0:00:34 > 0:00:38Today, Flog It! is in Colchester - Britain's first Roman city.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Can we dig up some treasures here?
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- I've never seen one as big as that. - I bet you haven't!
0:00:48 > 0:00:51We can go and spend some more!
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Yes!
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Bid. Are you all done?
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Before all that, let's get to the valuations
0:01:03 > 0:01:08with today's experts, Mark Stacey and Will Axon.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Will is an auctioneer from Cambridge and he's the new kid.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Check the size of that queue out.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18The doors have just opened, so the queue's on the move now.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21We've got our work cut out.
0:01:25 > 0:01:31Looking at this crowd and their collectables, we should be in for a cracking day.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Let's kick off the proceedings with Mark Stacey.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- Hello, Georgina and Mary.- Hello.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41What an interesting item. It's not yours, is it, Georgina?
0:01:41 > 0:01:46- No. It belongs to a friend. - What do you know of the history?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48I know that she's had it for some time
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and it's come to her through her family.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Apart from that, I know nothing.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59It's a very interesting box - this year, particularly -
0:01:59 > 0:02:02because it's a little brass box
0:02:02 > 0:02:05made to commemorate the death of Admiral Lord Nelson
0:02:05 > 0:02:08after the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And it's the bicentenary this year,
0:02:11 > 0:02:16so if you're going to sell Nelson memorabilia, this is the year to sell it.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20It's very nicely made. We have a portrait or Lord Nelson.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Then we have a nice classical Greek key border going around it.
0:02:25 > 0:02:31Then on the bottom, we have "Conqueror" and the various battles.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Copenhagen...as well as Trafalgar, of course.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Then "Where the glorious fell".
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Hidden underneath, we have a maker's initial,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45which is "M & P Fechet".
0:02:45 > 0:02:51They were specialists in making medals and novelty items for the military.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55One of their designers became the chief dyer at the Bank of England.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58They're very well-known for this type of thing.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04Several of their works are on display in the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06A very interesting object.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09We've got a piece of period Nelson memorabilia here.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11I think your friend will be excited.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- You phoned to tell her I was interested.- I did. - What was her reaction?
0:03:16 > 0:03:19She was quite excited, yes.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24She would be happy for it to be sold - to go to a collector, hopefully.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- So she wants to flog it? - I think so.- Fantastic.
0:03:27 > 0:03:33I like the idea of a collector owning this - somebody who will appreciate it.
0:03:33 > 0:03:39- I think so. Quite a lot of people collect boxes anyhow. - Absolutely.- Small things.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44And particularly military history. Let's get on to the price.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49I think we should put a wide estimate on it of £100-£200.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I think there will be a lot of interest in it.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55We'll put a reserve of £100.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59But I have a feeling there'll be a battle over this.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03Hopefully it'll go for more.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Michael, good morning. What have you brought in for us?
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Well, I've got two Battle of Britain Dinky toys
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and two Schuko motor cars.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And these are yours, are they?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21No. They were given to my smallest brother,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23but my mother's had them for ages
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and she's more or less ordered me to sell them.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- Without him knowing? - No. I expect he does.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32He'll soon find out when he watches.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Well, we've got two Dinky aeroplanes here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Obviously, by the box, Battle of Britain.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41These were produced in 1969,
0:04:41 > 0:04:47shortly before Dinky were taken over by Airfix and the quality somewhat slumped.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53So these are nice quality. Nice crisp moulding and good colours.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58We've got the English Spitfire - obviously for the Battle of Britain.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00The most important plane involved.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Then we've got the German aeroplane.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07A nice little touch is the addition of the dropping bomb.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11That's a nice touch. Nice you've still got that piece.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14It hasn't been lost, as a lot do when they're played with.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19Then at the front we've got the die-cast Schuko micro-racer,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23probably dating from the 1960s.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Then we've got the late '50s Schuko car with a rather nice touch...
0:05:27 > 0:05:29SQUEAKING
0:05:29 > 0:05:31With the little horn.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Have you had these valued before?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36No. No idea at all.
0:05:36 > 0:05:42Well, with collectable toys, condition is of primary importance
0:05:42 > 0:05:46and these are in reasonable condition - I wouldn't say mint.
0:05:46 > 0:05:52They haven't been thrown out of a bedroom window to re-enact the Battle of Britain.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56I think, in the present market,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59if you sold them as a combined lot,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03you should be putting a figure of £60-80 on them at auction.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10The sale isn't a specialist collectors' sale, but there will be interest,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14especially with the Schuko and the planes having original boxes.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19They should still find buyers in an antiques sale.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24So if you're happy with an estimate of £60-80 as a combined lot...
0:06:24 > 0:06:29Yeah. That'd really be OK. That's fine.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34- Do we have to check with your brother?- No. It'd be my mother!
0:06:34 > 0:06:36She'd say, "Sell them!"
0:06:36 > 0:06:39We'll follow her lead then.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44We'll try £60-80 and reserve them at £60 with 10% discretion.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Yeah. That'd be fine.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Linda and Stuart, thanks for your patience - there's hundreds of people here.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01You've struggled in with some furniture - miniature furniture!
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Tell me about it.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05We don't know anything really.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09An elderly friend of my mother's gave it to us
0:07:09 > 0:07:12because they knew I liked odd things - and it is odd.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16But it needs a bit of love and care.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- A bit of TLC.- It does.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21And it doesn't really fit in our home.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24You know it's a table-top chest-of-drawers...
0:07:24 > 0:07:29- I'd no idea.- Put it on a table top or a low dresser or sideboard.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33When I first saw it, I thought, "This is an apprentice piece",
0:07:33 > 0:07:38but on close inspection, it's not really good enough for that.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43I think this has been done by a loving, doting husband for his wife as a present.
0:07:43 > 0:07:49So it's a one-off. You could call it folk art - in a way.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53To point out its virtues - the drawers are of different dimensions.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Normally we have them on a graduating dimension -
0:07:56 > 0:08:00narrower, getting larger at the bottom where the weight is,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02maybe for hats or jumpers.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07Here you've got a small drawer, a large one and two narrow ones.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11But whoever built this...I admire
0:08:11 > 0:08:13because he had a love for wood.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16This must have taken hours to do.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20It's not going to reflect in the valuation!
0:08:20 > 0:08:23The whole construction is made of pine
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and pine is a cheap material
0:08:26 > 0:08:30and you can adhere veneers to it very well.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36What the craftsman's done here - or not craftsman, but someone who's had a jolly good go! -
0:08:36 > 0:08:40is used a walnut veneer on all the face sides, top and bottom.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Then he's used wonderful marquetry detail.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46He's using boxwood, satinwood.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50He's staining some of the satinwood with greens and yellow.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54If I turn this around, on the sides and top
0:08:54 > 0:08:56you've got some lovely shell motifs.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01These really came onto furniture in the early 1800s, around 1805,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04with Nelson's victory in Trafalgar.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09We were conquering the seas and anything to do with a sea motif on furniture
0:09:09 > 0:09:12just acknowledged that factor.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15And I love the barber pole chevrons here.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17That's an ebonised look.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20That's satinwood stained to look like ebony.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26This detail - the beading around the drawer fascias - gives the date away for me.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Typically Edwardian, so we're looking at 1920s.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- 1920s?- Yeah.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36But it's survived the passage of time.
0:09:36 > 0:09:42Just a bit of TLC, some lovely beeswax, a couple of handles,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45which wouldn't cost a lot, and you've got the complete item.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50Value-wise... £50-80 is all it's going to achieve.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54I didn't expect it to be more than that.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56- I'm about right then?- Yeah.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58I'd like to see it get the top end.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03I like it because it's not one for the academics - there's no "book" price on this.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06You can't compare it to something else.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08That's it. It's a one-off
0:10:08 > 0:10:12and the value's in the eye of the beholder really.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- But we'll put it in at £50-80. - No, that's fine.
0:10:16 > 0:10:23- It sounds mean for what it is. - It is, but you don't get the money for the workmanship in there.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Margaret, Jackie, thanks for coming.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33You've brought some jewellery. What can you tell me about it?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35It belonged to a neighbour of ours.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39She left it to my mother when she passed away and my mother left it...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- She just gave it to Jackie. - She gave it to you?
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- Yes.- Out of the blue.- Yes.- Have you been tempted to wear it at all?
0:10:47 > 0:10:52I've worn it a couple of times, but it's not my style. It's a bit too big.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- I go for very small jewellery.- Yeah.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Let's have a closer look at the ring.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02If I take it out of its box,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06we can see that we've got a nice cluster set of diamonds
0:11:06 > 0:11:10set into platinum on a gold band, stamped 18 carat.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12So nice quality.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18Circa 1900. That's when they started setting diamonds into platinum.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21It's a miligrain setting,
0:11:21 > 0:11:27which gives the impression that the stones are larger than they actually are.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33If you look at it from a distance, when it catches the light, it seems larger.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38But looking at it closely, there's about a quarter of a carat of diamonds there.
0:11:38 > 0:11:45Obviously, the larger a carat a stone is, the more valuable it becomes.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48They become rarer and rarer the larger they get.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53So you've got nice quality white diamonds, commercial.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56And having looked at them under the glass,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00there's some minor imperfections in the diamonds.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04That's to be expected.
0:12:04 > 0:12:11They're not too bad. Once you see them with the naked eye it becomes a problem.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17- I think a sensible estimate would be £150-250.- Yeah.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Would you be happy to give it a go?
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- Definitely.- Yes.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25And you're going to use the money towards something?
0:12:25 > 0:12:30It's going towards my wedding dress. Anything is a help.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34I've good friends to be married and everything helps.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37We'll put that in the auction. £150-250.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Reserve it at the bottom figure with discretion
0:12:40 > 0:12:44and hope there's someone getting engaged who fancies a go at this.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Hopefully, yes.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- Hello, Dennis.- Hello.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57You've brought a nice piece of Doulton in. Give us the background.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01It belongs to my stepmother and it was passed down to her.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07She gave it to me about a year ago to sell it on ebay for her and I forgot.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09I saw you were coming, so I brought it here.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- Is your stepmother a drinker? - Not to my knowledge.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18Because that's what it was originally - a little spirit decanter.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Right. - The little cork is still there
0:13:21 > 0:13:25and we've got a nice silver ring on there and a chain.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27and a rather nice character.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30This type of design is called Kingsware.
0:13:30 > 0:13:36Nicely moulded, very well made, and a full set of Doulton marks
0:13:36 > 0:13:39for between 1902 and 1932.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45It's a rather nice thing. They come in larger sizes too. A good object.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- You don't like it yourself? - It's not my kind of thing.
0:13:49 > 0:13:56Not your cup of tea. At auction, I would put around... £40-60 on it.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- Would she be happy with that? - I know she'd like to get rid of it.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06That's the sort of punter we like. Just flog it. I think it'll do well.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10We'll put it into the sale with a £40 discretionary reserve on it,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12so we don't sell it for nothing.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- We might even top that. - That'd be good.- I'll look forward to seeing you.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29We're halfway through the day and the room is still jam-packed.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Our experts have to give a valuation to every one,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36but we've found our first batch to take to auction.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Here's a quick run-down of all the items.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Is Mar right to predict a battle over the £100-200 price tag
0:14:46 > 0:14:49on the Lord Nelson snuff box?
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Michael's mother ordered him to sell these Battle of Britain toys,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56but can he come away victorious with £60-80?
0:14:58 > 0:15:04It may need some TLC, but I'm sure Linda and Stuart's drawers will make £50-80.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09And will this diamond cluster ring dazzle the auction crowds
0:15:09 > 0:15:11into paying £150-200?
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Finally, Dennis's desperate to sell this Doulton spirit flask,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but will it make the £40-60 he wants?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27How will our antiques fare in the Reeman Dansie auction rooms?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30That depends on the local bidders.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34And a man who knows his market is auctioneer James Grinter.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39Let's find out what he thinks of some of our owner's items.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Derek's spirit vase. I think this is great. It's quite a curio.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51I love the face. I love the expression.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Mark Stacey's put £40-60 on this and I'd like to see it do more.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- I think it's a very conservative estimate.- "Come and buy me!"- It is.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Despite him looking ugly, he'll do well...- You think he's ugly?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- I think so, yes. - He's got a lot of character.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13- There's something about his face that makes you want to own it. - You could be right.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16We've looked up the hallmarks on the silver.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19It's 1905, so it's a nice early piece.
0:16:19 > 0:16:26A collector will be very keen to own it, so we should double if not quadruple his estimate.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- Quadruple?- Quadruple. - Quadruple, James?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Yeah? Cross your heart, hope to die?
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- I think it will do. - Brilliant. Thank you very much.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40Could James be right? Well, we'll just have to wait and see.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46Mary's here, Georgina's here. We're ready to do battle in the sale room
0:16:46 > 0:16:50because we've got Lord Nelson's memorabilia up for grabs.
0:16:50 > 0:16:56It's the bicentenary. It's the right time to sell it. It's a lovely snuff box.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59£100-200 - I think it's a sniff at that price.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- He put it on. Did you agree with that?- Yes.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- We could see the top end and a bit more. I pray for that.- So do I.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Will we though?- On your knees.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13I'm sure we will.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18This shows the interest after Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21These were originally seal cases,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25but they reduced them for the mass market to snuff boxes.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29It's a wonderful object and we should get £200 plus, I hope.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Let's do it. This is it.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35459 is the early 19th-century gilt brass circular box,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37commemorating Lord Nelson.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41I've two commissions on this. Start the bidding at £150. £150?
0:17:41 > 0:17:44At 150... 160?
0:17:44 > 0:17:46160...170?
0:17:46 > 0:17:49180...190... 190.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51190 with me now. 200...
0:17:51 > 0:17:53210...220...
0:17:53 > 0:17:57At 220 now... 220... Are you all done at 220?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- Happy?- Yes.- Very happy?- Very.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02What are you going to do with that?
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- Go to the pub, perhaps? - Yeah. I would.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- A good meal out.- Yeah. A nice bottle of wine.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20I'm joined by Michael, who's about to flog his spoilt brother's toys.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24That's what it says in my researcher's notes!
0:18:24 > 0:18:26A bit of jealousy going on there.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31We've got two Schuko toys and two Dinky aeroplanes, which I absolutely love.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35They're splendid. They were brought in from Berlin.
0:18:35 > 0:18:41We had a friend who was in at the end of the war - something to do with the Navy -
0:18:41 > 0:18:46and he brought these for my much younger brother - the last of four.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49They've been played with. The boxes are a bit worn.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Mint and boxed it's about £150-200.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- We're talking £60-80.- It's a bit sad to have them and not play with them.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Exactly.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04473 now. A Dinky Battle of Britain Spitfire and various other toys.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07What shall we say for this lot?
0:19:07 > 0:19:09£50? 50 I have down there now. 50...
0:19:09 > 0:19:14- There is a bidder there. - £60 I have now. £60 bid.
0:19:14 > 0:19:1765...70...75...
0:19:17 > 0:19:1980...85...
0:19:19 > 0:19:2290...95...
0:19:22 > 0:19:23£95 I'm bid.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26All done now at 95? £100...
0:19:26 > 0:19:27110...
0:19:27 > 0:19:29120...130...
0:19:29 > 0:19:33130, sir. At 130... Are you all done?
0:19:33 > 0:19:39- £130. That was a surprise.- And how confident were you?- Not very!
0:19:39 > 0:19:41You can treat yourself now.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47Like heck. Mother's going to say, "How much did they go?" and the whole lot will go to her.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- What's her name?- Lucy. - Lucy, keep an eye on him.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Something to raise your spirits now - some Doulton Kingsware.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05A little spirit vase belonging to Dennis.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Valuation £40-60. Happy with that?
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I hope it's going to make more, but we'll see.
0:20:11 > 0:20:17I can cheer you up now. Mark doesn't know this but I had a chat to the auctioneer.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21He really loves it and he said four times its estimate.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- That'd be good.- That was a big smile. Not Mr Grumpy anymore.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I love it. I wouldn't sell it if it was mine.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Not my cup of tea or not my tipple.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- Not your tipple? Humbug.- It's good quality, but not my sort of thing.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- But it should do all right. - This is it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Number 62 is the Edwardian Royal Doulton character spirit flask.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48See this one? I've two commissions.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- Start the bidding at £60. - Straight in at the top end.
0:20:53 > 0:20:5580...85...90...
0:20:55 > 0:20:5895... £95 bid down here now. £95...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00£100?
0:21:00 > 0:21:02110...120...
0:21:02 > 0:21:06130 is bid down here now. 130...
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Any advance on 130? All done now at 130.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- Hammer's gone down. That's not bad. - He was right.- He was.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18What are you going to do with that?
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- It gets put into the holiday fund. - Into the kitty.- That's it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26In a biscuit tin on the shelf!
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- Good luck.- Thank you very much
0:21:32 > 0:21:34We've got a touch of sparkle now.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40Not only have we got Margaret and Jackie, but we've also got the diamond cluster ring.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- A valuation of £150-200, yeah?- Yeah.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Let's hope it's a little gem and we get the top end
0:21:47 > 0:21:50because I know the money's going to a very important cause.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- Yes. My wedding dress. - Your wedding dress.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00And all the other paraphernalia that goes with weddings that I'm sure Mum's going to help you with.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- Yes.- Congratulations with that.
0:22:03 > 0:22:10We're in the right place because there is a huge jewellery collection here that we didn't know about.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12So I think the right buyers are here
0:22:12 > 0:22:16and hopefully they'll be bidding against another bride-to-be
0:22:16 > 0:22:22who, instead of trudging down the high street, will think this ring is a good buy.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- 18 carat gold, nice quality.- Yup.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- Let's hope it gets 250.- I hope so. It helps with expensive weddings.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It's going under the hammer right now.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37243. It's the ladies' gold and platinum set diamond cluster ring.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39£100 to start me?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42£100? £100 I have now.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44110...120...
0:22:44 > 0:22:48130...140...150... At 150 down here now...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51150... Do I hear 160? 160... Against you.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Seated now at 160... Any advance...? 170...
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- 180...190...- They love it.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02£200 still seated now. At £200... Any advance?
0:23:02 > 0:23:03All done now at £200.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Yes. £200. That's not bad, is it?
0:23:06 > 0:23:10I'm really thrilled to get £200.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- Yeah?- Yes. That's wonderful. - I'm pleased with that.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- Mid-estimate - I can't ask for more. - Thank you.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23I'm sitting with Linda and Stuart and feeling rather confident
0:23:23 > 0:23:28because we've got that table-top chest-of-drawers with inlay
0:23:28 > 0:23:31going under the hammer with no reserve.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36- No reserve.- We've got about £50-80 on this, haven't we?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38I'd like to see it do the top.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- There is no reserve. - We'd like to see it sell.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46- I know. You've been spending money here.- We have, yes.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51Linda said to me they're flogging the trash to buy the treasure!
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Don't say that. Somebody's going to buy it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Somebody will because it's adorable.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00And it's going under the hammer right now.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Number 488 is the Edwardian bow-front table-top chest.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07As shown.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10£50 for it? 50 I have down here.
0:24:10 > 0:24:1255...60...65...
0:24:12 > 0:24:1470...75...80...
0:24:14 > 0:24:1685...90...95...
0:24:16 > 0:24:21100...110...120...130...140...
0:24:21 > 0:24:23LINDA: I never knew it was so good.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Here at 140... Are you all done? 150.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29155...160...
0:24:29 > 0:24:31160 on my right now... 160...
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Are you all done?
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Yes!- Well done.- £160!
0:24:37 > 0:24:40We can go and spend some more.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- No. That's recuperating some coffers.- Amazing.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50I'm so pleased for you. I'm pleased you're putting money back into antiques as well.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53This is the first time we've done this. We love it.
0:24:53 > 0:25:00Auctions are great fun. They're an arena of excitement, so get down to your local sale room.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Live dangerously.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I've left the hustle and bustle of the auction room
0:25:12 > 0:25:18and come for a bit of peace on the River Stour for a journey through time.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20We'll end up upstream in Dedham
0:25:20 > 0:25:26and along the way we'll see how the rivers fortunes have ebbed and flowed, just like its waters.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36The Stour's history takes it from a vibrant industrial past
0:25:36 > 0:25:41through to a holiday destination after being a deserted relic
0:25:41 > 0:25:43and finally ends up as a modern waterway.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48To take me on this journey, I've got John Critten, who's the skipper.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- Hello, John.- Morning, Paul. Welcome aboard.- Thank you.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05The River Stour's 42 miles long.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09It flows four miles in Cambridgeshire, eight miles in Suffolk
0:26:09 > 0:26:12and then it forms the borders between Suffolk and Essex.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Suffolk is on this side of the boat and Essex is on this side.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20But our journey starts here in Flatford.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32This beautiful part of the country has been immortalised in history
0:26:32 > 0:26:36by the 18th-century artist, John Constable, who grew up at Flatford.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42His paintings, like The Haywain and Dedham Lock depict scenes of idyllic rural life
0:26:42 > 0:26:47and also echo the importance of the river's industrial past.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Horse-drawn boats called lighters used to haul cargo -
0:26:56 > 0:26:59often weighing up to a massive 26 tons -
0:26:59 > 0:27:01along the river to the London markets.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06They transported everything - from bricks to wheat and barley.
0:27:06 > 0:27:13The lighters were operated in pairs and shackled together, then steered like a modern articulated lorry.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19If the horses came across an obstacle on the tow path, like a fallen tree or a bridge,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22they were trained to jump on board the boat.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Upriver, we can see how it's not just been affected by industry.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38The Victorian era saw a boom in holidaymaking,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42made possible by better wages and a better transport system.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44The Stour Valley was a popular destination
0:27:44 > 0:27:49as Victorians tried to escape the grime and the dirt of the cities.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07The tourist boom proved a double-edged sword for the Stour.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12The railways that brought the visitors also starved it of trade
0:28:12 > 0:28:19and the horse-drawn boats proved to be no competition for the power and the speed of the steam engine.
0:28:22 > 0:28:29By the turn of the 20th century, the Stour had gone from an economic powerhouse to a forgotten waterway.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32But it wasn't finished.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41The River Stour Trust came to its rescue
0:28:41 > 0:28:45and set about repairing the rotting locks and crumbling banks.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55The person to tell us all about this work is the Trust's Secretary -
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Lesley Platt, who we're just about to pick up.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13What's the River Stour Trust doing for the river?
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Without it, there wouldn't be boats on the river.
0:29:16 > 0:29:22It was formed in 1967 with the aim of restoring through navigation,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25so putting the locks back in and getting people in boats.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29What's the scale of the project and do you have a completion day?
0:29:29 > 0:29:35I'd love to see it all done in my lifetime, but I'm runing out of lifetime!
0:29:35 > 0:29:42It could all be done, with the right support from the Environment Agency and from government,
0:29:42 > 0:29:43within ten years.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48Fully reopened with the locks reinstated. That's one lock a year.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50So you've got ten locks to go.
0:29:50 > 0:29:56- What about the original lighters? - There aren't any left, but for one.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01The volunteers of the River Stour Trust dug out a lighter at Sudbury.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04It's now berthed near our education centre at Cornard
0:30:04 > 0:30:06and we hope to restore that.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08It will cost us £75,000.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13- It'll be worth it.- It's the only one of its kind, so it must be restored.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18Then we hope to have it horse drawn by a Suffolk Punch, probably, along the river.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22So what will the tourists get from the river?
0:30:22 > 0:30:26It's this wonderful sense of tranquillity and peace.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- You've experienced that.- I have.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32It's relaxing, it's beautiful, it's peaceful
0:30:32 > 0:30:37and it's the timelessness of this river that was so busy for trade
0:30:37 > 0:30:42and now is just for tourism and for people to pootle about in boats.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- It's very therapeutic.- Absolutely.
0:30:44 > 0:30:49We've been here three or four hours and I feel completely chilled out.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51I don't want to go back to work now!
0:30:58 > 0:31:03In Colchester, hundreds of people are waiting for valuations, so we'd better get on.
0:31:05 > 0:31:12Helen, thanks for coming. Have you picked this up from some exotic Far Eastern country?
0:31:12 > 0:31:16No. When my gran died she left that to my mum
0:31:16 > 0:31:18and my mum's given that to me.
0:31:18 > 0:31:24But my gran got it from an old lady who lived across the road from her who knew people that travelled.
0:31:24 > 0:31:29Right. So she may have acquired it through her acquaintances.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34It's not English which brought me to the travel question.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Do you know what these are?
0:31:36 > 0:31:40- They're porcupine quills. - Yeah. Dead right.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44Porcupine quills. Obviously not native to England.
0:31:44 > 0:31:51And this use of this very dark wood, dalbergias - the rosewood family -
0:31:51 > 0:31:55is very typical of Indian boxes and furniture.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59But I like this. It's got a nice decorative appeal
0:31:59 > 0:32:01whilst not being over the top.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06It's using the natural colours of the quills as decoration.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11- Have you used it? If I open it... - No, I haven't used it.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14This helps set it off. You've got this lovely inlay -
0:32:14 > 0:32:17almost polka dot inlay -
0:32:17 > 0:32:19with these lidded compartments.
0:32:20 > 0:32:26I would think it's probably used as a work box, maybe a sewing box
0:32:26 > 0:32:30to keep your various accoutrements in for sewing.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34It may even have been a jewellery box, perhaps.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40Unusual that it's not lined with anything if it's for jewellery.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44So I would say it's more of a work box.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47It's going to be 19th century.
0:32:47 > 0:32:52- Have you any idea of what it's worth?- No, I've got no idea.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54OK.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59You do see them quite often without the interiors, just as plain boxes.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03This one attracts your attention when you see it
0:33:03 > 0:33:08and then opening it just makes it that much crisper.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12I would suggest we try it at the auction
0:33:12 > 0:33:15with an estimate of £100-150.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19If we set the reserve at £100 and at the auctioneer's discretion -
0:33:19 > 0:33:21give him 10% discretion -
0:33:21 > 0:33:24with a printed estimate of £100-150.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27That would be fine. Thank you.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35- Hello, Rita.- Hello.- What an interesting book you've brought.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40Before we start investigating it, can you give me some background.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- This has been in my husband's family for years.- Gosh.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47Yes. And he always thought it was valuable.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48- OK.- So that's why I'm here.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52I'm glad you're here. It's a very interesting book.
0:33:52 > 0:33:58"The History of the Wars occasioned by the French Revolution."
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- So you've got all the main characters in this.- Yes.
0:34:01 > 0:34:08One of the things we need to do is to open it up and see the villain of the piece...
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Right. Napoleon.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14As it says there, "Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France."
0:34:14 > 0:34:20This was printed in England because the English were so pleased that they didn't have a revolution here.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23This was printed in about 1816.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28After all the battles with Napoleon, so it's a very historical book.
0:34:28 > 0:34:35There was one other print which I really liked...if we can find it.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38It's at the time of the Prince Regent
0:34:38 > 0:34:41and we don't think of him often as charging into battle.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46- I wonder if he did.- I think it's probably artistic licence.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48But it's a wonderful book.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- So you've had it a long time?- Yes.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55And why did you decide to think of flogging it now?
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Well, I'm downsizing.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01I think it's a lovely book and it's never looked at,
0:35:01 > 0:35:06so why not let someone who would appreciate it?
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Yes. It's an interesting book.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13- The condition is against it.- Yes. - The cover has already come off.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17It's one of those books which might be what they call a breaker.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23- I thought you'd say that. - So somebody will buy it and take out all the coloured engravings.
0:35:23 > 0:35:30- It's a shame, but it does happen. - They'd look very nice, wouldn't they?- They'd look stunning.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34It's quite a well-known book. It does come up.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39I think in very good condition, these books can fetch £400-500.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43- Goodness.- But this is in pretty shocking condition.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48I think a more sensible estimate would be about £150-250,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50with 150 discretionary reserve.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- That sounds all right. - And see what happens on the day.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56- I'm prepared to go with that. - Fantastic.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Thank you for agreeing to flog it with us today.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I'm not a particularly strong book valuer,
0:36:02 > 0:36:07so I hope I won't meet my Waterloo at the auction.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11It'll be me meeting my Waterloo!
0:36:16 > 0:36:20John and Debbie, tell me the story behind this oil painting.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24My dad used to be head porter at rental apartments.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29One particular woman that he looked after - he looked out for her quite a lot -
0:36:29 > 0:36:31left this painting to him.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Then when he died last year he left it to me.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- So it's been through the family. - Yes.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- Why are you flogging this? - We both like it.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45Every winter we go to Gambia for a holiday and there are two people we'd like to take.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49So we're trying to raise the money to take them with us.
0:36:49 > 0:36:55Have you tried researching the history to find out a bit more about Z Gruner?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58I have tried to research but haven't got anywhere,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01so I've got absolutely no idea.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06I've just looked in the Art Index guide and on the Internet and I can't find Z Gruner.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11It's continental, painted on an oak panel - which is quite nice
0:37:11 > 0:37:13and gives it a bit more credence.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14I'm pretty sure he's Austrian.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17There is an Elioth Gruner
0:37:17 > 0:37:21and he was around from about 1880 to 1936.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24A painting this size by Elioth Gruner
0:37:24 > 0:37:29will set you back somewhere between £10,000-20,000.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Now they're thinking, "What's he going to say about this one?"
0:37:33 > 0:37:39There's no reference to a Z Gruner. And it's about the same time.
0:37:39 > 0:37:46I've conferred with the other experts and we all think this is the last quarter of the 19th century,
0:37:46 > 0:37:47so it's about that time.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Maybe he's a relation. Maybe it's a popular name.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54There's nothing I can tell you about it,
0:37:54 > 0:37:56except that he's a very good artist.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Look at the light and shade here. Look at the face.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04It really is "contentment". I just wonder what he's reading.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08It's going to put a smile on anybody's face.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12It's signed on the frame so we know it's contemporary.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15If you turn it over, you can see.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19They've not been separated. That's what the collectors want.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24It's got its right backing and here's the evidence of the oak panel.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26It's a lovely continental picture.
0:38:26 > 0:38:33I think we should put this into auction with a reserve of £150 to tempt some people in.
0:38:33 > 0:38:40- But a fixed reserve because I don't want you to give this away.- No. - Happy with that?- Yeah.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- Very.- Let's hope this does raise some money towards the Gambia trip.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- What will you do over there? - We do two things, really.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Basically, it's a holiday, first,
0:38:51 > 0:38:54but we're involved in a couple of charities there.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58One is called Endanka Endanka, which produces computer...
0:38:58 > 0:39:03It teaches people inland about computers and other technologies
0:39:03 > 0:39:07which they can't get when they go to school.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- Sharing skills in IT.- Exactly.
0:39:09 > 0:39:14Sounds really good. Enjoy that and let's hope this goes towards it.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Fred, Binky, you've brought in a Flog It! favourite -
0:39:18 > 0:39:21a piece of Troika work. Tell me the history of it.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24We was holidaying in Cornwall
0:39:24 > 0:39:27and we pulled into a shop in St Ives.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31We were looking around and I saw this piece.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36My wife didn't like it very much,
0:39:36 > 0:39:40but I insisted on coming away with something.
0:39:40 > 0:39:46When she saw the price, she said, "We haven't got enough money to eat to get home."
0:39:46 > 0:39:50We've got enough for petrol, but not enough to have any food.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54So I said, "We'll have to go hungry all the way."
0:39:54 > 0:40:01It's been down in his garage at the bottom of the garden on his tool chest, wrapped up,
0:40:01 > 0:40:04for about 20-odd years.
0:40:04 > 0:40:11- Good Lord.- When I was watching Flog It! one day, I said, "We've got a bit of that in the garage."
0:40:11 > 0:40:13It was covered in dust.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17I said we ought to have it valued.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21It's a lovely story and it sums up what Troika was about.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24They were based in St Ives.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27It started in the 1960s.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32It's called Troika because of the three-horsed Russian carriage
0:40:32 > 0:40:36and there were three directors. that formed the company.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39This is a very impressive-looking piece.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Normally we see the smaller vases.
0:40:41 > 0:40:46There's a lot going on here - the top, the middle bit and this base.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48The colours are a bit muted.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Sometimes the colours are much brighter.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56But if you were looking for a piece of Troika, then this is your piece.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Can you remember what you paid for it in the 1970s?
0:41:00 > 0:41:05- I think it was about £16. - £16?- Something like that.
0:41:05 > 0:41:11I must say that most things bought in the '70s for £16 would today be worth nothing.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15But you have bought well on this.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17We've got interesting marks.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Obviously the Troika mark, England
0:41:21 > 0:41:23and then a designer's signature
0:41:23 > 0:41:25or artist's signature here.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29It's a bit roughly painted, but I think it's for Avril Bennet.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31- We didn't know that. - That's quite nice.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36Now, if we were putting this... And it is quite a big piece, isn't it?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- I've never seen one as big as that. - I bet you haven't!
0:41:39 > 0:41:43But, looking at an auction estimate,
0:41:43 > 0:41:49I'd like to give a conservative estimate to bring in a lot of people.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52I think we should put something like £400 on it.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- Right.- Something like that. Maybe 400-500.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57- Would you be happy with that?- Yes.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01And a reserve of 400 with a bit of discretion.
0:42:01 > 0:42:07The market for Troika does go up and down and at the moment there's a bit of a ripple,
0:42:07 > 0:42:13- but it's a good example of its type and I think it will do well.- Lovely.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24I've left the valuation day and come out here to Dedham,
0:42:24 > 0:42:28hot on the trail of one of Suffolk's most famous sons.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41He was a prolific artist, known for his controversial views
0:42:41 > 0:42:44and he lived here in Castle House for 40 years.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49It's now a museum dedicated to the life and work of Sir Alfred Munnings.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55The man who can tell me about this 20th-century artist
0:42:55 > 0:42:59is Ron Jones, Chairman of the museum.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Gosh, Ron. I never realised how prolific he was.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06There's volumes of his work. Where did he get his inspiration?
0:43:06 > 0:43:09As the son of a miller from Mendham in Norfolk,
0:43:09 > 0:43:14he'd always been in empathy with nature, liked the world around him
0:43:14 > 0:43:17and was particularly keen on the rural scene.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21This is at Lavenham, 20 miles from here, painted in 1901.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25What I like about the painting is that the horses come out clearly.
0:43:25 > 0:43:31He's caught the different colours and tones of the horses he was using as models.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34He's also juxtaposed them in such a way
0:43:34 > 0:43:38- as to create a sense of movement. - Oh, I can see that.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41He's got a really good eye. I bet he was a rider.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45He's got heels down, feet forward, and that's how you ride a horse.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48- That's something I wouldn't have known.- Oh, it is.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51He also brought to life the foreground.
0:43:51 > 0:43:56- Yes. It's quite busy there. - It really seems to be growing.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01I love this. This is so dark and moody.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03Who's the young lad there?
0:44:03 > 0:44:08Well, in the East Anglian countryside, he loved to watch the gypsy way of life
0:44:08 > 0:44:11- to the extent that he bought a gypsy caravan.- Really?
0:44:11 > 0:44:16Which he took out in the countryside with all his painting gear.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20In this picture, called The Ford, painted in 1911,
0:44:20 > 0:44:25the horses are coming back at dusk - it's a "grey" picture.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29Again, there's a suggestion from the angling of the horses
0:44:29 > 0:44:32that it is actually in movement.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34That's gorgeous.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43'Munnings hadn't always painted thoroughbreds.
0:44:43 > 0:44:47'In his early years he concentrated on the landscapes of rural East Anglia.
0:44:47 > 0:44:52'But it was his equestrian pieces that caught the public's eye.'
0:44:52 > 0:44:57- Why did he paint horses? - He was fascinated by the anatomy of the horse.
0:44:57 > 0:45:03He read Stubbs' book on that title when he was very young
0:45:03 > 0:45:06and he also studied horse skeletons.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09But also he was good at painting them.
0:45:09 > 0:45:15What I like about this is that you can see the tension in the sinews of the horse.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17You can see their flared nostrils.
0:45:17 > 0:45:21- But you can also see the tension in the riders.- Mmm.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25And the fact there's one broken horse adds a bit of interest.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27It always happens, doesn't it?
0:45:27 > 0:45:30And you've got a nice Suffolk skyline.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39Although Munnings wasn't a keen jockey himself,
0:45:39 > 0:45:45he was encouraged by his wife - an accomplished horsewoman and winner of the Gold Cup.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50She used her connections to get him commissions
0:45:50 > 0:45:56from which he built a formidable reputation as an equestrian artist.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00Munnings also had to overcome great adversity.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03A freak accident nearly cut short a promising career.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06He overcame tremendous challenges.
0:46:06 > 0:46:12He lost the sight of an eye in 1898 when he was 20 years of age.
0:46:12 > 0:46:16- How did he do that?- He was lifting a terrier over a sty
0:46:16 > 0:46:19and the briar fell back into his eye.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22Gosh. Well, it didn't affect his ability as an artist.
0:46:22 > 0:46:27No. It does, to some extent, affect the pressure he applied to the canvas.
0:46:27 > 0:46:34In fact, early on, he applied too little pressure and the brush just airbrushed, as it were.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36To compensate he applied more pressure -
0:46:36 > 0:46:41sometimes adding far more paint to the canvas than was the intention.
0:46:41 > 0:46:46Munnings' reputation as an artist reached its height in 1944
0:46:46 > 0:46:49when he became President of the Royal Academy.
0:46:49 > 0:46:55Later, he used his position to launch an attack on the growing popularity of Modern Art.
0:46:55 > 0:47:00'I find myself a president of a body of men
0:47:00 > 0:47:04'who are what I call "shilly-shallying".
0:47:04 > 0:47:08'They feel that there is something
0:47:08 > 0:47:11'in this so-called Modern Art.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14'If you paint a tree,
0:47:14 > 0:47:19'for Lord's sake try and paint it to look like a tree.
0:47:20 > 0:47:25'And if you paint a sky, try and make it look like a sky...'
0:47:28 > 0:47:33Munnings' attitude to abstract artists like Picasso went beyond words
0:47:33 > 0:47:36and spilled over into his own art.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38I have to single this one out
0:47:38 > 0:47:41because this is so different to the rest.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45- It looks more like a caricature. - Well, it is.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49There's a Henry Moore there and a Picasso. Who are the figures?
0:47:49 > 0:47:53The one on the left is Lord Rothenstein,
0:47:53 > 0:47:57Chairman of a the Tate Gallery and a supporter of Modern Art.
0:47:57 > 0:48:05Humphrey Brooke, to the right side, was the Secretary of the Royal Academy.
0:48:05 > 0:48:11The gentleman to the extreme right was a Professor of History at Oxford University.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15The title of the picture is Does The Subject Matter?
0:48:15 > 0:48:18- So he really is ridiculing everybody there.- Yes.
0:48:18 > 0:48:24It was used as a cartoon by Low and other cartoonists in the papers.
0:48:29 > 0:48:35The controversial views Munnings held on Modern Art saw him shunned by his fellow artists
0:48:35 > 0:48:41and this drew attention away from the fact that he was a brilliant painter.
0:48:41 > 0:48:47Recently, more people have discovered that and one of his works just sold for £4.4 million.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50Shows how collectible he has become.
0:48:50 > 0:48:55All this will keep this little part of Suffolk on the map for many years to come.
0:48:56 > 0:49:01Let's have a reminder of what we're going to flog today.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05Rita wants her History of the Wars book to conquer the bidders
0:49:05 > 0:49:10and bring home a bounty of £150-250.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14Helen's hoping her porcupine quill box will feather her nest
0:49:14 > 0:49:16with £100-150.
0:49:19 > 0:49:24Can John and Debbie's continental oil raise the £200-300 they need
0:49:24 > 0:49:27for a charity trip to the Gambia?
0:49:27 > 0:49:30We've seen plenty of Troika on Flog It!
0:49:30 > 0:49:33but nothing like this tall vase.
0:49:33 > 0:49:36Fred and Binky are hoping it'll make an even bigger impact
0:49:36 > 0:49:38by fetching £500.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44Let's see what auctioneer James Grinter makes of this valuation.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51- Is this the biggest lump of Troika you've ever seen?- It is.
0:49:51 > 0:49:56Mark Stacey's put £400-500 on this, which I think is a good valuation,
0:49:56 > 0:50:00but I can see this doing 5-6, maybe 6-7.
0:50:00 > 0:50:07You're probably right. We've had more interest in this one lot than a lot of other things in the sale.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09But it's a fashion item now.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11It's also quite a rare one.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15Apparently, because it's so top-heavy,
0:50:15 > 0:50:17a lot of them fall over and smash.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21So to find one in a perfect state is quite a rare thing.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23So it's a hardy survivor.
0:50:23 > 0:50:29- Hopefully they'll get £700 and they can then go on another holiday to Cornwall.- Indeed.
0:50:35 > 0:50:40This is a great lot. It's an Anglo-Indian porcupine quill box.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42It belongs to Helen, but not for much longer
0:50:42 > 0:50:46because at £100-150 this is going to fly out of the room.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48- It's quality.- It is.
0:50:48 > 0:50:54- I agree with Will's valuation.- Yeah. The interior lifts it to £100-150.
0:50:54 > 0:50:59If it had just been a plain interior, you see a lot. But the market's good for Anglo-Indian.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03Exactly. I think this comes from the Galle area of Sri Lanka
0:51:03 > 0:51:05because I've seen a lot there.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08Obviously, Sri Lanka was Ceylon then.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11It's great. And they are collectable.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15- I hope so.- We're going to find out now. This is it, Helen.
0:51:15 > 0:51:21438 is a Victorian ivory hardwood and porcupine quill workbox.
0:51:21 > 0:51:23The one as shown.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25£80 for it?
0:51:25 > 0:51:27£80 for it? 60?
0:51:27 > 0:51:2960. At 60...
0:51:29 > 0:51:31At £60 now. 60... At 65...
0:51:31 > 0:51:34£65 bid now. 65... 70...
0:51:34 > 0:51:38Five. 80... Five. 90... Five...
0:51:38 > 0:51:41£100 bid now here. At £100...
0:51:41 > 0:51:44Any advance? All done now at £100.
0:51:44 > 0:51:49£100. It was short and sweet. What are you going to put it towards?
0:51:49 > 0:51:53I'm going to give some money to my eldest daughter for her wedding
0:51:53 > 0:51:56and my youngest daughter who's at university.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58- Great. Exciting times.- Yes.
0:52:03 > 0:52:09Rita's joined me. You look gorgeous and I love this book you're selling.
0:52:09 > 0:52:13It's full of engravings and I love the Napoleonic War ones.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16I have a feeling it might get cut up.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19The dealers might separate it. You never know.
0:52:19 > 0:52:24Let's hope we get the top end. I'd like to see the £220-250 mark.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28- It's on at £150-250.- It is. Top end again?
0:52:28 > 0:52:31- I know.- Always the top end of the estimate.
0:52:31 > 0:52:37413 is the early 19th-century volume, History Of The Wars by William Nicholson.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39£100 to start me?
0:52:39 > 0:52:41100? £100 I have.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- We're in.- 110... 120...
0:52:43 > 0:52:47130...140...150...
0:52:47 > 0:52:49150's bid down here.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52150 is bid. Any advance? Are you all done?
0:52:52 > 0:52:55- Hammer's gone down. Happy?- Yes.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58- Delighted. - What will you do with £150?
0:52:58 > 0:53:03- I've got my eye on a little Edwardian desk over there.- There?
0:53:03 > 0:53:05What do you hope to buy that for?
0:53:05 > 0:53:09I hope not more than £150!
0:53:12 > 0:53:17I've got to raise money now for John and Debbie's trip for the Gambia.
0:53:17 > 0:53:21Let's hope this oil on board can get you some of the way there.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23- Or one of you.- I'm going too.
0:53:23 > 0:53:28I don't mean you won't go, but you might have to pay for yourself.
0:53:28 > 0:53:30Hopefully.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33I love this picture. I just like the glowingness of it.
0:53:33 > 0:53:38And the frame's contemporary. That's worth £80-100 alone.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40Let's see what the bidders think.
0:53:40 > 0:53:46544 is the attributed to Gruner, late 19th-century continental oil,
0:53:46 > 0:53:48entitled Contentment.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51I've two commissions and I start the bidding at £150.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53At 150...
0:53:53 > 0:53:55150... 155... 160?
0:53:55 > 0:53:59165. 165's bid here now. 170 is bid.
0:53:59 > 0:54:03180... At 180... 190... 200...
0:54:03 > 0:54:05At £200, the lady's bid...
0:54:05 > 0:54:08210 another place. 220...
0:54:08 > 0:54:11230... 240... 250...
0:54:11 > 0:54:13260... 270...
0:54:13 > 0:54:15280... 290...
0:54:15 > 0:54:17This is great.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19340... 360...
0:54:19 > 0:54:23380... Against you... 400.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27You don't look so content now! 420?
0:54:27 > 0:54:30At £400 down here... Are you all done?
0:54:30 > 0:54:34Yes! A nice round figure. The hammer's gone down. £400.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36- That's good.- Really good.
0:54:36 > 0:54:40- That will get you there.- It will. We'll have to work on him.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42I'll get halfway there now.
0:54:42 > 0:54:47I'm ever so pleased for you. Thank you for bringing that in.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56We've got some Troika coming under the hammer.
0:54:56 > 0:55:01Wonderful memories of a trip to Cornwall and Fred and Binky's holiday.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05Hopefully we'll get the £400-600 that we're looking for.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08I think we'll do the top end.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12- I know this is a cautious estimate, £400-500, from Mark.- Well...
0:55:12 > 0:55:18- If size is anything to go by, it's a whopper.- This is it. Good luck.
0:55:18 > 0:55:24Number 26 now is the 1970s Troika pillar sculpture or vase.
0:55:24 > 0:55:25A splendid vase there.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28£300 to start me?
0:55:28 > 0:55:33Three I have down there. At £300... At 300...
0:55:33 > 0:55:37340... 380...
0:55:37 > 0:55:39420... 460...
0:55:39 > 0:55:42460 against you. 500.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44At £500 over here now...
0:55:44 > 0:55:46Against you all at £500...
0:55:46 > 0:55:50520 on the telephone. 540...
0:55:50 > 0:55:53At 540... 560... 580...
0:55:53 > 0:55:56- 600... 620...- Good.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59620... 640... 660...
0:55:59 > 0:56:01At 660... 680...
0:56:01 > 0:56:03700... At 700...
0:56:03 > 0:56:05700 against you.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08720... 740... At 740...
0:56:08 > 0:56:13760. 760 on the telephone on my right now, against you.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15780. On the telephone at 780...
0:56:15 > 0:56:18At 780... 800...
0:56:18 > 0:56:20800 now. 820...
0:56:20 > 0:56:22At 820...
0:56:22 > 0:56:26- At 820... 840...- Still going on. - 840... 860...
0:56:26 > 0:56:28At 860... 880...
0:56:28 > 0:56:30900... 920...
0:56:30 > 0:56:33At 920... 940...
0:56:33 > 0:56:35Make it 960? 960...
0:56:35 > 0:56:38At 960... 980...
0:56:38 > 0:56:42At 980... 1,000. I'll take 1,050.
0:56:44 > 0:56:471,050... At 1,050... Make it 1,100?
0:56:47 > 0:56:52- 1,100... 1,150?- 1,150.
0:56:52 > 0:56:561,150... 1,200... At 1,200...
0:56:56 > 0:56:58At 1,200... 1,250...
0:56:58 > 0:57:03At 1,250... At 1,250 now... 1,300...
0:57:03 > 0:57:051,300...
0:57:05 > 0:57:08At 1,350... 1,400...
0:57:08 > 0:57:11At 1,400... 1,450...
0:57:11 > 0:57:131,500...
0:57:13 > 0:57:16- When's it going to stop, Binky? - I don't know.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20- I'm getting goose pimples on my face.- I'm shaking.
0:57:20 > 0:57:221,650...
0:57:22 > 0:57:25At 1,650... 1,700...
0:57:25 > 0:57:271,750...
0:57:27 > 0:57:30At 1,750 over here now... At 1,750...
0:57:30 > 0:57:32Against you all, I'm going to sell...
0:57:32 > 0:57:34Are you all done?
0:57:34 > 0:57:38- 1,750!- Lovely.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41Yes!
0:57:44 > 0:57:49- Great.- That's a trip back to Cornwall, isn't it?
0:57:49 > 0:57:53- You've got to do that. - That is beyond all expectations.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57- How exciting is that? - From £16.- £16. Yeah, I know.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00- I went mad at him. - God bless you for buying it.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03- How much was it? I can't... - Well done.- Thanks, Mark.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07- Mark, you're an angel.- Thank you.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12All I can say is, job done.
0:58:17 > 0:58:22The auction's still going on, but it's all over for our owners.
0:58:22 > 0:58:26We've had some super results - everything busting their estimates.
0:58:26 > 0:58:29That's auctions for you.
0:58:29 > 0:58:33I can't wait to see what happens at our next one. See you soon.