0:00:02 > 0:00:03Imagine this. It's the First World War.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Not only am I trying to fly this aircraft,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08but I'm also trying to take photographs of the ground below
0:00:08 > 0:00:11to pinpoint the advancing German army,
0:00:11 > 0:00:13whilst dodging bullets from a German fighter.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17All of this in a flimsy wooden aircraft with no parachute.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22Yes, stay with us, we are flying high. Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:43 > 0:00:47This has been called the birthplace of aerial power.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50We are at the RAF Museum at Hendon, in London.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And today, it's opening its hangars to "Flog It!"
0:00:54 > 0:00:59The site was developed in 1911 and was known as the London Aerodrome.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01It became famous for setting up
0:01:01 > 0:01:03some of the first flying schools in the country
0:01:03 > 0:01:06and played a key role in the training of pilots
0:01:06 > 0:01:08to fly in the First World War.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Today, the museum displays 100 aircraft in all shapes and sizes.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17And the star of the show has to be this Lancaster bomber
0:01:17 > 0:01:19from the Second World War.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22So where better than these historic hangars for our experts to
0:01:22 > 0:01:24test their mettle?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Feeling at home beneath the cockpits is our man who loves
0:01:28 > 0:01:31a bit of history, Mark Stacey.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Made especially for Harrods.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Joining him with her sights on some treasures
0:01:35 > 0:01:38is the queen of the saleroom, Anita Manning.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39And already they are competing.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42It's a case of handbags at dawn.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Anita, I've found something for you. You love a bag.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46SHE LAUGHS
0:01:46 > 0:01:50When do they date from, Anita? About 1930, '50s?
0:01:50 > 0:01:521920s, 1930s.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Of course, you don't remember any of those days, do you, Anita?
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- Watch it! - THEY LAUGH
0:01:58 > 0:02:00I'm leaving while I still can.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06And we've got a magnificent crowd here today,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and some of them have already been stickered up. You have and you have.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12So good luck. We may see them later on in the show.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Everybody is laden with antiques and collectables
0:02:16 > 0:02:19here to see our experts, to ask that all-important question.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- Which is? ALL:- What's it worth?
0:02:21 > 0:02:24And if they are happy with the valuation, what are you going to do?
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- ALL:- Flog it!
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Right, it's chocks away! Let's get to the valuation tables.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Come on, everyone.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33There is no time to waste and plenty of room for this crowd,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37as they propel themselves past the historic planes.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Coming up...
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Anita sees some amazing photos of Hendon back in the 1930s.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- It's made my day.- Thank you.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Mark's bowled over by an incredible picture.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55It's one of the most interesting items I've ever,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57ever filmed on a "Flog It!"
0:02:57 > 0:03:00And I learn about the ground-breaking work
0:03:00 > 0:03:05done by the brave young airmen who risked their lives in the skies.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Good luck, everyone. Fingers crossed.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12It could be you going off to auction.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15This is where their journey starts, at the valuation day.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18The lucky ones go through to the auction room.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20We just need to find them. And Anita has made a start.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Here is her first item. And more importantly, our first owner.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30Jeffrey, Vivian. Tell me what we've got here.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34We've got two albums that were put together by somebody who
0:03:34 > 0:03:40was in the Air Force. A Gilbert... His initials were EDP.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44And his service number was 801356.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48And he worked here at Hendon obviously for some time.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50This is his notebook of the workshop
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and the laboratory records that he kept.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55And at the same time, he took many photos,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57some of which were actually
0:03:57 > 0:04:01taken inside the hangars that we are sitting in at this very moment.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Tell me, how did you come by it?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Our son is a collector.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09So when I said we'd like to go to "Flog It!"...
0:04:11 > 0:04:12"Ah," he said,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15"I think I've got just the thing hidden away somewhere."
0:04:15 > 0:04:17And he turned up with this.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- It's made my day.- Thank you.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23And we can see these marvellous photographs here.
0:04:23 > 0:04:29"First flight. Hendon. February 17th, 1935."
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- So this may have been the first time that he flew.- Obviously.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38Then if we turn over, we have here some pictures of air displays
0:04:38 > 0:04:40and aircraft.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44And here we have a demonstration of parachute testing
0:04:44 > 0:04:45by Virginia bombers.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51- So what we have really is a history of Hendon...- Yes.- Yes.- Absolutely.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54..in photographs taken personally
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- by a young man who worked here... - Yes.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01..and who was obviously passionate about aviation.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I think he was actually in 601 Squadron.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07We don't know much about him but that we think we do know.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09And here you can see this hangar we're sitting in...
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- This is this hangar! - It's where we are now, yes.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14Airmen's sleeping quarters.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19So it was obviously used as a very cold bedroom at some point.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24Jeffrey, do you have a connection with the Air Force, with aircraft?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I was a national serviceman.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31I did my national service and I was based Northolt.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32I was ground crew.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Part of the time I used to marshal the aircraft
0:05:35 > 0:05:37and start them with a battery axe,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41which you used to insert just behind the propellers.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Then you had to remove it,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45by which time, the propellers were whizzing round
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and you had to be very careful that you didn't go anywhere near them.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51That was quite frightening, I have to say.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- That's where he lost his hair. - THEY LAUGH
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Vivian, did you know him at this time?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59No, no, no. A long time afterwards.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02This would have been before the Second World War.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06And it was really in the Second World War that the Air Force
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- came into its own.- Absolutely.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13- If we put it somewhere, say between 100 and 200.- Right.- Yes.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16It's not often that I'm really lost for words,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and I feel quite moved that you've brought this along today,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21so I thank you very much for that.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25- It will be interesting to see what happens to it.- Absolutely.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- Thank you so much.- Thank you again, folks.- Lovely to have met you.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32It's amazing to think our valuation day is being held within
0:06:32 > 0:06:37the same walls as those photos dating back to the 1930s.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40And Mark is hard at it, and look what he's found.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- Jane.- Hello.- You have brought in the most marvellous drawing.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Please tell me where you got it from.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52I bought it at an auction about 45 years ago.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55So you obviously fell in love with it at the auction.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- I just looked at it and I got it with another.- By the same hand?- No.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Somebody else?- Somebody else.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05We've done a little bit of history on the artist. And...
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The hairs at the back of my neck are going up because this guy,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Matthias Buchinger, also known as Matthew Buchinger, was German.
0:07:12 > 0:07:19He was born in 1674 without hands or lower legs.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20And yet, he painted.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24In fact, there was a self-portrait that he drew of himself.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28And on close inspection, the curls of his hair were
0:07:28 > 0:07:31seven biblical psalms and the Lord's Prayer.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- I don't believe it. - You wouldn't believe it.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37It is said that he painted with his fin-like arms.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- But, I mean, look at the detail of this.- I know.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41And it's so of that period,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45that late-17th-, early-18th-century period.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I love these sort of cherubs here.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Including the fat one seated here.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53And then you got this very delicate arch with these lovely,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55classical columns coming down.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58You've got a figure of a bishop here.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01And another gentleman or saint here.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05I mean, it is just breathtaking.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07I love it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09When you bought it, did you know what you were buying?
0:08:09 > 0:08:10Was it catalogued properly?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12No, I didn't know what I was buying.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17In fact, I really think that the other picture was the one I wanted.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Really?- This came as an added extra.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23So you paid very little for it, I presume, 40-odd years ago?
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- I think the reserve was about £60 for the two pictures.- Gosh!
0:08:28 > 0:08:31I mean, you obviously have an eye for these things
0:08:31 > 0:08:34because this is 300 years old.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- It's wonderful, isn't it?- It is.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41You know, I think if I was putting that into auction, I would say to
0:08:41 > 0:08:43you, "Let's put it in hopefully
0:08:43 > 0:08:46"at a tempting estimate of £200 to £300."
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Maybe with a reserve of £200.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54The reserve can be up to you, fixed or discretionary.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55I think a bit of discretion.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Yes, 10%. If we get up to 190 or something,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- it would be a shame to lose the sale on the day.- Yes.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06I'm really hoping, Jane, actually, that people will respond to it
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and see what a magical work of art this is.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Hopefully, you know, it might surprise us.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15It's one of the most interesting items I've ever,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17ever filmed on "Flog It!"
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- So I'm thrilled to be part of it. - Nice.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Buchinger achieved fame in England during the 1720s
0:09:24 > 0:09:27as an artist, musician and card player.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29His engraved self portraits make
0:09:29 > 0:09:32no attempt to hide his physical differences.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35And he performed shows for the upper classes, including royalty,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40which challenged his audiences' thoughts about a limbless person.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43I've left the hustle and bustle of the historic hangar
0:09:43 > 0:09:47for a wing of the museum which celebrates the work of
0:09:47 > 0:09:52a real pioneer who believed flight was more than just science fiction.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54His name is Claude Grahame-White
0:09:54 > 0:09:58and he ranks alongside some of the great pioneers of early
0:09:58 > 0:10:04aviation, like Sir Tommy Sopwith and Captain Sir Geoffrey De Havilland.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06This is a replica of his office.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10And it's been painstakingly recreated as a tribute to a man who
0:10:10 > 0:10:14firmly believed that planes would one day circumnavigate the globe.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Always a fan of speed and adventure,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20he learned to fly in France. And in 1910,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24he entered a competition to fly from London to Manchester.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27He was beaten by the Frenchman Louis Poulain,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30but competing gave him valuable publicity
0:10:30 > 0:10:33and he bought a site at Hendon in 1911
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and set up a flying school.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40He held aerial events that became part of the social calendar,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43like Ascot or Henley are today.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Thousands of people used to gather to watch these displays,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50the likes of which had never been seen before.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53A recording made back in 1954 looking back on his life
0:10:53 > 0:10:58shows just how much he believed in the potential of aviation.
0:10:58 > 0:10:59Just listen to this.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02'We also had meetings at night
0:11:02 > 0:11:07'when the planes went up festooned with flashing electric lights.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10'We even had demonstrations of bomb dropping a dummy battleship
0:11:10 > 0:11:12'erected on the aerodrome.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17'But people at that time regarded a flying machine as unlikely to
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'be of any use in war, or indeed,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23'to influence in any way the future of transport.'
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Grahame-White was a visionary.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28So much so that his site was commandeered by the Admiralty
0:11:28 > 0:11:31for training during the First World War.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34White himself flew reconnaissance missions, but after a serious
0:11:34 > 0:11:39accident in 1915, his wife banned him from flying.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43He later turned his energy to property and speedboats.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Although he did a great deal to show people that aircraft would be
0:11:47 > 0:11:49a superb commercial prospect,
0:11:49 > 0:11:54he never really gained the recognition he deserved.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57But to those in the crowds watching the Grahame-White circus, he proved
0:11:57 > 0:12:01to be much more than just a man in his magnificent flying machine.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Back to the here and now, where Anita - like a magpie -
0:12:12 > 0:12:14has gone straight for the bling.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Catherine, welcome to "Flog It!" - Thank you very much, Anita.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22This is an interesting thing that you've brought along here.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26It's a retro watch from the 1970s.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Tell me, where did you get it?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30It belongs to my mother,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33but she got it from her aunt who lived in America,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35who died and left her all her jewellery.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Can you remember your auntie?
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Yes, very well indeed. - Was she a stylish sort of woman?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Yes, she was. Yes.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Clothes, jewellery and so on.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Clothes, jewellery, her husband was an interior designer so...
0:12:47 > 0:12:53- Right. It's a Boucheron, which is a French make.- Right.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59This would have been sold in high-end Parisian jewellers
0:12:59 > 0:13:00and watchmakers.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03We've got a good make there.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- It's also made in 18-carat gold. - Yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11And that is the important thing...
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Right.- ..in today's market.
0:13:13 > 0:13:20But...I feel that the watch has bags of style about it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25On the surface of it, it appears very, very simple.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27It's almost like a bracelet.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33But you have this tiny little bark detail on it. And I like that.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36The watch face is tiny.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41This is a negative aspect because it's very hard to see the time
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- unless you are about 18. - THEY LAUGH
0:13:45 > 0:13:47But it still is a watch.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50And it is in working order, as I say.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56There is a great revival of interest in jewellery from the 1970s.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00And I think that this might fall into that category.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04So I'm hoping that we are attacking it from two angles here
0:14:04 > 0:14:07rather than just the gold one.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I would like to estimate it at 700 to 900
0:14:11 > 0:14:16and I would also like to give the auctioneer
0:14:16 > 0:14:18a small piece of discretion.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21How much discretion do you give them? About 10%?
0:14:21 > 0:14:22About 10%.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Yeah, OK.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Listen, I'll be there rooting for it
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and hoping that there's '70s gals there.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Because it is becoming fashionable now.- Yeah.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34But it's a great item. Thank you very much for bringing it in.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Thank you very much indeed.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41One happy customer. We'll see if it's time to get out of the flares.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Well, we've certainly been working really hard.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45All of these antiques and collectables have been
0:14:45 > 0:14:49unwrapped and some of them packed back up again, ready to take off.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52We've now found our first three items to go to auction,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54but before we close those cabin doors,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58here's a quick recap of all the things we are taking with us.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02The pride and joy of an RAF serviceman.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04The photo album with its history
0:15:04 > 0:15:06of Hendon will appeal to those
0:15:06 > 0:15:07interested in aviation,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09so fingers crossed.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Then there is this incredible illustration by an artist
0:15:12 > 0:15:14whose disability was
0:15:14 > 0:15:16no obstacle to his talent.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19And what about this stylish '70s cocktail watch?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21With kitsch from this decade
0:15:21 > 0:15:23in vogue again,
0:15:23 > 0:15:24we should have some interest.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29We were heading south now, across London,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32towards the River Thames for our auction today.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33We're at Chiswick Auctions
0:15:33 > 0:15:36and on the rostrum, in charge of the gavel,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39is trusty auctioneer William Rouse.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Remember, if you are buying or selling at auction
0:15:41 > 0:15:43there is a commission to pay.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Here at the Chiswick auction rooms, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50But these prices do vary from saleroom to saleroom.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53So check the details. They are normally printed in the catalogue.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Or ask a member of staff because it does add up.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58So don't get caught out.
0:15:58 > 0:15:5960. Five. 70...
0:15:59 > 0:16:03First up, we've got national serviceman Jeff.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Vivian and Jeff, great to see you again.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08And I must say, I love the blue. I love what you are wearing.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10That is such a good blue colour.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- You're both in blue.- Well yeah.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- It's a team effort.- Yes!
0:16:14 > 0:16:17We are just about to sell the two photo albums.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20It's really the early history of RAF Hendon.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21- Some of it.- Some of it, yes.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25This kind of thing is so hard to put a price on. It really is.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26We've put £100 on it.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31It really is a piece of history and I think the whole story of it,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33just absolutely fascinating.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36There is research there for somebody to do if they are interested.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Exactly, yeah. Fingers crossed they fly.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Here we go.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Two albums and a training manual.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46A lot of interest in this lot, I'm pleased to report.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I'm straight in on £140.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52£140 to start.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54150 I'll take in the room.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57At £140 on commission bid.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Thank you, 150. I've got 160.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03170. 180.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05190 in the corner of the room.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07At 190. Against my commission bid.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10190. Are we all finished?
0:17:10 > 0:17:11It's selling.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- £190.- That's good.- Right.- Very good.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Well done, and thank you for bringing that in.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17It was our pleasure.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Hopefully, that was bought by someone who loves aeroplanes
0:17:21 > 0:17:25as much as the serviceman who took the photos.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Now, was Anita right about the '70s revival?
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Catherine, good luck. I could say time is up for your little watch.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- Would you wear it? - It's got bags of style.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- It's from the 1970s and that style of jewellery is coming back in.- Mm.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44But it's got a tiny, tiny, tiny little face.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- You can't really read it. - It's too small.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49We are going to find out what the bidders think now with
0:17:49 > 0:17:50this 1970s cocktail watch.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52It's going under the hammer. Here we go.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Lot 493, the Boucheron 18-carat gold lady's cocktail watch.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Nice thing.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59There we go. What's it worth?
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Start me at £500.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03550. 600.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- 650 is bid in the room.- 650.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07In the room at 650.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11He's on the phone.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12How much are we asking for William?
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- Do you like 700? - Would you like 700?
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- Yes. - That was worth waiting for them.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Oh, the suspense.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- 750 is bid.- Yes!- Right.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26This is good. 750.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29800. At £800 on the telephone.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30With you at 800.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I think we are done.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Yes!- Yeah. £800. Wasn't that great? - Thank goodness!
0:18:35 > 0:18:37What a tense moment that was.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I knew this was going to be a rollercoaster ride today.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41420. 440. 460.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Things are hotting up now as our auctioneer, William Rouse, says the
0:18:45 > 0:18:50illustration by the German artist Matthias Buchinger is very rare.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54This framed picture is a very interesting lot.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56I don't think we've ever handled anything quite like it before.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I think the picture is painted in extraordinary detail
0:18:59 > 0:19:02and it's amazing. Although it's a very interesting object,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I don't know how commercial it is.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And that's what we're going to find out when the lot comes up.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09This is a hard thing to value.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- It's an extraordinary 18th-century pen-and-ink drawing.- I adore it.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- It's our sort of thing. It's a proper antique.- It is.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- And I think it's the oldest thing in our sale today.- Really?
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Almost certainly.- Yeah. So good luck with that.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Here we go, this is it.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26565 is this rather unusual picture.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Start me at £150 for it.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- 150 is bid.- Come on.- 160.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34170. 180.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36190. 200.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37- 210.- Oh, good.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41210 there in the doorway. 220. 230.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43240. 250.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- In the room at 250.- (Well done.)
0:19:46 > 0:19:48260. 270.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50280. 290.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52300. 320.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55360 on the internet. In the room now at 480.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58£400 on the internet. 420 in the room.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00440 on the internet.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01460 on the internet.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03480 in the room.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- 520 on the internet. - I can smile now. This is it.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09In the room at 540.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- 560.- Yes!- 580.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Are you all finished and done then?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- £600 on the internet.- Yes!
0:20:15 > 0:20:18At £600. I'm going to sell it for 600.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19It goes...
0:20:19 > 0:20:21£600, Jane.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:20:23 > 0:20:24That's just wonderful, isn't it?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Quality always sells, and we sell it time and time again.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29You had some quality, you brought it in.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31And you've made quite a bit of money out of that, haven't you?
0:20:31 > 0:20:32Thank you very much.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36No, thank you for bringing us such a unique item to "Flog It!"
0:20:36 > 0:20:383,700 on the telephone.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Some great results there at the auction.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44And we'll be back here a little later for more excitement.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46140 we go.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51There is still so much to discover here at the RAF Museum at Hendon.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Each plane tells a story.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56And this iconic symbol of the Second World War -
0:20:56 > 0:20:59the Lancaster bomber - was a key player.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04The fleet carried out more than 150,000 bombing sorties.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Much of the technology you see here today was developed nearly
0:21:09 > 0:21:14three decades earlier out of sheer desperation and necessity.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Then the First World War was upon us.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21And new ways of finding and fighting the enemy were called for.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23The war effort took to the skies
0:21:23 > 0:21:26and it was an often shaky and deadly start.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Contrast the Lancaster bomber that we've just seen,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37with all its heavy metal and four engines, with this.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It's incredible to think that this is
0:21:40 > 0:21:43the type of aircraft our pilots were flying in 1914.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47It's made of wood and it's exposed to the elements.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51And there is no sign of any guns to deter the enemy.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55In fact, it looks too light to carry any guns.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00The era between 1914 and 1918
0:22:00 > 0:22:03marks a key turning point in aviation history.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And a new exhibition here at the museum shows what incredible
0:22:06 > 0:22:09innovators there were among the early pioneers
0:22:09 > 0:22:11during the First World War.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Let's not forget there was still no Royal Air Force.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17The design and the development of aircraft was down to just
0:22:17 > 0:22:19a few brave men.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Britain's air services were run by two organisations -
0:22:23 > 0:22:26The Royal Flying Corps, which was linked to the Army,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28and the Royal Naval Air Service.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32They were small units with just 1,000 people in each.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Curator Adam Shepherd, who has put the exhibition together,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38is here to give me an insight into those incredibly brave men
0:22:38 > 0:22:40and their flying machines.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43So, who was taking to the sky in those early days?
0:22:43 > 0:22:44A wide range of people, really.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46People were doing it primarily for fun.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48They were daredevils.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51They wanted to learn how to fly, see the world from a different angle.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53A pioneering sort that could afford to do it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Oh, yes, yeah, yeah.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57It would cost you about £75 to take flying lessons.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- That's about £6,000 in today's money.- Which is a lot of money.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02It's very expensive, yeah.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06There was no idea of reconnaissance or battle use or anything like that?
0:23:06 > 0:23:10No. It was exciting activity. You did it for the sport, for the joy.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12People didn't realise it was going to be something that was
0:23:12 > 0:23:14going to be used in a war.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17When were aircraft first used for reconnaissance?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Aircraft had been used for reconnaissance
0:23:19 > 0:23:21before the First World War, where the first British pilots to
0:23:21 > 0:23:25actively go out and seek the enemy were the Royal Flying Corps.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- Mm-hmm.- They flew over German positions and sent messages back
0:23:29 > 0:23:30to their commanders.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32We have here a sketch.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35It was produced by a reconnaissance pilot at the start of the war.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40- Mm-hmm.- And it shows German positions at Mons in August 1914.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It enabled the British Army to avoid being encircled.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45So it's a critical moment at the start of the First World War.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Defining moment for the Royal Flying Corps.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49That's where they learned their trade.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52And would that literally be put in some kind of canister
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- and dropped over the side? - Yeah, they used streamers.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Little weighted bag with a lead weight in it. They would drop it...
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- Fantastic. Hey presto!- Yeah.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02- Early reconnaissance.- Yeah.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08We weren't the only ones in the skies.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13The Germans had developed airships, including zeppelins, for air travel.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16And with Britain ill-prepared for attack from above,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19the Germans turned these airships into bombers.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Air strikes using aircraft
0:24:21 > 0:24:25and zeppelins killed more than 1,000 people.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27And they cast a menacing shadow.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It was thanks to the efforts of this man,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35that Britain was able to fight back.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41In September 1916, he was flying an aircraft similar to this one, the
0:24:41 > 0:24:45BE2, when he downed a German airship that was flying over Hertfordshire.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48The bullets he fired set fire to it.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Not only did Robinson win the Victoria Cross for his valiant
0:24:52 > 0:24:54effort, but he also proved that aircraft could be
0:24:54 > 0:24:58used for a lot more than just simply reconnaissance.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Modifications were made to the plane,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04including adding an extra fuel tank.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06And with the newly-developed incendiary bullets
0:25:06 > 0:25:11capable of igniting the highly-flammable hydrogen-filled
0:25:11 > 0:25:15airships, these light planes were turning into fighting machines.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21It wasn't just aircraft that were becoming more technically advanced,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25pilots were too, thanks to early flight simulators.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29And this is a reconstruction of one based on a rocking fuselage
0:25:29 > 0:25:34developed by Lanoe Hawker, who learned to fly right here at Hendon.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36And I'm going to have a go.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Obviously this is the joystick.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42You've got your feet in the pedals here.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Are we ready for takeoff?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46I guess we push this little red button to free it up.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48And away we go.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Whooo! HE LAUGHS
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Actually, it's incredibly responsive!
0:25:53 > 0:25:58It may look naive and simple, but it gets you used to banking
0:25:58 > 0:25:59and holding a straight line.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04And it's, well, it's relatively easy here at ground level,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07but could you imagine learning to fly for the first time
0:26:07 > 0:26:11and you're doing this 200 feet up in the air?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13That is quite frightening.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Pilots found ingenious methods of improving their flying skills.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20This archive shows a mock cockpit up a tree.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Now that's what I call a flight simulator.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27It didn't stop there. New ways were found to attack the enemy.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Talk me through some of the early weaponry.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Yeah, the Lewis gun was a standard infantry machinegun
0:26:34 > 0:26:38used in the British Army. This is an ammunition drum.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41These weapons weren't attached to aircraft at the start of the war,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43but by the end of the war, they had become standard issue.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Louis Strange was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47He had learned to fly at Hendon.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50He decided when he flew across to France at the beginning
0:26:50 > 0:26:53of the war that he would fix a machinegun to his aircraft.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- Sensible chap.- Yes.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58So he knew what was going to happen. He was subsequently proved right.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Within a few months, aircraft were strong enough to carry machine guns,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06and they were taking machine guns out on fighter operations.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08I mean, it was pretty close, wasn't it?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- Yes, yes.- Quite personal. - It was, yeah.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13They could very much see the whites of their opponents' eyes.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16There are many stories of pilots flying next to each other,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- expending all their ammunition, and just waving at each other.- Yeah.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- It's very moving. - It's an incredible story, isn't it?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25And obviously, the weapons just get more and more advanced.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27And you start to have bombs like this.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31This is a Cooper bomb. It dates from around 1916, 1917.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- And that weighed the aircraft down even more.- Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37You can imagine an early aircraft having one of these fitted.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41It wouldn't have got off the ground, really. It was far too heavy.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44But by the middle of the war, aircraft were much stronger.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47They could carry bigger weapons and bombs like this.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51And by the end of the war, bombs are as large as 1,000kg.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55It wasn't just the aircraft that were being developed, but the kit
0:27:55 > 0:27:59that pilots wore to cope with flying in an open cockpit at altitude.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Lanoe Hawker also designed sheepskin-lined fug-boots.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Even the bizarre was thought of.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Electric flying jackets to keep the pilots warm.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12And the Sidcot flying suit made its debut -
0:28:12 > 0:28:16an all-in-one design which is similar to what pilots wear today.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21The exhibition reveals the huge advances made during the early 20th
0:28:21 > 0:28:25century, where flying techniques and aircraft were developed.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30On 1st April 1918, the Royal Naval Flying Service and the
0:28:30 > 0:28:35Royal Air Corps merged to become the world's first independent air force.
0:28:35 > 0:28:36The RAF.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40It was a significant milestone in Britain's aviation history,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43thanks in part to the young flying pioneers,
0:28:43 > 0:28:48their adventurous spirit, and, of course, their sacrifices.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Back to the main hangar now and our valuation day.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Captain Mark is focused on something shiny that takes us
0:29:02 > 0:29:05back before the First World War.
0:29:05 > 0:29:06- Wendy.- Mark.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10You've brought some wonderful traditional antiques.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13And being an old fuddy-duddy, this is what I really love.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15This is what makes me very excited.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17These are little seals.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21These would be placed on a fob chain with a pocket watch.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25In the 18th and 19th century, if you wanted to seal your letters for
0:29:25 > 0:29:28privacy - we didn't have postage then, of course -
0:29:28 > 0:29:31you would melt a piece of wax and then you'd use
0:29:31 > 0:29:33a charming little object like this to seal it.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Maybe with your monogram or your family crest.- Mm-hmm.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38So the person receiving it was,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40"Oh, that's come from my friend so-and-so..."
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Right.- ..and would open it eagerly to find out the news.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Now, we've got five in total. None of them are gold.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- Sometimes they are gold and silver.- Right.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51These are a base metal which has been gold-plated.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Tell me, where did you get the seals from?
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- They belonged to my late stepgrandfather.- Mm-hmm.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59I was at boarding school
0:29:59 > 0:30:02and we used to have to write a letter home every week.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06And he used to correct all my spelling and send them back to me.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- So he was a traditionalist? - He was indeed.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11But of course, when I got older, I really appreciated it
0:30:11 > 0:30:13because my spelling isn't too bad now.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Oh, good. Mine is atrocious.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17You found them just hidden in a drawer, did you?
0:30:17 > 0:30:19I found them in a drawer.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21And interestingly enough, I found
0:30:21 > 0:30:24a little red stick of sealing wax with them, which had been used.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26So he obviously had used them at some point.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27He must have at some stage. Yes.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- And you had no idea they were there? - Nope. None at all.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33I'm so glad you rescued them from the cold,
0:30:33 > 0:30:38dark recesses of a drawer, cos I'm sure you know that there are still
0:30:38 > 0:30:42people out there that like these wonderful little objects of virtue.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- Mm-hmm.- And if you're a collector, like me, it would be wonderful
0:30:45 > 0:30:48to have a little bijouterie cabinet where you could display these,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- maybe do a bit of research on them.- Yes.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Do you know how old they are? - No idea.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58- I think these are going to date to the mid-19th century.- Right.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03- So we are looking at something around 1850, 1860.- OK.- Thereabouts.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05And there are some charming examples.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07This one particularly is rather nice.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09- With the flower and the word... - To you.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- Oh, that's wonderful, isn't it? So much nicer than an e-mail.- Yes.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- Makes it very personal.- Absolutely.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17I think if we were putting them into an auction...
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- we would estimate them at around £60 to £100.- OK.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24And we would put a reserve of £60 on them.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28At least then you know you're going to get a certain amount of money.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30And hopefully, there will be a few oddbods out there,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- like myself, who love this sort of thing.- Mm-hmm.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35- And they might just reach 100. - That would be good.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- Are you happy with that? - Very happy with that.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- There is no sentimental attachment to them?- Not really. No.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43They've just been sat in a drawer, and it seems such a shame
0:31:43 > 0:31:44if somebody might enjoy them.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46It's a terrible shame to leave them in a drawer.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- They are beautiful objects that need to be admired.- Mm-hmm.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51And I'm sure there'll be collectors out there
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- who will appreciate them.- Good.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00Now Anita's uncovered a treasure that's taking her back in time.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06Sarah, this is a lovely wee object. A little christening cup.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09I think these are absolutely charming.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13And this is an early-20th-century example.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18- Tell me, was it part of your family history?- Very much so.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23The original Edgar, as in Major General Edgar Pierpont Putnam,
0:32:23 > 0:32:28who is named on the cup, was a major general in the American Civil War.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33He met my grandparents sometime in 1899, 1890-something.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35- Did they travel in America?- Yes.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39But they met also in Switzerland. He came over to Switzerland.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42At that time, my grandmother was pregnant.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45And she said, "I do love the name Edgar.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47"I'd like, if I have a boy, to call him Edgar."
0:32:47 > 0:32:51And he said, "If you call him Edgar, I'm going to be the godfather."
0:32:51 > 0:32:57So this was a big American general from the American Civil War?
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- Yeah, yeah.- Let's have a wee look at the inscription.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04We've got, "From Major Edgar P Putnam,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07"Jamestown, New York,
0:33:07 > 0:33:12"to Saunders Edgar Davis. 20th of September, 1902."
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- That was my dad's birthday. - And that was your dad?- Yep.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19This makes it a more interesting object,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22the fact that it has that American connection.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26It's quite a straightforward christening cup,
0:33:26 > 0:33:31although it's very pretty and the embossed work on it is charming.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37It's hallmarked for London, 1902, so he must have come over to London...
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Yeah. OK.- ..in 1902 and bought it as a new item.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- Tell me, this is a wee part of your family history as well...- Yes.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Why is it you are wanting to sell it?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50My grandparents aren't alive. My father is not alive.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52I asked my children, they are not interested.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54I'd rather do some good with it.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56I thought half of it, whatever I get, would go to the hospice
0:33:56 > 0:33:58so at least somebody gets some good.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- And somebody who really will enjoy it.- Yes.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03What I feel is that whoever buys this will be
0:34:03 > 0:34:05interested in the history of it.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08And they will be able to find this major somewhere
0:34:08 > 0:34:11and someone will have fun doing that research.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Now, charming as it is,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17it's not going to make you a huge amount of money.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18No, I didn't expect it to.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23I would put an estimate of 40 to 60 on it.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27- Would you be happy for it to go into auction at that?- Yes. Yes.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I've had it since 1969, when my dad died,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32and it's just been sitting in the cabinet.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- I clean it every so often, as you can see.- Yes.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- And that's it. You know. - It's been looked after.- Yes.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42- 40 to 60. A reserve of £40.- OK.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Hopefully, it will take a wee flyer.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47I'm happy. Whatever it makes, it makes.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- It was lovely to have you along at "Flog It!"- Thank you.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Now, here's a rarity uncovered by Mark.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Philip, you have brought in a charger here which represents,
0:35:01 > 0:35:08or commemorates, a very important part of English Stuart history -
0:35:08 > 0:35:09commemorating William and Mary.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13This is a wonderful piece of Dutch Delftware.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15- Do you know what Delft is? - BYSTANDERS:- Yes.- No.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Some people are saying yes, some people are saying no.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20It's actually a tin-glazed pottery.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23The pottery is normal pottery with a tin glaze.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26And in Britain and Holland, we call it Delftware.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30But in France and other parts of Europe, they call it faience ware.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Or majolica in Italy.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- This, unfortunately, is not English Delft.- No.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37You do get these wonderful charges in English Delft
0:35:37 > 0:35:40where you have the pebble-dash chargers,
0:35:40 > 0:35:41which are incredibly valuable.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45- Yes.- We'd be looking at £8,000 to £10,000.- Even more.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- Even more these days cos they are so rare.- Yeah.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51This one is Dutch, but it is a period one,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53late-17th-century commemorative.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57- I rather like this design. - Yes.- It's very stylised.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- The portraits of William and Mary are very stylised.- Very naive.
0:36:00 > 0:36:01Very naive.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04That's because when you are painting on tin glazeware,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07you have to paint very quickly.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Because it's very porous.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12So you haven't got time to paint delicately
0:36:12 > 0:36:14like you can on porcelain.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18You have to whack it on, otherwise the whole thing will run.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20It's beautifully done. I love it.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23You bought this, didn't you, some time ago at a London auction house?
0:36:23 > 0:36:26I got it at an auction in April 1999.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- Dare I ask you how much you paid for it?- I think it was about £900.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- Hold it carefully. - I will hold it carefully.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35We'll actually talk about that because if you turn it round,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- you do have a crack going through it.- Yes.- Here.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41- And there is a little bit of restoration.- It has been restored.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43- Before we bought it. - Before you bought it.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46But, you know, you are looking at something here that was
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- produced in the 1680s.- Mm.- You know, that is a long, long time ago.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54- So it has survived remarkably well, really. Hasn't it?- Oh, yes.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58In an ideal world, actually, you would estimate it,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01if you wanted to tease people in, at £1,000 to £1,500.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- But we've had a little confab. - Yes.- Haven't we?- Yes, we have.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08And I think you want the reserve a little bit higher than that.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12- As Welshman to Welshman, yes. - As Welshman to Welshman...- Yes.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Yes, OK. Um...
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- I think I'm going to go along with you because I love it so much.- Yes.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- I think it's worth the try. - I think someone else will.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21I'm sure they will.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25- So if we put 1,500 to 2,000 on it with a 1,500 reserve...- Fixed.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Fixed reserve. Thank you for pointing that out.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30My fellow Welshman.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33..and we'll give it a go. It is a super thing. It really is super.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- Yes.- And hopefully, we'll get the right collectors in.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- Thanks very much.- Thanks for bringing in such a wonderful thing.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42I hope, in a museum like this, it will fly at the auction.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44LAUGHTER
0:37:44 > 0:37:46MARK GROANS
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Leave the jokes to me.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01The RAF Museum has certainly been an inspiration today.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05And we've learned all about the amazing pioneers who braved
0:38:05 > 0:38:08the skies. And there is still so much more to see.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Like this, for example. Only one of two Wessex helicopters
0:38:11 > 0:38:14that transported the Royal family around.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19Introduced into service in 1969, right up until 1998,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22they would have carried around the Queen Mother, the Queen,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne
0:38:25 > 0:38:27in VIP soundproofed cabins.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29And as well as a ferrying the Royals around,
0:38:29 > 0:38:33the crews responded to mayday calls. So they were kept very, very busy.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36I just wish we could fly that to the auction rooms.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38I know it's only a short hop, but wouldn't it be nice?
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Well, the crowds have certainly done us proud here today.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43We've had a magnificent time. But before we leave,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46here's a quick recap of all the items we are taking with us.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50The wax seals may have been made for ordinary people,
0:38:50 > 0:38:54but their colour and detail should attract the collectors.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Will the American Civil War links to Sarah's christening cup
0:38:59 > 0:39:00boost the bidding?
0:39:01 > 0:39:05And we'll be keeping a very close eye on the rare Dutch Delft charger.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09So it's back to the auction house.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13Commission here is 15% plus VAT.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17Wendy's exquisite wax seals are up first.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Our next lot has been in a drawer for 35 years,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22but "Flog It!" came along and liberated them.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- Yes, it's those fob seals belonging to Wendy.- That's right.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28At least they were safe in there, because something like this,
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- you know, is so easily lost in a big house.- Yes.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33I think these are nice, honest antique ones.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35There's no silver or gold ones, but they are what they are
0:39:35 > 0:39:39and we've got a sensible estimate, I think, at £60 to £80 on them.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- And hopefully, we'll get the top end.- Yeah.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Fingers crossed.- Here we go. We are going to find out. Good luck.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Five of them in the lot there.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49What are they worth? Start me at £60.
0:39:49 > 0:39:5060 is bid.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52In the room at £60.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Anybody else?
0:39:54 > 0:39:5565.
0:39:55 > 0:39:5870. Five. 80. Five.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Climbing high, Wendy.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- 100. £100. Standing at 100. - That's very good.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04Good.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07£100. In the room at 100.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- 110 on the internet. - 110.- 110 on the internet.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- Good.- 120 in the room.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15At 120... Sold.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17- Wow!- Yes!- Got them.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19£120. Just got an extra 20 quid at the end.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22It's very good. I wasn't expecting that.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- We sealed the deal. - Yes, we sealed the deal. Oooh!
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- Oh!- Sorry, sorry. - No, that was very good.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Wendy is certainly firing on all cylinders,
0:40:32 > 0:40:35but will Sarah's family heirloom tempt the bidders?
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- Not a lot of money on this. - No. It's a very pretty cup.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- So why are you selling it? - My children don't want it.- OK.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I offered it to my son, he said, "No, thank you."
0:40:43 > 0:40:46My daughter-in-law went, "I'd have to clean it."
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Right. Well, we don't want it sitting in a cupboard.
0:40:48 > 0:40:49It needs to be on show.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I would like to think that someone who was
0:40:52 > 0:40:56interested in the military aspect of it would buy it,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59because they would be able to do a little bit of research, find
0:40:59 > 0:41:04more about this wonderful military man who won the Medal of Honor.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07You never know, it might find its way back to the States.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- It would be nice if it went back to America.- Yes.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12We'll find out what the bidders in West London think right now.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14It's going under the hammer.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Lot 351A is a christening mug. What's it worth?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Start me at £30.
0:41:18 > 0:41:2030 I'm bid. I thought so, everywhere.
0:41:20 > 0:41:2232. 35.
0:41:22 > 0:41:2438.
0:41:24 > 0:41:2540. 42.
0:41:25 > 0:41:2745. Come on. We've sold it.
0:41:27 > 0:41:2850.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30£50 in the middle of the room.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- 55 in the corner.- Is that it?
0:41:33 > 0:41:35£60 in the middle of the room.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38At £60. I'm going to sell it for 60.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- Well done, Anita. Spot-on. - £60. Yeah, that's all right.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42Happy with that, aren't we?
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- Yeah. Yeah.- Job done, girls.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51It's now time for the Dutch Delft charger.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- We need £1,500 or more for this. - Yeah.- It is superb.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Late-17th century. - I think it's wonderful.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58It's Dutch Delft, of course, rather than English.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- But wonderful colour. Unusual colour.- Very good colour.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03And historically, of course, we got rid of one king
0:42:03 > 0:42:07and invited those over, so it's a real piece of British history, this.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Yeah. Fingers crossed the purists have found this
0:42:10 > 0:42:11because it is a cracking lot.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14They've asked for condition reports, I know that.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15Do you know something,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17- a lot of people don't get put off by chips on stuff.- No.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20You expect it. It would look a bit weird if that was perfect.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- Particularly Delft.- Exactly. It's a soft paste.- It is.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25It doesn't matter, the chips
0:42:25 > 0:42:28and the knocks aren't going to distract from its value, OK.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30- Let's hope.- This is a great piece. Here we go.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34589 is a William and Mary commemorative charger.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- Lot 589. There is lots of interest in this.- Yes!
0:42:37 > 0:42:40I can start this at £1,000. With me at £1,000.
0:42:40 > 0:42:421,100. 1,200.
0:42:42 > 0:42:431,300.
0:42:43 > 0:42:451,400.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47- 1,500.- We've done it.- Yes.
0:42:47 > 0:42:491,600.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53£1,600. On the telephone now at 1,700.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55- It'd be nice to get a bit more. - Any more elsewhere?
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Anybody else want to come in?
0:42:57 > 0:42:59The internet's silent.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01At £1,700 it sells.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- Hammer's gone down, Philip. 1,700.- I'm delighted.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06It's a good price in today's market.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08- It's a good price. - So pleased with that.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10- That's what we call a proper antique.- Thank you very much.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Thank you so much for bringing it in.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14480. 500.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15520.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17580 in the room.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Well, there you are, it's all over for our owners.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23And what a fabulous day we've had here in the Chiswick auction rooms.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25We thoroughly enjoyed being in London
0:43:25 > 0:43:28and I hope you've enjoyed watching the show.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30So, until the next time, it's goodbye.