0:00:01 > 0:00:05Today, Flog It comes from a town that's famous for cars, hats
0:00:05 > 0:00:08and not to mention one of Britain's fastest-growing airports.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Today, we're in Luton in Bedfordshire.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50With Luton's long history of car manufacturing,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53it's fitting that today's valuation day
0:00:53 > 0:00:55comes from the Vauxhall Recreation Centre.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Our experts? We've got the classic, slick lines of Anita Manning,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and the more practical, reliable Mark Stacey.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05We've got a massive queue, all laden with antiques and collectables,
0:01:05 > 0:01:10so it's now 9.30, let's get the doors open and the show on the road. Everybody, inside!
0:01:15 > 0:01:16- Hello, Pauline.- Hello, Mark.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21You've brought a lovely selection of travelling books to show us,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24which are really interesting, but before we go into details,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27can you give me the history of them in your family?
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Well, they have just gone from loft to loft,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34and I'm having a big clear-out. It's a question of the storage. They've got to go.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- So you've inherited them from a relative?- Yes. My great-grandfather.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- So they've been in the family quite a while, then?- Oh, yes, yes!
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- And have you looked at them at all in detail yourself?- Only rarely.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48I've never read any of them.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53- So you haven't got a big library at home?- No. Not of these ones.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58They are fascinating, actually. You've got about 27 volumes here,
0:01:58 > 0:02:04and if we just take one of my favourite ones, Spain and Portugal, and each one is similar in a way.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08When we open it up, we'll find a little map
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- of the country in question...- Yeah.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16..and then we have the title of the book, The Modern Traveller, popular description,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and the various countries of the globe.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- Each one is dated, either 1824, 1825 or 1826.- Yes.
0:02:24 > 0:02:30And in some cases, if you look at the others, we've got four volumes of India,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32we've got Russia, all of the Far East,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34as well as a lot of countries in Europe,
0:02:34 > 0:02:40and then it gives you a whole history of the countries that you're actually researching,
0:02:40 > 0:02:46- so this is almost an early 19th-century equivalent of the internet for travellers?- Yes, yes!
0:02:46 > 0:02:51But much more interesting, I think, and they've got these very nice leather spines here
0:02:51 > 0:02:54with tooled work on that, and then the gilt titles.
0:02:54 > 0:03:01- Have you ever thought of the value? - I actually thought people would buy them just to cut the maps out.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Oh, really? Well, you've got a good point there, because that happens a lot,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08but it normally happens when the books are damaged,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- or when you haven't got as complete a set as this.- Right.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17We've got a little bit of damage in the books, but I suspect people will buy them.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- A specialist buyer will buy them for the content.- Oh, right.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26I know that early travelling is quite a popular collecting subject,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and I would say, if we were putting these in for auction,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33we ought to be looking at something like £400.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36£400?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38£400!
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- Right.- Is that good?- That's amazing!
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- I thought about £2 a book, or something!- Oh, no, no. I think they're more than that.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I suppose, because of some of the wear,
0:03:50 > 0:03:55we should maybe put the estimate at £300 to £500, and put the reserve at £300.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58I think we should set a reserve at £300.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03- I assume, by the look on your face, you're happy to sell them at that? - Oh, I am, yes, definitely!
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Molly, John, welcome to Flog It.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16It's lovely to have you along and to have brought this lovely piece of pottery.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17Do you know what it is?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- Charlotte Rhead.- Charlotte Rhead, yes.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Molly, tell me where you got it and give me a little bit of its background.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29It appeared in John's family home when we cleared the house out.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Some of it's been in my family for many years, I don't know how many years.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Perhaps since the 1930s? - Yeah.- Could be!
0:04:36 > 0:04:41Now, Charlotte Rhead, I find her very, very interesting.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46The Rheads were a family who lived in north Staffordshire,
0:04:46 > 0:04:52and they had been associated with pottery since the 18th century.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- Charlotte was third generation... - Oh.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59..of this family who were associated with pottery.
0:04:59 > 0:05:06Now she was born in 1885, and by the time it came to 1930,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08when she was at her best,
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- she was one of the leading ceramicists of that period.- Right.
0:05:13 > 0:05:20Very popular just now. Her lovely Art Deco and Art Nouveau pots are sought after.
0:05:20 > 0:05:27But if we just look at the back stamp, it's always nice to see that beautiful signature.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Charlotte Rhead is a child who was a sickly child.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36She didn't go to school, but she spent most of her time drawing.
0:05:36 > 0:05:42She went to the Fenton School of Art to learn design and enamelling
0:05:42 > 0:05:44before starting in one of the factories.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48I like the colour, I like the blues, it's vibrant.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50To me, it's a singing blue.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54It's lovely. Well, we can put it into auction in Cambridge,
0:05:54 > 0:06:01and I would like to estimate in the region of £50 to £80,
0:06:01 > 0:06:08- and we could perhaps put a reserve of £45, just to protect it.- Yes.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12One thing that had occurred to me, Molly, a jug usually has a handle...
0:06:12 > 0:06:14but it also has a spout.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- True. We never thought of that. - Never thought of that.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- So what it is?- The thing is, if it had been a mistake,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- she would not have signed it. - Oh, right.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30So her signature is there, and she has regarded that
0:06:30 > 0:06:34as a complete item,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38so maybe she has a sense of humour.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- So it's a mystery. Shall we flog it.- Let's go for it.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45I'll see you in Cambridge.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- Hello, Sandra.- Hello. - Now you've bought a fascinating little group of items in to show us.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- Yes, I have.- Give us a little bit of history on them.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00My father loved collecting glass.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04He started collecting antiques in the late 1960s and he loved
0:07:04 > 0:07:10going to the local antiques fair and he fell in love with lamps...
0:07:10 > 0:07:12anything that was unusual...
0:07:12 > 0:07:14And he fell in love with these.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17He had just a love of car lamps and bicycle lamps.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21And did you inherit that love or not?
0:07:21 > 0:07:22I did, yes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24I did. I love antiques.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29- And where do they live in your home now?- All in boxes, I'm afraid.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34They're not really suitable for the modern home, they're really not.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- You've got to love this type of thing, haven't you?- Yes.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- Specialise in... - It's got to be your collecting bag really?- Yes, you have.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Well, they are fascinating and it's got us talking today
0:07:44 > 0:07:47cos we haven't had anything quite like this on the show before
0:07:47 > 0:07:51and I just want to talk about a couple of the pieces.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56This lamp ceased production in about 1922, so it was made before then,
0:07:56 > 0:08:01and it's called the Colonia, which is rather nice, and it's in good condition.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03We've got this rather nice big lens here
0:08:03 > 0:08:06and we've got the little green light on the side as well,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10and it's really quite a nice object, and then we've got this funny lamp,
0:08:10 > 0:08:17which was designed by a Frenchman called Pigeon, and we all looked at it and thought it was a Pigeon lamp.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20What would you do with a Pigeon? Of course it's not.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23It's a sort of individual travelling night-light almost,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and you have the wick coming out there and of course,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28when you want to extinguish it,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31you put that on the top and it puts the flame out.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35We've got all this nice writing here and it's very difficult to read
0:08:35 > 0:08:37but we have just deciphered,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40"12 good hours' light for one whole penny"!
0:08:42 > 0:08:44So I suppose if you used it to walk,
0:08:44 > 0:08:4712 hours would actually last you a very long time,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51but it's actually quite nice to have that on there, isn't it?
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Have you ever thought about the value?- Not at all. I have no idea at all.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I think this is quite a difficult one,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00because I don't know how big a collectors market
0:09:00 > 0:09:03there is for this type of thing, but I think they are quite fun,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07and there must be people out there who would like to maybe start a collection
0:09:07 > 0:09:11who haven't got this particular model.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13I would have thought
0:09:13 > 0:09:18hopefully around the £100 mark for a little group like that,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21so if we put the estimate at sort of £80 to £120 -
0:09:21 > 0:09:25it's a typical auctioneer's cliche, really, £80 to £120 -
0:09:25 > 0:09:27but I think it works in this case.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- Would you be happy with that? - I would.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32And who knows? They might light up the saleroom!
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Well, it's great to see some youngsters on the show.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- What are your names?- Callum.- And?
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- Jasper.- Jasper. Are you brothers?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- No.- Just friends? And how old are you both?- Nine.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- Eight.- And eight. So whose is this little Welsh dresser?
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- Mine.- And did Mummy give it to you? - No.- Granny?
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- Yeah.- How did Granny come by this?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- Her dad made it.- Her dad made it?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03So your great-grandfather made this?
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- Yes.- Was he a carpenter?- Yes.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Your grandpops was very, very clever.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11This is an apprentice piece, really.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14It's a scaled-down little dresser and it's beautiful.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18It's made in pitch pine. Are you hoping to sell this?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Are you really? Well, this has been in the family a long time,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24four generations, it's part of his heritage.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I think he should keep it, don't you?
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Well, it could sell for some money.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33What do you think it's worth?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- £100?- £50?
0:10:35 > 0:10:40D'you know what I think? I think I'm gonna go for the middle...
0:10:40 > 0:10:41I'm gonna go for £75.
0:10:41 > 0:10:48I think it's worth £75 to £100 if we put it into auction, but I think you should hang onto it.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52One day, you'll be really proud to own this.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57When you grow up a bit, when you get to my age, you'll want something that Great-Grandad made.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02And £75 is not a lot of money, but it's a lot of money to you guys, isn't it?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05That's a hell of a lot of money, but, hang onto it!
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It's your heritage. Look after it!
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Yeah, look after it. Promise?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Promise!- OK.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Sandra... I really became quite excited
0:11:19 > 0:11:22when I saw these two wonderful tiles.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Tell me, where did you get them?
0:11:24 > 0:11:29Well, as a young child, I lived in Dunoon where there was a large villa
0:11:29 > 0:11:34behind my house and in those days,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38children were allowed to run free so we used to go up
0:11:38 > 0:11:42and forage about in it, and we just picked them up off the floor.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- They've come from a burnt-down house?- Yes.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- And lived with you ever since? - They have.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- They've travelled from Dunoon in Scotland to Luton?- They have!
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- You must have liked them! - Oh, they're beautiful!
0:11:56 > 0:11:57They are! They are indeed!
0:11:57 > 0:12:02Well, they're very interesting, as well as being beautiful.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06These are De Morgan tiles, and they were made by De Morgan
0:12:06 > 0:12:12who was a follower of the Arts and Crafts movement
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and a great friend of William Morris.
0:12:15 > 0:12:22In fact William Morris sold De Morgan's tiles in his retail outlet.
0:12:22 > 0:12:29I would date these tiles from about 1890 to late 1900s.
0:12:29 > 0:12:37De Morgan was famous for these high lustre tiles, and people loved them.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41They were made in fireplaces or for decorative purposes.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46If we look on the back, we can see the back stamp,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48which is an embossed back stamp and we have
0:12:48 > 0:12:55W De Morgan and Sand's End Pottery.
0:12:55 > 0:13:02William De Morgan often bought blanks from the Poole Pottery and decorated them himself.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07Now I love these wonderful stylised flowers,
0:13:07 > 0:13:14and they're in this almost Art Nouveau background of foliage.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The condition isn't wonderful.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20We have some damage here and here
0:13:20 > 0:13:24and someone has tried to do a wee bet of restoration.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Was that yourself? - No. It might have been my mother!
0:13:27 > 0:13:33- It might have been your mum? Un-huh! And we have some damage here, and this is quite a big chip.- Yes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:40However, having said that, I still think that they should achieve a good price.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45I would estimate these tiles to be sold as a pair
0:13:45 > 0:13:47between £200 and £300.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Oh! Good grief!
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- Would you like to put them into auction?- I would.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56We'll put them in with an estimate of £200 to £300,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00and perhaps a reserve of £175 in that region
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- with a little bit of discretion. - Lovely!
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Why do you want to sell them now?
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Unfortunately I need a new chainsaw.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- You need a new chainsaw? - Yes, for the garden!
0:14:14 > 0:14:17As the old saying goes, if you wanna get ahead, you've got to get a hat,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21and there were plenty in evidence in this morning's queue.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28Luton has been right at the centre of the hat-making world way back to the 17th century.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33In 1860, there were around about 60,000 men, women and children
0:14:33 > 0:14:35all working in the hat industry here,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and they were making straw hats very much like this one.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42To make a hat, you need straw plait,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44which is then sewn into a cone shape.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49It's then stretched into the required shape on a hat block.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53The hat is completed by sewing the brim and the crown together.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Ribbon is then added to cover up the stitching and, finally,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59the all-important trimmings are attached.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05I've come to meet Mary-Louise Lowcock, who is carrying on the tradition of hat-making in Luton.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09She designs and manufactures her own collection of hats in her own home,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12a 21st-century cottage industry.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18Mary-Louise, there is so much colour in your showroom I feel I'm walking through a rainbow, it's fantastic.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Oh, thank you, Paul. - It really is. Why Luton?
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Why is Luton so popular for hat-making, and why did you have to come here?
0:15:24 > 0:15:30The beautiful straw from Italy couldn't be imported because of the Napoleonic Wars,
0:15:30 > 0:15:35and Luton and the surrounding towns and villages
0:15:35 > 0:15:41had wonderful, very fine wheat-growing fields
0:15:41 > 0:15:45that made this very delicate, lovely straw that was very fashionable.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- Yes. The resources are right here, basically?- Exactly.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52We're surrounded by hats. How long does it take to make a hat?
0:15:52 > 0:15:58Well, it can take anything from a whole day, about seven hours,
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- to three or four days, like this, my artist's palette.- The palette.
0:16:03 > 0:16:10Yes, exactly, which I made to wear at Royal Ascot
0:16:10 > 0:16:16and it was inspired probably by my love of David Shilling's work in the 70s,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20who made extraordinary hats for his mother, Mrs Shilling,
0:16:20 > 0:16:26and I'm sort of following in his footsteps, and also because I love art and painting.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- So you get most of your inspiration from books and magazines and other milliners?- Yes, and collecting.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34I've always been a great collector.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- What should you look for when you're buying a hat? - When you go into a high street shop,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42you might not get as much help as you would coming to somebody like myself,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45so I think it's always a good idea to go on your own,
0:16:45 > 0:16:52don't take anybody else with you, cos you've got to be happy with it, and you must take notice of the milliner,
0:16:52 > 0:16:57and you must feel relaxed and you must smile, and you must wear of plenty of make-up.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02You need to emphasise the lips and the eyes, and that's the wonderful thing.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05The hat features on the eyes, the window of the soul!
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Who are you main clients? Who buys your hats?
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Invariably my most popular customer is the mother of the bride
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and that's a great treat for them because I can
0:17:23 > 0:17:29give them lots of attention, I help them with their whole outfit and I match their outfit exactly.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31How much do you charge?
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I know that's a stupid question, because each hat differs,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37but on average, like the hat you're wearing now?
0:17:37 > 0:17:39From £150 upwards.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Well, it's good value.- It is. - For a one-off!
0:17:41 > 0:17:44It's extremely good value!
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Talk me how you would make a hat like the one you're wearing?
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- Where do you start?- Well, I make the base out of buckram in two pieces,
0:17:54 > 0:18:01and you sew the crown and the band on, and then it's covered in a special fabric,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05and then I decorate it, which of course is always the nice part.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- That's the fun bit, isn't it? - It is, it is! The indulgent part.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11What's the most challenging hat you've ever had to make?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Well, I would say it was the hat I made for Jenny Bond.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- Which we've got just behind you there.- We have, indeed.- Here it is!
0:18:18 > 0:18:23This took me three days, because it's entirely made by hand.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28I bound the wire with silk and then I had to balance it
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and hats have to be very light.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I think it's a shame that men don't wear hats any more
0:18:34 > 0:18:36because it adds a bit of mystery, doesn't it?
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Oh, hats do a lot for everybody.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42They add a lure, a mystery, they're terribly attractive,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45and they bring out the character in somebody.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47But I would be really scared to wear one!
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Until lots of other men start wearing them...
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Oh, I see! Yes! And women I think are the same...
0:18:53 > 0:18:56They have the same idea because people do look at you,
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- but you've just got to ignore them, because you just look wonderful. - Do your thing!
0:19:01 > 0:19:07Exactly! Exactly! I mean people don't dress to look opulent these days.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10We all look a lot more casual.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15We don't want to draw attention to ourselves, and our lifestyles have changed.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20All the ladies work now, whereas at one time they would have gone out for afternoon tea.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Well, hats off to you, thank you so much for talking to us today.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28And I'm so pleased you're keeping the Luton hat-making tradition alive.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Not at all. It was my pleasure.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40We were kept on our toes at the valuation day in Luton, but now we're off to auction
0:19:40 > 0:19:42with our top four items.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49And that £300 estimate for Pauline's travel books has certainly sent her reeling.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Will this colourful piece of Charlotte Rhead pottery sell,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54even without its spout?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We're hoping that these brass lamps have a bright future
0:19:57 > 0:20:01and I'm sure there's an Aladdin out there who'll love this lot.
0:20:01 > 0:20:08Sandra wants to spend her profit from the William De Morgan tiles on something rather unusual.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I hope she knows what she's doing!
0:20:10 > 0:20:13For today's sale, we're at Cheffins auction house in Cambridge,
0:20:13 > 0:20:20with auctioneer Will Axon, so let's catch up and find out what he thinks about those tiles.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Well, you've seen these before, Will.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- You can spot these a mile off. - De Morgan, yeah.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Late Victorian. They belong to Sandra. The story is great.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- Now she's selling these cos she wants to buy a chainsaw!- A chainsaw?
0:20:33 > 0:20:38I don't know what for, but she wants a chainsaw, and Anita has put £200 to £300 on them.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Yeah. I can see where she's coming from. There's a little bit of damage
0:20:41 > 0:20:43which will have to be considered.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48- That usually occurs when they're taken out of fireplaces, that sort of thing.- These were salvaged.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Were they salvaged? That's what usually happens with these.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Subject wise, they're pretty typical. They're sort of Persian, Isnik ware.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02- They're not the kind of classic, icon-catching William De Morgans of the boats...- The galleons...
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- ..with the lovely oxy red? - That's right.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08I mean he's well-known for his big P & O commissions
0:21:08 > 0:21:11for the ferries and also the Tsar of Russia...
0:21:11 > 0:21:14He commissioned a large piece for his private yacht.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17I was actually lucky enough recently to see the De Morgan Institute,
0:21:17 > 0:21:21and we managed to see in an un-restored condition
0:21:21 > 0:21:25a P & O commissioned piece that they had bought for £55,000
0:21:25 > 0:21:30and it's amazing to see, made of up tiles, these large pictures of galleons,
0:21:30 > 0:21:35sea serpents, so much going on. Those are the sort of pieces that command the high price.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40But back to these tiles, which aren't quite in that bracket, but still saleable.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42You're buying the name with these.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- I think to £200 to £300's right. - Spot on the money?
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Yeah. I would hope so.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Pauline, these are a fantastic collection of leather-bound books.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Late Georgian. I wouldn't be parting with them.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58They're very collectable. Did you twist Pauline's arm, Mark?
0:21:58 > 0:22:00I didn't twist Pauline's arm!
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I'm glad she did part with them because we can make a show now,
0:22:04 > 0:22:09- but I did fall in love with them, like you would have done. - They're a class act!
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Because they're wonderful things. They're leather bound, and I think we're safe. 300 to 400.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18The condition's very good as well. You've looked after them.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22They've been in a box in the loft, so I haven't even looked at them.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26They've got the look. The decorators will absolutely love these!
0:22:26 > 0:22:31Let's just hope they're right here and right now, because it's time to flog them. Good luck.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34There we are showing the collection of travel books here.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Various volumes, nicely leather bound, in reasonable condition.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- I've got a hopeful bids here... - Yes!- ..but I'll bypass those,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47and we start already at 260, 280, 300..
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Sold 'em.- Yeah.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53320, 340, 360, 380, 400, 420,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57440, 460, 480, 500,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00520, 540, 560.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04You're in now by 10 at £560 in the room now. At 560.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09At 560. My bidder's out. All done then at £560?
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- Sold.- Brilliant! How about that? - Thank you.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Well done!- That's brilliant. Thank you.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Oh, ye of little faith.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22They were worth every single penny!
0:23:22 > 0:23:26What is the money going to go towards? There is a little bit of commission to pay.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31I'll give a bit to my mum, because they were in her loft before mine,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35and I want to buy my husband a Grand Prix ticket because he's been working on my kitchen.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40- Aw...- Yes, so I'll buy him a Grand Prix ticket, cos he's been working really hard, so...
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Well, we have some studio pottery for you right now,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- a bit of Charlotte Rhead. Great name.- Mm-hm.
0:23:50 > 0:23:56- Nice piece, £50 to £80, John, Molly, hoping for the top end?- Well, yes!
0:23:56 > 0:23:58We all want the top end.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01If we sell this, what's the money going towards?
0:24:01 > 0:24:06- It'll probably go towards a bottle of wine and our next holiday in New York.- Ooh!
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Sounds like they're jet-setters.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11We should get the top end, a bit of Charlotte Rhead?
0:24:11 > 0:24:16I estimated conservatively - £45. It's got to go higher than that.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20And 400 is the Charlotte Rhead jug there for you.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24Where do you start me on that? £50? Thank you. Straight in at £50.
0:24:24 > 0:24:2650!
0:24:26 > 0:24:28That's the way to buy it. 60.
0:24:28 > 0:24:3070, 80, 90, 100...
0:24:30 > 0:24:32At £100. And 10 seated.
0:24:32 > 0:24:38At 110 seated, bid at 110 now. Steals it at 110.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41All done, then? I shall sell it. Hammer's up. Have you at £110.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Yes! You can't go wrong with 20th-century modern.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- That's what people want now. - Thank you.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49A nice bit of studio pottery.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Enjoy, won't you?
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I'm very jealous. I'd like to be going.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56So would I! Would you like to come with me?
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Is that an offer?
0:25:00 > 0:25:02On television.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- We've got witnesses!- He's blushing. - You have witnesses.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Sandra, let's hope this next lot shines out from the rest, shall we?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- I hope so! - That collection of lamps!
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Well, we've got a valuation of £80 to £120
0:25:18 > 0:25:20put on by our expert Mark, here.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24And you're flogging because they don't suit your interior?
0:25:24 > 0:25:30That's right, yes. I mean they won't fit my car, they won't fit my bike, and I need the space!
0:25:31 > 0:25:33And lot 410 there being shown, thank you,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36is the four Victorian lamps there for you, and I've got bids
0:25:36 > 0:25:41here starting me where? £50, £60, £70, £80 bid here. At £80 I'm bid...
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- We've sold them!- At £80 I'm bid at £80 now. Against you all. £90, £100.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47At £100. You bidding? No, careful!
0:25:47 > 0:25:50At £100 I'm bid. At £100, at £100.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I'll sell them at £100...and 10, 120. One more if you like, no?
0:25:53 > 0:25:57At £120 it's my bid. I'll take £130.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Yes or no? I shall sell it then.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02The hammer's up at £120. Sold.
0:26:02 > 0:26:03Brilliant valuation!
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- Happy with that? Top end? - Very happy indeed, thank you.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10- What are you gonna spend it on? - I'm going to treat myself
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- to a new bigger barbecue.- Nice! - Yes, for entertaining.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Have you got a nice garden as well? - Yes.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Yeah? D'you like cooking outside? It is nice in the summer, isn't it?
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Well, if we're gonna get another nice summer like we did last year, it'll be brilliant!
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Why not? Barbecues are all the rage!
0:26:26 > 0:26:29It is, and I love being on the top! The top of the estimate there.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- Wonderful. I'm really pleased. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Thank you.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Well, I'm in the middle of Cambridge surrounded by Scots lasses.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- Oh, you noticed that, Paul? - Anita, I think I just might!
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- Hi, Sandra, good to see you again.- Hello!
0:26:47 > 0:26:50We are both fans of William De Morgan and William Morris.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53We love the tiles. We've got a valuation of £200 to £300.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I love this story! The money is going towards, what? Go on!
0:26:56 > 0:26:59A chainsaw! A new chainsaw!
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Are you handy with the chainsaw?
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- Oh, I'm not too bad. - Dangerous equipment!
0:27:05 > 0:27:08But £200 will get you a decent chainsaw, anyway.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10£300 will get you a top-of-the-range one.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Let's see if we can get top-of-the-range right now. Good luck.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- Thank you very much.- This is it.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21And 330 now, 330 again showing, thank you, the De Morgan tiles there
0:27:21 > 0:27:23for you. Where do we start these again?
0:27:23 > 0:27:28Interest here on my commission bids at £150, £160, £170, £180, £190.
0:27:28 > 0:27:35I'm bid £200 here, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I've been left £390. £400 rounds it up, at £400...
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Blink and you'll miss this! I tell you what, it has shot up!
0:27:41 > 0:27:42At £400 who'll join us?
0:27:42 > 0:27:46At £400 I'm selling them, left hand here on the telephone at £420.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49£440. At £440, I'm bid. £460, 480.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51At £480...
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- They love it!- £500. And £50.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56At £550 I'm bid. No. Thank you for your help.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59At £550, original bidder still then.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01At £550.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03- Yes!- Oh, that is wonderful!
0:28:03 > 0:28:05£550!
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Oh, my!
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Not only can you get the chainsaw,
0:28:09 > 0:28:14you could get the safety goggles, the helmet, the boots, everything!
0:28:14 > 0:28:15A new garden, possibly!
0:28:15 > 0:28:19They were the Rolls Royce of tiles!
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Well, how about that?
0:28:23 > 0:28:27What a great day, and all the lucky bidders are queuing up and paying for their lots.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Our experts were right on the money today.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:28:31 > 0:28:37Sadly that's all the time we have here from Cheffins in Cambridge, so until the next time...cheerio.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40For further information about Flog It,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43including how the programme was made,
0:28:43 > 0:28:46visit the website at bbc.co.uk/lifestyle
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:29:01 > 0:29:04E-mail Subtitling@bbc.co.uk