Lancaster Flog It!


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This medieval castle overlooks the city of Lancaster's truly eventful history,

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through the War of the Roses to the Industrial Revolution

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and right now it's about to witness another great historic event,

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because today "Flog It!" is in town.

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Lancaster made its fortune during the 18th century, when its port was one of the busiest in the country

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and its civic buildings certainly show off their wealth and their pride.

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Today's venue is the very imposing town hall.

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Rummaging through the bags and boxes of this massive queue today,

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we've got our two experts, Mr Philip Serrell and Anita Manning.

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And Anita's quick to hog today's first item.

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Jill, Sarah...

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..this is a great laugh.

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-It is!

-"Flog It!" is so much fun, especially when people bring in a group of very sinister pigs.

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-Yeah, they're hideous, aren't they?

-Sarah, tell me all about these.

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When I was little my mum started a bank account and we got this little piggy first.

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And then when you saved a certain amount, you got

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another one and another one, until you got the whole set.

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-And by the time you got, I suppose, to Dad...

-Yeah, you had...

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-You were worth a couple of bob?

-Well, yeah.

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As a child, yeah. 100-odd quid, yeah. It's not bad.

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So what happened when your kid got to £100?

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We went to an account that gave better interest.

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Very good, very good. Wise mum. Always listen to your mum.

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Exactly, yes. Will do.

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So really what they were was a saving incentive and your darling mum

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decided that she would start off

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-and get you into saving. Is that right?

-Oh, yeah.

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And it's worked reasonably well.

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-Yeah, relatively.

-Did you have them in a row?

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Yeah, they were on the shelf in the bedroom,

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peering down at us as we played with our little toys.

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-To me they look a bit sinister.

-Yeah.

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-Do they feel like that to you or do you love them?

-No.

-Do you love them, Sarah?

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In a very special way I'm sure, yeah. I mean, you've got the boys

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and then you've got Mum and then you've got the funny-looking uncle.

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I'm not sure what he is, but I'm not particularly keen on him.

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-Is that not the sister?

-I don't know!

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I think it's supposed to be, but he just looks funny.

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Well, they're great fun, they're great fun and they are collectable, they are.

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They were doing a little better three or four years ago.

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They are made by Wade, who made little animals.

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They made little Wade Whimsies which children collected, little humorous objects and so on.

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And I think these are in that sort of vein.

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Price - I would say that we should put them in

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with an estimate of perhaps £50-£80.

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They may do better than that, they may do better, but I think that's reasonable enough.

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A tenner apiece for all that fun.

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Yeah, exactly.

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Ladies, shall these little pigs go to market?

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-I think they will, yes.

-Absolutely. Definitely.

-Let's flog them!

-OK.

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-How are you doing, Richard?

-Very well thank you. Very well.

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Ever thought about silver polish?

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-No. I've never seen 'em for I don't know how long.

-What do you mean?

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Well, I moved house about 18 years ago and they went up into the loft

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and when I saw your advert, I decided to go and dig them out.

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So these haven't been cleaned for 18 years?

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I'm guessing it's between 16 and 18.

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-I'll let you off.

-They've been wrapped up.

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I think they're nice. They're a 20th-century copy of an 18th-century stick, OK?

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If these were 18th century, which they're not, they'd be £1,000, £2,000, right?

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These are very much 20th century. If you turn one over,

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we can see they're not actually solid silver. This is loaded.

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It's almost like a plaster base.

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So they are loaded silver, 20th century. What are they worth?

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I think in auction we could put an estimate on them of £100-£200.

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We'll put a reserve on them of £100. Are you happy with that?

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-I'd like a reserve a bit higher perhaps.

-What?!

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-You said up to £200.

-If you have your reserve higher than the estimate, you're breaking the law.

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-OK.

-So I think 100-200.

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I don't mind you putting perhaps 120 on them and then we'll estimate them at 150 to 250.

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-OK, put it at 120.

-Are you happy with that?

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-That's ideal, yeah.

-So 120 reserve, 150-250 estimate.

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-They might go and make more.

-That's OK.

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-But the beauty of an auction is that the market will dictate what they're going to make.

-Yep.

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Because people will bid on them on the day.

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They will be catalogued. They'll go on the internet.

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And all those things will ensure that they make what they're worth.

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-Fine, yeah.

-So 18 years ago, why did you put these in the roof?

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They're not something that you stick around as an ornament, are they?

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-That's just what they are.

-I know they're not functional. I'm not going to stick candles in them.

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-Did you never have a power cut?

-Yeah, but I've never stuck candles in them.

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I'm going to let you off for not cleaning them, but let's hope they do well at the auction.

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Eileen, this has certainly caught my eye.

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For one reason - the little label on the back of this.

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So I want you to tell me how you came by this toilet mirror.

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I bought it in a local auction warehouse, because I liked it.

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-How long ago?

-About three years.

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-Were you looking for something like this?

-No, but I saw it and liked it.

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I didn't like these bits on the top especially, but the drawers and just the general look of it.

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-It's just a nice mirror.

-They're slightly over the top.

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Sort of brass, the neo-classical finials.

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-Yes.

-They don't quite sit that well, do they?

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But it is an over-the-top piece.

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It's not what I would say is a period piece.

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It's not a 17th- or 18th-century piece.

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-No.

-Unfortunately, this is early 20th century.

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So it's going to have all those elements of nouveau riche and over the top about it.

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It's got a nice bit of cut, bevelled glass though. That's a bit of quality.

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Let's just take the drawers out and have a look.

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The whole construction is made of mahogany, which is nice.

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That's good. It's an exotic hardwood. This is a Spanish mahogany.

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It's not that sort of lovely flamed, figured Cuban mahogany you'd expect from the West Indies.

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-So it's a cheaper mahogany.

-Right.

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But it is quality. Look, it's all dovetailed, as you can see.

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-And from a wonderful furniture maker local to this area - Gillows of Lancaster.

-Yes.

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They later joined forces with a company from Manchester called Waring.

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And this is a Waring and Gillows.

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I'm just going to look at the back. If I can turn this around, Eileen.

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I won't say goodbye. I'll just hide myself.

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Yeah, in fact, I'll take that out.

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Then I can see you. How about that?

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If you hold that.

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Right.

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And I just do that. Yes, that's the all-important little label. If you clean that up...

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It says "Guaranteed, designed and manufactured at our Lancaster factory"...

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-Right.

-"Waring and Gillows".

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So there you go. There's its little tag.

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Purely because of that, we hopefully will get your money back.

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We've got to put this into auction with a value, I personally believe,

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-of £150-£250.

-Right.

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And if you want to, we can put a reserve on of 150.

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-Yes, please.

-Protect it a little bit.

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-Cos it is useful and I'm sure you use it, do you?

-Well, we used to use it,

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but we've since moved and don't have so much need for it any more. That's why I want to "Flog It!".

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-OK. Well, we'll try our very best for you.

-Fine, thank you.

-Thank you.

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-David, welcome to "Flog It!".

-Hi.

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Tell me, is this a family piece?

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No, it isn't. We bought it about 15 years ago for our Victorian house that we lived in at the time.

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-Uh-huh. Did you use it as a coal box?

-No, it was purely ornamental.

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It just fitted in nicely with the fireplace.

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Did you have a wonderful Victorian fireplace with a copper canopy and your coal box sitting at the side?

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Absolutely, yes.

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-Absolutely.

-OK.

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Well, let's look at it closely.

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It is a coal box and if we lift the lid here, we can see the compartment,

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-complete with liner, and we would keep our coal here.

-Right.

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We have this handle affair at the back, which in actual fact

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is not a handle, but it was the slot that we would put a little shovel in.

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-And there would be a matching shovel, so there's something missing for a start.

-OK.

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Now it's not the best of boxes.

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-Right.

-But it's not the worst.

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-Um-hm.

-It's made of oak

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-and we have this carved detail here, which is Victorian.

-Right.

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But this is a little Arts and Crafts going into Art Nouveau motif,

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where we have these more flowing lines in the handle and these details here.

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Would they come originally with this?

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Yes, I believe that it is original.

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I mean, as well as being functional objects, they were decorative as well.

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This box has no function these days.

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People are not using coal fires and they have fallen from favour.

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I remember, maybe ten years ago, this would have done perhaps £70 or £80.

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-It's not going to do that now.

-Right.

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They have fallen greatly from favour and this one is not complete.

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It doesn't have the shovel, so that's going to affect the price as well.

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-Have you moved to a smaller house?

-Well, moved to a modern house.

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A modern house, uh-huh.

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-So it hasn't got any fireplaces at all and it doesn't fit in with the house.

-Yeah.

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I would, I'm afraid, only estimate this in the region of £25-£40.

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Now, are you happy to sell it at that?

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-Yes. Yes.

-Let's just sell it. Let's just go for it.

-See what we get for it.

-Yeah.

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We'll put a reserve of £20.

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If it doesn't do £20, you can take it back

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and hand it to your charity shop.

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-Are you local lassies?

-No. Well, we are...

-No, yes, no, yes?

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-Come on, make your mind up.

-We're from Bolton-le-Sands.

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-Bolton-le-Sands. Where's that then?

-About four miles down the road.

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-That's on the sands then, on the sea, is it?

-Yes.

-Is it nice?

-Very nice.

-Bracing walks?

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-Lovely.

-Tell me about these then.

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-They belonged to two old ladies that I...

-That's not you two, is it?

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-No!

-No, I just wanted to establish that. Go on.

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..That I'd known for about 30 years.

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-Yeah.

-I used to go and help them when they had a holiday flat.

-Yeah.

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-They were two really lovely old ladies.

-They clearly liked you, cos they gave you these, didn't they?

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Yeah, yeah.

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What do you know about them?

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Not a lot, except that their father worked for the Leeds Fireclay, which became Burmantofts.

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-I thought you said you didn't know very much?

-Well, that much.

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So if we just turn one of these over, we can just see on the base here, it says "The Leeds Fireclay Company".

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-That's right.

-And as you so rightly say, they became Burmantofts.

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-Yes.

-And Burmantofts produced those sort of...what? about 1890, 1900...

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those really decorative, big, bold vases in real in-your-face colours

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-with dragons and serpents.

-Yeah.

-Have you got any of that?

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-Just a dragon.

-You've got a dragon?

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-Yes.

-Blimey.

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-I think that these are in-house paperweights.

-Right.

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That were almost like advertising for the Leeds Fireclay Company

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and I think that these might have been given away or possibly sold.

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Their condition leaves a bit to be desired, doesn't it?

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-They scrubbed everything, these ladies.

-I'm sure they did.

-Spring cleaned and everything was scrubbed.

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-Yeah?

-So I think that's why they were...

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They're chipped and nibbled everywhere, but I think they're quite a bit of fun.

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-Yeah.

-I think you've got to put a £50-£80 estimate on them

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-and I think that you put a reserve on them of £40.

-Right.

-Why do you want to sell 'em?

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My son has qualified for the World Triathlon Championships.

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-World Triathlon Championships?

-Yeah. They take place in June in Vancouver, in Canada.

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So he is in the World Championships

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-and you want to sell these to go and watch him?

-Yeah.

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So we've really got to hope then that our little Leeds lions do very well for him.

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-I think they will.

-I hope so.

-Do you not like them? Is it just to raise money?

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I like them. We just want to raise some money. I want to help her.

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I think that's brilliant and, on the basis of that alone, I hope they make a fortune.

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-Oh, I wish they would.

-Thank you.

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Quicksand, swirling currents and deep tidal channels.

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They're just some of the perils that await anybody without

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lifelong knowledge of the beautiful, as you can see, look at that, but notorious Morecambe Sands behind me.

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Now, I certainly wouldn't go for a walk out there without the expert

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knowledge of an extraordinary man, and his name is Cedric Robinson MBE.

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Cedric descends from generations of fishermen.

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When he was a young boy, his father used to take him out on the Sands

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in a horse and cart looking for early morning cockles, shrimps and small fish.

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They brought home their catch and cooked it, ready to sell on their market stall later on in the day.

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In 1965, Cedric was invited to take over as Queen's Guide to the Sands, an ancient

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royally appointed position that dates back to the 16th century.

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Then, the job entailed safely guiding local residents

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who wanted to take a short cut across this dangerous shore.

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Nowadays, Cedric leads groups of up to 400 people at a time,

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as he has done so for the past 44 years.

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Cedric, tell me all about the work of a sand pilot.

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Exactly what do you do and how did you get into this?

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Well, when I left school I didn't want to do anything

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but be a fisherman, the same as my father, and that's where the learning came in.

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Right, good local knowledge of the tides and the sand.

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Yeah, dad followed the Sands all of his life so he was a great help to me.

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Exactly how big is this area? How many square miles of sand have we got here?

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Well, it's very deceptive but it does cover approximately 120 square miles.

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That's a lot. Do you know all this like the back of your hand?

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Well, I've probably been over every inch of it in my lifetime.

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You need to know it and you need to live it to know it.

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How do you know where the quicksands are? How do you learn that?

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-Well, you don't, do you?

-They say you learn by your mistakes,

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but luckily I haven't had many mistakes but I've seen incidents over the years,

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I've seen horses go down in quicksand, I've seen taxis disappear in seconds.

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If you follow the Sands regularly, you know day by day.

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If you're only a part time fisherman, you don't learn the same.

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-How do you test if the sand's moving?

-Well, I can read it. As we come out

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I'm reading these sands like you would open a newspaper in the morning and read the newspaper.

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In the lower areas where the tide comes in and goes out.

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The tide comes in a lot faster than it goes out and that's where the main changes are.

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So, that's where... and always test with a stick, never just go walking or never drive a tractor straight

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through a river, you'd find you'd suddenly go down and lose the lot. So, you test with a stick.

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Sometimes it's disappointing, you get ten yards off the side and that stick would disappear up to the hilt.

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Then you have to retrace your steps and start again and look in a different area.

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As a fisherman, it's vitally important to know these sands.

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You may remember the dreadful tragedy of the 19 Chinese cockle pickers

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who lost their lives during a cold, wet night in February, 2004.

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It was a dreadful tragedy. Were you involved with the emergency services at all there?

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I wasn't able to go out... I am a Honorary Fellow of the University

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of Central Lancashire and we'd been invited away that day, we didn't get

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back till evening and my son said the phone had been non-stop and he told me of the terrible tragedy.

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We saw lights out in the bay. It was dark and terribly cold.

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I was able to assist by telling them about the area and how the tide would come in.

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You've obviously seen a lot of tragedy in your days and it's made

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the news headlines, especially with the cockle pickers, but what about local incidents which never make

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-the press and news, it must happen day in and day out, doesn't it?

-Yeah, it is a dangerous environment.

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There were four young lads and they came on the other side, Bolton le Sands, near Morecambe.

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They thought they'd walk along the coastline to Morecambe and two of them were a bit more

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adventurous and went out into the bay but within ten minutes of leaving the shore they'd drowned.

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That's how dangerous it is, you just go out for a paddle for ten minutes.

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Absolutely, yes, without knowing what you're doing, always stick to the safety of the shore.

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What sort of preparations do you make before you take people out on a long walk?

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Well, a walk doesn't just happen because the river moves every day. The tide comes in and goes out again.

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So, I go out with a tractor and I've got some good pals to help me.

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-That's your team, isn't it?

-That's my team, yeah.

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We arrive at the river, trousers rolled up, barefoot, a stick apiece.

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And I will say we'll go at it

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so many yards apart and we'll walk slowly, not fast, and test with the stick.

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So, do you plant these laurels as a marker?

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Yes, I plant them out for the benefit of my driver because he has to come out this side sometimes on his own

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and he wouldn't be able to find his way to the river without the markers.

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So, you have to renew them for every walk in the lower areas.

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And I gather you've taken some famous people out on your walks, haven't you?

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Well, there seems to be so many over the years.

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Yes, crossed the Sands with His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

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And that was a wonderful experience.

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He did get a bit annoyed with the helicopter flying above us, so noisy,

0:19:570:20:01

but they were there for protection really, I think.

0:20:010:20:04

In case he'd gone down in the quicksands but as long as he was with Cedric he wouldn't do that.

0:20:040:20:09

What are you going to do with all your knowledge?

0:20:090:20:11

Are you passing this on? Is anyone else going to be doing this?

0:20:110:20:14

No, very sadly my own family, they've all got good jobs and

0:20:140:20:19

I mean it would have been ideal if my son had followed the sand and he'd taken in my footsteps but I'm...

0:20:190:20:26

People say to me, "Who's going to come along after your time, when are you going to retire?"

0:20:260:20:32

Well, that time hasn't come. I know when that time will come, you know, and it hasn't come.

0:20:320:20:37

There's life in the old dog yet.

0:20:370:20:39

My father lived to 102 so I've a few years left yet.

0:20:390:20:42

Did he? Gosh. That's a good innings.

0:20:420:20:44

'While Cedric has an often dangerous and responsible job, it doesn't pay the bills.'

0:20:440:20:51

So, to supplement the princely sum of £15 per year that Cedric receives

0:20:510:20:55

from the Duchy of Lancaster, he cultivates the land behind his grace and favour home.

0:20:550:21:01

But his true passion is following the Sands.

0:21:010:21:04

'What a remarkable job in a very unusual part of our island.'

0:21:080:21:12

It's the crew.

0:21:140:21:15

'Long may Cedric be able to continue his vital work guiding

0:21:180:21:22

people across this beautiful landscape.'

0:21:220:21:24

Well, it's time to leave the packed valuation day and head off to the auction.

0:21:380:21:43

These Wade money boxes may have been designed as promotional gifts,

0:21:430:21:47

but we don't want to give them away today.

0:21:470:21:50

They might not have been cleaned for 18 years,

0:21:500:21:52

but Richard's hoping his candlesticks will certainly shine in the saleroom.

0:21:520:21:56

Eileen's mirror's got a great label, so that should be reflected in a decent sale price.

0:21:560:22:01

And I like these paperweight lions, so let's hope for Margaret's sake

0:22:010:22:04

they're a roaring success.

0:22:040:22:06

Richard hopes his coal box will stoke up today's bidders

0:22:060:22:09

and create a bit of heat in the saleroom.

0:22:090:22:12

I've just been joined by Philip, our expert, along with our owner Richard.

0:22:180:22:21

About to go under the hammer - the silver 20th-century candlesticks.

0:22:210:22:24

A valuation of £120-£180. Richard, why are you selling these? These have got the look.

0:22:240:22:30

They are only ornaments after all, aren't they?

0:22:300:22:33

And they just stand there in a display cabinet.

0:22:330:22:36

They're doing no good. Somebody else can have the benefit of them. I'll have the money.

0:22:360:22:40

I would use them. I would light them - put a candle in and use them at the dinner table.

0:22:400:22:44

-I daren't do that.

-I would!

0:22:440:22:46

The pair of period-style... They are 1960s, but in the period style

0:22:460:22:52

and I have interest in these lots

0:22:520:22:54

I'm going to start the bidding with me on this one at 130. 130. 130.

0:22:540:22:59

Not a lot of silver collectors today.

0:22:590:23:01

No, there aren't, Richard, you're right.

0:23:010:23:03

130. 40. 150. 150. You're all out in front on this lot.

0:23:030:23:07

-We're selling then. Are we all done?

-They're going.

-At 150!

0:23:070:23:10

The hammer's gone done. That was short and sweet.

0:23:100:23:13

-I think they've sold well.

-They've sold well.

0:23:130:23:15

Richard, £150, what are you going to put the money towards?

0:23:150:23:19

-It'll have to go towards a holiday.

-Where do you fancy going? Saving up for?

0:23:190:23:25

-Possibly end up in Majorca or somewhere like that.

-Oh, lovely.

0:23:250:23:31

Right. Now going under the hammer is a very handy piece of kit.

0:23:390:23:42

It's the little coal bucket and it belongs to David, £25-£40.

0:23:420:23:46

It's cute. It doesn't have its shovel. Nevertheless, it should sell.

0:23:460:23:51

It's not a lot of money and five, six, seven years ago, this would have made maybe 60, 80, perhaps even 100.

0:23:510:23:59

-But they've gone out of fashion...

-Yeah.

-..a little bit.

0:23:590:24:02

But this one has very nice copperized Art Nouveau strapping, so I'm hoping that that will help it along.

0:24:020:24:09

It's got the look, hasn't it? It's quite decorative. It's not a boring, carved oak one.

0:24:090:24:13

Lot 475 is the late Victorian, probably Edwardian, coal podonium.

0:24:130:24:18

The Art Nouveau strapwork decoration.

0:24:180:24:20

And I have interest in it. I'm going to start the bidding with me at £30.

0:24:200:24:24

-Oh, yes!

-It sold straightaway.

0:24:240:24:26

35. 40. Five. 50. £50 now.

0:24:260:24:30

£50 bid. £50 and we sell away.

0:24:300:24:32

No further interest and we sell away then at £50.

0:24:320:24:36

-Cracking! Excellent!

-That's really good. It did have the look.

0:24:360:24:39

Imagine if you had the little shovel with it.

0:24:390:24:42

Maybe double your money. But that's fantastic.

0:24:420:24:45

-There you go.

-Are you surprised?

-Thank you. Excellent.

0:24:450:24:48

We need top money now for Margaret, cos we've got two little Burmantofts lions.

0:24:530:24:57

They're paperweights. We're looking at £50-£80.

0:24:570:25:00

I love them. The money's going to a great cause, isn't it?

0:25:000:25:03

Well, my grandson has won a competition...

0:25:030:25:05

He's a triathlete... to go to the World Champion games in Vancouver.

0:25:050:25:10

And it's costing a lot of money and I thought anything would help, so that's what the money's going to.

0:25:100:25:16

How much do you think he has to raise? A couple of thousand pounds?

0:25:160:25:20

Oh, that's just the start.

0:25:200:25:22

-Hopefully he can get the £80 for that, at the top end of the estimate.

-I bet they don't sell.

0:25:220:25:26

Here they go. This is it.

0:25:260:25:28

Yeah, the paperweights. Models of Empire lions.

0:25:280:25:30

And can I ask £50 for a start?

0:25:300:25:33

-50, if you like. 50.

-30.

0:25:330:25:36

£30. Thank you, sir. £30 bid. 35.

0:25:360:25:38

40 now. £40 in the room. 40 bid.

0:25:380:25:40

40 bid. 40 bid.

0:25:400:25:42

-Five anywhere?

-Come on.

0:25:420:25:44

£40. Going this time then at 40.

0:25:440:25:47

-He sold them at 40.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:25:470:25:51

-Well, every little helps, doesn't it?

-A little bit, yeah.

0:25:510:25:54

-It really does.

-Yeah, it's something.

0:25:540:25:56

I hope that's a start and he can raise a bit more locally and get himself to Vancouver.

0:25:560:26:01

That's what we want. Thank you.

0:26:010:26:03

-You're a good gran, aren't you?

-Well!

-Top gran!

0:26:030:26:06

Well, I've just been joined by Sarah and Jill, mum and daughter.

0:26:120:26:16

Hello. You're both looking fabulous.

0:26:160:26:18

We've got the Wade money boxes, five of them.

0:26:180:26:21

£50-£80.

0:26:210:26:23

It's not a lot of money, but it's just about the right money.

0:26:230:26:26

£10 apiece. You've got the full set there.

0:26:260:26:29

They've gone down a little in price, but I'm sure they should do 50.

0:26:290:26:33

And I'm sure they've had a lot more money in them in their day, haven't they?

0:26:330:26:38

How much did you manage to save?

0:26:380:26:40

Oh, actually a few pennies.

0:26:400:26:42

About £100 or something like that.

0:26:420:26:44

Well, that's not bad going, is it?

0:26:440:26:46

-Yeah!

-What did you save up for? Can you remember?

0:26:460:26:49

Oh, probably sweets, knowing me.

0:26:490:26:51

Well, we're going to find out what the bidders think right now, OK?

0:26:530:26:56

Good luck. Let's hope we get the top end of the estimate. Here we go.

0:26:560:27:00

Thank you. Lot 280, the five Wade money boxes. NatWest piggies.

0:27:000:27:03

Start me for this please. £80. 50.

0:27:030:27:07

I'll go with the commissions at £40 now.

0:27:070:27:09

40. 45 now at the back of the room.

0:27:090:27:12

-50 now with me. 55.

-50, we've done it.

0:27:120:27:15

In the second row, with the lady at 55.

0:27:150:27:17

Little money, but it's going now at £55.

0:27:170:27:21

-Yes, sold! That got rid of them, didn't it?

-It did. They're gone!

0:27:210:27:26

Are you saving for anything now?

0:27:260:27:28

I don't know. We'll find something to spend it on I'm sure.

0:27:280:27:32

That's nice. You include Mum.

0:27:320:27:33

-Mm-hm.

-Good luck with the career. I know you're off to do a Masters soon, aren't you?

0:27:330:27:38

-I am, yes.

-So good luck with that.

0:27:380:27:40

Thank you very much. Cheers.

0:27:400:27:42

Eileen, I think we need a bit of luck on our side right now.

0:27:480:27:51

-Do you think so?

-Waring and Gillows, it's a great make.

0:27:510:27:54

-Yes.

-But is £150-£250 a true reflection on the price of this little toilet mirror? I think it is.

0:27:540:28:02

Well, you paid that for it.

0:28:020:28:03

You paid 250, didn't you?

0:28:030:28:05

-No. Not quite.

-200?

-Yes.

0:28:050:28:07

-But with commission, it was about 230...

-Yeah.

0:28:070:28:10

..in auction three years ago.

0:28:100:28:12

-Had a chat to Kevin the auctioneer before the sale.

-Right.

0:28:120:28:15

And he said he thinks it's worth somewhere in the region of 60-90.

0:28:150:28:19

-Is that all?

-I know.

-Ooh!

0:28:190:28:22

But I don't know. That's his opinion. Obviously, he's an auctioneer.

0:28:220:28:26

He knows the local scene, but you bought this not far away

0:28:260:28:29

and a different auctioneer had a different opinion,

0:28:290:28:32

-because he sold it to you for £200 plus commission.

-Yeah.

0:28:320:28:36

So where do we stand? Hopefully, somewhere in the middle.

0:28:360:28:40

-Yes.

-And we've got a valuation of 150-200, fixed reserve at 150.

-Mm.

0:28:400:28:46

-I hope we get it.

-Now lot 500.

0:28:460:28:47

It's the early 20th-century, mahogany toilet swing mirror.

0:28:470:28:51

It does bear the Waring and Gillow label. What can I ask for it?

0:28:510:28:54

Nice little mirror. 200 if you like. 150.

0:28:540:28:58

Start me £100, somebody.

0:28:580:29:00

100. We'll start at £70 then.

0:29:000:29:02

£70 on the bid. 70 bid. 70 bid.

0:29:020:29:05

-70 bid. £70...

-I can't see anybody bidding. Can you?

-No.

0:29:050:29:09

-No.

-£70. Gone this time at 70.

0:29:090:29:11

Sadly, that has a reserve and we can't sell I'm afraid.

0:29:110:29:14

Oh, dear. You win some, you lose some, don't you?

0:29:150:29:18

It's a great name in cabinet-making.

0:29:180:29:21

It doesn't deserve to be sold for 60 quid.

0:29:210:29:24

What are you going to do with it?

0:29:240:29:26

Just take it home. Perhaps sell it another time.

0:29:260:29:30

Well, I'm disappointed. I really thought that name would sell it.

0:29:320:29:37

And here's why.

0:29:370:29:38

Gillows of Lancaster is one of the most illustrious names in the history of cabinet-making.

0:29:380:29:43

Now here at the Judges' Lodgings Museum

0:29:430:29:46

they have one of the finest collections of Gillows furniture in the world.

0:29:460:29:50

I have hit the jackpot.

0:29:500:29:51

The story really begins in 1728, when Robert Gillow

0:30:010:30:04

opened his cabinet-making firm right here in the heart of Lancaster.

0:30:040:30:08

And through a combination of exceptional craftsmanship,

0:30:080:30:12

good business sense and access to exotic hardwoods imported from the Americas

0:30:120:30:17

via the port of Lancaster, Gillows rapidly became one of the leading cabinet-making firms of its day.

0:30:170:30:25

Robert married Agnes Fell in 1730 and they had two sons, Richard and Robert Junior.

0:30:250:30:31

Richard trained as an architect and was made a partner in the firm in 1769,

0:30:310:30:36

the same year his brother Robert was.

0:30:360:30:38

But he was based down in London, the fashionable capital city and soon, with clients all over the country,

0:30:380:30:44

the business rapidly expanded, producing the most exquisite pieces of English, 18th-century furniture.

0:30:440:30:51

Now take this stunning example.

0:31:030:31:06

It really is the centrepiece of any gentleman's study.

0:31:060:31:09

It's a library table and it's meant to be a centrepiece. It's an island.

0:31:090:31:14

You're supposed to walk around it and appreciate it from every face, side -

0:31:140:31:18

those wonderful serpentine shapes.

0:31:180:31:22

This was commissioned by Sir James Ibbetson of Denton Hall and is known as the Denton library table.

0:31:220:31:28

Now he originally approached Chippendale, another leading cabinet-maker of the day.

0:31:280:31:34

It's from a line drawing from Thomas Chippendale's book, first published in 1754,

0:31:340:31:39

but the year is now 1778 and Thomas Chippendale declined to make this.

0:31:390:31:47

He felt his styles had moved on.

0:31:470:31:49

He was more fashion orientated.

0:31:490:31:51

This is where Gillows comes into the frame, because they made this piece,

0:31:510:31:56

enhancing their reputation as a cabinet-maker rather than a designer.

0:31:560:32:01

And they've copied very closely Chippendale's early 1754 design.

0:32:010:32:07

I absolutely adore it.

0:32:070:32:09

What I love about it is the fact that the top is so rough. It's not been restored.

0:32:090:32:13

I love the fact that leather has a variegated hue with wear and it almost takes on the patina of wood.

0:32:130:32:20

That obviously is the front, flanked four drawers on each column with a central drawer.

0:32:200:32:24

Here we've got two base cupboards on each column with a central drawer.

0:32:240:32:29

This is quite interesting. If I pull the drawer open this way,

0:32:290:32:32

it disappears on your side.

0:32:320:32:34

And vice versa.

0:32:340:32:36

I think that's very, very clever.

0:32:380:32:41

They have selected the finest Cuban mahogany possible to build this piece.

0:32:410:32:49

And that was just one of the many new materials that had started to come into the country.

0:32:500:32:55

The 18th century was the age of discovery and exploration.

0:32:550:32:58

Lancaster was a busy port with ships coming and going to the New World.

0:32:580:33:03

Gillows were in the right place at the right time.

0:33:030:33:06

A perfect example of how the company took advantage

0:33:100:33:13

of the growing trade of different exotic imported hardwoods

0:33:130:33:17

is shown here in this little lady's workbox. It's absolutely stunning.

0:33:170:33:21

There's 72 different variations of wood here, imported from all over the world -

0:33:210:33:27

the Americas, the tropics, Australia, the Indian sub-continent,

0:33:270:33:30

along with our own woods from the British Isles.

0:33:300:33:33

They're all numbered so you can find out exactly what they are.

0:33:330:33:37

Now we're all familiar with elms and oaks and yew woods,

0:33:370:33:41

but there's some woods on here that I've not come across

0:33:410:33:44

and 200 years later, this little box is educating me.

0:33:440:33:48

Number 30 here.

0:33:480:33:49

Now that's a purple wood. Just look at the grain on that.

0:33:490:33:53

That's an exotic hardwood from the Americas, but it's like a volcanic explosion.

0:33:530:33:57

It's sort of erupting all over the place.

0:33:570:34:00

A very tight, dense and decorative grain.

0:34:000:34:02

Here is a classic ebony. We've seen that from the Americas before, used for stringing an inlay detail.

0:34:020:34:08

But here's a softer version that I've not come across -

0:34:080:34:11

number 26, and that's a green ebony.

0:34:110:34:13

You can actually see the grain in this. It's slightly lighter.

0:34:130:34:18

What a wonderful box.

0:34:180:34:20

It's no wonder Miss Elizabeth Gifford commissioned this to be made by Gillows in 1808.

0:34:200:34:26

And if I open it up, it's not just the cabinet-maker's swatch,

0:34:260:34:30

so he can show off to clients what woods are available,

0:34:300:34:33

it's got a practical use as well, because just look at that.

0:34:330:34:37

A lovely fitted interior. Isn't that splendid?

0:34:370:34:40

Little compartments, all beautifully dovetailed.

0:34:400:34:45

Sliding lids.

0:34:450:34:47

And there's the example, look, of the ebony stringing.

0:34:470:34:50

Very fashionable.

0:34:500:34:51

Everything fits so beautifully.

0:34:510:34:55

And here's the all-important thing, the stamp - "Gillows, Lancaster".

0:34:550:35:01

Gillows ability to exploit new materials from overseas certainly enhanced the company's reputation

0:35:060:35:12

as one of the country's leading cabinet-makers.

0:35:120:35:15

But it was its patronage from Lancaster's high society

0:35:150:35:18

which really gave the firm a seal of approval amongst social circles.

0:35:180:35:22

Now take this lady, for instance.

0:35:220:35:24

Mary Rawlinson. Looks very formidable, doesn't she?

0:35:240:35:27

But at the time, she was one of Lancaster's most wealthiest women

0:35:270:35:31

and her husband made his fortune in the West Indies slave trade.

0:35:310:35:35

And he was also Lancaster's biggest importer of mahogany.

0:35:350:35:39

Mary commissioned Gillows to make this magnificent bookcase

0:35:440:35:48

and it is considered to be one of their finest pieces. It's absolutely stunning.

0:35:480:35:53

By now the firm is well established by some 40 years or so

0:35:530:35:56

and Gillows spared no expense in making this wonderful piece.

0:35:560:36:00

Their top craftsman, brothers Thomas and John Dowbiggin, built this and I've got to say,

0:36:000:36:05

just standing back and looking at its architectural proportions, it's mind-blowing, it really is.

0:36:050:36:10

The whole carcass is solid Cuban mahogany, but they've used a decorative veneer

0:36:100:36:16

laid on the top. Just look at the grain, the way it's curling.

0:36:160:36:19

This is called a flamed curl and you can see why.

0:36:190:36:22

There's a natural join here, where this piece has been cut from one piece and opened out,

0:36:220:36:29

so it's mirrored on this side.

0:36:290:36:31

It really has the most wonderful inlay detail up there.

0:36:310:36:35

That's inlaid in satinwood.

0:36:350:36:37

Now that is a lifetime's experience.

0:36:370:36:41

Working your way down, the handles are beautifully silvered

0:36:410:36:44

and the quality of the casting is absolutely tremendous.

0:36:440:36:48

Very, very crisp.

0:36:480:36:49

The bulk of the piece, where the weight is, has been softened architecturally with canted corners.

0:36:490:36:54

It doesn't meet at a right angle. It's softened.

0:36:540:36:57

And it also gives you a chance to show off more inlay skills,

0:36:570:37:00

because it's been decorated with sort of ribbons and swags.

0:37:000:37:04

Not too much, not too over the top, because this is a gentleman's piece.

0:37:040:37:07

It still retains a sort of masculine feel to it.

0:37:070:37:12

And the whole thing stands so proudly on wonderful, over-the-top bracket feet.

0:37:120:37:17

Look at the dragooning on the top there, with a little tear.

0:37:170:37:20

That's so beautiful.

0:37:200:37:23

It's commissions from rich and powerful patrons like this

0:37:230:37:26

that have cemented the firm's success,

0:37:260:37:28

guaranteeing Gillows of Lancaster a place in English cabinet-making history.

0:37:280:37:33

Well, from the sublime to the ridiculous.

0:37:330:37:35

It's time for me to go back to the valuation day and join up with our experts.

0:37:350:37:40

-How are you doing?

-Very well, thank you.

0:37:470:37:49

-How did you come by it?

-An employer I used to work for threw that out,

0:37:490:37:53

and some other books out, so...

0:37:530:37:55

-Throwing it out?

-Throwing it out, yes.

0:37:550:37:57

-Why?

-I've no idea, whether because it was damaged or not, I don't know.

0:37:570:38:01

We'd better have a look and see what it is!

0:38:010:38:03

Let's just be very careful with it.

0:38:030:38:05

And it tells us here, it's Collections...of Genealogy...

0:38:070:38:12

and Topographical...for Bedfordshire, by Thomas Fisher, 1817.

0:38:120:38:19

It's got wonderful aquatint engravings

0:38:190:38:23

and there's over 100 of them.

0:38:230:38:25

Basically this is a book,

0:38:250:38:26

that tells us all about the history of Bedfordshire.

0:38:260:38:32

It's got lots and lots of wonderful plates in there.

0:38:320:38:35

-That's right!

-I've marked this one earlier, because I think that one,

0:38:350:38:39

if I just spin it round...

0:38:390:38:42

I think that's absolutely lovely.

0:38:430:38:45

We've got our bridge here,

0:38:450:38:47

and this wonderful, old - I guess Elizabethan - hall,

0:38:470:38:53

which is Radwell Hall and Bridge,

0:38:530:38:55

in Bedfordshire.

0:38:550:38:56

You've got this really moody sky over it.

0:38:560:39:00

I think it's a really beautiful engraving.

0:39:000:39:03

Condition of this is not great.

0:39:030:39:05

It's got damp, there's quite a bit of staining to some of the plates.

0:39:050:39:10

-Yeah.

-But it's absolutely lovely.

0:39:100:39:13

If we turn the page, here's another one -

0:39:130:39:16

it's Newbury in the parish of Flitton, Bedfordshire.

0:39:160:39:20

The sad thing is, a lot of these houses aren't there any more.

0:39:200:39:23

What I really want to happen, is I want someone in Bedfordshire

0:39:230:39:26

to get on the internet, and to come and buy this book from us.

0:39:260:39:29

I want them to take it home and enjoy it, to love it...

0:39:290:39:33

Because, to me, that's what should happen to it.

0:39:330:39:35

This spine, here, is splitting,

0:39:350:39:39

-and it's really not in the best condition.

-No.

0:39:390:39:41

Someone's got to look after it, and love it.

0:39:410:39:44

We need the auctioneers to check on it,

0:39:440:39:46

-make sure all the plates and engravings are there.

-Yes.

0:39:460:39:49

I'm sure they are, and I think it'll do quite well.

0:39:490:39:52

-I think an auction estimate of this is perhaps 120-180...

-OK, yeah.

0:39:520:39:57

..and I think a reserve ought to be £100.

0:39:570:40:00

-But I think you need to give the auctioneer some discretion.

-Right.

0:40:000:40:03

-If he gets to between £80 and £90, I think you ought to let it go.

-OK.

0:40:030:40:11

So, if that makes £100, what will you spend it on?

0:40:110:40:14

Well, we just had a carpet fitted in the living room,

0:40:140:40:17

and I need one for the stairs.

0:40:170:40:18

So, your book on Bedfordshire is going to become a carpet?

0:40:180:40:21

-That's right.

-Well, well.

0:40:210:40:22

It's a funny old world, isn't it?

0:40:220:40:24

-Let's hope it does really well, might do the landing as well!

-It might do!

0:40:240:40:29

-Sue.

-Hi.

0:40:390:40:40

-They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend.

-So they say.

0:40:400:40:46

And you brought us a diamond.

0:40:460:40:48

It's absolutely lovely.

0:40:480:40:50

-Good.

-Tell me, where did you get it?

0:40:500:40:52

I was given it by my great aunt before she passed away, but I don't use it.

0:40:520:40:57

How long ago was that?

0:40:570:40:59

-Probably about 15 or 16 years, I'd say.

-Have you worn it at all?

0:40:590:41:03

Only once. I wore it to a wedding on a black dress and it looked lovely.

0:41:030:41:07

-But I was afraid of it falling off, cos it is quite big.

-Yeah.

-And though it's got a safety pin...

0:41:070:41:12

-You were frightened of losing it.

-Mm, I was.

-Ah. Time to sell it.

-I think so.

0:41:120:41:16

Now, when we look at a diamond, we look at the cut and we look at the size.

0:41:160:41:23

-OK.

-In this one, it's mounted on 15-carat gold and platinum.

-Right.

0:41:230:41:29

-It's a brilliant, round-cut...

-Right.

-And people will like that.

-OK.

0:41:290:41:36

To size the diamond we need a special tool,

0:41:360:41:40

but I would say it's in the region of a quarter of a carat.

0:41:400:41:44

-So it's a reasonable size.

-OK.

-It could be changed into a ring.

0:41:440:41:51

I thought about that, but I wondered whether somebody would do it justice.

0:41:510:41:55

-You've got to make sure you get the right jeweller who's doing the right job...

-Absolutely.

0:41:550:42:01

-..and that he's going to look after the stone.

-I wouldn't want it spoilt.

-Yeah.

0:42:010:42:05

-It belonged to your aunt. Did you know her?

-Yeah.

-Do you think a loved one may have given her that?

0:42:050:42:10

-Possibly, although she was never married, but you never know.

-She was a maiden lady?

0:42:100:42:15

-She was, yeah, she was.

-But I mean, if you don't wear it, I always say, pass it on to someone who will.

0:42:150:42:21

And what you can do is perhaps to use the money to buy something that you would wear.

0:42:210:42:27

-Mm-hm.

-And that you would enjoy.

0:42:270:42:29

-Or pass it on...

-Or pass it on to me.

0:42:290:42:32

Sure I could make use of it.

0:42:320:42:33

Would you like this diamond brooch to be passed on to you. Is it Ross?

0:42:330:42:37

-No, it's Josh.

-Joshua.

-Josh, yeah.

0:42:370:42:39

Well, probably, but only to sell it in the future, so...

0:42:390:42:43

It's him and his sister, so, probably the money will be going to them anyway.

0:42:430:42:47

Yeah, yeah. Well, estimate...

0:42:470:42:51

Have you had it valued before?

0:42:510:42:53

A long time ago for insurance.

0:42:530:42:55

-And that was about £200.

-Yeah, uh-huh.

0:42:550:42:58

-I would estimate this brooch in the region of £200-£300.

-Right.

0:42:580:43:04

-Would you be happy to sell it at that?

-I think I would be.

0:43:040:43:07

-We'll put a reserve of, say, 180 on it, which means that we can't sell it below that.

-OK.

0:43:070:43:14

Two to three is a conservative estimate and I think that someone will fall in love with this.

0:43:140:43:22

-OK. I hope so.

-Thank you so much for bringing it along.

-Thank you.

0:43:220:43:25

I'll see you at the auction.

0:43:250:43:27

-OK.

-Thanks a lot.

0:43:270:43:29

How long have you owned this?

0:43:350:43:37

It's been in the family, I think, for about 60 or 70 years.

0:43:370:43:42

And why do you want to sell it?

0:43:420:43:44

-Because I don't like it.

-Why?

0:43:440:43:47

-I think cos the wood's too dark and it's just ugly.

-Do you agree, John?

0:43:470:43:51

I agree. It's too dark, dour.

0:43:510:43:53

-Can I throw my threepenny worth in?

-Absolutely.

0:43:530:43:56

I think it's horrible.

0:43:560:43:57

I think the problem with this is that the key part of this long-case clock

0:43:570:44:03

is this really nice brass dial with an eight-day movement by Thomas Lister of Halifax.

0:44:030:44:09

-And I would guess he might have been turn of the 1800s, somewhere around there.

-Yep.

0:44:090:44:14

But your eyes are averted from that by, can I say this, this dreadful case, right?

0:44:140:44:22

And you've got an oak case here that may or may not be original for that movement. I suspect it might not be.

0:44:220:44:28

But the Victorians got bored very easily.

0:44:280:44:31

They had no television and they either bred or they got hold of furniture and they carved it.

0:44:310:44:38

And the Victorians got wonderful 18th-century oak bureaus that today might be worth £1,000

0:44:380:44:45

and they turned them into £200 bureaus by carving them.

0:44:450:44:49

And this case has all been carved, I would guess 1880-ish, to look Jacobethan, which is a nothing term -

0:44:490:44:58

a cross between Elizabethan and Jacobean.

0:44:580:45:00

So you've got, in my eyes, a really lovely movement

0:45:000:45:05

and this awful case.

0:45:050:45:08

And I think it's interesting, cos you've had this in your family for 70 years and it's come down the line.

0:45:080:45:14

-I suspect that everybody's thought the same thing.

-Probably right.

0:45:140:45:18

-I would have thought so.

-And you're thinking, "Oh, my Lord! I've got the clock."

0:45:180:45:23

You know, but you can't sell it, cos it's a family heirloom.

0:45:230:45:26

We've tried to give it to other members of the family, but nobody wants it.

0:45:260:45:31

In my eyes, you've got to make this a really attractive proposition

0:45:310:45:35

to the buyer to sell it and hopefully create a bit of competition,

0:45:350:45:39

otherwise, I'm afraid to say, it's coming back home.

0:45:390:45:44

No, it's not.

0:45:440:45:45

Well, you have to be sensible about this, right?

0:45:450:45:49

And my view would be that you put a £400-£600 estimate on it and you put a £300 reserve on it.

0:45:490:45:57

-OK.

-Now, that still doesn't guarantee that it's going to sell,

0:45:570:46:00

but I think you'd be silly to sell it for less than £300.

0:46:000:46:05

-That's fair enough.

-But that's your call.

0:46:050:46:07

-Yes.

-Are you happy with that?

-We'll go with that.

0:46:070:46:10

Pauline, Paula.

0:46:190:46:20

-That's right.

-Welcome to Flog It.

0:46:200:46:23

-Thank you.

-It's lovely to have you along and for you to have brought this cute little pair of clogs.

0:46:230:46:30

Now, there's something special about these, they are made by the magic name.

0:46:300:46:35

ALL: Clarice Cliff.

0:46:350:46:38

Tell me, Pauline, where did you get them?

0:46:380:46:40

They were given to me by a friend.

0:46:400:46:42

They were his sister's, and he passed them on to me.

0:46:420:46:48

-Yes, that's a long time they haven't seen daylight.

-Was it a chap that fancied you?

0:46:480:46:52

I don't know.

0:46:520:46:55

-Did he know they were worth a couple of bob?

-Well, they weren't in those days.

0:46:550:46:59

-Oh, right.

-Going back a long time, you know.

0:46:590:47:03

-Do you like these?

-No, not particularly.

0:47:030:47:06

Not particularly.

0:47:060:47:08

Paula, what do you think of them?

0:47:080:47:10

I don't like the colours, they are too bright for my liking. I like something more subdued.

0:47:100:47:15

Well, I think that's fair enough.

0:47:150:47:18

-Yes, we find that with Clarice Cliff items, you either love them or you hate them.

-Yes.

0:47:180:47:25

-I love the shape, a pair of clogs, they're so sweet.

-They are nice, yes.

0:47:250:47:32

You know, you could do a wee sort of...

0:47:320:47:34

-Clog dance.

-Clog dance with them.

0:47:340:47:38

The thing which is going to sell them, in the main,

0:47:380:47:42

will be the magic name of Clarice Cliff.

0:47:420:47:45

The work that she did is greatly sought after,

0:47:450:47:51

particularly the bright patterns with geometric designs

0:47:510:47:55

and although these are quite small objects, they do reflect the patterns that people like.

0:47:550:48:02

Now, if we look at the back stamp here, we can see "Bizarre by Clarice Cliff".

0:48:020:48:08

Now, the Bizarre range was introduced in 1927

0:48:080:48:14

and there were various patterns within the Bizarre range.

0:48:140:48:18

This particular pattern is called Sunburst.

0:48:180:48:22

And this was introduced in the 1930s.

0:48:220:48:27

So, we can date it exactly.

0:48:270:48:31

Price, you look like a canny sort of wee woman, what do you think these will get?

0:48:310:48:38

I don't know about £100, £120?

0:48:380:48:43

-About £300.

-Ooh!

0:48:430:48:45

Right, you think £120, you think £300. I think we should go somewhere in the middle.

0:48:450:48:51

I find that if you estimate conservatively,

0:48:510:48:57

that will encourage the bidders, because they'll think I'm going to get it cheap.

0:48:570:49:03

-Yes.

-So, I would like to put them in at £200 to £300

0:49:030:49:08

-with a firm reserve of £200.

-Yes.

0:49:080:49:14

-And I think they will go higher than that.

-Yes.

0:49:140:49:18

But let's keep our estimates at a...

0:49:180:49:21

-Reasonable.

-Invitation level.

-Yes.

0:49:210:49:23

Do we three ladies agree?

0:49:230:49:27

Do we agree, Mother?

0:49:270:49:29

-Yes, yes.

-Let's go for it, let's flog them, let's clog it.

0:49:290:49:34

Just before we head back into the auction, here's a quick reminder of our remaining lots.

0:49:380:49:43

There's nothing rough about this diamond.

0:49:430:49:46

Let's see if today's bidders can spot its potential, so that Joshua can make a bit of money.

0:49:460:49:51

This is an intriguing piece, but unfortunately the damage to the spine

0:49:510:49:55

of Jilly's Bedfordshire book might just affect the final price.

0:49:550:49:59

Talking of potential, this clock's well and truly hidden behind

0:50:010:50:04

its ugly Victorian case. Sue and John really don't want to have to take it home again.

0:50:040:50:09

And I'm hoping Paula's unusual Clarice Cliff clogs

0:50:090:50:13

will spread some sunshine in the sale room.

0:50:130:50:16

From Bedfordshire to Lancashire, it's that gorgeous topographical book belonging to Jillian. Hi there.

0:50:230:50:28

-Hiya.

-We've got a value put on by Phil, of £120 to £180, fingers crossed.

0:50:280:50:33

It really is quality.

0:50:330:50:35

So, why are you selling this, just remind us again.

0:50:350:50:38

Because it's too big for my bookshelf and it's just gathering dust.

0:50:380:50:41

Really, that's the real excuse, is it?

0:50:410:50:44

Look, fingers crossed. We've got a room packed with bidders.

0:50:440:50:47

It's a gorgeous book, great topographic scenes.

0:50:470:50:49

I see this going back to Bedford, do you know.

0:50:490:50:52

-I hope so.

-I hope so.

0:50:520:50:54

-It's going to be a real bind if it doesn't sell.

-Phil, leaf it out.

-Ohh.

0:50:540:50:57

Anyway the bidders are here, let's hope the hands go up for this one.

0:50:570:51:00

-Here it is.

-Lot 15 which is the historical volume,

0:51:000:51:04

with nice illustrations as well, almost 200 years old.

0:51:040:51:09

What can I ask here for a start? Couple of hundred. £100 to start.

0:51:090:51:12

£100... We'll start then at £50 only.

0:51:120:51:16

£50 bid, I'll take a 5... 60...

0:51:160:51:18

£60 now, 60 bid... 60 bid. 60 bid.

0:51:180:51:22

5 if you like, 65... 70...

0:51:220:51:24

5...80... 90... £90 at the very back, £90 are we all done?

0:51:240:51:29

Are you all out this time? Have you all done at £90?

0:51:290:51:32

Phew, well done Philip, hard thing to value but we got there, we got there.

0:51:320:51:37

-That's not bad, is it?

-No.

-What are you going to

0:51:370:51:39

put the money towards? There is a bit of commission, it's 15% here.

0:51:390:51:43

That's how the auctioneers earn their wages.

0:51:430:51:45

It will go towards a carpet for my stairs.

0:51:450:51:47

Carpet for the stairs.

0:51:470:51:49

Next up, a family heirloom. It's a wonderful diamond pin. It's belongs to Susan.

0:51:540:51:58

-And you've brought Joshua along. Good to see you both again.

-Thank you.

-Why are you selling this?

0:51:580:52:03

Cos I wasn't wearing it really and it was just sitting in a drawer.

0:52:030:52:07

Because it was so heavy and I was just frightened of losing it.

0:52:070:52:10

It's absolutely gorgeous.

0:52:100:52:12

-I mean, it really is.

-Very pretty.

0:52:120:52:14

Obviously, it's not something Josh is going to want to inherit,

0:52:140:52:17

-but I'm sure he could do with the money, couldn't he, Mum?

-He could, yeah.

0:52:170:52:21

Would you wear this?

0:52:210:52:22

It's lovely. Yes. I don't wear a lot of diamonds, you may have noticed.

0:52:220:52:26

-Yes.

-But I like this one and the auctioneer has measured it.

0:52:260:52:30

We have half a carat there.

0:52:300:52:32

-That's good.

-So that's a substantial size.

0:52:320:52:35

-That's good.

-And it's in a classic, simple setting.

-Right.

0:52:350:52:39

So do we get the 300 or the 200?

0:52:390:52:42

Well, it should go...

0:52:420:52:44

-It's got a sparkle.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:52:440:52:46

-It should go over, shouldn't it?

-It should go mid-estimate.

0:52:460:52:49

Oh, right. OK!

0:52:490:52:52

-That's you told!

-I know. It is, isn't it?

0:52:520:52:54

I'm going to stick my neck out and say we want a little bit more.

0:52:540:52:57

-We always want a bit more. Good luck.

-Thank you.

-It's going under the hammer now.

0:52:570:53:01

We now come to lot 235.

0:53:010:53:05

Yellow metal and diamond bar brooch.

0:53:050:53:07

Stamped 15 carats and half a carat. 200 for this please? 200.

0:53:070:53:10

Start me £100 then. Thank you. 100.

0:53:100:53:13

You bidding, sir? 110. 120.

0:53:130:53:15

-Come on.

-130. 140.

0:53:150:53:17

140 in the pink there. 150.

0:53:170:53:20

160. 170. 180. 180 now in the pink.

0:53:200:53:24

In the pink, £180. Any advance?

0:53:240:53:27

Gentleman in the pink now at £180. It's going.

0:53:270:53:31

He's put the hammer down. That is a sold sound.

0:53:320:53:34

Right on its fixed reserve, £180.

0:53:340:53:37

-It's gone.

-Um-hm.

0:53:370:53:39

-That's fine.

-That's fine. That's a good result.

0:53:390:53:41

I was waiting there, weren't you?

0:53:410:53:43

-There's me talking it up. You said it was going to do bang on in the middle, but we've sold it.

-Yeah.

0:53:430:53:48

-We sold it on the reserve.

-Yeah.

0:53:480:53:50

I don't think the jewellery lovers were here today.

0:53:500:53:55

Next up, Sue and John's eight-day long-case clock.

0:54:020:54:05

It's a great movement, great dial, shame about the case.

0:54:050:54:08

The Victorians got to this one, but we've £400-£600 on it, a reserve of three.

0:54:080:54:14

John disowns this clock. You don't like it.

0:54:140:54:16

-I don't. Not at all. It's appalling.

-He refuses to talk about it even!

0:54:160:54:20

Let's hope we get it away for you today...

0:54:200:54:22

-I hope so.

-..cos you don't want to be putting it back in the car.

-No.

0:54:220:54:26

We've actually pitched this to sell it

0:54:260:54:28

-and if we don't, then it really isn't a good day, is it really?

-No.

0:54:280:54:31

-It's pitched to sell.

-We would like to sell it.

0:54:310:54:33

-It's a giveaway price.

-We would all like to see it go.

-Yes.

-Every single one of us.

0:54:330:54:38

We come now to lot 463, which is the dark oak, long-case clock.

0:54:380:54:43

Heavily carved, rather attractive clock there.

0:54:430:54:46

May we say 600 for this, please? Start me 400 then, please.

0:54:460:54:49

400 anywhere? We'll take three then. £300.

0:54:490:54:52

-Ooh, we're in! We're off to the races.

-350. 400.

0:54:520:54:55

450. Are you bidding?

0:54:550:54:57

-500.

-Wow!

0:54:570:54:59

500 now on the rail. It's on the rail at £500.

0:54:590:55:02

-And selling at 500.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Here to be sold at £500 now and going.

0:55:020:55:07

Hammer's gone down mid-estimate.

0:55:070:55:09

£500! We were all being so negative.

0:55:090:55:13

-We'll help him load!

-Oh, yeah, yeah!

-Thank goodness for that.

0:55:130:55:16

-That's great. Thank you.

-Well done.

0:55:160:55:18

£500, less the commission, of course, which is 10% on £500.

0:55:180:55:24

-That's fine.

-That's fine.

-So there you go.

0:55:240:55:26

-Thank you very much for that.

-Thank you.

0:55:260:55:28

He says he wants to leave the case with the vendors! He's only taking the movement.

0:55:280:55:33

-Don't blame him.

-We'll store it for next winter's firewood.

0:55:330:55:36

I've been waiting for this one. It's Flog It, it's Clarice Cliff time.

0:55:450:55:48

It's got to be the star of our show, the two little clogs.

0:55:480:55:51

£200 to £300 on this lovely Sunburst pattern belonging to Pauline, Paula and here's Paul, the three Ps.

0:55:510:55:59

We are Ps in a pod, over to our expert Patricia...

0:55:590:56:04

It's Anita.

0:56:040:56:07

It's quite funny, isn't it? Paul, Pauline and Paula.

0:56:070:56:10

Yes. Well, they are good names.

0:56:100:56:12

£200 to £300 we've got on this.

0:56:120:56:15

We should get you the top end of Anita's estimate.

0:56:150:56:19

-Very good.

-I think that's a bit of a come and buy me.

0:56:190:56:23

-We'll get a good result for you both.

-Very nice.

0:56:230:56:25

I'll hold you to your word.

0:56:250:56:28

OK, all right.

0:56:280:56:29

Lot number 310 is the pair of Clarice Cliff, the Bizarre range,

0:56:290:56:35

the Sunburst pattern and we have bids on the books for this one.

0:56:350:56:39

We are going to start the bidding with me at £320...

0:56:390:56:43

Straight in over the top end of the estimate.

0:56:430:56:46

£320 bid, 320 bid. 340... 350...

0:56:460:56:52

360.. 360 in the room now... 360...

0:56:520:56:55

-Come on.

-360... 380 for you sir, 400...

0:56:550:56:59

I'll take 20... 400... 420... 450...

0:56:590:57:03

480... 500...

0:57:030:57:06

550... 600...

0:57:060:57:08

The phones are out, the bid's in the room and we're selling at 600.

0:57:080:57:15

-£600, the hammer's gone down.

-That's good, isn't it?

0:57:150:57:19

I said to my daughter I'd have to get a plastic carton to bring them home in case we didn't sell them.

0:57:190:57:26

Oh, ye of little faith. You know what? That's a brilliant result, they really did love them.

0:57:260:57:30

Thank goodness you looked after them and tucked them away because it's all about condition.

0:57:300:57:35

Those Clarice Cliff collectors are really fussy.

0:57:350:57:38

So, there's 15% commission to pay in today's sale.

0:57:380:57:41

That's how the auctioneer earns their wages and pays for all of this.

0:57:410:57:44

What are you going to do when you get the cheque, in the post, in three weeks' time?

0:57:440:57:48

-Oh, my daughter will tell you that.

-Go on then.

0:57:480:57:50

We're going to donate it to animal charities.

0:57:500:57:53

-Oh, brilliant.

-Yes.

-One in particular or split the money?

0:57:530:57:56

Maybe the Brook Hospital for sick animals.

0:57:560:57:58

And where's that based?

0:57:580:58:00

Well, London, but they help all over the...

0:58:000:58:02

-Country.

-All over the world.

0:58:020:58:04

Oh, lovely, oh, do you know what? You've definitely made my day, thank you so much for coming in.

0:58:040:58:09

And you have made my day, too.

0:58:090:58:11

Oh, bless you.

0:58:110:58:14

We've had a fantastic time here in Kendal.

0:58:140:58:17

I hope you've enjoyed watching the show today.

0:58:170:58:19

There's plenty more surprises to come but for now, it's cheerio from all of us.

0:58:190:58:23

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:58:290:58:32

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