Hartlepool Flog It!

Today we're in Hartlepool on the north-east coast of England.

It started life as a fishing village on the Yough, a small limestone headland jutting into the North Sea.

In later years, Hartlepool became a very important port and shipbuilding centre.

The batteries you can see there were built in the wake of the Napoleonic War to protect the town

from attack from the sea.

Fortunately, we live in a time of peace, but we will be going into battle in the auction room

with some of the very best antiques that our experts have found here.

Leading the Flog It campaign are David Barby and Philip Serrell.

-Philip fires the opening salvo.

-How are you doing, June?

-Very well. How are you?

-Good. It's nice here.

-Absolutely gorgeous.

-A bit cold.

-Do you live in Hartlepool?

-No.

I'm from just north of Newcastle.

-Lots of nice nightlife out there.

-Do I look like I need nightlife?

-Looks like you've had a lot!

-Sorry!

-I'll let you off. Where has this come from?

It came from my father-in-law.

-About 30 years ago there was a village bring and buy sale.

-What did he give for it?

-He gave 10 shillings. In old money.

-10 bob?

-10 bob, yeah.

You'd better tell the viewers what 10 bob is. Some won't know.

It's 50p in today's money.

-That's right.

-It's worth a lot more today, I think.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-How do you know that?

-I'm old as well.

-Did you get it valued?

-Yes, we did, actually.

Oh, help! No pressure here, then(!) Come on.

The Antiques Roadshow were here about 10 years ago.

For insurance, they valued it at £800-£900.

-That's quite a high figure.

-Yes.

However, a few weeks ago I went to a local auctioneer where I live

and they said it was worth £30-£40.

So I can tell you I think this is worth between £30 and £900.

-I know that!

-It's a really nice thing.

-It is.

-It's 19th century.

-Is it?

-Yeah. And we've got the clock here.

It's inscribed. Looks like Barri. I think it's probably French. The auction house will check that.

And we've got a really lovely barometer with a wheel to change our pointer. Super quality.

If we just turn the back round, you can just see there what a wonderful movement it is.

-Should I dust it first?

-No, no. We don't dust our antiquities.

There's a mystique about finding something that's undiscovered and dusty and murky.

-There's lots of dirt on that!

-10 bob?

-Yeah, 10 bob.

-Why do you want to sell it?

-It's just gathering dust in a box. We thought, "Get rid of it."

And I've lost a lot of weight, so I need some new clothes!

If you've lost it, I've found it!

I think, at auction, we'll put a cautious estimate on it of £200-£400. A cautious estimate.

A fixed reserve of £150 and I think it'll do very well.

-Really?

-I do.

-That'll get me a few trouser suits!

-On that note, we end!

Joyce, I don't think there's a programme that goes by, of Flog It,

that we don't have a piece of Troika. This piece is quite good.

It's so clean, it's so linear, and I would think this dates probably from

the sort of mid-1960s, that sort of period. Did you actually acquire it then?

-Or possibly later?

-Yeah. I bought two of them in 1969.

-1969, right.

-In St Ives.

-From the shop itself?

-Yeah.

-What was the shop like?

It wasn't very grand, actually. It was just in a very small building in a lane, in St Ives.

-Did you go into the potting area and see them working?

-Yes, I can remember seeing a potter working.

-Goodness me. On the wheel?

-Yes, yes, yeah.

There was a table with them all on to sell.

We purchased two of them as gifts to bring home from holiday.

My word, you were very astute.

We didn't realise at the time.

-Looking inside...

-The glaze is really good.

But right at the bottom there is a very thin little crack in the glaze. Can you see it?

-Yes.

-That makes me think possibly you might have bought it as a second.

-Right, yes.

-Did you buy it as a second?

-Yes.

Because of that glaze fault. Why I like this is because

it's so in keeping with the St Ives art school. Very clean lines, geometric.

Almost bordering on Cubism.

You've got this lovely cylindrical vase with a rough textured finish, which I rather like.

-It's a very tactile piece.

-Yes.

-I do like these circles all the way round

in various tones of blue and brown.

There's a slight indentation here as though it knocked against something and had a little chip,

which is a shame because this would have realised between £80 and £100.

With the defect on the outside, it might only realise £40-£60.

Right.

Unless there's a collector there who says, "I haven't got that shape, I haven't got that design,"

And they'll give those extra few pounds. That's the sort of range we're thinking in terms of.

-Right.

-You're quite happy to part with it?

-Yes.

-All those sentimental memories of St Ives?

-Swept away!

-The thing is, I don't have modern decor now.

-Right. Are you more traditional?

-Yes.

I wouldn't have it on display. And I don't think my family would want it, really.

-I haven't asked them, but...

-If they object, tell them to come to the auction and bid for it.

-OK?

-Right.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Dorothy, thank you so much for coming in and bringing me some wood.

Is it Pandora's box? Is there something frightening in here?

-You'll have to open it and see.

-There is, isn't there?

-Yes, indeed.

It's a bit of a horror movie. Here we go.

Ta-da!

Look at that! Now that really does put the creeps up you!

-Just a bit, yes.

-It's a field surgeon's kit.

-Oh, is it?

Wow. This is definitely early 20th century. I would say this is round about 1910, 1920s.

It would have been used in WWI.

-Right.

-Although I'm beginning to think, after looking at it for a few minutes,

well, I'm hoping it was never used.

-It's all still very sharp. The tools are very sharp.

-Right.

And they're very clean. I don't think it's seen a lot of wear.

-It's not had that wear you'd expect for something from the 1910s, 1920s.

-Right.

I think this was taken on campaign in WWI, hopefully not used,

-brought back and put in a cupboard somewhere.

-Yes.

-Forgotten about.

Until it surfaced with your husband. How did he come across it?

He got it from a colleague who gave it to him

because he knew that he would be responsible for this small mortuary.

-What did he do for a living?

-He was the chief environmental health inspector for Ripon.

-Would he have used this?

-No. I wouldn't like to think about what they were used for.

-No.

-Not very nice.

-No, it would give you nightmares!

-Don't think about it!

-I wouldn't even tell people what I'd brought, in case they were fazed by it!

-Let's pick up the most obvious one, shall we?

-The most gruesome one.

This is definitely for amputation, isn't it?

Oh, dear.

That is sharp. There's about seven teeth to the inch there. That would rip through anything.

It's an English maker. It's Allen and Hanbury.

-It's not the best quality that I've seen or handled.

-No.

I presume it's all stainless steel so it can be sterilised.

Yes, and it won't rust.

Gosh. It does make me feel slightly queasy handling these. Ohh...

-Not what every house should have!

-But there are a lot of collectors who will be interested in this.

-What have you done with it for the last few years?

-It was in my husband's office. He passed away.

It was put in the dining room, but I have grandchildren now.

-You don't want to let them...

-No. I don't want them to find it.

-Value - what do you think they're worth?

-I've no idea.

I would like to put them into the auction with a value of £100-£200.

-Right.

-Are you happy with that?

Er, yes, I think so.

-Can we do that?

-Yes, I would, yes.

-And hopefully we'll get the top end. Shall we flog it?

-Yes, please.

-You all right, Sheila?

-Yes, thanks.

-This is a bit local.

-Yes, it is.

-Belonged to my husband.

-You're not from around here?

-No, Wakefield.

Broad Yorkshire. And proud of it.

-Your husband was from here?

-Yes. He called himself a Durhamite.

A Durhamite? I love this to bits.

As you go round it, it's got views of Sunderland Bridge, it's got the Royal Tweed Bridge at Berwick,

the bridge at Newcastle. Just wonderful. All these great scenes.

This is a transfer print.

What I love - look at that.

"North-East Coast Industries Exhibition. Newcastle-on-Tyne. 1929."

So this is an exhibition piece made for that exhibition in 1929.

It would be made by the Maling's factory, which originated from this part of the world,

but what you associate with them is much more in the line of lustre wares and thumb-printed designs.

I have to say, this is so much nicer. It's almost documentary.

-So your husband loved this. How did he come by it?

-It's been in his family as long as he remembers.

And he was born in 1920. As long as he can remember, it's been there,

-but in cupboards, wrapped up.

-Why do people always do that?

-You're frightened of breaking them.

-Then you don't enjoy them.

-True.

-This is something he always loved?

-Yes. He wanted to bring it himself,

-but he died last year.

-Oh, that's sad.

-So I brought it for him.

-I think it'll be sought after.

A great bit of social history, local social history.

-Not worth a fortune.

-No, no.

My guess is that you estimate that at £30-£50 with a £20 reserve on it.

-Are you happy for us to put it to auction?

-I am, yes.

-Let's do that.

So far, so good. The place is absolutely jam-packed and we've found some real gems so far.

We're going over to the auction room to find out if our experts are on the money. They generally are.

Yes! While we make our way over, here's a rundown of all the items that will go under the hammer.

The pressure's on to sell June's barometer and clock. Let's hope it'll be a fine day.

Now something to remind me of home - Joyce's unusual Troika, bought from the factory in 1969.

Dorothy is afraid her grandchildren might find this field surgeon's kit and want to play with it,

so she's decided to flog it. And finally a local item - Sheila's Maling tea caddy,

sure to get local collectors bidding.

For our sale today, we've travelled to the Boldon Auction Galleries

and on the rostrum is Giles Hodges.

110. 120.

130. Are we all done?

Something of local interest now from the Maling factory. A blue and white bowl.

-£30-£50. It's going to be snapped up, surely.

-I hope so.

-Why do you want to flog it?

-It's been in a drawer so long. It's time somebody else had it.

Philip saw it and thought, "Yes." We've seen these before.

-If it doesn't sell here, it won't sell anywhere.

-True!

-Let's hope local interest carries us through.

-It has a fixed reserve at £20. We're not giving it away.

-No.

-No.

Good luck. Fingers crossed. This is it.

120. The Maling octagonal tea caddy. I'm bid 10 to start it.

Start it at 10. 15. 20.

25. Middle of the room. At 25. 30 now?

At £25, are we all done?

£25.

-30. Just in time. Front row.

-Got to get your hand up quick.

£35. Back to the second row. At £35.

-Hammer's gone down. It's sold.

-Yes.

-£35. That's not bad.

It's a good price, really. It's just really a simple object, isn't it?

That's lunch out. Going to treat yourself to lunch?

-I'm buying something for the caravan.

-Do you go caravan holidaying?

-At my own caravan, yes.

-Where do you go?

-Redcar. All my sons and grandsons are up there.

What will you buy for the caravan?

Oh, I don't know. A gas bottle!

I've just been joined by Joyce and we're flogging something from Cornwall. You've got one guess.

-Troika.

-Yes. It has to be, doesn't it? A lovely little vase.

There's a bit of damage on it, the textured version. £40-£60.

-That's what David put on it. You had a lovely holiday in Cornwall. Have you been back since?

-Yes, twice.

-You love St Ives?

-I do, yes.

-It's gorgeous. Will you go back again?

-Yes.

I like this pot, actually. Unusual design.

Concentric circles all the way round. Away from straight patterns.

All right. Coming up right now.

A Troika cylindrical vase on the pale blue ground.

And I'm bid 40 straight in.

At 40. 5. 50.

5. 60. At 60. 65.

70. With me at £70. Anybody else in the room?

At £70, it's a commission bid. All done at 70.

-Sold.

-Damage did hold it back as it was worth a good 120.

-That's not bad, is it?

-No. It was 30 shillings.

I've just been joined by Philip and June, our barometer owner.

Hopefully we'll turn 50p - or should I say 10 shillings, which is what it was 30-odd years ago -

into £200-£400, Philip's valuation.

This is a lovely instrument. I hope the people see the virtue in it and we get the top end. Yeah?

-Fingers crossed.

-Pressure's on. Temperature's rising. This is it. Going under the hammer now.

A late 19th-century French gilt brass clock and barometer.

I'm starting it at £100 in. At 100. 120.

140. At 140.

At 140. 160. 180.

200. At the back of the room at £200.

-I'll take 10 to help.

-That's mean.

-All done? It's in the middle.

-It's selling.

-At £200.

Hammer's gone down. Got it away at the lower end. Probably no-one to bid against him.

If there was somebody else, it might have been 300 or 400.

-It's gone.

-That's the main thing.

-Waved goodbye?

-I have. A new wardrobe is coming my way.

-Well done.

I could do with a new shirt as well.

Is there a doctor in the house? We're going to find out. We've got a field surgeon's kit coming up.

-I did the valuation, Dorothy.

-You did.

-£100-£200. I'd like to see it do that 200, plus.

-We'll keep our fingers crossed.

-Going under the hammer right now.

20th-century mahogany-cased field surgeon's kit. I'm bid...

straight in at 240.

240. 250. 260.

-Carving up the sale room!

-At £260. Anybody else?

260. 270.

280. At 280. I'll take a fiver.

At £280. For the last time. 280.

-Yes! £280.

-Very good.

Guess what it's going towards.

It's a dormer window!

-I like a window.

-You've got to look out on a good view.

-Puts the value of the house up.

-Does it? Don't tell the council!

-No, they'll put the rates up! Ssh!

-You'll put me in another band!

Hartlepool's Maritime Experience is a superb recreation of an 18th-century sea port,

evoking the time of Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, but this warship has a heart of Indian teak.

Looking at my globe, I've found India.

Here's Mumbai, formerly Bombay.

It was here in 1817, 190 years ago, that the British Royal Navy commissioned an Indian shipbuilder

to construct a vessel, a frigate, out of teak. It took almost a year to complete the vessel.

When she was finished, she sailed all around here to a port on the north-east side of Sri Lanka.

formerly known as Ceylon.

Here she inherited her name - Trincomalee.

SEA SHANTY

For the first 80 years of her life, she was in service with the Royal Navy and saw action

from the Caribbean to the Falklands, from Vancouver to the South Pacific. When her fighting days were over,

she returned to England to spend the rest of her life as a training ship.

During the 1980s, she was in such poor condition there were plans to scuttle her.

That means sink her at the bottom of the English Channel,

rather than incur the costs and the time of dismantling her.

Thankfully, a trust was set up to save her

and she came to Hartlepool where she's been magnificently restored.

She's now the oldest ship afloat in the country.

Bryn, you now manage the ship. Restoration work started in 1990.

-It must have been daunting. Did you think you'd see it through?

-Oh, yes.

We needed two things - we needed money but, more importantly, a workforce who could do it.

Thankfully, over time, both of those materialised. The Heritage Lottery Fund gave us over £5 million.

The whole thing cost £10.5 million and took 11 years.

-You need resilience.

-You've got to be determined.

-Absolutely.

-Did you have to strip everything back

to examine the original teak?

There were a lot of later softwood additions put onto the ship.

We had to get rid of all those first and then it was a painstaking task of testing each of the timbers.

I'm a big, big fan of English oak and in the 19th century that tree built our Royal Navy.

-It did, yes.

-What are the properties of Indian teak? What are its merits?

It's a very good timber. It's very hard

and very resilient in salt water. It's also resilient to wood-boring animals.

-Impervious to...

-Impervious to pain!

-Can we go downstairs and examine some of the timbers?

-Of course.

-Below decks, I should say.

Here we are, below the water level now. You can see something of the structure of the ship.

-We can see the inner planking here and then the frames, which are rather like our ribs.

-Yes.

Outside, there is outer planking and then the copper,

-the copper bottoming of the ship.

-Why was the ship commissioned to be built by an Indian shipwright?

There was a shortage of usable timber with so many ships being built.

-Over in India, there was the Bombay dockyard...

-The facilities.

-..the men, and it was a British colony,

-so it made sense.

-Yes.

The Trincomalee is a frigate, a fast ship which could hit and run,

the type of ship sailed by fictional hero Captain Jack Aubrey in the Master And Commander novels.

-The captain's cabin.

-Yes.

-Luxury.

-It says something about his status.

If one person has all this space, the other 239 share the rest!

-Would this have been divided up?

-It would be divided into three areas by screens -

his entertaining area, a workspace and an overnight with his cot as well.

I would assume there would be a great deal of competition to become captain.

Yes, there were lots of these ships. Frigates were very popular.

But it was more about the status of the captain.

He had to represent the country, represent government, the Royal Navy and the Admiralty

in far-flung areas of the world with no instant communication.

Everybody had to have confidence that the captain would not just be sailing the ship

and looking after the men, difficult as that may have been,

but actually being a diplomat on behalf of the country as well.

And the captain couldn't have wished for a better ship.

She's here thanks to the skills found in Hartlepool to save her

and to the Indian shipwrights who built her so well.

The ship's figurehead is believed to be a representation of Bombay's master shipbuilder, Jamsetjee Wadia.

Who'd have thought 190 years ago when someone carved those bright eyes over Bombay harbour,

they'd find themselves cheerfully looking out over a beautifully regenerated Hartlepool harbour?

That's just amazing. Now it's time to return to the valuation day

and find out what our experts are staring at.

-Sue, you've never worn this brooch.

-No. Never.

-Ever?

-Never, ever.

-Where did it come from?

-It was amongst some jewellery left to me by my mother.

That was just in a box with other bits and pieces.

-Where did she get it from?

-That I don't really know.

She had uncles who travelled abroad.

Right. Do you know if anybody went to Italy?

-I think possibly yes.

-We're talking probably mid to late 19th century.

-Right.

-This is when that particular cameo dates from.

-Right.

If I said this is a second-rate cameo, I don't infer that it's not good quality.

It is, but a first-rate cameo would be an agate stone,

a layered agate stone carved through to reveal the colour underneath.

That's the true cameo. In the 19th century, they discovered the same effect with a layered shell.

So these cameos are layered shells, where they cut through the surface to reveal that toffee colour.

Right.

Very skilled operation, perfected in Florence. This is typical of the Italian school.

The subject matter itself is possibly a follower of Dionysus.

Here we have a female or male figure holding this swathe of grapes.

We call that fruiting vine.

Draped over the shoulder and onto the skirt we have a lionskin. Can you see that?

-There are the claws there.

-Oh, yes.

-And there's the lion mask.

-And followers of Dionysus often adopted that dress.

-Right.

The other one might have been acquired to put in a gold mount and it never happened.

This one in a silver mount, this wired decoration,

is typical of the mid-Victorian period, sort of 1860, that sort of period.

Just think of the costume at the time. Folds and folds of garments,

-lace shawls...

-Yes.

-All gathered at the centre of the bosom, so they had to have a whacking great spike.

-Yes.

-That spike is steel.

-Right.

-Which unfortunately is rusted.

That has to be attended to. But quite an interesting piece of jewellery.

-Would you never wear this?

-No, never.

-And do you have daughters?

-Yes.

-What about them?

-No.

-Too old-fashioned?

-Yes.

-Right.

Price. I think it's going to go for the region of 80-100.

I think the auction house will say, "Let's put a reserve round about 65." Would that be acceptable?

-Yes.

-If it makes over 100, I'll be delighted. With the two together, we could achieve that.

-That would be fine.

-Sure?

-Yes.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Vicky, you all right?

-Yes, thanks.

-So you've brought this little beauty along.

-I did.

-Is it yours?

-No, my brother's.

-Does he know you're here?

-He does.

He came with me, but had to leave.

-Where's he gone to?

-A christening.

-Did you not get an invite?

-No.

-Where did he get it from?

-He bought it at an auction, he said,

-with another two pictures.

-Another two?

-Just small ones.

-What did he give for that?

-£20.

-When was that?

-Maybe last year. I'm not sure.

Well...

-It's a watercolour by Fred Miller.

-Right.

It's a rural scene. Any idea where?

-He told me it was Cotswold Downs.

-On the Cotswolds in the Midlands?

-It may be there.

-I didn't know.

-It may be there.

It's a lovely watercolour on paper of quite a rustic, charming view.

We can see here we've got this horse and cart and the church and village.

If you look at the size of the gate compared to the horse and cart and the steeple,

it loses a bit in perspective.

-The other thing it's got real problems with is its condition.

-Yes.

Now watercolour clouds have a habit of fading.

-Right.

-And if you look here,

these once cotton wool white clouds

have now gone a bit yellow and grey.

That could be nicotine, it could be hung in sunlight.

-There isn't really anything you can do to restore that.

-Right.

-The other problem is you've got these damp spots here.

-Brown dots.

-Yeah.

It's almost like foxing. You can get rid of those

and some of the staining in the sky, but it's always a problem.

Now there was a Fred Miller watercolour last year of a harbour scene

-that made £400, but it was slightly bigger and in better condition.

-Yes.

And people always think antiques go like that all the time.

They don't. There are peaks and troughs. When I started,

copper kettles were £90, warming pans were £100.

Now they're £10 or £15 a go.

This sort of 19th-century Victorian genre picture, landscape picture,

I won't say they've had their day, but the market's dipped a bit.

So whilst there's a record of one making £400,

-I think a sensible auction estimate for this is £50-£80.

-Yes.

And we'll give the auctioneers a £50 reserve with 10% discretion.

-You've got the whip hand. Your brother's not here.

-That's right.

-You know he paid 20 quid for it. What do you reckon? Get it sold?

-Yes, definitely.

Hope I'm right!

Keith, regardless of rumours, this is the oldest piece - not me -

in the room today.

This is a fascinating little bit of pottery. It must have a wonderful history. Where does it come from?

It's from my mother's side. She lived on a farm.

I take it it was my grandmother's or my great-grandmother's. I'm not sure how far back it goes.

Right. I would have thought great-great-great-great-grandmother.

This little piece of pot dates from round about 1740, 1760.

It's a lovely piece of pottery that we know as Delft.

You think of Delft and you think of Holland, the Low Countries.

-This is where it originated.

-Yeah?

The potters came over to England from the 17th century onwards.

This little piece was made to imitate Chinese imports into the country,

which were very valuable. Chinese imports were actually porcelain.

This is why it's decorated in blue and white, looking like Chinese porcelain from a distance.

But it was made in London by a Delft potter producing wares like this.

I like it because it's easy to handle.

It's got interesting elements of decoration, particularly these lions' heads at the side there.

All this chipping round the edge, you expect that.

This is a biscuit pottery covered with a white slip

-and then it's coated in a tin glaze.

-I see.

It does have the tendency to chip, so don't worry about that.

It's got a whacking great crack all the way down the side, which does affect its value,

-but otherwise it's in lovely condition.

-There's no markings

so I didn't know what it was. A chalice or a cup...

Chalice is a good idea, but it's got a hole going through to this enclosed pedestal.

If that had been left enclosed, it would have broken open in the firing.

That's why you have the hole. Makes it difficult to contain liquid.

It may have had a decorative cover and could have been put on display.

My mother had a chest of drawers and a thing above it, a cabinet,

with all the different things enclosed. On display. Never used, but on display.

I think your mother was canny and knew it had some age and may possibly have some value.

-What do you think it's worth?

-Nothing!

-Right. Well, I hope somebody... who is very keen on Delft ware...

-Yeah?

..and early pottery is going to be at that auction.

I'm going to put a conservative 80-120.

I'd like to see it do 200, if not more,

but I have reservations about that crack, but it is an early, unusual piece

-of English Delft.

-I had reservations about the chips, but you explained it's one of those things.

I've never seen a piece of Delft, early Delft, without those teeth marks all round it!

-Keith, thank you for making my day.

-A pleasure.

We've had a great time in Hartlepool and certainly found lots of things for the bidders.

Sue found the cameos in her mother's things. They're out of fashion, but great quality.

Vicky's brother bought the watercolour for less than £20. Philip hopes it will double that.

The condition of Keith's piece of Delft won't worry the collectors.

He was surprised at David's valuation, but let's see what auctioneer Giles Hodges thinks

and how high bidders might go.

One of my favourite lots. I like my period things.

Late 18th century, a bit of blue and white.

Delft as well, as you know. David's put a valuation of £80-£120 on it.

If I could buy it for that, I'd be so happy.

I think it's worth twice as much.

I think you're bang on. With the pre-sale interest we've had prior to the auction,

we should hit double the estimate quite comfortably.

It's something for the connoisseur because you've got to be a real purist to like this.

It looks tatty, it's chipped, but it doesn't matter - it's Delft.

-Delft collectors don't really mind that.

-We've got chips and a crack,

but for the purist, no problem.

-And it stands so well.

-Lovely.

-Would you like to own it?

-Yes.

If you go on a picnic, you probably carry a few plastic knives and forks with you, but look at this.

In the good old days, they did things properly. I wouldn't fancy carrying that.

At the end of the day, when the picnic's over, the butler had to polish it all!

Susan's cameo brooches - one large, one small - are being sold as a joint lot.

And she's pinning her hopes on £80-£100, which is what David Barby valued them at.

I know brooches aren't fashionable at the moment, but surely they're worth a little more than that.

-Well, they're not the best quality. The best quality is agate.

-Yes.

Today they'd be worn on a little black dress or cocktail dress.

-It makes a statement, Paul.

-It does. Is anyone wearing a little black dress here?

I can't see anyone! Good luck, Susan. This is it.

Italian cameo of a classical female and a smaller unframed.

I'm bid 50. At £50.

5. 60. 5.

-At £65.

-Come on, come on.

-70 now?

-£65 to my left.

-Come on.

-£65.

-Make no mistake. At £65.

-Yes.

Sold! Hammer's gone down. £65 - right on the reserve.

-Phew!

-Great.

-Happy with that?

-I'm very happy with that, yes.

Now we've got some fine art - a watercolour by Fred Miller and it belongs to Vicky.

We've got a valuation around £50, £60, £70 with a reserve at £40.

-A bit of discretion on it. There is a bit of foxing.

-It's badly foxed, isn't it?

-It needs some love.

-It does need some TLC.

You got this for £20 and the money is going to an exceptionally good cause. We've got to sell it.

-Tell us where it's going.

-The Great North Air Ambulance.

-A great cause.

-Yes.

-Get these helicopters up and save some lives.

Going under the hammer right now.

Landscape at harvest time by Fred Miller.

A watercolour. 30, straight in, on commission.

-Straight in at 30, Vicky.

-At £40.

45. 50. At £50, are you all done?

-£50. And we're away at 50.

-Yes! The hammer's gone down.

-It's got me out of trouble with the air ambulance.

-Lovely.

-Why did you choose that charity?

-We were going to do a walk at work for the air ambulance.

So this'll go to it as well.

-Good for you. Thanks so much for coming.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

Coming up now, my favourite lot of the sale. I'd love to own this.

A little blue and white Delft cup with a value of £80-£120.

It belongs to Keith, but not for much longer.

I had a chat to Giles about it before the sale started.

The damage won't put people off. I think it could do... David! I think it could do £200-£300.

-Somewhere in that sort of figure.

-I couldn't believe that.

-It was very difficult to choose -

-either the chamber pot or this(!)

-My wife thought that one, the chamber pot from Maling.

-Yes, local interest.

-The blue pot was all chipped.

-But you expect chips on Delft.

-Are you a local?

-North of Newcastle.

-What do you do?

-I'm a security guard, but I was a sunshine miner.

-A sunshine miner! How long for?

-27 years.

-So that means on the surface.

-Instead of down a shaft.

-That's a lovely description.

-Catching the rays!

-When did you finish that?

-2005, made redundant. I was on the sick for about a year.

-So the money will come in handy.

-Yeah.

-Well, wait no longer. It's going under the hammer now.

-The London Delft...

-Say goodbye!

-We've got a couple of phone bids.

I'm starting it at £250.

-Yes!

-250. 260. 270.

-280. 290.

-It was a "come and buy me".

320. 340.

360.

380. 400. 410.

On the phone. Anybody else? 420.

430. 440.

-450.

-450!

460.

460. Caroline's phone.

At £460. For the last time at 460.

Yes! No surprise to me.

Fantastic! The purists were here.

They absolutely adored it. Hot competition.

-That's a lot of money.

-I thought 150 was a lot.

-Keith would have been happy with 80 quid!

-It's very difficult to judge the market. That could well have been a London buyer.

-Yes.

-What will you put the money towards?

-We haven't had a holiday for two years with us being both bad,

-so we'll go for a holiday.

-Where?

-Majorca again.

-Good for you.

-Enjoy it.

What a day we've had here.

Giles is still on the rostrum, but it's all over for our owners.

Credit to our experts - they're on the money today. Everyone's gone home happy.

All the lucky bidders here are queuing up. We hope you enjoyed the show.

Until the next time, cheerio.

For more information about Flog It, including how the programme was made, visit the website at bbc.co.uk

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2007

Email us at [email protected]