Weston-super-Mare 26 Flog It!

# In the summertime when the weather is hot

# You can stretch right up and touch the sky

# When the weather is fine You got women

# You got women on your mind... #

This is the 400-metre-long Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare.

Now, because of the difficult tides here,

this was originally designed to extend right out

into the Bristol Channel, to let the steamboats drop-off

and pick-up the people without getting their feet wet.

Then they soon discovered that people loved to

amble along the boardwalk soaking up all the fun and the entertainment.

Just like this lot here.

Welcome to "Flog It!" from Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier.

CHEERING

Today, the Grand Pier's pavilion hosts all the fun of the fair.

With exciting rides and game machines.

But when the pier first opened in 1904,

it housed a 2,000-seat theatre.

This, together with the bandstand, provided a variety of musical

and theatrical entertainments to the visiting crowds.

And through its early days,

the theatre was the pier's real success story.

Drawing capacity audiences to both its matinee

and evening performances.

And I'll be exploring the history of variety later on in the show.

-Morning!

-Morning!

But now it's time to get on with our valuations,

as hundreds of people here have been queueing all morning,

laden with all sorts of antiques and collectables.

Here to see our experts to find out more about its history,

who made it, but more importantly...

-ALL:

-What's it worth?

Stay tuned and you'll find out. And so will you.

To help answer that question are today's experts -

Catherine Southon and Thomas Plant.

Catherine is busy making plans.

-Are you going to take a dip later?

-No.

-Join me for a dip?

-Yes.

-LAUGHING:

-No!

While Thomas has already found something to take his breath away.

-I have a pair.

-No!

And now it looks like he's hoping to scupper Catherine's

chances of taking that swim later.

Catherine, I've got something to show you. Put this in your tea.

You're horrible!

-I'm not horrible!

-You are nasty.

I thought you were going to show me this lovely vase.

It's time to raise the curtain on our main event.

And as the crowds take their seats in the pavilion,

here's a quick preview of what's to come.

And we have some really special treats for you.

Thomas is getting all worked up about a label.

Without this label...

it's a beautiful box.

-But with this label, it makes all the difference.

-Right.

And it's a life in the fast lane for Catherine.

I can see why your father was attracted to it.

But which item will set hearts racing in the auction room?

..2,000. 2-1.

And I'll revisit the good old days of variety.

Actually, I shouldn't be here at all this evening.

I should be at my mother-in-law's funeral.

Still, business before pleasure.

Piers have traditionally been about entertainment,

and this one's no exception.

Where there was once a theatre and a bandstand, well,

that's been replaced with stomach-dropping rides,

a ghost train, and penny slot machines.

But there is no time for fun right now. We've got work to do.

So let's get straight over to our experts.

And it looks like Catherine Southon has made a jolly good start.

-I do like your ring.

-Thank you.

-Very pretty. Lovely two-stone ring.

Where did you get it from?

Well, it was my mother's. I inherited it when she died.

She died about eight years ago now.

And only since I've come here to "Flog It!" really,

I've been thinking about why she had it,

because my mother was a very straight sort of...

She wasn't a fussy lady at all

and I can't imagine she would ever have bought a ring like this.

So I think this was probably the engagement ring that her

first fiance gave her before he went to New Zealand.

-Her first fiance?

-That's right.

-Right.

-So she was married a few times?

-No.

Because he went New Zealand and then she met my dad

and he gave her an engagement ring and she married him.

-Oh, right! So this is from the first?

-That's right.

-So she never married this one.

-Ahh!

-She just kept the ring.

Well, it's a beautiful ring, I must say.

-If I can take it off your finger.

-Yeah.

-I would say it's quite classic. It's very elegant.

-Mm-hm.

And that's why I'm drawn towards it.

-I would say it dates from the 1940s.

-Sounds about right.

Is that about when she got...?

Yes, because my mum and dad were married in 1948

so this would have been before that. Couple of years probably before.

So it would be about 1940s.

It's a really lovely setting. We've got the sapphire and the diamond.

-Mm-hm.

-I would say the diamond is probably about 0.5 carats.

And then we've got these smaller diamonds flanking either side.

And a nice 18-carat gold band.

But what's important about diamonds when you're looking at diamonds and

valuing diamonds, is to look at the clarity and to look at the colour.

-Right.

-So this is where this little prop comes handy.

-OK.

Have you had it looked at before? Have you had it valued?

-No.

-No.

-No, never.

-And you don't wear it? It's very small, isn't it?

It's tiny. My mother had tiny, tiny fingers.

-So I can barely even get it on my little finger.

-Right.

OK, so let's just take a little look.

Yeah. Now there is...

There is either a tiny, tiny chip or a bit of discolouration

because there is a very slight...

Yeah, I think it's a little bit of discolouration actually

and a slight imperfection, which really will affect the value.

Cos it is quite a nice size, it's quite a nice setting as well.

Unfortunately, I would pull the price down

-because of that imperfection.

-Right.

-I would put £200 to £300 on it.

-Brilliant.

-Would you be happy with that?

-Oh, yes. Definitely.

With perhaps a 180 reserve. How does that sound?

-I would like to sell it.

-You would like to sell it?

I don't want to see it almost get there

and then be given back to me because it didn't make the reserve.

-You've seen this before, haven't you?

-Yes.

-You don't want this back.

-Not really.

-Are you a "Flog It!" fan?

-I do watch quite a bit, yes.

-Right, OK.

And you are local to Weston-super-Mare?

-No. No, no. I come from north Cornwall.

-Oh, wow.

-From Bude.

-So you have travelled a long way!

-Came up last night.

-Well, you must be a big fan.

-Oh, yes.

-Well, we've got to do our best for you, then.

-Yes, definitely.

-We'll put 200 to 300 in with a 150 reserve.

-Fine.

-Excellent.

And hopefully it will do a lot better than that.

That would be nice.

That's a good start from Catherine. Let's see what Thomas has found.

Maureen, thank you very much for coming in today with this box.

Tell me, how did you get to own this box?

Actually, it's my daughter's.

We've had it about 35, 40 years.

She went to like a jumble sale at her great-grandmother's.

I didn't know she bought it and when we got home she was showing me

all the bits and she pulled that out of her pocket.

-So she bought this aged around about five?

-Yes.

She said it looked nice and shiny. She paid five pence for it.

-No!

-Yes. Yes.

Let's have a look at it. We've got...

A tortoiseshell box with

a little oval miniature in here of a gentleman.

It's possibly going to be on ivory.

It's a hand-painted watercolour within a sort of gold frame.

-It's probably about 1820 to 1830.

-Right.

-So, you know, it's William IV.

-Mm-hm.

-On the cusp of Victoria.

But it would have been that sort of early period of the 19th century.

-5p?

-Yes.

5p?!

I mean, I can't believe it.

It was worth more in them days, wasn't it?

Well, you could buy Mojos for a penny. Or ten 0.5p ones.

If it was early '80s. It would have been her pocket money, wouldn't it?

Yes, I suppose it would have been.

You probably gave her 50p a week or something.

-Yes.

-What was it used for?

Back in the 1820s, 1830s, what was it used for?

Well, the lid lifts off.

And it would either be a little snuffbox, it would have been

a little trinket box, patch box, but it doesn't have a mirror.

-A patch for putting a patch on.

-Oh, right, yes.

But they could have mirrors.

Certainly like a little token to give you, as the man,

to your loved one.

-"Here is a lovely box with me on it. There you are."

-Yes.

-Have you ever had it valued before?

-Quite a few years ago.

-And what was it valued at?

-£100.

-Yeah, OK. OK.

-Well, things haven't really changed.

-No.

Why haven't they changed?

The reason being is that we've become,

I suppose, more aware of the world around us. The materials.

-This is tortoiseshell.

-Yes.

-And this is a sliver of ivory.

The way we think now is slightly different.

-As a Western nation, we are not so hot on animal products.

-No.

-It's understandable.

-Therefore, the value has almost plateaued.

This is obviously 1820s, 1830s.

Well before the cut-off date of 1947.

-But auction value, I'd certainly say £150 to £200.

-Right.

Reserve it at 130.

-Yes, that's fine.

-Happy with that?

-Yes, very good.

And who is going to get the money? You or your daughter?

Oh, well...

We'll decide when we get it.

-LAUGHING:

-I love that!

-We'll share it.

Although that beautiful box is crafted from tortoiseshell

and ivory, because it was made well before 1947

it means it's legal to sell.

And from one jumble sale find to another treasure

plucked from a car-boot sale.

Sharon, we are surrounded by toys and gadgets and cars

and bumper cars.

But this is the real McCoy.

Where did you get this lovely pedal car from?

I found it in my father's house as we are clearing it

out at the moment, because he passed away. He was a very keen car-booter.

So I would imagine he'd seen it and fell in love with it

-and that's what happened, he bought it.

-And who can blame him?

-No.

-I mean, it's a wonderful looking piece.

I love the white original paint.

And this wonderful silver piece on the back.

It looks good. It looks cool.

-I would say it probably dates from the '70s.

-Right, OK.

Maybe late '60s.

It's lovely that we've got a lot of the stickers on it.

I love the Apollo sticker that we've got down here.

In reference perhaps to the Apollo mission to the moon

in the late '60s.

It's not in bad condition either.

I mean, if you gave that to a child today, he could use it.

-Or she could use it.

-Yes.

-And the little pedals in the front.

-Cute, aren't they?

-Really cute.

-Yeah.

So do you have any attachment to this?

Not sentimental, no. Never seen it.

Never seen any of my brothers playing in it. No.

It's just a hidden treasure that we've come across.

I can see why your father was attracted to it. Did he love cars?

He loved cars.

He had little miniatures in the living room as well.

-All boxed and everything. So yeah. He did like his cars.

-OK.

And this is modelled probably on a Formula One car of the time.

-A 1970s Formula One car.

-Yep.

So really quite a cool thing to have in its day.

He probably paid a maximum of £3 or £4.

Dad would have probably paid something really...

He would have bargained and got it down to something quite, yeah,

-reasonable.

-So as you're not attached to it,

-are you just happy to let it go at auction?

-Yes. Yeah.

-Should we put an estimate on of £50 to £70?

-Yeah.

Should we put a reserve on or are you happy just to let it go?

-Yeah, see how it goes.

-Just let it go?

-Yeah, yeah.

Let's protect it, just in your dad's name, for sort of £20.

-So we don't just let it go for nothing.

-OK.

-And let's hope full speed ahead at the auction.

-Yeah.

-Hopefully.

-Thanks, Sharon.

-Thank you.

Now this pier has happy memories for thousands of people.

On one such person I'm going to meet right now.

And he's in the restaurant at the far end of the pier,

where it's a bit quieter.

Local boy Mike Solomon had a brush with fame when he appeared as an

extra in a feature film shot right here on location at the Grand Pier.

So you were in the right place at the right time

when the extras work came along?

It could have been your big break for stardom.

Do you know, I wish it had been, because I am a frustrated actor.

I do a lot of amateur dramatics.

But, yes, I was at college

and word got out that they were filming on the pier.

And they wanted extras.

I think it was a fantastic wage of £3 a day.

I got fed hamburgers at lunchtime and it was great.

It was almost like a raffle ticket that you got to

get your pay at the end of the day.

And they were filming a film called The Beauty Jungle.

The premise was that the Bristol Evening Post were filming

a beauty contest in Weston.

And I just had to stand along the end of the pier

and whistle at the girls as they came along on the train.

They had a ghost house in here, which I think they still have.

And they actually did a spoof on the Marilyn Monroe

-where Janet Scott walks through the air coming up...

-Oh, yeah.

..and the skirt goes up.

And she was a very attractive young lady, actually.

So that was great fun.

Did you get a real buzz going to the cinema locally

and watching yourself on the big silver screen whistling?

I got a real buzz out of seeing myself in the cinema.

Even though it was for about two seconds, I think.

And when the DVD became available and I was able to show it

to my son and my daughter, it's just great fun.

And to look at yourself back when you had jet black hair

and you were 17 and the world was your oyster back then.

And you think to yourself, "Hmm. Yeah. Where did it all go?"

THEY LAUGH

Well, it's certainly been lights, camera, action here.

But right now we're going to throw the spotlight on the auctioneer,

because we're off to the saleroom for the very first time today.

Our experts have found their first three items to put under the hammer.

And here's a quick recap of what they are.

Rosemary is a big "Flog It!" fan

so let's hope we're on the money

with her sapphire and diamond ring.

Bought for only 5p by Maureen's daughter,

this little tortoiseshell box surely must make a profit.

But how much?

And will Sharon's car race away or hit the skids at auction?

For our auction today,

we are heading just 11 miles up the coast

to the seaside town of Clevedon.

Famed for its magnificent pier,

the town really came into its own in the Victorian era.

Decorated in Elton ware tiles, this clock tower was given to the town

by Sir Charles Elton to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

We may not have any Elton ware amongst our lots today,

but we do have Marc Burridge on the rostrum.

And remember, there is commission to pay. It varies from room to room.

Here today, it's 15% plus VAT.

The sale is underway,

so it's time for our first lot.

Going under the hammer now we have a diamond and sapphire ring

belonging to Rosemary, who is a big, big "Flog It!" fan.

You came all the way up from Cornwall.

I think, on our valuation day in Weston, you travelled the farthest.

-Oh, right.

-You overnighted in a hotel.

-I did.

-You were at the front of the queue.

-That's right.

And you're here today. So thank you so much for taking part in the show

and being a big fan of the show.

-Thank you for valuing my jewels.

-Your ring is lovely.

So we're selling now and putting the money towards a big trip?

-Indeed.

-Where are you going to go?

-I'm off to Tibet in September.

-Wow.

-Hopefully.

-It's not our normal answer, is it?

No, it's not.

Well, we'll find out how much it makes in one second now,

because it's going under the hammer. This is it.

What can we say? Give me £100, thank you.

110.

-110?

-Come on.

-£100 only.

And 10.

110? 110?

110. 20.

30. 40. 50.

60.

Here with me then at £160. Against you all in the room.

Bid on the book. I'm selling.

-£160!

-Good job we put a lower estimate on, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-Just scraped through.

-On a knife edge.

That's what auctions are all about.

-That was a commission bid.

-Yes.

-That was close.

-We were very lucky there.

-We were.

-We were very lucky.

-At least it's gone.

-But well done, both of you.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-Lovely. Thank you very much.

-Look forward to that trip to Tibet, won't you?

-Indeed.

How long are you going for? A couple of weeks?

-It'll be a month altogether.

-Brilliant.

Well, that was a close call!

Let's hope our next item grabs the bidders' attention.

Going under the hammer right now

we have that gorgeous tortoiseshell box.

It belongs to Maureen, who's with me right now.

-Great to see you. Who's this?

-This is Shelly, my daughter.

-Shelly.

-Hello.

-It was originally your box then?

-It is actually my box, yeah.

-So that's why you're here?

-I am, yes.

-It's good to meet you.

-Let's see how much it goes for.

Why weren't you at the valuation day?

I was actually doing a fundraiser that day.

Were you? And how much did you manage to raise?

It was only a little lunch at my house. It was about £50.

For Weston Hospice.

-Well, look, every penny helps, doesn't it?

-Yes.

-Well done, you.

And the money, the proceeds from this, where's that going?

That's going to pay Mum and Dad back what I owe them.

-Oh, dear. Is she still in debt with you? A big IOU.

-Yes, yes.

-It'll take a bit more than that.

-PAUL LAUGHS

-Isn't that part of the deal though?

-Oh, yeah. Bank of Mum and Dad.

-Yeah.

Right, let's find out what this makes.

It's going under the hammer right now.

George III tortoiseshell circular box there.

What can we say?

100 here. 110.

20. 120. 130.

-140?

-(It's going.)

With me, on the book.

And I'm selling at £130 then.

£130. That hammer's gone down. It's a quiet hammer, but it went down.

-Yes.

-Good.

-That's a good result, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Both very happy. Two happy girls.

-It was on the reserve.

-It was just on the reserve.

-That's why you have a reserve.

Another nail-biter but it sold. Just. Will our next lot race away?

Going under the hammer right now, pay attention, we've got

that wonderful toy car, that Formula One car belonging to Sharon.

It could be yours, if you're here bidding.

-You look really summery.

-Thank you.

-I've got to say that.

-You look so summery and happy.

-I am very happy.

Look, fingers crossed.

I like this little car cos it's got that real retro look to it.

We've still got the original bodywork there. Bit of rust.

-Bit of rust, yeah.

-We don't mind.

-We don't mind that, do we?

It's originally...

The thing is, it's not been titivated or touched up

-and resprayed.

-No.

-So it's in good original condition.

-Yeah.

-And we've only got a £20 reserve, haven't we?

-Yeah.

So we're looking for around £50 or £60.

I think it should make a bit more than that. Don't you?

-You're putting me on the spot.

-I am, yeah.

-OK. OK. I...

-What would your estimate be then?

-I think my estimate would be 20 to 40.

-Oh, OK.

-Same as yours, really.

-Sort of safe side.

-OK.

-I would like the 60.

-Be nice.

But...I'm not sure.

-OK?

-OK.

-It's here to sell. That's the main thing.

-Yeah.

And we're going to flog it right now.

Lot number 60. The vintage pedal car.

-And I can start the bidding at 70.

-CATHERINE GASPS

Give me 5. 75.

75? 75? 75?

Now 80. And 5.

And 90. And 5.

100...

-Oh, that's brilliant!

-Oh.

-£100.

-..with me, then.

Commission buyer.

-That's brilliant. Commission buyer.

-£100!

-Commission buyer.

-That's brilliant.

-Brilliant.

-How about that?!

-I'm surprised.

-I'm very happy.

-That's brilliant, isn't it?

-Yeah!

2,007 in the room. Thank you.

That's the end of our first visit to the auction,

and it's already been a little bit of a showstopper.

But if you're looking for razzle and dazzle,

where better to look than Weston-super-Mare,

with its long history of traditional summer season,

as I've been finding out.

Seaside towns like Weston-super-Mare here in Somerset

have long been popular tourist destinations,

since the mid-19th century.

With the new factory laws being introduced in the 1850s

and also the railway network joining up together,

more people had the means and the time to go to the seaside.

So all the beaches would be full of people

and areas along the seafront, like this part here,

Madeira Cove, would be jam-packed full of people.

And touring groups of entertainers would be all too happy

to perform for them.

Later on, the entertainment moved into purpose-built theatres,

onto the piers and purpose-built bandstands.

It was the birth of

the seaside summer season.

A tradition that's still with us today.

A programme that captured the spirit of the summer season was

Seaside Special - BBC One's Saturday night entertainment show

which ran between 1975 and 1979.

It was summer season fun for all.

Offering an updated version of holiday entertainment

for the television age.

But all the acts owe their origins

to the grand old Victorian tradition of music hall.

It was variety performance, but at the seaside.

So, if the spirit of the traditional summer season was

inherited from the variety halls, how did it play out

on the beaches and the boardwalks of our seaside towns?

Touring minstrels had long been popular at fairs and county shows.

By the mid-1800, they were now playing seaside towns.

Bands and musical troupes would entertain the deckchair crowds

and favourites would return year after year.

An essential part of late Victorian and Edwardian seaside resort

entertainment were they Pierrot troupes - originally from Europe.

The Pierrots were clown figures dressed in long-sleeved white robes,

whose routines would include singing and dancing, drama and acrobatics.

By the 20th century,

the entertainment had moved largely undercover

and Weston's showbiz credentials were well

and truly sealed with two theatres in the space of two years.

The Grand Pier finally opened in 1904.

And the original pavilion had a 2,000-seater theatre.

And even the boardwalk around this area here had a bandstand.

In its day, the Grand Pier's pavilion theatre played host

to all manner of entertainments.

From travelling rep companies and ballet,

to boxing and operatic performances.

While outside in the boardwalk bandstand,

bands and groups would perform through the day

to the pleasure of the crowds.

But 26 years after opening, disastrous struck.

In 1930, fire engulfed the pavilion,

destroying the theatre and the bandstand.

Although the pier was rebuilt in 1932,

neither the bandstand or the theatre were reinstated.

But it wasn't the final curtain for Weston's summer season.

It still had another performance venue,

the theatre on Knightstone Island, which could pull in the big names.

Comedians like Morecambe and Wise

and Norman Wisdom appeared here in their early careers.

While Frankie Howerd was a popular turn at Knightstone in the 1950s.

Mixed in with these more traditional acts were novelty

turns like Nat Gonella, Britain's ace trumpet star, and a variety

of breathtaking and daredevil performances to wow the crowds.

Although Knightstone's seating capacity dwindled from 2,000 to

around 900, it continued the variety tradition until it closed in 1978.

But in true theatrical tradition, the show must go on -

and it did - with the Weston Playhouse,

which had opened its doors in the 1940s.

I've come here to the Blakehay Theatre to meet theatrical

agent John Miles, who knows a thing or two about the summer season.

What were the main ingredients for a summer show?

What made it special and successful?

I think it was a mixture. There had to be a comedian.

And maybe the comedian would be top of the bill.

Perhaps someone like Dick Emery or Tommy Cooper.

Actually, I shouldn't be here at all this evening.

I should be at my mother-in-law's funeral.

Still, business before pleasure.

Especially needed was a female singer.

# I can see

# No matter how near you'll be... #

Maybe a juggling act. Maybe a magician.

-Lots of variety.

-Variety.

'If he's going to come out with gags like...

'I tell you what, if you do one,

'wake me up when it's a good one, will you?'

LAUGHTER

All right, what do you call a fella with a paper bag on his head?

'Russell. I can't stand this.'

Of course it was two shows a night.

So, a 2,000-capacity theatre, I mean, it's 4,000 people.

-This is family entertainment?

-Absolutely. Yep. Yeah.

Something to please everybody.

How important was the seaside town to variety?

When they came to a seaside town, they came to have some fun.

And some of the theatres would put on an afternoon children's show.

There was always something for a family to see.

But that can only work, of course,

-if there is enough people who would buy the tickets.

-Yeah.

Without a good show, there wouldn't be any public coming.

So, with less venues around today, do you think variety is changing?

Or is it going in a slightly different direction?

Variety obviously has changed dramatically.

I mean, there's still shows on TV like Britain's Got Talent.

That's probably one of the very few avenues that different

talents can get exposure.

Is variety dying out?

Yeah, I think, sadly, it is.

I mean, people can see all the big names on television.

And it's a great shame, really, because there was a great

-atmosphere at variety shows and people loved it.

-Mm.

The old-fashioned seaside entertainment venues like

theatres and end-of-pier pavilions are almost a thing of the past.

But not quite. There are still some venues around,

which means the tradition lives on.

Welcome back to our magnificent coastal location today,

the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare.

As you can see, there are still hundreds of people here.

Fingers crossed we are going to have one or two surprises

when this next batch goes under the hammer.

Let's catch up with our experts and see what treasures they can uncover.

Penny, how are you today?

-I'm very well, thank you.

-Tell me...

how did you come by this very special box?

When my mother died two years ago, we had to clear the house.

And this was in it.

Tell me about your mother. Was she a collector?

Was she a student of the arts?

No. My dad was an antique furniture restorer.

He loved his work. My mom always said he never charged enough.

Really?

Never charged enough?

Yeah. And we think that he was given these items as a thank you.

So, when you picked this up from your mother's house,

what did you think?

"Well, it's just a stationary box."

And then when you read this inside, what did you think?

"That looks a bit special."

What we have here in front of us is a beautiful walnut stationary box.

-With this revealed decoration.

-Yeah.

The way the dovetails...

-And this beautiful chequered stringing over here.

-Yeah.

Beautiful hinged action as it comes up. Locks in.

And this label tells us everything we need to know.

-Brilliant.

-Without this label, it's a beautiful box.

-But with this label, it makes all the difference.

-Right.

What did the label say?

"Walnut stationary box. Designed by Ernest Gimson.

"Executed by Henry Davoll.

"Ninth Arts & Crafts exhibition. 1910."

Ernest Gimson - he was described as being one of the most

important architects of his generation.

So, you know...

a big cheese, basically, within the world of architecture

and cabinet-making.

He brought on lots and lots of people.

And Henry Davoll was his second apprentice

he allowed in, in 1901.

So after, you know, nine years of working with him,

he made this and had this exhibited.

And we've found records of this

-being exhibited at the ninth exhibition.

-Wow.

-For sale.

For four pounds and five shillings.

-That was a lot then.

-It was probably in 1910.

-It probably was a lot of money.

-Yes.

But the whole thing about Arts & Crafts furniture...

is its honesty.

It's true to its material.

Its revealed design.

And its...I think, beauty.

-Its simplicity.

-Yeah.

Now I've said this all to you, what do you think of it?

I think it's beautiful. I love the wood.

And the extra detail on it. But these joints, they're fantastic.

-You like the revealed joints in there?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, it's great, isn't it?

-So neat.

What do you think it's worth?

-Had a valuation for probate.

-What was that?

£500.

Yeah, I think that's fair. If not conservative.

I think this could make...almost double. Almost.

I would like to estimate it at £800 to £1,200.

Wow.

That'd be brilliant.

And reserve it round about 700.

I'm so delighted you brought it in.

-Thank you very much. Yeah.

-No, thank you.

-Thank you.

It is a thing of beauty.

Oh, Thomas, you are so easily pleased.

HE LAUGHS

Now, has Catherine found something to set her heart racing?

Dick. What a well dressed, well presented gentleman.

And I'm talking about you.

-Not the portrait.

-Yeah.

Where did you get this lovely miniature from?

It's been in the family. It came from my wife.

She died two years ago. So it's come down to me.

It came from, I think, her great-aunt.

-So it's always been in the family?

-Yes. It's been in the family.

Always been hanging up?

There's some black furniture in the small front room and...

-So this lovely frame went well, I should think.

-Yeah. That's why...

-Yeah, it went well with that.

-Wonderful.

Looking closely at this chap...

who is very handsome, may I say.

This is oil on papier mache and it's Italian.

-It's probably about 1810, 1820 in date.

-Yes.

Now, turning this over...

we see a name, Cherubini.

-Yeah.

-Does that mean anything to you?

I knew the name but I didn't know who he or she was.

And I looked it up.

And I've forgotten it. You do at my age.

Luigi Cherubini was a famous composer.

So we're looking now at the late 18th century, early 19th century.

He was considered by Beethoven as one of the best

of his contemporaries. So he was really high up there.

He was quite an important composer of his time.

The son of a musician, Luigi Cherubini was

born in Florence in 1760, but spent most of his working life in France.

His most significant works are operas and sacred music.

Considered by many as Cherubini's masterpiece, Beethoven

studied the score of Les Deux Journees before he composed Fidelio.

He may not be as well-known today as his contemporaries

and friends Rossini and Chopin, but he was recognised in his life

as one of the greatest composers of the day, receiving many honours.

This particular portrait is really beautifully painted.

Unfortunately, I don't know who it's by.

But just looking at it, there is

a little bit of crazing around here.

Can you see that, the sort of crackle...crackling to the paint?

Yeah.

Unfortunately, it does look like it's fallen off a wall

and is damaged a little bit.

A little bit broken on the frame.

But it's a lovely piece.

Is it something that you are wanting to sell?

-Yes, I think I do now. Yes.

-Are you not interested in music?

I'm very interested in music.

-I've got quite a collection of CDs of classical music.

-Right.

-But obviously nothing by Cherubini.

-Cherubini.

SHE LAUGHS

-Yeah.

-Well, auction price, I would like to put 100 to 150 on this.

-Yes.

-So we are going to protect him with an £80 reserve.

-Fine.

-You name the price.

-Are you happy to sell it at that?

-Yes, I'm quite happy, yes.

-£100 to £150 at the auction.

-And let's hope that he makes sweet music.

-Thank you.

I hope you're right, Catherine.

We are having such fun here today, the time is just flying by.

If you want to take part in "Flog It!"

this is where your journey starts.

A valuation day. Very much like this one on Weston pier.

Details of up-and-coming dates

and venues you can find on our BBC website.

If you don't have a computer, check the details in your local press

because, fingers crossed, we are coming to an area near you soon.

So dust them down, bring them in and we'll flog them.

But now it's time for our last item of the day.

Tony, Mary, thank you very much for bringing in this lovely cigar case.

-Who smokes cigars?

-Neither of us.

-No, you don't?

-No, never.

Not since I was 28 years old.

-And that was like, three years ago, yeah?

-Maybe.

THEY LAUGH

So how come you have it then?

-It was a gift to the wife and I, yes.

-From who?

-A friend.

-From a great friend.

He taught her a lot about antiques and to admire beautiful things.

Wow. So you had a sort of education?

I used to go out with this friend, you know,

to different auctions and what have you.

-I was actually with him when he bought it.

-Right.

So was he an antiques dealer or just a collector?

-No.

-No, no. Pure collector. But he loved it. He loved collecting, yes.

So, the cigar case, which is what this is.

It's for taking six sensible-sized cigars.

It's Victorian.

Silver engraved. You can see that from the hallmark here.

You've got the duty mark.

-Right.

-Yeah.

And it's by Frederick Mason, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-The maker. And if we open it up, silvergilt interior here.

Mercury gilded interior. So it keeps the tobacco fresh.

I mean, I want to build a picture of this.

A Victorian gentleman with his cigars in his pocket.

-Off he goes. London club.

-I can picture it.

-Yeah, you can picture it, can't you?

-Yeah.

-Sits back.

-Yeah.

You know, after supper. Offers one to his friends.

-And smokes a cigar.

-Yes.

What do you think about smoking these days?

-Do you think it's fashionable or unfashionable?

-Unfashionable.

-It is, isn't it?

-It is.

I mean, here and America, we are really anti-it.

But not everywhere else.

And we are finding smoking memorabilia is becoming

more and more popular,

A - because, first of all,

-people can't believe that we actually did smoke.

-Yeah.

So there's going to be that collectorship.

And B - when I sell smoking memorabilia,

I'm selling it to across the world.

And I'm sending it to Turkey. And I'm sending it to China.

And I'm sending it to places where they do now smoke.

Now, value wise, I think two to three with a fixed reserve,

so not a giveaway, at £160.

It gives you and the auctioneer the chance for it to fly.

You are very good at your job, aren't you?

THEY LAUGH

I wouldn't be an auctioneer if I wasn't.

THEY LAUGH

Shall we do it?

-Do you agree?

-Yes, I think so.

-You think so?

-Yes, I do.

Well, that's it. Our day is done on the Grand Pier.

It's time to say goodbye to Weston-super-Mare,

our magnificent host location today.

Everybody has thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

We are now going over to the auction room for the very last time,

to put our experts' valuations to the test.

And here's a quick recap of all the items we are taking with us.

Thomas loved his walnut Arts & Crafts stationery box.

But will the bidders agree?

Luigi Cherubini brought sweet music to the world.

But will the saleroom be singing out for his portrait?

And Tony and Mary's silver cigar case is a beautiful item,

but has it had its day?

It's time to find out.

As we return to the saleroom with our last lots,

all eyes are on Marc Burridge as the auction continues.

Going under the hammer right now we have a Victorian cigar holder

belonging to Tony and Mary,

who have just joined me in the nick of time

in this very busy saleroom here in Clevedon.

So how did you come across the cigar holder?

We were given it as a gift to help us establish our silver collection.

-Really?

-That's right.

-It's a really good thing.

You had a silver collection

so obviously you know a little bit about it as well.

-You've done some homework.

-We did, yes.

-Here we go.

It's going under the hammer now.

Lot 370. Very nice Victorian

engraved silver cigar case.

I'll start the bidding on £100 here.

110? 110 now. 110.

20. 30.

40. 50.

-150.

-Come on, come on.

-150. No more?

60. 70.

Here with me then at £160.

-With me on the...

-He's going to sell, isn't he?

No mistake then.

Yes. Sold. Did that go to China, Thomas?

I don't know where it went,

but it went to a man or a woman with discerning taste.

Smiles all round from Tony and Mary.

Let's hope there are plenty more astute bidders for our next item.

Going under the hammer right now we have a miniature portrait.

-It belongs to Dick. I like the story here.

-Mm.

Well, what was great - the more we looked at it,

the more we found out about it.

Luigi Cherubini, who was actually a contemporary of Beethoven,

and Beethoven really regarded him.

So I think it's something quite special. But I don't know.

Fingers crossed we have some musicians here. Or historians...

-That would be nice.

-..that also know this story,

cos that's what it's all about.

That's what you buy into. That window back in time.

Let's find out. It's going under the hammer right now.

Lot 255.

You've got the portrait of a gentleman.

65 I'm bid. 70 now.

-75.

-It's so nice.

80. 80 I have in the room.

85.

85?

85? £80 down in the room.

-Come on!

-85. Anyone else?

All done. Selling, make no mistake, at £80.

It's gone. £80.

Right on the reserve.

-Yeah.

-It was close, but it's gone.

-Yeah.

-Happy?

-Yeah.

Oh, yes. Yes.

It doesn't suit the flat so you'd have put it away in a drawer.

-Yes.

-It's better to have the money, isn't it?

-Oh, yes.

-Yeah.

-Thank you so much for coming in.

-Pleasure. Thank you.

-Thank you.

Just sold on the reserve.

But Dick is happy and he's donating all that money to charity.

Now it's time for my favourite item.

Going under the hammer right now we have the most gorgeous, the most

beautiful walnut stationary box belonging to Penny. And I wish it

was mine cos I'd never sell it. I wouldn't. I'd never sell this.

I love it. Thomas, I hate you for finding it and doing this valuation.

God bless you as well, because you're spot on the money.

I'd have said exactly the same thing.

-And I was with you when we were looking it up.

-Yes.

-It's documented. It's recorded.

-It's got a place in history.

-For us, it's shivers down our spine.

-Yeah.

-It's why we do the business,

to see beautiful things.

I think people from all over the country will drive here today

to try and buy this, once they've found it online. Do you know that?

Let's put it to the test now. It's going under the hammer.

We have a very interesting

Arts & Crafts box here.

Three telephones in the room.

It's going to be a battle.

We'll go in easy stages, bids of £100.

And I'm £800 to start.

900. Who says?

-It's £800...

-Go on, it's starting.

900 on the phone.

1,000. 1,100.

1,200 with me.

1,300.

1,400. 1,500.

THOMAS SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY

16. 17.

Which one of you? There's three

of you all looking at me

and it'll be a tight squeeze

at the end, I can assure you.

17. 18. 1,900.

1,900. 2,000.

2,100.

2,200.

2,300.

2,300 on the phone. 2,400.

(2,400.)

It's 2,300. 2,400. 2,500.

2,600.

2,600 bid. 2,700.

2,600 we're bid on the phone.

-2,700 in the room.

-In the room now.

-Yeah.

-2,800.

2,900 bid.

3,000.

-£3,000. I'm shaking. This is what this job's all about.

-It is.

-I love it.

-On the phone at 3,000.

3,100 in the room. 3,200.

-Keep it going.

-It's £3,100 in the room.

3,200, is it?

Yes or no?

Yes or no?

£3,100. Penny, you're a rich lady. £3,100!

Has that registered now?

-Yeah.

-Oooooh!

Wow. Thank you so much, Penny. You've made my day.

You've made my year. That's what this show's all about.

And what a way to end it here in Weston-super-Mare.

-£3,100 with Penny and Thomas.

-I can't believe it.

I hope you've enjoyed it as well.

I promised you one big surprise and we delivered.

Join us again soon for many more. But until then, it's goodbye.