0:00:30 > 0:00:34Today we're in Hartlepool on the north-east coast of England.
0:00:34 > 0:00:41It started life as a fishing village on the Yough, a small limestone headland jutting into the North Sea.
0:00:41 > 0:00:47In later years, Hartlepool became a very important port and shipbuilding centre.
0:00:47 > 0:00:53The batteries you can see there were built in the wake of the Napoleonic War to protect the town
0:00:53 > 0:00:55from attack from the sea.
0:00:58 > 0:01:04Fortunately, we live in a time of peace, but we will be going into battle in the auction room
0:01:04 > 0:01:08with some of the very best antiques that our experts have found here.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15Leading the Flog It campaign are David Barby and Philip Serrell.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- Philip fires the opening salvo. - How are you doing, June?
0:01:19 > 0:01:24- Very well. How are you?- Good. It's nice here.- Absolutely gorgeous.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- A bit cold. - Do you live in Hartlepool?- No.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I'm from just north of Newcastle.
0:01:31 > 0:01:38- Lots of nice nightlife out there. - Do I look like I need nightlife? - Looks like you've had a lot!
0:01:39 > 0:01:44- Sorry!- I'll let you off. Where has this come from?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46It came from my father-in-law.
0:01:46 > 0:01:52- About 30 years ago there was a village bring and buy sale. - What did he give for it?
0:01:52 > 0:01:57- He gave 10 shillings. In old money.- 10 bob?- 10 bob, yeah.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02You'd better tell the viewers what 10 bob is. Some won't know.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04It's 50p in today's money.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- That's right.- It's worth a lot more today, I think.- Is it?
0:02:09 > 0:02:16- Yes.- How do you know that?- I'm old as well.- Did you get it valued? - Yes, we did, actually.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Oh, help! No pressure here, then(!) Come on.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24The Antiques Roadshow were here about 10 years ago.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27For insurance, they valued it at £800-£900.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- That's quite a high figure.- Yes.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35However, a few weeks ago I went to a local auctioneer where I live
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and they said it was worth £30-£40.
0:02:37 > 0:02:43So I can tell you I think this is worth between £30 and £900.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- I know that! - It's a really nice thing.- It is.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52- It's 19th century.- Is it? - Yeah. And we've got the clock here.
0:02:52 > 0:02:59It's inscribed. Looks like Barri. I think it's probably French. The auction house will check that.
0:02:59 > 0:03:06And we've got a really lovely barometer with a wheel to change our pointer. Super quality.
0:03:06 > 0:03:12If we just turn the back round, you can just see there what a wonderful movement it is.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- Should I dust it first?- No, no. We don't dust our antiquities.
0:03:17 > 0:03:23There's a mystique about finding something that's undiscovered and dusty and murky.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- There's lots of dirt on that! - 10 bob?- Yeah, 10 bob.
0:03:27 > 0:03:34- Why do you want to sell it? - It's just gathering dust in a box. We thought, "Get rid of it."
0:03:34 > 0:03:39And I've lost a lot of weight, so I need some new clothes!
0:03:39 > 0:03:42If you've lost it, I've found it!
0:03:42 > 0:03:49I think, at auction, we'll put a cautious estimate on it of £200-£400. A cautious estimate.
0:03:49 > 0:03:55A fixed reserve of £150 and I think it'll do very well.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- Really?- I do.- That'll get me a few trouser suits!- On that note, we end!
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Joyce, I don't think there's a programme that goes by, of Flog It,
0:04:11 > 0:04:18that we don't have a piece of Troika. This piece is quite good.
0:04:18 > 0:04:25It's so clean, it's so linear, and I would think this dates probably from
0:04:25 > 0:04:31the sort of mid-1960s, that sort of period. Did you actually acquire it then?
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- Or possibly later?- Yeah. I bought two of them in 1969.
0:04:36 > 0:04:42- 1969, right.- In St Ives. - From the shop itself?- Yeah. - What was the shop like?
0:04:42 > 0:04:50It wasn't very grand, actually. It was just in a very small building in a lane, in St Ives.
0:04:50 > 0:04:57- Did you go into the potting area and see them working?- Yes, I can remember seeing a potter working.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- Goodness me. On the wheel? - Yes, yes, yeah.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05There was a table with them all on to sell.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09We purchased two of them as gifts to bring home from holiday.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12My word, you were very astute.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15We didn't realise at the time.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- Looking inside... - The glaze is really good.
0:05:19 > 0:05:26But right at the bottom there is a very thin little crack in the glaze. Can you see it?
0:05:26 > 0:05:32- Yes.- That makes me think possibly you might have bought it as a second.- Right, yes.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Did you buy it as a second?- Yes.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Because of that glaze fault. Why I like this is because
0:05:39 > 0:05:45it's so in keeping with the St Ives art school. Very clean lines, geometric.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Almost bordering on Cubism.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54You've got this lovely cylindrical vase with a rough textured finish, which I rather like.
0:05:54 > 0:06:01- It's a very tactile piece.- Yes. - I do like these circles all the way round
0:06:01 > 0:06:05in various tones of blue and brown.
0:06:05 > 0:06:11There's a slight indentation here as though it knocked against something and had a little chip,
0:06:11 > 0:06:16which is a shame because this would have realised between £80 and £100.
0:06:16 > 0:06:24With the defect on the outside, it might only realise £40-£60.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25Right.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31Unless there's a collector there who says, "I haven't got that shape, I haven't got that design,"
0:06:31 > 0:06:37And they'll give those extra few pounds. That's the sort of range we're thinking in terms of.
0:06:37 > 0:06:44- Right.- You're quite happy to part with it?- Yes.- All those sentimental memories of St Ives?
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- Swept away!- The thing is, I don't have modern decor now.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Right. Are you more traditional? - Yes.
0:06:51 > 0:06:57I wouldn't have it on display. And I don't think my family would want it, really.
0:06:57 > 0:07:04- I haven't asked them, but... - If they object, tell them to come to the auction and bid for it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- OK?- Right. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Dorothy, thank you so much for coming in and bringing me some wood.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Is it Pandora's box? Is there something frightening in here?
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- You'll have to open it and see. - There is, isn't there?- Yes, indeed.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37It's a bit of a horror movie. Here we go.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Ta-da!
0:07:39 > 0:07:44Look at that! Now that really does put the creeps up you!
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- Just a bit, yes.- It's a field surgeon's kit.- Oh, is it?
0:07:49 > 0:07:56Wow. This is definitely early 20th century. I would say this is round about 1910, 1920s.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59It would have been used in WWI.
0:07:59 > 0:08:05- Right.- Although I'm beginning to think, after looking at it for a few minutes,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08well, I'm hoping it was never used.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- It's all still very sharp. The tools are very sharp.- Right.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18And they're very clean. I don't think it's seen a lot of wear.
0:08:18 > 0:08:24- It's not had that wear you'd expect for something from the 1910s, 1920s.- Right.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28I think this was taken on campaign in WWI, hopefully not used,
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- brought back and put in a cupboard somewhere.- Yes.- Forgotten about.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38Until it surfaced with your husband. How did he come across it?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42He got it from a colleague who gave it to him
0:08:42 > 0:08:47because he knew that he would be responsible for this small mortuary.
0:08:47 > 0:08:53- What did he do for a living? - He was the chief environmental health inspector for Ripon.
0:08:53 > 0:09:00- Would he have used this?- No. I wouldn't like to think about what they were used for.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- No.- Not very nice. - No, it would give you nightmares!
0:09:04 > 0:09:11- Don't think about it!- I wouldn't even tell people what I'd brought, in case they were fazed by it!
0:09:11 > 0:09:16- Let's pick up the most obvious one, shall we?- The most gruesome one.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20This is definitely for amputation, isn't it?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Oh, dear.
0:09:22 > 0:09:29That is sharp. There's about seven teeth to the inch there. That would rip through anything.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34It's an English maker. It's Allen and Hanbury.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- It's not the best quality that I've seen or handled.- No.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42I presume it's all stainless steel so it can be sterilised.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Yes, and it won't rust.
0:09:45 > 0:09:51Gosh. It does make me feel slightly queasy handling these. Ohh...
0:09:51 > 0:09:59- Not what every house should have! - But there are a lot of collectors who will be interested in this.
0:09:59 > 0:10:05- What have you done with it for the last few years?- It was in my husband's office. He passed away.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10It was put in the dining room, but I have grandchildren now.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- You don't want to let them...- No. I don't want them to find it.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- Value - what do you think they're worth?- I've no idea.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23I would like to put them into the auction with a value of £100-£200.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Right.- Are you happy with that?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Er, yes, I think so.
0:10:29 > 0:10:35- Can we do that?- Yes, I would, yes. - And hopefully we'll get the top end. Shall we flog it?- Yes, please.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- You all right, Sheila?- Yes, thanks. - This is a bit local.- Yes, it is.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Belonged to my husband.- You're not from around here?- No, Wakefield.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Broad Yorkshire. And proud of it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- Your husband was from here?- Yes. He called himself a Durhamite.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02A Durhamite? I love this to bits.
0:11:02 > 0:11:10As you go round it, it's got views of Sunderland Bridge, it's got the Royal Tweed Bridge at Berwick,
0:11:10 > 0:11:15the bridge at Newcastle. Just wonderful. All these great scenes.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17This is a transfer print.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20What I love - look at that.
0:11:20 > 0:11:27"North-East Coast Industries Exhibition. Newcastle-on-Tyne. 1929."
0:11:27 > 0:11:32So this is an exhibition piece made for that exhibition in 1929.
0:11:32 > 0:11:39It would be made by the Maling's factory, which originated from this part of the world,
0:11:39 > 0:11:46but what you associate with them is much more in the line of lustre wares and thumb-printed designs.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51I have to say, this is so much nicer. It's almost documentary.
0:11:51 > 0:11:58- So your husband loved this. How did he come by it?- It's been in his family as long as he remembers.
0:11:58 > 0:12:04And he was born in 1920. As long as he can remember, it's been there,
0:12:04 > 0:12:10- but in cupboards, wrapped up. - Why do people always do that? - You're frightened of breaking them.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- Then you don't enjoy them.- True.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- This is something he always loved? - Yes. He wanted to bring it himself,
0:12:17 > 0:12:23- but he died last year.- Oh, that's sad.- So I brought it for him. - I think it'll be sought after.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27A great bit of social history, local social history.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- Not worth a fortune.- No, no.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36My guess is that you estimate that at £30-£50 with a £20 reserve on it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- Are you happy for us to put it to auction?- I am, yes.- Let's do that.
0:12:48 > 0:12:55So far, so good. The place is absolutely jam-packed and we've found some real gems so far.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01We're going over to the auction room to find out if our experts are on the money. They generally are.
0:13:01 > 0:13:08Yes! While we make our way over, here's a rundown of all the items that will go under the hammer.
0:13:08 > 0:13:15The pressure's on to sell June's barometer and clock. Let's hope it'll be a fine day.
0:13:15 > 0:13:22Now something to remind me of home - Joyce's unusual Troika, bought from the factory in 1969.
0:13:22 > 0:13:29Dorothy is afraid her grandchildren might find this field surgeon's kit and want to play with it,
0:13:29 > 0:13:35so she's decided to flog it. And finally a local item - Sheila's Maling tea caddy,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39sure to get local collectors bidding.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44For our sale today, we've travelled to the Boldon Auction Galleries
0:13:44 > 0:13:49and on the rostrum is Giles Hodges.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52110. 120.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55130. Are we all done?
0:13:55 > 0:14:01Something of local interest now from the Maling factory. A blue and white bowl.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- £30-£50. It's going to be snapped up, surely.- I hope so.
0:14:06 > 0:14:14- Why do you want to flog it? - It's been in a drawer so long. It's time somebody else had it.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Philip saw it and thought, "Yes." We've seen these before.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25- If it doesn't sell here, it won't sell anywhere.- True!- Let's hope local interest carries us through.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- It has a fixed reserve at £20. We're not giving it away.- No.- No.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Good luck. Fingers crossed. This is it.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38120. The Maling octagonal tea caddy. I'm bid 10 to start it.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Start it at 10. 15. 20.
0:14:41 > 0:14:4625. Middle of the room. At 25. 30 now?
0:14:46 > 0:14:48At £25, are we all done?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50£25.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- 30. Just in time. Front row. - Got to get your hand up quick.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00£35. Back to the second row. At £35.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- Hammer's gone down. It's sold. - Yes.- £35. That's not bad.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10It's a good price, really. It's just really a simple object, isn't it?
0:15:10 > 0:15:14That's lunch out. Going to treat yourself to lunch?
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- I'm buying something for the caravan. - Do you go caravan holidaying?
0:15:19 > 0:15:25- At my own caravan, yes. - Where do you go?- Redcar. All my sons and grandsons are up there.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28What will you buy for the caravan?
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Oh, I don't know. A gas bottle!
0:15:38 > 0:15:44I've just been joined by Joyce and we're flogging something from Cornwall. You've got one guess.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- Troika.- Yes. It has to be, doesn't it? A lovely little vase.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54There's a bit of damage on it, the textured version. £40-£60.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00- That's what David put on it. You had a lovely holiday in Cornwall. Have you been back since?- Yes, twice.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- You love St Ives?- I do, yes. - It's gorgeous. Will you go back again?- Yes.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10I like this pot, actually. Unusual design.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Concentric circles all the way round. Away from straight patterns.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17All right. Coming up right now.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22A Troika cylindrical vase on the pale blue ground.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25And I'm bid 40 straight in.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28At 40. 5. 50.
0:16:28 > 0:16:315. 60. At 60. 65.
0:16:31 > 0:16:3770. With me at £70. Anybody else in the room?
0:16:37 > 0:16:41At £70, it's a commission bid. All done at 70.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- Sold.- Damage did hold it back as it was worth a good 120.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52- That's not bad, is it?- No. It was 30 shillings.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00I've just been joined by Philip and June, our barometer owner.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06Hopefully we'll turn 50p - or should I say 10 shillings, which is what it was 30-odd years ago -
0:17:06 > 0:17:10into £200-£400, Philip's valuation.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16This is a lovely instrument. I hope the people see the virtue in it and we get the top end. Yeah?
0:17:16 > 0:17:22- Fingers crossed.- Pressure's on. Temperature's rising. This is it. Going under the hammer now.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27A late 19th-century French gilt brass clock and barometer.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31I'm starting it at £100 in. At 100. 120.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34140. At 140.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36At 140. 160. 180.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40200. At the back of the room at £200.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- I'll take 10 to help.- That's mean. - All done? It's in the middle.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- It's selling.- At £200.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54Hammer's gone down. Got it away at the lower end. Probably no-one to bid against him.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58If there was somebody else, it might have been 300 or 400.
0:17:58 > 0:18:04- It's gone.- That's the main thing. - Waved goodbye?- I have. A new wardrobe is coming my way.- Well done.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I could do with a new shirt as well.
0:18:13 > 0:18:19Is there a doctor in the house? We're going to find out. We've got a field surgeon's kit coming up.
0:18:19 > 0:18:28- I did the valuation, Dorothy. - You did.- £100-£200. I'd like to see it do that 200, plus.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- We'll keep our fingers crossed. - Going under the hammer right now.
0:18:33 > 0:18:3820th-century mahogany-cased field surgeon's kit. I'm bid...
0:18:38 > 0:18:41straight in at 240.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44240. 250. 260.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- Carving up the sale room! - At £260. Anybody else?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50260. 270.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56280. At 280. I'll take a fiver.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00At £280. For the last time. 280.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- Yes! £280.- Very good.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Guess what it's going towards.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08It's a dormer window!
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- I like a window.- You've got to look out on a good view.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- Puts the value of the house up. - Does it? Don't tell the council!
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- No, they'll put the rates up! Ssh! - You'll put me in another band!
0:19:32 > 0:19:39Hartlepool's Maritime Experience is a superb recreation of an 18th-century sea port,
0:19:39 > 0:19:47evoking the time of Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, but this warship has a heart of Indian teak.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Looking at my globe, I've found India.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Here's Mumbai, formerly Bombay.
0:20:01 > 0:20:08It was here in 1817, 190 years ago, that the British Royal Navy commissioned an Indian shipbuilder
0:20:08 > 0:20:15to construct a vessel, a frigate, out of teak. It took almost a year to complete the vessel.
0:20:15 > 0:20:22When she was finished, she sailed all around here to a port on the north-east side of Sri Lanka.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24formerly known as Ceylon.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29Here she inherited her name - Trincomalee.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31SEA SHANTY
0:20:35 > 0:20:41For the first 80 years of her life, she was in service with the Royal Navy and saw action
0:20:41 > 0:20:47from the Caribbean to the Falklands, from Vancouver to the South Pacific. When her fighting days were over,
0:20:47 > 0:20:52she returned to England to spend the rest of her life as a training ship.
0:20:52 > 0:20:58During the 1980s, she was in such poor condition there were plans to scuttle her.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02That means sink her at the bottom of the English Channel,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06rather than incur the costs and the time of dismantling her.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Thankfully, a trust was set up to save her
0:21:10 > 0:21:14and she came to Hartlepool where she's been magnificently restored.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19She's now the oldest ship afloat in the country.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Bryn, you now manage the ship. Restoration work started in 1990.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- It must have been daunting. Did you think you'd see it through?- Oh, yes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:40We needed two things - we needed money but, more importantly, a workforce who could do it.
0:21:40 > 0:21:47Thankfully, over time, both of those materialised. The Heritage Lottery Fund gave us over £5 million.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51The whole thing cost £10.5 million and took 11 years.
0:21:51 > 0:21:58- You need resilience.- You've got to be determined.- Absolutely.- Did you have to strip everything back
0:21:58 > 0:22:01to examine the original teak?
0:22:01 > 0:22:06There were a lot of later softwood additions put onto the ship.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12We had to get rid of all those first and then it was a painstaking task of testing each of the timbers.
0:22:12 > 0:22:18I'm a big, big fan of English oak and in the 19th century that tree built our Royal Navy.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- It did, yes.- What are the properties of Indian teak? What are its merits?
0:22:23 > 0:22:27It's a very good timber. It's very hard
0:22:27 > 0:22:34and very resilient in salt water. It's also resilient to wood-boring animals.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Impervious to...- Impervious to pain!
0:22:37 > 0:22:43- Can we go downstairs and examine some of the timbers?- Of course. - Below decks, I should say.
0:22:45 > 0:22:52Here we are, below the water level now. You can see something of the structure of the ship.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58- We can see the inner planking here and then the frames, which are rather like our ribs.- Yes.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Outside, there is outer planking and then the copper,
0:23:02 > 0:23:09- the copper bottoming of the ship. - Why was the ship commissioned to be built by an Indian shipwright?
0:23:09 > 0:23:15There was a shortage of usable timber with so many ships being built.
0:23:15 > 0:23:22- Over in India, there was the Bombay dockyard...- The facilities.- ..the men, and it was a British colony,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- so it made sense.- Yes.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29The Trincomalee is a frigate, a fast ship which could hit and run,
0:23:29 > 0:23:36the type of ship sailed by fictional hero Captain Jack Aubrey in the Master And Commander novels.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41- The captain's cabin.- Yes.- Luxury. - It says something about his status.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46If one person has all this space, the other 239 share the rest!
0:23:46 > 0:23:52- Would this have been divided up? - It would be divided into three areas by screens -
0:23:52 > 0:23:59his entertaining area, a workspace and an overnight with his cot as well.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04I would assume there would be a great deal of competition to become captain.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Yes, there were lots of these ships. Frigates were very popular.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13But it was more about the status of the captain.
0:24:13 > 0:24:19He had to represent the country, represent government, the Royal Navy and the Admiralty
0:24:19 > 0:24:24in far-flung areas of the world with no instant communication.
0:24:24 > 0:24:30Everybody had to have confidence that the captain would not just be sailing the ship
0:24:30 > 0:24:34and looking after the men, difficult as that may have been,
0:24:34 > 0:24:39but actually being a diplomat on behalf of the country as well.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44And the captain couldn't have wished for a better ship.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48She's here thanks to the skills found in Hartlepool to save her
0:24:48 > 0:24:53and to the Indian shipwrights who built her so well.
0:24:53 > 0:24:59The ship's figurehead is believed to be a representation of Bombay's master shipbuilder, Jamsetjee Wadia.
0:24:59 > 0:25:05Who'd have thought 190 years ago when someone carved those bright eyes over Bombay harbour,
0:25:05 > 0:25:11they'd find themselves cheerfully looking out over a beautifully regenerated Hartlepool harbour?
0:25:11 > 0:25:16That's just amazing. Now it's time to return to the valuation day
0:25:16 > 0:25:20and find out what our experts are staring at.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- Sue, you've never worn this brooch. - No. Never.
0:25:34 > 0:25:40- Ever?- Never, ever.- Where did it come from?- It was amongst some jewellery left to me by my mother.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44That was just in a box with other bits and pieces.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48- Where did she get it from? - That I don't really know.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52She had uncles who travelled abroad.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Right. Do you know if anybody went to Italy?
0:25:56 > 0:26:02- I think possibly yes. - We're talking probably mid to late 19th century.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07- Right.- This is when that particular cameo dates from.- Right.
0:26:07 > 0:26:13If I said this is a second-rate cameo, I don't infer that it's not good quality.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17It is, but a first-rate cameo would be an agate stone,
0:26:17 > 0:26:22a layered agate stone carved through to reveal the colour underneath.
0:26:22 > 0:26:30That's the true cameo. In the 19th century, they discovered the same effect with a layered shell.
0:26:30 > 0:26:38So these cameos are layered shells, where they cut through the surface to reveal that toffee colour.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Right.
0:26:39 > 0:26:46Very skilled operation, perfected in Florence. This is typical of the Italian school.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51The subject matter itself is possibly a follower of Dionysus.
0:26:51 > 0:26:57Here we have a female or male figure holding this swathe of grapes.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00We call that fruiting vine.
0:27:00 > 0:27:06Draped over the shoulder and onto the skirt we have a lionskin. Can you see that?
0:27:06 > 0:27:12- There are the claws there.- Oh, yes. - And there's the lion mask.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17- And followers of Dionysus often adopted that dress.- Right.
0:27:17 > 0:27:24The other one might have been acquired to put in a gold mount and it never happened.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28This one in a silver mount, this wired decoration,
0:27:28 > 0:27:34is typical of the mid-Victorian period, sort of 1860, that sort of period.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39Just think of the costume at the time. Folds and folds of garments,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- lace shawls...- Yes.
0:27:42 > 0:27:49- All gathered at the centre of the bosom, so they had to have a whacking great spike.- Yes.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53- That spike is steel.- Right. - Which unfortunately is rusted.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59That has to be attended to. But quite an interesting piece of jewellery.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- Would you never wear this? - No, never.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07- And do you have daughters?- Yes. - What about them?- No.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Too old-fashioned?- Yes.- Right.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Price. I think it's going to go for the region of 80-100.
0:28:14 > 0:28:21I think the auction house will say, "Let's put a reserve round about 65." Would that be acceptable?
0:28:21 > 0:28:28- Yes.- If it makes over 100, I'll be delighted. With the two together, we could achieve that.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33- That would be fine.- Sure?- Yes. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:28:40 > 0:28:46- Vicky, you all right?- Yes, thanks. - So you've brought this little beauty along.- I did.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51- Is it yours?- No, my brother's. - Does he know you're here?- He does.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54He came with me, but had to leave.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59- Where's he gone to?- A christening. - Did you not get an invite?- No.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03- Where did he get it from? - He bought it at an auction, he said,
0:29:03 > 0:29:10- with another two pictures. - Another two?- Just small ones. - What did he give for that?- £20.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15- When was that? - Maybe last year. I'm not sure.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16Well...
0:29:16 > 0:29:20- It's a watercolour by Fred Miller. - Right.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23It's a rural scene. Any idea where?
0:29:23 > 0:29:28- He told me it was Cotswold Downs. - On the Cotswolds in the Midlands?
0:29:28 > 0:29:33- It may be there. - I didn't know.- It may be there.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39It's a lovely watercolour on paper of quite a rustic, charming view.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44We can see here we've got this horse and cart and the church and village.
0:29:44 > 0:29:51If you look at the size of the gate compared to the horse and cart and the steeple,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53it loses a bit in perspective.
0:29:53 > 0:29:59- The other thing it's got real problems with is its condition.- Yes.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04Now watercolour clouds have a habit of fading.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- Right.- And if you look here,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11these once cotton wool white clouds
0:30:11 > 0:30:15have now gone a bit yellow and grey.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20That could be nicotine, it could be hung in sunlight.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- There isn't really anything you can do to restore that.- Right.
0:30:24 > 0:30:30- The other problem is you've got these damp spots here. - Brown dots.- Yeah.
0:30:30 > 0:30:36It's almost like foxing. You can get rid of those
0:30:36 > 0:30:40and some of the staining in the sky, but it's always a problem.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46Now there was a Fred Miller watercolour last year of a harbour scene
0:30:46 > 0:30:53- that made £400, but it was slightly bigger and in better condition.- Yes.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57And people always think antiques go like that all the time.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03They don't. There are peaks and troughs. When I started,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07copper kettles were £90, warming pans were £100.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Now they're £10 or £15 a go.
0:31:10 > 0:31:16This sort of 19th-century Victorian genre picture, landscape picture,
0:31:16 > 0:31:20I won't say they've had their day, but the market's dipped a bit.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25So whilst there's a record of one making £400,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- I think a sensible auction estimate for this is £50-£80.- Yes.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34And we'll give the auctioneers a £50 reserve with 10% discretion.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39- You've got the whip hand. Your brother's not here.- That's right.
0:31:39 > 0:31:45- You know he paid 20 quid for it. What do you reckon? Get it sold?- Yes, definitely.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Hope I'm right!
0:31:57 > 0:32:02Keith, regardless of rumours, this is the oldest piece - not me -
0:32:02 > 0:32:05in the room today.
0:32:05 > 0:32:12This is a fascinating little bit of pottery. It must have a wonderful history. Where does it come from?
0:32:12 > 0:32:17It's from my mother's side. She lived on a farm.
0:32:17 > 0:32:23I take it it was my grandmother's or my great-grandmother's. I'm not sure how far back it goes.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28Right. I would have thought great-great-great-great-grandmother.
0:32:28 > 0:32:34This little piece of pot dates from round about 1740, 1760.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39It's a lovely piece of pottery that we know as Delft.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44You think of Delft and you think of Holland, the Low Countries.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- This is where it originated.- Yeah?
0:32:47 > 0:32:52The potters came over to England from the 17th century onwards.
0:32:52 > 0:32:59This little piece was made to imitate Chinese imports into the country,
0:32:59 > 0:33:05which were very valuable. Chinese imports were actually porcelain.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11This is why it's decorated in blue and white, looking like Chinese porcelain from a distance.
0:33:11 > 0:33:17But it was made in London by a Delft potter producing wares like this.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22I like it because it's easy to handle.
0:33:22 > 0:33:28It's got interesting elements of decoration, particularly these lions' heads at the side there.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33All this chipping round the edge, you expect that.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37This is a biscuit pottery covered with a white slip
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- and then it's coated in a tin glaze. - I see.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45It does have the tendency to chip, so don't worry about that.
0:33:45 > 0:33:51It's got a whacking great crack all the way down the side, which does affect its value,
0:33:51 > 0:33:56- but otherwise it's in lovely condition.- There's no markings
0:33:56 > 0:33:59so I didn't know what it was. A chalice or a cup...
0:33:59 > 0:34:05Chalice is a good idea, but it's got a hole going through to this enclosed pedestal.
0:34:05 > 0:34:11If that had been left enclosed, it would have broken open in the firing.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16That's why you have the hole. Makes it difficult to contain liquid.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21It may have had a decorative cover and could have been put on display.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26My mother had a chest of drawers and a thing above it, a cabinet,
0:34:26 > 0:34:33with all the different things enclosed. On display. Never used, but on display.
0:34:33 > 0:34:39I think your mother was canny and knew it had some age and may possibly have some value.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- What do you think it's worth? - Nothing!
0:34:43 > 0:34:49- Right. Well, I hope somebody... who is very keen on Delft ware... - Yeah?
0:34:49 > 0:34:54..and early pottery is going to be at that auction.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59I'm going to put a conservative 80-120.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03I'd like to see it do 200, if not more,
0:35:03 > 0:35:09but I have reservations about that crack, but it is an early, unusual piece
0:35:09 > 0:35:15- of English Delft.- I had reservations about the chips, but you explained it's one of those things.
0:35:15 > 0:35:22I've never seen a piece of Delft, early Delft, without those teeth marks all round it!
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- Keith, thank you for making my day. - A pleasure.
0:35:25 > 0:35:31We've had a great time in Hartlepool and certainly found lots of things for the bidders.
0:35:31 > 0:35:37Sue found the cameos in her mother's things. They're out of fashion, but great quality.
0:35:37 > 0:35:44Vicky's brother bought the watercolour for less than £20. Philip hopes it will double that.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48The condition of Keith's piece of Delft won't worry the collectors.
0:35:48 > 0:35:55He was surprised at David's valuation, but let's see what auctioneer Giles Hodges thinks
0:35:55 > 0:35:58and how high bidders might go.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05One of my favourite lots. I like my period things.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Late 18th century, a bit of blue and white.
0:36:09 > 0:36:15Delft as well, as you know. David's put a valuation of £80-£120 on it.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20If I could buy it for that, I'd be so happy.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23I think it's worth twice as much.
0:36:23 > 0:36:29I think you're bang on. With the pre-sale interest we've had prior to the auction,
0:36:29 > 0:36:33we should hit double the estimate quite comfortably.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39It's something for the connoisseur because you've got to be a real purist to like this.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43It looks tatty, it's chipped, but it doesn't matter - it's Delft.
0:36:43 > 0:36:49- Delft collectors don't really mind that.- We've got chips and a crack,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51but for the purist, no problem.
0:36:51 > 0:36:57- And it stands so well.- Lovely. - Would you like to own it?- Yes.
0:37:03 > 0:37:09If you go on a picnic, you probably carry a few plastic knives and forks with you, but look at this.
0:37:09 > 0:37:15In the good old days, they did things properly. I wouldn't fancy carrying that.
0:37:15 > 0:37:22At the end of the day, when the picnic's over, the butler had to polish it all!
0:37:28 > 0:37:34Susan's cameo brooches - one large, one small - are being sold as a joint lot.
0:37:34 > 0:37:40And she's pinning her hopes on £80-£100, which is what David Barby valued them at.
0:37:40 > 0:37:47I know brooches aren't fashionable at the moment, but surely they're worth a little more than that.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52- Well, they're not the best quality. The best quality is agate.- Yes.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57Today they'd be worn on a little black dress or cocktail dress.
0:37:57 > 0:38:03- It makes a statement, Paul. - It does. Is anyone wearing a little black dress here?
0:38:03 > 0:38:07I can't see anyone! Good luck, Susan. This is it.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Italian cameo of a classical female and a smaller unframed.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15I'm bid 50. At £50.
0:38:15 > 0:38:175. 60. 5.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- At £65.- Come on, come on.- 70 now?
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- £65 to my left.- Come on.- £65.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28- Make no mistake. At £65.- Yes.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Sold! Hammer's gone down. £65 - right on the reserve.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37- Phew!- Great.- Happy with that? - I'm very happy with that, yes.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51Now we've got some fine art - a watercolour by Fred Miller and it belongs to Vicky.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55We've got a valuation around £50, £60, £70 with a reserve at £40.
0:38:55 > 0:39:02- A bit of discretion on it. There is a bit of foxing. - It's badly foxed, isn't it?
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- It needs some love. - It does need some TLC.
0:39:06 > 0:39:12You got this for £20 and the money is going to an exceptionally good cause. We've got to sell it.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17- Tell us where it's going. - The Great North Air Ambulance.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- A great cause.- Yes.- Get these helicopters up and save some lives.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Going under the hammer right now.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29Landscape at harvest time by Fred Miller.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33A watercolour. 30, straight in, on commission.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Straight in at 30, Vicky.- At £40.
0:39:36 > 0:39:4045. 50. At £50, are you all done?
0:39:40 > 0:39:45- £50. And we're away at 50. - Yes! The hammer's gone down.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- It's got me out of trouble with the air ambulance.- Lovely.
0:39:49 > 0:39:55- Why did you choose that charity? - We were going to do a walk at work for the air ambulance.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58So this'll go to it as well.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02- Good for you. Thanks so much for coming.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13Coming up now, my favourite lot of the sale. I'd love to own this.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17A little blue and white Delft cup with a value of £80-£120.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22It belongs to Keith, but not for much longer.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27I had a chat to Giles about it before the sale started.
0:40:27 > 0:40:33The damage won't put people off. I think it could do... David! I think it could do £200-£300.
0:40:33 > 0:40:40- Somewhere in that sort of figure. - I couldn't believe that. - It was very difficult to choose -
0:40:40 > 0:40:47- either the chamber pot or this(!) - My wife thought that one, the chamber pot from Maling.
0:40:47 > 0:40:54- Yes, local interest. - The blue pot was all chipped. - But you expect chips on Delft.
0:40:54 > 0:41:02- Are you a local?- North of Newcastle. - What do you do?- I'm a security guard, but I was a sunshine miner.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07- A sunshine miner! How long for?- 27 years.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12- So that means on the surface. - Instead of down a shaft.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- That's a lovely description. - Catching the rays!
0:41:16 > 0:41:22- When did you finish that? - 2005, made redundant. I was on the sick for about a year.
0:41:22 > 0:41:28- So the money will come in handy. - Yeah.- Well, wait no longer. It's going under the hammer now.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34- The London Delft...- Say goodbye! - We've got a couple of phone bids.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38I'm starting it at £250.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42- Yes!- 250. 260. 270.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- 280. 290. - It was a "come and buy me".
0:41:46 > 0:41:48320. 340.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51360.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55380. 400. 410.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58On the phone. Anybody else? 420.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02430. 440.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- 450.- 450!
0:42:05 > 0:42:06460.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10460. Caroline's phone.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15At £460. For the last time at 460.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Yes! No surprise to me.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Fantastic! The purists were here.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25They absolutely adored it. Hot competition.
0:42:25 > 0:42:31- That's a lot of money. - I thought 150 was a lot.- Keith would have been happy with 80 quid!
0:42:31 > 0:42:37- It's very difficult to judge the market. That could well have been a London buyer.- Yes.
0:42:37 > 0:42:44- What will you put the money towards? - We haven't had a holiday for two years with us being both bad,
0:42:44 > 0:42:49- so we'll go for a holiday. - Where?- Majorca again.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51- Good for you.- Enjoy it.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02What a day we've had here.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07Giles is still on the rostrum, but it's all over for our owners.
0:43:07 > 0:43:13Credit to our experts - they're on the money today. Everyone's gone home happy.
0:43:13 > 0:43:18All the lucky bidders here are queuing up. We hope you enjoyed the show.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Until the next time, cheerio.
0:43:21 > 0:43:28For more information about Flog It, including how the programme was made, visit the website at bbc.co.uk
0:43:35 > 0:43:39Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2007
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Email us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk