0:00:09 > 0:00:12Today we are in a rugged stretch of coastline in Dorset
0:00:12 > 0:00:14known as the Jurassic Coast,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17because of the number of fossils that are exposed here.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21I'm on a beach near Lyme Regis and, later on in the programme,
0:00:21 > 0:00:23I'm going to be finding out about the woman
0:00:23 > 0:00:24who put this place on the map
0:00:24 > 0:00:27and started the craze for fossil hunting.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Our valuation day is at Lulworth Castle,
0:00:52 > 0:00:57which includes five miles of this magnificent Jurassic coastline.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01But, while the estate might date back 350 years,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04that's nothing compared to the rocks beneath,
0:01:04 > 0:01:10which hold the remains of fossils dating back 250 million years.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11It's a fossil-hunter's dream
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and why this coast was made one of only two
0:01:14 > 0:01:17natural World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Today, at the castle,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23the rains have brought our antique hunters indoors.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Later on in the show, we'll be finding out what it takes
0:01:28 > 0:01:29to be a successful fossil hunter.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30But, right now,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32here at our valuation day venue, Lulworth Castle.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33And what a setting it is.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35There are differently no old fossils here.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39But hundreds of people have turned up to see our experts,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42to ask that all-important question, which is...
0:01:42 > 0:01:43What's it worth?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Today, our experts are flying off the racing line.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Catherine Southon is flogging her objects
0:01:52 > 0:01:54before she's even valued them.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I think you've got a potential buyer here.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Well, if we don't flog them... - Someone else will buy them.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- I think we've got a buyer there. - Thank you.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04And David Fletcher is testing his knowledge of cars.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08It doesn't look like a Jaguar to me. It looks more like a leopard.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10But he's got some way to go.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Some of them are modern. Some of them are old.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16I think you'd better brush up on your knowledge of cars.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- OK, I'll try and do that, Catherine. - Good luck.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23I'm sure he'll know his models before he hits the tables.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27And, on the programme today, Catherine likes what she sees
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and is coveting a very unique scarf.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Where did you get this from? Because this is a bit special.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39While David found some old cartoons, which paid for a bar bill.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Would I rather have these four cartoons or 20 pints of beer?
0:02:44 > 0:02:46I'll have to think about that one.
0:02:47 > 0:02:4960. 70. 80. 90. 100.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But, at auction, we'll be paying the conventional way
0:02:52 > 0:02:54as one of these breaks its top estimate.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Can I sell?
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Our crowds have been bringing in the items they've unearthed.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09But, just before we get cracking, a question...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Now, here's a little test for you, OK?
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Listen to this.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Where'd you think the word Jurassic came from?
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- We're talking about dinosaurs now. Hollywood?- Could be.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Could be, couldn't it? Well, you're wrong.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Because the phrase wasn't even coined until the 19th century.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Jurassic was named after the Jura Mountains in France,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29which contain all of those ancient rocks.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33So there you go. It's all down to the French!
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Right. Now, it's time for our experts to unearth
0:03:35 > 0:03:38their first treasure to take off to auction.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Let's hand the proceedings over to David Fletcher.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44David might not be sure about his car mascots,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46but he definitely knows his goods trains.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- Ann and Steve, good to see you both.- David.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I had an horrendous drive down here yesterday.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55I was going to come by train
0:03:55 > 0:03:59but there isn't a station very close to Lulworth, unfortunately.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- But, at least we have a train here. - We do.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05So it's good to see one. Albeit rather small.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06And, interestingly enough,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I notice that it's illustrated on the lid
0:04:08 > 0:04:12as being a passenger train set.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Described as "mixed goods" train
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and, clearly, the actual train itself is goods.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- So I wouldn't have got a seat on it anyway.- No.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22This has to be yours, Steve. I can't believe this is yours, Ann.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24It belongs to both of us.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25- It's jointly owned? OK.- Yes.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29When you're married, everything is jointly owned.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33You see, you even have to hand over your miniature train sets.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Life's not fair, is it?
0:04:35 > 0:04:38The Dinky brand, or the Dinky name,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42was first used by Frank Hornby in the mid-1930s.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43Right.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47And this little train set dates from that period.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49If you think Art Deco for a moment,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and think of the colours you associate with Clarice Cliff vases.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53Yes.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56You know, red, yellow, orange, green.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59You have all those colours here. So that helps us to date it.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00I hadn't thought about that before.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Well, I think it's quite important, really.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Because, if you collected trains
0:05:05 > 0:05:08or if you collected Clarice Cliff vases,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12your eye is going to be attuned to the same sort of influences, really.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I mean, how else would you account for a yellow log?
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Yes! That's true.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20You know, whoever manufactured and decorated this little item here,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23they had their eye on its commercial nature,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26on how easily they were going to find it to sell,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29rather on accurately representing,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32you know, a locomotive and three wagons.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33The condition's great.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38The box is also, more or less, in 100% condition.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40And someone has written on it.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- I know. - I don't think it matters too much.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Because it's not as if it was scribbled on yesterday.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46It's been there a long time.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48I'm a little bit concerned
0:05:48 > 0:05:50that the contents don't quite match the box,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52but I'm sure that's just something that's, perhaps,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54slipped through quality control.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58There's no question about it having the wrong box for the set.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Do you own other items like this?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Not the same as this, no.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It's just something that we picked out because we like the look of it.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Yeah. I'm frightened to ask, but what did you pay for it?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12We're trying to think. Probably about £50.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I think we can show you a turn on it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18There are lots of people out there keen to buy boys' toys.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19And this is a boy's toy.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Even though you jointly own it, it's still a boy's toy.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I would be inclined to think in terms of an estimate of 180 to 220.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Right.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31And a reserve of 170.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32OK.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- You're a star.- We'll go with that.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- See you on the day. - I look forward to it, David.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37Thank you.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40As David says, boys' toys are very collectable.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43The founder of Meccano Dinky Toys, Frank Hornby,
0:06:43 > 0:06:48also created the construction kit Meccano in 1901.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51It took off and it had its heyday for little boys in the 1930s.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54TV NARRATOR: Complicated and intricate toys
0:06:54 > 0:06:58do begin to appeal to some children at seven or eight years of age.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Today, it's built up a real following,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04so you could look out for the rare and early pieces
0:07:04 > 0:07:06in immaculate condition.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10This set was recently sold for an astonishing £15,000,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12when it went under the hammer.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Now that's an expensive hobby.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21And Catherine has found something
0:07:21 > 0:07:24that appeals to those of us who still love to play.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27In front of us, we've got a mahogany box.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- But it's not an ordinary mahogany box, is it?- No.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Shall we have a little look inside? - Yes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35I love it when we get things like this
0:07:35 > 0:07:38and we don't know what's inside.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40There we are.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Lovely little travelling chess set.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49And what is nice to see is it's all there and it's all complete.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- And, actually, in rather nice condition.- Oh, good.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Where's it come from, Leslie?
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Well, I inherited it from my late husband in about 1991.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Right.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And he had it for many years.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04But I don't know anything about it, really, apart from that.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08The date of it is about 1900, maybe slightly earlier.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11So late 19th century, early 20th century.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's interesting to see whether these are ivory
0:08:13 > 0:08:15or whether they're actually bone.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Oh, yes.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Now, if you pick it up, you can see there are some little flecks in it.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Can you see there?- Yes.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22These little flecks.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- And that tells us that it's bone, rather than ivory.- Oh, I see, yes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26This is a nice set.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29More importantly, that it's perfect, that it's all there.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33Because you do sometimes get these little bits breaking off.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34And it doesn't look like
0:08:34 > 0:08:36it's been played with a huge amount, to be honest.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39But, I love travelling things like this.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43I love the fact that you can just fold it all up, put it in a bag,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45and play with it another time.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- Nothing you ever played with?- No.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- My daughter likes chess.- Right.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51She played with it occasionally.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54But they've got their own chess set now.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56She got married two years ago,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59so we thought it would be nice to find out anything else about it.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03It's a nice example and it's quite a good piece,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- but it's not of any huge value.- No.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08We'd be looking at about £40 to £60, maybe 50 to 70 at auction.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10That's wonderful.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- How does that sound to you? - Everything helps, yes.- It all helps.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- You had a big wedding, did you? - A big wedding, two years ago.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- We're still paying for it.- Are you?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Right. I'm going to do my best for you.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- I think we should put £50 to £70 on it.- Yes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- With a £40 reserve. - Oh, that's wonderful.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Does that sound all right?- Oh, yes.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Do you fancy a game of chess before we go?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30I'm not very good at chess, actually.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Right, we'll give that a miss, then.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- We'll fold it up and we'll take it to auction.- Oh, lovely. Thank you.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Perfect. Thank you very much indeed. Thanks, Leslie.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Don't worry, Catherine, maybe you can take on David later.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Now, I've come across something that also looks like a desk toy.
0:09:47 > 0:09:48But it has a very different use
0:09:48 > 0:09:52and it's called an eight-day motion clock.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Right, how does this work?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- OK, well, it's an eight-day motion clock.- Yeah.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01And you just put it on anywhere and it'll settle itself
0:10:01 > 0:10:05and, when it's exactly level, it'll tell you the day and the time.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07So, when you first put it together,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- you alter the wheels at the bottom, so that it's completely level.- OK.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14And then it sets itself to the date and the time
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and rolls all the way down to the bottom.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17And then, on the eighth day,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20you lift it up and put it back on the top...
0:10:20 > 0:10:21And it starts on Monday again.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24So once it reaches Monday a week later...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- That's right. You lift it up... - And you put it back.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- And you don't have to wind it or do anything.- No, it's self-winding.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- Yeah. It's clever.- It is.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Is it something you have on display to tell you the time with?
0:10:34 > 0:10:35Yeah, it's been in my dining room
0:10:35 > 0:10:37since I inherited it 30 years ago, so, yeah.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39And it works to this day.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40And it's by a company called Dayton
0:10:40 > 0:10:43and they're quite good at making clocks, apparently.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45So this is a lovely little thing, actually, isn't it?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47It's the first time ever seen anything like this.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49There's always a first on "Flog It!"
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Not everyone comes to sell. But that doesn't matter.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57It's always great to get a glimpse of the unusual things you bring us.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59And David's come across another curiosity
0:10:59 > 0:11:02you definitely wouldn't wish to play with.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Stephan, welcome.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Now, I know very little about these items.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10So, I'm hoping you're going to enlighten me.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Well, I believe it's Burmese.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17My great-grandfather, who is a colonel in the Indian Army,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20was in the Third Burma Campaign.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21Right.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24And, so, this originates from that campaign.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25OK.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Now, the Third Burmese War
0:11:28 > 0:11:31took place between 1885 and 1886.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Do you happen to know
0:11:33 > 0:11:37when your great-grandfather was originally posted there?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Well, he was certainly out there at that time,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44because my grandmother was born in Madras in 1880.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45Was she? Right.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50How fantastic to have this as a souvenir, if you like,
0:11:50 > 0:11:51of his time there.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- But it has seen better days, hasn't it?- It has, I'm afraid.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56And, on that note,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I'm going to ask you to withdraw the blade from the scabbard.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Can just about manage it.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Right. Well done.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Unfortunately, the tip is gone.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06The tip's gone, hasn't it?
0:12:06 > 0:12:10What interests me in objects of this type
0:12:10 > 0:12:13is the fact that, by its very nature,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16it's a functional piece of kit, isn't it?
0:12:16 > 0:12:17So not just ceremonial?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I think it had a functional purpose as well.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I mean, it has that sharp edge. The blade is steel.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25And the blade isn't decorated.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30But, having said that, the handle is decorated and so is the pommel.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33You have almost like a sort of melon-shaped terminal.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Yes, the handle is lovely.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I am concerned, really, by the condition.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41I mean, it really is now in three pieces, isn't it?
0:12:41 > 0:12:45And the end of the scabbard is missing.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47As is the end of the blade itself.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53I think, if it were as it should be, we'd be talking £200, £300.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Perhaps even more.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58But I think we have to make an allowance for the damage.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02And I think, as a result, I would estimate it at 100 to 150.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03Does that sound all right to you?
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- That would be OK. Can we make a reserve, though?- You can.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10I think I'd be happy to put a reserve of £100 on it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12And, you know, one can rest assured
0:13:12 > 0:13:15that this is the sort of item that will go to a good home.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It will go to a collector.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Someone who is aware, interested in British history,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- is interested in the history of Burma as well.- Good.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24- OK?- Yep.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28I'll look forward to seeing you, then, at the sale.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32And we'll keep our fingers crossed. I'm standing well clear.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33- Urgh!- In.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39That sword is a really precious piece of Stephan's family history.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42And I think the buyers will like it, too.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Lulworth Castle could be said to mirror the Jurassic coastline.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Because the building is made up of Portland stone,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53which is locally sourced.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56But, astonishingly, 70% of this is chalk,
0:13:56 > 0:13:57which could wash away.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00But, thankfully, the limestone's holding it all together.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02But there is something that I love and I want to show you
0:14:02 > 0:14:04and it's on these steps here.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08And here it is, look.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11A little oyster fossil buried deep into the step,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14which I think the builder put there to pay homage to the past.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16I like that. That's a great touch.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It puts a smile on your face every time you walk up into the building.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Well, you've just seen our experts.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23They've made their choices of items to take off to auction.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26So, let's have a recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31No fossils, but plenty of history amongst our finds.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35We've got Ann and Steve's 1930s Dinky toy train,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38which might have an oddly miss-matched box
0:14:38 > 0:14:42but, otherwise, it's in pristine condition.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Leslie's brought us a lovely travelling chess set,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47but can it win checkmate at auction
0:14:47 > 0:14:51and contribute to the cost of her daughter's wedding?
0:14:51 > 0:14:54And then there's that late 19th-century Burmese sword
0:14:54 > 0:14:56that is the worst for wear,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59but should still command interest from the collectors.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04We're heading to Sherborne, 30 miles from the coast,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07home of one of the oldest public schools in Britain,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Sherborne School.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Old boys who attended at one time include,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Doctor Who actor Jon Pertwee,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19and the lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Now, that would have made an interesting classroom.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Well, I think it's time we joined up with our old boys,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29our familiar faces, the experts regularly on the show,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31courtesy of Charterhouse Auction Rooms.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Let's get inside and catch up with them.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38And, today, our man on the rostrum is auctioneer Richard Bromell.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40£280 is bid.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Left selling at 280.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Remember, if you're buying or selling at auction,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46there is commission to pay.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Now, it does vary from saleroom to saleroom.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Check the details. It's all printed in the catalogue, OK?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54If you don't buy a catalogue, ask a member of staff,
0:15:54 > 0:15:56because it does vary.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Here today, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01So, factor that in because it can add up.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07First under the hammer is Stephan's battle-weary Burmese sword.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12This is kind of like a really rare family heirloom, isn't it, in a way?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- It is.- Is it something that you don't mind parting with?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17No, because we don't have it out on display.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19And I don't have kids of my own.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Right.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- I have stepchildren and it won't mean a lot to them.- No.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28It's quite an important thing, in its own right.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31It's silver, or very largely silver, which is great.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33But it is damaged.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37So, you know, I think I've put a fairly realistic valuation on it
0:16:37 > 0:16:38to reflect all that.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42I think this is like a little window into your family's social history.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46It's a cliche, but it will go to someone who will value it,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48who will treasure it. And, clearly, Stephan doesn't.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51So it'll go to a good home. It'll be all right, Paul. Don't worry.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54OK. OK. I know. I just think the sentimental value
0:16:54 > 0:16:56is greater than the military value.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59It's too late now. I'll report that to my wife.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01Here we go.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Lot number 713 now is a Burmese sword.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Bit of damage to the end, which is a great shame.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08And £50 is bid. Here with me at £50.
0:17:08 > 0:17:0950. 60. 70.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10We're in. We're in.
0:17:10 > 0:17:1390. 100. At £100 I have.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15The bid is in the room. £100 I have.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18At 100. And 10. So 110. 120.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20130. On the internet at 130.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23At £130 I have. It's an internet bid at £130.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26And I sell. Last chance. Fair warning. Selling online at 130.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- Well, it's gone. Spot on valuation. £130.- Thank you very much.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Well, you boys must be very happy.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Even if you're not, Paul.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- You spoilsport, you. - No, I'm pleased it's gone.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- And thank you for bringing it in. - It was only sitting in a drawer.- Yes.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Thank you so much.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47David's right. It's surely gone to a good home.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50And Stephan's wife will be happy.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Now it's time for our sale of the travelling chess set,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55brought in by Leslie.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- Who've you brought with you? - My daughter, Catherine.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Catherine, pleased to meet you. I'm surrounded by Catherines.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- Good name. - It's a good name, isn't it?
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- I'd keep this chess set. Would you keep it?- Well, I would.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07What's nice about this is all the little pawns are there.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Because, so often, the little ones are missing
0:18:10 > 0:18:12and people replace them with matchsticks or whatever.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15But, it's complete. So, it should do well.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17So, the big question. Why are we selling it?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Oh, because it's my daughter's wedding two years ago,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22but we're still paying for it, so...
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- They are expensive. They add up, don't they?- Yes.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Whatever you budget for, you always go over.- Yeah, you do.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29- You do.- Yeah. Oh, absolutely.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Because it's a special day.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Let's see if we can get this away at the top end, shall we?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35It's going under the hammer right now.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38A rather sweet little travelling chess set here in a mahogany box.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40And I'm straight in at 25.
0:18:40 > 0:18:4230. 35. 40. 45. £45 I have now.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43At 45.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44At £45 now.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47I sell. Selling at 45.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- Well, it's gone.- Mid-estimate.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Short and sweet, wasn't it? 45.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Every penny helps.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Every penny helps to get that debt down.- Yes.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57And we love coming here as well.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- Was this your first auction?- Yes.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- And what did you think?- It was brilliant. Really interesting.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04It's great, isn't it? It's a feast for the eyes.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Well, I'm glad Leslie and daughter, Catherine,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08still enjoyed the day here,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12even if it might not make much of a dent in the wedding bill.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Now, will someone want to have fun with Steve and Ann's Dinky toy train
0:19:15 > 0:19:19that brings out the child in all of us?
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- It is absolutely lovely and it's in mint condition.- Yes.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Never played with. - Looks like it, no.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- And boxed.- And boxed, yes.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Gosh.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- It's got a lot going for it, hasn't it?- It has. Yeah.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Are we on the right tracks at 180 to 220?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34We've got a packed saleroom. It's rather exciting.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35Things are going well.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37I think it's got everything going for it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40And we've got lots of toys and models here today, too.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Over to Richard on the rostrum.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45£100 is bid here. At £100 I have.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46With me at £100.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48110. 120. 130.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51140. 150. 160. 170.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54At £170. It's in the room at 170.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57On the aisle and on the right, at £170 I have seated.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58And selling at 170.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Well, it's gone on the fixed reserve of £170.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05He's sold at 170, just under the lower end.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06- Yes.- Yes, that's good.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- We'd hoped it might make more. - We did.- But it's gone.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10But that's auctions for you.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13One lucky person goes home
0:20:13 > 0:20:17with a lovely addition to their train set collection.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Now, before Charles Darwin discovered the theory of evolution,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24what did we understand about the strange shapes and creatures
0:20:24 > 0:20:27in the stones that washed up on the beaches?
0:20:27 > 0:20:28Well, very little.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33Until one young girl from Lyme Regis made an amazing discovery.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35I went along to the local beach,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37hopefully, to follow in her footsteps.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49About 250 million years ago, this place was already awash with life.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53When these early fish and ammonites died, they fell to the bottom,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55compressed and fossilised.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57And, when the sea receded,
0:20:57 > 0:21:01they were exposed in the cliff formations along the coast.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05It's hard to imagine but, back then,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07the widely held Christian belief in Victorian Britain
0:21:07 > 0:21:12was that, as one person put it, all of this was formed by God.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15God created the world and then the great flood followed.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Nobody realised that the strange stones
0:21:20 > 0:21:24that they were looking at and holding had once lived,
0:21:24 > 0:21:29let alone been parts of dinosaur remains and marine life.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Into this scene, in 1799, came Mary Anning.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36She lived with her family
0:21:36 > 0:21:39on what's now the site of the Lyme Regis Museum
0:21:39 > 0:21:41in what was then a slum area.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45And she'd regularly follow her father, a poor cabinet-maker,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49down to the sea to collect fossils, which he sold for extra income.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54In 1810, Mary's father sadly passed away.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56She was only 11 years old at the time.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59And, to prevent the family from moving into the poorhouse,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Mary and her brother, Joseph,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04carried on collecting fossils and seashells
0:22:04 > 0:22:06and selling them for a few pennies.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09And they would spend hours and hours searching this stretch of beach
0:22:09 > 0:22:13just looking for the odd thing that they could sell,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16using the skills that her father taught her.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21And then, one day, all the scouring paid off with one astonishing find.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Mary and her brother, Joseph,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27uncovered what they thought was a crocodile's head.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Together, they dug up the rest of the body
0:22:29 > 0:22:33and carried it back from the beach with the help of local men.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Mary had found an ichthyosaur,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41a sea creature that had lived in these seas 200 million years ago.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43When you come to Lyme Regis
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and talk about Mary and her achievements,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48all paths lead to Paddy Howe.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50- Paddy, thanks for meeting us here today.- You're welcome.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Now, you're a geologist with the Lyme Regis Museum,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and you've been collecting fossils and hunting for them
0:22:55 > 0:22:56for 40-odd years?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- 43 years this year.- 43 years. Wow!
0:22:58 > 0:23:03So, tell me, what is it about this area that's so productive?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06We've got a lot of soft rocks which are easily eroded.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07What you can't see from the beach
0:23:07 > 0:23:10is all the layers of the cliffs here actually slope down towards the sea.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13So it's very easy for the tide to bring rock falls down
0:23:13 > 0:23:15and to bring things out.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Mary was famous for having the eye,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20knowing how to spot fossils beneath the rocks.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Paddy has learned what to look for.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26And so he's collected some likely candidates to show me how it's done.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Well, you've sorted a couple out.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Yeah. These are rocks I've picked up from the stretch of beach.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33This is what we look for.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35OK, what is that stone?
0:23:35 > 0:23:37It's called a nodule. It's made of limestone.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41And you can see it's lens-shaped with this sharp edge all the way round.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Very smooth. Very grey. Very hard.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45And, certainly, Mary would have been looking for these.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48We break them open. And, perhaps, one in five, one in six
0:23:48 > 0:23:49will have a fossil inside.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51What we normally do is break off the thinnest end
0:23:51 > 0:23:54to make a flat edge and then we'd work with that edge.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55- And then go in on it?- Yeah.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Shall I hold that for you?
0:23:56 > 0:23:58If you don't mind. Brilliant. Thank you.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03And Mary would have used the same kind of tools as Paddy uses today.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Right. And now, there's evidence of an ammonite there.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11We've got the edge of an ammonite just sticking out.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- Can I have a go at that one? - You can.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- Can I borrow your... - You certainly can.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16Your specs.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17Here we go...
0:24:20 > 0:24:22You need to hit it quite hard.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Just about there, do you think? - Yeah.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27OK, so how many hours a day do you do when you do come down here?
0:24:28 > 0:24:32I can be out as much as 10 or 12 hours a day, on occasions.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34And Mary would have done the same?
0:24:34 > 0:24:36She would have got out at every opportunity,
0:24:36 > 0:24:37especially after rough weather.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Yeah. OK, ready?
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Oh, look at that. - That's fantastic, isn't it?
0:24:46 > 0:24:48That is really good.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- Isn't that lovely?- That's beautiful. And no-one's ever seen that.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53That's marvellous.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56I like the fact that you've still got the two halves
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and you can put it back together and it becomes like a little secret.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02And this is, what, 200 million years old?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04About 190.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07But what's ten million years between friends?
0:25:07 > 0:25:10So, tell me, have you found anything
0:25:10 > 0:25:13to equal Mary's findings in your lifetime so far?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16I found an ichthyosaur skeleton, which is in the museum,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19which is about the same size as the one Mary found.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20Can you describe that?
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Ichthyosaur means "fish lizard" and they were sea-living reptiles.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25They looked rather like dolphins.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28You must feel almost like a kindred spirit to Mary.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33You've dedicated your life, 43-odd years of it so far,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36to walking up and down this bit of coastline, looking for fossils.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39So, you're just like her, following in her footsteps.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Yeah, I feel a great kinship with Mary.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I'm out there all weathers, whatever the weather.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46In fact, the worse the weather, the better the fossilling.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49So, in the rain, in the cold. And she must've been the same.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51But she didn't have the modern things we have.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53The modern waterproof clothing, wellingtons, rucksacks...
0:25:53 > 0:25:56All of those things that we take for granted.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59What was Mary's particular skills and how did she manage that?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01She was very observant, she was very determined.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Women didn't do that sort of thing at that time,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06and especially working-class women.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08So she found, with her brother Joseph, the first ichthyosaur.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11In 1823, she finds the first plesiosaur,
0:26:11 > 0:26:15the first flying reptile, the first pterosaur found outside of Germany.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18And many other things besides. What she achieved was fantastic.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19And, in many ways,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23she helped kick-start the science of palaeontology in this country.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25And, of course, it's in this country it really begins.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27It's incredible, isn't it?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Oh, she's brilliant. A brilliant woman.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34# Shorley Wall
0:26:34 > 0:26:41# She's selling seashells on the Shorley Wall
0:26:41 > 0:26:45# Where the ocean swells and leaves you small... #
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Mary started to get national attention.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53And, as she did, her finds shook the foundations of Victorian society.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Scientists simply wouldn't believe her because she was a woman,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57and others disliked the fact that
0:26:57 > 0:26:59these little creatures in these stones
0:26:59 > 0:27:02really dispelled the biblical story of creation.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05But Mary did have her supporters.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Some of the leading figures of the scientific community
0:27:08 > 0:27:11came to see what this young woman could bring out of the rocks.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14And they'd take back her finds to meetings
0:27:14 > 0:27:17of the eminent Geological Society of London.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22What I have here is a copy of the correspondence between Mary
0:27:22 > 0:27:25and one of her great friends and patrons, William Buckland,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27a lecturer at Oxford University.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29And I'll just read a section out for you.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33It says, "Sir, I have discovered another plesiosaur."
0:27:33 > 0:27:34"The head is really beautiful
0:27:34 > 0:27:38"and the lower jaw has slipped from under the upper jaw
0:27:38 > 0:27:40"by which we can see inside its mouth.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44"The creature is between 11 foot and 12 feet in length."
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Sounds like she's describing a real sea dragon.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48And the thing that I really, really love about this
0:27:48 > 0:27:50is that she says "beautiful".
0:27:50 > 0:27:54You see, it is a labour of love. It's not for financial gains.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57She really loved doing this.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Sadly, Mary's later years were difficult,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03as the demand for fossils dwindled.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10She died in 1847 of breast cancer, at the very young age of 47.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13During her lifetime,
0:28:13 > 0:28:18her name had never been acknowledged in the scientific journals.
0:28:18 > 0:28:19But, after her death,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23the Geological Society paid public tribute to her.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24Quite something,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28given that they wouldn't accept women into the society until 1904.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32And, today, the final accolade.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Mary's finds have pride of place
0:28:34 > 0:28:37in the Natural History Museum in London.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Well, Mary couldn't have dreamt that her findings
0:28:42 > 0:28:47would be the bedrock for the science of palaeontology. And she, an icon.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Her fossils are on display in museums all over the world
0:28:50 > 0:28:53and her story is an inspiration to the next generation.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57People like me and you and my son here. So, let's just quickly recap.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59What do you call a fossil hunter?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- A palaeontologist.- Brilliant!
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Well, we are on the Jurassic Coast right now.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- So shall we go and look for some? - Yes.- Come on, then!
0:29:06 > 0:29:09# She's selling seashells on the Shorley Wall... #
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Right, let's look here for some fossils.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Welcome back to our valuation day venue, Lulworth Castle.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Right now, it's time to hand the proceedings over to our experts
0:29:29 > 0:29:33to see what else we can dig up to take off to auction.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Catherine Southon's found something that looks like
0:29:38 > 0:29:42it could have been taken from a buried treasure chest.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45We've certainly got a rather chunky charm bracelet here, Sue,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47with an awful lot of charms on it.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Where did it come from?
0:29:49 > 0:29:52It came from my husband's great aunt.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54It was passed down to my daughter.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- So it's quite sentimental, then? - It is. I like it.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59But it's not in fashion for my daughter, so...
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Well, it's not, sadly, is it?
0:30:01 > 0:30:04You do see quite a lot of these now being sold and,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07often just being sold on their scrap value.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09What's nice about this example,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12is we've got a rather large number of charms.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Some of them are fairly standard,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20like this little spinning penny here, which says, "I love you".
0:30:20 > 0:30:25But some of them are slightly more unusual, like this little hedgehog.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28I must say, I haven't seen that so often.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30And the horseshoe.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Which makes it a little bit more interesting.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35These are often sold on weight
0:30:35 > 0:30:40but, then, people do pay additional prices for more unusual charms.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41OK.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Was this given as a birthday present?
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Because I can see there, we've got the key for 18.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48What I remember is that her husband
0:30:48 > 0:30:51used to buy her a charm for every occasion, for weddings, birthdays...
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Oh, how lovely.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54And they lived in London,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- so I know he most probably bought a lot of them in London.- Right. Right.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00And I suspect that a lot of them are nine-carat gold.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03But he must have been buying them over a number of years,
0:31:03 > 0:31:05because there's a lot of charms there.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06There's 31 altogether.
0:31:06 > 0:31:0931 charms? Well, that's fantastic.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Because, normally, you sort of get around eight to ten
0:31:11 > 0:31:12or something like that.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15So, to have that amount of charms, is really quite special.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- You don't want to sell this, do you? - I know. I don't.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20But it's been handed down to your daughter.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24What's she going to do, buy a nice piece of fashionable jewellery?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27No, she wants to redesign her bedroom.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Oh, how lovely.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Well, let's have a look at it. Let's weigh it.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Now, there is quite a bit of weight there. This is quite chunky.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37But I'm going to look at it more closely to see carat,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39because that's quite important.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44OK, well, it's stamped 375.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47So that tells us that it's nine-carat gold.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49I would say you'd probably be looking at
0:31:49 > 0:31:52somewhere between £500 to £600 in value.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54- How does that sound for you? - Sounds great.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58To be honest, I wouldn't sell that for any less than about £480.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Because, really, you've got to think about the scrap value.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03You've got to put a reserve on this.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05So put £480 on it.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07And let's put £500 to £600.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- We'll try and get your daughter as much as we can.- Brilliant.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12And let's hope she can have a fantastic room
0:32:12 > 0:32:14for all her friends to drool over.
0:32:14 > 0:32:15Yes.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19I think those really sweet charms could attract the collectors,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22even if they're not to our taste.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24David's found the early 20th-century version
0:32:24 > 0:32:28of satirical comedy for his next set of objects.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30- Hello, Susan.- Hello.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Now, are you interested in horses? Are you a horsey person?
0:32:33 > 0:32:34- No, I'm not at all. No.- Right. OK.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38- So, you drove here today. You didn't ride?- No, I didn't.- OK.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Now, what I really love about things like this
0:32:42 > 0:32:48is that they preserve a way of life that is gone, really,
0:32:48 > 0:32:49to all intents and purposes.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51We can look back at these images
0:32:51 > 0:32:55and we can see what life was like in the early 20th century.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57How did you come to own them?
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Well, these were given to my parents by my uncle.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04He was a publican in London.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07And the family rumour always was
0:33:07 > 0:33:10that he accepted them in lieu of a bar bill.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11OK.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13They're drawn in pen and ink.
0:33:13 > 0:33:19And they are the original artwork for a series of Punch cartoons.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23The artist, George Denholm Armour,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27was well-known for depicting equestrian subjects.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29And really quite well-known as a cartoonist.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31They are beautifully drawn.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36Punch magazine, now sadly defunct, I remember it very well,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- as I'm sure you do...- I do, yes.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42..devoted itself, really, to humour.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Now, you're familiar with these.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47You must've read that inscription 100 times. Tell me what it says.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51It says, "Common objects of the field or who's who in hunting."
0:33:51 > 0:33:54"Captain Flatcatcher, gentleman dealer,
0:33:54 > 0:33:55"family motto,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57"pro lusu et praeda."
0:33:57 > 0:33:59But I don't know what that means.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Well, my Latin isn't very good, either.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04But, I think the point it's making is that Captain Flatcatcher
0:34:04 > 0:34:06was a gentleman and a dealer.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08So he hunted for fun.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11But, as well as hunting for fun, he also dealt, presumably, in game.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13I suspect that's what it means.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15I mean, I must say, I think to today's eyes,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17today's sense of humour,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19some of this, it's a bit leaden, isn't it, really?
0:34:19 > 0:34:20It is, yes.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23But in the high-Edwardian period,
0:34:23 > 0:34:25the early 20th century,
0:34:25 > 0:34:29it was a very, very important medium, really,
0:34:29 > 0:34:34for, you know, conveying, as we can see in these pictures, really,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36the way life was lived at that time.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38It was a social document, really.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42I feel these are worth somewhere around about £100. £25 each.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44- I'd like to suggest 80 to 120. - Right.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46I mean, it's a familiar estimate,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49but I think, in this case, it's about right, really.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54I'm just trying to think how many pints of beer you could get for £80.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55It's about what?
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Say it's £4 a pint, that's 20...
0:34:57 > 0:34:59It's slightly less than that, isn't it?
0:34:59 > 0:35:01- But that's about 20 pints of beer. - Yes.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Now, today, would I rather have these four cartoons
0:35:04 > 0:35:07or 20 pints of beer?
0:35:07 > 0:35:08I'd have to think about that one.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Well, I think the cartoons would be better for your liver.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Yes. And they'll last longer.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18We'll include them in the sale, if we may, at an estimate of 80 to 120.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Now, I mean, personally,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22I would think they're going to make their money.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26And I would be inclined to say let's not bother about a reserve.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Are you happy with that?
0:35:28 > 0:35:29No.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32- Let's have a covering reserve on them at £60.- Yes.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35OK. OK. Then we'll make sure there isn't a disaster on the day.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36Yes.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40We'll see who has the last laugh when they go under the hammer.
0:35:42 > 0:35:43On Catherine's table,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47she's found something that has put a big smile on her face.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Gay, when I saw this in the queue,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53what I loved about it first of all,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56before I even looked at it properly, were the colours.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57It's so vibrant, isn't it?
0:35:57 > 0:35:59You've got these wonderful reds and greens,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02which really jump out at you.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04But, then, as I looked more closely,
0:36:04 > 0:36:11I could see that this scarf was intended, really,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14as a souvenir, I guess, for this exhibition.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16So this is an exhibition
0:36:16 > 0:36:21that was supposed to be taking place in Italy in 1942.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25And it never happened, presumably, because of the war.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28But isn't it wonderful that they had this, probably, as a souvenir,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30something that they produced.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33And it shows all the transport, everyone, the whole world
0:36:33 > 0:36:35coming to the centre.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Where did you get this from? Because this is a bit special.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43Well, I actually bought it from a jumble sale for five pence.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44- Five pence?- Yes.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47But did you buy it when you saw it, like me, because you saw the colours
0:36:47 > 0:36:49and thought this is a nice, bright scarf?
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Yes. Although they're bright, they're very subtle
0:36:51 > 0:36:54and it's typical of that era.
0:36:54 > 0:36:55So you bought it quite recently?
0:36:55 > 0:36:59No, no, it must be, maybe, nine or ten years ago now.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Right. And, then, at what stage did you really have a good look at it
0:37:03 > 0:37:05and see there was actually more to this scarf?
0:37:05 > 0:37:06Probably straightaway.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11While I was checking it through, I realised it had the 1942.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14And then I thought it had more significance
0:37:14 > 0:37:19and decided to just, really, keep it rather than wear it.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22I wonder how many of these were actually produced?
0:37:22 > 0:37:25I think there are other posters and things that come up on the market.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27But not so much a scarf.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31It's a difficult thing, Gay, to put a value on, to be honest.
0:37:31 > 0:37:32I mean, it's in lovely condition.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Can you imagine this framed up? It'd look gorgeous.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36It's beautiful, actually, yes.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39There's a little bit of staining around the sides,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42but nothing too desperate, I don't think.
0:37:42 > 0:37:43I love this piece.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46The more I look at it, the more I love it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- I'm not going to put a big price on it.- No.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51I'm going to put £40 to £60.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54- Oh, well, that's good. - I've got a good feeling about this.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- We'll put 40 to 60, with a 40 reserve.- Thank you very much.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00- Because I don't think it should go below that.- No.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- I think we should protect it. Great piece of history.- Thank you.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07A very unusual echo of Italy's past,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10but will the marks affect its chances at auction?
0:38:12 > 0:38:15What a fabulous day we've had here at Lulworth Castle,
0:38:15 > 0:38:16our valuation day venue.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20It couldn't be a better setting, a place steeped in so much history.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22And I know our "Flog It!" crowds have enjoyed it.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24But, before we say goodbye for the very last time,
0:38:24 > 0:38:28I want to let you into Dorset's little secret.
0:38:28 > 0:38:29Fossils are one thing,
0:38:29 > 0:38:33but Dorset lies above Europe's largest onshore oilfield,
0:38:33 > 0:38:34believe it or not.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Yes, the oil created by ancient organisms
0:38:36 > 0:38:39that came even before the dinosaurs.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Now, that's about as old as we can ever talk about on "Flog It!"
0:38:42 > 0:38:46But, right now, it's time to recap on something a little more recent,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48our last items to take off to auction.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49And here they are.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52There's the bracelet with some standout charms,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54whose value could go a long way towards paying
0:38:54 > 0:38:57for a bedroom makeover for Sue's daughter.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00We have Susan's satirical Punch pictures
0:39:00 > 0:39:03given to a relative as payment for a bill.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07But will the buyers see the humour at the saleroom?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09And Gay's unusual souvenir scarf from Italy,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13bought for a bargain five pence in a jumble sale.
0:39:14 > 0:39:1670. At £70 still in the room.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19We're back in the saleroom for our next item,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21the Italian scarf bought for a song.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Sadly, owner Gay couldn't be with us today.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26These silk scarves are very collectable,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- especially the top names, like Chanel.- Oh, yes.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33If we've got the Chanel name, the Hermes, Gucci, great name...
0:39:33 > 0:39:37But, what I love about this, is all the transport coming towards Rome.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Lovely. The colours... She paid 5p for this.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44So, whatever it makes, she's made a profit.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45What's the reserve?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48The reserve is £40. I wouldn't sell it. I think it's lovely.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49Can you imagine it framed up?
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Yes, I can. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Here we go. We need 40 quid.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Lot 252. Straight in at £20 I have bid now. At 20.
0:39:55 > 0:40:00And 5 to oblige for the vintage scarf. £20 I have. And 25. 30.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Come on ladies.- £35 the room bid.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07Room bid at 35. £40 bid on the internet. At £40. Last chance.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09- Beautiful colours.- Selling at 40.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11It's gone. £40. We just got it away on the reserve.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13- She'll be happy with 40. - I think she will.
0:40:13 > 0:40:165p to £40... That's not bad.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22How will those satirical Punch cartoons fare,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25received in payment for a bar bill by Susan's uncle?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30So why are you selling them? You said outdated humour.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Partly, yes.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33But I've got no space for them at home.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36I've got too many pictures already, so...
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Well, the good thing is they are originals.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40I mean, the comedy is there. It's a bit dated.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- I like that humour, though. - Well, it's social commentary.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- It captures an era, doesn't it? - Yes, it does.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46Yes, that's what I think.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49But, above all, I think he's a very good,
0:40:49 > 0:40:51and probably underrated, artist.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Right, let's see what the bidders think. This is it.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Group of four George Denholm Armour Punch cartoon sketches here.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00With me at £40 and away now. At £40. At 40. 45.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02£50 I have now. At 50.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04At 50. 60. It's online at £60.
0:41:04 > 0:41:0660 quid.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09It's on the internet at £60, I have. Can I sell?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Going away at 60. At 60.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Just... We just got away on the reserve.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Gosh, we're flying by the seat of our pants.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I'm pleased they've sold. Of course I am.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21But, as we said,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- they're just not as fashionable as they were ten years ago.- No.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29The same could be said for our final item, this charm bracelet.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30But we still have high hopes for it
0:41:30 > 0:41:32because of those unusual charms.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36- Who've you brought, your daughter? - This is my daughter.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- What's your name?- Gemma. - Gemma, right, OK.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42And all the money is going towards decorating your bedroom, is it?
0:41:42 > 0:41:43It is, yes.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45OK. Have you got it all sort of stylised in your mind,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47you know what you want?
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- I know exactly what I want. - Go on, paint the picture.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51It's golds, silvers and creams.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54And I've got a lot of dark mahogany furniture.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Oh, quite nice, because that stands out with the creams and the beiges.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58Oh, very, very nice.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- Expensive.- A little bit.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02She likes Victorian things.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05I just get my grandad to go to auctions and buy me furniture.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08I don't blame you, because it's great value for money
0:42:08 > 0:42:09and it's not second hand or third hand,
0:42:09 > 0:42:11it's, like, seventh or ninth hand.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- And I know that it lasts.- It does.
0:42:13 > 0:42:14Right, let's see if we can get the top end,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16because there's a lot there.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19And a lot of bids in, as you'd expect. And I'm straight in at £480.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23500. 520. 550. 580. 600. 620.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25- 620?- £620. It's on commission.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28You're all out. The bid is with me. Can I sell?
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Top end.
0:42:30 > 0:42:31At 620.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33So who's going to do all the decorating?
0:42:33 > 0:42:35I'm talking people into doing it.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Well, she'll be able to now.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Because it is the labour costs, really.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40She has got the charm to do it.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42You've got the charm? I bet you have.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46It's been a great show today,
0:42:46 > 0:42:50with items bought for a snip showing a tidy profit.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51So, if you have something at home,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54however little you paid for it, bring it along
0:42:54 > 0:42:59to one of our valuation days and you just might get lucky.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Join us again for many more surprises
0:43:01 > 0:43:02in many more auction rooms.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04But, until then, it's goodbye.