Episode 15 Flog It!


Episode 15

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Transcript


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Today, we're in the seaside town of Morecambe.

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It's bright and breezy and very cold - not the ideal weather

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to get the bucket and spade out, but that doesn't bother us.

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Welcome to "Flog It!"!

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Morecambe Bay, it's a vast area of stunning views.

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It's this natural beauty that attracted the first tourists

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in the 1850s, when the railways arrived and our venue, the Platform,

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was part of that holiday boom.

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Built in 1907, it started life as a railway station,

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when millions of people came to Morecambe for their holidays.

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These days, the station has become an elegant venue for shows

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and events like our "Flog It!" valuation day.

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Our crowd's already starting to gather and somewhere in all of these

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bags and boxes, there's some real treasure for our experts to find.

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The lucky ones will be going off to auction and going home with a small fortune.

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Who's it going to be?

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Well, stay tuned and you'll find out.

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It could be you, you, you or you.

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And to help us find those antiques to flog are our dogged experts,

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Catherine Southon...

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-Are you selling her?

-No.

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I don't blame you. I don't blame you.

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..and Charles Hanson.

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I'm going to give you one of my green stickers,

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and say I would like to identify these later.

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Inside, our dedicated team of cameramen, researchers, stewards,

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are doing their final check,

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making sure everything is where it needs to be,

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and that we have a great valuation day.

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There's not a minute to spare.

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-Are you ready to go in? ALL:

-Yes!

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Come on, then, let's get on with it!

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While everyone gets seated and comfortable,

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let's see what's coming up later on in the programme.

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Charles shares one of his top tips for buying antiques.

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I think it's always right place, right time.

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Well, yes. Yes.

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Catherine's find brings plenty of smiles at the auction.

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That's cheered you up, hasn't it?

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-Oh, yes.

-Brilliant.

-I'll come and see you again.

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You should have bought more of them at the time.

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And I discover the rags to riches story of Eric Morecambe,

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the town's most famous son.

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-HORN TOOTS

-Look at that, eh. Remember that?

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Oh, do I remember? We used to use that in the act.

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-Of course we did.

-Come on, do the gag.

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-What's the difference between...

-SINGLE TOOT

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-And...?

-DOUBLE TOOT

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-I don't know, what is the difference?

-SINGLE TOOT

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Well, as you can see, everybody is now safely seated inside,

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so it's time to get on with our first valuation

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and it's over to Catherine Southon.

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Jenny, it's lovely to see you here on "Flog It!", thank you very much

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for coming along and thank you for bringing along your collection

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-of World War I postcards.

-Yes.

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So, first of all, we've got some nice little embroidered postcards

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and these are the sort of things that soldiers would have sent back

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to their sweethearts.

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-Yes.

-But who did these come from?

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Have these come through the family to you?

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No, they haven't. When I got married in 1971,

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I came up from Oxford and went into an unfurnished flat

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on Morecambe promenade, this is 1971.

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The estate agent said, "If there's any stuff you don't want,

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"clear it out", but these two volumes I didn't have the heart to,

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because it was obviously a love story between Gordon Atkinson

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to a Miss Gladys Barker.

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So, these two albums, am I right in saying, that they were just left

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in this house that you moved into?

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-Yeah, just left.

-I mean, you've got a huge collection here.

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-Yes, all from him.

-All from him?

-Yeah, yeah.

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-But we know nothing about him?

-No.

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So, is he writing these postcards throughout the First World War?

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Is it just for a year or so?

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No, this goes from 1915 right through to 1919, after the war.

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-After the war.

-So he stayed in France.

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So we have no idea whether he ended up with Gladys?

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No, I'd like to think he did.

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I'd like to think he did.

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My goodness me. Let's have a little flick through.

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I'm amazed that each one is written on.

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Turn up any, it'll say, "Fondest love, Gordon."

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Wouldn't it have been lovely to know what happened to them?

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I'd like to have known what he looked like, to be honest. Or her.

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Yes, but we shall never know.

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But it wasn't just these postcards that were sent,

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it was these as well.

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We've got some which had sort of humorous scenes.

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Yes, a classic, English, ironic humour.

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It sounds to me, Jenny, like you've had a couple of really good evenings

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sitting in front of the fire and going through the whole lot

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-and having a really good read.

-Yes, yes.

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And I'm so pleased that someone who hasn't been connected with these,

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yet, you have kept them.

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This one is quite interesting.

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A photograph here, well, a postcard, really, of all these soldiers,

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and it says there on the back, "A few of our fellows."

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And that's dated 1917.

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-Yes.

-I've only known of these for five minutes and

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I feel quite attached to them. I mean, you've had them even longer

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-but you are happy to get rid of them now?

-Yeah. I think they can go now.

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Well, I think it would be nice to put an estimate on of, sort of,

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-£60 to £100.

-Really?

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-£50 reserve.

-Yes.

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I hope that there's a couple of old romantics at the auction

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who feel the same way as us and that they make good money.

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-Thank you so much. Thank you, Jenny.

-OK, thanks.

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Time now for Charles to catch up with Len, who he met earlier.

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Now, you've brought along two walking sticks.

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-I have, yes.

-Are you a collector?

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Well, just starting, sort of thing.

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Where do you find your walking canes? Do you go to antique fairs?

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Auction houses?

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-Car boots.

-Car boots?

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Car boots, charity shops.

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I don't go to pay top dollar for them.

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These weren't from charity or car boots, were they?

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They were from charity shops.

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-They weren't?!

-They were, yes.

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May I have a look at one?

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-Yes.

-What's this made of, Len?

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I'm not quite sure about that.

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-Malacca.

-Malacca.

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-Malacca, malacca.

-Malacca, malacca.

-And it's a cracker.

-Yeah.

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Where does malacca come from?

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-The Orient?

-Sumatra.

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-Yeah.

-And they've been making canes from malacca for over 300 years.

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We then look at this handle to the cane and what's really lovely is,

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first of all, we've got these quite obvious Japanese or Chinese figures,

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-which are repousse - or embossed - in relief.

-Yes, yeah.

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And here we've got this Japanese elder with what appears

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-to be Japanese script as well.

-Yeah, yeah.

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And what's lovely is a very indistinct monogram.

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And I think it reads HRT.

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And that would have been the owner's initials, and that Gothic type

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-of script would date this to around 1885.

-Yeah.

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OK. Shall we do a swap?

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We can, yes.

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This one also is beautifully made in what appears to be

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blackthorn of some type, an oriental hardwood, very dense.

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And what I like so much is that wonderful colour,

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which has been built up over the oily retreat of sweat

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that's created that wonderful colour, and I love that collar,

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there, as well. Not silver, but that...

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It's got a nice finish to it.

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That serpent just gives it that exotic feel and that would certainly

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indicate to me a date of around 1885.

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-Were they expensive when you bought them?

-No, no.

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So, how much was this one?

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Oh...2.50, that one.

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-£2.50?

-£2.50.

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-You're joking?

-Yeah.

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It's amazing, and this one must have been more.

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No. £2.

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I like your style. I think it's always, right place, right time.

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Well, yes. Yeah, yeah.

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I wouldn't dream of paying £100 or anything like that..

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Amazing. I admire you.

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-What are they worth?

-I don't know. Tell me.

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Well, I would say your £4.50,

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you could multiply it by 20.

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-And a bit more.

-Ah!

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And I'd be very happy to put these into an auction

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with a guide price of £100 to £150.

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That sounds good to me.

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-Are you happy?

-Yeah.

-I bet you are. No, well done, you.

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And I would probably put a reserve on, at the bottom estimate,

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at £100 and, hopefully, they might just walk away.

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I should have brought more. I've got more at home.

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-Have you really?

-Yeah.

-I can't believe it.

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It sounds like Len could have an auction all to himself.

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Meanwhile, has Catherine found a collection with Eastern promise?

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Richard, Gail,

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this is a very colourful collection of accessories that you have brought

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to "Flog It!" today. Where did you get them from?

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Well, I inherited them from my father and aunt,

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both of whom were the children of missionaries in China

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at the turn of the century, through to the 1930s.

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And this has all been, then, handed down to you?

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It has, yes.

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And where do you think they got all these from?

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Do you think they got them from the locals?

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Yes, almost certainly they were given by the locals,

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who didn't have two pennies to rub together.

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So, these were love gifts to them.

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You've got some really lovely Chinese accessories.

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The first thing one may think when you see shoes like this, indeed,

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is that they were used for children - but they weren't.

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They were more for adults and their feet would have been bound...

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Yes, to restrain them.

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-..as young children, to get into...

-To get into those.

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..something like that.

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So, these shoes have all been... They came back, when, in the '30s?

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They came back in the '30s from China with a box full of things like this.

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And this has just been sat in the same box...

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-I mean, have you looked through it as the years have gone by?

-Yes.

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Yes, we've had Chinese folk look at it and, of course,

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it comes from their history, so they've been very interested.

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Very interesting to see.

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-And you've got a spectacle case here as well.

-Yeah.

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-What's your favourite piece?

-I love the waistcoat.

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-And you, Richard?

-And mine as well, for sentimental reasons.

-Yes, yeah.

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Well, I think, looking through it, one of my favourite pieces

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are these little shoes.

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-I think they're wonderful.

-Yes.

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I'm especially interested in these because of the little

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-cat motifs at the front.

-They are lovely, aren't they?

-Yes.

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Now, do you know why cat motif?

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-No, we don't.

-No.

-Well, the cat is known in Chinese culture

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to bring good fortune, so perhaps that's why you would have the cat

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on the front of the shoes,

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but I just think it gives them such great character, I really do.

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Well, I think, overall, this is a really interesting collection.

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I think a lot of Chinese buyers would be interested in it.

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Now, it's something that you want to sell?

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-It's been in your family a long time.

-Mm-hm.

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It has, but I'm not sure the next generation,

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who live in a different world now, would be interested in having it.

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-Right.

-We feel that some people will be interested enough

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-to want to buy them.

-Absolutely.

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I think, let's put it together as a nice little collection,

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a nice group, selling it all together.

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I wouldn't put a particularly high estimate on first of all,

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but I would put say 80 to 120

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as a nice sort of come-and-get-me estimate.

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-Right.

-I suggest that we do protect these

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-with a reserve of £70 at least.

-Yes.

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I think let's put 80 to 120, 70 reserve on,

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-and I think we could well be surprised.

-I'd be happy with that.

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Thank you very much indeed for bringing them along and thank you

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-for sharing your family history.

-Thank you, Catherine.

-Thank you.

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What a find!

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You know, it never fails to amaze me what turns up.

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Next up, it's Charles, who's being served up an unusual little dish.

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-How are you, Steven?

-Fine, thank you.

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I feel like your lobster, giving it all that.

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-Mm.

-Quite literally.

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Tell me about this great object.

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I bought it on a car-boot sale, it was either '89, or '90

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and I paid £20 for it.

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-1989?

-1989 or 1990.

-Or 1990.

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I gave £20 for that.

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What drew you to this object?

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-Well, I had some plates from Greece...

-Yes.

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I saw this and I thought, "That's going to look nice above the cooker.

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Yes. What I love about this is its three-dimensional form.

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I know, yeah.

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And just by lifting it up we can see how realistic that lobster is.

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What's it made of?

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Porcelain, I think.

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It's pottery.

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-And, in fact, it's a lead glaze earthenware.

-Oh, right.

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OK. And I dream that one day I would find an original

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-of these.

-Oh, right.

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If this was original and dated to the 1550s...

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-A very important man called...

-1550?

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If only.

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Hold that thought.

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-Bernard Pallisy was a very important man...

-Mmm.

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..who was born circa 1510,

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who died in the late 16th century.

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And he evolved this style of decoration on pottery in mainland

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France in the mid-16th century.

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If this was a genuine article, and was by the Pallisy School

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of the mid-16th century,

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it would be worth between 50 and £70,000.

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Look at me.

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If only. If only.

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And our great Victorian friends revived the great Renaissance

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in the late 19th century.

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So I would date this marvellous lead glazed earthenware

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to around 1890.

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So when you bought it back in '89, was 100 years old.

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-Does that surprise you?

-Yeah.

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So when I turn it over, what we can see on the back

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is the fact it has been pierced for hanging.

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And with this old wire we can see, you have quite rightly

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had it on your wall,

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in your kitchen for display

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but there are no markings whatsoever.

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We have got a very continental underside with this spun glaze.

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-Yeah.

-And that's a real Portuguese code

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to the fact it is continental.

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And I'm 90% sure this is Portuguese from around 1890

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-with this majolica ground.

-Yeah.

-Fashion, though.

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Now Victoriana is slightly out, the dust-gatherers are not so in.

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We like the more minimal but to some collectors

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it really is a joy. What's it worth?

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Well, I was thinking £150.

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Look at me. How much?

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-£150, I was thinking.

-I like your style.

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I like your style.

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I mean, some Americans were quoting 499.

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You are quite right.

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And one thing I will mention - it is the Americans who do like

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this very outrageous design.

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I would like to guide it at between 50 and £80.

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-Yeah.

-It might make 100.

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And I propose we put a reserve on at £40.

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And I feel that is going to engage the buyer to really compete

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for this object which, for its age, although not original,

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is in mighty fine condition.

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Let's hope there's some Americans at the auction.

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The Americans are there, exactly. Thanks a lot, Steven.

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That plate feels quite at home here in seaside Morecambe.

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While everyone is busy here,

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I'm off to do something completely different.

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Canals, mills and weaving,

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these have been part and parcel of Lancashire life for hundreds of years.

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In fact, the first mill for cleaning

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wool was built around here in the 13th century.

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At that time weaving was carried out by farmers

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to earn a little bit of extra cash.

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Other people did it at home to make extra clothes when they needed them

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but it wasn't until the 17th century

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that people started to weave as a full-time job.

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By the early 18th century,

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Burnley was an industrial town with a thriving wool trade.

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But it was still done at home, and usually involving the entire family.

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However, when cotton and mechanisation arrived,

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it brought about the end of the domestic weaving system.

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Machines like the spinning Jenny, Arkwright's mule

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and of course the steam engine

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heralded the birth of the factory system.

0:15:280:15:31

Very quickly, Burnley and Lancashire as a whole

0:15:340:15:37

became the weaving capital of the world.

0:15:370:15:40

By 1914, over 8 million yards of cotton

0:15:440:15:47

were made each year in Lancashire.

0:15:470:15:49

That's 65% of the world's cotton,

0:15:490:15:52

processed here in the region and then shipped back out again.

0:15:520:15:56

And it was by far Britain's biggest export,

0:15:560:15:59

and in every sense of the word, part of our national fabric.

0:15:590:16:02

At one time, this square mile of Burnley had hundreds of mills

0:16:060:16:10

and over 100,000 looms.

0:16:100:16:12

The population of the town was only 70,000.

0:16:120:16:15

There was a lot of weaving going on.

0:16:150:16:17

As the 20th century moved on,

0:16:170:16:19

other countries like India, China and the USA started to catch up,

0:16:190:16:24

using new machinery to make cheaper cloth.

0:16:240:16:27

Britain failed to keep up,

0:16:270:16:29

and the industry went into an almost terminal decline.

0:16:290:16:32

Sadly, there are very few working mills left today in Lancashire.

0:16:320:16:36

But in Burnley, there is one mill that's still weaving.

0:16:390:16:42

John Spencer's, based in the same building for over 150 years,

0:16:420:16:46

has been family run since the 1860s.

0:16:460:16:49

-David, hello.

-Hello, nice to see you.

0:16:510:16:54

David is the sixth generation of his family running the mill,

0:16:540:16:57

but their start in weaving was far more humble.

0:16:570:17:00

My family are like many families,

0:17:000:17:03

where we'd have been weaving in cottages out in the country.

0:17:030:17:06

And in the 1860s, when the Industrial Revolution started,

0:17:060:17:10

they would have just rented half a dozen looms,

0:17:100:17:12

then as the business grew, they'd take on more looms and

0:17:120:17:15

eventually would have enough looms to build their own weaving shed.

0:17:150:17:17

-So, basically, started with nothing.

-Started with nothing.

0:17:170:17:20

It's a good success story, isn't it?

0:17:200:17:22

It's been very difficult over the 30 years that I've been here

0:17:220:17:25

to see the mills around closing, and it's been really quite distressing

0:17:250:17:28

to see what's happened to what was once a great textile town.

0:17:280:17:31

Yeah, and I've been in many traditional mills

0:17:310:17:34

that aren't working now, but I've not seen a contemporary one working.

0:17:340:17:37

-Can we go and have a look around?

-Yeah, come and have a look.

-Thanks.

0:17:370:17:41

Well, it looks familiar.

0:17:530:17:55

Lots of thread, lots of bobbing, very futuristic.

0:17:550:17:59

But what's going on here?

0:17:590:18:00

Well, here, we're making a warp, which is the threads

0:18:000:18:03

-that run down the length of the fabric.

-Yeah.

0:18:030:18:05

So that's the first job that we have to make.

0:18:050:18:07

-A typical cloth might have 4,000 or 5,000 threads in the warp.

-Gosh!

0:18:070:18:11

And we've got to take 4,000 or 5,000 threads off individual combs

0:18:110:18:14

-that you can see here...

-Yeah.

0:18:140:18:16

..and then run them all together, get the pattern right

0:18:160:18:19

so that all the stripes are in the right place,

0:18:190:18:22

and then we run those onto our warping machine here.

0:18:220:18:25

This is mesmerising.

0:18:250:18:27

I mean, it really is so clever.

0:18:270:18:30

But I guess it hasn't really changed, has it?

0:18:300:18:32

No. The principles have been the same ever since somebody put

0:18:320:18:35

two sticks between a tree and started to put threads backwards and forwards.

0:18:350:18:39

For me, that's the beauty of weaving -

0:18:410:18:43

it's a relatively simple process.

0:18:430:18:45

All of these long threads, called the warp,

0:18:450:18:47

are put on a huge roller, ready to be woven.

0:18:470:18:51

And this is where the magic happens.

0:18:510:18:53

On the loom, another thread is passed to and fro,

0:18:530:18:56

creating a weave, and the cloth is made.

0:18:560:18:58

Before the 18th century, this was all done laboriously by hand.

0:19:000:19:05

Now, a key part of weaving during the Industrial Revolution was this -

0:19:050:19:09

the flying shuttle.

0:19:090:19:11

Patented by John Kay in 1733,

0:19:110:19:14

this enabled the weaver to work a lot faster as that shot across.

0:19:140:19:19

He could earn a lot more money.

0:19:190:19:21

But even this is now obsolete today.

0:19:210:19:24

That thread, that weft thread, is sent backwards and forwards

0:19:240:19:27

by virtue of two gripping arms, like a crocodile

0:19:270:19:30

which catches the thread and moves it backwards and forwards.

0:19:300:19:33

It is so clever and so quick, just watch it go.

0:19:330:19:37

These looms are great for making plain cloth

0:19:400:19:42

or fairly simple patterns.

0:19:420:19:44

When it comes to weaving more intricate patterns,

0:19:440:19:46

then David has to use a more complicated machine.

0:19:460:19:48

This is it.

0:19:540:19:56

The Jacquard loom, created in 1801 in France by Joseph Marie Jacquard.

0:19:560:20:00

This is an intricate piece of kit.

0:20:000:20:03

On this machine, we can control every single thread

0:20:060:20:09

across the whole width of the fabric.

0:20:090:20:12

The Jacquard machine can lift and drop every thread at will,

0:20:120:20:15

so that we can create a picture.

0:20:150:20:17

This is a little bit of fun that we were having for you, today.

0:20:170:20:20

I see that!

0:20:200:20:22

The Jacquard machine works on the same principle as the pianola,

0:20:230:20:27

using predesigned punchcards that a needle can drop through,

0:20:270:20:30

creating a pattern.

0:20:300:20:32

Some of the technology it uses is considered to be

0:20:320:20:35

a precursor to the earliest computers.

0:20:350:20:39

Weaving is one of mankind's earliest craft skills.

0:20:390:20:42

Woven fabric has been found that dates as far back as 9,000 years.

0:20:420:20:47

It's an integral part of our lives.

0:20:470:20:49

We all wear clothes that have been woven.

0:20:490:20:52

Now, as fast and amazing as these machines are,

0:20:520:20:56

weaving hasn't really changed that much.

0:20:560:20:59

It's still one thread passed over or under another thread.

0:20:590:21:03

It's a timeless skill, it really is.

0:21:030:21:06

It's a technique that just has not changed.

0:21:060:21:09

And there's something very reassuring about that.

0:21:090:21:12

Well, there you are. We're having a fabulous time here in Morecambe,

0:21:190:21:23

but right now, we've got some business to do in the saleroom.

0:21:230:21:26

Here's a quick recap of all the items

0:21:260:21:27

that are going under the hammer.

0:21:270:21:30

Will those albums from the bottom of the basement

0:21:300:21:33

get top price in the saleroom?

0:21:330:21:35

Let's hope the two walking canes from the boot sale

0:21:370:21:40

run at the auction.

0:21:400:21:41

And those Chinese shoes may be small,

0:21:430:21:45

but we'd love them to be a big hit.

0:21:450:21:47

And Steven's seafood plate is a great catch for us,

0:21:500:21:53

and is bound to hook the buyers in at auction.

0:21:530:21:56

We're heading east but only to the other side of Lancashire for our

0:21:590:22:02

auction, in the town of Clitheroe.

0:22:020:22:04

Our lots will be going under the hammer at Silverwoods,

0:22:040:22:07

where Wilf Mould is in charge.

0:22:070:22:09

The saleroom is filling up.

0:22:090:22:11

I'm going to catch up with our owners. Any minute now,

0:22:110:22:13

the auctioneer's going to be on the rostrum.

0:22:130:22:15

Let's get on with our first lot.

0:22:150:22:17

There's always commission to pay in an auction room,

0:22:170:22:19

so factor that in if you're buying or selling.

0:22:190:22:22

Going under the hammer right now,

0:22:220:22:23

we've got two fabulous postcard albums belonging to Jenny,

0:22:230:22:26

and we normally have good surprises with these.

0:22:260:22:29

-But I like the story that you found them in a dry cellar.

-Yes.

0:22:290:22:32

Did you want to do any detective work and try and trace families?

0:22:320:22:35

It's typical, it's something you think to do tomorrow...

0:22:350:22:39

-You know, tomorrow and tomorrow...

-And put it off and you never do.

0:22:390:22:41

..and put it off. And then, at the end of the day, I thought,

0:22:410:22:44

"Someone will be collecting these."

0:22:440:22:45

I think they're going to sell at £60-odd.

0:22:450:22:47

-There's a reserve of 50, isn't there?

-There is.

0:22:470:22:49

They're going to sell. Let's find out what the bidders think.

0:22:490:22:51

It's going under the hammer now.

0:22:510:22:53

This album of 292 postcards

0:22:530:22:57

and then you've got an album of 180 souvenir postcards.

0:22:570:23:02

And we'll start these again on interest at £38.

0:23:020:23:07

38, looking for 40.

0:23:070:23:08

I have 38, 40.

0:23:080:23:10

Two, five, eight, 50.

0:23:100:23:12

Five, 60. Five, £70.

0:23:120:23:15

75. 80, five, 90.

0:23:150:23:19

95, 100.

0:23:190:23:21

And ten. 120.

0:23:210:23:23

130.

0:23:230:23:24

At £120 on the front.

0:23:240:23:26

130. 140.

0:23:260:23:27

-Oh, my goodness me!

-140 now, if you like.

0:23:270:23:29

I have 130 bid on screen.

0:23:290:23:31

140 is bid.

0:23:310:23:32

150 now. 160, if you like.

0:23:320:23:34

At 150 then.

0:23:340:23:36

Are you all quite sure?

0:23:360:23:37

At £150.

0:23:370:23:39

It's going at 150...

0:23:390:23:41

-Well done. 150, I think that's the right value.

-I'm surprised!

0:23:410:23:43

-That's the right value.

-That's fantastic.

0:23:430:23:46

There's local history there. There's so much history in those albums.

0:23:460:23:49

That's a great start to our auction.

0:23:490:23:51

Hopefully, that bodes well for our next item.

0:23:510:23:54

Going under the hammer right now,

0:23:540:23:56

we have that classic Palissy majolica plate.

0:23:560:23:59

I mean, it is lovely, isn't it?

0:23:590:24:01

-But they do collect a lot of dust when they're on the wall.

-Oh, yes.

0:24:010:24:03

Did you have to dust this one a lot?

0:24:030:24:05

-Never.

-Never?

-I never touched it, just stuck it on a wall!

0:24:050:24:08

-So why are we selling today?

-Because I've changed kitchen.

0:24:080:24:10

OK, so it doesn't suit a contemporary style.

0:24:100:24:12

It doesn't suit my kitchen at all. I've gone very modern.

0:24:120:24:15

What they say with these plates is, the more of the creepy crawlies,

0:24:150:24:17

the better, the higher the value.

0:24:170:24:19

Because obviously, the work's gone into it.

0:24:190:24:21

But also, all the creepy crawlies are in good condition,

0:24:210:24:23

there's no knocks or nibbles, so hopefully we'll have a good sale.

0:24:230:24:26

Fingers crossed. It's not a lot of money for such a lot of work,

0:24:260:24:29

and it's going under the hammer right now.

0:24:290:24:32

We come now to this majolica Palissy-style wall plaque,

0:24:320:24:36

nice thing again, is this.

0:24:360:24:37

And I shall start this one immediately at £28.

0:24:370:24:41

-28.

-Oh, come on.

0:24:410:24:42

It went really quiet, like...

0:24:420:24:44

30. 32.

0:24:440:24:46

35. 38.

0:24:460:24:48

40. £40. 40 and two, now.

0:24:480:24:50

At 40 in the room, looking for 42.

0:24:500:24:53

At £40, come on, they don't crop up that often.

0:24:530:24:55

42 there. 42. 45.

0:24:550:24:57

48. At 48 from the lady at the back.

0:24:570:25:00

48. 50 now.

0:25:000:25:02

-£50. 55. 55.

-Yes!

0:25:020:25:04

60 again... 55 at the back of the room, there.

0:25:040:25:08

All done at £55, no more?

0:25:080:25:09

All done at 55.

0:25:090:25:11

And it's gone down. £55, that's a good result.

0:25:110:25:14

-£20, you paid for that, didn't you?

-£20, yeah.

0:25:140:25:17

-25 years ago, that's a lot of money, actually.

-It was.

0:25:170:25:20

And the good thing is, it's been on the wall out of harm's way,

0:25:200:25:22

-and that's the best thing for those little plates, isn't it?

-Exactly.

0:25:220:25:26

-Thank you for coming in.

-OK.

-Good job.

-Cheers.

0:25:260:25:30

It just goes to show, it's worth looking after things.

0:25:300:25:33

Can we keep up the pace with those walking sticks?

0:25:330:25:36

I've just been joined by Len and in a moment, we're putting those

0:25:360:25:38

two walking canes under the hammer.

0:25:380:25:40

Bought for a total of - Charles, do you know this...?

0:25:400:25:42

-£4.50.

-Yeah, £4.50.

0:25:420:25:44

-Could you do that?

-No way.

0:25:440:25:46

Do you do a lot of this, sort of buying and selling?

0:25:470:25:49

Well, I look around shops and see what's going in car boots, yeah.

0:25:490:25:53

-And you're always learning and that's the main thing.

-Oh, yes, yes.

0:25:530:25:55

-We find that, don't we?

-Absolutely.

0:25:550:25:57

Len's got very discerning eyes so we've gone in quite strong

0:25:570:25:59

with the reserves. I'm hoping we can just hit the 100.

0:25:590:26:02

Look, let's find out what the bidders think,

0:26:020:26:03

because I think you're on the money here, I really do.

0:26:030:26:06

Good luck, this is it.

0:26:060:26:08

You've got the two items in this lot.

0:26:080:26:10

You've got a very nice root stock walking cane

0:26:100:26:13

and you've got the Chinese malacca walking cane

0:26:130:26:15

with a white metal, decorative pommel.

0:26:150:26:17

And again, interest on the pad.

0:26:170:26:20

I shall start these at £65.

0:26:200:26:21

-Come on.

-65, 70.

0:26:210:26:24

-Five, 80.

-Here we go.

0:26:240:26:25

Five, 90. Five, 100.

0:26:250:26:27

-They're walking out.

-100 is bid in the room.

0:26:270:26:30

110 from anybody else?

0:26:300:26:31

I have £100, two good sticks here.

0:26:310:26:34

110, 120.

0:26:340:26:36

130.

0:26:360:26:37

At £120, then...

0:26:370:26:39

All finished at 120.

0:26:390:26:41

£120. Well done, Len!

0:26:410:26:43

Will you reinvest that in some boot fairs

0:26:450:26:47

and some antique markets and some antiques shops?

0:26:470:26:50

-I don't think so.

-Probably go towards a holiday.

0:26:500:26:52

Oh, good. OK. Well, all right. Look after yourself, then.

0:26:520:26:54

Yeah, thank you very much.

0:26:540:26:56

No doubt, you'll be back out at the car boots.

0:26:560:26:57

Oh, definitely, yeah.

0:26:570:26:59

When the weather picks up.

0:26:590:27:00

A spot-on valuation by our expert.

0:27:000:27:04

Let's hope we have a good result with that Chinese collection.

0:27:040:27:07

Richard and Gail, it's great to see you again.

0:27:070:27:09

Fingers crossed, OK? It's a mixed lot, this one.

0:27:090:27:12

It really is. I mean, you've got something for everybody,

0:27:120:27:15

Chinese collectors, cos we've got spectacle cases, we've got little watches, as well...

0:27:150:27:19

-Shoes.

-But everything's Chinese, and we've got a really nice selection, so...

0:27:190:27:23

Yeah, and I'm pleased you didn't decide to split them up,

0:27:230:27:25

-and I think the auction room's agreed with you, because otherwise they would've done it anyway.

-Yes.

0:27:250:27:30

And we're looking at 80 to £120.

0:27:300:27:32

-Good luck, both of you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Going under the hammer now.

0:27:320:27:35

Let's find out what the bidders think.

0:27:350:27:37

This collection of Chinese curios,

0:27:370:27:39

which are mainly silk embroidered shoes for bound feet.

0:27:390:27:43

Nice little mixed lot for you there.

0:27:430:27:46

And we shall start this straight on at £48.

0:27:460:27:50

48, 48 and 50 now.

0:27:500:27:52

50 is online.

0:27:520:27:53

-Halfway.

-55, 60 now. 65.

0:27:530:27:56

Looking for 70.

0:27:560:27:58

£70 is on the screen.

0:27:580:27:59

75 now. 80 is bid now.

0:27:590:28:01

£80 - and five from anywhere else?

0:28:010:28:03

85. 90, all online at the moment.

0:28:030:28:06

-£90...

-That's what we need.

0:28:060:28:09

95. I'll take 100.

0:28:090:28:11

-And 100 is bid. 100...

-Good.

-110 now.

0:28:110:28:13

110, 120.

0:28:130:28:15

130. 130.

0:28:150:28:17

-Ooh, it's going up!

-130, 140 now.

0:28:170:28:19

140. Anybody else?

0:28:190:28:21

-150...

-Internet's in on it.

0:28:210:28:24

-Brilliant.

-That's good.

-160.

0:28:240:28:25

I'll take 170. At £160...

0:28:250:28:27

-It's a steady climb, but it's going in the right direction.

-It is...

0:28:270:28:31

Anybody in the room? All done at 160. Online, then.

0:28:310:28:34

At 160...

0:28:340:28:35

Fabulous. Fabulous.

0:28:360:28:38

Well over the top there. Well done, Catherine.

0:28:380:28:40

That's a hard one to put a value on.

0:28:400:28:42

-It was a hard one.

-Yes, cos it's such a...

0:28:420:28:43

-Yeah.

-But I'm pleased for you. I think that was a good result.

0:28:430:28:46

-Yes.

-And thank you for bringing such gems in, as well.

0:28:460:28:49

-OK.

-Yeah, they really were good.

-Mm.

0:28:490:28:52

All done at 170.

0:28:530:28:54

Well, there you are.

0:28:540:28:56

That's our first four items under the hammer, done and dusted.

0:28:560:28:59

We're coming back here later on in the show, so do not go away.

0:28:590:29:02

Before we return to the valuation day to find some more treasures,

0:29:020:29:05

I want to find out more about one of Britain's biggest comedians,

0:29:050:29:08

who was a Morecambe boy in every sense of the word.

0:29:080:29:11

This modest house in Morecambe

0:29:170:29:19

was the birthplace of John Eric Bartholomew. He was born in 1926

0:29:190:29:23

and he went on to form the greatest comedy duo on British television.

0:29:230:29:28

He was also regarded as the funniest Brit of the 20th century.

0:29:280:29:31

You may know him better by his stage name, Eric Morecambe.

0:29:310:29:35

He took his surname from his beloved hometown

0:29:350:29:37

and he went on to become the funny bloke of Morecambe and Wise.

0:29:370:29:41

How you teamed up first, whose idea was it?

0:29:410:29:43

-Shall I answer that?

-Please do.

0:29:430:29:45

-His mother, actually.

-Yes.

0:29:450:29:47

-His mother?

-His mother, Eric's mother.

-Could take a long time, this.

-Yes.

0:29:470:29:50

LAUGHTER

0:29:500:29:52

Tell him the story. And let me interrupt and get a few laughs.

0:29:520:29:55

LAUGHTER

0:29:550:29:56

Like so many people,

0:29:580:29:59

I grew up laughing at the antics of Eric Morecambe.

0:29:590:30:02

The Morecambe and Wise Show

0:30:020:30:03

became one of the most watched programmes on British television.

0:30:030:30:07

But how did the boy from such humble beginnings in Morecambe

0:30:070:30:10

go on to be one of the biggest names in comedy?

0:30:100:30:14

Morecambe was a thriving resort,

0:30:140:30:16

attracting millions of holiday-makers,

0:30:160:30:18

who flocked to the theatres dotted around the town,

0:30:180:30:21

the largest of which was the Winter Gardens.

0:30:210:30:23

It was the ideal place for Eric's talent to be spotted

0:30:230:30:26

at a very early age.

0:30:260:30:28

Eric's eldest son Gary

0:30:280:30:30

has documented his father with several books

0:30:300:30:33

dedicated to his life and career,

0:30:330:30:35

including how Eric's mother played a pivotal role in shaping his future.

0:30:350:30:40

She'd seen her husband work for the council all his life

0:30:410:30:43

and it was literally down the mines, or digging roads,

0:30:430:30:46

and she wanted more than just that for her son.

0:30:460:30:49

And noticing that he had some kind of talent, it was worth pushing.

0:30:490:30:53

That's how she felt.

0:30:530:30:54

And that began with talent competitions, locally,

0:30:540:30:56

and he went from there.

0:30:560:30:58

By the time he was 13,

0:31:020:31:04

Eric was regularly performing in theatres around Morecambe,

0:31:040:31:07

like this one. In fact, he performed on this stage many times.

0:31:070:31:12

He won so many times that he actually was barred from taking part

0:31:120:31:16

for a short while to give the holiday-makers a chance of winning.

0:31:160:31:20

His natural comic genius soon caught the eye of scouts and agents

0:31:200:31:24

and he was booked on a big show to tour the country,

0:31:240:31:26

and that's where he met, in 1940, Ernest Wiseman,

0:31:260:31:30

who we know as Ernie Wise, another comic genius,

0:31:300:31:34

a child prodigy.

0:31:340:31:36

Both men were conscripted into military service

0:31:360:31:39

during World War II,

0:31:390:31:40

but joined forces soon after

0:31:400:31:42

and started performing as a double act,

0:31:420:31:44

touring the country and becoming known as Morecambe and Wise.

0:31:440:31:48

Thank you, thank you. Who's come on?

0:31:490:31:51

-Oh, it's us.

-LAUGHTER

0:31:510:31:53

-Good evening.

-All right, darling? Working?

0:31:530:31:55

Oh, you're up there, are you?

0:31:550:31:57

Oh, where have I gone? That's the wife.

0:31:570:31:59

Eric and Ernie weren't just talented comedians,

0:31:590:32:03

they were bright young men with vision, and forward-thinking.

0:32:030:32:06

They realised variety theatre was on its way out

0:32:060:32:09

and television was the future,

0:32:090:32:11

and that's where they wanted to be.

0:32:110:32:13

Eventually, in 1954, they got their big break -

0:32:150:32:18

their very own TV series, Running Wild, on the BBC.

0:32:180:32:22

Sadly, it was broadcast live, so no footage survives.

0:32:220:32:26

Unfortunately, it didn't go down very well.

0:32:260:32:29

I remember all the write-ups, all of them...

0:32:300:32:33

Psychologically damaged...

0:32:330:32:34

"How dare they put such mediocre talent on television?"

0:32:340:32:37

First man, "Is that a television in the corner?"

0:32:370:32:40

Second man, "No, that's the box

0:32:400:32:41

"they buried Morecambe and Wise in last night."

0:32:410:32:43

-Did you feel very depressed afterwards?

-Oh, yes.

-What happened?

0:32:430:32:46

We said, "That's it, we're not going on television again."

0:32:460:32:48

Our career, we said, is in ruins. We didn't even have a career then.

0:32:480:32:52

But they weren't deterred.

0:32:520:32:54

They went back to the stage

0:32:540:32:55

and carried on doing what they knew best,

0:32:550:32:58

biding their time, honing their skills, refining their act,

0:32:580:33:01

and rebuilding their reputation.

0:33:010:33:04

Within weeks, they were billed to appear at Manchester,

0:33:040:33:07

and they went down a storm there,

0:33:070:33:09

and that sort of gave them their confidence back.

0:33:090:33:12

And they realised for the very first time

0:33:120:33:15

that TV always plays into your favour.

0:33:150:33:17

You can't go wrong with TV.

0:33:170:33:18

Because they were billed as these great comics of television,

0:33:180:33:22

type of thing. So it was wonderful, yeah.

0:33:220:33:24

The hard work and talent shone through.

0:33:240:33:26

Eventually, they got another shot at television, and this time,

0:33:260:33:29

they grabbed hold of it and didn't let go.

0:33:290:33:32

From then on, Eric and Ernie really took off.

0:33:320:33:35

And with success and fame came wealth,

0:33:350:33:37

and Eric splashed out on the car he always dreamed of, a Rolls-Royce,

0:33:370:33:40

and this is the model, a 1971 Silver Shadow.

0:33:400:33:44

Mike, pleased to meet you. You were his chauffeur.

0:33:440:33:46

-I certainly was.

-Mike drove Eric around in this very car,

0:33:460:33:49

still in pristine condition today.

0:33:490:33:52

So, how did you get to be Eric's chauffeur?

0:33:520:33:55

I got to be Eric's chauffeur when he was at the BBC,

0:33:550:33:58

and when the contract was finished,

0:33:580:34:00

Eric came to me and asked me to be his full-time chauffeur.

0:34:000:34:03

-And you just jumped at the chance?

-Almost, yes.

0:34:030:34:06

After about two or three seconds, I said, "Yes, please."

0:34:060:34:09

And then I was Eric Morecambe's chauffeur.

0:34:090:34:11

-Can we go for a spin?

-Of course.

0:34:110:34:12

-Along the seafront? Come on, then.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:34:120:34:15

-Let me do it, sir.

-Oh, thank you very much.

-There we are.

0:34:150:34:18

Oh, it smells good, doesn't it?

0:34:190:34:21

-Oh, the leather.

-You can smell... still smell the leather.

0:34:210:34:24

Ah!

0:34:240:34:26

Ah, this is fantastic.

0:34:260:34:27

What does it feel like, driving the car now? I know Eric's not here,

0:34:320:34:35

but do you sometimes think Eric's in the back still,

0:34:350:34:37

whenever you're in this car?

0:34:370:34:39

Yeah. When you drive it, all those memories come back from years ago.

0:34:390:34:43

Sure. Every time I saw Eric on TV, especially in interviews,

0:34:430:34:46

he was really jolly and happy and he always had a smile on his face.

0:34:460:34:49

But you must have known the real Eric. What was he like?

0:34:490:34:52

He always worried about how it was going to come out

0:34:520:34:54

when it came out on television.

0:34:540:34:55

That was the first thing he asked me and asked everybody else was,

0:34:550:34:59

"Is it OK? Was it better than last time?"

0:34:590:35:01

And that was the pressure, really, of being on TV.

0:35:010:35:04

-Yeah, forever the perfectionist.

-Yeah, absolutely.

0:35:040:35:06

Oh, yeah, he was his own critic, as I say.

0:35:060:35:09

Everything had to be absolutely right.

0:35:090:35:12

Eric and Ernie worked incredibly hard

0:35:160:35:18

to make their comedy seem effortless and natural.

0:35:180:35:20

And the hard work and the stress of it all, staying at the top,

0:35:200:35:24

took its toll on Eric.

0:35:240:35:26

In 1968, aged just 42, he suffered his first heart attack.

0:35:260:35:31

It was obviously a massive blow,

0:35:320:35:34

but Eric wasn't going to let it affect him.

0:35:340:35:37

Eric and Ernie were now established stars on television,

0:35:370:35:40

and after Eric's health was back on track,

0:35:400:35:43

they recorded some of the greatest comedy ever,

0:35:430:35:46

with the stars of the day queueing up to be guests on their show.

0:35:460:35:51

Now I'd like to introduce to you the greatest star

0:35:510:35:53

we've ever had on the show. The one and only Sir Laurence...

0:35:530:35:57

-He can't come.

-LAUGHTER

0:35:570:35:59

# Yeah, yeah, yeah... #

0:36:040:36:06

I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order.

0:36:060:36:11

At the height of their success in the 1970s,

0:36:110:36:14

the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show

0:36:140:36:16

was about the biggest thing on TV.

0:36:160:36:18

An incredible 28 million people, including me, tuned in to watch it.

0:36:180:36:22

That's about half the population of the UK.

0:36:220:36:26

It was no longer a TV show, it was a cultural event

0:36:260:36:29

that certainly proved the critics wrong.

0:36:290:36:32

When you're getting in the 20 millions of viewers,

0:36:330:36:36

you know, it's a big thing.

0:36:360:36:37

People were literally defining their Christmas Day

0:36:370:36:40

on the quality of the show,

0:36:400:36:41

and when you do a great Christmas show, next year, what do you do?

0:36:410:36:45

It has to be at least another great show, if not better.

0:36:450:36:48

That was a lot of stress,

0:36:480:36:49

particularly on my father, because he was the renowned funny man,

0:36:490:36:52

the glue for the show, and he was carrying that burden,

0:36:520:36:55

and that was a real strain on his health.

0:36:550:36:57

In 1979, Eric suffered another heart attack

0:36:570:37:01

and needed a seven-hour bypass operation.

0:37:010:37:04

-Seriously, how are you feeling?

-Great.

0:37:040:37:06

-What's the doctor's verdict, though, you've got to...?

-Very good.

0:37:060:37:08

Very good. I'm not really here at the moment, I am a recording.

0:37:080:37:12

LAUGHTER

0:37:120:37:13

-He's going to rest.

-I've got to rest.

0:37:130:37:15

-For several weeks.

-For a couple of weeks, is it?

-Several.

0:37:150:37:17

You've obviously got to take it easy for a bit, though, presumably?

0:37:170:37:20

Well, if I can get a bit, I'll take it easy, yes.

0:37:200:37:22

-LAUGHTER

-Intensive care unit, please.

0:37:220:37:24

See you. Bye-bye.

0:37:240:37:27

Eric and Ernie continued to make their TV series

0:37:290:37:32

for the next few years,

0:37:320:37:33

but obviously at a much reduced rate.

0:37:330:37:35

Eric finally slowed down

0:37:350:37:37

and took time out to write a couple of novels,

0:37:370:37:40

but sadly, in 1984,

0:37:400:37:42

Eric Morecambe passed away after suffering another heart attack.

0:37:420:37:46

He was only 58.

0:37:460:37:48

His funeral was attended by the biggest names of the day.

0:37:500:37:54

Ernie Wise, Eric's partner for 43 years,

0:37:540:37:57

described his death as the final curtain.

0:37:570:38:00

And I can remember that day well.

0:38:020:38:04

It was a terrible loss to the nation.

0:38:040:38:06

There was a real sombre mood in our house.

0:38:080:38:11

My mum and dad were really upset. They never missed an episode.

0:38:110:38:14

It was like losing a relative, really,

0:38:140:38:16

because he was always on our TV sets.

0:38:160:38:18

This statue of Eric was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen

0:38:180:38:22

as a mark of respect to a comic genius.

0:38:220:38:25

People from all over the country come here

0:38:250:38:27

to have their photograph taken with Eric in the classic pose.

0:38:270:38:31

There's his binoculars, cos he was a keen twitcher,

0:38:310:38:34

looking at all the birdlife out there in Morecambe Bay.

0:38:340:38:37

And for me, Eric Morecambe was very much like his comedy.

0:38:370:38:40

He was clean, he was innocent, he was intelligent.

0:38:400:38:43

He never upset anybody.

0:38:430:38:45

He just wanted to make people laugh.

0:38:450:38:47

Time now to get back on with our valuations at the Platform.

0:38:510:38:54

There's still plenty of bags and boxes full of treasures,

0:38:540:38:57

and hoping to bring some laughter and sunshine to one lucky owner

0:38:570:39:01

is Catherine Southon.

0:39:010:39:03

John, good to meet you.

0:39:030:39:04

-Thank you.

-You've brought along a rather nice diamond cluster ring.

0:39:040:39:09

Can you tell me a little bit about it, please?

0:39:090:39:12

I got it from a shop, it was about 30 years ago.

0:39:120:39:14

And I bought it for my wife.

0:39:140:39:16

And was it for an important time in your marriage?

0:39:160:39:19

Not really. It was close to 25 years,

0:39:190:39:22

-but I was working away and she wanted a pressie...

-Right.

0:39:220:39:25

..so I took her out to the diamond shop.

0:39:250:39:27

And this is what she chose.

0:39:270:39:29

-That's correct.

-Was it the biggest, shiniest ring in the shop?

0:39:290:39:32

-I think it was, yes.

-So, where did you meet your wife?

0:39:320:39:34

-At school.

-At school.

0:39:340:39:36

-Yeah.

-Gosh, so you've been together all that time?

0:39:360:39:39

-Yeah.

-So, 30-odd years ago,

0:39:390:39:40

this is sort of early '90s, about that sort of time?

0:39:400:39:43

Diamond cluster rings were very fashionable.

0:39:430:39:45

Cluster rings today aren't so fashionable, but nevertheless,

0:39:450:39:49

this is still a jolly nice example.

0:39:490:39:51

Do you know how many diamonds you've got there?

0:39:510:39:53

Not the number of, but I know I've got 2.19 total carats.

0:39:530:39:57

Right, OK. And do you remember what you paid for it,

0:39:570:40:00

-if you don't mind me asking? Back then?

-£1,100.

0:40:000:40:03

Right, so that was a significant investment, then.

0:40:030:40:06

-That was a lot of money.

-A lot of money, then.

0:40:060:40:09

Let's just have a look at this ring. I'll take it off the little cushion.

0:40:090:40:13

-The diamonds are still sparkling...

-Yeah.

-..and still look good.

0:40:140:40:17

And you've got here an 18-carat gold shank.

0:40:170:40:20

Now, the price that you paid, which was over £1,000,

0:40:200:40:24

you were buying retail...

0:40:240:40:25

-Yes.

-So you are spending, sort of quite high value, really.

0:40:250:40:29

And buying from a diamond shop, so you were really paying top dollar.

0:40:290:40:32

We are now talking about sending this off to auction

0:40:320:40:35

and you've got to think that the price will be reflected in that.

0:40:350:40:38

So you wouldn't be looking at £1,000,

0:40:380:40:40

you'd be looking at lower than that.

0:40:400:40:42

Also, thinking about the fact that, as I said before,

0:40:420:40:45

cluster rings aren't as fashionable as they once were,

0:40:450:40:48

I think value on this, you're looking at about 600 to £800.

0:40:480:40:52

-Uh-huh.

-How does that sound to you?

-That's fine.

0:40:520:40:54

-Are you happy to sell at 600 to 800?

-Yes, that's fine.

0:40:540:40:57

We can put a £600 reserve on.

0:40:570:40:59

-That would be ideal.

-You'd be happy with that?

0:40:590:41:01

-That would be ideal, yeah.

-But this has been with you,

0:41:010:41:04

or with your wife, for such a long time.

0:41:040:41:06

Why is it now the time to sell it?

0:41:060:41:07

Well, it's time for myself...

0:41:070:41:09

I've got two sons, but that's...

0:41:090:41:13

It gives me a problem, maybe, what son will get the ring.

0:41:140:41:17

-Right, OK.

-And so on, so I'd rather move on now

0:41:170:41:21

-rather than after I've passed away.

-Right.

0:41:210:41:23

Your wife is no longer with us.

0:41:230:41:25

-No, she's passed away, almost six years ago.

-Right.

0:41:250:41:28

Right, OK. So let's try and sell this ring

0:41:280:41:31

and perhaps, you know, enjoy the time with your sons, as well.

0:41:310:41:35

And hope that it does very well at auction.

0:41:350:41:37

Thank you so much for coming along.

0:41:370:41:39

-Thank you. Thank you very much.

-Good luck.

-Cheers.

0:41:390:41:42

We're still finding some great items.

0:41:420:41:44

It looks like Charles has found some Eric Morecambe memorabilia.

0:41:440:41:48

Ann, I was hoping today

0:41:480:41:51

-to come across something which would bring me sunshine...

-Yes.

0:41:510:41:55

And to come across this 1963 season Show Time pamphlet

0:41:550:42:00

signed by the great men themselves, Morecambe and Wise.

0:42:000:42:03

Tell me how you acquired it.

0:42:030:42:04

I was on holiday with my parents in Blackpool,

0:42:040:42:07

we were staying at my auntie's, and we always went to the pier show.

0:42:070:42:10

And that year, it was Morecambe and Wise.

0:42:100:42:13

-How famous were they back in '63?

-Not as famous as they became.

0:42:130:42:18

I suppose for me, when the great Mr Morecambe died in '84,

0:42:180:42:22

I was only eight.

0:42:220:42:24

-Wow!

-So I never got a chance to really see...

0:42:240:42:27

-No.

-..him and his great wingman.

0:42:270:42:29

-How good were they?

-Oh, they were brilliant.

-Why?

0:42:290:42:32

Because they had the ability to make you laugh

0:42:320:42:34

without having to tell a joke.

0:42:340:42:37

They were funny.

0:42:370:42:39

-It was the way...

-Yes.

-..they just interacted, I suppose.

0:42:390:42:42

-Yes.

-So, this was Blackpool.

0:42:420:42:44

What I can see straightaway is here we've got the autograph

0:42:440:42:47

of Eric Morecambe just here - there he is, looking very youthful.

0:42:470:42:50

-Yes.

-And beside him, the great Mr Wise.

0:42:500:42:54

-Show Time, a show of the stars.

-Yes.

0:42:540:42:57

-It's just wonderful. And is it complete?

-Yes.

0:42:570:42:59

What do you remember about the show?

0:42:590:43:01

I remember standing outside, waiting for them to come out.

0:43:010:43:03

It was so thrilling that we could actually speak to them.

0:43:030:43:07

-A bit like yourself, you know.

-Get out of here. I'm a humble man.

0:43:070:43:10

And do you feel it's now time to say au revoir to this little...?

0:43:100:43:14

-Yes.

-Why?

-Because it was in my autograph book in a dark trunk

0:43:140:43:18

and I know there are collectors that will appreciate it.

0:43:180:43:22

There really are. What's this autograph here?

0:43:220:43:24

It's Matt Monro's. He was also on the programme.

0:43:240:43:27

He was really well known.

0:43:270:43:29

-Was he?

-He was a really well-known ballader. Yes.

-Was he?

-Singer, yeah.

0:43:290:43:32

-And that's him here?

-Yes.

-Matt Monro. Wow.

0:43:320:43:35

-But did Morecambe and Wise really stand out for you?

-Yes.

-As a talent?

0:43:350:43:38

-Oh, yes.

-And of course, what's lovely,

0:43:380:43:40

we've also got here the running order of that programme,

0:43:400:43:43

on that evening.

0:43:430:43:45

Oh, it's tremendous. I think it's wonderful condition.

0:43:450:43:47

-Apart from the back...

-Yes.

-..which obviously was stuck down.

0:43:470:43:50

That will affect value somewhat.

0:43:500:43:51

But the autographs, particularly, are nice and clear.

0:43:510:43:54

-Yes.

-And the fact that you were there on that very night...

0:43:540:43:57

-Yes.

-That's provenance.

0:43:570:43:59

-Yes.

-And pedigree is so important to say, Ann, as a 14-year-old,

0:43:590:44:04

saw the hands that signed the pamphlet.

0:44:040:44:07

What's it worth? Well, its auction market value today

0:44:070:44:11

is between 60 and £90.

0:44:110:44:14

-Goodness me.

-So, it will be a real pleasure...

0:44:140:44:16

-Yes.

-..to give it a send-off.

0:44:160:44:18

-Yes.

-And with your blessing, we can put a reserve on, maybe at £50...

0:44:180:44:22

-Yes, that's fine.

-If that meets your approval?

-Yes.

-Happy, Ann?

-Yes.

0:44:220:44:24

-On that note, thanks a lot.

-Thank you.

-Thank you. Pleasure.

0:44:240:44:28

And finally, it's time now to tick off

0:44:280:44:30

Catherine's last find of the day.

0:44:300:44:32

Michael, welcome to "Flog It!"

0:44:320:44:34

-Thank you.

-And what have you brought with you today?

0:44:340:44:36

What I've brought is this Rolex watch,

0:44:360:44:38

which I've had since the 1950s.

0:44:380:44:41

So you bought this back in the '50s.

0:44:410:44:43

Where did you buy it from in the '50s?

0:44:430:44:45

I bought it from a shop in Kuala Lumpur.

0:44:450:44:48

And what were you doing in Kuala Lumpur, may I ask, in the '50s?

0:44:480:44:51

I was in the RAF.

0:44:510:44:52

And I was posted to Kuala Lumpur and I ended up being an instructor

0:44:520:44:58

at Malayan Auxiliary Air Force.

0:44:580:45:00

How old were you, if you don't mind me asking, in the '50s?

0:45:000:45:03

Well, in 1956, I'd be 20.

0:45:030:45:05

So this then was a bit of a special thing to then go out and buy.

0:45:050:45:08

Yes, I mean, Rolex watches have always been a status symbol.

0:45:080:45:11

-Yes, absolutely.

-So, erm, that's why I bought it.

0:45:110:45:15

You're clutching something there. What's in the envelope, sir?

0:45:150:45:17

That's the receipt from the watch dealers,

0:45:170:45:21

which tells you that I paid 200 Malayan dollars.

0:45:210:45:25

Do you know how much that was then?

0:45:250:45:26

-About £25.

-Was that a lot of money for you back then?

0:45:260:45:30

It was when you were on RAF pay, yes.

0:45:300:45:31

-Right.

-It took a bit of saving up, yes.

0:45:310:45:33

A bit of saving up. Can I hand that back to you for one second?

0:45:330:45:36

-Thank you.

-And what's the other piece of paper

0:45:360:45:38

-that you've got there?

-This is the Rolex guarantee,

0:45:380:45:41

which has the number of the watch on it.

0:45:410:45:43

Now, that's quite crucial, to have the number on the watch

0:45:430:45:46

because as soon as we see Rolex watches,

0:45:460:45:49

alarm bells start ringing straightaway and we think,

0:45:490:45:52

it's going to be a fake.

0:45:520:45:53

But the main sort of period that they started faking Rolex watches

0:45:530:45:57

was in the '70s and the '80s.

0:45:570:45:58

But looking at this, and looking at it quite closely,

0:45:580:46:01

I can see that there's numbers between the lugs here.

0:46:010:46:05

-Yes.

-And these numbers here equate to the numbers that you've got...

0:46:050:46:10

-On the watch...

-Written, not only on the guarantee there but also...

0:46:100:46:15

-Also on the receipt.

-On the receipt there, so that all does match up,

0:46:150:46:18

which is a nice sign.

0:46:180:46:19

The fact that you bought it in the '50s and looking at it,

0:46:190:46:22

the fact that you've got the numerals here,

0:46:220:46:25

and it all seems to match up, is good enough for me.

0:46:250:46:27

So, why are you thinking of selling it

0:46:270:46:28

because this is so important to you? It's got a lot of history behind it.

0:46:280:46:32

Well, yes, it has, but as I said,

0:46:320:46:34

I eventually bought another watch and it hasn't worked

0:46:340:46:37

since about, erm... 1965 or something like that.

0:46:370:46:41

-Gosh, right, so quite a long time.

-So it's 50 years since it worked.

0:46:410:46:44

If you are willing to sell it, my feeling is

0:46:440:46:47

put a reasonable estimate on of £200 to £300, with a £200 reserve.

0:46:470:46:53

I hope it will do very well indeed because it's got Rolex on the watch,

0:46:530:46:57

it's got Rolex on the guarantee, it's got Rolex on the receipt,

0:46:570:47:02

and even on the envelope.

0:47:020:47:04

-Yes.

-So I'm thinking this will probably do well.

0:47:040:47:07

We've just got to get it to work again.

0:47:070:47:09

-Very good.

-Michael, are you happy with that?

0:47:090:47:11

Yes, I'm very happy with that.

0:47:110:47:13

Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you

0:47:130:47:14

and sharing your stories and let's hope we do well

0:47:140:47:17

with this little gem. Thank you very much indeed.

0:47:170:47:19

Thanks very much indeed.

0:47:190:47:20

A "Flog It!" valuation day is a great experience,

0:47:200:47:22

so why not come along and find out what your items are worth?

0:47:220:47:26

It looks like an interesting collection has just parked

0:47:260:47:29

on Charles's table.

0:47:290:47:31

-Hello, Marlene.

-Hello.

-What a wonderful collection.

0:47:310:47:34

Yes, it's been collected for a while,

0:47:340:47:36

but mainly it was my husband's collection and I just found

0:47:360:47:39

a few tucked away and so I thought it would be a good opportunity.

0:47:390:47:42

-You don't, Marlene, look an oily mechanic type.

-No!

0:47:420:47:46

-No.

-But your husband was?

-Yes.

0:47:460:47:48

You know, anything unusual.

0:47:480:47:50

-Your husband's name was?

-Peter.

0:47:500:47:52

Peter put a wonderful collection of car badges together.

0:47:520:47:55

There's 13 here.

0:47:550:47:56

At home, have you still got the fleet of classic cars?

0:47:560:47:58

-Oh, no!

-Look at me, Marlene, right? That's a shame.

0:47:580:48:02

It's amazing how in the last 20 years the sector of interest

0:48:020:48:06

in vintage, classic cars really has revved up into fifth gear.

0:48:060:48:11

-Yes.

-The market now for accessories of this sort of vintage,

0:48:110:48:15

yesteryear car badge is now so popular.

0:48:150:48:18

When was your husband collecting these?

0:48:180:48:20

Well, we both collected in an old car boot

0:48:200:48:23

-or an indoor thing on a Saturday.

-Car boot?

0:48:230:48:25

So we collected things from when the kids were little,

0:48:250:48:27

-you know what I mean?

-Have you a favourite here of car badge?

0:48:270:48:30

I don't know if it's my favourite,

0:48:300:48:31

but I'm intrigued with that one because of the crown.

0:48:310:48:34

The Crown Coronet? Yes.

0:48:340:48:35

Yeah, and because Peter's been out and gone...

0:48:350:48:38

I think he used to sneak out to auctions when I was...

0:48:380:48:41

-Did you allow him to go out?

-Pardon?

-Did you allow him to go?

0:48:410:48:45

Oh, he would... Yeah, he'd definitely go.

0:48:450:48:47

But these are wonderful. Credit to his passion for collecting.

0:48:470:48:51

I think when we look at them, what I look for is colour and vigour

0:48:510:48:56

of the badges which almost reflects certain decades in style.

0:48:560:49:00

Yeah, some of them have a nice finish with them.

0:49:000:49:02

Yes, and, of course, they would shimmer on the grill of your car

0:49:020:49:06

and historically they're interesting.

0:49:060:49:09

We know the AA established in 1905.

0:49:090:49:11

They began to issue badges in this chrome plate,

0:49:110:49:15

in this metallic finish.

0:49:150:49:16

Some, of course, have oxidised, corroded.

0:49:160:49:20

We have some enamel losses on this one here.

0:49:200:49:23

-Would that be enamel at the back of that, do you think?

-No, no...

0:49:230:49:26

-Oh, no, the enamel on the top, yeah.

-It's what we call Champleve enamel.

0:49:260:49:30

It's been filtered in, into like a pool or a reservoir

0:49:300:49:34

and when it's been knocked, that pool of enamel has fallen out.

0:49:340:49:38

-Oh, I see. So it makes a channel. I hadn't realised that.

-Absolutely.

0:49:380:49:42

But the really early ones would date to 1906.

0:49:420:49:46

None of these are really pre-1906 because by 1911,

0:49:460:49:50

-we had the winged car badges come in.

-Yeah, on the top.

0:49:500:49:54

So these are after 1911, as are these down here.

0:49:540:49:58

What are they worth?

0:49:580:49:59

I... I'm asking you that.

0:49:590:50:01

Are you feeling revved up?

0:50:010:50:03

Oh, yeah, raring to go.

0:50:030:50:04

Hold tight, OK, there's a bend coming up on my estimate.

0:50:040:50:09

I would say we'll put a reserve on

0:50:090:50:10

in case we don't get what we feel they're worth.

0:50:100:50:12

They must be worth plus £10 each, times by 13 is...?

0:50:120:50:17

-I'm not going there because it's 13...

-Oh, sorry.

0:50:170:50:20

It's 130.

0:50:200:50:21

So I propose fixed reserve 120 with a guide between 120 and 150.

0:50:210:50:28

-OK.

-Is that steering you in the right direction?

0:50:280:50:31

-Yeah. Oh, yes.

-I'm sorry. Shall we go?

-Yeah.

0:50:310:50:33

-Hold tight.

-OK.

-To auction we go. Thanks, Marlene. Can't wait.

0:50:330:50:36

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

0:50:360:50:38

That's a lovely little collection.

0:50:380:50:40

Well, you've just seen our experts have now found their final items

0:50:410:50:44

to take off to auction, which means sadly we have to say goodbye

0:50:440:50:48

from the Platform here in Morecambe. It's time to say goodbye, everybody.

0:50:480:50:52

Give that camera a big wave.

0:50:520:50:53

We have some unfinished business to do in the auction room.

0:50:540:50:57

That's where we're going right now,

0:50:570:50:59

to put those valuations to the test

0:50:590:51:01

and here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.

0:51:010:51:05

We're hoping the bidders simply fall in love

0:51:050:51:07

with all the diamonds in that wonderful ring.

0:51:070:51:09

Will the comedy duo of Morecambe and Wise's signatures

0:51:120:51:15

raise some serious money at auction?

0:51:150:51:17

We're hoping that Marlene's car badges

0:51:190:51:21

are getting everyone revved up and bump up the prices in the saleroom.

0:51:210:51:25

And surely the time is right to be selling that Rolex.

0:51:250:51:28

Keep watching and you'll find out soon.

0:51:280:51:32

Back at Silverwoods saleroom,

0:51:320:51:34

Wilf Mould is in full flow on the rostrum.

0:51:340:51:36

And it's show time, as Ann's musical programme

0:51:360:51:39

is about to go under the hammer.

0:51:390:51:41

Now, since the valuation day, you've decided to cancel the £50 reserve.

0:51:410:51:44

-OK.

-So there's no reserve, it's going. It's definitely going.

0:51:440:51:48

-Yes.

-Good on you, because we wanted Morecambe and Wise memorabilia,

0:51:480:51:50

we really did. It sums up the whole area, doesn't it?

0:51:500:51:53

-Yes.

-And you were 14 years old when you met them.

-Yes.

0:51:530:51:56

Well, look, fingers crossed, these go to a good home

0:51:560:51:59

and they're going under the hammer right now.

0:51:590:52:01

We have the North Pier Pavilion programme, signed, more importantly,

0:52:010:52:05

by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.

0:52:050:52:07

Now, who will start me at £80 for this one?

0:52:070:52:10

-80 from any of you?

-Come on.

-50, then. 30, if you like.

0:52:100:52:13

-Come on.

-At £20.

0:52:130:52:15

22, anybody else?

0:52:150:52:17

With the two autographs on it.

0:52:170:52:19

At 22 and 25 from anybody else then?

0:52:190:52:22

-Come on.

-At 22 and 25.

0:52:220:52:23

It's got that local pedigree.

0:52:230:52:25

£22 now, I'm going to sell.

0:52:250:52:27

-It's gone.

-Make no mistake at £22...

0:52:270:52:31

Well done for reducing the reserve.

0:52:310:52:33

-Yes.

-That means we got it away.

0:52:330:52:34

Quite right. It is the right place, Paul, to sell it.

0:52:340:52:36

-It definitely is.

-But the market didn't call it.

0:52:360:52:38

Thank you for bringing that in because it made our show.

0:52:380:52:41

We needed something like that, Morecambe and Wise memorabilia.

0:52:410:52:44

It didn't make as much as we'd hoped but it was the memories of meeting

0:52:440:52:47

Morecambe and Wise that were priceless for Ann.

0:52:470:52:50

Next up...

0:52:520:52:54

I tell you, there's a lot of badges here,

0:52:540:52:56

-but you do need a chrome bumper for them.

-Absolutely.

0:52:560:52:58

-Ah, you've got to have a chrome bumper.

-Oh, have you?

0:52:580:53:00

Well, they wouldn't look right on a modern bumper, would they,

0:53:000:53:03

some of those badges? They're just so gorgeous.

0:53:030:53:06

I think he had a good eye and this type of thing is well sought after

0:53:060:53:09

-at auto sort of sales.

-They do, Paul.

0:53:090:53:11

-They have a nostalgia to sort of...

-Yes, they do.

0:53:110:53:12

-..happy driving over the years.

-Exactly.

0:53:120:53:15

Put them on the old classic cars and off you go.

0:53:150:53:17

Let's find out what the bidders think.

0:53:170:53:19

Good luck, everyone. This is it.

0:53:190:53:21

A collection of 13 vintage car badges

0:53:210:53:25

and we have interest on phones and on the book at £75 with me.

0:53:250:53:31

75 and 80 now.

0:53:310:53:33

85 online.

0:53:330:53:34

90. 95.

0:53:340:53:36

100. 110.

0:53:360:53:37

120.

0:53:370:53:39

We're in top gear now, look at that. We've shifted up.

0:53:390:53:41

130 on the phone. 130. 140 from anybody else?

0:53:410:53:44

At £130. I'm looking for... 140's online now.

0:53:440:53:47

-150?

-Hold tight.

0:53:470:53:49

160 now.

0:53:490:53:51

At 150 on my left here.

0:53:510:53:52

160. 170.

0:53:520:53:54

-180 this time.

-Come on!

0:53:540:53:56

At £170 and 180 anybody else?

0:53:560:53:59

All done at 170?

0:53:590:54:01

Yes, hammer's gone down.

0:54:010:54:03

£170. Good stuff.

0:54:030:54:06

-Peter did a good job there.

-Yeah.

0:54:060:54:07

-You'd be proud of him, yeah?

-Yeah, I am.

-That's really nice.

0:54:070:54:10

And they'll go to a great home, another collector.

0:54:100:54:12

And hopefully those badges will be on a chrome bumper somewhere...

0:54:120:54:15

-One day.

-..who's got the right classic for it.

0:54:150:54:19

An auction is a fantastic experience.

0:54:190:54:21

You never know what's going to happen.

0:54:210:54:24

John, good luck. Let's hope this next item

0:54:240:54:26

sparkles in the saleroom and lights it up.

0:54:260:54:28

It's that diamond cluster ring.

0:54:280:54:30

I know you bought it in the '80s,

0:54:300:54:31

you paid the proper retail price for it. Just over £1,000.

0:54:310:54:35

The problem that we have today is they're just not fashionable.

0:54:350:54:38

But would this be bought and split up, then?

0:54:380:54:39

-For earrings and...

-It could possibly be bought and split up.

0:54:390:54:42

-That's the thing.

-Yeah. We need top money.

0:54:420:54:44

Let's hope it sparkles. Here we go.

0:54:440:54:46

Lady's 18-carat gold and diamond cluster ring.

0:54:460:54:49

Who will start me at, what, £700 for this ring?

0:54:490:54:52

-700...

-700 would be nice.

0:54:520:54:54

600 quickly. Five.

0:54:540:54:56

400. 400. 420 now.

0:54:560:54:58

At £400. 420 from any of you?

0:54:580:55:01

At £400 and 420, I'd take, 420

0:55:010:55:03

for this ring.

0:55:030:55:05

-Where's 420 for it?

-It's struggling.

0:55:050:55:07

It is really struggling.

0:55:070:55:08

-Yeah, yeah. It is.

-Are you all quite sure at 400?

0:55:080:55:11

Well, I'm very sorry, folks, but...

0:55:110:55:13

We are not selling it. I'm very sorry, John.

0:55:130:55:15

You're right, it is the fashion.

0:55:150:55:16

Fair enough. What would you advise?

0:55:160:55:18

I would suggest just keeping hold of it and probably not doing anything

0:55:180:55:22

with it for a while because the thing is, you never know,

0:55:220:55:24

something like that may well come back into fashion

0:55:240:55:26

but there's a lot of diamonds there

0:55:260:55:28

and you shouldn't just let it go for £400,

0:55:280:55:30

-which is what they were asking.

-Right.

-It's a nice ring

0:55:300:55:33

and you paid a lot of money for it so I would keep hold of it.

0:55:330:55:35

It was a shame about John's diamond ring

0:55:350:55:38

but that's sage advice from Catherine.

0:55:380:55:40

And now, time for the final item -

0:55:400:55:42

will Michael's stopped Rolex make the auction tick?

0:55:420:55:46

Well, I'm a big fan of our next lot.

0:55:460:55:48

I like my watches.

0:55:480:55:49

-Why are you selling this one?

-Partly because it doesn't go.

0:55:490:55:52

But I got tired of it.

0:55:520:55:53

Look, it's a good watch. It is a man's watch,

0:55:530:55:56

but the fashion for women nowadays is to wear bigger watches.

0:55:560:56:00

So there's a big market,

0:56:000:56:01

so I think this is going to sell

0:56:010:56:03

and I think 200 to 300 is a great pitch.

0:56:030:56:05

The important thing is all the numbers matched up...

0:56:050:56:07

-They correspond.

-Yes.

-And that's what people like.

-Yeah.

0:56:070:56:09

So, fingers crossed we get the top end plus.

0:56:090:56:11

-Hopefully.

-Yes, that's what we want.

0:56:110:56:13

Time is definitely up now.

0:56:130:56:15

It's going under the hammer and this is it.

0:56:150:56:16

It's the Rolex Oyster perpetual gentlemen's wristwatch.

0:56:160:56:20

Has its original receipt.

0:56:200:56:21

It also has its original guarantee card.

0:56:210:56:24

And I shall start at £600.

0:56:240:56:27

£600, straight in.

0:56:270:56:29

700 online.

0:56:290:56:31

-800 now.

-Oh, my goodness me.

0:56:310:56:34

1,000 on the internet.

0:56:340:56:35

£1,000. 1,200 now, jumping up.

0:56:350:56:38

£1,400.

0:56:380:56:40

Wow!

0:56:400:56:42

1,400. 1,500, I'll take.

0:56:420:56:44

This is a come and buy me, isn't it?

0:56:440:56:46

It was a bit of one.

0:56:460:56:48

And they are on the phones and they are going up.

0:56:480:56:50

£1,500, on the telephone.

0:56:500:56:53

All done at £1,500...?

0:56:530:56:55

Yes! Hammer down. £1,500!

0:56:550:56:59

-Put it there, Michael.

-Well... £1,500.

0:56:590:57:03

Thank you so much for bringing that in.

0:57:030:57:05

That's cheered you up, hasn't it?

0:57:050:57:06

-Oh, yes.

-Brilliant.

-We'll have to do this again.

0:57:060:57:09

You should have bought more of them at the time.

0:57:090:57:12

Look, it's a great way to end a show.

0:57:120:57:13

We needed a big surprise and we certainly got one today.

0:57:130:57:16

-Oh, yes.

-200 to 300?

0:57:160:57:17

No! £1,500.

0:57:170:57:19

I hope you enjoyed that

0:57:190:57:20

and come back for many more surprises, but until then,

0:57:200:57:23

it's goodbye from all of us.

0:57:230:57:24

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