0:00:08 > 0:00:12I'm in the village of Selborne, in Hampshire, which was once home to
0:00:12 > 0:00:14one of Britain's most famous scientists
0:00:14 > 0:00:16that you've probably never heard of.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Now, that's got your attention, hasn't it?
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Later on in the programme,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22I'll be finding out more about this 18th-century naturalist
0:00:22 > 0:00:25and why that became one of his most important tools.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Hampshire has been a hotbed for scientific
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and technological advancement since the Industrial Revolution.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57It's fitting that the county was the birth place of one
0:00:57 > 0:01:01of our greatest engineers - Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04It's also the site of the London and South Western Railway
0:01:04 > 0:01:07that took passengers, in the 19th century,
0:01:07 > 0:01:12from London to the important industrial port of Southampton.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15At our valuation day venue here at Basingstoke,
0:01:15 > 0:01:16they've brought the engineering
0:01:16 > 0:01:19achievements of the old Industrial Age alive again
0:01:19 > 0:01:22with a fascinating collection of old vehicles,
0:01:22 > 0:01:27goods and appliances once sold on the Victorian high street.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33We'll be finding out more about the county's scientific
0:01:33 > 0:01:36and engineering endeavours later on in the programme.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38But right now, our crowds - look at them all -
0:01:38 > 0:01:42are advancing towards our experts ready for their valuations -
0:01:42 > 0:01:44this is the scary bit here -
0:01:44 > 0:01:46at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49So, if you're happy with your valuation,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52what are you going to do? ALL: Flog it!
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Our experts are getting stuck in,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and there's already plenty to catch James Lewis' eye.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Oh, blimey.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Oh, blimey.- That's old, isn't it? It is old.- Yeah.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05While Elizabeth Talbot is taking a leisurely approach.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07But not for long.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Come on, you, don't sit around on the job, we've got work to do.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Excuse me.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16And I have too. Right, follow me, let's get this show on the road.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17It's through these doors!
0:02:17 > 0:02:18Come on, everyone.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22'As I take the crowds in, let's find out what's on the show today.'
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Elizabeth's got the moon and the stars in her eyes.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Well, Tim, you've made my eyes sparkle when I saw this.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35But why has Angus got tears in his?
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Well done, well done.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41And which of these objects will get the cash register ringing?
0:02:41 > 0:02:42£1,000.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44£1,000.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45Ching-ching!
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Well, from up here on top of this early-20th-century bus which
0:02:50 > 0:02:54rode the streets of Portsmouth, you get a fantastic bird's-eye view
0:02:54 > 0:02:56of the proceedings going on down there. Just look at it.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58We really are spoiled for choice today.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Not to mention a fantastic array of vehicles, from bikes to buses,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and all sorts of internal combustion engines.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08So, let's now hand the proceedings over to our experts,
0:03:08 > 0:03:13and let's see what breakthroughs they can make with their first item.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15And Elizabeth Talbot is joined by Paul,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18who's brought in an amazing-looking contraption.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Please, tell me all about it.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24Well, I...
0:03:24 > 0:03:29I bought it from a hospital that was closing down for about £25 or
0:03:29 > 0:03:32something. And that was in the early '90s.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35I'm fairly confident it's a piece of anaesthetic equipment.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37But apart from that, I don't know.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41I liked it because, you know, it's an attractive bit of kit, I think.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46I agree. It bears a name - I noticed a Dr Magill's name on the front.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Yes, right.
0:03:47 > 0:03:53Now, Sir Ivan Whiteside Magill was actually working at the very
0:03:53 > 0:03:56early part of the 20th century.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00He was Irish-born and he was originally a general practitioner.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- But he then began specialising in anaesthesia...- Oh.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- ..and anaesthetics.- Right.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07That was his special area of study.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09And throughout the early part of the 20th century,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13he took the developments of his research quite extensive ways,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16which I think really set us to where we are in modern-day
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- understanding of that subject. - Oh, gosh. Yeah.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20In 1919, during the First World War,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24he was positioned in the Queens Hotel at Sidcup.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27And he there, at that point,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31met a surgeon, Harold Gillies,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34who was working very hard
0:04:34 > 0:04:35and doing some pioneering work
0:04:35 > 0:04:38on the reconstruction and plastic surgery
0:04:38 > 0:04:42of particularly faces of soldiers who served in the First World War.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- Right.- And the two of them became quite a powerhouse together.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Doctors Magill and Gillies worked to improve the lives
0:04:52 > 0:04:55of soldiers returning from the battlefields of France.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Over seven years,
0:04:56 > 0:05:01the surgical team conducted an incredible 11,000 operations,
0:05:01 > 0:05:06repairing the horrendous facial injuries of 5,000 men.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09In a way, that would have seemed miraculous at the time.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15And they did it all using instruments like this.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17Interestingly enough,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21Gillies then served in hospitals in Basingstoke.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24So he has a connection locally, which is quite interesting.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29And the work that Magill did over the next few years took him
0:05:29 > 0:05:32to the point where he was eventually knighted.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38And even today, doctors who achieve outstanding work
0:05:38 > 0:05:43in their profession are...can be awarded the Magill Medal.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Yeah.- So you paid £25 for it, did you say?- About that, yeah.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It really is going to be the eye of the beholder.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Anybody who collects medical implements or
0:05:52 > 0:05:54anything that is related to medical history may well
0:05:54 > 0:05:58place on it a value different to what I will estimate.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04- I would think it should sell for between sort of £50 and £80.- Right.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- OK.- Would you be happy with that? - I would.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11And the money, is that going anywhere in particular?
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Yes, it is. It's going to brain tumour, cancer...
0:06:15 > 0:06:17brain tumour research.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- I lost a daughter earlier this year from that.- Oh.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24And so we're finding all ways and means of, you know,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- putting some money to the charity. - For fundraising.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29So this would be a very apt way of it going to a good cause.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30It is actually, yes.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34£50 to £80. £50 reserve. Fingers crossed.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- Thank you so much for bringing it in.- Thank you.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38That's most interesting. Thank you.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41A remarkable story about an object
0:06:41 > 0:06:44that changed the fortunes of so many.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And now James has found a pair of objects that some might think
0:06:48 > 0:06:49a bit staid
0:06:49 > 0:06:52but marked technical innovation in their day.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Val, I have to say,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Royal Worcester,
0:06:56 > 0:07:01one of the greatest names in English porcelain manufacturing.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02They are about 1890.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- Did you know the way of telling the date?- No, I don't.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09OK, so, grab one of those.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- You see the purple mark?- Yes.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- You see the dots above the R?- Yes.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I've got four on this one altogether.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19The first dot was put on in 1892.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Oh.- 1892, '93, '94, '95.- Oh, my God.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- These are 1895.- Oh, my God. - Lovely.- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- Family things? - Yes, they were my mother's. Yeah.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33OK. And was she a collector or a dealer?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- No, my father just bought them for my mother.- Did he?- Yeah.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- So you remember them growing up as a child?- Yes.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42They are glazed Parian.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- Parian ware was invented for the 1851 Exhibition.- Right.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52It was invented to copy marble busts.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56But by the 1870s, the marble busts were going out of fashion,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00so they needed a new use for their Parian ware.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03And this sort of ware became the new fashion.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05It is known as blush ivory
0:08:05 > 0:08:07because it is a yellowy colour
0:08:07 > 0:08:10with a bit of a pinky tinge to it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13And then it is hand-painted over the top.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16And this was fashionable until about 1910.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21And here we've got a pair painted with thistles
0:08:21 > 0:08:26and meadow flowers. And with masks on the handles.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Lovely quality gilding, in good condition.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- If you wanted to sell them, which I presume you do...- I do.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35..they would certainly sell at auction. They won't make a lot.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40- Today, auction estimate of 80 to 120.- Right.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Might make a shade more. I would put a firm reserve of £80 on them.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48And at least that's a safety net so don't they don't go below that.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Yes.- Is that all right for you? - Yes, that's fine.- Super, all right.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54While an item might not always be en vogue,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58what I always say is one man's trash is another man's treasure.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01I love looking in your bags and boxes to find things
0:09:01 > 0:09:05that are intriguing, even if they are not to everyone's taste.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Ever seen anything like it before?
0:09:07 > 0:09:08Do you know, I'm lost for words.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Are you?- I'm lost. I don't know what to say.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14I really don't know what to say.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18To me, it looks as if it is sort of 1950s.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20There's always a buyer for something,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22we've found that on this show.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24But I tell you what, though, I couldn't help but gravitate
0:09:24 > 0:09:26towards it to go, "Gosh, what is this?"
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Yes.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- And now I've seen it...- You're going away again.- I'm happy.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32THEY LAUGH
0:09:33 > 0:09:38Now Elizabeth has found something that is definitely to her taste.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Well, Tim, you've made my eyes sparkle when I saw this
0:09:40 > 0:09:43because it accessorises with my outfit today,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45so I'm very pleased to see this little jewel.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Is this something that you've inherited or what can you
0:09:48 > 0:09:49tell me about it?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- No, I found it at a car booty in East Anglia...- Oh, did you?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53..one weekend, yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55My wife was looking for costume jewellery
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and they found this big box.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59And they were messing around in there looking for stuff
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and I see this little pouch right in the corner.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05As I pulled it, this popped out of the top.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07So I just said to the lady, I thought,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09"How much do you want for it?" And she said £5.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12And I went, "No, I'll give you £3 for it."
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And she said, "Yeah, OK, fine."
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- I took it home and put it under some spotlights and it sparkled.- Mm-hm.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21And I put a magnifying glass on it and I thought,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- "No, this is...this is something." - The real thing.- Yeah.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Have you done research in terms of a value as well?- I haven't got a clue.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29- No?- I haven't got a clue.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Obviously, you have probably established from looking at it
0:10:32 > 0:10:35more closely that what we have here is a late Victorian brooch
0:10:35 > 0:10:39which is set with, principally, sapphires and diamonds,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41and it is centred by a pearl.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Right.- The pin at the back is gold.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- It is gold?- The mount that the actual stones are set into,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48I think, is probably silver. It's not marked.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52A lot of jewellery of this ilk, because it is so delicate
0:10:52 > 0:10:55and there's not much ground to sort of stamp anything on,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- often it isn't stamped, it isn't marked.- Right.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Now, the late Victorians loved the crescent moons
0:10:59 > 0:11:03as a motif for jewellery, principally for brooches.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05And they used different stones to reflect that,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09but I think obviously the blue and the silver of the stones
0:11:09 > 0:11:11they've chosen really sort of suit it perfectly.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14You know, I think they all look as though they're original,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17they've not been replaced, so it is all very positive.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So have you got an expectation of the value then?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Is there something that you'd be...?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23As long as it is more than £3.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25If it's more than £3, I'm quite happy, yeah.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27You know, if it doubles its value...
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Yeah, I don't mind.- At the moment, the precious metal market
0:11:30 > 0:11:31is still strong, which gives it...
0:11:31 > 0:11:34It doesn't mean that it is really relevant, but it gives a baseline
0:11:34 > 0:11:37of interest that that would hold just because of what it contains.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Right.- I think a sensible estimate
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- would probably be £200 to £300. - Right.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45But I would suggest that probably a discretionary
0:11:45 > 0:11:48reserve of a round about 180. Are you happy with that?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Yeah, yeah. Ching-ching. - THEY LAUGH
0:11:51 > 0:11:53You'll be back to East Anglia for the next car booty.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- Yeah, definitely. - Let's watch with interest and see.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Yeah. Yeah.- We'll reach the moon, eh? For that one.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yeah, thank you very much. - Thank you so much, Tim.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- I'll see you at the auction. - Thank you.- Take care. Thank you.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04But before we do that,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07I've headed to another part of the museum for some fun.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Time to play on the largest collection of working
0:12:11 > 0:12:14penny arcade slot machines on public display.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19Dating from 1910 to the 1960s, all the old favourites are here,
0:12:19 > 0:12:20from the shoot the skeletons...
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Go down, come on!
0:12:22 > 0:12:24..to the Egyptian pyramid.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28And my favourite, the spiritualist room.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Oh, look, there's a skull coming from the back of the chair.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Madam Zasha, please, please, please, make it good news.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44Right, here we go.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50"The way you attract
0:12:50 > 0:12:53"so many admiring glances, it's a good job
0:12:53 > 0:12:55"I'm not the jealous type!"
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Well, I wonder if our experts' predictions are right
0:12:58 > 0:13:01with their valuations, as we go straight over to the auction room.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Let's put them to the test.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06And here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11Here's hoping for good fortune for all three of our items today.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13There is Paul's pioneering anaesthetic instrument,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16the proceeds of which will go to a good cause.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22There is Valerie's duo of less-than-fashionable blush ivory
0:13:22 > 0:13:23Royal Worcester vases
0:13:23 > 0:13:25in search of an avid collector.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30And finally, there is Tim's car boot bounty -
0:13:30 > 0:13:33this stylish Victorian brooch he bought for a song.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39For our auction, we are heading to Winchester,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43a town surrounded by reminders of the Industrial Age.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47The area is dotted with nearly 100 old mills, but the only one
0:13:47 > 0:13:51still working is in Whitchurch, a stone's throw from Winchester.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55It produces high quality silks which clothe the actors
0:13:55 > 0:13:58in historic dramas like BBC's Cranford.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01For our sale today, we are here at Andrew Smith & Son,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and hoping to create some drama of our very own
0:14:04 > 0:14:05as our lots go under the hammer.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10So don't go away, because I think there could be a big surprise.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12And don't forget, if you are selling, there is
0:14:12 > 0:14:14a commission fee to pay.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16It varies from saleroom to saleroom.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Here, it is 18% including VAT.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22On the rostrum today is auctioneer Nick Jarrett.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23And our first lot
0:14:23 > 0:14:26is that early-20th-century anaesthetic instrument,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28brought in by Paul.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- When you see it...- I know.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31It comes in this box
0:14:31 > 0:14:34and you see this wonderful chrome sort of construction.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- Well, exactly right.- ..you go, "Gosh, that's good."- It foxed me.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39I don't know what it is all for and how it's used,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42but we appreciated it on the day, didn't we, as exactly that,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- just a piece of aesthetic beauty. - Let's hope people pick up on it.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I think they will because it is a curio. And it is so hard to value.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Well, it is certainly hard to value.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Ready for this?- Very ready. - Well, let's put it to the test.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54Here we go.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56This is of medical interest. Good thing.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57I've got a few bids
0:14:57 > 0:15:01and I have to start you to clear bids here at £60.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Yes! There's a doctor in the house.
0:15:04 > 0:15:0665. Is that it? At £65.
0:15:06 > 0:15:0870. Five. 80.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Come on. Fresh legs.- Come on.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Five. 90.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I've got to go 100. 110?
0:15:17 > 0:15:19130.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- I've got 130 then.- £130.- £130.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23140?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25At 130 then...
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Sold. Hammer's gone down. £130 for that wonderful piece of sculpture.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31PAUL LAUGHS
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Well, I am so happy with that because it is all going to charity.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- Fantastic.- To brain tumour research. - Brain tumour research. Well done.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Thank you.- Thank you so much. - Thank you very much.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44How apt that the proceeds are being used to continue to
0:15:44 > 0:15:46change people's lives for the better.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Our next lot are those blush ivory Royal Worcester vases
0:15:49 > 0:15:51that aren't to Valerie's taste.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53But will there be a buyer out there who will want to
0:15:53 > 0:15:55get their hands on them?
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- Mum and Dad had them.- Yes. - Were you allowed to touch them?- No.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- No. Precious? - Yes. On the mantelpiece.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Well, we've got a classic 80 to 120.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07They should sell at that, James.
0:16:07 > 0:16:08That is a good estimate on those.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10It is a conservative estimate, isn't it?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- Yeah.- Who knows? - Good for your money.- Yeah.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- There is a market for this.- OK. - So fingers crossed.- We'll see.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- You don't want to take them home, do you, really?- No.- No.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- Here we go.- Thank you.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- Handsome vases. I have to start you to clear bids at 120.- There you go.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- 130.- They've gone, top end of the estimate.- Great.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31We're selling at 120. 130?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33At £120 then, with me.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36130. 140. 150.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38It's with me still at 140, and I am selling.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39150 did you mean, sir?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41No, at 140 then, still with me.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44150, yes? £150 on the net.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- At 150. 160.- Good, good. - 150 on the net.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I'm out. At £150. Any more?
0:16:50 > 0:16:53At £150. All done at 150...
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- Great result.- Thank you.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- For today's money, that is a great result.- Yes, I know that.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Luckily for Valerie, there was a fan out there.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05Now, our third object should have admirers aplenty.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Well, just to jog your memories, this is Tim
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and coming up next we've got something bought at a car boot
0:17:10 > 0:17:14sale for £3, and we're just about to sell it hopefully
0:17:14 > 0:17:15for £200 to £300.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- It is the sapphire brooch. - Yep.- What a find.- I know.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20It was a great find. But it's super quality.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23I can imagine it mixed in with other things, it would have
0:17:23 > 0:17:25stood out as being slightly different.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27But, yeah, well done, you, cos it's a charming little thing.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- Yeah, charming.- Let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?- Yeah.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- It's going under the hammer.- Lovely.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37There it is, handsome brooch. And I've got several bids.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I have to start you at 400 to clear.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41OK then!
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- At £400.- Get in there.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- 420. 440.- That is a shock. - At 420 then.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48At 420. 440?
0:17:48 > 0:17:53At £420. Are you in here? At 420.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55All done? At £420...
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Last chance.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- Yes!- Ching-ching!
0:18:00 > 0:18:01- How about that?!- Get in there!
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- Straight in on the big numbers, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Brilliant.- That shocked me. Shocked you as well, didn't it?- Yeah.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08I thought, "Gosh, could this go any higher?"
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- Straight in, lots of bids all at once.- Very pleased with that.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Yeah, very pleased. Excellent. - Back at the car boot this weekend.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Yeah, I'll put a few more pound down.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Well, Tim's obviously got the eye,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21so hopefully he'll find more car boot bargains.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Now, sometimes scientific advancements can come
0:18:25 > 0:18:29in the most modest of forms without publicity and fanfare.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Not far from this saleroom
0:18:31 > 0:18:33is the pretty, rural village of Selborne.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Now, it is like most other villages around here.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39It has a village shop, a little cafe and a couple of pubs.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42But out in the heart of it lived a man who
0:18:42 > 0:18:46revolutionised our understanding of nature and our environment.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01I've come to this quiet little nook in Hampshire to find out
0:19:01 > 0:19:04more about the 18th-century naturalist Gilbert White
0:19:04 > 0:19:08whose worldwide reputation rests on this single book.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09And this is his house.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22But to find out what he achieved and why his work became so important,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26I've come through the house for now and out into his workplace -
0:19:26 > 0:19:31his GARDEN set amidst the beautiful landscape of Hampshire.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Gilbert White was born here in Selborne in 1720.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40As an avid gardener,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43he was compelled by the natural environment around him,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45something David Standing,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49the gardener here for 20 years, knows all about.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53What is special about this spot for a gardener,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55or for White particularly?
0:19:55 > 0:19:57For White, yeah. A lot of things, really.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00There were so many different habitats and types of vegetation
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and geology was so varied
0:20:02 > 0:20:04there was an awful lot to study.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- And it is here, all on his doorstep. - Indeed it is.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16The surrounding area inspired a fascination for nature
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and all its complexities throughout the seasons
0:20:19 > 0:20:24and would become the inspiration for Gilbert White's life's work.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30In what way was his approach different to other
0:20:30 > 0:20:31naturalists at the time?
0:20:31 > 0:20:36Instead of taking nature into the laboratory and chopping it up,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40he went outside and looked very carefully at what was happening.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42He would look at one thing for a very long time
0:20:42 > 0:20:46to examine all the details of it - how doves migrated,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50how they...the sort of nests they made.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53The swallows, for example, around the village.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56He wanted to know whether they hibernated or whether they migrated.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58He wanted to know all their habits.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00And nobody had really focused
0:21:00 > 0:21:02so closely before on that kind of detail.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04So that was kind of new and fresh, wasn't it?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06I mean, he obviously looked at the weather,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08looked at the changing seasons
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and saw how that affected plant life and animal life.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- And I know he discovered new species.- He did indeed.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16There was a little mouse that people just assumed
0:21:16 > 0:21:20was a small house mouse, but it turned out to be a new species -
0:21:20 > 0:21:23the smallest mammal, the little tiny harvest mouse.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24They are cute mice, aren't they?
0:21:24 > 0:21:28And nobody had identified that before as a separate species.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31And it was only through very careful observation
0:21:31 > 0:21:32that he was able to identify it.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34How charming. That's lovely, isn't it?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Gilbert's scientific approach was to stake out a small place
0:21:47 > 0:21:51and watch the natural world around him undisturbed.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56He believed by focusing on a small sphere in meticulous detail,
0:21:56 > 0:21:57you could get the best results.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04And this is where he would come and sit.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07It's been made from an old port barrel.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10He drank the port with the villagers before he converted
0:22:10 > 0:22:14it into some kind of hide. Now I'm going to get inside this.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17And he'd sit in here, patiently, for hours on end,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20just observing the weather and the changing seasons
0:22:20 > 0:22:24and how it affected plant life and animal life.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Nobody had done this before.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30But it is what he did next with these observations
0:22:30 > 0:22:33that made White so remarkable.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35There are no confirmed images of Gilbert White,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39but the Gilbert White Trust has restored his study
0:22:39 > 0:22:41as it would have been in his day.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45And this is where he wrote up the results of all his fieldwork,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47in the Natural History Of Selborne.
0:22:47 > 0:22:53Published in 1789, they still have the original document here,
0:22:53 > 0:22:59a remarkable record of what we would now call early scientific endeavour.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04And what I love to see is the creative mind at work here, with
0:23:04 > 0:23:09mistakes and crossings out together with great content and detail.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I'd like to read you a little extract from the book
0:23:12 > 0:23:14here about the pettychaps bird. And here we go. Look.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17"This bird much resembles the whitethroat,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20"has a more white or rather silvery breast and belly.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23"It is restless and active, like the willow wrens,
0:23:23 > 0:23:28"and hops from bough to bough, examining every part for food."
0:23:28 > 0:23:31So you can tell, look, he's really been out there quite patiently,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35observing and studying every single little move.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40White conveyed his scientific insights with a prose style
0:23:40 > 0:23:42that appealed to the reader.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46It is this X-factor that won him quite a fan club,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49from painters to poets, and even Darwin.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53One man who understands the allure of White's writing is former
0:23:53 > 0:23:55publisher Ronnie Davidson-Houston.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58He's amassed the largest collection of editions of the book
0:23:58 > 0:24:00and even published his own version,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03and they are all here in this library.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Well, I've never seen 1,000 editions of the same book before,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10so that is a first for me. Very impressive.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13It is a classic of English literature.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16And I was, you know, just one person among the whole nation
0:24:16 > 0:24:20who knew and loved this book and carried it with them to war.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25And when they went abroad, off to the colonies in the 19th century,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28there was always a copy of the Natural History Of Selborne
0:24:28 > 0:24:29in their baggage.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Why? Why was it, though?
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- It had a sense of home to people who travelled abroad.- Wholesome.- Yep.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38There is so much that is quintessentially
0:24:38 > 0:24:41English about this book. It is not surprising it appeals to
0:24:41 > 0:24:46people all over the world and has become a global phenomenon.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50You've got some that are bookmarked here, why is that?
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Well, those are the copies that I am still looking for,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- so it is a collection progress. - So it is still not complete?
0:24:55 > 0:24:59- No, no, but it is still a magnificent obsession.- Wow.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03And the poetry of his writing style is still evident in his work
0:25:03 > 0:25:05for all to read.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10"On Friday, December the 10th,
0:25:10 > 0:25:15"being bright sunshine, the air was full of icy spicula, floating
0:25:15 > 0:25:20"in all directions, like atoms in a sunbeam let into a dark room.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24"Were they watery particles of the air frozen as they floated,
0:25:24 > 0:25:29"or were they evaporations from the snow, frozen as they mounted?"
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Gilbert White continued his quest to understand the natural world
0:25:34 > 0:25:38here in this garden right up until his death in 1793.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40He was aged 73.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44From such small seeds grew a worldwide phenomenon
0:25:44 > 0:25:49and a new science - the study of the environment and all living things.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Gilbert White had firmly set himself amongst
0:25:52 > 0:25:55the pioneers of early ecology.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06We are back at the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke,
0:26:06 > 0:26:11our valuation day venue, where the crowds are having a wonderful time.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- ALL:- Hey!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16And James has found some objects Gilbert White surely would
0:26:16 > 0:26:18have appreciated - a compass
0:26:18 > 0:26:22and a Victorian measuring instrument known as a theodolite.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24And, of course, James knows all about it.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Now, John and Jean, I have to tell you, you are taking me
0:26:29 > 0:26:33back years to when I did surveying at uni.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36We all had to have a go with one of these.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40And do you know, I can't remember how on earth to use it!
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It looks so complicated.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44I think I had about two days of one of these,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47got completely baffled and got somebody else to do it for me.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- What is the history behind this? - Well, my father had it.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55It was wrapped in a box and it was put away for some reason
0:26:55 > 0:26:57and I only found it after he had died.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02- So...- Was he a surveyor? - No, he was a stonemason by trade.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- OK.- So he would have worked in the building trade, then.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09- That's right, yes.- He may well have been using this in the 1930s.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Although it was made about 100 years earlier than that.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15We've got an inscription on the dial.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17It says Abrahams,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21A Abrahams & Co, Liverpool.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24So it is not a London maker,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26but it is still good maker.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28And it is...
0:27:28 > 0:27:31The whole thing is constructed in lacquered brass.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- Is this anything you guys know how to use?- Yes, I know how to use it.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- I'm a surveyor as well. - Oh, yeah, OK.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40So did you use something similar?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Something similar but a lot later design.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44This was quite a showy object.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48The dial itself is a silver dial,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50similar to something you would
0:27:50 > 0:27:55expect to see on an 18th-century or early-19th-century longcase clock.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00Or a barometer. Again, that scientific instrument type of look.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Now, what is the story with this one?
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Well, this one was my father's. He was a surveyor as well.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09And he was seconded to the Gold Coast Survey
0:28:09 > 0:28:12in West Africa in the 1930s.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15What a time to be in West Africa!
0:28:15 > 0:28:19And one of his jobs was to update the maps that they had at the time.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23- Which is the relevance of this little chap.- Yes.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- OK.- It is actually huge, so to open it up would be a bit difficult.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Is it a really massive one?
0:28:29 > 0:28:32- It is a massive one. - I'll have a look at that later.
0:28:32 > 0:28:33The first thing to say is -
0:28:33 > 0:28:38- the compass and this piece should be sold separately.- Yes.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41I think the map, because of its history
0:28:41 > 0:28:44- with the compass, should stay together.- OK.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47So in terms of value, let's start with this one.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49That is a straightforward piece.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53It is a lovely quality, scientific instrument.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57It is worth £250 to £350.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00And you should really put a reserve of 200 on it.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03If it doesn't make that, then try it in a specialist sale.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- Fine. That's fine. - So firm reserve of 200.- Yes.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08This one...
0:29:08 > 0:29:11As a compass, it's nothing exciting.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14It's just what it did is exciting.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16And therefore...
0:29:16 > 0:29:20- I have to use my head, not my heart. 60 to 100.- Yeah.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22I think that is what it is worth.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25And a firm reserve of £60.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- That would be fine.- Is that OK? - Yes.- Fine.- Really interesting.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- It has been an absolute pleasure. - Thank you very much.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35There is a very healthy market for scientific instruments, so let's
0:29:35 > 0:29:40see how these particular fascinating surveyor's tools do at auction.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45We love it when you bring us something a bit different,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47so I've left the hustle
0:29:47 > 0:29:50and bustle of the main hall to take a look at just such a collection.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52# Sure plays a mean pinball! #
0:29:52 > 0:29:55This music memorabilia artwork, relating to the iconic
0:29:55 > 0:30:00'70s rock band The Who, is owned by one local man, John Davies.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03# He stands like a statue Becomes part of the machine... #
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Collector Paul Kelly has brought it in to tell me John's story.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11When John listened to the songs, it would inspire him to do artwork.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14And on this, he'd done a small exhibition.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17And it was his friend that said to him, "Can my friend see these?"
0:30:17 > 0:30:19And John said, "Yes, of course he can."
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Well, a week later, he turned up with Roger Daltrey from The Who.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25And John was like amazed.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend liked the work so much
0:30:29 > 0:30:32they had John do his artwork for a book about the band.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37And how did you come by this?
0:30:37 > 0:30:41So, unfortunately, John was killed in a car accident in 2006.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44And lo and behold, what I didn't know, John had made me
0:30:44 > 0:30:45the main beneficiary to his will.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49And as I was cleaning out his old house in Bramley,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52I came across all these portfolios in his bedroom.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54And in the portfolios was all this artwork.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- Paul, thank you so much for bringing your collection in.- No problem.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58It's great to collect rock memorabilia.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01And I think you're doing the right thing with The Who, so stick at it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Thank you very much.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06As they were such great friends, Paul Kelly has an emotional
0:31:06 > 0:31:09connection to the work and won't be parting with it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12But remember, if you are thinking of collecting, there is
0:31:12 > 0:31:16a very strong market for original rock memorabilia.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Now, has Elizabeth got a hit with an artistic piece
0:31:19 > 0:31:21crafted in a very different era?
0:31:21 > 0:31:24# We got a hit. #
0:31:24 > 0:31:26- David, good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28You have brought this beautiful little sampler.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30- I think it is very nice. - Do you like it?- Yeah.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31Are you a collector of samplers?
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- No, I'm not.- You're not? So how have you acquired this?
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Well, it was just a spur of the moment.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40I walked into an antique centre and I saw it on display
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- and I thought, "That's nice." - Uh-huh.- Cos I do like pictures.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- Right.- I looked at it, it was the little label on the back
0:31:47 > 0:31:48that made me interested.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Did you know the significance of the references on the label?
0:31:52 > 0:31:53That's why you bought it?
0:31:53 > 0:31:57The only thing that sort of gave me inspiration was
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- the Earl of Coventry, so I thought, "Oh, that's history."- Yes.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- So I bought it. - So, how long ago was that?
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- That's back in about 1978, '79. - OK.- Yeah.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11So the name here, Mary Gunning,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14and the label on the back which refers to Maria Gunning,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16really it's exciting
0:32:16 > 0:32:19because it sounds as though it belongs or had association with
0:32:19 > 0:32:22a very famous Maria Gunning who married the Earl of Coventry,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24as it says on the label.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26That isn't original to the frame.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30It is handwritten. But there is no proof that we can establish today...
0:32:30 > 0:32:34- No.- ..that would link it to the lady who was so famous in history.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35That's what I thought.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40Maria Gunning, as you perhaps know, she died at the young age of 27,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42in 1760,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46from poisoning of all the items, all the ingredients in her face make-up.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- A bit like Queen Elizabeth I. - Right, yes.- She died of poisoning.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52- I didn't know that.- Yeah.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56She was reputedly a lady of great beauty who made men
0:32:56 > 0:32:58swoon in front of her because she was so beautiful.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00But she was known to be the first person died of vanity,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03so, I mean, it is all kind of very much wrapped up in that.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04It is, isn't it?
0:33:04 > 0:33:08It's a sampler worked in coloured wools. They are not fine silks.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11They are sort of fairly robust threads on a very course
0:33:11 > 0:33:13canvas ground.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15From this shape of it, it is very much
0:33:15 > 0:33:19a sort of Georgian sampler because it is long and thin.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21It is very simple, it's got no border.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24As samplers move through into the Victorian period,
0:33:24 > 0:33:25they became squarer
0:33:25 > 0:33:29and the border took up more of an attention to detail.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34So the fact that this has a date which doesn't tell us a year
0:33:34 > 0:33:39but implies it is '44, it might be 1744, it might be 1844.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42It doesn't feel like it's 18th century to me.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45But I love the range of stitches which are shown at the top.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47That's quite an unusual feature
0:33:47 > 0:33:49to have all these lovely stitches here.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52It goes down to a fairly predictable alphabet
0:33:52 > 0:33:55in the different upper and lower cases, the numerals.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Then we have French, which is quite unusual.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02I think, realistically, you would be looking at open market
0:34:02 > 0:34:05value at the moment of round about £70 to £100, which is
0:34:05 > 0:34:08probably not dissimilar to what the way it was when you...
0:34:08 > 0:34:11But samplers in the last 20 years I have seen,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14they have risen quite steeply. Some of them still make a lot of money,
0:34:14 > 0:34:16but a lot of them are quite disappointing.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18To think of the age and the work that's gone into it.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- Yes.- So on the basis of that, would you be happy to try it?
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- Yes, by all means.- And we'll put a reserve on it for you of £70.- Yes.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Let's follow on and see the next stage of its progress.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- Thank you very much.- No, thank you.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Even if the sampler isn't by Mary Gunning,
0:34:34 > 0:34:38will the buyers be tempted by the unconfirmed connection?
0:34:38 > 0:34:42James has been drawn to something very special on his table.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Angus, what can I say?
0:34:47 > 0:34:52You have brought with you one fairly bashful Venus
0:34:52 > 0:34:55and one rather confident Apollo.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57HE LAUGHS
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Typical fella.- LAUGHING:- Right.
0:35:00 > 0:35:06They are two of the most famous classical sculptures that we see
0:35:06 > 0:35:09up and down the salerooms all over the country.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12These are brown patinated bronze.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17They are influenced by the originals excavated in the Grand Tour
0:35:17 > 0:35:19excavations in the 18th century.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24And they are by the Barbedienne foundry,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- Ferdinand Barbedienne. - I did not know that.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30But, yeah, he was a Frenchman. He was born in 1810.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34But in 1838, he opened the Barbedienne foundry.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39So you see round the site here, F Barbedienne Fondeur,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41- foundry.- Yep.
0:35:41 > 0:35:46And they cast some of the most important bronze sculptures,
0:35:46 > 0:35:51candlesticks, urns, interior design of the 19th century.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- The other thing to say is that they are not a pair.- Aren't they?
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- No, cos look, the base, slightly different shaped bases.- Oh, yeah.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02But that doesn't matter because they sell individually equally well.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04What is your history with them?
0:36:04 > 0:36:07My wife bought them 50+ years ago.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Her boyfriend was an antique dealer, an Irish antique dealer.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- He used to come over to England every year or so.- Yep.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16And she used to travel with him
0:36:16 > 0:36:18round to different places when she got a chance.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20And I think she bought them,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23but it could be that he bought them for her.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25And she has had them all this time.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27- EMOTIONAL:- Which I lost her about three months ago.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30And they've got to go down to family.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32I can't give them to one, so I want to sell them.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- OK.- So that's the plan.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- Your wife had very good taste. - Yeah, oh, yes.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40- No answer to that. - HE LAUGHS
0:36:40 > 0:36:42And a very good eye.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Barbedienne foundry was one of the best.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51They are slightly suffering
0:36:51 > 0:36:55due to a little bit of surface patination wear.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59This one has been dropped at some stage and has a bash on the base.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02So because of that,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06I'd like to put a somewhat conservative estimate on them.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- £600 to £1,000.- Jeesh!
0:37:09 > 0:37:11- Is that all right?- Oh!
0:37:11 > 0:37:12Too right.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Very much so.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16I would be very disappointed
0:37:16 > 0:37:20- if they didn't make upper end of the estimate.- Lovely.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23That completes three more fascinating valuations.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26And what a great day it's been for interesting finds
0:37:26 > 0:37:28here at the museum.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32So as we say goodbye from Milestones...
0:37:32 > 0:37:35It is over to the auction for the very last time to put those
0:37:35 > 0:37:36valuations to the test.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39And here's a quick recap of everything that is going
0:37:39 > 0:37:40under the hammer.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Will the early-20th-century surveyor's instruments
0:37:43 > 0:37:47belonging to John and Jean's father chart a course to success
0:37:47 > 0:37:49when they go under the hammer?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51And there is David's sampler
0:37:51 > 0:37:55referencing the 18th-century beauty Mary Gunning.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57But without proof of provenance,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59would it attract the bidders?
0:37:59 > 0:38:00And finally, will Angus's
0:38:00 > 0:38:02mismatched bronzes which belonged
0:38:02 > 0:38:04to his wife live up to expectations?
0:38:13 > 0:38:17Back at the saleroom, Nick Jarrett is about to auction our next item.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- Jean and John, good luck.- Thank you.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Two lots, one following the other one.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- We have two compasses.- Yeah.
0:38:25 > 0:38:26One for...
0:38:26 > 0:38:31One is a little small hand-held compass which was used to plot
0:38:31 > 0:38:32- roads in Africa.- OK, yeah.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35And the other one is the big surveyor's compass.
0:38:35 > 0:38:36- Good luck with those.- Thank you.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38We're going to put them to the test right now.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- We are starting off with the one... - The hand-held one.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42The hand-held one. This is it.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47I'm going to start you here, to clear bids, at £42.
0:38:47 > 0:38:4945 can I say now?
0:38:49 > 0:38:51It is 42 with me. 45 anywhere?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Anybody else in at 42? At £42.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55Any more?
0:38:56 > 0:39:00At £42. No? At £42.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Well, I can't sell it at £42, so...
0:39:03 > 0:39:05James had his doubts about that one.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07- Yeah.- Better luck with the next one.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- We've got high hopes for this one. The theodolite level.- Yeah.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12And that would've been on a tripod base, wouldn't it?
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- It would.- In its day. I mean, it is a wonderful-looking thing.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- It is. I like it.- It is incredibly made.- Yes.- Well, good luck with it.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20I do have a few bids on this
0:39:20 > 0:39:23and I have to start you to clear them at £400.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24- There we go.- Good!
0:39:24 > 0:39:29At £400. To clear other bids, at £400. And 20 is it now?
0:39:29 > 0:39:31420 on the phone. 450.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32470.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36£500. And 20?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38550. 570?
0:39:38 > 0:39:40600. And 20?
0:39:40 > 0:39:43At £600 with me on commission. At £600.
0:39:43 > 0:39:4520 on the other phone.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47620, yes?
0:39:47 > 0:39:49At £620 on the other phone and I'm out here.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Are you done? At £620...
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Gosh, £620!
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- That's very good.- A big smile. We like that.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01That made up for the lack of interest in the first one,
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- put it that way.- Yes, it did. Thank you very much.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Although the first one didn't sell,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09what a fantastic result for that surveyor's compass
0:40:09 > 0:40:11that so evoked the past.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15As does the next item - David's Georgian sampler.
0:40:15 > 0:40:16While Nick is taking a rest, we are
0:40:16 > 0:40:19now in the hands of his colleague, Andrew Smith.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22I like samplers. I like those early Georgian ones.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25This one is slightly different because it is telling us a story.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26Well, it's a spurious connection
0:40:26 > 0:40:29to Mary Gunning, which would get everybody very excited.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31As it turns out, it is just a very nice sampler.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Unusually, part of it is written in French.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Rather than being an English script, it is written in French.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I think it was a very learned young lady who was doing her French
0:40:38 > 0:40:40and her needlework at the same time.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- Yes. A well-educated young lady. And disciplined.- Indeed.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- Better than I can do. - Let's see what we can do for you.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Let's see if we can get your money back. Here we go.
0:40:48 > 0:40:49It's going under the hammer.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52£70.
0:40:52 > 0:40:5350 then.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56£50 I have, thank you. And five.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59£70. Even better. At £70. And five.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01£70 is on the net. And five anywhere?
0:41:01 > 0:41:03At £70, are you sure?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Very last time then at £70...
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- Yep, tres bien. - Tres bien, Elizabeth.- Tres bien.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16Indeed, a delightful piece. Now, our last lot of the day -
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Angus' bronze sculptures that belonged to his late wife, Jean.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Angus, your two bronzes, Venus and Apollo,
0:41:25 > 0:41:27are just about to go under the hammer.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29And if you look in front of the rostrum, look, you can see,
0:41:29 > 0:41:30pride of place. Look.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33They're great. Lovely quality casting.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34Then you've got your top name.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- Yeah.- And hopefully, top dollar. Right now, right here. Good luck.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40That's what we want. This is it.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Two 19th-century bronze figures. We have two telephones.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Oh, great!
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- How much? - We've got a battle on our hands.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54I'll start then at 400, which is a commission bid. At £400.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57420. 450. 470.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03500. My commission bid is out. £500 on the net.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05550.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06600. 650.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09700. 750.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11800. 850.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Angus...
0:42:14 > 0:42:17I think we could be looking at four figures, don't you?
0:42:17 > 0:42:21At £900, and we are selling. 920 to Gary's phone.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22950.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- 970.- Oh, we might do. We are going to do it.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29It is £970.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- £1,000.- Ah!
0:42:31 > 0:42:33£1,000 on the net.
0:42:33 > 0:42:341,050.
0:42:34 > 0:42:361,100.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41To the phone at £1,050, and we are selling.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- We are selling, Angus. 1,050.- That's great.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49£1,050 then for the very last time...
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- Thank you for bringing those in. - My Jean would've loved that.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55I bet she would've.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Well done, well done. Great result, James.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02Great. Very, very pleased. They were my favourite thing on the day.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04And a great result. Well done.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- Yeah. You take care of yourself. Well done. A pleasure.- Thank you.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08It's been a pleasure, Angus.
0:43:08 > 0:43:14What a great tribute to Angus' wife who so appreciated those bronzes.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17We've had some highs, not too many lows and a few tears,
0:43:17 > 0:43:20but it is all in a day's work. Do join us again soon.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24But until then, from Hampshire, it's goodbye.