0:00:03 > 0:00:06Today, we've come to the historic city of St Albans
0:00:06 > 0:00:08in the home county of Hertfordshire,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and just look at this incredible queue that has already turned up -
0:00:11 > 0:00:13and it's only 9:30.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- Are you ready for this, everyone? ALL:- Yes!
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Well, our valuation day venue lays claim to being the oldest site
0:00:19 > 0:00:23of continuous Christian worship in the country, and it's this,
0:00:23 > 0:00:27the magnificent, the glorious St Albans Cathedral and Abbey.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55For over 1,700 years,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57there have been buildings of worship on the site
0:00:57 > 0:01:01where St Albans Cathedral and Abbey proudly stands today.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06In 793, a Benedictine abbey was founded
0:01:06 > 0:01:09and a small town grew up around the monastery's walls.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13This was the premier Benedictine abbey in the country,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16but was suppressed by Henry VIII in the 16th century.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21Following the dissolution,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24the town bought the church for parish worship.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Later, in 1877, St Albans achieved cathedral status,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32although it still remained a vibrant parish church as well.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37St Alban, who the Cathedral and the Abbey are named after,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40was the first Christian martyr in this country.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43And he was a citizen of the old Roman town of Verulamium,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47which was the precursor to the city of St Albans we have today,
0:01:47 > 0:01:48and he converted to Christianity
0:01:48 > 0:01:50towards the end of the third century,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53after listening to a Christian priest talk.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55He subsequently helped the priest escape, he took his place.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58But his fellow Roman kinsmen identified him,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01asked him to renounce his new faith. He wouldn't.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03He was put to death for his new beliefs.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08This site, where Alban was buried
0:02:08 > 0:02:11and where afterwards a shrine was built,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14has for centuries attracted hordes of Christian pilgrims,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and many still come to worship at St Albans Cathedral and Abbey today.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24In June, St Albans hosts a major pilgrimage festival,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27which includes a procession that has giant puppets of Alban
0:02:27 > 0:02:29and his executioners.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33And we have our own group of pilgrims here today,
0:02:33 > 0:02:34who have travelled far and wide,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37laden with antiques and collectables,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41here to see our experts, to ask that all-important question, which is...?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- ALL:- What's it worth? - Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Are you ready to go inside?- Yes!
0:02:50 > 0:02:53On hand to value St Albans antiques and collectables,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56we have our experts, James Lewis and Jonathan Pratt.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59This is amazing. Do you know, I've seen a lot of beadwork,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01but I've not seen a bead snake before.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- Ah, that's interesting. - It's trying to get away, actually.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- Is it Turkish?- Yes.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07The Turks always made these.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- Hasap lutfen?- Yes, very good...
0:03:10 > 0:03:12That's "How much, please?" in Turkish!
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- Have fun.- Thank you.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Time to get a wriggle on. Let's get this show on the road.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21And this is where it gets exciting.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23This is the front of the queue and we're going in.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Come on, everyone!
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Whilst everyone takes their seats and makes themselves comfortable
0:03:32 > 0:03:34in St Albans' beautiful nave,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36let's have a quick look at what's coming up.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Jonathan uncovers some autographs from the age of flower power.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Now, did you meet all these people personally?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- Um, I think I did.- You think you did. You can't remember!
0:03:50 > 0:03:52And one of our owners is shocked at the value
0:03:52 > 0:03:54of her antique walking cane.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00- James, no!- It's a fabulously early interesting bit of maritime history.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I'm absolutely stunned.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05And I'll be stepping away from the nave and the hubbub
0:04:05 > 0:04:08of the valuation day to meet the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10the Dean of St Albans Cathedral,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13to find out more about the life of the cathedral today,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and the people involved in keeping it running.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20But before that, it's time to get our valuations underway.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- Is everybody ready? ALL:- Yes.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Yes, well, any one of you could be going off to auction.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Let's find out who the first lucky person is.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Oh, Leslie.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38You have brought a wonderful lot for us today.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- Have I?- It's a really interesting walking cane.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- You don't know quite how interesting, do you?- No, I don't.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46No! I could tell!
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I saw it poking out of your bag outside in the queue
0:04:49 > 0:04:53and I thought, "Wow, that is a really interesting thing."
0:04:53 > 0:04:54What's the history?
0:04:54 > 0:04:58My mother had it and I believe it came from an aunt of hers.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Aunt Kathleen. But that's all I know of it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03OK, now, do you know what it's made from?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05No, I did think it was ivory.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08OK. Well, I'm very glad to say it's not ivory.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13But it is another product that came from generations past.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14It's whalebone.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Whaling was banned in 1986,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19thank the Lord that we do not allow it today.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24This sort of thing was taken from the whales in the 18th century.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26So, we're talking 200 years ago.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29This is a by-product - the whale's been killed,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31its blubber has been taken for the oil.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33And the sailors on board the boats,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37because they were out at sea for years and years and years,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39while they were out at sea, what do they do
0:05:39 > 0:05:40when they're not chasing whales?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42They have to have something to amuse themselves.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44And they did something called scrimshaw.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47And they would take the teeth of the sperm whale,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50they would take the eardrums from the whales
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and they would carve those.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And they would also take whalebone
0:05:54 > 0:05:56and they would make things like this.
0:05:56 > 0:06:03So, this is a whalebone walking stick and it dates to 1780, to 1820.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- So, it's really early.- Oh! - It's in the reign of George III.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10The Americans were the great whalers of this period.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And if we look on the inlay here, we've got a couple of things
0:06:14 > 0:06:19that indicate that maybe this stick was something taken from that area.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Because we've got that,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25it's a mollusc that is now totally protected and it's abalone.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28And that's the abalone shell.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32And then, here we've got little inlays of palm wood,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35tortoiseshell and also, look, do you recognise what it is?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- It is a whale.- It's a whale!- Yes!
0:06:37 > 0:06:39But this object is rare.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42So, what's it worth?
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- No idea.- If I said to you it was worth £50-£80,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- would you be happy to sell it?- Yes, happy with that.- Would you?- Yes.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50How about £400-600?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- No!- No, it's not worth £400-£600.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54No. It's worth £600-£1,000.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58James... No!
0:06:58 > 0:06:59It's worth £600-£1,000.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05- No.- It is a fabulously early, interesting bit of maritime history.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I'm absolutely stunned.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10We sent it off and it went into a school play as a prop.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- Did it?- Yeah, a couple of years ago.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- What was it?- I think they were Edwardians or something.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Oh, really?- It went off and the children looked after it really well
0:07:17 > 0:07:18and I'm glad they did.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21I would like to see a reserve of £600, with discretions.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- That's fine. Absolutely...- Is that all right?- Lovely, yes that's great.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- Thank you so much for bringing it. - Thank you.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Really interesting.- It's wonderful. - Great lot.- Thank you.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Next, Jonathan is taken by an elegant item.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- So, hello, Rob.- Hi.- You brought along a lovely gold watch.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- It's not yours, is it?- It is now!
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- It did belong to my ex-wife.- It's got quite a lot of style about it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Some watches are just very plain, round dials, a bit of leather strap.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50How did you come by it?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53She actually wanted a designer watch,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57so I went into a jewellers come pawnbrokers and saw this.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00And it had a sort of Art Deco feel about it to me, so,
0:08:00 > 0:08:01I liked the face of it and the
0:08:01 > 0:08:03surround on the dial with the sunburst.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04So, I bought that.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07It was a lot cheaper than a designer watch as well.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Which helped!- Well, there is that point.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12And this would go up in value, the designer watch would only drop.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14There is that, I mean, there's a lot of gold there,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17so you're buying an investment in that respect as well.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19But what you've got here is a ladies bracelet wristwatch
0:08:19 > 0:08:21dating from the '70s.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24It's hallmarked for nine-carat gold on the back on there
0:08:24 > 0:08:25and there is a hallmark.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28It's a Birmingham mark but the date letter is very difficult to read.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31But it's in that sort of period, '60s in towards the '70s.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33The brand is Nivada.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35So, a nice Swiss movement.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38You've got this radiating sunburst sort of bezel to it.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39A bit of style about it.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42And then this, I quite like this bar bracelet
0:08:42 > 0:08:44and then a fancy link on the side there.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47The movement of this, you say you like the dial,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50this sort of small movement in the early '50s, 1952,
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Queen Elizabeth's Coronation,
0:08:51 > 0:08:56she wore an extravagant diamond set watch but with a tiny little dial.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And it sort of generated this fashion for, in the '50s and '60s,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02for these very small dialled wristwatches.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Why do you want to sell it?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06It's just been sitting a drawer for about 18 years unused.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Nobody wants to wear it. Nobody wants to wind it up.
0:09:09 > 0:09:10But it does, have you tried winding it?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- It's working.- It does work. Let's have a listen.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Ticking away beautifully. It's keeping very good time as well.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19So, it's got quite a lot of style about it.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21If you go to a pawnbroker, they'll just stick it on a scales
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and say that is worth X in gold and that's it.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Hopefully, someone's willing to pay more for it.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Gold value alone would set it at a certain figure.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33I would have thought at auction it's worth between £250 and £350.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37But I would suggest having a reserve around the £230 mark.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39You've got to reserve that, so it protects the gold element
0:09:39 > 0:09:42but you've also got an estimate which encourages the bidding
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- a little bit higher.- That's great. It's more than I thought.- Fantastic.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47It was more than you thought? Fantastic!
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Well, we've got off to a great start with both James and Jonathan
0:09:54 > 0:09:57finding a couple of striking items,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00and I've found something very special to show you, too.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05It's called a watching loft and it dates back to the 15th century.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09St Albans is the only place in the country to have one.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Now, it acts like a medieval CCTV.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Lay brothers would take it in turns to sit up there,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and it is very cramped inside,
0:10:17 > 0:10:21and look out through those openings at Alban's Shrine below.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Not only looking over the shrine, making sure it's all right,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27but making sure that whatever was left by a pilgrim
0:10:27 > 0:10:30wasn't picked up by the next bloke who came in.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32I think it is absolutely fabulous.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37It's constructed of oak, it's got that wonderful dry quality to it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39It's a real survivor.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Along the frieze, you can see some wonderful carving,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44look, heavenly figures.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46You can just make out a few angels by their wings.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51It's so terribly worn, but what a survivor.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54That is absolutely stunning.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55It's very impressive.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00And you can see, you get up to it by virtue of these tiny little stairs
0:11:00 > 0:11:03and the whole thing has the most wonderful ornamentation
0:11:03 > 0:11:05and carving to it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Right, over to our experts now.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Hopefully, they're keeping a watchful eye over the next item
0:11:10 > 0:11:11that lands on their table.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Helen.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23My palms are starting to go a bit clammy.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Are they?- I'm starting to feel nervous.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29These Pelham puppets.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31If only you knew my history with Pelham Puppets.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I have actually been involved in selling
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- the world's largest collection of Pelham puppets.- OK.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40Just putting these on the table,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43you know how difficult it is untangling strings.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Yes, yes.- Well, imagine 1,500 of them.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46Oh, my God! OK.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51And if you them stand up, the head always goes in the wrong direction.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53So, if you're trying to take a photograph,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55you then bend it the other way and the head goes...
0:11:58 > 0:12:00And it goes anywhere apart from where you want it to go.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02But anyway, there we are.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04But what's the history, did you play with them as a kid?
0:12:04 > 0:12:06No. I bought them in a car-boot sale,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- probably three months ago.- Right.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13There was a box next to this guy's stall and this one was in the top
0:12:13 > 0:12:16when I opened the box, and I said, "How much is the puppet?"
0:12:16 > 0:12:18He said £10.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20I said, "Fine", gave him £10.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21And he gave me the whole box.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22- All of these were in it?- Yeah.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- All of them, all eight. - All for £10?- Yep.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- I smell a profit.- Yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Well done!
0:12:28 > 0:12:32They were made by a chap called Bob Pelham.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Bob Pelham started in the factory in 1947
0:12:36 > 0:12:40but he originally had a company called Wonky Toys.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- OK.- Because during the Second World War,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47he used to sit there making little models of donkeys.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50And he was known as the Wonky Donkey Officer.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55But quite sensibly, he changed the name and formed Pelham puppets.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58And of course they did very, very well,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01especially when Disney gave him the contract
0:13:01 > 0:13:03to make some of the characters from the cartoons.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05We've got Pinocchio here.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07And they came in various sizes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Got the little ones like this, but what you haven't got
0:13:09 > 0:13:12are the ones that are about two or three feet off the floor.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18And the one that really gave me the nightmares was the eight-foot clown.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Oh, no! Bit spooky.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24But they're brilliant fun. Some are much rarer than others.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29The majority of them are worth £10, £20, £30 each.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31But you do get some incredibly rare ones.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34And I have to say, the ones we've got here aren't rare.
0:13:34 > 0:13:40- No.- So, in terms of value, I think we should put £80-£120 on them.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- OK.- But we need to secure them with a reserve, you only paid £10,
0:13:45 > 0:13:46so shall we put £70?
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- Fine.- As a reserve?- Yeah, I'm happy with that. That's fine.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51And thank you so much for bringing them in.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Thank you. I've given you more mad nightmares now!
0:13:58 > 0:14:00We've had a brilliant day so far
0:14:00 > 0:14:02and our experts are still working flat out,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05but they have found their first three items to take off to auction,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07as you have just seen.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09I've got my favourites, you've probably got yours,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11let's find out what the bidders think.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14While we make our way over to the saleroom, here's a quick recap,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17just to jog your memory of all the items we're taking with us.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Leslie's intricately-carved whalebone cane
0:14:26 > 0:14:29should easily walk away at auction.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Rob's nine-carat gold bracelet wristwatch
0:14:32 > 0:14:34has been languishing in the drawer for 18 years,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38so it was definitely time for it to see the light of day.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43And finally, Helen's collection of Pelham puppets
0:14:43 > 0:14:45certainly gave James the heebie-jeebies.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Let's hope the bidders are made of stronger stuff.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01We are only travelling a short distance from St Albans
0:15:01 > 0:15:04to the nearby market town of Tring for our auction today.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Like the cathedral,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Tring is a town which is steeped in history
0:15:08 > 0:15:13and it was first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon record of 571 AD.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Right, this is the moment I love, putting our valuations to the test.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22And we're doing it here in Tring Market auction rooms.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24In a moment Stephen Hearn, our auctioneer,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27will be getting on the rostrum and getting the lots underway.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Remember, whether you are buying or selling, there is always commission
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and VAT to pay at every auction.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35So, please bear that in mind,
0:15:35 > 0:15:36as it does add up.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41Here at Tring, sellers pay between 10-15%.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Stephen Hearn is now on the rostrum, wielding his gavel,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47so it's time to test the first of our valuations.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Going under the hammer right now, no strings attached, a-ha!
0:15:51 > 0:15:54We've got some Pelham puppets belonging to Helen.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55You know what, I like Pelham puppets.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58I know our expert James is a bit fed up with them, aren't you?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I don't want to see another one for at least a year.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04No, but do you know, Marlborough in Wiltshire was the home
0:16:04 > 0:16:06for Bob Pelham and his little factory
0:16:06 > 0:16:08and I had an antiques shop in Marlborough.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10So, I kind of,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I'm kind of connected there somewhere, you know?
0:16:13 > 0:16:15I kind of love Pelham puppets.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Hey, good collection anyway. - Yeah.- So, why are you selling these?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21I bought them at a car-boot sale.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- You just want to flip them and make some money?- Yeah.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- OK, you paid a tenner?- Yes.- £10.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29We're going to turn £10 into £100 right here, right now for Helen.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Here we go. It's going under the hammer, good luck.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36It's quite a collection of them, almost a village.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- A village!- There you are, Pelham puppets, £80 for them.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Or 50, 60, 70.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Got it, 70 I am bid for them.
0:16:43 > 0:16:4580 I am bid, 90?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47No. At £80 then, I shall sell them.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Yes, sold. £80.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51That's still good, we were hoping for 100, we got 80,
0:16:51 > 0:16:52they only cost ten.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53We're happy, you're happy.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- That's good, yeah.- Well done. - Thank you.
0:16:56 > 0:16:5870, 80,
0:16:58 > 0:16:5990 I have now.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01£200, 10...
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Next, let's see if it's a walk in the park
0:17:03 > 0:17:05for Leslie's whalebone cane.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Absolutely love it. It's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- Why are you selling this?- Well, we don't parade any more...
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- OK.- So, we don't put it on the wall or anything, so, it's time to go.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- OK, hopefully, the money'll come in handy.- I'm sure it will, yes.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21OK, let's hope we get £1,000. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24A love-token walking cane, the 18th century, marine.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I think possibly that one is rather special.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29£500? 400, then.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32300? Yes, 300 we are bid, then.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Are you going to be 20, sir?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35And 50 for you?
0:17:35 > 0:17:40380, 400, and 20, and 50, 480 I am bid for it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- 500, is it? - Ooh, It's not going to sell.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45480, 500.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47At £500 then, we close.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Sorry, thank you.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51Of all the "Flog Its!" I've ever done,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53that is the biggest surprise for me, ever.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I cannot quite understand that.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- Incredible thing.- It's an academics piece, isn't it?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- It really is.- It needs to be in a very, very good collection.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Gosh! I am stunned.- Well, look, look, there's another day, OK?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- I would hang onto that.- Good.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07It's just that there were no buyers here today, OK?
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- OK.- Golly!
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Finally, let's find out if Rob's gold bracelet wristwatch
0:18:16 > 0:18:18is a crowd pleaser.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Going under the hammer right now, we have a bracelet wristwatch
0:18:22 > 0:18:23belonging to Rob.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26We've got the item, sadly Rob can't be with us today.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27We do have our expert, Jonathan.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Now, he bought this 20 years ago.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33It's nine-carat gold and as you know, he only paid about £20 for it
0:18:33 > 0:18:35in a pawnshop, so it's going to make a profit.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- Absolutely.- It's going under the hammer now.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40There it is. Ladies gold wristwatch this time.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Rather nice watch. Got a good strap on it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45What about 250 for it?
0:18:45 > 0:18:49200? 150? 160. 70.
0:18:49 > 0:18:5480, 90, 200, 210. 220.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59And you're out. It's going then, I sell, at £220.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- Sold.- Brilliant! Fantastic result.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- I'm very happy with that.- So am I,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05because I didn't see any bids going on.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07They're secret bidders here in Tring, aren't they?
0:19:07 > 0:19:08- Covert.- Sort of covert bidding.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The auction house sold Rob's watch for £10 less
0:19:11 > 0:19:13than the agreed fixed reserve,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15so they will make up the difference
0:19:15 > 0:19:17as it was better than losing the sale.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20£200 now. 10, is it?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Well, there you are, that's our first visit
0:19:23 > 0:19:24to the auction room done and dusted.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Our first three lots under the hammer.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29We are coming back here later in the programme, don't go away,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31we could have that big surprise.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Now, I had the opportunity to look around St Albans Cathedral and Abbey
0:19:35 > 0:19:37without the hustle and bustle of the valuation day,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39and I soon discovered it's always a busy place.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52It's an early start at St Albans Cathedral and Abbey.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54The doors open at 7:15am
0:19:54 > 0:19:58with morning prayers swiftly following at 7:30am.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Before that, the building has to be made ready,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05which is the job of the vergers.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Over the centuries, countless pilgrims have come here
0:20:12 > 0:20:15to St Albans Cathedral to offer their prayers
0:20:15 > 0:20:17and nowadays, many thousands still do.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22In fact, the cathedral welcomes around 350,000 visitors,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26worshippers and pilgrims each year, and as you can imagine,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29that takes a well-coordinated effort and many willing hands
0:20:29 > 0:20:32to prepare the cathedral to receive their guests
0:20:32 > 0:20:34with such a warm welcome.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38To tell me more about the people who work so hard
0:20:38 > 0:20:40to keep St Albans running today,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42just like their predecessors on this site
0:20:42 > 0:20:44have worshipped it before them,
0:20:44 > 0:20:49I'm meeting with the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Here we are, look, in front of the shrine of Saint Alban.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Is this the very heart of the cathedral?
0:20:55 > 0:20:56Yes, this really is the heart of it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59It is the raison d'etre of the whole place, really.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02This is the grave of Alban, the shrine of Alban,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04so it's a very, very busy place.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07We have pilgrims all through the year, people visiting the shrine.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10The Great Feast Of Alban, we had about 10,000 people coming
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and the Archbishop of Canterbury came.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14It was a great occasion.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17But all through the year, people come and visit the place,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and they may come with a specifically religious motive
0:21:20 > 0:21:22in order to visit the shrine,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24but of course, we get many secular visitors
0:21:24 > 0:21:27or tourists coming as well, because of the great age of the place.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- Yes.- The huge historical interest of the place.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34All those ages, there are stories from every century here,
0:21:34 > 0:21:36all of them absolutely fascinating.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40It must take a small army of people to keep the cathedral running.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Yes, it does.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45We have about 50 paid staff, that's including five clergy
0:21:45 > 0:21:48who look after the spiritual running of the place,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51but also probably more than 600 volunteers...
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- Gosh.- ..who very kindly come and give us their time,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56because they love the place.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58And they do all kinds of things to help us,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02from cleaning and gardening and helping with practicalities
0:22:02 > 0:22:06to looking after the fabric of the place, the textiles.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09And just some of the things you take for granted, I guess.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Yes, absolutely.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13We have a whole set of expert guides who show people around.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17We rely heavily on volunteers here to keep the whole place running.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21This part here, the north transept,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23this is part of that original structure from the Normans
0:22:23 > 0:22:25that was started in 1077.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Everything here you see is Norman,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29except for that lovely rose window.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31That was put in in the Victorian period.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35There are about 60 active guides.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39I'm a relatively newly trained guide.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I've been guiding for five years, and although that begins
0:22:42 > 0:22:44to sound quite serious,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46some of my colleague guides
0:22:46 > 0:22:49have been at the business for much longer.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51The statues that you see there today
0:22:51 > 0:22:53were put in during the Victorian period.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56It takes about a year as a trainee
0:22:56 > 0:23:00because you're encouraged to go on other people's tours,
0:23:00 > 0:23:01and what you'll find,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03because we don't actually have a script here,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06you could go on any number of tours and you'd learn something different.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Some people specialise in different aspects of the building.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13We've got architects, we've got historians.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16So, people have a different take on the place, which makes it fun.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19In the medieval period, when you would have had pilgrims coming in
0:23:19 > 0:23:21to visit the shrine of St Alban,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24this is where they would start that last section of their visit,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26and that's where we'll follow in their footsteps today.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31It must be lovely, cos you're constantly learning all the time.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Yes, absolutely...- Even you. - Oh, I am, yes.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Every time I go on a tour of the place, I learn something new,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39because there's a massive amount to be known.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42When you've got such a length and depth of history in a place,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44you're always learning something new.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I've noticed some beautiful flower displays here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Would the cathedral always have been decorated with flowers?
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Yes. I know there are medieval records from the abbey here
0:23:54 > 0:23:59which list the expenses that have been made on flowers for the altars
0:23:59 > 0:24:00and for particular festivals.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02There's an inventory, is there?
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Yes, and there were particular flowers associated with
0:24:05 > 0:24:07particular festivals - holly and the ivy, for example.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11We know that that was bought in in order to decorate the altar
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and chapels during Christmas season.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Is it the volunteers who do the flowers?
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Yes. There's the Flower Guild.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Some of the volunteers are actually trained flower arrangers.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24From time to time, we will have a big flower festival
0:24:24 > 0:24:26and fill the whole cathedral with flowers,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29and all telling a story in some symbolic way.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It's very cleverly and very beautifully done.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39There are approximately 75 people in the Flower Guild,
0:24:39 > 0:24:40and they range from
0:24:40 > 0:24:44quite experienced to some people who we're teaching,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47cos we're always looking for new members.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49We arrange on Friday morning
0:24:49 > 0:24:52and hope that the cathedral isn't so hot!
0:24:52 > 0:24:54We hope that they last all week.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58I've been in the Flower Guild now
0:24:58 > 0:24:59for 35 years,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01following after my mother,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03who was also a member of the Flower Guild,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05so it's definitely running in the family.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12There have been flowers since medieval times.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Even through the Reformation, the Roman Catholics,
0:25:15 > 0:25:16when it was Roman Catholic,
0:25:16 > 0:25:18the Roman Catholics loved having flowers in church,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22as they still do today, and that was the one thing that carried on,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24actually, just in a limited way.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Our flower guild was started in the '20s,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and until recently, it was always people's gardens,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33the flowers came from gardens,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35and even now, the greenery has,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38and this has come from my garden and this has come from Liz's garden
0:25:38 > 0:25:41and it's lovely to see stuff from the gardens.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42But we do have to buy some flowers
0:25:42 > 0:25:46because it isn't possible for them to last all the time.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50But it's a very enjoyable experience and everybody's so nice.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51We have a lot of fun.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54It's the best thing I do, it really is.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Well, it certainly is a feast for the eyes when you're standing here.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Beautiful flower displays here, textiles as well.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Yes. Yes, we have a textile guild
0:26:06 > 0:26:08that looks after that kind of fabric.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11For example, they made the canopy on top of the shrine,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14which has been very carefully embroidered with flowers
0:26:14 > 0:26:16that would have been blossoming on the hillside here
0:26:16 > 0:26:18at the time when Alban was martyred.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23They look after the altar hangings, the vestments that the priests wear,
0:26:23 > 0:26:24services and so on.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27There are about a dozen of them in the Textile Guild.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32We usually work on Thursday mornings,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I'm usually here just after nine o'clock.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39We do everything from mending, sewing on buttons, making coats,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42making mitres, cushions, kneelers.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44You name it, if it needs a needle,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46we're ready to work.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Helen and Vanda,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52they're just doing a little bit of maintenance on the Dean's coat.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56The Dean wears it so much, I think he'd wear it out if he could.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00It's quite heavy, it's on velvet.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04But it's got saints and angels and archangels on
0:27:04 > 0:27:07and it's one of the treasures of the abbey now, I think.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15At the end of another busy day,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18it's the vergers who close down the cathedral.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21It's clear to me that this special place of worship
0:27:21 > 0:27:25wouldn't be the same without the hundreds of volunteers
0:27:25 > 0:27:29who selflessly give up their time to keep it running.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34St Albans Cathedral and Abbey truly means so much to so many.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Why is St Albans Cathedral and the Abbey so important to you,
0:27:41 > 0:27:42so special?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45This is the oldest Christian site in the whole country -
0:27:45 > 0:27:491,700 and more years of worship on this spot.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53The fact that this place has been prayed in for all those centuries,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55it's almost seeped into the stones of the place.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57You can feel the holiness of it
0:27:57 > 0:28:00and that's drawn people very powerfully for all those years,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02and keeps drawing them.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Jeffrey, thank you so much for talking to me today.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07- Great to see you again. - It's a real pleasure. Thank you.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Welcome back to our valuation day venue,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19the magnificent St Albans Cathedral.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22This place really is full of history and hopefully today,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24we're going to make some history ourselves.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26We're going to find that one big gem,
0:28:26 > 0:28:27and it's right down there,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29in the nave, it still looks really busy.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Let's catch up with our expert, Jonathan Pratt,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33and take a closer look at what he's spotted.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43So, you must be...
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- Lydia Stephenson? Is that correct? - That's right, yes.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Wonderful, and this would be,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49you've got your little book here of autographs.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- Did you take them all yourself? - I did, mainly in the '60s.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Who have we got in here?
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Well, we've got the Stones with Brian Jones.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- But not Keith Richards, sadly. - No.- But then...- Still time.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Yes, still time! And Brian Jones.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06We've got four of the Rolling Stones,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08but this is absolutely jam-packed with them.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10- It was January 1964.- Yeah.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14They came to Kettering, Northamptonshire,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18and did a show and it was their first British tour.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20At the same show with the Stones,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23the Ronettes were there and Dave Berry
0:29:23 > 0:29:25and a few other people,
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Frank Farley and the Pirates, John Leyton and...
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- Mike Preston!- Yeah, Billy Fury. - Billy Fury! Good name.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- Yes.- Billy Fury. Did you meet all these people personally?
0:29:34 > 0:29:39Well, it was 1964 to 1968, so I think I did.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42You think you did! You can't remember. No.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Well, I'm sure I did because, as I say,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47a lot of them were in this same show and after the show,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50they came up onto the first floor, where there were tables and chairs,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52and had drinks, so I would go round
0:29:52 > 0:29:54with my autograph book and get them to sign.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57No-one remembers the '60s anyway, so don't worry.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00It's... You know, it's a really nice collection
0:30:00 > 0:30:03of a slice of musical history
0:30:03 > 0:30:06and a lot of people spend years and years doing them,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08but this is your teens.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- Yes.- So, this is, you know, a slice of the 1960s.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14I think it's very nice. Now, the thing about autographs are,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17certainly with the most famous of them,
0:30:17 > 0:30:18that they can be faked,
0:30:18 > 0:30:20and there are modern fakes.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23They were sometimes done when bands were very famous,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25certainly with the Beatles, for example.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Roadies would sign for them.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29And the Rolling Stones were very, very famous,
0:30:29 > 0:30:31certainly by the '70s.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32But you saw them in 1964.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34So, I think we can be fairly confident.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37I say fairly confident, I think we can be confident...
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- Definitely. - ..that they are absolutely right,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42which is absolutely key to their value.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45There are people who would be able to put down the value
0:30:45 > 0:30:48to every single one, and some of them would be worth pounds
0:30:48 > 0:30:49- and others would be worth... - Exactly.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51..tens and a few hundred pounds.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54My feeling is that this book is worth, at auction,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57between £500 and £700.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Oh, that's good. Yes, that's lovely.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Put a reserve on it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Obviously, you would like to sell it, but not for anything.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Oh, no. I've kept it very carefully all these years!
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- So, a £500 reserve.- Yes, fine. - £500 reserve.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Estimate of £500 to £700.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14It will hopefully do much more.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16OK, lovely. Thank you very much.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18# Heartbeat
0:31:18 > 0:31:23# Why do you miss when my baby kisses me...? #
0:31:23 > 0:31:27Over on James's table, something decorative has caught his eye.
0:31:28 > 0:31:35For hundreds of years, France has been the centre for European design,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37fashion and influence in art.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Now, Michael, is this something you've bought from France
0:31:40 > 0:31:41or a family piece?
0:31:41 > 0:31:43We bought it about 18 years ago.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- Yeah.- In Fayence, in the south of France.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47OK, so you bought it in France?
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Yeah, in a sort of...what they call a brocante shop.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- Junk shop!- Sort of, yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54- Sorry.- An upmarket junk shop.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55Well, it just stood out,
0:31:55 > 0:32:00and I think we paid about 250 euros but we just fell in love with it.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02And then, when we got it home,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04we thought, what are we going to do with it?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Well, what did you do with it?
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Nothing.- Did you? - It's never been used.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11It's been put away.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13Always had this idea to put, like, four white orchids in it,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16this wonderful display, like you see in hotels.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- Yeah, super.- But never did it!
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Well, the interesting thing is that I've seen these marketed
0:32:23 > 0:32:26time and time again as wine coolers.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Commercially, it's worth a lot more if it was a wine cooler.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- Ah.- But unfortunately, it's for plants -
0:32:33 > 0:32:34you were closer with the orchids.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37So, let's have a look at the woods and the way it's put together.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41We've got a metal liner and inside that metal liner,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43we've got a very plain wooden frame.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47Sometimes, the carcasses were pine or deal if they were very cheap.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49In this case, I think it could even be oak.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53But the important woods are the ones on the outside,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55and here we've got parquetry -
0:32:55 > 0:33:00kingwood, set into cubes, like a tumbling block affect,
0:33:00 > 0:33:05and those are interspersed with these radiating stars of ebony,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08lacquered brass and blue lacquer.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10It's 1860, it's French.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12We've got a bit of damage this side.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14So, what's it worth?
0:33:14 > 0:33:18In the height of the market, this would have probably been worth
0:33:18 > 0:33:20£200, £300, which I guess is what you paid for it in euros.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- That's right.- Today, the market's changed slightly.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25It hasn't gone down much.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29I would say now, it would be 150-200
0:33:29 > 0:33:33but with the damage, 120-180.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36- Yeah.- Now, we need to put a reserve on it to secure it.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- How...? - I think 120 would be fine.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Wouldn't want to let it go for much less than that.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Great. 120-180 and do you know, I think it's a great lot
0:33:44 > 0:33:46and it'll be very, very popular in the sale room.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- I hope so.- Thank you so much for bringing it in.- Good!
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Here on the show, we're so grateful when hundreds of you turn up,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59because without you, and our crowds here today,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01it wouldn't be possible to make the show.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03We need your stories and your antiques,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06those wonderful little windows into the past.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Sometimes, it's not about the value, it's not about what it's worth,
0:34:09 > 0:34:10it's about great craftsmanship.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12That's what we want to flag up.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14And I know it's a long wait.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Sometimes, you have to wait three or four hours
0:34:16 > 0:34:19but it's well worth it once you see our experts.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20But luckily enough today,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22our great crowd of people can soak up
0:34:22 > 0:34:25such wonderful historic surroundings.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27They can also listen to the guides,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30because many of the guides here are dressed up in historical costume
0:34:30 > 0:34:31with a story to tell.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33I'm going to chat to one right now.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Julia, hello. Hello, there.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37Thank you so much for coming in and being on Flog It!
0:34:37 > 0:34:39- Hello.- This is Julia, one of the guides here.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Now, you're dressed up as who?
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- I am Christina of Markyate. - And what was her story?
0:34:44 > 0:34:48Ah, Christina was a very powerful lady in her time.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50From the 11th century
0:34:50 > 0:34:54and she had a great deal of influence on the abbot here.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57In fact, her painting, we believe, is on our wall,
0:34:57 > 0:35:01which is most unusual, because generally, they're all male.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Thank you for that.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Right now, we need one more item to take off to auction,
0:35:05 > 0:35:09and I've just been told expert Jonathan Pratt has found a real gem.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Let's take a closer look.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Well, this sort of takes me back to my childhood, Martin.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Is this a set you played with as a child?
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Very early on. 1960s was the last time it was out of the box.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24But you spent your childhood playing with train sets?
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Under supervision of father, because this gets very hot.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31Yeah, well, I think, you know, this runs on methylated spirits.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- It's a meth...- You have to set it on fire, don't you?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- Yes.- You've got to get the thing going.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37It sounds like a terribly dangerous thing
0:35:37 > 0:35:38for a child to be playing with.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Probably would be viewed as today, yes.
0:35:40 > 0:35:41Is this a Christmas present?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43No, I've inherited these from my father.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46So, this could have been used by your father, then?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49I think it was used by him. I think he acquired it in the 1950s.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51This train set itself, in that box there,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53from the Bassett-Lowke factory.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55This model here, the Super Enterprise,
0:35:55 > 0:35:57was available from about 1937 onwards
0:35:57 > 0:35:59through into the early part of the '60s.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03I mean, this is the rarest model of Bassett-Lowke engines.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- Oh, right.- But sadly,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07we've got a few conditional problems.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09There's a little bit of paint loss on the top here.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10Well, it's been used. That's the...
0:36:10 > 0:36:12- Well, toys should be used, shouldn't they?- Yeah.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15So, you've got this engine and you've got some carriages.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16Now, tell me about the carriages.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19We've got three of these in their original boxes.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Now these, obviously looking at the boxes, this is a Bassett...
0:36:22 > 0:36:24This is a Bassett-Lowke coach.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28We've got three of these and we've got these restaurant cars.
0:36:28 > 0:36:29I mean, these are absolutely mint.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- Oh, they are.- Which suggests they're not played with.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36I mean, did you have the whole lot set up?
0:36:36 > 0:36:41The intention was to run it round our loft in the family home
0:36:41 > 0:36:42but we never got round to it.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45The stuff we played with was the smaller stuff.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46Are you still a train enthusiast?
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Not particularly now, no.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51So, you'd probably be quite happy to sell it, wouldn't you?
0:36:51 > 0:36:52Yes, we are.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Somebody said to us "Flog It!" was coming to town and we said,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59"Right, let's do it," and that's why we've come!
0:36:59 > 0:37:04My feeling for the value of it, it's between £200 and £300.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08- OK.- And what I would suggest is put a reserve at £170.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10- How does that sound?- OK.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Well, thank you very much for bringing it along
0:37:12 > 0:37:16and I hope...this engine's journey comes to a happy ending.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Thank you very much.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Well, there you are.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Our experts have now found their final items to take off to auction,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32which means we have to say goodbye to our magnificent
0:37:32 > 0:37:37host location today, the fabulous St Albans Cathedral and Abbey.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38I've thoroughly enjoyed being here.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41It's been a real privilege soaking up the history
0:37:41 > 0:37:44and listening to all the important people that keep this place running.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47And of course, to all of you for coming in,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49thank you so much for bringing in your treasures.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Our journey isn't over right now.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53We're going straight across to the auction room
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Lydia had a fabulous time collecting her autographs in the '60s
0:38:05 > 0:38:08and we hope the bidders will now enjoy them too.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Bought 18 years ago in the South of France,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16where will Michael's jardiniere travel to next?
0:38:17 > 0:38:20And finally, it's time for a new station stop
0:38:20 > 0:38:23for Martin's collection of Bassett-Lowke engine and carriages.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36We are back at Tring Market Auctions to sell our final three lots
0:38:36 > 0:38:39and Stephen Hearn is still doing the business on the rostrum.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42# I'm gonna tell you how it's gonna be
0:38:44 > 0:38:47# You gonna give your love to me... #
0:38:47 > 0:38:49And going under the hammer right now,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52we have that wonderful autograph album book belonging to Lydia.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55It's got the Rolling Stones in it, but not Keith Richards.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57- Not Keith Richards. - OK, it's nearly the complete band,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00so the complete band alone is worth around £800
0:39:00 > 0:39:02in the right market, isn't it?
0:39:02 > 0:39:03We're just missing Keith's signature.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- Don't know where he was.- No. - But hey-ho.- Brian Jones was there.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08But you were there, weren't you? You were there and...
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- I was there. It's in my diary. - This is an entry from the diary
0:39:11 > 0:39:13from that very day - listen to this.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16OK, so it's the 9th of January, 1964.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21"Went to the Granada to see Rolling Stones, Swinging Blue Jeans,
0:39:21 > 0:39:25"Marty Wilde, Ronettes, the Chains and Dave Berry.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26"He was absolutely wonderful."
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Aw! And the Stones weren't top of the bill then, were they?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32No, they weren't. No, they weren't very famous at all then.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Yeah. Well, good for you.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Right, it's going under the hammer now. This is it.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39What about 400 for it?
0:39:39 > 0:39:40300? 200, I have.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42220, and 50.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45280. 300. 320 for it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46350. 380, sir?
0:39:46 > 0:39:48380.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49Yes, at 400?
0:39:49 > 0:39:51And 20? There's two of you who want it.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54450. 480. At £480, then.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57If there is no further bid, it's going down and I shall sell.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Yes, and the pen has gone down!
0:40:01 > 0:40:03£480.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05OK, we had a fixed reserve at 500,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08but I know Stephen the auctioneer will make up the difference to you.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- That £20.- Oh, that's lovely. - So you've got your £500.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11Oh, that's fantastic!
0:40:11 > 0:40:14# Baby, picture me with someone else... #
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Next, let's keep our fingers crossed for that jardiniere.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- It's Michael, isn't it?- Yes.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Great to see you. And look how smart you look!
0:40:24 > 0:40:26You're in the fashion business, and it shows, doesn't it?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- It does. Very much.- I like that. I like that look.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31And I can understand why you're jardiniere doesn't suit
0:40:31 > 0:40:33your new Arts-and-Crafts-style house.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It would really ring a clash, wouldn't it?
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- Yeah.- So, it's got to go.
0:40:37 > 0:40:38It's a nice thing. I like it.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- Ready to go for this?- Absolutely.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Let's do it, it's going under the hammer now.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43Nice piece of Victoriana.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Surely it's 120?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Come on, where are those hands?
0:40:47 > 0:40:48I've got 90 now.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50£100? Who's got the ten?
0:40:50 > 0:40:51And 20? Yes.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54At 120. And 30 now?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57At £120, then.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Mon Dieu! Well done, it's gone.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- It's gone, great!- It's gone.- Yeah.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- You can go and buy some Arts and Craftsy stuff now.- That's right.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14Finally, it's full steam ahead for our last lot of the day.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15The tension's building right now.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Going under the hammer, we've got something
0:41:17 > 0:41:19for all you railway enthusiasts.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20We've got a Bassett-Lowke engine,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22plus five carriages, belonging to Martin.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26- So, why is it time to say goodbye? - Because it's gathering dust at home.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27It's never been out the box, Paul.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- Don't want to pass it on to anyone else in the family?- No.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- It's time to move it.- OK.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34They're going to find a new home today, I'm pretty sure.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37And I saw a chap earlier who's come here to buy this and I said,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39"Are you buying or selling, sir?"
0:41:39 > 0:41:41And he said, "I've actually come to buy something."
0:41:41 > 0:41:43"What are you buying?" He said, "That train set over there."
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I said, "That's one of ours. I'll be watching you."
0:41:45 > 0:41:47And he's just down there, Martin.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49So, hopefully, he's going to buy it.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50It's going under the hammer right now.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54I think we ought to be looking somewhere around £300 or £400,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56don't you? 300? 200?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58220 I have. 250.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Yeah, he's bidding. Look, the chap, he is bidding.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02300, we have. 320?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05350? 380, I have now.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06£400?
0:42:06 > 0:42:09At 420. 450 I have now.
0:42:09 > 0:42:10480...
0:42:10 > 0:42:13That chap's still buying it, look. Can you see that chap down there?
0:42:13 > 0:42:15560.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Yes, go on! Keep your hand up. He's a keen bidder.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19580, is it?
0:42:19 > 0:42:21At 570, I'm selling it, then.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25You lose it. At £570.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- £80?- It's interesting!
0:42:28 > 0:42:30£600? 610.
0:42:30 > 0:42:3320, 30, 40, 50...
0:42:33 > 0:42:35He's out. Aw!
0:42:35 > 0:42:37650 then, on my left.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38It's going down, then.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41For £650.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Sold, £650.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Fantastic! Very good. Well done.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Very good. Thank you very much.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49We were certainly ON TRACK with that, weren't we?
0:42:49 > 0:42:52And what a way to end today's show.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55We've had a marvellous time here at Tring Auction rooms.
0:42:55 > 0:42:56I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59I told you there'd be a big surprise and we definitely got it.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02We're all chuffed here. See you next time.