0:00:06 > 0:00:08What a wonderful day for a stroll.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11I'm in one of the few remaining formal gardens
0:00:11 > 0:00:13of the early part of the 18th century.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17And all of this is overlooked by this very impressive,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19French-style chateau.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22But I'm not on the Continent - I'm actually in Bedfordshire.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27This is Wrest Park, home for our valuations for one day.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:53 > 0:00:57For over 600 years, the estate of Wrest Park was home to one
0:00:57 > 0:01:01of the leading aristocratic families in the country, the de Greys.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08The present house, built in the 1830s
0:01:08 > 0:01:11in the 18th-century French style,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13provided a sumptuous setting for the family
0:01:13 > 0:01:15throughout the Victorian era.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Today it's owned by English Heritage, which is
0:01:21 > 0:01:24working hard to restore the house and the three centuries
0:01:24 > 0:01:27of English garden design that is Wrest's crowning glory.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32MUSIC: Get Lucky by Daft Punk
0:01:32 > 0:01:35What could be more fitting than this?
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Especially on a day like today, that we hold our valuations outside,
0:01:38 > 0:01:39here by the formal gardens,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42overlooking these magnificent grounds.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And just look at all these people here, lining the terrace!
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Hundreds have turned up from Bedfordshire and beyond,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51laden with antiques and collectables,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54here to ask our experts that all-important question - which is...
0:01:54 > 0:01:57ALL: What's it worth?!
0:01:57 > 0:01:59CHEERING
0:02:02 > 0:02:05And already feeling at home in this palatial setting
0:02:05 > 0:02:07is queen of the collectables,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10and everybody's favourite, Anita Manning.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- Hello, Anita. - Hello, and nice to see you.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I see you every programme you do.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Well, I've got a feeling you're a bit of star.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19What, at 91 years old?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- 91 years old!- Yes!
0:02:21 > 0:02:24You only look about 23.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28And joining the ever-charming Anita
0:02:28 > 0:02:32is another lady with enviable pedigree in the antiques world -
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Christina Trevanion.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35- Hello!- Hello.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- Who's was that? - It was dug up from the ground.- No!
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- Yes, I used to dig for Victorian bottles on a very old dump.- Oh, wow!
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Did he disappear every weekend, digging up stuff?
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- He did, at one time. - Was that encouraged or not so much?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49I'm quite happy.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55We've got plenty of our own digging to do today to uncover
0:02:55 > 0:02:57all of those antiques and collectables.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00So let's get this show on the road.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05There are plenty of seats ready for this eager crowd as they make
0:03:05 > 0:03:09their way round the house and down through the formal terraces.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Later on in the show, we'll be finding out about the people
0:03:12 > 0:03:15who made Wrest what it is today.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19But not before Anita entertains us with her vivid imagination.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Margaret, maybe he lusted after an Alvis car,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27and this was the nearest that he could get to them.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31And Christina makes a top-class discovery.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35This, really, is the creme de la creme
0:03:35 > 0:03:36of chess pieces.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38But you'll have to wait to see
0:03:38 > 0:03:42which of our items gets the most playtime at auction.
0:03:42 > 0:03:4350 at the back, and five.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Ooh, ooh, ooh!
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Thank you.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- Sold! Karen, that's brilliant news! - It's amazing.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56This little area of the garden that we've taken over
0:03:56 > 0:03:58is our research area.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01This is where we have off-screen experts working very hard
0:04:01 > 0:04:04behind the scenes, finding out about the item and the owner
0:04:04 > 0:04:06before they hit the valuation tables,
0:04:06 > 0:04:07which is over there, look.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Lights, camera, action - that's where we're going right now,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12and we're catching up with Anita Manning,
0:04:12 > 0:04:13who's spotted her first item.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I like this little bachelor's tea service.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Can you tell me, where did you get it?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I got it from a car-boot sale.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- Is this a car-boot sale story? - It is, yes.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Oh, I love it, I love it!
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Did you have to pay a lot of money for it?
0:04:30 > 0:04:32It was £10, it was in a box with other items.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37That was a great bargain for £10. You're obviously an expert.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And it shows you, if you're up there early enough in the morning,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and you're searching and rummaging, you can find good things,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46and this is a good thing.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48It's called a bachelor's tea service
0:04:48 > 0:04:52because it only holds maybe a couple of cups of tea.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54And it would have been the service
0:04:54 > 0:04:57that a young man would have had his rooms.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03Three pieces - a teapot, a sugar and a little milk jug.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Now, it's in quite extravagant pattern.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09It's what we call, "in the rococo style."
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Did you notice any marks on it,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14or were you looking for any marks, Karen?
0:05:14 > 0:05:18No, no - I just thought it was a pretty set, and I just liked it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20You've got a good eye.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- This is silver.- Oh, lovely.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27We have on here the lion, which is the assay mark.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31We have the crown that tells you it was made in Sheffield.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And we have a little letter date here.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38And that tells us the date, 1900.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42And we maker's name here.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47And this is JD & S - that's Dixon and Sons.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Now, how much is it worth?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- I've no idea.- It is silver.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55I think there's maybe 15oz in it.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59And I would like to put an estimate of 80-140 on that.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- Would you be happy to sell it at that price?- Yes, I would, yes.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- That was a great investment. - It was, wasn't it?- For your £10.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Yes, definitely.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13And think of all the dosh you'll have to go out and reinvest
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- in antiques in your boot sales. - Yes, definitely.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20To get that wonderful buzz from the thrill of the chase.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24And from that gleam Anita's eye,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I think it's a thrill she's quite familiar with.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34How many people need six pocket watches, do we think?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37My dad was a great collector of watches.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Actually, people used to give him watches.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42He used to mend them as well.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Where did his interest in pocket watches come from, do you think?
0:06:45 > 0:06:46I honestly don't know,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49because he actually worked for Vauxhall for 42 years.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51And he had ten children,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53and I suppose this was his part-time hobby
0:06:53 > 0:06:56that he could wander away and just get into.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Tinkering away in his shed.- Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01So really, these represent him trying to avoid ten children.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Exactly. THEY LAUGH
0:07:03 > 0:07:05We've got six pocket watches.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- A lot of these, unfortunately, have seen better days.- OK.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10We've got quite a few hairline cracks,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12we've got some hands missing -
0:07:12 > 0:07:15so they do represent a bit of a mishmash, don't they?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Yes.- Bless them. The two I think we're going to talk about
0:07:17 > 0:07:20which are the most interesting are the central one here,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22which is a little ladies' open-face fob watch.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25It's got a really sweet little gilt dial, a gilt-decorated dial on it.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- It's very pretty. - It's really pretty, isn't it?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30And I love the fact you've got
0:07:30 > 0:07:34the maker's name on there, which is Skarratt and Co, Worcester.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36So it's a Worcester maker, and then it's stamped Swiss -
0:07:36 > 0:07:39so it's got a Swiss movement in it, which is great.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Swiss movements are really the best of the best.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45And this is in silver, possibly silver plate.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47We can see... Can you just see on that loop there
0:07:47 > 0:07:49where the silver is coming through there?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53So I think we've got a silver case and a silver-plated ring there,
0:07:53 > 0:07:54or suspension ring.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57And the second one is this one, which is a gents' watch.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00And if we open it, I always think that pocket watches quite superb
0:08:00 > 0:08:01when you get into the movement.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05- I mean, look at that, just fabulous. - It's wonderful, isn't it?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And we've got a maker here, which is Marshall, Sunderland.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11So, again, good, British watch. Really lovely thing.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14And has got a lovely hallmark on here which tells us it's Victorian.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18We've also got a nice movement number on the back there.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21And again, a further hallmark in there. Nice little lot.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24They certainly represent a good cross-section
0:08:24 > 0:08:26of pocket watches and fob watches,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28probably towards the late 19th century.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Is there a market for pocket watches at auction? Yes there is.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34They do have an intrinsic value,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36because they've obviously got the silver cases,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38so we have got some value there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41But obviously, it's a bit tricky...
0:08:41 > 0:08:42When was the last time you wore a pocket watch?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Well, who does wear them nowadays?
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Having said that, I think at auction,
0:08:47 > 0:08:52you might be looking at the £80-120 region for them.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I would suggest possibly selling them without reserve,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- if you just wanted to get rid of them.- Yeah.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00But if we put 80-120, then I think it certainly stands a good chance
0:09:00 > 0:09:02of selling the group at that, and I'd sell them as one lot.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- One lot, yeah.- How do you feel about that?- Yeah, that's great.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- Is that all right? - Yes, that's fine.- Super.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- Let's hope they do fly at auction. - Yep.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12MUSIC: It's A Hap-Hap-Happy Day by Joe Loss and his Orchestra
0:09:12 > 0:09:15# It's a hap-hap-happy day
0:09:15 > 0:09:18# Toodle-oodle oodle-oddle-oodle-ay. #
0:09:18 > 0:09:21It's not just the grounds and the formal gardens
0:09:21 > 0:09:22we've taken over today.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Just look at this - we've also commandeered
0:09:25 > 0:09:26certain parts of the house.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Rooms full of people, all enjoying themselves.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- Having a good time, everyone? - ALL: Yes!
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Well, look - fingers crossed, it could be you, you,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35or you going home with lots of money.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37You've got a treasure in your bags and boxes -
0:09:37 > 0:09:38it's our experts' job to find it.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41And that's what we're here to do today.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43So, enjoy yourselves and I'll see you later on.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Paul, thank you so much for bringing these textiles along
0:09:56 > 0:09:59which are items which are very close to my heart.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04They're Paisley shawls, and Paisley is a little town
0:10:04 > 0:10:08just outside of Glasgow, where I come from.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Tell me, how did you come by these?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15These were inherited by my wife
0:10:15 > 0:10:20in 1985 from her father,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24who was passed them down by his grandmother.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28This type of thing was very popular in Victorian times.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33The larger Paisley shawl was used as an overcoat.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38When women wore wide-skirted dresses, like crinolines,
0:10:38 > 0:10:45or frocks with a bustle at the back, to wear a coat was uncomfortable.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49So they would wrap these wonderful Paisley shawls round them,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53and it was very fashionable to have a Paisley shawl.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56And these patterns, in the main, came from Kashmir.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02And there are stories that are told about Paisley textile workers
0:11:02 > 0:11:07going down to the south coast of England to wait for the boats
0:11:07 > 0:11:13coming in from Kashmir to find the new patterns for Kashmiri shawls
0:11:13 > 0:11:17so that they could horse ride all the way back up to Scotland again
0:11:17 > 0:11:19and get the latest patterns.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21I don't know if that was true or not,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24I wasn't around at the time, but I like the idea of it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Now, there are two different types of shawls here.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32This one, with the wonderful traditional pattern.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36The pattern is woven into the material.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39The pattern is part of the material.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41If you look at this one here,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45we see that it's a printed design on it.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51And, obviously, the difference in cost for the manufacturer
0:11:51 > 0:11:55between a woven shawl and a printed shawl was considerable.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00So these would have been a cheaper version
0:12:00 > 0:12:02of the woven Paisley shawl.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05But still very attractive.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07And if we look at this one here...
0:12:07 > 0:12:10This is a lovely pattern here.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14And to tell you the truth, David, it's bang up-to-date.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18You know, with the lovely pattern and these marvellous fringes.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24I would like to put these to auction with an estimate of, say, £60-80.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Would you - and your wife, of course -
0:12:27 > 0:12:29be happy with a valuation at that level?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31That's fine.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36We'll put a reserve of £50, just to protect them,
0:12:36 > 0:12:37but thank you for bringing them along.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- I think they're absolutely lovely. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43MUSIC: Love Me Again by John Newman
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- Having a good time, everyone? - ALL: Yes!
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Well, we have been working flat out.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56And I know everybody's keeping themselves suitably refreshed here
0:12:56 > 0:12:59with lots of cups of tea and bottles of water
0:12:59 > 0:13:01because the temperature is rising.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02But right now, it's going to get even hotter.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05We're going to put those first three valuations to the test
0:13:05 > 0:13:06in the auction room,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09and here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17First up, it's that amazing car boot find -
0:13:17 > 0:13:19I don't know how you guys do it.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Bought as part of a box lot for a tenner?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I bet Karen will make at least ten times that.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28And then there's Yvonne's pocket watches.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Will that tinkering her dad did in the shed pay dividends?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36And a lot from Anita's hometown in Paisley.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Will they catch the eye of a trendsetter in the Home Counties?
0:13:49 > 0:13:53We're heading a short distance south to Tring in Hertfordshire
0:13:53 > 0:13:54for our auction today.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59This estate was once owned by the Rothschild family,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01who built a private zoological museum here.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Now called the Natural History Museum at Tring,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09we visited back in 2009 -
0:14:09 > 0:14:13once housing the largest collection of stuffed animals worldwide.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17The Rothschilds' influence on this area can still be
0:14:17 > 0:14:19seen in the town's unusual symbol -
0:14:19 > 0:14:20a zebra.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26And another established feature of this town
0:14:26 > 0:14:28is Tring Market Auctions,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30where our lots will be in the capable hands
0:14:30 > 0:14:33of auctioneer Stephen Hearn.
0:14:33 > 0:14:3450 at the back, and 5?
0:14:34 > 0:14:365, 80, and 5.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37No, 80 has it then.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39I sell down. Thank you.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Remember, if you're buying or selling at auction
0:14:42 > 0:14:44there is commission to pay.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Here, if you're selling something, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50So factor that in, won't you? Because it can add up.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52At 10, 20 I have.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53260, and 70.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56At £280, and I'm selling down.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Thank you.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Coming up on the show right now, we have some antique textiles.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Yes, textiles, for the first time in a long time.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06And, Paul, you brought them along to the right expert.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Paisley shawls, Glasgow girl, makes sense.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Did you know Anita was going to be there?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- I hoped she was going to be, yes. - Aw, bless!- That's sweet.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17You're everyone's favourite, aren't you?
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- Well, I hope I'm the guys' favourite.- You are, you are.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Paisley shawls - it's a great bit of Scottish heritage, there.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- The colours are marvellous and vibrant.- Yes, they are.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28- And not a lot of money for three. - No.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32You're looking at around £60, £60-80, fingers crossed.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34We're going to put it to the test right now, here we go.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38What about those? £60 for them?
0:15:38 > 0:15:39£30 for them?
0:15:39 > 0:15:405, 40, 5, 50,
0:15:40 > 0:15:425, 60, 5, 70.
0:15:42 > 0:15:4370, I have...
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- £70!- That's good.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46£70...
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- They've gone, hammer's gone down. - Yes.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- That's very good, thank you very much indeed.- Good, spot-on.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Paul seemed pleased with that.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57A good, solid, mid-estimate sale there.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59£150.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01If you want to know the time, ask Yvonne -
0:16:01 > 0:16:04she's got six pocket watches. Why are you selling these?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- We're going to put it towards a family get-together.- Oh, are you?
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Yes.- How big's the family? - There's ten of us.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10There's ten of you in your family.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12And when was the last time you all got together then?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Must be a few years ago.- Oh, really?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- Gosh, it's going to be a big moment. - Big party, I like it.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21You'll all fall out after an hour, if it's anything like my family.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Anyway, look - great pocket watches.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Here we go, they're going under the hammer now.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29There we are, what about these pocket watches,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32where are we going to go on those? 100 for them? 50 for them?
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Yes, 50 we're bid then.
0:16:34 > 0:16:3660, I have. Are you 70, sir? 80...
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Come on, we need more.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- At £90...- That's more like it.- Phew!
0:16:40 > 0:16:41At 90, I shall sell them then.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44They're going down then, you have them for your £90. Thank you.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Well done. Are you happy? - I am very happy.- Good.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50That will go towards a lovely get-together.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Do you think we'll get an invite? - Could do, you could do, yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- Good party? - Well, it's a big party.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I'm sure you'll have a great time, Yvonne.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Now, I'm really intrigued to see what happens with Karen's tea set.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07£160...
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Hopefully, with this next lot,
0:17:09 > 0:17:13we're about to turn a £10 car boot find into £100 plus.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16That's what were hoping for. Do you still go to car boots?
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Yes, certainly.- Keen, yeah?
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- Rain or shine?- More or less.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Look, let's see if we can get the top end of that estimate.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29150 for it. 100?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31£100 for the tea. 110, I'm bid...
0:17:31 > 0:17:33That its scrap value.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37130, 140. £140, with £50 now.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38At 140, you lose it.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41There's a new bidder, look. 150.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44150, I've got 150. 160.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46And 70, and 80, perhaps.
0:17:46 > 0:17:4890 now? Yes, 190.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- Karen, that's a fantastic result! - That's amazing!
0:17:50 > 0:17:54220. Sold then at £220 there.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Sold! To the chap over there!
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Karen, that's brilliant news! - It's amazing.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00Ten quid in a car-boot sale.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02That's wonderful.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04It just goes to show - if you get up early,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- it is out there, isn't it? - It is, yes.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11And having made 22 times her investment,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13we'll all be setting our alarm clocks
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and heading down to the car-boot sale.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20What a great result to round up our first visit to the auction.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Our valuation day venue, Wrest Park, is something of a rarity.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Not only is it a great example of English architecture
0:18:27 > 0:18:30in the 18th-century style, but within its grounds,
0:18:30 > 0:18:34it contains a collection of statuary of national importance.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38To get a better understanding of who the key players were that made Wrest
0:18:38 > 0:18:42the place it is today, I decided to have a stroll in the park.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54The story starts with Henry Grey,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56the 12th Earl of Kent.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00A cultured man, he inherited the estate of Wrest in 1702,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03and he began to improve the gardens to reflect what
0:19:03 > 0:19:06he had seen on his travels through Europe.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15He created the great garden, a rare example in England
0:19:15 > 0:19:17of a formal woodland garden in the French style.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21A series of rides and paths create the structure.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23And the paths open out onto clearings
0:19:23 > 0:19:26which are populated with monuments and sculpture.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Each opening is intended as a separate event,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40a surprise to be happened upon whilst out wandering.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43And here is one of Henry Grey's statues.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46It's thought to be of his first wife, Jemima,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49peacefully reading here in the dappled sunshine.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Henry did well in the court of Queen Anne,
0:20:01 > 0:20:02rising to Lord Chamberlain,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06despite being disliked by many of his contemporaries.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10They christened him Bug, on account of his strong odour and pomposity.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17And perhaps confirming their slurs, in 1710,
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Henry traded in his office for the title of the Duke of Kent.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23And befitting his increased status,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27he decided the gardens needed to be even grander.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29One notable result is this.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37A superb baroque pavilion.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40It celebrates Henry Grey's elevation to the dukedom.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50And what a statement it makes.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53This is absolutely fantastic, just look at the paintwork.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55It's trompe l'oeil - trick of the eye.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58It gives a wonderful three-dimensional effect,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02with these gorgeous Corinthian columns rising up
0:21:02 > 0:21:05as this building seems to go through three floors.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08It was designed to entertain hunting and fishing parties -
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and, of course, also the odd occasional supper party.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14In these alcoves would have been tables and chairs.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17There's a spiral staircase which goes up to a servants' room
0:21:17 > 0:21:21and also another little staircase which goes down to a small basement
0:21:21 > 0:21:22where there's a kitchen.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24And also down there, believe it or not,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26was a two-seater privy.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Not for me, that.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32You'd have to know somebody really special to use the loo side-by-side.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35But this is absolutely incredible!
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I love it, absolutely love it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48After the Duke's death in 1740,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51the estate was eventually passed down to his great-granddaughter...
0:21:57 > 0:22:02The garden Amabel inherited was densely populated with statues,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05mainly lead figures by the leading sculptors of the day.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Amabel, however, was left with the burden
0:22:10 > 0:22:12of maintaining a crumbling house.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16And in 1809, most of the statues were melted down
0:22:16 > 0:22:18to provide lead for the leaking roof -
0:22:18 > 0:22:20a decision she soon regretted.
0:22:20 > 0:22:26I have here a copy of a letter which is dated 19th March 1809,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28obviously in reply to her change of mind.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29I'll read a little bit out,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31it starts at the bottom of this page.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35"I'm sorry to say that most of the images your ladyship wishes
0:22:35 > 0:22:38"to have remade have been melted down.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42"However, the third Diana at the head of the little canal
0:22:42 > 0:22:44"is yet standing.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47"I hope it will not be of much consequence
0:22:47 > 0:22:49"that the others were inadvertently" -
0:22:49 > 0:22:52which has been crossed out - "removed."
0:22:52 > 0:22:54I wouldn't like to be in his shoes.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58It sounds like her ladyship is a trifle upset.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05In turn, the estate was left to Amabel's nephew...
0:23:10 > 0:23:12In 1833,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15he inherited an outstanding - if depopulated - garden,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19which came with an old house in a state of bad repair.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22So he decided to demolish it and build a new one.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Unusually for the time, he chose to adopt
0:23:27 > 0:23:31an 18th-century French style of architecture,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34probably inspired by the great legacy
0:23:34 > 0:23:36of the estate's formal gardens,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39which had been influenced by French fashions.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Normally with these big houses, the gardens were designed
0:23:44 > 0:23:48to compliment the house, but here, it's the other way around.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51The house was designed by de Grey to fit the garden.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55And what shows that here, more than anything else, is this.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Just take a look.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09A magnificent vista if ever there was one.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21This is the Countess's sitting-room,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25designed by Thomas de Grey for his wife, Henrietta.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27It was his intention that no lady should enter the room
0:24:27 > 0:24:31without thinking the man who designed such a jewel of a place
0:24:31 > 0:24:33would be a sweet man.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37By his own account, he was much satisfied with his efforts.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39And who can blame him?
0:24:39 > 0:24:42From here you can see Thomas, as ever, had the gardens in mind.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46The doors here have been aligned with the doors in the conservatory
0:24:46 > 0:24:50so the Duchess could sit by the fireside here
0:24:50 > 0:24:54and get a clear view of the Italian garden and the walled garden beyond.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58And as de Grey himself put it, she could, if she wished,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02inspect every dung barrow wheeled in by the head gardener.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11So, of course, it wasn't long before Thomas turned his attentions
0:25:11 > 0:25:13back to the gardens.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16He planted formal terraces and French parterres
0:25:16 > 0:25:21to complement his ancestor the Duke of Kent's great garden beyond.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27Importantly, he started repopulating the grounds with statues.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36He deliberately bought statues that were similar in design
0:25:36 > 0:25:39to the ones his ancestors introduced to the gardens,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42even though they were out of vogue in his day -
0:25:42 > 0:25:47for example, these 18th-century lead statues on the French parterre.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49They're by the leading English sculptor John Cheere.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53They've been cast in lead so they're hollow on the inside -
0:25:53 > 0:25:55listen to this -
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and then painted white to imitate marble.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00The two nearest the house are pairs of lovers.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Here, we have Venus and Adonis.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06It seems fitting that we end with the lovers
0:26:06 > 0:26:09because love is the key to Wrest's survival -
0:26:09 > 0:26:11the love and the respect shown by de Grey
0:26:11 > 0:26:15and those who came after him for the legacy of their forbears.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17In doing so, they have left us
0:26:17 > 0:26:21with a remarkable heritage to be proud of.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24MUSIC: Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Back in the fun and the commotion of our valuation area,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33people are still flocking to the tables,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36keeping our off-screen experts very busy.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Having said that,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40the on-screen experts haven't been slacking either.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Very nice.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46That's catch up with the ever industrious Christina Trevanion.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- So, Derek, you've bought Lynne today...- Yes.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50Or, Lynne, did you bring Dad?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- I brought Dad.- You brought Dad, official taxi service.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Official taxi service from Upper Caldecote.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59You've brought these lovely rings to show me. Where have they come from?
0:26:59 > 0:27:03My late wife had them. She's been passed away two-and-a-half years.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Right, I'm sorry to hear that.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08This ring would have been her engagement ring,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12which would have been bought in 1958
0:27:12 > 0:27:15and if I remember rightly, it cost £25.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16£25!
0:27:16 > 0:27:19That must have been an extortionate amount of money in 1958.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Well, it was, because my pay at that time in the Air Force
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- was four guineas a week... - Oh, my goodness.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- ..so you can tell how valuable it was in that day.- Absolutely.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30And very treasured, I'd imagine.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32It is, very sentimental, but the time has come now,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35I've no granddaughters to pass the rings on to.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- They're just sitting there. - Lynne, how do you feel about that?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39I think it's the right time.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43As Dad said, there's no real need for us to have them,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46for me to have them, so I think it's the right time
0:27:46 > 0:27:49to hopefully get something from them that we can remember Mum by.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50What was mum's name?
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Margaret.- Margaret.- Margaret.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- Was it new when you bought it?- No.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57It looks slightly earlier than 1950s.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00No, she wanted value for money and she wouldn't buy a new one.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03She wanted from a good jewellers, one that was second-hand.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Second-hand. It's very beautiful. It's stamped 18 carat in platinum.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It's got an 18 carat gold hoop here
0:28:10 > 0:28:12and it's set in platinum at the top here.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14We've got a lovely little central stone,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16which I think is about a quarter of a carat,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19and then some further little diamond-set shoulders here.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Now, I would say that that's probably 1930s, maybe 1940.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26- Definitely not new when she had it. - No, it was definitely not new.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Where does this one come in to the equation?
0:28:28 > 0:28:32That one would have been made in Malay in Malaysia
0:28:32 > 0:28:35and that would have been made in 1971 or 1972.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39It certainly doesn't look like an English or British style of setting.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43It's also stamped 18 carat, it's not hallmarked
0:28:43 > 0:28:44so there's no British hallmark on there.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Again, we've got a little diamond solitaire on here
0:28:47 > 0:28:51with again some little diamond to the points there.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52A bit of a wider band as well
0:28:52 > 0:28:55which, again, is quite a 1970s feature that we see.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59All in all, two very sweet little rings.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- Are you absolutely sure that now is the right time?- Yes.- Yes.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05I don't want you to regret selling these
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- cos when they're gone, they're gone.- Mmm.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09No, two-and-a-half years has elapsed
0:29:09 > 0:29:13and they're just sitting there, doing nothing.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15I mean, obviously, I cannot and I would not
0:29:15 > 0:29:19put a price on the sentimental value they have attached to them.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21I can tell you what that sort of carat stone
0:29:21 > 0:29:24and that sort of gold content would make at auction.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26I think we're probably looking somewhere in the region of
0:29:26 > 0:29:29maybe £150-200 for the two.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- That's quite OK.- Are you sure?
0:29:31 > 0:29:33- Yes, I'm absolutely sure.- OK.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36I think if we put them in at £150-£200
0:29:36 > 0:29:39with a reserve of 150, cos I think any less than that...
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Yes, I wouldn't let them go for less than that.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43No, quite, and I wouldn't want them to go for less than that.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Let's hope we can find something else to remember Margaret by.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49MUSIC: Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller
0:29:49 > 0:29:53It can be a difficult choice to part with treasured objects.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Let's hope Derek's brave decision pays off at the auction.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00For now, I want to take you
0:30:00 > 0:30:04to a less well-known part of the grounds here at Wrest Park.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09While the valuations are underway on the formal lawn,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11I just had to sneak away
0:30:11 > 0:30:13because there's something I want to show you and it's in here.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It looks rather unassuming, this space,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18but take a look at what's in here.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20JAZZY MUSIC
0:30:20 > 0:30:24This is English Heritage's new archaeological collections store
0:30:24 > 0:30:27at Wrest Park.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32It houses over 153,000 historical artefacts
0:30:32 > 0:30:36spanning over 2,000 years of English history.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40One of the people looking after it all is conservator Beth Stanley.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Beth, I'm pleased to meet you. This is fabulous.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48I said on the way in it was extraordinary
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- and it really does take your breath away.- Thank you.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Well, it's over a third of our entire stored collection.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58It's taken us over two-and-a-half years to get everything here, once it's been packed and moved.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00It took over 80 lorry loads, but now it's here, it's fantastic
0:31:00 > 0:31:03cos it means people can see it and experience it for themselves.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07Do you mind if I become an excited schoolboy for five minutes
0:31:07 > 0:31:09and go and wander off and explore? Can I do that?
0:31:09 > 0:31:10Can I go and touch something and say,
0:31:10 > 0:31:12"Gosh, this is thousands of years old."
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- Please do, just don't get lost. - Thank you. I'm going that way.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17MUSIC: Mercy by Duffy
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Look at these chaps. Aren't they fantastic?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25They're 19th-century bell jacks.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27They're carved in solid oak
0:31:27 > 0:31:30and they were taken from the roof of Columbia Market,
0:31:30 > 0:31:34a building in Bethnal Green in London which no longer survives.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Thank goodness these guys are here.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39MUSIC CONTINUES
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Ooh, look at this.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Could you imagine pushing this around the streets of London
0:31:47 > 0:31:50in the early 1800s? That's where it was used.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51It is portable scaffolding.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Believe it or not, that was used
0:31:53 > 0:31:56to change all the light bulbs in Covent Garden.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Look at that - it's a tiny little copper alloy brooch
0:32:02 > 0:32:04from the 17th century.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07That's a bit of post-mediaeval bling if ever there was some
0:32:07 > 0:32:08and this cute little face on it.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13This really is a journey through our fascinating history and heritage
0:32:13 > 0:32:15and it's all here, in this building.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17MUSIC: Jumpin' At The Woodside by Count Basie
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Well, I could stay for hours,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22but we've got to get cracking with those valuations
0:32:22 > 0:32:25and Anita has found an item I'm particularly keen on.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Margaret, welcome to "Flog It!".
0:32:31 > 0:32:36You are a woman of style and what you have brought along today,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41these wonderful little cocktail sticks, have got bags of style.
0:32:41 > 0:32:42Where did you get them?
0:32:42 > 0:32:43Well, they were my father's
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and he would have had them before the war in the 1930s
0:32:46 > 0:32:47but I don't know any more than that.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Uh-huh.
0:32:48 > 0:32:54These little sticks are enamelled with the name of Alvis on them.
0:32:54 > 0:33:02Now, Alvis was a spectacularly glamorous classic car of the 1930s.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06- Yes.- The 1930s and the Art Deco period, a time of glamour,
0:33:06 > 0:33:10a time of travel, a time of speed, a time of luxury
0:33:10 > 0:33:15and these little things are describing that period to me.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- Did your dad... Was he interested in motoring?- Yes, he was.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24He did have a sports car and it had raced at Brooklands.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28That was obviously before the war and during the war,
0:33:28 > 0:33:29obviously, there weren't cars
0:33:29 > 0:33:34and then afterwards, he did take an interest in various cars.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38Do you know, Margaret, maybe he lusted after an Alvis car
0:33:38 > 0:33:41and this was the nearest that he could get to them.
0:33:41 > 0:33:42That's right, that's right.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44They're in very good condition.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- On the little base here, we have a mark which says silver.- Mm-hmm.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- Now, on silver items, we're really looking for hallmarks.- Yeah.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55What we would call this is a white metal
0:33:55 > 0:33:57and it's quite possibly not silver.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02At the top here, we have this enamelled triangle
0:34:02 > 0:34:06with the name of Alvis, the name of the car.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08They're making me think of the maker Fattorini,
0:34:08 > 0:34:12who made good enamelled objects
0:34:12 > 0:34:17that was sold in prestigious outlets like Asprey's.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22I'm going to put a conservative estimate on these of, say, 25-40.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- Mm-hmm.- Would you be happy to put them forward at that?
0:34:25 > 0:34:29- Yes, yes.- Let's do it and let's have a bit of fun.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33- All right, yes.- We'll keep our eye open for the bidders.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37They might become an accessory to a very stylish couple
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- and be used at their cocktail parties.- Thank you.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43I'll come along with my Alvis car.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Alvis toy car.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I'd be very jealous if you did have one, Margaret.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56Only 22,000 were made between the '20s and the '60s,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59a fraction of which still exists today.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03An important part of British manufacturing history,
0:35:03 > 0:35:04Alvis was the first company
0:35:04 > 0:35:07to mass-produce a front-wheel drive car.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12In 2012, we visited its hometown of Coventry
0:35:12 > 0:35:15and I got to drive my favourite car of all time,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18the TD21 Drophead.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Let's hope the bidders recognise Alvis' individuality and character
0:35:25 > 0:35:28when these cocktail sticks hit the saleroom.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Brenda, this looks like a little box of tricks
0:35:34 > 0:35:36that you've brought for me here.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37Where has it come from?
0:35:37 > 0:35:41From my husband. He was given it in lieu for a job when he did some work.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43He was a carpenter and joiner...
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Oh, OK.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48..and he often got gifts given because he was a good craftsman.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Well, that seems quite appropriate
0:35:50 > 0:35:52because obviously these have been turned in wood.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55We've got boxwood and ebony examples of a chess set.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Yeah, yes.- But I believe we've got a bit missing, haven't we?
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- Yes, the board.- The board, exactly. Where's the board gone?- At home.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05- It going to be picked up, apparently. They've arranged it.- Oh, it is?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Good, so we'll have the board with it as well.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- Do we know whether the board is by the same maker?- I presume so.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16This really is the creme de la creme of chess pieces.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Yes.- Do you know anything about the Staunton Chessmen?- No.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Well, basically, when you think of all the best games boxes,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24fitted games boxes of backgammon sets
0:36:24 > 0:36:27and every other sort of games compendium that you can think of,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29the best of the best was made by Jaques.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31He did luckily stamp his works
0:36:31 > 0:36:35and we can tell this is Jaques because we've got a lovely stamp
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- on the bottom here, which says Jaques London.- Oh, yes.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39- Never noticed it.- Oh, really?
0:36:41 > 0:36:44The immediate thing that I notice when I pick them up
0:36:44 > 0:36:45- is how wonderfully heavy they are.- Yes.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- They're really heavy. They're not going to blow away in a wind. - Lead weight, I think.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Exactly, yes. They are lead weighted
0:36:51 > 0:36:53to make them feel more luxurious, if you like.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Now, I believe that on the earlier pieces,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59only the white ones were stamped,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01so the fact that the black one is stamped as well
0:37:01 > 0:37:04tells us it's maybe a slightly later example.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Early 20th-century, I'd say. They are just fantastic.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10- You've got a complete set.- Yes.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- Were they ever played with?- Yes.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Oh, were they?- Yes, my son and his dad used to play with them.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Why are we selling it?
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Because I'm not interested in chess.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22I can't play it and I've got so many other things
0:37:22 > 0:37:24that, you know, it's just taking up room.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- Perfect, it's the time to sell it. - Yes, true, yes.
0:37:27 > 0:37:28Time to find a home that appreciates it.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29Yes, certainly.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34At auction, they tend to regularly make in the region of £200-300.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39- Yes.- We'd be looking at entering them into an auction at £200-300
0:37:39 > 0:37:42with a reserve of 200, should we need it. Would that be all right?
0:37:42 > 0:37:44- Yes, all right, then, yes. - Is that OK?
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- Yes, thank you.- Super.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- Well, hopefully, there won't be any games played on the day...- No.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51..and we'll get a really good price for them.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Thank you ever so much for bringing them in.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55- Shall we have a quick game? - No, I can't play.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- No board.- No board!
0:37:58 > 0:38:01I think Brenda and Christina might be stumped,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05but the rest of us have had plenty of fun and games.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08MUSIC: Get Lucky by Daft Punk
0:38:08 > 0:38:12Well, what a magnificent day we have had here at Wrest Park.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14We've had a wonderful reception from the people of Bedfordshire
0:38:14 > 0:38:16so thank you very much.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19We've all enjoyed this magnificent historical backdrop
0:38:19 > 0:38:22but right now, we have some unfinished business to do
0:38:22 > 0:38:23in the auction room.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26We're going to put those last valuations to the test
0:38:26 > 0:38:27and while we make our way over there,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30we're going to leave you with a quick recap of all the items
0:38:30 > 0:38:34that go under the hammer as we say goodbye from Wrest Park.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36- Bye-bye. - ALL: Bye.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Winging its way to the saleroom are two diamond rings
0:38:44 > 0:38:46that caught Christina's eye...
0:38:49 > 0:38:51..and then there are those lovely Alvis cocktail sticks,
0:38:51 > 0:38:56a marvellous statement of prewar style and glamour
0:38:56 > 0:38:59and finally, there's Brenda's chess set.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Her husband must have been a fine craftsman
0:39:02 > 0:39:05to have been gifted this top-of-the-range chess set.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Back amongst the hustle and the bustle of the saleroom,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16auctioneer Stephen Hearn is in full swing up on the rostrum.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19£150. Thank you.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Up next, it's the jewellery
0:39:21 > 0:39:24which belonged to Derek's late wife, Margaret.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Going under the hammer right now, we have two rings
0:39:27 > 0:39:29belonging to Derek and he's here with his daughter, Lynne.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Good to see you both. Two good quality rings.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33One was an engagement ring.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36We were engaged for five months and we were married for 53 years.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38- Aw.- Something to aspire to, isn't it?
0:39:38 > 0:39:3953, wonderful... Yes, it is.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- Do you think your wife would put up with you for 53 years?- No, I don't.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45I don't, no, I don't. I hope so!
0:39:45 > 0:39:49Anyway, let's put these rings to the test. Here we go.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53There we are, two gold rings, they're diamond set ones...
0:39:53 > 0:39:54At 150...
0:39:54 > 0:39:56160, 70, 80...
0:39:56 > 0:39:5890...
0:39:58 > 0:39:59190, 200 now...
0:39:59 > 0:40:00And 10, yes...
0:40:00 > 0:40:03220, 230 and 40...
0:40:03 > 0:40:05240 and 50...
0:40:05 > 0:40:06And 60, no...?
0:40:06 > 0:40:10I'm selling then. They're going down for £250 then.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11Thank you.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Yes, the hammer's gone down.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16I should say, well, hang on, it's gone, he sold it. £250.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17- £250.- Brilliant.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- That's great.- That's fantastic. How do you feel?
0:40:19 > 0:40:22- I feel great about that. - Oh, brilliant.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25My wife loved "Flog It!" and she would have been thrilled
0:40:25 > 0:40:28- to know that her rings were being sold on "Flog It!".- Oh!- Aw.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31- Anyway, it's been lovely. - Thank you so much for coming in.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32It's been a pleasure to meet you.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33'I'm so glad they're happy.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37'It was a brave move and clearly the right one for Derek.'
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Next up, my favourite lot of the day.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Good luck, Margaret. Fingers crossed. This is your turn.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Those cocktail sticks are going under the hammer
0:40:51 > 0:40:53and when I saw the sign of the red triangle,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55immediately it went "ding-ding-ding!"
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Yes, Alvis - my favourite classic car.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01I can't afford one because a fully restored one's around £60,000,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04but I could afford the cocktail sticks.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06There we go, I could own an Alvis...ish.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Let's put it to the test, shall we?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Here we go, it's going under the hammer.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13I think we ought to be looking around £50 for these...
0:41:13 > 0:41:1550 or 30, are you 20...?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Yes, you're 5, 30...
0:41:17 > 0:41:205, 40, 5...
0:41:20 > 0:41:2250, 5...
0:41:22 > 0:41:23Yes or no...?
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Well, £50, that's good.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29No? I sell then, they're going down then for £50...
0:41:29 > 0:41:30Thank you.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- Sold, £50.- Thank you.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I'm not surprised they sold for above the estimate.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41There are clearly some bidders here who are Alvis fans, just like me.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Now, it's time for our last lot of the day,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48which once belonged to Brenda's husband.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Well, it could be checkmate right now.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Yes, you know what I'm talking about - Brenda's chess set.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I love this. I have a Staunton chess set,
0:41:56 > 0:41:57my dad gave me it.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59It's early 20th-century, it's exactly the same.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01I've got the same box as well. Love it.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- Why are you selling at and do you play?- No.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06My son doesn't either.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Aw!- I'd rather let somebody who could use it.
0:42:09 > 0:42:10I'm sure.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Do you know, there's plenty of chess collectors out there.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16There's people that play it and there's people that collect it.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17- Yes.- We're going to sell it.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Are we going to break £500 for it?
0:42:21 > 0:42:22Are we going to break 300? We are.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24We got there anyway...
0:42:24 > 0:42:25- Oh!- At 300, we're bid for it...
0:42:25 > 0:42:26Thank you very much...
0:42:26 > 0:42:27£300 is bid!
0:42:27 > 0:42:29And 50, and 80, 380...
0:42:29 > 0:42:30400...
0:42:30 > 0:42:32And 20, and 50...
0:42:32 > 0:42:35480, 500, 520...
0:42:35 > 0:42:37550, 550...
0:42:37 > 0:42:38Look at this, this is unbelievable.
0:42:38 > 0:42:39600, we're bid...
0:42:39 > 0:42:41At 600, we've got it...
0:42:41 > 0:42:4320, 650...
0:42:43 > 0:42:44700 now...
0:42:44 > 0:42:46700. Wow!
0:42:46 > 0:42:47Really?
0:42:47 > 0:42:48£700.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50It's going, I sell then...
0:42:50 > 0:42:52For £700...
0:42:52 > 0:42:53Thank you.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56- Oh, fantastic.- Sold. That is a fantastic moment.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- Gosh.- What a make, you see, Staunton, that's where the money is.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01- It would have been my husband's birthday tomorrow.- Oh!
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- Aw, well, look, it was meant to be, wasn't it?- Yes, yes.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04- It was meant to be.- £700.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- There is commission to pay, it's 15% plus the VAT.- Are you pleased?
0:43:07 > 0:43:09- Yes, very pleased. - What a way to end the show.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11- 700, 700?- £700.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15- Not two to three - 700! - Yeah, all right.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20- Hey, checkmate.- Yes.- Absolutely.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23I hope you've enjoyed today cos we thoroughly have.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Please join us again soon for many more surprises in the auction room
0:43:26 > 0:43:30but from Tring, it's goodbye from all of us.