Derby Flog It!

Welcome to Flog It!, the show where bric-a-brac in your attic

could earn you a small fortune at auction.

We help you cash in your collectables.

Wipe down those unwanted antiques that have accumulated dust because they might have accumulated value.

Come to one of our valuation days where our experts help decide what might do well at auction.

If they get it right, you go home with the cash,

but if they get it wrong, they go home with just a little bit of egg on their face!

So here's a little sneak preview of today's owners experiencing

the thrills and spills of selling at auction.

-That's a result, James, isn't it?

-That is a result.

-I'm happy with that.

-So am I, that's fabulous.

You can stay behind.

I've got butterflies now! It's ridiculous.

You've really got butterflies?!

There it is, £100.

I am slightly relieved, I have to say.

At least I'm separating you. He's a big guy.

Somebody was punching for me.

Our valuation day was held at the Royal Crown Derby Visiting Centre

where Nigel Smith and James Braxton helped people decide

which of their items might do well at this auction.

Derby has a long history of producing porcelain.

A crowd has queued all morning to get into our valuation day.

Whole families of Derby folk are unpacking their valuables

in eager anticipation of a tasty profit at auction.

Experts Nigel Smith and James Braxton swot up

on their Crown Derby marks.

You've got this very nice copper-and-brass-handled fellow.

What is it and where did you get it from?

In 1965, I was invited by friends to go to Scotland to the breaking up of the Mauritania II.

So off we went on this dreadful day, found the ship.

We were trundling round the ship. It was all broken up - very hazardous.

I couldn't find anything of any use and, as I was coming away, I saw this - all filthy and dirty.

-It had still got eggs in it.

-No? So they turned it upside down...

-This was full of eggs?

-All rotten and...bad. It was black all over.

You couldn't see any copper whatsoever.

-What price did you pay?

-I said, "How much can I have this for?" He said, "Give me 5 shillings."

And I said, "It's absolutely awful!"

He said, "Have it for half a crown." And I got it for half a crown.

We like low prices - it gives us something to move up from.

I'll tell you a bit about it. It would have been the lid of a substantial saucepan.

It's made by...a very smart maker.

Elkington & Co. A really good maker.

Then round the other side, more interestingly,

is Cunard White Star Line, owner of Titanic and various others.

There's a lot of interest in this sort of thing.

-How do you display it?

-It's hung in the hall.

-You have it hung from a handle?

-Yes.

-Very nice.

-Almost double up as a mirror!

-Nearly! If you keep it clean!

-Price-wise, I think it's going to fetch somewhere in the region of about £50 to £100.

-Yes...yes.

With the bottom, it would've been worth a lot more.

The ship's gone so I haven't got the bottom!

-Boxed, is it?

-Yeah.

-Is it spring-mounted?

-Yeah.

It's a lethal thing.

I thought it'd be presented to a gamekeeper.

-That might be his name.

-Yeah.

-50 years of service.

Like the original Swiss Army knife, only better.

-That's right.

-Fantastic.

Great knife.

'I love pieces of treen - wooden objects. Geoffrey has brought James a gem.'

I like this box.

-Can you tell me a bit about it?

-Well, only that about 25 years ago, I bought it in sort of a junk shop.

I paid £5 for it. £5.

I know very little more about it.

It's a good starting block, £5. I think we can improve on that.

It's a very nice item. It's made of Brazilian rosewood.

It's got this nice mother-of-pearl lozenge, that would've taken engraving or a crest.

Moving to the front, the first thing my eye alighted on

was that this mother-of-pearl lozenge is missing.

-That would've been mother-of-pearl?

-Yeah.

I'm sure that can be replaced. But essentially, it's not bad. Generally, they get bashed about.

-Is this a travelling writing case?

-A travelling writing case.

-I see.

-The nice thing about it is the fact that you've got a key.

-Yes.

-Which is a big plus.

-Yes?

Then inside... Open it up.

Very nice interior. You've got stationery divisions here.

You've got your pen well here and you'd have had inkwells in there.

Sometimes, if you open this up and lift up the division,

-a panel springs out and, behind, are sovereign drawers.

-Really?!

So always look in these writing boxes. I've never discovered one with gold sovereigns in before!

But there's always a first time! Still, a nice piece.

What date would that be?

-Roughly?

-Mid-19th century.

-Oh, right.

-So somewhere about 1850s, something like that.

-I see, yeah. That's good.

And a nice piece.

-I think a low auction estimate would be 50 to 70.

-Good.

-I think we could go slightly higher.

-That's nice.

-So if we put 60 to 80.

-I wouldn't be surprised if it went on to £100, maybe more.

-Excellent.

We'll have to leave it with the buying public.

THEY LAUGH

You brought two interesting pieces here, two big names from the '30s.

Most people wouldn't recognise this as a piece of Clarice Cliff design.

It's one of the relatively later pieces - 1940s.

It's not as commercial as the earlier Bizarre pieces.

Clarice Cliff was a ceramic designer.

She worked for the Newport Pottery.

This has her facsimile signature on the base. Newport Pottery, England.

She also designed for Wilkinson's. It's those bold, brightly-coloured patterns that everybody wants.

They are now being reproduced by Wedgwood and other people.

They are very, very commercial.

A simple form like this wouldn't be worth more than £50.

-I'm surprised it's worth that.

-Then we look at this.

This is quite interesting. This is... Do you know what this is?

-It's got Lalique on the bottom.

-Rene Lalique, yes.

This is a good piece of '30s glass.

I'm assured that the model name is Rompion.

It's a model they produced in opalescent glass,

which is this slightly opalescent finish

and in an amber colour.

You have to be wary because a lot of Lalique can be easily copied.

The marks can be copied.

-But there's no doubt this is genuine. What do you think it might be worth?

-I have no idea.

It's not one of the things I would particularly buy.

I wouldn't buy it. It was handed down to me.

It's something I could live with. It's delightful.

It's a super piece, a super example.

-I think we could probably put a value of about £350 to £400 at auction.

-Wonderful.

Hopefully, we're being conservative.

-You're quite keen to flog it on?

-I certainly am. From what you've told me about the price.

That's what we like to hear. We can put a reserve on it.

-Yes. If it's worth what you say, I wouldn't like it...

-Good things make their money. This will sell.

Some interesting items so far.

Let's have a look and see what our owners have decided to sell.

Sylvia's lid might make 50 quid,

but there are no copper-bottom guarantees at auction.

Some people love Lalique.

But not our Jane. She'd much rather have the cash.

And Geoffrey only paid £5 for his rosewood writing box,

so he should be onto a winner.

I undervalued it at 50 to 70. It should do better.

They want to convert the attic.

It won't buy them a window, but it'll get them a few bags of nails.

Just up the M1 from Derby is Rotherham

and the Wilkinson and Beighton auction rooms.

Our Derby owners are joining the trade

and other collectors in the hurly-burly of the viewing

Our Geoffrey has spotted a few nice boxes

and he's sizing up the opposition.

And there appears to be some interest in Sylvia's copper lid.

Our auctioneer today is Paul Beighton.

He is going to assess our owners' items and our experts' opinions.

Paul really knows his stuff

but tends to err on the side of caution when valuing an antique.

This will give the piece a much better chance of selling.

Right, what we have got here is a copper pan lid.

It weighs quite a bit. Sylvia has brought this in.

It is made by Elkington. It is still just what it is, a copper lid.

-Decorative, I suppose.

-Decorative item. She wanted £250 reserve on it.

-You are joking.

-I managed to beat her down to 100 but I still think...

Do you think she was influenced by James because he has put 50 to 100 on it.

Possibly. My estimate would be 40 to 60.

-I would be surprised if we sell it.

-This is Lalique vase.

The pattern is Rompion. It should make 350, 400, 420, maybe.

Nigel said that so he is bang on the money, really.

Jane actually hates this vase.

Given a choice between this and £400, what would you do?

Here we have Geoffrey's rosewood writing box.

Estimate, what do you think?

I think it should do somewhere between 70 and 100, maybe 110.

I do not think it will clear much more than 100.

We have some excellent boxes and it is overshadowed by some of them.

At least it is all original. It looks very good.

That is quite sweet. A little hidden compartment.

That is quite nice.

There is always an air of excitement just before an auction.

And everybody is hoping they can snap up a bargain or maybe

see the bidding really take-off on something they are selling.

And our owners are no exception.

-Right, Geoffrey, your writing box.

-Yeah.

-Happy to see it go or a bit sad?

-A bit sad.

-You'd rather have the money?

-Right.

-It's a pretty box, lovely interior.

-Good patination.

-That's right.

-Good skin, that's what they say in the trade.

-70 to 100?

-Yeah, I hope so.

If it does sell, are you going to spend the money on DIY?

-No, we've seen something we're interested in so we might bid for them.

-That's what we want to see!

-Do you do many auctions?

-No, I've never been to one before.

-You've been bitten by the bug!

-It's quite exciting.

-I'm looking forward to it.

-You can pick up some bargains if you're careful.

Don't get carried away on your first time!

Jane has got the Lalique vase which Nigel is excited about. We think it might fetch £400.

-It'd be absolutely wonderful.

-And you'll buy more stuff with that?

I'm looking forward to doing something on the house, plus buying some modern ceramics.

-Contemporary.

-That's what I like.

Right, straight down to business. First up, Geoffrey's wooden box.

-You want to bid for something?

-Yes. The more I get for this, the more I can bid for the chairs.

-Great!

What do we think, James? 70 to 80? It's a tidy box. It may reach 100.

All that's missing is the escutcheon.

It's got a nice variation in colour and it had some quite nice fittings.

-Good interior and original.

-Original interior.

A nice sized box. Not too big.

-Good proportion.

-Fingers crossed.

-Fingers crossed.

We'll sell it, we'll sell it. I think the reserve's OK on it.

-It won't escalate because there's three or four really good boxes.

-I've seen them. It's overshadowed.

But it might draw in lots of treen collectors who just collect boxes. They might buy four in one day.

-It's got good patination.

-A good skin, as they say in the trade!

A Victorian rosewood writing box.

Fitted interior, green velvet. 147.

That one there? 50?

40? Nice little box. £40, surely? 40 bid.

Bring them in. We've got 50.

Bid's here at 40. 50?

At £40. 50. 60.

70. 80?

80. 90. 100.

110?

£100. Lady's bid. 110? 100 all done. Yours, madam.

-Excellent, superb!

-So you're going to get those chairs!

-That should buy one chair. You've only got to finance the other five!

-He only needs one!

Nigel fancies the Lalique vase, but Jane just wants the cash so she can buy something in modern ceramics.

-We're coming up to the lot number soon. Are you excited?

-Yes, I am.

-Feel like sitting down?

-No.

-Keep standing. Otherwise you get fidgety, don't you?

What do you think, Nigel? 350?

-I think we got the estimate right.

-It is.

-It's got to be worth that.

Whether it's in the right sale remains to be seen, but the market has been strong for Lalique glass.

Let's just hope there's some keen people here.

-I've got butterflies! Ridiculous!

-You've got butterflies?

We'll get you a good drink after. Probably only a cup of tea! We'll drop a whiskey in it!

SHE LAUGHS

-We'll get one up on James here.

-No!

124 is a Rene Lalique Vaseline glass vase.

Come on, come on, come on!

Bid on the telephone...

-We want the money!

-£100 on it, surely?

100 bid.

£100 bid. 120?

At 120. 140. 160.

180. 200?

180 in the room. 200 we need. At £180. 200, can I say?

200. 220?

240. 260.

(Yes, yes, he did!)

260. 280? 260, 280.

300. 320. 340.

-360.

-(It's not going home with you!)

360 in the room. 380?

£360, all finished and sure.

Yours, sir. Number 134.

-Phworr!

-That was excellent. That was good.

-I think that's a good price.

-For something that was stuck on the back shelf.

-Yeah.

You're going home with the money.

-Not with that little object you do not like!

-No. It was only that big.

Now, auctioneer Paul really panned Sylvia's copper lid, but the buyers deliver the verdict that counts.

Sylvia's brought along a pan lid. Tell us about that.

It came off the Mauritania II 32 years ago.

-What do you think it'll get - £50 or 60?

-I'd think it might make something like that.

-Go home with £60 in your pocket?

-I might.

-What'll you spend it on?

-I'll take you out for the night!

No, perhaps I'll take James!

Yeah, he's a cheaper date!

Lot 319 - the Elkington & Co copper two-handled pan lid.

Possibly been silver-plated - early Sheffield plate.

The plate's been polished off.

The bid's with me at £30. Take 5 at £30.

At 35. 40. 45. 50.

That's brilliant!

60 going. 65.

At £60 standing. Take 5. 70? 65.

-It's great!

-Yes, it's good!

75, 80.

At £75 on my left. Finished and done.

That's exceeded our estimates! Brilliant, brilliant!

-That's a result, James, isn't it?

-It wasn't something I expected.

-We were pessimistic about that.

-I was!

-And you're pleased to be rid of it. You don't have to clean now.

-Not taking James out for dinner?

-I don't think so.

What a good start and what a great result for Sylvia,

exceeding expert expectations.

It just goes to show, they're not always right.

Before we come back here to look for more sleepers,

I thought I'd hitch a ride on local transport

and take a peek at the Derbyshire Dales.

BING CROSBY: # How do you face the sunshine?

# Put on a great big smile

# Make up your eyes with laughter Folks will be... #

Ah, the age of steam - it's so romantic!

Railways like this wouldn't exist

if it were not for the commitment of people like Jackie and Jeremy.

I joined them over some Bakewell pudding.

You must tuck in.

This was cooked on the train and it is absolutely delicious.

Do you make it?

No, we have a chef and she makes it.

We do run evening dining trains and afternoon cream teas

and we do Sunday lunches on board right through the year...

-It's like a scaled-down version of the Flying Scotsman.

-Absolutely.

-It does guest appearances.

-It does.

We had it for the Millennium. 2000. It came for nine days.

-I bet that was a popular draw.

-Absolutely. Packed solid.

It was wonderful to see it up and down.

The Peak Railway is a labour of love, isn't it?

All that you see has been done or provided by volunteers.

A lot come from far and wide.

We've got people from London, the South Coast, Scotland.

They come a long way to help us operate the trains here.

It's my responsibility to make certain we get the money in

from every weekend so we can extend the line.

I've been a railway man all my working life. I'm retired.

I enjoy doing the technical side. It's hands on. And I enjoy that.

And solving problems, making sure everything works is fascinating.

Just look at that. Cutting through the limestone hills of the Dales.

-This joins Derby to Manchester.

-Yes.

We have, so far, been able to reconstruct 4½ miles of it.

-Wonderful.

-In the old days, it ran from London, St Pancras, to Derby

and from Derby to Manchester.

At the end of the line, the train had to be turned round.

My chance to fulfil a boyhood dream.

Back in Derby, Charles Bowsher was soothing James with some

nostalgia of his own.

MOURNFUL SONG

-Put people to sleep, this fellow.

-Some of these records.

There's one or two more that are a bit livelier - George Formby.

You've got many other 78 records.

-It plays better with the lid down.

-Yes.

-Takes that scratchiness out.

A good space here to project the sound coming out of here.

A nice piece. I'm sure it would get well in excess of £100 at auction.

This caught my eye. What can you tell me about this? This has local interest.

I was bored one Saturday afternoon and I got on my bike and went to a jumble sale. I was late.

-Right?

-And...they were packing up. And that was on one of the tables.

-I said, "How much is that?" He said, "10 pence" so I bought it.

-10 pence? You didn't knock them down?

Well, I tried, but...!

-How long ago was this?

-Oh, maybe 12, 14 years ago.

It's not come very far. This stoneware is typical to this part of the world.

Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire. It's probably from Tickhill.

It's salt-glazed stoneware. It's nice for two reasons.

It's dated December, 1823, and it has the name here.

Probably made as a christening piece. Salt-glazed stoneware.

-A lovely iridescence to the glaze. You know how they make this?

-Yeah.

They shove a big shovelful of salt into the kiln when it's being fired

and it forms a fine silica cover on the stoneware.

It's a thin, close-fitting glaze.

A nice piece of English pottery that collectors like to go for.

-It's been in the wars a little bit. See, that's been filled.

-Yes, yeah.

Just to stabilise that chip.

There's a tiny little crack. Not too serious on an early piece of pottery like this.

Dated documentary pieces are always popular.

What do you think it's worth now?

I've not really got a clue, not for 10 pence.

I think we can show you a profit.

I'd think, at the moment, it's probably going to be worth about £150. It might make more.

-Oh, lovely, lovely.

-Not a bad return.

-Not a bad return, no.

You'd better get on your bike and go and find a few more!

Here we've got this rather nice Trix railway set.

It's the smaller 00 gauge set.

How did you come by it?

I had it bought me for a Christmas present about 40 years ago.

It's been put away for over 40 years.

-Have you played with it?

-About three times.

-About three times?

-Yeah.

-It's a nice lot.

Got some nice goods vehicles. Here we are - Charringtons.

We've got here the Shell Lubricants Oil vehicle.

And these coaches.

This coach - does it do anything?

It's got lights at the side and they both light up.

It lights up in the interior and also has these bull's-eye lights and they light up as well.

It's nice to have safe travel.

The only problem I see,

regrettably, is the locomotive has suffered some damage.

You didn't have a tantrum and stamp on the locomotive?

The bogies are off, unfortunately.

And I think that's the first thing they'll look at - the locomotive.

Once they've registered that it's damaged,

-they'll appraise the others with a slightly different eye.

-Yeah.

Do you have any idea of its value?

It's worth over £100, I'd say.

I'm going to poor cold water on that valuation.

With the damage and other items, I'm going to be cautious.

I think we should put £40 to £60 on it.

I think, had it been Hornby, a lot more.

-Yeah.

-Are you happy to go ahead at 40 to 60?

-Yeah.

Good. I'm sure I'll be wrong and you'll be right about the £100.

And I will have learnt a lesson.

-Any ideas about what you'll do with the money?

-No. It'll just go towards the holidays.

If my valuation comes in, you'll get to the Isle of Wight.

If yours, hopefully you'll get slightly further afield!

We said we'd see some Derby today.

-This is a particularly nice plate. Do you know anything about this?

-No, except that it was of Derby.

We used to live near there.

-I've only been here 50 years - in Derby.

-The view is of Derby.

-It's says "Derby from the meadow".

-Yes, yes.

-So it's a view of Derby

-Here you've got...

-The silk mill.

-..the chimney from the silk mill.

-What's this?

-I have forgotten what that one is.

-That's the cathedral.

-It's a lovely pattern.

-The other one's the ice factory.

The red brick building, that's the ice factory.

This is just the old bridge that used go over the weir.

-Is it?

-None of those, except the cathedral...

-That's still there, but everything else has gone.

-It's now all completely...

-It's a lovely piece.

It's not the earliest piece of Derby we hope to find.

It's the Stevenson Hancock period.

It's signed here E Prince - Edwin Prince, I believe.

Turn it over, here's the mark.

It's similar to the early Duesbury Derby marks.

The crown, crossed batons, and scrip "D" mark. Here, SH is for Stevenson Hancock or Samson Hancock.

-When you look in books, it never tells you that.

-No.

This is going to be around about 1880, 1890, I would think.

It's from a dessert service. There'd be 18 pieces.

The actual pattern of the plate is from an earlier period.

This shape of plate goes back into the 1820s.

-So there's more around?

-Somewhere. You haven't got them at home?

-No!

Different views. They won't have the same view.

-Any idea of what it's worth?

-No, sorry.

-You must have an inkling.

I thought it was a pretty plate which I've had all these years. It's time to sell some things.

-Or have them valued to see what they're worth.

-Right.

-We tend to be quite conservative, but I would have thought about £300 or £400.

-Mmm.

Is that disappointing or is that...?

-No, not really.

-Uh-hm.

Are you tempted to flog it?

-Yes.

-What'll you do with the money?

I thought I would save some of it. I've got a handicapped son.

-That'd be put in something or other for him for later on in life.

-That's a lovely idea. I hope it does well.

Thank you ever so much. That's lovely.

-Which do you think is the more valuable of the two?

-This one.

You're right. Very nice porcelain plaque.

That etching of the old lady - not as popular.

I think the market tends to love a younger lovely

more than an older lovely.

-An etching - I think we can ignore that.

-Oh, right.

Let's concentrate on the principle item here.

Tell me, has it been in the family long?

No, I bought it at an antique shop about 20 years ago, I think.

-How much did you pay for it? Do you remember?

-Very little.

-Under

-£5. Under £5.

I think it's a very nice item. Porcelain plaque.

The famous maker was KPM. KPM plaques are very sought after.

It'd be interesting to take this out of its mount, see if there's anything on the back.

-Have you ever taken it out of the frame?

-Once. I don't think it's signed.

-Unsigned. Shame.

It's a lovely subject matter. This lovely lady reading her book. Victorians loved a hint of nudity.

Unfortunately, slightly dragged down, I think, by the skull.

It would've been far nicer to have had a cherub supporting that book. Nicely framed.

Nice contemporary frame.

I think, price-wise,

you're probably looking at anywhere between £250 to £350.

-Not a bad investment from the £5.

-No.

-Not really.

-Is it something you want to sell?

-Yes, that's fine.

-Any ideas what you might spend the money on?

-We'll buy something again that we like.

You'll be ahead of the market again!

Mrs Thorpe's keeping Nigel busy with some more Crown Derby.

You've got one or two other items. I like him. Do you know who he is?

-Mr Syntax, I think.

-Dr Syntax.

He's one of a series of figures that Derby made

really from the early 19th century.

-I like that he's reading to the ducks.

-I think it's called "Reading To Ducks".

If you look at the book here, he's drawing the ducks, he's doing a drawing in pencil.

There's damage on his pencil. There's a piece missing.

-It's not too serious. The end of his pencil's knocked off.

-I see.

Not terribly important.

These are after engravings by Thomas Rowlandson,

who did cartoons in the late-18th/early-19th century.

He did a whole series of the adventures of Dr Syntax.

Here he is reading to ducks.

-I'd never heard of him.

-We come across him quite a bit. He comes in painted designs on porcelain.

But Derby made this series of figures.

Again, turning it over,

a Stevenson Hancock mark there so it's hard to date exactly

because they made things over quite a long period, but I'd think it's late-19th/early-20th century.

-Any idea what he might be worth?

-No.

-About £25?

-I think he's going to make more than that. I would say £80 to £100, at least.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-That's lovely.

-He's quite a jokey character. People like to collect them.

I think he'll do well.

-Finally, we have this fellow.

-He's a bit ugly.

-He is a bit.

He's from the same sort of period, but he's from a pair.

He's called the Crying Philosopher. He's a bit downcast and miserable.

-Yes.

-He's got a similar sort of mark. In red, this time.

This would be made in the second half of the 19th century.

That's going to be worth... £70 to £100.

-Oh, that's grand.

-You're going to amass some money.

-That's really nice.

-Shall we put him in, as well?

-Yes, please.

-Good.

-Yes.

-It'll swell the coffers a bit.

-Yes.

-Excellent.

While Nigel waxed lyrical about 19th-century Crown Derby,

I popped into the factory to find it is all still hand decorated today.

Now, I'm used to dealing with big chunks of oak,

so I don't necessarily have the delicate touch required

to paint gold onto porcelain. But I had a go anyway.

-Do you want to have a go at this plate?

-I would love to, please.

Oh, it is all over the place.

Now this is a porcelain plate, or it will be,

when Mark here has finished with it.

It looks easy, doesn't it?

I like the bit where he throws it on there

because it looks like a pizza base.

'While Mark churned out the plates,

'Stella filled me in on the materials being used.'

Where does the clay come from?

We actually use a mixture of bone, clay and stone.

The clay component comes from Cornwall.

-That is the finest clay in the world.

-St Austell.

-That is right, yes.

-The china clay pits there.

-Yes.

-He is making a fine job of that, isn't he?

-That's right.

Mark has been training for several years now.

It takes at least a year to become a proficient plate maker.

And what is his output per day?

It depends on the size of the plate or the dish.

-But approximately 150 to 200.

-That is a lot of plates actually.

It is, yes. Considering it is such a hand skill, there is

very little automation involved in it.

Just the turning of the turntable there.

So, yes, he has to work very hard.

He is very fast and he's very good at it as well, isn't he?

I was expecting so much more mess.

It could be arranged, make the turntable go faster!

The saleroom in Rotherham is teaming with browsers.

Paul will be wielding his hammer with wit and repartee, as he puts our lots to the floor.

Don't lose it for a tenner!

Let's see what he thinks of our remaining lots.

Charlie, wonderful character, bought this for 10p in a jumble sale. Rode to it on his bike.

It might just get away at 100.

It's nicely inscribed. There's a couple of chips.

It's been restored. It might get there.

Here's Ian's train set.

-Our expert, James, said 40 to 60.

-I would think he's about there.

I think that's quite cheap. It is collectable. I think one carriage is worth £20.

-It's not had a calm life, it's a bit rusty, a bit tired.

-It's got its original boxes.

-Which is good.

-It might run away. You never know.

-It might run away!

Lot 201. A porcelain plaque.

Quite excited about this. It might do well. I'd estimate between 300, 400. Might even top 450.

-She's lovely.

-She's beautiful! But it's not for me. That skull really puts me off the picture.

There's probably some lesson to be learned from it.

Here we have Mrs Thorpe's Royal Crown Derby figure.

-The Crying Philosopher. He's broken his pipe.

-That's why he's crying.

It should make 80 to 100, maybe 110, 120.

-That's more than Nigel thought.

-It should do all right.

-I'm pleased.

Here we have Mrs Thorpe's Royal Crown Derby plate. Nigel's put a value on it of £300 to £400.

Nice plate. Painted by Edwin Prince, a popular artist.

I'd think it's probably going to do 350, 450. End up in the middle.

-That's excellent. Very decorative. I like the scalloped edge. Nice gilding.

-A lot of interest in it.

-Another Royal Crown Derby figure.

-It's Dr Syntax.

-He should make 60 to 80, maybe 90.

-That's about what Nigel said, too.

That's absolutely brilliant. If Paul is right, Mrs Thorpe could make £600 to £700.

As the auction looms closer, buyers give the lots one final inspection.

Most of our owners are here soaking up the atmosphere.

It's wonderful to see Charlie in a natty suit, as well.

-You're wonderfully turned out for this auction.

-I try to do my bit.

-Dressed up for the occasion.

-Yeah, dressed up.

-Are you excited?

-This is a suit from a jumble sale.

-You are joking!

-I'm not at all!

-Another 10p investment?

-No, no, no. I had to go a bit higher. 50 pence for the suit.

-Did you try knocking them down?

-Not this time. I thought "Well, I like it. I'll pay the money."

-129.

-If it does reach its reserve and sells, what will you spend the money on?

I was thinking of changing my bike, buying another bike, so I can get to the jumble sales a bit earlier.

-Great! Go for one with gears!

-There's got to be gears on it!

There has been a lot of interest in Mrs Thorpe's plate. Will that interest translate into bids?

-Are you excited?

-Very excited. It's fabulous!

-Tense, isn't it?

-It is.

-It's a really nice plate.

Nigel thinks it'll exceed 300. We don't want to sell if not.

If it doesn't make 300, I wouldn't let it go. But there's a lot of serious Derby collectors in here.

It's a good thing.

-If it doesn't...

-How long have you had it?

-A long time.

-Sad to see it go?

-Yes and no. You only leave it in the cabinet, don't you?

-Yes.

-Collecting dust.

-This is fabulous.

-Do you come to many auctions?

-Never been before.

-Let's hope you come to a lot more.

-Two more lots to go.

-Yes.

Lot 90. Royal Crown Derby plate.

-This is it.

-Come on!

View of Derby painted by Edwin Prince.

Nice little lot. Bids with me straight in at £300.

Take 20. 320.

320. 340. 360.

380. 400. 420. 440.

I'm out at 440. 460, will you?

£440 bid there.

440 all done.

-£440! That's fantastic, isn't it?

-Didn't expect it to be that much!

-You were right on.

-I'm happy.

-So am I! That's fabulous!

-Let's hope the next lots you've got coming up...

-Two ornaments.

I don't suppose I'll get much, but it's nice!

That's a sizeable sum Mrs Thorpe has raised for her son already and she still has the figures to come.

Ian's hoping his train set will pay for an away day.

-The aim is to delight the client.

-A big guy so he needs delighting!

We've got 30 to 40 on it as the estimate.

Some of the condition isn't bright, but it's balanced with the fact that there's a few boxed items.

-Is this going to bring back any childhood memories?

-No. I don't think so.

-Sick of it?

-Sick of it, yeah. Collecting dust.

-You didn't have a sneaky little play with it last week?

-No.

-Set it up for one last chug around?

No, just get rid of it.

£180 all finished and sure. Number 10.

-Getting excited, Ian?

-Yeah... SPEECH DROWNED OUT

I must say, Ian, I'm absolutely petrified!

-It's a big house.

-Yeah, we've got a good crowd. We've got something between 100 and 150 people here.

A collection of OO gauge Trix electric train set. Largely boxed. Good little lot.

Start me at 50. Bids at £40? 5 with you.

55. 60. 65.

70. 75. At £70, my bid. 5, will you?

At £70. Finished with it?

-Happy?

-Yeah, very happy.

-Good. I'm slightly relieved.

-Yes, I bet! He's a big guy!

-Better than what you estimated.

-Double the estimate, which is great.

-Everyone's a winner now.

That's the good thing about a low estimate. Everybody knows it's here to sell, so it encourages people.

-They bid each other up.

-Yeah.

-INAUDIBLE COMMENT

It's great to see a happy customer on Flog It! There is nothing wrong with having fun at an auction.

Mrs Thorpe's back. Let's hope her luck continues.

-Hopefully, you're on a roll. Two more lots - not far away.

-No.

-First is the Crying Philosopher.

- 24, 26, 28... - His head goes like a spring!

-Fascinating, it really is.

-You'll be going to auctions every week now.

-Oh, it's really fascinating.

-Getting excited?

-Yeah, I like it, the way they're going backwards and forwards. Amazing!

You'll need a van for all the cash.

160. A small Stevenson Hancock Royal Crown Derby figure.

It's the Crying Philosopher.

Good lot. Give me 50. 40.

20.

No Derby buyers in? £20 bid.

£20. 30, can I say? At 30.

-30. 40. 50.

-(Yeah!)

-60? £50 on my right.

Will you at £50? 60.

70. 80? At £70, the bid's on my right.

80 will you? At £70 all done and sure.

-Not bad!

-It's not bad! It's what we thought.

-A bit disappointing.

-It's OK.

-I'm not disappointed.

-Next figure.

Same period. Start me at 40.

£40. 30, then. Let's get on. 20.

20 bid. 30 now. 40.

50. 60. 70.

£60 on my right. 70? £60. 5.

70? 75. Lost you.

-£70. 75?

-(Yes!)

£70 on my right. All done.

-Brilliant!

-Two for 70. Not bad.

-It nearly met the estimate.

-Yeah, that's about right.

-That's super!

-You sold all three things.

-I know. Isn't that lovely?

-Excellent!

That's £580 in total for Mrs Thorpe

and, once she's paid the seller's commission, she'll have just over £500 for her handicapped son.

Next, something James has been looking forward to.

We're here with Mrs Boyle's plaque. She's got flu. We'll try to sell it for her and cheer her up.

We'll try and give her some good news. They've given it a slightly higher estimate.

-We put 250, 350 on it.

-They've gone for 3 and

-4. 300 to 400.

-I hope they haven't put anyone off. She's an attractive lady.

-Beautiful.

-Lovely assets!

-Lovely assets, scantily clad, which always helps!

The skull does put me off. I would not like to buy it. It's macabre.

201 is a KPM Berlin painted porcelain plaque

depicting a young maiden reclining and reading a book.

-That's good.

-There it is. Nice lot.

Would you please start me 200? £200 on it.

-£100, then.

-Let's get on. Start where you wish. 50.

Bid 60. 80. 100.

120? £100. The bid's there. 120?

-120. 140.

-(Bidder on the left.)

-120 in the room.

140. 160. 140. 160.

180. 200. 220.

240. 260. 280. 300.

-(Good man! Yes!)

-280. 3, will you?

At 280 at the back. £300? Running at 280.

-300. 320.

-(Good! Excellent!)

-360.

340. The bid's there. 360. 380.

At £360, on the left, if you've finished...

Number 3. Thank you, sir.

-Good result. You're happy with that, aren't you?

-I'm pleased with 360.

We had 250 to 350 on it, so we've just gone over the top estimate.

-Hopefully, she'll be pleased.

-I think so. I was apprehensive. The skull does put people off.

But Mrs Boyle will be sitting at home chuffed to bits.

The final lot of the day is Charlie's. Fingers crossed.

-Charlie, are you getting excited?!

-A bit!

-We're about four lots away. There's a lot of tension here.

-What do you think, Nigel? £100?

-It should make it. In the right sale. It's a rare thing.

It's a rare piece of pottery, but you never know.

-It's a mixed sale...

-What I want is two people that want it.

-Yes...

-Two - that's all you need.

-Then it'll run.

-One person can't run!

-Of course he couldn't!

380? At £360, on the left, if you've all finished...

Thank you.

-Got a strong heart? This could get too exciting!

-I've got a wonderful heart. Wonderful blood pressure.

The doctor told me, when he told my blood pressure...

He said "Do you know, Charlie, I hope as I've got your health when I'm your age."

-Did you tell him you were coming along to a live auction?

-No, no!

He'll know, he'll know I'm in it.

-73 is a salt-glazed loving cup.

-(Here we go!)

It's inscribed, "JR. December 12th, 1823."

Puts some age on it. There it is. Nice little lot.

Stand me £50? 40?

20? 20 bid. 30?

£20. 30 now. 40. 50.

60. 70. 80.

90? £80. The bid's there. 90, will you? 90.

100. 110. £100 on my right.

110, can I say? 110.

120. 130.

£120. Is it yours, Richard? 130.

-140. 150.

-(This is great, this is going well!)

It goes to Richard at 140. Don't lose it for a tenner.

140. If you're finished and sure.

-Brilliant! Great! Well done, Nigel!

-That's unusual!

It is, actually!

Glad somebody was punching for me!

-I hope it wasn't too stressful on the ticker!

-No!

-Thanks, Nigel.

-Very pleased with that.

-We've done well.

'A brilliant auction - no nasty surprises and a few good ones.

'Mrs Thorpe couldn't have imagined she'd be raising over £500 when she came to the valuation day.

'The Allens rounded off a perfect day

'by bidding successfully for their chairs.'

On the whole, it was a good day. Hope you've enjoyed it and you'll join us again soon on Flog It!

-Good afternoon. Mrs Boyle? It's the Flog It crew here.

-Oh, yes?

-You were poorly on the day of the auction, but this cheque should cheer you up. For £360.

-Oh, super!

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH