0:00:05 > 0:00:06- There you go.- Thank you.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Today we are in Reading in the County of Berkshire,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and we are here at this magnificent Grade-II listed town hall.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18We haven't even opened the doors yet and I've already lost my voice!
0:00:18 > 0:00:22But Reading is situated between the port cities of Bristol and London,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25so when the railways arrived here in the 19th century,
0:00:25 > 0:00:26manufacturing was able to boom,
0:00:26 > 0:00:28goods were sent all over the world,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31and this in turn made Reading its fortune,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33and we're hoping that trend continues here today.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35We're hoping some of you make your fortune.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Hurrah!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Welcome to Flog It!
0:01:04 > 0:01:05In the 19th century,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Reading was built upon three main industries,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09which became known locally as
0:01:09 > 0:01:13the three Bs - beer, bulbs and biscuits.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17The brewery, H & G Simonds, was a pioneer of pale ale.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Suttons Seeds used the new Great Western Railway to send
0:01:20 > 0:01:23their seeds and bulbs across the country.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26But by far the town's biggest employer of the period
0:01:26 > 0:01:30was the family-run biscuit manufacturers, Huntley & Palmers,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32whose name was known across the globe.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36One of the members of the family was also
0:01:36 > 0:01:38the founding member of Reading Museum,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40which is housed inside this magnificent town hall.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Now, I know this crowd are eager to get inside,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44and get on with those valuations.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46They want to know, "What's it worth?" Are you ready to go in?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- CROWD:- Yes!- Yes!
0:01:48 > 0:01:52And helping to put a value on the antiques and collectables of Reading
0:01:52 > 0:01:57we have two experts, Nick Davies and David Harper.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00And it looks as if David has already found his first item.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02I think I'm going to take a chance on you.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- I'm going to red sticker you.- OK.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07This is an experience you are never going to forget.
0:02:07 > 0:02:08Is that right?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And eagle-eyed Nick is working the queue too.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14It's a good job I brought my glasses.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16So it looks like we're in safe hands today.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- We can have one each, Nick. - Yeah, that's good.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Well, they've got to be Japanese or Chinese. One or the other.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I'm going Japanese.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Well, just to be contentious, I might go Chinese.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28You boys!
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Right, it's 9.30am, and time to open the town hall's doors.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37As well as housing the 11 galleries which make up Reading Museum,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39the town hall complex also boasts
0:02:39 > 0:02:44a fantastic concert hall which dates from 1882,
0:02:44 > 0:02:45and this is where our crowd are
0:02:45 > 0:02:47making themselves comfortable today.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Whilst everyone gets seated,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51let's take a look at what's coming up on the show.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56A wealth of collectables with a local connection land on our tables,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00such as the 1930s football programme featuring Reading,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02brought in by a local fan.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05I used to sneak in without my mother knowing.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Mother said that football wasn't the game for young ladies.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15And David uncovers the life story of a local Reading policeman.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17This, including his truncheon,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21actually sums up one man's career and one man's life.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24And I'll be taking a closer look at the history of Huntley & Palmers,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28and finding out what it was like to work at their factory.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31If the wind was in the right direction,
0:03:31 > 0:03:36the smell would waft across to the town centre.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38As you can see, everybody is now
0:03:38 > 0:03:40safely seated inside the concert hall -
0:03:40 > 0:03:42it's time to get on with those valuations.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Who is that lucky first person going to be?
0:03:45 > 0:03:46We're just about to find out.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Let's catch up with David Harper,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and take a closer look at what he's found.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Elaine and Richard, we met outside.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- I said we were going to go on a journey of discovery.- Yes.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Elaine, start the journey off.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Well, this is my grandfather,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06my father's father, David Jessie George,
0:04:06 > 0:04:07and his wife Clara.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10And he was in the Wiltshire Regiment
0:04:10 > 0:04:12and posted to Fort Napier,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. - South Africa.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20So you can trace back these pieces, really way back.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- Yes.- If you look at the dress here,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27it screams late Victorian, 1890, maybe 1900.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30But I wouldn't suggest very much later than that,
0:04:30 > 0:04:31looking at the photos.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32What was his job in the Army?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34He was a Sergeant Major.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Oh! I bet he was a stern one.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37He looks stern, doesn't he?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- He does.- Was he involved in the Boer War?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- No idea.- He would have been, but, you know...
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Well, let's be honest, he had to have been.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46If he was there posted with the British Army,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49he in one way or another was involved.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50- He would have been involved.- Yes.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52So what's his connection, then,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55with what are most certainly Zulu artefacts?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58We don't know whether he traded them or brought them back
0:04:58 > 0:05:00because they were of interest to him.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- OK.- I don't know, I just know that they've always been in the family.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- Do you know what that is?- I'm guessing that is drinking vessel.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09It is, it's a water bottle.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Then we have a very ornate belt.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I was always told that was the lady's.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- Yes, I would say it was. - To wear round her waist.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- Yes.- This is the male one.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Now, you think it's male?
0:05:20 > 0:05:21I don't think it's male at all.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- I think it's female.- Do you?
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I think it's a female modesty belt.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26What about that one there, Elaine?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28That's a diddly one, isn't it?
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Well, I think that is an infant's dress piece.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Or neck piece.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Well, yes, I just assume it would go round the waist.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Either way, it's incredibly beautiful
0:05:39 > 0:05:41and very, very decorative, isn't it?
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Now, these are what we might refer to as trade beads,
0:05:45 > 0:05:50so these were introduced to Africa in the early 1800s, '20s, '30s,
0:05:50 > 0:05:51almost as currency.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- So glass beads.- From the UK?
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- From the West.- They are glass, are they? I didn't know that.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Yeah, absolutely. They would be as good as money.
0:05:59 > 0:06:00I think they're magnificent.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04And what's lovely about these objects is the fact that you can
0:06:04 > 0:06:08categorically trace them back in time.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11And I would say that they are not tourist, because they're too good.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15I've seen too many cheap, mass-produced tourist things.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19These are really high-end. I think, good quality, late 19th,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22early 20th-century Zulu pieces.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Very, very tricky to put a price on them.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25Oh, yes, I can imagine, yes.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29You've got photographs, you've got the family history,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32you can give it the provenance that we need.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Yes.- So an estimate of, take a chance,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38£200 to £300.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Really?- Is that bad?
0:06:40 > 0:06:41- No.- Good.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- Good?- Good.- It sounds incredible.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Really? Well, I am delighted because
0:06:45 > 0:06:47these are the kind of things, you two,
0:06:47 > 0:06:52that may not get any interest whatsoever, but with that story,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- they might just absolutely take off.- Wonderful.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58I know, don't you like taking a chance?
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Excitement!
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- Shall we go for a bit of excitement? - Absolutely.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Shall we do it? Are we going to reserve them?
0:07:05 > 0:07:06No, no, no.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08I don't want them back. I didn't know Grandfather.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11I'll gain, though!
0:07:13 > 0:07:16We move from South Africa to Berkshire now,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18as Nick has found an item with a local connection.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Well, Doreen, thank you for coming in.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23You've brought us an interesting football programme here,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Reading against Arsenal.
0:07:25 > 0:07:271935 FA Cup match.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- That's correct.- How have you come about this?
0:07:29 > 0:07:34Well, this came from my father who supported Reading,
0:07:34 > 0:07:38and went to almost every home match.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- And did you go with him?- No.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- No?- No, no. Mother said that
0:07:43 > 0:07:47football wasn't the game for young ladies.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52- Right.- So what I did is I went out to a friend's house
0:07:52 > 0:07:54who lived near the ground,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58telling my mother that I was going to visit a friend,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02and then the two of us used to go along to football.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05So you used to sneak in without your mother knowing?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I used to sneak in without my mother knowing.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13Although I found Father quite often in the ground, Father never let on.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15And this is all at Elm Park? They don't play there any more.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17This was all at Elm Park.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20No, they've moved now to a beautiful stadium, the Madejski Stadium,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22which is the other side of town.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24And do you still go?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Only very occasionally now.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29So tell me, the programme here from the FA Cup
0:08:29 > 0:08:33is a fifth-round tie, I believe. My, how times have changed.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36There's a picture in here of the Arsenal team.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Look at them, they look like they've got woolly jumpers on.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44They're playing in woolly jumpers, knee-length shorts.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47I mean, can you imagine the players of today going out like that?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Even when I used to go in the late '40s and '50s,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53the shorts and the tops were very different,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55although Reading have always played in blue and white.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Always played in blue and white. And they're called the Royals, aren't they?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- They're called the Royals. - Why is that?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Well, before that I think they were called the Biscuits.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05The Biscuits because of making biscuits in town.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09I didn't know that. You see, I am learning something today. I learn something every day as well.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11It's a really interesting bit of social history.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The good thing about it - it's pre-war,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17so there is a little more value to the items that are pre-war.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19People tend to like the pre-war programmes.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21And the other good thing in its favour,
0:09:21 > 0:09:22two things, it's an FA Cup match,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24and its Arsenal as well, because there are collectors
0:09:24 > 0:09:26of, obviously, all different teams.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Arsenal - still being one of the biggest teams,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30there'll be more collectors for that.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Do you know the result?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I think Arsenal won 1-0.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Correct. But apparently, don't feel too bad,
0:09:36 > 0:09:37because they got knocked out in the next round
0:09:37 > 0:09:39by Sheffield Wednesday, apparently.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41I didn't know that.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44So value wise, it is not worth a fortune,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- but it is a nice bit of local, social history.- Yes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51I would say it is somewhere around about £50,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53so 40-60 I would probably put in as an estimate.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55How do you think about that?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57That's fine. Absolutely fine, yes.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00You just want it to go to someone who will enjoy it, by the looks of it.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- Well, yes.- Put a reserve with a little discretion of 40, sound OK?
0:10:04 > 0:10:05That sounds fine.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Whilst our experts continue searching the valuation day
0:10:09 > 0:10:11for items to take off to auction,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14I'm heading to Reading Museum in another part of the town hall
0:10:14 > 0:10:17to have a look at something of local interest.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Now, earlier on I was telling you how Reading was known
0:10:22 > 0:10:23as the town of the three Bs,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26for its industries in beer, bulbs and biscuits.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Well, a lot of people argue it should be the town of four Bs,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31because Reading's brick manufacturing
0:10:31 > 0:10:32should be included too.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35S & E Collier Ltd was the town's largest brickmakers,
0:10:35 > 0:10:40who established themselves in Reading in the mid-19th century.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43They were well known for their terracotta and Reading red bricks,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47which were made from iron-rich clay deposits from the local area.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Many of the streets in the town had houses
0:10:49 > 0:10:52which were made from these red bricks.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56In 1974, Reading Borough Council commissioned John Piper,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59a well-known British artist of the 20th century,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02to design two tapestries for the new civic offices,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05called Rural Reading and Urban Reading.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08In the urban tapestry, Piper was trying to show that Reading was a
0:11:08 > 0:11:11beautiful town that shouldn't be overlooked.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14He was a big fan of Reading's redbrick heritage,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and said of the redbrick streets, "The washable,
0:11:17 > 0:11:22"weather-resisting surface that will hardly change with centuries of wear
0:11:22 > 0:11:25"changes its look with the different lights of different days,
0:11:25 > 0:11:30"and has plenty of delights to satisfy the unprejudiced eye."
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I absolutely love this and to top it all off, he has even put a flock of
0:11:33 > 0:11:36seagulls up there enjoying the view.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Well, hopefully our experts are enjoying the view
0:11:38 > 0:11:39back in the concert hall.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Let's catch up with them and see
0:11:41 > 0:11:43what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:11:49 > 0:11:50Now, Jane, I'm sorry to say,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53but I do feel there are three of us in this relationship.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54You could be right there.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Yes. Tell me all about the third person.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Well, the third person should have been brought here by my brother.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02Why couldn't he make it today?
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Because he's in Berlin on his jolly holidays yet again.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Right. And you're here at work, because this is where you work.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Indeed. Yes.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- What is your job here?- I run the conference office here.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16And I love your surname.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Is it true you are called Jane Austen?- I am Jane Austen.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20That's my married name.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Anyway, we must get back to the mask.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- Yes.- Do you know who made it?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Only in as much as it's Troika.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34So he bought it in Liberty's in 1978 for £20.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37If we turn it upside down,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39we can see that it is signed Troika,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41and an initial by the potter themselves.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43And it is all, of course, hand-painted,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47so each and every one is completely individual.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50So you've got the very Aztec design at the front,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but it is, in actual fact, reversible, isn't it?
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- It is.- So if you get bored of that face, you can spin him around.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01That's more a kind of Picasso face in actual fact, isn't it?
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Would you have it in your house?
0:13:03 > 0:13:04I think I probably would, actually.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Well, I think, Jane, the more I look at it, the more I like it.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11I mean Troika itself is a fascinating company,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14founded in 1962 by three people.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Troika is Russian for three.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Oh, yep, yep.- It's a great story.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Apparently one of the founders' grandfather
0:13:22 > 0:13:24escaped Russia in a troika,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26which is a sledge pulled by...
0:13:26 > 0:13:27I've had a ride in a troika.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- Have you?- Indeed, in Russia.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Well, there you go.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34A great story behind the mask, if you like.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37But I think it makes it even more interesting
0:13:37 > 0:13:39the fact that your brother bought it new.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45- Yes, yes.- Because the firm in the early '80s came to an end, so 1978.
0:13:45 > 0:13:46And from Liberty's as well,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48it's got a great history as well, hasn't it?
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- Yes.- £20 in 1978.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52What would that equate to today?
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Oh, tricky one.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55100? I'll guess.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- Yes.- OK, so valuation today, has it increased in value?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Has it been a really good investment?
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Well, I would guess,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07in auction, 300 to 400,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09taking into account a little bit of a chip,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13add a little discretion on the 300.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16How would he feel about that, do you think? Can you act on his behalf?
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Well, I can, as I spoke to him this morning,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22and I think he would be quite happy with 300-ish.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25OK, so he has already mentioned the figure of 300?
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Yes, I think he was saying 300 would probably be his bottom line.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32OK, OK, shall we go to auction at 300 to 400, fixed reserve at three?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Yes, I think that sounds good.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35Jane Austen, I will see you in auction.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Well, what a great day we are having here in the town hall in Reading.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Our experts have been working flat out, as you've just seen.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49They've now found their first three items to take off to auction,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51so stay with us, it could get very exciting.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Here's a quick recap, just to jog your memory of all the items we are
0:14:54 > 0:14:55putting under the hammer.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Elaine threw caution to the wind
0:14:58 > 0:15:00when she decided not to put a reserve
0:15:00 > 0:15:04on her decorative Zulu artefacts made from glass trade beads.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11We are staying in Berkshire to sell Doreen's 1935 Reading versus Arsenal
0:15:11 > 0:15:12FA Cup match programme,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15so fingers crossed it can stir up a local crowd.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23And finally the two-sided Troika mask belonging to Jane's brother,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26who bought it for £20 in 1978.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Let's hope it's grown in value since then.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Well, today it's auction day.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35This is where we put those valuations to the test right here,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Martin and Pole auction rooms in Wokingham.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39And I've got a good feeling about today,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42because the sun is shining and I tell you what,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I think our owners are going to be in for a jolly good time.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46They're all inside now,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49so let's catch up with them, and get on with that hammer action.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Remember, whether you're buying or selling at auction,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55there is always commission and VAT to pay.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Here, the rate if you are selling is 15% plus VAT.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Our auctioneer today is Matt Coles, and he's already on the rostrum
0:16:02 > 0:16:06wielding his gavel, so fingers crossed for our first lot.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09I've just been joined by Elaine and Richard and going under the hammer
0:16:09 > 0:16:12right now, your grandfather's African clothing, the Zulu clothing,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- and it has been in the family ever since?- Yes, it has, yes.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Good luck, everyone, we're looking for £200-£300,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19let's find out what the bidders think.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22It's going under the hammer right now.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27Pre-19th century south African beaded neck pieces and gourd.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28Starting with me at £150.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30160 anywhere?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32With me at £150.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Any further offers?
0:16:33 > 0:16:35150. Go on, come on.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37It's at £150.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Are we all done at 150?
0:16:40 > 0:16:41No more?
0:16:41 > 0:16:42At 150, then.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Maiden bid, Paul.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- £150, we were lucky because there was no reserve on that.- Yeah.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- No, that's fine.- You didn't want a reserve, did you?
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- No, it can go.- Well, lucky it went for 150 and not 50 quid, in a way.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55- That's true.- Happy?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Yes, yes, I think that's absolutely lovely.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Thank you very much indeed. Yes.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Now it's time for an item from a little closer to home.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Right, let's hope our next lot hits the back of the net,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11and we score a goal with it.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14We're talking about Doreen's FA Cup programme,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16and it's Reading versus Arsenal.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Great that it's pre-war, and it's local,
0:17:18 > 0:17:19and that's what it's all about.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Hopefully someone in Reading is going to buy this.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24A fan will buy this, and they will want to cherish it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25Maybe an Arsenal fan.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Or an Arsenal fan.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29But it's thanks to you, anyway.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Let's find out - what's it worth?
0:17:31 > 0:17:34We're putting this programme under the hammer. Here we go.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Start this with me at £28.
0:17:35 > 0:17:3730 anywhere?
0:17:37 > 0:17:38With me at 28.
0:17:38 > 0:17:4030, 32,
0:17:40 > 0:17:4235, 38, 40.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45With you now, £40. 42 on the internet.
0:17:45 > 0:17:4945, 48 on the internet.
0:17:49 > 0:17:5250 in the room, 55.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53At 55 on the internet.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Any more at £55?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Are we selling at £55?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Any more at £55?
0:18:00 > 0:18:01All done?
0:18:01 > 0:18:02£55, it's gone.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04That's not bad, is it?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- For one programme. - For one programme, yeah, absolutely.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08Thank you.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Next it's that hand-painted Troika mask.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16This was brought to our valuation day by Jane.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- It's great to see you again. And I know it was your brother's.- It is.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- And this is your brother?- This is my brother.- What's your name?- Peter.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Peter, pleased to meet you.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24A man of good taste.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25- Thank you.- Why are you selling this?
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Why do you want to sell it?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Well, I've got a house full of collectables,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and this is the only thing that has actually appreciated in value!
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Let's realise some cash.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36So you're really playing the money market in a way.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40Look, fingers crossed. I hope it does a lot more than the 3-4.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42I'm hoping this is a come-and-buy-me.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43Slight chip in this one,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46just a little nibble out of it which will make some difference.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49But this is speculation, this is what auctions are all about.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50This is why they're such great fun,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52and it's going under the hammer right now.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Let's hand the proceedings over to our auctioneer.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56Absentee bids on this one.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58I can start it with me at £300.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59320 anywhere?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02320, 350, 380, 400,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04420 with you now.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- At £420. Any more? - That was a nice little roll.- Yeah.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- I wanted that to keep on going. - At 420.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Any more? Are we all done, then, at £420?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Well, we just did over the top end which is good news, isn't it?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- It's good news.- That's all right. - It's good news.- It is good.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Well done.- Well, thank you - thank you for bringing it in!
0:19:24 > 0:19:25Some great results so far -
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and we'll be back at the auction a little later on in the show.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Now, when I was in Reading,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34I was keen to find out more about the town's biscuit heritage.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Huntley & Palmers were the world's largest biscuit manufacturers
0:19:37 > 0:19:40in the 19th and early 20th century.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41In fact, their success
0:19:41 > 0:19:44led to Reading being nicknamed Biscuit Town.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55The company began in 1822, when Joseph Huntley, who was a Quaker,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59founded a small bakers in London Street in Reading.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Then he entered into partnership with George Palmer,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03who was a distant Quaker cousin of his,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06and Huntley & Palmers was born.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10By 1846, the pair had opened a large factory on King's Road.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13This site ended up growing to over 30 acres,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15and it even had its own steam train
0:20:15 > 0:20:18to take biscuits to the nearby mainline.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Huntley & Palmers was hugely successful -
0:20:25 > 0:20:27as the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30their produce was shipped as far from the South Pole to the Sudan,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32it went everywhere -
0:20:32 > 0:20:35and their success was largely due to the cousins' religious beliefs,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38which meant they turned out a great product.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It was because of their Quaker conscience
0:20:41 > 0:20:45that the cousins used only the finest ingredients
0:20:45 > 0:20:48in their biscuits - and they charged a fair price, too.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51So the public soon came to trust their brand.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53By the 1900s,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57the company was making around 400 different types of biscuit.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59And the popularity of their biscuits
0:20:59 > 0:21:02meant that a whole entire army of people were required
0:21:02 > 0:21:05to service the small town that Huntley & Palmers had become -
0:21:05 > 0:21:08and the people of Reading were more than willing.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10In fact, many generations and entire families
0:21:10 > 0:21:14worked at their biscuit factories, and by the year 1900,
0:21:14 > 0:21:19Huntley & Palmers were employing around 5,500 people...
0:21:19 > 0:21:20and these people needed somewhere to live,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22and many of them ended up living here.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23This area is called Newtown,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26which is close to the factories where they worked -
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and a lot of them, the Huntley & Palmers employees,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32ended up living in these redbrick terraced houses.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Now, these were built from the 1870s onwards.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41The company had a reputation of being a good employer
0:21:41 > 0:21:44who provided benefits for their workers,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48such as a sick fund, pensions, and even a cake on their wedding day.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50In return for good working conditions,
0:21:50 > 0:21:54the owners had high expectations of their employees,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57who had to abide by strict rules.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00The company also looked after the health and wellbeing
0:22:00 > 0:22:01of their workers.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Today this area is called Palmer's Park.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Now, originally, it was purchased towards the end of the 19th century
0:22:09 > 0:22:12by George Palmer for the Huntley & Palmers employees
0:22:12 > 0:22:13to use as a recreation facility,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17so they could come here and play football and cricket and tennis -
0:22:17 > 0:22:21and subsequently the employees lived a long and healthy life,
0:22:21 > 0:22:22and it's also been said
0:22:22 > 0:22:26that they largely enjoyed working in the biscuit factory, too.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27It was like one big, happy family.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Although biscuit production ceased in Reading in the 1970s,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35there are still people who still have fond memories
0:22:35 > 0:22:37of working at the factory.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Both John Manning and Ray Bell started at the company in the 1950s
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and became engineer apprentices at the age of 16.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Do you remember the smell of the biscuits,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52the smell that used to come out of South Factory?
0:22:52 > 0:22:56If the wind was in the right direction,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00the smell would waft across to the town centre.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Yeah, you could tell what they were baking on any particular day
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- by the smell.- Yeah. The ginger nuts, especially.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08The sheer numbers of people, as well.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12I always remember where we came out at lunchtime,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15it was like a football crowd, wasn't it? Coming up Gas Works Lane.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18So many people all milling about.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Because when you think back, it was almost everyone in Reading,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24I honestly believe, had some relation -
0:23:24 > 0:23:27mum, dad, brother, sister, uncle -
0:23:27 > 0:23:29who had actually worked at Huntley & Palmers.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- Yeah.- Every day was a laugh, wasn't it? To be honest.- Oh, yeah.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35It was really good fun, yeah.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I think it was the characters that made the place.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It isn't just memories that survive
0:23:42 > 0:23:45from the era of biscuit manufacturing in the town.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Reading Museum in the Town Hall
0:23:47 > 0:23:50holds a wealth of the company's artefacts,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52and hundreds of examples of their biscuit tins.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Huntley & Palmers' phenomenal success
0:23:56 > 0:23:57is partly due to the fact that
0:23:57 > 0:24:00they pioneered the use of the biscuit tin.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Now, their airtight tins were extremely popular abroad.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08They preserved the biscuits and kept them fresh in hot, humid climates.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Now, it's even rumoured that when the first white man entered Tibet,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14he was greeted with a tin of Huntley & Palmers biscuits -
0:24:14 > 0:24:16they'd got there before him.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19And it wasn't just families that enjoyed Huntley & Palmers biscuits.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Here, in its very own tin, is a biscuit that was provided
0:24:23 > 0:24:27to Captain Scott's ill-fated expedition to Antarctica in 1911.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Scott ordered these as a vital provision.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33He knew biscuits originated from the sea biscuit
0:24:33 > 0:24:36which was provided to sailors on long voyages,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and it seems that Scott was a bit of a connoisseur,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42because we have a letter here which he wrote to the company
0:24:42 > 0:24:44and it says - I can read it out, look,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48"We find on opening the tins of Antarctica and Emergency Biscuits
0:24:48 > 0:24:52"that the biscuits are considerably cracked and broken.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54"The cases have been handled a good deal,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57"but I also think that some change has taken place
0:24:57 > 0:25:00"which makes them more brittle." Isn't that fabulous?
0:25:00 > 0:25:03It wasn't just Scott who cottoned on to the fact
0:25:03 > 0:25:06that biscuits could be used as a vital ration -
0:25:06 > 0:25:07during World War I,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Huntley & Palmers made up the standard ration for the soldier,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and here are some wonderful surviving examples.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19Look at this - this one here, December the 25th 1917,
0:25:19 > 0:25:20and it says "teacake" on it -
0:25:20 > 0:25:23but look at that, it's got a little wooden box
0:25:23 > 0:25:25made up from the side of the trenches.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27That is absolutely fabulous -
0:25:27 > 0:25:28and there's another one here, look,
0:25:28 > 0:25:32with a cut-out of a soldier standing in a sentry box.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34That's lovely, that's dated 1915.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37In the interwar years,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40the high costs of goods and the strength of the pound
0:25:40 > 0:25:41led to a fall in production.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Then, after World War II,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47labour shortages, competition from cheaper manufacturers
0:25:47 > 0:25:53and a lack of investment all contributed to the eventual closure
0:25:53 > 0:25:57of Reading's biscuit factory in 1976.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Down in South Factory when the last biscuit came through the oven,
0:26:02 > 0:26:06the last Cornish wafer, there were men there,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09old men, they'd been there as boys
0:26:09 > 0:26:12in the late '20s, perhaps, and '30s,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15they were in tears when they saw those last biscuits coming through.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- They'd been there all their life, yeah.- All their life.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19They'd been through a world war,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and they come back and then see the end of this.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Yeah, it was very sad.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- It was a tragedy for Reading when the company packed up.- Yeah.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30A lot of people were really upset about that.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33But it was good fun. It was good fun.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36I think it was probably the best job that we ever had.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Oh, yeah.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48Back over in the concert hall,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50our valuation day is still in full swing,
0:26:50 > 0:26:55with hundreds of people waiting patiently for a valuation -
0:26:55 > 0:26:58and it looks as if we haven't quite had our fill of biscuits yet,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02as Nick is indulging in a sweet treat.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Well, here we are, Barbara, leaning on the stage of Reading Town Hall,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08where lots of famous people, I'm sure, have performed -
0:27:08 > 0:27:10and it's our turn now.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12So, tell me about this tin you've brought with us today.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- How long have you had it? - I reckon about 30 years.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17- My sister-in-law gave it to us.- OK.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19She worked at Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21and we decided to keep it -
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- my husband thought it was quite fun...- Yeah.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24..and then they withdrawed it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- So you'd already got this...- Yes.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- ..and your sister said it's going to be withdrawn?- Yes.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Why?- Because of the naughtiness that was on the...
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Now, we need to look at this very closely, don't we?
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- We do, yes.- I might even have to get my glasses out.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- Yes.- So in this lithograph, here,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44which is in the manner of Kate Greenaway,
0:27:44 > 0:27:46who was a very good illustrator of children's books...
0:27:46 > 0:27:48- That's right.- So it's quite an...
0:27:48 > 0:27:51..idyllic English country scene, isn't it?
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Yes, it is.- With a nice tea party -
0:27:53 > 0:27:56but if you look very closely, what's going on?
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Well, if you look here, there's two dogs...
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Right, just there...
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- Yes.- There's two dogs enjoying themselves, shall we say?
0:28:06 > 0:28:09And also just under that branch there, right at the back,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11you can see some knees and arms
0:28:11 > 0:28:15of a young courting couple, shall we say, and leave it at that?
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Now, I assume that's why it was withdrawn.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Who found out about this?
0:28:20 > 0:28:22- I don't really know. - We're not sure.- No.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25The gentleman who designed it was a chap called Mark Hill.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- That's right. - Who was a little bit...
0:28:28 > 0:28:30- mischievous, shall we say? - Mischievous, that's right.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- He thought he'd have a bit of fun. - Have a bit of fun -
0:28:33 > 0:28:37and put these two scenes within the context of this scene here,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39and they are very difficult to spot.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40It's not that old, though, is it?
0:28:40 > 0:28:43This was done in about 1980, I believe, is that correct?
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- Something like that, yes. - Something like that -
0:28:45 > 0:28:47and you've kept it wrapped up, unused, ever since?
0:28:47 > 0:28:49It's been at the top of the wardrobe ever since.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50The biscuits are still in there.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53You're better than me - I'd have eaten the biscuits,
0:28:53 > 0:28:54without a shadow of a doubt.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Assortments...- Assortments.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Assortment biscuits, there.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- A nice bourbon in there, as well. - Yes.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02So, what do we think on value?
0:29:02 > 0:29:03I'm not going to go mad on it.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- I think somewhere around about 60 to £80 as a reserve.- Yes.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Maybe with a little discretion, give a little bit of flexibility again.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12I think that should do. You happy with that?
0:29:12 > 0:29:13Yes, I'm quite happy with it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- It's not bad for a tin of biscuits, 60 quid, is it?- That's right.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17I think we'll do that -
0:29:17 > 0:29:19- we'll go to sale and see what happens on the day.- Yes.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22And afterwards we'll have a cup of tea and biscuits as well.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24OK, thanks very much.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26I'll join you for that cuppa!
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Next it's over to an interesting collection on David's table.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Now, Len, I can see the family resemblance - but that is not you?
0:29:35 > 0:29:36No, that's Father.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38So, your father, was called...?
0:29:38 > 0:29:40- Leonard.- Leonard?- Same as me. - Same as you, OK.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42So, named after your father.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44- Yeah, 1931, that was.- 1931?
0:29:44 > 0:29:46- Yeah.- Wow. - Tell me about your dad.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Did he have a full career in the police force?
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Oh, yeah, he done 32... 32 years, he done the business -
0:29:51 > 0:29:56and with him, police force came before family and friends.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Did you find that your life was slightly restricted,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- having a father in the police? - Oh, yes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03I done things that... I shouldn't have done.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05You know, nothing serious -
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and he'd come home and he'd say, "You got something to tell me?"
0:30:08 > 0:30:11And I'd say, "No." And he'd say, "Well, I think you have."
0:30:11 > 0:30:12- He would know, wouldn't he?- Yeah.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16And all of these badges and emblems and medals, they're all his.
0:30:16 > 0:30:17Can you talk me through, here?
0:30:17 > 0:30:22- Well, that would be his cap badge in the '30s.- Yeah.- Right?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25And then that was his number when he started.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Then he was a Sergeant with the number 8.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Yeah.- Then he was an inspector...
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- Right.- ..and he went into a cap...
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- HE WHISTLES - Oh, I see.- Which became that.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38And then he progressed up the line,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40which gave him a crown on the shoulders.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- Meaning what?- Just a higher rank. - Service?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46After that, he done the distance through the medals.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48OK, so what medals have we got here?
0:30:48 > 0:30:50What are they relating to?
0:30:50 > 0:30:51One's a war medal...
0:30:51 > 0:30:55- OK, so that's service during the Second World War?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Which, in actual fact, me mother took a bit of stick over that,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01because everybody else's husband went in the forces...
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- Yeah.- ..and they used to say to her, "It's all right for you,
0:31:04 > 0:31:06- "your husband's at home."- Yeah.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- But he had to be home. - Of course he did, yeah.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- That was it.- Yeah. - And then he got a Coronation medal.
0:31:12 > 0:31:13- That's the one there.- OK.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Your dad was issued with a medal to wear on the day, I suppose?
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- Yeah.- OK.- Is that for long service, this one?
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- More than likely.- Yeah? - More than likely.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23And then, to top it all,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Queen's Police Medal for duty to the country.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28And this, I assume, then,
0:31:28 > 0:31:30relates to the letter here
0:31:30 > 0:31:33from the Home Office at Whitehall dated 1962,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37- so this, I'm guessing, is just before your dad retires.- Yeah.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40It says here, "Sir, I am directed by the Secretary of State
0:31:40 > 0:31:45"to inform you that Her Majesty the Queen is pleased to award you
0:31:45 > 0:31:48"the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service."
0:31:48 > 0:31:50That's pretty good going, isn't it?
0:31:50 > 0:31:52That ain't bad for 32 years, is it?
0:31:52 > 0:31:5632 years is all wrapped up in that one medal.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- It is.- He must have been so proud. - Oh, yeah.- And you, too.
0:31:59 > 0:32:00- Oh, yeah.- Yeah?
0:32:00 > 0:32:02He gave his life to it, you know what I mean?
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Yeah - and you're right, this, including his truncheon,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09actually sums up one man's career and one man's life.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13So when you look at these things, it must flood back, memories,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- good and bad, I assume?- Yeah. - But what's the situation today?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- What are you looking to do? - I'm going to unload them, if I can.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21I mean, they've been in the back of the wardrobe.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24They don't deserve to be in the back of the wardrobe.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- They don't.- For 40 or 50 years, or whatever.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29They don't. There are collectors out there for this sort of thing,
0:32:29 > 0:32:30and rightly so.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32They need to be, now, in a collection.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34They're almost museum quality,
0:32:34 > 0:32:36and you've got all that local connection, as well.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39They'd sit well here, today, in a museum, wouldn't they?
0:32:39 > 0:32:40- Oh, yeah.- They really would.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42So, they want to be offered to someone
0:32:42 > 0:32:44who's going to look after them and display them.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49So, it's very difficult to value a man's career and life
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- sat in front of us...- Yeah.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53..but unfortunately we have to do it, and I think...
0:32:53 > 0:32:56I don't know whether you're going to be shocked or horrified, here,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58but I think, in auction...
0:32:59 > 0:33:04..their value, really, sensibly, is only £200-300 for the collection,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06which seems a drop in the ocean.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- Well, yeah...- Doesn't it?
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Compared to what it actually represents -
0:33:11 > 0:33:15but I think, more to the point, it needs to be out there on display.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17- Let's get it out there. - Shall we do it?
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Someone enjoy it. - Are you happy at that, 200-300?
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- Oh, yeah.- With a little bit of discretion on the 200?
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- Yeah, yeah. Fine, yeah. - Len, let's go to auction.
0:33:25 > 0:33:26- Let's do it.- Let's do it.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Well, we've found two items, so, so far, so good.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Everyone's having a cracking time.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39We only need one more before we go off to auction
0:33:39 > 0:33:42and, I tell you what, my day just gets better and better and better,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46because I have just bumped into Martha here with a tray of delights.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Look at that, very Nice, I must say.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Now, the viewers might recognise you...
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Look at this face - yes, you're working it out now.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Remind everybody where they last saw you?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58So, I was on the Great British Bake Off season five,
0:33:58 > 0:34:02and I've made some coconut Nice biscuits and some iced gems,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04which originate from right here.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07So you've made this, inspired by Huntley & Palmers?
0:34:07 > 0:34:08Yes - so, I did an event here in Reading
0:34:08 > 0:34:10with people who used to work in the factory
0:34:10 > 0:34:12and they were sharing their stories with me,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14and I hadn't realised that things like iced gems
0:34:14 > 0:34:16were actually made right here, invented here.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19They put some biscuits in the oven one day and they came out shrunk,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21and they thought, "Do you know what? We'll just sell them as gems,"
0:34:21 > 0:34:22and they were un-iced,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25and they sold them for about 30 years with no icing on at all,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27and then one day they thought, "Do you know what?
0:34:27 > 0:34:29"let's put some icing on them, make them a bit more fun."
0:34:29 > 0:34:30It was about 100 years ago now,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33but they're still on every party table all around the country.
0:34:33 > 0:34:34- They look great.- Thank you.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36I bet they taste great. I'm going to have a go in a minute,
0:34:36 > 0:34:38but I'm going to offer some to the audience.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Go on, have one of these, have one of these.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41Thank you very much.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Really good.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47Thank you!
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Do you know, what? That is fantastic.
0:34:49 > 0:34:50That is really good, isn't it?
0:34:50 > 0:34:52That just melts in your mouth.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I just love the way that it makes so many people happy.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Nobody ever says no to cake, and it makes you a lot of friends.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I just love to share food around.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Now it's time for our final valuation of the day,
0:35:03 > 0:35:08and Nick has come across a couple of pieces of grandmother's silver.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Well, Peter, I spotted you outside in the queue
0:35:10 > 0:35:12with these two little quirky bits of silver.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14They were actually my grandmother's.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16When I was clearing the house when my mother died,
0:35:16 > 0:35:18we picked up these things...
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- Right.- ..and these were actually... came back from Latvia.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22- OK.- When the Russians invaded,
0:35:22 > 0:35:24it was one of the things... They could only carry...
0:35:24 > 0:35:26They had to leave everything else behind...
0:35:26 > 0:35:28..and they had to actually flee,
0:35:28 > 0:35:29and the few things they brought with them.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32- Oh, excellent.- That and some cutlery, and that was it.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33Pocket-sized things, really.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Pocket sized, it was all you could carry. Yeah.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- You were running for your life. - Absolutely.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39The stories behind these things are half as interesting
0:35:39 > 0:35:42as the items themselves. I just LOVE this.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- I love this.- Yeah. - I know it's a cigarette case,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47and cigarette smoking is a bit de rigueur,
0:35:47 > 0:35:49but of the time, it's beautiful.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Now, they're both Latvian silver,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54so they're from your parents' home...home country.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Bernard Bergholz is the maker of that one.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Do you know what? We've looked at this,
0:35:59 > 0:36:00I can't dig a maker out for this one.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03We have tried. They are similar sorts of dates,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- and this we can date because of the mark.- Mm-hm.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09It's 1924 to 1944 -
0:36:09 > 0:36:10but we can date this even better inside
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- cos there's a little inscription, isn't there?- Yes, that's right.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16The little owl, that was a mark of endearment
0:36:16 > 0:36:18- by my grandfather to my grandmother...- Oh, sweet.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20- ..and he used to call her owl. - He used to call her owl?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Yeah, made that, and that was...
0:36:22 > 0:36:24..and presented it, and that was her birthday.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26That's beautiful.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27What a nice touch.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31I mean, from the outside it's got nuances of Russian silver,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33and this coiled snake,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36and the way his tongue comes round right to the snap,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39you can almost hear his mouth snapping as you shut it.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40I think it's beautiful.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44Your little matchbook cover complements, as well.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45Slightly different.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47I suspect might be a little bit earlier,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49- maybe the same sort of period.- Yeah.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51I always thought this one was German, actually,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53because of the scene.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55- It's very Black Forest, absolutely. - Yeah.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58When you look at it, like you say, it's a typical woodland scene -
0:36:58 > 0:37:01but they're just something a bit different, something a bit unusual,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- but this, to me...- Yeah. - I prefer this than that, personally,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06I think it reeks of better quality.
0:37:06 > 0:37:07- Yeah.- What about value?
0:37:08 > 0:37:10- They're difficult. - Yeah, I can believe that.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13They're difficult because of what they are, they're smoking-related.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Also they're not English silver,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and people tend to love a hallmark in this country -
0:37:17 > 0:37:19but the design is beautiful.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21On both of them, but, again, particularly this one.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23My head's telling me 60, 80,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25my heart's saying it's worth more, should be 80 to 100.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28So let's go 80 to 100, with a bit of discretion.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- Yeah, I'm happy with that.- OK? Are you happy with that?- Yeah.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32That one probably not as much.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35That one I would have thought you're going to be around about 30 to 40,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38reserve around the bottom estimate's 30 on that one, 80 on that one.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40- How does that sound? - I'm happy with that.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Thanks ever so much for bringing them along...
0:37:42 > 0:37:44- My pleasure, sir.- ..and we shall see you at the auction,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- and enjoy ourselves.- Will do.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Well, that's it, we've found our final three items
0:37:49 > 0:37:50to take off to auction -
0:37:50 > 0:37:53so, it's time to say goodbye to Reading Town Hall.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55We've been made very welcome here today,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and I've loved finding out about Reading's biscuit heritage.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Before we head off to the saleroom, though,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04here's a quick reminder of the items that are going under the hammer.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Barbara's Huntley & Palmers biscuit tin shows an idyllic country scene
0:38:08 > 0:38:12with a few hidden extras, and it's still full of biscuits.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Len's collection of police memorabilia,
0:38:16 > 0:38:18including badges, medals and a truncheon,
0:38:18 > 0:38:22are mementos of his father's 32 years' dedicated service
0:38:22 > 0:38:23in the force...
0:38:25 > 0:38:27..and finally, fashioned from Latvian silver,
0:38:27 > 0:38:31let's hope Peter's cigarette case and matchbox cover
0:38:31 > 0:38:33strike a chord with the bidders...
0:38:35 > 0:38:37..as we head back to Martin & Pole,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40where auctioneer Matt Coles is still hard at work.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Latvian silver, absolute little treasures, aren't they?
0:38:44 > 0:38:45- Yes.- Family heirlooms. - Yes, they are.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47So, why are you selling these?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49They've been sitting in a drawer for years,
0:38:49 > 0:38:50so I thought, "Time to move on."
0:38:50 > 0:38:51- I can understand that.- Mm.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Right, let's find out what the bidders think,
0:38:53 > 0:38:55because I'm quite excited about these.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57They're going under the hammer right now.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59The continental style cigarette case,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01I have absentee bids on this one.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02I can start it with me at £85.
0:39:02 > 0:39:0490, anywhere?
0:39:04 > 0:39:05With me at £85.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07I'm selling at £85...
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- Straight in.- Any more at £85?
0:39:10 > 0:39:11At 85, then, selling.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Are we all done?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Oh, that's gone. It was a nice Art Deco piece, though, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19And here's the next lot, the little matchbox cover.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21Start this with me at £22.
0:39:21 > 0:39:2325, anywhere?
0:39:23 > 0:39:25With me at £22?
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Any further offers at £22?
0:39:27 > 0:39:28Are we all done at £22?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Gosh, that's nothing, is it?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32- At 25...- Oh.- At 28?- Go on!
0:39:32 > 0:39:34With me at £28, now.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36One more? 30 with you, now.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39£30. Any further offers at £30?
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Selling, then, for £30...
0:39:41 > 0:39:43It sold at £30, just.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45That was on your estimates.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Well, that's a total of £115.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- Happy?- I'm happy with that, yes.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50Pay for a good night out.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52I'm quite happy with that.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Next up it's that Huntley & Palmers biscuit tin.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Oh, crumbs, Barbara!
0:39:59 > 0:40:00See, I had to start with that, didn't I?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- You know what's coming up, don't you?- Yes.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03Yes, the biscuit tin.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06We couldn't come to Reading without finding a biscuit tin.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- No, certainly not. No. - Especially not a naughty one!
0:40:08 > 0:40:10I've seen that one before.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- Condition's good?- Yes. - Yeah?- Still perfect condition.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- It is, isn't it?- Yes. - Been in the cupboard for 30 years!
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Let's find out what it's worth, it's going under the hammer right now.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20Here we go, this is it.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25I've got absentee bids on this one, I have to start it with me at £40.
0:40:25 > 0:40:2742, anywhere?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29With me at £40.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Any further offers at £40?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33At £40, then?
0:40:33 > 0:40:34- All done?- Yes...
0:40:34 > 0:40:3642. 45.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39With me at £45, now.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Any more, at 45?
0:40:41 > 0:40:42As £45, now.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Are we all done, then, at 45?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47We had a reserve of £60...
0:40:47 > 0:40:49- £60 discretion.- Not quite there.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- No.- Not quite there.
0:40:51 > 0:40:52I think that's a good thing.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54- I think we don't want to sell this too cheaply...- No.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58- ..stick to that £60 reserve and hopefully another day, OK?- Yes.
0:40:58 > 0:40:59- Better luck next time, OK?- Yes, OK.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Thank you very much for bringing it in, though.- Thank you.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Now for our final lot of the day.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- Leonard, good luck with this. - Thank you.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14We're talking about the police memorabilia -
0:41:14 > 0:41:17all of this memorabilia is your dad's, isn't it?
0:41:17 > 0:41:19Is this a bit of a wrench, to let go?
0:41:19 > 0:41:20- Not really.- Not really?- No.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Well, look, it's great.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24What we've got here, with the medals and everything,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26- the whole collection, I think it's fantastic.- Yes.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27I think this has got to stay in the borough,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- it's got to stay in Reading. - It'd be nice.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31We're going to put this to the test
0:41:31 > 0:41:32as it goes under the hammer right now.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Here's the collection of police memorabilia.
0:41:36 > 0:41:37Interesting lot, this one.
0:41:37 > 0:41:42I have to start it with me at £290.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- Good.- 290, 300.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47£290. Any further offers at 290?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- Come on. - Hang on, the internet's going wild.
0:41:50 > 0:41:51Hang on. Hang on, hang on.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54We've got the internet at £380.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I've got 400 here.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Great.- At £400 with me, 420.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- Come on.- 450, here.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Brilliant, there's someone in the room.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05I've got a bid, here, of 480, actually.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08480 with me, at 480.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Where do you want to go on the internet?
0:42:10 > 0:42:11500, thank you.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13At £500. Any more at £500?
0:42:15 > 0:42:17At 500.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- You want to bid?- Go on!
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Yeah? 550 on the telephone, now.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22550.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- It's good.- Any more, at 550?
0:42:25 > 0:42:26600 on the internet, now.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29600 against us...
0:42:29 > 0:42:31The suspense is killing me here!
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Any more?
0:42:34 > 0:42:35It's on the internet at £600.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37At £600, then.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Any more at £600?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Selling on the internet, then, at £600.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42All done?
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Yes, it went on the internet,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48- but hopefully that person's bidding from Berkshire.- Good man.- £600.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- My expert. Good boy.- £600.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- Feel all right about that? - Oh, yeah, magic.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55- Good, good.- Well done, Dad.
0:42:55 > 0:42:56- Yeah, well done, Dad, yeah. - Absolutely.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59What a career. What a great career he had.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01You're smiling and we're smiling,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04and it's brought our show to a close today with a lovely surprise.
0:43:04 > 0:43:05- Yeah, it was.- So, thank you so much.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- Thank you.- I hope you've enjoyed the show,
0:43:07 > 0:43:08we thoroughly enjoyed being here,
0:43:08 > 0:43:10and do join us again for many more surprises -
0:43:10 > 0:43:14but until then, it's goodbye from Wokingham, and evenin' all.