0:00:02 > 0:00:05We're in Scotland's youngest city! Welcome to Flog It, from Stirling.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10Stirling has been home to some of the most famous rebels in British history.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13William Wallace bested the English king, Edward I,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297,
0:01:16 > 0:01:18and less than two decades later,
0:01:18 > 0:01:24Robert the Bruce also defeated Edward at the Battle of Bannockburn, which was close by, in 1314.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Mary Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling Castle in 1543,
0:01:28 > 0:01:29and, to top it all off,
0:01:29 > 0:01:34the Jacobite rebel Rob Roy lived and died close by, in the Trossachs.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44And for all their rebellious history, we're expecting the locals to be really friendly.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- That's how it was always marked. - That's the other piece.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Uh-huh.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Welcome to Scotland!
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Are we doing lips?- We're doing lips. - No, we're no' doing lips!
0:02:12 > 0:02:14TINKLING MUSIC
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Where, tell me where, has my Highland laddie gone?
0:02:23 > 0:02:26# He's gone to Stirling Castle... #
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Isn't it wonderful that here we are, in this bonnie town of Stirling,
0:02:33 > 0:02:39with a Crown Devon Stirling Castle musical tankard?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Tell me, Bill, where did you get it?
0:02:42 > 0:02:48- Well, it was left to me by my aunt about 20-odd years ago.- Uh-huh?
0:02:48 > 0:02:51She'd had it for quite a long time previous to that.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54And maybe time to pass it on?
0:02:54 > 0:02:55I think so.
0:02:55 > 0:03:02We've got the embossed picture of Stirling Castle on the front.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07And we've got, and I think he must be the Highland laddie...
0:03:07 > 0:03:11That was me when I was much younger.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14You were a fine-looking Highland laddie.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16He's stalking the deer.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21Bill, Crown Devon was one of the good factories.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27A Staffordshire factory, often made these novelty items,
0:03:27 > 0:03:32and there are many people who collect Crown Devon.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37They often called Crown Devon ware the poor man's Carlton,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40but I think that is unfair comment.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45I think that the quality of their moulding and their glaze
0:03:45 > 0:03:49and colouring was very, very good.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53The date of this tankard, I would say,
0:03:53 > 0:03:59it could be 19... mid-30s, but say ten years either way.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02They would have been very popular,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06so they would have made them over quite a wide period of time.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09The estimate I would put on this, Bill,
0:04:09 > 0:04:14- would be between £60 and £80.- Uh-huh.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17This is a conservative estimate.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I think it will do more, Bill.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23I think it will do more, but we want to bring the bidders into the bidding.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25We'll put it to auction...
0:04:27 > 0:04:33..and we hope that the price will get a big smile on your face.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36That's what I'm looking for.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39And that we'll both be having a wee song after it's sold.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Aye, and maybe a wee dram, too.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43And maybe a wee dram, too!
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- Hello, Moira.- Hello.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57You've made my day.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00I've been waiting now for several Flog Its
0:05:00 > 0:05:03to find a nice piece of Lalique glass.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- So you've thrilled me today by bringing this in.- Good.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11But before we explain what it is and we have a little chat about it, give me that lovely family history.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Yes.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19My sister and I used to go to an aunt's for holidays, and she had this very cold house
0:05:19 > 0:05:23with a great big bath, and the bathwater was heated by this geyser
0:05:23 > 0:05:26which rumbled, and the flames shot up.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29My sister and I could get into this large bath together,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34but we hated going into it because we were really quite terrified of this geyser.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38So the way that you could persuade us to have a bath was to say,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40"You can have some bubble bath in",
0:05:40 > 0:05:44and this was the bottle that the bubble bath was in.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- And it's been in bathrooms ever since.- Wonderful.- I fell heir to it
0:05:48 > 0:05:51once my aunt passed away, and it's been in my bathroom,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55but I've never put bubble bath in. I've got central heating.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- I'm glad you haven't got an old geyser in your bathroom.- No, no!
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Lalique had a fascinating history, Moira.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07You might not know about the actual factory itself,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11but he started at the end of the 19th century, during the Art Nouveau period,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14producing the most fantastic pieces of jewellery.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20Unfortunately, he was so successful that he had a lot of imitators,
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- so he turned his attention to glass-making.- Right.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And he started producing, at the end of the Art Nouveau period,
0:06:27 > 0:06:33and then into the Art Deco period, glassware, basically from moulds.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38- Now this bottle we call dahlia, because of the pattern.- Oh right.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41It can be brown stained as well, and green stained.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45This one, of course, is this nice sort of pale-blue staining,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49with this dark enamel staining in the middle there.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52And then a very simple plain stopper.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56The mark underneath is nice, because we have got "R Lalique France".
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Interestingly, though, Lalique died in 1945,
0:07:00 > 0:07:05so anything produced after 1945 drops the R,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- so it is only "Lalique".- Right.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12They're still going today, Lalique, but it's called Cristal Lalique now.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15His son, funnily enough, was called Marc,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17and he carried the factory on after the war.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22But they produced a massive amount of different types of glassware.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26This shape is amongst the most common of the shapes.
0:07:26 > 0:07:32There are some much rarer ones with, dare I say it, nude women on them.
0:07:32 > 0:07:38- I think it is the more nudity, the higher the price goes.- Oh, right. - And anything else, I presume.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40I think if we were putting it in for auction today,
0:07:40 > 0:07:45we should be looking at an estimate of around £300 to £500.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Yes.- Would that surprise you?
0:07:48 > 0:07:52You don't think of the value when it's something that sits on a shelf.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Aren't you glad you didn't drop it? - Well, yes, yes.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- There have been one or two near misses, but it's still intact. - Wonderful.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05I look forward to seeing you at the auction, and let's hope my valuation will come up smelling of roses.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Or dahlias.- Or dahlias!
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Alan, this is a lovely wee stash of gold, here!
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Tell me, where did you get it?
0:08:23 > 0:08:27I got it from my father, who got it from his father.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Other than that, I know nothing about it.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34What we have here is a watch chain,
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- and there would have been a pocket watch on it at one point.- Yes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42The watch would have been clipped on here.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45You would have tucked it in your waistcoat pocket,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48and you have this nice double Albert here,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52and you'd have had the two chains hanging from your waistcoat.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- Did you ever wear it?- No.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56No? So what's happened?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00It's lain in a draw for the last 70 years, that I know of.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- 70 years!- That I know of.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Oh, well, I'm glad you brought it in to Flog It today.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12Now, Alan, each of these links is individually hallmarked
0:09:12 > 0:09:17with 0.375, which tells us that it is 9-carat gold.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23We have a nice little Masonic appendage here,
0:09:23 > 0:09:28and this would have again slipped over the waistcoat pocket.
0:09:28 > 0:09:35But what I like most about it is this lovely wee Vesta box.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38A Vesta box is a little case
0:09:38 > 0:09:42where we kept our matches.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46And this one is unusual, in that it's 18-carat gold.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51We see lots and lots and lots of silver Vestas,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54but we don't see a lot of gold ones,
0:09:54 > 0:09:59and the other little mark tells us that it was made in Sheffield.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03It is in mint condition.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09The engraving is as fresh as the day that it was done.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13And we have a little cartouche here with no initial on it,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16and this makes it even more appealing,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20because if it was given as a present these days,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24it could be engraved with the initial.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I would like to estimate it
0:10:27 > 0:10:33in the region of £250 to £300, Alan.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- Would you be happy to sell it at that price?- I would.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Right, let's put it into auction.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46We have two nice items here, in the one lot,
0:10:46 > 0:10:52- and I'm sure they're going to go for it big-style.- Hopefully.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02- Hello.- Hello, yourself.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Nice to see you. Now, I know what's in here.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Give us a bit of the history.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13I purchased this some 15 years ago at an antique market
0:11:13 > 0:11:15down in Hungerford.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16Oh, in Berkshire?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Yes, yes. We have here
0:11:19 > 0:11:21a miniature, in fact,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24of the triangular sextants that we're used to,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26and...
0:11:26 > 0:11:28you use it just the same.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31You have the spyglass here,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- for looking through...- Yes.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38..and then you can shoot the sun and the horizon, and get your bearings,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41when you adjust your bearings...so.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45When you get them in line, you're there.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- Now, don't ask me to be a sailor. - I've not got sea legs.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I like to be on terra firma.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Me too, also.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- OK.- Me too, also.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59So that's it. And I thought to myself, "Well, this is the original sat-nav!"
0:11:59 > 0:12:02But it's a bit heavy to carry around in the car.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- Yes, and it doesn't tell you in a nice little voice to turn left. - That's right, it doesn't.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- It's made by...- Stanley of London, which is very good,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and they're quite well known for this type of instrument.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Everything is meticulously crafted.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- I suppose, in terms of date, we're looking at probably early 20th century.- Yes, I would say so.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24I would say it's about 19...
0:12:24 > 0:12:26I would think...
0:12:26 > 0:12:28about 1910.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Yes, I would have thought that. Spot-on.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Of its type, it's very interesting.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36What did you pay for it 15 years ago?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Can you remember?- Yes, I do. I paid £75.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44£75? That's not too bad, is it?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I would have thought, if we were putting it in for a sale,
0:12:47 > 0:12:53we would suggest an estimate of maybe around £120 to £180, but hope to get £150.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- Yes.- If that was the case, you'd have doubled your money, which is not bad.- It's not bad.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02- And you'd have had the fun of owning it all these years.- That's right.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06- We might get more if two collectors want it.- Yes. - How does that appeal to you?
0:13:06 > 0:13:07That feels all right, yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13And let's hope we can get in that region, and then we might sail to quite a tidy profit.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16One never knows. One lives in hope.
0:13:58 > 0:14:04For today's sale, we've put our lots in the reliable hands of Thomson Roddick, Scottish auctioneers.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Let's go inside and find out if our experts are bang-on the money!
0:14:08 > 0:14:11100? And 40.
0:14:11 > 0:14:1620... 25, 30. £30.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19With the gentleman at £30. Any advance on £30?
0:14:22 > 0:14:24At £28...
0:14:24 > 0:14:30It's nearly the moment for Bill to put his Crown Devon tankard under the hammer. Bill, this is exciting.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We're looking at £60 to £80, and it's a musical one,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36so let's hope we hit the right note and get the top end.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Stirling Castle, we were there at the valuation day.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41What a view, what a stunning place.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- It's a lovely thing.- It is,
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- and it's in perfect condition and perfect working order.- Yeah.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51So let's hope we get that top end. Here it goes, Bill.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54It's going under the hammer now.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Lot 101. The Crown Devon tankard. - Fingers crossed.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Lots of interest in this.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I'm starting at £40. £40 bid.
0:15:01 > 0:15:0445. 50. 5. 60...
0:15:04 > 0:15:065. 70. 5...
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- 80. 5...- They love it.- £90.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15£90. Would you like in...? 95. 95. 100.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21- Yeah, we've got that magic figure. - 110. 110 against you.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- 120.- Yeah, it's a phone bid now. - 130.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- They absolutely love this. - 140. 150.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- 150 on Jocelyn's phone. 150. - What a surprise!
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Would anyone else like in at £150...?
0:15:37 > 0:15:42- How exciting is that? The hammer's gone down.- That's wonderful.- £150!
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Yes.- Double top-end of estimate. They absolutely loved that.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49You see what it was? It was condition, condition, condition.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Bill, that is fantastic.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Right now, we've got a top maker's name.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03It is the best in glass you're going to find - Rene Lalique.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07I've just been joined by Moira, who's flogging her little scent bottle.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12We've got a valuation of £300 to £500 which our expert, Mark Stacey has put on. You love this.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14I do. I love Lalique anyway.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- I love the decorative arts, but Lalique in particular.- Very special.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Why, oh why, are you selling such a beautiful thing?
0:16:21 > 0:16:25It's been on my bathroom shelf for the last 25 years.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30My son's in Australia, my daughter's planning to go to Australia. Neither of them want it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36I thought, "I'll sell it now, and then we'll go to Australia and enjoy it all together."
0:16:36 > 0:16:38That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Cash it in and pay for the airplane ticket.
0:16:40 > 0:16:46130 - this very nice R Lalique blue dahlia patterned flask.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Very nice this. Who'd like to start me? £200 for it.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- It's got to do the business. - 200, 100. 100 bid.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53120. 140.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55160. 180.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57200. 220. 240.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- 260.- It's a good, steady climb.- 300.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- £300.- It's there, it's got the reserve.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07320. In the centre at 320.
0:17:07 > 0:17:13- Any advance on £320? At £320... - She's selling.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- The hammer's gone down. £320.- Yes.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- We did it, we did it.- We did it.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- It's not going back on the bathroom shelf.- You got it away.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- That gets you one way, doesn't it? - It does.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27I might not come back now.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37We've got something for you to set your sights on.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39It's a sextant and it belongs to Harry.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42We've got a valuation of £120 to £180.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- It's a lovely brass pocket sextant. - It's a pocket sextant.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50I had a chat to Sybelle, our auctioneer,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and she told me that you've actually been in contact with her
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- and you've upped the ante a bit. Mark doesn't know this.- No, I don't.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01The reserve is not 120 any more, it's 140.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Here we go, this is it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Now we have lot 415A,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12this modern 20th-century brass sextant,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14in the screw case, as you see it there.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17£100 for it? £50 for it?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20£50 bid. Any advance on 60?
0:18:20 > 0:18:2270.
0:18:22 > 0:18:2480. 90.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26100. 110.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- 120.- This is good.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30130.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Any advance on £130?
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Going at £130 for this one. £130...
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- He sold it. £130. - I think he's used his discretion.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42But who's right? I'm all at sea.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- But you were right.- Oh, don't... - You were close.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50OK, we've got £130, less a little bit of commission.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- What are you going to do with that, Harry?- That's what I'm saying.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- It's too heavy to use in the car for navigating, so I'm going to get a sat-nav.- A sat-nav?
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Next up is the 9-carat watch chain and Vesta -
0:19:07 > 0:19:10a nice chunky bit of gold here. It belongs to Alan.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- You're about to flog this. Who have you brought for moral support?- My wife, Ruby.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Ruby, how do you do? - Pleased to meet you.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19So why are you selling?
0:19:19 > 0:19:23It was lying in a drawer. You're as well selling it and using the money.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25OK, fingers crossed. It's going under the hammer now.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30382 is a Victorian 18-carat gold engine-turned Vesta box
0:19:30 > 0:19:34with a 9-carat gold double Albert with bar, and a Masonic pendant.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38A nice lot, this. £200 to start it. £100 to start it?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40100 bid. 120.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43140. 160. 180.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47200. 220. 240.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- 260. 280. 300.- Yes!
0:19:50 > 0:19:55Any advance on £300 in the front for this lot? At £300. 320.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00On my left at 320. 340. 360. 380.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02400.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06£400 on my left for this lot. All done at £400 for the lot?
0:20:06 > 0:20:12- At £400...- Yes, yes. - The hammer's gone down at £400.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Alan, congratulations.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16That's a fantastic result.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21What is £400 going to go towards? Less a little bit of commission, of course.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Four weeks instead of two - holiday.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42In the early part of the 19th century,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Edinburgh was one of Europe's leading centres for the research in medicine.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50The thirst for scientific knowledge and the anatomy
0:20:50 > 0:20:53created a huge demand on human cadavers -
0:20:53 > 0:20:57yes, dead bodies, if you like - for the use in teaching of medicine.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19But such was the demand for bodies among the professors of anatomy and their students
0:21:19 > 0:21:23that the legitimate supply just couldn't keep up with the pace.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28So, with good money to be made, the more unscrupulous members of Edinburgh's criminal underworld
0:21:28 > 0:21:30decided on robbing graves,
0:21:30 > 0:21:35and selling the remains of the poor occupants to the men of science.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48The work of these so-called "body-snatchers" caused widespread fear and revulsion.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Not only were the victims subject to the indignations and humiliation of being exhumed,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57they were used for anatomy lessons, as specimens for dissection.
0:22:13 > 0:22:19Two of Edinburgh's most notorious inhabitants decided to cut out the middleman, so to speak.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Rather than run the risk of the gauntlet of the vigilantes in the churchyard
0:22:23 > 0:22:27and get caught for robbing graves, they decided upon murder.
0:22:27 > 0:22:34In 1828, they killed 16 people for profit - yeah, for the money.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Their names were Burke and Hare.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11So, Tony, surely Knox must have known where Burke and Hare were getting the bodies from?
0:23:11 > 0:23:17He almost certainly knew about where the bodies came from when the grave robbers were acting.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20He probably thought they were freshly brought...
0:23:20 > 0:23:23These were lovely and fresh, weren't they?
0:23:23 > 0:23:29- Whether he knew they were actually murdered is another matter.- Probably!
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Quite possibly, but he chose not to know, I think.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- He didn't ask any questions. - Why was there such demand at this time for the bodies?
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Edinburgh was the biggest medical school in the country,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and Knox was teaching 500 students at a time,
0:23:44 > 0:23:51and it's been estimated that he would have needed 90 bodies a year in order to teach them anatomy.
0:23:51 > 0:23:57Of course, there just weren't 90 bodies available from legitimate sources.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02- No.- So, I think it was well recognised at the time
0:24:02 > 0:24:08that the surgeons were obtaining bodies from grave robbers.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13Yeah, did the government at the time allocate a number that they could actually use?
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Well, when the Incorporation of Surgeons, which is what this college
0:24:18 > 0:24:22started off as, first started back in the 16th century,
0:24:22 > 0:24:28they were allowed to dissect one body of a condemned criminal - a murderer - a year.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33By the end of the 17th century, the demand was clearly getting bigger.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- Are these from the period? - They probably are, yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47This is a facial nerve - the nerve that supplies the muscles of the face, you see.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53They were really described properly by Charles Bell, who was a famous Edinburgh surgeon
0:24:53 > 0:25:01who described Bell's palsy, which is a paralysis of part of the face due to a viral infection of this nerve.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04There was a lot of, er...
0:25:04 > 0:25:09scientific work going on at that time into anatomy.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12What was the public feeling at the time?
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I think the public were pretty revolted at the thought.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- I don't think they minded too much about murderers being dissected...- No.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22..but the thought of unclaimed poor people being dissected
0:25:22 > 0:25:25was a pretty revolting thing for them.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26They didn't like that at all.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30So what happened when the Burke and Hare scandal broke?
0:25:30 > 0:25:33There was an absolute outcry.
0:25:33 > 0:25:40Of course, Knox, who had bought the bodies, was hounded out of Edinburgh.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45He was not put on trial. He never admitted any knowledge of it,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48but he never was able to continue teaching here.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51He disappeared off down to London
0:25:51 > 0:25:55and didn't really have any successful career after that. He lived for quite a long time.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04So science marches on.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07So, presumably, the demand just increased.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12The demand did, but because of the outcry in Edinburgh, which echoed
0:26:12 > 0:26:17right round Britain, because of the Burke and Hare murders...
0:26:18 > 0:26:23..in 1832, which was just a few years after this happened,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26the Government passed the Anatomy Act.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31They then, er, legalised, around the country,
0:26:31 > 0:26:36the use of the bodies of paupers.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Many of these came from workhouses. That wasn't a good thing either.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41But at least...
0:26:41 > 0:26:43- It was a legitimate source. - It was.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46It now became legitimate around the country.
0:26:46 > 0:26:53I suppose we have to admit, however shocking and unpleasant it was, it was done for medical science.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- Yes, that's very true. - Thank you very much for talking to us today.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Not at all, it's been a pleasure.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Now, despite his part in the murders of 16 people,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06William Hare got off scot-free, because he turned King's evidence.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10The same cannot be said for his partner in crime, William Burke.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16He was executed in January 1829 in front of a crowd of about 20,000 people.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22In a remarkable stroke of poetic justice, his body was donated to science.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25It ended up under the knife on a surgeon's slab.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Hello, Pamela, hello, John. Nice to see you.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54You've brought a very interesting ceramic plaque in to show us.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Give us a bit of the history. Have you had it long?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- Three years. - Three-and-a-half years.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Where did it come from?
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- A car-boot sale.- A car-boot sale! You're car-booters, are you?- Yes.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Do you sell and buy or do you just go and buy?- Just buy.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12I suppose, when you see something like this, you think of Wedgwood?
0:28:12 > 0:28:14- Uh-huh.- I did, actually.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18That sky-blue Jasper Ware with the white round.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- And how much was it at this car-boot?- £5.- £5.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Five quid, that's not very much, is it?
0:28:24 > 0:28:29I picked it out, because what I like about it is the very simplistic nature of the design.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32To me, it's very 1950s.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36You know, that post-war austerity - very simple lines.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41This, of course, follows on from those flying ducks on the wall.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45We think of Hilda Ogden and her "muriel" with her ducks on the wall.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49This is almost like a variation of that - a plaque.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54You also get, if you look on a design package from the '50s,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58British Airways and people like that have these very simple,
0:28:58 > 0:29:04very, very non-fussy, uncomplicated designs for their advertising.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07It all fits in with that kind of period really.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13- That's coming back now, of course. People are looking at that. - Yes.- It's very retro, you know.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16I mean, the marks on the back, there are some marks.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20I have to tell you, I've never, ever heard of that.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24It's not going to add a great deal of value - the fact that it is marked.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29I think what we need with something like this is somebody who likes very simple design -
0:29:29 > 0:29:32maybe a young couple who're looking for things
0:29:32 > 0:29:35that are quite modern with a bit of a twist.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40There's some little grazing chips on the bottom, but I don't think they're too serious.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Have you ever thought of a value for it?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45- Not really, no.- No.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50Well, as I say, it's continental, it's not made by a major factory,
0:29:50 > 0:29:55it's not designed by anyone that's recognised, so I suppose it's a fun and quirky item really.
0:29:55 > 0:30:02- So I suppose we ought to be looking at maybe £40 to £60, something like that.- That's fine, that's great.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07And, you know, I think at that sort of level, one would tend to put it without a reserve.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Just say, "Let's have fun with this and if we can get our fiver back
0:30:11 > 0:30:16"and a bit more, then it's fun. If we don't, well, we've been on telly with it."
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Norman, are you giving up fishing or have you just inherited these?
0:30:25 > 0:30:27I've inherited these from someone.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Do you fish?- Yes, I fish. - What do you fish for?
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- Salmon and trout.- Well, you've got a salmon rod there, salmon rod, trout rod there, don't you?- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- Why aren't you using them?- Because they're heavy and old-fashioned
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- and I don't want to damage them. - I don't blame you.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- You want a carbon-fibre rod, don't you?- Exactly, yes.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49I gravitate straight towards this one. This is the trout rod.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- That's a Hardy make.- Hardy's, yes. This is the name everybody knows.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57It's pre-war, it's absolutely in fantastic condition.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- A bit of varnish chipping off, but just look at the rings.- Yes.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Everything's right about it.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05- Yeah.- And that is a nice rod.- Yeah.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Obviously, issued with a spare end section, this one,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- because they are prone to break, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- There's not a lot of breaking strain on that.- No.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Hence you can only really catch trout with this.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- I wouldn't like to try and land a salmon, would you? - I have landed salmon and trout.
0:31:21 > 0:31:27- What's the biggest fish you've ever caught?- 37.5 lb.- Wow! Where was that, was that a salmon?
0:31:27 > 0:31:29- In Keith, a salmon. - Locally up there?
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- Yeah, just about, er, four mile from here.- How big was that?
0:31:33 > 0:31:37- Before the safari park. - About that big?- About that big.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Gosh! Did you put it back?
0:31:39 > 0:31:43No, I didn't, that was before the days of putting it back - that was 20 years ago.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Right, OK, well...
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- The salmon rod, that's your favourite?- Yeah.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54John Dixon's of Edinburgh, now this is absolutely in mint condition.
0:31:54 > 0:32:00- It's in mint condition. - It's even got the bungs in the ferrule.- Yeah.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01Three-piece rod.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Let's see who we can catch here at the Albert Halls.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Oh, dear, I wish I was out fishing with you now.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Are you sure you don't want to keep these?- I'm positive, I'm positive.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22I'd be frightened to mark them. They're in mint condition and I don't to waste them.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25OK, let's put them into auction with a value of 350 to 450.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Yeah.- The whole lot.- Yeah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- And let the auctioneer use his discretion on that. - That's fine.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42- Irene, I'm dying for a nice wee cup of tea.- Are you?
0:32:42 > 0:32:47And I'd love to have a nice wee cup of tea in one of these tea cups.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Tell me, where did you get it?
0:32:48 > 0:32:50My mother gave it to me.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54I've got a nice display cabinet, so I have it in the cabinet
0:32:54 > 0:32:57and it hasn't been used for a very long time.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01In fact, the last time was 1968.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- I hope that wasn't the last time you'd a cup of tea?- No, no. - What was the occasion?
0:33:05 > 0:33:12I brought the boyfriend home and out came the tea set and I was very embarrassed when I saw it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- Did you end up marrying him? - I did, I did.
0:33:19 > 0:33:27It's made by Shelley, which is one of the best of the Staffordshire factories.
0:33:27 > 0:33:32They were renowned for the beautiful white body of their porcelain.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37This tea set has a lot going for it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42Firstly, it's complete, we have a set of 12 cups,
0:33:42 > 0:33:4712 saucers, 12 plates, sugar and cream and the bread plate.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Next thing, Shelley is hot just now.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54People are buying Shelley, they like it.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59Number three, the period, the Art Deco period,
0:33:59 > 0:34:06mid-1920s to mid-1930s, it will be somewhere in that area.
0:34:06 > 0:34:12The most interesting and commercial thing about this tea set
0:34:12 > 0:34:15are these wonderful handles.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20Absolutely wonderful. We have the closed triangle,
0:34:20 > 0:34:24the geometric shape of the Art Deco period
0:34:24 > 0:34:30and painted in the form of a butterfly.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32I think that's very charming.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35But here's a wee interesting point.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40If we turn it round the back, we have this grey transfer
0:34:40 > 0:34:45printed reflection of the colourful flowers.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Now, that makes me think that this little tea set
0:34:49 > 0:34:53was probably not meant to be used.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56It was meant to sit in a cabinet
0:34:56 > 0:35:01with the bright and colourful front of it showing out.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Yes, that's what I do with it, you know, it just...
0:35:04 > 0:35:07I mean, it's just a wee interesting aspect.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Price?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- This could do very well.- Hmm.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21I'd like to estimate it in the region of £600 to £800.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Would you feel happy to part with it at that price?
0:35:25 > 0:35:30I would. I wouldn't be happy to part with it for less than 500.
0:35:30 > 0:35:37Yeah. What we'll do is, we'll put a reserve of, I think, £550.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42550 reserve price, estimate £600 to £800,
0:35:42 > 0:35:47and I wouldn't be surprised if it went above the top estimate.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- Be quite exciting. - It will be very exciting
0:35:50 > 0:35:53- and I will be there, beside you...- Oh, right.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57- ..and let's hope it flies. - OK, thank you.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Right, it's time for tea.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38Time for the Shelley tea service, there's a lot of it.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42Mind you, there's a big price on it, £600 to £800. It belongs to Irene.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45It's an Art Deco pattern, as you can see.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49We've sold them on the show before and I think we've managed to get
0:36:49 > 0:36:52around £1,400, so that more sort of country cottage look.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55The pattern is vital to the value.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- Yes.- The collectors do very much look at the design.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02The other nice thing about this one is this lovely triangular handle.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- Very jazzy. - Very jazzy, very decorative.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09- But the big problem is it's not in perfect condition.- Right.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13We've had lots of enquiries about it over the internet, over the phone
0:37:13 > 0:37:16and we'll be doing really in-depth condition reports,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18but when you look in the bottom of some of the cups,
0:37:18 > 0:37:23you find these nasty hair-line cracks and that does put the collector off.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- So you think these'll struggle? - I think they will struggle.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31- I would like to have seen it at an estimate £200 to £300, maybe a touch more.- As low as that?
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- Really "come and buy me". - But maybe Anita's covered her bases,
0:37:35 > 0:37:40because they are damaged with a low valuation, maybe, in good condition, they might be worth a thousand.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- Don't know.- I think she's being a bit optimistic.- You know the market.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- We'll keep our fingers crossed. - I think we've got to - fingers crossed on this.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56I've just been joined by Pamela and John
0:37:56 > 0:38:01and we have that lovely, very kitsch 1950s plaque with the three flying birds.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06- It is kitsch, it's '50s, typical '50s. You don't like it, do you? - No, not at all.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10I'm sure there's lots of people out there that are going, "It's pretty ugly!" It really is.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15- But there's someone out there that'll love it.- I hope so. - There's no accounting for taste.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Our expert Mark absolutely fell in love with it.
0:38:18 > 0:38:25- I'm not known for being kitsch, but I do think this is quite funky. - You do like it, I know.- I do!
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I like it. I like it, It's quite contemporary.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- I think young people will, it's a nice shape.- Yes.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33And those very stylised birds, I think it's quite funky.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38- I've seen you pick lots of the flying geese, the flying ducks. - And the quirky things.- Yes.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42But it's also nice to get away from the things that we see regularly.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44So it's nice to inject something different.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47146, a nice wall plaque.
0:38:47 > 0:38:53£40 for this. 40. 20. 20? £20 for the wall plaque.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58- 20? Anybody want it for 20? 20 bid.- 20 bid.- That's brilliant.
0:38:58 > 0:39:0220 bid, 20 bid, 20 bid. Any advance on £20?
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Looking for somebody else for a nice wall plaque at £20.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09First bid of £20. Any advance on £20?
0:39:09 > 0:39:12GAVEL BANGS Yes, hammer's gone down.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16- There was no reserve, so not a lot of pressure.- Yes, but £15 profit.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It was good. We're not denying that, are we?
0:39:19 > 0:39:20- No, better than £5. - That's the petrol money back.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Yeah, that's got your petrol money paid for.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29I think, you see, the people of Scotland have shown what taste they have here today.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Thank you very much.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Right, now, it's my turn to be the expert, cast my net, so to speak,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45because we've got Norman here and three fishing rods.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- Yes.- There's a quality bit of kit out there up for grabs.- Yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- £350, hopefully £450.- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57You're a keen fisherman and Norman's brought a photograph of the one that didn't get away.
0:39:57 > 0:39:58Look at this, it's a whopper.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01Did you eat it as well?
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Yes.- I've got to say, I'm feeling a little bit worried.
0:40:05 > 0:40:11This is the only fishing memorabilia in the sale and it's going under the hammer right now.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12457 -
0:40:12 > 0:40:15the nice collection of Hardy fishing tackle,
0:40:15 > 0:40:19as well as some other bits. A nice three-piece rod.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Who'd like to start me? £100 for the fishing tackle? £100. £100?
0:40:23 > 0:40:26£50 bid. 55. 60. 5.
0:40:26 > 0:40:2970. 5. 80. 5.
0:40:29 > 0:40:3590. 5. 100. 110. 120. 130...
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- This is good. Come on! - 140, 140...
0:40:37 > 0:40:41- Any advance? 150. 160.- Oh, no.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Any advance on £160? That's not sold.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- It's worth a lot more. - I'm not selling at that.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- I'm pleased we put a reserve on it.- Yes.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- You'll hang on to those?- Yes.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56Yeah, I don't blame you. And you can carry on fishing with them as well.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Yes.- Thank you so much for coming in. Thank you.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10Right now, just about to go under the hammer, we've got Irene's Shelley tea set.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15- We've been waiting a long time for this, haven't we?- Yes. - £600 to £800 we have put on this.
0:41:15 > 0:41:21There's a little bit of damage that was pointed out to me earlier, which I didn't see.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25I said to Sybil, you're obviously put off by the little bit of damage,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28what would you value this if it came through the door tomorrow?
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- She said £200 to £300. - Oh, dear.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36But...I still think this will do that £600 mark.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40It certainly deserves it. Shelley is a good factory.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43193, we go on to this very nice Shelley
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Deco-style floral-decorated white tea set.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51We have various bids on it, and we start it at £300. 300, 300...
0:41:51 > 0:41:56300. 300. 320. 340...
0:41:56 > 0:42:03360. 380. 400. 420.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08440. 460. 480. 500...
0:42:08 > 0:42:13- (I think we're gonna do it.) - ..520. 550...
0:42:13 > 0:42:17- Yes!- ..580. 580. 580. 580.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Anyone going on at 580? £580.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24580. 580. Anyone else at £580. 600...
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- (600, yes, yes, yes!)- ..620.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32650. 680...
0:42:32 > 0:42:38680. On the telephone at 680. Any advance on £680?
0:42:38 > 0:42:43- The hammer's going down. - Excellent!- £680.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- Yes.- What are you going to put the money towards?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48- That's what we want to know! - I did say I was going to save it,
0:42:48 > 0:42:52- but I might spend it on a piece of jewellery.- Oh, treat yourself.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Go on, treat yourself, buy some jewellery.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00- Well done. Well done. - I'm absolutely delighted. - You stuck to your guns.- Yes!
0:43:00 > 0:43:02A good result.
0:43:07 > 0:43:12That's it, it's all over for our owners. As you can see, the auction's still going on.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15We've had a mixed day here. A few surprising results.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18But if you've got antiques and collectibles you're unsure about,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21bring them along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23You can find details on our BBC website.
0:43:23 > 0:43:29Just log onto bbc.co.uk/lifestyle. Until the next time, it's cheerio.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33# Well, I guess that's all now! #
0:43:37 > 0:43:42For more information about Flog It, including how the programme was made,
0:43:42 > 0:43:45visit the website at bbc.co.uk/lifestyle.