0:00:04 > 0:00:07Today, we are in the seaside town of Morecambe.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's bright and breezy and very cold - not the ideal weather
0:00:10 > 0:00:13to get the bucket and spade out, but that doesn't bother us.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Morecambe Bay, it's a vast area of stunning views.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42It's this natural beauty that attracted the first tourists
0:00:42 > 0:00:46in the 1850s, when the railways arrived and our venue, the Platform,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48was part of that holiday boom.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Built in 1907, it started life as a railway station,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55when millions of people came to Morecambe for their holidays.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59These days, the station has become an elegant venue for shows
0:00:59 > 0:01:02and events like our Flog It! valuation day.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Our crowd's already starting to gather and somewhere in all of these
0:01:06 > 0:01:09bags and boxes, there's some real treasure for our experts to find.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12The lucky ones will be going off to auction and going home with a small fortune.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Who is it going to be?
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Well, stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18It could be you, you, you or you.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21And to help us find those antiques to flog are our dogged experts,
0:01:21 > 0:01:22Catherine Southon.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- Are you selling her?- No.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28I don't blame you. I don't blame you.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30And Charles Hanson.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32I'm going to give you one of my green stickers,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and say I would like to identify these later.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Inside, our dedicated team of cameramen, researchers, stewards,
0:01:39 > 0:01:40are doing their final check,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43making sure everything is where it needs to be,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45and that we have a great valuation day.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47There's not a minute to spare.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- Are you ready to go in? ALL:- Yes!
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Come on then, let's get on with it!
0:01:51 > 0:01:53CHEERS
0:01:53 > 0:01:55While everyone gets seated and comfortable,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58let's see what's coming up later on in the programme.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Charles shares one of his top tips for buying antiques.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04I think it is always right place, right time.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Well, yes. Yes.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Catherine's find brings plenty of smiles at the auction.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11That's cheered you up, hasn't it?
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- Oh, yes.- Brilliant. - I'll come and see you again.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17You should have bought more of them at the time.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20And I discover the rags to riches story of Eric Morecambe,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22the town's most famous son.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- HORN TOOTS - Look at that, eh. Remember that?
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Oh, do I remember? We used to use that as part of the act.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Of course we did. - Come on, do the gag.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30- What's the difference between... - SINGLE TOOT
0:02:30 > 0:02:31- And...? - DOUBLE TOOT
0:02:31 > 0:02:32I don't know, what is the difference?
0:02:32 > 0:02:33SINGLE TOOT
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Well, as you can see, everybody is now safely seated inside,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42so it's time to get on with our first valuation
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and it's over to Catherine Southon.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Jenny, it's lovely to see you here on Flog It!, thank you very much
0:02:47 > 0:02:50for coming along and thank you for bringing along your collection
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- of World War I postcards.- Yes.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56So, first of all, we've got some nice little embroidered postcards
0:02:56 > 0:03:01and these are the sort of things that soldiers would have sent back
0:03:01 > 0:03:03to their sweethearts.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04- Yes.- But who did these come from?
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Have these come through the family to you?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09No, they haven't. When I got married in 1971,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12I came up from Oxford and went into an unfurnished flat
0:03:12 > 0:03:14on Morecambe promenade, this is 1971.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17The estate agent said if there's any stuff you don't want,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21clear it out, but these two volumes I didn't have the heart to,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25because it was obviously a love story between Gordon Atkinson
0:03:25 > 0:03:28to a Miss Gladys Barker.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31So, these two albums, am I right in saying, that they were just left
0:03:31 > 0:03:33in this house that you moved into?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Yeah, just left.- I mean, you've got a huge collection here.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- Yes, all from him.- All from him? - Yeah, yeah.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40- But we know nothing about him?- No.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44So, is he writing these postcards throughout the First World War?
0:03:44 > 0:03:45Is it just for a year or so?
0:03:45 > 0:03:49No, this goes from 1915 right through to 1919, after the war.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- After the war. - So he stayed in France.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54So we have no idea whether he ended up with Gladys?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56No, I'd like to think he did.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57I'd like to think he did.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00My goodness me. Let's have a little flick through.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I'm amazed that each one is written on.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Turn up any, it'll say, "Fondest love, Gordon."
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Wouldn't it have been lovely to know what happened to them?
0:04:07 > 0:04:10I'd like to have known what he looked like, to be honest. Or her.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Yes, but we shall never know.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15But it wasn't just these postcards that were sent,
0:04:15 > 0:04:16it was these as well.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19We've got some which had sort of humorous scenes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Yes, a classic, English, ironic humour.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25It sounds to me, Jenny, like you've had a couple of really good evenings
0:04:25 > 0:04:28sitting in front of the fire and going through the whole lot
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- and having a really good read. - Yes, yes.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34And I'm so pleased that someone who hasn't been connected with these,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36yet you have kept them.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37This one is quite interesting.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41A photograph here, well, a postcard really, of all these soldiers,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45and it says there on the back, "A few of our fellows."
0:04:45 > 0:04:48And that's dated 1917.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- Yes.- I've only known of these for five minutes and
0:04:51 > 0:04:53I feel quite attached to them. I mean, you've had them even longer
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- but you are happy to get rid of them now? - Yeah. I think they can go now.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Well, I think it would be nice to put an estimate on of, sort of,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- £60 to £100.- Really?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- £50 reserve.- Yes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09I hope that there's a couple of old romantics at the auction
0:05:09 > 0:05:12who feel the same way as us and that they make good money.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- Thank you so much. Thank you, Jenny.- OK, thanks.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Time now for Charles to catch up with Len, who he met earlier.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Now, you've brought along two walking sticks.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- I have, yes.- Are you a collector?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Well, just starting sort of thing.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Where do you find your walking canes? Do you go to antique fairs?
0:05:29 > 0:05:30Auction houses?
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- Car boots.- Car boots?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Car boots, charity shops.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36I don't go to pay top dollar for them.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38These weren't from charity or car boots, were they?
0:05:38 > 0:05:40They were from charity shops.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41- They weren't?!- They were, yes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42May I have a look at one?
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- Yes.- What's this made of, Len?
0:05:44 > 0:05:45I'm not quite sure about that.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- Malacca.- Malacca.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- Malacca, malacca.- Malacca, malacca. - And it's a cracker.- Yeah.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Where does malacca come from?
0:05:51 > 0:05:52- The Orient?- Sumatra.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- Yeah.- And they've been making canes from malacca for over 300 years.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01We then look at this handle to the cane and what's really lovely is,
0:06:01 > 0:06:07first of all, we've got these quite obvious Japanese or Chinese figures,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- which are repousse - or embossed - in relief.- Yes, yeah.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And here we've got this Japanese elder with what appears
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- to be Japanese script as well. - Yeah, yeah.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20And what's lovely is a very indistinct monogram.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24And I think it reads HRT.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And that would have been the owner's initials, and that Gothic type
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- of script would date this to around 1885.- Yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34OK. Shall we do a swap?
0:06:34 > 0:06:35We can, yes.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39This one also is beautifully made in what appears to be
0:06:39 > 0:06:43blackthorn of some type, an oriental hardwood, very dense.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And what I like so much is that wonderful colour,
0:06:46 > 0:06:51which has been built up over the oily retreat of sweat
0:06:51 > 0:06:54that's created that wonderful colour, and I love that collar,
0:06:54 > 0:06:55there, as well. Not silver, but that...
0:06:55 > 0:06:57It's got a nice finish to it.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01That serpent just gives it that exotic feel and that would certainly
0:07:01 > 0:07:04indicate to me a date of around 1885.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Were they expensive when you bought them?- No, no.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08So, how much was this one?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Oh...250, that one.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11- £2.50?- £2.50.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- You're joking?- Yeah.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15It's amazing, and this one must have been more.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16No. £2.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I like your style. I think it's always, right place, right time.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Well, yes. Yeah, yeah.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I wouldn't dream of paying £100 or anything like that..
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Amazing. I admire you.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- What are they worth? - I don't know. Tell me.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Well, I would say your £4.50,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34you could multiply it by 20.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35- And a bit more.- Ah!
0:07:35 > 0:07:38And I'd be very happy to put these into an auction
0:07:38 > 0:07:43with a guide price of £100 to £150.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44That sounds good to me.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- Are you happy?- Yeah.- I bet you are. No, well done, you.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50And I would probably put a reserve on, at the bottom estimate,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54at £100 and, hopefully, they might just walk away.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56I should have brought more. I've got more at home.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Have you really?- Yeah. - I can't believe it.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01It sounds like Len could have an auction all to himself.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06Meanwhile, has Catherine found a collection with Eastern promise?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Richard, Gail,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12this is a very colourful collection of accessories that you have brought
0:08:12 > 0:08:15to Flog It! today. Where did you get them from?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Well, I inherited them from my father and aunt,
0:08:17 > 0:08:22both of whom were the children of missionaries in China
0:08:22 > 0:08:25at the turn of the century, through to the 1930s.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27And this has all been then handed down to you?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29It has, yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31And where do you think they got all these from?
0:08:31 > 0:08:32Do you think they got them from the locals?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Yes, almost certainly they were given by the locals,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37who didn't have two pennies to rub together.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40So, these were love gifts to them.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43You've got some really lovely Chinese accessories.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46The first thing one may think when you see shoes like this, indeed,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49is that they were used for children - but they weren't.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52They were more for adults and their feet would have been bound...
0:08:52 > 0:08:53Yes, to restrain them.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- ..as young children, to get into... - To get into those.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57..something like that.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00So, these shoes have all been... They came back, when, in the '30s?
0:09:00 > 0:09:04They came back in the '30s from China with a box full of things like this.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06And this has just been sat in the same box...
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- I mean, have you looked through it as the years have gone by?- Yes, yes.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Yes, we've had Chinese folk look at it and, of course,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14it comes from their history, so they've been very interested.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15Very interesting to see.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Now, this waistcoat here, this interests me,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19because it's beautiful, a lovely colour blue.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Again, it's just so finely done.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24We've got the butterfly there, and the beautiful flower,
0:09:24 > 0:09:25- right in the middle.- Mm.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Who did this belong to?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Probably my father, and we think that and the doll was probably his.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- The doll as well?- They were kept for sentimental reasons.- Absolutely.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- And you've got a spectacle case here as well.- Yeah.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- What's your favourite piece? - I love the waistcoat.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- And you, Richard?- And mine as well, for sentimental reasons.- Yes, yeah.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Well, I think, looking through it, one of my favourite pieces
0:09:45 > 0:09:47are these little shoes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- I think they're wonderful.- Yes.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51And I'm especially interested in these because of the little
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- cat motifs at the front.- They are lovely, aren't they?- Yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Now, do you know why cat motif?
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- No, we don't.- No.- Well, the cat is known in Chinese culture
0:10:00 > 0:10:04to bring good fortune, so perhaps that's why you would have the cat
0:10:04 > 0:10:05on the front of the shoes,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09but I just think it gives them such great character, I really do.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Well, I think, overall, this is a really interesting collection.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I think a lot of Chinese buyers would be interested in it.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Now, it's something that you want to sell?
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- It's been in your family a long time.- Mm-hm.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22It has, but I'm not sure the next generation,
0:10:22 > 0:10:27who live in a different world now, would be interested in having it.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Right.- We feel that some people will be interested enough
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- to want to buy them.- Absolutely.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34I think, let's put it together as a nice little collection,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36a nice group, selling it all together.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38I wouldn't put a particularly high estimate on first of all,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40but I would put say 80 to 120
0:10:40 > 0:10:43as a nice sort of come-and-get-me estimate.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Right.- I suggest that we do protect these
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- with a reserve of £70 at least.- Yes.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51I think let's put 80 to 120, 70 reserve on,
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- and I think we could well be surprised.- I'd be happy with that.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Thank you very much indeed for bringing them along and thank you
0:10:59 > 0:11:00for sharing your family history.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01- Thank you, Catherine.- Thank you.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Well, there you are, our experts have now found their first three items to take off to auction.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12We're having a fabulous time here in Morecambe, but right now,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14we've got some business to do in the sale room.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Here's a quick recap of all the items
0:11:17 > 0:11:19that are going under the hammer.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Will those albums from the bottom of the basement
0:11:21 > 0:11:23get top price in the saleroom?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Let's hope the two walking canes from the boot sale
0:11:29 > 0:11:30run at the auction.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34And those Chinese shoes may be small,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36but we'd love them to be a big hit.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42We're heading east but only to the other side of Lancashire for our
0:11:42 > 0:11:44auction, in the town of Clitheroe.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Our lots will be going under the hammer at Silverwoods,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50where Wilf Mould is in charge.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51The saleroom is filling up.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I'm going to catch up with our owners. Any minute now,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55the auctioneer's going to be on the rostrum.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Let's get on with our first lot.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Remember, there's commission to pay in auction and here today,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03the rate is 10% plus VAT.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04Going under the hammer right now
0:12:04 > 0:12:07we've got two fabulous postcard albums belonging to Jenny,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and we normally have good surprises with these.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- But I like the story that you found them in a dry cellar.- Yes.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Did you want to do any detective work and try and trace families?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19It's typical, it's something you think to do tomorrow...
0:12:19 > 0:12:21You know, tomorrow and tomorrow...
0:12:21 > 0:12:22And put it off and you never do.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24..and put it off. And then, at the end of the day, I thought,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26"Someone will be collecting these."
0:12:26 > 0:12:27I think they're going to sell at £60-odd.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- There's a reserve of 50, isn't there?- There is.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32They're going to sell. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34It's going under the hammer now.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37This album of 292 postcards
0:12:37 > 0:12:42and then you've got an album of 180 souvenir postcards.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47And we'll start these again on interest at £38.
0:12:47 > 0:12:4938, looking for 40.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50I have 38, 40.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Two, five, eight, 50.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Five, 60. Five, £70.
0:12:56 > 0:12:5975. 80, five, 90.
0:12:59 > 0:13:0195, 100.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03And ten. 120.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05130.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06At £120 on the front.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08130. 140.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Oh, my goodness me! - 140 now, if you like.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I have 130 bid on screen.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13140 is bid.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15150 now. 160, if you like.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16At 150 then.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Are you all quite sure?
0:13:18 > 0:13:19At £150.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It's going at 150...
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- Well done. 150, I think that's the right value.- I'm surprised!
0:13:24 > 0:13:25That's the right value.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27That's fantastic.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29There's local history there. There's so much history in those albums.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Yeah, that was amazing though.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Well done, and thank you for bringing them in - and if you've got
0:13:33 > 0:13:36anything like that, we would like to sell it for you.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Bring it along to one of our Flog It! valuation days.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43You can pick up details on our BBC website or on our BBC Facebook page.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45If not, check the details in your local press.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Dust them down, bring them in - we'll flog them.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49That's a great start to our auction.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Can we keep up the pace with those walking sticks?
0:13:52 > 0:13:55I've just been joined by Len and in a moment, we're putting those
0:13:55 > 0:13:56two walking canes under the hammer.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Bought for a total of - Charles, do you know this...?
0:13:59 > 0:14:00- £4.50.- Yeah, £4.50.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- Could you do that?- No way.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Do you do a lot of this, sort of buying and selling?
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Well, I look around shops and see what's going in car boots, yeah.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- And you're always learning and that's the main thing.- Oh, yes, yes.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- We find that, don't we?- Absolutely.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Len's got very discerning eyes so we've gone in quite strong
0:14:15 > 0:14:17with the reserves. I'm hoping we can just hit the 100.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Look, let's find out what the bidders think,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22because I think you're on the money here, I really do.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23Good luck, this is it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26You've got the two items in this lot.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29You've got a very nice root stock walking cane
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and you've got the Chinese malacca walking cane
0:14:31 > 0:14:33with a white metal, decorative pommel.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36And again, interest on the pad.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37I shall start these at £65.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Come on.- 65, 70.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41- Five, 80.- Here we go.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Five, 90. Five, 100.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- They're walking out. - 100 is bid in the room.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48110 from anybody else?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I have £100, two good sticks here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52110, 120.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53130.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55At £120 then...
0:14:55 > 0:14:57All finished at 120.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59£120. Well done, Len!
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Will you reinvest that in some boot fairs
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and some antique markets and some antiques shops?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- I don't think so.- Probably go towards a holiday.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Oh, good. OK. Well, all right. Look after yourself, then.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Yeah, thank you very much.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14No doubt, you'll be back out at the car boots.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15Oh, definitely, yeah.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17When the weather picks up.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Auctioneer Wilf has delivered two great results.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Can he make it a hat-trick with that Chinese collection?
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Richard and Gail, it's great to see you again.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Fingers crossed, OK? It's a mixed lot, this one.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31It really is. I mean, you've got something for everybody,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Chinese collectors, cos we've got spectacle cases, we've got little watches, as well...
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- Shoes.- But everything's Chinese, and we've got a really nice selection, so...
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Yeah, and I'm pleased you didn't decide to split them up,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- and I think the auction has agreed with you, because otherwise they would've done it anyway.- Yes.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48And we're looking at 80 to £120.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Good luck, both of you. - Thank you.- Thank you. - Going under the hammer now.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55This collection of Chinese curios,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59which are mainly silk embroidered shoes for bound feet.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Nice little mixed lot for you there.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06And we shall start this straight on at £48.
0:16:06 > 0:16:0848, 48 and 50 now.
0:16:08 > 0:16:0950 is online.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Halfway.- 55, 60 now. 65.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Looking for 70.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15£70 is on the screen.
0:16:15 > 0:16:1775 now. 80 is bid now.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20£80 - and five from anywhere else?
0:16:20 > 0:16:2285. 90, all online at the moment.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- £90...- That's what we need.
0:16:25 > 0:16:2795. I'll take 100.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- And 100 is bid. 100...- Good. - 110 now.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31110, 120.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33130. 130.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Ooh, it's going up!- 130, 140 now.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37140. Anybody else?
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- 150...- Internet's in on it.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41- Brilliant.- That's good.- 160.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43I'll take 170. At £160...
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- It's a steady climb, but it's going in the right direction.- It is...
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Anybody in the room? All done at 160. Online, then.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51At 160...
0:16:53 > 0:16:54Fabulous. Fabulous.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Well over the top there. Well done, Catherine.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58That's a hard one to put a value on.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59- It was a hard one. - Yes, cos it's such a...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Yeah.- But I'm pleased for you. I think that was a good result.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Yes.- And thank you for bringing such gems in, as well.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- OK.- Yeah, they really were good.- Mm.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10All done at 170.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Well, there you are.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14That's our first three lots under the hammer, done and dusted.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18We're coming back here later on in the show, so do not go away.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Before we return to the valuation day to find some more treasures,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24I want to find out more about one of Britain's biggest comedians,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27who was a Morecambe boy in every sense of the word.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35This modest house in Morecambe
0:17:35 > 0:17:39was the birthplace of John Eric Bartholomew. He was born in 1926
0:17:39 > 0:17:44and he went on to form the greatest comedy duo on British television.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47He was also regarded as the funniest Brit of the 20th century.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51You may know him better by his stage name, Eric Morecambe.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54He took his surname from his beloved hometown
0:17:54 > 0:17:57and he went on to become the funny bloke of Morecambe and Wise.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00How you teamed up first, whose idea was it?
0:18:00 > 0:18:01- Shall I answer that?- Please do.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- His mother, actually.- Yes.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- His mother? - His mother, Eric's mother. - Could take a long time, this.- Yes.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08LAUGHTER
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Tell him the story. And let me interrupt and get a few laughs.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13LAUGHTER
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Like so many people,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I grew up laughing at the antics of Eric Morecambe.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19The Morecambe and Wise Show
0:18:19 > 0:18:23became one of the most watched programmes on British television.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27But how did the boy from such humble beginnings in Morecambe go on to be
0:18:27 > 0:18:30one of the biggest names in comedy?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Morecambe was a thriving resort,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34attracting millions of holiday-makers,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37who flocked to the theatres dotted around the town,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39the largest of which was the Winter Gardens.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It was the ideal place for Eric's talent to be spotted
0:18:42 > 0:18:44at a very early age.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Eric's eldest son Gary
0:18:46 > 0:18:49has documented his father with several books
0:18:49 > 0:18:51dedicated to his life and career,
0:18:51 > 0:18:56including how Eric's mother played a pivotal role in shaping his future.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00She'd seen her husband work for the council all his life and it was
0:19:00 > 0:19:02literally down the mines, or digging roads,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06and she wanted more than just that for her son.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09And noticing that he had some kind of talent, it was worth pushing.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10That's how she felt.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12And that began with talent competitions, locally,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14and he went from there.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20By the time he was 13,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Eric was regularly performing in theatres around Morecambe,
0:19:23 > 0:19:28like this one, in fact. He performed on this stage many times.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32He won so many times that he actually was barred from taking part
0:19:32 > 0:19:36for a short while to give the holiday-makers a chance of winning.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40His natural comic genius soon caught the eye of scouts and agents
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and he was booked on a big show to tour the country,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46and that's where he met, in 1940, Ernest Wiseman,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50who we know as Ernie Wise, another comic genius,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52a child prodigy.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Both men were conscripted into military service during World War II,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58but joined forces soon after
0:19:58 > 0:20:00and started performing as a double act,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04touring the country and becoming known as Morecambe and Wise.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Thank you, thank you. Who's come on?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Oh, it's us. - LAUGHTER
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- Good evening. - All right, darling? Working?
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Oh, you're up there, are you?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Oh, where have I gone? That's the wife.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Eric and Ernie weren't just talented comedians,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22they were bright young men with vision and forward-thinking.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25They realised variety theatre was on its way out
0:20:25 > 0:20:27and television was the future,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29and that's where they wanted to be.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Eventually, in 1954, they got their big break,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38their very own TV series, Running Wild, on the BBC.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Sadly, it was broadcast live, so no footage survives.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Unfortunately, it didn't go down very well.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49I remember all the write-ups, all of them...
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Psychologically damaged...
0:20:51 > 0:20:53How dare they put such mediocre talent on television.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56First man, "Is that a television in the corner?"
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Second man, "No, that's the box they buried Morecambe and Wise in last night."
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Did you feel very depressed afterwards?- Oh, yes.- What happened?
0:21:02 > 0:21:04We said, "That's it, we're not going on television again."
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Our career, we said, is in ruins. We didn't even have a career then.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10But they weren't deterred.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11They went back to the stage
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and carried on doing what they knew best,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17biding their time, honing their skills, refining their act,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and rebuilding their reputation.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Within weeks, they were billed to appear at Manchester,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and they went down a storm there,
0:21:25 > 0:21:29and that sort of gave them their confidence back.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31And they realised for the very first time
0:21:31 > 0:21:33that TV always plays into your favour.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35You can't go wrong with TV.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36Because they were billed as these
0:21:36 > 0:21:40great comics of television, type of thing. So it was wonderful, yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42The hard work and talent shone through.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Eventually, they got another shot at television, and this time,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48they grabbed hold of it and didn't let go.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51From then on, Eric and Ernie really took off.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53And with success and fame came wealth,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and Eric splashed out on the car he always dreamed of, a Rolls-Royce,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00and this is the model, a 1971 Silver Shadow.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Mike, pleased to meet you. You were his chauffeur.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- I certainly was.- Mike drove Eric around in this very car,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08still in pristine condition today.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11So, how did you get to be Eric's chauffeur?
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I got to be Eric's chauffeur when he was at the BBC,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and when the contract was finished,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Eric came to me and asked me to be his full-time chauffeur.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- And you just jumped at the chance? - Almost, yes.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25After about two or three seconds, I said, "Yes, please."
0:22:25 > 0:22:27And then I was Eric Morecambe's chauffeur.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- Can we go for a spin?- Of course. - Along the seafront? Come on, then. - Yeah, yeah.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- Let me do it, sir.- Oh, thank you very much.- There we are.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- Oh, it smells good, doesn't it? Oh, the leather.- You can smell... still smell the leather.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Ah!
0:22:42 > 0:22:43Ah, this is fantastic.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50What does it feel like, driving the car now?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53I know Eric's not here, but do you sometimes think Eric's in the back still,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55whenever you're in this car?
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Yeah. When you drive it, all those memories come back from years ago.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Sure. Every time I saw Eric on TV, especially in interviews,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05he was really jolly and happy and he always had a smile on his face.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07But you must have known the real Eric.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- What was he like?- He always worried about how it was going to come out when it came out on television.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15That was the first thing he asked me and asked everybody else was,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18"Is it OK? Was it better than last time?"
0:23:18 > 0:23:20And that was the pressure, really, of being on TV.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- Yeah, forever the perfectionist. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Oh, yeah, he was his own critic, as I say.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Everything had to be absolutely right.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Eric and Ernie worked incredibly hard
0:23:34 > 0:23:37to make their comedy seem effortless and natural.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40And the hard work and the stress of it all, staying at the top,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42took its toll on Eric.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47In 1968, aged just 42, he suffered his first heart attack.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50It was obviously a massive blow,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53but Eric wasn't going to let it affect him.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Eric and Ernie were now established stars on television,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59and after Eric's health was back on track,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02they recorded some of the greatest comedy ever,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07with the stars of the day queueing up to be guests on their show.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Now I'd like to introduce to you the greatest star
0:24:09 > 0:24:13we've ever had on the show. The one and only Sir Lawrence...
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- Can't come. - LAUGHTER
0:24:20 > 0:24:22# Yeah, yeah, yeah... #
0:24:22 > 0:24:27I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30At the height of their success in the 1970s,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32the Morecambe and Wise Christmas show
0:24:32 > 0:24:34was about the biggest thing on TV.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39An incredible 28 million people, including me, tuned in to watch it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42That's about half the population of the UK.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45It was no longer a TV show, it was a cultural event
0:24:45 > 0:24:48that certainly proved the critics wrong.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53When you're getting in the 20 millions of viewers, you know, it's a big thing.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56People were literally defining their Christmas Day
0:24:56 > 0:24:57on the quality of the show,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01and when you do a great Christmas show, next year, what do you do?
0:25:01 > 0:25:04It has to be at least another great show, if not better.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05That was a lot of stress,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08particularly on my father, because he was the renowned funny man,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11the glue for the show, and he was carrying that burden,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and that was a real strain on his health.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17In 1979, Eric suffered another heart attack
0:25:17 > 0:25:20and needed a seven-hour bypass operation.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- Seriously, how are you feeling? - Great.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24What's the doctor's verdict though, you've got to...?
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Very good. Very good. I'm not really here at the moment, I am a recording.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29LAUGHTER
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- He's going to rest. - I've got to rest.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- For several weeks. - For a couple of weeks, is it?
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- Several.- You've obviously got to take it easy for a bit though, presumably?
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Well, if I can get a bit, I'll take it easy, yes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39LAUGHTER
0:25:39 > 0:25:40Intensive care unit, please.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43See you. Bye-bye.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Eric and Ernie continued to make their TV series
0:25:48 > 0:25:49for the next few years,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51but obviously at a much reduced rate.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Eric finally slowed down
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and took time out to write a couple of novels,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58but sadly, in 1984,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Eric Morecambe passed away after suffering another heart attack.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04He was only 58.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10His funeral was attended by the biggest names of the day.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Ernie Wise, Eric's partner for 43 years,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16described his death as the final curtain.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19Even at his own funeral,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Eric had the last laugh, when Dickie Henderson,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25a friend from their music hall days, read a few words from Eric.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28"I would just like to say
0:26:28 > 0:26:30"that your tribute to Arthur reminded us all
0:26:30 > 0:26:32"what a great comedian Arthur was.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34"And I should like to book you for mine,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36"just to remind everybody what a great comic I was.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39LAUGHTER "Love, Eric.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43"PS - I will pay you when I see you down there."
0:26:43 > 0:26:44LAUGHTER
0:26:47 > 0:26:49And I can remember that day well.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51It was a terrible loss to the nation.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55There was a real sombre mood in our house.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59My mum and dad were really upset. They never missed an episode.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03It was like losing a relative, really, because he was always on our TV sets.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07This statue of Eric was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen
0:27:07 > 0:27:10as a mark of respect to a comic genius.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12People from all over the country come here
0:27:12 > 0:27:16to have their photograph taken with Eric in the classic pose.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19There's his binoculars, cos he was a keen twitcher,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22looking at all the birdlife out there in Morecambe Bay.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25And for me, Eric Morecambe was very much like his comedy.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27He was clean, he was innocent, he was intelligent.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30He never upset anybody.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32He just wanted to make people laugh.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36And do you know what? For me, Eric Morecambe is still doing it.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40In the lyrics of that song that played out on the credits at the end of the show,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42he's bringing me sunshine, he's bringing me laughter,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44and he's bringing me love.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Well done, mate.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48# Bring me sunshine
0:27:48 > 0:27:50# In your smile
0:27:52 > 0:27:53# Bring me laughter... #
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Time now to get back on with our valuations at the Platform.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59There's still plenty of bags and boxes full of treasures,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03and hoping to bring some laughter and sunshine to one lucky owner
0:28:03 > 0:28:05is Catherine Southon.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07John, good to meet you.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12- Thank you.- You've brought along a rather nice diamond cluster ring.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Can you tell me a little bit about it, please?
0:28:14 > 0:28:17I got it from a shop, it was about 30 years ago.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18And I bought it for my wife.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22And was it for an important time in your marriage?
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Not really. It was close to 25 years,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- but I was working away and she wanted a pressie...- Right.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30..so I took her out to the diamond shop.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31And this is what she chose.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34- That's correct.- Was it the biggest, shiniest ring in the shop?
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- I think it was, yes. - So, where did you meet your wife?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- At school.- At school.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41- Yeah.- Gosh, so you've been together all that time?
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- Yeah.- So, 30-odd years ago, this is sort of early '90s, about that sort of time?
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Diamond cluster rings were very fashionable.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Cluster rings today aren't so fashionable, but nevertheless,
0:28:51 > 0:28:53this is still a jolly nice example.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Do you know how many diamonds you've got there?
0:28:55 > 0:29:00Not the number of, but I know I've got 2.19 total carats.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Right, OK. And do you remember what you paid for it,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- if you don't mind me asking? Back then?- £1,100.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09Right, so that was a significant investment, then.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12- That was a lot of money. - A lot of money then.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Let's just have a look at this ring. I'll take it off the little cushion.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- The diamonds are still sparkling... - Yeah.- ..and still look good.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23And you've got here an 18-carat gold shank.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Now, the price that you paid, which was over £1,000,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28you were buying retail...
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- Yes.- So you are spending, sort of quite high value, really.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35And buying from a diamond shop, so you were really paying top dollar.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38We are now talking about sending this off to auction
0:29:38 > 0:29:41and you've got to think that the price will be reflected in that.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44So you wouldn't be looking at £1,000, you'd be looking at lower than that.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Also, thinking about the fact that, as I said before,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50cluster rings aren't as fashionable as they once were,
0:29:50 > 0:29:54I think value on this, you're looking at about 600 to £800.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Ah-ha.- How does that sound to you? - That's fine.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- Are you happy to sell at 600 to 800?- Yes, that's fine.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01We can put a £600 reserve on.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- That would be ideal. - You'd be happy with that?
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- That would be ideal, yeah. - But this has been with you,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08or with your wife, for such a long time.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Why is it now the time to sell it?
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Well, it's time for myself...
0:30:12 > 0:30:15I've got two sons, but that's...
0:30:15 > 0:30:20It gives me a problem, maybe, what son will get the ring.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Right, OK.- And so on, so I'd rather move on now
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- rather than after I've passed away.- Right.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Your wife is no longer with us.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- No, she's passed away, almost six years ago.- Right.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Right, OK. So let's try and sell this ring
0:30:34 > 0:30:37and perhaps, you know, enjoy the time with your sons, as well.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40And hope that it does very well at auction.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41Thank you so much for coming along.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Thank you. Thank you very much. - Good luck.- Cheers.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- RADIO JINGLE: - Loving the Red Rose county.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48BBC Radio Lancashire.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Earlier on this morning, I was interviewed by Sally
0:30:52 > 0:30:53from BBC Radio Lancashire.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58We rely on the local radio stations to flag up publicity for us.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00It's part of the big machine that the BBC have here.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- And, hello, Sally... - Hello.- I talked to you earlier on.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05We're trying to get more people to come down.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- I want to talk to you about Eric Morecambe, because you've met him, haven't you?- I have, I have.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12It was very exciting. I used to be a Tiller girl.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- OK.- Have you heard of the Tiller girls?- No, I haven't.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Well, the Tiller girls were a high-kicking group of girls,
0:31:17 > 0:31:19we were top of the bill wherever we were as dancers.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22And I appeared at the theatre just down the road here,
0:31:22 > 0:31:23- the Winter Gardens...- Yes.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26And we're talking the early '70s here.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29And I can remember being on stage as one of the Tiller girls,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32doing our routine, and suddenly the word spread along the line,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35"Eric Morecambe's in the wings." "Eric Morecambe..." "He's not."
0:31:35 > 0:31:37"Eric Morecambe..." So as the word passed along,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40we all kept our feet going, doing the routine,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43we did the final bar, looked up and then everybody gazed into the wings
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and there was Eric Morecambe, giving us a big round of applause.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49He met every single girl. He was absolutely fantastic.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52I think it was the time he turned the lights on here.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- But, yeah, what a memory to have. - And can you still do the high kicks?
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- Do you want to see?- Come on! - Go for it...- Ready?
0:31:59 > 0:32:01HE LAUGHS AND CHEERS
0:32:01 > 0:32:02THEY LAUGH
0:32:04 > 0:32:06- You can still do it!- Thank you!
0:32:06 > 0:32:08- Well done. Thank you, Sally. - You're welcome.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11I think I pulled a muscle just watching those high kicks.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Let's move inside to a more sedate setting,
0:32:14 > 0:32:15where it looks like Charles
0:32:15 > 0:32:18has found some Eric Morecambe memorabilia.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Ann, I was hoping today
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- to come across something which would bring me sunshine...- Yes.
0:32:24 > 0:32:30And to come across this 1963 season Show Time pamphlet
0:32:30 > 0:32:34signed by the great men themselves, Morecambe and Wise.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35Tell me how you acquired it.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I was on holiday with my parents in Blackpool,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41we were staying at my auntie's, and we always went to the pier show.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43And that year, it was Morecambe and Wise.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45How famous were they back in '63?
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Not as famous as they became.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53I suppose for me, when the great Mr Morecambe died in '84,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55I was only eight.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57- Wow!- So I never got a chance to really see...
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- No.- ..him and his great wingman.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- How good were they? - They were brilliant.- Why?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Because they had the ability to make you laugh
0:33:05 > 0:33:08without having to tell a joke.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10They were funny.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- It was the way...- Yes. - ..they just interacted, I suppose.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14- Yes.- So, this was Blackpool.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17What I can see straight away is here we've got the autograph
0:33:17 > 0:33:20of Eric Morecambe just here, there here is, looking very youthful.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- Yes.- And beside him, the great Mr Wise.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Show Time, a show of the stars.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29It's just wonderful. And is it complete?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- Yes.- What do you remember about the show?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34I remember standing outside, waiting for them to come out.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37It was so thrilling that we could actually speak to them.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- A bit like yourself, you know. - Get out of here.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I'm a humble man. When they came out, what did you say to them?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Just "Hello" and "Did you like the show?"
0:33:44 > 0:33:46We said yes. That was more or less it,
0:33:46 > 0:33:49because there were lots of us around wanting autographs.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- But they were quite polite... - Oh, yes. Yes.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54- They were lovely.- Wonderful.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- So you saw them once... - Yes.- You acquired their autographs.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01And do you feel it's now time to say au revoir to this little...?
0:34:01 > 0:34:06- Yes.- Why?- Because it was in my autograph book in a dark trunk
0:34:06 > 0:34:09and I know there are collectors that will appreciate it.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12There really are. What's this autograph here?
0:34:12 > 0:34:14It's Matt Munro's. He was also on the programme.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16He was really well known.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19- Was he?- He was a really well-known ballader. Yes.- Was he?- Singer, yeah.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- And that's him here?- Yes. - Matt Munro. Wow.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24But did Morecambe and Wise really stand out for you?
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- Yes.- As a talent?
0:34:26 > 0:34:27- Oh, yes. - And of course, what's lovely,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31we've also got here the running order of that programme,
0:34:31 > 0:34:32on that evening.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Oh, it's tremendous. I think it's wonderful condition.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Apart from the back...- Yes. - ..which obviously was stuck down.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41That will affect value somewhat. But the autographs, particularly, are nice and clear.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Yes.- And the fact that you were there on that very night...
0:34:45 > 0:34:46- Yes.- That's provenance.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51- Yes.- And pedigree is so important to say, Ann, as a 14-year-old,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55saw the hands that signed the pamphlet.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58What's it worth? Well, its auction market value today
0:34:58 > 0:35:01is between 60 and £90.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03- Goodness me.- So, it will be a real pleasure...
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- Yes.- ..to give it a send-off.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- Yes.- And with your blessing, we can put a reserve on, maybe at £50...
0:35:09 > 0:35:12- Yes, that's fine.- If that meets your approval?- Yes.- Happy, Ann?- Yes.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- On that note, thanks a lot. - Thank you.- Thank you. Pleasure.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17And finally, it's time now to tick off
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Catherine's last find of the day.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Michael, welcome to Flog It!
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- Thank you.- And what have you brought with you today?
0:35:23 > 0:35:26What I've brought is this Rolex watch,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29which I've had since the 1950s.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31So you bought this back in the '50s.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Where did you buy it from in the '50s?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35I bought it from a shop in Kuala Lumpur.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38And what were you doing in Kuala Lumpur may I ask in the '50s?
0:35:38 > 0:35:39I was in the RAF.
0:35:39 > 0:35:45And I was posted to Kuala Lumpur and I ended up being an instructor
0:35:45 > 0:35:47at Malayan Auxiliary Air Force.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50How old were you, if you don't mind me asking in the '50s?
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Well, in 1956, I'd be 20.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55So this then was a bit of a special thing to then go out and buy.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Yes, I mean, Rolex watches have always been a status symbol.
0:35:59 > 0:36:00Yes, absolutely.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02So, erm, that's why I bought it.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05You're clutching something there. What's in the envelope, sir?
0:36:05 > 0:36:09That's the receipt from the watch dealers,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12which tells you that I paid 200 Malayan dollars.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Do you know how much that was then?
0:36:14 > 0:36:15About £25.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Was that a lot of money for you back then?
0:36:17 > 0:36:19It was when you were on RAF pay, yes.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21- Right.- It took a bit of saving up, yes.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24A bit of saving up. Can I hand that back to you for one second?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- Thank you.- And what's the other piece of paper
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- that you've got there?- This is the Rolex guarantee,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30which has the number of the watch on it.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Now, that's quite crucial, to have the number on the watch
0:36:33 > 0:36:36because as soon as we see Rolex watches,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39alarm bells start ringing straightaway and we think,
0:36:39 > 0:36:40it's going to be a fake.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44But the main sort of period that they started faking Rolex watches
0:36:44 > 0:36:45was in the '70s and the '80s.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48But looking at this, and looking at it quite closely,
0:36:48 > 0:36:52I can see that there's numbers between the lugs here.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57- Yes.- And these numbers here equate to the numbers that you've got...
0:36:57 > 0:37:02- On the watch...- Written, not only on the guarantee there but also...
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- Also on the receipt.- On the receipt there, so that all does match up,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07which is a nice sign.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09It looks like it's been through the wars a little bit.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- But I'm guessing you've worn it a lot.- Well, I did, yes.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15It was the only watch I had and it got knocked about a bit
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and eventually, when it stopped working,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20I decided that rather than send it back to London again
0:37:20 > 0:37:23to have it serviced, I'd just buy myself a cheap watch.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Right, OK. The fact that you bought it in the '50s and looking at it,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29the fact that you've got the numerals here,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31and it all seems to match up, is good enough for me.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33So, why are you thinking of selling it
0:37:33 > 0:37:35because this is so important to you?
0:37:35 > 0:37:36It's got a lot of history behind it.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Well, yes, it has, but as I said,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41I eventually bought another watch and it hasn't worked
0:37:41 > 0:37:45since about, erm... 1965 or something like that.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Gosh, right, so quite a long time. - So it's 50 years since it worked.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51If you are willing to sell it, my feeling is,
0:37:51 > 0:37:57put a reasonable estimate on of £200 to £300, with a £200 reserve.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01I hope it will do very well indeed because it's got Rolex on the watch,
0:38:01 > 0:38:06it's got Rolex on the guarantee, it's got Rolex on the receipt,
0:38:06 > 0:38:08and even on the envelope.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- Yes.- So I'm thinking this will probably do well.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13We've just got to get it to work again.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- Very good.- Michael, are you happy with that?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Yes, I'm very happy with that.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you
0:38:19 > 0:38:21and sharing your stories and let's hope we do well
0:38:21 > 0:38:23with this little gem. Thank you very much indeed.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Thanks very much indeed.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Well, you've just seen our experts have now found their final items
0:38:31 > 0:38:35to take off to auction, which means sadly we have to say goodbye
0:38:35 > 0:38:38from the Platform here in Morecambe. It's time to say goodbye, everybody.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Give that camera a big wave.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43We have some unfinished business to do in the auction room.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45That's where we're going right now,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47to put those valuations to the test
0:38:47 > 0:38:51and here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53We're hoping the bidders simply fall in love
0:38:53 > 0:38:55with all the diamonds in that wonderful ring.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Will the comedy duo of Morecambe and Wise's signatures
0:39:01 > 0:39:03raise some serious money at auction?
0:39:05 > 0:39:08And surely the time is right to be selling that Rolex.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Keep watching and you'll find soon.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13Back at Silverwoods saleroom,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Wilf Mould is in full flow on the rostrum.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18And it's show time, as Ann's musical programme
0:39:18 > 0:39:21is about to go under the hammer.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Now, since the valuation day, you've decided to cancel the £50 reserve.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- OK.- So there's no reserve, it's going. It's definitely going.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- Yes.- Good on you, because we wanted Morecambe and Wise memorabilia,
0:39:30 > 0:39:33we really did. It sums up the whole area, doesn't it?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Yes.- And you were 14 years old when you met them.- Yes.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Well, look, fingers crossed, these go to a good home
0:39:38 > 0:39:40and they're going under the hammer right now.
0:39:40 > 0:39:45We have the North Pier Pavilion programme, signed, more importantly,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Now, who will start me at £80 for this one?
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- 80 from any of you?- Come on. - 50 then. 30, if you like.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- Come on.- At £20.
0:39:55 > 0:39:5722, anybody else?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59With the two autographs on it.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01At 22 and 25 from anybody else then?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03- Come on.- At 22 and 25.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05It's got that local pedigree.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07£22 now, I'm going to sell.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- It's gone.- Make no mistake at £22...
0:40:11 > 0:40:12Well done for reducing the reserve.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14- Yes.- That means we got it away.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Quite right. It is the right place, Paul, to sell it.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- It definitely is.- But the market didn't call it.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Thank you for bringing that in because it made our show.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24We needed something like that, Morecambe and Wise memorabilia.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27It didn't make as much as we'd hoped but it was the memories of meeting
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Morecambe and Wise that were priceless for Ann.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32John, good luck. Let's hope this next item
0:40:32 > 0:40:35sparkles in the saleroom and lights it up.
0:40:35 > 0:40:36It's that diamond cluster ring.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38I know you bought it in the '80s,
0:40:38 > 0:40:41you paid the proper retail price for it. Just over £1,000.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44The problem that we have today is they are just not fashionable.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46But would this be bought and split up then?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- For earrings and...- It could possibly be bought and split up.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50- That's the thing.- Yeah. We need top money.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Let's hope it sparkles. Here we go.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56Lady's 18-carat gold and diamond cluster ring.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Who will start me at what, £700 for this ring?
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- 700...- 700 would be nice.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02600 quickly. Five.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05400. 400. 420 now.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07At £400. 420 from any of you?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09At £400 and 420, I'd take, 420
0:41:09 > 0:41:11for this ring.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- Where's 420 for it?- It's struggling.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14It is really struggling.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- Yeah, yeah. It is. - Are you all quite sure at 400?
0:41:17 > 0:41:19Well, I'm very sorry, folks, but...
0:41:19 > 0:41:21We are not selling it. I'm very sorry, John.
0:41:21 > 0:41:22You're right, it is the fashion.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Fair enough. What would you advise?
0:41:25 > 0:41:28I would suggest just keeping hold of it and probably not doing anything
0:41:28 > 0:41:30with it for a while because the thing is, you never know,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32something like that may well come back into fashion
0:41:32 > 0:41:34but there's a lot of diamonds there.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36And you shouldn't just let it go for £400,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- which is what they were asking. - Right.- It's a nice ring
0:41:39 > 0:41:41and you paid a lot of money for it so I would keep hold of it.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44It was a shame about John's diamond ring
0:41:44 > 0:41:46but that's sage advice from Catherine.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48And now, time for the final item,
0:41:48 > 0:41:52will Michael's stopped Rolex make the auction tick?
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Well, I'm a big fan of our next lot.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I like my watches.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- Why are you selling this one? - Partly because it doesn't go.
0:41:58 > 0:41:59But I got tired of it.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Look, it's a good watch. It is a man's watch,
0:42:02 > 0:42:06but the fashion for women nowadays is to wear bigger watches.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08So there's a big market,
0:42:08 > 0:42:09so I think this is going to sell
0:42:09 > 0:42:11and I think 200-300 is a great pitch.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13The important thing is all the numbers matched up...
0:42:13 > 0:42:16- They correspond.- Yes.- And that's what people like.- Yeah.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18So, fingers crossed we get the top end plus.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- Hopefully.- Yes, that's what we want.
0:42:20 > 0:42:21Time is definitely up now.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23It's going under the hammer and this is it.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26It's the Rolex Oyster perpetual gentlemen's wristwatch.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Has its original receipt.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30It also has its original guarantee card.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33And I shall start at £600.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35£600, straight in.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37700 online.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- 800 now.- Oh, my goodness me.
0:42:40 > 0:42:411,000 on the internet.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44£1,000. 1,200 now, jumping up.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46£1,400.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Wow!
0:42:48 > 0:42:511,400. 1,500, I'll take.
0:42:51 > 0:42:52This is a come and buy me, isn't it?
0:42:52 > 0:42:54It was a bit of one.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56And they are on the phones and they are going up.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59£1,500, on the telephone.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02All done at £1,500...
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Yes! Hammer down. £1,500!
0:43:06 > 0:43:09- Put it there, Michael.- Well... £1,500.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Thank you so much for bringing that in.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13That's cheered you up, hasn't it?
0:43:13 > 0:43:15- Oh, yes.- Brilliant. - We'll have to do this again.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18You should have bought more of them at the time.
0:43:18 > 0:43:19Look, it's a great way to end a show.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22We needed a big surprise and we certainly got one today.
0:43:22 > 0:43:23- Oh, yes.- 200 to 300?
0:43:23 > 0:43:25No! £1,500.
0:43:25 > 0:43:26I hope you enjoyed that
0:43:26 > 0:43:29and come back for many more surprises, but until then,
0:43:29 > 0:43:31it's goodbye from all of us.