0:00:06 > 0:00:12Welcome to Great Yarmouth where hopefully today we'll have some sweet success on Flog It.
0:00:43 > 0:00:49Thank you. We've come to the town hall today here on Great Yarmouth's South Quay.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54This fine building is a really good example of the Victorian opulence
0:00:54 > 0:00:58scattered all over the town. There are even two piers.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Today, Great Yarmouth is hosting a different show - it's our show
0:01:07 > 0:01:12and hundreds of people have brought their unwanted antiques,
0:01:12 > 0:01:17hopefully getting great valuations from our experts.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21We'll take some of the best items to be sold at auction
0:01:21 > 0:01:24here in Diss in Norfolk.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36- Ah!- Thank you.- I don't believe it. - Neither do I.- Nor do I.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39So, let's get started.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44Hold on. Thomas has got his eye on a rather shapely young lady.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49Thank you for bringing this wonderful, delightful lady along.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53She's beautiful. Tell me about her. How did you come...?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57I bought it at a local flea market about ten years ago
0:01:57 > 0:02:00and fell in love with it then.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- It was love at first sight? - It certainly was ten years ago.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09And I thought, "What a wonderful figure and colour!"
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- The dimensions as well.- It is great.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17As you know, it's in a spelter, rather than being in a bronze.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21You would've bought this in the late '20s, early '30s
0:02:21 > 0:02:24if you couldn't afford the bronze,
0:02:24 > 0:02:29the actual bronze figures, because they would have been expensive.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33This was mid-range because the lesser items were done in plaster,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36then painted in a bronze effect,
0:02:36 > 0:02:42but this spelter look here with the decoration has worked very well.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47It has got such nice attention to detail and features on her face
0:02:47 > 0:02:51and down on her feet you've got her little toenails
0:02:51 > 0:02:56and her fingernails. It's a nice detail to have.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00She is classically Deco in this bathing suit
0:03:00 > 0:03:02with this wonderful hair.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06It was such an opulent time with the age of speed.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10You had the Spirit of Ecstasy Rolls-Royce
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and technology was moving forward.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Women got the vote, it was quite a modern time
0:03:17 > 0:03:23and this just reflects that modern, forward-thinking time, I think.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- How much did you pay for her? - The guy wanted roughly about £85,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32but I got him down to between 50 and 60.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36So, you did quite a good barter really.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- Not bad. - You got quite a good discount.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44£80 was quite reasonable. I think 55 is very good.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It's a nice-looking figure at £55.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- Would you be happy to let her go?- Yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- Why sell her?- I'd like to buy something different,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- maybe a painting. - Let's hope we sell it.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02- We'll put it in at 100 to 120. - That would be very good.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- Discretionary reserve at £100. Would that be OK?- As much as that?
0:04:06 > 0:04:09We can put the reserve at 80.
0:04:09 > 0:04:1180 would be fine.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15We'll put it in with the estimate at 100 to 120
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- with the reserve at £80. That's sensible.- I'd be pleased with that.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Bob, thank you for coming along today.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33It's so nice to see something out of the ordinary,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36this wonderful collection of seals.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Where did you get them from?
0:04:39 > 0:04:45This was the first one I bought because I'm interested in chess.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Oh, right, because it's the knight.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- I needed a knight to complete a chess set.- Oh, really?
0:04:52 > 0:04:56But then I found it was actually a seal.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58That then encouraged me
0:04:58 > 0:05:03to sort of look round for more seals to add to him.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07The knight was the starting piece. That's fantastic
0:05:07 > 0:05:11that that's why you started collecting seals.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17This is really interesting. We've got so many different materials.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22I like this one which is a lovely combination of different woods.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25We've got walnut and rosewood
0:05:25 > 0:05:30and it's really beautifully made, really lovely quality. Fantastic.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Also this ivory one which is very smart and nicely turned as well.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40It's a shame we've got this crack, but it's so beautifully made.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Very simple seal at the end.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46How long ago did you start collecting?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Probably about 15 years.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53So, how come you brought them along to sell them?
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Well, I told my daughter that if something happens to us,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02she's got to go through the house with a fine toothcomb
0:06:02 > 0:06:07and she said she would just get someone in to clear everything.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14- She has no interest in the collection?- No.- Are you still collecting?- I can't resist them.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18It's not the sort of thing you see very often.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21No, the last one I picked up at auction.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27I bought something else for £1 and this was thrown in as an afterthought.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30That is a very nice one.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34What's very interesting about them is they've got different markings,
0:06:34 > 0:06:40but what's nice about this one is the armorial stamp on the bottom.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46That's what people will probably go for, so with this thrown in,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- that was a bit of a bargain.- Yeah.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53That was very nice. I would say, value-wise,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56we should put an estimate of £200 to £300 on
0:06:56 > 0:07:01- and then hope they would make a lot more.- Hope they fly.- Exactly.
0:07:09 > 0:07:16Congratulations are in order because I've just joined Mervyn and Tina who got married yesterday.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- So, from the wedding day straight to the valuation day?- Yes, yes.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- Breakfast in bed, then joining the queue outside?- It certainly was.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29That's dedication with antiques!
0:07:29 > 0:07:31And thank you for bringing this in.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37I will now reveal what's inside this wonderful specimen case.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41It is in fact a collection of butterflies,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43beautifully mounted and presented.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Tell me all about it. - It belonged to my father.
0:07:47 > 0:07:54His grandfather collected them when he was in the army in India in about 1880, 1890.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58And when he died in about 1946, 1947, my father acquired them
0:07:58 > 0:08:03and they hung up in my grandmother's house until she died in 1982.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09As I'd always admired them, I asked if I could have them as the collection was being dispersed.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- I've had them for 22 years. - Have they been on the wall?
0:08:13 > 0:08:18- In my grandmother's house. - But not on your wall?- No.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21They're definitely not English.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Could well be brought back from India. I imagine so.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28They're late Victorian, 1880, 1890.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- So, have you seen these before? - Only twice.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37You must be thinking, "What's the rest of his furniture like?"
0:08:37 > 0:08:42Would you like to hang on to them? Should we be flogging them?
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- Flog it. - Depending on the value, I guess.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51They wouldn't last long on the wall being hung by this flex.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55This is so dangerous. This is early Victorian cabling!
0:08:55 > 0:08:58And it's just about to go here,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00so you've had it stored somewhere.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06I've had it in my loft, the worst place you can store anything.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11The box has been shut and they've been laid flat, so that's good.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Have you any idea of their value?
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- Not at all.- No idea. - It's a hard one to put on this.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22A lot of auction rooms won't want to take these in
0:09:22 > 0:09:27because we are not allowed to sell in auction an endangered species
0:09:27 > 0:09:31like collections of butterflies like this or beetles
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and birds' eggs, things like that.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38There is a date threshold. This precedes that.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42It's before the 1900s. It's not been fiddled with.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47This cabinet has not been tampered with, the glass is original,
0:09:47 > 0:09:53so there's nothing added to this recently. We'll get away with this.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Plus you can see it's late Victorian,
0:09:56 > 0:10:00the sunlight's got to it, it's faded.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05If we put them into auction, we should get between £75 and £100.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- If two people want them, it'll do a little bit more.- That's fine.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- It's not the everyday collector that'll want this.- I realise that.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17I want it to go to a better home.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Would this money go towards the honeymoon? You're going on one?
0:10:22 > 0:10:27- Yes, it would.- Where are you going? - Caribbean cruise.- Lovely.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- You won't want to come home. Be back for the auction!- Definitely.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Patricia, tell me about this jewellery you've brought today.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48It belonged to my late husband's grandmother.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Then it went to his mother, then it came to him.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Then when he died some years ago now, it came to me.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- Did you wear it? - I only wore it a few times.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06I haven't made a practice of wearing it
0:11:06 > 0:11:09because the earrings are heavy.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14What is interesting about them is that yes, they are gold,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17but there's a mark on the back.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21It's very small, but it's a kite mark, the registration mark.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25And if it was struck a little bit better,
0:11:25 > 0:11:30and even with my times ten lens, I can't actually make out
0:11:30 > 0:11:34the letters to do with the registration mark
0:11:34 > 0:11:37which would give me the exact date,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41but it does help me decide if these are Edwardian or Victorian.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44These are definitely Victorian.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Definitely Victorian. Do you know what these stones are here?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Diamonds.- Yes, a girl's best friend.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55They're diamond... what we call rose-cuts.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Old, brilliant-cut, rose-cut diamonds.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Sort of nicely set within this star setting.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08Some people call it a gypsy setting with a star to make it look bigger
0:12:08 > 0:12:10on this raised mount here.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- Yes, I see.- It's lovely. They've been really nicely made.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20It's great it's in its original box, a great suite of jewellery.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25But, Patricia, your daughters wouldn't be interested in this?
0:12:25 > 0:12:30- Not in this, no.- Not fashionable enough for them?- No.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Normally, when we value jewellery, we value it
0:12:35 > 0:12:40just by breaking down its true material, gold and diamonds.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45We add a little bit on for its age, especially in this case here
0:12:45 > 0:12:50and being its original case. The gold would not weigh a great deal.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56- So, any idea of value? - No, not really, no.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00It's gonna be worth between £150 and £250 for the suite.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Would you be happy with that?- Yes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07We'll definitely sell it for you and also it's so nice,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09it could do a little bit better.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- There's always that chance.- Yes.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Now, what jewels did our experts choose?
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Thomas was rather taken by the curvaceous figurine,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26but was his figure of £100 to £120 a little too hot?
0:13:26 > 0:13:31Catherine hopes the seals will get the seal of approval
0:13:31 > 0:13:33and reach the £200 to £300 target.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38I was enchanted by the newly weds' butterfly collection
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and I hope it'll make £75 to £100.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Thomas thinks the Victorian jewellery set could sparkle
0:13:45 > 0:13:47and make £100 to £200.
0:13:47 > 0:13:53'This looks like a pretty setting to tell you all about Diss.'
0:13:53 > 0:13:58Ready? 'And this fella looks like he's happy to get in on the act.'
0:13:58 > 0:14:01OK? He nipped me!
0:14:01 > 0:14:05He took a chunk out my arm! Hey, you!
0:14:05 > 0:14:08OK, this is the one. You be good.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12..which is one of the original two...
0:14:12 > 0:14:16..one of the town's original two centres...
0:14:16 > 0:14:21'They say never work with children or animals! Once more then...'
0:14:21 > 0:14:25We're in Diss for our auction and I'm standing on Fair Green,
0:14:25 > 0:14:32one of the two original town centres, and this whole area was a vibrant meeting place,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35but today just hosts the odd fair.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39Our travels have brought us to Thomas William Gaze and Son
0:14:39 > 0:14:46where Alan Smith, the auctioneer, will cast his expert eye over something we've brought along.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Expert Catherine Southon valued these 21 seals
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- at £200 to £300.- Yeah. - There's a lot of lot there.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Well, there is, and basically it's a pre-formed collection,
0:14:59 > 0:15:05which is to its advantage in one regard and to its disadvantage in another.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Bob collected these for the last 15 years.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12His daughter doesn't want them.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16There's a holiday riding on this, so will we sell them?
0:15:16 > 0:15:23I think so. Collectors often say, "I've got that one and I only want this one."
0:15:23 > 0:15:27That's the problem, but I'll do my damnedest.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31What do you think about the valuation, 2 to 3?
0:15:31 > 0:15:37If you price them individually, it should come to that. As a group, it's touch and go.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40You're slightly dubious on this.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- Because I said a holiday's riding on this.- That's right.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48It might be a shorter holiday than I'd hoped.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52At 150 now. Where's 160...?
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Where's 5?
0:16:05 > 0:16:12Right now we need a seal of approval from the bidders. In fact, we need 21 seals.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Catherine, £200 to £300 valuation you did at the valuation day.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Since then, Bob's had a word with the auctioneer
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and he put a reserve on of £250.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- You've upped it?- That's right.- With discretion, so it could go for 225.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- You think I'm too mean?- Not overly generous is what I'd say.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- Fair enough.- Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Number 230 is the collection of seals.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45A lovely overall collection here.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- It is lovely.- The auctioneer said they would do the lower end.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53At 150 I'm bid. At 150.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Where's 60? At 150. Where's 60?
0:16:57 > 0:17:00At 160. 170. 180.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04190. 200. 220. 240.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08It's in the room at £240. Where is 60?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Middle bid now at 240 only.
0:17:11 > 0:17:1460 anywhere? Whole collection, 240.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19Yes, the hammer's gone down, £240. Catherine was right.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24- There was no need for the extra pressure.- No.- Right in the middle.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- You're happy with that?- Yeah. - You're happy?- Yeah.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31And whoever bought that is very happy!
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Any more? At £50 now.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36I'm selling at 50... 55.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41We have Patricia's lovely earrings and a gorgeous brooch to sell.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45These have been in the family a long time?
0:17:45 > 0:17:50- Yes, they have.- They look like they suit you. Why are you selling them?
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Because the earrings have a big hook and they flip about.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- I like earrings that hold... - Clipped.- Yes.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- We're looking for £150 to £250. Happy with the valuation?- Yes.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Let's see if we can get the top end. Will we do it, Thomas?
0:18:07 > 0:18:13- I don't know. It's quite a nice set.- There's not a lot of jewellery here.- No.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Number 60 is the jewellery.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18And showing this side.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22It's a lovely little suite here.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27I'm starting at the bottom end estimate, £100 bid.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31At £100, I start. At £100, it's before you all.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33At 100. 110. 120.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37130. 140. 150. 160.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- At £160...- It's going up.- Yeah.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44At 160. Where's 70?
0:18:44 > 0:18:47170. 180. 190.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52200. At £200 I'm bid now. Where's 10, if you like?
0:18:52 > 0:18:57We have the 200. We're looking for more. At £200, is there 10?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00We're at £200, we're selling 200...
0:19:01 > 0:19:06- Brilliant! £200! That was good.- Very good.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10It went static for a little while. It got stuck on £90.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- What will you spend £200 on?- It will be on the five grandchildren.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- A bit of commission to pay, but you'll get around £200.- Yes.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- Not bad, eh?- Not bad, Thomas. - Very good.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Spot-on.- 100%.- He knows his onions.
0:19:30 > 0:19:36This is the valuation I did on the Victorian butterfly collection.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41- £75 to £100, brought in by...? - Tina.- Tina and Mervyn.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45They just got married the day before the valuation day.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- You've come back from your honeymoon.- Yes.- Beautiful tans.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- What's life like in the real world? You didn't want to come home?- No.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- Definitely not.- Where did you go? - Caribbean.- Look at the tan!
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Let's hope these butterflies fly away.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07The auctioneer agreed with my valuation.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- Fine.- So hopefully we will sell them. We'll find out right now.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Number 140 is the butterflies,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18nice collection of Victorian butterflies here.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- These are good.- £100?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24100? £50 starts?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27£30 if you like, the butterflies?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Thank you. 30. 5.
0:20:30 > 0:20:3440. 5. 50. 5.
0:20:34 > 0:20:3660. 5. 70 bid.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40£70 is here now. Where is 5?
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- At £70, where is 5 again?- Come on.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48Middle room at £70. Is there 5? At 70, middle room now...
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- He sold them. Are you happy with that?- Absolutely.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- Sorry there was no-one else to challenge.- One thing we've decided,
0:20:57 > 0:21:01we're going to give the money to my father as they were his.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06Keep the money. You've already spent your money on honeymoon.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- We certainly have.- You'll be paying for that for a few years.- Yes.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14110 now. Where's 20...?
0:21:15 > 0:21:19If you'd like to find out more about antiques
0:21:19 > 0:21:24or buying and selling at auction, log on to our website.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38We've got some Art Deco going under the hammer now.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41This is Rodney's spelter figure.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Will we get the right figure? The valuation is 100 to 120.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- Yeah.- Hoping for a bit more? - 120, 130, yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- Would you be happy with £200? - More than happy.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59I have a feeling it might do £200. It's got the casting of a bronze.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01It's a spelter figure.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06- It's the poor man's equivalent. - But she's got the figure.- Yes.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- I like this.- She's F-1-T.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Thomas, I know this is your bag. Can we get a little more than 120?
0:22:14 > 0:22:19I don't know. Sometimes Art Deco goes slightly off the boil.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- It's a tough one. - I want to see this do £200.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26We'll find out right now.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32Number 50, we have this decorative and attractive Deco lady here.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35She starts at just £50. At £50, she starts.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39And she's nice quality. 60. 70.
0:22:39 > 0:22:4180. 90.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45100. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49At £140, she is. Where is 50?
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- At 140, she is. Where is 50? - Bit more!
0:22:53 > 0:22:56She's attractive. At £140...
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Did it, 140. Got you a little bit more than the 120.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- You were spot-on, Thomas. Happy with that?- Very pleased.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- What's that going towards? - A season ticket at Norwich City.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- Your local team?- Yeah. - Delia Smith's team?- Absolutely.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18- I hope they stay up. - Definitely will. Thanks very much.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23You're staying up, but my team's going down. I'm so disappointed.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- Southampton.- Can't win 'em all!
0:23:31 > 0:23:36Gosh, what a beautiful necklace! Look at that.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40I know a few necks that will look absolutely stunning around,
0:23:40 > 0:23:45but the source of amber may be a lot closer to home than you think.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48# Like pebbles on a beach
0:23:48 > 0:23:52# Kicked around, displaced by feet
0:23:53 > 0:23:57# Oh, like broken stones... #
0:23:57 > 0:24:01What a stunning day! I just had to get some fresh sea air.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05And you've got to admit, it's absolutely gorgeous.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10The area isn't just rich in natural beauty, but in natural treasure
0:24:10 > 0:24:15because it's only here in all of the UK that you can find this
0:24:15 > 0:24:17and it's amber.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21This piece dates back 30 to 50 million years
0:24:21 > 0:24:26when all of northern Europe was one big antique pine forest.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30Amber is a fossilised sap, the resin from the tree
0:24:30 > 0:24:34which runs down the deep furrows of the bark,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37often trapping insects into its sticky solution.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45When the ice melted, the amber was deposited.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Some of it landed on the sea bed right off of this coastline
0:24:49 > 0:24:55and often on stormy days, the sea tosses up pieces of amber on to the beach
0:24:55 > 0:25:01and I know where I can find the biggest piece of amber ever found in the UK.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I've come to the Amber Museum in Southwold
0:25:06 > 0:25:11where owner Robin Fournel is the man with the Midas touch.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30- This is a gorgeous piece. - Oh, wow, it is big.- Yes.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36- It's a boulder. You could make a bracelet out of that.- Or a pendant.
0:25:36 > 0:25:41- It's a gorgeous piece.- This was literally washed up on the beach?
0:25:41 > 0:25:47No, it was trawled up by two fishermen a couple of years ago.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52They were a mile north of Southwold at Covehithe and a mile out to sea
0:25:52 > 0:25:57- and they brought this up and they were delighted.- I bet they were.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01How much would a piece like this cost on the open market?
0:26:01 > 0:26:07Today, amber prices have gone up, so I would expect £4,000 to £5,000.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12Really? What a lot of money! Better than catching fish, I must say!
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Why is just one side polished?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18We open the window on the amber,
0:26:18 > 0:26:24so we can look in and see the different colours and tones.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29That's a nice way of putting it. Why is it always found around here?
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Because it's believed by scientists
0:26:32 > 0:26:36that the great glaciers of all those millions of years ago
0:26:36 > 0:26:41deposited some amber, as the fingers of the glaciers went out,
0:26:41 > 0:26:47underneath the North Sea, so there's a bed of amber under the North Sea.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- You've been in the business 20, 30-odd years here?- Yes, 30 years.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54How much amber have you found?
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Don't tell anyone, but I've never found any.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I'd love to find a piece, but I never have.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06- I go with my two sons walking on the beach.- But you don't see any?
0:27:06 > 0:27:13My son has once. I gave him £1 to get an ice cream and he came back with ice cream and a piece of amber
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- and he tried to sell it to me. - Chip off the old block!
0:27:17 > 0:27:22- How regularly is it washed up? - Not so much as it used to be.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28- One or two pieces a week.- And what sort of size? Something like this?
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Not as large as that, sadly. That's a lovely piece.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37They're usually more like a cherry size, that sort of size.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42- So, not very big, I'm afraid.- And the value of something like that?
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Depends on the quality, £10, £15.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Tell me about this crown.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51It's probably the most popular piece in the museum.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Everybody mentions it. It's beautiful.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57It was made in about 1920
0:27:57 > 0:28:00for a German family.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05I don't know if they fell on hard times, but it came up for auction.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Is that how you acquired it?- Yes.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Dare we talk about value today?
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Well, it's frightening, this, yes.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18This is actually insured for £20,000, but it's a wonderful piece.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40The darker the piece, the more expensive, the older it is.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- How does it change colour? - It's oxidising.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48Imperceptibly, over the years, it slowly deepens in colour,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51from a bright yellow of modern amber
0:28:51 > 0:28:55- to the deep, golden yellow.- Yeah.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58That's where the value is.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- This would be older than this.- Yes.
0:29:01 > 0:29:07- It hasn't turned colour.- No.- It'll take 2,000-3,000 years.- Probably.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11It's not only colour, it's also what's inside it.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16- A trapped insect...- Makes a big difference.- Lots of money.
0:29:16 > 0:29:22- You've got a little spider here. Lots of spiders are trapped.- Yes.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27It's a particularly stunning piece because the insect is quite large.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Smaller insects usually got trapped.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35- Bigger ones could fight their way free.- Or lose a leg.- Yes.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40But this is quite a large sample of a creature.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43That's about 50 million years old.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48That has been identified by the Natural History Museum.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51They are a contact with pre-history.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56Before man walked the Earth, insects were trapped in the amber.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01OK, let's say this didn't have the spider. That age, that colour.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04How much would that be worth?
0:30:04 > 0:30:06£200-£250.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11- OK.- Without the insect.- With the insect in, what's it worth?
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- 650. Big difference. - There is, isn't there?
0:30:15 > 0:30:20If you wanted to collect amber, what would be good to start with?
0:30:20 > 0:30:24I'd suggest something like this, which is a lovely piece
0:30:24 > 0:30:31- with a tiny insect trapped in there. - How much?- £20.- Excellent value.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36- It is.- You could get it mounted into a pendant.- Yes, here's a pendant.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40That's amber mounted in silver, on a silver chain.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- We sell that for £18. - Very reasonable.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48Or you could go for the top end, something kitsch. A galleon.
0:30:48 > 0:30:55- I don't like it, though. What would that cost?- I paid £15,000 for that.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00- I can appreciate the work, but it's not really my cup of tea.- No.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03But it's greatly admired, I have to say.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08- Because it is so expensive, there are fakes on the market.- Sadly.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- This is your fakes section.- Yes.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15The only way to test amber is the hot pin test.
0:31:15 > 0:31:20Heat a pin up and prick it into the amber.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25If it smells of sap, that's right. If it smells of plastic, it's fake.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29The one with the little gecko is so obviously a fake.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32You just wouldn't see that.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Of course, you can always see in genuine amber
0:31:36 > 0:31:39how the creature's struggled to get out.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- This was obviously very dead.- Yes.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51There's nothing fake about our valuation day.
0:31:51 > 0:31:56It looks like Catherine's found a genuine treasure.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01- Sylvia, you've brought this lovely bear. Who's this?- I call him Ted.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06- I played with him when I was young. - I'm going to take him off you.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11He's absolutely gorgeous. He is huge, isn't he, for a teddy bear?
0:32:11 > 0:32:16- He's wonderful. He does look a bit sorry for himself, though.- It does.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18But he is a lovely bear.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23I'm having a baby soon. This sort of thing, for me, would be perfect.
0:32:23 > 0:32:29Where did you get him from? You've had him since you were a child.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- Was it bought for you? - No, it was bought for my uncle,
0:32:33 > 0:32:38who then passed it on to my brother, who then passed it on to me.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- Who's this?- My great-grandmother,
0:32:41 > 0:32:46- my uncle, and Ted.- Oh, there he is. Oh, that's fantastic.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- In perfect condition there.- He was.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54- Lovely condition. - He looks bigger than my uncle.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Oh, isn't that lovely? A photograph showing exactly...
0:32:58 > 0:33:04I don't know if you know, but he is a bear by the German maker, Steiff.
0:33:04 > 0:33:11First of all, this wonderful character on his face. A lovely, pronounced snout.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Lovely black boot eyes as well.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19He's so adorable. Oh, he's such a lovely, lovely bear.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23I can't believe that you're wanting to let him go.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28He's, you know, getting... He's been up in the loft for so long.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33I think somebody needs to see him. No-one sees him up in the loft.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38I want him to have a good home that'll appreciate him.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Do you know where he came from?
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- Do you know much about Steiff? - Not very. German, isn't it?
0:33:45 > 0:33:50That's right. It is German. It was a lady called Margarette Steiff
0:33:50 > 0:33:53who started up the factory.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58She made a felt pin-cushion in the shape of an elephant.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03That was the first thing she did, back in the late 19th century.
0:34:03 > 0:34:061884, she made this pin-cushion.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11That's why, early on, the bears that they made and the soft toys
0:34:11 > 0:34:14that she consequently made,
0:34:14 > 0:34:19they had buttons in their ears but they didn't have the name Steiff.
0:34:19 > 0:34:26They had the elephant symbol, the first thing that she made. That's how to tell early pieces.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29This is much later in date.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33It's not one of the first things that was produced.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38This was more the beginning of the 20th century.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42I'd say, because of these lovely black boot eyes,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46which are so adorable, it's pre-First World War.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Later on, you get glass eyes.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- Now, he really is a bit sorry for himself.- Yes, isn't he?
0:34:53 > 0:34:57His stuffing is coming out all over me.
0:34:57 > 0:35:03He's a little bit limp, and he's lost a lot of fur round his nose.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05He did growl when I first...
0:35:05 > 0:35:08- He's lost his growl.- Right.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13At the back they have got this hump where they had the growler.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18- When you tipped him up... - He did growl.- He made that noise.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23- What do you think it would be worth at auction?- I honestly don't know.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29- I'd like to say a price, but I'd be well out.- No, go on. Give it a stab.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33I'd like it to be about 100. In that mark. I don't know.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37In perfect condition, we'd be looking at four figures.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42- In perfect condition.- Wow. - But, and it's a big "but"...- Yes.
0:35:42 > 0:35:48..we can see here all his insides coming out. There's holes.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Moth holes. A lot of the inside of him has come out.
0:35:52 > 0:35:58Lots of thin, skinny areas, particularly around the nose,
0:35:58 > 0:36:04which is important because it is the pronounced snout where we get this character from.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07He's lost a lot of fur, and colour.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12The colour is important on these. It would have had a golden colour.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Now it looks more sort of grey.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Greeny colour, which is a shame.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Value-wise, it's going to drop right down.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25- It'll be between £100-£200.- Right.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30- That's more what you were thinking. - Yes. I was hoping at least 100.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Let's hope that somebody finds him and loves him, just like you did,
0:36:35 > 0:36:40and will cherish him, and make somebody very happy. He's lovely.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Ivy, you've brought along two dishes.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54You think they're one thing and I think they're another.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59- You think they're Newlyn. - I was only going by the pattern.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03It's got the fish and I thought, "Oh, Newlyn."
0:37:03 > 0:37:08But they are stamped on the base with this ostrich mark.
0:37:08 > 0:37:14That's the mark I expect to see for early items from the WMF Factory.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17WMF is a German manufacturer
0:37:17 > 0:37:22who did Art Nouveau items, and were great exponents of the subject.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25They did maidens, they did fish.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28They did copperware, glass. Everything.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32They were a massive company, but they still make today.
0:37:32 > 0:37:38Certainly cutlery. If you go into a department store, you'll see WMF.
0:37:38 > 0:37:45I believe they're those. Or they could have been blanks and then done later in Newlyn.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50But they look a bit too stylised to be Newlyn,
0:37:50 > 0:37:54because of the way the reeds or the seaweed is.
0:37:54 > 0:38:00It's got a whiplash to it, which is a continental Art Nouveau trait,
0:38:00 > 0:38:05like you see in Paris on the Metro system by Hector Guimard.
0:38:05 > 0:38:12It's got that similar, sinuous, whiplash line, just like these.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Why did you buy them?
0:38:14 > 0:38:19Well, on reflection, I must have bought them well before 1996.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23I was buying copper kettles for my husband.
0:38:23 > 0:38:29He collected them, but he was very sick, so I was out checking them.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32I thought, "That looks like Newlyn."
0:38:32 > 0:38:34You thought, "Oh, I like these."
0:38:34 > 0:38:40- More copper for him.- They're lovely. Did you pay much for them?
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- No, no, no. Probably in the region of £30-£40.- That's fine, then.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- We're going to get you 40-60.- OK.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53- That's a profit.- Increase. - These are quite fashionable now.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- Happy with that?- Yes, that's fine.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00That money, what will you do with it?
0:39:00 > 0:39:05All the money from these is going to the Ukraine children on the street.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- They're turned out of their homes. - Really?- Street children.
0:39:09 > 0:39:15- I need more than that.- Of course. - Not for these, but I need more.
0:39:15 > 0:39:22- This would be a start, then sell other things.- Yes.- Let's hope they sell well.- That would be lovely.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- We'll firm up the estimate at 40-60.- OK.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- They are rather delightful.- Right.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33We'll do our very best. Hopefully, we'll get more.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36June, you've brought a wooden box.
0:39:36 > 0:39:42- Not a normal wooden box.- No, it's a musical box.- Where did you get it?
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Well, it came from my father.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50He used to have a curiosity shop, and anything he took a fancy to,
0:39:50 > 0:39:55he used to take home, and he used to have this beside his bed.
0:39:55 > 0:40:02- Do you know anything about these, in terms of where these are made? - Absolutely nothing.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07We can open this up and we can see that it's a Swiss musical box.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Made in Switzerland towards the end of the 19th century.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Date-wise, probably about 1880s.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18In the front here, we've got the tune sheet,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21the list of all the airs that would be played.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25It's got the tune indicator as well. On there,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28it's got the number of airs.
0:40:28 > 0:40:34- As each tune is played, the arrow moves on.- I didn't realise that.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Maybe it doesn't on this if it's not in perfect working condition.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41But that's what should happen.
0:40:41 > 0:40:46Over here it's got the start and stop levers, and change and repeat,
0:40:46 > 0:40:52so you could repeat the tune and have the same tune going on and on,
0:40:52 > 0:40:58- or flick it to "change" to play a different tune. - It played different ones.
0:40:58 > 0:41:04I thought it sounded pretty. That's the only thing that I really know.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09- It was the sound, the music.- Yes. - That's why you're interested in it.
0:41:09 > 0:41:16This little piece, that's the metal comb. Right at the end of each of these teeth is a little prong.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21It tings against the little pieces sticking out of the cylinder,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25and that gives it the lovely sound.
0:41:25 > 0:41:31The box is probably rosewood. That was the common material.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35On the top, there's a little transfer motif.
0:41:35 > 0:41:41- Unfortunately, it's not in very good condition.- Unfortunately, no.
0:41:41 > 0:41:47We have got this crack along here. That really will affect its value.
0:41:47 > 0:41:53- It belonged to your father. You must be attached to it.- Yes, I am.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55But as you get older,
0:41:55 > 0:42:01you realise that you've collected several things over the years
0:42:01 > 0:42:06- and your children probably don't want them.- Any ideas on value?
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Erm... Maybe 100? I wouldn't really... I've no idea.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I don't think you're far out.
0:42:15 > 0:42:21- It would be worth about £150-£200. - Would it?- Something like that.- Yes.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- How does that sound to you? - Yes, fine.
0:42:24 > 0:42:31A simple example, not in the best condition. But if you'll gamble, I'll gamble.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Let's just hope that it does well.
0:42:47 > 0:42:52I love being by the coastline. For me, it's a sense of freedom.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57It gives inspiration. Out there are wonderful countries to discover.
0:42:57 > 0:43:02Being islanders, the sea is our key means of defence against attackers.
0:43:02 > 0:43:08We need a navy, which brings me to my schoolboy hero, Horatio Nelson.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13He was born in 1758 just along the coast from here in Burnham Thorpe.
0:43:13 > 0:43:18From these beaches, he set sail at the age of 22 to join the navy.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22By 1800, he was ennobled Lord Nelson.
0:43:22 > 0:43:27Having lost an eye and an arm in action, he returned home here
0:43:27 > 0:43:30to await orders from his country.
0:43:30 > 0:43:36The people of Yarmouth were so proud of Nelson, they commissioned a monument.
0:43:36 > 0:43:44That's it, built in 1815, 30 years before London got around to raising their tribute in Trafalgar Square.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46It commemorates his victories.
0:43:46 > 0:43:53The greatest was Trafalgar, where Nelson achieved immortality by defeating the French and Spanish,
0:43:53 > 0:43:56dying at his moment of triumph.
0:43:56 > 0:44:01The statue of Britannia on the top faces Nelson's birthplace.
0:44:03 > 0:44:09All that was 200 years ago. What more excuse do I need to find out more?
0:44:12 > 0:44:17And what better person to talk to than Charles Lewis?
0:44:17 > 0:44:23Not only is he a local chap, but he's also writing a book on Nelson.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34What was the connection with the navy for Nelson?
0:44:34 > 0:44:40- Why did he go into the navy? Who was he influenced by?- His uncle,
0:44:40 > 0:44:47who had been in the navy, and it was his uncle who got him to sea in the first instance.
0:44:47 > 0:44:52His uncle, interestingly enough, had fought a battle in the Caribbean
0:44:52 > 0:44:57some years previously, and it had been a minor triumph.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01That was celebrated each year in the Nelson household,
0:45:01 > 0:45:06- on what was to become Trafalgar Day, October the 21st.- Right on that day?
0:45:06 > 0:45:12- The same day that Nelson was to die on.- That's quite ironic.- Amazing.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16This image is an image which every schoolboy knows.
0:45:16 > 0:45:23It has become an icon, this scene. It looks like they're not ready for battle. Looks like a training day.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27It does. It's before the battle.
0:45:27 > 0:45:32It shows Nelson about to send up his famous signal, "England expects."
0:45:32 > 0:45:38He was a wonderful naval tactician. These tactics won the battle. Talk me through it.
0:45:38 > 0:45:44He'd a lot of time to think what to do with this fleet when he found it.
0:45:44 > 0:45:51Normally, when two fleets came into battle, they fought in parallel lines. It was established procedure.
0:45:51 > 0:45:56Nelson was keen to surprise them with something revolutionary.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01He approached the French fleet at right angles, which meant...
0:46:01 > 0:46:07- They couldn't shoot. - They could fire at him but he couldn't fire at them.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09His cannons pointed to the sides.
0:46:09 > 0:46:17Actually, his ships endured about 40 minutes of approach when they were under fire from the French,
0:46:17 > 0:46:22so his ship was a virtual wreck when it broke through the French line.
0:46:22 > 0:46:26Then it was a free-for-all,
0:46:26 > 0:46:34and British superiority and training really told in the end, and the French and Spanish were defeated.
0:46:34 > 0:46:40But, of course, the other thing that happened is that Nelson died in the battle.
0:46:40 > 0:46:46There's a lot to see. You singled out a few of your favourite items.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50- Let's muse over these.- It's difficult to choose favourites.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52There's such a variety.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56These are typical examples of Nelson memorabilia.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59There's a nice toby jug there.
0:46:59 > 0:47:04- Staffordshire figures. Lovely little snuff box.- I like that.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08- It's enamelled tin.- Yes, it is. - Cute snuff box.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12- Tell me about this. - That's a strange-looking thing.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16It's supposed to be one of Nelson's pen-knives.
0:47:16 > 0:47:22Not what you'd expect a pen-knife to look like. The term has changed.
0:47:22 > 0:47:26That would have been used to trim a quill pen.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29- Hence the name, pen-knife.- Yes.
0:47:29 > 0:47:36Any idea of the value of that? Crikey, if that is Nelson's, that's worth thousands and thousands.
0:47:36 > 0:47:42I think this toby jug is highly collectable. It's a classic thing to collect.
0:47:42 > 0:47:48Something like that is going to set you back a couple of thousand pounds.
0:47:48 > 0:47:53We have the 200-year anniversary of Nelson's death now.
0:47:53 > 0:47:58What will things be like in, let's say, 2205?
0:47:58 > 0:48:01These will be twice as expensive.
0:48:01 > 0:48:08Get buying and get collecting. In 200 years' time, they could be worth a lot.
0:48:12 > 0:48:18This seascape depicts the Battle of Trafalgar, fought in 1805. On it there's an inscription.
0:48:18 > 0:48:23"England expects every man to do his duty."
0:48:23 > 0:48:29We expect every expert to do their duty. Here's what they found to take to auction.
0:48:29 > 0:48:34Sylvia's teddy lost his stuffing after all that cuddling.
0:48:34 > 0:48:39Catherine thinks he may only make £100-£200. Hmm, I wonder?
0:48:39 > 0:48:44Thomas hopes Ivy's copper plates could dish up cash for charity,
0:48:44 > 0:48:47and has estimated £40-£60.
0:48:47 > 0:48:51We hope the music box might hit the right chord
0:48:51 > 0:48:55and make the valuation of £150-£200.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59First, Alan and I are in need of a bit of a cuddle.
0:48:59 > 0:49:04Sylvia's Steiff teddy bear. He's a winner. He's my favourite lot.
0:49:04 > 0:49:10- Catherine has put 100-200 on him. - We'd all love to buy him for that.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13I'd like to say £1,000-£2,000.
0:49:13 > 0:49:18I think she's undervalued him. He's got the attributes that you want.
0:49:18 > 0:49:23- Look at the look.- Yes.- You'll never see a little face like that again.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26OK, well, he's a German bear.
0:49:26 > 0:49:28Steiff. Margarette Steiff.
0:49:28 > 0:49:34All that he needs. He's got his tag in his ear - left ear.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38Vertical stitching on his nose. Needs packing.
0:49:38 > 0:49:45- I love the nose. Some little kid has been carrying the bear by its nose.- Boot button eyes.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48- Long, narrow feet.- And long arms.
0:49:48 > 0:49:54And underneath, that felt, which is again typical of the factory.
0:49:54 > 0:49:56This bear was made in 1909.
0:49:56 > 0:50:01He's 95 years old, so it's a grandfather bear.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04- We should sing Happy Birthday.- Yes.
0:50:04 > 0:50:10We have put him in our catalogue at 400-600. Your figures were low.
0:50:10 > 0:50:15- What do you think it might make? - £1,000.- Add a bit, we'd be happy.
0:50:15 > 0:50:20If he was the bigger size, you would have won the lottery.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23He's not that, but he's good.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28- I think you're holding something back.- No, no, I just fancy him.
0:50:28 > 0:50:33- Put your neck on the block.- I will put my neck on the block. 1,200.
0:50:33 > 0:50:38- Great.- OK? We'll see. We hope for the best.
0:50:38 > 0:50:43How exciting. If Ted makes that, we'll all be thrilled. We'll see.
0:50:43 > 0:50:48- June, we're about to sell your father's rosewood music box.- Yes.
0:50:48 > 0:50:56Right place, right time. A lot of instruments here. People have come for that. This'll catch their eye.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59- Good.- We're looking for £150-£200.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Why are you selling the music box?
0:51:02 > 0:51:05As you get older, you get clutter.
0:51:05 > 0:51:10- It's hard to split a music box into three.- You've got three kids?- Yes.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12- Will we do it?- Difficult to sell.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15There's not a huge market for them.
0:51:15 > 0:51:20If it sells, it'll be around the low estimate. It won't take off.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24- Dad was an antique dealer. - Something like that.
0:51:24 > 0:51:32- Must be right, or he wouldn't have kept it.- Anything that Father liked ended up down home, not in the shop.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35- Typical dealer.- Yes.- Good luck.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Number 95. We have the little music box.
0:51:39 > 0:51:45In nice order. I'll start bottom end of estimate at £100 only.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48- At £100, I'm bid.- (Come on.)
0:51:48 > 0:51:52At £100 only. Where's 10? At 110.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55120. 130. 140.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58At £140, is bid.
0:51:58 > 0:52:0150, do you like? 140. 150. 160.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03170. 180. 190.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06200. At £200, is bid.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09At £200 now. 10, if it helps.
0:52:09 > 0:52:13At £200 now. At 200...
0:52:13 > 0:52:17210. 220. Written bids still have it at £220.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19May I say 30?
0:52:19 > 0:52:23At £220. It goes away on £220.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27- 220. So Dad had a good eye, didn't he?- Yes, yes.
0:52:27 > 0:52:32There's always commission to pay in auctions. It varies from 15 to 20%.
0:52:32 > 0:52:38So there's a bit of commission to pay. What'll you do with the money?
0:52:38 > 0:52:41- Presents for the grandchildren.- OK.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53Two lovely copper plates next.
0:52:53 > 0:52:58- They're Ivy's, but not for much longer.- No.- Not a lot riding on it.
0:52:58 > 0:53:05- £40-£60. But it's going to a very good cause.- Absolutely. - Tell me about it.
0:53:05 > 0:53:10Poor people in other countries, particularly in Ukraine.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14We're sending money to the street children.
0:53:14 > 0:53:20- They're terribly deprived. - How did you get involved in this? - Through the church.
0:53:20 > 0:53:28My Bible says if you have anything you want to get rid of, sell what you have and give it to the poor.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33Let's hope we get top money. A good maker. I can't pronounce the W.
0:53:33 > 0:53:38The M is "Metalworken" and the F is "Fabritiken". Something like that.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40- It's collectable.- Very.
0:53:40 > 0:53:46- Top end?- We'll have to wait. - Is it a come-and-buy-me?- It is.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48I think we're looking at £40-£50.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51Let's find out. Good luck, Ivy.
0:53:51 > 0:53:57Number 125. WMF, in brass. Nice to see these Art Nouveau dishes.
0:53:57 > 0:54:01- Brass?- I'll start at just £30. A nice pair.
0:54:01 > 0:54:0530. A collectable maker. £30, I'm bid.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08Where's 5? At 30. 5. 40.
0:54:08 > 0:54:105. 50. 5.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14At 55, is bid. Where is 60? 55 is bid.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18Where is 60? At 55, they're done.
0:54:18 > 0:54:2255. Nearly top end. That was good.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25He said they're brass. They're copper.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28- A good result.- Yes, I'm happy.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39Now we've got the most exciting lot.
0:54:39 > 0:54:44Sylvia's little Steiff teddy bear. In fact, it's a large teddy bear.
0:54:44 > 0:54:49- Are you ready for this?- Yes. - Lots of mixed emotions?- Yes.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52I can see a little tear. Sorrow.
0:54:52 > 0:54:58- I would not sell this bear. Why are you doing it?- Nobody wants him.
0:54:58 > 0:55:03- I'm trying to download what I've got.- All of the UK will want him.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07He is gorgeous. He's got the right attributes.
0:55:07 > 0:55:13- I spoke to the auctioneer. I said to him I'd pay £800 for it.- Really?
0:55:13 > 0:55:18This is gonna be a roller-coaster ride. Pull your chair up to the TV.
0:55:18 > 0:55:23- That would be great. - Pain and joy.- I think joy.
0:55:23 > 0:55:29- You put a cheeky 100-200 on this.- I went low because he is very poorly.
0:55:29 > 0:55:34- But he's fabulous. Should do well. - Auctioneer said it might do £1,200.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36- Oh, my word!- Wow!
0:55:36 > 0:55:41- Then we'll all be crying.- Pleasure and pain. You like that. Good luck.
0:55:41 > 0:55:47Number 35 is the magnificent Steiff teddy bear here.
0:55:47 > 0:55:53- He IS magnificent.- Looking very happy there. What may I say here?
0:55:53 > 0:55:56Shall we start him at £500? £300?
0:55:56 > 0:56:00- (300 in.- 300 already.) - I'm bid £300.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03At 3. 320. 350.
0:56:03 > 0:56:05380. At £380.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07400, if you like.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10At 380. 400. 420?
0:56:10 > 0:56:13At 420. 450.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15480. At 480.
0:56:15 > 0:56:20- 500. 550. - (There's no stopping.)- 600.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23650. At 650. 700.
0:56:23 > 0:56:28750. At 750. 800. 850.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31- (I've gone all pink.)- 900. 950.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36- At 950. 1,000.- (Yes!)- 1,100.
0:56:36 > 0:56:391,200. 1,300.
0:56:39 > 0:56:44- (Your cheeky 1 to 2. - It certainly got them interested.)
0:56:44 > 0:56:47- (I thought I'd get 90.)- 1,700.
0:56:47 > 0:56:491,800.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52- (Oh, my word.)- 1,900.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55At 2,000. 2,100.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58(I don't believe it.)
0:56:59 > 0:57:032,200. At £2,200.
0:57:03 > 0:57:08- The other phone's out. 2,200. - (What a moment to remember.)
0:57:08 > 0:57:13At £2,200. He's a fine bear. At 2,200.
0:57:13 > 0:57:18Hammer's gone down! Yeah! Well done. £2,200.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Awwwww!
0:57:21 > 0:57:25- Thank you.- I don't believe it. - Neither do I.- Nor do I.
0:57:25 > 0:57:29100-200 should've been 1,000-2,000.
0:57:29 > 0:57:35- You were prepared to have a £90 reserve.- Yes.- You've got £2,200.
0:57:35 > 0:57:40- What are you going to do with that? - I don't know.- What comes to mind?
0:57:40 > 0:57:45- Bank it.- Bank it.- Then decide what to do with it.- Thank you very much.
0:57:45 > 0:57:52You've made today's show. That's what auctions are all about - the roller-coaster ride. Brilliant.
0:57:52 > 0:57:57We've had the stuffing knocked out of us with that incredible sale.
0:57:57 > 0:58:04What a day. The auction's still going on. Our owners have all gone home happy. We've sold everything.
0:58:04 > 0:58:09Not so much a teddy bear's picnic as a teddy bear's field day.
0:58:09 > 0:58:14Sylvia's Steiff teddy bear reached a staggering £2,200.
0:58:14 > 0:58:18If you've got antiques and collectables you want to flog,
0:58:18 > 0:58:22bring them along to one of our valuation days. See you next time.
0:58:30 > 0:58:34Subtitles by Subtext for BBC Broadcast - 2005
0:58:34 > 0:58:37e-mail us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk