Falmouth 10

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:06 > 0:00:08Today is the day I come home.

0:00:08 > 0:00:10I'm back in Falmouth. This is Falmouth harbour,

0:00:10 > 0:00:13the world's third largest, deepest natural harbour.

0:00:13 > 0:00:17I grew up here and our valuation day venue is this magnificent

0:00:17 > 0:00:20building, the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall, which houses

0:00:20 > 0:00:23the county's large collection of nautical heritage.

0:00:23 > 0:00:26I can't wait to get inside, because we've taken it over.

0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's going to be home for our valuations.

0:00:28 > 0:00:30It's going to be full of art and antiques and collectables.

0:00:30 > 0:00:32Our crew are inside. I'm going to join them.

0:00:32 > 0:00:36We're going to get valuing. Welcome to "Flog It!"

0:00:57 > 0:00:59Falmouth is steeped in maritime history,

0:00:59 > 0:01:02which is reflected in this extraordinary collection of boats

0:01:02 > 0:01:05exhibited here in the museum.

0:01:05 > 0:01:08From this wrought-iron-hulled Waterlily,

0:01:08 > 0:01:11to the flotilla of boats suspended from the ceiling.

0:01:11 > 0:01:14Around them, the crowds are gathering and the tension is rising.

0:01:16 > 0:01:18It looks like all of Falmouth has turned up

0:01:18 > 0:01:22laden with bags and boxes, full of antiques and collectables ready

0:01:22 > 0:01:24for a valuation from our experts,

0:01:24 > 0:01:27and, if you're happy with the valuation, what're you going to do?

0:01:27 > 0:01:29ALL: Flog It!

0:01:30 > 0:01:34And we have two shipshape experts manning the queue today.

0:01:36 > 0:01:39Philip Serrell is certainly in good spirits.

0:01:39 > 0:01:41What have you got there?

0:01:41 > 0:01:43Well, we think it's a rum pot.

0:01:43 > 0:01:44- Rum?- Yeah.

0:01:44 > 0:01:46- Rum?- Rum.- Rum.

0:01:49 > 0:01:53And Caroline Hawley is staying sober but stylish.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56Well, it's a bit too smart for down the pub, isn't it?

0:01:56 > 0:01:58But this is lovely embroidery.

0:01:58 > 0:02:02- But there's so much work in it. - An awful lot of work.- Incredible!

0:02:03 > 0:02:07Right, let's get everyone inside and rummage through those bags.

0:02:07 > 0:02:10Who knows what other treasures we might find?

0:02:10 > 0:02:12Cos, without members of the general public,

0:02:12 > 0:02:15we would not have a show, and fingers crossed we're going to find

0:02:15 > 0:02:17something fantastic here today.

0:02:17 > 0:02:20While the crowd is settling down,

0:02:20 > 0:02:22let's take a quick look at what's coming up.

0:02:24 > 0:02:28It's no surprise that many of the items have a maritime feel.

0:02:28 > 0:02:30I feel a bit seasick while you're doing all this.

0:02:30 > 0:02:32I'm just feeling it's starting to rock a bit here.

0:02:34 > 0:02:37And I'll be finding my sea legs to explore life aboard

0:02:37 > 0:02:40packet ships in the 18th century.

0:02:40 > 0:02:44- And it's a very rare account of an ordinary seaman.- Really?- Yes.

0:02:44 > 0:02:47He didn't have a hammock, he slept in corners,

0:02:47 > 0:02:51and, on watch, he would commit the cardinal sin of falling asleep,

0:02:51 > 0:02:53and so he had water thrown over him.

0:02:54 > 0:02:58And we hear a heroic story of survival.

0:02:58 > 0:03:00Now, this small dinghy you can see behind me

0:03:00 > 0:03:02saved the lives of a family of five,

0:03:02 > 0:03:05plus a hitchhiker they picked up

0:03:05 > 0:03:08when their yacht was attacked by a pod of killer whales,

0:03:08 > 0:03:10and, later on in the programme,

0:03:10 > 0:03:12I'll be meeting one of those brave survivors.

0:03:13 > 0:03:17With the valuation day already in full swing, I wonder if Philip can

0:03:17 > 0:03:19steer us in the right direction

0:03:19 > 0:03:22with this seafarers' navigation instrument.

0:03:22 > 0:03:26Do you know what, Peter? I think you look like an old sea dog, I do.

0:03:26 > 0:03:27So, are you an old sea dog?

0:03:27 > 0:03:32Well, I was professionally at sea for the first job I had,

0:03:32 > 0:03:34- till I was in my 30s...- Yeah.

0:03:34 > 0:03:39..and, er, I've been pleasure-sailing ever since.

0:03:39 > 0:03:42- Now, this is a sextant, isn't it? - Yeah.

0:03:42 > 0:03:45I'm sort of ashamed to say this, but I can look at the box like that

0:03:45 > 0:03:48and go, that's a sextant, but how do they work?

0:03:48 > 0:03:53- Well, you pick it up carefully... - Yeah?- ..out like this,

0:03:53 > 0:03:56- then get the handle.- Yeah.

0:03:56 > 0:03:59Get the shades out the way,

0:03:59 > 0:04:07cos there's not a bright sun today, you turn it zero on the scale,

0:04:07 > 0:04:10look at your object in the sky,

0:04:10 > 0:04:13bring it down to the horizon.

0:04:13 > 0:04:18Just fine-tune it with a micrometre.

0:04:18 > 0:04:20I feel a bit seasick while you're doing all this.

0:04:20 > 0:04:22- I feel it's starting to rock a bit here.- Yeah!

0:04:22 > 0:04:26Then you shout "stop" to the bloke on the chronometer.

0:04:26 > 0:04:28STOP! Yeah, I've done that.

0:04:28 > 0:04:33And then you put your sextant away and then do the calculations.

0:04:33 > 0:04:35This would work with a chart, wouldn't it?

0:04:35 > 0:04:38- It would need a chart, yeah.- Yeah.

0:04:38 > 0:04:42So, by basically using this, a chart and a good watch,

0:04:42 > 0:04:44- that would tell you where you were?- Yeah.

0:04:44 > 0:04:46I could do with one of these for life, really.

0:04:46 > 0:04:50- So, I've seen here this is by Kelvin & Hughes Ltd...- Yeah.

0:04:50 > 0:04:53..and this is dated 1953. What did you pay for it?

0:04:53 > 0:04:58Well, I haven't a clue, but I know that I bought it

0:04:58 > 0:05:01just before I went to sea as a third mate.

0:05:01 > 0:05:03So, what did a third mate do? What was a third mate?

0:05:03 > 0:05:05The 8 to 12 watch.

0:05:05 > 0:05:08- You were the navigator? - You'd be a navigator.

0:05:08 > 0:05:11- Presumably, these things are now redundant, are they?- Yeah.

0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Because of satellites... - GPS stuff?- GPS, yeah.

0:05:15 > 0:05:18After all this, I've got to try and put a value on it, haven't I?

0:05:18 > 0:05:21- You have indeed, sir. - I think that one is going to make

0:05:21 > 0:05:24£60-£90 at auction,

0:05:24 > 0:05:25and you'd sort of reserve it at £50?

0:05:25 > 0:05:28- That would be my guess-timate for it.- OK.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31- Are you happy with that?- Yes. Sure, because it's got to go.

0:05:31 > 0:05:33Well, let's see if we can steer this

0:05:33 > 0:05:35into the calm waters of an auction room

0:05:35 > 0:05:40and hope that we can turn £60-£90 into a half-decent profit, shall we?

0:05:40 > 0:05:43Well, I'd be very pleased if you could, Philip.

0:05:43 > 0:05:46- Peter, it's been a pleasure to meet you.- Best of bells, sir.

0:05:47 > 0:05:49Now, Caroline has managed to find

0:05:49 > 0:05:52something with no connection to the sea!

0:05:52 > 0:05:53- Hello, Anne.- Hello, Caroline.

0:05:53 > 0:05:56Thank you for coming and bringing your lovely bowl!

0:05:56 > 0:06:00- You've had it forever, haven't you? - Yes.- So tell me...- My christening.

0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Who gave it to?- Godmother.

0:06:03 > 0:06:05- Aw, and did you use it, then, as a child?- Oh, yes!

0:06:05 > 0:06:07I'm afraid it has been used.

0:06:07 > 0:06:10How it never got broken, I have no idea.

0:06:10 > 0:06:12Well, you were a good girl, that's why!

0:06:12 > 0:06:13THEY LAUGH

0:06:13 > 0:06:16Well, it's lovely. Do you know anything about it?

0:06:16 > 0:06:20- Haven't got a clue.- Now, I think it dates from the 1930s.

0:06:20 > 0:06:24- Does that tie in?- Yes. - I don't want to be indelicate.

0:06:24 > 0:06:25I was born in 1937.

0:06:25 > 0:06:29- Were you?- Yes!- Well, that's spot-on, isn't it? So far, so good.

0:06:29 > 0:06:33- And it's beautifully illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell...- Yeah.

0:06:33 > 0:06:37..and this is so iconic of the thirties,

0:06:37 > 0:06:41and she based these designs on her daughter Peggy.

0:06:41 > 0:06:44- Oh, really?- Can you see Peggy poking out of a house there?- Yeah.

0:06:44 > 0:06:48But I think you've scraped your spoon a bit, haven't you?

0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Yeah.- You've been scraping up that porridge.- That's it!

0:06:51 > 0:06:53- Did you use it every day?- Yes.

0:06:53 > 0:06:57It's great and it's got a great maker. It's made by Shelley.

0:06:57 > 0:06:58- Oh, is it?- Which is lovely.

0:06:58 > 0:07:01So if we have a look at the back, here.

0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Shelley...- Right. - ..and it's not damaged at all.

0:07:05 > 0:07:07As I say, the only wear is

0:07:07 > 0:07:09- where you've rubbed your spoon. - It's a bit worn.

0:07:09 > 0:07:13But I like it, and other people like things like this.

0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Do they collect them, then? - Yes, they do,

0:07:16 > 0:07:20but the collectors, they really like them in mint condition,

0:07:20 > 0:07:23which I think's sad. I think it's nicer to have one has been used.

0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Well, you can see it's been loved. - You can see it's been loved.

0:07:26 > 0:07:28It brings me to put a value on it.

0:07:28 > 0:07:30It was a very generous present when it was given.

0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Was it?- Yes, they weren't cheap,

0:07:33 > 0:07:37and I think now, it would get £20-£40.

0:07:37 > 0:07:41- Right.- I think, to be certain of it selling...

0:07:41 > 0:07:45- Yeah.- ..if we put a reserve of £15, a fixed reserve.

0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Right? - And see where it goes from there.

0:07:47 > 0:07:49- Fine.- Would you be happy with that?- Yeah.

0:07:49 > 0:07:51- It's only in the cupboard doing nothing.- Aw!

0:07:51 > 0:07:54And then you'll come to the auction and see it? It'll be very exciting.

0:07:54 > 0:07:56- Yeah, I'd love to. - Aw, well, thank you very much.

0:07:56 > 0:08:00- It's a pleasure to meet you, Anne. - Thank you very much for choosing it!

0:08:00 > 0:08:01Thank you!

0:08:07 > 0:08:11Now, while the valuations are going on downstairs, I've popped up here

0:08:11 > 0:08:14to show you one of the museum's most important exhibits -

0:08:14 > 0:08:16the history of the packet ships.

0:08:16 > 0:08:20In 1688, Falmouth was made the Royal Mail packet station

0:08:20 > 0:08:24and ships brought letters, bullion, private goods and passengers back

0:08:24 > 0:08:29and forth from the colonies, turning Falmouth into a global news hub.

0:08:29 > 0:08:33They were boom times for the town. But it came at a price.

0:08:33 > 0:08:36It was risky business, sailing the high seas for the captains.

0:08:36 > 0:08:39Not only were there the dangers of storms, of the high seas,

0:08:39 > 0:08:43but also of mutiny and attack by pirates.

0:08:45 > 0:08:47Packet vessels weren't fighting ships,

0:08:47 > 0:08:51but they were armed with small deck cannon and guns,

0:08:51 > 0:08:53which frequently saved them from being captured.

0:08:53 > 0:08:56And hand pistols like these, standard issue ones,

0:08:56 > 0:08:59often helped protect the letters and the bullion,

0:08:59 > 0:09:02which was frequently entrusted on those voyages,

0:09:02 > 0:09:06so that's a wonderful example of what was around,

0:09:06 > 0:09:08but what I love is this mailbag.

0:09:08 > 0:09:13This is the only surviving example of a mailbag from a packet ship.

0:09:13 > 0:09:15And it was donated to the museum, kindly,

0:09:15 > 0:09:19by a Falmouth resident who found it in his attic.

0:09:19 > 0:09:24That really is a wonderful document of the packet's social history.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26A hardy survivor.

0:09:27 > 0:09:29Back at the valuation tables,

0:09:29 > 0:09:34Philip has his hands on another piece of maritime history.

0:09:34 > 0:09:35- John, how you?- Very well, thanks.

0:09:35 > 0:09:38Are you a Falmouthian or whatever the term is?

0:09:38 > 0:09:42- No, I'm a Camelfordian. - A Camelfordian?- Yeah.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45- Now, we're surrounded by boats, aren't we?- This is true.

0:09:45 > 0:09:48- We're surrounded by water - This is true.- I'm kind of hoping

0:09:48 > 0:09:51- this has got some sort of marine... - Just a little.- Has it?- Yes.

0:09:51 > 0:09:55- Would this have fitted on a boat? - No. It would be more shore-sides.

0:09:55 > 0:09:57- Why?- Stone frigates.

0:09:57 > 0:09:59- How'd you know? - It would be a bit difficult...

0:09:59 > 0:10:01What did you just say? A stone frigate?

0:10:01 > 0:10:04- Stone frigate.- What does that mean? - It's a shore base.

0:10:04 > 0:10:07So, if you're a naval officer based in the shore,

0:10:07 > 0:10:10- you'd call it a stone frigate? - Stone frigate.

0:10:10 > 0:10:13- I thought you were swearing at me. - No, no. Would I do that?

0:10:13 > 0:10:16- I hope not!- No.- So, it's obviously been dispensing something,

0:10:16 > 0:10:18cos you've got taps here.

0:10:18 > 0:10:21Well, this used to contain the daily ration of rum

0:10:21 > 0:10:25- for senior ratings in the Royal Navy.- Really?

0:10:25 > 0:10:28The junior ratings got grog, which was rum and water mixed.

0:10:28 > 0:10:32So, if you were below deck or you were lesser ranks,

0:10:32 > 0:10:35- grog was a mixture of water and rum. - Water and rum.

0:10:35 > 0:10:39- And if you were a ranking officer... - No! If you were a senior rating.

0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Senior rating?- Petty officer or chief petty officer,

0:10:42 > 0:10:44then you used to get neat rum.

0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Were you a naval man? Is that why you bought this?- Yes.

0:10:47 > 0:10:51- I did a few years in the Navy. 22.- 22?- Mm-hm.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54- So, were you a grog man or a rum man?- I started off as a grog man.

0:10:54 > 0:10:58- And you became a rum...? - And became a neat rum man, yes.

0:10:58 > 0:11:00- And, presumably, that doesn't happen now.- No, it doesn't.

0:11:00 > 0:11:03- And here we've got... - "Mechanician Candidates."

0:11:03 > 0:11:06- And that says "Mess" in there. - That would be in their mess.

0:11:06 > 0:11:11- This has come from the mess.- Yes. - Dated 1924, so even I can date this.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14- That's true. - And what have we got underneath?

0:11:14 > 0:11:17- "One and One Only." - So that's your measure.

0:11:17 > 0:11:21- Right.- You're allowed one measure and one measure only?- That's it.

0:11:21 > 0:11:23That's a cool thing. How did you come by it?

0:11:23 > 0:11:27- I found it in Weybridge in an auction.- Can I ask a rude question?

0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Go on.- How much did you pay for it? - I think about £20.

0:11:30 > 0:11:33- How long ago was that? - It could've been 35-40 years ago.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36Well, I think we're just selling it in the right part of the world.

0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Mm-hm.- And I've got strong hopes for that,

0:11:38 > 0:11:41- so fingers crossed. - Yes, I'll cross my fingers.

0:11:41 > 0:11:44Just one last question - how many bottles would you get in there?

0:11:44 > 0:11:46Well, we didn't fill it from the bottle,

0:11:46 > 0:11:49- we used to carry it..- In casks? - ..in casks. That's right.

0:11:49 > 0:11:53Ah, right. I think, if I wanted to sell this, I'd put an estimate on it

0:11:53 > 0:11:57- of £80-£120...- Yeah.- ..I'd put a fixed reserve on it of 60 quid

0:11:57 > 0:12:00and it wouldn't surprise me if it made £60

0:12:00 > 0:12:02and it wouldn't surprise me if it made £200.

0:12:02 > 0:12:04I think it's a real fun thing.

0:12:04 > 0:12:06- Are you happy to put it in the auction?- I am indeed.

0:12:06 > 0:12:09Do you know one thing that's going to make it a bit more saleable?

0:12:09 > 0:12:12I don't know if you're able to do this.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Fill it up. - Fill it up?- Fill it up!

0:12:18 > 0:12:20Well, I don't know about you,

0:12:20 > 0:12:22but I think there's some real gems there.

0:12:22 > 0:12:24Our experts have worked tremendously hard.

0:12:24 > 0:12:27And now, they're going to put those valuations to the test.

0:12:27 > 0:12:29We're making our way over to the salerooms

0:12:29 > 0:12:32and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.

0:12:33 > 0:12:37Pointing us in the right direction is Peter's sextant.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43Will Anne's beautifully illustrated christening plate be

0:12:43 > 0:12:45scooped up by the bidders?

0:12:49 > 0:12:50And let's hope we can raise a toast

0:12:50 > 0:12:53when this rum drum goes under the hammer.

0:12:57 > 0:12:59We're heading 40 miles up the road to Lostwithiel,

0:12:59 > 0:13:02which is a small town with lots of lovely antique shops.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06And, of course, Jefferys auction house, our destination today.

0:13:07 > 0:13:11Remember, every saleroom charges varying rates of commission.

0:13:11 > 0:13:15Here, sellers pay 15%, plus VAT,

0:13:15 > 0:13:18so make sure you've done your sums in advance.

0:13:18 > 0:13:21Taking charge of the gavel today is auctioneer Ian Morris.

0:13:23 > 0:13:25We're just about to sell Peter's sextant.

0:13:25 > 0:13:29Now, this is the standard kit for a ship's captain, isn't it, really?

0:13:29 > 0:13:31- Well, I hope so! - Yeah, I know you were in two minds.

0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Some of the family members wanted you to keep it.- I'm not, I'm not!

0:13:34 > 0:13:37- But you want to sell it?- Well, it's at auction now!- It's at auction now.

0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Anyone can bid on it, except for us. - Absolutely.

0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Well, good luck with that.- Thank you. - We're in the right place to sell it.

0:13:42 > 0:13:44We're surrounded by water down here in Cornwall,

0:13:44 > 0:13:45so fingers crossed. Here we are.

0:13:45 > 0:13:50RK sextant by Kelvin Hughes, dated 1953.

0:13:50 > 0:13:54Not that old, but got some interest at £140.

0:13:54 > 0:13:55Bids on the book at 140.

0:13:55 > 0:13:57At 140. 150 down?

0:13:57 > 0:14:00At 140. 150. 160. 170.

0:14:00 > 0:14:02180. 190. 200.

0:14:02 > 0:14:05220. 240. 260.

0:14:05 > 0:14:09280. 280. The bid's with me at £280.

0:14:09 > 0:14:11The hammer's gone down.

0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's gone. £280.

0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Wow!- Wow!

0:14:15 > 0:14:17- That's a good result.- I hope it wasn't my son that bought it!

0:14:17 > 0:14:19Well, look, if it was, then that's brilliant.

0:14:19 > 0:14:23- Thank you so much for bringing that in, and entertaining us.- Absolutely.

0:14:23 > 0:14:27Actually, Peter's son, Ben, did buy the sextant,

0:14:27 > 0:14:30and they're thrilled to have it back in the family,

0:14:30 > 0:14:33because they remember their dad using it on sailing trips.

0:14:35 > 0:14:38Does Mabel Lucie Atwell ring a bell with you? Yes, of course it does.

0:14:38 > 0:14:40It's Anne's baby bowl!

0:14:40 > 0:14:43And we're joined by Anne and our wonderful expert Caroline.

0:14:43 > 0:14:48- Now, you scooped your porridge out with this, didn't you?- I sure did.

0:14:48 > 0:14:51- How did that survive?- I have no idea.

0:14:51 > 0:14:54Well, look, I want it to go for 20 to 40 quid. That's what we hope.

0:14:54 > 0:14:58- Wouldn't it be nice?- Yes. Then you can treat yourself to a lunch out.

0:14:58 > 0:15:00- No, it's going to my great granddaughter.- Oh, is it?

0:15:00 > 0:15:02Into her savings bank.

0:15:02 > 0:15:04- Oh, that's lovely. - Aw.- That's lovely.

0:15:04 > 0:15:06Well, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?

0:15:06 > 0:15:08It's going under the hammer right now.

0:15:08 > 0:15:11Mabel Lucie Atwell. A nice little baby's plate there.

0:15:11 > 0:15:13Bid's on the books. That means I've got to start at £20.

0:15:13 > 0:15:17- At £20. 22. 25.- 20...28?

0:15:17 > 0:15:19£30 with me. 32? 32.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22I'm out on the book. £32 beats the high bid.

0:15:22 > 0:15:25- £32.- 35, no? Are we all done at 32?

0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Yes!- £32, so that was worth selling, better than 15 quid.- Lovely!

0:15:29 > 0:15:31- Yeah, brilliant.- Thank you very much.

0:15:31 > 0:15:33Memories, eh? Memories. THEY LAUGH

0:15:33 > 0:15:35That's what these shows are all about.

0:15:36 > 0:15:39And they turn into treasures, and talking of treasure...

0:15:39 > 0:15:42Every sailor needs one of these.

0:15:42 > 0:15:43His own personal rum drum

0:15:43 > 0:15:46Exactly what John had. Well done, you!

0:15:46 > 0:15:49- And you were in the Navy for 22 years, weren't you?- I was, yes.

0:15:49 > 0:15:52Do they have something like that equivalent today, a rum drum?

0:15:52 > 0:15:55No, not really. No, a museum piece now.

0:15:55 > 0:15:59- Dry ship. It's a dry ship now. - Yes.- Go find another one.

0:15:59 > 0:16:02Well, that's what I was just about to say, Phil.

0:16:02 > 0:16:05It's in beautiful condition. You'd like to own it. I'd like to own that.

0:16:05 > 0:16:08Yeah, just because it's a really good talking point.

0:16:08 > 0:16:10These are the kind of decorator's items

0:16:10 > 0:16:13that get slightly converted into lamp bases.

0:16:13 > 0:16:16Someone'll cleverly put a copper tube coming up with a big shade on it,

0:16:16 > 0:16:18and then you can use it as a lamp base.

0:16:18 > 0:16:21Anyway, it's just an idea. It's going under the hammer right now.

0:16:21 > 0:16:24Bid's on the books. It means I've got to start at £90.

0:16:24 > 0:16:25At £90 I'm bid.

0:16:25 > 0:16:28At £100. 110. 120. 130.

0:16:28 > 0:16:32140. 150. 160. 170.

0:16:32 > 0:16:35180. 190. 200. 210.

0:16:35 > 0:16:37220? 220. 230...

0:16:37 > 0:16:40- It'd be fair to say that's a spirited bid.- 260.

0:16:40 > 0:16:43Your bid amount. At £260, I'm bid.

0:16:43 > 0:16:44£260. That's more like it, isn't it?

0:16:44 > 0:16:47We're done at £260.

0:16:47 > 0:16:50Yes, hammer's gone down. £260.

0:16:50 > 0:16:52- We're happy. Are you happy? - Proper job.

0:16:52 > 0:16:54That's what they say down here, don't they?

0:16:54 > 0:16:57Proper job. We've certainly done that today.

0:16:57 > 0:17:00Condition was fantastic on there. It was really, really good.

0:17:00 > 0:17:02Well done, you. Thank you for bringing that in.

0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Thank you very much and thank you, Phil.- My pleasure, thank you.

0:17:08 > 0:17:11Well, there you are - the end of our first visit to the auction today.

0:17:11 > 0:17:14We are coming back here a little later, so don't go away,

0:17:14 > 0:17:19but first, how do you think you and your family would cope

0:17:19 > 0:17:22if you were stranded in the middle of an ocean in a small dinghy

0:17:22 > 0:17:26after killer whales had capsized your big yacht?

0:17:26 > 0:17:29Well, this is an amazing story of survival.

0:17:33 > 0:17:37In 1972, a family from Falmouth hit the news headlines

0:17:37 > 0:17:40when they were rescued from near death at sea.

0:17:40 > 0:17:43Film crews captured the moment they were safely brought to shore.

0:17:45 > 0:17:47Their father, Dougal Robertson,

0:17:47 > 0:17:50described just how desperate they had been.

0:17:51 > 0:17:53We heard you were hit by a whale?

0:17:53 > 0:17:58Just as our schooner was sunk by an attack of killer whales...

0:18:00 > 0:18:03..we sank in a very short time.

0:18:03 > 0:18:09We were unable to collect any stores or water,

0:18:09 > 0:18:17and had to survive from the sea for as long as we were able.

0:18:20 > 0:18:25The Robertson family story all began on the 27th of January 1971.

0:18:25 > 0:18:30Mum, Dad, two teenage children and 12-year-old twins

0:18:30 > 0:18:32set sail from this harbour in Falmouth

0:18:32 > 0:18:35on a 43-foot schooner called Lucette.

0:18:35 > 0:18:37The plan was to sail around the world.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42Although the trip had taken a couple of years to organise,

0:18:42 > 0:18:44the family was equipped for the voyage.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47Dad, Dougal Robertson, was an accomplished sailor

0:18:47 > 0:18:50with some 15 years' experience at sea.

0:18:50 > 0:18:54His wife, Lynn, was a practising midwife and qualified nurse,

0:18:54 > 0:18:58and their children, 18-year-old Anne, 16-year-old Douglas

0:18:58 > 0:19:01and young twins, Sandy and Neil, were all physically fit

0:19:01 > 0:19:05from helping out on a large cattle farm for several years.

0:19:07 > 0:19:12So, how did a family, prepared and trained to take on the high seas,

0:19:12 > 0:19:15end up struggling for survival in a three-man dinghy

0:19:15 > 0:19:17that was only nine foot long?

0:19:18 > 0:19:21The epic but near fatal adventure has been documented

0:19:21 > 0:19:25here at the valuation day venue, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

0:19:26 > 0:19:28They also have the small dinghy

0:19:28 > 0:19:31the family remarkably managed to survive in.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34I've come to meet one of the children, Douglas Robertson,

0:19:34 > 0:19:36who was a teenager at the time.

0:19:36 > 0:19:40Douglas, it's really great to meet you. Welcome back to Falmouth.

0:19:40 > 0:19:41- Thank you. - PAUL LAUGHS

0:19:41 > 0:19:43- Where it all started for your family!- It is.

0:19:43 > 0:19:48Why did your dad decide to set off on such an epic adventure?

0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Had he done anything like it before? - Well, he was a former sea captain

0:19:51 > 0:19:53- from the Merchant Navy days. - Right, OK.

0:19:53 > 0:19:57And he wanted to educate his children in the university of life.

0:19:59 > 0:20:02The plan was to sail via Portugal to the Canary Islands.

0:20:02 > 0:20:06They would then travel across the Atlantic to the Caribbean

0:20:06 > 0:20:10and then on to Miami, Jamaica,

0:20:10 > 0:20:13and through the Panama Canal to the Galapagos Islands.

0:20:15 > 0:20:18The return journey back to Britain would be via the Suez Canal.

0:20:21 > 0:20:25Douglas's sister Anne decided to stay in Miami

0:20:25 > 0:20:28and a new person came aboard in Panama.

0:20:28 > 0:20:31We picked up a hitchhiker, Robin Williams,

0:20:31 > 0:20:33who was looking for a trip to New Zealand.

0:20:33 > 0:20:37He was a graduate and my dad thought that he would help with

0:20:37 > 0:20:40the tutoring of the boys especially and myself, indeed,

0:20:40 > 0:20:44because we'd been taken out of school to do this trip.

0:20:44 > 0:20:48However, 16 months into their journey, tragedy struck.

0:20:48 > 0:20:51The family were sailing to the remote island of Marquesas

0:20:51 > 0:20:54when the boat was suddenly attacked by some 20 killer whales.

0:20:57 > 0:21:01Talk me through the exact moment that pod of whales hit.

0:21:01 > 0:21:02What were you doing?

0:21:02 > 0:21:06Well, I was standing in the cockpit on deck,

0:21:06 > 0:21:09my brother was at the wheel, and I saw a little

0:21:09 > 0:21:15sort of darkness in the sea and next thing, bang, bang, bang, like that.

0:21:15 > 0:21:19Ear-splitting, cracking sound of splintering wood.

0:21:19 > 0:21:22- It was just so deep and powerful...- Yeah.

0:21:22 > 0:21:24- ..that I knew that was trouble. - Trouble.

0:21:24 > 0:21:26My dad was up to his waist in water, saying "Abandon ship.

0:21:26 > 0:21:31"We've got to get out." About two minutes later, the yacht had gone.

0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Did you manage to grab some supplies and some charts?- Not really.

0:21:35 > 0:21:38We got the dinghy over the side, we got the life raft over the side

0:21:38 > 0:21:40and we all managed to get on the raft, thank God.

0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Cos it was drifting quickly. - It was drifting away quickly.

0:21:43 > 0:21:45The killer whales were in the water,

0:21:45 > 0:21:47we knew the killer whales were there. I thought,

0:21:47 > 0:21:50- "This is how I'm going to die. I'm going to be eaten."- You are lucky.

0:21:50 > 0:21:52At any moment, I'm going to feel those teeth come in, you know?

0:21:52 > 0:21:54But I didn't.

0:21:54 > 0:21:57They probably had attacked us, thinking we were a whale.

0:21:57 > 0:22:03Unfortunately, the raft only lasted 17 days and all six of them

0:22:03 > 0:22:06had to pile into this small 9ft dinghy.

0:22:09 > 0:22:12They headed north towards the Doldrums,

0:22:12 > 0:22:15in the hope of reaching the shipping routes,

0:22:15 > 0:22:17but with just ten days of supplies left,

0:22:17 > 0:22:20they were in imminent danger of dying.

0:22:21 > 0:22:23At the same time, we talked about...

0:22:23 > 0:22:27Cos we've all heard stories of getting shipwrecked and castaways

0:22:27 > 0:22:30- eating each other and things like that...- Did that cross your mind?

0:22:30 > 0:22:33Yeah, it crossed our minds and we agreed with each other

0:22:33 > 0:22:36and promised that we would never resort to that.

0:22:36 > 0:22:40We would die together, quietly, when the time came.

0:22:40 > 0:22:44And, er, luckily, it never did, you know? So...

0:22:44 > 0:22:50And we wrote letters home as well and in the raft itself,

0:22:50 > 0:22:54in the dinghy itself, my father carved a message

0:22:54 > 0:22:59and it was really important to us at the time that,

0:22:59 > 0:23:04if that dinghy was found empty, my sister would know what had happened.

0:23:04 > 0:23:05And...

0:23:05 > 0:23:09Because we didn't want people to think that the Lucette had

0:23:09 > 0:23:12just sank because she was an old boat or something like that.

0:23:12 > 0:23:16What had happened to us, nobody could have foreseen it, you know?

0:23:16 > 0:23:19With just three days of supplies left,

0:23:19 > 0:23:24they experienced yet another setback. A passing ship failed to spot them.

0:23:24 > 0:23:25With hopes fading,

0:23:25 > 0:23:29their rescue plan now turned into one of sheer survival.

0:23:29 > 0:23:33But with the South American coast some 50 days' sailing away,

0:23:33 > 0:23:37the family were determined not to lie down and die.

0:23:37 > 0:23:39We gathered food, we gathered water.

0:23:39 > 0:23:42We were thinking now about not waiting to get picked up,

0:23:42 > 0:23:45but about making this voyage back home, you know,

0:23:45 > 0:23:47which was a much bigger undertaking.

0:23:47 > 0:23:51'Their survival now depended on finding ingenious methods

0:23:51 > 0:23:53'to get water and nutrients.'

0:23:53 > 0:23:55- Talk me through some of these things.- OK.

0:23:55 > 0:23:59- Well, this was the water bag, water being the critical thing.- Yeah.

0:23:59 > 0:24:02We only had some tins inside the raft of water,

0:24:02 > 0:24:04ten days' supply, when we set off.

0:24:04 > 0:24:08And when it rained, later when we got to the Doldrums

0:24:08 > 0:24:11and it rained, we managed to fill the tins

0:24:11 > 0:24:15and then we had this bag that we kept filled with water as well.

0:24:15 > 0:24:18And what else? What's that? It's a bottle of oil.

0:24:18 > 0:24:19This is a bottle of oil.

0:24:19 > 0:24:22One of the luck elements of the trip was that

0:24:22 > 0:24:26- the turtles kept coming to see what we were.- So you could eat the...

0:24:26 > 0:24:29You could catch them and eat a turtle every other day or so.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32Yeah, every other day. We caught 13 turtles on our trip.

0:24:32 > 0:24:34So is that turtle oil?

0:24:34 > 0:24:36Yeah, this is turtle oil here that we rendered from the fat.

0:24:36 > 0:24:39And the sun rendered it down into oil.

0:24:39 > 0:24:40And we then put the oil in a bottle

0:24:40 > 0:24:43and we were able to rub on our sores.

0:24:43 > 0:24:45Pressure sores from sitting in the dinghy.

0:24:45 > 0:24:50It was amazing how our behaviour sort of centred around survival.

0:24:50 > 0:24:52At one point, we ran out of water

0:24:52 > 0:24:56and we only had the water that was in the bottom of the dinghy

0:24:56 > 0:24:59and so we took a rung off the ladder of the raft

0:24:59 > 0:25:02and made an enema tube out of it and we actually drank the water,

0:25:02 > 0:25:06the dirty water that was in the bottom of the dinghy, rectally.

0:25:06 > 0:25:08We took it as enemas.

0:25:08 > 0:25:12- And that enabled us to last until it rained later on.- God!

0:25:12 > 0:25:16- So we were quite innovative in... - Mother skills coming in.

0:25:16 > 0:25:17Mother skills, yeah.

0:25:17 > 0:25:21You're probably amazed that you're still alive, I suppose.

0:25:21 > 0:25:22I am.

0:25:22 > 0:25:24I can only say how grateful we are

0:25:24 > 0:25:26to these Japanese people who picked us up.

0:25:26 > 0:25:29They probably didn't realise what you have been through.

0:25:29 > 0:25:32They didn't think there was anyone in the boat and I think this

0:25:32 > 0:25:36was the next to our last flare, so we were very fortunate indeed.

0:25:39 > 0:25:43What a remarkable story of survival through sheer determination

0:25:43 > 0:25:46and against the odds and, thankfully, a happy ending.

0:25:51 > 0:25:54Back at the museum, hundreds of people have already

0:25:54 > 0:25:58had their antiques valued, so let's catch up with Caroline

0:25:58 > 0:26:00and see what else she's uncovered.

0:26:00 > 0:26:02So, Jackie, thank you

0:26:02 > 0:26:05so much for bringing this gorgeous jewellery along.

0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Now, these haven't come from Cornwall, have they?- No.

0:26:08 > 0:26:11- They came from America. - How did they come by...?

0:26:11 > 0:26:13My brother went to America a lot of years ago,

0:26:13 > 0:26:17when I was about four years old, and he travelled around the States

0:26:17 > 0:26:20quite a bit and he met this lovely lady and married her.

0:26:20 > 0:26:25- An American lady?- Well, she was born in England, Birmingham,

0:26:25 > 0:26:29- and then, all her family emigrated to America.- Right.

0:26:29 > 0:26:33But my sister-in-law died, bless her. She was a lovely lady.

0:26:33 > 0:26:35And my brother didn't know what to do with them,

0:26:35 > 0:26:37so he shared them out between the sisters.

0:26:37 > 0:26:39- And you chose these?- Yes.

0:26:39 > 0:26:42Well, I think you've chosen very, very wisely.

0:26:42 > 0:26:47Now, if we start with my favourite, which is this diamond solitaire.

0:26:47 > 0:26:51Perfect engagement ring. The only thing is to find the perfect chap.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54- Easier to find the ring, I would say.- Yes.

0:26:54 > 0:26:57Now, this is wonderful clarity.

0:26:57 > 0:27:01It is 1/8 carat, in 18-carat white gold.

0:27:01 > 0:27:05- Have you any idea of the sort of value of this?- Not really.

0:27:05 > 0:27:09It was valued in the '70s. I think it was valued then 1,500.

0:27:09 > 0:27:15- Well, I would think now that this could well be £2,000 to £3,000.- Oh.

0:27:15 > 0:27:21- Which is quite a nice lot of money, isn't it?- Absolutely.

0:27:21 > 0:27:24But I think we ought to put a reserve on it

0:27:24 > 0:27:30and what would you say if we put an 1,800 fixed reserve?

0:27:30 > 0:27:32- Make it 2,000. - Make it 2,000.- Yeah.

0:27:32 > 0:27:36OK, 2,000 reserve, with a little bit of discretion, can we?

0:27:36 > 0:27:38- Yeah, discretion is fine.- OK.

0:27:38 > 0:27:41- So we'll put a 2,000 reserve on that one.- OK, thank you.

0:27:41 > 0:27:43And then, we'll go to this one,

0:27:43 > 0:27:45which is four stones, so you would think the four

0:27:45 > 0:27:48is better than the one, but they're much, much smaller.

0:27:48 > 0:27:52They have a combined weight of 0.5 carat.

0:27:52 > 0:27:53Again, it's a very pretty ring,

0:27:53 > 0:27:56but not worth anywhere near as much as this.

0:27:56 > 0:27:58Oh, no. No.

0:27:58 > 0:28:02- I would think 150 to 250.- OK.

0:28:02 > 0:28:06And then, we have this, which couldn't be more perfect,

0:28:06 > 0:28:07- here in Falmouth.- Absolutely.

0:28:07 > 0:28:12By Danish silversmith Anton Michelsen. Have you heard of him?

0:28:12 > 0:28:15- No, I've heard of Jensen. - Right, which brings me

0:28:15 > 0:28:20- to Georg Jensen...- Yeah.- ..actually was apprenticed to Anton Michelsen.

0:28:20 > 0:28:24- Wow.- So this is quite a nice little boat.

0:28:24 > 0:28:30Silver, not of huge value, but really interesting and quite modern.

0:28:30 > 0:28:32I would say '60s, '70s.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35- A value of £40 to 60.- Yep.

0:28:35 > 0:28:37Which brings me to this little thing

0:28:37 > 0:28:42and look at this, with this lovely comedy and tragedy mask. How lovely.

0:28:42 > 0:28:46And it's set with the most gorgeous sapphires and rubies.

0:28:46 > 0:28:52It's 14-carat gold. What more would you want? I think it's gorgeous.

0:28:52 > 0:28:56And it's just so evocative of the 1970s, I would say,

0:28:56 > 0:29:00and I would have no hesitation but to value this between 200

0:29:00 > 0:29:05and £300 and it will go all day long. Are you happy with that?

0:29:05 > 0:29:06I'm fine, thank you.

0:29:06 > 0:29:10Lovely to see you and your beautiful things. Thank you so much.

0:29:10 > 0:29:11Thank you for having me.

0:29:11 > 0:29:13Pleasure.

0:29:13 > 0:29:16Let's hope that collection shines at auction.

0:29:17 > 0:29:20Philip has also found something decorative,

0:29:20 > 0:29:25although this piece might be more suited to the great outdoors.

0:29:25 > 0:29:28- Julie, how are you?- I'm fine, thank you.- I love this.- It's lovely.

0:29:28 > 0:29:31It's really, really sweet. How long have you had it?

0:29:31 > 0:29:32About two years.

0:29:32 > 0:29:35- And where does it come from? - It was my mother-in-law's.

0:29:35 > 0:29:37It was passed on to my husband when she died.

0:29:37 > 0:29:40- And time's come, you don't like it, or...?- We like it,

0:29:40 > 0:29:43but it...it sits in the cabinet and we just thought we'd move it along.

0:29:43 > 0:29:46I don't know, it's just sitting there, doing nothing.

0:29:46 > 0:29:48I think it's lovely. It would be so easy to make this

0:29:48 > 0:29:50- with a straight stick thermometer, wouldn't it?- Yes.

0:29:50 > 0:29:53And it's just the way it's put together, I think, is really,

0:29:53 > 0:29:56really lovely. It's by Parkinson and Frodsham of Liverpool

0:29:56 > 0:29:58and they occupied really the bulk of the 19th century,

0:29:58 > 0:30:02from about 1880, 1805, through to the 1890s.

0:30:02 > 0:30:05So you can say with some confidence it's mounted on ivory,

0:30:05 > 0:30:08but 19th century, certainly pre-1947,

0:30:08 > 0:30:11so it's OK for you to have this and sell it and it's lovely,

0:30:11 > 0:30:15because you've got this thermometer here with the mercury in the bowl

0:30:15 > 0:30:19and this sea scroll here and what I love about this is

0:30:19 > 0:30:24- you've got blood heat, summer heat, temperate and freezing.- Yes.

0:30:24 > 0:30:26And then we've got the compass here.

0:30:26 > 0:30:28I'm just checking to see which way north is...

0:30:28 > 0:30:31- North is that-a-way. Is that right or wrong?- I actually don't know.

0:30:31 > 0:30:35- You don't know.- I've got no bearings in here.- Let's swiftly put it down.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37- So, we come to value. Any idea what it might be worth?- No.

0:30:37 > 0:30:39- Nothing at all.- Not a clue?- No.

0:30:39 > 0:30:42- So, it could be worth 30 quid. - It could be.

0:30:42 > 0:30:44- It could be worth 40 quid. - Again, it could be.

0:30:44 > 0:30:48- It could be worth 50 quid. - It would be nice.- Well, I think...

0:30:48 > 0:30:51I'm going to take the Serrell approach, that, if I own that,

0:30:51 > 0:30:54- I would hope and expect it to make between 60 and £90.- OK.

0:30:54 > 0:30:56- Put a fixed reserve on it of £50. - Mm-hm.

0:30:56 > 0:30:59I think, if you have a really, really good day at the office,

0:30:59 > 0:31:02- it might just tickle in to the three figures.- Oh.

0:31:02 > 0:31:04And let's hope that the temperature in the saleroom

0:31:04 > 0:31:06- whizzes round to blood heat, shall we?- Yeah!

0:31:06 > 0:31:10We'll see what we can do and what a great navigational tool.

0:31:10 > 0:31:14Now, being a sailor back in the 18th century was a harsh, gruelling job.

0:31:14 > 0:31:18Indeed, those who worked on the packet ships out of Falmouth

0:31:18 > 0:31:21could spend much of their life at sea.

0:31:21 > 0:31:24To give you an idea of what the conditions were like on board,

0:31:24 > 0:31:26take a look at this.

0:31:26 > 0:31:30Now, this is a replica of a cabin on a packet ship

0:31:30 > 0:31:32that paying passengers would've slept in.

0:31:32 > 0:31:35For the crew, conditions would be far more cramped,

0:31:35 > 0:31:37with hammocks slung between decks.

0:31:37 > 0:31:40Now, already, and I've only been in here a few seconds,

0:31:40 > 0:31:43it's feeling quite cramped. I don't think I'd survive a long voyage.

0:31:43 > 0:31:46Now, with me today is the author Philip Marsden,

0:31:46 > 0:31:49who has been researching the history of the packet ships,

0:31:49 > 0:31:52and I know you've discovered something rather interesting.

0:31:52 > 0:31:54Yes, a manuscript that was discovered in a drawer

0:31:54 > 0:31:56in St Ives about 100 years ago

0:31:56 > 0:31:59and it ended up in the Cornwall Records Office

0:31:59 > 0:32:01and I came across it there during my research

0:32:01 > 0:32:04and it's a very rare account of life on board a packet ship

0:32:04 > 0:32:07and, interestingly, it's not the account of an officer or

0:32:07 > 0:32:11someone who was used to sleeping in a cabin like that, but of a seaman.

0:32:11 > 0:32:12And a seaman who could write.

0:32:12 > 0:32:15He'd been to school for about three years, at Helston.

0:32:15 > 0:32:17He was 14 when he joined ship.

0:32:17 > 0:32:20And he says in his account that, for seven years,

0:32:20 > 0:32:23he was seasick and, because he had no strength, he didn't have

0:32:23 > 0:32:26the ability to sort of assert himself, he didn't have a hammock.

0:32:26 > 0:32:28He slept in corners.

0:32:28 > 0:32:32And, on watch, he would commit the cardinal sin of falling asleep,

0:32:32 > 0:32:35so he had water thrown over him to wake him up.

0:32:35 > 0:32:39Where do the accounts end in his journal? Are they happy ones?

0:32:39 > 0:32:40Does he had a life at sea?

0:32:40 > 0:32:42He spent 17 years at sea

0:32:42 > 0:32:45and he said he made a calculation that he'd sailed more

0:32:45 > 0:32:49than 100,000 miles on the Atlantic Ocean during those years at sea.

0:32:49 > 0:32:52- Gosh!- What saved him was a preacher

0:32:52 > 0:32:55and he felt, after all these years of being a sort of

0:32:55 > 0:32:59superstitious but not devout seaman, he found God,

0:32:59 > 0:33:03and lived the rest of his days in happy devotion in St Ives.

0:33:03 > 0:33:05What a wonderful record!

0:33:05 > 0:33:07That is a lovely piece of social history, isn't it?

0:33:07 > 0:33:10It really is. And it's all there, well documented.

0:33:11 > 0:33:17Now, let's get back to the valuation tables as there is no time to waste.

0:33:17 > 0:33:21- Hi, Carol.- Hello.- Hello. Now, thank you very much

0:33:21 > 0:33:24- for bringing this lovely watch along.- That's OK.- Has it come far?

0:33:24 > 0:33:26- It's come from Spain.- From Spain?!

0:33:26 > 0:33:31- Not today it hasn't. - No, no. Some years ago.- Right.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34So, how have you come by this lovely watch?

0:33:34 > 0:33:37It was left to my husband from an American friend who

0:33:37 > 0:33:42lived in Spain for many years and he died and my husband inherited it.

0:33:42 > 0:33:46- And does your husband not want to wear it?- No, he's never worn it.

0:33:46 > 0:33:48- It's been tucked away in a cupboard for many years.- Right.

0:33:48 > 0:33:51Well, it doesn't want to be forgotten about any more.

0:33:51 > 0:33:54- Shall we have a look at it?- OK. - You obviously know the make.

0:33:54 > 0:33:57- Yes.- Yeah. It's got that magic R, Rolex.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00Oyster Perpetual and it's the Submariner.

0:34:00 > 0:34:04It's got the crown here, you can see.

0:34:04 > 0:34:08- OK.- And I think the strap is contemporary to it.

0:34:08 > 0:34:10- I would say it's 1960s.- OK.

0:34:10 > 0:34:13And I think that that would sell very well,

0:34:13 > 0:34:17but it's missing a really important part. The bezel all around here.

0:34:17 > 0:34:21- Now, that would have been movable. - Right.- And it's gone.

0:34:21 > 0:34:24We've got these bits here which are part of it

0:34:24 > 0:34:27- and that would enable the bezel to rotate.- Yes.- But it's gone.

0:34:27 > 0:34:30- You haven't got it anywhere in a drawer?- We haven't got it.

0:34:30 > 0:34:31I'll have another look when I go home,

0:34:31 > 0:34:34- but I'm pretty sure we haven't got it.- Do look.- Yeah.

0:34:34 > 0:34:36It's seen some action, this poor watch, hasn't it?

0:34:36 > 0:34:39- Yes, it's a bit battered, isn't it?- Yes.

0:34:39 > 0:34:42But because it's such a popular model,

0:34:42 > 0:34:45if it was in a good condition, I think it would be £3,000-£4,000.

0:34:45 > 0:34:51- Wow, that's a lot.- It is. But it's not in good condition, Carol.- No.

0:34:51 > 0:34:56- But as such I still think it would get between £300 and £500.- OK.

0:34:56 > 0:34:59- That's good.- What do you feel about that sort of figure?

0:34:59 > 0:35:00Yes, that sounds good.

0:35:00 > 0:35:03- And would you like a reserve on it, Carol?- Yes, please.

0:35:03 > 0:35:08- What about a 250 reserve?- A bit higher?- Do you want a 300 reserve?

0:35:08 > 0:35:11My husband was thinking of 400. Might he be too greedy?

0:35:11 > 0:35:13- Yeah.- Oh, right, OK. - I think, at 400,

0:35:13 > 0:35:16- you're knocking its chance of sale, to be honest.- OK, OK.

0:35:16 > 0:35:18So, if it was 3 to 5,

0:35:18 > 0:35:22I think we could safely put a 300 reserve fixed.

0:35:22 > 0:35:25- OK, that's fine.- Do you think you could square that with your husband?

0:35:25 > 0:35:27- Yes. I'll just say yes. - Yes. Just say yes.

0:35:27 > 0:35:32I think that's great and I'm sure that will easily go to a great home.

0:35:32 > 0:35:36- And it's a lovely thing.- Yes. - Thank you very much for bringing it.

0:35:36 > 0:35:37That's OK.

0:35:37 > 0:35:41The original Bond movie featured the first ever Rolex Submariner.

0:35:41 > 0:35:43With provenance like that,

0:35:43 > 0:35:47let's hope there's a Dr No fan in the saleroom.

0:35:47 > 0:35:49Well, that's it. Our work is done here.

0:35:49 > 0:35:53Our experts have found their final items to take off to auction,

0:35:53 > 0:35:57so sadly it's time to say goodbye to our magnificent host location,

0:35:57 > 0:36:00the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall,

0:36:00 > 0:36:03as we head over to the auction room for the last time today.

0:36:03 > 0:36:07And here's a quick recap of all the items we are taking with us.

0:36:08 > 0:36:11Jackie's got four gems going under the hammer.

0:36:11 > 0:36:13A four stone diamond ring.

0:36:15 > 0:36:17A 14-carat gold bracelet.

0:36:20 > 0:36:21A Viking brooch.

0:36:24 > 0:36:27And the icing on the cake - this diamond solitaire ring.

0:36:31 > 0:36:33Julie is hoping the auction heats up with her compass

0:36:33 > 0:36:35and a built-in thermometer.

0:36:39 > 0:36:43And will this Rolex Submariner do well? Only time will tell.

0:36:48 > 0:36:52We're now heading back to Lostwithiel to sell our final items.

0:36:52 > 0:36:55And up first is Jackie's jewellery collection,

0:36:55 > 0:36:57which is being sold individually,

0:36:57 > 0:37:00starting with this four stone diamond ring.

0:37:00 > 0:37:04These do sparkle, but there's not a lot of money, Jackie and Caroline.

0:37:04 > 0:37:07There's not a lot of money. Is it because these stones are so small?

0:37:07 > 0:37:09- Yes.- What are we hoping for? Come on, be punchy now.

0:37:09 > 0:37:12- You've told us at the valuation day. - Couple of hundred?

0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Couple of hundred.- I think so. - That would be lovely.- Yeah?

0:37:15 > 0:37:18- Hopefully, we'll find a home for £200.- Yeah.- It does sparkle.

0:37:18 > 0:37:20Here we go. It's going under the hammer.

0:37:20 > 0:37:23White gold diamond four stone ring. Can I say £200 away?

0:37:23 > 0:37:26150 to start? £100 I'm bid. £100. £100.

0:37:26 > 0:37:27110 to get on.

0:37:27 > 0:37:33110, 120, 130, 140, 150. 150, the bid's with you.

0:37:33 > 0:37:35At 150. 160 now.

0:37:35 > 0:37:38At £150, I'm bid. 160? Are we done? I'm selling at £150.

0:37:38 > 0:37:41You were spot on with your valuation there.

0:37:41 > 0:37:43- £150. We've done it. - That's all right.

0:37:43 > 0:37:45Next up, the gold bracelet.

0:37:45 > 0:37:48Why are you selling this?

0:37:48 > 0:37:51- I don't wear it. - You don't wear it?- No.

0:37:51 > 0:37:54- Right. OK, £200-£300 we've got on this. It's 14-carat gold.- Yeah.

0:37:54 > 0:37:57- It should do that, shouldn't it? - I'm sure.- It's got to.- I'm sure.

0:37:57 > 0:37:59Fingers crossed.

0:37:59 > 0:38:04A quality 14-carat gold bracelet with a face, comedy and tragedy.

0:38:04 > 0:38:08- About 33g in total. I now have five bids on there.- Wow.

0:38:08 > 0:38:10We're going to start at £410.

0:38:10 > 0:38:13- He's very theatrical, isn't he? - Yes!- At 410, at 410, the bracelet.

0:38:13 > 0:38:15At 410, 420 now.

0:38:15 > 0:38:19At 410, we've got the smiley face on the mask. At 410. Are all done?

0:38:19 > 0:38:26- At £410.- Gosh. 410. That was straight in at 410 and straight out.

0:38:26 > 0:38:27Yes. Extraordinary.

0:38:27 > 0:38:33And I was expecting a climb from 2 to 210, to 220. 410, boom, sold!

0:38:33 > 0:38:36So let's move straight on to the Viking brooch.

0:38:36 > 0:38:40- Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed we'll get the top end.- Hopefully.

0:38:40 > 0:38:42We're going to find out right now. Here we go.

0:38:42 > 0:38:45The Anton Mickelson Danish silver Viking ship brooch.

0:38:45 > 0:38:46£40 away, £30 away?

0:38:46 > 0:38:53£20, a bid. Bid's on the book at £20. 25, £30. 35, £40.

0:38:53 > 0:38:5745. Your bid. At 45, 50 now. £45 I'm bid. Is it 50 anywhere?

0:38:57 > 0:39:00I'm selling at £45.

0:39:00 > 0:39:04£45. Hammer's gone down. Short and sweet. It's collectable.

0:39:04 > 0:39:07No problem.

0:39:07 > 0:39:11This is the big one. £2,000-£3,000 on this diamond ring.

0:39:11 > 0:39:14- I mean, it is a sparkler, isn't it? - It is a beauty.- Here we go.

0:39:14 > 0:39:16Let's find out what it's worth, shall we?

0:39:16 > 0:39:21Diamond solitaire. Fine 40-carat weight gold ring with a diamond.

0:39:21 > 0:39:24Approximately one-and-three-quarter carats. Can I see £1,500 away?

0:39:24 > 0:39:30£1,000 I have. At £1,000. £1,000, take 50 to get on. 1,050. 1,100.

0:39:30 > 0:39:35And 50. 1,200. And 50. 1,300.

0:39:35 > 0:39:38And 50. 1,400. And 50. 1,500.

0:39:38 > 0:39:44- And 50. 1,600.- We're getting there. - And 50. 1,700. And 50.

0:39:44 > 0:39:45- 1,800.- Come on.

0:39:45 > 0:39:50Is there 50 anywhere? At £1,800 I'm bid. Is it 50 or not? 1,850.

0:39:50 > 0:39:55At 1850 I'm bid. Done. At 1,850, selling.

0:39:55 > 0:39:58£1,850.

0:39:58 > 0:40:02You had 10% discretion on £2,000. It's gone.

0:40:02 > 0:40:05- THEY LAUGH - Yeah. Thank you very much.

0:40:06 > 0:40:12Wow, that's a whopping total of £2,455.

0:40:12 > 0:40:14Going under the hammer right now, we have a compass with

0:40:14 > 0:40:18a built-in thermometer. I've not seen anything like this before.

0:40:18 > 0:40:21Julie, it's great to see you again. I like this a lot.

0:40:21 > 0:40:22Why are you selling this?

0:40:22 > 0:40:25It was just found in my mother-in-law's effects,

0:40:25 > 0:40:28so we have no connection to it, so we thought we'd move it along.

0:40:28 > 0:40:31It's a nice curio and it's a great scientific instrument as well.

0:40:31 > 0:40:32It's another Flog It! thing I'd love to own.

0:40:32 > 0:40:35I've never seen anything like it. It will be interesting

0:40:35 > 0:40:37- to see what it does make. - We're going to find out. Ready?- Yes.

0:40:37 > 0:40:39Right now, it's going under the hammer.

0:40:39 > 0:40:42It's the ivory compass by Parkinson and Frodsham of Liverpool.

0:40:42 > 0:40:45Bids on the books mean I've got to start this lot at £40.

0:40:45 > 0:40:51At £40, £40, take five. 45. £50. 55. I'm out already on the book.

0:40:51 > 0:40:55£55, the bid's in the room. At £55. I'll take 60 to get on.

0:40:55 > 0:41:01- At £55 I'm bid. 60 not. At £55.- £55 he's sold it.- OK.

0:41:01 > 0:41:03Yeah. And, hopefully, it's gone to a good collector.

0:41:03 > 0:41:07- I hope so.- Yes. Thank you for bringing it in.- Thank you.- Thank you.

0:41:07 > 0:41:10Now, from the unusual to a real design icon.

0:41:10 > 0:41:13It is the Rolex Perpetual Submariner.

0:41:13 > 0:41:17- I have one, look. There you go. - Oh, yes.- Complete with bezel.

0:41:17 > 0:41:20Yours is a '60s one, Carol. Good luck with it.

0:41:20 > 0:41:24- People are slightly dubious about buying watches in auction rooms.- Mm.

0:41:24 > 0:41:27Because, obviously, there's no guarantee with the movement.

0:41:27 > 0:41:29That's the fundamental problem.

0:41:29 > 0:41:33- But with a price set this low... - Yeah.- ..somebody will invest in this

0:41:33 > 0:41:34and be prepared to take that gamble.

0:41:34 > 0:41:36Good luck with it. Who's was it anyway?

0:41:36 > 0:41:40- It was my husband's.- And he's here in the saleroom?- Yes.- There he is.

0:41:40 > 0:41:41- He's hiding away.- Here we go.

0:41:41 > 0:41:44Let's find out what it's worth, shall we? This is it.

0:41:44 > 0:41:46The Rolex Gents' stainless steel

0:41:46 > 0:41:50Oyster Perpetual Submariner wristwatch. I have to start

0:41:50 > 0:41:54- at £3,200. - THEY GASP

0:41:54 > 0:41:56At 3,200. At 3,400, I'll take.

0:41:56 > 0:41:59- At 3,200, 3,400... - He's only just starting.

0:41:59 > 0:42:04..3,600. At 3,600, 3,800 to go on. 3,800...

0:42:04 > 0:42:07That's what they cost new. Modern ones like this one.

0:42:07 > 0:42:12- ..4,000, 4,200. 4,400. 4,600... - This is an antique collectable.

0:42:12 > 0:42:15- ..5,000. 5,200...- Oh, Carol!

0:42:15 > 0:42:18..5,400, 5,600.

0:42:18 > 0:42:19At 5,600.

0:42:19 > 0:42:235,800, still on the phone, still going. New bidder. 6,000 with me...

0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Someone's got the bezel. - Yeah.- 6,200 on the phone.

0:42:26 > 0:42:30I'm out on the book. At £6,200 on the phone, then.

0:42:30 > 0:42:35Are we all done at £6,200?

0:42:35 > 0:42:39- Boosh!- Yes!- Wow!- At £6,200, time is definitely up for you, Carol.

0:42:39 > 0:42:40And we thought it was fake.

0:42:40 > 0:42:44- No.- No!- No, no, no, no. That was a great, great watch.

0:42:44 > 0:42:48It just shows that people are prepared to pay

0:42:48 > 0:42:51- the money for an original, even with work needed.- Yes.- Yeah.

0:42:51 > 0:42:52- Cos it was badly scratched.- Yeah.

0:42:52 > 0:42:55- And take a risk with no guarantee. - Can we take your bezel, Paul?

0:42:55 > 0:42:59No. That is my wedding present. Look, that was a brilliant result.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02- That was very good. - An absolutely brilliant result.

0:43:02 > 0:43:04And what a way to end today's show.

0:43:04 > 0:43:06And your husband is over there and he's beaming like mad.

0:43:06 > 0:43:09- We can go and treat ourselves now. - I bet you are. I bet you are.

0:43:09 > 0:43:11Thank you for bringing that in. Thank you very much as well.

0:43:11 > 0:43:14We have run out of time here in Cornwall, but what a day we've had!

0:43:14 > 0:43:16If you've got anything like that, we want to flog it,

0:43:16 > 0:43:19but until then, see you next time.