0:00:04 > 0:00:07Today, we're in the home county of Hertfordshire
0:00:07 > 0:00:10in the city of St Albans, which is just north-west of London.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Our venue today is the magnificent St Albans Cathedral and Abbey
0:00:14 > 0:00:18and we've got our fingers crossed that something equally as gorgeous
0:00:18 > 0:00:20will end up on our valuation day tables.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47The cathedral city of St Albans is the successor of Verulamium,
0:00:47 > 0:00:52the third largest Roman city in Britain, which was founded in 50 AD.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57It was the only British Roman town to be declared a municipium,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00meaning that its inhabitants were officially Roman citizens.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Today, both the city and the Cathedral and Abbey of St Albans
0:01:04 > 0:01:07are named after one of the Roman citizens of Verulamium,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09a man called Alban.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Alban was the first man in the country
0:01:12 > 0:01:14to become a Christian martyr.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18He converted to Christianity towards the end of the third century,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22after sheltering a Christian priest who was fleeing Roman persecution.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Alban exchanged clothes with the priest
0:01:24 > 0:01:27to help him escape and he took his place.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29His fellow Roman kinsmen soon identified Alban and said,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32"You have to renounce your new Christian faith."
0:01:32 > 0:01:35He wouldn't, so he was beheaded for his new beliefs.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39St Alban is still remembered here today in the cathedral and the abbey
0:01:39 > 0:01:41that bears his name and I can't wait to get inside
0:01:41 > 0:01:44to found out more about this intriguing story
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and, of course, we've got some valuations to be getting on with.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50We've got some antique business to do. Are you ready for this?
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- ALL:- Yes! - Well, let's get on with it.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56The crowd are raring to go and so are our experts,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Claire Rawle and James Lewis, and they're going head-to-head today
0:02:00 > 0:02:05to uncover St Albans' most interesting and intriguing antiques.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09And it looks as if James is straight on the money.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13What have we got here? Ooh, early. Brilliant! Look at that! Roman.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16That's lovely and early.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20And Claire has found a necklace which deserves a closer look.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22That's very pretty. A little turquoise on it as well.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- Yeah, right, could I sticker you? - Yes.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- And I can fast track you.- Thank you. - OK.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31While our experts keep hunting for more treasures,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34let's take a quick look at what's coming up later.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- Claire has some fun with something nostalgic.- I can't resist it.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- Shall I set him going again?- Go on. - He gets a bit excited.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- Argh! - CLAIRE LAUGHS
0:02:45 > 0:02:49And at the auction, it's all smiles and handshakes.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- Yes!- That was short and sweet. - Well done, well done.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Two people fighting that out in the room.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It's gone to somebody who will really like it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I'm sure they will cherish them.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58And later on in the show,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00I'll be visiting the theatre here in St Albans,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02but not these Roman remains.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05I'll be visiting a local theatre company who've taken inspiration
0:03:05 > 0:03:08from the Roman stage by using one of the props - the mask.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15But before that, it's time to throw open the doors to the cathedral
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and get everybody seated inside the beautiful nave.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Getting us off the starting blocks is James,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26who has come across a great little collection.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Probably the most common thing that is said to auctioneers
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and valuers up and down the country is,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38"It's got to be worth something, it's old."
0:03:38 > 0:03:43And, I have to say, the two things don't always go hand in hand.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46You can have something very modern, like a Banksy sketch,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49that can be worth hundreds of thousands,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and then you can have something that's thousands of years old
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- and worth very little.- OK.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00You've something here, Annie, that is incredibly early,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04but the question is, what's it worth? What do you know about these?
0:04:04 > 0:04:09All I know is that these three bottom coins are all Roman.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13They belonged to my second cousin, as did the other two,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and I inherited them all when he died.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I found them amongst his things.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Somebody told me that the Roman ones were pre-invasion
0:04:22 > 0:04:26which, if that's true, I find quite interesting.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31The oldest is the one that I've never seen before and it's that one.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- A-ha.- So, that one there is Augustus and Agrippa.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40Now, this was struck after 10 AD.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Let's turn it over.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Have you worked out what it is on the back?- No.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49That is a crocodile standing in front of a tree.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55These are more common in Britain. Maximians. This one and this one.
0:04:55 > 0:05:02They would be 286 AD to 305 AD.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Both are beautiful castings, really lovely condition.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Next one, Elizabeth I.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15- It's 1,300 years later than these. - Yes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Solid silver and it's what we call a struck groat,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21so it's just been banged, OK.
0:05:21 > 0:05:27And then above her, we have this one, and that's a George III coin,
0:05:27 > 0:05:321797, known as cartwheel because of the thickness of the coin.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36So, value. We've got £10 there,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38bit less there.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40£15 there,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43£50 to £70 there
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and £6 to £10 there.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49All right? So, in terms of an action lot,
0:05:49 > 0:05:50I'd put them all together
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and I would put £70 to £100 on as an estimate.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Are you happy to sell the lot cos I know that you were saying
0:05:57 > 0:06:00that there was one there that had a bit of sentimental value,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04so would you like to just take the one?
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Yes, I'm sorry to mess you up. - Go on.- I'm going to keep that one.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Can I ask why that one?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Because when I was clearing all of my cousin's stuff,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19I'd got a huge drawer and I just picked up the drawer
0:06:19 > 0:06:23and stood it up vertically and I heard the ch-ch-ch-ch,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and it was this that had fallen down the inside of the drawer.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30I remember it from 14 years ago when I was doing it,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32so I just want to keep it really.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35I think, for the sake of £10, it's worth keeping it
0:06:35 > 0:06:40but, having said that, I still think we should keep the same estimate -
0:06:40 > 0:06:44£70 to £100, with a £50 fixed reserve, OK?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47And I'm sure they'll do well and, hopefully,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50these little coins will make you a few more pennies
0:06:50 > 0:06:52to buy something else.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I can't believe how low the estimate is for those coins,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57as they're steeped in history.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01And Claire is continuing the Roman theme over on her valuation table.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04So, Robert, you're from St Albans, aren't you?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- And St Albans has a Roman heritage. - That's right.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Which is interesting because, in a way, your mirror has,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12because it's a mosaic decoration which, of course,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16the Romans used a lot of in their floors and decoration things.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19So, what can you tell me about this one?
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Only that Mother bought it at an auction sale in St Albans
0:07:23 > 0:07:27in the late '30s or early '40s.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And did she particularly like mosaic or did she just buy things
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- that took her attention? - She bought anything.- Oh, right.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And if she didn't like it after a month,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- she took it back and put it into another auction.- Oh, OK.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- Well, this is, obviously, Italian-made.- I would think so.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Yes, I'm sure would have been made in Rome.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49They were making items like this for the tourist trade,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53by and large, and although this is 19th century,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55a lot of the micro mosaic work started in the 18th century,
0:07:55 > 0:08:00with the grand tour, where they made these brooches and decorative items
0:08:00 > 0:08:02with these very, very small tesserae -
0:08:02 > 0:08:04these little pieces of glass.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08And they made brooches of wonderful classical scenes and things
0:08:08 > 0:08:11and they are very, very collectible, very often mounted in gold.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Then, as the centuries went on, into the 19th century,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18the items got a bit bigger. They did boxes as well as jewellery.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20But, actually,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23this is one of the nicest examples of mirrors I think I've seen.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24Very practical item, isn't it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- The unusual thing about it is the build-up.- Yes.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- It's not flat like a coffee table top.- Exactly.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34It's the extra work that goes into that.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37You've got the 3-D, haven't you? They've built it up.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39And all these little bits are all
0:08:39 > 0:08:42different-coloured tiny little bits of glass put together.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44This is quite a traditional pattern, the floral pattern.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I rather like the initials, so probably made to order for somebody.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50The wood looks like olive wood to me.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53A nice bevelled panel to the centre
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and I think this is a nice practical item.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00So, it's something you've obviously decided to sell?
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- Well, it's home is on my wife's dressing table.- Right.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- And she's getting a little absent-minded nowadays.- Oh...
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- And a little clumsy.- Oh.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15So, I thought let's get rid of it before it drops.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Yeah, we don't want seven years of bad luck, breaking a glass.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- No.- I think it's actually quite a commercial item.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Very, very decorative, very pretty.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27I think probably an estimate of £250 to £300
0:09:27 > 0:09:30and I think, also, it should be protected with a reserve of £250.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- Are you happy with that? - Yes, that sounds good.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Do you want to fix the reserve at £250
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- or should we use a bit of discretion?- Fix.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- So you don't want it to go for any less than £250?- No.- That's fine.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- We'll put a fixed reserve on it of £250, estimate £250 to £300.- OK.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Excellent. Thank you very much indeed.- That YOU very much.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55This is the shrine of St Alban.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56It was built in 1308,
0:09:56 > 0:10:00restored by the Victorians and then again in the 1990s.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Over the centuries, countless pilgrims have visited here,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08offering prayer and leaving gifts at this medieval shrine.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12And today, it's still a place of meditation, prayer and worship.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17Pilgrims of a bygone age came here hoping for a miracle.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20You see these quatrefoils here, decorated at the bottom?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22There are some openings.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24These were known as healing holes
0:10:24 > 0:10:27and poorly pilgrims would insert their limbs,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30their legs or their arms, into these healing holes,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34hoping they would be made better, praying for a miracle.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37However, the real miracle is the shrine is here at all
0:10:37 > 0:10:40because, during the 16th century, the dissolution,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Henry VIII's soldiers smashed this to pieces
0:10:42 > 0:10:46and the fragments were used to build a wall which went across there.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50The wall was taken down in the 1870s
0:10:50 > 0:10:52and those fragments were pieced back together
0:10:52 > 0:10:56and the shrine was reconstructed. And thank goodness it was,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00because that is a wonderful example of medieval craftsmanship.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02And right now, I'm hoping
0:11:02 > 0:11:07James Lewis is crafting his expert magic over at the valuation tables.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Do you know, I don't think tobacco products have ever been
0:11:14 > 0:11:16as controversial as they are today.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20But they used to be incredibly popular.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25Queen Anne was known as "Snuffy Anne" because she was well-known...
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- You're not a Snuffy Sylvia, are you? - No, not really, no, no.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37- We've got three snuffboxes and one snuff mull.- Mull?- Mull.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39If you've got a snuffbox in the form of a horn,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- it's known as a snuff mull.- Right.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- You've got a little papier mache one from 1850.- Wow.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49You've got a horn one from about 1830.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- We've got another horn one, probably 1780.- Yes.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- And you've got this one, which is the best.- The best.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Which is the classic Scottish snuff mull.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Right.- English tend to have snuffboxes, Scottish snuff mulls.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- Mulls.- If we take this and look around the edge, it says,
0:12:08 > 0:12:16- "George Flight, 1778." - Yes.- Tell me, what's going on here?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Well, my mother was a Flight,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- so that was her maiden name.- Ah.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25And my grandfather was George Flight, so George has gone back
0:12:25 > 0:12:31all the way to the 1700s, so it's come down the family since then.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36- If only these things could talk. - Exactly. Very tactile.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- They are and they're personal, aren't they?- Yes.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- They're not necessarily like a table or a painting or a plate.- No.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44This is something that's been in somebody's pocket
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- and lived a life with them.- True.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Family object, been in the family for over 200 years -
0:12:50 > 0:12:52what's it doing here?
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Well, my...my son, he's minimalist.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59He hasn't got a cabinet in his house,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01my daughter, she's got cabinets full.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05They don't want them, so I'd rather they could have something
0:13:05 > 0:13:10with this to have what they would like in remembrance of the family.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11- OK.- That's why.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17- When it comes to value, that one is worth possibly £10, not a lot.- No.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22Here we've got, again, sort of £20, £30 - a little bit more.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24But it's this one.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It would have been great but it's got that great big crack in it,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- look.- Yes. - So the condition is not good.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- So that, I guess, may well be worth £30.- Right.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38But the best one, the star, it's the snuff mull.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42And it's worth about £150.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- So, if we add all those together, I guess we've got around £200.- Mm-hmm.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50So, I would like to put £180 to £250 as an estimate
0:13:50 > 0:13:56- and a firm reserve of £170. Is that all right?- That's for all of them?
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- For the lot.- For the lot.- Yeah. - That would be fine.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- Are you happy with that?- Yes, I am.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03The horn, which Sylvia's snuffboxes and mull are made from
0:14:03 > 0:14:06would have come from a mountain sheep or cow.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10As you can see, our valuation day is in full swing.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13If you'd like to take part in the show, you have to come along
0:14:13 > 0:14:16to a valuation day just like this one at St Albans Cathedral.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18This is where your journey starts.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Details of up and coming dates and venues are on our BBC website
0:14:21 > 0:14:23or check out our "Flog It!" Facebook page,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25or the details in your local press,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28because, fingers crossed, we're coming to an area near you soon.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31So, dust them down and bring them in and we'll flog 'em,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33and that's exactly what we're going to do right now.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35As you've just seen, our experts have found
0:14:35 > 0:14:38their first three items to take off to auction.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Let's put those valuations to the test.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Here's a quick recap of all the items
0:14:42 > 0:14:44that are going "ka", under the hammer.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50The age of Annie's coin collection spans an impressive 1,300 years.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Fingers crossed, all that history will attract the bidders.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58After some reflection, Robert has decided
0:14:58 > 0:15:02it's time for his mosaic mirror to find a new home.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06And, finally, we hope the collectors turn out in force
0:15:06 > 0:15:09for Sylvia's three snuffboxes and snuff mull.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16We're only travelling a short distance to our saleroom in Tring.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19The origins of this small town go back even further
0:15:19 > 0:15:21than the Roman history of St Albans,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25as evidence of Iron Age barrows have been discovered in the area.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33We're testing our experts' valuations at Tring Market Auctions.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Remember, whether you are buying or selling,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39there is always commission and VAT to pay.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Here, sellers pay between 10% and 15%.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Today, we are in the capable hands of auctioneer Stephen Hearn.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49But before the sale gets under way,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53I'm taking the opportunity to have a browse.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I'm looking for something Roman from the city of Verulamium,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59which was, obviously, the old St Albans,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02and I've stumbled across something.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Roman nails - look at that.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09Hand-forged nails from a Roman legionary fortress.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11But, sadly, not St Albans.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13This one came all the way from Perthshire in Scotland.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16AD 83-87. Look at that.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21And look at the condition of the nails. Incredible survivors.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25A great little lot which is in good company today
0:16:25 > 0:16:27with our Roman coins, which will be up shortly.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29But first under Stephen Hearn's gavel,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33is Sylvia's three snuffboxes and snuff mull.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35You came to the right man.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39James has one of the biggest collections in the UK of snuffboxes.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It's the Scottish snuff mull that's the star of this lot.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Let's mull over this then, shall we? Going under the hammer right now.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46- Good luck.- Thank you very much.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52There is it. Little collection, four items there. There we are.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54What about £150 for them? £120 for them?
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Yes? 30 for them, yes? 40.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59The snuff mull is worth that.
0:16:59 > 0:17:0360. 70. 80.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05190. 200? No?
0:17:05 > 0:17:09At £190 then. It is your bid, sir.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12At £190, they're going to be sold.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Down they go then.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- For £190 then... - GAVEL BANGS
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- That was quick wasn't it?- Wow! It was quick.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- Thank you.- £190. - Yeah.- Thank you so much.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Our first happy owner. Next, it's Robert's mosaic mirror.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Well, it has to be Claire, doesn't it?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36I've just been joined by Robert here, our next owner.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Is £250 to £300 a true reflection
0:17:39 > 0:17:42of the price of that little micro mosaic work?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Good luck with this. Why are you selling it?
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- It's either coming here or into the skip.- It cannot go into the skip!
0:17:49 > 0:17:50No, it can't. That's why it's here.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Somebody else is going to own this little mirror, fingers crossed.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55It's going under the hammer right now.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00The micro mosaic easel mirror, early part of the century.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03What about that? 100, shall we say? 100 is bid for it.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Thank you very much, at £100.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07And 10 for you, sir? And 20 now.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10120. 130 I have. 140.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12And 50. Perhaps 60.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15No? At £150 then.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17At £150 then. We're going to stop there.
0:18:17 > 0:18:23At £150 then. We have to stop at £150.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- It didn't sell.- Shame. - I feared as much.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- My wife will be happy I'm taking it back.- Oh, brilliant!- Oh, right.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- A happy ending then.- Yeah. - It's a happy ending.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Finally, it's time to find out
0:18:35 > 0:18:38if the Roman enthusiasts are in the room.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Right now, we're going to flip. Will it be heads or tails?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Because we've got that coin belonging to Annie.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45There's about four coins here going under the hammer.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Why are you selling the coins? - Because I don't display them
0:18:48 > 0:18:50and I don't really know the history of them,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52so I thought it was time to let them go.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Surely it's got to be a couple of hundred pounds.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57They're going under the hammer right now.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00If you're not here, you can't buy them, so hard luck. Here we go.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05There you are. There's three Roman, I believe,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07and one Elizabethan shilling. What about those?
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Ought to be £100 for those.
0:19:09 > 0:19:1150, 60, 70, 80, 90.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14100 now, surely? 100, I have.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16And 10 for you, sir?
0:19:16 > 0:19:18110. And 20 perhaps?
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Yes. And 30? No more?
0:19:20 > 0:19:24120 then, I'm selling. You're out. It's going.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Yes, it is. You can have another 10.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Ah, 130, there you go, see.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31At 130. I'm awfully sorry. 40?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33No? At 130 then.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- I'm selling at £130. - GAVEL BANGS
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Brilliant! Better than 70 quid, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Still, not a lot of money for a lot of history.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- And you've been the proud custodian of these.- Indeed, yes.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50How fascinating! That's real history in your hand. If only it could talk.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53No? 75 and I'm selling. £75...
0:19:55 > 0:19:57There you are. That was fast and furious.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00First three lots under the hammer, done and dusted.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04We are coming back here later on in the show, so don't go away.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Now, earlier in the programme, I told you how the city of St Albans
0:20:07 > 0:20:10was the successor to the Roman town of Verulamium.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13The Romans had a big impact on this area and on Britain as a whole
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and many of their influences can still be seen today,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20as I found out when I took a trip with a cultural flavour.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34The ancient Romans improved the quality of life for many Britons
0:20:34 > 0:20:38by introducing luxuries and comforts, such as central heating,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40but they also brought lively entertainment too,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43in places such as this theatre.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Verulamium's Roman theatre,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50the remains of which are in St Albans today,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54was built around 140 AD and is unique in Britain,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58as it's the only one of its kind to have a stage.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00All others are amphitheatres.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Roman performers strutting around the stage would have worn masks
0:21:06 > 0:21:10very much like this one. However, that's not an ancient Roman mask.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11It is Romanesque in style,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15but it's a modern creation made by a local theatre company,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18here in St Albans, called Trestle, who have adopted
0:21:18 > 0:21:22the ancient practice of mask-wearing into their performance.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24They've made it their own, they've made it unique.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Trestle is over 30 years old.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It was formed in 1981 as a touring theatre company
0:21:36 > 0:21:40who worked with masks and other forms of physical theatre.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Nearly 20 years later, they gave up their nomadic existence
0:21:47 > 0:21:51when they moved into this converted hospital chapel in St Albans,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53which they named the Trestle Arts Base.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Trestle are one of the first touring theatre companies
0:21:56 > 0:21:59to create their own home and they've been here ever since.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08I'm meeting artistic director Emily Gray
0:22:08 > 0:22:10to find out more about the company
0:22:10 > 0:22:15and, hopefully, get my hands on some of their extraordinary masks.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18So, tell me, how do you incorporate
0:22:18 > 0:22:21the ancient performance of mask-using in your work?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Masks were obviously used right back at the beginning of theatre,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27so the Greeks used masks. They used them to seem bigger than life,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- so people could play gods, men could play women.- Sure.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Massive amphitheatres, you could see the characters.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Then the Romans used them. They took them from the Greeks
0:22:38 > 0:22:41and they started making much more stock characters of masks,
0:22:41 > 0:22:46so you'd start to recognise the hero character or the villain
0:22:46 > 0:22:49and that then developed into the 16th-century commedia dell'arte.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Sure.- So, the half-mask characters,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54and they became terribly popular across Europe.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55When we use our masks,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58they're also very, very strong characters that come in.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01And the whole idea of the performance is it's very immediate.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04It's about engaging your audience. There's no fourth wall there.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06It's the audience and the masks,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10so it's all about eyeballing that audience, improvising with them.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15I like this chap. He's a mohican, sort of, a punk. Look at that.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20- This is Maurice the Mohican. Get his mohican to stand up properly.- Ah!
0:23:20 > 0:23:22THEY LAUGH
0:23:22 > 0:23:25And he is one of our oldest masks, so he's from the early '80s,
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- of course the era of punk. - He's brilliant.- He's brilliant.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31He was in a show called Hanging Around,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33which took place on a park bench
0:23:33 > 0:23:36and it had your punk and your boy scout and your mod.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38It was very '80s.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41These masks here are from the older shows
0:23:41 > 0:23:44and from the performances where there's huge detail
0:23:44 > 0:23:46in the character in these.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49These ones are more for our educational work.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51There are eight of these masks, the basic masks,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- and they're very clear expressions, almost cartoon.- They are.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56We all know that this guy is happy.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58And then you get the slightly more complicated set,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01the intermediate ones, who have a bit more going on in them,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- a bit more expression in there. - There's a worried look there.- Yes.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Then we get to the advanced masks,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10so these are more like the show masks.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- That's a bit more getting towards a human face.- I can see that, yeah.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16The most recent ones we've created are actually these ones.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- These ones talk to you, you see. Ha-ha!- Oh, yes!
0:24:19 > 0:24:22So, that's a devil, that's the devil mask.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25I'm pleased you did that, not me.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28For years, we didn't speak as a company, you see.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- It was completely mimed then? - Yeah, completely. No sound.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Which meant we could travel anywhere and people understood us
0:24:34 > 0:24:36anywhere we went. There was no basis in language.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40But with these half masks, we can look at Shakespearean archetypes,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43we look at the Greeks, we can do storytelling more,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45so these are very fun
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- cos they obviously bring in the voice.- They do.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Alongside Trestle's professional performances
0:24:52 > 0:24:53and their educational work,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56the company also makes sets of masks
0:24:56 > 0:24:58from their studio in the Trestle Arts Base,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01which are then sold all over the world.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Joseph, who works in the studio, is showing me how they are made.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13We take this resin mould and we put it in the vacuum former.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19So that gets lowered in. Then we take a piece of plastic...
0:25:21 > 0:25:23..heat it up...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30PAUL LAUGHS
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Then give it a knock on the head so...- Sure.- ..the mould falls out.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37And then we'll go over here and cut it out.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47So we do the eye holes and then the elastic holes
0:25:47 > 0:25:51and then that's it done for this room.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- And then you get creative.- Mm-hmm. - Come on, let's do it.- OK.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58Talk me through what happens next.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01What we do next is cut these out
0:26:01 > 0:26:04cos they've not really got a good shape at the moment.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06That's very quick.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- That's taken off all the rough edges there.- Who do you sell these to?
0:26:10 > 0:26:14We primarily sell to schools and drama groups and things like that.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- All over the world. - Al over the world, yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19We send internationally as well as the UK.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- And how many of these do you make a day then?- A day?
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- The record's probably about 100 masks in a day.- I'm very impressed.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- Right, I want to decorate one. Can I decorate one?- Sure.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31OK, this is the mischievous mask in the basic set
0:26:31 > 0:26:35- and this is what it will look like when it's finished.- OK.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40A bit more blue.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- How's that?- It looks good.- Is that all right?- Yeah, it looks good.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49It's nearly there, isn't it?
0:26:49 > 0:26:51The only thing now we need to do
0:26:51 > 0:26:54is put some elastic on it and it's ready to go.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Right, here's my mask. It's nearly dry.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00I think, before I leave here,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I should give it a test drive, don't you?
0:27:03 > 0:27:06And Emily has kindly agreed to run through one of her workshops.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09So now it's time to dim those lights.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I'm going to pop this on you.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16You're going to look at me, not look at the audience yet.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Here's your hat. Here we go.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Great. Round I go. And let's see you. Hello!
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Ha-ha! Are you going to say hello to everybody?
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Look at all your audience here. There we go.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32How are you feeling today? Show me in your body how you're feeling.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Oh, look who's here. Look who's here.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Um, so you have been very naughty, haven't you? I know.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42You've really upset her. Are you going to say sorry?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Oh, look, he's going to say sorry to you. Is that...?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Do you believe him? No.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53You need to apologise, show us that you're really, really sorry.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57And I want to see you being really true to...
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Oh, are you going to have a hug? Oh. Oh, how lovely.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06They could be together. Happy? Good. Oh, you're excited now.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Really happy! Really happy, great, great.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Let's see you together in a final pose.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Looking happy together!
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Oh, careful of him. Careful there. There we go. Hoorah! Well done.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22APPLAUSE
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Well, here, back in the nave, you can see
0:28:29 > 0:28:31there are still hundreds of people
0:28:31 > 0:28:35and, I must add, waiting patiently - thank you so much -
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- with smiles on their faces. Having a good time? ALL:- Yes!
0:28:38 > 0:28:41The good news is you're nearly at the front of the queue,
0:28:41 > 0:28:43where it's lights, camera, action.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45We're going to catch up with our experts
0:28:45 > 0:28:48to see what other treasures we can find.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49MUSIC: Theme tune to Doctor Who
0:28:49 > 0:28:51And it's over to Claire's table.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Well, Alan, we're in this ancient historical site
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and what do you bring in? Science fiction!
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- Wonderful! So, were these yours? - They were my son's.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- Right.- And they come from the '70s, I bought them.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08- Does he know you're here? - He does now.- Oh, OK.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10THEY LAUGH
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- Have you got a lot more of these at home?- Yes, a loft full.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16Oh, right, OK. I have a sneaking suspicion, though,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- you actually quite like them yourself.- I do actually.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23The thing is with toys, they're a very nostalgic thing,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26so people tend to buy into things they remember playing with.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28It does also make you feel rather old
0:29:28 > 0:29:30when suddenly toys you played with
0:29:30 > 0:29:33become collectors' items, I can tell you.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Now, with robots, they really started making robots in the '50s,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41so it's the '50s ones that make far more, whereas you say this is 1970s.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46- Yes.- He's Japanese made, which a lot of them were.- Yeah.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- Battery-operated and he does work. - Yes.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- So he wanders forward. Quite fun. Ooh, I say, he's flashing.- Yes.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58But the nice thing is you have the box.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Now, the box not looking too good. - No.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- But you've got the box and it's complete.- Yes.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08There are people that collect robots and people that love Doctor Who.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11So, here we have Doctor Who game,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and you obviously looked after it well because, hey presto,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- it's pretty well complete, isn't it? - Oh, yes, it is, yes.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21So, we have our silver Daleks and our gold Daleks,
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- all with plungers attached.- Yes.- OK.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28No bits missing, presumably all the counters and things.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30And I assume that you just parade them round the...
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- Yes, you go round there. - ..round the track.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35And Doctor Who has been such a cult show for so long.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39I mean, I remember watching it when I was quite small, a long time ago.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42So, there is a big collecting market for Doctor Who
0:30:42 > 0:30:44so, again, a very collectible item.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- You've obviously decided to sell them.- I have.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- I think we need to talk value. - Please.- OK, so the robot.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55He's a little bit later, so he's not going to be hundreds of pounds.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00- I think £60 to £80, £50 reserve. - Mm-hmm.- Is that good?
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- Yes, that's fine.- Excellent.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05However, Daleks, I think this is actually quite unusual.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08I haven't seen this game before and I certainly haven't seen
0:31:08 > 0:31:12anything so complete as this and, again, it's Doctor Who.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- I think this will be a bit more. - Oh, right.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- I think it's going to be £80 to £120.- Good God.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19And I'd put a £70 reserve on it. Is that good?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- That's fine, yes.- Excellent. Right, well I can't resist it.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24- Shall I set him going again?- Go on.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27- He gets a bit excited.- He does, yes. - Argh!
0:31:27 > 0:31:29CLAIRE LAUGHS
0:31:31 > 0:31:34I'm glad you're having fun, Claire.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Next, a very knowledgeable owner is educating James.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Brian, are you a collector or are these family?
0:31:42 > 0:31:44No, they're not family.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47I am a collector of mainly First World War medals,
0:31:47 > 0:31:51but medals generally are a passion of mine as well.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- These aren't First World War though. - No, no.- They're earlier.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Yeah, they're much earlier, most of them.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- Tell me, where did you find them? - I found them at a local auction.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02It was mainly household items at a weekly sort of sale
0:32:02 > 0:32:04and there just happened to be one group of medals
0:32:04 > 0:32:06- and it was this group.- Right.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Being a medal collector, you will have done the research.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- I've done a fair bit. - So, tell me about the set.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15They all belonged to one gentleman, a Mr J Johnson,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19or Warrant Officer J Johnson, as he was in the forces.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22He served from 1879, at least,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24right through to the turn of the century
0:32:24 > 0:32:29and was still alive to receive the Meritorious Service Medal in 1935,
0:32:29 > 0:32:34so he's spanning 40, 45 years of probably continuous service.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39- For me, the medal that causes all the emotion is this one.- Yeah.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41The South Africa Medal, the Zulu Wars,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45the Battle of Rorke's Drift following Isandlwana,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48those wonderful Zulus fighting for their homeland.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51That's the medal that people got.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Moving on. Egypt - tell me about that.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57This gentleman, by that time, he was entitled to the Egypt Medal.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01- It has got his naming on it but it's in poor impressed capitals.- OK.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- Ashanti. - This is a very interesting star.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09It was only awarded to around 2,000 troops,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12who went up to suppress the king of the Ashanti.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14- OK.- There was no fighting.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17When they got there, the king, Prempeh, said,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19"I haven't got the gold that you want."
0:33:19 > 0:33:21But they decided they had to come home anyway.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25So, although 18 died from fever, most of them got back,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- so it's what they call attributable to the group.- Brilliant.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- So that research helps us no end. - Exactly.- Next.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34The Meritorious Service Medal, as I said at the beginning,
0:33:34 > 0:33:36it wasn't awarded to him until 1935.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- That is almost like for still being alive.- Yeah.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41They issued a certain number each year
0:33:41 > 0:33:44or to people when they died, they passed on to the next one entitled.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46And the one on the end, that's the Khedive's Star.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- That relates back to Egypt. - Egypt. Wow!
0:33:49 > 0:33:53We often talk in the antiques world about things that go down in value
0:33:53 > 0:33:55or it's not as fashionable as it once was.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58But anybody who's invested in medals over the last 20 years
0:33:58 > 0:34:01will have seen a very, very good return on their investment.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06They've gone up considerably. So, in terms of value, what did you pay?
0:34:06 > 0:34:08I paid around £650 with commission.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12OK, I think we're going to get 50, another 50 there.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- I think there we've probably got a couple of hundred.- Yeah.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- Here, another hundred.- Yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21And here, probably 500 to 800.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23I think you're in the right ballpark.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25So if we said bottom estimate, £800 to £1,200.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I think you'd be very close to being on the mark, sort of thing.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Again, if there's two collectors and somebody wants it...
0:34:31 > 0:34:35Yeah, well, let's hope somebody actually sets foot
0:34:35 > 0:34:38into the saleroom and we have a battle over those.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- Thank you very much.- Pleasure.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Earlier on, I showed you the shrine of St Alban
0:34:45 > 0:34:47where pilgrims come to worship
0:34:47 > 0:34:50the first Christian martyr in this country, St Alban.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Well, he's also been immortalised in another way.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57There's a bun named after him and I've got a sneaky suspicion
0:34:57 > 0:34:59this chap here can tell me more about it.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Hello, Brother.- Hello! - Who are you dressed up as?
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- I'm Brother Rockcliff. - Brother Rockcliff.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08- I'm from the 14th century.- Right, OK.- And I've been baking all night.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- They're not rock buns, are they? Rock cakes?- No, no.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13They're sticky buns, hot cross buns.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17These are the famous Alban buns, which you can see the cross on them.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- We don't call them hot cross buns. - OK.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23But they originate from St Albans Abbey and in the 14th century,
0:35:23 > 0:35:28this recipe was prepared and it's still a big secret. Have a go.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Can I break it in half?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- Mmm.- What comes across?- Spice.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36People have tried before, endless times,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39to try and get the recipe but it's a big, big secret.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Well, I hope our experts are having as much fun at the valuation tables.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45We need one more item to take off to auction.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Who's that lucky owner going to be?
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- Let's find out and I'll enjoy my bun. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Norma, it's lovely to see you today
0:35:56 > 0:35:59and you've brought in this charming jewel
0:35:59 > 0:36:01in this magnificent setting here, isn't it?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05It was bought for my aunt when she was a young girl
0:36:05 > 0:36:08by my uncle before they got married
0:36:08 > 0:36:14and it was his first ever present to her and it was bought in 1919.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19It was bought in Darlington and that was the box that it came in.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22And it's been there ever since, practically,
0:36:22 > 0:36:23since she gave it to me.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- Do you remember her ever wearing it? - No, not really.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28I think it was one of those things you wore
0:36:28 > 0:36:31if you went out somewhere extra special.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- Yes, sort of dressed up, it's the finishing touch.- Yes.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36What about you? Have you ever worn it?
0:36:36 > 0:36:39I think I've put it on once and then I thought,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43"It's not quite the right thing", so I put it back in the box.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47- It's a shame, yeah, it's a shame to be sat there.- It is really.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50It's such a pretty item. I think it does have an appeal for today.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54They're quite simply made. They're stamped out in 9-carat gold
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and you get this wonderful sort of scrolling open effect
0:36:56 > 0:36:59and they would very traditionally put seed pearls in them,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01tiny little seed pearls.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04But I like the fact it's got this turquoise drop.
0:37:04 > 0:37:05It just makes it finished, doesn't it?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08It lifts it out of the ordinary cos, very often,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10they have a little tourmaline or a coloured stone
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- but I think this turquoise actually makes it...- It sets it off.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16- It does and it looks a bit more fashionable today.- Yes.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18It's a stone I think people would like.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21And it's got it's original little suspension
0:37:21 > 0:37:24but I think it does have a commercial appeal
0:37:24 > 0:37:27for today's market. And I think, from a collecting point of view,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31the fact you've still got it in its original box, from Darlington,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33where it was originally bought,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- it gives it that much more history, doesn't it.- Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37It's a lovely family thing.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Had you given any thought to its value at all?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Probably somewhere around £100, something like that. I'm not sure.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Yeah, there was a time when they were making that fairly easily
0:37:47 > 0:37:50but, because jewellery, the fashions have changed a bit,
0:37:50 > 0:37:54they've come back a bit, my feeling is it won't quite make that much.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57I think we're going to be looking at much nearer £60 to £80,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00- that sort of price. I don't know if that sounds OK to you.- Yeah.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04I suggest putting a reserve on it of £50 to protect it on the day.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- Yes, I wouldn't like to see it go less than that.- No.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10- Thank you very much indeed. - You're welcome.- Thank you.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16There you are. Our experts have now found their final items,
0:38:16 > 0:38:18which means it's time to say farewell
0:38:18 > 0:38:21to our magnificent host location today -
0:38:21 > 0:38:24the fabulous St Albans Cathedral and Abbey.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26And what a wonderful crowd we've had.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30Thank you so much as well for bringing in all of your treasures.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Our journey isn't over yet.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34We've got one final visit to the auction room
0:38:34 > 0:38:38and here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Dragged out of the attic, Alan's 1970s robot and Daleks board game
0:38:43 > 0:38:46are sure to exterminate some bids in the saleroom.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Bought at local auction, Brian's collection of military medals
0:38:53 > 0:38:55are heading back under the hammer.
0:38:57 > 0:39:02And finally, Norma's gold necklace with seed pearls and turquoise drop
0:39:02 > 0:39:04was made to be worn, so let's find a new owner.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09We're back at Tring Market Auctions,
0:39:09 > 0:39:11where auctioneer Stephen Hearn is still hard at work.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15And it's time to put the first of our valuations to the test.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Right, our next lot.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19We've got two lots coming up which will suit
0:39:19 > 0:39:21all you modern-day collectible enthusiasts.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23It's 20th century modern.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25We've got a 1970s robot and a Daleks board game,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27belonging to Alan, who can't be with us.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31So granddad's not here but we've got the grandchildren, Anya and Ashley.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33- Yes.- I'd be playing with this robot, if I was you.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35I'd be thinking, "Granddad, I want that robot
0:39:35 > 0:39:39- "for later on in life because that will look great on..."- No, no.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- You don't want a robot? - I don't want a robot, no.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44I'd go for the robot not the Daleks game. What about you?
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Definitely Daleks because I'm a massive Whovian, so...
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It's going under the hammer right now. We're going to find out
0:39:50 > 0:39:52what everyone thinks of the robot. Here we go.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56A battery-operated superrobot.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59How about that? £100 for him? 100?
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Or 50? Yes. 60. 70. 80.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Let's go like a robot.
0:40:04 > 0:40:0790. 100. And 10. And 20.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09- Wow.- 30.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12130 for him then. He's going for £130.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13GAVEL BANGS
0:40:13 > 0:40:15- That went quickly.- Yes!
0:40:15 > 0:40:20One down, one to go. If this one doesn't sell, I will exterminate.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23There you are. War of the Daleks.
0:40:23 > 0:40:2640 perhaps? 30 perhaps?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Yes! 30 I'm bid for the Daleks. At 30 we're bid now.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Are you going to be 5, sir?
0:40:31 > 0:40:36And 40. And 5. We close at £45. 50 perhaps?
0:40:36 > 0:40:39No? At £45 then.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43- Ah! No Doctor Who fans here. - I thought it would have done more.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45But you said you'd like that one.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Yeah, I wish I'd bought money with me now.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50But hey, you can take it home with you.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Thank you anyway for standing in for him.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Next up, it's Norma's pretty gold pendant
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and she plans to spend any proceeds on her grandchildren.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04If Claire was allowed to buy it, I think she'd buy this.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Why are you selling it anyway?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Well, it's just sitting in a drawer in a box
0:41:08 > 0:41:11and nobody's getting any wear out of it.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13That's what most of our owners say.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15"It's in a drawer, in a box and no-one looks at it,
0:41:15 > 0:41:16- "no-one wants it."- It's a shame.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- You'd rather have the cash to go and have some fun.- Yes.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Go and spend it on yourself. It's going under the hammer now. Ready?
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- Yes.- Enjoy this.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28What about that one? £80 for it. Or 50. Or 40. Bid.
0:41:28 > 0:41:305. 50 bid. 5. 60 bid.
0:41:30 > 0:41:325. 70?
0:41:32 > 0:41:34At £65. 70 now then?
0:41:34 > 0:41:36No. I'm selling.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41- It's going down then for £65. - GAVEL BANGS
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- Treat the grandchildren then.- Yes. - How many have you got?
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Two small ones.- What are they called? Give us their names.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- Beatrice and Oscar.- Oh, Oscar!
0:41:49 > 0:41:51He's going to sound like a character, isn't he, little Oscar?
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- He is. He's dynamite.- And Beatrice.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Great names, great names. Hello, if you're watching.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01Now it's time for our final lot of the day, those military medals.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Since we last saw Brian at St Albans,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06he has been in contact with the auction house
0:42:06 > 0:42:08with further research on his medals.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Following this, the estimate and the reserve have been changed.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17You've raised the reserve not from that lower end of £800. It's now...
0:42:17 > 0:42:21It's £1,150 because the rarity of the medal group.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24The thing is medals have gone up year on year on year
0:42:24 > 0:42:27and I'm hoping these will follow the trend and do well.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29OK, they're going under the hammer right now.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33We've got the five 19th-century military medals
0:42:33 > 0:42:36and you've got the Ashanti Star in this lot.
0:42:36 > 0:42:391,000 I'm bid for those. 1,100.
0:42:39 > 0:42:411,200. 13.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43- 14.- They've sold.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45£1,400 on my left.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47At 1,400. And 15?
0:42:47 > 0:42:511,400's going to buy them if you don't bid.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Are you sure?
0:42:53 > 0:42:56At £1,400 then, I'm going to sell them away from you.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- At £1,400. - GAVEL BANGS
0:42:59 > 0:43:01- Yes!- Great.- £1,400.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- That was short and sweet.- Well done.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Two people fighting that out in the room.
0:43:05 > 0:43:06It's gone to somebody who will like them.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08I'm sure they will cherish them.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14That's it. It's all over for our owners.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16As you can see, the auction is still going on
0:43:16 > 0:43:19but we've had a terrific day here at Tring Market Auctions.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21Our owners have gone home happy.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24All credit to our experts and to Stephen Hearn on the rostrum.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Job well done. Join us again soon for many more surprises.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29But until then, it's goodbye.