Compilation - Mount Edgcumbe 57 Flog It!

Hold on to your hats because today,

Flog It is flying around the country,

bringing you brand-new valuations

from the amazing locations we visited this series.

And I'll be showing you around

one of the most extraordinary estates in the South West.

It boasts ten miles of unspoilt Cornish coastline,

56 historic listed buildings, 865 acres of parkland,

and yet most people don't know this exists.

Mount Edgcumbe, a 500-year-old estate,

which quite frankly, is one in a million.

Welcome to Flog It.

Tucked away on the Rame Peninsula across the water from Plymouth,

Mount Edgcumbe is a unique and diverse estate.

At its centre is this magnificent 16th-century mansion house,

designed by Sir Richard Edgcumbe himself.

It was attacked by Parliamentarian troops during the English Civil War,

ravaged by fire during World War II, but it still stands proud today.

It's a house with plenty of stories to tell

and I shall be sharing them with you later on in the programme.

But first, we're off on a Flog It trip around the UK.

We're heading over to Northern Ireland

to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum,

where Thomas Plant proves his expertise in animals

as well as antiques.

-That's a bat. You see the wings?

-I didn't notice it was a bat.

-With his little face, can you see that?

-Yeah.

We'll be taking over the gardens at Croome in South Worcestershire,

where Natasha Raskin found an impressive collection of medals

from a man with a smile on his face.

He was quite a stern man and strict.

-So...

-Really? Cos look how cheeky he looks!

-Yeah.

And we're at auctions all over the country

with some surprising results.

-It's not bad!

-Yes!

-Sold!

But first, we're touching down on the edge of the Quantock Hills

in Somerset, where Crowcombe Court made a spectacular backdrop

for our valuation day.

And first up, James Lewis, with a question for Alan and the audience.

Now, tell me, is that...? What would you call that?

Well, just a walking stick, as it is there.

Is it a walking stick or a walking cane?

-I suppose a cane, isn't it?

-Is it?

Who thinks that's a stick?

Hands up.

And who thinks it's a cane?

OK. A friend of mine has a shop that sells sticks and canes

and he said...

"A bloke carries a stick,

-"whereas a gentleman has a cane."

-Carries a cane!

So, you know whether you're a gentleman or a bloke.

You know from now!

So, why have you got this?

It was given to me by a gentleman

-who was packing up his home to go into a home.

-OK.

So, a lot of stuff went to sales, and this one he gave me.

Well, I have to say, stick or a cane,

-it has a wonderful purpose, doesn't it?

-It does.

Has it got a maker's mark on it anywhere?

Swaine and Adeney, Piccadilly, London.

And this would have been made at the time that London gentlemen

would not only have had a cane, but also a horse.

And if they'd wanted to go and view their horse before buying it,

they would have taken one of these with them

and they would have measured it to the shoulder with one of those,

and it's measured in hands.

And that is a horse measuring stick from the late 19th century.

Probably dates from about 1890-1910, something like that.

-Does it? Wow.

-It is bamboo and that's the root ball for the bamboo.

So, it would've been that way and that's where the roots come out,

which is why it's pollarded like that.

The two best type of cane that you get are either bamboo or Malacca.

So, a good indication of quality.

It appeals to the walking stick or walking cane collector,

but also to somebody who would be interested in equine collectables.

And there are plenty of both.

And also, let's go back to this maker.

Swaine and Adeney are one of the best walking stick makers.

They started in London in 1750 and in the 1990s,

this firm was appointed riding crop and glove-maker to the Queen.

So, it's a good maker.

-What do you think it's worth?

-I've no idea, really.

-We've lost a bit off the end.

-Yeah.

-So, that will affect it.

Even with a bit missing,

you'll get £60 to £100 for it, and I would hope towards the top end.

-No chance of finding that, is there?

-I will look when I get home.

-Have you got an umbrella stand or something at home?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Just have a look in the bottom.

-I will, yeah.

Because that will add a ten.

-All right?

-So, we'll take it along and see how we go.

-Lovely.

From Somerset, we're zipping 450 miles and crossing the Irish Sea,

to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, just east of Belfast.

And Thomas Plant has uncovered some top-quality jewellery,

engraved with a very familiar name.

So, tell me about these lovely pieces of jewellery you've got.

Cos they're all inscribed to somebody, is that a relation?

It was my great uncle and aunt's,

and he bought them for his wife at Christmas, 1945.

The name is a name we've heard for years within our childhood stories.

-It's a Crockett.

-Yeah.

Any relation to the Davy Crockett, the explorer?

-He's in the ancestry.

-No! Really? How fascinating!

What gifts to be given at Christmas in 1945.

I know, they're beautiful, so they are.

-Have you worn any of these things?

-No.

-Not even the ring?

-No.

-My friend likes that one, but no, I haven't worn it.

-No.

So, we've got a diamond, and possibly platinum cocktail watch,

-which is rather magnificent.

-Right.

-Did you wear a watch today?

-No, I didn't, actually.

People have got time on their phones all the time, haven't they?

So, these pretty little watches are not worn so often.

-It's very elegant.

-It is very elegant, isn't it?

And then the next item, which was given at Christmas 1945,

is this beautiful old-cut diamond ring.

Now, this would have been second hand when he gave it to her,

because the stones are what we call old-cut diamonds, cut pre-1933,

in an old style,

so the light doesn't refract and reflect around

as much as it could do.

-But I kind of like them.

-Yeah.

-I really like them.

Both these items here are engraved to your great aunt...

-Yep.

-And they're dated 1945, Christmas.

But they both were second-hand items.

This was 1920s, and this is going to be 1920s as well,

maybe a little earlier.

Now, that's not because I don't think your uncle, your great uncle,

-was a cheapskate.

-Yeah.

He wasn't out there thinking, "I'll buy this second-hand."

-No, it's because in 1945, this wasn't around.

-Yeah.

We weren't making new jewellery.

We just finished the Second World War.

There was rationing still going on.

And frivolity like this wasn't going to be made,

-so you had to go and buy second hand.

-Yeah.

And then, my favourite thing, which is not 1945,

I think it's 19th century, is this gorgeous Chinese bangle.

-It's beautifully chased.

-Yeah.

You've got this wonderful chasing here, it's centred with a bat.

-Yeah?

-Just there.

-I didn't notice it was a bat.

-That's a bat. You see the wings?

-Yeah.

And his little face. Can you see that on there?

-Yeah!

-It's cool, isn't it?

And other Chinese emblems around here, a bit of bamboo,

and a beautiful bit of prunus flower,

and designed all the way around.

To top it all off, it's hallmarked, it's stamped there.

Not a British hallmark, it's got a Chinese stamp to it.

So, when it comes to valuation, if we look at the watch,

I think that's worth between £200-300 at auction.

-Reserve it with about a 180 reserve.

-OK.

The target ring, £400-600.

-Lovely.

-Lovely. 350 reserve.

-OK.

-And it's rather good.

-Yeah.

Now this. Now, I think this is hot to trot at the moment.

People are after Chinese jewellery.

And I think it's good quality.

I think at auction, this should be worth £300-500.

-Fantastic!

-And I'd reserve it at 200.

-Yeah.

So, that's three individual lots.

Three, four, seven, eight... £900 a possibility.

-Thank you very much.

-You going to come to the auction?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, most definitely.

-It'll be a pleasure to see you there,

-and hopefully, these'll do well for you.

-Hope so! Thank you.

What a fantastic collection of jewellery

passed down through two generations of the same family!

That's one of the great things about antiques.

They help us remember the ones we've loved and lost.

This next collection discovered at Croome Court

is a fantastic example of that.

So, take it away, Natasha Raskin.

Well, Mike, what a collection you've brought along here!

It certainly looks impressive.

What do you know about it?

Well, it was actually my great-grandfather's.

He was a member of the Buffaloes.

And it was left to my mum.

So, I brought it here today to try and find out a bit more about it.

I want to make sure I get this correct.

The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.

-Yes, that's correct.

-Now, even RAOB is a wee bit of a mouthful.

-So, shall we just say Buffs?

-That's great.

That's what they're commonly known as, isn't it? Buffs.

It's quite like the Masons, isn't it?

-The Masonic Lodge, the Buffs, as they're called.

-Yeah.

But a little bit less cloak and dagger,

a little bit less secretive about what they do.

Because of course, it's actually all for a good cause.

-It's all philanthropic, isn't it?

-Yes, yeah.

So, do they interest you as the great grandson of Horace,

-I believe, was his name.

-Yeah, his name was Horace.

It's something I took an interest in when we found it,

because of all the medals, basically.

I was quite interested in them, and to learn what they were for.

Because they were obviously some sort of rank or award

for being in it.

Certainly, at first glance, it would appear that your great-grandfather

was quite high up amongst the Buffs.

You cannot have this number of medals, all this regalia,

-if you're just a nobody in the order.

-No.

So, let's have a little bit of a look at this.

Because here's Horace's certificate

-to say he was, in fact, a member of the Buffs.

-Yes.

That all of this was authentic.

Even more than that, you've got a picture him.

So, point him out to me. Which one was he?

-That's him there.

-Oh, he looks like quite a cheeky chap.

Was he fun-loving, by all accounts?

Well, the family say he was quite a stern man and strict.

-Really? Cos look how cheeky he looks!

-Yeah.

He's got a big smile on his face there.

So, certainly, Horace looks as though he was well perceived

amongst his peers. He's got lots of medals here.

I think the earliest one we have is 1937.

And then, we work our way up to all sorts of fancy ones.

Look at this one here!

At first glance, these all look gold, don't they?

When you first saw this lot,

did you think, "A-ha, what a load of gold medals!"

I thought some will be gold, but looking into it,

it's mainly brass and silver-gilt.

Exactly. There is one. I had a wee look and there is one.

Where is it? Here. One little medal here

that is marked for gold on the back.

But apart from that, everything, like you say,

is silver-gilt or brass.

Nicely cast and I think that most of them are by one maker, as well.

You've got L Simpson & Co of London.

I had a look and most of them are by this maker.

They must have got their money's worth out of the Buffs,

-I'll tell you that.

-Certainly.

You're not keen to keep a hold of it, are you?

You don't prance round, wearing this regalia at home, do you?

-No, not even at weekends.

-SHE LAUGHS

No. It was left to Mum.

So, it's been under her bed for 20 odd years, and she said,

"I've got nobody to pass it on to," so she said,

"Probably now's the time to get rid of it."

We know that the Buffs as an order still exist.

So, we hope they'll be bidding, perhaps online or on the phone.

And I think we don't want to kill that competition.

Because if they are out there,

-we want them to come and get it, don't we?

-Yeah.

So, my feeling is that £250-350 would be the right way to go.

It's not giving it away, but it's not scaring anyone off.

-How do you feel about that?

-That sounds reasonable. Yeah.

A fair, to come and get me, sort of...

A little bit come and get me. Absolutely. And what about reserves?

-Shall we put one at the lower end of the estimate?

-Yeah.

I think Mum would want a reserve on it.

OK. So, a reserve at 250.

If this doesn't catch someone's eye, I have absolutely no idea what will.

So, Michael, I'll look forward to seeing you at the auction.

-Yeah, and you. Thank you.

-Thank you.

That's our first three items in the bag.

So, it's time to head off to auction and here's what's coming with us.

Will Alan's horse measuring stick be the first past the post,

or will it go back to live in the umbrella stand?

Will there be a stand-off in the saleroom

over the Crockett jewellery?

And let's hope the ceremonial medals aren't rebuffed by the bidders.

Our first auction comes from Bridgwater in Somerset,

where the familiar face of Claire Rawle is wielding the gavel.

28, 30...

There's always commission to pay at an auction room,

so factor that in if you're buying or selling.

-Good luck, Alan. Good luck, James.

-Thank you!

The race is on. I hope we're in fine fettle.

Going under the hammer right now. Ooh!

We've got that horse measuring stick. I like this. I've got horses.

-You've got horses? You can have it.

-Do you know, I'm not allowed to!

I'm not allowed to.

But you know, I think these are great items,

-they really are great fun. Good luck with this.

-Thank you.

Let's find out what the bidders think.

Going under the hammer right now.

This one, I have to start away at £42, at 42.

Do I see 5? 45, 48. 50 at the back.

55, 60. 65.

70. 70 at the back of the room.

At £70. At 70 now. 75 on the net.

No? At 75.

It's on the internet now, 75. Do I see 80 anywhere?

It's going to sell, then, internet bid at £75.

-Spot-on, 70 quid.

-That's good, isn't it?

Great fun. Just great fun.

Next, we're off to Ross's Auction House in Belfast.

£406...

Will Irish eyes be smiling on Joanne's jewellery?

You brought along some wonderful treasures to show Thomas.

We've split them all up into three lots.

You're selling because they're, what?

-In a drawer, or not being used?

-Yeah.

-Being kept in a wardrobe, just safe keeping.

-OK.

And I don't think it's anything my daughters will particularly use.

No. We're starting with the first lot, which is that gorgeous ring.

We'll get a grand total at the end. We'll add it up.

Fingers crossed, you'll be really happy!

And so will Thomas.

Here we go, this is the first of the lots.

Can we open the bidding, please, at £500?

-Really?

-400. £300, please.

-Oh! That got me going.

200 I'm bid. 220, 240.

260.

New bidder at 280.

300, 320, 350.

-350.

-At £350. Any more?

For the ring, all finished at £350.

Hammer's gone down. That was quick. That was short and sweet.

Someone really wanted it and they weren't pushed.

That's one down, two more to go.

A lady's platinum and diamond cocktail watch.

Nice lot. Could we say £200?

-Got to be worth it.

-It's got to be that.

-Open the bidding at 100.

Anywhere? At 100, I'm bid. 20, for the cocktail watch? 40.

Come on! Where are all the ladies? Where are the jewellery dealers?

-I know!

-There's a few here.

At £160 now.

80, a new bidder. At £180.

Last call, at 180.

We have £530 so far.

We have the Chinese bangle going under the hammer.

£300-500.

Let's see 500. Let's see more.

-Let's see you going away with lots of money.

-Hopefully!

Right, here we go, this is it.

£100, anyone to open for the silver bangle.

100, I'm bid. 120.

140. 140, now any more?

At the door at 160. £160 now.

-I think it's going to struggle.

-£160 for the silver Chinese bangle.

At 160.

Last call at £160.

-Two out of three ain't bad. Is it?

-No.

-530.

-530.

-And you've got your bangle, as well.

-Happy?

-Yeah, why not? It's been a good day.

-Brilliant. Thank you.

Now to Evesham in Worcestershire,

and there's nothing small about Littleton auctions,

which is packed full of bidders.

560 on the internet...

Let's hope the Buffs are in the room too.

So, going under the hammer right now,

we have Mike's great grandfather's medals.

It's a great collection, but they have to go

because nobody in the family wants them any more.

They've been under your mum's bed, I believe.

-Yeah, for ten years!

-HE LAUGHS

At least they're safe under the bed.

-But better here than there.

-Yeah, today.

So, you've decided to let them go, so a collector can research,

find out a bit more about them and enjoy them.

Yeah, so if somebody can enjoy them,

because they're no good gathering dust, so...

We have had medals like this on the show before.

Single ones, belonging to the Buffs. The Buffalos, isn't it?

-Let's not go through the whole name.

-No, we won't!

But I think these will be sought after and they will sell.

Oh, good. I'm glad to hear it.

Because they don't come on the market that often.

-No.

-And I know Mum's here.

-And Mum's over there.

-Yeah.

I can see her there, and she's got a bidding paddle.

You're also going to buy something, aren't you?

Yeah. Enjoy the auction.

Good luck with this, Mike. Good luck, Natasha. This is it.

Lot number 100, ladies and gentlemen,

is the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes medal collection.

-It's going to ride.

-There we are.

Looking to start that at £250.

Asking for 250, room or net?

Looking for £250...

-250, I'm bid. Thank you, madam.

-Ooh!

We're in the room at £250. I'm asking for 260 now.

And it wasn't Mum?

At 250, are we done then?

-Come on!

-£250.

Going once, twice...

-Yes.

-Sold. Well done.

-What a relief!

-That was, wasn't it?

-Well done!

I feel good we don't have to take it home again.

That's our first visit to the saleroom complete.

We'll be back for more auction action later.

But now, it's back to Mount Edgcumbe on the Cornish coast,

as I wanted to learn more about this unique estate's fascinating history.

I've been lucky enough to present Flog It for 15 years

and you'd think by now I would have seen it all, wouldn't you?

But I haven't. Even today, I get surprised by the little corners

of the country we go to and see these hidden gems,

steeped in history.

And Mount Edgcumbe is definitely one of those.

Nestled on the Rame Peninsula,

with only one road and a ferry connecting it to the mainland,

the estate is a stunning mix of coastline,

parkland and medieval ruins.

But most impressive of all is the family themselves.

The Edgcumbes are one of the great families of Cornwall.

They've been here for more than 500 years.

They've befriended the monarchy and represented their country in war.

They've also been caught in the crossfire of battle,

but have risen from the ashes to protect what was theirs.

They're a captivating family of fighters and survivors,

and this is their story.

We begin our tale in medieval England when King Henry VIII

was fighting battles at home and abroad.

The Edgcumbes were military men and fought bravely at his side.

A young Piers Edgcumbe in particular

impressed the King on the battlefield,

and his reward would change the course of Edgcumbe history forever.

In 1515, King Henry VIII not only knighted Piers

for his services to King and country,

he gave him permission to empark deer,

which meant much more than just creating a 200-acre deer park.

It meant the family were given permission by the King

to develop this stunning landscape.

Enter Pier's son, Richard.

Sir Richard Edgcumbe was a pioneer.

He recognised the potential of this beautiful coastal land,

but saw there was one major drawback.

Threat of invasion from France and Spain made it key enemy territory.

So, Richard built defences

where artillery protected his land from all sides.

That allowed him to build a house unique of its time,

a house that looked outward rather than inward.

And this was the result.

A light and airy, more comfortable house.

So different from the typically dark,

fortified architecture of the day.

It represented a more prosperous and peaceful Elizabethan society.

But, more importantly, the house that Sir Richard built,

was the first house in England to take advantage of the view.

And what a view it is!

The Edgcumbes' new family home reflected their wealth and success

as they reached the very highest echelons of English society.

But life by the Plymouth Sound wasn't all plain sailing.

For our next mighty Edgcumbe, Colonel Piers,

the civil war of the 1640s would divide the country

and put Mount Edgcumbe in its greatest danger yet.

Colonel Piers declared loyalty to King Charles,

but just three miles across the Tamar,

Plymouth city was fighting for the other side.

Despite its fortifications, Mount Edgcumbe came under attack

by a force of 300 Parliamentarian soldiers on May the 15th, 1644.

They invaded, they took the family church at Maker

and they destroyed the banqueting hall.

It was some fight and during the battle,

the Parliamentarians lost at least 80 men.

Colonel Piers had a choice -

fight for the Parliamentarians on his land

and see more of his estate destroyed,

or negotiate a surrender that would allow him

to keep his family legacy intact.

He chose to save the estate.

And when the monarchy was restored, under Charles II,

the Edgcumbes were again rewarded with a royal licence

to extend their estate.

Colonel Piers and his descendants made grand expansions.

They invested in a house they believed would last forever.

But come the 20th century,

Mount Edgcumbe would be caught in the crossfire of war again.

In 1941, Plymouth came under attack from German bombs.

Historic buildings were destroyed and an incendiary device,

intended to wreak havoc on Plymouth Naval Dockyard, hit Mount Edgcumbe.

The centuries-old interior was gutted by fire

and the house lay in ruin.

The heroes to emerge from the wreckage

were this lady and gentleman, Kenelm and Lillian Edgcumbe.

They were living in Essex at the time

when Kenelm unexpectedly inherited the title of the Sixth Earl.

And he was 71 years old.

They moved here and spent the next 20 years of their lives

resurrecting Edgcumbe from the dust.

Kenelm and Lillian poured everything they had - financial,

physical and emotional - into the rebuilding of Mount Edgcumbe.

They lived in the servants' quarters

and Lillian negotiated her way around the site in a wheelchair.

The house was rebuilt to the Tudor plan,

but with a steel support at its heart.

The stone from the rubble was reused, and a key piece of furniture

inspired the interior design of each room.

It took Kenelm and Lillian 20 years to turn the burnt-out pile

they inherited back to its former glory.

But sadly, they had little time to enjoy it.

Lillian died the year the house was completed

and Kenelm passed the following year.

The estate stayed in the family

and although faced with crippling death duties,

they did what the Edgcumbes have always done -

they protected the estate for future generations.

The house, and 865 acres,

were sold off to Plymouth and Cornwall City Council in 1971,

so the public could enjoy the estate

and the incredible Edgcumbe story could live on.

Our journey across the country continues

as we stop off at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire,

where during the Second World War, the most brilliant minds

in the country worked tirelessly to crack enemy codes.

Today however, Thomas Plant has found something

a little easier to decipher.

Carol, you have a massive connection to Bletchley Park and these figures,

it's been home for them, hasn't it?

-It has, yes.

-Tell me about your connection first.

My father first came here about 20 years ago on a bus trip

and saw the bust of Winston Churchill in the mansion

and mentioned to them that he had got a few bits and pieces

relative to Winston Churchill memorabilia and ended up

being in the mansion for a while and then moving across

into one of the other buildings

and these young ladies were all on display in one of his cases there.

So, your father came here on a trip and said, "I've got some items,

"can I display them here?" And they said yes!

-And so what we have here is part of the collection.

-It is indeed.

So, this is quite interesting because these have got nothing

-to do with Winston Churchill.

-Nothing at all.

-For a start.

These are German and these are from, all I can say,

from the Third Reich Youth.

The female league of the Hitler Youth.

We call them BDMs, the Bund Deutscher Madel.

These are made by a company called Elastolin

and they're a composite material.

Like a plaster mixed with a sort of sawdust.

They're quite brittle and they've got a little wireframe

running through them.

They're widely collected and they produced German soldiers.

They even produced Adolf and Mussolini and other characters,

these huge displays.

And I have seen them and sold them before in the past.

They also made zoos and they made farms,

they made other things boys and girls could play with.

But these ladies are a little bit rarer, they'd be more interesting.

So, value, what are these worth?

Each one of these figures is worth at least between £15-20.

-Each.

-Oh! I didn't think they would be as much as that.

There's a few which are damaged, the flag bearer, a few cracks on them.

So, I think you've got 13 of them.

You're looking at between £150 and £250 easily.

Would you be prepared to put them through?

I would be prepared to put them through, because I think somebody

might enjoy them because I don't know what to do with them.

Well, I think that's a very good reason.

And if we did get £150, would you give the money back to your dad?

I'd probably treat him to something, a day out somewhere.

-A day out.

-Yes!

Probably something still to do with Winston Churchill tied into it.

Absolutely.

Let's hope it's V for victory for Carol in the saleroom.

Back at Crowcombe Court in Somerset

James has found a set of postcards

with an extraordinary social history.

I don't know about you, Michelle,

but when I go abroad and I go on trips on holiday,

I tend to come back with photographs of my daughter,

or scenes of joy and happiness and beaches.

-Yes.

-And interesting buildings even.

In this first album that we've got, we have got just that,

-many in postcard form.

-Yes.

Interesting historical temples, buildings, dragon walls, China,

Japan, and a really interesting album of postcards of the time.

But here it's not everybody's idea of a photograph album from holiday,

-is it?

-No, I have to say it isn't.

Clearly, somebody was in Japan

on the 1st of September 1923, in Yokohama,

when the Kanto earthquake struck.

-Yes.

-I have to say some of the postcards you've got here

and original photographs are quite harrowing.

They're upsetting, deeply upsetting, yes.

Here we can see examples of the destruction

and it's just incredible.

Trying to search for survivors.

The amount of rubble is amazing, isn't it?

Total destruction. I researched the earthquake online.

It struck at 11:58am

and was 7.9 on the Richter scale, so it was a big, strong earthquake.

And 143,000 people were killed.

Reading about it, a lot of the death was caused through pots of hot oil

tumbling because they were cooking because it was lunchtime,

and the hot oil set light to the buildings

and many people were killed not just through tumbling blocks,

but through whole areas of accommodation catching fire.

-I didn't realise that at all.

-Yes, it's just incredible.

Look at this. You first of all think, "Well, who would want it?"

But historically it's important and there wouldn't have been many people

with a camera taking these images, and these are all original images,

so many of these would never have been seen before.

-Where did you find them?

-They belonged to my grandmother.

She had worked for many years for the Mothers' Union in their overseas

office in Mary Summer House in London,

and the note said that somebody knew of this overseas connection

and had given her the albums,

but we've got no idea who it was or why, other than that.

Well, I think these are historically very important,

I've never seen anything of this disaster before.

In terms of collectors, people love transport, they love costume,

they love buildings and they love disaster,

and here you've got them all.

And with a lot of these I think they are probably original photographs

that nobody else will ever have seen.

In terms of value, we've got the postcard album there

with standard postcards from all over the Far East.

I think there's probably £20 there.

-Right.

-I think in this album, it's not about the money,

it's about the interest.

-Yes.

-But I think there's got to be 60-100 there.

So, if we said £80-£120, would that be OK for you?

-That would be fine.

-I think they are great things,

-I think they're really interesting, if not quite macabre.

-Yes.

We will see if the postcards attract international attention

later in the show.

PIANO MUSIC PLAYS

Well, we have already heard that Mount Edgcumbe

has had an extraordinary past,

but it's also got a great future and helping to bring the place alive

two or three times a week is a man who's making

sweet music on the piano.

Sounds fantastic.

Tony, how did you end up playing piano here?

Well, I lived just, of course,

a mile down the road at one stage,

and we were friends of Mount Edgcumbe.

I saw the piano, Broadwood.

Yeah. Good British piano, quality.

Yeah, and I thought I'd like to play that.

So I asked them could I come in and play on a regular basis,

and so they said yes and I came about three times a week,

I guess, and had a great time.

I bet, I bet.

I can hear in your playing you like your jazz as well.

Indeed, yes. I still run a jazz quartet.

-Do you?

-Yes, indeed.

In Plymouth and around the whole area here?

Round the Plymouth area, yes.

Don't move far now, cos I'm 84.

Really? You don't look 84.

Well, I'm glad you've said that.

-That's music keeping you young, isn't it?

-Indeed it is.

How does it feel to play the piano in such a historic house?

Well, it's such a lovely place to be, a lovely piano.

I've played in lots of quite swish places,

but this tops them all, I think.

Yeah, you're a big talent, do you know that?

-Keep playing here and long may it continue.

-Thank you.

From Cornwall, we're hotfooting it

170 miles north to Croome in Worcestershire.

The 18th-century Palladian mansion was at the cutting edge of design

in its day and now thousands of people a year enjoy the house

and grounds, and Adam Partridge has found a collection

befitting our elegant surroundings.

Diana, welcome to "Flog It!"

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much for coming along with these beautiful

-silver vases.

-They're lovely, aren't they?

-They really are.

So, if you like them, why are we sitting here about to sell them?

Well, I had a massively big birthday and I vowed never to clean silver

-again.

-That was one of your birthday resolutions, was it?

-That's right.

Congratulations on your massively big birthday and I don't blame you.

They're not easy to clean, they need cleaning every few months.

-At least, yes.

-They soon tarnish.

And I am a bit worried about rubbing away the silver, if you use them.

That's right, that's an important point and the decorations

are still quite crisp and nice.

The hallmarks are a little rubbed in places, so I don't blame you.

I use this one for flowers and I loved it for years.

Well, they're a very pretty set of three, aren't they?

Made by Sampson Mordan, which was a very well-known maker,

famous really for inventing the propelling pencil.

-Good gracious.

-Yes, Sampson Mordan

established in the early 19th century

and they made a wide range, not just silver, but the propelling pencil,

and desktop accessories, and cigar piercers, and all sorts of pieces.

But these silver examples are very much decorated

in a bit of an Art Nouveau style, with the embossed flowers on them.

-I think they're delightful.

-What date are they?

We've got a London hallmark on there which looks to me about 1903.

My grandparents' wedding present, maybe.

Do you know when they got married?

-Around that time.

-Well, I would think that's highly likely.

-And what a super thing to get for your wedding present.

-I know.

Too much emphasis is placed on the material value

of the metal these days. People say, "How much do they weigh?"

and then they get their calculator out and work out

how much they're worth in metal terms.

I'm not a subscriber for that at all.

Furthermore, these are weighted in the bottom to keep them steady,

so, even if you did weigh them,

it wouldn't be an accurate representation of their value.

-Any idea yourself?

-I have no idea.

-£50?

-No.

We have some idea then, don't we?

I think £150-£200.

I think that is going to be fairly achievable

and hopefully they'll make a little bit more than that.

-Does that sound all right with you?

-Yes, and a reserve of...?

-A reserve of 150?

-Fine.

-Is that all right?

-Yes.

Thank you very much for bringing them. I look forward

to seeing you at the auction,

-hopefully they will make a little bit more.

-I hope so.

That's our last three items valued and ready to sell at auction

and here's a reminder of what we found.

The figurines have lived at Bletchley Park

for more than 20 years, but will they find a new home today?

An extraordinary set of postcards and photos that capture

a tragic moment in Japanese history.

They shine brightly today, but Diana wanted to clean them no more,

so they're being put under the hammer in just a few minutes.

First up, we are at Jones & Jacob auction house in Watlington,

Oxfordshire, and going under the hammer are the German figurines.

Well, so far, so good. Things are flying out,

there's a lot of tension in the saleroom and I love this.

This is what auction rooms are all about

and going under the hammer right now we have got those 1930s

German youth figures belonging to Carol, who's with me.

But we do not have our expert Thomas.

He is on holiday enjoying a break in the sun right now.

But these are quite quirky,

I like them and I've not come across them before,

so I know there are collectors out there that will love these.

-I hope so.

-There are, there are.

We're going to put this valuation to the test right now,

so, good luck, Thomas, wherever you are in the sunshine.

We're enjoying the moment. Here we go, this is it.

150 to start me or 120 if you like.

Start me at 120. Can't go any lower at 120.

Anybody want them? 120 for them?

-Nobody want them?

-Come on.

Pass those at 120.

Obviously not fashionable any more.

120...

GAVEL BANGS

He's moved on. Sorry about that.

And I am pleased they were protected with a reserve.

-Thank you.

-So they're going to be in a box.

Take them home, OK? Find some space for them.

I might well do.

There's always another auction on another day.

Hopefully, Diana will have more luck when her silver vases

-go up for sale in Worcestershire.

-At £210.

Going under the hammer right now we have three silver vases

belonging to Diana and it's great to see you again.

Now, at the valuation day,

I thought I recognised you from somewhere way back in the past.

Diana's been on the show before.

Now, Diana I think the value is between £200 and £300.

-I thought it would be more.

-Oh, did you?

-Yes.

Crumbs, I was hoping to see you go, "Really? As much as that?"

It didn't sell, did it?

It didn't sell and I had to pack up 40 pieces

to take away on holiday with us.

Oh, no, Diana.

I tell you what, today is going to be a good day.

-I am pretty sure these will sell.

-I don't do unsold.

-Quality always sells.

-He's said that before!

He's said that before!

Here we go, no pressure.

Where shall we go? Let's start 150 for them, looking for £150.

Looking for 150. I'm selling on the net at £150.

At £150. The net has them at 150.

At 150. 160 in the room.

170 on the net.

At 170 on the internet.

180, sir? 180.

190 net.

£200. In the room at 200.

210 net.

And 210 on the internet, ladies and gentlemen.

Are we done then? At £210.

Yes, well done, Adam.

He said he didn't have unsold.

Unbearably cocky, sorry about that.

But I'm pleased, are you happy?

Very.

Second time lucky for Diana.

Finally, we're heading back to Bridgwater where Claire is selling

hundreds of items an hour.

But will Michelle's unusual postcard albums appeal to the bidders?

-Good luck, both of you, good luck, Michelle.

-Thank you.

I think this next lot will definitely not be return to sender.

Lots of postcards,

wonderful with this lovely Japanese lacquered cover to it.

Which I think's a touch of quality, don't you?

-It was really pretty.

-Yeah!

And, since the valuation day you've added to this collection,

-haven't you?

-Yes,

because my grandmother left a little note and there's a dish

that was squashed in the earthquake

and I couldn't find it on valuation day, but subsequently I found it.

Thank you. And you've been the custodian of that.

-Yes.

-You've looked after it.

-It's been in a sideboard for years.

-Yeah, yeah.

At the bottom of my grandmother's wardrobe before that.

Right, let's put them under the hammer and I think

they'll find a good home in a good collection.

127, I have had a lot of interest in these

and I'm going to have to start straight in at...

-..£250.

-Oh!

-It's started at 250!

-Goodness.

At 25. At 250, the bid is up here with me.

Do I see...? 280, 300.

These deserve to be in an important collection.

At 300 with me, looking for 20.

320, 350 with me, at 350.

380? 380, 400, 420, 450 with me.

480 on the internet. At 480.

I'm looking for 500 now.

At 480.

500 I have on the telephone.

Now 50? 550. 600?

No. It's 550 on the internet. Telephone's out now.

Are you all done out there at 550?

They're going to sell.

BANGS GAVEL

-Yes! 550!

-I did not expect that.

Great, great.

And I feel sure that collection will stay as a collection.

I hope it does. It's why I brought them.

Everything about it, even the cover, the added dish, that's history.

What an excellent result for Michelle.

It's not just about the money, she found a rare piece

of social history and now that will be kept safe for ever.

That's it, we're at the end of today's show.

I hope you've enjoyed watching.

Join us again soon for many more surprises but, until then,

from Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall, it's goodbye.