0:00:04 > 0:00:07This is Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11During the Second World War, it had the mysterious codename of Station X.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Later on in the programme, we'll be finding out how the secret work
0:00:15 > 0:00:18carried out here saved millions of lives, so don't go away.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Bletchley Park sits tucked discretely in the suburbs of Milton Keynes.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48During the Second World War,
0:00:48 > 0:00:50this country estate was bought by the Government
0:00:50 > 0:00:53and given a very unique role.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56The mansion and the grounds were filled with thousands of people
0:00:56 > 0:00:57working day and night,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01working to decipher the secret coded messages of the enemy.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Today it's a museum dedicated to telling the story of the incredible
0:01:07 > 0:01:10work that went on here and helped win the war.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Wow, look at the size of this queue!
0:01:17 > 0:01:20And the rain hasn't dampened anybody's spirits.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22It's a fantastic turnout,
0:01:22 > 0:01:24and one secret our experts will be able to unlock is
0:01:24 > 0:01:26what's in all of these bags and boxes.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30And then they can answer that all-important question, which is...
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- ALL:- What's it worth?
0:01:32 > 0:01:35And if you're happy with the valuation, what are you going to do?
0:01:35 > 0:01:36Flog it!
0:01:36 > 0:01:39And helping to put a value on those items,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42we've got two of our finest experts on hand.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43There's Philip Serrell,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46who can identify antiques from the smallest of clues.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51I would think this is probably from Paris.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53And it's probably French, I would have thought.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56The ability to read in this business is absolutely wonderful.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Ker-ching. - Thank you.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02And Catherine Southon seems to have spotted an unwelcome visitor.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04I thought that was a spider in there.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- No, no... No.- That frightened the life out of me.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09That almost got broken.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13What a professional, putting our antiques above her own safety.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Well, I tell you what, I can't wait to get started.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Are you ready to get inside and get seated? Yes!
0:02:18 > 0:02:19If the rain clears,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23we'll be back outside to enjoy the grounds of Bletchley Park.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Until then, we'll keep everybody dry inside.
0:02:26 > 0:02:27And while everyone's getting seated,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31here's a quick look at what we've got coming up later on in the show.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Catherine is over the moon with her find.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36To me, this is one of the most
0:02:36 > 0:02:40beautiful things I have seen on "Flog It!" in a very long time.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Philip is a little less impressed with his lot.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Dear, dear, dear. I can't stand roll-top desks.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48Oh, right. That's good, then.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52And I discover the best-kept secret of the Second World War.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54So, you didn't know what you were letting yourself in for?
0:02:54 > 0:02:55No. No idea at all.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Well, this area of the house we've dedicated as a research area.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03This is where the hard work is done.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07We're doing all we can to find out about the item before it hits the
0:03:07 > 0:03:10filming table. So we are now ready for our first item,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12so let's catch up with Philip Serrell.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- Rosemary, how are you doing? - Very well, thank you, Phil.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20I think these are fantastic. Where have these come from?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23My husband used to buy things and put them away,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and we could sell them when we got older.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And why did you decide to bring these today?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32I just thought they were something different, a talking point,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and I'd like to know how old they are and...
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Because I don't know, apart from being maybe Oriental.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- Why do you think they're Oriental? - The little figures on there
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- have Oriental faces. - OK. Because the thing is,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48from a distance they just look like old shrivelled-up
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- walnuts, don't they? - I know, yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52And you're absolutely right, they're Oriental.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56I think they're Chinese. Now, these things go back in time,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00but I think these are probably somewhere between about 1880 and 1900.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04And they were a sign of wealth, they were a sign of good luck,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08good fortune. They're kernel carvings, effectively,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10kernel being the nut.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13And you have walnut shells, beech kernels...
0:04:13 > 0:04:16All sorts of different nuts were carved.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18And they were meant as a good-luck token.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22So, if I might have given you this, this would have been a good-luck
0:04:22 > 0:04:26token for you. The other thing is that...
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- Tactile.- ..when you held them like that, they were almost designed,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33because the natural thing to do is to do this with them.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36And you can feel that, and it's just really a lovely feeling.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40And if you look at them very, very... I'll take the glasses off.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43If you look at them really, really closely,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47you can see that there's all sorts of little Chinese faces carved all
0:04:47 > 0:04:51over them, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of them.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54These things can be quite rare and quite early.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58I'm no expert on these things, but I take the view, I think they're 1880,
0:04:58 > 0:05:001900, around that date.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I don't think they're worth a huge sum of money.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Probably somewhere between...
0:05:05 > 0:05:06..£50 and £80?
0:05:06 > 0:05:11If you have a result, they might go and fly away and greatly exceed that.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15But I think £50 to £80 is a sensible estimate,
0:05:15 > 0:05:21and I think probably reserve them at around £40 and see where we go.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23But I love them. I'd like to own them!
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- Would you? - Yeah. But I can't.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31I'm sorry, Philip! Those walnuts have to be sold at auction.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32In another part of the mansion,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Catherine's got help from one of the crew to show off her first find.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Doesn't she look absolutely stunning, standing here?
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Everything about this dress - and our model, of course - is elegant.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Where did you get this beautiful 1950s dress from?
0:05:50 > 0:05:54This dress belonged to my mother, who lived in Kenya, Nairobi.
0:05:54 > 0:06:00And she was a single lady in the '50s and went to plenty of balls.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03It looks in remarkably good condition.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Is it something that you've preserved over the years,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09have you kept it in a suitcase or wrapped in tissue or something?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Well, we've all admired it and loved it.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15It unfortunately hasn't fitted any of the girls in the family,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17because my mum was so tiny.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22So it's been on a hanger in a dust cover all these years,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24but no special care has been taken of it.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28But that's the thing - I mean, going back to the time in the 1940s,
0:06:28 > 0:06:311950s, the ladies were so much more petite.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Tiny little waists.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37But what's lovely about this is it really does tell us about the 1950s.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39If you think of Grace Kelly,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41everyone's going back to this sort of nipped waist.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43So you've got this lovely tight waist here.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46But what I love here is the colour. It's a wonderful...
0:06:46 > 0:06:50..I suppose almost aqua colour. Lovely aqua silk.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52And this silver thread.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55And they've complemented it with this beautiful lining at the back,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57a smoky pink,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00which I think complements the blue in the front so it just sort of
0:07:00 > 0:07:03pops out every now and then. Complements the dress beautifully.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05It really does.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08And also the shoulders there, these straps...
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I love the way you've got these sort of falls here
0:07:11 > 0:07:15and the bow at the front and also a similar bow there at the back.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19I think, really, the whole dress is a timeless classic
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and something that you could easily wear today.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- How does it feel? Does it feel good? - Feels good.- Feels comfortable?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Feels very glamorous. - It is very glamorous.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32And I think to have this matching stole, as well,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35with the wonderful pattern on the base of it, is really perfect.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- Yeah.- I think we should put an estimate on
0:07:39 > 0:07:41of £100 to £150
0:07:41 > 0:07:45with a £100 reserve, to protect it. How does that sound to you?
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- That sounds good.- Are you happy with that?
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- Yes.- So, I hope that we have lots of lovely slim ladies who come to
0:07:51 > 0:07:55the auction and they all want to go off to a wonderful ball.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It looks stunning. Thank you very much.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Thank you.- And thank you to our model.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Walking around the Bletchley Park estate,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07it's hard to imagine what a hive of activity this place must have been
0:08:07 > 0:08:11during the war. Thousands of people were involved in the work here,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15some on this site and others dotted up and down the country.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17As well as the code breaking being done here,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20another group of men and women had the dangerous job of delivering
0:08:20 > 0:08:23these messages by hand on motorcycles.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26They were called dispatch riders,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30and it was their task to deliver and collect secret messages,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33exchanged between Bletchley and other listening stations dotted
0:08:33 > 0:08:36around the coastline and in the heart of London,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and they rode bikes like this one,
0:08:38 > 0:08:43an extremely rare 1943 500cc Norton, which has been lovingly restored,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and it's now on permanent display here at Bletchley.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52Every day, the garages just behind the mansion saw over 400 riders
0:08:52 > 0:08:54entering and leaving Bletchley Park,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58carrying important messages and information vital to the war effort.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Although some were champion motorcycle racers, others were novices,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05men and women enlisted from all walks of life.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07There were no road lights or signs during the war,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09headlights were forbidden
0:09:09 > 0:09:11and time was of the utmost importance,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15so this was an extremely dangerous and skilful job.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17They operated day and night,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21each rider covering a distance of 150 to 200 miles a day
0:09:21 > 0:09:25in all weather conditions, even into the heart of London,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27regardless of any air raids.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Motorcycles were considered a much safer way of sending a communication,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38as they couldn't be intercepted like a radio communication.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42And as well as carrying everything they needed to operate a motorcycle,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46the dispatch riders were also issued with a pistol and strict
0:09:46 > 0:09:48instructions to stop for no-one.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51One can only imagine what it must have been like seeing them tear up
0:09:51 > 0:09:54and down the roads of London at top speed
0:09:54 > 0:09:58in the dark of night, in all weathers. Brave men and women.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Thankfully, our team at Bletchley today have the far less hazardous
0:10:03 > 0:10:06work of finding antiques to auction.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09And it looks like Philip's found himself a desk job.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- How are you both?- We're well, thank you.- Fine, thank you, Mr Serrell.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16"Mr Serrell"! You don't work for the Inland Revenue, do you?
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- How long have you had this? - A couple or three years.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22A couple or three years? I hoped it had been in your family
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- man and boy.- No.- Unfortunately not.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26We bought it at a little local auction.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28And what did you pay for it at the little local auction?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31It was about £30.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- And what was your price limit to go to?- I think that was about it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Not overly generous, are you? - No!
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Careful, you two, aren't you? Dear, dear, dear. It sort of brings
0:10:41 > 0:10:45a bit of a chord with me, and I'll tell you for why -
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I can't stand roll-top desks.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- Oh, right. That's good, then! - And there's a reason for that.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52My dad used to have a roll-top desk at home
0:10:52 > 0:10:56and he used to say to me, "One day, Son, that will be yours."
0:10:56 > 0:10:58It was mine, it was my grandfather's,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01it was my great-grandfather's and now I've got a roll-top desk
0:11:01 > 0:11:02that I don't want. No.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07But this is lovely, because you look at little bits of furniture like this
0:11:07 > 0:11:09and people say it's an apprentice piece.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Now, I've got to tell you, if you were an apprentice and you'd made
0:11:12 > 0:11:14this, you'd get the sack, wouldn't you?
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Because in a way it's quite primitive, it's almost like it's folk art.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I don't think it's good enough to be a traveller's sample.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24I think this is a labour of love, but I just absolutely love it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- Do you have a roll-top desk? - No.- Really?- Nor any other desk.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30I've got one I could sell you!
0:11:32 > 0:11:34It's about time we shared the inside with everyone.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- Yeah.- Shall we just have a look? Isn't that just absolutely lovely?
0:11:38 > 0:11:43And the thing is, this just pulls out there like a little writing slide.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Isn't that just the business?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- It's fantastic.- I love his pipe in there.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52Well, I love the pipe, the little calendar, the pens, the paper tray.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55They've even got the little...
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Hold on, incoming. I think this is a telephone bid.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00No, wrong number.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04I just think that's really, really sweet. In terms of value...
0:12:04 > 0:12:06..I think we put a 40 to 60 estimate on it...
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- Oh!- ..a fixed reserve of £35 and keep everything crossed.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Well, I think that's good enough. We'd better go and sell it.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14- Oh, lovely. - Thank you.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22There you are, we have been working flat out all morning and our experts
0:12:22 > 0:12:25have now found their first items to take off to the saleroom.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28This is where it gets exciting. Anything can happen. And I think
0:12:28 > 0:12:30there's one or two surprises there.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32What do you think? Let's put it to the test.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37Here's a quick reminder of everything that's going under the hammer.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Will the exquisite detail of Rosemary's Chinese carved walnuts
0:12:40 > 0:12:42appeal to the collectors?
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Sharon's evening dress is sheer glamour,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47but can it find the right-size buyer?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Or will it be Denise and Ian's miniature desk
0:12:50 > 0:12:52that gets the bidders calling in?
0:12:56 > 0:12:58To find out exactly what they're all worth,
0:12:58 > 0:13:02we're heading south to the pretty town of Watlington in Oxfordshire.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Here at Jones and Jacobs we've got a duo on the rostrum today.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Auctioneers Simon Jones and Francis Ogley are in charge of the proceedings
0:13:10 > 0:13:13and they're fast approaching our lots.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16And don't forget, there's always a commission to pay at auctions, and
0:13:16 > 0:13:20today the rate here for selling is 18% plus VAT.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23And first up from our lots is the miniature writing desk.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Are you ready for this, Ian and Denise?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- We are.- Yeah, so am I and so's Philip.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32And I tell you what, your roll-top desk is going to fly out the room,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36because it's miniature. If it was the real thing it just might struggle,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38because furniture is on its knees at the moment,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40especially for roll-top desks like that one.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42But what a lovely little thing!
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Did you have this on the dressing table?
0:13:44 > 0:13:45We had it in the living room.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Yeah.- And I'm just worried about damaging it.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- And what did you put inside it? Anything?- No, it's fitted.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- It's fitted. But you didn't stick anything in?- No.- No, we didn't.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I wondered if there was a sovereign in there or something.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59- No, I took that out. - You took that out.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Because that's the kind of little thing you hide a treasure in.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05You know, hide it from the kids, isn't it, really?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Yeah, yeah.- Right, good luck. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12182, the roll-top desk.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15£40. 55.
0:14:15 > 0:14:1655. Oh, punchy. Straight in.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18£55.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20All done at £55?
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Commission bid £55.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24All done? 60 anywhere?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26At £55 I'm selling.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Well, it found its level straight away.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- They don't mess around. - No, they don't mess around.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Great, wasn't it?- Yeah. Well estimated, Philip.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Yeah, spot-on. Happy with that, aren't you?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Over the moon. Over the moon.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41That's the kind of result we love - items sold and owners happy.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Can the evening dress do the same?
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Right, our next lot. If you want to look like a movie star,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49you need a dress like Sharon's selling, and I think that's some dress.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52It's a lovely 1950s dress. Your mum wore this a lot?
0:14:52 > 0:14:56She did, she did. To some balls and parties in Nairobi.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58It's beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- And that took your eye, didn't it? - The colour is stunning.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Yeah. And the silver thread as well going right the way through,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- and it's got a matching stole as well.- It looks the business.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- It's classy, isn't it? And elegant. - It looks frighteningly expensive.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13In its day, it would have been, wouldn't it?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- I'm sure it was. - Well, good luck, both of you.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Let's put it under the hammer and find out what the bidders think.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20It's selling under there. There we go.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Right, lot 220, we've got the 1950s satin evening gown.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28100 for that. £100.
0:15:28 > 0:15:2980 to start me.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31At £80. 80. 85 anywhere?
0:15:31 > 0:15:33At £80.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- Come on. - All done?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Finished at 80. I need a little more.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38At £80.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Done at 80. All done at 80.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Didn't get a bid.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Didn't get a bid.- It's fine. - Oh, I'm so sorry.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- I'm happy...- No other textiles here. - You're actually happy.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- I'm thrilled. - You gave it an airing.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53So it goes back inside the wardrobe.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55It does. We'll keep it for another day.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59It's a shame that dress didn't sell, but hopefully finding a buyer for
0:15:59 > 0:16:02our final item won't be a tough nut to crack.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Going under the hammer right now we have two carved Victorian walnuts of
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Chinese origin belonging to Rosemary.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Who will "shell out" £50 to £80 for these?
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- Oh, very good!- Did you like that, Phil?- She's not nuts, is she?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- Lovely things, though. - Unusual.- Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Very unusual.- You've got to have great eyesight to notice all the
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- detail on there.- Yes, absolutely. - Because there's a lot there.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Hundreds. Not thousands...- Hundreds of little carvings and squiggles.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28They are... And the thing with them is,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30if you look at the work that is involved with those,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- whatever they make it'll be cheap. - Of course it will.- Really.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- You can't put a price on that sort of craftsmanship.- No. Absolutely.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38No, they're lovely. They're really lovely.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40So fingers crossed we get that top end.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43So, let's hand the proceedings over to our auctioneer.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47The Chinese carved thousand-faces walnuts there.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51£50 to £60 for them.
0:16:51 > 0:16:5245 I'm bid.
0:16:52 > 0:16:5580 I've got. 85. 90 online.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- The lady down the front is bidding. - 90. 95.- The lady right at the front.
0:16:59 > 0:17:0295, then. In the room at 95. 100 online if you want it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05110 I'm bid. 120. 120.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08130 online. 130, 140, 150.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14160. 160, 170 online.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18170, 180, 190.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20190, 200, 210.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22They love their nuts!
0:17:22 > 0:17:25220. 210, then. It's online at 220.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28It's against you all in the room at £210.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29£210!
0:17:29 > 0:17:32210. All finished at 210?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- Online. - Yes!
0:17:34 > 0:17:37You could say they were going nuts over that.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40In seriousness, I think they made that because of their age and because
0:17:40 > 0:17:44they've got some patina and you can see that they weren't done yesterday.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Yes.- So I'm really pleased with that.- Wonderful.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Thank you for bringing them in.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Small and precious but worth a lot of money.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52A great little find. Well done, both of you.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Well, that's our first three items done and dusted under the hammer.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So far, so good, and we are coming back here later on in the show for
0:18:02 > 0:18:04more auction excitement.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07But right now we're returning to our valuation day at Bletchley Park,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10where our experts will look for some more treasures to sell,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14and I took the opportunity to explore some of the secrets of its history.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Pretty but somewhat quirky, Bletchley Park Mansion
0:18:26 > 0:18:29in Buckinghamshire started out life in 1883
0:18:29 > 0:18:32as a country retreat for a London stockbroker.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36But in 1938 it was bought by the British secret services to house one
0:18:36 > 0:18:38of their latest secret departments,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41the Government Code and Cypher School.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Now, this was a team dedicated to listening to and unlocking
0:18:45 > 0:18:47the secret messages of the enemy.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51World War II was a new kind of war.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55The Germans introduced a new kind of warfare, Blitzkrieg.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Lightning attacks by planes and tanks meant armies
0:18:58 > 0:19:01advanced incredibly quickly.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06This needed speedy communication, and wireless radio was the answer.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09The skies were absolutely filled with radio signals.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15But this solution also had big problems.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Anybody could tune in and listen to what was being transmitted,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23so each side sent their messages as a series of complicated secret codes
0:19:23 > 0:19:25to stop the enemy from eavesdropping.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27All well and good,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31but if you broke into the encoding system it could help you deliver
0:19:31 > 0:19:34victory, and that was what Bletchley was built to do.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40All the latest snooping technology was installed, and in 1939 Bletchley
0:19:40 > 0:19:45Park became a small but secret army engaged in a shadowy struggle for
0:19:45 > 0:19:46military intelligence.
0:19:46 > 0:19:52Codenamed Station X, it didn't even appear on any map.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55The mansion house was literally filled with the brightest brains in
0:19:55 > 0:20:00the country. 110 people crammed into all of these rooms and it soon
0:20:00 > 0:20:03became apparent more were needed, a lot more,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07because the airwaves were filled with thousands of the enemy's secret
0:20:07 > 0:20:10communications which had to be listened to,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14deciphered and processed for use by our forces.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Wooden huts and then more substantial brick buildings were
0:20:18 > 0:20:22quickly built, squeezing in all the new staff and equipment.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26At its peak, around 9,000 people were working at Bletchley Park
0:20:26 > 0:20:3124 hours a day, seven days a week in constantly rotating shifts...
0:20:33 > 0:20:36..from professors of linguistics to genius mathematicians,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39from telecom engineers to dispatch riders.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Today we've got the opportunity to talk to two women who were stationed
0:20:44 > 0:20:46at Bletchley during the war.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Joanna Chorley and Joan Joslin were both part of the secret army
0:20:50 > 0:20:52fighting a very secret battle.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56It's also a chance for Joanna to revisit Bletchley Park.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00So, how did you end up here at Bletchley?
0:21:00 > 0:21:05Well, I joined the Wrens and I volunteered for anything...
0:21:05 > 0:21:08..to do anything, because I hadn't got any good skills,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10so I was just in the pool.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12And I was one of the ones who were sent here.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15So, you didn't know what you were letting yourself in for?
0:21:15 > 0:21:16No idea at all.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22I happened to be in the civil service and then one day I got
0:21:22 > 0:21:27a letter to say I was to report immediately to Euston station,
0:21:27 > 0:21:31catch the first train down to Bletchley.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35"You can tell no-one where you're going, only your mother."
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- And so I did.- The teams at Bletchley were involved in all kinds of work,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44searching for new ways to unravel the secret messages of the Germans.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46This led to some amazing breakthroughs,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49including the invention of Colossus,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52the world's first electronic computer,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55and Joanna was part of the team running it.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58How did you end up working on Colossus?
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I fell in love with it because it was such a magnificent bit of machinery,
0:22:02 > 0:22:07and I loved machinery, and I ended up, actually, by asking if I could.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11And rather grudgingly, I was allowed to be here!
0:22:13 > 0:22:17My main job was to put the tapes on the wheels
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and get them the right way round and all that sort of thing.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22The other thing was to keep the eye,
0:22:22 > 0:22:26the little thing which read the dots on the tape, clean and clear.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28It was really a tidying-up job,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32putting pegs in the right holes, and I wasn't one of the ones who did the
0:22:32 > 0:22:34clever stuff.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Joan also found herself given a highly important role,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40helping crack some of the most complicated codes.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45I was in a little room on my own, entirely on my own.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49I was the only one on the shift that used this machine, and it was called
0:22:49 > 0:22:52the EINS machine.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58And I would sit for hours watching eight wheels going round,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02and I would have to start this one, then this one, then this one,
0:23:02 > 0:23:07then this one, and at intervals I would look for a full stop,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10because when I found a full stop...
0:23:11 > 0:23:14..I knew the message could be encrypted.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19Very important, that was. And you know, when I found a full stop,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I used to have to ring up to London
0:23:22 > 0:23:26and Churchill would answer personally.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29And he had a - what's the word? - a name.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34His name was Wiggly. We used to have to ask for Wiggly!
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Even though Bletchley Park ran 24/7, there was time to relax
0:23:41 > 0:23:43and enjoy the surroundings of the estate,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and Joan even met her future husband, Ken, here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50We had leisure time. We had good times.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52We went out, we went dancing.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55And I played piano, so...
0:23:56 > 0:24:00..we used to gather round a piano and sing and dance, sort of thing.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03So we were...we were quite happy, really.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09When the war finally came to an end, the teams at Bletchley were the
0:24:09 > 0:24:14first to hear the amazing news but couldn't tell anyone else,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16having been sworn to secrecy.
0:24:16 > 0:24:22The best thing that ever happened to Ken and I was when Italy gave in,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24because we were on evening duty again,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28and about ten o'clock it came through that Italy had given in...
0:24:29 > 0:24:31..so we knew the war was over.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36We got the last train from Bletchley and we arrived on Euston station
0:24:36 > 0:24:42round about half eleven, and it was packed with servicepeople,
0:24:42 > 0:24:49everyone you can think of, and we wanted to shout, "The war's over,"
0:24:49 > 0:24:51and we couldn't. And we couldn't.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56I would love to have shouted it...
0:24:57 > 0:25:03..and I thought, "All these people, and they don't know it's over."
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Yeah, that was...that was a night.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13We weren't the ones who knew first. We were fooling round.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Actually, we were throwing lavatory rolls over the tree which used to
0:25:16 > 0:25:18- grow there. - As you do!
0:25:18 > 0:25:23As you do. And we were hauled in and somebody came rushing up from down
0:25:23 > 0:25:25below and said, "The war's over, the war's over."
0:25:25 > 0:25:31- And that was a most astonishing feeling.- Oh, it must have been.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Even after the war, everyone had to
0:25:33 > 0:25:36keep a tight lid on the work done at Bletchley Park.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40I knew that I shouldn't talk about it...
0:25:41 > 0:25:44..and I didn't.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47How did you feel about not being able to tell your parents what you
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- were doing?- Well, I only had one parent,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and that was a father who was very autocratic.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56He was in the RAF and he was fairly high up and he thought he knew
0:25:56 > 0:25:59everything that happened, and I was really rather glad that I actually
0:25:59 > 0:26:01knew something that he didn't!
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Whenever we've met up, up at Bletchley,
0:26:07 > 0:26:12everybody's so proud that they were there...
0:26:13 > 0:26:15..and that they helped.
0:26:15 > 0:26:22They genuinely feel they helped end the war sooner because of the work
0:26:22 > 0:26:25we did there. And I think we did.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31- How does it feel, coming back? - It's so good that something is going
0:26:31 > 0:26:35- on here.- Mm.- And also, the most important thing of the lot
0:26:35 > 0:26:37is that the young are being told what happened,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40because they wouldn't be here today if it hadn't happened.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- Yeah, that's a good thing, isn't it?- Mm.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50It was wonderful listening to Joan and Joanna's story,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52history from living memory.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55They played their part, and for years they couldn't talk about it,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57not even to their loved ones.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Well, now they can, and thankfully it's going to be talked about and
0:27:00 > 0:27:02remembered for ever.
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Now the rain has stopped,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12we can all enjoy the Bletchley Park gardens as our experts look for
0:27:12 > 0:27:14antiques to take off to auction.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16And Catherine's rather pleased with
0:27:16 > 0:27:19a little group of rings that she's discovered.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Sarah, welcome to "Flog It!" and thank you very much for bringing
0:27:23 > 0:27:27your gems along for us to see. Where did you get these rings from?
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Well, these came from my late father-in-law.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35And at a family function about 15 years ago he brought a box of
0:27:35 > 0:27:41stuff that was probably his late wife's, and he offered the ladies in
0:27:41 > 0:27:44the family a pick of the pieces.
0:27:44 > 0:27:50So I picked a few rings - a pendant, actually this bangle -
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and I've kept them since then.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57But my late mother-in-law was a very tiny lady and so these are
0:27:57 > 0:28:01very tiny rings and barely fit on my little finger.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04- Really?- So I haven't been able to wear them,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06so I thought I'd bring them along and find out a bit more about them.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Let's take a little close look,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11because we've got a really nice assortment, and as you say,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13they are all very pretty rings.
0:28:13 > 0:28:19This first one here, we've got a little emerald and diamond cluster.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22This one here, we've got a nice amethyst,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and that's surrounded by very, very tiny diamonds.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27I have tested them, so I know they're diamonds,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31but they are really tiny chips. And then this one here,
0:28:31 > 0:28:35this is a nice five-stone ring. We've got sapphires and diamonds,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37but again very small diamond chips.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40But perhaps the nicest ring of all of them -
0:28:40 > 0:28:42I don't know if this is one of your favourites -
0:28:42 > 0:28:45is this lovely three-stone diamond ring.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Date-wise, I would say that that is probably round the 1930s.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52So, is this something that particularly appealed to you?
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Yes, yes, I liked them all because they were traditional, but that one
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- because it was plain. - Mm-hm.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Now, the quality of the diamonds are OK.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04We haven't got particularly big diamonds, and the clarity is OK.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06They are a little bit cloudy,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08but nevertheless it is a really nice setting.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11The sad thing about this is unfortunately it's not marked.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15The ring itself isn't marked, but I would think it's probably going to
0:29:15 > 0:29:19be 18-carat, looking at the colour of the gold.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22So, prices, that's really what it comes down to.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26My suggestion on these is that they're really only worth round
0:29:26 > 0:29:30about £50 each. I would suggest for these putting them together in
0:29:30 > 0:29:33a little lot as £150 to £200 for the three
0:29:33 > 0:29:38perhaps with a reserve of about 120. How does that sound to you?
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- Yes. Yes.- That one, which is a nicer ring,
0:29:41 > 0:29:46I would put that by itself and put that with an estimate of 150 to 250
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and protect that with a 140 reserve.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- OK.- Well, hopefully we'll find some people at the auction with little,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- tiny fingers.- They would have to have tiny fingers, yes.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57And hopefully they will sell very well.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00But thank you, Sarah, for coming along and for bringing your treasure
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- to Bletchley. - Thank you very much.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Next up, Philip's in the driving seat with a glittering collection.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13There's one question I want to ask before we start. You got a car?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- Yes. - Does it break down a lot?
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- No!- So you don't need all these badges, then?
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- No, I do not.- How did you come into possession of them?
0:30:22 > 0:30:27My father used to work in the warehouse when he was alive,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29at Croydon for the RAC.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32He was a stores man. He collected everything - nuts, bolts...
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- ..fittings, badges...- Good man! - ..all through the years.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- So, he was a "Flog It!" collector, was he?- Oh, he was, yes.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42And what about you? What do you collect?
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- 00-gauge model railways. - So you're into your trains now.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- Yes.- I think these are lovely,
0:30:48 > 0:30:52because you've almost got the RAC through the years.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- Which is your favourite? - Er...that one.
0:30:55 > 0:31:01- Why?- They were much better made, and I like the style of that one.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05And I think that has more class than all the other plastic ones they came
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- out with afterwards. - Do you know which is my favourite?
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Well, it'll tell you anyway. This one here,
0:31:10 > 0:31:12and that's because this is motorsport.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18And I'm a real car fan, I love my cars, and the RAC...
0:31:18 > 0:31:22..they did a motorsports badge, which I believe is this one here.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23And it's quite collectible.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26So I think you've got a really good collection here.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30The earliest one is this one here, and this is dated 1907.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32And they go through the years.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36The one key thing to this, these early ones are enamelled,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and if you can look at that enamelling there, you can just see,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42just in the middle of the Union Jack,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45I should think a stone's probably come up off the road,
0:31:45 > 0:31:46hit it and damaged it.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51And that's... For a collector, that seriously devalues it.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Why have you decided to sell these now?
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Well, they were in the garage for many years, I had totally forgotten them...
0:31:58 > 0:32:02..and I decided that I need some cash, to be honest with you,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04- for my railway. - Right.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- You any idea what they might make? - I'll be honest with you, I don't.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11It's something I didn't think anyone would be interested in, full stop.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Let's turn it round another way - how much is an 00-gauge loco?
0:32:15 > 0:32:17I pay about £200.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Aaaagh! No pressure here, then, is there?!
0:32:20 > 0:32:23I think we should put these into auction...
0:32:23 > 0:32:30..with an estimate of 150 to 250 and we'll put a reserve on them of 120.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33And who knows, we might keep you on tracks.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Libby and Rachel, good to see you.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Now, when you were standing out in the queue,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I pounced on you because I saw this wooden box,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and it's not just an ordinary wooden box.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52When I see something like this,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55I think that it's going to contain something a little bit special,
0:32:55 > 0:33:01perhaps a piece of silver. And, boy, did it contain a piece of silver!
0:33:02 > 0:33:06So... But this isn't it. This isn't all the piece.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- No.- It does turn into a bit of theatre, doesn't it?
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- Yes.- So, shall we start building it up?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- We need a few hands for this. - We do.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21So, I'll have a little boat, as well. Wonderful.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25And as we build it up, it does transform...
0:33:27 > 0:33:31..into this wonderful silver epergne...
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- Yes.- ..or centrepiece.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Where did you get this from?
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Well, I bought it many years ago, nearly 40 years, I think,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42in Norfolk at a sale.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46And can you remember how much you paid for it?
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- I think it was about £200, but I can't...- Such a long time ago!
0:33:51 > 0:33:55- A long time ago.- She can't remember. - And this is your daughter. Hi.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59So, I just would love to tell you a little bit about it, because to me,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02this is one of the most beautiful
0:34:02 > 0:34:06things I have seen on "Flog It!" in a very long time.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10This is made by a silversmith's called Thomas Pitts,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13and we know that because we've got his initials round here.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18It's really clearly marked TP. It's Georgian. Did you know that?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- Did you know it was Georgian? - Well, I think I might have done
0:34:20 > 0:34:24when I bought it, but it's been shut away for so long.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- Has it always been in this box? - Yes.- So you bought it...
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- Yes.- ..and you've never displayed it.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- No.- And you just put it in this box, purely for investment.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Yes. - That's incredible.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39So, what we have, we have this centrepiece by Thomas Pitts.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Now, Thomas Pitts was one of the better silversmiths working at that
0:34:42 > 0:34:45time, in the late 18th century,
0:34:45 > 0:34:50and he is known for producing these magnificent epergnes.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53And if you wanted to get an epergne at the time...
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- ..this is the man who you wanted to make it.- Yes.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01And I think if you look at each piece, it's so beautifully made.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Look at this piercing here, look at the scrolls,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07look at the leafwork and look at the way also that we have these
0:35:07 > 0:35:10roundels. We have these roundels which are left blank,
0:35:10 > 0:35:14and that's where once upon a time you would have had the initials of
0:35:14 > 0:35:18- your family...- Crest.- ..or perhaps your family crest, yeah.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Everything is done with the most meticulous detail.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26But I think the real thing about this is the theatre, is the drama,
0:35:26 > 0:35:30and we need to think about the epergne in its setting,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33in its original setting in the late 18th century.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37This is something that would have been on a very grand table.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41You would have probably had some nice Corinthian candlesticks around
0:35:41 > 0:35:43it, it would have had some fruit on the top there,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45perhaps some little berries and
0:35:45 > 0:35:47little toothpicks in these other baskets.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51And it is such a dramatic piece and it shouldn't have been hidden away
0:35:51 > 0:35:54all this time! It does upset me to see that.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58So, how do you feel now that it's displayed in front of you, Rachel?
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I'm glad she's going to sell it,
0:36:00 > 0:36:01because I need the money for my drive!
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- Oh, do you? - She's going to pay for my driveway,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07so we're trying to get the money together.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It depends how much it would make.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13I would suggest putting this into auction with
0:36:13 > 0:36:17- an estimate of £3,000 to 5,000... - Really?- ..at auction. Yeah.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- Fantastic.- Wow. - And a reserve of 2,500.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Fantastic. - How does that sound?
0:36:22 > 0:36:23It sounds like a good investment.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25I think that does sound like a good investment!
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Well, it started off life as a show stopper,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31and I think it's ended today as a show stopper.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33It's really made my day, so thank you so much,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37- both of you, for coming along. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43Wow, I love that last item. Fingers crossed for that.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46We have now found all three items to take to auction for the very last
0:36:46 > 0:36:48time, so our work is done.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51It's time to say goodbye to our magnificent host location,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Bletchley Park. We've found some wonderful items,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55we've met some wonderful owners.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Hopefully we'll get some wonderful prices.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Here's a quick recap of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Sarah's rings may have been made for dainty digits,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07but are they big enough in appeal to reach Catherine's estimate?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Hopefully Phil's estimate will steer
0:37:12 > 0:37:15the bidders to a great price for the RAC badges.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Or will it be Libby's epergne that takes centre stage and becomes
0:37:19 > 0:37:21the star of the saleroom?
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Hold on to your seat, because we're going to be finding out very soon.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29The auction is still running at full
0:37:29 > 0:37:31speed, and the lots are flying through.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35We've got four rings we split into two lots,
0:37:35 > 0:37:36as you did at the valuation day.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39The first lot has three rings, the second one ring standing alone.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- But all precious stones, beautifully mounted.- Very pretty rings.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Very pretty rings, and a nice little collection, the first ones.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48So we're going to find out what the bidders think.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Will they sparkle? We're going to put them to the test now.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Here we go. Good luck. This is it.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Three altogether, lot 306.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56150 for them?
0:37:56 > 0:37:59100 to start me.
0:37:59 > 0:38:00At £100.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02At 100. 110 anywhere?
0:38:02 > 0:38:04110. 120 anywhere?
0:38:04 > 0:38:06At 110. Done at 110.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10All done. We need a bit more. At 110, if you want it.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Done at 110. All done?
0:38:14 > 0:38:15Done.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20Unfortunately, the three rings didn't quite make the £120 reserve.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Here's the second lot now. We need the top end of £250 to
0:38:24 > 0:38:28- sort of get us on the way, don't we? - Bump us up.- Bump us up. Here we go.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- Good luck. - 150. 160 anywhere?
0:38:31 > 0:38:33160.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37I'll take this one. 160. 170. 180.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39190. 200. 210.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- This is good.- 220.- We're looking for 250 at the top end on this one.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46250. At 240. 250?
0:38:46 > 0:38:48At 240, front row at 240.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50All done. Finish at £240.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- £240, short and sweet on that one. - Lovely, lovely.- Well done, spot-on.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57- We got there. - You got there, didn't you?
0:38:57 > 0:39:01Well, the diamond ring more than made up for the other three.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Can John's car badges keep the good news coming?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06If you love badges, you will love our next lot.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08They're going under the hammer now,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11a collection of RAC badges belonging to John. It's great to see you.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- These were Dad's, weren't they? - Yes, my father's.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16He worked for the RAC for many years.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18I was just about to say that - he wasn't just a member,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21he worked for them, because that is some collection,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- a comprehensive collection.- There's a great motorsport one.- Good luck.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26They're going under the hammer now.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Two phone bids. Two phone bids. - Here we go.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Lot 130, then, is the RAC badges. 150 for these?
0:39:33 > 0:39:34130 I'm bid to start me.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37130. 140 online if you want it.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40140. 150. 160.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Come on, come on! - 160. 170. 180.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49180. 190. 200.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- 200. 210.- This is brilliant! - At £200, then. It's online at £200.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Against you all in the room at £200 online.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56At £200. All done?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59210 now. 220. 230, then?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03220, still online at 220.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05All done at £220.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09Against you all in the room still at 220.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Yes, I'm pleased with that. You've got to be pleased with that.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15- Yes.- I hope they go to a collector and I hope some of them get put on
0:40:15 > 0:40:17a nice old chrome bumper.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22And finally for our grand finale, that fabulous epergne.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Well, if you want a stunning centrepiece, look no further.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27It doesn't get much better than this.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30We've got a wonderful silver epergne just about to go under the hammer
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- belonging to Rachel here and... Elizabeth.- Yes.
0:40:33 > 0:40:39Wow, I mean, how showy is this? And you put a value of...
0:40:39 > 0:40:41I put a value of £3,000 to £5,000 on.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Since the valuation at Bletchley Park,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44the auctioneer's been in touch with you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46He's now upped that reserve to 4,000 to 6,000.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- So it's only £1,000 different. - But I think it's amazing.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52It's one of the most exciting things I've ever seen on "Flog It!".
0:40:52 > 0:40:54And you didn't put it on a table?
0:40:54 > 0:40:56- No.- You didn't put it anywhere. Why did you buy it?
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- Why did you buy it?- I liked the look of it and it's an investment.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02And then put it in a box. Oh, I see, purely as an investment. You boxed it up.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- Yes.- OK, that's quite clever, but you could have enjoyed it, you know.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08You could have shown it off to the neighbours.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- We're going to enjoy it now.- It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17The George III silver table centre, the epergne there.
0:41:17 > 0:41:184,000 for it?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23I have 4,000 online. At 4,000. 4,100 anyone?
0:41:23 > 0:41:254,100, anybody in the room?
0:41:25 > 0:41:304,100? 4,100. 4,200.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Come on, we need lots of stately homes on the phone now, don't we?
0:41:33 > 0:41:354,200?
0:41:35 > 0:41:374,250?
0:41:37 > 0:41:414,250. 4,300.
0:41:41 > 0:41:444,350? 4,350. 4,400.
0:41:44 > 0:41:474,450.
0:41:47 > 0:41:494,500.
0:41:49 > 0:41:524,550.
0:41:52 > 0:41:544,600.
0:41:54 > 0:41:564,650.
0:41:56 > 0:41:594,700.
0:41:59 > 0:42:014,750.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- It's so amazing. - 4,800.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05It's all gone quiet in the room, hasn't it?
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- It's slowly climbing. - 4,900. 4,950.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12- The tension is just immense. - It is.- 5,000.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14It's the increments of 50. It's very slow, isn't it?
0:42:14 > 0:42:175,100.
0:42:17 > 0:42:195,200 now, come on. 5,200.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I have 5,000. 5,100 if you want it online.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27In the room, then, at 5,000. Selling at 5,000.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29All done at 5,000. All done, finished.
0:42:31 > 0:42:32Well done, £5,000.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- So you were spot-on.- I think it was a good investment.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38- I think it was a good investment. - Very good.- Well done, you.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Well done! And you hung on to it for such a long time!
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- Yes.- And you chose Bletchley Park to liberate it,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46to bring it out onto our show, so thank you very much.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48- Enjoy your new drive, won't you? - Thank you, I will.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Well, there you are, that's it, it's all over for our owners.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55As you can see, the sale is still going on,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58but what a day we have had here. Everybody's gone home happy.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02All credit goes to our experts and to the men on the rostrum,
0:43:02 > 0:43:04they've done us proud, and I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Join us again for many more surprises.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09But until then, from Oxfordshire, it's goodbye.