York Flog It!

Today we're at the historic city of York's magnificent racecourse,

but we're here to speculate on antiques. Welcome to Flog It.

There's been horse racing on this site for nearly 300 years

and it's the sport of kings.

It was here that the notorious outlaw Dick Turpin swung from the gallows pole in 1739.

As always, the conditions here are superb and both our experts are in fine fettle.

And here they are in their Sunday best - Mark Stacey and Michael Baggott.

-Judy, thank you for bringing in this wonderful vase. Can you tell me where you got it?

-Yes.

-I got it from my father, but he got it as part of a wedding present from my great aunt.

-Oh, right.

-Where did she get it from?

-I believe she brought it back from China or wherever on a world trip.

-She probably visited Japan as well.

-Yes, I'm sure she went to both.

-It's a Japanese vase.

It's a rather lovely one. The Japanese are exquisite potters and she probably bought this

-back in 1900, 1910.

-Around about that sort of time.

When it was brand new.

But that's not to say that because it's modern it's poor quality.

-The Japanese really reached the peak of the decorative arts in about 1860 up to 1900.

-Right.

That was its technical best.

And what the Japanese potter here has tried to do is copy a very impressive piece of porcelain

-from about 1660, 1680.

-Right.

In a palette called Koimari.

It's a rather splendid pot because it's got this wonderful dragon-scale decoration

with these butterflies and these wonderful green reserves.

And each one is patterned with these little circular reserves,

-each painted differently.

-Are they all done individually?

All done individually, by hand, which is breathtaking.

-But there is one little bit of damage on a panel here.

-Yes.

It's had a touch or a bang. This red does flake off.

-However, I have a feeling you don't like it.

-I hate it!

-Because it's covered in emulsion?

-I'm not guilty of that!

-It wasn't you!

-That was in my father's house.

He wasn't that fond of it, either!

I think he was, but it was because it was part of a wedding present, rather than the actual vase.

-Thankfully, this will come off.

-I haven't tried to.

There are little specks that would ping off, but we'll leave that be.

It is signed underneath.

-And apart from telling you that's Mount Fuji...

-I was going to say, can you read it?

-I can't!

It's the artist's signature. It's lovely. Any ideas what it's worth?

None whatsoever.

At auction it should easily make £100-£200.

-Right!

-And if we pop it into the sale with £100 reserve on it

we'll see where it goes.

But why now have you decided to part with it?

I don't like it and I've thought it's either worth something or it's not.

If you had told me it was worth nothing, I'd have given it to a charity shop.

I should have told you that and waited at the charity shop door!

-I love it. We'll pop it into the sale.

-Yes.

-Hopefully, it'll do well.

Hopefully two Japanese buyers will help it make £1,000!

-That would be wonderful!

-Thank you for bringing it in.

-Thank you.

-Hello, Jock.

-Hello.

-This is a very interesting collection of Great War memorabilia.

We'll go into some of the pieces in a moment, but give us a little bit of history

-of the man this belonged to.

-He was a local man from York.

He served throughout the war in the field artillery and I do believe he was wounded.

So he served through this hideous four-year battle in the trenches. What happened to him?

He survived the war and went to work at the railway.

Unfortunately, he was killed in 1921.

-Two years after.

-After the war, yes.

-And how have you brought us this?

I actually bought them off a relation of this man.

I believe he was his great grandfather or something.

-I collect militaria, so I bought it.

-So he was in the Royal Field Artillery.

We can see part of the collection. Pip, Squeak and Wilfred,

which is the general nickname for the three general war medals.

And then we've got a whole series of photographs and postcards, Valentines,

ration books, et cetera. And a little novelty group of buttons.

One thing I find which is very interesting is this little letter which was written to him.

It says, "Dear Tommy, I once again have much pleasure in sending another pair of socks.

"I hope you will soon be one of the helpers to bring this war to an end.

-"Yours a schoolgirl, Myrtle Bennett."

-Yes.

-And then she signed it in little kisses with "Luck".

-Yes, very nice.

-Lovely, It shows the whole spirit of the country was behind them.

It's always difficult, of course, when you're dealing with a lot of sentiment like this

to put a value on it, but you have to look at it financially.

If I was putting this in as a little group,

all that sentiment must help a collector look at the character.

I would probably suggest £150-£250.

-Is that what you were thinking?

-Something about that price, yes.

Shall we hope they go to a collector who keeps it all together?

-I'd hope someone in the artillery would buy it.

-You collect militaria?

Yes. Scottish if I can find it, being a Scotsman, of course.

And why have you decided to sell it now?

-There's something else I've got my eye on.

-What's that?

-A German helmet.

-Like this miniature one here?

-Like that one.

-With the big spike on the top.

-Yes.

-It's a great pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming in.

-I'll see you at the auction and let's hope we can get those buyers in.

-Thank you.

Robert and Julia, what have we got here? A chart, "The Anatomical Model of the Human Body."

Well, I'm a pharmacist and a very nice lady customer of mine a few years ago came in

-and donated this to me.

-Thought you could use it?

Has it come in useful?

It's a little dated, I think!

It looks, judging by the way the artist has drawn the chap's hairstyle and moustache,

-like 1910, 1915, somewhere in the early 1900s.

-I would have thought so.

-That moustache is a giveaway.

-Let's open it up.

It opens up to reveal the internal organs.

We've got lots of numbers here. For instance, number 101.

I guess there's an index.

-If we look up here...

-There is, indeed, an index.

We can go to number 101. Why did I pick that?!

The urinary bladder!

Well, I think it's absolutely fantastic.

-It's in excellent condition and I'm pleased that you're looking after it.

-I do want to hang on to it.

I think, value-wise, not a great deal,

-but somewhere around £60-£80.

-That's lovely, yeah. Thank you.

Keith, I'm always fascinated by little boxes, little instrument maker's boxes.

Let's have a look inside here.

That looks promising.

-I hope something pops out at me. Will it?

-I know nothing.

-It's some scales, but...

-There we go. They're familiar to a lot of people.

We've had them on Flog It before. They're guinea scales.

You get guinea scales and sovereign scales.

They're because everyone in the 18th century was a little bit dodgy

and they would have gold guineas. That's the face value - 21 shillings.

But if you were clever or devious, you would take your guinea and file and have a little pile of gold.

If you did that for long enough, you had a big pile of gold.

It was devaluing the coinage.

You also get fake guineas that are brass or copper and they've been gilded.

To prevent this, a trader had this little devil. You put the guinea on that side.

You move the slide along here for a guinea or a half guinea.

And if it were a bad 'un, it didn't tilt it and you didn't take it.

-It's an interesting piece of social history. Where did you get it?

-I found it when my father died.

It was left in his effects and has been cluttering a drawer.

What's lovely is we've got a maker's label.

Wilkinson's, Ormskirk, Lancashire.

We've also got, if I fold it down...

This is the tricky bit.

There we go, back in the box.

We've got probably not the original owners, but a name on there - Henry Bowland something.

Yes, I had absolutely no idea what it is at all.

My father worked in Australia for a number of years and I assumed it came from there.

-But you've told me it's definitely from the UK.

-Lancashire, not that far away.

And sovereigns came in as a coin in about 1820.

So it's well before that. It's probably about 1800, 1805.

It's quite collectable, although there are a number about. Any idea what it's worth?

-Absolutely no idea. Absolutely.

-It's not a fortune for what it is,

-but we could put it into auction at, say, £50-£70.

-That's fine.

£45 reserve. And see which level it finds. It's the nicest one I've seen

so I wouldn't be surprised if it did £100 on the day.

-If you're happy to do that...

-I'm quite willing to, yeah.

-You don't have any guineas to weigh at home?

-Unfortunately, no.

-They'd be worth more than the scales!

-Nothing of value.

-It's been delightful to see it.

Our first batch of antiques have travelled from afar.

Something from the Orient, some poignant memories from WWI

and pocket guinea scales which may have been to Australia.

For our auction today we've headed west to Ilkley.

Hartley's auction room is going to be jam-packed,

full of potential bidders all looking at our items. Let's catch up with the action.

Our auctioneer is Andrew Hartley. It's his job to sell our lots.

Let's hear what he's got to say about Jock's collection of World War One memorabilia.

This is a very interesting little lot. You've had a look at it.

Brought in by a chap called Jock.

This WWI soldier was a Yorkshireman. It's some memorabilia - his medals, his photographs,

his pay book, some cap badges.

He served throughout the war and two years later was killed working on a railway line.

Mark has put a valuation of £150-£250 on the whole collection.

-What bad luck to go right through the war and then get run over by one of his wagons.

-So sad, tragic.

-It's really hard to put a price on.

-We get this all the time.

We get ranges of medals which are worth £50, £60, £70.

But it's all the other bits and bobs that's the value.

It's difficult to put a price on it. My view was to temper the initial estimate

in order to get the blokes in the market, these collectors.

They will hopefully get it up a bit.

-What have you reduced it to?

-120.

That's not a vast amount, but it will make a difference to people's perceptions.

Let's hope word has got around. First up, it's Judy's Japanese jar.

A touch of the Orient today with Judy's Japanese vase.

-I'm so pleased it's not in the charity shop!

-So am I now!

Especially when Michael's put a top end of £200 on it.

Wonderful, isn't it? I just thought it was an old vase, not worth anything.

-Looking forward to this?

-Definitely.

-What have you been up to?

-Mostly cooking for WI markets.

-Lots of cakes?

-Lots of cakes, yes.

-And some jam.

-Let's hope we can cook up a really good price today.

-Michael, are we hoping for the top end?

-Fukagawa! You didn't expect me to say that!

That's what the vase is. So hopefully a few people will pick up on it. It's very collectable.

-It's got a lovely shape.

-Beautiful shape, lovely form. A pure Japanese work of art

-so hopefully we'll do the top end.

-Fingers crossed. Why did you decide to flog it?

It was a wedding present to my parents. I have never liked it.

My father died a few years ago. My son's getting married this year, and he was fond of his grandfather,

-so maybe I could buy him something from his grandfather.

-That's nice.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-It's going under the hammer now.

Japanese porcelain vase. I'm going to start bidding at £70.

Do we hear 80 in the room?

At 80. 90. 100, sir.

110? Anybody else? Come on, quickly. Nobody else?

Finished at £100 to you, sir.

-Just.

-That was a close one.

-Better than I'd have got in the charity shop.

-Exactly.

Exactly what I was going to say. You'd have given it away. That's going to a wedding present.

This next item is so hard to put a price on, but Mark has made a brave attempt - £150-£250.

World War One memorabilia.

It's so hard to put a value on this because it's full of sentimentality.

It's more the history of the war and the medals.

The medals are lovely, as well. I had a chat to the auctioneer.

He said it's hard to put a figure on. He thinks the medals together will fetch around £70-£80.

It's who can find the interest, who wants the value in the officer's books and personal effects.

Going under the hammer right now.

World War One memorabilia regarding Gunner Oswald Spavey.

A full collection, including the medals.

Starting the bidding at 120. Do we have 130?

Anybody else at 130? Quickly. Anybody else at £130?

All done at £120?

-Sold it.

-Lovely.

-Straight in, 120. Short and sweet.

Well, our lots are selling quickly despite a packed auction room.

Jock's memorabilia went to a single bid left on the books. Let's see about our next lot.

-Weighing this lot up was Michael at £50-£70. Quite a good price.

-A "come and get me" estimate.

It's Keith's lovely guinea scales.

Gorgeous, with the right sleeve. Inscribed.

-Why are you flogging it?

-Well, I don't have any guinea coins.

-It's surplus to requirements.

-You could collect some.

I'd have to pay for them, though!

-This should do the top end.

-It's a lovely thing, the best thing I saw all day.

A real collector's lot. Don't buy Troika - buy this!

-This is cheap.

-And an academic toy. What a talking piece!

-Open and close it all day.

-For 100 quid, that's nothing. You can enjoy it and look after it.

A set of brass guinea scales.

I have to start the bidding at £90. Do we hear 100?

-Anyone else at 100? At £100 anywhere?

-Come on.

-All done and finished.

-Bang! Well, that was short and sweet.

-Straight in at 90. Not bad.

-It did over the top estimate.

Really pleased with that. They are traditional and they're in the doldrums now.

So not bad, not bad.

What is Keith going to spend £90 on?

-Well, our grandson Ben is seven.

-Oh, yes.

-And he's started playing the guitar.

-So the money will go towards...

-Guitar lessons?

-A new guitar.

-A new guitar?

-Or lessons.

-Wonderful.

-Ben, this is for you.

That's our first batch of items under the hammer, but there's plenty more auction action later on.

Right now, it's time for something completely different.

I'm going to find out about the mysterious world of Morris dancing.

For most of us, Morris dancing usually conjures up images of bearded men in flowery straw hats

with bells on their knees and waving hankies in the air.

But here in Yorkshire they do things differently.

The hankies have given way to sticks and the men have been joined by women - with no straw hats!

'Keeping the tradition of Merry England alive is Otley's Wharfedale Wayzgoose

'who have developed their very own distinctive style.'

Jenny, that was fantastic. And thank you very much.

This is totally unlike the Morris dancing I know. I grew up in Cornwall.

-It's totally different from what you do.

-There are lots of different traditions.

People think of the men with straw hats and hankies, but there's all sorts of traditions.

In the northwest, they have Morris dancing that involves clogs,

there are sword dancers, all sorts of things. But the origins are a bit tricky.

-We know it started in the late 15th century as court dancing.

-Jesters.

-That sort of thing.

-It was called Moorish, exotic.

-There is no Morris, is there?

-I bet he'd be a lovely chap.

It takes the micky out of the aristocracy. It's a working man's dance.

The hankies and bells are mimicking the foppery of the aristocracy.

Look at the early Morris dances. It's all bowing and scraping.

But this is border Morris dancing. Where does this originate?

It comes from Shropshire and the Welsh borders,

from agricultural workers who didn't have any work in the winter.

They'd black their face so nobody knew it was them and they'd dance outside the pubs,

have a few beers and enjoy themselves.

-Were their faces always black?

-Always painted faces. Not always black.

Some are red and green or yellow, but you always have a disguised face. That always distinguishes this.

-Let's talk about the dress code.

-OK.

It is very colourful, very theatrical. I love the tunics, but the hats especially.

-Do you make them all?

-We do.

-It's like the Green Man or something. There are pagan things going on.

Yeah. Everybody's hat is different. If you look down the row of hats,

-you will see a whole range.

-The ram's horn.

-My partner made those.

I have the Green Man because it's my particular thing.

People have brewing items on, Stuart has Stonehenge.

-Everybody does something different, but you have to have a feather.

-Why?

It's a wayzgoose and should have a goose feather.

-And the name, the Wayzgoose, where does that come from?

-It's a printer's festival.

Otley is a printing town. It made the Wharfedale printing press.

Wayzgoose is a printer's festival.

Once a year the master printer would take the apprentices out on 24th August for a picnic

and there would be a goose feast. As we've travelled round the country, it's been lovely.

People come up and say, "I bet you don't know what your name means."

We've met people who've been on Wayzgoose, old gentlemen,

and they're really quite thrilled to think the name is still used.

-What about the sticks and the instruments?

-The sticks are simple.

They're a cheap material to dance with. The melodeon is a very traditional Morris instrument.

-And a lot of us use a lot of drums.

-But it's a lot louder than the traditional one.

-It is.

We do do traditional dances, but the one you saw just now is a recently composed dance

that we've adapted to our own way.

We're going to play out with one more song and I may bang the drums!

-Ooh!

-If I'm allowed!

-You're allowed!

WHOOPING

Back at York racecourse, our experts are on form and Mark thinks he's picked a winner.

-Hello, Ian.

-Hello, Mark.

-Wonderful piece of Doulton. A nice Victorian oil lamp.

-Are you a collector of Doulton?

-I'm afraid I am, avid.

-How many pieces?

-Too many to mention.

What started your love for it?

Well, before I got this, it was a spittoon.

And I thought it was something unusual, so I went from there.

And I'm afraid it won't go away.

Unfortunately, it's a bug, once you start collecting.

-This was something you purchased?

-No, this came from my mother and father.

-Back in the '50s, they got it.

-Passed down the family to them?

-No, I think they were given it.

-By somebody.

-And they gave it to me.

-Once you were collecting.

-They said, "You have it."

-Anybody in the know about Doulton would recognise this immediately

with this lovely stoneware finish.

Equally, if you're a Doulton lover or know about Doulton,

you'll recognise these immediately as being one of the Barlow clan's.

-In this case...

-Florence.

-Who specialised in these rather nice slipware birds.

This comes together very nicely.

It's an oil lamp. This bit does come out.

That's where you would put the liquid paraffin or whatever to keep your lamp going.

It's mounted on this nice bronze stand, but if we move it round here,

there's these rather nice panels of warblers or something like that.

-Yes, I think so.

-In bulrushes.

-It's quite quiet, isn't it?

-They're not screaming at you.

-No.

The whole thing sits very comfortably together, I think. Why have you brought it along today?

Basically, I wanted a valuation because nobody seems to like it in my family.

My son and daughter didn't really know I'd got it, although it's on show,

-and my wife doesn't like it.

-Not everybody wants to accommodate these large pieces.

You can't really use them as oil lamps.

People don't tend to do that. But we have a very good designer,

very strong decoration,

and I would say if you can attract two or three good collectors of Doulton looking for this,

-we would probably put an estimate of £1,000-£1,500 on it.

-Right.

-And hope that two people would battle it up to the top end.

-Yes.

-What do you think?

Yes, I'd be happy, but I'd like to put a reserve on it.

-It wouldn't worry me if I had to take it home again.

-No, quite.

We should put a reserve around £1,000 and then, hopefully, it might set hearts

fluttering in the sale room.

-Let's hope so.

-We'll put it on the internet and illustrate it in the catalogue

and they'll be pleased to market it as one of their better lots.

If we got you a good price, what would you put the money towards?

My wife said if I sold it and got a good price, I should give it to the grandchildren,

but I would like to purchase more Doulton because as an investment that will do them better later on.

-They'd only go and spend the money.

-And also you get the pleasure of enjoying it.

-True.

-Helena, do you have this monster of a thing up at home?

-We don't, no.

-Oh, dear. Why is that?

-Mum and Dad redecorated and it didn't fit in with the decoration.

These are beautiful, but the mounting card and frame are all a bit sombre.

-Was it bought or has it come through the family?

-I think through the family.

-My great grandmother had them framed.

-Oh, so she actually received all these?

We should explain these are all little cards. They were sent during the First World War.

They were. They were sent by her brother from different posts where he was based.

That's rather touching. And probably not long after the war was finished,

probably 1920, 1925, they were fitted up in this frame. It's very typical for the period.

They've all survived quite well.

The only sad thing is that, possibly from being in the wardrobe, they've started to degrade.

They're all extremely fine, French, made of woven silk.

So they are fairly perishable. So it's quite nice to see them all mounted up for a change

instead of in an album or loose.

-That's a great help. Any idea what they're worth?

-No idea at all.

-Right, right.

Because of the discolouration they're not worth a fortune,

but it would make a lovely display for someone who collects them.

-They're probably in the region of £60-£100.

-Right.

-At auction.

-We could put a reserve of £60 on them.

-Right.

-Is there any sentimental attachment to them?

-Not really, no.

-We love looking at them, but...

-You've had the enjoyment of them

-and now you want to pass them along, possibly to someone who will enjoy the social history element.

-Yes.

-We'll pop them in the sale and hope they do jolly well.

-OK.

-Thanks for bringing them.

-Thank you.

-Oh! Lots of little men are hiding in here!

-I'm not sure about lovely.

-Can I get one out?

-Yes.

-Toby jugs.

How super! My word.

-He's been through the wars.

-There's a little one that's slightly better.

Oh, wow, look at that. Do you collect them?

No, they've just come through the family.

-OK, do you like them?

-Er...

-No!

-They are an acquired taste, aren't they?

-Yeah.

-I think they're fun. They're like early cartoons,

like satirical sketches.

I love the earlier ones. The ones that are pre-1890s normally have their feet projecting out.

They're well sought after.

But if he was in good condition, he'd be in the region of £150.

Ken, you've brought one of my favourite things in.

These wonderful silver enamel spoons. How did they come into your possession?

Well, 30 or more years ago when we were first furnishing a house, we patronised some local auctions.

On the visits my father made occasionally, I took him along to a few auctions and he got the bug.

-Now, knowing him, I know he would not have paid more than about £10 for those.

-Good Lord.

This goes back to the very early '70s.

What strikes me there is that in the early part of the 1970s,

-these sort of things just weren't fashionable.

-No.

-So you could pick all sorts of wonderful things up.

We've got several makers here. One in particular gets the old heart ticking when you see the mark.

-It's a range of silverware called Cymric.

-Yes.

Designed by Archibald Knox, a chap from the Isle of Man,

who produced these wonderful Art Nouveau designs for Liberty.

This is a lovely example of a coffee spoon

with lovely enamel and stylised tulip heads.

Another one I particularly like is this one - a very simple twisted stem

and a little peacock feather in lovely rich green and blue colours.

-Very indicative of the Liberty style.

-Very much so.

The whole box set is wonderful. You reckon he paid a tenner?

I can't believe he would have ever spent more than that.

Well, I think this would excite the market. It's in its original case.

We've got lovely examples there, good condition,

and I would suggest we put these in with an estimate of £800-£1,200.

-Yeah.

-What do you feel about that?

-That would be fine, I think. With a reserve of 800?

Oh, yes, we'll put a reserve of £800.

I think the auctioneer is going to be thrilled when he opens this case.

He'll go, "Oh, no, another set of coffee spoons," and then he'll be chuffed to bits.

I suspect he'll put them in the catalogue and on the internet.

-And London buyers as well as private collectors will be interested.

-Yes.

-It's one of if not the nicest items I've seen here today.

-Oh, lovely.

That's wonderful, Ken.

I very much look forward to seeing you at the auction and I hope we'll be celebrating.

-Let's hope so!

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you very much.

Here's one for Doulton collectors - a very impressive oil lamp.

Ian's reluctant to bid it farewell.

There are more memories from WWI

and the highlight of Mark's day - beautiful Art Nouveau spoons that will excite the sale room.

Helping Andrew today is his daughter, Daisy,

who's rather taken with Ken's silver spoons.

Daisy, you'll love this lot. Six spoons, Arts and Crafts, silver, made by Liberty and Co.

Kenneth's dad bought them in a sale in 1971. Now he wants to flog them.

Our expert has put a valuation of £800-£1,200. I know you love silver.

Yes, they're really nice spoons.

Liberty is very popular. The nice thing is that the enamel is in really good condition,

which makes a nice change.

We've had a lot of interest from people who have looked at photos, got condition reports,

and we've got a couple of telephone lines booked and some bids.

-I think they'll do well.

-OK, put your neck on the block.

What would you like to sell these for? When that hammer goes down, what do you want to call out?

I certainly think mid-estimate.

That's sitting on the fence. I think they could do the top end.

I'm hoping for £1,300-£1,400.

-We'll see on the day. They'll do well.

-Lots of interest. You know that'll go above top end.

It'll be one of the better lots.

Daisy's being very diplomatic. We'll just have to wait and see. Right now it's the Doulton lamp.

Here's the Royal Doulton oil lamp. It belongs to Ian.

-There's a lot of money at stake. £1,000-£1,500. You're a collector.

-Yes, I am.

-Why are you flogging this off?

-Well, my wife and the children don't like it.

If I buy more Doulton, the grandchildren can take that to auction when I've gone away.

-In another 70-odd years' time!

-Thank you very much!

That's what it's all about. You've got to hang on to antiques.

It's an investment. But something you love and appreciate.

-So do we love that price?

-£1,000-£1,500 - you with your top end!

I don't know if it will light up the sale room, but it's good quality. A good designer,

one of the Barlows. It's got a lot going for it.

-£1,000 might put off a few people, but the proof of the pudding...

-We'll find out right now.

Good luck, Ian.

The Royal Doulton stoneware oil lamp by Florence Barlow.

I'm starting the bidding at 680. Do we hear £700? At £700?

Anybody else want to bid? At £700.

700. 720. 740? 740 is it? Anybody else?

You're finished then at £720. All done? Finished?

-It's a no sale.

-No.

-Oh, dear.

-I've got to take the damn thing home!

-It's quite big.

If you don't want to take it home, you could try another sale room.

We'll see. I don't mind it. I like it, but my family doesn't.

Listen, you're going to be around for a long time yet.

They'll grow up to like it!

-They'll get used to it.

-Yeah, somebody might.

-Of course.

Here's a cracking lot, an item sent from all over the world.

Will Ilkley be its final resting place? We'll find out with Helena.

Lovely embroidered postcards. I hope we get the top end. I see a lot of these in antiques centres.

They sell so well to tourists, so maybe Ilkley won't be the final destination.

-I hope they carry on travelling.

-Yes, but I hope they stay together and someone does them up.

There's a few faded ones, a few good ones. If they put them in at £60, they'll make their money.

-But hopefully the hundred.

-Fingers crossed.

-This is it now.

-A collection of 24 embroidered postcards. First World War work.

I have to start at 60. Do we hear 70? Anyone else at 70?

70. 80. 90. 100. 110? 110 anywhere?

-This is good.

-Yeah, excellent.

-All done.

-Yes, £100.

-That was quick, wasn't it?

I didn't know if it was our lot or not. Fantastic.

-He's on the ball is our Andrew.

-He did very well.

-What will the £100 be put towards?

-My mum and dad just bought property in Spain, so something for that.

-Fantastic. And you get to go over there.

-I do, yes.

-Nice one!

Right, this is Kenneth's big moment. £800-£1,200 riding on this lot. A set of silver spoons.

In the Art Nouveau style. I had a chat to the auctioneer.

-I'll bring you in on this. Totally agreed with you.

-Fantastic.

It should find mid-estimate. Let's just hope there are commission bids and telephone bids.

-Yes.

-Get the price running.

-Preferably from the Cayman Islands!

-We can hope!

-You bought these in auction.

-My father did.

-35 years ago.

-Mark's a big fan.

I love that whole Liberty style, but it's the enamel that really attracts your eye.

But you've got a lovely cross-section of designs,

all in the original fitted box. And the Art Nouveau decorative art is very big at the moment.

It's the right time to sell them.

I think we've done right putting an £800 reserve on to protect them.

We've heard what our expert thinks. And the auctioneer agrees with Mark.

I'm hoping for £1,400. Now it's time to find out what this lot think. Good luck, Kenneth.

Lot 615. A matched set of six teaspoons by Liberty and Co.

All differently enamelled, Arts and Crafts finials to them.

A bit of interest in this lot. Got to start the bidding at £800.

850 in the room, ladies and gentlemen? 850? 850 on the phone. 900. 950?

950. 1,000. 1,050?

1,100. 1,150?

1,150. 1,200. 1,250?

1,250. 1,300?

-Yes.

-1,300. 1,350?

1,400?

-Yes!

-1,450?

1,500?

1,500? 1,500?

-Yes.

-1,550?

1,600? Telephone bidders.

1,600 anywhere else? 1,600? Finishing at £1,550.

£1,550!

Well, that's a splendid result.

You should be grinning from here to here! A really good result!

Well, it just shows I have every confidence in your professional expertise, Mark.

It was great of you to put them in. We had a long discussion about it.

-It just shows you that it is big at the moment.

-It is.

As you said, Paul, absolutely fantastic condition.

-And two serious buyers who wanted them. I'm thrilled.

-Right, £1,550.

-What is Kenneth going to put the money towards?

-We've got our eye on one or two items.

-In the room?

-Yes. So it'll go back in...

-Into antiques.

-Into antiques, yes.

-Something more visible than spoons.

-Are you going to tip us off?

-After.

-After!

-Wise man.

-Cagey!

The auction's still going on. We've had a fantastic day here.

What got the bidders all stirred up was a set of silver Art Nouveau spoons selling for £1,550!

That can't be bad, can it? That's all we've got time for from Hartley's in Ilkley. Cheerio.

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2006

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