0:00:05 > 0:00:09Today's programme is coming from the sunny south-west.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Welcome to Flog It! from glorious Devon.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51We're at the historic Pannier Market in the heart of Tavistock today
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and all these Devonians are really keen to find out
0:00:54 > 0:00:56what all of their items are worth,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59so let's find out who's first at the tables.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04And scrutinising your family treasures today
0:01:04 > 0:01:06are Charlie Ross and Philip Sewell.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10First up is Philip,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13who has been charmed by an unusual piece of bronze.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18- Bill, how are you doing?- Fine. - Where have you come with our little chap? Where's he come from?
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Well, it's very hard to say.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23It belongs to my... or belonged to my mother and father.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Yes.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29And I've certainly known it for 60 odd years.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Don't like it?
0:01:32 > 0:01:35I think it's...unusual.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38I didn't ask that. I said, do you like it?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Well, yes, he's fun.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43What prompted you to consider selling it?
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Because I've never seen anything quite like it before.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Well, it's in the style of a man called Bergman.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52It's what we call a cold painted bronze
0:01:52 > 0:01:56and I think it sort of dates from the turn of the last century,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and he did a lot of these subjects,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Arabic subjects, Eastern subjects, men with carpets, You see quite a lot of these.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08If you can imagine an oil painting, the hardest thing to paint are hands and feet.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10I imagine that must transcend into modelling,
0:02:10 > 0:02:16cos if you look here, I think his hands are a bit out of proportion to the rest of his body.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19If you turn it over on the back, we can't see any mark for Bergman,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22but I think it's definitely in his style.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24You know, it's got his stamp to it.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27The other interesting thing is you sell these prayer mats at auction
0:02:27 > 0:02:33and this is an example of exactly what a prayer mat does and it's exactly what it looks like.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36In terms of value, they're quite collectable.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41There's a fair demand at the moment for these sort of Eastern topics and subjects
0:02:41 > 0:02:47and I would think at auction, we can put a sensible estimate of one to two hundred pounds on it.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Certainly a reserve of no less than £100.- Yes.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55- If you have a little luck, it might top that top estimate. How does that sound?- Well, that sounds fine.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00Yeah? I'm really glad your curiosity got the better of you.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Mimi and Alan, an interesting mix here.
0:03:11 > 0:03:17Perhaps we'll deal with the boxes first because they amuse me and they might amuse the viewers.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- OK.- In so much as they've got BBC stickers all over them,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- and they are sound recordings from programmes.- Yeah, sound effects.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I can only imagine they've been stolen. Where did you get them from?
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It wasn't me.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- I bought a box load of records from an auction...- Yeah.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40- ..a few years ago and they caught my eye because I like quirky things and I thought that was quirky.- Yeah.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- Have you listened to any of them? - I haven't. I don't have a 78 player.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47But there was one particular one that took my eye there
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- which is sound recordings used on Murder On The Nile.- Yeah.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55And I'm just particularly amused by a selection here.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58"Arabic noises.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00"Anchor chains.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03"Ships paddles.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05"Rifle shots.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08"Beat of Tom-Toms and singing."
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- I'd love to hear them. - I can imagine the person there actually making the sounds.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15And "Jackal." Anyway, someone's going to really enjoy those.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Perhaps the BBC will buy them back in case they do the programme again.
0:04:19 > 0:04:26Leaving those on one side, you've got a tremendous collection of slides here,
0:04:26 > 0:04:31actually magic lantern slides, dating I would think from Edwardian times.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- Late Victorian, Edwardian times. 1900, 1910.- OK.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- They are, looking at the boxes here, French.- Mmm hmm.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And they are all sorts of different subjects.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43How did you get them?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Again, a box lot at an auction. - Right.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50I was after some magic lantern slides that were of Snow White.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56- Yeah?- And they happened to be in this box lot along with the Snow White magic lantern slides.- I see.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57- So you kept the Snow White.- Yes.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- And have you got a magic lantern? - No.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- So you just hold them up to the light do you?- Yes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- Yes.- What's your particular love with Snow White?
0:05:05 > 0:05:10- Well, it's to do with sort of early animation stuff.- Yeah?
0:05:10 > 0:05:17Walt Disney did Snow White and Mimi happened to see these and knowing about my interest in animation,
0:05:17 > 0:05:23she got these and she gave me the Snow White things, but we still had these.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29- Right.- And some of these perhaps relate to newspaper cartoon characters,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- because in the early years of the century, right up until the 1920s...- Yeah.
0:05:34 > 0:05:40..every newspaper had these things to encourage the children, who would then say to their parents,
0:05:40 > 0:05:46- "Please can we have the Daily Whatever to get hold of the cartoon strip."- Yeah, yeah. Interesting.
0:05:46 > 0:05:53And I think this is probably one such slide, showing rabbits in various poses.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59- There's one particularly interesting one here which is quite obviously First World War battle ships.- Mmm.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03I think you alluded to the fact it might be the Battle of Jutland.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- Yes.- Or something like that. There is just great ones.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09There's sort of children's cartoons here.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15The chap riding a pig and a girl on a bicycle and two chaps having a scrap.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Value. I think those are fantastic fun,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21but of no significant value.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26If the auctioneers are going to publish an estimate, £50 to £80, something like that.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- Mmm.- Yeah.- Sell without reserve? - I'm happy with that.- Happy?- Yeah. - Then we'll have fun on auction time.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- The great thing, these are going to go to somebody with a projector who's going to love them.- Yes.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Phyllis and Lavinia, you're not sisters are you?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- No.- Sisters-in-law?
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- That's right.- Yes. So how come you jointly own all of this Majolica?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Well, they were left to my mother and we split them between us.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01So you have one urn with base each.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Yes.- And one small plaque each. - That's right.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07So you've both agreed to sell here today then?
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- You want to put them into auction. - We would like to, yes.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12So why do you want to get rid of your half?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Because my children absolutely hate them.- They hate it?
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Yes, they do and I'm not very keen.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- And what about you? - The same.- Same?- Yes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23Which one's yours, Phyllis?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Um, that one. - This one.- And this one, yes.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29There's a little bit of damage on the lizard's tail here.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Yes, there is. Not made a very good job of it really.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33No, but at least it's obvious.
0:07:33 > 0:07:40- You're not trying to deceive anybody so that can be done professionally and well hidden.- Yes.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43But they are cracking, aren't they?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Well, they are so typical of Majolica.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- That's what you expect to see.- Yes.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50It's an earthenware vessel
0:07:50 > 0:07:58coloured with so many bright interesting glazes of naturalistic form all over the jug.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02You've sort of got pond weed and all kind of algae and moss,
0:08:02 > 0:08:09which is a great habitat for all of these wonderful creatures, frogs and lizards, newts, bugs.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12But just look at those handles.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17The modelling is so naturalistic, it's so lifelike.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- And they've even got the lizard's sort of skin. Can you see?- Yes.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24They've got little tiny scales put on there.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27When the clay was wet they've pushed bits of cloth on there
0:08:27 > 0:08:33- and picked up the undulations of the thread.- Yes.- Just to get that texture of scales.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- How did they actually do this? Is it shredded?- No, it's just...
0:08:38 > 0:08:46- it's rolled out pieces of clay, and then chopped with a knife, tiny little pieces.- Is it really?
0:08:46 > 0:08:48But it's the modelling in the creatures that is so lovely.
0:08:48 > 0:08:55I'm going to have a look at the backs a minute. You can see "Portugal"...
0:08:55 > 0:09:01- Yes.- ..stamped on the back. Now, this indicates to me that it's around 1900, 1910.- Right.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Because the earlier ones weren't stamped Portugal.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Right, let's talk about value.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11I'd like to split the two lots. I think the two plaques will sell separately in one lot.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Right.- With a valuation of two to three hundred pounds.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- Mmm-hmm.- But I can see them doing the 300 quite easily.
0:09:19 > 0:09:25- Yeah.- And the two jugs I'd like to put in the sale with a valuation of £300 to £500
0:09:25 > 0:09:32- and I'm hoping they'll easily do the 500.- Yes, that's fine.- We'll put a fixed reserve of £300 for the pair.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Yeah.- Are you happy with that?- Yes. - Yes.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- And a fixed reserve of £200 for the little plaques.- Right. Yes.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45It's a striking collection, absolutely striking, and let's hope they're kept together.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56A wonderful mixture here. Before we come on to the slides, which we will talk about,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I love the microscope.
0:09:59 > 0:10:06I have never seen a microscope that is actually formed as part of the box it comes in.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12Normally, you take it out, put it together and it free stands on the table.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16On this, the base is formed by the box, isn't it?
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- Has it got a name on it?- Yes. Dunn of Edinburgh.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- And it's got some slides with it. - Yes, and various lenses as well.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Oh, different lenses. How did you get hold of it?
0:10:30 > 0:10:34It's been in the family as long as I can remember.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- My mother used to go to auction sales and houses clearances.- Oh, right!
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- Ever tried using it?- I have. It does work, but it's very fiddly.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50I'm sure it is. The slides are beautiful. They're actually ivory-mounted.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56- And specimens of...I don't know. - I think there's flies' legs and flies' wings.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00A bit of everything, really.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04These are fabulous. The real problem is the condition of them.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09They're magic lantern slides, but they're early 19th century.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14Most of the ones we see are 1880, 1890.
0:11:14 > 0:11:20I think you can put these back another 50 years, nearer 1800 than 1900.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25We've got all sorts of cartoons. I've pulled out three examples,
0:11:25 > 0:11:33one of which is mechanical and I'm sure you've seen this, but wind the handle,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37and it gives the most wonderful patterns.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And here...we've got a boxing fight.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50The trouble is that the arms are fixed at an angle to the body!
0:11:50 > 0:11:54It's quite difficult to land a blow.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Whether it looks better with a light projecting it onto the wall
0:11:58 > 0:12:02and they become life-sized, it'll be a lot more fun.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08- Yes.- And another one we've pulled out here is or are some caricatures.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14The thing about these early magic lantern slides is they're hand-painted.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20And you can feel, if you run your hand along the back, the texture of the paint.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23And it's smooth on the other side.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27But they are from a Punch and Judy show
0:12:27 > 0:12:33and I think great, great fun and something people will collect.
0:12:33 > 0:12:39Unfortunately, we've got some bad condition ones and that happens more with these
0:12:39 > 0:12:42than with transfer-printed ones.
0:12:42 > 0:12:49If we put the whole lot together, you're looking at £100-£200 worth, which is not bad.
0:12:49 > 0:12:56- Would that be satisfactory for you to sell?- Yes. - And put a reserve of £80 on.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- That'll be fine. - I think we should put a reserve on.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07It would be shame to see them blown away for £20 or £30. It's not going to be earth-changing!
0:13:07 > 0:13:13Then you could go on a world cruise, but it won't quite do that for you. Thank you for bringing them.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16They're fascinating, and early.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- How are you doing? - Fine, thank you.- Yes. - Terry, this is your powder compact?
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Not my powder compact, Philip, no.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30It was my grandmother's on my father's side.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- That is a huge relief. - That is with me as well.- Yeah, but this is now yours?- It is.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- And why do you want to sell this? - I no longer use it.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43I used it for a while, but then I went onto the compressed powder.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Compressed powder. You'll appreciate I don't use make up that much.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Well, not in public, clearly.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- Why do you both want to sell it? - Well, it's just sitting indoors doing nothing.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57It was passed to the daughter. She wouldn't have any use for it or even appreciate it.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- Really?- Not now. Which is a shame. - I think it's lovely.- It is, yeah.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06And the thing about it is, you know, that is just pure its time isn't it?
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- Yes.- It's pure Deco. - Let's just have a look. It's Mappin & Webb.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- Yeah.- You know, one of the best names there is.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18Marked for 1936. Enamelled.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21You've got a lovely little compact mirror in here.
0:14:21 > 0:14:28- The only problems with it is, you know a lot of people think that porcelain's really fragile.- Mmm.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- But things that are enamelled are really fragile as well.- They are.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- And this has been perhaps dropped. - Dropped.
0:14:34 > 0:14:40- In someone's bag.- Yeah.- Or dropped on a table and we've got a chip to the enamel there and another there.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- That one is not that bad because when it's...- You don't notice that.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50..closed the clasp covers it, but that nonetheless is going to detract a little bit from its value.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I think these are going to become quite collectable
0:14:53 > 0:14:59- and this is where antiques are great value for money because you imagine going to Mappin & Webb today...- Yes.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02..and buying a silver enamel compact.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- How many hundreds of pounds would that cost you?- Yes, yeah.- Thousands.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I think this is probably £40 to £60.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Mmm-hmm. Yeah.- We'll put a fixed reserve on it of £30 for you.- Yeah.
0:15:13 > 0:15:19That's what it's worth, but I think whoever gets that at auction will have a real good buy.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- You happy with that?- Yes. - Very happy with that.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- Let's hope it does well. - Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38Now, we're going to travel over hill and dale to Buckfastleigh,
0:15:38 > 0:15:44a sleepy village that boasts a museum with a difference.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Today on Flog It!, we're off down the pub.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54If you think you're in for a tipple in this watering hole, you haven't got a ghost of a chance.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00Intrigued? Let's go inside this weird and wonderful watering hole and find out why, shall we?
0:16:03 > 0:16:09Welcome to The Valiant Soldier in Buckfastleigh, South Devon, the pub that never called time.
0:16:13 > 0:16:19Ever since the last pint was pulled here in 1965, time has stood still.
0:16:20 > 0:16:26The brewery decided the pub was no longer viable, so publicans Mark and Alice downed tea towels
0:16:26 > 0:16:29for the last time and locked the doors forever.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Alice continued to live here without changing a thing until 1996.
0:16:34 > 0:16:41Now open as a museum, you can step in here and drink in five decades of social history.
0:16:55 > 0:17:02Now The Valiant Soldier is not so much a tavern, more of a time warp. Look at it!
0:17:02 > 0:17:07We've got whiskies and gins. There's an old price list.
0:17:07 > 0:17:15Now what does it say? Draught beer, one shilling and five pence. That's about 5p.
0:17:15 > 0:17:23At that rate, the drinks are on me! There's a till full of old coppers, threepenny bits, sixpences.
0:17:23 > 0:17:30Over there is a darts game. Looks like it was in progress and suddenly stopped.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36The only thing that's missing are the locals. Where are the regulars?
0:17:39 > 0:17:45Mark and Alice Roberts took on the tenancy of The Valiant Soldier in January, 1938.
0:17:45 > 0:17:52During WWII, the place was packed, including American GIs in the run up to D-Day,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55and the interior never really changed.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01It was only when Alice was moved into a home that some light could be shone on the secrets of her pub.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05She clearly didn't throw anything away. She hoarded things.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10And up here in this attic room I can point a few things out.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13There's some old newspapers,
0:18:13 > 0:18:19a box that says "Stiff and Starch" with a gas mask popping out of it,
0:18:19 > 0:18:24lots of crockery and china, stuffed badgers,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28a brass bed stead, headboard and toe board, a Union Jack on the wall.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Incredible, really. So much stuff. All clutter, really.
0:18:32 > 0:18:3540 years ago, it was just commonplace things,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39but to a youngster today, half of this wouldn't mean a thing.
0:18:43 > 0:18:50Alice Roberts' sitting room looks like she's just popped downstairs to make a cup of tea.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56The radio is still on, a newspaper on the table, slippers by the chair.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00It's easy to feel as if we're just intruding on her everyday life.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07This is Alice's bedroom. All her clothes are laid out for her.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Maybe she's gone to take a bath and will be back in a moment.
0:19:12 > 0:19:18The locals say that this place is haunted and this room, in particular, has a cold feel.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23I think I'm in the need of human company.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Thankfully, downstairs some locals have arrived to keep me company
0:19:27 > 0:19:32and fill me in on the good old days. And the beers are on me!
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- Hi, guys. Mind if I join you? - No, come and sit down.
0:19:36 > 0:19:43- A couple of locals to talk to. Pleased to meet you.- John. - And another John.- OK!
0:19:43 > 0:19:49- Both born and bred in the village? - Yes.- What was Alice like? Can you remember?
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Always rolling around, collecting wood and stuff.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58She'd pass the time of day with you, but she was a bit of a recluse.
0:19:58 > 0:20:04- When her husband died, did she just shut the pub?- No, I don't know what really happened.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- I think the brewery said enough was enough.- Right.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14But she stayed here. It was an old ale house.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20- A proper inn.- That's right. The ladies used to have to go in the lounge.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- They weren't allowed in the bar. - Not very gentlemanly.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30- That's how it used to be. - This pub was thriving during the war when the Yanks were here.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Can you remember them?- Oh, yeah.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38But after they left, it just died a death.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42It was like a ghost town when the Americans left.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- I bet those GIs invited some local girls in.- I bet they did!
0:20:46 > 0:20:48They'll be in the lounge.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Here we go. The lounge, also known as the snug.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Hello, ladies. Do you mind me joining you?
0:20:58 > 0:21:06- I've just been having a chat to John and John.- I was in the same class as one of them!
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- What are your names? I'm Paul. - I'm Pat.- I'm Marjorie.- Hello.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15I want to know all about Alice and the snug here.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17There used to be a cinema down here.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22And when we were young, we used to go to the pictures.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27On the way home, we'd come in here for a drink. A gin and orange.
0:21:27 > 0:21:33- You came in here?- He'd go in there for a drink and then he would come in here after a while.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38You could have a kiss and cuddle. You weren't allowed to at home!
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- My mum wouldn't let us.- Does this bring back lots of memories?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- It does.- Dance days. - Dance days.- With the dances.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52We used to come down at half time from the town hall
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- and there were all the American troops.- Did you go out with a GI?
0:21:56 > 0:22:02No, I was too young, but I used to get well supplied with sweets and chewing gum.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04We done very well with them.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10- Tell me about Alice. Can you remember her behind the bar? - It was mostly Mark.
0:22:10 > 0:22:16- She was in the kitchen.- Yeah. - Was it sad when it shut down?
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- It was for the locals. One of the main local pubs.- Lost your snug.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27- They say it's haunted.- If we don't see you again, a ghost got you!
0:22:27 > 0:22:32- OK(!) Cheerio! Thank you very much.- Bye!- Bye!
0:22:36 > 0:22:41We've got to bid a fond farewell to The Valiant Soldier,
0:22:41 > 0:22:47a pub that can't offer you any booze, but can give you fond memories of drinking days of yore
0:22:47 > 0:22:49and conjure up a few spirits!
0:22:58 > 0:23:02We were hoping for a good start to the day and oh, boy, have we found one?
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Philip and Charlie have been working flat out, we've got some cracking items and I don't know about you,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11but I can't wait to find out how these do when they go to auction.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16I think Philip is right on the money with this unusual piece.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Even if it's not a Bergman, it'll create a lot of interest.
0:23:20 > 0:23:26Out of the archive and into the saleroom again for Myral and Alan's ancient vinyl records.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29And equally elderly are the slides.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Let's hope the bidders are there.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I know Lavinia and Phyllis thought these pieces of Majolica were hideous,
0:23:35 > 0:23:42but I think they're unique and wonderful. I wonder what reception they'll get in the saleroom.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46Terence and Ann's compact by Mappin & Webb is a name to conjure with
0:23:46 > 0:23:49and it's why I have a feeling it might do rather well.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54It's quite unusual to find a portable microscope in its own box
0:23:54 > 0:24:01and these slides are hand-painted. If the collectors are out in force, Derek and Ruth should do well.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11And we're hoping for the very best prices here today
0:24:11 > 0:24:14at Eldreds Auction Rooms just outside of Plymouth.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20And on the rostrum today is auctioneer Anthony Eldred.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- We don't know if it is Bergman. We had a good look.- Yeah. - It's the quality though.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30It's a great cold painted bronze and it's worth every penny of that one to two hundred.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Yes.- Might be Bergman's son, you never know, but it is that quality
0:24:34 > 0:24:41and I think this could do £250-350. That's what I'm hoping, fingers crossed.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43I think that it will make its money.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48- Yeah.- And the real thing is, that's the flavour of the month, that's what people want to buy.- Yes.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- The days of the copper warming pan are long gone.- Yes, exactly.
0:24:51 > 0:24:58- That's what they want.- It's going under the hammer. Let's hope this astral carpet flies across Dartmoor.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Our next lot - 143.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05It's a cold painted bronze figure of an Arab kneeling on a prayer mat.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07There is it, and several bidders.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10I am bid £120 against you all in the room at 120.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Come on, a bit more than that.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16140, 150,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19160, 170, 180.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21At £180, still against you all.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25190, 200. At £200.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Are you done then at £200?
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Yes. £200. Top end of the estimate.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- Very good.- You'll take that won't you, Bill?- Yes.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35What are you going to put that towards?
0:25:35 > 0:25:40- I've got nine grandchildren.- Gosh. - And two christenings coming up.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Wow.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Next up, the magic lantern slides.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55We've got Alan, but unfortunately the wife, Mimi, where is she?
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- She's missing. - Well, yes, she took off.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59She's in the States. She's visiting her parents.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04OK. I know you're a big fan of animation and this was a present to you, wasn't it?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Yes. It was a surprise for me and she...
0:26:07 > 0:26:10It did surprise me as well!
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Why do you want to sell them?
0:26:13 > 0:26:19Because I've got the best ones. She saved the one or two for me and these are what's left.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Yeah. What are we looking at? £50 to £80? Not a great deal of money.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28No. Hopefully, they'll make 80, and goodness knows about the records, the BBC records.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- Yes, the recordings.- I'm not even sure we're allowed to sell them.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34We're going to find out.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39Next is lot 207. It's some BBC 78rpm records of sound effects
0:26:39 > 0:26:41and some magic lantern slides.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44There they are and £20 bid for those. Against you all at 20.
0:26:44 > 0:26:485, 30, 5, 40, 5, 48, 50.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52At £50 at the very back. At £50.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55At 50 then. Are you all done at £50?
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Sell at 50. Quite sure at £50?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- Yes. Spot on. £50.- About right.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- Well, well done. - Happy?- Yes. Yes.- £50.- Yes.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15It's now Ann and Terry's turn to flog their item off and it's a lovely silver compact.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Great name, Mappin & Webb. We're looking at £40 to £60 on this.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- Right.- It was your mother's.- My grandmother's.- Your grandmother's.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26Handed down through the family and I've just spotted a little flag on the lapel there.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31- Kernow. That's the flag of Cornwall, isn't it?- Spot on.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Got to do a proper job now.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35I feel quite the foreigner here.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- It's nice. A good name.- We'll do well.- I think they'll sell it.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43- Let's hope we get that £60. Good luck, you two.- Thank you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45It's going under the hammer now.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Next is lot 452.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52It's a Deco-style compact, there it is, and I'm bid £30 for it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53Against you at 32, if you want it.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59At 32, 5, 8, 40. 2, 5, 8. At £48.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01At 48 then. 50 if you want it.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06- Fresh bidding at two. 55, 58. - That's good.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08And 60 now. And two.
0:28:08 > 0:28:1165, 68.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14At £68 then, all done.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17- Good.- Good. - I've got to say, well done, Philip.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- That's a good valuation. That's lunch out for you two.- Well done.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- My pleasure.- Thank you very much.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- This magic lantern was your mother's.- The slides were, yes.
0:28:31 > 0:28:37I think she probably bought them as a job lot and I don't think she bought them intentionally.
0:28:37 > 0:28:43- Well, let's hope we get that magic £200.- There are some wonderful images there.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48- And a couple of mechanical ones. There's a boxing one.- A bit of fun.
0:28:48 > 0:28:54And a kaleidoscopic one, which is rather fun. It should do all right.
0:28:54 > 0:29:01They've ended up back in a general auction! What goes around comes around! It's going right now.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Next is Lot 124. It's 12 magic lantern slides.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07There they are.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11And a little brass microscope. All in one lot, several bidders.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15I'm bid...£120.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Oh, we'll get that 200.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21150. 160. 170. 180.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24190. 200. And 20. 240.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29- What? Ooh!- 260. 300. - We must have missed something.- 340.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31At £340 here.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33At 340. Take 10?
0:29:33 > 0:29:38All done then at £340? Quite sure at 340?
0:29:38 > 0:29:43- £340!- Lovely. Proper job. - Proper job! That's what they say.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48That's a fantastic result. You'd have settled for 100 quid.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- Well, yes.- We had 80 quid discretion! - I wouldn't have minded 80!
0:29:58 > 0:30:04Lavinia and Phyllis, it's great to see you again and I've got to say don't they look absolutely splendid.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07We've got the Palissyware just about to go under the hammer.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09We've split it into two lots.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14- Yes.- And first up is the two little ewers, the wine ewers on separate bases. OK?
0:30:14 > 0:30:17So what's going through your minds? Any regrets?
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- No. None at all.- Get rid. - Just glad to get rid of them.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25OK, OK. Let's just hope we get top end, shall we? It's going under the hammer now.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27On next lot - 248.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32This is a pair of Palissy style Portuguese lid ewers. There they are.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Several bids for them. I am bid £380.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Against you all at £380. £380. - Straight in.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41390, 400.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44And 10. 420, 430, 440,
0:30:44 > 0:30:50450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- And 10, 520, 530 there. - Ah, how brilliant.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58540. At £540, fresh bidding.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03At £540 then. Quite sure at 540.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05- Yes.- That's lovely.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09One lot down, one more to go. We've got £540 so far.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Here's the second.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Next is lot 254.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17It's two Palissy Portuguese dishes again.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20And a lot of bids again.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26- I'm bid £230. Against you all at 230.- Right, we're in.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32Five if you want them. 35 and 240, 250, 260, 270.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36At 270 then, in front of me. At £270.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Are you all done then at £270?
0:31:41 > 0:31:42That was short and sweet.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46I was a bit frightened for a moment, but we got £270.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48So that's not bad. That's nearly the top end of the estimate.
0:31:48 > 0:31:54Let's add those together and I make that, what is it, £810.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58- Very good.- Not bad, is it? - No, it's very exciting.- Happy?
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- Yes, very happy.- Yes.- You've got to be!- Glad to get rid of them.
0:32:17 > 0:32:23If you think celebrities are just a modern TV invention, then think again.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28I'm in Endsleigh Gardens near Tavistock in Devon.
0:32:28 > 0:32:34I'm surrounded by the creation of one of England's trendiest landscape gardeners from almost 200 years ago.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38The sixth Duke of Bedford built this marvellous home here in the early 19th Century
0:32:38 > 0:32:43and he commissioned architect Sir Jeffrey Wyattville to lay out the surrounding gardens.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48The problem was, Sir Jeffrey wasn't really up to the job.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56Enter Humphry Repton, self-taught landscape gardener and the darling of the landed aristocracy.
0:32:56 > 0:33:01His fashionable picturesque style graced stately homes throughout the country
0:33:01 > 0:33:08and the duke now summoned him to sprinkle some horticultural magic over Ainsley.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Repton was only too happy to oblige.
0:33:11 > 0:33:17Although Humphry Repton had suffered a carriage accident, he wasn't put off his latest commission.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21He'd arrive on site in a wheelchair and set about his work.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25Being a practical man, he soon discovered that Wyattville's layout
0:33:25 > 0:33:31was a bit too dangerous and rugged for the Duke of Bedford's children to play in.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35So Repton went to work.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39One of the main problems was the steep drop between the house and the river,
0:33:39 > 0:33:43so he fenced it off and created a beautiful terrace.
0:33:43 > 0:33:50The icing on the cake was this little gem in the corner which was one of Repton's trademarks.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55This shell grotto is the reward
0:33:55 > 0:34:02that the adults and children alike got when they reached the end of the terrace. What a surprise.
0:34:02 > 0:34:08It's built of stone and granite, but it's been clad in seashells, crystals and minerals alike.
0:34:08 > 0:34:14Highly exotic for the day and it's also a not-so-subtle reminder
0:34:14 > 0:34:20that your hosts are far richer and more worldly travelled than you are.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Another Humphry Repton trademark was his famous red book,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34so-called because they were bound in a Moroccan red leather,
0:34:34 > 0:34:38each made for a particular client, this one for the Duke of Bedford.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42And it is the original brochure for the before and after shot.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46If you look at this, you can see what it looked like with Wyattville's designs.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Very precarious and quite dangerous for children to play on that terrace
0:34:50 > 0:34:53and you turn this leaf and it shows you what it looks like
0:34:53 > 0:34:55with Humphry Repton's design,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59a wonderful safe terrace, a promenade to walk along.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02And each picture is a work of art within itself.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07And packaging his work like this to give to the client certainly was good for business.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Humphry Repton's tastes were for something more eventful,
0:35:13 > 0:35:17more rustic, a style called picturesque.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20This meant making the most of the natural setting.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22For example, by redirecting streams like this,
0:35:22 > 0:35:28so they cascaded down the hillside, creating an informal rural idyll.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35However, Endsleigh House gardens over the years gradually fell into disrepair
0:35:35 > 0:35:40and it is only fairly recently that they have been restored to their former glory.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43So what's it like to do the gardening in a place like this?
0:35:43 > 0:35:47- Let's find out from head gardener Simon Wood. Hi, Simon.- Hello.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- Thanks for talking to us. - That's OK.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- We're in the rock garden, aren't we?- We are.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56- What was it like before you got your hands on this?- Very overgrown.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Everything was still here, you just couldn't see it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02So what makes this unmistakably a Repton garden?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04What do you look for in Humphry Repton's designs?
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Repton tended to look at the wider landscape
0:36:08 > 0:36:11and use the natural beauty that's abundant here.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Incredible. And how do you get the water to sort of this level?
0:36:14 > 0:36:19- Is it sort of pumped up? - No, no. Everything is naturally fed through gravity.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23- It's taken off the main stream.- Yeah. - It runs into various sediment tanks
0:36:23 > 0:36:28and is then channelled throughout the garden into various features that we see today.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- Well, let's wander down there and take a look.- Certainly.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Gosh, look at this. When you think of most rockeries, Simon,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39they're normally about knee high, but this is absolutely massive!
0:36:39 > 0:36:46- It must have taken a lot of guys back then in Humphry Repton's team to manhandle these.- A huge amount.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- They were all brought in by block and tackle, horse and cart.- Local stone?
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Local, but also imported from around the world.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57- Yeah.- So a huge amount of work involved in getting them here.- Yeah.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Oh, there is light at the end of the tunnel, Simon.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07- And look at the view you get greeted with. My word.- It's beautiful.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- It's absolutely stunning! - It really is beautiful.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14- What's that building there with the thatched roof? - The dairy. The old dairy.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19'This has never been a working dairy, it was simply constructed
0:37:19 > 0:37:24'to fit in with Repton's vision of an informal garden.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27'Repton even suggested that a peasant dwelling
0:37:27 > 0:37:30'be built on an island in the grounds,
0:37:30 > 0:37:34'so that a wisp of smoke from its chimney could animate the scene.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37'Nothing was too much for the Duke of Bedford.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41'Every morning, when he was in residence, a servant would row over to the island,
0:37:41 > 0:37:46'open up the empty cottage and simply light a fire, all for the Duke's delight.'
0:37:47 > 0:37:51I'm beginning to understand what Humphry Repton was all about now.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53I'm just surrounded by it.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58- Well, exactly. I mean, behind us, you can see a perfect example - plenty of moving water.- Mm-hm.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Here at Endsleigh, we've got lovely steep valley sides,
0:38:01 > 0:38:06- plenty of bedrock, it was all about the natural feel. - I like the scale of the buildings.
0:38:06 > 0:38:13- Like little follies, especially the cottages.- All designed to be viewed and they worked,
0:38:13 > 0:38:17but it was just making everything so picturesque.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21Endsleigh's been described as the most complete example of picturesque-style planting.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24And it was Repton's last major undertaking.
0:38:24 > 0:38:30- I'd like to think all he'd learned throughout his...- Is here.- ..working career was used here at Endsleigh.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Yeah, he saved the best for last. - That's it.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Isn't it wonderful that these superb gardens
0:38:47 > 0:38:50have now been reinstated to their former glory?
0:38:50 > 0:38:54Endsleigh House is a fantastic hotel, so you can come here at your leisure
0:38:54 > 0:39:00and enjoy these tranquil surroundings, but for us, it's straight back to the valuation day.
0:39:13 > 0:39:19- Maria, how are you? - I'm fine, thank you.- Who's this? Not granny?- No, Granny's frame.
0:39:19 > 0:39:26- Let's have a look at it. That is absolutely lovely. - I think it's beautiful, yes.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- Tell me about this lady. - It's my paternal grandmother.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34She lived to be about 98
0:39:34 > 0:39:39and before that, about 5 or 7 years before that, she had her leg off, amputated
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- because she had gangrene.- Oh, dear.
0:39:42 > 0:39:50And her hair was so wiry that my father, her son, he used to make model boats
0:39:50 > 0:39:55- and he used to use her hair as the rigging.- Really?
0:39:55 > 0:40:01So this is a silver and tortoiseshell photograph frame.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06If you just look on the side here, we've got the hallmarks for 1920.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Assayed in London,
0:40:10 > 0:40:16and the maker's mark on the side is CAR and C.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22If you looked up in the appropriate books, you could find out who produced this.
0:40:22 > 0:40:29- It's a glorious thing. Why do you want to sell it?- I'm getting older. Bits and pieces have to go somewhere.
0:40:29 > 0:40:35- They'll only fight over it, so sell it!- What do you think Granny's frame is worth?
0:40:35 > 0:40:40Again, I really don't know the values of them.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45I think we could put an estimate on this in auction of £300-£500.
0:40:45 > 0:40:51- And I think a fixed reserve of £250.- Yes, right. - I think it will do really well.
0:40:51 > 0:40:58- Happy with that?- Yes, fine. - One thing first. We can't send Granny to the saleroom, can we?
0:40:58 > 0:41:03- So I'm going to take out Granny for you.- Never sell your grandmother. - Never sell granny.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07- Rule number one. - Never sell her short.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11- Let's just take that out. There's Granny for you.- Thank you.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Hang on to Granny.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19- Do you know? It's lost a bit of its attraction now.- Yes.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- Yes.- It will still do well.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Shirley, beautiful plates, lovely decoration.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Where did you get them from?
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- Um, they were given to me as a Christmas present about ten years ago.- Right.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- They were in a display cabinet.- Yes.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46And when I moved house, I didn't have room for the display cabinet.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51- Right.- So the plates came out and I don't really want them any more.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55There is no point in having this if you can't look at them.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- That's true, yeah. - Do you know who they're made by?
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- Cauldon.- Cauldon. And I thought they'd be Coalport or Worcester,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05some really top quality manufacturer.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10Cauldon is good, but I would say they're sort of the top of league division two.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- Now these are hand painted, these floral scenes.- Right, yeah.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15And if you look, there's a signature.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19They're all painted by a man called Pope - S Pope.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- Well, I've never actually noticed that before.- Have you not?- No.- No.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- So each plate has a value on its own.- OK.- Not just the fact that you have a collection.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- And very much obviously done for display purposes.- Right.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34- You would never dream of putting cod and chips on these.- No.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39There's another fascinating thing on the back which you may have looked at and may not have done.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43I'll turn mine over, um, and Cauldon, England there,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45but have you noticed another name on the back?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Not that I took any notice of it, no.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Marvellous name - Bailey, Banks and Biddle -
0:42:51 > 0:42:54sounds like an old firm of London solicitors, but it's not.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57- Bailey, Banks and Biddle Company, Philadelphia.- Oh, really?
0:42:57 > 0:43:03So these were made on commission for a company in Philadelphia,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06exported to Philadelphia and sold there,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09then subsequently found their way back to England.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11What about age?
0:43:11 > 0:43:14- I haven't got a clue. Not a clue.- No. No.
0:43:14 > 0:43:20This Cauldon mark would date them from...
0:43:20 > 0:43:251895 to 1920, so let's for the sake of argument call them 1910.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27- OK.- Edwardian.- Yeah, yeah.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Um, the only thing I would say against them is they are old-fashioned scenes.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35- Oh, I agree, yes.- You know, floral decoration like this is,
0:43:35 > 0:43:40although these perhaps aren't quite Victorian, very much have a Victorian flavour.
0:43:40 > 0:43:46- Uh-huh.- And we are steering away from the very, very ornate.- Mm-hm.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50- Have you ever had them insured? - No.- No.- No.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- Have you got a clue about value? - No.- No clue?- Not at all.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56I think they're worth between...
0:43:56 > 0:43:59- 150 to 250, that sort of order. - Oh, really?
0:43:59 > 0:44:03- We ought to put a reserve price on. - Yeah.- We shouldn't give them away.
0:44:03 > 0:44:08- No. So what reserve would you put on it?- I think I would say to the auctioneer £150.- OK.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12Bit of discretion. If he got within a pitch and a putt of that, let them go.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14- Yes.- Happy with that?- I am.
0:44:20 > 0:44:24- Jackie, how are you doing?- I'm fine, thank you.- Are you a local lass?
0:44:24 > 0:44:29- No. I moved here from Oxford. - From Oxford?- Yes.- Did you buy this down here or bring it with you?
0:44:29 > 0:44:32I brought it with me. I bought it at Didcot Railway Station.
0:44:32 > 0:44:36- Oh, right. When?- 30 years ago. There's a museum at the...
0:44:36 > 0:44:40There used to be a museum at the train station and that's where I bought it.
0:44:40 > 0:44:44- They reproduce a lot of these signs. - Yes, but they didn't so much then.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47I don't think they were quite so sought after.
0:44:47 > 0:44:51No. And this is published by British Railways western region.
0:44:51 > 0:44:56- I think this is absolutely lovely. - So do I. I still like it.- So...
0:44:56 > 0:44:59Let's talk nitty gritty here.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03- This is a British Railways poster. - Mmm.- Pretty sure it's an original.
0:45:03 > 0:45:08"Teignmouth is Devon", so it's promoting the Devon countryside.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10- Travelling by train.- Yeah.
0:45:10 > 0:45:16- We've got the artist's name here, but I can't quite work that out. - I've never been able to read that.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20And we've got this wonderful scene here of the girl bathers,
0:45:20 > 0:45:22of the promenade being lit up.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26We've got these wonderful cliffs on the background and I think...
0:45:26 > 0:45:29- The colour of the sea.- It's just brilliant. Why did you buy it?
0:45:29 > 0:45:32- It's just a lovely scene. - Why do you want to sell it now?
0:45:32 > 0:45:37Well, I've had it for 30 years and I just think really it's time for a change.
0:45:37 > 0:45:39These things are very, very sought after.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43I think this is a great subject, we're in Devon,
0:45:43 > 0:45:48- it's going to be sold in Devon, um, I can't think of a better place to sell it.- No, that's right.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52- I think we need to put an estimate on it of £100-£200.- Right.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55And we'll put a fixed reserve of £100 on it.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58- And I would just hope that it does really, really well.- OK.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09John, Hillary, lovely to see you
0:46:09 > 0:46:14and I am so enthusiastic about this fabulous collection of postcards.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18The historical content, the condition,
0:46:18 > 0:46:23the numbers and the story behind them. John, enlighten us.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26My father's elder brother...
0:46:26 > 0:46:29- Yeah?- ..who was born in 1888...
0:46:29 > 0:46:34- Yeah?- ..joined the Royal Navy, and while he was
0:46:34 > 0:46:41serving on board HMS Lord Raglan must have visited Newfoundland.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44Um, he bought them and sent them home to his parents.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48Right. I think we've only found one that's actually written in.
0:46:48 > 0:46:52- That's right. - So whether he put them in envelopes or whether he took them back,
0:46:52 > 0:46:54kept them and then took them when he got home.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58- But he had a tragic end, I believe?- Yes, he was, um...
0:46:58 > 0:47:01The Lord Raglan was torpedoed.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- Torpedoed?- Yes, in the Bosphorus.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08- Right.- And he was killed in 1918.
0:47:08 > 0:47:111918? And he was born in 1888.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13- Yes.- So he died at 30.- That's right.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17So he really collected these. We can date these postcards, can't we?
0:47:17 > 0:47:19- Yes.- Pretty accurately.
0:47:19 > 0:47:25Most of these are probably bought between, let us say, 1910 and 1914.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29And incidentally, by way of proof, I suppose,
0:47:29 > 0:47:33the one we've found that has got writing on it is dated I think 1910.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35- That's it.- From Newfoundland.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39And it's quite poignant to read the story.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42And Swan to Mrs Swan. Are you a Swan?
0:47:42 > 0:47:46- Yes.- Yeah.- "Dear mother and father, just to let you know
0:47:46 > 0:47:50"that I am getting on all right and I hope you are all the same at home.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53"This is a very nice postcard.
0:47:53 > 0:47:58"You will see Willy, that's Willy, between two..."
0:47:58 > 0:48:01It says coad fish, C-O-A-D.
0:48:01 > 0:48:05I thought that means cod fish, but they don't make cod that size.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08- I shouldn't think so.- Maybe then. They've all been caught.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12You'd have fish and chips for the rest of your life! Amazing.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14And the fish either side of him.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16"All from your loving son."
0:48:16 > 0:48:21And that's, gosh, eight years before he died.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25As a matter of interest, we've got people there,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28girls from the West Indies, there's somebody I see,
0:48:28 > 0:48:33the St Lucian belle and the founders of Newfoundland.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37We've got some North American Indians here.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39Bear's Tooth, he looks a severe sort of chap.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42You wouldn't want to come across him, would you?
0:48:42 > 0:48:44Be instantly scalped.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47What made you bring them along to Flog It! today?
0:48:47 > 0:48:51- I did.- Oh, you did?- Yes. Well, I suggested it, put it that way.
0:48:51 > 0:48:55- Yeah. Well, you wanted it turned into some money?- No, I just...
0:48:55 > 0:49:00- Mainly because I get them out about every five years and have a revision of them.- Yes. Yes.
0:49:00 > 0:49:05- How many have we got here?- Well, there's 80...- Six albums.- Yes.
0:49:05 > 0:49:06And there's 80 per album.
0:49:06 > 0:49:0980 per album and they're full. That's 480 cards.
0:49:09 > 0:49:13Well, I tell you, I think the collection's worth £400-£600,
0:49:13 > 0:49:16and we'll put a reserve of 400.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19And if the top bid is 390, well, so be it.
0:49:19 > 0:49:24You can take them home again and have your look every five years.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26But I'm pretty confident they'll do well.
0:49:26 > 0:49:31And before we go off to auction, let's remind ourselves of what we're selling.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35I'm relieved that Maria has decided not to sell her grandmother
0:49:35 > 0:49:39along with this beautiful silver and tortoiseshell photo frame.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45Shirley's Edwardian hand-painted plates have travelled from America.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49I hope they get a big reception in the auction rooms.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Jackie's found a bit of a bargain with her railway poster.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56Given its local interest, this should steam away with a good price in the auction.
0:49:56 > 0:50:00John and Hillary's impressive collection of postcards
0:50:00 > 0:50:06is a fascinating record of social history from the early 1900s and deserves a more regular airing.
0:50:18 > 0:50:25Next up, Maria's silver and tortoiseshell photo frame. Real quality. It's got to do £500!
0:50:25 > 0:50:31- It's absolute quality. - I only do quality. - And you look quality as well.
0:50:31 > 0:50:36- A quality lady. This will sell. - Let's find out right now.
0:50:36 > 0:50:42Next is Lot 420. An Edwardian tortoiseshell and silver photograph frame.
0:50:42 > 0:50:48I'm bid £210. Against you all. 210. 220. 230.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51240. 250. 260.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54At 270 now. 280.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56- 290. 300.- Great.
0:50:56 > 0:51:01- At 320, then. 330. - Yes! Someone on the phone.
0:51:02 > 0:51:06- 360. 370. - They're really keen.- 380. 390.
0:51:07 > 0:51:12400. And 20. 440. 460.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16480. 500.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19And 20. 540.
0:51:20 > 0:51:25560. 580. 600. And 20.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27640.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29660. 680.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33700. And 50.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35At £750. 800 now.
0:51:35 > 0:51:40- And 50. 900.- Yes!- And 50.
0:51:40 > 0:51:46At £950, then. Bidding's on the telephone at £950.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49Last chance. At £950 here.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51Quite sure, then, at 950?
0:51:53 > 0:52:00Bash! £950! Quality, quality, quality, all the way through!
0:52:00 > 0:52:06Maria, thank you so much for bringing such a stunning item in. Philip, you loved it.
0:52:06 > 0:52:11- Yeah, nice thing. - What are you going to do with £950?
0:52:11 > 0:52:18I don't know what I'll do with all of it, but my mother was brought up in Dr Barnardo's homes
0:52:18 > 0:52:25and my youngest sister is trying to get the records plus photographs, so they'll have to pay for it.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29- Something will go...- Towards that. Some archive research.
0:52:29 > 0:52:33- Well done. - A stunning item. That's quality.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43- When you think about it, six plates, but it's six pieces of art, isn't it?- That's right.
0:52:43 > 0:52:48They are all hand painted by Pope, made for a company in Philadelphia.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51- Yeah. - Which is quite unusual.- Mmm.
0:52:51 > 0:52:57We've got £150 to £250 on these. If they were something different like Coalport, what would they be like?
0:52:57 > 0:53:01If they were Coalport, I think they'd be more £500, I really do. Five or six hundred pounds.
0:53:01 > 0:53:07- Well, we're going to find out what they're worth. I think you're right. - Oh, these are them now?
0:53:07 > 0:53:10Yeah, they're going under the hammer right now. This is it.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Next, lot 436.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15Six Cauldon porcelain plates,
0:53:15 > 0:53:17each one differently painted. There they are.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20£110 I'm bid for them, against you all at 110.
0:53:20 > 0:53:26- At 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 70, 180.- Oh.- Wow.
0:53:26 > 0:53:32At 180 now. All done then at £180 I'll sell them.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34- Yes.- That's it. - Blink and you'll miss that.- Gosh.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37- He ran that up really quickly! - That was very quick.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40- £180, so you were spot on.- Yeah. - Well, I'm pleased with that.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42- Happy with that?- Yes, I am.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51Jackie, that poster inspired many people to come down here on holiday.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55- I'm sure it did. - It's got the look and I know why Philip fell in love with it.
0:53:55 > 0:53:59It really is, it just sums up that period, doesn't it?
0:53:59 > 0:54:03What I want to know is, why do you want to flog this?
0:54:03 > 0:54:07I've had it for 30 years, so I've enjoyed it for a long while really.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11- I thought it was time for it to go somewhere else. - Been on the wall? Yes.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15I know whose wall it'd like to go on. Philip, you're not allowed to buy.
0:54:15 > 0:54:21- It's a really nice thing and that railway memorabilia is collectable from two points of view.- Yes.
0:54:21 > 0:54:25One from that, one from the Art Deco period, and I think it'll go really well.
0:54:25 > 0:54:29- Well, you originally said at the valuation day £100-£200.- Yeah.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32- You've had a chat to Anthony. - Yes.- You've upped the ante.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36- I'm afraid so.- He told us before the sale started, we've got a valuation now of £200-£300.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41- But I don't blame you, nor does he. - I think it'll make its money. - It's got to.- It'll make its money.
0:54:41 > 0:54:46- I thought so.- It'll steam ahead for that £300. It's got to! - It's quite unusual.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48- Yes, yes.- It was the steam ahead I was wincing at.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50Next is lot 16.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53It's a British Railways advertising poster.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56There it is, a good local one, Teignmouth in Devon.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00A lot of bids again. I'm bid £220.
0:55:00 > 0:55:04- Straight in.- Straight in at 220. - At £220. 30 if you want it.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07At 220 then. 230, 240.
0:55:07 > 0:55:12- This is good. - 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300.
0:55:12 > 0:55:17Can't see you now. At £300 by the door then, at £300. Quite sure then?
0:55:17 > 0:55:18At £300, I'll sell it.
0:55:20 > 0:55:25- We're on the right tracks there. - Oh, you are awful, Paul.- £300.
0:55:25 > 0:55:26That is, that's...
0:55:26 > 0:55:30I've got to tell you this. We were looking at it before the sale started
0:55:30 > 0:55:35- and Charlie Ross came along and said that man in it's modelled on me.- Yeah, he was wrong.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Hillary and John, what a collection.
0:55:44 > 0:55:49We've got six albums with 480 postcards. Lots of social history.
0:55:49 > 0:55:54- You've had these for 25 years? You get them out every five years to look at them.- That's it.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58- John does.- Thank goodness you got them out to bring them to the valuation day.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01- They caught your eye, Charlie.- Yes. - So much social history in them.
0:56:01 > 0:56:06- The condition on the Newfoundland ones is pretty spectacular. - Virtually mint condition.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09- And I think you're bang on with £400-£600.- Yeah.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13I really do. I really do. And I'd like to see the 600-plus mark.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16- Well, we would like to, but... - LAUGHTER
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- More the merrier. - Why are you getting rid of them?
0:56:19 > 0:56:22- Because he only gets the albums out every five years?- I think so.
0:56:22 > 0:56:26The thing is, he has so many things that he doesn't want to get rid of.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30- He's like a magpie.- Oh, definitely. - He's not Mr Swan, he's a magpie.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Definitely. I'm the opposite.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36- Well, good luck, OK.- Thank you. - Going under the hammer now.
0:56:36 > 0:56:40Next is lot 74.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43It's a collection of approximately 480 postcards.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46Topographical, Newfoundland, all sorts there.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48America, Australia. Several bids.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52- I'm bid £410 for them. - Oh, straight in.
0:56:52 > 0:57:00- Well, that's a good start. - 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02- This is more like it.- 490, 500.
0:57:02 > 0:57:06Lots of interest. There's three or four people after this.
0:57:06 > 0:57:11530, 540, 550, 560, 570,
0:57:11 > 0:57:15- 580, 590, 600. And 20.- Oh.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18£620 seated. 640 now.
0:57:18 > 0:57:24660, 670, 680, 690 now.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27700. And 20.
0:57:27 > 0:57:30740 seated here.
0:57:30 > 0:57:36At £740, then. Quite sure at 740?
0:57:36 > 0:57:40- GAVEL BANGS - Crack. That is a sold sound. £740.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43- I just can't believe it.- Hillary, what's going through your mind?
0:57:43 > 0:57:45- Pretty good.- I really don't know!
0:57:45 > 0:57:48Tell him to get rid of the rest of the stuff he's got.
0:57:48 > 0:57:53We have coins, he has coins. Ah, not coins, medals as well.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57- What are you going to put that money towards?- Well...- Future holidays.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59- Yeah, I don't blame you.- Yes.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02I don't blame you. If you've got any postcards like that lying around
0:58:02 > 0:58:06just bring them in, because we'll value them, we'll flog them.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09- Yeah.- I'm going back into your garage after the sale.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12Sadly, we've run out of time from Eldreds in Plymouth.
0:58:12 > 0:58:16So until the next time, plenty more surprises to come on Flog It!
0:58:34 > 0:58:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd