0:00:02 > 0:00:04Today, we're bringing you a special edition of "Flog It!"
0:00:04 > 0:00:06from all over the UK.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08We're travelling east to west, north to south,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11revisiting some of the historic venues from the series.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15And, as ever, we're searching high and low for fascinating antiques
0:00:15 > 0:00:19to sell at auction, and I'll be here at Knightshayes in Devon...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24..a house built thanks to the ingenuity,
0:00:24 > 0:00:28determination and spirit of one man, and his name was Sir John Heathcoat,
0:00:28 > 0:00:32and he single-handedly transformed the lacemaking industry.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Later on in the programme, we'll be finding out about his achievements
0:00:35 > 0:00:38and putting values on your items.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Knightshayes is an extraordinary Victorian country seat,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06set in acres of parkland.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08It was owned by the Heathcoat Amory family
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and it reflects the success they achieved in the lacemaking industry.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Only three generations of Heathcoat Amory family lived here
0:01:17 > 0:01:22before the house was handed over to the National Trust in 1972.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25And what a house it is. Just take a look at this.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28It really is quite fabulous.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Today, you can wander around the exquisite gardens,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34you can indulge in the medieval-inspired interiors
0:01:34 > 0:01:38and you can hear the story of how the family started off as farmers
0:01:38 > 0:01:42and rose to landed gentry in just two generations.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44It really is quite a tale.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45And more of that later, but first,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48let's see where we're heading on today's show.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54We're at one of the finest castles in the whole of the UK -
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Herstmonceux in East Sussex.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59And Catherine Southern's found some boots made for walking.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03My grandfather was a saddle maker
0:02:03 > 0:02:07and he decided to make his young two or three-year-old daughter
0:02:07 > 0:02:10a pair of boots, and there they are.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13At Althorp in Northamptonshire,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15we're surrounded by priceless works of art,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18but there's nothing buttoned-up about Charles.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23This, what appears to be a fairly mundane button, reveals so much.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27At Reading Town Hall, Anita Manning's fallen in love
0:02:27 > 0:02:29with some heavy metal.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Every bit of this pot is beautifully decorated
0:02:34 > 0:02:40- by this master of metalwork. - Gee whizz.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42That's all for later, but first,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46we're landing at Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Built in the 15th century, it was, at the time,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51the largest private home in England.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53James Lewis isn't putting up a fight
0:02:53 > 0:02:57when it comes to valuing this incredible collection.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Margaret, tell me about these.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Tell me about your family and what you know about them.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Right, to start with, there was my grandfather, Alfred Harry Cole.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- He went to France and he was at Mons.- Ah.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And the first battle,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18the Kaiser named the men who fought at Mons,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- "This little contempt... Little contemptible army."- Yes.
0:03:22 > 0:03:29And they adopted that name and everybody who fought at Mons,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33they decided that they would call themselves the Old Contemptibles -
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- hence the badge.- OK, so for that,
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- what we're talking about is this set here and the badge here.- Yes.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- OK, so who's next? - My father, Alfred John Cole.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- This is the Second World War now. - Second World War, sorry, yes.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50We've got the Africa Star here. Whereabouts was he?
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- He was in Egypt in the desert. - Ah, the Desert Rats.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55And I can tell you a funny story.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Apparently, whilst they were in the desert,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01they were issued with clean clothes but were told they couldn't change
0:04:01 > 0:04:05into the clean clothes because Montgomery was coming to see them
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- a few days later.- Ah. - And my father disobeyed.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12He said, "It's my time to put my clean clothes on", so he did.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Good for him.- And for that,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18he had to march for hours with a full pack in the desert.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Very stubborn, my father.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25And these are my father's brother, Kenneth Claude Cole.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- He was in the bomb and mine disposal.- OK.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Let's start with your grandfather.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34He obviously joined the army right at the very beginning.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- And we know that because he has the 1914 medal.- Mm-hmm.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41So, the first year of World War I.
0:04:41 > 0:04:47And we also have the bar that says, "August 22nd to November, 1914",
0:04:47 > 0:04:51which indicates he was actually fighting during that period.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53So, we've got the 1914 Star,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57we've got the War Medal and we've got the Victory Medal
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- and we've got the Military Medal. - Yeah.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Now, the Military Medal was awarded
0:05:02 > 0:05:05for those people who weren't commissioned officers,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- so what rank was he? - He was just a sapper.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12- He was promoted to a sergeant but he said, "I don't want it."- Really?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14And my father did exactly the same.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Well, a lot of people say to be awarded that as a sapper,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20you would have had to be even braver
0:05:20 > 0:05:24than to be awarded as a commissioned officer.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27So, we've got the three that everybody knows -
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, the common names,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31named after cartoon characters
0:05:31 > 0:05:33that were contemporary to the First World War.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Then, the Second World War medals.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Until recently, there hasn't been a great demand
0:05:38 > 0:05:40for Second World War medals,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42but they are becoming more sought after.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43Then, finally, we have these two.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Now, the General Service Medal is an interesting one because of the bar.
0:05:47 > 0:05:54- Yes.- And it says here, "Bomb & Mine Clearance, 1945-'49",
0:05:54 > 0:05:57so it's post-World War II.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00The war's finished and he's involved
0:06:00 > 0:06:03in clearing all of the unexploded bombs -
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- one of the most dangerous jobs in existence.- Yes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- I couldn't do it. - I certainly couldn't!
0:06:09 > 0:06:14I wouldn't want to, so an incredible person who's been incredibly brave.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16There will be people at home, watching this,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20who will be saying, "Why are you selling your family medals?"
0:06:20 > 0:06:22And I used to think the same thing.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25But the medal collectors will buy these,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28they will find photographs of your grandfather
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and your father and your uncle and they won't be sitting
0:06:31 > 0:06:34in somebody's chest of drawers any more.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36They will be framed up with all of that research
0:06:36 > 0:06:38and their story will live on.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42That is what is so good about medal and military collectors.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- It's the history. - It's all about what they did.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49It's very rare, as well, to see a whole family together,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52so I think we should sell them together, as one set.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54And do you know, I've gone through all of that
0:06:54 > 0:06:57and I've even forgotten what I'm meant to be doing
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- and that's putting a value on them. - We got carried away.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Well, it almost seems insulting
0:07:03 > 0:07:07to put a value on something so incredible, but we have to.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Now, Pip, Squeak and Wilfred - those three on their own,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15without the Military Medal, are worth between £70 and £100.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Then we've got the Military Medal as well.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20That's worth another £200 to £300.
0:07:20 > 0:07:27Then we've got these two. Let's add another £300 there - £650.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31Another £100 there - £750.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37I think we've got between £700 and £900, something like that.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I'm amazed! I really am amazed.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- I'd no idea that they'd be that value.- All right.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- A little bit stunned.- Great. Well, I enjoy giving good news.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54What a wonderful collection of medals,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58which recognises the Cole family's heroic military efforts.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Stately homes, like Knightshayes,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03played their part in the war effort too.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07In the First World War, Knightshayes gave its entire ground floor over
0:08:07 > 0:08:12as a military hospital, giving 75 beds to war-wounded soldiers.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16In World War II, Knightshayes accommodated
0:08:16 > 0:08:20both British and American soldiers, where they convalesced
0:08:20 > 0:08:23and had a bit of well-deserved leisure time to boot.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28But tragedy would also hit Knightshayes at the end of the war.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33When the pilots left Knightshayes and returned to the airfield,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36there was a custom to fly low over the house to buzz it,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40in order to cheer up their wounded comrades, and it certainly did.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43But tragically, one pilot flew his P-47 Thunderbolt
0:08:43 > 0:08:45a little bit too low.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46The wings clipped the top of the tree
0:08:46 > 0:08:49and it landed in the woodland over there.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Tragically, the plane hit the ground and, sadly, the pilot lost his life.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01But the lady of the house at the time, Joyce Heathcoat Amory,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04was determined to grow good out of bad,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07so she planted up the crash site area into a woodland garden
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and, as you can see today,
0:09:09 > 0:09:13it still remains an area of outstanding natural beauty.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27The next stop on our tour is 75 miles north, in Northamptonshire.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Althorp House, home to the Spencer family for 500 years,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34provided a spectacular backdrop for our valuation day.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38But Charles Hanson's fancy was taken by something rather more subtle.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42MUSIC: Let's Face The Music And Dance by Irving Berlin
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I saw you earlier in the queue and it was almost trouble ahead,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49because this, what appears to be a fairly mundane button,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51reveals so much. I'm really intrigued,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54before we get to that story - how did you acquire it?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57It was in an old button collection of my aunt.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02She died in 1982 and I was allowed to choose things from the house
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- and I'm just fascinated by buttons.- Are you?
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- And so I just chose that. - Why do buttons take your fancy?
0:10:07 > 0:10:10What do buttons give you, as a collector?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12I don't collect them, particularly,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14it's just that there's such history with it.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17You can imagine - in fact, you can see things.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19A button that was on your granny's dress
0:10:19 > 0:10:22when you were, perhaps, three or four, and you recognise it.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- And you can't beat that, can you? - No, not at all.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28The sentiment of that object which you just visually remember.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29- That's right.- Like this.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32And what's really interesting is what's on this button.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Obviously, we can see Manchester Church, which today,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- we know as being... - Manchester Cathedral.- Correct.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41And it's inscribed "Church & King Club".
0:10:41 > 0:10:45And what we know is that the first meeting of this new club
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- happened on 13th March, 1790. - That's right.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- And this button was worn by uniformed members of this club.- Mm.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54- Fascinating.- Yeah.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- At a time when there was unrest. - Yeah, political party.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- At a time when England was unsure where its future was going.- Mm.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- We were only a year after the French Revolution.- Mm.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09We were concerned what might happen over the Channel in 1790.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15- It was only 15 years before the Battle of Trafalgar.- Oh, golly, yes.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- So, it really speaks history.- Yeah.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20But, of course, this button also has a link to Northampton.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25Well, Spencer Perceval was the only Northampton Prime Minister
0:11:25 > 0:11:26and, as many people know,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30he was the only Prime Minister to have been assassinated.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- And he was related to the Compton family at Castle Ashby.- Yes.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37And I think that's my connection.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39I think that's why I found it in my button box,
0:11:39 > 0:11:44because my, oh, great-great-uncle lived at Castle Ashby at that time.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- Isn't it wonderful that a button can colour so much social history?- Yeah.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53And it's wonderful because you can see how, maybe, hands and grease
0:11:53 > 0:11:58and grime, over the years, have removed some of the gilt coating.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- Mm.- And you can see, obviously, on the back,
0:12:00 > 0:12:05- what a crude button it is, in that regard, with a single loop.- Mm.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Fascinating. I think it's a really interesting object.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09I think it's fairly rare too.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- It is rare.- Yeah. - I've never seen one before.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16I've seen a couple retail, do quite well but, of course,
0:12:16 > 0:12:17auction, in that market,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21it's something which almost needs that line, "Political interest".
0:12:21 > 0:12:22- Yes.- I love it.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- And you're thinking it's time to unbutton and go to auction?- Yes.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- What's it worth?- Oh, not very much, I shouldn't think.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Have a guess.- I don't know. Um, tenner?
0:12:31 > 0:12:32- I would say times it by three.- Oh.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35And if we get the right people, hopefully behind it,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37for Queen and country today,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I hope we can guide it at between £30 and £50.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- That's not bad for a button.- And I truly feel, for what it represents,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48we ought to protect it with a reserve at £20,
0:12:48 > 0:12:53- to prevent any unrest from you to me.- OK.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Buttons today just don't have the charm, do they?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Now it's back down south,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03where the stunning Victorian town hall in Reading plays host
0:13:03 > 0:13:05to hundreds of "Flog It!" followers.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08But it's pot luck what our experts will find,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10as Anita Manning is discovering.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Betty, welcome to "Flog It!",
0:13:14 > 0:13:17and it's wonderful of you to come along.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19And it's even more wonderful
0:13:19 > 0:13:23for you to have brought along this beautiful pot.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- Tell me where you got it. - My auntie's place.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31When she passed away, it was left in the toilet, of all places.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I said to Raymond, my cousin whose mother had died,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36"You left a pot in the ladies' toilet."
0:13:36 > 0:13:39"You can have it," he said. So, I had it
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- and brought it home. - ANITA LAUGHS
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- Oh, that was a very nice thing to happen.- Yeah.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Tell me, did you like the pot? - Yes and no.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52I brought it home and put some cones in it and I had a pot plant in it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54In the end, it went up on the shelf.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57I forgot all about it then, until I saw "Flog It!".
0:13:57 > 0:14:02I saw a lady bring one in, very small, with a fish on.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06I thought, "John Pearson - haven't I got that on my pot?"
0:14:06 > 0:14:08And got it and it was "John Pearson", and I thought,
0:14:08 > 0:14:12"Perhaps it's a forgery, but perhaps it might not be a forgery."
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- It was important to bring it in and to have it checked out.- Yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Have you had it for a long time?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Must be 10, 15 years ago my auntie's been gone now.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Well, it's wonderful to have this turning up in Reading.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Now, this comes from the late 19th century.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30We had the Industrial Revolution,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33where things had gone from being handmade
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- to being machine-made and mass-produced.- Ah, yeah.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41And there were people who felt
0:14:41 > 0:14:45that they wanted to bring back
0:14:45 > 0:14:48the skills of handcraft.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54Now, this movement was loosely called the Arts and Crafts Movement.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57And if we look at the base of your pot,
0:14:57 > 0:15:02we can see the signature of John Pearson.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Now, John Pearson was a very, very important figure
0:15:07 > 0:15:09in the Arts and Crafts Movement.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12In fact, he was one of the founder members
0:15:12 > 0:15:16of the Guild of Handicrafts with Charles Ashbee.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- Oh.- Now, he made his way down to Newlyn.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25That was a very famous area for Arts and Crafts,
0:15:25 > 0:15:31- but it was also renowned for its copper metalwork.- Oh.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35And John Pearson made this pot in Newlyn
0:15:35 > 0:15:38with the copper from that region.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Oh. - So, it's quite an important thing.
0:15:41 > 0:15:47If we look at the pot, everything has been hand-done,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50where we have leaves and flowers,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- with a hand-hammered decoration... - Oh.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00..so that every bit of this pot is beautifully decorated
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- by this master of metalwork. - Gee whizz.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09So, it's really an absolute joy to see.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- That's great.- Selling it - would you be sorry to leave it go?
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I don't know. In one way, I suppose I would be,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17but I don't think it would interest my son.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19I'll see what it does at the auction.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22This is the interesting thing. If it was coming to me,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27- I would put it in at £500 to £800. - Yeah.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30This is a conservative estimate.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35Now, would you be happy to put it in at £500 to £800?
0:16:35 > 0:16:36Yeah, I'm going to leave it to you.
0:16:36 > 0:16:43- But we will make a firm reserve of £500.- OK, yeah, all right.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Let's hope it flies. - I hope it does.- I'm sure it will.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48I hope it goes to someone who'll appreciate it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Thank you for bringing it along. - Thank you.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55Let's hope the Arts and Crafts collectors take the bait.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58That's our first three items valued by our experts
0:16:58 > 0:17:01and here they are again, just to jog your memory.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06The medals, reflecting two generations of military history.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09There could be a fight over these in the saleroom.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15A tiny button with a big story to tell. Will a collector snap it up?
0:17:19 > 0:17:22The Arts & Crafts planter is by a celebrated maker,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24but will it raise a pot of gold for Betty?
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Our first auction comes from the market town
0:17:30 > 0:17:32of Wokingham in Berkshire.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Like all auctions, Martin & Pole charges commission,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38so factor that in if you're buying or selling.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Right, the John Pearson pot is up for grabs.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Now, this is quality.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48It's signed as well, yes. Why are you selling it?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Well, I might as well say it.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- I'm going to give it between me and my son, half each.- Ah, that's nice.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58OK, well, you know I love it and, fingers crossed,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01phone lines are bought, people are online, ready for this,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and it might find its way back to Cornwall.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05We're going to find out now. It's going under the hammer.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Good luck.- Yeah.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10The nice Arts & Crafts copper planter by John Pearson.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Start this with me at £420. 450 anywhere? With me at £420.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- Betty, we're at 450.- Any more?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18450 on the internet. 480 with me.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20At £480. Any more?
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- 500 on the internet. - Ah!- Thank you. £500. Any more?
0:18:24 > 0:18:26At £500. Any more on the internet?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Tell me now. At £500.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- All done? - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- It's gone. £500. - 500, oh, we just made it.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35Only just made it.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- Are you happy with that, Betty? - Yes, I am.- Oh, good.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- Look at that big smile. We just got it away, didn't we?- We did.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Hopefully, it's gone to a museum somewhere,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46so everybody can appreciate the skill of Pearson,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49because that was just lovely.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Our next auction is two hours' north
0:18:51 > 0:18:53in Market Harborough, Leicestershire,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57where Gildings are in charge of the sale of the special little button.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Going under the hammer right now, a George III uniform button
0:19:01 > 0:19:05belonging to Gillian, who's right next to me. Good luck with this.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06- Thank you.- Great to see you again.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- It's not a lot of money, is it, though?- No.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- Interesting object, socially.- And a correlation to Northampton as well.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- Absolutely.- So, it's got local interest and, fingers crossed,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17we're going to find a bidder right here, right now.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18Let's put it under the hammer.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23The Manchester Church & King Club. Nice little button here. Gilt metal.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- And bidding only £8.- Oh!
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- 8, I'm bid. Here, at £8. At 8. - It's a great curio.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30£10. £12.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32£12, I'm bid at £12. £15.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35£18. £20, I'm bid now.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- You've sold it.- Yeah, come on. - With the online bidder now, at £20.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Online as well. Come on.- It's £20.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Selling away to the internet at £20. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:19:44 > 0:19:46It's selling. That's a good thing to buy online.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49They can put that in an envelope and post it, can't they? Well done.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50Well done, both of you.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- It's a beauty.- It's a bit of fun,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54but we've all learnt something, that's the main thing.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- It was lovely taking part in- "Flog It!". Ah.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59For our third auction, we're heading to the south coast,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02to Rye Auction Galleries in Sussex,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05as the military medals go into battle.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Margaret, we are just about to sell your father's,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- your uncle's and your grandfather's medals.- Yes.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- There's a lot of family history here.- Certainly is.- Ready, Margaret?
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Yes.- It's going under the hammer now. This is it.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21This is a selection of World War I and World War II medals.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25And I can start it at 500. At 500.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Do I see 520? 520.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29540. 560. 580.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31600. 620.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34640. 660. 680.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37700? 680 here.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- Another bidder? 700. - Come on, come on.- At 720.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43At 720 now. Do I see 740?
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- You were spot-on, James. - At £720 now. At 720.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48It's on the net. Are we all done and finished
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- at £720? - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Great! Good.- 720, well done. Well done. Spot-on.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Hard thing to put a price on. Are you going to treat your husband?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- We're going to go on a cruise. - Oh, good for you, good for you!
0:21:00 > 0:21:03That's our first trip to the saleroom complete.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05We'll be back later for more auction action.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Now, it's back to Knightshayes in Devon,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16to discover how the Heathcoat family's lace business
0:21:16 > 0:21:18transformed the local area.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Look at that! Isn't that stunning?
0:21:21 > 0:21:24This is the view from the back of Knightshayes,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and the Devon countryside just opened up in front of you.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30But the gardens have been designed in such a way
0:21:30 > 0:21:33that your eye is drawn to one particular building,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35and there it is, look, right in the middle.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38That's Heathcoat Fabrics, and without that building,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40this one wouldn't exist,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42and without the lead of one extraordinary man,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44a whole town may not have survived
0:21:44 > 0:21:47one of the harshest periods in British history.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53The story starts some 200 miles away in Loughborough, Leicestershire,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57when Britain was in the throes of the Industrial Revolution.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59A farmer's son, named John Heathcoat,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02was making waves in the lace industry.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06At the age of just 25, he had invented the bobbinet machine,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09a device that would change the course
0:22:09 > 0:22:11of the lacemaking industry forever.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Heathcoat took the most beautiful and difficult thing
0:22:18 > 0:22:20human hands were creating in lace,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22and made a machine that could do it for them
0:22:22 > 0:22:26in a fraction of the time at a fraction of the cost.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35The Industrial Revolution brought massive change
0:22:35 > 0:22:38and not everyone welcomed labour-saving inventions,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40like Heathcoat's bobbinet machine.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42If progress continued,
0:22:42 > 0:22:47would the skilled man not be replaced by machine?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50One group of men took the answer into their own hands.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52They called themselves the Luddites
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and they made it their business to attack factories
0:22:55 > 0:22:59and destroy the equipment they saw destroying their livelihood.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02The Luddites attacked John Heathcoat's factory
0:23:02 > 0:23:04with axe and hammer,
0:23:04 > 0:23:09destroying 55 lace machines and putting 200 men out of work.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11And it's said the air was filled
0:23:11 > 0:23:13with the stench of burning lace for days.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18So, what was John Heathcoat to do?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20His business and his equipment was destroyed,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24his trust in the people of Loughborough was ruined,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and the lace industry was facing a depression.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Remarkably, the young industrialist bought a factory
0:23:33 > 0:23:36on the other side of the country in Tiverton, Devon -
0:23:36 > 0:23:40a small, deprived town, but one with a history of textiles.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Heathcoat's tenacity and ambition drove him on,
0:23:44 > 0:23:49like the very wheels of industry, and with him were his loyal workers,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52who had walked 200 miles from Loughborough to Tiverton -
0:23:52 > 0:23:56a journey which would have taken around two weeks on foot -
0:23:56 > 0:23:57to start anew.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Heathcoat may have lost his machinery, but he retained something
0:24:01 > 0:24:04that proved just as valuable - his people.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08With his established skilled staff,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11he was able to get the business going immediately,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and offered employment to hundreds of local people,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18many of whom had been living in abject poverty for years.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22As the factory grew, it attracted workers from all over Devon,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26and Heathcoat provided them with the amenities they needed to survive.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29The town of Tiverton was transformed.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34To tell us more, I'm at Tiverton Museum
0:24:34 > 0:24:37to talk to museum director Pippa Griffith.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Can you tell me what impact the Heathcoat factory had
0:24:44 > 0:24:46on the town of Tiverton in the mid-19th century?
0:24:46 > 0:24:49The arrival of the factory meant people could continue their work
0:24:49 > 0:24:52in the textile trade, in the lace factory.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54It was a huge employer for the town.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56At least around 20% of the population
0:24:56 > 0:24:59had direct employment from the factory itself.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01The factory also had a big impact on housing in the town.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05As soon as John Heathcoat arrived, he started purchasing houses
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and those houses were quite high-spec for their time -
0:25:08 > 0:25:11piped water and so on - and by the later period,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14they even had indoor toilets as well, which was a great luxury.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17What kind of thing were they making in the factory and for who?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20The bobbinet lace is used as the basic lace
0:25:20 > 0:25:23that could then be embroidered or appliqued upon.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24All of that fabric would have been used
0:25:24 > 0:25:27for a number of different purposes - for dresses,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30wedding veils were a very well-known product. And, in fact,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34the factory has a long history of supplying veils for royal weddings -
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Queen Victoria's right through to our own Queen Elizabeth,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40when she was Princess Elizabeth, and Princess Diana as well.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44John Heathcoat, with his very early machine designs,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46which he kept on refining, he learnt French and Italian,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50so he could do business abroad. He was always one step ahead.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Throughout the mid-19th century,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Heathcoat led the factory and the town from strength to strength.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02He even became MP for Tiverton in 1832. The people loved him.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10When he sadly passed away, in 1861, the town's grief was universal.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14The shops put up their shutters and for two miles in the street,
0:26:14 > 0:26:16as a mark of respect, black cloth was laid,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19from his house where he lived in Bolham,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22here to St Peter's Church in Tiverton, where he is buried.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30He was succeeded by his grandson, John Heathcoat Amory.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33The factory continued to prosper into the 20th century
0:26:33 > 0:26:37and it was the lifeblood of the town, right up until the 1960s.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Bernard Vickers and his father worked there
0:26:39 > 0:26:42for a total of more than 100 years.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It was my life.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52I was born, literally, within about 100 yards of the factory,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55in one of the houses that Heathcoat had acquired.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57People that lived in Tiverton,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01the first place you looked for a job was at THE factory.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04In my dad's day, it would have been very long hours.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07They worked from six till six and then,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10if they couldn't read or write, which a lot of them couldn't,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12they were expected to go to night school
0:27:12 > 0:27:15to learn to read or write in the school
0:27:15 > 0:27:18that John Heathcoat had set up.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I was one of those that ran about with little pieces of paper.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It was very friendly, I think.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29Families worked there, and it was really a pleasant place to work.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Today, the factory at Tiverton is still in the textiles business,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37but it's no longer owned by the Heathcoats.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41It was John Heathcoat Amory who built this house in 1869.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44His grandfather built a town on lace
0:27:44 > 0:27:48and he continued the business in the spirit of John Heathcoat,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51an inventor, a businessman and a benefactor.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54And what better way to do it than from a big, grand house,
0:27:54 > 0:27:58with your factory just visible in the distance?
0:28:05 > 0:28:06Back on our trip around the country,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09we're touching down again at Althorp estate,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12which covers 13,000 acres of woodland, pasture,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14and it even has its own deer park.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Christina Trevanion, however,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19has no idea who this little sparkler belongs to.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- So, Jill, is this your watch? - No.- No?- No.- It's not your watch?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- Whose watch is it then? - Well, it was a mistake.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33Oh, really? It's the best-looking mistake I've ever seen!
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Mm, I was walking past my favourite jewellers
0:28:36 > 0:28:38and I saw it in the window and thought,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41"I've never seen anything like that before. It's really nice."
0:28:41 > 0:28:43- Yeah.- "I know somebody that might like that."
0:28:43 > 0:28:47- But I wasn't with Jill at the time, I was with someone else.- Mm.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- And I bought it, gave it to her. - And she said,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, thank you!"
0:28:52 > 0:28:58- No?- She just took one look and said, "I like it but..."- Oh!
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Which is why Jill's now on the scene, you lucky man.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02CHRISTINA LAUGHS
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Quite probably, actually. Yes, quite probably.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Well, I think, as a gift goes, a) it was incredibly thoughtful,
0:29:09 > 0:29:14and b) incredibly beautiful. Carl, what was it that you loved about it?
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- I just thought it was dainty. It looked very pretty.- Mm.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22And I thought the person I was buying it for would appreciate it,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25- but...- How wrong can you be? Have you learnt your lesson now?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28What I learnt was quite an easy lesson -
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- you can't choose for a lady. - CHRISTINA LAUGHS
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- A lady needs to choose for herself. - Her own.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Very, very wise words there, Carl. If you'd bought this for me,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40I would have been absolutely delighted
0:29:40 > 0:29:42because I think it's an absolute stunner and I would have said,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44"Thank you so much, that's a wonderful gift."
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Let's take it out of the box.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Looking at it, it just screams art deco, doesn't it?
0:29:49 > 0:29:52It screams that 1920s, 1930s era, that opulence.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55It's got this wonderful canted, rectangular face,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57set with diamonds and these wonderful zigzags
0:29:57 > 0:30:00and then the diamond-set strap again, going down there.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03And, actually, stamped on the back of this case, it says "Platinum".
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Now, platinum, obviously, is one of the most expensive precious metals
0:30:06 > 0:30:08that you can buy, so it really is the best of the best.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12It's a lovely thing. Little manual-wind lady's cocktail watch.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14You can imagine going for cocktails, can't you? Very smart.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19At auction, they are popular as dress pieces.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22It's a very collectible era and it's a very wearable thing still.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- How long ago did you buy this? - About 15 or 20 years.
0:30:25 > 0:30:2815 or 20 years ago, OK. I think, at auction,
0:30:28 > 0:30:33we're probably looking somewhere in the region of maybe £250 to £350,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36bearing in mind the diamond weight that's in there
0:30:36 > 0:30:38and, obviously, the platinum weight as well.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39What's your thoughts about that?
0:30:39 > 0:30:42It's fine by me because it's not something I own,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44it's something I bought for somebody else but she didn't want it
0:30:44 > 0:30:46or appreciate it, so I just kept it.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Adding it to a collection of crystal that I've got,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- it doesn't really suit a collection of crystal.- No, quite.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- It should be in a watch collection or, preferably...- Or being worn.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59- Being worn.- Jill, would you wear it? - I would if it fitted.- Does it?
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- But it doesn't.- Oh. - I've got rather large wrists.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Oh, I'm sure we could find a piece of string, maybe, or something.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08So, would you like to sell it then, chaps?
0:31:08 > 0:31:13I would because I think that I would like to give Jill something,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16but not this, because this was for somebody else and so...
0:31:16 > 0:31:19So, put the money towards something that...
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Towards something that Jill would like.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Such as possibly a visit down to see her lost son
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- that she hasn't seen for 46 years. - Oh, my goodness, wow-ee.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32That sounds like a very, very worthwhile thing to put it towards.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37- So, if we say estimate £250 to £350, with a reserve of £250?- That's fine.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- Is that all right?- That's fine. - Fantastic. Wonderful.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Thank you so much for bringing it in. It's a lovely thing.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Isn't that a beauty?
0:31:46 > 0:31:49On "Flog It!", we travel all over the British Isles
0:31:49 > 0:31:51and we're privileged to meet thousands of you
0:31:51 > 0:31:55and value your antiques. But it's not just items you bring us.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57You share your stories and your memories,
0:31:57 > 0:32:01and here's one of my favourites from Herstmonceux in East Sussex.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02Take it away, Catherine Southern.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Tony, I cannot tell you how much I adore these boots
0:32:08 > 0:32:11that you've brought along to "Flog It!" today.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14But the big question is, where do they come from?
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Well, my grandfather was a saddle maker
0:32:18 > 0:32:21and he decided to make his young two or three-year-old daughter
0:32:21 > 0:32:25a pair of boots and he lived next door to a boot maker,
0:32:25 > 0:32:27with whom he was great friends.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31They obviously got chatting and the boot maker gave him instructions
0:32:31 > 0:32:34how to make a pair of boots, and there they are.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35And my mother wore those boots
0:32:35 > 0:32:38when she was, what, two or three years old,
0:32:38 > 0:32:40and they've been in my family ever since my mother died
0:32:40 > 0:32:42and I inherited my mother's things.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44And I think they're pretty little boots
0:32:44 > 0:32:46but they're a bit too small for me.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49You mean to say you haven't tried them on?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Let's have a look at your grandfather first of all,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55because I think this is such a wonderful photograph.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57What is he making here? Is this actually a saddle?
0:32:57 > 0:32:59No, it's not a saddle. It is a horse collar
0:32:59 > 0:33:02and horses were, of course, used extensively on the farm
0:33:02 > 0:33:04in both world wars.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06And it's lovely to see that you've got all the tools here
0:33:06 > 0:33:08in the background. There's his bench.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12You can imagine how these boots were actually made in this workshop,
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- can't you?- I can, yes. He had everything there to make them with.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18He clearly had the skill at leather-working in making the boots.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23And it would have been wonderful for him to make something like this
0:33:23 > 0:33:25for his children - something to be really proud of.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Making things for the horses is one thing,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31but to actually make something like this wonderful pair of boots
0:33:31 > 0:33:33would be something completely different.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36But these, we think, probably date from the First World War.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38These date from just after the First World War.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I would say 1918 or something like that, 1920.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45The craftsmanship that's gone into them is quite super.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47There is a little bit of wear on them.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- She probably hardly wore these. - Yep, before she grew out of them.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53And it's lovely to think that you've looked after them.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55It's not something that you've just thrown away.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59And these other two odd boots, which I guess were also made for your...?
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Yes, unfortunately, I don't have the other pair to them
0:34:02 > 0:34:05but they were also in the same container that I got from my mother.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07OK, I think, had it just been the boots,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09they wouldn't be as important,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12but the fact that you've got that wonderful story and the picture
0:34:12 > 0:34:15of your grandfather, it really is just fantastic.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Well, I'm reluctant, in some ways, to part with them,
0:34:17 > 0:34:22but I've now had to, myself, downsize from a large house.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24I don't have the space for them any more.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28My children don't have the same association with my grandfather
0:34:28 > 0:34:31that I had, so I think it's time to pass them on to someone
0:34:31 > 0:34:33who will value them and be interested in them,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35- as you and I have been.- Absolutely.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Well, I think a collector will be interested in them.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- They're a little bit of history, aren't they?- They really are,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43and super that you have the photograph of your grandfather.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Yes, he looks a bit like Einstein, a bit, doesn't he?
0:34:46 > 0:34:50He does, actually, doesn't he? Well, he was pretty smart, making these.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52He was a pretty smart man.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54It's hard to put a value on something like this,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57because I think they're worth £1,000.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59They're wonderful, sentimentally.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02But in terms of what they are really worth
0:35:02 > 0:35:05to somebody else at auction, it's a difficult one.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08I think that we should probably put an estimate on
0:35:08 > 0:35:12of around £40 to £60, which isn't an awful lot.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14But I think, if we sell them all together
0:35:14 > 0:35:18- and if we can actually copy that photograph as well...- Yes.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21..I think that will really enhance them.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23I really hope they will go to a collector,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26somebody who can really appreciate the craftsmanship
0:35:26 > 0:35:27and the history behind them.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- Yes, thank you very much indeed. - Thank you.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32You have really, really made my day.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35The "Flog It!" trip has nearly come to a close,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37and hasn't it been a great ride?
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Just time for one last valuation from Reading Town Hall.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Off you go, Nick Davies, the clock is ticking.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Two very similar pocket watches.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49They look identical but they're a little bit different.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Tell me how you came about them.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Well, this one belonged to my father, and that was my uncle,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- his brother.- What did your uncle do for a living? Can you remember?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00- No, but he had a good job.- He had a good job. Was he very important?
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- He was a bit important, yes. - A bit important.- Mm.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06And would he have worn his waistcoat with his pocket watch and chain?
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- Oh, absolutely.- And your dad - what did he do for a living?
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- He was a hairdresser. - A hairdresser.- A barber.- A barber.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Well, talking about these watches, similar, as I said -
0:36:15 > 0:36:18but, believe it or not, they come from
0:36:18 > 0:36:21completely different sides of the planet.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26This one's from the good old USA and this one's from Switzerland.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28We'll start with the Waltham -
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Massachusetts, and exported pocket watches
0:36:31 > 0:36:34and wall clocks over to the UK in their droves.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36They used to send a lot of the movements
0:36:36 > 0:36:38over to the jewellery quarter in Birmingham,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40where they'd put them in cases.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43Some gold cases, some not gold cases. This is a gold-plated case.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48- So, that was your dad's. American, mass-produced, gold-plated.- Mm-hmm.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Your uncle's come from Europe and this is by a very famous company
0:36:52 > 0:36:53and I know you know who it is,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55cos you told me when you first came here.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59- It's by Rolex.- Yes.- So, similar, but very, very different.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02The mechanisms are more or less the same.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04I'm just going to turn the watches round, OK,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07so they can have a look at home. There we go.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09This is a gold case as well.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12You tend to find, with better quality items,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14not only do they take time with the item itself -
0:37:14 > 0:37:16whether it be furniture or ceramics or glass -
0:37:16 > 0:37:19anything that goes around it, the bases are decorated.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22And this has a nice gold case to go round with it.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25The dates are very similar. This one I can hallmark and date accurately.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29This is 1927. Exactly the same sort of period.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Now, at the front, we've got the gold chain,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35which I suspect goes with the gold watch?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Yes, I think so.- Yeah, I think so.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41So, those two go together and rather handsome they are too.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43And as you can see from the front,
0:37:43 > 0:37:45- there's not much to pull between them, is there?- Not really.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Both with Roman numerals, both white enamelled dials.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Obviously, that's got "Waltham" on it
0:37:49 > 0:37:51and that one's got the Rolex name on it.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55- Shall we talk about a price?- Yes. - The difference in price.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Absolutely, yes.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59The Waltham, as I said, mass-produced.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02You see a lot of them. Also, if you look on the outside,
0:38:02 > 0:38:04you can see the gold-plating that's worn.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Another giveaway. That's worth about £20 at auction.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Your Rolex - it's got a little dink in the case there
0:38:13 > 0:38:16but, apart from that... I'm being picky, I know. It's my job.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Got to be picky. Apart from that, it's in really good order.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21They're both running, they both work.
0:38:21 > 0:38:26- That one's probably in the region of £250, £350.- As much as that?
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- As much as that. Big difference, isn't it, between the two?- Yes.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32And, of course, you've got the gold chain on top,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35which is probably worth another couple of hundred pounds.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41So, all in all, you're talking that little group there - £400 to £500.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44£20.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46But I suspect that's got more sentimental value
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- than that will ever have cos it was your dad's.- That's right, yes.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Really nice thing, and nice to have the two of them together
0:38:52 > 0:38:54and show the difference between the two.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56We'll put them together as a group.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59I think an estimate of £400 to £500. Happy with that?
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- Yes, that sounds good.- What do you think you'll do with the money?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Well, I've got five grandchildren.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Five grandchildren, so shall we try and get them £100 each?
0:39:06 > 0:39:08- That would be good. - That would be good, wouldn't it?
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- It would.- Then you've got no favourites.- That's true.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Time's up for all our items,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16as we take our final trip to the auction room.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18And here's what we're taking with us.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Diamonds weren't Jill's best friend,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24but they're sure to make someone else happy.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Less Puss in Boots, more Mum in Boots.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Will anyone walk away with these handcrafted boots?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38And we've just got enough time on our hands
0:39:38 > 0:39:40to put these two pocket watches to the test.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46First, it's back to Gildings in Market Harborough
0:39:46 > 0:39:49to see if the bidders want those diamonds forever.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54We're all ready now, aren't we? It's great to see you and you, Christina.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Are you ready for this? We've got a lady's diamond watch.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59It is stunning. It's so typically 1930s.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01But also, on the valuation day, I think I valued the watch
0:40:01 > 0:40:04at £250 to £350, or £300 to £500, I can't remember.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06But there's been an amended estimate.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09- The auction room's been in touch with you, haven't they?- Yes.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11And they've put that up now to a fixed reserve of £500,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15so we're looking at around £500 to £750, £800. Who knows?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17It could go even higher. Good luck with it. Here we go.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20The art deco diamond-set cocktail watch here.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- And the telephones are waiting to come in.- Oh, good.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Telephones are waiting.- That means it should go with the estimate.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30At £400. At £400. 420.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33440. Here at £440. 460.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- On the telephone - good. - Telephone bid at 460.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37480. 500.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41- Hit your reserve. Well done, guys. - At £500.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Telephone bidder. We're out in the room.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- At £500. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- That was short and sweet. Hit that reserve.- Yeah.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Well done for putting the reserve up.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51- £500. That's good.- That is good.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- That's exactly what you wanted. - Yeah.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55- And, hopefully, you can use that money wisely.- Yes.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Next, we're going east to Rye Auction Galleries,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03and those charming handmade boots are stepping up to the test.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Just been joined by Tony and our lovely expert, Catherine,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09and I'm surprised, actually, that you're selling them,
0:41:09 > 0:41:11because I know they're only around £40 to £60.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15Well, the children are not keen on them and they're too small for me.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Well, fingers crossed, we're going to find a new home for these shoes.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20They're going under the hammer right now.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23A nice selection of leather boots. There we go.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Start them at 32. 32 we have.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27At 32. Do I see 35?
0:41:27 > 0:41:29They're very decorative. 35. 38. 40?
0:41:29 > 0:41:3340 on the net. At £40. It's on the net at £40.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Do I see 2? At £40 then. I will sell them.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39- At £40 then. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Sold, £40. You were right.- On the internet. They sold on the internet.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Hopefully, they've gone to, let's say,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46a shoe shop or an old cobblers,
0:41:46 > 0:41:48where they can use them to display in the window.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- Exactly, attract attention.- And everyone can enjoy looking at them.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54And our final auction is at Martin & Pole in Wokingham,
0:41:54 > 0:41:58where the classy pocket watches are out of time.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Lesley, it's good to see you,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04and we've got some real treasures going under the hammer.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06This is quality. We've got two pocket watches and an Albert chain,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09and one of the watches is Rolex. I'm quite excited about this.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12- Why are you selling them anyway? - Well...- Just in a drawer?
0:42:12 > 0:42:13Nobody wears them.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Nobody wants to inherit them later on, somewhere down the line?
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Possibly. - Let's find out what they're worth.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20They're going under the hammer right now, as one lot. Here we go.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23The Rolex nine-carat gold full hunter pocket watch
0:42:23 > 0:42:27and the Waltham pocket watch and an Albert. Three items in this lot.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Absentee bids on this one. I'll start with me at £400.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34420 anywhere? With me at £400.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37420. 450. 480. 500.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39550. 600.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43At £600 now. With me at £600 and selling.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- Any more? All done, at £600. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:42:46 > 0:42:48- And the gavel's gone down. - That's really good.- £600.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50- We're happy, aren't we? You're happy.- Yes.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52I can see it in your face.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54You can split the money between the grandsons now, can't you?
0:42:54 > 0:42:58- Split the money.- Mm.- Yes.- And treat yourself.- Ooh, I don't think so.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Oh, come on!
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Well, what a great result for Lesley.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09I do hope she treats herself to some of that £600.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Sadly, we're coming to the end of today's show.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13We must say farewell to Knightshayes,
0:43:13 > 0:43:17a magnificent house and gardens, with wonderful stories to tell,
0:43:17 > 0:43:20which plenty of people are enjoying today.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23If you've got any unwanted antiques and collectibles you want to sell,
0:43:23 > 0:43:25come along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Details of up-and-coming dates and venues
0:43:27 > 0:43:30you can find on our BBC website, so dust them down and bring them in.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32Until the next time, it's goodbye.