0:00:04 > 0:00:07Today, Flog It! is literally on top of the world
0:00:07 > 0:00:09in a unique location.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12This is Margam Country Park, just outside of Port Talbot,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16and it's been inhabited for over 4,000 years.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17It's literally brimming with history.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20This is where the ancient collides with the modern.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22More about that later on in the programme,
0:00:22 > 0:00:26so stay tuned and welcome to Flog It!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50For today's valuation day,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53we've travelled over the impressive Severn Bridge,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55and along the M4 to South Wales.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00Arriving at Margam Country Park, near Port Talbot.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Here, our ancestors ancient and modern have left their mark.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06There are the remains of an impressive medieval monastery.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10This Georgian Orangery is the longest in Britain,
0:01:10 > 0:01:15and just up the hill is a remarkable Victorian Gothic castle.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18All of this lies in the shadow of a symbol of our modern
0:01:18 > 0:01:22industrial heritage - the Port Talbot steelworks.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26They each have one thing in common - they are big, bold and ambitious.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Well, our crowds have already started to gather outside
0:01:31 > 0:01:32the magnificent Orangery.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35We may not find something that is 4,000 years old,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39but hopefully, carefully wrapped up in all these bags and boxes,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42there's some intriguing treasures for our experts to muse over.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46And if our owners are tempted by a favourable valuation,
0:01:46 > 0:01:47what are you going to do?
0:01:47 > 0:01:48- ALL:- Flog it!
0:01:52 > 0:01:55We have a pair of dynamic and stylish experts to carry out
0:01:55 > 0:01:58today's valuations. Mark Stacey...
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- That's really nice. Do you know what it is?- A flowerpot.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03LAUGHTER
0:02:03 > 0:02:04..and Charles Hanson.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- Did you get dressed in the dark? - I thought, we're beside the seaside.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- I love the jacket.- Well, I think it goes. Doesn't it go well together?
0:02:10 > 0:02:13You need new glasses. You need new glasses.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Get out of here.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17And if our location bares all the hallmarks of
0:02:17 > 0:02:20imagination, ambition and ingenuity,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24then that's exactly what it takes to film one of our shows.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Our team of cameramen, researchers and stewards
0:02:26 > 0:02:29are making sure everyone is where they need to be
0:02:29 > 0:02:31and that we capture everything.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33And they are all keen to get started.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37And while they're getting ready,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39let's see what's coming up on today's show.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Charles meets someone who drives a hard bargain.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44She wanted £3.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- And you negotiated? - I did. Yeah.- I like his style.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50And Mark has a shock at the auction.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- 1,300.- When is it going to stop, Paul?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Well, I don't think he is. Would you like a seat?
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Well, I've really been looking forward to this one.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02And we couldn't come to Wales without bringing a Welsh expert.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06So here he is. Our very own Welsh boy, Mark Stacey.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13John...this has got to be one of the nicest sugar casters I've seen
0:03:13 > 0:03:15for a very long time.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- It's beautiful, isn't it? - It's an object of beauty.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- Have you had it long?- 50 years. - Really? Where did you get it from?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- Bought in a house sale. - Did you? Locally?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- Yes, Cardiff.- Did you used to go round a lot of house sales for
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- things like that?- Oh, I did. We worked for an auctioneer for
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- many years.- Oh, did you? Were you an auctioneer yourself?- No.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35What did you do in the company?
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- Transport man.- Oh, did you?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Well, you've obviously had an eye on you for the odd gem.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- Yes.- Didn't you?- Yeah.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Do you know much about it?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46No, it was just with the other objects.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49And I was there and I thought, oh, that's nice.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Silver?- It is silver.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53It's hallmarked. Fully hallmarked.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56We have a nice, clear set of hallmarks here.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59And the makers mark, as well. Hallmarked in Birmingham.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- Birmingham.- In 1919.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03Oh, before I was born.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07And it's by Blanckensee & Son.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08And it's a really handsome thing.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10If you look at the design of it,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14you could almost be mistaken that it was 18th century,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18because it has a really classical design do it.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22From this little flame, pineapple finial,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26down to the sort of husk bands here and those lovely
0:04:26 > 0:04:27classical swags.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32And these extraordinary little appliques on the side there.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- Yep.- And it's very nice baluster shape.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38It's silver gilt. It's really very, very good quality.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I can see you haven't used it because it needs bit of a clean,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- doesn't it?- Yep.- So you've had it for 50 years, you've never used it.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- No.- And it just sits in a drawer.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- In a cabinet.- Does it?
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- It's time for it to go.- Well, yeah.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53How much do you think it's worth?
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- 150?- You know your stuff, don't you?
0:04:57 > 0:05:00You know your stuff. I think we should put the estimate at
0:05:00 > 0:05:03100 to 150, if that's OK with you.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- Yeah.- And it's almost the perfect weather today for it, isn't it?
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- If we had some strawberries and cream.- Oh, Wimbledon.- Wimbledon.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Hey!- We could actually sprinkle our sugar on there and we'd be away,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- wouldn't we?- Wahey.- Well, I love it and I think it will do very well.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19And we'll put a reserve of £100 on it,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21and we might sprinkle some success for you.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24LAUGHTER
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Hopefully there will be someone with a sweet tooth at
0:05:26 > 0:05:28the auction. But, not to be outdone,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32a very dapper-looking Charles Hanson has found someone with an equally
0:05:32 > 0:05:33colourful outfit.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- Albert.- Yeah. - You're a stylish man.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And you brought in this interesting object here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Tell me how you acquired it. - Car boot sale.- car boot?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- Yeah, local car boot sale, in Swansea.- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:05:46 > 0:05:52- £2.- £2? It's wonderful what you can still find on this great antiques
0:05:52 > 0:05:57trail. And for £2 you've bought something which is very much in now.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59It wasn't 20 years ago,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02but it is today very reflective of changing tastes.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- OK.- And the new collectors, the iconic, shall we say,
0:06:07 > 0:06:12cleansed homes, who want minimal, this is what they want to buy.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- OK.- It cost you £2. - £2, yeah.- I can't believe this.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18What we've got here is something, Albert, that's quite cutting edge.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23An object which represents an industry on the island of Murano.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- OK?- OK.- This is a Venetian glass ornament that reflects centuries of
0:06:28 > 0:06:35- style and design...- Right.- ..which came together in the 1960s.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37OK? And what I love about this
0:06:37 > 0:06:38is you've got an angel here,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40on angelfish.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- Right, yep.- Which really is so evocative of innovation.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49You've got aventurine, which is this gilt-speckled glass.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54And the Italians in the 16th century developed a technique
0:06:54 > 0:06:57called facon de Venise, which is a type of opaque,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01white design we saw in wine glasses, on the stems.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05And here you've got this in the fins of the fish.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08When you saw it for that nominal sum...
0:07:08 > 0:07:13I thought it was expensive cos she wanted £3.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- And you negotiated? - I did. Yeah.- I like his style.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18That's car boot, you've got to negotiate.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Early morning start. - 5:30.- 5:30.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Something unusual and I liked it because I've got a fish tank at home
0:07:24 > 0:07:27with tropical fish and I had it next to the fish tank.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29So you didn't just buy it...
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- I was going to put it inside the fish tank.- Really?
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- Yeah, as an ornament. Yeah. - As an ornament?- Yeah.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36What I like about this also, is the fact you've got some good
0:07:36 > 0:07:40wear on the base, which to me suggests it's no reproduction.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- It is 1960s.- Yep.- But what you've got is an object which really rides
0:07:44 > 0:07:47high in terms of technical abilities.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51And, almost like Troika, it was off the radar 20 years ago
0:07:51 > 0:07:53and could have been bought cheaply.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56How recently did you buy this?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Erm... Four months ago.- You didn't?
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Yeah.- It just shows what's lurking in the deep at a car boot sale.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Yeah.- I'd be happy to put this into a sale for you,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10with a guide price of between £70 and £100.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- Very good.- Does that meet your approval?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- Definitely.- Is there investment potential for auction?
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- Yeah, more auction money.- Excellent. Thanks so much. Wonderful object.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Thank you.- A delight to see you today.- Thank you very much.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Ou experts are hard at work and while they continue
0:08:25 > 0:08:29to uncover those gems, there is something I want to show you.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Well, you couldn't fail to notice this magnificent backdrop
0:08:32 > 0:08:34behind me here for our valuation day.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38The Orangery. It's considered to be a masterpiece of 18th century
0:08:38 > 0:08:41architecture. Many of Britain's great stately homes
0:08:41 > 0:08:45have orangeries. Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth, Kensington Palace.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49But this is the longest, and it's considered to be
0:08:49 > 0:08:50the finest in the UK.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Today, the building is used for corporate events and parties,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58and no longer houses exotic plants.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02But the exterior is just as it was when it was built.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Thomas Mansel Talbot inherited the Margam estate in 1768.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09He wanted a building that would showcase his wealth
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and display his collection of exotic fruits.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14His limes, oranges and lemons.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19The building was completed in 1790 and it took seven years to create.
0:09:19 > 0:09:25It's 327ft long and there are 27 of these huge tall windows
0:09:25 > 0:09:28to let in as much light as possible.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32I absolutely love this building. It's simply understated.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35It's elegant, yet there is just enough detail
0:09:35 > 0:09:36to keep it interesting.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Now, I wonder if our experts have found anything
0:09:39 > 0:09:42as interesting as this at the valuation tables.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Let's now join up with them.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I think Mark has found something that would look right at home
0:09:47 > 0:09:49in the orangery.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Mary... Why have you brought this jug in to share?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Well, the jug belonged to my grandmother
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and I must admit I'm not that keen on it, if I'm honest.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- You don't like it? - No.- Is it too brash for you?
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- I think so, yeah.- Well, it is quite bold, isn't it?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Mmm.- I mean, there's no prizes, I'm afraid,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08for guessing who produced this jug.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Of course it's faithful Clarice Cliff.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I actually really like it.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16I think it's a great shape and it's a really, really bold pattern.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20You can really see these thick oranges and reds.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23And as a Clarice Cliff collector, that's what they want to see.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25And this ground is quite interesting.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27This sort of mottled-brown ground.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29It's known as cafe au lait.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34It's probably made maybe around 1928-1934, something like that.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38So it's right in the middle of that Art Deco period.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42There is a slight flaw to it that I've noticed while we're filming.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46There's a slight hairline crack on the interior.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49But I don't think that will worry us too much, to be honest with you.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52I think we should keep the estimate reasonable,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54particularly with our slight hairline crack.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56So if we put £80-£100 on it.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00And we'll pop the reserve, say, at 60, just to protect it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Would that be OK with you? - I think it's lovely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Gosh, I didn't think you'd say that.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06LAUGHTER
0:11:06 > 0:11:09This pot has probably never seen the light of day in the last 20 years.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Has it not? - It's been locked away in a cupboard.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13Oh, well, that's great.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- You've brought it out for the world to see.- Great, yeah.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18And that's fantastic, because we'll put it into auction
0:11:18 > 0:11:20and somebody who buys this is going to love it,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22because you clearly hate it.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23It's true.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Well, look. All I can say is thank you, Mary, for bringing it in.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28You've been such a good sport.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- Right, good.- I'll look forward to seeing you into the auction.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- Me too.- You might get a surprise.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Now, while our experts are hard at work uncovering
0:11:39 > 0:11:43some fascinating items, I've been exploring the equally fascinating
0:11:43 > 0:11:45history of Margam Country Park.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49These are the ruins of the medieval Cistercian monastery,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52which dates back to 1147.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55This room I'm in right now is the chapterhouse.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58It's only one of two chapterhouses to be built
0:11:58 > 0:12:00in Britain with 12 sides.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09The monks mined coal and hunted deer on the land here for 400 years.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12But when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14this site fell into disrepair.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18It now provides the most spectacular backdrop for our Flog It!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21valuation day. And right now we're going to be putting
0:12:21 > 0:12:22those valuations to the test.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26So here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking to auction.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34John's elegant sugar caster has been unused for far too long.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Albert's angelfish was a car boot sale find.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42And the Clarice Cliff jug, love it or hate it,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45that name always attracts attention.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47How will it fare with today's bidders?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Our auction is just up the road, in Cardiff, a city steeped in history,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59which has undergone a major makeover in recent years.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Here, old and new, ancient and modern sit alongside one another.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04The old docks have been revamped,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08and now this area is home to the National Assembly of Wales,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11and the Wales Millennium Centre.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It's now time to put our experts' valuations to the test,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16and this is where we're doing it - Roger Jones & Company,
0:13:16 > 0:13:18one of the oldest auctioneers in Wales.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21It's a family run business and they know their stuff.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I'm going inside to catch up with our owners,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26because I know they're feeling nervous right now.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28You sit tight, it's going to be a good day.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29The sun is shining, everyone's happy.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Let's get on with our first lot.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Today's auctioneer is Ben Rogers Jones.
0:13:35 > 0:13:41The commission here today is 15% plus VAT on items under £2,000,
0:13:41 > 0:13:45but less for items over £2,000.
0:13:45 > 0:13:46First up is the sugar caster.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49It's such an elegant thing, surely someone would love this item
0:13:49 > 0:13:51in their home.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54If you want classical style and decoration,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57then look no further than John's sugar caster.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59This is fantastic, isn't it?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- I mean, it really... It's got style, hasn't it?- It's wonderful, Paul.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- It's going to sell.- It's going to sell, isn't it?- It's going to sell.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07I saw a lady looking at this and I said,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10"Are you selling or buying today?" She said, "I've come to buy this."
0:14:10 > 0:14:12And I said, "What?" And she pointed at your sugar caster.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Oh, that's good. That's good.- So we look out for a lady in the room.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Fingers crossed it goes to the lady in the room. OK?- Yes.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19Here we go, this is it.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Lovely, quality ballista sugar caster.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27I've got interest in this one as far as 220.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- £220.- Straight in!
0:14:31 > 0:14:37- 30, 240.- Maiden bid.- South Africa. 260, online at 260.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- 270.- Yes, she's bidding, she's bidding, she's down the front.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- I'm ever so pleased.- 280. Anybody else now?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Oh, she's pulled out, Paul. - No, no, no. She's bidding again.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Oh, she's back in.- 290.- She's determined to get it, isn't she?
0:14:49 > 0:14:53300. Saudi Arabia, is it? £300 in Saudi Arabia.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- At £300, in Saudi Arabia. - Saudi Arabia!- At £300.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- We've gone global.- It's gone to the royal family.- £300.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03At £300, is everybody done?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06That's going to Saudi Arabia, £300.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Oh. That's a brilliant result.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- You see, it's quality, quality, quality.- Yeah.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Sadly, that lady lost it, but do you know what?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Every auctioneer loves an under-bidder.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Because you need someone pushing it up!
0:15:18 > 0:15:20What do you always say, Paul?
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- Quality...- Always sells.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Well, someone in Saudi Arabia is going to be delighted with that.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28I wonder who it is.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30But what a great start for us.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Next up is the Murano glass angelfish,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37one of those car boot sale finds we all wish we had spotted.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Yes, it's that Murano glass.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41It's that paperweight belonging to Albert.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Were you ever a tropical fish fan? Did you...
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- Yeah, I have got tropical fish. - You have? Got any angelfish?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Two.- Oh, you're missing one in a minute
0:15:49 > 0:15:51because this one's going to definitely sell.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It really is. It's a good hobby, isn't it?
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Watching the fish, as well.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- It's relaxing. - Cleaning the tank out.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- I love it.- Yeah, I like it as well. It's good. It's good.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Well, we like our fish.- Yeah, yeah. And it's so modern,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07yet it also is the evolution on from Venetian glass.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- Yes.- From those years ago. So it's a great lot.- Yeah.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12It's got today's look, it really has.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14And hopefully we're going to find a buyer for that right now.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Good luck. This is it.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19The wonderful Murano glass.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Loving this.- Aquarium paperweight.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24I've got a low bid to start with, but let's see where it takes us.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28It starts at £30. At £30, 40, 50.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Is there 60? £50, against you now.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Is there a 60? At £50, 60 in the room.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Is there 70? At £60, where's 70 now?
0:16:37 > 0:16:39And £60 to my right.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- In the saleroom itself, at £60. - That's OK.- Cost you £2.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- £60, the hammer's gone down. - I'm happy with that.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48You are, aren't you? That'll get you a lot of fish.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50LAUGHTER
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Yeah, I'm well pleased with that.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- Yeah, good return on £2. - Absolutely.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Albert's pleased with that result.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02His early morning start at the car boot sale certainly paid off.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05And now it's the turn of that classic Flog It! name.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07The Clarice Cliff jug.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09It wouldn't be Flog It! without Clarice Cliff,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11and Mark managed to find a bit.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14It was the bright colours. Marie, thank you for bringing it in.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16And you look fabulous today, as well.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Now, do you like Clarice Cliff?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- No.- Do you know, I'm not a big fan of it, actually.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25But, look, some people love it and there's a big market for it still.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28And Mark, you're sort of... You're attracted to this, aren't you?
0:17:28 > 0:17:31I like some patterns. I think that this is nice and bold.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32And I like that cafe au lait glaze.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35And you know what we always say. Clarice never lets us down.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38And I'm sure with a £100 price tag, this one's not going to let us down,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Marie, at all. It's not, is it?
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- No, of course not.- You looked a little bit worried then.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44No. I'm not worried at all.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48I think it's going to be... Your expression, top of the estimate.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Top of the estimate. Here we go.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51It's going under the hammer.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54First off, a couple of items of Clarice Cliff today.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55I've got 60 to start.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- At 60, is there 70, 80, 90, 100, 10 20, 30.- It's gone.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- Oh, oh.- 130. Are you coming in on the phone?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05130 is online. 140.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08140 now, on the phone.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11150... 160 on the telephone.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13On the telephone, anybody in the room?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15160. Fair warning, then.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20£160. The telephone has it, at 160, here it goes.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- Yes.- 160.- Hammer's gone down. Keenly contested.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- So lots of people like big fruit. - They did.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27LAUGHTER
0:18:29 > 0:18:33What a great price, twice Mark's original estimate.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Marie may not have loved it, but someone else obviously does.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Well, that's our first three lots done and dusted under the hammer.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42So far, so good.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46It's now time to return to our valuation day venue, Margam Park,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48to look for more antiques and treasures to put under the hammer.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52But before that, I want to find out a little bit more about the history
0:18:52 > 0:18:53of the place.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56It's fascinating how history is such a dynamic process.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01What one generation does lays the foundations for those to follow.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08In 1951, Port Talbot earned its place in the history books
0:19:08 > 0:19:12when it opened the largest steelworks in Europe -
0:19:12 > 0:19:13the Abbey Works.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17'And to mark this great day in industrial history,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20'a Welsh dragon, forged in the steel of Margam,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23'was presented to the Chancellor.'
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Ever since, this monument to industrialisation
0:19:26 > 0:19:28has dominated the skyline.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32It was the envy of the world, I think, of the steel-making world.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Those who wanted to work would have a job,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36that was what it came down to at the end of the day.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39But its presence here has its roots in the Margam estate,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and the Talbot family.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46When Thomas Mansel Talbot died, the Margam estate was passed to his son,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Christopher, who was known as C.R.M. Talbot.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52He was only ten years old, but by the time he came of age
0:19:52 > 0:19:56he had romantic ideas for the 34,000-acre estate
0:19:56 > 0:19:59and he set about building this fantastic castle
0:19:59 > 0:20:02in the Gothic revival style.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07Work began in 1830, and it was completed ten years later
0:20:07 > 0:20:10at a cost of over £2 million in today's money.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16He was so rich he was referred to as the wealthiest commoner in Britain.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Now, whilst he certainly enjoyed the traditional Victorian pursuits
0:20:19 > 0:20:22of the landed gentry, such as hunting, shooting and fishing
0:20:22 > 0:20:25on his extensive estate, he also embraced the
0:20:25 > 0:20:28exciting and dynamic spirit of the Victorian age -
0:20:28 > 0:20:30the Industrial Revolution.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33And that passion led to what we can see over there.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36The world-famous Port Talbot steelworks.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Talbot leased his land to collieries, copper and ironworks.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44But he soon realised the key to success was to improve
0:20:44 > 0:20:45access to the area.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52In 1836, he lobbied for an Act of Parliament to construct a new
0:20:52 > 0:20:56floating dock at Aberavon to import and export materials.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01This is the site of the original dock that was created,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05and as a result of C.R.M. Talbot's support and financial input,
0:21:05 > 0:21:09the town was first given the name Port Talbot in his honour.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Then, in 1848, he helped to create a railway line
0:21:14 > 0:21:18that connected this region directly to London.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22For the first time, raw materials and goods could be transported
0:21:22 > 0:21:25to Port Talbot by sea and rail.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28In the early 1900s, two new steelworks were built
0:21:28 > 0:21:30near the docks,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33making it one of the most important industrial hubs in Britain.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36But after the Second World War,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Britain entered a brand-new era of consumerism.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42The steel industry needed to modernise to meet up
0:21:42 > 0:21:45with the demand and Port Talbot was at the very heart of that.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48The Abbey Steelworks that you can see behind me
0:21:48 > 0:21:52became the most ambitious industrial project after the war.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54And it became renowned worldwide as the largest,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56most modern steel plant in Europe.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03In the post-war years, steel was vital for consumer goods,
0:22:03 > 0:22:04cars and ships.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09Port Talbot was seen as the perfect location for this ambitious project.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Five million tonnes of sand had to be shifted
0:22:12 > 0:22:14to prepare the vast new site.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19It ran two over 3.5 miles, with 75 miles of railway track.
0:22:19 > 0:22:25When it opened, it would produce one million tonnes of steel per year.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Professor Louise Miskell is an expert in industrial history.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33So how significant was the steelworks here at Port Talbot?
0:22:33 > 0:22:36It was built at a time when Britain had just come out of the war.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39There was a big emphasis on post-war reconstruction
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and steel was probably the most important industry in Britain
0:22:42 > 0:22:46that symbolised the kind of rebuilding of the British economy.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Yeah.- And I think the interesting thing about it
0:22:48 > 0:22:52was that it was built to produce strip steel for the
0:22:52 > 0:22:56automotive industry and for the big, booming consumer appliances.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59So when the steel company in Wales, who ran this works, were
0:22:59 > 0:23:02investigating strip steel, they went to America.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05They looked at the latest technology for strip steel...
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Sure.- ..that the Americans had developed in the interwar period.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13And they imported it here, so that Britain could produce, basically,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15wide strip steel for the car industry,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19for the consumer industry and, you know, it became the...
0:23:19 > 0:23:23really the sort of flagship of British post-war reconstruction.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26It really put Port Talbot on the map in a global sense, I think.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- Yeah. And that is big volume, isn't it?- That's right.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33The Abbey Works was soon the largest employer in the area,
0:23:33 > 0:23:37with some 18,000 employees at its peak.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Port Talbot earned the nickname, Eldorado, because it had the most
0:23:40 > 0:23:44highly paid industrial workers in the country.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Men like Jeff Lewis, who joined the works aged 15.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52When you were talking about the national average wage at the time,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I'm talking about, it was £11 a week.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58It was £21, £22 a week in Aberavon,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01which obviously was a big difference.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04But the high wages reflected the dangers
0:24:04 > 0:24:07workers like Peter Richards faced.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Stinking place with acid fumes, dust, noise.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14As far as fumes were concerned,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18that did cause some concern because your teeth would go black.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Your lips would go black.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24Sparks flying everywhere, tremendous noise and dust.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28They weren't as health-conscious then as they are now.
0:24:28 > 0:24:3116-year-old apprentice Jim Bevan had a shock on his first day
0:24:31 > 0:24:35when he followed his supervisor onto the gantry.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I think it was about 90ft high,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39and they were pouring steel down below.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44And all of a sudden he walked onto this central beam and, not thinking,
0:24:44 > 0:24:45I walked after him.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48And I looked down and I dropped on all fours
0:24:48 > 0:24:51and I crawled all the way across.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It's frightening. If you've never been in that environment before,
0:24:54 > 0:24:55it's very frightening.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00The social side of life at the Abbey Works became an important outlet for
0:25:00 > 0:25:05workers. It had its own rugby teams, cricket teams and even a choir.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08All these people were on a shift,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and they would become your best mates.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16And we used to organise Christmas dos, nights out, trips,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19and that's how you became closer and, you know,
0:25:19 > 0:25:20became very good friends.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Port Talbot became a boom town during the '50s and '60s.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28There were shops, cinemas,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33and in 1961 the first casino in an industrial town opened its doors.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38'Here, the steelworkers are the best paid in Britain.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'They live high in a style not normally associated with the Welsh.'
0:25:43 > 0:25:46That was a revelation in enjoyment.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47All the top stars would come to town.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Les Dawson came here, he started off. Johnny Mathis came here.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53They all came to...to the casino.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58These were all new things which people my age
0:25:58 > 0:25:59had never experienced before.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Well, at 20 years of age and you've got money in your pocket...
0:26:04 > 0:26:06You know, things are good, aren't they?
0:26:06 > 0:26:08But the boom times didn't last.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10During the '70s and '80s,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14increased competition meant cutbacks and job losses.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Today, the privately owned steelworks employs less than
0:26:18 > 0:26:224,000 people, but it's still the largest steel manufacturing plant
0:26:22 > 0:26:23in Britain.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26For the workers, who were there in its heyday,
0:26:26 > 0:26:27there are happy memories.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Everything seemed to be happening at the same time.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32It was a great time to be alive, it was a great time to live.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37Our age was right and we had this fantastic workplace on her doorstep.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39- You couldn't go wrong.- It paid for everything that I've got today.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Erm... I've had a good standard of living.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47All my life, my family have had a good standard of living.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I'm very grateful for it.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52My whole life has been in steel, if you like.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Either fighting for the boys,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58working with them, playing with them.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01You know, I can't say any more. That's my life.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08But what of C.R.M. Talbot at Margam Castle, what is his legacy?
0:27:08 > 0:27:12Well, of course, the steelworks that we can see here were all built
0:27:12 > 0:27:13long after he had died.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17But I think the importance of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot
0:27:17 > 0:27:20is that he really gave Port Talbot momentum,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24because he was responsible for developing lots of the transport
0:27:24 > 0:27:26infrastructure - the roads, the railways -
0:27:26 > 0:27:30that gave Port Talbot its locational advantage over other competitor
0:27:30 > 0:27:32steel-making locations.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34So really, without him starting all that,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38a lot of what you see in modern-day Port Talbot today probably wouldn't
0:27:38 > 0:27:40have existed as soon as it did.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Today, the steelworks face an uncertain future.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Whatever lies ahead, C.R.M. Talbot would surely be proud
0:27:47 > 0:27:49of what has been achieved here.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Back at our valuation day, there are still lots of people
0:27:56 > 0:27:58waiting to get their items valued.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Our experts have certainly been industrious,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and now it's over to Charles, who's found something
0:28:04 > 0:28:07that would be right at home in Margam Castle.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Now, I presume you're a lady of some distinction.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Well, I'm not sure about that.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15I try to be, but I'm really not sure.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18You look to me a lady of etiquette.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20I don't know what my friends would say about that.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Oh, and I'm sure that you've used this contraption.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- I've never used it.- Oh, Maureen.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30- Where was it found?- It was found in my aunt's house
0:28:30 > 0:28:32while we were cleaning it out.
0:28:32 > 0:28:33Let's have a look.
0:28:33 > 0:28:38And what we've got here is a very nice late-Victorian
0:28:38 > 0:28:42horn-handled, silver-collared crumb scoop.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46And it really captures the high Victorian.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53And we can tell from this anthemion detail on the terminal here,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57and this nice chased foliate ornament, and the fact,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59you're quite right, it's dirty.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Yes, it is. I didn't know whether to clean it or not.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03Well, you haven't.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06We can see on the back here
0:29:06 > 0:29:11we've got the mark for electroplate, so we know it's post 1870
0:29:11 > 0:29:15when electrolysis really replaced Sheffield plate.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16And, of course,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19on this delightful collar here,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23we can see the all-important hallmark.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27And I can see it was made by Allen & Darwin, in Sheffield,
0:29:27 > 0:29:31in the year our great Queen Victoria
0:29:31 > 0:29:34celebrated her diamond jubilee.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36What year was that?
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Oh, now you've put me on the spot.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40I've no idea.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42This was made in the year 1897.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47- Oh, there we are.- So maybe when we celebrated the diamond jubilee
0:29:47 > 0:29:50and served cake and tea, this may have been used
0:29:50 > 0:29:52to clean the crumbs up.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- And this really reflects high society.- Lovely.
0:29:55 > 0:30:01It's something which I would put a guide price of between £25 and £30.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03And, with your blessing, we will sell it on the day.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08- Yep.- I think, to a collector, it represents really good value.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's a shame this isn't silver. If this was silver,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13it would be worth more like 150.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16If it makes nearer £40 or £45, I might say one thing.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- Crumbs.- Crumbs. Exactly, haven't we done well?
0:30:21 > 0:30:22- We have.- Here's hoping.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26I have to say, I loved that crumb scoop.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Now it's the turn of Mark Stacey
0:30:28 > 0:30:30who's spotted a very intriguing plate.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36David, one of the things I wanted to see in Wales at a Flog it!
0:30:36 > 0:30:38is some Welsh porcelain.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43And you've brought a lovely Nantgarw Swansea porcelain plate in.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Where did it come from?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49My grandmother had it, I've been told, as a wedding present.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Gosh.- She was working in service.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- And in about 1900, I believe.- Right.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58She died, she left it to my uncle.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02He died, and he left it to myself and my son.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05- He said...you know.- And you don't collect porcelain yourself?
0:31:05 > 0:31:09No, and it's kept in a box in the attic. And I thought, you know...
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Well, it's a very interesting factory.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15I mean, it was one of the best Regency porcelain manufacturers.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17I mean, the firm itself was set up
0:31:17 > 0:31:20in the early part of the 19th century,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22round about 1813, I think.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25And they pumped a lot of money into producing the most exquisite
0:31:25 > 0:31:27hand-painted porcelain.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31And they employed some of the really top painters at the time,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34particularly with the floral subject -
0:31:34 > 0:31:38William Billingsley, Thomas Pardew, people like that.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42This is a later one. This is from the 1820s period, I think.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44It's a little bit heavier on the moulding.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- Yeah.- And you've got this rather sort of candyfloss pink,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- haven't you?- Yes.- As the background with these flowers.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55But the little painting in the centre is quite interesting.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- This black and white painting.- Yes.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- The sad thing about it is its condition.- Yes. I realise that.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- When we turn it over, you can see... - Yes.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09It really is in quite bad condition.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13- But it is marked Nantgarw...- Yes. - ..which is an interesting thing.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16We've done a little bit of research and we can't come up with anything
0:32:16 > 0:32:21like this. I have seen plates in the past painted in black and white with
0:32:21 > 0:32:23things like the Three Graces, which has sold for a lot of money,
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- but they are from known servers... - Yes.- ..which makes a difference.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- Yes.- And you want to sell it.- Yes.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- And how much is it worth, do you think?- Don't know.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35- So you don't know how much it's worth.- No.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36And I don't know how much it's worth.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Because the condition is the key factor.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Now, it could turn out to be an extremely rare piece,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45painted like this, in which case, collectors will forget the damage
0:32:45 > 0:32:47and just want to own it.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51But I think it is a historical piece and I think we have to reflect
0:32:51 > 0:32:55- some sort of estimate on it.- Yeah. - So I would probably say...
0:32:55 > 0:32:58£50-£70, something like that, because of the condition.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- Yeah. Yeah.- And we'll put it into auction and have a go.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Now, did you want a reserve on it?
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Well, I would... 50 or something.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Put some sort of reserve, I'll leave that to you.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Well, shall we put a £40 reserve fixed on it?
0:33:11 > 0:33:13- OK, yeah.- Just to protect it.- Yes.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Now, hopefully you know all the collectors will be there.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18It's a piece of local Welsh history.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21- Yeah.- And will stand in its favour.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25I thank you for satisfying my quest to find a piece of local
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Nantgarw Swansea porcelain.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28Let's hope it flies in the salesroom.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Well, thank you very much.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33It's damaged, but it's a great name,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36so fingers crossed it does well at auction.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38While our experts continue,
0:33:38 > 0:33:43I'm heading up the hill to the castle created by C.R.M. Talbot.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46It may look straight out of medieval times,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50but Talbot was a man who embraced the new and inventive spirit
0:33:50 > 0:33:51of the Victorian age.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56One of the inventions which particularly intrigued him was
0:33:56 > 0:33:59described as "painting with light". It was, of course, photography.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02His cousin was William Fox Talbot, the inventor of the
0:34:02 > 0:34:06positive/negative photographic process we still use today.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10But Talbot encouraged other Welsh pioneers of photography
0:34:10 > 0:34:12to come to the Margam estate.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15John Dillwyn Llywelyn was his wife's brother.
0:34:15 > 0:34:16He was a regular visitor here,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19recording the castle grounds and ruins.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25And one of his friends took the first ever recorded daguerreotype
0:34:25 > 0:34:27here in Wales in 1841.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31And this is it. Took on this very spot, standing right here.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34A brand-new invention, this was ground-breaking in its time,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37so here we have a new invention for a new house.
0:34:37 > 0:34:38How about that?
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Time to get back to our experts to find our final item of the day,
0:34:43 > 0:34:47and Charles has discovered a very romantic tale.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49- Stephen and Marjorie.- Hello.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- Aren't we in the most gorgeous of backdrops?- Yes, it's lovely.- We are.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56And of course, talking about passion, I suppose romance.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59This book has quite a lot to go on
0:34:59 > 0:35:03with regards to your story thus far.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Yes, we were married in Bath Abbey. This is a book of etchings of Bath.
0:35:08 > 0:35:14- 52 years ago.- Really.- And this is a book of 24 etchings
0:35:14 > 0:35:18- of various places in Bath...- Yes. - ..including the abbey.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20And here we are, Etchings Of Bath,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23a series of 24 plates by Fred E Ellison.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25And the next...
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- Oh, I say.- And this is Bath Abbey, yes.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Oh, isn't that wonderful?
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Ellison of 1886.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- Yes.- And the actual quality of this
0:35:34 > 0:35:37plate etching really is so crisp.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- Yes.- Mm.- Importantly, sadly we
0:35:40 > 0:35:43often do see them cut out and framed
0:35:43 > 0:35:46and mounted for wall space.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- Yep.- And furthermore, they lose their colour and freshness
0:35:50 > 0:35:51because of daylight.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56But what is lovely about these is the fact that they very much
0:35:56 > 0:35:59- have been kept within...- It's been on a bookshelf.- Absolutely.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01That will be the Abbey porch.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- Yes.- And that's where the photos are taken.- Wonderful.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08- And the book came a few years after...- Yes.- ..your marriage.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11It was found in a... I can't remember exactly where.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14In a bookshop or an antiques fair somewhere, I can't remember.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- But you're still going strong.- Yes. - Yes, just look at me.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21There we go. So, why is it time to ditch the book?
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Well, you were coming today and we thought, what can we take?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- Yeah.- And it's time we started ditching a few things.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- We have a house full, crammed full of...- Yeah.- ..bits and pieces.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- Time to declutter, eh? I don't blame you...- That's what they say.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38..one bit. It's a lovely book and on the market today, it is a book,
0:36:38 > 0:36:43because it is so clean and so market fresh with those plates in
0:36:43 > 0:36:47superb condition, I would guide it to fetch between £70 and £100.
0:36:47 > 0:36:52- OK.- And I'll put a reserve at 70 with perhaps 10% discretion
0:36:52 > 0:36:58to protect it. And hopefully elegant society in Cardiff, via Bath,
0:36:58 > 0:37:02will celebrate what you have achieved in your long happy marriage
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- and buy this book.- We hope so. - And we'll all be in heaven.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- Thank you very much. - Thanks very much.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10Well, that's it.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Our experts have now found their final items to take off to auction.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15It's good timing as well, as it starts to rain
0:37:15 > 0:37:19and the umbrellas go up. It's been a busy, productive day.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Let's hope it pays off in the saleroom.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24And here's a quick recap of all the items that are going...
0:37:24 > 0:37:25..under the hammer.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Maureen's silver-plated crumb tray is straight out of a bygone age.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36David's grandmother's Nantgarw plate has been hidden
0:37:36 > 0:37:37in the attic for years.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43And the book of etchings from Bath has a romantic back story,
0:37:43 > 0:37:45but now it's heading for the auction.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51Back at the saleroom, Ben Rogers Jones is holding the fort
0:37:51 > 0:37:53on the rostrum.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55First to go under the hammer is the crumb scoop.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58We've got that crumb scoop that Charles valued belonging to Maureen.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- Yep.- Did you use this? - No, I've never used it.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04I lost my aunt in March and cleaning her house out,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07- we found that in a drawer.- Oh, I see, OK. You found it in a drawer.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09- I could use this today. My kids are messy eaters.- Yeah.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12It's the height of fashion all those years ago.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- It's etiquette.- We used to use them. Do you use one now?
0:38:14 > 0:38:16We used to... You didn't use one!
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Yeah, well, my grandparents may have done.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20It's just the height of sophistication.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Yeah, I know. And I say bring back the crumb scoop.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26And you can buy one right here, right now, for £25.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29That's what we need. It's going under the hammer.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33Age of elegance crumb scoop by Allen & Darwin.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35£40, nice item.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37£40, with a Victorian horn handle.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40£40. 20 it starts at, is there 5?
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- Come on.- Is there 30?- Silver, silver as well.- £30.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Against you in US at £30. 35 in America, is there a 40?
0:38:48 > 0:38:5040 in the room. Is there 5?
0:38:50 > 0:38:525 back in the US. Is there 50? At 45...
0:38:52 > 0:38:54At 45, Stateside, at 45.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Is everybody done? £45.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58£45!
0:38:58 > 0:39:01£45, well done, Charles.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Do you know, I find it astonishing that people in the States can buy
0:39:04 > 0:39:07something that big from here in South Wales and get it posted
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- over there - job done. - Absolutely right.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10Someone in America is going to enjoy that.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- Yep.- Better than being in the bottom of the drawer, isn't it?
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Yes, exactly.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It's not a big price, but it's heading far from home.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21I hope the new owner has a butler.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Next up, it's the book of 24 etchings.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Stephen is here, but what has happened to Marjorie?
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Stephen, it's good to see you again. Where is your wife?
0:39:31 > 0:39:33- Well, she's in the background here, waiting.- Oh, she's here.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35She's spending the money that we're trying to...
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Oh, I see, she's browsing. Hoping to buy something.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- We've just bought something, actually.- Good for you.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Going under the hammer, right now, we've got that book,
0:39:42 > 0:39:4424 etchings of buildings in Bath.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It's going under the hammer and hopefully we get the top end of
0:39:47 > 0:39:48Charles's estimate.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53361a, I've got 50 to start.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54At £50, is there 5?
0:39:54 > 0:39:56At 50, where's 5 now?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59At 50, 55, 60.
0:39:59 > 0:40:015. Is there a 70 now?
0:40:01 > 0:40:0265 in the cap.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04OK, by the door 65 out left.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Has everybody done? At 65, here we go.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- £65, he sold it.- Just on discretion. - Yeah, just on. That's fine.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- 70 was a moderate estimate.- Yeah. - That's OK.- Just got that one away.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Yes, thank you very much.- That's OK.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Hopefully it goes towards what your wife's just bought.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Yes, nearly. Nearly.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24That just sneaked in under the reserve.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Maybe we're too far from Bath to get
0:40:27 > 0:40:29a big price, but at least it sold.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31But now it's the turn of the Nantgarw plate.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35That's certainly a name that resonates in Wales.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38David, good luck. Fingers crossed. Should be lots of local interest.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Nantgarw, a great name in Welsh pottery.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Very good and an unusual pattern. I've never seen it.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- And it's going under the hammer. - It is damaged, sadly.- But...
0:40:46 > 0:40:49I don't think that will hold. I don't think that'll hold the value
0:40:49 > 0:40:52- back.- It shouldn't. We're going to put this to the test. Ready?- OK.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54The only piece of Nantgarw in the sale.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58I'm straight in, off I go at 110 to start with.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- 110, 20.- Straight in at 110.
0:41:01 > 0:41:0530, 40, 50. 160, Peter's phone.
0:41:05 > 0:41:06170, David's.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09180, 190...
0:41:09 > 0:41:11200. 220.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13There's three telephone bids on there.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- 260. Peter...- And what did you put on this, Mark?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17You want to come back with 280? 280.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- Can you remind us?- £50-£70. - 50-70.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22300. I'll take 2, won't forget you, David.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25£300. 320, 380.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28David, now, you're too slow. 380 is there. 400?
0:41:28 > 0:41:29- £400.- 400, Catherine.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33420. 440, Catherine.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35These are serious Nantgarw collectors.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36- Yeah, they are.- 460.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- David.- It is the greatest name in Welsh pottery, isn't it, really?
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Yeah. It's one of the greatest names in British pottery
0:41:43 > 0:41:44- because it lasted so long.- Yeah.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Is that 50? 550, 600.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50650.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- Mark...- 700.- 700.- Well, I think I...
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Can you remind us what you said earlier?
0:41:55 > 0:41:57I think they left a nought out of my estimate,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59and that's the problem with the catalogue.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00800, David.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- That's very good, that's money I got out of it.- Love it.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- 1,600.- £1,600.- 1,600.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10When is it going to stop, Paul?
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Well, I don't think he is - shall we have a seat?
0:42:12 > 0:42:142,000. 2,200. 2,400.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Everybody done? Catherine's phone. Anybody in the room for this one?
0:42:18 > 0:42:21At 2,400, here it goes. At 2,400.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23We sell at 2,400.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Grand, grand! - Thank you so much.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Gosh, I've got so hot. I've got so hot.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Thank you for bringing that in, because...
0:42:31 > 0:42:33- What was it again?- 50-70.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35THEY LAUGH
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Who'd want to be an expert on this show?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I tell you what, you've got to know your onions,
0:42:39 > 0:42:41but I'm with you on that one.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43I'd have probably said about the same.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45But Nantgarw is such a top name, isn't it?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48That was from an important service, wasn't it?
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Without a doubt, without a doubt.- It had to be.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Good for you for hanging on to it for all that amount of time.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56That's the beauty of auctions and what a way to end today's show.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00It took us all by surprise and hopefully it took you by surprise.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Join us again for many more in the future, but until then
0:43:03 > 0:43:05it's goodbye from Wales, and what a day we've had.