57Yes, yes, I briefly bought an ink Art Deco Bakelite,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59and I sold it for triple the money,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- so I was very pleased with that. - Oh...- That's good.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03This is the good thing about collecting,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- cos it does in the end balance out.- Yeah, it does.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- You never make a big killing on something, a big profit...- No.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10..because that takes care of the losses,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13but if you can break even, learn something, enjoy the journey
0:39:13 > 0:39:16and have a great collection, that's what antiques is all about.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18- What more could you want? - Now, that's it. We're lucky,
0:39:18 > 0:39:19being in this trade, aren't we?
0:39:19 > 0:39:22We are, I mean, the thing is, also, you know, as you get older,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25all the things you've made losses on, you will forget about,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27but all those things you bought really well,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29- that's what you'll remember.- Yes.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34So join the club - win or lose, we love what we do.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Going under the hammer right now,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38we've got some Doulton Burslem belonging to Roy.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Now, we've got a little bit of a change here in the valuation,
0:39:42 > 0:39:44because we had 300-400, Thomas,
0:39:44 > 0:39:46- with a fixed reserve at 200... - Mmm-hmm.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49..kind of brings the valuation down to two to four.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- But you really want a fixed reserve at three.- That's right.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57So it has to make 300 on that hammer to sell.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Would you be disappointed if it only made 280 or 260?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- I would, to be honest. - So it means something to you.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- Yes, it does, indeed. - OK, OK, I'm sure it should sell.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07We're going to put that to the test right now.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08This is where it gets exciting,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10cos we're all feeling quite nervous over this one.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- Roy, good luck, OK? - Thank you.- This is it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17The 20th century Doulton Burslem Blue Children vase, there we are,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19twin-handled example, got telephone interest on this as well.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22- Telephone interest, it's going to sell.- Good, telephone interest.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Open at 270.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28I look for 280 in the room. 280 in the room before I go to the phones.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30270 with me, 280 in the room anywhere before I go to the phone?
0:40:30 > 0:40:33280, 290 with me. 300, sir?
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- 300 out and down the room at 300. - It's gone.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Do I see 310 now anywhere else, before I go to the phone?
0:40:37 > 0:40:40At 310 on the telephone, Adrienne, would you like to bid 310?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42320? Are you sure?
0:40:42 > 0:40:43Can't tempt you?
0:40:43 > 0:40:45320, anywhere else?
0:40:45 > 0:40:46310, all done, on the phone...
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Roy, it's sold, £310.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52- Dead on the mark.- So you didn't need to meddle with it, did you?
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Mind you, I don't blame you protecting it.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59And now, it's our final lot, Bob and Joyce's timekeepers.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04The saleroom has divided them into two lots. First up is the watch.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06So did you take a shine to this watch?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- It's a ladies' watch, Joyce. - Yeah, it's pretty,
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- but it's always in the drawer... - It's very pretty.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- ..you know, I've only had it for about 20 years.- It's exquisite.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14It's a shame it's not English,
0:41:14 > 0:41:16- as we all know, it would be £300-£400...- Yeah.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- ..but nevertheless, it's quality, and it looks good.- Lovely quality.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21We're going to put it to the test now, here we go.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25£120, takes the bid out at 120.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I'll go to the lady right at the back first, 130.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30140, 150, 160, 170,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33180, 190, 200, 210,
0:41:33 > 0:41:35220, says no.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36210, right in the back, paddle aloft.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38220, anywhere else in the room?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41For £210, she's stuck with it all the way at 210.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42220, anywhere else?
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- At £210, we're selling the little fob watch...- £210.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- Wow.- Jeez.- Now, don't get too excited, OK?
0:41:49 > 0:41:52That was just part one of this lot, because right now,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54going under the hammer, the mantle clock.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55This is it.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59- £170...- Oh.- Oh, wow.- Good.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01180, 190, 200.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03210, 220, 230,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05240, 250.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08240, the lady's bid. 250, anywhere else?
0:42:08 > 0:42:09250, fresh bidder. 260...
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- This is good, isn't it?- It is good. - It's wonderful.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14290. 300, 310.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16320, says no. Thank you, anyway.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18310, gentleman's bid, now.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20320, anywhere else?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22At £310, are we all sure and done at £310?
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Finished? All done?
0:42:25 > 0:42:26- Well done.- Yeah.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- So, begs the question, doesn't it? - Wonderful, thank you very much.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- All that money, how are you going to spend it?- Oh...
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Well, we were going to buy something here,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36some Moorcroft or something, but...
0:42:36 > 0:42:38- we can't afford it. - But we can't afford it.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42£22, on my left, at 22, are we all done..?
0:42:42 > 0:42:44£5 for this one...
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Well, there you are, that's it, it's all over for our owners.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Another day, in another saleroom, and how exciting was that?
0:42:54 > 0:42:58Because it was so touch-and-go, I've nearly lost my voice,
0:42:58 > 0:42:59I've been so nervous for our owners.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01If you've got anything you want to sell,
0:43:01 > 0:43:03we would love to do that for you.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Details, you can pick upon our website or check the details
0:43:09 > 0:43:12in your local press. Dust them down, bring them in, and we'll flog them,
0:43:12 > 0:43:16but until then, it's goodbye from all of us here in Stourbridge.