Exeter

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0:00:02 > 0:00:07This charming, old Elizabethan pub, which is so full of character,

0:00:07 > 0:00:10was only the favourite haunt of a couple of old sea dogs -

0:00:10 > 0:00:12Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake.

0:00:12 > 0:00:16And Lord Nelson used to stay in a hotel just up the road there,

0:00:16 > 0:00:19but, believe it or not, we're completely landlocked.

0:00:19 > 0:00:21We're miles away from the sea.

0:00:21 > 0:00:26Where are we? Well, we're in the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter. Welcome to Flog It!

0:00:56 > 0:00:59We're following in the footsteps of William the Conqueror,

0:00:59 > 0:01:05who visited Exeter two years after winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

0:01:05 > 0:01:08Since Roman times, Exeter has seen invaders come and go,

0:01:08 > 0:01:11from the Vikings to Hitler's Luftwaffe,

0:01:11 > 0:01:15so let's hope there's no fighting today between our two experts.

0:01:17 > 0:01:22David Barby and Will Axon are at St George's Hall, sharpening their wits for the day ahead.

0:01:22 > 0:01:27Come on, you two! No scrapping over the antiques. There's plenty more inside.

0:01:27 > 0:01:30First up, it's an old favourite.

0:01:30 > 0:01:32Janet, thank you for coming in today,

0:01:32 > 0:01:37We've already seen a few bits of Clarice Cliff here today,

0:01:37 > 0:01:40unfortunately most of them damaged or cracked.

0:01:40 > 0:01:43When I asked you what you had in your box, you said, "Clarice Cliff."

0:01:43 > 0:01:48I thought, "Another cracked Clarice jug or chipped Clarice plate."

0:01:48 > 0:01:52But you've brought along this rather nice conical sifter.

0:01:52 > 0:01:54How did you come by it?

0:01:54 > 0:01:58- I inherited it.- From close family or...?- Yes. Parents.

0:01:58 > 0:02:00Do you know how they acquired it?

0:02:00 > 0:02:03- It was probably a wedding present. - They were married, when?

0:02:03 > 0:02:06- 1930s, perhaps?- '36.

0:02:06 > 0:02:11'36? That's exactly when this dates from. This shape and pattern - the Lorna pattern.

0:02:11 > 0:02:13I didn't know that.

0:02:13 > 0:02:17You've got the riverside cottage, the bridge, the river alongside.

0:02:17 > 0:02:22Typical marks underneath - the Clarice Cliff transfer mark there.

0:02:22 > 0:02:24Wilkinson, England.

0:02:24 > 0:02:28Maybe not the original stopper. It could be - it's expanded over time.

0:02:28 > 0:02:34- Just because it doesn't sit quite true.- I didn't dare touch it cos it might break off.

0:02:34 > 0:02:37Yeah. I didn't want to cork the bottle, shall we say?

0:02:37 > 0:02:41Um...I understand you've had it valued in the past. Is that right?

0:02:41 > 0:02:43Yes, I did. Several years ago now.

0:02:43 > 0:02:46The good thing about this is,

0:02:46 > 0:02:50it stands out as an icon piece, shall we say, for Clarice Cliff.

0:02:50 > 0:02:55Whereas other factories were just painting new designs on old shapes,

0:02:55 > 0:02:57Clarice was innovative in her shapes

0:02:57 > 0:03:01and the design of the pieces, as well as the decoration.

0:03:01 > 0:03:06What sort of value did they put on it when you had it appraised?

0:03:06 > 0:03:08- You tell me.- I tell you?

0:03:08 > 0:03:11I mean, when I saw it, my gut instinct,

0:03:11 > 0:03:17bearing in mind that a few years ago these could easily make into four figures,

0:03:17 > 0:03:21but because of the way that the market's gone at the moment,

0:03:21 > 0:03:25my instinct was, auction estimate, 300 to 500.

0:03:25 > 0:03:30- What sort of figure did they quote you?- Above that.

0:03:30 > 0:03:34- Above that? Was it?- Yes.- Oh, dear. I'm going to have to try again.

0:03:34 > 0:03:39- If I said to you, 400 to 600, is that closer to the mark? - That's better.- OK.

0:03:39 > 0:03:42300 to 500 would have been ideal.

0:03:42 > 0:03:44400 to 600, I think we could stretch to that.

0:03:44 > 0:03:48And could we have a little bit of discretion, perhaps, on that 400?

0:03:48 > 0:03:54- Un petit peu.- A little 10%, perhaps, auctioneer's discretion?- Yes.

0:03:54 > 0:03:57I think that's the right sort of level to pitch it at.

0:03:57 > 0:04:01£400 to £600. It's got to be worth that, surely. Perfect condition,

0:04:01 > 0:04:03nice pattern, bright colours...

0:04:03 > 0:04:06So if you're happy with that,

0:04:06 > 0:04:08I think £400 to £600 at the auction,

0:04:08 > 0:04:10- reserve of 400, discretion.- Yes.

0:04:10 > 0:04:15- Fingers crossed, we'll be looking at mid to upper end of the estimate. - Lovely.

0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Sylvia?- Yes.

0:04:21 > 0:04:24- Are you one of those ladies that like potted plants?- Yes.

0:04:24 > 0:04:28- As you can see!- Oh, dear. On top of that table.

0:04:28 > 0:04:31Which added to the shrapnel damage.

0:04:31 > 0:04:36- What do you mean, shrapnel damage? - During the war.- Really?- Yes. - What happened?- We got bombed.

0:04:36 > 0:04:39- In Exeter?- No, in south-east London.

0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Your family came from London?- Yes.

0:04:41 > 0:04:48- Well, it is a shame, because the value of this table has been affected because of the damage.- Yes.

0:04:48 > 0:04:54- The whole surface here will have to be re-veneered.- Re-done, yes.

0:04:54 > 0:04:56And that is so costly.

0:04:56 > 0:05:00Whether, in fact, the person who buys this

0:05:00 > 0:05:04- will actually retain this decoration, I'm not certain.- Yes.

0:05:04 > 0:05:06But some skilled person might.

0:05:06 > 0:05:11The table itself is a card table, as you know,

0:05:11 > 0:05:16and what I love about these card tables is you've got this swivel action

0:05:16 > 0:05:18and the top folds over.

0:05:18 > 0:05:24Now, this was an improvement on the Georgian ones, where you had a leg that you had to swing out.

0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Oh, yes?- So here, you'd swing round the top.- Yes.

0:05:27 > 0:05:32These are quite good for anybody moving or downsizing.

0:05:32 > 0:05:38- We used it as a dining-room table when we got married.- Did you?- Yes. 60 years ago in a fortnight's time!

0:05:38 > 0:05:43- So you're celebrating?- Hopefully. - Let's hope we can sell this well!

0:05:43 > 0:05:48The actual lining here, which is a pink baize, that's original.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51There's no problem about having that replaced.

0:05:51 > 0:05:58I want to see whether these hinges - lovely brass flush hinges - are in good condition, which they are.

0:05:58 > 0:06:02The date of this table is of the middle Victorian period,

0:06:02 > 0:06:07so we're looking round about 1865 to 1880, that sort of period.

0:06:07 > 0:06:11Now, what I like about it, is the actual undercarriage.

0:06:11 > 0:06:12Yes, they're very nice.

0:06:12 > 0:06:14That is lovely, isn't it?

0:06:14 > 0:06:18That's machine-turning at its very best.

0:06:18 > 0:06:19- Look at those legs.- Yes.

0:06:19 > 0:06:24They are wonderful. The burr walnut and that lovely inlaid decoration.

0:06:24 > 0:06:26All my children used to play with that.

0:06:26 > 0:06:28HE LAUGHS

0:06:28 > 0:06:30You can put your rings on it.

0:06:30 > 0:06:33Then, if you look at the actual feet themselves,

0:06:33 > 0:06:35it's acanthus leaves.

0:06:35 > 0:06:37Is that what it is?

0:06:37 > 0:06:39That's what they are - acanthus leaves -

0:06:39 > 0:06:42- and they would have been finished off by hand.- Oh.

0:06:42 > 0:06:48So, altogether, it would have been a very, very high-class table.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Yes.- Where did the table come from? What's its history?

0:06:51 > 0:06:55It came from my grandfather, who won it in 1897.

0:06:55 > 0:06:571897? Why did he win it?

0:06:57 > 0:07:01He was rowing. He was an apprentice waterman.

0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Was this in London? - In London, in Deptford. Yes.

0:07:05 > 0:07:09- Why do you want to sell this? Is there nobody in your family...?- No.

0:07:09 > 0:07:14I have four children. They didn't know my grandfather and they're not really interested.

0:07:14 > 0:07:19- They said, "Mother, if you haven't got room, why don't you sell it?" - Sensible.- Do you think so?

0:07:19 > 0:07:25You're not going to make a large amount of money, because of the damage to the surface,

0:07:25 > 0:07:30and I think the auctioneer will say...an estimate of £300 to £500.

0:07:30 > 0:07:34- Mm-hm.- I would be happy if you put a firm reserve at 300.

0:07:34 > 0:07:38Mm-hm. My husband kept saying, "You should get 500 or 600 for that",

0:07:38 > 0:07:40but I haven't got a clue.

0:07:40 > 0:07:43- £500 or £600 - might have been a few years ago.- Yes.

0:07:43 > 0:07:50- Brown furniture has taken a tumble. I think it's the condition that'll affect the market.- Yes, I'm sure.

0:07:50 > 0:07:56- Put it low and watch it build up. - Right.- Sylvia?- Yes? - Keep your fingers crossed.- I will.

0:07:59 > 0:08:01Liz, I'm having a superb day here in Exeter.

0:08:01 > 0:08:03I know Bluebell's enjoying herself.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06She's just met a little friend over there,

0:08:06 > 0:08:10but I wonder who's going to be the leader of the pack!

0:08:10 > 0:08:11I think someone amongst this group!

0:08:11 > 0:08:15These are called painted bronzes. They belong to you, do they?

0:08:15 > 0:08:18My husband, really.

0:08:18 > 0:08:19He's just inherited them?

0:08:19 > 0:08:21Well, a few years ago, yeah,

0:08:21 > 0:08:24when my mother-in-law died suddenly.

0:08:24 > 0:08:28- They're my children's inheritance, really.- I'm mesmerised.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30Every single one is absolutely stunning.

0:08:30 > 0:08:34My eye is vying for attention. I don't know which to pick up.

0:08:34 > 0:08:36If I had to single out a group,

0:08:36 > 0:08:38I like the band, I like the orchestra,

0:08:38 > 0:08:43but, for me, it's got to be this group. This is my favourite lot.

0:08:43 > 0:08:45A group of four foxhounds there.

0:08:45 > 0:08:47The weight is incredible!

0:08:47 > 0:08:51It's all bronze. It's cast in bronze. Beautifully cast.

0:08:51 > 0:08:55All the undercuts around the ears, the eyes... It's all there.

0:08:55 > 0:08:56It's quality.

0:08:56 > 0:09:00- These were done circa 1900 in Austria.- Oh.

0:09:00 > 0:09:03Once the bronze has cooled down,

0:09:03 > 0:09:06they are then hand-painted with a very small brush

0:09:06 > 0:09:08by a very skilful artist.

0:09:08 > 0:09:12This little group alone, with these four hounds chasing the fox,

0:09:12 > 0:09:14the poor little fox...

0:09:15 > 0:09:18That's £1,500 to £2,000 alone.

0:09:18 > 0:09:20They're divine.

0:09:20 > 0:09:24- It's the best collection of Austrian bronzes I've seen.- Right.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26For me, anyway, because I'm a dog-lover.

0:09:26 > 0:09:31The entire collection here, if you split up this group, the odd chap by himself,

0:09:31 > 0:09:36you're looking at somewhere in the region of £5,000 to £6,000.

0:09:36 > 0:09:40- Right.- Lucky children. Had you any idea of their value?

0:09:40 > 0:09:45We knew they were worth quite a bit, but not as much as you're saying.

0:09:45 > 0:09:46Yes, so...

0:09:46 > 0:09:48- Something to hang onto.- Yes.

0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Please cherish this lot.- We will. Yes, definitely. Yes.

0:09:57 > 0:10:01- Hello, Jill.- Hiya.- Thanks for coming along today.- That's all right.

0:10:01 > 0:10:07- You've brought two pieces of fishing interest for us.- That's right.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10My husband's had them in the drawer for ages.

0:10:10 > 0:10:14I mentioned about coming, so he said, "Take it in, see what..."

0:10:14 > 0:10:18- He's a fisherman, is he?- Oh, yes, he's been doing it all his life.

0:10:18 > 0:10:23- He's got me at it, as well! - So you are a fisherlady?- Yes.

0:10:23 > 0:10:28- Is that what...? Fisherwoman! That sounds like you work in a fish market. Fisherladies.- Yes.

0:10:28 > 0:10:30Well, this boxed one here,

0:10:30 > 0:10:34un, Distinctive Reels, a JW Young reel,

0:10:34 > 0:10:36is relatively recent,

0:10:36 > 0:10:40so, really, we're concentrating on this reel here,

0:10:40 > 0:10:43which, as you say, it's a Hardy reel.

0:10:43 > 0:10:46Now, in the world of vintage fishing tackle,

0:10:46 > 0:10:50- Hardy is the Rolls-Royce of fishing tackle.- Right.

0:10:50 > 0:10:54They were a firm in Northumberland, the Hardy Brothers.

0:10:54 > 0:10:57They started off in the late 19th century,

0:10:57 > 0:10:59through to about 1930.

0:10:59 > 0:11:03I suspect this reel is going to be towards the end of that period.

0:11:03 > 0:11:09- Right.- You can generally tell with the foot here, which would attach it to the rod,

0:11:09 > 0:11:14in the earlier models was brass, and on this model, it's an alloy,

0:11:14 > 0:11:17which is the same material as the rest of the reel.

0:11:17 > 0:11:21It's nicely marked there - the Conquest - the name of the reel.

0:11:21 > 0:11:25We've got the little dial at the bottom there,

0:11:25 > 0:11:30- which is to variate the drag. - I never knew what that was for.

0:11:30 > 0:11:34All the screws and so on look original, and the rivets,

0:11:34 > 0:11:38which is something you've got to look for in the Hardy reels.

0:11:38 > 0:11:42Shame that one hasn't got its box. That would have completed the lot.

0:11:42 > 0:11:46- It's just starting to pit slightly. - Yeah.

0:11:46 > 0:11:50Did your husband buy it or did he inherit it?

0:11:50 > 0:11:52Is it a family of fishermen?

0:11:52 > 0:11:55I think he was given it,

0:11:55 > 0:11:57but I couldn't say when.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00Just quite a few years ago.

0:12:00 > 0:12:03Have you any idea what sort of value it would be worth?

0:12:03 > 0:12:09About seven, eight years ago, somebody offered him about £98.

0:12:09 > 0:12:11- 98?- 98, 89, something like that.

0:12:11 > 0:12:13OK, yeah.

0:12:13 > 0:12:16They probably weren't far off the mark, to be honest.

0:12:16 > 0:12:19One in good condition, perhaps in its box,

0:12:19 > 0:12:22we might be looking at sort of 150, 160.

0:12:22 > 0:12:26- Right.- We have to take into account the fact that it's not boxed,

0:12:26 > 0:12:30but I'm confident that if we put the two together, in a lot,

0:12:30 > 0:12:34I think the Young reel, it's a bonus for whoever buys the Hardy.

0:12:34 > 0:12:37All the value's in this one.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41I would suggest putting it in with an estimate of 100 to 150.

0:12:41 > 0:12:44- Yeah, that's fine. - Would you be happy?

0:12:44 > 0:12:50- Let's take it along and see if we can do something with it.- We'll probably go to Cornwall for a week,

0:12:50 > 0:12:56- so it all helps.- That'll help pay for petrol down.- That's right. - Fingers crossed.- Yeah.

0:12:56 > 0:13:02So our first trawl of valuations has netted some very interesting items.

0:13:02 > 0:13:07Good condition Clarice Cliff is always popular, and Janet's determined to get a good price.

0:13:07 > 0:13:12The Hardy fishing reel is sure to catch the eye of an enthusiast.

0:13:12 > 0:13:15And my personal favourite - the walnut card table.

0:13:15 > 0:13:20Let's hope the water damage doesn't dampen the bidders' interest.

0:13:23 > 0:13:26Just down the road from St George's Hall,

0:13:26 > 0:13:31or, if you've got a boat like this crew have, just down the water from St George's Hall,

0:13:31 > 0:13:34is Bearne's auction room, and today's auctioneer is Nick Sainty.

0:13:34 > 0:13:40He's the man with all the local knowledge, so before our lots go under the hammer,

0:13:40 > 0:13:44let's see what he's got to say about our experts' valuations.

0:13:47 > 0:13:50I absolutely love this.

0:13:50 > 0:13:54We don't get enough furniture on Flog It, so, please, if you've got some, bring it in!

0:13:54 > 0:13:58It belongs to Sylvia and it was her grandfather's. Victorian.

0:13:58 > 0:14:02Walnut. It's an amazing fold-over card table.

0:14:02 > 0:14:06We've got a valuation of £300 to £500 on it.

0:14:06 > 0:14:09All it needs is... a little bit of re-veneering.

0:14:09 > 0:14:11It needs a lot of re-veneering!

0:14:11 > 0:14:15I've subsequently spoken to the lady in question

0:14:15 > 0:14:21and the family is so keen on it that they've raised the reserve to 400.

0:14:21 > 0:14:25Ah... That's a little bit sticky, isn't it?

0:14:25 > 0:14:27I can see why they've done it.

0:14:27 > 0:14:32It means a lot to the family because the grandfather won this in a rowing race.

0:14:32 > 0:14:38- She led me to believe the damage on the top was bomb damage. - It needs £300 spending on it.

0:14:38 > 0:14:43And that's a lot of money for a private person,

0:14:43 > 0:14:46- so I'd be very surprised if this sells.- It's got the look.

0:14:46 > 0:14:51If you stand back and look at this, architecturally, the detail is superb.

0:14:51 > 0:14:57I love the fact that you've got the four columns clustering there. It's beautiful. The inlay's stunning.

0:14:57 > 0:15:02It's got that lovely nutty hue that you can only get with age.

0:15:02 > 0:15:06You're a furniture man, anyway, so I can appreciate your love for it.

0:15:06 > 0:15:09I look at it - the feet are nice, the legs are nice,

0:15:09 > 0:15:14it's a shame about the face. It's not going to sell at that price!

0:15:14 > 0:15:19- Oooh! Please try. - I'll try very hard because it is a remarkable piece of furniture.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22Put it this way - they have upped the reserve,

0:15:22 > 0:15:25which means they're not really bothered if it goes home.

0:15:25 > 0:15:29Fingers crossed, but I think the runes are against it to be honest.

0:15:29 > 0:15:34We'll find out in just a moment. We'll let Nick get on the rostrum and weave his magic.

0:15:40 > 0:15:45Well, it wouldn't be Flog It! without Clarice Cliff and we have a choice piece for you right now.

0:15:45 > 0:15:49- And it belongs to Janet, here. Good luck.- Thank you.

0:15:49 > 0:15:51Do you need good luck at £400-600?

0:15:51 > 0:15:56- Because we've seen these sell before and they've always done the top-end of the estimate.- Fingers crossed.

0:15:56 > 0:16:01Yes, she has her fingers crossed. There's no need for that!

0:16:01 > 0:16:04Clarice Cliff always does the business.

0:16:04 > 0:16:08- What I want to know is, why are you flogging it? - I don't like Clarice Cliff.

0:16:09 > 0:16:12I don't like Art Nouveau, I don't like anything like that.

0:16:12 > 0:16:16I've got to admit, OK, I don't understand Clarice Cliff

0:16:16 > 0:16:20and I certainly wouldn't pay as much as some people would for it.

0:16:20 > 0:16:23- So, I'm kinda with you on that one. - Oh, good.

0:16:23 > 0:16:26Hopefully, what are you gonna put the money towards? More antiques...?

0:16:26 > 0:16:31No, I hope to spend my winters in France. I'm looking for a house, so that'll pay for me to go and look.

0:16:31 > 0:16:37- Go shopping for a house in France. That can't be bad, Will?- Sounds good. A good lifestyle to live.

0:16:37 > 0:16:40But, yeah, Clarice Cliff - a lot of it about. I like this piece

0:16:40 > 0:16:43cos the conical sifter is an iconic shape.

0:16:43 > 0:16:46Good luck! This is it, Janet. It's going under the hammer.

0:16:46 > 0:16:49The Clarice Cliff conical sugar sifter in the Lorna design.

0:16:49 > 0:16:55200, 210, 220... 30 with you. It's here at 220. And 30 with you.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58- Oh!- We're struggling at 230. - Are you all done?

0:16:58 > 0:17:03- 230, thank you. 240, 250...- Phew!

0:17:03 > 0:17:05260, 270, 280, 290...

0:17:05 > 0:17:08300, 320...

0:17:08 > 0:17:10340, 360...

0:17:10 > 0:17:13- Go on.- 380, 400...?

0:17:13 > 0:17:17- It's in the corner at £400.- Phew!- Do I see 420?- That was close, actually.

0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Are we all done at £400? - KNOCK!

0:17:20 > 0:17:24Ooh! That is a sold sound. It wasn't top-end was it, Janet?

0:17:24 > 0:17:25It wasn't, no. Never mind.

0:17:25 > 0:17:27Ooh! I nearly bigged that up,

0:17:27 > 0:17:31- and for a moment it struggled at 280 didn't it, or 230? Somewhere around there.- Yeah.

0:17:31 > 0:17:33I thought, "It's not going!"

0:17:33 > 0:17:37Is this the turning point for Clarice Cliff? I wonder.

0:17:37 > 0:17:39It did sound like a cheap lot to me, really.

0:17:39 > 0:17:43You've got to take into account the rarity of the pattern and the design and so on.

0:17:43 > 0:17:47But I've seen them make four figures before for more unusual patterns.

0:17:47 > 0:17:51I thought Lorna was a sought-after pattern. But we got it away!

0:17:51 > 0:17:55- That's the main thing.- That's it. Thank you.- All we can say really is - job done!

0:18:00 > 0:18:03We've got two choice fishing reels going under the hammer.

0:18:03 > 0:18:06- They belong to Jill.- That's right. - They're your husband's, really.- Yes.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09- He's the keen fisherman, isn't he? - Very much so.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12I love the Hardy reel and I think that's a choice lot.

0:18:12 > 0:18:17- Yes.- That's were the value is. Hopefully we'll get the top-end, that 150-mark. Will?

0:18:17 > 0:18:20Hopefully, yeah. I mean, the reel's in nice condition.

0:18:20 > 0:18:24- The Hardy's not in a box, is it?- No. - The more modern one is. - That's right.

0:18:24 > 0:18:26That would maybe have helped bump up the price.

0:18:26 > 0:18:31- But...- Nevertheless, I think we're gonna do this. I really think we're gonna do this.

0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Good luck.- We've got the reels, the fishing reels.

0:18:34 > 0:18:36There's some interest here.

0:18:36 > 0:18:37Oh! Some interest.

0:18:37 > 0:18:4250...5, 60...5... £70 is bid.

0:18:42 > 0:18:46- Commission bid of £70.- We need somebody to start bidding.

0:18:46 > 0:18:49- 85...- He's got a bid still left on there.- 90...

0:18:49 > 0:18:52- He's moving it up.- Doorway bidder at £95.- 95.

0:18:52 > 0:18:56- So selling with a bit of discretion. - In the doorway at 95.

0:18:56 > 0:19:00I'm selling in the room then at £95.

0:19:00 > 0:19:02- Jill, it's gone. - Yeah, well, that's fine. Yeah.

0:19:02 > 0:19:07- 95 quid.- Well, it's better than being saved in the drawer, isn't it?

0:19:07 > 0:19:11- Yeah.- Well done.- And I hope that the next fish he catches is the biggest one for you.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13- I'm hoping.- You're hoping.- Yeah.

0:19:17 > 0:19:21Now for one of my favourite items of the day, cos I love wood.

0:19:21 > 0:19:24This has got everything, apart from the fact that it's a bit damaged.

0:19:24 > 0:19:28It belongs to Sylvia, it's that lovely Victorian card table.

0:19:28 > 0:19:32We had a valuation of £300-500.

0:19:32 > 0:19:38- Now, you have since changed the value, you've upped the reserve, haven't you, to £400?- Yes.

0:19:38 > 0:19:43- Now we've got really a value of £400-500.- Mmm.

0:19:43 > 0:19:46I had a chat to the auctioneer... Let's bring David in, our expert,

0:19:46 > 0:19:50- cos you don't know...- I've just heard.- ..the reserve's gone up. Well...

0:19:50 > 0:19:53the auctioneer said, since you've put the reserve up...

0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Yeah.- ..it might just struggle. - Right.

0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Fair enough.- He could have got it away at £300.- Yes.

0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Pity. Time will tell.- We'll see. - Time will tell.- Oh, dear.

0:20:02 > 0:20:06- It's going under the hammer now.- Is it?- I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

0:20:06 > 0:20:09- David will as well.- I've everything crossed.- We want it to sell.

0:20:09 > 0:20:14Lot 345, the burr walnut inlaid card table.

0:20:14 > 0:20:20- Commission bid with me...- Ooh! - 320... £340 is bid.

0:20:20 > 0:20:23360 will you? 340 is bid. 360 will you?

0:20:23 > 0:20:24Oh, it's close.

0:20:24 > 0:20:27360...380...400...

0:20:27 > 0:20:29We've done it!

0:20:29 > 0:20:31Showcase bidder at £400.

0:20:31 > 0:20:36- I'm shivering.- We've done it.- That's the book out.- I'm so pleased.

0:20:36 > 0:20:41- We're all done...- Yes!- ..on the showcase and selling at £400.- Whoo!

0:20:41 > 0:20:44- That was good. That was good.- It was so close.- Well, I never.

0:20:44 > 0:20:46That was good. Everybody got what they wanted.

0:20:46 > 0:20:49- You got the value right. You got the money you wanted.- Yes.

0:20:49 > 0:20:55- Somebody would've had a good deal for the card table if it went for less. So...- I'm very pleased.

0:21:02 > 0:21:05They say every Englishman's home is his castle.

0:21:05 > 0:21:11Well, not every Englishman has that luxury of having his very own castle designed and built to order.

0:21:16 > 0:21:23But that's exactly what one successful businessman did back in 1910, and his name was Julius Drewe.

0:21:23 > 0:21:26And surrounded by the beautiful rolling hillsides here,

0:21:26 > 0:21:30on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, he built his home - Castle Drogo.

0:21:33 > 0:21:35Drewe founded the Home And Colonial Stores -

0:21:35 > 0:21:38one of the earliest chain stores in the world.

0:21:38 > 0:21:43By the age of 33, he'd amassed enough of a fortune to retire

0:21:43 > 0:21:46and dedicate his time to planning his grand project.

0:21:47 > 0:21:50And coming, as he did, from new money,

0:21:50 > 0:21:54Drewe was eager to buy himself a piece of illustrious history.

0:21:54 > 0:21:56So, he did some research on his family tree

0:21:56 > 0:22:02and he discovered, or he claimed he was a direct descendant of a Norman baron - Drogo de Teign.

0:22:02 > 0:22:06And fresh with these visions of his ancient family roots in his mind,

0:22:06 > 0:22:10he commissioned architect Edwin Lutyens to design and build

0:22:10 > 0:22:13a baronial pile, here on the edge of Dartmoor.

0:22:15 > 0:22:17Lutyens, the pre-eminent architect of his day,

0:22:17 > 0:22:22was famous for his versatility and invention.

0:22:22 > 0:22:24He specialised in adapting styles of the past

0:22:24 > 0:22:26to the demands of modern living.

0:22:28 > 0:22:31And that's exactly what we've got here at Castle Drogo.

0:22:31 > 0:22:35And to find out a bit more about this VERY impressive building,

0:22:35 > 0:22:40- I've come to talk to the curator - Michael Thompson. Hi.- Hello.- Thank you for showing me around.

0:22:40 > 0:22:44- This place must have caused a stir in its day.- It certainly did.

0:22:44 > 0:22:49Nothing like it had been built before and it was making a very big stamp on the landscape

0:22:49 > 0:22:54- and really making a big statement about Julius Drewe's family and his history and so on.- Mmm.

0:22:54 > 0:22:58So, Lutyens, the architect, incorporated everything he could into one house

0:22:58 > 0:23:03to make it appear to be a very old house with a lot of history.

0:23:03 > 0:23:05It must have cost an absolute fortune!

0:23:05 > 0:23:06How did Drewe earn his millions?

0:23:06 > 0:23:10He earned his millions through tea and through margarines.

0:23:10 > 0:23:14He obviously had an eye for detail and for culture, didn't he?

0:23:14 > 0:23:18- And wanted some kind of baronial past to cling onto.- Yup. Everything about the house

0:23:18 > 0:23:22takes you through all the different ages of architecture in Britain

0:23:22 > 0:23:26and the details give away the fact that this is a modern house.

0:23:26 > 0:23:29Yeah, but I love the way... I mean it is a modern house.

0:23:29 > 0:23:33It's got the feel of a modern house, but this massive entrance hall

0:23:33 > 0:23:36is a sort of...it's not had the granite plastered at all

0:23:36 > 0:23:40or painted. It's in its austere sort of drabness, which is quite nice,

0:23:40 > 0:23:42it takes you back centuries.

0:23:42 > 0:23:47- Yes, indeed. We're in a kind of Medieval-feel here.- It feels like it, doesn't it?

0:23:47 > 0:23:51It does. And the granite appears to be coming out of the ground,

0:23:51 > 0:23:55but there's all the mod cons and all the comforts available of the time.

0:23:55 > 0:23:58Well, this very impressive entrance hall is great for starters,

0:23:58 > 0:24:01- but let's have a tour and explore the rest. Come on!- OK.

0:24:05 > 0:24:10The 51-roomed castle is only a third of the size of its original design.

0:24:10 > 0:24:12The advent of the First World War

0:24:12 > 0:24:15reduced the scale of the men's ambitions,

0:24:15 > 0:24:19but, even so, it still took 20 years to build.

0:24:19 > 0:24:23Including this, the kitchen's very unusual domed roof.

0:24:23 > 0:24:28It's so hard to imagine that this house was designed and built in the 1920s.

0:24:28 > 0:24:33But then that is the secret of good design, isn't it? It's absolutely ageless.

0:24:33 > 0:24:38Talk me through some of the creature comforts the lucky few would've had...in the 1920s.

0:24:38 > 0:24:43The lucky few, certainly in this house, would've had things like electricity

0:24:43 > 0:24:46powering an awful lot of bits and pieces around the house.

0:24:46 > 0:24:51They had a lift, they had everything from electric teacup warmers to electric clocks.

0:24:51 > 0:24:53So it's a very luxurious house.

0:24:53 > 0:24:56It's got everything you could've asked for at the time.

0:24:56 > 0:25:00When you look at this kitchen, you'd think this was designed yesterday,

0:25:00 > 0:25:05cos this is all the rage now - big centre island, wonderful smooth lines on the work surface,

0:25:05 > 0:25:09very easy to clean. Everything's here. It's so hygienic.

0:25:09 > 0:25:15It's one those things, where Lutyens has really put a lot of effort into it to make it a workable kitchen.

0:25:15 > 0:25:20It's got to be smooth-running. There can't be any faults. So you've got the ranges behind us,

0:25:20 > 0:25:25- they're working almost all the way through the day.- It's an architectural delight,

0:25:25 > 0:25:28- but at the same time it is pioneering.- Yeah. Definitely.

0:25:28 > 0:25:33- I'd love this kitchen.- It's very good, isn't it? Workable, without a doubt.

0:25:33 > 0:25:38Why was it so important for Drewe to have everything so simplistic and modern?

0:25:38 > 0:25:42Well, he was very much a man of his time.

0:25:42 > 0:25:45Any kind of gadget, anything that was new,

0:25:45 > 0:25:48that would really sort of catch his imagination,

0:25:48 > 0:25:51- he was employing in the house.- Yeah.

0:25:51 > 0:25:54And so, he fed that into the whole of his lifestyle.

0:25:54 > 0:25:58I love that light scoop that Lutyens has put in. I think that's wonderful.

0:25:58 > 0:26:01- It also lets the whole kitchen breathe.- Yes. Yep.

0:26:01 > 0:26:07There's windows up there you can open. It acts like a flume - takes all the heat away.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10But the cook was more worried about the LIGHTING in here.

0:26:10 > 0:26:16- There's so much natural light up there!- There is, but four electric lights, to her, were alien

0:26:16 > 0:26:20and not what she was used to. She didn't want to cook in here for some time.

0:26:20 > 0:26:26- What a moaner! It is stunning.- You'd never change Lutyens' mind on something like that.

0:26:26 > 0:26:28No. No, and I'm pleased he was so stubborn,

0:26:28 > 0:26:32- and that's the quality of a good architect. You do not compromise. - No.

0:26:34 > 0:26:37Julius Drewe and Edwin Lutyens didn't go in for half measures

0:26:37 > 0:26:40in the design and construction of Castle Drogo.

0:26:40 > 0:26:45These solid granite walls were the last castle ever to be built in Britain

0:26:45 > 0:26:50and it's a lasting monument and testament to the architectural ambitions of these two men.

0:26:52 > 0:26:55In their ambition to marry the ancient with the modern,

0:26:55 > 0:26:57no detail was overlooked.

0:26:57 > 0:27:01Even the servants' quarters incorporated the latest mod cons

0:27:01 > 0:27:06and in the 1920s, that meant the castle needed electricity.

0:27:07 > 0:27:10I'd imagine it'd be difficult to heat a house this size.

0:27:10 > 0:27:13- Every bedroom would've had an electric fire?- Yes.

0:27:13 > 0:27:18The whole house had central heating, but it was very hard to keep the place warm,

0:27:18 > 0:27:23so you could heat locally by plugging in your little electric fire and hopefully it would fill the room.

0:27:23 > 0:27:27- But that put a great demand on this consumer unit.- Yes.

0:27:27 > 0:27:31We have, nowadays, a button that you push in when the fuse goes,

0:27:31 > 0:27:33but look at this - this is very sophisticated.

0:27:33 > 0:27:38- All these are porcelain, aren't they?- They are.- They are your circuit-breakers?- Yup.

0:27:38 > 0:27:42If you have a problem with your electricity in a room, or if a fuse goes,

0:27:42 > 0:27:47then you pull one of these handles down till you cut the electric flow off.

0:27:47 > 0:27:52You get a great flash! And then you pull that out, put a new piece of wire across

0:27:52 > 0:27:54- and then back in it all goes.- Yeah.

0:27:54 > 0:27:57- It's amazing. It looks like it's out of a Frankenstein movie.- Yeah.

0:27:57 > 0:28:03So, in the days before the National Grid, how did a big house like this, generate its own supply?

0:28:03 > 0:28:07- Well, this one had its own turbine house down on the river at the bottom of the gorge.- Right.

0:28:07 > 0:28:13- And so, really, you were dependent on river flow as to whether you had adequate current.- Hmm-mm.

0:28:13 > 0:28:16But it's a good, self-sufficient system.

0:28:16 > 0:28:18Maybe we'll be able to get it running some time.

0:28:18 > 0:28:22Michael, thank you very much. It's been a pleasure wandering around here

0:28:22 > 0:28:27- and it's definitely worth coming back. It's worth several visits. Thank you.- Thank you.

0:28:31 > 0:28:34And here's another two men whose ambition

0:28:34 > 0:28:37is to unearth more of Devon's treasures.

0:28:39 > 0:28:42Tim, I was hoping, today,

0:28:42 > 0:28:44that somebody would come along with...

0:28:44 > 0:28:47items I could relate to the area.

0:28:47 > 0:28:51- Hmm-mmm.- This is a wonderful collection of terracotta.

0:28:51 > 0:28:55People call it slipware, motto ware,

0:28:55 > 0:28:57produced late 19th, into the 20th century

0:28:57 > 0:28:59and it's still being produced now.

0:28:59 > 0:29:04Um, souvenir pieces, mainly from the sort of Torquay area.

0:29:04 > 0:29:06Now, why did you start collecting them?

0:29:06 > 0:29:10Because, like you say, it was local to the area

0:29:10 > 0:29:14and being Devonshire born and bred myself,

0:29:14 > 0:29:16with the mottos and that, I could relate to it.

0:29:16 > 0:29:19Well, I think I would need some translation.

0:29:21 > 0:29:23I can't read this.

0:29:23 > 0:29:28There's one incredible inkwell here, which probably dates from the beginning of the 20th century.

0:29:28 > 0:29:30There's a motto there. What does it say?

0:29:30 > 0:29:34It says on that one, "Us be always glad to yer frume."

0:29:34 > 0:29:40- So that means...?- Which is meaning, we're always glad to hear from you. - Oh!

0:29:40 > 0:29:42So, it's colloquial English?

0:29:42 > 0:29:46Yeah, Devon, the Queen's English as her is spoke.

0:29:46 > 0:29:51These are delightful little pieces. I particularly like this candlestick.

0:29:51 > 0:29:55This is very much in the Arts And Crafts style.

0:29:55 > 0:30:00This whole industry was established to supply the tourist trade...

0:30:00 > 0:30:04- That's right.- ..for the fairly wealthy middle-class,

0:30:04 > 0:30:07who, because of the railway, were coming to the West Country on holiday.

0:30:07 > 0:30:11- Yes.- So very astute potters, particularly Aller Vale, Torquay,

0:30:11 > 0:30:15started producing decorative pottery,

0:30:15 > 0:30:18slip decorated like this piece here,

0:30:18 > 0:30:21and then putting mottos on a bit later.

0:30:21 > 0:30:22Where did you acquire them from?

0:30:22 > 0:30:29One or two pieces I had given to me, birthday and Christmas, car boot sales,

0:30:29 > 0:30:30market stalls.

0:30:30 > 0:30:34I can tell you bought them from car boot sales and jumble sales,

0:30:34 > 0:30:37because all of them have got slight nicks...

0:30:37 > 0:30:41- some have got chips or hairline cracks.- That's right.

0:30:41 > 0:30:46The most important pieces, like the the candlestick and the inkwell, haven't.

0:30:46 > 0:30:50I think that will carry the whole collection when they come up for sale.

0:30:50 > 0:30:55Now I'm going to make a suggestion to you that we don't put a reserve on these.

0:30:55 > 0:31:00- Right.- We should let them run along in the auction.

0:31:00 > 0:31:03As long as we've got two or three people there bidding away

0:31:03 > 0:31:06it'll achieve the market price.

0:31:06 > 0:31:10I hope they'll go for something in the region of about £60-80.

0:31:10 > 0:31:14But I think at that sort of level, the auction will not take a reserve

0:31:14 > 0:31:19- and they'll say exactly the same that I'm saying...- Exactly. - Are you happy with that?

0:31:19 > 0:31:22Yeah, I appreciate everything you say.

0:31:22 > 0:31:24You'll be there to join in the fun?

0:31:24 > 0:31:29- Oh, too right!- I can't say I'll be holding your hand, but I shall be there!

0:31:32 > 0:31:37Jack, you've brought in this rather fine Royal Doulton figure.

0:31:37 > 0:31:38Tell me about it.

0:31:38 > 0:31:42Well, I don't really know much about it, but it belonged to my mother

0:31:42 > 0:31:49and when we cleared her home in Aberdeen, we brought it down to Exeter,

0:31:49 > 0:31:52we've never really showed it. It's just been up in the loft

0:31:52 > 0:31:54or in odd corners, so...

0:31:54 > 0:31:56Let's just take her out of that box.

0:31:56 > 0:31:59She's not got any great age to her.

0:31:59 > 0:32:01But with this sort of modern collectible,

0:32:01 > 0:32:07what's all important to the collector is the fact that you've kept the original box,

0:32:07 > 0:32:09you've even got the original packaging,

0:32:09 > 0:32:13and you've got the all-important certificate of authenticity.

0:32:20 > 0:32:22This is 4,614 out of 5,000.

0:32:22 > 0:32:25For a firm like Royal Doulton

0:32:25 > 0:32:28that can produce thousands and thousands of these figures

0:32:28 > 0:32:30on a production run,

0:32:30 > 0:32:335,000 is actually quite a nice low figure.

0:32:34 > 0:32:40You occasionally see certificates with "limited to 30 firing days",

0:32:40 > 0:32:43and in 30 days, they can produce a lot of porcelain figures.

0:32:43 > 0:32:47Royal Doulton figures started off early 20th century

0:32:47 > 0:32:53when we started trying to compete against the early German imports,

0:32:53 > 0:32:54the bisque figures.

0:32:54 > 0:33:00Post-war, we were pushed to get these figures made in England,

0:33:00 > 0:33:03a local industry, rather than importing.

0:33:03 > 0:33:08And you had two factories mainly, Royal Worcester and Royal Doulton.

0:33:08 > 0:33:10You can see it's Queen Victoria.

0:33:10 > 0:33:13We've got some nice detailing here with the dogs jumping up,

0:33:13 > 0:33:16the little cushion here,

0:33:16 > 0:33:17the folds in her dress.

0:33:17 > 0:33:20And you've got this hand-painted decoration

0:33:20 > 0:33:22which again just...

0:33:22 > 0:33:25allows the decorator to be a bit more subtle

0:33:25 > 0:33:27in the colours used and the brushstroke,

0:33:27 > 0:33:31which brings out the elegance of the figure.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34Even this nice little flower on her dress here

0:33:34 > 0:33:36is in perfect condition.

0:33:36 > 0:33:39The cost of producing these figures

0:33:39 > 0:33:41is actually quite high

0:33:41 > 0:33:44which is why you get the retail price,

0:33:44 > 0:33:47which can sometimes be a little top heavy,

0:33:47 > 0:33:50- when these things again then come to market.- Uh-huh.

0:33:50 > 0:33:52I would say at auction,

0:33:52 > 0:33:54for a figure like this,

0:33:54 > 0:33:56in all its original packaging,

0:33:56 > 0:33:57you should be looking

0:33:57 > 0:34:00in region of £200-300.

0:34:00 > 0:34:06- Is that a sort of figure that you would be happy with us...- Yes. - ..taking her to auction at?- Yes.

0:34:06 > 0:34:10- Rather than languishing in the loft? - Well, just thinking how pretty she looked there,

0:34:10 > 0:34:15- so better somebody to appreciate her than...- Yes, she was a pretty lady in her youth.

0:34:15 > 0:34:18I'm happy at that.

0:34:18 > 0:34:22- £200-300. And if we put the reserve at 200 with discretion...- Yes.

0:34:22 > 0:34:24Just gives the auctioneer a little bit of leeway.

0:34:24 > 0:34:29If you're happy at that, we'll see if we can knock the hammer down to her at that sort of money.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31- Yes, I think that would be satisfactory.- Super.

0:34:35 > 0:34:38Jane, this really does put a smile on my face.

0:34:38 > 0:34:39It's a little bit naughty.

0:34:39 > 0:34:41- Yes.- Tell me all about it.

0:34:41 > 0:34:45It came from my ex-father-in-law who lived in Birmingham.

0:34:45 > 0:34:48- Ah.- He died in 1983

0:34:48 > 0:34:51and his elder brother had also had a jeweller's shop.

0:34:51 > 0:34:54When he died, they were just clearing out his shop

0:34:54 > 0:34:57and somehow we acquired this.

0:34:57 > 0:34:59I don't know how!

0:34:59 > 0:35:02You can't help but laugh and smile when you see it.

0:35:02 > 0:35:04It's a lovely little silver cigarette case

0:35:04 > 0:35:07and the key there, as you said, Birmingham.

0:35:07 > 0:35:13I've looked through the glass and you can see the assay mark for Birmingham which is the anchor.

0:35:13 > 0:35:16The silver lion passant moving to the left means sterling silver.

0:35:16 > 0:35:21The maker's name is EML. I have looked in the book and I can't find him,

0:35:21 > 0:35:24but the lower case "r"

0:35:24 > 0:35:27set against the anchor for Birmingham,

0:35:27 > 0:35:30- this was made in 1891.- 1891?- Yes.

0:35:30 > 0:35:35There's a fair bit of weight there and silver has shot up in value,

0:35:35 > 0:35:37- as has copper and gold.- Right.

0:35:37 > 0:35:40A few weeks ago, that was about £2.75 an ounce.

0:35:40 > 0:35:42It's now £5 an ounce.

0:35:42 > 0:35:45- So it's a good time to sell.- Right.

0:35:45 > 0:35:48You had to have a little bit of money to afford something like this.

0:35:48 > 0:35:51The enamel work is absolutely divine.

0:35:51 > 0:35:54There's only a little bit of damage, just on the corner.

0:35:54 > 0:35:56But it's got the touch

0:35:56 > 0:35:58and it's got the silver marks,

0:35:58 > 0:36:00and it's got a gorgeous lady,

0:36:00 > 0:36:04who is sort of riding along topless on a pushbike!

0:36:04 > 0:36:07Someone had a sense of humour. I absolutely adore this.

0:36:07 > 0:36:13- It's not too naughty, is it?- No, no.- It's titillation, if you pardon the pun, rather than pornography.

0:36:13 > 0:36:15I don't know what she's holding.

0:36:15 > 0:36:17It looks like a cap.

0:36:17 > 0:36:19Maybe people are putting coins in it!

0:36:19 > 0:36:21And she's saying, "Come on, it's a bet!"

0:36:21 > 0:36:25You never know, do you? I think you've got to use your own imagination here.

0:36:25 > 0:36:30- If it was pornography, which they did depict a lot...- Uh-huh.

0:36:30 > 0:36:33- ..it would be on the inside.- Right.

0:36:33 > 0:36:34Slightly more discreet.

0:36:34 > 0:36:38I've not seen anything so charming and so witty and funny

0:36:38 > 0:36:41- and I know this is going to sell well.- Excellent.

0:36:41 > 0:36:44Are you sure you want to sell it?

0:36:44 > 0:36:46- Yes.- Why do you want to sell it?

0:36:46 > 0:36:48It's just been in a bag in the bathroom

0:36:48 > 0:36:50and I spoke to my ex-husband

0:36:50 > 0:36:53and we agreed that as it wasn't of any sentimental value,

0:36:53 > 0:36:57that we'd sell it and split the money between the children.

0:36:57 > 0:37:01- So they can get some use of it. - That's a good call, isn't it?- Yeah.

0:37:01 > 0:37:03I'm going to put a value of...

0:37:03 > 0:37:05I'm going to be quite bold and say £300-400.

0:37:05 > 0:37:07Not bad.

0:37:07 > 0:37:10- Not bad at all.- It's not bad at all, is it?

0:37:10 > 0:37:16We'll put a reserve, a fixed reserve, of £275.

0:37:16 > 0:37:18We mustn't sell it any less than that.

0:37:18 > 0:37:25That's the wrong day and the wrong auction room. There's no bidders there. It's worth £300-400.

0:37:25 > 0:37:26Not bad.

0:37:26 > 0:37:28I think it's charming.

0:37:28 > 0:37:31I just can't wait to see this one go under the hammer.

0:37:31 > 0:37:35- Thank you very much, Jane, and hopefully I'll see you at the auction.- OK.

0:37:35 > 0:37:37Well, that's it for our valuations.

0:37:37 > 0:37:40Let's see what's going off to auction.

0:37:40 > 0:37:45Staying at home here in Devon, there's the quirky motto ware collection.

0:37:46 > 0:37:48Will we get a king's ransom

0:37:48 > 0:37:51for this delightful Queen Victoria Royal Doulton figurine?

0:37:53 > 0:37:57And this naughty but nice silver cigarette case

0:37:57 > 0:38:01may raise a smile, but will it raise any interest with our bidders?

0:38:01 > 0:38:05Let's hotfoot it over to Bearne's auction house in Exeter and find out.

0:38:08 > 0:38:12Something with a bit of local interest right now, Torquay ware.

0:38:12 > 0:38:14Apparently it's all in the clay.

0:38:14 > 0:38:16They belong to Tim. Various items.

0:38:16 > 0:38:18No reserve, so there's no pressure on our expert.

0:38:18 > 0:38:21Hopefully we're gonna get the £60-80 mark, Tim.

0:38:21 > 0:38:25You've been collecting for a number of years, so why are you flogging?

0:38:25 > 0:38:29- Is it, "That's it. Had enough now. Go on to something else."?- Well...

0:38:29 > 0:38:33my latest collecting habit of model and toy tractors,

0:38:33 > 0:38:36- being in the farming fraternity... - Oh, right.

0:38:36 > 0:38:37..has sort of taken over

0:38:37 > 0:38:39and it's room.

0:38:39 > 0:38:42David, will we get that top end?

0:38:42 > 0:38:47We should do. There's a nice mixture of Torquay terracotta companies in this collection.

0:38:47 > 0:38:48Some are a bit chipped.

0:38:48 > 0:38:52But they've all got these lovely local mottos on.

0:38:52 > 0:38:54And it is good tourist ware, isn't it?

0:38:54 > 0:38:56They were originally tourist ware.

0:38:56 > 0:38:59They're going under the hammer right now. Good luck, Tim.

0:38:59 > 0:39:03Lot 210, this mixed group of Watcombe Pottery.

0:39:03 > 0:39:06Eighteen pieces in all.

0:39:06 > 0:39:07Bidding's with me,

0:39:07 > 0:39:1032, 35, 38,

0:39:10 > 0:39:14- 40, £42 is bid.- Good start.

0:39:14 > 0:39:1645. 48.

0:39:16 > 0:39:1750. The book is out.

0:39:17 > 0:39:19Lady's bid at £50.

0:39:19 > 0:39:215. 60?

0:39:21 > 0:39:225?

0:39:22 > 0:39:2470.

0:39:26 > 0:39:27- 5?- Go on, wind it up.

0:39:27 > 0:39:29He says no.

0:39:29 > 0:39:33- Lady's bid at £70. Are we all done? - That's good.

0:39:33 > 0:39:36Selling then at £70.

0:39:36 > 0:39:39Spot on, David! Well done, Tim!

0:39:39 > 0:39:42- Thank you for bringing those in. - Better than a kick up the pants!

0:39:42 > 0:39:48- Is that motto?- My father always used to say nimble ninepence is better than a trundling bob.

0:39:48 > 0:39:50THEY LAUGH

0:39:52 > 0:39:58I've just been joined by Jack and he's about to flog some Royal Doulton and it is Queen Victoria.

0:39:58 > 0:40:00Limited edition.

0:40:00 > 0:40:06When you think limited edition, you always think one of 100 or 200,

0:40:06 > 0:40:08but 5,000's quite a lot.

0:40:08 > 0:40:11When you think about the amount that these factories produced,

0:40:11 > 0:40:15in their terms, 5,000 isn't probably a lot.

0:40:15 > 0:40:20- But in our terms, it probably is. - Why are you flogging it?

0:40:20 > 0:40:22Well, it's not our sort of thing.

0:40:22 > 0:40:24- We collect bull terriers. - Oh, do you?!

0:40:24 > 0:40:29- Are you a dog lover as well? - A bit of crystal as well.

0:40:29 > 0:40:31Good luck. This is it.

0:40:31 > 0:40:33255, the Doulton figure.

0:40:33 > 0:40:37Boxed with its certificate. A number of commission bids.

0:40:37 > 0:40:42Pretty close together. 50, 160, 170 is bid.

0:40:42 > 0:40:44180 on the showcase.

0:40:44 > 0:40:48- It's on the showcase at 180. - He's selling at 180.

0:40:48 > 0:40:50The book is out. It's on the showcase at 180.

0:40:50 > 0:40:52He's using his discretion.

0:40:52 > 0:40:55Are you all done? At £180.

0:40:56 > 0:40:58It's gone down - just!

0:40:58 > 0:41:00- It sold.- It sold. Only just.

0:41:00 > 0:41:02- We did it.- Yeah.

0:41:02 > 0:41:05- You didn't want to take it home, did you?- No.

0:41:05 > 0:41:08- I hope somebody will appreciate it. - I'm sure they will.

0:41:08 > 0:41:10I never really had her out of her box to look at her.

0:41:10 > 0:41:16- Never really thought about her.- It did struggle, but if you didn't have that box, it wouldn't have sold.

0:41:16 > 0:41:19The box and the certificate made the difference.

0:41:19 > 0:41:22Jack, what are you going to put the money towards?

0:41:22 > 0:41:23Squander it!

0:41:23 > 0:41:26- Put it to a holiday, I think. - Oh, that's good.

0:41:31 > 0:41:34OK, there's no need to ask for your full attention on this next lot

0:41:34 > 0:41:39because it's that gorgeous, enamelled cigarette case which belongs to Jane.

0:41:39 > 0:41:44It's about to go under the hammer. I'm pretty sure we'll get my valuation of £300-400.

0:41:44 > 0:41:49We've got a packed room. It's the first of the silver lots, so let's see how it does. Confident?

0:41:49 > 0:41:52- I am. - It's going under the hammer now.

0:41:52 > 0:41:57Lot 30. We now move on to this George V, enamel cigarette case.

0:41:57 > 0:41:59I think the jokes have been exhausted,

0:41:59 > 0:42:02so let's launch straight into this. The bidding's with me.

0:42:02 > 0:42:03There is interest.

0:42:03 > 0:42:08- Good.- We're away at 300, 320, 340, 360, 380 is bid.

0:42:08 > 0:42:09400.

0:42:09 > 0:42:11And 20.

0:42:11 > 0:42:12440.

0:42:12 > 0:42:14460. 480.

0:42:14 > 0:42:15500.

0:42:15 > 0:42:16And 20.

0:42:16 > 0:42:18- 550. 580.- Yes!

0:42:18 > 0:42:19600. And 20.

0:42:19 > 0:42:21They absolutely love it.

0:42:21 > 0:42:23680. 700.

0:42:23 > 0:42:25And 20. 750.

0:42:25 > 0:42:26780.

0:42:26 > 0:42:28- 800.- Wow!

0:42:28 > 0:42:29And 50. 900.

0:42:29 > 0:42:30And 50.

0:42:30 > 0:42:311,000.

0:42:31 > 0:42:36- Oh!- And 50. Out of the room at £1,050.

0:42:36 > 0:42:39- It was that good.- Are we all done? The book is out.

0:42:39 > 0:42:42I'm selling distant at £1,050.

0:42:43 > 0:42:45- £1,050!- Brilliant!

0:42:45 > 0:42:47Whoo-oo!

0:42:47 > 0:42:49What are you gonna do with that?!

0:42:50 > 0:42:53- I'll give it to my children, all three of them. - You've got three kids?

0:42:53 > 0:42:59- Yes. I'm going to split it between them.- One of your daughters is with you. What's her name?- Lucy.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02Lucky kids! Thank you so much, Jane, for coming in.

0:43:03 > 0:43:06Well, as you can see, the auction's still going on behind me.

0:43:06 > 0:43:09But it's definitely all over for our rovers.

0:43:09 > 0:43:11What a cracking day we've had here in Exeter.

0:43:11 > 0:43:16The highlight of the show for me had to be that big smile on Jane's face

0:43:16 > 0:43:22when we got a cracking £1,000 for that lovely silver enamelled cigarette case.

0:43:22 > 0:43:24A bit naughty, but wasn't that worth watching?

0:43:24 > 0:43:27Join me next time on Flog It! for lots more surprises.

0:43:27 > 0:43:29Until then, it's goodbye.

0:43:32 > 0:43:34For more information about Flog It,

0:43:34 > 0:43:37including how the programme was made,

0:43:37 > 0:43:40visit the website at bbc.co.uk/lifestyle

0:43:43 > 0:43:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd 2006

0:43:45 > 0:43:48E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk