0:00:02 > 0:00:05Flog It! has travelled to the beautiful county of Kent,
0:00:05 > 0:00:10where during WW2, the skies were filled with planes,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12as the Battle of Britain raged overhead.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Later on in the programme,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16we'll be finding out more about Kent's role
0:00:16 > 0:00:18during World War II.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20And visiting the home of the great
0:00:20 > 0:00:21Sir Winston Churchill.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:44 > 0:00:47The Battle of Britain was short and intense.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50As the sound of dogfights rattled through the air,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52the people of Kent took shelter and held together.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Remembering the past helps us keep history alive,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04and that's exactly what we do here on Flog It!
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Today, we are at Chiddingstone Castle in Kent, which is
0:01:11 > 0:01:13crammed full of historic items.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17We are hoping to find artefacts that help us capture the past,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20whether it's memories of wartime or of childhood.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27But it's not all about history, this lot are definitely in the here
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and now and they're clutching bags and boxes full of treasures.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36A big, big thank you to all of you
0:01:36 > 0:01:39turning up on this lovely summer's day.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Hundreds of people here, laden with antiques and collectables,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45hoping for a favourable valuation from our experts.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48The great thing about this show is someone in this queue has
0:01:48 > 0:01:52something that's worth a small fortune. They don't know it yet.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54It's our experts' job to find it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57And once they've found it, there's only one question on your lips,
0:01:57 > 0:01:58which is...
0:01:58 > 0:01:59ALL: What's it worth?
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Fighting to find the best items in the queue are...
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Wow, look at that! Straight to the spear.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12..Mr Soft And Gentle, Adam Partridge...
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Hello. What have you brought along today?
0:02:15 > 0:02:18..and pretty in pink, Thomas Plant.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Look at the size of that beast.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23If they like an item, they sticker its owner,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25and that's where the Flog It! journey begins.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Now it's time for everyone to take
0:02:31 > 0:02:33the weight off their feet, apply the suntan lotion
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and hope they get a life-changing valuation.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42On today's show, three fascinating items from far-flung lands.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48An oriental piece that found a new use in the UK.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51My grandma used it to make all our Christmas puddings
0:02:51 > 0:02:52and our Christmas cakes.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Foreign objects of the tribal variety.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59It's just something we found out at a boot fair.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00It was only four pounds.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02And a special book that charts
0:03:02 > 0:03:04a year in the life of a British man abroad.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- I've got an eight year old and I think he'd laugh at these.- Yes.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Which do you think makes the most money at auction?
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Everybody is now safely seated.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Let's hand the proceedings over to Thomas Plant.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19He's found his first item and I've just been told it's a gem.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- David.- Hello.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- Tell me, you've brought along your family group of medals.- Yes.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Who do they all belong to?
0:03:30 > 0:03:34The Second World War medals are my father's.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39The First World War medals are from both sets of grandparents.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- And the watch here, this is a First World War watch.- It is.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- I would say that probably belonged to one of your grandparents.- Yes.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52Now, did you know that the two medals you've got for each of your
0:03:52 > 0:03:56grandparents are Victory In British War medals from the First World War?
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- Yes.- These are silver, those are brass.- Yes.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06- Round each of these medals is a name and rank and regiment.- Yes. Right.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07If I pick up this medal here,
0:04:07 > 0:04:13- it's for Lance Corporal GF Mannering, MFP.- Yes.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- Military Foot Police.- Yes.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- So he was in the police and he was a Lance Corporal in the police.- Yes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24It looks like his number was 7479. It's got P next to it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26I think that was his police number.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- It possibly was. - Kept his police number.- Yes.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Interesting being Military Foot Police.- Yes.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34And this chap here...
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Was Private...is it CJ?
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- CJ Manktelow.- Kent Regiment.- Yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45They must have been quite young when they joined up.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I suppose, like most First World War soldiers,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53they were anything from 16 to 18 when they joined up.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58What's interesting, it would have been after the 14-15 years,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- because they don't have the 14-15 Star.- Right.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04So I'm pretty sure it would have been after that they would
0:05:04 > 0:05:07have joined up. And your father's medals here.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- He has the Pacific Star. - That's right.- And the 1939-45 Star.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13What regiment was he in?
0:05:13 > 0:05:18I'm not sure because he was serving on the Burma to Siam railway
0:05:18 > 0:05:21as a prisoner of war for three years.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- So he was captured?- Yes. That's right.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29He was in one of the prisoner of war camps alongside Kwai.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31He never talked about it that much.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33God, that must have been awful.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36I never used to question him on what regiment he was and that,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39but I'm sure he must have been in some sort of Kent Regiment
0:05:39 > 0:05:41because we are Kent people.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Just tell me, what's your reasoning on selling these?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47I have no children to pass them on to.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51And quite frankly, the medals have just been sitting in a tin,
0:05:51 > 0:05:56in a drawer, for many, many years. The same with the watch.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Part of me says sell them as two lots.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- Yes.- Part of me says sell them as a family group.- OK.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Because of the Kent connection.- Yes.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- I think that made me quite interesting.- Yes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08When it comes to value, funnily enough,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- these are not worth as much as people think.- No.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16However, Military Foot Police I think is quite rare.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17Yes.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- The East Kent Regiment. People like regiments more than corps.- Yes.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24And, of course, we have the watch.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28We have probably got £100 with the watch there and the medals here.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- And then your father's medals probably add another 50.- Yeah, yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- I think we'd say £150-£200.- Right. - And reserve it at 100.- Yes.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Are you happy with that? - Yes, I would be, yes.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Very interesting. And thank you for bringing them along.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45It's quite emotional, really. I'd like to see them at auction.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Yes, I'd like to see them go to a nice home.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52It's always hard selling family medals, but with
0:06:52 > 0:06:55the provenance of this group, they're sure to go to a good home.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59It's not just local history that we take an interest in,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03war items come to the show from all over the world, as Adam discovered.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10It's quite a surprise to come to Kent and to see African tribal art,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14shields, blow pipes, bow and arrow. What's all this about?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Well, it was just something we found at a boot fair.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- The assegai was the first thing that we found.- Yes.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- It was only four pounds... - Four pounds?
0:07:22 > 0:07:24So we thought we'd bring it home.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- And that started off... - That started off...
0:07:26 > 0:07:28How long has this been going on for?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31It was within a short period of time. It was about 15 years ago.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- OK.- It took...- "We" being?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- My husband and myself.- OK.- Yeah.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39As we got them, we displayed them on our dining room wall, which was
0:07:39 > 0:07:43quite a nice feature for people to talk about when they came to dinner.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44Yeah, definitely.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47How has it ended up on our valuation table at Flog It! today?
0:07:47 > 0:07:48What's the reason for getting rid of it?
0:07:48 > 0:07:51My husband passed away three years ago.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Just before that, we moved house. - Right.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57To a Georgian house. And they really don't fit into a Georgian house.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00What sort of house were you in before that they did fit into?
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- It was just a modern flat. - Right, OK.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05So we did what we wanted to do within it.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07I think they are good fun, really.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Are these poisoned?
0:08:08 > 0:08:12They are. They are poison-tipped arrows in the blow pipe.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Very good. Ever had to use one?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- No!- A bit rough around Chatham?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19LAUGHING: Sometimes, but I've never used it.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21It would be another one, wouldn't it?
0:08:21 > 0:08:23"Burglar impaled by poisoned arrow."
0:08:23 > 0:08:25That would be quite good.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27So the spear was the first thing.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- That was...that was four pounds. - Four pounds.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32It looks like it has a bit of age about it, doesn't it?
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Yes, it does.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Some engraving on the blade and some nice bits of wear.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40There can be a great demand for certain older tribal art things.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43And they can make many, many thousands of pounds.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46I think the majority of this is tourist-ware that people would
0:08:46 > 0:08:49have picked up on holidays throughout the 20th century.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Some maybe as recently as 30-40 years ago.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I think this one might even be aboriginal rather than African.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- Yeah.- The decoration on that looks more Australian, doesn't it?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02And also... I'll just put that back a minute.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- These are...these are... - I think they are original, actually.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08I think they are. Yeah, you are quite right.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Rather gruesome. They are bolas. Or bol-as.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14That's right. Do they sort of swing them round and...?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17For swinging and throwing and ensnaring the animals.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Yeah, but they are very heavy, aren't they?- They are.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- I'm quite sure that they are... - They are very weighty.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- ..they are real. - They must be lead-filled, I think.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29And I agree with you, I think they are the real thing.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31So, you've got a reason for selling them,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- you haven't paid much for them... - No, no. These were 50 pence.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- I don't think they are going to be massive money.- OK.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- I think we'd put a guide price of £50-£100 on them.- OK.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Is that all right? Try and hide the disappointment, Linda.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45A few more noughts would have been nice.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49I doubt it. Although you almost never know.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I hope for you that it's one that really takes off.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Yeah, hopefully.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Thanks for bringing them along. Not what I expected to see in Kent.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- No!- That's the joy of this programme.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05There's a large collectors' market for ethnographica,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09and behind the doors of Chiddingstone Castle, is one of the
0:10:09 > 0:10:12most impressive collections in the UK.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15The castle's last owner - Denys Eyre Bower -
0:10:15 > 0:10:19collected antiques throughout his life and had a particular interest
0:10:19 > 0:10:21in unusual pieces from around the world.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25He was fascinated by Ancient Egypt, Buddhism
0:10:25 > 0:10:27and was passionate about Japanese history.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Despite never visiting the country himself, he amassed the most
0:10:33 > 0:10:37important group of Japanese antiques in a private collection.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41The highlight of which - for me - is a samurai suit of armour.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45This was made during the Edo period in the late 19th century
0:10:45 > 0:10:46for a feudal lord.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48The lord is known as a Daimyo
0:10:48 > 0:10:51and one of the most powerful landowners in Japan.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53The Edo period was a time of peace,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56so presumably this suit of armour would have been for more
0:10:56 > 0:11:00ceremonial and ritual use rather than seeing any battle.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03But it's very, very flexible and it's very, very strong.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06It's a suit of armour that you can move in and fight in if you had to.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08It's made of wonderful pieces of leather.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11There's sacking there, and there is chainmail,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13and it creates great defence.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14The helmet is made of russet metal.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18And the gourd on the top would have been one of the family crests.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20I've been told the gourds do open
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and you can put some lucky charms inside.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24That's quite a nice touch, really.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27The incredible thing about this suit of armour is
0:11:27 > 0:11:28it has wonderful provenance.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31We keep talking about provenance of the show,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33and that's what it's all about. That's where the value is.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35That's where its history lies.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38So we can date that to a particular place and person.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41And we know who this suit of armour was made for - Okochi Masatada.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44We know that because the armourer who made this,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48quite famous armourer, had actually signed the helmet.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51This is just part of the incredible collection here that
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Denys Bower managed to amass in the 1950s.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Bold choices, he went with his gut feeling, against the trends.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59And I think that's the secret, really.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Buy something that nobody else wants at the time and, hey,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05you've got a real treasure on your hands then.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15Items from abroad give us a picture of the world in another era,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19and Adam's found a book full of them.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Thanks for coming.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- It's an interesting album you've got here by the looks of it.- Thank you.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25What can you tell us about it?
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- It goes back to my late husband's grandfather.- Yes.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32When he was out in Egypt, tied up with the diplomatic service.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- I see!- And presumably working out there at that time.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37When was that?
0:12:37 > 0:12:41The postcards are basically 1908. So that era.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44This is the year he was perhaps out, stationed in Egypt?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- That's what I would think.- And he's formed this collection of cards?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Yes.- Some aren't written on and some I guess he sent back.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Some of the later ones, as you go through the album, he had sent back
0:12:54 > 0:13:00to what would have been my husband's father when he was a little boy.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Right. We'll have a look at those.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05We've got, of course, the Sphinx and some pyramids,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- they won't have changed much, will they?- No!
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- But some of the places will have changed incredibly.- Very much so.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13A lot of this is Egypt, right.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- And then the Suez Canal.- Yeah.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21Eventually, they come through to...it's almost a tour...
0:13:21 > 0:13:24They went on a bit of a European tour by the look of it.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25Because then we are in Paris.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Yes. I have a feeling that's perhaps when they were on their way back.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31On their way back they maybe did a bit of a tour.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Here's an interesting one. Trains. - Yes.- People love trains.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- That translates to the collectors of rare train cards as well.- Yes.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Those are a little more interesting perhaps than all the views
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- that you get, which are quite common tourist pick-up things.- Yes.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50We carry on through a little bit and where are we now? Vesuvius.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Keep going. Greek costume.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- And here, these are fun.- Yes.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- These are the ones that he sent back to his son, aren't they?- Yes.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- There is one there that's half in. - There's one there...- Look at that!
0:14:01 > 0:14:02THEY LAUGH
0:14:02 > 0:14:07All it is, is to Master AC Brockies in London.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09There is no message, just the address.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- There you go, there is a postcard for you.- Yes.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- And how nice for little boys to see that. From his dad.- Yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- When was that?- I think...- 1908?
0:14:17 > 0:14:19It is 1908, isn't it?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Absolutely right. How young do you think the boy would have been?
0:14:22 > 0:14:24He would have been eight because he was born in 1900.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27OK, I've got an eight year old and I think he'd laugh at this.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28- Yes.- Yes.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Look at these. They are great fun, aren't they?- They are.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34All of them simply with just a name and address on the back.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Sally, it seems slightly sad, in a way,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41that you've decided to sell them. What's the reasoning?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Well, none of the family are really interested.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Equally, how do I split an album like this
0:14:48 > 0:14:51between seven granddaughters and one grandson?
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Very good point. You can't split it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56In terms of value, there's not a huge amount of value there.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59I might be over-optimistic thinking about the hundred mark.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I think we could make towards 100. Yeah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05I would temper it to maybe 70 to 100 as an estimate.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07And put a reserve of about £70 on it.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- Yes, I think definitely a reserve on it.- I think so.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Thanks for coming, Sally.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12I'm looking forward to seeing how they go.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- Thank you.- A fascinating chronology of your family history.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Thank you very much.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Are you enjoying yourselves? - ALL: Yes!
0:15:26 > 0:15:27Yes, that's what it's all about.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30What a great morning we had here at Chiddingstone Castle.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33We've already seen some truly unique items.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35But can you guess how much they make at auction?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Here's a quick recap
0:15:37 > 0:15:39of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43There's a curious collection of tribal artefacts.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Is it all made for tourists or will some of it make a fortune?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50War medals that tell a family story.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54And you get a lot of postcards for your money with this lot,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57but will the album make the £70 reserve?
0:15:59 > 0:16:02There's only one way to find out, it's auction time
0:16:02 > 0:16:07and we're nipping over the county border to Surrey.
0:16:07 > 0:16:08This is where we put
0:16:08 > 0:16:09our valuations to the test -
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Eubank Auction Rooms.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13And I tell you what, the car park is full, which means it's
0:16:13 > 0:16:15going to be jam-packed inside.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Let's get in there and catch up with our owners.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Our items have been catalogued and displayed
0:16:23 > 0:16:27and Tim Duggan is the man with the gift of the gavel.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30First up, it's Linda's tribal collection.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Good luck, Adam, because this one is the hard one to value.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Ethnographica.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38A collection of African spears and shields and tribal art.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Bought in car-boot sales.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42How much do you think you collectively paid for the lot?
0:16:42 > 0:16:46For the lot, probably about £15-£17.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- Not bad. You are going home with a profit.- Yeah, hopefully.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- They will sell, won't they? - There's enough of it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55There's a nice diversity.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57OK, we are going to put it to the test right now.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58Here we go, this is it.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01We've got the tribal collection there, including two African
0:17:01 > 0:17:02animal skin shields there.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04£50 for these.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Bid me 30. £30. £30 bid.
0:17:06 > 0:17:0735. 40.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Yes!- Good! - £40. 45 I've got now. 45 now.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Can I have 50 anywhere? Be quick. 50 we've got online now.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15£50. Looking for 55 now.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18For the last time, selling them online at £50.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- GAVEL BANGS - £50.- Yes!
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Sold to a chap on the internet. Whew!
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- We got there.- Well done.- Thank you.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Not a bad return on a £17 investment.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I think this next lot is absolutely fascinating
0:17:35 > 0:17:38It's a postcard album featuring Egypt and Europe after 1908.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41And it belongs to Sally, who is right next to me.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42And our expert - Adam.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43Have you ever been to Egypt?
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- No, I haven't.- Nor have I. And I'm fascinated by it.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- I'd love to go there.- That's right.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- How many pictures there, do you think?- About 200.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It's hard to put a value on, isn't it?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Because some of these typography things really fly.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- I think we always kind of hold back. - Let's see what happens.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Adam is going to be spot on. I'm going to eat my words.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03OK, let's find out.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- I'd love it if they made loads more for Sally, but I don't...- Good luck.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- Thank you.- Good luck, Sally, this is it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Lot 247. We've got a postcard album containing over 200 postcards.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15What did we say on this one? We've got interest on the go.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18In on the commission of £50 now. £50. 55 in the room now. 60. Five.
0:18:18 > 0:18:2170. Five. 80. Five. 90. Five. 100.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24110. At 110 now. 120 anywhere?
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Are we all done then? Selling online at 110.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- BANGS GAVEL - Yeah, 110.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- You were getting excited for a minute.- Yeah, I was getting excited.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- I was like, go on! 200! - Acquired information or something.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- No, no. The top end of the estimate. - That's good. Really good.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I'm pleased with that. Thank you very much.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- It's a pleasure.- Thank you. - Thank you for bringing it in.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43Brilliant, thank you.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49More international history saved from the skip.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Going under the hammer right now, we have a very special lot.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55It contains an incredible amount of family history.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58And I know, at the valuation day, Thomas,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01you gave us a wonderful description of the medals.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Since that day, the reserve has been raised, hasn't it?
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Yes, simply because they are family medals.- 150, wasn't it?
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- I think I put £100-£200 or 150, but you've upped it to...- 200.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15A fixed reserve at 200.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I think that's very sensible because they are a huge group.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Look, they are going under the hammer.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25I just hope, for your sake, you get what you really want for them.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Top, top money. This is it.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29We've got the family of war medals there
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and a Jaeger le Coultre gentleman's military pocket watch.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34£80 online now. £80 bid now. 85 now.
0:19:34 > 0:19:3690. 95 now.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38100 bid now. 110. 120.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40130. 140.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42150. 160.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46170. 180. 190. 200.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49220. 240 now.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51At 240. 260 anywhere?
0:19:51 > 0:19:53At 240 now with me on the commission.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54At 240, you are out, sir.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56At £240. Are we all done, then?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Selling at 240.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- 240. So that's £40 above your reserve.- Yeah.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03You've got to be happy with that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Yes, I am, yes. - And they've gone to a collector.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Yeah, I hope that a collector will look after them and appreciate them.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Well done.- OK.- That's a hard thing to do. Hard thing to do.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Unfortunately, the successful bidder for David's medals never came
0:20:18 > 0:20:20forward and paid for them.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22In such rare cases when this happens,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24the lot is returned to the seller.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26So David has got his medals back.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29'Now it's back over to Kent
0:20:29 > 0:20:33'to visit the house of a very famous military man.'
0:20:33 > 0:20:35The house is called Chartwell.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38'And he was one of the greatest figures in British history.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41'Earlier in the week, I went to find out more.'
0:20:50 > 0:20:54The man in question lived like a king in his stunning Victorian home.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57But he was no royalty.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00He received the Nobel Prize for Literature,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03but writing was not what made him famous.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05And he lived in this peaceful setting,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08surrounded by animals and paintings.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12But spent much of his life in the midst of war.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15So who would live in a house like this?
0:21:15 > 0:21:20'We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23'We shall fight in the fields. And in the streets.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27'We shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.'
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Yes, you've guessed it, Sir Winston Churchill
0:21:32 > 0:21:38lived at Chartwell with his wife, Clementine, from 1922 to 1965.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41It was the family home for their five children
0:21:41 > 0:21:45and was a place for entertaining and for solace.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Churchill had a vivid public image.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52He was a compelling orator and a robust, driven man.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56But what happened away from the public's gaze?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Who was the real man behind the V-sign and the cigar?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Well, follow me, because I think the answer lies up these steps.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09The Churchill family enjoyed Chartwell for over 40 years
0:22:09 > 0:22:13and today, it looks very much like it would have done in the 1950s.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21The first thing that strikes you when you walk around the house is
0:22:21 > 0:22:23the quantity and quality of the paintings.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Winston Churchill started painting at the age of 40, which is
0:22:27 > 0:22:29relatively late for any artist.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Churchill showed a natural flair for oil on canvas
0:22:32 > 0:22:36and painting became more than a pastime - it was a life-line.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40He was plagued with what he called the black dog -
0:22:40 > 0:22:43a depression that followed him throughout his life.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Painting helped him find peace when the black dog rose.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57And it became a lifelong pursuit, creating over 500 stunning oils.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00From his studio at Chartwell,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04you start to get an insight into the man himself.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07There certainly is an impressive body of work here.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Churchill may have suffered from depression,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12but it doesn't show in his artwork.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15They are vivid, they are warm, beautiful landscapes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Some of the UK and some from abroad. He definitely liked to travel.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22And he definitely loved to study a view.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26And Chartwell is a lush, green space surrounded by nature.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Here is an image from Chartwell, looking out into the garden,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32with the man himself.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35That's the painting I'm going to find out about.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Celia Sandys is Sir Winston Churchill's granddaughter
0:23:40 > 0:23:43and spent many happy summers here as a child.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45How does it feel being back here?
0:23:45 > 0:23:47It's always lovely to come back to Chartwell.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50I used to spend a lot of my school holidays here.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53And I came so often, I think I've signed the visitors book more
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- than anyone else.- I can't believe how beautiful it is here.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58It's absolutely stunning.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Churchill must have been inspired by so much nature.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Well, he loved it, but he didn't buy a house, he bought a view.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- LAUGHING:- Yes.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08He'd been brought up by his nanny, Mrs Everest, who came from Kent.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11And she said that Kent was the Garden of England.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14I think she probably put that into his head.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15I know the house is full of wonderful art.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But there's one particular one I want to talk to you about,
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- and that's Mary's First Speech. - Absolutely, yes.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Mary is the youngest child, born in 1922.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26My grandfather, he wanted to do bricklaying
0:24:26 > 0:24:28and he enjoyed building some of these walls.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30He built these walls along there?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- He built a large part of the walls.- Gosh!
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Anyway, he decided to build this little house,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38miniature cottage for her, called the Marycot.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43So he did a painting of Mary laying the foundation stone.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47There is Randolph and my grandfather and Mary in the picture.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I think he found for himself the best form of therapy to relieve
0:24:51 > 0:24:55stress that he could've done. And one that he really enjoyed.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57One of the greatest pleasures of his life, I think,
0:24:57 > 0:25:02was to be surrounded by as many members of his family as possible.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04He'd had quite a bleak childhood.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08His family, when he was a child, was his nanny and his brother.
0:25:08 > 0:25:09Wherever they were was home.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Therefore, I think he made a decision that he wanted to
0:25:13 > 0:25:15have as much of his family around him as possible.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18He was never happier than when he could look around the dining
0:25:18 > 0:25:21room table here and see his children and his grandchildren here.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33But it was here in the study that Churchill spent most of his time.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Here you can see his writing desk,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38full of wonderful family photographs.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42And here Churchill would stand and dictate to his secretary.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Did you know that he wrote one novel, two autobiographies
0:25:46 > 0:25:49and three volumes of memoirs?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52He won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his prolific works.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56That's not bad for a man who helped save the nation
0:25:56 > 0:25:58from German occupation.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Writing was more than a hobby, it was a job.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Politics didn't pay then what it does now and writing helped fund
0:26:08 > 0:26:13the upkeep of Chartwell and his taste for the finer things in life.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17But even with the volumes he wrote, the bills kept mounting up.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21Churchill's lavish lifestyle nearly cost him this house.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25But in 1946, consortium of wealthy businessmen bought
0:26:25 > 0:26:27the house on the understanding that Churchill
0:26:27 > 0:26:30and Clementine could live here until their death.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40Winston Churchill passed away in 1965, at the age of 90.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44His state funeral was attended by unprecedented numbers
0:26:44 > 0:26:48and as the cranes of London dipped in honour,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51the nation mourned the loss of one of its greatest leaders.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- You were 21 when he died.- Yes.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Tell me, what was he like, the grandfather?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03He was lovely. For us, he was just Grandpapa.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I think after the war, the only people who took
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Winston Churchill completely for granted were his grandchildren.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Even his children were in awe of him.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14What did Chartwell mean to him?
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Chartwell meant everything to him.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19He once famously said, "A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted."
0:27:19 > 0:27:22But that didn't stop him running away from it all the time.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24He seemed to have an absolute need to travel.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27And he got an adrenaline rush every time he went.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31But Chartwell was the harbour that he returned to.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33And where he felt most at ease.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35And most of the most important things
0:27:35 > 0:27:38that happen in his life happened here.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39- Wonderful memories.- Great memories.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Thank you for sharing them with me here today as well.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43Very happy to be with you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45We've got a great insight into Winston Churchill.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- My biggest hero, I think.- Mine too.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53'We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be.'
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Back at our valuation day at Chiddingstone Castle,
0:28:09 > 0:28:13there's a great atmosphere as the people of Kent await a valuation.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18And Thomas has found more intriguing pieces of military history.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22You have brought an interesting collection of war items
0:28:22 > 0:28:25dating, I think, from the First World War.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28How come they are in your possession?
0:28:28 > 0:28:33They belonged to my mother. And they were her parents' before then.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37They had been sitting in a chest belonging to my mother
0:28:37 > 0:28:40and grandparents, not doing very much.
0:28:40 > 0:28:46We think that this booklet was given to my grandparents by a friend
0:28:46 > 0:28:47of theirs.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52The other items may or may not have come from him as well.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54We really don't know.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56You've got a number of different things here.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00- We've got instruments of death.- Yes.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04And then we have what could be parts of an airship.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08This could be the canvas of the actual airship, aluminium
0:29:08 > 0:29:12from part of the actual workings of the ship, it looks like a pulley.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16It's light enough. And sights and other items
0:29:16 > 0:29:19from it. Could be salvaged from this wreck.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- They were all in the chest together?- Yes.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Interesting that they were all in the chest together
0:29:25 > 0:29:29- with a photograph of a destroyed ship, burnt out.- Yes.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- Along with a collection of instruments of death.- Yes.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37- Flechettes, these are called. These are British flechettes.- Right.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40These arrows or darts were used
0:29:40 > 0:29:42to pierce the actual airship themselves.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47- Oh, were they?- Mm-hmm. Dropped from planes flying above them.- Oh!
0:29:47 > 0:29:51These could have been thrown out as bucket-loads
0:29:51 > 0:29:53either on troops or airships as well.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56And they would sail through the air and land and
0:29:56 > 0:29:59they would be almost silent killers until you actually heard them -
0:29:59 > 0:30:03THUNK - hit you on the head, and that's it, game over.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- Horrible.- Indeed!- Then again, war is horrible.- It is.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09Tell me, what do you feel about these items
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and why do you think your mother has kept them?
0:30:11 > 0:30:14I suppose they have always been in the chest.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17And that's just where they stayed.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22- But I certainly don't want to keep them.- No.- And my mother doesn't.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25There is a huge collectorship in these items.
0:30:25 > 0:30:31- Yes.- There is a possibility of you making over £100.- Yes.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36- Easily.- Mm-hmm.- I think there is a possibility of you making £300.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42- Right.- So what I would say, let's put a really wide estimate. £200-£300.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- Yes, that's fine. - Do you think that's fair?
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- Then we'll reserve it, a really low reserve at £100.- OK.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52I think that gives it a fair... It gives the auctioneer a lot of scope.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Yes.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Because we don't know the story.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01If this was coming into my saleroom, then I would be getting details
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- and looking for crash sites. - I'm sure one could find out...
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Yes, you could. Because look at the way it has landed.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10There would be other photographs. And people would do research.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- There are your collectors out there who will know.- Yes.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Anyway, you happy with the valuation?- Yes, yes. Yes.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19Let's see what happens.
0:31:21 > 0:31:26The Flog It! team are still hard at it - well, most of them at least -
0:31:26 > 0:31:30and local lady Pat's brought my hero along for a valuation.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- Have you had a good day, Pat? - Very much so. Definitely.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35You are holding a little Toby jug of Winston Churchill.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38That reminds me of my visit to Chartwell House.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Oh, you have been there? Don't drop it.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43No, I won't drop him. He's a little Royal Doulton figure.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Winston Churchill.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- With cigar.- My husband told me not to sell it today.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- I said, "Well, they are not buying today."- No.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53THEY LAUGH
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Pat's keeping hold of her little Churchill,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57but Linda's silver cup is up for sale.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02I always like to see a nice box like that.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Things were just presented so nicely,
0:32:04 > 0:32:06weren't they, in the Victorian period?
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- That's right.- I just can't wait to have a look. Can I open it up?
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- Please do.- Very good. Let's have a look and see what's in there.
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Oh, look at that!
0:32:13 > 0:32:16And we are the box has suffered over the years,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18this has been perfectly preserved inside,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21this little silver bowl with this heart-fluted body.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25It's got a presentation inscription to a DBR Fagge.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Do you know who Mr Fagge was?
0:32:27 > 0:32:31Unfortunately not. My husband inherited it from his father.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36Unfortunately I lost my husband recently, so
0:32:36 > 0:32:41- the information about it, I'm not really very clear on.- Oh, dear!
0:32:41 > 0:32:45His father, I think, had it as a wedding present.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48But where Fagge comes into it, I don't know.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52It would be nice if this DBR Fagge was an eminent politician or
0:32:52 > 0:32:54historian or surgeon or...
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- I tried to find out. - ..an actor or sportsman. No?- No.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59I haven't been able to trace him.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02What a shame that we can't find that out
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- because that would then make the inscription helpful.- That's right.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08A lot of presentation inscriptions on silver are things like
0:33:08 > 0:33:11on the occasion of your marriage or anniversary.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13And those people erase.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15But the box has been really good to it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- It has kept it in lovely condition, hasn't it?- Yes, it has.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20If we just take it out for a moment, then you will see that the
0:33:20 > 0:33:25gilt interior is beautifully done, isn't it?
0:33:25 > 0:33:26It was.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28And on the bottom we have got nice,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32clear hallmarks for William Evans, a silversmith from London.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34And the hallmark there is from 1890.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37What made you bring it along to Flog It! today?
0:33:37 > 0:33:41If it had a family name on, then I would have kept it and passed it on.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- But it means nothing really to us. - Where does it live?
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Does it live stuck away in a box, tucked in a cupboard somewhere?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50- Yes, it does.- I thought that would be the case.- Yes.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54People often say, "Oh, it's only worth the weight in silver."
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- That really annoys me, actually. - It's too beautiful to be...- Exactly!
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Can you imagine someone smashing that up and melting it?
0:34:00 > 0:34:02I wouldn't let it go for that.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Which is why they need to make sure it doesn't go for that.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08It's about 3 1/2 ounces of silver, which is about £35 worth.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11It's about ten pounds an ounce at the moment.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13We have got to make sure we clear that.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17I suggest we put £50 to £80 estimate and 50 reserve,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20so that whatever happens, you get back more than you would
0:34:20 > 0:34:23and whoever buys it is going to buy it as an object and not as a
0:34:23 > 0:34:26piece of metal to go and use making a mobile phone
0:34:26 > 0:34:27or something like that.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Hopefully it'll make somewhere along £50 to £80.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Would you do anything specific with that money?
0:34:32 > 0:34:34I know it's not an awful lot, but do you have anything...?
0:34:34 > 0:34:39I would do something for the garden because my husband loved the garden.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40So something in the garden for him.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- And we are in the Garden of England after all.- We are, yes. Definitely.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- And what a glorious day it is. - Beautiful.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Linda, thanks for coming along.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- You are welcome.- I really hope that it finds a new home in the auction.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- I hope so too.- Thanks a lot. - Thanks very much.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Finally, let's find out what John has to say
0:34:59 > 0:35:01about his rather large bowl.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04It belonged to my grandmother.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Although we believed it was brought back from the Far East
0:35:07 > 0:35:10by my uncle when he was with the Royal Marines.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- In the Second World War?- Yes.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Grandma used it basically to make all her Christmas puddings
0:35:16 > 0:35:18and her Christmas cakes.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- For years.- For years? - Years and years, yes.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Now, when I met you in the queue, you said,
0:35:24 > 0:35:26"I've got a Japanese bowl."
0:35:26 > 0:35:29I always thought it was Japanese. It's just the figures on it.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32I thought these were more Japanese than Chinese.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35I have to shatter your illusions and say I'm afraid it's Chinese.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40- However, that makes it more valuable.- OK.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43The story about your uncle bringing this back from Asia,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45what was his name, Uncle...?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47- Ron.- Uncle Ron?- Ronald.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49He was a corporal in the Royal Marines.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52A corporal in the Royal Marines sees this bowl and thinks,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55"Do you know what, my mother is going to like that..."
0:35:55 > 0:35:57- Yep.- "..to mix her Christmas pudding in."
0:35:57 > 0:35:59And he actually takes it and puts it on the ship
0:35:59 > 0:36:01and brings it all the way back. He looks after it.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- He brought a load of other stuff back as well.- Did he?- Yes.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06- How did he manage to do that? In a crate?- I don't know.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- Carved elephants and things like that.- Really?- Yep.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- How interesting. - In his later life he was a storeman.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Perhaps he had that in his blood
0:36:14 > 0:36:17when he was coming back from wherever it was.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18Absolutely!
0:36:18 > 0:36:20We've got to talk about the actual piece itself.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- How old do you think it is? - I would say roundabout 100 years old.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25That's a rough guess.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29I would then minus another hundred years and you might be there.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- 1820s to 1830s.- Really? - Yes, it's got age.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37It's got age. It's not 18th century. Certainly early 19th century.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40- Chinese export-ware.- Ah!
0:36:40 > 0:36:42- And it's part of a larger set.- Right.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44It might even be a washbasin,
0:36:44 > 0:36:50part of a large serving dish for rice, a big family serving bowl.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Because most of the decoration is on the inside.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56If it was on the outside, it would be worth considerably more.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- Oh, what a shame!- Because you could see it then, couldn't you?
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- What a shame. - What do you think was going on here?
0:37:01 > 0:37:03It seems to tell a story of some sort.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05But I'm not quite sure what it is all about.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Whether it's a wedding or something like that going on.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09I think it's discussions, maybe pre-wedding.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- I think it's a family scene. - It's a very busy plate.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Yes and then you have this fabulous design round the edge here.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19We've got to check that it's in good condition.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22- It's got a little chip on the side. - A little chip.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27On the base, a very minor crack here. It doesn't go through.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31- What do you think it's worth? - I'd hoped for 200 or £300.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36I wouldn't argue with that at all. I think we'd say £300-£500.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Don't be surprised if it makes the upper end.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41- I think we should put a reserve on it.- Definitely.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- And I think that reserve should be 280.- That's fine.- Yeah?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Grandma's Christmas pudding bowl.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Let me ask you a question, do you like figgy pudding?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52I like all puddings.
0:37:52 > 0:37:53HE LAUGHS
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- I used to like...licking the bowl. - Did you really?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Chiddingstone Castle has been a marvellous valuation day venue.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06It's full of antiques
0:38:06 > 0:38:08and the people who have turned up have embraced it, they've had
0:38:08 > 0:38:12so much fun, and I think we have all learned a great deal today.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14And that is what a valuation day is all about.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16If you haven't been to one, then now is your time.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Check our BBC website or your local press for more details.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22And now, sadly, it's time to say goodbye to our host
0:38:22 > 0:38:25location as we are off to auction for the very last time today.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Here is a quick recap of what is coming with us.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31A collection of World War I items
0:38:31 > 0:38:33that are both shocking and intriguing.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39A silver cup that Linda won't see sold for scrap.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43And a Chinese bowl - apparently perfect for making cakes!
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Let's see if there are any bakers or buyers in the saleroom right now.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Thank you for coming in to the valuation day
0:38:52 > 0:38:54and bringing a nice piece in.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57I know you were initially very happy with Thomas' estimate
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- and we did have a reserve of £280.- Yes.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04- You had a chat to the auctioneer and you've put the reserve up to?- 350.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- 350.- Yes.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Because you feel that you don't want to let it go at 280.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11I just thought, 350,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14if it doesn't go, then we will put it back into the auction again later.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17If it's going to sell, then it is going to sell well.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Hopefully, it won't put the bidders off. This is it. It does look good.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22We have a revised estimate.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25This is the Chinese famille verte bowl there.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28With the decorated panels. Nice art on this one.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32I go in at £200 now. 220. 240. 260.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Looking for 280 anywhere.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37At £260. I'm looking for 280 anywhere. At £260.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42Nice item this one. At 260. Are we all done?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44At £260.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- No.- Didn't even get 280, did it?- No.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Apparently, they have a Chinese and ceramics auction in November.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54Right. That's probably a good thing to do. Put it in a specialist sale.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55- Put it back in here then.- Brilliant.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58The reserve stopped the bowl selling for a song,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01we hope John has better luck next time.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Fingers crossed, Linda. This is Linda's first auction.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09So hopefully, you are going home a happy lady.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11- I hope so.- I think we will sell this.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14I think Adam is spot on with this silver cup.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17William Evans, London maker, Victorian, with original case.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- That's right. - Fingers crossed. This is it.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21It's going under the hammer now.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Lot 46. The silver presentation bowl there. Nice one there.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Straight in at £50 on this. At 50. Five. Now looking for 60.
0:40:28 > 0:40:3160 in front. Now want 65 for it. It's with you, sir, at £60.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32- It's gone, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37At £60. Right in front. Selling at £60.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41We got it away. It's sold. That hammer going down is a good sound.
0:40:51 > 0:40:52Going under the hammer right now
0:40:52 > 0:40:56we have a collection of World War I items belonging to Susan.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Good time to sell.- I think it's a great time to sell.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Also, it just goes to show that
0:41:00 > 0:41:04that war was the first metallised war.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07But it was also quite Heath Robinson-esque.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10It's quite horrific really, isn't it? What went on.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- The courage of those young men. - All of them in all wars.- Yes.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17- We've decided to give the money to charity.- Good for you.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21It seems an appropriate thing to do somehow.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Yes, I think you're right, actually. I would do the same.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26We are putting them under the hammer right now.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30265. We have got 11 flechettes here.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Can I see £100 for it?
0:41:33 > 0:41:34Internet.
0:41:34 > 0:41:3690 bid. 95 now. 100 we've got now, bid online.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39110. 120. 130 bid now.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Very rushed. 140. 150.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Those flechettes and bits there.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47180. At 180 online now. 190 anywhere?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50190 bid now. 200. 220?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52At £200 now. 220 bid. 240.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Very furious now. At 260 online.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- At 260 online now.- You just don't see these things.- You don't.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59I've never seen them for sale before.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Coming on the phone. 280 on the phone.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Need 300 now please. Online.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05280 on the phone now. I need 300. 300 bid now.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06320.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10- Yep.- 340 online please.- 340!
0:42:10 > 0:42:12- That's good.- 360.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17380 online.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20400. 420 online.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22440.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27460 online.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28480.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33Bids all out. Selling online at £460.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39- £460!- That's brilliant.- And all that money will go to charity.- Excellent.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Good for you! And what a lovely surprise.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43And what a way to end today's show.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45I've learnt something, I hope you have as well.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48I told you there would be a big surprise. Well done, both of you.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50That's lovely, thank you very much. Thank you.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53And join us for many more surprises to come in the future.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56But until then, from Ewbank's here in Surrey, it's goodbye.