0:00:04 > 0:00:07Today, we're in Grimsby, in north-east Lincolnshire.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10At the very heart of the town is this church,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12founded in the 12th century.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15This magnificent building has had more than one name in
0:00:15 > 0:00:17its 900-year-old history,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19but it knows exactly what its duty is -
0:00:19 > 0:00:22to provide a warm welcome to its congregation
0:00:22 > 0:00:24and, today, that includes us.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Welcome to Flog It! from Grimsby Minster.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Despite former incarnations as St James' Church
0:00:49 > 0:00:51and Grimsby Parish Church,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54the spirit of Grimsby Minster goes back centuries.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Over time, there have been changes in its layout and description,
0:00:58 > 0:01:03but whatever it's been called, this is very much a living church,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07serving the local community, and today, the whole town's come,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09so we're going to make the most of it,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12and it looks like we've got an enthusiastic Flog It! crowd.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Now, in a moment, we're going to find out what's hidden
0:01:16 > 0:01:20in all of these bags and boxes. Now, that is the front of the queue.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23If you follow me, if you come with me, I'll show you the end,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25but in fact, you can't see the end because the queue goes all around
0:01:25 > 0:01:28this fabulous architectural delight -
0:01:28 > 0:01:29hundreds of people have turned up,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31laden with antiques and collectibles.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34We really do have our work cut out.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Our experts are limbering up for that all-important moment
0:01:37 > 0:01:39when we find out what's it worth.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43And if you're happy with the valuation, what are you going to do?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- ALL:- Flog it!
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Hot in the trail of sparkly gems is Christina Trevanion.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51You know I can't resist diamonds.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Neither can I. That's why I'm getting rid of some.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55Oh, my goodness!
0:01:55 > 0:01:58It's girl power today, as she's joined by Anita Manning,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00who's always a hit with the crowd.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Hello. Good morning. Good morning.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04We're having a good time.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06What have you brought to the valuation day today, Madam?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- A big smile!- Ha-ha!
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Time to get this lot inside -
0:02:11 > 0:02:14they've been getting tempted by the sausages.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16We'll find out more about them later.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19For now, though, the queue's wiggling its way around the aisles,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22into the nave, as people settle in and unpack.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Here's a preview of what's coming up in today's show.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28There are questions for Christina.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Who might use it as a butter dish? - A very smart person.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Anita has a lady chomping at the bit.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- I'm getting you all excited. - Good. Go on, what's it worth?
0:02:40 > 0:02:42What's it worth...?
0:02:42 > 0:02:45And some TLC is needed at auction.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- Top estimate, Shirley.- My...
0:02:47 > 0:02:49This is so exciting, isn't it?
0:02:49 > 0:02:53And I learn about the struggle that faced a Lincolnshire lord
0:02:53 > 0:02:56when he battled between duty and loyalty.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04The balcony where the organ sits is a wonderful spot for me
0:03:04 > 0:03:06because I get a great view from up here.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09I can see what's going on down there,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11and it really is a hive of activity.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Right now, we're going to find out what's in those bags and boxes.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19It's lights, camera, action, and over to Anita Manning's table.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20Let's take a closer look.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- Stuart.- Yes.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31I have to say to you that this is a most interesting and intriguing lot.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35It is showing medallions, little silver medallions,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37with pigeons on them.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Tell me, where did you get them?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41They're my father's father.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44And he was keeping pigeons up until the war
0:03:44 > 0:03:48and, when he stopped keeping pigeons, he kept his medals.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53Right. So what about your dad? Did he work with the pigeons?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Are you interested in pigeons?
0:03:55 > 0:04:00No. No, I wouldn't exactly call myself a pigeon fancier, no.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01No, they're not, er...
0:04:01 > 0:04:03They're not the nicest of creatures!
0:04:03 > 0:04:07I think they're fabulous. In Scotland, we call them "doos".
0:04:07 > 0:04:08- Oh, right.- Uh-huh.
0:04:08 > 0:04:14For me, there is something of mystique about pigeon racing,
0:04:14 > 0:04:21where you have these small creatures who will be taken away,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24let free, and then will come back,
0:04:24 > 0:04:30and I can understand how people can become passionate about them.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32And I know, as well as racing,
0:04:32 > 0:04:38they were involved in the war effort, in espionage.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39That's true.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45So the pigeon has... Although it may not seem a glamorous bird,
0:04:45 > 0:04:50it is nevertheless an interesting and intriguing bird.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51During the Second World War,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55a quarter of a million pigeons were used to carry messages.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Pigeon fanciers stopped racing
0:04:57 > 0:05:00and their birds were used in the war effort,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02often aboard RAF aircraft.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05If a plane had to ditch, the pigeon was sent back to base
0:05:05 > 0:05:10with the location coordinates so a rescue party could be sent out.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13These plucky, speedy birds flew in all weathers
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and, over the course of the war, saved thousands of lives.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22These medallions were awarded to the owner of the fastest pigeon,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24so we have 12 here.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28I think that what makes them quite beautiful,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and aesthetically pleasing to the eye,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35are the wonderful enamelled pigeons.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38These ones here would have gold insets.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43What I'd like to do is to take one out and to have a look at it.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46OK, let's look at the back first.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50We have our silver hallmarks, made in Chester.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Presented to R W Lingard.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56The grandfather.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00This was presented in 1933 and we have O S Ave.
0:06:00 > 0:06:06That means Overseas Average, so the bird that won this medal
0:06:06 > 0:06:10would have been taken across the Channel
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and he would have flown back.
0:06:12 > 0:06:19And there we have this beautifully enamelled depiction of a pigeon.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22If we're thinking of estimates, auction estimates,
0:06:22 > 0:06:27it's a very difficult thing because it's a very unusual item.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- A niche market. - It's a niche market,
0:06:29 > 0:06:35but I would take a stab, really, at an estimate of 250 to 350.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Would you be happy for them to go into auction at that price?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Yes, yes. Yes.- Yeah?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Well, I mean, we might get a surprise here.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45It's entirely possible.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47They might fly!
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Oh, dear. - THEY LAUGH
0:06:50 > 0:06:55Let's put them in to auction, 250 to 350.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00We'll put a reserve on them - 250 with a little bit of discretion.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01- Yes.- OK.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Thank you very much for bringing them along, Stuart.- You're welcome.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Christina's got her eye on something shiny.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Janet, you know I can't resist a bit of diamonds,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16a bit of something sparkly, my goodness!
0:07:16 > 0:07:18And what a sparkly bangle of beautifulness
0:07:18 > 0:07:21you've brought in to us today. Tell me about this.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- I bought it at an auction in Brigg...- OK.- ..in 2004.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27Right, OK.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I like going to auctions
0:07:29 > 0:07:31and the house was full of brown furniture,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33so I couldn't buy any more of that.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- So I went on to jewellery for a little while.- I like it.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38You've gone from collecting brown furniture to jewellery.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- That's right.- Brilliant. So, what is it exactly that you loved about it?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43I like the way it sparkles,
0:07:43 > 0:07:47and I have a sapphire in another ring that was my mother's
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and just always liked sapphires and diamonds together.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52You're absolutely right.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Diamonds and sapphires do sit so well together, don't they?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57And there is a reason for that that we'll come on to,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59but first of all, let's have a look at the whole thing.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03So we've got this wonderful central diamond and sapphire cluster
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and then the diamond set shoulders here.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Now, this us very much in a Victorian/Edwardian style,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11but actually this is a later 20th century example
0:08:11 > 0:08:14and we know that because of the type of cut on the diamonds,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16which are brilliant cuts.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20If it were genuinely an early Edwardian/Victorian piece,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22those would be old cut diamonds,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24or at least old brilliant cut diamonds and they're not.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27They're modern cut diamonds. OK?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- So you say you bought it in 2004? - Yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I think it probably dates to about maybe the 1980s,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34maybe the early '90s, something like that.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36So it hasn't got huge amounts of age to it.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Nonetheless, it's still a lovely piece.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Now, sapphires and diamonds are quite suitable to go together
0:08:41 > 0:08:44because they're of relatively equal hardness, equal durability,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46and they've got that same lovely lustre to them,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- they're both very sparkly. - Sparkly, yes.- Yes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53So diamond weight, we've got about 1.3 carats, something like that.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Now, they're all set in yellow gold.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58I would expect it to be 18-carat gold -
0:08:58 > 0:09:009 would be a little bit too soft.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01The fact that it isn't hallmarked,
0:09:01 > 0:09:05does that mean that it's foreign, that it's not English, not British?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Not necessarily. No, not necessarily.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10I would expect it to be hallmarked if it was a British piece.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13It might just be that it may have been resized at some point
0:09:13 > 0:09:16and that the hallmark, unfortunately, has been taken out,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19so it doesn't necessarily mean it's not a British hallmarked piece,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21it may have been at some stage.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Why are you thinking of selling it?
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Well, I think it needs a young hand. - Do you think?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- Yeah, mine are old and wrinkly. - I would totally disagree with that.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- That's kind of you.- But I think it probably is a good time to sell it.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36If you look at this cluster,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39if you think of the engagement ring of the Duchess of Cambridge,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42obviously, she's brought coloured stones back into fashion.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45So when you say you bought it at auction, what did you pay for it?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Do you mind me asking? - I paid £880.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- OK, at auction, I would put it in the region of £500 to £700.- OK.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53How would you feel about that?
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- Well, I don't wear it. So, yes, I'd prefer to sell it.- OK.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00So if we put a firm reserve at £500,
0:10:00 > 0:10:05and we won't let it go for any less than that and hopefully...
0:10:05 > 0:10:07I'll send an email to the Duchess of Cambridge
0:10:07 > 0:10:09and see if she wants a bangle to go with her ring.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- LAUGHING:- Fingers crossed! Thank you.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Well, it's certainly a hive of activity in there.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Now, you cannot come to Lincolnshire
0:10:19 > 0:10:21without sampling some of the local produce.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Lincolnshire sausage is certainly one of them.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26I'm here with John Pettit. Hello, pleased to meet you.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Morning.- You're a third-generation sausage maker.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32His family business sells around 25 tonnes of sausage each week.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- That's a lot of sausage.- It is.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Where does it all go? All over the country?- All over the country, yeah.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39My grandfather started the business in 1892.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42I'm retired and I've got my little black book here
0:10:42 > 0:10:44with the recipe to hand on.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45What's the secret?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Are we allowed to see in the little black book?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Can you tell us what makes them so special? We'd like to know!
0:10:49 > 0:10:52It's the consistency and the quality of the ingredients,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56plus sage is the integral part that makes them very distinctive.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- The ground sage.- And here is a bowl of Lincolnshire sausages.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Look at this.- Been slightly depleted by some of your crew.- Right! OK.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Well, we are a hungry lot. We've got our work cut out today.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Now, most of you know I'm a vegetarian,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14so I, unfortunately, won't take a bite out of this.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15My kids would.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19But I do have two trusty helpers here, Christina and Anita.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- You don't know what you're missing out on.- Ah, yes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24I like them a wee bit burnt.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Could you tell that that's a regional sausage?
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Lincolnshire sausages are the best. - They are the best.- Mm, very good.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Very, very good. Cheers!
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Cheers!
0:11:36 > 0:11:38We need to leave the sausages,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40and it's straight back to work for Anita,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42who's discovered something from one of the oldest
0:11:42 > 0:11:45working potteries in the world.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Margaret, welcome to Flog It! - Thank you.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53And you've brought along this divine little Belleek honey pot.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Tell me, where did you get it?
0:11:55 > 0:12:00I got it quite a few years ago at a school summer fair.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03A lady in the summer fair
0:12:03 > 0:12:06knew I collected Belleek.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- Oh, you collect Belleek?- Yes.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Oh, you're one of those mad collectors!- Yes.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- How did you start collecting? - When my son left college,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- he fell in love with an Irish girl and he went out there.- Ah.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- So did you become interested in Belleek at that point?- Oh, yes.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Because he lived near Enniskillen, which is quite near Belleek.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- So have you got a lot Belleek?- Yes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- Every room in the house, virtually! - OK.
0:12:33 > 0:12:39Now, Belleek started in the 1880s and, over periods of time,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43they used different colours of back stamps,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47so we can date the pieces to certain periods
0:12:47 > 0:12:50and here we can see this black back stamp,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53which is third period Belleek,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57and that is between 1926 and 1946.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01So it's putting us within that period there.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And if we look in the inside,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- it's almost like an egg shell porcelain.- Yes.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13It's a little honey pot and it's in the form of a beehive,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16sitting on a little platform.
0:13:16 > 0:13:23And we have bees here, making their way in to the honey pot,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25so the object has humour.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Now, tell me, Margaret, you collect Belleek,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- you have many, many, many pieces. - Mm-hm.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- What's your favourite piece?- That.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- This is your favourite piece?- Yes. - Right, OK.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- But, you know, times change.- OK.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46I would put an auction estimate of 100 to 150 on it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- Would you be happy to put it into auction at that price?- Yes.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56- We will put a firm reserve of £100 on it.- Thank you.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00And I'm sure that there will be fierce competition for it.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04So thank you so much for bringing it along.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06It's a lovely wee object.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Thank you.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Such a pretty honey pot
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and that should appeal to the Belleek collectors.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Well, can see the Minster has provided
0:14:15 > 0:14:18some wonderful inspiration for our hardworking team,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20our experts have been enthused
0:14:20 > 0:14:23and indeed all the people who have turned up today -
0:14:23 > 0:14:25they've brought some marvellous treasures along
0:14:25 > 0:14:27and, as you've just seen, our experts have found
0:14:27 > 0:14:30their first three items to take off to auction.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33So, while we get ready to put them to the test in the saleroom,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35here's a quick recap, just to jog your memory,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41The proudly-won pigeon racing medals.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Will they find favour with any fanciers?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49A stunning diamond and sapphire gold bracelet.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54And the pretty Belleek honey pot.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00We're heading south west to Lincoln,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03a city with an impressive heritage and a very steep hill.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07This was built by the Romans to help boost trade routes
0:15:07 > 0:15:09and it's still a bustling shopping area.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12And we're hoping for some good sales of our own now.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14On the rostrum, we have two auctioneers.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Colin Young and John Leatt.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21And the commission rate here today is 15% plus VAT.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24It's looking busy and hopefully,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27there's somebody who fancies these pigeon medals.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29I've just been joined by Stuart and Anita, our expert,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32and something quite rare, we rarely see on Flog It!,
0:15:32 > 0:15:33racing pigeon medals.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- These have been grandad's, they've been in the family a long time.- Yep.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- So you didn't want them?- No, no.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- This is such an unusual lot. - How do you put a value on to it?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Very, very difficult.- Yeah. - Very difficult.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Look, I hope these go to a good home. Going under the hammer now.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51What shall we say for this?
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Who is going to start me at a couple of hundred? £200.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58200. Start me at 100. 100 bid. At 100.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00120 now, make it. 100 bid. 120 anybody now?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03At 100, 120, 140, 160.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05160, 180. 180, 200.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08200, 220, 240.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11240 now. 240. 220 bid.
0:16:11 > 0:16:1540 now. At 220. 230 then.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16Anybody else fancy joining in?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20At 220. Well, I've had enough bidders for it. At 220.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22We are going to sell. That's the competition.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24That's where it all ends.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25Or does it?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Is anybody else going to home in on it?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30No? At 220, on my left here then.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Selling at £220.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- £220.- Well, he used a wee bit of discretion there.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- Just got them away.- Yeah.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40As we thought, a tricky thing to value,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43but it's good Stuart's grandfather's medals have found a new home.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45It's Margaret's turn now,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48and here's hoping the bidders come buzzing to her honey pot.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Going under the hammer right now, we have some fine porcelain.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53We have some Belleek going under the hammer,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56all the way from Northern Ireland. Why are you selling this?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Well, I'm supposed to be... cutting back a bit.- OK.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03But I have still another...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- about 150 pieces at home.- Oh!
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- LAUGHING:- She's a mad collector!
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- All Belleek?- Yes.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10Wow!
0:17:10 > 0:17:12We're going to put this to the test. Who's going to buy it?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14We don't know, but we're going to find out.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Here it is, under the hammer, now.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18£100?
0:17:18 > 0:17:2080, then?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22£80. Any interest at 80?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I've got 50. £50, I'll start it. £50 with me.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27With me at £50. 55 and 60.
0:17:28 > 0:17:2965 and 70.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32At £70, here with me at £70.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34At £70. All done at £70? At 75 at 80.
0:17:34 > 0:17:3585 and 90.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38At £90. Anyone else at £90? Anyone else at £90?
0:17:38 > 0:17:39All done at £90.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42He was asking for £90 - he didn't sell it. So close.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- Margaret... - Never mind.- ..it's got to go home.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- I don't mind. - It's going to join its mates.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It didn't want to be separated, did it?
0:17:50 > 0:17:52THEY LAUGH
0:17:52 > 0:17:54That piece certainly won't be lonely -
0:17:54 > 0:17:58it can snuggle back in with Margaret's other 150 pieces,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02and hopefully Janet won't be taking her gold bracelet home.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Good luck, both of you. I know you both like this,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07but sadly it's got to go because tastes change.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10We all evolve and we look at things in different ways.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- It's a diamond and sapphire bracelet.- It is, yes.- Very in vogue.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- Yes.- And, at the end of the day, it is all about taste, isn't it?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- It's all about who likes it. - Two people liking it.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19- Exactly.- Exactly.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21And Oscar Wilde said there's no such thing as good taste
0:18:21 > 0:18:24and bad taste, just your taste and my taste, so let's hope we have
0:18:24 > 0:18:27lots of bidders in the room that have exactly our taste.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29He also said drinking's a mug's game -
0:18:29 > 0:18:31the bigger the mug, the better.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I think I'll stick to that one in future!
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Right, let's put this under the hammer. Here we go.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38What shall we say for this one?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Who's going to start me, bottom estimate, 500 for it? 500.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Five. Four to go then, 400 anybody?
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Four. Three if you like. Three.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Three over there. £300 bid.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48At 300. 320, at 320. 340. 340, 360.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50360, 380. At 380, 400.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53400, 420, 440, 440, 460.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54460, 480.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56480 now. 480 do I see?
0:18:56 > 0:18:57480 surely, 480.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59500 now. 500, 500.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- 550, 550. 600?- Oh, fantastic. - Good, yeah.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03600 now. 650, I'm bid 650.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05700 now, surely? 700. 700.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07750, at 750. 800 now?
0:19:07 > 0:19:09800 surely. 800 bid.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10800, 850?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12850. 900. 950?
0:19:12 > 0:19:14950. 1,000?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- At £950.- Fantastic!
0:19:16 > 0:19:18I'll offer you 75 to help you out.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19975 bid. At 975.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- 1,000 now, surely. 1,000. - Go on, Colin!
0:19:23 > 0:19:25It's at 1,000 bid. Offer 25.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Last call for the room, last call for the internet.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29I will sell, and sell at £1,000.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Thank you very much.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32Oh, thank you, that was...
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- I'm tingling, I'm tingling for you, Janet.- Wonderful.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- I was nervous. Amazing! - You were spot on.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40What a great result, doubling the reserve!
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Well, three lots down and three more to go later on in the programme
0:19:46 > 0:19:49but before we return to Grimsby Minster to find some more gems
0:19:49 > 0:19:52to go under the hammer, I'm going to be exploring
0:19:52 > 0:19:54one of Lincolnshire's many great stately homes,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57to find out about a Lord who became confidant
0:19:57 > 0:20:00to the only British sovereign to abdicate voluntarily.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08This is Belton House, deep in the Lincolnshire countryside.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Since it was built in the 17th century, members of the family
0:20:12 > 0:20:15who lived here have been closely linked to the royal court.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23This man in particular was destined to play a part in British history,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27which had repercussions far beyond these walls.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33Peregrine Cust, the 6th Lord Brownlow, inherited Belton in 1927.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Like his predecessors, he mixed with royalty
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and he and his wife, Kitty, were close friends
0:20:39 > 0:20:42of the Prince of Wales, who was to become King Edward VIII.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Whilst he was still Prince, Edward was having an affair
0:20:46 > 0:20:50with a married woman, the American socialite Wallis Simpson.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53This, in the day, was a real scandal.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57I'm meeting house and collections manager Katherine Grainger
0:20:57 > 0:21:00to find out more about Perry, as he was known.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04What kind of man was the 6th Lord Brownlow?
0:21:04 > 0:21:07From what you read about him and hear about him,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11he was the most incredibly loyal friend and servant,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13with an enormous sense of duty.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18He'd been in the Army, in the Grenadier Guards, in his youth,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20and I think that bred in the man
0:21:20 > 0:21:23something that he couldn't get away from, I suppose.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- Discipline and honour.- Yes.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29What were his links with the Prince of Wales?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31He'd known him for many years.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Edward owned a house on the edge of Windsor Great Park
0:21:34 > 0:21:38and that was a place where people would gather to socialise -
0:21:38 > 0:21:42dinners, weekends - and Peregrine and his wife, Kitty,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46were very much a part of that Fort Belvedere set.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51So if they were that close, Perry would have known
0:21:51 > 0:21:54about Edward's relationship with Mrs Simpson.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Yes, very much so. He would have been fully well aware
0:21:57 > 0:22:00of the relationship that was developing.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Which would have been a real pressure for him.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06I'm sure there would have been a sense of unease about it
0:22:06 > 0:22:10because I believe that George V and Queen Mary, I think,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14had made their feelings quite clear as to what they thought about it,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16so again that sense of duty comes in
0:22:16 > 0:22:19because he is faithful to his friend,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23but he knows that his King's not happy about what's going on.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27In January 1936, King George V died,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30leaving Edward to ascend to the throne.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37When Edward succeeded the throne in January 1936,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Lord Brownlow became his Lord-in-waiting.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43He ensured all his needs were met and accompanied the King
0:22:43 > 0:22:46on his first and only State Opening of Parliament,
0:22:46 > 0:22:47and, during that year,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51he became Edward's closest friend and confidant.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53When the king's supporters realised his intentions
0:22:53 > 0:22:56were to marry Mrs Simpson, they turned to Lord Brownlow,
0:22:56 > 0:23:01to persuade Wallis to give up the King, and leave the country.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Wallis was divorced and marriage to her was constitutionally impossible.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09The Church of England, of which Edward was head,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11did not allow divorcees to remarry,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15and there was no precedent for the monarch to marry a commoner.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18The Cabinet made it clear they would not accept it.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22With rumour and speculation mounting amongst the establishment,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24the risk of some very bad press,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28the King realised he had to get Wallis away from the furore.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32This is detailed in documents held by Lincolnshire Archives.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37This, over here is a notebook, which was put together
0:23:37 > 0:23:42by Lord Brownlow and it relates to his adventure to France,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44taking Mrs Simpson with him,
0:23:44 > 0:23:48to get her out of the way while the King made up his mind.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Did the King ask Lord Brownlow to take Wallis to France?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54He did, and there is a piece in here
0:23:54 > 0:23:58about the fact that he had a job for him to do for him,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and that he mustn't tell anybody about it, not even Kitty, his wife.
0:24:01 > 0:24:08"Tell no-one under any circumstances about this, not even K.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10"Can you manage that for me?"
0:24:10 > 0:24:14There are also here two draft statements
0:24:14 > 0:24:17which Lord Brownlow wrote on Mrs Simpson's behalf.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20In fact, this one is actually signed by her.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22She signed it, hasn't she, Wallis Simpson?
0:24:22 > 0:24:26And this does state that she would be willing to give him up.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31"Today her attitude is unchanged and she is willing to withdraw forthwith
0:24:31 > 0:24:34"from a situation that has been rendered
0:24:34 > 0:24:36"both unhappy and untenable."
0:24:36 > 0:24:39So, plainly, they had talked about it
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- and discussed her issuing a statement.- Gosh.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42Just looking at that,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45that's terribly upsetting in any relationship,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47let alone one that the King was having.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Yes, and I suspect he would have been deeply distressed
0:24:51 > 0:24:54by the fact that these statements were being issued.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Did it influence any situation?
0:24:56 > 0:25:01Well, it didn't, no, because as we know, in the end, he abdicated.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- RADIO RECORDING: - 'This is Windsor Castle,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09'his Royal Highness Prince Edward.'
0:25:12 > 0:25:18'I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility
0:25:18 > 0:25:25'and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do
0:25:25 > 0:25:31'without the help and support of the woman I love,
0:25:31 > 0:25:38'and I want you to know that the decision I have made...
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'has been mine and mine alone.'
0:25:43 > 0:25:45With Edward's abdication after less than a year,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48his brother became King George VI,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50leaving Edward free to propose to Wallis.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55He followed her to France, intending to marry the woman he loved.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02There's a letter here from Edward and some train timetables.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Yes, he wrote that letter to Perry, including the train timetables,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09saying how much he and Wallis hoped that Perry and Kitty
0:26:09 > 0:26:12would attend the wedding, and then Perry did actually
0:26:12 > 0:26:16write to the King, George VI,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19asking his permission to attend the wedding,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22but very, very quickly withdrew that letter
0:26:22 > 0:26:25because he realised he was asking him an impossible question.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27As Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30you are King's representative in Lincolnshire,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34therefore he was the representative of George VI.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36To have gone to the wedding would have,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39in the eyes of the people of Lincolnshire,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43would have been perhaps very uncomfortable for him.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46So obviously Lord Brownlow had to let Edward know
0:26:46 > 0:26:48he couldn't attend the wedding.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53He did and there is a very, very, brief communication between them.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Peregrine wrote and indicated there were considerable difficulties
0:26:58 > 0:27:02back here in England, and he received a telegram by return from
0:27:02 > 0:27:07the Duke of Windsor to say he quite understood and no more need be said.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Did duty win over friendship?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Yes, I think duty did win over friendship,
0:27:13 > 0:27:18although the friendship then carried on over time.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20So, yes, I think it would be fair to say that.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Lord and Lady Brownlow remained in touch with Edward and Wallis
0:27:30 > 0:27:34in the years that followed the abdication crisis.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37And in 1937, Edward and Wallis were married,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40and they were given the titles the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43They never returned to live in England.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Lord Brownlow was Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire
0:27:48 > 0:27:51right up until 1950, when he retired,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54coming back here to Belton House, the family seat,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57where he later died in 1978.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01He always knew that his name would be linked to Edward's,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03and he was proud that it should be so.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Back to Grimsby Minster,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18where the crowd's showing no signs of petering out.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20And Christina's found a quiet corner
0:28:20 > 0:28:24to examine some rather exotic beauties belonging to Brian.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Tell me about them.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Where did you buy a pair of pineapples? I'm intrigued.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33We were driving through Yorkshire, they was on a bric-a-brac stall.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36As soon as I saw them I thought, "Well, I've got to have them,"
0:28:36 > 0:28:38because they really looked the bee's knees.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40- Yeah, they're very smart. - Really good, yes.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43I asked the chap how much, and we got them for £10, believe it or not.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- £10?!- £10.- No! My goodness me.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- Were you wearing a mask at the time? - Yes.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50THEY LAUGH
0:28:50 > 0:28:53That's amazing, isn't it? And do you know what they're for?
0:28:53 > 0:28:55I think they've come out of a big house
0:28:55 > 0:28:58where they were on the newel post of a big staircase,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01a sweeping staircase, they'd be on the bottom.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Right. OK. Mm. Potentially.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08The reason that I bought them was for them to put in the garden.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11But having discovered they were cast iron,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I thought they would rust in the garden
0:29:13 > 0:29:16and I didn't want to spray anything on them.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- I think it would have taken away the look of them.- The patina.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- It's a lovely patina on them. - You're absolutely right. Yes.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Now, they're very much in the style of...
0:29:25 > 0:29:27I don't know if you've heard of a factory called Coalbrookdale.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30They started in the 18th century, producing cast ironware.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34They produced the most amazing big benches and they produced, I think,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37the gates to Buckingham Palace or Hyde Park gates or something.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39So they made some wonderful cast-iron pieces.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- And they're very much in that style.- Mm.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45But, unfortunately, they're not marked. Let's have a look.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47No, definitely no marks on their bottoms,
0:29:47 > 0:29:49which is such a shame because, if they were marked,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52we could definitely attribute them to Coalbrookdale.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Then we'd be laughing. It would be brilliant.
0:29:54 > 0:30:00I just don't think that they are newel post pineapples, sadly.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03I think they were made to go outside.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- And I think that they were potentially gatepost finials...- Yes?
0:30:06 > 0:30:08..and that these sections here,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10unless this is a very tiny weeny inkwell,
0:30:10 > 0:30:14which it isn't, we think that that's what you would have had
0:30:14 > 0:30:15if you had night-time parties,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18you may have put a torchiere in the top of there,
0:30:18 > 0:30:20- like a storm lantern, effectively... - Oh, I see.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- ..that would have gone either inside that or sat on top of that.- Right.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27These came off a very nice house with a very long drive
0:30:27 > 0:30:29with some very well-to-do people.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32And you would have had staff that would have cleaned them
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- and kept them right and kept them in good condition.- Mm.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Unfortunately, without that mark,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40we're not talking the stellar realms, sadly -
0:30:40 > 0:30:44we are talking as a nice pair of decorative finials.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47£100 to £200 would be very suitable for it,
0:30:47 > 0:30:49which I don't think is a bad investment...
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Not a bad return.- ..on your £10.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54So would you want to protect them with a reserve?
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Well, I'm quite prepared to let them go without a reserve.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01So we'll put an estimate of 100 to 200 and no reserve,
0:31:01 > 0:31:03and we'll let the market dictate.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05- See who wants a pair of pineapples on the day.- Yes.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Thank you so much for bringing them in.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- I love them, I think they're gorgeous.- Good.- And a great find.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11I think I need to come on a drive with you.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13THEY LAUGH
0:31:13 > 0:31:17Brian had better check his passenger seat the next time he goes out.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Now, Anita's made a great find
0:31:19 > 0:31:22from the early 20th-century Arts and Crafts period.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Julie, welcome to Flog It!
0:31:24 > 0:31:30Now, you've brought in to us, today, a slightly bashed
0:31:30 > 0:31:34and kind of kicked-about little candlestick,
0:31:34 > 0:31:38BUT it's quite an important little thing.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39Where did you get it?
0:31:39 > 0:31:43I work for a charity shop in Hull, and it got donated.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45And the girls were sorting through it,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48and they put it on the shelf for me to check.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Now, did the girls recognise... Did they see some sort of quality?
0:31:51 > 0:31:55They saw a code number on the base of it. 022.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58And, obviously, now we've got the access to the internet,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00I took it upstairs to check it.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04And there is a Liberty and Co stamp on the underside.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- Did you get quite excited?- Yeah. That's why I'm here today...
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Ah, wonderful.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11..to see whether it is a proper piece.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15And I think what we'll do is look underneath it first.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18We can see that it's English pewter.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21The number is 0222.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Now, the zero is the thing which is giving me the indication
0:32:25 > 0:32:30that it could be Archibald Knox.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Archibald Knox, born in the mid-1800s,
0:32:34 > 0:32:39was one of the great designers
0:32:39 > 0:32:42of the late 19th, early 20th century.
0:32:42 > 0:32:47If we look on the other side, we see, and it's very faint,
0:32:47 > 0:32:53we can see that it has been made by Liberty and Company.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Two big, big names.
0:32:56 > 0:33:02And what Liberty were selling were items which had an artistic,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05or a design influence, and in actual fact,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08they are still doing that today.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13Archibald Knox was involved in the Arts and Crafts movement.
0:33:13 > 0:33:20He designed items in silver, and he also designed items in pewter.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23He had a great interest in botany,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26and, very often, we see his designs
0:33:26 > 0:33:32having a botanical influence with these four posts,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36which are almost like the stalks of flowers or leaves.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- I'm getting you all excited.- Good.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- Go on. What's it worth? - What's it worth?
0:33:41 > 0:33:43- Now, it is a single candle stick. - OK.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48The price on it... I'm going to make it a conservative estimate.
0:33:48 > 0:33:54- I would like to put it into auction at maybe £60 to £80.- OK.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59- I feel that a conservative estimate will draw in the bidders.- Lovely.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05Now, would you be happy to put it in at that estimate?
0:34:05 > 0:34:09- Any funds that we raise today will go to the charity.- Uh-huh.- Lovely.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12A fixed reserve of £60,
0:34:12 > 0:34:16and let's hope it makes an enormous amount of money.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- So do I.- Uh-huh.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19No pressure, Anita(!)
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Now, this is the Memorial Chapel,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26a place to remember those who lost their lives in battle.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30And what's caught my eye is this monument to the Grimsby Chums.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34I'd never heard of this before, so I did a bit of investigating.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36When the First World War broke out,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Britain was the only major force not to have a mass conscripted army.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44The Army wasn't big enough to fight a global battle.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47So many thousands of men volunteered their service
0:34:47 > 0:34:49under Lord Kitchener's New Armies.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Known as Pals Battalions,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55these harnessed local ties for national gain.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57The thought was more men would enlist
0:34:57 > 0:35:02if they could serve alongside their friends, relatives and workmates.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06And out of the 300 battalions, only one had a different name,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08the Grimsby Chums.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Factory workers, bankers, farm workers,
0:35:10 > 0:35:14they all got together, they trained together, and they went off
0:35:14 > 0:35:17and they fought their first battle at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21They suffered their highest casualties
0:35:21 > 0:35:23on the first day of this battle.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Half were reported killed, missing or wounded.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35Since the war broke out,
0:35:35 > 0:35:41a total of 810 men from Grimsby lost their lives in battle.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44This is a memorial to them, the Grimsby Chums.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55Now back to the valuations and Christina's in her element.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01I love this beautiful piece that you've brought in to me.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- Why did you bring it in?- It belonged to my maternal grandmother...
0:36:04 > 0:36:08- Right.- ..and it spent a lot of time on the windowsill
0:36:08 > 0:36:11with a flowerpot in it, sometimes, and sometimes it was empty.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Really?!- Yes. Really.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16You couldn't get further from a flowerpot if you tried,
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- to be honest. - THEY LAUGH
0:36:19 > 0:36:20So where did Granny get this from?
0:36:20 > 0:36:24- I believe she got it in a bring and buy sale.- A bring and buy sale.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- I believe so.- Gosh, somebody brought it and she bought it.- Yes.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29- I like her style.- So do I.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- Have you been offered any money for it in the past?- Well, she was.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34She used to keep it in a windowsill, as I said,
0:36:34 > 0:36:36and it was when rag-and-bone men came around.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40- It was shortly after the Second World War, '47-ish.- Yeah.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43He'd offered her £5.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44And she thought,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47"Well, it must be worth more if he's offering me five."
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- Reverse psychology. I like it.- Yes. - Let's have a look at it.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Let's start from the beginning, shall we?
0:36:53 > 0:36:54Let's start from the bottom up.
0:36:54 > 0:37:00- What we've got is this mark on the bottom, which says WH90.- Right.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- Do you know what that means? - I've no idea.- No?
0:37:03 > 0:37:07WH is a maker called Wang Hing,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10who was a Chinese silversmith and retailer
0:37:10 > 0:37:15- and exporter of very good quality silverwares.- Right.- OK.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18This particular example is a 90 standard. OK?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21So that's a really good sign. That's a very good-quality silver.
0:37:21 > 0:37:26Wang Hing started production of these sorts of wares in about 1854,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28OK, but I don't think this is one of his earlier pieces.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31I think this is more maybe 1880s, 1900,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34maybe slightly turn of the century. It's not his early work.
0:37:34 > 0:37:35We can tell that by the mark.
0:37:35 > 0:37:41It's got this amazingly beautiful embossed and cast decoration
0:37:41 > 0:37:44of these, what have we got, we've got chrysanthemums,
0:37:44 > 0:37:45we've got peonies.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- It's just so detailed.- That's sort of like a dahlia.- Yeah.- And so on.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51- It looks like a jungle of a garden, doesn't it?- It does.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54And that's what the Chinese were so good at,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57in creating these wonderful floral views.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59It is a very unusual form.
0:37:59 > 0:38:05Now, we think it was probably a butter pail or butter container.
0:38:05 > 0:38:06Oh, right.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08But the smartest butter dish I think I've ever seen in my life.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13- Well, yeah. Who might use it as a butter dish?- A very smart person.
0:38:13 > 0:38:14THEY LAUGH
0:38:14 > 0:38:16So what you would have done,
0:38:16 > 0:38:18is you would have put your ice in the bottom,
0:38:18 > 0:38:22and you would have put your butter in a little liner inside there
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- to keep the butter cool.- Ah!- OK?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28It may have had a lid because, if you see around here,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31you can see that there is a little indentation to that rim there.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34- So it may originally have had a lid. - Ah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36So if I were to put this into auction,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I would estimate it at 300 to 500, 400 to 600.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41How would you feel about that?
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I would prefer a higher reserve because of the years I've known it.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45- OK.- If you don't mind.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48I think that's fine, I think a comfortable estimate,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51if we said 400 to 600 with a firm reserve at £400.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- We won't let it go for any less than that.- Fine.- Is that all right?
0:38:54 > 0:38:55Yes.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56Thank you.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Right now, we're going to leave this scene behind
0:39:02 > 0:39:05as we put those valuations to the test in the auction room.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07This is where it matters.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09This is where we find out what's it worth.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11So while we make our way down to Lincoln,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14here's a quick recap of all the items that are going...
0:39:14 > 0:39:17HE IMITATES A GAVEL BANG ..under the hammer.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19There are the decorative cast-iron pineapples.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26An Arts and Crafts gem - the pewter candleholder.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31And the beautifully-decorated silver from China -
0:39:31 > 0:39:33a very posh butter dish.
0:39:35 > 0:39:36As we return to the saleroom,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39it's all eyes on the auctioneer, John Leatt,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42as the exotic fruit tests the bidders.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Brian, going under the hammer right now,
0:39:45 > 0:39:46we've got your two pineapples.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Cast-iron pineapples, possibly gateposts.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Brian and I have been debating this since the valuation day.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Well, let's put them to the test.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55They're going under the hammer right now.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58A bit of interest in this. Various, in fact.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00More than a bit, we've got quite a lot of interest in this,
0:40:00 > 0:40:02and I'll start them straight with me at £40.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03At £40. At 40.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05- I thought straight in at 200. - 600. Yeah.
0:40:05 > 0:40:0850. Let the internet take it at £50.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09The internet's at 55.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12At 55 in the room. And 60. 65.
0:40:12 > 0:40:1470. 75.
0:40:14 > 0:40:1780. 85. 90
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- £90 on the net, anyone else at 90? On the internet. £90.- In profit.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- You're in profit, absolutely. - Done at £90?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24On the internet? Nowhere else? In the room?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- They could go for more than that. - So on the internet at £90, then...
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Well, they're gone at £90. That's a good profit, isn't it?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33£80 profit for you there, Brian.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34That's not bad, is it?
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- Pay for the trip home.- Yeah!
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Now, Julie was very keen to make as much as possible
0:40:41 > 0:40:45on her Arts and Crafts candlestick holder.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Belongs to Julie, not for much longer. Why are you selling this?
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- It's donated for the charity. - Oh, is it?
0:40:50 > 0:40:52So all the money is going towards charity?
0:40:52 > 0:40:55It's going to sell, but what for? We're going to find out right now.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57This is it.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Who's going to start me at £50? 50?
0:41:00 > 0:41:0340 to go, then. £40? 40? 30?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06We're looking for £60 to £80, aren't we, Julie?
0:41:06 > 0:41:0838, 38, bid 40. At 40, we've got a bid.
0:41:08 > 0:41:0942, 45.
0:41:09 > 0:41:1048.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Bid 50 now. 50, got a bid.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13It's getting brighter. It's flickering.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Five anywhere else, now?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- 70 bid?- This is good.
0:41:17 > 0:41:1875? £70 bid?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Do I see five now? At £70.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22You're all out now. 75 with you. 75.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23Bid 80 with me. And five now.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25- Still climbing.- This is very good.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Five, anywhere? Surely, we are all done.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29At £80. Last call for everybody.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31It's on the market and selling at £80.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33£80. Yes, well done, Colin Young. Thank you for bringing that in.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34Lovely.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37That candlestick did shine in the saleroom.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41And hopefully Shirley's stunning silver piece will. too.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42We are just about to sell
0:41:42 > 0:41:45this Chinese export silver two-handled bowl.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- It's gorgeous.- It is, it's beautiful.- It is, isn't it?
0:41:48 > 0:41:49Yes, stylistically, it's perfect.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51It stands so well,
0:41:51 > 0:41:53and we're going to put it under the hammer right now.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Start me at 400 for this.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59400, 3 to go, 300 bid, 300. 320. At 320.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01340. At 340. 360.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03360. 380. At 380.
0:42:03 > 0:42:04- 400.- Yes.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05At 400 bid.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06- 420, now.- Oh, fantastic.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- We've got the reserve price now. - 420, anybody now?
0:42:09 > 0:42:12420. 440. 440 bid now.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14440. 440. 460.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18- 460. 480. 480. 480.- 480, brilliant.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19- 500.- Well done, Colin.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Come on, keep working that bid.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22550 now, do I see?
0:42:22 > 0:42:24550. 600. Up to £600.
0:42:24 > 0:42:25That's the top estimate, Shirley.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27At 600.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29This is so exciting.
0:42:29 > 0:42:30At 650, here.
0:42:30 > 0:42:3275 if it's going to help you?
0:42:32 > 0:42:34675 helps.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35Seven now.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37My bid of 675...
0:42:37 > 0:42:39- Fantastic.- ..is in the room.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40700 is your last chance.
0:42:40 > 0:42:41Go on.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43At 675. Are we all done, then?
0:42:44 > 0:42:48No? At 675, all done at 675...
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Yes. £675. - Oh, thanks, that's lovely.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- Look at your little face.- Chuffed!
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Top. That's what we like. Well done, Christina.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Right, it was a lovely piece.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59And well done, you, for bringing that in.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03What a fantastic result, and Shirley's over the moon.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Well, that's it, it's all over for our owners.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09As you can see, the auction is still going on.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11We've had a fabulous time here in Lincoln.
0:43:11 > 0:43:12Our owners have gone home happy
0:43:12 > 0:43:14and our experts have been on the money,
0:43:14 > 0:43:16and that's what it's all about.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19Join us again for another surprise in another auction room.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21Until then, it's goodbye.