Sheffield Flog It!


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It was once the steel capital of England, where the Master Cutler is second only to the Lord Mayor.

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We're in Sheffield. Maybe we're gonna see a lovely bit of silver.

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Welcome to life on the cutting edge. Welcome to Flog It!

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Sheffield has a long manufacturing tradition. Cutlers have been here for centuries.

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The same is true of silversmiths.

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Sheffield has its own assay mark. It's produced many fine craftsmen.

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We're hoping we'll benefit from that today. We've brought along silver specialist Michael Baggott,

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who, with Philip Serrell, will test the mettle of the antiques in what we hope will be a silver special.

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If our owners like the valuations and want to flog their item,

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we bring them to this auction room

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to grind out some sharp profits.

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Yes! We just did it. I can't believe this.

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-Great result.

-Amazing.

-I've had happier experiences at the dentist.

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That's to come later. This is where it all starts, our valuation day.

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We find out what items go to the auction.

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Audrey, you've got a vinaigrette with a receipt. How did you get it?

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-It was my uncle's. He bought it from London.

-Right.

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-He went to a shop in London.

-Yes.

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-Did he leave it to you?

-Yes.

-Where does it live?

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On a silver tray in my bedroom.

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-You've got silver.

-One silver tray.

-Two bits of silver is a collection.

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-Do you know what a vinaigrette was used for?

-I presume perfume.

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Absolutely. It was used in the vile-smelling streets.

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You took a whiff of that.

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If we look at this, it's quite plain to look at at first. We've got this perforated top.

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Lots of people that collect silver will scream at the television,

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"That's a later addition. That's wrong. This is a nutmeg grater."

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That is initially what I thought.

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But if we take the lid off, knock out the little sponge,

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and have a look inside, what's special about this one

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is that we've got the marks that you were obliged to put on silver.

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That's all original, which is rare.

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The standard mark at the bottom.

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The full set of marks. I'm not being clever if I tell you the date because it's on the receipt.

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It was made in London in 1796 by Samuel Meriton.

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Samuel Meriton specialised in egg-shaped nutmeg graters.

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It's not such a departure for him to make a vinaigrette as a special commission in nutmeg grater form.

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Quite rare. Made in London. At the time, most vinaigrettes were made in Birmingham.

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So it's unusual on two counts - the shape and where it was made.

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We'll pop it all together again.

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It looks a bit yellowish around the edges. Originally silver gilt.

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You'd have the appearance of gold.

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The gentleman about town using it, or the lady, could pretend that they'd bought a gold one.

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It's lovely. Vinaigrettes have come into their own. Very sought after, especially unusual forms.

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The receipt says that in 1982, £100 was paid for it.

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-Yes.

-I think that was a pretty stiff price...

-It was.

-..back then.

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But fair enough. A top retailer.

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An auction price, I think, a fair price would be £250-£350,

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-with a fixed reserve of £250 at the auction.

-Yes.

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-You happy to do that?

-I would be.

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Any plans for the money?

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-I've no idea.

-See how much we get before you decide. Very sensible.

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Helena, I love this little horn beaker.

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This is folk art at its best. It's a one-off.

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You'll see a lot of horn beakers,

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but not like this. How did you get this?

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Came down from my great-grandfather.

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-He's here outside the saddlery shop that he owned.

-This is him?

-Yes.

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-He was a saddler?

-Yes.

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Wow. How did he come across this?

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I think it was part payment for work he'd done for somebody that couldn't pay their bill and offered this.

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Interesting that he was a saddler.

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A lot of folk art was carried out by modest tradesmen. Let's say fishermen, farmers, saddlers,

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signwriters, people like that. People with a good eye and hand.

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It's a drinking vessel.

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It's made of horn. Cattle horn, probably.

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Horn vessels were popular as communal drinking vessels. Large pieces were passed around.

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They got cut up into sections. We've got a section of the horn.

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It's been incised with a hot needle. That's how they've done it.

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They're plugged at the bottom with a piece of horn or a piece of wood.

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-Right.

-On better pieces,

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this base would be thicker, and it would be riveted.

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Stitches just to hold it in place.

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-And is that horn or wood?

-That's horn.

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The top's been cut with a saw.

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To finish it off, a little bit of applied silverwork has been added.

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Just bent over. Not hallmarked.

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This was made as a love token. We can see by the initials G and I.

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They're embraced in a heart shape with laurel leaf and two doves.

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The stagecoach is on the road.

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As you turn it around, you can see it travelling.

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Be nice if it was going from London to York, stopping at Sheffield.

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Fat chance, really, but you've got to hope like that.

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This carving is deep. This hot pin has sunk in.

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It's absolutely divine.

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Towards the end of the 18th century, about 1775.

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-Oh, right.

-Late 18th century, early 19th.

-Right.

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We could put this into auction for about 160 at a starting level, and hopefully it'll reach £200.

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Why sell it? It's family history, backed up with this photograph.

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I appreciate the history, but it's not an object that excites me.

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We have a few other items that have been passed down. They're nicer.

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That's my sort of thing. That will be contested in a sale.

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Where has this delightful brooch been hiding?

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-In the roof.

-No!

-In the roof.

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-Why aren't you wearing it?

-Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but that's not mine.

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-It's pretty, but I don't go places where you'd wear that.

-A bit flashy?

-A bit.

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-So I take it you didn't buy it?

-No.

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-I can date it back to the mid-'50s when my aunt inherited it.

-Right.

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-She died in '79. It passed to my mother. Then to me.

-Come down through the family.

-Yes.

-Fantastic.

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It's a bit earlier than that. If we have a look at it...

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It's the most fashionable style at the moment.

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It's Art Deco. It's fantastic quality.

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Lots of people looking with envious eyes wish that they could have it.

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-It's a brooch, but I think this is a pretty standard pattern.

-Right.

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It had me foxed. I thought it might be part of a bracelet or necklace

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-with a pin mounted, but I think that's the way it's made.

-Ah.

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No large stones, but enough small stones.

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Even though the setting isn't marked, it's certainly going to be white gold or platinum.

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So it's fantastic quality.

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The date is 1925-1930.

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But it's a lovely little jewel, and very commercial.

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-I think we could safely put it into auction at £400-£600.

-Very nice.

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If you're happy to put it into auction, we can put a reserve of £360 on it,

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-to give the auctioneer some leeway. Let's hope it does well.

-Thank you. Terrific.

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-Derek, how long have you had these?

-They've been in my wife's family.

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She grew up being told they were valuable.

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What's really strange, you know,

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is that I've come from Worcester up the M-whatever to Sheffield,

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and these made the same journey before motorways were thought of.

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They are valuable. They are old.

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We can date them quite precisely.

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-You see that plum-coloured mark?

-Yes.

-We can date that clearly.

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1891.

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The 1250, which it says just there,

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that actually is the shape number.

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If you look up 1250 in a reference book on Worcester porcelain,

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these are Cairo water-carriers. It's told us what we need to know.

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Now, in a catalogue description,

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can you see that this figure here, it's almost like ivory?

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And this is gilt. So they are a pair of gilded ivory Cairo water-carriers.

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See the pitchers they're holding. They're not so much ivory-coloured.

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More of a blushed ivory. That comes into it.

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Gilded ivory and blushed ivory.

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If you described these, you'd have a pair of Royal Worcester

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Cairo water-carriers decorated in gilded ivory with gilt blushed ivory pitchers.

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Shape number 1250. 1891. And then the height.

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-There's your catalogue description.

-Fine.

-There's one thing missing.

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-The estimate.

-Yes.

-If you run your finger around the base here,

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-can you feel a little dink?

-Yes, a little nick.

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If your eyes aren't that special - and we are of that age where our eyes aren't that special -

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if you rub things like that,

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you can feel any imperfection, and there's a very small chip.

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Is it important? Well, they are not perfect as a pair.

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Collectors of porcelain want perfect examples.

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I think that we can estimate those at £400-£600.

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Put a reserve on the pair of £350.

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If someone discounts this bit of damage, there's a chance that they could fly through the top estimate.

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-Happy to put them to auction?

-I am. They've been in a cardboard box.

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Cardboard box? Why was that?

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-When my children got to toddling age we put them away.

-And now?

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-I've got grandkids.

-So they never came out of the box?

-No.

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If they make £450, what'll you do with it?

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-A bigger car.

-Bigger car?

-Got grandkids now.

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I hope they make a lot and you get a big car.

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We are halfway through the day. Look, still 300-400 people to see.

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But there's even more outside. Take a look.

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-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hello. Hi.

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There's more.

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There's a lot more.

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And just outside now. Look at this.

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Hundreds, waiting in the sunshine.

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Here's a quick recap of all the items we're taking with us.

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Audrey hopes her vinaigrette will make Michael's estimate

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to get the sweet smell of success.

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I love Helena's horn beaker, which should make at least £160.

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These diamonds are not Meryl's best friend,

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but she's delighted with Michael's estimate of £400-£600.

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And finally, these Worcester figures have been hiding in a box.

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They should carry off a cool £400.

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Let's hope our Yorkshire bidders are keen to carry off today's lots.

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Well, you've seen our items. Just how good are those valuations?

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We're going to put them to the test. It's auction time.

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Let's find out what auctioneer Paul Beighton thinks of our owners' items and those valuations.

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Audrey's silver vinaigrette. Our expert Michael has put £250-£350 on this. It's unusual.

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-Right money?

-Unusual and rare, but I don't think it'll sell for that.

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250 reserve. I don't think we'll get there. It's nice. It's early. A little dint.

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We'll struggle to get that.

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It really needs to be in a specialist sale with other vinaigrettes and smaller items.

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For that money, it needs to be in an antique shop.

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Come on, auction prices are almost the same after your commission.

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Almost at retail. Not a lot of profit for the dealer.

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We'll try, but it will struggle.

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Derek's Worcester figures. Cairo water-carriers.

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We've got £400-£600 valuation by Philip, a Worcester expert.

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The nicest things we've had from this programme.

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-They are the star of today's show.

-Possibly.

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-But I do think the valuation is a little high.

-It's had damage.

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A bit of damage on the base of one of them. Slightly detrimental. Not a lot.

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-We'll struggle to get the reserve.

-Really? 350 reserve. If they don't make it, they're not today's star.

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-No.

-We're in trouble, I think.

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If we could have discretion, maybe.

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Philip might be upset. He does know his Worcester.

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-These could do £400-£500. I think they will.

-I hope they do.

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Haven't had them on Flog It before. We'll give them a good go.

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Keeping it in the family, Paul's son Jody is running the sale.

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Jody, Dad is keen and eager. How about you? It's now down to you.

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-I'm very eager as well.

-What item has been viewed the most?

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-The Worcester figures.

-They were nice.

-Yes, and good condition. They'll do well.

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Right, talking's over. It's time for some hammer action. Come on.

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The auction's finally under way. I'm going to talk to Michael and Audrey about the vinaigrette.

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We've got something rare. I've not seen one before.

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The silver vinaigrette in the shape of an egg, which Audrey owns.

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-But not for much longer.

-Hope not.

-I think the bidders will love this.

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It is rare. Try and find another one. If someone gave you £250, could you go and buy another one?

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-I've never seen one.

-I've not, either. Shame it's a London maker, not a Sheffield maker.

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-But we're confident.

-Absolutely. We've got a telephone bidder.

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-Flog It's seal of approval.

-It is, but... Don't want to cut you down, but we talked to the auctioneer.

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He said he thinks it might struggle.

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We've got one telephone bidder. If we had two, the price would rocket.

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-But it's going to sell.

-It'll be the golden egg, then. Good luck.

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Assayed from London, 1796. Commission bid starts us at £200.

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(It's gone straight away.)

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220. 240. 250.

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260. 280. I'm out. £300 elsewhere in the room? £300?

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-On the telephone at 300.

-(Come on, come on.)

-At 300. 320?

-(Yes.)

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At £300, then. We're selling.

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-Happy?

-Yes, I am.

-What is £300 going to go towards?

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-I want to go to Egypt.

-You're going to Egypt?

-I've always wanted to.

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-Wow.

-This will help.

-It will. It'll go some way towards it.

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-That was a good result.

-Telephone bidder.

-Telephone bidder.

-Yes.

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-He could have been pushed more.

-Yes, but we can't stick our hands up. We can't "egg" him on.

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This is the moment I've been waiting for. The star of the show. Helena's horn beaker. I love it.

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I like 18th-century things.

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We'll witness your family history evaporating. You must feel sad.

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-I just hope it sells.

-Moving on. No sentimentality. Move on.

-Yes.

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OK, let's hope we can. Let's find out. It's going under the hammer.

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Nice, early lot. Start me at £50?

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Any interest in the room at £50?

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Surely that's no money. 30? 30 bid.

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-Take 5. 35. 40.

-(This is tragic.)

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60. 5. 70.

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5. 80.

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5. 90. And 5. 100.

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110. 120.

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At 110, then. 120.

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140. 150. 160. 170.

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-(Yes, we're there.)

-180? At 170. £170. Selling, if you're through.

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We just did it. £170, just over the reserve.

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-I was hoping for a lot more, but we got it away. Pleased?

-Yes.

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-What'll you put that towards?

-Maybe a bit of modern art.

-You don't like antiques. You're flogging it.

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-What d'you fancy buying?

-Sculpture, maybe. Something up and coming.

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-Up and coming? Pioneering?

-Yes.

-Progressive?

-Yes.

-Maybe a dissected cow preserved in formaldehyde.

-No!

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No, no.

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We're in a room full of fine art, about to sell some art.

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It's Art Deco. A gorgeous brooch. Big money riding on it. 400-600.

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It's Meryl's. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. You're flogging them.

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-Let's hope there's ladies here with chequebooks.

-Willing to buy.

-Yes.

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-And we want top end.

-Definitely.

-We want 600, if not more.

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-Let's put pressure on Michael. Will it do more?

-If someone bids more than the reserve, it'll sell.

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-Safe answer.

-There's not much jewellery here. Not many dealers.

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I'm hedging my bets. A good piece, the sort of stuff the market loves.

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-It's got the look.

-It should make the high end, but let's not be over-cautious.

-Right.

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Good luck. Let's watch it sparkle.

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Lot 590, Art Deco 18-carat white gold brooch studded with diamonds.

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-Commission bid starts and ends at a low 150. I'll take 160.

-Dreadful.

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-160. 170. 180. 190.

-(Work it up.)

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The bid's at 190. 200. 220. 240.

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-260. 280.

-(Climbing.)

-300.

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320. 340. 360?

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At 340 with me, then. 360 bid.

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-Thank you. Take 380 now.

-(Come on.)

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-360.

-(Like wading through treacle.)

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-Didn't get the top end.

-No.

-It got the very...

-..very bottom end.

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-Good grief. That was like pulling teeth.

-It was.

-I've had happier experiences at the dentist.

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But it's a brooch. Not many people want brooches.

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-You could turn that into a pendant.

-Anything.

-Studded with diamonds.

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-So not a sparkling result.

-No.

-But it's OK. We got it sold.

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-Still a jewel in somebody's crown.

-It is, it is.

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A great lot, the Worcester Cairo water-carriers, valued at 400-600.

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Brought along by Derek. Who's with you?

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-My wife Anne.

-They were yours?

-Yes.

-Why do you want to flog them?

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They've been in my family for 55 years, wrapped up in a box.

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-You've not enjoyed looking at them?

-No. I put them away.

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We had a chat to the auctioneer.

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He liked them, but he thought that the 350 reserve,

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-they might just struggle around and creep over it.

-They should do that.

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£200 each for classic Worcester figures. There's a demand for them.

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Philip knows his Worcester. You've got the right man.

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Good luck. This is it.

0:22:370:22:40

Cairo water-carriers. Commission bids allow me to start at £380.

0:22:400:22:45

(Oh, we've sold them.)

0:22:450:22:48

£400 in the room? 400 bid. 420.

0:22:480:22:50

440. 460. 480.

0:22:500:22:53

500. And 20. 540. 560?

0:22:530:22:56

At 540 on the books. At 560? At 540, we're selling.

0:22:560:23:01

-£540. Happy?

-Yes.

0:23:010:23:04

Kind of middle estimate. A bit above. Very good estimate.

0:23:040:23:09

-What is the money going to go towards?

-Another car.

-Another car. Put it towards another car.

0:23:090:23:16

-Great result.

-You don't come to Sheffield to see Worcester.

-No.

0:23:160:23:21

That's it, you see - quality. It always sells.

0:23:210:23:25

Most of us at home will have an old carving knife like this one

0:23:330:23:38

with the Sheffield mark on it.

0:23:380:23:40

Have a look after the show. I bet there's hundreds.

0:23:400:23:44

Knives have been made in Sheffield since 1297.

0:23:440:23:48

They've been made with bronze, iron, steel, stainless steel,

0:23:480:23:53

silver and even plastic.

0:23:530:23:56

By 1624, most of the cutlers that made or sold cutting instruments

0:23:560:24:01

belonged to a company of cutlers, and this body wielded tremendous power locally.

0:24:010:24:07

This is the Cutlers' Hall, built in 1832 to house the Company of Cutlers,

0:24:070:24:13

an umbrella organisation designed to protect the interests of Sheffield knife-makers.

0:24:130:24:20

In the early years it had to fight London rivals who tried to restrict the sale of Sheffield goods.

0:24:200:24:27

The old North-South divide goes back a long way.

0:24:270:24:32

We use "cutlery" to describe knives, forks and spoons.

0:24:320:24:36

Actually, "cutlery" only refers to implements that cut, such as a knife or scissors.

0:24:360:24:42

However, spoons and forks are correctly known as "flatware".

0:24:420:24:48

And something else. If you owned a silver spoon in the 17th and 18th century,

0:24:480:24:54

you kept it in your pocket. When out for dinner, you'd use it.

0:24:540:24:59

You wouldn't need to bring your own spoon to the grand cutlers' feast, held in the great banqueting hall.

0:24:590:25:06

It's a big event, attended by important people.

0:25:060:25:10

As this implies, the Master Cutler in Sheffield is an important man.

0:25:100:25:16

Someone who knows all about the past masters is Joan Unwin, the archivist here.

0:25:160:25:23

-Tell me a little bit about all the ledgers you've got here.

-This is our oldest mark book.

0:25:240:25:30

This dates from 1614.

0:25:300:25:33

It's got a list of the freemen, the date,

0:25:330:25:38

and the mark that he used to stamp on his knife blades to identify that he had made them.

0:25:380:25:45

By the 19th century, the marks are much more complicated.

0:25:450:25:49

They're trying to tell the customer that it's warranted steel,

0:25:490:25:54

it's quality, et cetera.

0:25:540:25:57

Early ones, all they wanted to do was to identify who had made it.

0:25:570:26:02

It was for the company. They didn't mind what the customer thought.

0:26:020:26:07

It was so the company could identify who had made them and if they'd made rubbish stuff.

0:26:070:26:13

How did they manage to pay for such wonderful surroundings?

0:26:130:26:18

The apprentices, when they were indentured, had to pay a fee.

0:26:180:26:22

When they'd finished and they wanted to be a freeman, they had to pay.

0:26:220:26:27

Freemen had to register a mark and pay a mark rent.

0:26:270:26:31

It also came from fines that people paid if they broke the rules.

0:26:310:26:36

-That's where money came from.

-Strict.

0:26:360:26:39

One of the points about identifying every knife made in Sheffield

0:26:390:26:44

is that if people cheated by not using steel, they'd be found out.

0:26:440:26:49

There was a chap called Sanderson whose knives were publicly smashed

0:26:490:26:55

in the street on an anvil with a hammer.

0:26:550:26:59

The knife police are out. Beware.

0:26:590:27:02

-Let's...

-Don't mess with us.

0:27:020:27:06

-It's fitting you're the archivist. There's a personal connection.

-Yes.

0:27:060:27:11

Sheffield was almost a one-horse town. Everybody had some connection with the Cutlers.

0:27:110:27:17

Because we've got these records, a lot of people do their family tree

0:27:170:27:23

and get in touch and say, "My great-grandfather was in the cutlery trade. Can you tell me about them?"

0:27:230:27:31

Lo and behold, my seven times grandfather is here. Joseph Leadbeater. That was my maiden name.

0:27:310:27:39

He was a filesmith, and there he is in 1766.

0:27:390:27:43

He registered his mark

0:27:430:27:46

of a little crown kind of thing above the word "Peru".

0:27:460:27:51

-Why did he choose that?

-Absolutely no idea.

0:27:510:27:55

Sometimes even the records cannot provide all the answers.

0:27:570:28:01

Sheffield marks stayed with the cutler for life. In London they could be bought and sold.

0:28:010:28:08

It's not just the records that are housed here. They've a fascinating collection of early knives.

0:28:080:28:15

They were found in the river Thames, on the foreshore of the Thames.

0:28:170:28:23

-The mud would have preserved them.

-Exactly. This one has a mark that we can date to 1614.

0:28:230:28:30

-That's incredible.

-This one here...

-That is absolutely incredible.

0:28:300:28:35

This was made by Joseph Topcliffe,

0:28:350:28:38

and we've got his mark in the book just here.

0:28:380:28:43

-I can understand these surviving, but this as well.

-It's wonderful.

0:28:430:28:48

-Touches your soul, thinking about it.

-Yes.

0:28:480:28:51

Inns would have been on the Thames, pubs and taverns.

0:28:510:28:56

These would have been chucked in the river. The mud has helped preserve them. Look at that.

0:28:560:29:03

Sheffield was a natural centre for knife-making.

0:29:030:29:07

It had an established workforce used to working in iron, and fast rivers to drive the water-wheels.

0:29:070:29:14

Sandstone was used for grinding wheels.

0:29:140:29:18

The peak came in the late 19th century. Sheffield overtook London in terms of quality and quantity.

0:29:180:29:26

-It was the centre, as far as we are, centre of the world.

-Definitely so.

0:29:290:29:35

Sheffield's aspirations were apparent even from the 1630s.

0:29:350:29:40

A painting of the company motto.

0:29:400:29:43

The crossed swords represent the cutlery. The elephant's head symbolised

0:29:430:29:50

the ivory used for the knife handles. I just love this.

0:29:500:29:55

Looking at it, it's obvious the artist had never seen an elephant.

0:29:550:30:00

He's working on somebody's description. Imagine it.

0:30:000:30:05

"It's huge. It's got a big trunk,

0:30:050:30:08

"tusks and big ears." He's done a good job.

0:30:080:30:12

The motto is Mediaeval French. It roughly translates to mean,

0:30:120:30:17

"To succeed through honest endeavour."

0:30:170:30:21

Let's hope our experts succeed at valuation day,

0:30:210:30:25

and hope that their items cut the mustard.

0:30:250:30:30

-Maureen, have you come far?

-No, three or four miles.

-This is nice.

0:30:410:30:46

-How long have you owned that?

-My father-in-law gave it to me.

0:30:460:30:51

-Tell me what it is.

-Pen-knife.

-It's not.

-No?

-No.

0:30:510:30:55

It's a fruit-knife. It's mother-of-pearl.

0:30:550:30:59

The blade is hallmarked silver. You can see the marks for Sheffield, which is the crown,

0:30:590:31:06

and then the date code for 1904.

0:31:060:31:09

Silver blade. A fruit knife.

0:31:090:31:11

As I say, mother-of-pearl here.

0:31:110:31:14

A little shield device to have initials engraved.

0:31:140:31:18

These are collectable. You can get fruit-knives in all sorts of sizes. Some this size.

0:31:180:31:25

This is quite a small one. You can get smaller. All very collectable.

0:31:250:31:30

What about that one, then?

0:31:300:31:33

Lord above!

0:31:330:31:35

That is minute, isn't it?

0:31:350:31:38

Let's have a look. Looks like the handle is mother-of-pearl again.

0:31:380:31:43

Bit of damage. Blade's not silver.

0:31:430:31:46

Technically, this probably is a pocket knife. Small pocket.

0:31:460:31:51

-Where did this come from?

-From my father-in-law.

0:31:510:31:55

-Both from the same source?

-Yes.

-Both from father-in-law.

0:31:550:32:00

-Where did you keep these?

-On my charm bracelet.

0:32:000:32:04

-Why do you want to sell?

-Well, it's been in my jewel box, doing nothing.

0:32:040:32:10

-Not gonna make a fortune.

-No.

0:32:100:32:13

Auction value, I think they are collectable. Estimate of £30-£50.

0:32:130:32:18

We can put a reserve on of £25, with a little bit of discretion.

0:32:180:32:24

-I think they'll sell.

-Yes.

-Pleased with that?

-Yes, fine.

0:32:240:32:28

-What'll you put on your charm bracelet?

-I don't use it any more. I've got a gold one now.

-Ooooh!

0:32:280:32:36

Paul, Chris, where does this lovely bit of silver come from?

0:32:410:32:45

It belonged to my mother. She left it to Chris.

0:32:450:32:49

She left it to me because we looked after her before she died.

0:32:490:32:55

She left me a few bits and pieces.

0:32:550:32:57

-Any idea what it is?

-I understand it's a sugar bowl, or urn.

0:32:570:33:02

-Spot on.

-Mum kept sweets in it.

-That's fair enough.

0:33:020:33:07

They did reproductions of these in the Edwardian period for sweets.

0:33:070:33:13

-Ah.

-So your mother was spot on.

0:33:130:33:15

It would've had a blue glass liner so the sugar wouldn't fall out.

0:33:150:33:21

But it wasn't sugar as we know it. It wasn't so highly refined.

0:33:210:33:26

You needed much more of it. It's not that they had very sweet teeth.

0:33:260:33:32

We've got a full set of hallmarks for London, 1781, and the maker is John Schofield.

0:33:320:33:39

A good maker. He tended to make candlesticks and salvers. This is a departure for him, for a client.

0:33:390:33:46

It's typical of the period of design.

0:33:460:33:50

You've got intricate, classical piercing. A scroll.

0:33:500:33:55

-Urns.

-Yes, I spotted the urns.

0:33:550:33:58

Beautifully done. We have a place for the owner's crest or initials

0:33:580:34:04

when you bought it.

0:34:040:34:06

There is a slight problem with it.

0:34:060:34:10

Have either of you misused it on any occasion?

0:34:100:34:14

No, we haven't. Not us. Not guilty.

0:34:140:34:18

A bit of damage around the foot.

0:34:180:34:20

It wouldn't normally matter that much,

0:34:200:34:24

but you have the same piercing on the foot as on the body. It split.

0:34:240:34:30

-Can it be rectified?

-It can be done by a silversmith. It's not cheap.

0:34:300:34:35

It'll affect the value. Not having the liner doesn't affect it much.

0:34:350:34:41

They make replacements which you can get. Any idea what it's worth?

0:34:410:34:47

-Not really, no.

-No.

-We're hoping.

0:34:490:34:52

I think we could pop that into auction at £80-£120. If you're happy with a reserve of £80,

0:34:520:34:58

we'll pop that into the sale. Fingers crossed, it'll do more.

0:34:580:35:03

I shouldn't tell you, but it someone hadn't banged it,

0:35:030:35:07

it'd be worth, easily, £300.

0:35:070:35:10

The true price is probably somewhere in between.

0:35:100:35:14

-We'll start it off at that and, hopefully, get a result.

-Right.

0:35:140:35:19

-What do you think?

-Yes.

-Go for it?

-We might as well. It's been in the attic.

0:35:190:35:25

-Up there.

-That's no place for it.

0:35:250:35:27

-Jean, you've brought a lovely oil painting on panel.

-Right.

0:35:330:35:38

Most oil paintings are on canvas. This is on artist's board.

0:35:380:35:42

It's signed "James Watson". It's an original.

0:35:420:35:47

-How did you come by it?

-I bought it from an art gallery

0:35:470:35:51

in Whitby about 20 years ago. I paid £120 for it.

0:35:510:35:55

It was a view of Runswick Bay,

0:35:550:35:58

painted about 1890 by James Watson.

0:35:580:36:02

I'm going to be really truthful. I saw this earlier.

0:36:020:36:06

-I took the opportunity of looking this chap up in the books.

-Right.

0:36:060:36:11

-It's a price guide of paintings that were sold at auction in the last 12 months.

-Uh-huh.

0:36:110:36:18

This James Watson, there were three examples of his sold by auction

0:36:180:36:24

of the Runswick Bay area.

0:36:240:36:26

Now, it says here there was a view of Runswick Bay, 9 inches by 12 inches, painted on board.

0:36:260:36:34

-Made £740.

-Wow.

0:36:340:36:37

Another one, Lady Palmer's cottage, Runswick Bay, view from her garden.

0:36:370:36:42

11 inches by 18 inches. That was a pair.

0:36:420:36:45

-Right.

-That made £850.

0:36:450:36:48

Another one made £1,050.

0:36:480:36:51

A fisherman. It's important to remember that had figures in it.

0:36:510:36:56

-A painting with figures is normally worth more than a painting by the same artist without figures.

-Right.

0:36:560:37:03

If you want to value something, the only way to do it is by comparison.

0:37:030:37:08

-In terms of valuation, I told you what I thought it was worth, guessing.

-150, yes.

0:37:080:37:15

I think, based upon the reference books,

0:37:150:37:19

we can put an estimate of £400-£600

0:37:190:37:22

-on the painting, with a fixed reserve on it of £300.

-Fine.

0:37:220:37:27

We'll put a photograph of it on the internet and in the catalogue.

0:37:270:37:32

So, all in all, a really sweet little picture.

0:37:320:37:36

-I like it, too.

-You bought this 20 years ago?

0:37:360:37:40

-Maybe 25. Certainly in the 1980s.

-Why did you buy it?

-I liked it.

0:37:400:37:45

-You liked it. And now you don't?

-I still like it.

-Why is it going?

0:37:450:37:50

The children have grown up and left home.

0:37:500:37:54

I've got a big house. I'm downsizing, basically.

0:37:540:37:58

-So it's got to go?

-With a few other things as well.

0:37:580:38:03

If it makes, I don't know, £500, what will that go towards?

0:38:030:38:08

Put it towards a car. I haven't got a car. I fancy a little car.

0:38:080:38:13

-Get yourself a car. I hope it does well.

-Thank you.

0:38:130:38:18

We're in Sheffield, home of the steel industry.

0:38:230:38:27

We're surrounded by the material. I've a superb example to show you.

0:38:270:38:32

A set of seven boxed cut-throat razors. These would have been owned by a military officer or a barber.

0:38:320:38:40

If I take one out, you can see.

0:38:400:38:42

Sheffield steel. Quality.

0:38:420:38:45

With an ivory handle. These ones have all been inscribed with a day of the week on them.

0:38:450:38:52

Monday, Tuesday, et cetera. I think they're superb.

0:38:520:38:57

Value, £40-£60. Guaranteed to give you a clean shave every day.

0:38:570:39:01

Bill, where did these lovely spoons come from?

0:39:060:39:10

-From Doncaster racecourse. They used to hold flea-markets there back in the '60s.

-Right.

0:39:100:39:17

I spotted these and couldn't resist.

0:39:170:39:20

-What drew you to the spoons?

-The engraving in the bowls.

0:39:200:39:25

Having been an engraver, I just couldn't understand how they managed to engrave them so nicely.

0:39:250:39:33

-You thought, "I must have those."

-Yes.

-What do you know about them?

0:39:330:39:37

I know that Atkin Brothers are the people that are stamped up,

0:39:370:39:42

but I'm not certain of the year.

0:39:420:39:45

If you knew everything, there'd be nothing for me to say! Let's look at the marks.

0:39:450:39:51

The "HA" maker's mark, for the Atkin Brothers.

0:39:510:39:55

We've got the crown, for Sheffield.

0:39:550:39:58

We're in Sheffield today. And the date letter "X" for 1890.

0:39:580:40:02

It's fantastic that these spoons have survived in such wonderful condition for 115 years.

0:40:020:40:09

Absolutely amazing. So, how much were they back in the '60s?

0:40:090:40:14

At the time, I paid £55 for them.

0:40:140:40:17

I think you won't do badly on £55,

0:40:170:40:20

although silver was very buoyant in the '60s and you paid a fair price.

0:40:200:40:26

-Yes.

-But still, I think you'll show a return on them.

0:40:260:40:30

Why are you getting rid of them?

0:40:300:40:33

They've stopped in the box all this time,

0:40:330:40:36

-and that's why they're in this condition. They ought to be on show.

-They're immaculate.

0:40:360:40:43

-Yes, definitely.

-I think we can put these into auction.

0:40:430:40:47

Because they are so supremely engraved, in wonderful condition,

0:40:470:40:52

they're going to make £100-£150.

0:40:520:40:55

-If we set the reserve at 100, would you be happy?

-Yes.

-Right.

0:40:550:41:00

We'll auction them. Bidders will clamour for them.

0:41:000:41:03

What will the money go to?

0:41:030:41:06

I'm going away on holiday in May over to Tenerife for a week or two.

0:41:060:41:11

-It'll be beer money for that.

-Beer money.

0:41:110:41:15

-If they do well, a barrel of beer.

-Good.

-Thanks for bringing them in.

0:41:150:41:20

Michael, you're our silver expert. You found some Sheffield silver.

0:41:250:41:31

-I'm chuffed.

-What have you got?

-A rarity that someone brought in. They don't want to sell it.

0:41:310:41:37

This is one of only about 30-35 spoons

0:41:370:41:41

that were made in Sheffield in 1785. Have a look.

0:41:410:41:45

-I don't blame them for not selling it.

-It's fantastic.

0:41:450:41:49

Made by William Derby. He only produced a handful of these

0:41:490:41:54

by a mechanical method, and then he went bankrupt.

0:41:540:41:59

Mechanical spoons weren't produced again for another 60 years.

0:41:590:42:03

It's a spoon collector's delight.

0:42:030:42:06

What would a spoon collector pay?

0:42:060:42:09

£500 upwards for a spoon like that.

0:42:090:42:12

£500! On that note, I'm gonna find out why Sheffield silver is rare.

0:42:120:42:17

-Can I keep this?

-Absolutely not.

0:42:170:42:20

Silver was fashioned into objects for adornment and use centuries before the birth of Christ.

0:42:210:42:28

It's rarely mined, but is extracted from lead, copper and other ores.

0:42:280:42:33

The possession of silver was an indicator of real wealth,

0:42:330:42:38

regarded as a great investment.

0:42:380:42:41

I've come back to Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield

0:42:440:42:48

to talk to archivist Dr Joan Unwin, who's going to show me some Sheffield silver.

0:42:480:42:55

Sheffield, for the dealer, everybody knows candlesticks from Sheffield are the best.

0:43:020:43:08

What is special about Sheffield silver?

0:43:080:43:11

Sheffield has made Sheffield silver. As a Sheffielder, I'm proud of it.

0:43:110:43:17

I think the difference between Sheffield and elsewhere

0:43:170:43:21

is that Birmingham specialised in toys and trinket boxes.

0:43:210:43:26

London did top quality stuff, but Sheffield's noted for candlesticks.

0:43:260:43:32

This pair, they are alluring. Collectors would love to own those.

0:43:320:43:37

These aren't actually a pair, even though they look very similar.

0:43:370:43:42

One is silver, one is Sheffield plate.

0:43:420:43:46

This one has a tinge of red to it.

0:43:460:43:49

It's showing the copper through the silver coating.

0:43:490:43:53

-That's the Sheffield plate - silver and copper.

-That's right.

0:43:530:43:57

In the 1740s, Thomas Bolsover in Sheffield developed an idea

0:43:570:44:02

where you had an ingot of copper and you rolled on a sheet of silver.

0:44:020:44:07

Put it through a roller, treat it as one piece of metal.

0:44:070:44:11

-You could shape it. You could form it into anything.

-Basically, fuse together.

-Exactly.

0:44:110:44:18

Sheffield plate is collectable

0:44:180:44:21

because it's quite rare and it was only made for 100 years.

0:44:210:44:26

After 1840, the electroplating process took over.

0:44:260:44:30

The earliest piece of silver belonging to the Cutlers' Company is this goblet from 1773.

0:44:300:44:37

That year, the Sheffield Assay Office came into being.

0:44:370:44:40

And over the top, or what? A table centrepiece, or epergne.

0:44:400:44:45

It was made by local silversmiths for the Master Cutler in 1853.

0:44:450:44:51

Well, it's not my cup of tea. Whose is the mace?

0:44:510:44:55

The mace was made in 1896.

0:44:550:44:58

-For who?

-For the Master Cutler. Well, the Beadle carries it.

0:44:580:45:03

The Beadle's an official part of the company. He is master of ceremonies.

0:45:030:45:08

When the Master Cutler goes to functions, the mace is carried in front of him by the Beadle.

0:45:080:45:15

-You've got contemporary pieces.

-Sheffield has a long tradition,

0:45:150:45:20

but it's also working to promote modern pieces.

0:45:200:45:25

This dish was made to commemorate 200 years of the Sheffield Assay Office.

0:45:250:45:31

It's made with 200 strips of silver.

0:45:310:45:33

-Each year has been marked.

-Each year is marked round.

0:45:330:45:38

-It's gorgeous.

-Contemporary. It's what you'd see in a modern house.

0:45:380:45:43

It's so understated that people don't appreciate how skilful making it was.

0:45:430:45:49

-What about this?

-This is my favourite piece, the rose ball made by Brett Payne.

0:45:490:45:55

His idea was that with a rose bowl with the wire mesh to hold roses in,

0:45:550:46:01

without roses they don't look good.

0:46:010:46:04

This is designed to look good even when it's got no roses in it.

0:46:040:46:09

Because it's a ball shape, it's a rose ball.

0:46:090:46:14

-It's just stunning.

-That is a work of art.

0:46:140:46:18

These are segments from that very rose ball, and they are gorgeous.

0:46:230:46:28

I'm talking to Brett Payne, a leading silversmith and the designer of this piece.

0:46:280:46:34

-You've got some documents to show us.

-Yes.

0:46:340:46:38

This was the computer generation of the rose ball before it was made.

0:46:380:46:43

And this is an image of an individual unit.

0:46:430:46:48

-They're like little propellers.

-Yes.

0:46:480:46:51

There are 180 of them in the rose ball. There are 250 parts overall.

0:46:510:46:57

This is a scale of 1:1. Life size.

0:46:570:47:01

I realised about five days before the piece was due to be presented

0:47:010:47:06

that I'd got the geometry wrong.

0:47:060:47:08

-It wasn't going to go together.

-At least you realised it.

0:47:080:47:12

-Up against it. What happened?

-I phoned a friend who's a better mathematician than I was.

0:47:120:47:19

-He brought this. We realised we could rectify the situation.

-It's good to know.

0:47:190:47:25

Contemporary art is still living on a knife-edge. Adds excitement.

0:47:250:47:30

Just as Sheffield knife-makers keep their marks for life, so do silversmiths.

0:47:340:47:40

You've got your own hallmark next to these assay marks. "BP".

0:47:400:47:45

My hallmark is "BP", my initials,

0:47:450:47:49

in a circle. I am the only "BP" in a circle registered in the office.

0:47:490:47:54

The only one that ever will be.

0:47:540:47:57

Any pieces with a circle and "BP" from Sheffield were made by me.

0:47:570:48:02

We promised you silver. Sheffield has lived up to our expectations.

0:48:080:48:14

Michael thinks Paul and Chris's silver basket should make £80

0:48:140:48:19

despite no lining and some damage.

0:48:190:48:21

Maureen's little knives are neglected at home.

0:48:210:48:25

Philip hopes for a cut of £30-£50.

0:48:250:48:30

Michael loves the dessert spoons.

0:48:300:48:33

Bought at Doncaster racecourse, they should gallop off with £100.

0:48:330:48:38

Hoping to change a painting into a car, Jean and Philip are hoping Runswick Bay will make a splash.

0:48:380:48:45

But what does our auctioneer think?

0:48:450:48:49

Here's a cracking lot. As you know, a Georgian silver sugar basket.

0:48:510:48:57

Late 18th century. It has the foot smashed in. Someone was fed up.

0:48:570:49:02

Michael Baggott knows his silver. He's put 80-120 on this.

0:49:020:49:06

It's an auctioneer's cliche, but I think he's about right.

0:49:060:49:11

-It's by John Schofield. It's nice, but the damage will affect it.

-Yes.

0:49:110:49:17

Difficult... Right on the cusp of the piercing. Difficult to repair.

0:49:170:49:22

But I think it will sell, just.

0:49:220:49:25

Maybe just away. Pretty thing, but the damage will let it down.

0:49:250:49:30

Sort of thing you'd have at home?

0:49:300:49:33

-I could live with it.

-That's what we want. Enthusiasm(!)

0:49:330:49:36

-Your son's got to flog it later.

-It'll be away.

0:49:360:49:41

It's quality today. We've got something with local interest.

0:49:470:49:52

Sheffield silver dessert spoons.

0:49:520:49:55

-Bill's the owner. Bill to his friends.

-Bill.

-William on Flog It.

0:49:550:50:00

-We're looking at £100-£150. Hopefully, top end.

-Wonderful.

0:50:000:50:04

-Why are you flogging these?

-I've had them for a long time. I think it's time somebody else had them.

0:50:040:50:11

-They're works of art, I think.

-They ARE works of art. OK.

0:50:110:50:16

If someone's born with a silver spoon in their mouth, it's Michael.

0:50:160:50:21

-Silver spoons. If I get it wrong, I'll be whipped through the street.

-You'll be given the wooden spoon.

0:50:210:50:28

But the condition of these will sell them. They're immaculate.

0:50:280:50:33

-If any set's going to go, it's these.

-There's a holiday riding on this. Let's see. Good luck.

0:50:330:50:41

Silver dessert spoons with gilded bowls, engraved with decoration.

0:50:410:50:46

Commission bids start me at £50. Take 5 in the room.

0:50:460:50:50

£55, let's see. The bid's at 50.

0:50:500:50:52

-(Come on.)

-55. 60. 5.

0:50:520:50:55

70. 5? 75, let's see. The bid's at 70.

0:50:550:50:59

-Take 5.

-(Oh, struggling.

-Can't believe it.)

0:50:590:51:02

Can't believe this. I don't believe that. I just do not believe that.

0:51:020:51:08

-No.

-If you can't sell them here, you can't sell them anywhere.

0:51:080:51:13

-We're near Sheffield.

-Yes.

-Perhaps there's a glut of dessert spoons in Sheffield.

-They've all got them.

0:51:130:51:20

-I get a wooden spoon.

-You don't. I'm with you on that one.

0:51:200:51:25

-I'm really sorry. That's auctions.

-They'll get appreciated at home.

0:51:250:51:30

-I like them.

-Good. You were sensible to protect them with a reserve.

0:51:300:51:35

-Yes.

-There's another day and another auction if you want to sell.

-Yes.

0:51:350:51:40

-If necessary.

-OK. You win some, you lose some. That's auctions.

0:51:400:51:45

You don't know until you get here.

0:51:450:51:47

Oh, dear! Poor Bill. Now for Maureen. Fingers crossed.

0:51:470:51:52

I've been joined by Maureen. We're about to sell some fruit knives.

0:51:520:51:57

£30-£50. Not a lot of money. But they're quality Sheffield silver.

0:51:570:52:02

-You were given these as a courting present.

-By my father-in-law.

0:52:020:52:07

-Major memories. Why flog them?

-I've got no use for them now.

0:52:070:52:12

No use for them. Are we gonna do it, Philip?

0:52:120:52:16

-The little one is a poppet. That should be worth £15-£20 on its own. I'm confident.

-A reserve of £25.

0:52:160:52:23

-I think we're going to do it. What do you think?

-Hope so.

-Right.

0:52:230:52:27

Start me at £20. £20? 10 if you like.

0:52:270:52:31

(Phone's ringing. A phone bid.)

0:52:310:52:34

15. 20. 25. 30.

0:52:340:52:36

5. 40. 5?

0:52:360:52:39

At £40. The bid's at £40. Selling.

0:52:390:52:43

Spot on, Philip. £40. All those courting memories have ebbed away.

0:52:430:52:49

-Haven't they?

-No, not really.

-You can never lose those.

-No.

0:52:490:52:54

-I couldn't have sold those. I couldn't.

-Nor could I.

0:52:540:52:58

They're just worth hanging on to.

0:52:580:53:01

Can you remember that silver sugar bowl? We're about to flog it.

0:53:060:53:10

Brought in by Paul and Chris. We're looking at £80-£120.

0:53:100:53:15

We talked to the auctioneer. Michael put the valuation on it.

0:53:150:53:20

-You were spot on.

-What a relief.

-In fact, we think it could do higher.

0:53:200:53:25

There's damage to the foot. Someone stamped it on a table. It's great.

0:53:250:53:31

-This was your mum's.

-Yes.

-Why are you flogging your mum's stuff?

0:53:310:53:36

-You'd better ask Chris.

-She left it to me.

0:53:360:53:40

-We looked after her. She left a few pieces to me.

-Other things to keep.

0:53:400:53:45

-A few things.

-It's pretty. I'd like to own it. Not allowed to buy it.

0:53:450:53:50

-I'm sure Michael's in love with it.

-I am. Bit of damage. Be cautious.

0:53:500:53:55

Auctioneer loves it. The estimate in the catalogue is £800-£1,000.

0:53:550:54:00

-That's a typing error.

-Definitely.

-If it did that, I'd be very happy.

0:54:000:54:05

-I'm sure it'll sell.

-That'd be sweet success. This is it.

0:54:050:54:10

A Georgian silver sugar basket by John Schofield. London, 1781.

0:54:100:54:16

Commission bids start us at £80.

0:54:160:54:19

Take 90 in the room. 90, let's see.

0:54:190:54:22

The bid's 80. Any further interest?

0:54:220:54:25

(Come on, we've made estimate.)

0:54:250:54:28

90. 100. 110. 120. 130. 140.

0:54:280:54:31

150. 160. 170?

0:54:310:54:34

At 160 on the books.

0:54:340:54:36

170, will you? 170. 5. 180.

0:54:360:54:40

I'm out. Take 185. The bid's £180.

0:54:400:54:43

At 180, and selling.

0:54:430:54:45

-£180. We did it. We got a bit more, Michael.

-Yes, well done.

0:54:450:54:51

-Happy, happy, happy. Going to spend it on what?

-It's my birthday today.

0:54:510:54:56

-Oh, happy birthday.

-Thank you.

0:54:560:54:58

I've got an eye on golf clubs, but it wouldn't run to golf clubs.

0:54:580:55:03

-Perhaps a new golf bag.

-Fair enough.

0:55:030:55:06

-A great result.

-It was, in that state. Someone must think they can put it right and make a few pounds.

0:55:060:55:13

-There's profit in it.

-Fantastic.

0:55:130:55:16

This is a wonderful fine art and antique auction. We've got art.

0:55:190:55:25

A great oil on board by James Watson, brought in by Jean.

0:55:250:55:29

-Big money riding on this. £400-£600.

-Right.

0:55:290:55:33

-You brought this off the wall.

-Yes.

0:55:330:55:36

-You obviously like it.

-Yes, I've had it 20 years. Got it from Whitby.

0:55:360:55:41

From John Freeman gallery.

0:55:410:55:44

-Enjoyed looking at it.

-Yes, I have.

-Why have you got fed up with it?

0:55:440:55:49

I'm not fed up with it. The children have gone. I need a smaller house.

0:55:490:55:54

-It's got to go.

-The money's gonna come in handy.

0:55:540:55:58

-Especially top end.

-Hopefully.

-Will we do it, Philip?

0:55:580:56:02

-As they say in the trade, it's a lovely smudger.

-Yes.

0:56:020:56:06

But the catalogue hasn't got down that it's Runswick Bay.

0:56:060:56:11

An illustration would have helped.

0:56:110:56:14

People searching the internet would have picked up an illustration and where it is.

0:56:140:56:20

-That might have helped us achieve our goal.

-Sounding a bit dodgy now.

0:56:200:56:25

-Who knows?

-Fingers crossed. Let's hope the buyers are here.

0:56:250:56:30

-Don't worry if it doesn't sell. My daughter wants it.

-Does she?

0:56:300:56:34

-Will she give you £400-£600 for it?

-No.

0:56:340:56:38

Let's hope the bidders are here. Good luck. This is it.

0:56:380:56:43

Gilt-framed oil on board.

0:56:430:56:46

Start me at £200 for it? £200?

0:56:460:56:49

-£100? 100.

-(Where are the bidders?)

0:56:490:56:53

120, let's see. Bid's at 120. 140. 160. 180.

0:56:530:56:57

-200. And 20.

-(It's moving.)

0:56:570:57:00

240, let's see. At 220. 240. 260.

0:57:000:57:03

280. 300. 320. 340.

0:57:030:57:05

-360. 380. 400.

-(Good stuff.)

-420. 440. 460.

-(They like it.)

0:57:050:57:11

480. 500. And 50.

0:57:110:57:13

-(We like it.

-That's good.

-Like it a lot.)

0:57:130:57:18

Bid's at 650. Looking for 700.

0:57:180:57:20

On the phone? At 650, then.

0:57:200:57:23

£650. 700. 750? At £700, then.

0:57:230:57:26

(Made its money.)

0:57:260:57:28

At £700, I'm selling it.

0:57:280:57:31

-We'll take it. £700. Great result.

-Amazing, yes. Fantastic.

0:57:310:57:36

-That'll go towards the moving.

-It will, it will.

0:57:360:57:40

-Your daughter's missed out.

-Unfortunately, but...

-That's life.

-There's another one she can have.

0:57:400:57:47

-A super result.

-They did well. I'm pleased for the auctioneers and pleased for us.

0:57:470:57:54

Your doubts evaporated. Didn't need the catalogue. Buyers were here.

0:57:540:57:59

The auction's still going on, but it's over for our owners. Another roller-coaster ride on Flog It.

0:58:040:58:11

Who'd have thought Sheffield silver wouldn't sell? The painting flew.

0:58:110:58:16

If you've got antiques and collectables that you want to flog, bring them to our valuation day.

0:58:160:58:23

See you next time on Flog It.

0:58:230:58:26

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