0:00:07 > 0:00:10Today we're in Sussex, at Herstmonceux Castle.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Just look at that for a backdrop - isn't that magnificent?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14That's home to our valuation day
0:00:14 > 0:00:19and hundreds of loyal fans who've turned up from far and wide.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Herstmonceux Castle is a stunning building
0:00:45 > 0:00:49which has served many purposes over its 700 year history.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53It's been a grand home for medieval lords of the manor,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56a tourist-attracting ruin for Victorians, and even offices
0:00:56 > 0:00:59for an insurance company during World War II.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Today, it's a university campus,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05with students coming from all over the world to study in the stunningly
0:01:05 > 0:01:10unique surroundings which we're also enjoying today.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Look at this, what a turnout we have today.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14Hundreds of people have turned up,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17laden with bags and boxes full of antiques and treasures.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19They are here to see our experts,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22to ask that all important question, which is...
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- ALL:- What's it worth?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And if you're happy with the valuation, what are you going to do?
0:01:27 > 0:01:28- ALL:- Flog It!
0:01:30 > 0:01:35With so many items to sift through, our experts are not wasting any time.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36Today we've got James Lewis,
0:01:36 > 0:01:41who is so on it he can spot the best antiques still in their boxes.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- Gold pocket watch?- Correct. How did you guess?- Perfect!
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Good morning.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50And joining him, welcoming our visitors, is Jonathan Pratt.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Although he may need to be careful with some!
0:01:54 > 0:01:57BARK LAUGHTER
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Well, everyone seems to be having great fun out here,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01but that's not how it works.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05We need to get all these lovely people inside and get the show started.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09First on the menu, a little taster of what's coming up later in the show.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Jonathan unearths an antique that was picked up for a bargain price.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- I paid £4.99. - £4.99! Gosh.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21James is even more amazed by his keen-eyed treasure hunter.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- How much did you pay?- 50p. - You're joking?- I did, 50p.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29And I discover a little-known story of British wartime ingenuity.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32It was something that only the British would ever have thought of inventing.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37I think we're the only nation who would come up with something as mad as this.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40There's not a moment to lose.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42So, as everyone gets settled, we can begin.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- Having a good time, everyone? ALL:- Yes.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48That's what it's all about. We're going to crack on with our first valuation.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Who is that lucky owner going to be?
0:02:50 > 0:02:53We're going to find out right now as we join up with our experts.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Jackie, whenever I see porcelain like this...
0:03:01 > 0:03:05..it makes me remember how lucky we are, actually, to have it.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- We take it totally for granted today, don't we?- Yeah.
0:03:08 > 0:03:15But the factory that made these was the factory that first made porcelain in Europe.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Let's go back to the early 18th century.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Porcelain was incredibly expensive.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25It had to be imported from a long way away.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Eventually, in around 1710,
0:03:28 > 0:03:35there was a chap called Bottger who produced the first-ever European porcelain at Meissen.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38So we are looking at a really important factory.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40These are, though, as I'm sure you know, later.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42They are 19th century.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Do you know how long you've had them in your family?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Well, I can remember them at least 65 years.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- OK.- They were given to my grandparents by their neighbours,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54who collected a lot of porcelain and china.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57And they were very kind and they gave them several pieces.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Well, let's start with this one.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02They're all little cherubs.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08And here we have four of them, and they're allegorical of the four seasons.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12We have this little chap, with his fruiting vines.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14He represents autumn.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Just behind him, we have summer, holding the wheat sheaves.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21And we have spring with, again,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24a floral chaplet, this time, in his hair.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26And look at the final one.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31He's got his cloak and, of course, he is winter.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34The second group, again, it could well have been for the seasons.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- Because we've got him...- Yep.- ..on his sledge, so clearly winter.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41So, how do we know they're Meissen?
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Loads of people copied the Meissen marks,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48but what you need to look for, of this period,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51is a combination of the crossed swords mark in blue,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53and then an incise number,
0:04:53 > 0:04:59and maybe a stamp number and a design number in red as well.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02So, when you see all four together,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06that's when you know that you're looking at a piece of 19th-century Meissen.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09What are they doing here? Why are you selling them?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Well, the children don't want them.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15And I just think that somebody who perhaps collects Meissen
0:05:15 > 0:05:17would like to add them to their collection.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- Time to let them go?- Yes. - Well, let's think in terms of value.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- We've got a bit of damage, but generally not too bad.- No.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30So, I think we should put a reserve of...
0:05:30 > 0:05:32£350 on them.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Right.- And an auction estimate of 400-600.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Right. OK. - How do you feel?
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Yes, I thought they were worth a little bit more than that.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42What did you think they were worth?
0:05:42 > 0:05:45I don't know, because they're not perfect, I appreciate that.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48I think it's a conservative estimate, but I think it's realistic.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- OK.- Would you like to put the reserve slightly up?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- Do you want to put that at 400? - Yes, let's put it at 400.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Let's do that. Let's do that.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58And, you know, I think they'll do OK.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59They'll go to a new home.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Those are lovely figurines to get our auction collection started.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07Let's see what Jonathan has found to add to the mix.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Well, hello, Erica.- Hello.- You've brought a lovely object along here,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14very pretty lady in there. Where did you find her?
0:06:14 > 0:06:19I was very lucky and I found her about ten years ago in a charity shop.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21When people say they found something in a charity shop,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24it means they didn't pay very much money for it.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- No, I didn't pay much at all. I paid £4.99.- £4.99?
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Is that what you do quite a lot of, you like looking through charity shops and trying to find things?
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Or is it just buying what you like? - I'm generally a hoarder.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37- Are you?- I've inherited it.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40My mother was a hoarder, and so was my grandmother.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It is jewellery, jewellery is the thing.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I mean that's not a bad thing to hoard.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And I have photos of my great grandmother wearing the jewellery that I wear now.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I don't think there's anything wrong in hoarding that sort of stuff.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53It's lovely. So I've been lucky.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58I think, to have gone to a charity shop and found that for 4.99,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00you obviously have an eye for things.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- Thank you.- Do you know anything about it?
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Nothing at all, no.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08It's a great thing. The enamel itself is very, very pretty.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11A very pretty girl in a straw hat and red hooded cloak.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16And she's carrying a bundle of twigs or sticks or something under her right arm.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20She looks very rosy cheeked and Victorian.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22I think it's beautiful. I really do love it.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25I think she's a pretty girl and it's a bit cheeky as well.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26This is something else.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- Her blouse is just popping open a little bit down there as well. - Oh, I never noticed that.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- You know...- Me looking at her yellow bonnet.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Exactly. I'm sorry, but, you know, you're looking at the bonnet and...
0:07:36 > 0:07:40You know, there we are. That's a father of four for you.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44She was very much the sort of character you might find in a Victorian painting
0:07:44 > 0:07:46in the sort of 1860s, 1870s, that sort of date.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Second half of the 19th century.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52The process for producing the panel - it's a copper back.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53It's enamel on top.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56And then there's some detail, I think, which has been put in.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Like the stripes on the sleeves, in green paint.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03But the whole thing has this great finish.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- Beautiful condition. Not signed.- No.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Not marked. But I'd expect it to be gold.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- Right.- So, being a hoarder...
0:08:13 > 0:08:16You're going to ask me why am I getting rid of her.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- Yes.- Because I really won't wear her.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- You won't?- No, I won't.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27And I came today because I wanted to find out if she was real.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- Yeah.- I thought she looked too good to be true, really.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- Yeah.- I don't have a sentimental attachment to her.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34My feeling is it's OK.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38In its entirety, it's a really good thing.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42I would say, gosh, 4.99.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I don't know. What do I say?
0:08:44 > 0:08:46I would happily say £200 to £300.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Wow!
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Put a reserve of £200 on it.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51I'm really thrilled.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Thank you.- Good.- I shall buy some more jewellery.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Words of a true hoarder.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01You know, I live in hope that one day I'll find something
0:09:01 > 0:09:04just as amazing in a charity shop. In the meantime,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07I've got something equally thrilling to keep me going,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10unearthing treasures brought into the show.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Brenda and Martin, thank you so much for coming in today.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Not only has this location made my day, but this item has as well.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19This is fantastic.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22We're looking at an oil on canvas by David Roberts,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25one of the greatest Scottish artists.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26How did you come by it?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30This was hanging on the wall in my grandparents' house in Malvern in
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Worcestershire, and then it came down to my mother.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- When she died we inherited the house.- Where has it been?
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Sitting behind the sofa bed in my son's old bedroom.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Shame on you. A David Roberts. - I know.- Royal Academy member.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48One of the greatest artists. Someone who is in vogue right now...
0:09:48 > 0:09:49I know he was famous! But you know...
0:09:49 > 0:09:51And he's behind your sofa bed!
0:09:51 > 0:09:53We were about to bring it out and hang it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Can I please, please take this off your lap and...
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Do.- ..hold it and caress it and enjoy it for ten minutes.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02For ten minutes, it can be mine!
0:10:02 > 0:10:03THEY LAUGH
0:10:03 > 0:10:06I think this is so exciting. This is absolutely lovely.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08It really is. And looking at this,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11you can see he is heavily influenced by Turner.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12- Yes.- You can see that sunset.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16You can see the colours, can't you? He became a friend of Turner's.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19He encouraged David Roberts to get out to Egypt,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21to the near East and to North Africa...
0:10:21 > 0:10:24That's the Nile. That's the sunset on the Nile, isn't it?
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Yes.- Do you know what those boats are called?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Feluccas.- Yes, good on you. I was just going to tell you that.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33But, look, this is exciting, it's absolutely brilliant.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39And it is signed, David Roberts, Royal Academy, and it's 1851.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42This was at the height of his career.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45His name is so sought after.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49I personally think this is worth £8,000.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51This is absolutely lovely.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Thank you so much. This is so exciting.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54- You've made my day.- Thank you.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Brenda and Martin's painting isn't going to auction,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01but what a treat for us to see it.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04And it gets to stay in the family for another generation.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05In the meantime,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09our team have been busy searching for items to take off to auction.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12So let's see what Jonathan has found.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13- Welcome, Jim.- Thank you.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- You've brought a lovely watch along. - I hope so.- So, is this your watch?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Well, yeah, it is. It was my grandfather's.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Yes.- And previous to that, it was his grandfather's.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23So it goes back quite a while.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26So, your grandfather, great grandfather, great-great-grandfather.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- That's right.- All right, OK. It's a very nice watch.
0:11:30 > 0:11:3118-carat gold.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Hallmark smack on the top there.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Let's take it out of the box.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38The important things about watches are dials...
0:11:38 > 0:11:42They can either be sort of porcelain or enamel.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44That little button on the side there starts and stops it, OK?
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- OK.- No way to reset it,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50it is simply a start-stop mechanism on the second hand.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- OK, so similar to a stopwatch. - Similar to a stopwatch.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55Case is in nice order.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Pop into the back. So, this is the inscription presented to your
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- great-great-grandfather. - That's right, yes.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05George Davies.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- Yes.- By Tyndale & Co Solicitors, of Birmingham,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13in recognition of 50 years faithful and devoted service.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- Well, there we are. - 26th February, 1902.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Well, look at that. 50 years of service and you get yourself a gold watch.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- What do you get today? - Probably a book token or something. - Yes. A nice...
0:12:23 > 0:12:26A nice watch. So you've got a model number on there.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- Or movement number.- Right. - But other than that...
0:12:30 > 0:12:32..there's nothing else to say...
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Who made it?- ..who made it. You know,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37very often on the dial you will see something or on the movement
0:12:37 > 0:12:39you will see something or even on the case you'd see something.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42But it's a nice quality 18-carat pocket watch.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Sitting on a nine-carat chain.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Every link is marked. You can see the difference of colour.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- Yeah.- Slightly, you know, more of a copper colour because it's got copper in it.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55You know, that's more pure.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Nice presentation gift for 50 years' service.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Very good, isn't it?- So, why are you getting rid of it?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04What's going to happen to it when I go?
0:13:04 > 0:13:05- I've got a daughter.- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08But she's not really interested in a pocket watch. So...
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- No, maybe not. - I think sadly it's time to move on.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Time, indeed. So, value wise, there are two elements to the value.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Yes.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19First one is the watch, second one is the chain.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23So, you know, it's quite a heavy chain.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27And obviously there's the gold value and then people do like these things anyway,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30so they will pay a little bit more maybe than gold value.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34So the watch is probably worth around the £400-600 mark.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Right.- The chain is worth probably £400.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Oh, really?- So, you are looking at a combined value,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42presented in its case as well,
0:13:42 > 0:13:43of, you know, upwards to £1,000.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46£800-1,200.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50And at that, I would suggest maybe let's put an 800 reserve on it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- Yeah, I'd go with that. - And if it doesn't sell, your daughter can have it.- Think so.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- Lovely, thanks a lot. - Thank you very much.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Well, this is where it gets exciting.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02This is where we change gear. Our experts have now found
0:14:02 > 0:14:04their first three items to take off to auction.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Anything could happen. Do not go away.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Fingers crossed we are going to have one or two big surprises.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12We are making our way over to the saleroom and we are going to
0:14:12 > 0:14:15leave you with a run down just to jog your memory of all the items
0:14:15 > 0:14:17that are going under the hammer.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Meissen figurines are always popular with the collectors.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25So we are hoping these two will fetch a decent figure at auction.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Erica's brooch is a fabulous charity shop find.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32All it needs now is the right buyer to find it in the saleroom.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36And Jim's gold watch, given for 50 years of loyal service,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38should go pretty quickly through the auction.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41And we're taking our items east
0:14:41 > 0:14:44across Sussex, to the pretty fishing town of Rye.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Rising up above the scenic levels of the Romney marshes, for centuries
0:14:48 > 0:14:53Rye was an important part of the country's coastal defences.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Inside today's saleroom at Rye Auction Galleries,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57the lots are already flying through,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00with Kevin Wall in charge of the proceedings.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01If you are heading to auction,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04remember there is always commission to pay,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06and today it is 15% plus VAT.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11And first up are Jacqueline's pair of nearly perfect Meissen figures.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- There is a bit of damage, isn't there?- There is, unfortunately.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- How did that happen? Was it the kids?- Well, before me.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19But these will give somebody the opportunity that can't afford a perfect one.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Cos turned round, you don't notice the damage.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25No, exactly. Just keep turning it!
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Two 19th-century Meissen figural groups.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30The woodcutter with sled,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33the other of four childlike figures, to include Bacchus.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I've got 200. 220.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37250. 280.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- To start, at 280. - Come on.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44300. 320. 340?
0:15:44 > 0:15:45It's on the internet, are we?
0:15:45 > 0:15:47340. 360.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- 380. 400.- Yes!
0:15:49 > 0:15:50At 380 here.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53At 380. 400, do I see?
0:15:53 > 0:15:54400 in the middle row.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I've got you, sir. At 400 now.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58At 400. Do I see 420?
0:15:58 > 0:16:00At 400. It's in the middle, I've got.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04At £400...
0:16:05 > 0:16:06Yes, well done, James.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Thank you very much.- It was close but we did it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10And you didn't want to take them home, did you?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- No, I didn't.- No.- Thank you very much, James.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16That's all right. Thank you for bringing them in as well.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18That's a great start for our lots.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Let's hope that brooch can continue the trend.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23Right, so far, so good.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27We are going to turn £4.99 into £200-300
0:16:27 > 0:16:30with the help of Jonathan and Erica here. There are bargains out there.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33You've just got to make sure you're in the right place at the right time.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- It's just chance, isn't it?- It is.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36And you've got to go with your gut feeling.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- But they are still there. - They are still there.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42OK. We are going to find out what the bidders think right now.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43This is it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Portrait miniature on enamel plaque depicting a girl in a yellow bonnet
0:16:48 > 0:16:49carrying a basket.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51There it is. Very pretty.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52I've got 120 to start.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54120. 130.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56140. 150.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57160. 170.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58180. 190.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03At 200, I'm out.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04At 200 here. At 200.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- Do I see 210 now?- That's good.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Lovely little brooch. At £200.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10It's still in the room.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12At £200. Are we all done?
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And finished at 200...?
0:17:15 > 0:17:20On the money there, Jonathan. Well done, you. £4.99 into £200.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Well done.- Thank you.- It doesn't get much better than that, does it?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Well done. Yeah, well done. - Very pleased, thank you.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Our experts have been spot-on so far.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Two lots that have sold right on the money.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Will John's watch buck the trend?
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Well, that's it, time is up. No, it's not the end of the show.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Time is up for Jim and his gold open-faced pocket watch
0:17:40 > 0:17:42which is going under the hammer.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44It's been in the family many generations, hasn't it?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47It has, yes. It was my great-great-grandfather's.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49And you're the last chap, your daughter doesn't want it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50- That's right.- It's got to go.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- It's got to go.- It's been in the kitchen drawer,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56all of these things end up in a big kitchen drawer somewhere, don't they?
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Absolutely.- It's a lovely thing. - Great thing. Great thing.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Condition is good.- It's all good. - It's going under the hammer right now.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06We are going to find out what the bidders think. This is it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10An Edwardian 18-carat gold pocket watch with white enamel dial,
0:18:10 > 0:18:11set with Roman numerals.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15And I start it at 500. 550.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17600. 650.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20700. 750. 800 here.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23850. 900. 950.
0:18:23 > 0:18:251,000. 1,050.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Gosh!
0:18:27 > 0:18:281,100.
0:18:30 > 0:18:351,050 here. 1,050, I am bid.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38At 1,050, are we all done and finished here?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41At 1,050.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- £1,050 coming your way. - Thank you.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Well, thank you for bringing it in. That was a nice thing. I liked that.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51So, do you now have to give the proceeds to one of the children?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- No, it's all mine.- Good.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Well, there we are. You've just seen them.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Our first three lots under the hammer.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05And we are coming back here later on in the programme, but before we
0:19:05 > 0:19:09join up with our experts to look for more treasures at the valuation day,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12I had a chance to take a trip up the coast from Rye to uncover the story
0:19:12 > 0:19:17about one of the most remarkable feats of British engineering during the Second World War.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36This is the Dungeness coastline in the south of Kent.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41It's an incredibly strategic part of the UK from a military perspective.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Over there, 30 miles across, is the coastline of France.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47That stretch of water, the English Channel,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50became a hiding place for one of the most amazing achievements of the
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Second World War - Operation Pluto.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Pluto stands for Pipeline Under The Ocean,
0:20:04 > 0:20:10and it was an audacious way of getting fuel to the Allied forces invading France.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14All military manoeuvres need soldiers and equipment,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18but it's easy to forget that they, in turn, need fuel.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Like so many operations of the war,
0:20:20 > 0:20:25Pluto was kept under a veil of secrecy and still remains relatively
0:20:25 > 0:20:28unknown, but what exactly was Pluto?
0:20:29 > 0:20:31As the Second World War dragged on,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34the Allied forces planned to launch D-Day,
0:20:34 > 0:20:40a massive invasion of the Normandy beaches of France in 1944.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43To say it was going to be big is an understatement.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44Within just a few weeks,
0:20:44 > 0:20:50nearly a third of a million troops and over 54,000 vehicles would sweep
0:20:50 > 0:20:54across the English Channel and flood into France, hoping to
0:20:54 > 0:20:59storm across Western Europe and achieve victory against Germany.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01However, without a reliable supply of fuel,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04all those vehicles would quickly grind to a halt.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08The problem of getting it to them was a logistical nightmare.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12The solution was breathtakingly simple, but daring and dangerous -
0:21:12 > 0:21:16to lay hundreds of miles of pipeline underneath the English Channel
0:21:16 > 0:21:19to France, without being spotted by the enemy.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24But nothing like this had ever been attempted and there were all manner of problems to overcome.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29The first being to create a new kind of pipe that was flexible enough
0:21:29 > 0:21:30to roll out across the sea bed,
0:21:30 > 0:21:35and yet could withstand being hurled against rocks by strong currents.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39The pipe had to be incredibly strong to withstand the pressure of huge
0:21:39 > 0:21:43amounts of oil being pumped through it, and the pressure of being
0:21:43 > 0:21:45at the bottom of the English Channel.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Now, this had to be laid quickly
0:21:47 > 0:21:51but laying pipe at sea is an incredibly slow process,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54and any ships doing it could be picked off by the Luftwaffe.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59Work on the special pipes started in early 1942, and within just a year
0:21:59 > 0:22:04after many tests and failures, two suitable solutions were found.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09One was a tough but flexible steel tubing called the Hammill pipe.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13The other was layers and layers of lead, steel, hemp and bitumen,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16bound together to create the Hayes cable.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21Adrian Searle is a historian who has written extensively about Project Pluto.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Adrian, is that a bit of the Pluto pipe?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Yeah, this is the original concept.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- This is the Hayes cable.- Heavy. - It's heavy. Yes.- Can you imagine?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32That bit is heavy, but can you imagine it being six feet long
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- and trying to pick it up?- Precisely. I wouldn't want to pick it up.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And that's lead in there. That's lead on the inside.
0:22:37 > 0:22:43You have a lead interior, it's based on a hollowed out telegraphic cable.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45It was a very expensive thing to produce.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47I was about to say, that must have cost a fortune.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Absolutely.- Where did all the lead come from, off the church roofs?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- Some of it may well have done, actually.- Gutters, downpipes...
0:22:53 > 0:22:57We can joke about that, but I suspect that's not too far from the truth.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01For every mile, it would have taken 50 tonnes of lead.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06- How and where was this made?- Every cable manufacturer in this country,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and later from the States as well, had to suspend
0:23:09 > 0:23:13all their usual commercial rivalries to work together
0:23:13 > 0:23:17to produce the phenomenal lengths of cable that were needed.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- So factories all over the UK? - All over the UK.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25The grand plan was to run four pipelines from the Isle of Wight to
0:23:25 > 0:23:30Cherbourg, and another 17 lines from here in Dungeness to Boulogne,
0:23:30 > 0:23:3330 miles across the Channel.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37In total, that meant nearly 800 miles of pipeline being laid out
0:23:37 > 0:23:42across the most dangerous strip of water in war-torn Europe.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Production went full steam ahead and within just a year,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47all the lengths were ready,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50including one piece that was 40 miles long
0:23:50 > 0:23:52and weighed over 2,000 tonnes.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56The biggest challenge still lay ahead -
0:23:56 > 0:24:00how to lay the pipe quickly and carefully.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02The solution was jaw-dropping.
0:24:03 > 0:24:09- It had to be laid, uncoiled from an enormous floating cotton reel, one might say.- Gosh!
0:24:09 > 0:24:12There were four of them. They were called HMS Conundrum.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14They must have been massive.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17They certainly were. About 40 feet tall,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20weighing someone in the region of 250 tonnes,
0:24:20 > 0:24:26and able to carry around about 40 miles of the flexible steel pipe.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27Enormous thing.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30The next critical step of the operation was pumping
0:24:30 > 0:24:33the oil to France without the enemy finding out.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The answer was to have pumping stations set along the coast
0:24:36 > 0:24:42but disguised as houses, garages and even ice cream parlours.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45These two Art Deco houses were requisitioned by the army
0:24:45 > 0:24:48and turned into pumping stations for Project Pluto.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Hugh Shere lives here now,
0:24:50 > 0:24:55and has researched how his house was adapted for its secret role.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57The house was completely gutted.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59You can see how thick the walls were.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Oh, I can. It's like that.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02That wall is 25 inches.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05The one down the bottom is 25 inches.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Girders were put on from end to end.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10So the whole bungalow can be stripped out
0:25:10 > 0:25:12but leave the outside the same
0:25:12 > 0:25:15so that reconnaissance air planes couldn't see what was going on.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Yeah.- Pumps were inside. Nobody knew they were there.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21And this is a photograph of the house before you bought it.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Yeah, that's in about '42, when the builders were just beginning...
0:25:24 > 0:25:26You've even got a spade and jacket there.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28A lot of work was put into this, wasn't it?
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Yeah, a lot of work. Yeah, it makes you feel very proud.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35It's a bit of secret history, which helped to win the war.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38So I've got one little... One little bit of that.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Now all the elements of Operation Pluto were in place.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Thousands of people had worked in total secrecy to help make it
0:25:51 > 0:25:56possible, and in June 1944 the invasion of France was launched.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Once it was fully operational, operating from here,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01it became extremely successful.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04By the early summer of 1945,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08round about a million gallons was flowing through Pluto,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12which made all the difference and helped the Allied forces move
0:26:12 > 0:26:15progressively further away from the Normandy beaches.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18So yes, it was a tremendous, tremendous achievement.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22It was something that only the British would ever have thought of inventing.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I think we're the only nation that would come up with something as mad as this.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30But make it work. And we should be eternally, I think,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33proud of the people that came up with this idea
0:26:33 > 0:26:35and developed it. Very British.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Within a year of D-Day, the Allied forces had achieved victory.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44Six years of brutal war in Europe had finally come to an end.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50And Project Pluto had quietly played its part in helping achieve success.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Sir Winston Churchill, who gave the idea his full backing, said of it,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58"Operation Pluto was a remarkable feat of British engineering,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01"distinguished in its originality,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05"pursued with tenacity and crowned off with complete success.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08"And it's this creative energy that helped to win the war."
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Welcome back to our valuation day at Herstmonceaux Castle.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27As you can see, the ballroom is still very, very busy.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30So let's now join up with our experts and see what other treasures
0:27:30 > 0:27:32we can find to take off to auction.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38First up, it's James Lewis.
0:27:40 > 0:27:45We all have objects that we love and periods that we love, and for me,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I love the Grand Tour,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50I love the late 18th century, early 19th century,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and, John, what you've brought along today is exactly that.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55It's a lovely little thing.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- Where did you find it? - A boot sale find.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Where am I when these are at car-boot sales?!
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- Dear me.- Just luck. - Right, how much did you pay?
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- 50p.- Oh, you're joking.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I did. 50p. I knew what it was, as soon as I saw it.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Oh, brilliant!
0:28:10 > 0:28:15Well, what we are looking at is a piece of Grand Tour micro-mosaic...
0:28:15 > 0:28:20- Yes.- Would have been made somewhere between 1820, 1840...
0:28:20 > 0:28:22- Oh, yes.- Somewhere around there.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- With a black slate base as a desk weight.- Yes.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30And the fineness of the micro-mosaic, really,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- as well as its subject, denote its value.- Yes.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36The finer the mosaic, the smaller the pieces, the better.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Yes. Yes.- And also the subject. The subject here...
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- We are looking at something that everybody will recognise.- Oh, yes.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47- The Colosseum in Rome.- Yes.- One of the most incredible buildings.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51This was a copy for the tourists to buy in the early 19th century...
0:28:51 > 0:28:55- Yes.- ..to bring home and to show everybody, "Look what is in southern Europe."
0:28:55 > 0:28:58- Yes.- And an incredible little thing.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- It would have been expensive in its day.- Would it? Yes?
0:29:01 > 0:29:04The method of manufacture for micro-mosaics is also quite
0:29:04 > 0:29:09interesting, because there is one way of placing each individual piece
0:29:09 > 0:29:12into the ground of the desk weight
0:29:12 > 0:29:16and they tend to be slightly coarser.
0:29:16 > 0:29:22The other way is to have all of the canes of glass next to each other
0:29:22 > 0:29:26- in a huge pattern, and slice them individually.- Yes.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30And by doing that, you can make lots and lots and lots of patterns.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Right, yes.- Exactly the same. A little bit like a stick of rock.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37- Yes, yes.- So it's a really fabulous technique.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38It's incredible, really.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Yes. It's lovely.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42I've been to the Vatican...
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- Yes.- And at the gates of the Vatican, there's an outlet where
0:29:45 > 0:29:47they are making them and there's nothing as intricate as that.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- No, the 19th century ones are the best.- Yes. Yes.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Wonderful.- Blimey.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55I can't believe you found it in a car-boot sale.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Yes. They are still out there.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59I haven't found anything since.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03- Keep looking!- If that came in at my auction house,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I would put £80-120 on it.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Yes.- Expecting it to make towards the upper end.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- Yes.- Now, how would you feel about that?
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- Well, I think I'd rather keep it. Is that all right?- OK. Absolutely.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18Now, what would you want to have for it, for it to be saleable?
0:30:18 > 0:30:19180?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25It's got a chance at that, you know. It has got a chance.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26- Yes.- If we put...
0:30:27 > 0:30:32..150 reserve, and an auction estimate of 150-250...
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- Yes, OK.- Would that be all right? - Yeah, that would be fine. Yeah, yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40Well, for 50p, you've got a great... You've got a great profit there.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42- Yes. Yes. True.- Well done.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44But it will take a lot to find another.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47It would, yeah. I shall never find another one.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50That's what I love about antiques -
0:30:50 > 0:30:53gems like that mosaic can turn up almost anywhere.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56I wonder where Jonathan's next find was discovered.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Well, good afternoon, Audrey and Claire.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- Hello.- Hello. - You've brought along this pot,
0:31:01 > 0:31:06which I can immediately identify just from the style of it
0:31:06 > 0:31:09as Doulton. Where did you find it?
0:31:09 > 0:31:13I actually found it in my mum's shed after she had died.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- In a shed. - In the shed, yes.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19So, how long it had been there, I don't know.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23- How long had she lived there? - Since 1935.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26So this has been in the shed, potentially, for quite a long time.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- Yeah, definitely.- Your mother obviously didn't like it.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31I don't know, to be quite honest.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35I don't remember in my childhood seeing it indoors.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- No.- She was a hoarder, almost.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40You know, she would tuck away little things, bits and pieces.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Well, look, you've got this pot and you can see... The colours
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and the style of it immediately tell you it is Doulton,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49and it's typically Doulton of the late 19th century.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52So down here, you've got the Doulton Lambeth mark.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54You've got a date mark, that will tell you it's 1873.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58And you've got a mark here for the decorator, called Harriet Hibbert.
0:31:59 > 0:32:00It's not your normal style.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03There's lots of symbols on this which are quite unusual,
0:32:03 > 0:32:08I have to say. Bearing in mind this pot dates from 1873, and that time,
0:32:08 > 0:32:13there's a lot of influence from the Far East, from Japan and China,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16and so you've got what look like crows here,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20sitting on a prunus, a flowering fruit tree, an apple tree.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23But then you've also got this sort of little roundel here
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- with a fish on. - Yeah, I thought it was a fish.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Yeah. And here, you've got... This is the one that's...
0:32:28 > 0:32:30It's facing me, as well, which is spooking me a little bit.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34You've got this tiny little mouse, who is hiding in the brambles,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37and the snake is just about to come down and eat him.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42So it's been sitting in your shed, and you dug it out when?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- 2004. - So you found it in 2004?
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- Yes.- Has it been on display ever since?
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- No.- Do you not like it?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52I haven't really got room for it, to be quite honest.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55I think you've kind of got to like it really, haven't you?
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Well, the value of it is determined by, you know, a few factors.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Obviously the age and decoration, and the name of the person who did it,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04and also the condition, and we've got a few little nibbles
0:33:04 > 0:33:09around the foot. So, if we were to say maybe it's £100-150...
0:33:09 > 0:33:13- That's not bad actually. - Not bad for a bit of...
0:33:13 > 0:33:15- Digging it out of the shed.- Yes.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20And, you know, it may run on after that, but I think 100, £150 would be sensible.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- OK.- And maybe let's put a reserve of £100 at the bottom.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24- Yeah.- And if it doesn't sell,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27you can put it pride of place on your side table.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28Make some room.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- I thought you were going to say "Put it back in the shed".- Yes.- Yes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35That vase definitely shouldn't go back in the shed.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40It deserves to be seen and enjoyed, much like our last item of the day.
0:33:40 > 0:33:46Well, I have to say, bears haven't been around in this part of England since about 1000AD.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48So, we know he's not an English bear.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51- Where is he from? - I think it's Black Forest.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53That's far as I know.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55OK. And is it a family piece?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58It was my grandmother's. She had it sitting on the side there, and
0:33:58 > 0:34:01I always used to try and play with it, but she wouldn't let me.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05You remember it as a child and it's something you've had around you for
0:34:05 > 0:34:09- almost all your life, then.- Yeah. - This sort of traditional carving
0:34:09 > 0:34:11started in Switzerland, commercially,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14in the early part of the 19th century.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18There were lots of pieces like this shown at the 1851 exhibition.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22And the fashion and tradition for this sort of carving spread
0:34:22 > 0:34:24right the way through the Black Forest down into Germany
0:34:24 > 0:34:26and is still being done today.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30The biggest market for them is the USA.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33One of the reasons for that is when the troops came over
0:34:33 > 0:34:36in the First World War, the American troops,
0:34:36 > 0:34:39all those that were stationed there started buying these things
0:34:39 > 0:34:41and sending them home.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43And of course the Americans loved the bears, anyway.
0:34:43 > 0:34:49And they sent them home and spread the word of Black Forest carving.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51And when you're trying to value one of these chaps,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53it's all about the face.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58If he's an aggressive, mean, snarling bear, they actually,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00genuinely do make less at auction...
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- Oh, right.- ..than the friendly, happy bears.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06And he's a jolly, friendly, happy bear, isn't he?
0:35:06 > 0:35:07- Quite friendly, yes.- Yeah.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11But the majority of the bears that we see at auction are 20th century.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14But this little chap, I should think he's going to be
0:35:14 > 0:35:17around 1890, 1895, something around there.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21He's set with glass eyes, he's waxed,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25and this has taken on a good patination.
0:35:25 > 0:35:30But the major problem with him is he's had the worm at some stage.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34He's covered all over his face and all over his front
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- with thousands of holes. - Yes.- But having said that,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40the front doesn't appear to have any great cracks in.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44But we have a problem with his bear behind.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Because if we turn him round, I mean,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50most people's bottoms have a crack in a certain place,
0:35:50 > 0:35:52but I have to say it shouldn't be there!
0:35:52 > 0:35:54HE LAUGHS
0:35:54 > 0:35:57And it does spread rather a long way up his back!
0:35:57 > 0:35:59- Oh, dear.- But he's great.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02And the majority of the value is what you would take from the front.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05So, why sell him?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08I've got nowhere to keep him now.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13I've downsized and he was just getting dust and cobwebs on him.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- Aww, OK. Well, somebody will love him.- Yeah.
0:36:16 > 0:36:23I should think that he will make £100-150 in that condition.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Perfect, it would have been 300 or 400.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30But the work taken, we've got to take that into consideration
0:36:30 > 0:36:32for the woodworm and 100-150 I think would be sensible.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- Is that OK? - Yeah, that's good. That's good.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Reserve of £100, put that on as a safety net.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41I'm hoping that when he comes up for sale,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43there'll be some bidding on the internet
0:36:43 > 0:36:47- and some interest from America as well.- Excellent.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Well, there you are, our experts have now found their final items
0:36:50 > 0:36:53to take off to the saleroom, so we have to say
0:36:53 > 0:36:56a sad farewell to Herstmonceux Castle,
0:36:56 > 0:36:57our magnificent host location.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00I've thoroughly enjoyed being here, I hope you've enjoyed it too,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03but right now it's straight over to the saleroom
0:37:03 > 0:37:07and here's a quick recap of all the items we're selling.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11John's micro-mosaic was bought for small change at the car-boot sale
0:37:11 > 0:37:14but it should definitely make big bucks today.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Audrey's vase came out of the garden shed
0:37:16 > 0:37:20but can we find it a new owner and give it a new home?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23And will Alan's wooden bear be a honey pot for the collectors?
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Bear with us, we'll find out soon.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Back at the saleroom, it's all eyes on Kevin Wall
0:37:30 > 0:37:33as he works his way through the lots.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35This is where we put our valuations to the test,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38and first in line is John's mosaic.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41This is one of my favourite items in the sale, the micro-mosaic work,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44the Colosseum in Rome, sort of early 1900s.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47It sums up the Grand Tour and it sums up
0:37:47 > 0:37:49that all of this is out there.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52If you get up early, open your eyes, you can pick a bargain up.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- If you're lucky! - How much was it?- 50p.- 50p!
0:37:56 > 0:37:58- Gosh.- Not bad, was it? - That wasn't bad.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- Have you had many finds like that? - Not really, that's the best. Yes.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04I love it. Look, I hope you do well, OK?
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- You're going to make a lot more than 50p.- Cheers!
0:38:06 > 0:38:07Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- It's going under the hammer now. - Brilliant.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15The Victorian Grand Tour micro-mosaic brooch
0:38:15 > 0:38:16converted to a paperweight,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19depicting the Colosseum in Rome.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22And I start it at 85, 95, 100, 110.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25At 110, do I see 120 now?
0:38:25 > 0:38:29120, 130, 140, 150.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- We're in.- 150 here, 160, 170, 180.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34At 180 on my right still.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37At 180, do I see 190 now?
0:38:37 > 0:38:40- It's climbed to 180. - At £180 it's on the net.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43At £180, are we all done and finished?
0:38:43 > 0:38:46At 180...
0:38:46 > 0:38:48180!
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Treat yourself, won't you? - Yeah, I will!
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Brilliant, well done.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57That's a hefty profit margin for a 50p purchase,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59a perfect Flog It! antique.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Next up its Audrey and Claire's vase.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Right, now we've got a bit of classic Lambeth Doulton going under
0:39:06 > 0:39:08the hammer belonging to Audrey and Claire.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- And this was Mum's, wasn't it? - It was, yes.- In the shed.- Yes.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14What did she put it in the shed for?!
0:39:14 > 0:39:16She obviously didn't like it. I bet she didn't like it.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17I really don't know.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- Do you like it? - Not enough to keep, no.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Anyway, we're going to get this away, I know we are.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- Fingers crossed. Ready for this? BOTH:- Yes.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27It's liberated from the shed and it's going to find a new home.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28Somebody's going to love this.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30It's going under the hammer right now.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35It's a late 19th century Doulton Lambeth stoneware pedestal vase.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38There it is and I've got 65, 70, 75.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41At 75, do we see 80 now?
0:39:41 > 0:39:43At 75, do I see 80?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- Come on, we need 100. - We do need 100.
0:39:46 > 0:39:4875, 80. No?
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- At 75 then.- No!- Are we all done?
0:39:53 > 0:39:56You're sure and finished, nothing on the net?
0:39:56 > 0:40:00At 75... I'm afraid that's not sold.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04We didn't get enough. Look, Claire, how do you fancy inheriting this?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07I think we'll keep it for another couple of months.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- And then put it into another auction.- Yeah.- Give it another go.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14- All right. Mum knows best.- Yeah! - Ever so sorry.- Never mind.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19It's a shame about the vase but auctions are an uncertain affair
0:40:19 > 0:40:21and that's half the fun.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25So, will our wooden bear do a roaring trade?
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Going under the hammer right now, one of my favourite lots
0:40:28 > 0:40:30in the sale. He's not a lot of money but I tell you what,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32he's very charming.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- I'm not talking about Alan, but you are a charming guy.- Thank you.
0:40:35 > 0:40:36- And it's your little bear.- It is.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40If I owned this, I wouldn't be selling it. I wouldn't, I love him!
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Absolutely love him. I know he's been on the top of your bookcase.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- That's right, sitting there looking at me.- Aww!
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Who's going to buy this little bear? We're going to find out right now.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51It's going under the hammer.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54The 19th century carved Black Forest bear
0:40:54 > 0:40:59with facet moulded glass vase resting on a branch.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03We start on commissions at 75, 85, 95, 100,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06110, 120, 130 I'm bid.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11At 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13190, sir?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16200. At 190 in the middle, 200 here.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25270, 280, 290, 300,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28320, 340, 360.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34380, 400, 420, 440.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37440, new bidder. 440.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39At 440, it's on the internet.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42460. At 460...
0:41:42 > 0:41:44The room is out. 480 on the phone.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48- Brilliant.- 500. - Yes, come on. Yes!
0:41:48 > 0:41:52520, 540, 560, 580.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54600, 620.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Yeah! Well, Alan, whoa!
0:41:57 > 0:42:01660, 680, 700.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05720, 740.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08We go back to the telephone at 720 now.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10At 720, it's on the telephone...
0:42:10 > 0:42:12At 740, they've come back.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15760.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18780?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Back to 760 now.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24At £760, on the telephone at 7...
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- 780, they've come back.- 780!
0:42:29 > 0:42:31It's 800 on the telephone.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33It's with you, sir, at £800.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Are we all done?
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Yes! £800!
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Everyone loved that bear! I bet you did, I did.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44You wanted to sell it and now you've got £800.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47A bit of commission to pay but that's phenomenal for that.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49- That's brilliant.- What are you going to do with that?
0:42:49 > 0:42:52I'm going to see my sister in America later this year so it'll all
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- go towards that.- Brilliant. When was the last time you saw her?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58- Eight or nine years ago.- Oh, so that'll be nice, a family reunion.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02- And she's seen that little bear as well.- Oh, yeah.- How lovely!
0:43:02 > 0:43:04- James, that was a shock. - What a price!
0:43:04 > 0:43:06If you've got something like that, bring it along
0:43:06 > 0:43:09to one of our valuation days. But sadly we've run out of time here
0:43:09 > 0:43:11in Rye, and what a surprise that was!
0:43:11 > 0:43:14So it's goodbye from all of us but join us again
0:43:14 > 0:43:16for many more auctions on Flog It!