0:00:04 > 0:00:06There's nothing like the thrill of an auction room.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11Whether you're buying or selling, it really does get right under your skin.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Hopefully, lots of you this afternoon are going to feel the buzz
0:00:14 > 0:00:16as you join me from this sale room to flog it.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52To find the items for today's sale, we've come to Northampton's beautifully decorated Guildhall.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Everybody's now safely seated inside, thank goodness,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00and our two experts, Mark Stacey and James Lewis, are hard at work
0:01:00 > 0:01:03delving through all the belongings looking for all the gems.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Hey, guys, save something for me. What have you found so far?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- Obviously, he's forgotten to shave this morning.- He has! I'll hold him!
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Of course, we only send things off to auction if our owners agree with
0:01:17 > 0:01:21the experts' valuations and then we can get excited about the sale.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24But right now there's work to be done, so let's get on with it.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- # Have a nice day - Dum dum da dum dum
0:01:28 > 0:01:29# Have a nice day. #
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- Hello, Max.- Hello, Mark.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35A nice silver basket here. Can you give us a bit of the history of it?
0:01:35 > 0:01:40It was about 30 years ago, something like that.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45An elderly lady, she was about 90 at the time, gave me two pieces.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48This, and I don't know what the wooden cane is...
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- snake wood cane.- Oh, right.
0:01:51 > 0:01:58Her maiden name, I believe, was Hoffman and I believe she was the great aunt of Dustin Hoffman.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Oh, really? Gosh, how interesting.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02She was a lovely lady.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06You know what it is. It's quite straightforward. It's a little table silver basket.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11You put bread, fruit, bon-bons, anything you like really, into it.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16It's a very nice shape, a very classical shape, this sort of boat shape...
0:02:16 > 0:02:21- Boat shape, yes.- ..with this sort of laurel wreath type decoration on it there.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Quite a nice turned handle, little hallmarks on the side of there and on the base.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27We've had a look at the hallmarks.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31It's by James Dixon, a very prolific maker in Sheffield.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34The mark is for 1913/14.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37So it's getting on for 100 years old.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42And it weighs around about 15 ounces, so it's a nice object.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Why have you decided to sell it?
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Well, it's been in a cabinet.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It's the old story, everyone says it's in a cabinet.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53But this really has been in a cabinet and it's been on the third shelf down,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56so we decided that we'll just see...
0:02:56 > 0:03:01I mean it's quite a nice thing and if somebody could put it on display and utilise it...
0:03:01 > 0:03:06If you do want something to use on the dining table, it's very nice. It's got that classical shape.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09One thing I do particularly like about it actually
0:03:09 > 0:03:13is this sort of foot on it, which is very Regency looking.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14- Is it?- The style of it is.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19It's got a bit of a combination of styles. But it's a jolly nice item.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25In terms of value, silver is up and down and it will depend on who wants it on the day.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31- I would put £100-150 on it, with a 100 fixed reserve.- Absolutely.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- So we won't sell it below 100.- No...
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- I'd hope that it settles somewhere between those two figures. If we can get more, wonderful.- Wonderful.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45Can you tell me, is it sterling or is it Britannia? I can never work that out.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47This is sterling. Britannia's a much higher standard.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But is it a cutoff? Is Britannia...
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Britannia standard is mainly 18th century, but you do actually get
0:03:54 > 0:03:59some Britannia standard reissued in the Victorian and in the 20th century.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- But this is sterling. - This is sterling. This is 925.- 925.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Wonderful, that's brilliant. You've answered all my questions.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Fantastic. I aim to please, as they say.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- You do please.- We look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- I look forward to seeing you. - Let's hope we can toast our success.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Hilary, I have to say, we see a lot of pocket watches on Flog It,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26but not many Rolexes.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28So, tell me about the history.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31My mother-in-law had to go to a retirement home, a care home,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and we were sorting through the house and found it in one of the wardrobes.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38This is what we call a gentleman's pocket watch.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40It's an open-faced pocket watch.
0:04:40 > 0:04:46During the 18th and 19th centuries, pocket watches came in various forms.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50If they didn't have a cover on the dial, they were known as an open face.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53If we open the back...
0:04:55 > 0:04:59..we can see here a very good Rolex movement.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Swiss-made. Just marked on the edge there, Swiss-made.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08But what Rolex did was they made the movements and they exported them.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And the watch retailer in England would say,
0:05:12 > 0:05:17"OK we have a Rolex movement, we can put that into an 18 carat gold case,
0:05:17 > 0:05:22"a nine carat gold case, a silver case or a gun metal case
0:05:22 > 0:05:23"or steel."
0:05:23 > 0:05:26In this case, we've got a silver case
0:05:26 > 0:05:28marked with the anchor for Birmingham,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32the lion for sterling standard silver,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34and the K is the date letter for 1934.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37So, how to date a pocket watch when you're looking at it?
0:05:37 > 0:05:45If you've got a winder on the top, the general rule is that it will be a 20th century watch.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Generally, watches were wound with a little key until about 1900.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55And here we have the Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial here.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57The dial itself is made of enamel.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Then we move away from the watch and look at the chain.
0:05:59 > 0:06:06This is known as an Albert, because Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert made them fashionable.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09This one has seen better days, I'm afraid.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13If it wasn't a Rolex and it was a standard silver pocket watch,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16it would be worth about £30, something like that.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20But isn't. It is a Rolex, and it's a good name.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25I think that this will make around £150, something like that. Is that all right for you?
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- Yeah, that's great.- And a reserve of 120? Are you happy with that?
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- Yes, lovely, thanks.- Let's take it along and see how we do.- OK.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Jacqui and Ron, we've struggled in with this. We've got it on the table.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Let's open the box!
0:06:42 > 0:06:44We know what's inside. Look at that.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49It is a tool chest and it's absolutely jam packed full of tools.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- Are you a carpenter?- Yes, I am.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Why do you want to flog these then?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- Because I'm not using them any more now.- Retired now?- Retired, yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Are you a local lad? - I'm a local lad, yeah.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04And you've always used your hands for a living. It's a really nice thing
0:07:04 > 0:07:08to look at tools knowing that somebody has actually, you know,
0:07:08 > 0:07:13had a livelihood from these, from holding these gouges, these chisels
0:07:13 > 0:07:16and making something, and turning something.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18It's quite a comprehensive set.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21How did you come by these? Did you buy all of these individually?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24No, I bought them altogether. It was when I was in hospital
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and a bloke next to me was talking about hobbies
0:07:27 > 0:07:31and things we used to do and he said, "You're gonna use it,"
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- and I did use it.- How much did you buy them for?
0:07:33 > 0:07:38- 70 quid.- How long ago was that? - About 14 years ago.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Looking at it,
0:07:40 > 0:07:48it does look like there's an awful lot of large gouges, which would have been used on a lathe.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53- Did you do much wood turning? - A little bit. A fair bit of wood turning and all that.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Turning things out.- Different sizes.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I've counted all the chisels.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00In there, there's 24 or 25.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05Is there really? Lock at that. All these date back to the early 1900s.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Most of them have got maple handles
0:08:07 > 0:08:13and maple is the ideal wood for a handle on a tool, because it absorbs all the shock.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Can I take this drawer out as well? - You can take that one out. - It's a fantastic tool chest.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20It's one of the best tool chests I've seen.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25So many different gouges and chisels. There's paring chisels,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28mortise chisels. Are you sure you want to sell this?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Yeah, cos I don't use it now at all.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32- It's sitting in the garage.- Is it?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Sitting in the garage and I thought...
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- Did the kids go into the trade? Any sons?- They're in the trade, but they don't want it.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44This day and age, it's all electrical. They don't want to do anything like this now.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- I find it fascinating, because there's history in this box. - Yeah, there is.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50There really is. A bit of your history as well.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- Look, shall we put the whole thing into auction...- And see what happens. - ..and put a value of...
0:08:56 > 0:09:02- ..I think, £175-275?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06And a bit of discretion on the reserve.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12- Yeah.- So if it gets anywhere near £175, you can use the 10% discretion and hopefully we'll get this away.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14PAUL INHALES
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I love that smell. I love that smell of oil, I love that smell of wood.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21There's mixed woods here, all sorts of hard woods.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- What's it like being married to a carpenter? Has he done the up.- No.- Or has he started and not finished it?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30He spends hours wood carving, which is smaller chisels.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35A lot smaller, yes. Smaller gouges, so you don't need these, do you?
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- Not at all now. - I can see why you're selling them.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- What about your lathe? Have you sold it?- Yeah, the lathe's gone. Sold it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- It's bowling now.- Bowling.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Glenys, there are a few things over the last few years
0:09:55 > 0:09:57that have been a great investment.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59One has been postcards, another's been coins,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and militaria, in general, has been a good investment.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04So you've got two linked to one here,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07because we've got militaria and we've got postcards.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12These are wonderful. They're known as silks, and these were
0:10:12 > 0:10:18sent back by the troops in the First World War to their loved ones and parents at home.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20How did you come to have them?
0:10:20 > 0:10:25They were my grandmother's. She collected them for years, I gather.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31Everybody that knew her collected them, sent them back, posted them,
0:10:31 > 0:10:36and when she died, we found the collection in an old shoe box.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Right. Well, they're interesting. We've got varying designs -
0:10:39 > 0:10:43floral ones, ones with little flags on, and some more unusual ones.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45We've got the Machine Gun Corps there.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48And that's a nice one - 1918.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Of course, 1918 was a happy New Year
0:10:50 > 0:10:53because it was the year the war ended. What else have we got in here?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56We've got the military theme continuing here.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Logically enough, being in Northampton...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- The Northamptonshire Regiment. - Absolutely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Ah. The town hall, Northampton.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Yeah. Where we are now.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09From what we've already said, they're family cards.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11How did you come to have them?
0:11:11 > 0:11:16It was just in the house, tucked away in an old shoe box.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Opened it up, and there they were.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I think shoe boxes were made to carry postcards.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25I think you'll be amazed about how many people have shoe boxes
0:11:25 > 0:11:26full of postcards at home!
0:11:26 > 0:11:30And the fun was sorting through them, looking at them,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32reading the messages on the back.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- Working out who was who. - Yeah, trying to!
0:11:34 > 0:11:37And you can actually uncover secret love affairs as well
0:11:37 > 0:11:39with all these postcards!
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Oh, so that was what was going on with Granny!
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It's amazing when you think you've seen elderly people
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and you always think of them as Granny,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51but when you see love poems and things that were being written
0:11:51 > 0:11:57- 80 years ago, it's quite emotive and it brings things home to you.- Yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00OK. You've obviously brought them here for a reason.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03We've got the postcards, and little lace hankies as well.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06They all link in. Silk hankies. We've got this, too.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09It's inscribed, "The Territorial Force Association.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10"County of Northampton,"
0:12:10 > 0:12:12again, which is good.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Local history. "The Great War". That's what they called it.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20And, of course, that would have been given
0:12:20 > 0:12:23along with maybe a commemorative medal or something like that.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26So not a lot of value there, but as a package,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I think we've got somewhere between £200 and £300 worth there.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- Lovely.- All right?- Yeah, smashing.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Are you selling them for a reason?
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Because if they've been in the family a while,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- there's going to be a reason for selling.- I am.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Go on then, tell me.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43My niece emigrated to Australia 20-odd years ago.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47She has always said, "I want you to come and see me."
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- Yeah.- This year she came over and she said, "You've not kept your promise yet, when are you coming?"
0:12:52 > 0:12:58So my eldest daughter then said, "Mum, I'll pay your air fare, you get your spending money."
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- So this is what it's for. - Have a wonderful time.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- I will.- Fingers crossed we'll have a wonderful time at the auction first.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14- Hello, Janice.- Hello.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Now, these Whitefriars, where did you get them from?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I got them from a departmental store in Southampton.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- It was called Tyrrell and Green. - Oh, I know Tyrrell and Green. It was a lovely store.- It was.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27- But it's not there any more.- No.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- It's closed down.- Yes.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31So you bought them when? In the '70s?
0:13:31 > 0:13:36- No, in the '60s.- So you bought them brand new?- Oh, yes.- Wonderful.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Tell us what room they sat in and give us the flavour of that room.
0:13:39 > 0:13:46They were in a sitting room on a fire surround, which was very popular then with a gas fire.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- That's right.- And I picked the orange out because it matched a Cyril Lord carpet that I'd bought.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Wonderful. So there was orange in the carpet?
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- Yes.- What about the curtains and things like that? Did they...?
0:13:58 > 0:14:04They were like a gold brocade and that was in the carpet as well. It was a multicoloured carpet.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Fantastic. Sounds very psychedelic.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- Did you partake of anything at the time?- No!
0:14:12 > 0:14:15So you bought them and they took pride of place there.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We went through the '70s and '80s and '90s and all the rest of it
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and they've gradually gone off the fireplace. You're not in the same house...
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Oh, they went a lot time ago off the fireplace and I've moved around since then.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Work has taken me here, there and everywhere.
0:14:29 > 0:14:35This one, I think, is called the guitar shape because of this curvaceous body.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39This one, I think, is known as the television vase
0:14:39 > 0:14:44because it's kind of like that sort of '60s television screen.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Today... The prices do vary and the larger ones we see
0:14:47 > 0:14:50on the show a lot and they can still make high hundreds.
0:14:50 > 0:14:58- These ones are slightly more modest. So I would say let's say 150-200... - Mm-hm.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03..if that's all right with you? And we'll put the reserve just a little bit below at 130,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06which means that we won't sell them for nothing.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- So, Janice, it's time to get shot of them.- I think so.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12And to buy something more contemporary for your home.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- No, I want to take my grandson to New York. He's into basketball. - Right.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20So it's to go towards his fare.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Oh, wonderful.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35Nestling next to a village church in the rolling countryside of Northamptonshire
0:15:35 > 0:15:38we find Lamport Hall, a modest stately home
0:15:38 > 0:15:43containing many treasures, all with their stories to tell.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49It was the home of the Isham family for over 400 years
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and we pick up the tale with Sir Justinian, the second baronet.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56A highly educated and cultured gentleman.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Also a very happy chap back in 1656,
0:15:59 > 0:16:04because at the age of 47 he fathered his first son, christened Thomas.
0:16:06 > 0:16:12Little did he know that Thomas was to turn into a tearaway, with a taste for the finer things in life.
0:16:12 > 0:16:18George Drye is here to tell us more about the extravagant life of the third baronet of Lamport.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Am I right in thinking Thomas was the apple of his father's eye?
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Traditionally that's the theory, but more researching Thomas,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33we wonder whether actually his dad knew that
0:16:33 > 0:16:36he had a naughty boy on his hands and wanted to keep him within sight.
0:16:36 > 0:16:44But that said, he certainly took the trouble to make sure Thomas was educated thoroughly.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49He wasn't going to be the son of the squire who just knew how to hunt and fish, although he did.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54And indeed when Thomas was a young boy, he bribed him by paying him
0:16:54 > 0:17:00six shillings a year to keep his diary in Latin.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- Right, OK.- He trained him to be quite a sophisticated young man.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07So he's obviously a clever chap. He got into university.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11What happened then? When did he inherit all this money?
0:17:11 > 0:17:16He inherited it surprisingly early in his university career.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20His dad took him down to Oxford, dropped him off at Christ College, Oxford,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22went off to a local inn and promptly died.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24That's really sad.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28He was the baronet on his first day at Oxford, extremely wealthy.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32His first job was to take his dad's coffin and put it back here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37Worth remembering that Thomas at 18 was in charge of all the family finance,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39that's how it worked in those days.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Gosh. Did he ever go back to Oxford?
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Yes, he went back. He didn't have a glittering career.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49He didn't like Oxford very much. They made him work.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52I'm not sure that was much to Thomas' liking.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00So, like a lot of students, Thomas decided to go on a 17th-century gap year,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02which was then called the Grand Tour,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04taking in everywhere from Paris to Rome.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08The 20-year-old, armed with his father's fortune,
0:18:08 > 0:18:14quickly gained a reputation as one of the first international playboys.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24If he was sort of a wild character here, back in England,
0:18:24 > 0:18:29what must he have been like in Paris and Florence and places like that?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- I know.- Uncontrollable.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Well, that's a question of opinion.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40He certainly had a mistress out there and she's over there, actually, on the painting you see.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45Thomas is holding a miniature and that's Gabriella, Gabriella Boncompagni.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48He burned all the candles at every end.
0:18:48 > 0:18:54You know, any kid on a gap year now with have lots of money to spend would just go wild.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57He got through 1.3 million on his gap year.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Oh, gosh!
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Not cheap.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03That's an awful lot of money.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09How many of us if we spent that money would still find that what we bought was being discussed 350 years later?
0:19:09 > 0:19:13It's a lot of money. I'd love to go and see, George, what he spent it on. Can we go?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I'd love to show you.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28These are some of Thomas' paintings.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Some Salvatore Rosas.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And these are Thomas' on the stairs as well,
0:19:36 > 0:19:42- all the way up the stairs as you can see, all brought back by Thomas. - He did have a good eye, didn't he?
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Do you think? Your eye is probably better than mine for these things, in fact.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Young Thomas was having a whale of a time and his trip turned into a three-year shopping spree,
0:19:53 > 0:19:59in spite of a constant flow of letters from Lamport pleading for his return home.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Instead of Thomas coming home, box after box full of artworks arrived.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Oh, gosh, George, look at these. You didn't tell me about these.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- No, I didn't. - Fine art meets furniture.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15My word, that's all painted on glass panel, isn't it?
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Yes, in reverse. They're an acquired taste to the English eye.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Yes, they are. That's typically continental.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27What must the family have thought when this arrived? They must have thought he'd gone bonkers.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Don't forget, of course, his poor brothers and sisters were here.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35His sister depended upon him for her dowry, which he wasn't providing for her,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38so she wasn't going to get married in a hurry. Money was going out.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44He was getting into debt and these things were coming to the hall, so it must have been fairly tense!
0:20:44 > 0:20:48I'd have thought so. What happened? What happened once he got back?
0:20:48 > 0:20:54Well, he finally agreed to come back, in part because his favourite sister had died
0:20:54 > 0:20:59and his little brother was losing his cool about the whole thing.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Thomas finally pitched up, in debt,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06in desperate need of money,
0:21:06 > 0:21:11so the family agreed that he had to be married to a rich heiress.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16But unfortunately, his reputation by that stage had got ahead of him
0:21:16 > 0:21:20and there were two or three girls who took one look,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- or, probably the parents, said not on your life.- Party animal!
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Yeah. But in the end they found a very wealthy girl, who was apparently quite pretty, too.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32She was the daughter of a Dutch merchant in London
0:21:32 > 0:21:38and obviously she'd get the title and her children would become the Baronet
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and her dad would settle all of Thomas' debts
0:21:41 > 0:21:45and then supply also an extensive dowry on top of that.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48All was set up, all agreed,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52and then sadly, on the eve of his wedding day, Thomas died.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Oh!
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- What age was he?- 24.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- What did he die of? - Well, they all died of smallpox.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02It was a sort of cancer of the 17th century, really.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06When it wasn't plague in the southern parts of Europe, smallpox killed them.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08What happened to the estate?
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Well, the estate was handed on, went to his younger brother.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16But obviously he had no financial help because the marriage didn't take place.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19No. The younger brother had to do the best he could.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- Yet nothing's really mentioned about him.- No. We have a portrait of him.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28He's tucked in the corner of the drawing room where nobody ever sees him.
0:22:28 > 0:22:3120-odd years ago when I came here, this house was pretty derelict
0:22:31 > 0:22:36and we spent all that time putting it back together again, getting the contents restored.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41My heart goes out to Justinian, the younger brother, for stitching it all back together again,
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- but everybody really fancies Thomas. - George, thank you so much for showing me around.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It's well worth a visit, coming here. There's so much to see.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- I'm going to now take another look. - OK.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57CHEERING
0:22:57 > 0:23:02Yes, there are hundreds of people inside the building, all waiting for valuations.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Our experts have been hard at work.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07We're halfway through the day, so it's our first trip to the auction room.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11They've selected some wonderful gems and here's a recap of what we're taking.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Although silver isn't all that popular at the moment,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Max's bon-bon dish is good quality. It should do well.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26A name like Rolex always conjures up
0:23:26 > 0:23:31something classy and Hilary's watch, I'm sure, is no exception.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Ronald's beautiful tool chest just wreaks of history and character,
0:23:35 > 0:23:39but will it be of interest in today's market?
0:23:39 > 0:23:42And trendy Janice invested in two Whitefriars vases in the 1960s.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48James was excited by Glenys' wonderful collection
0:23:48 > 0:23:53of wartime silks and postcards - let's hope they do well at auction.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59We're off down the road to Market Harborough to Gilding's auction house where, today,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Mark Gilding is presiding on the rostrum.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Max is first in line to sell his silver basket.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13Max, this is a classic bit of silver, I love the shape as well. Why do you want to flog it?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Well, I'm quite desperate, actually.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19There was a rumour that my wife married me for my money.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22There wasn't any money then, there hasn't been any money since
0:24:22 > 0:24:26and there's no money now, so we're going to call THIS the money.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28We'd better come up trumps with 100 quid, Mark!
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- No pressure then is there?! - It should do it.- It should do. It's an honest little piece.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36I think it will attract some of the private buyers.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41- It's a nice thing to have on the side.- Good luck, Max.- Thanks.- Let's see if we can money for the wife.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45George V silver basket on four cast feet, James Dixon and Son, Sheffield
0:24:45 > 0:24:491912. Bids start here at £85. 95.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51100. In the room at £100. At £100.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55100. 110. 120. 130. New bid in at 140.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Ooh, fresh legs.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01At 140. Your turn at 150. At 150. At 150 now. 160.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04160. Still left at 160. Shaking his head at 160.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08- Retirement is looming. - Second house and grounds.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11£160.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Not quite a second house, but... - Saving towards it.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17At least you can hold your head up high when you go home. £160.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Right, time's up. It is for Hilary and her pocket watch.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Lovely Rolex movement.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27£150 is riding on this.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- Let's see if we can get a bit more for you.- Yeah, lovely.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34It's a lovely piece of kit, with the Rolex movement.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Rolex ones are unusual, so, yeah, it's the name you want. - It is, isn't it?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Marked Rolex, Dennison case, Birmingham 1934,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44on a silver graduated watch chain.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Commission bids straight in at £120.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50120. 130. I'm out at 130 in the room. Commission's lost. 130.
0:25:50 > 0:25:56- 140. 150.- Brilliant. - 150. You're out at the back at 150.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01It's forward at 150. 60 if you like? 150. Sold at 150.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Yes we're gonna take that.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05That's good. Spot-on valuation.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07- Happy?- Yes.- What are you putting the money towards?
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Into the kitty for my mother-in-law's care.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14- Ah, bless her. What's her name? - Olive.- Olive, I hope you're watching right now.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Hilary's done us proud, haven't you? Well done.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Ooh, Ronald, Jacqui.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28I don't know about you, but I'm on the edge.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30So am I, to be honest.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35£175-250. Something like that we would really like for this chest.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39I've seen lots of people pulling the trays out. It doesn't look much, does it?
0:26:39 > 0:26:44When you look down on it and see that black dome lid, it looks, "What's in the box?"
0:26:44 > 0:26:49- But it's like Pandora's box, because it all comes out.- That's lovely.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50- Having a good day so far?- Yeah.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Hopefully, I'm not going to spoil it.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59Let's flog it, shall we? Let's see what we can do. Here we go. It's going under the hammer now.
0:26:59 > 0:27:011970, stained wood tool chest.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I have to start at £180.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Ooh, we've sold it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10- Ooh, ever so pleased. - At 180?- Gosh, I was scared.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13180, on commission. Watching you in the room at 180. 190, looking for.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17£180, on commission and selling. Just the one bidder.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Quality all the way.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23OK, you've got 180 quid. It's gone, a little bit of commission to pay.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28Jacqui... I'm going to ask Jacqui, because she'll end up spending it.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- She'll spend it all for me. - What are you gonna do with £170?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36We're going on holiday in June to Tenerife, so it's towards our spending money.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Bit of spending money. Well, you take care and have a good time.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42We'll go with friends, so we'll have a few drinks on it.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Good old knees up.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54Right now, we've got a bit of 20th century modern and two lovely ladies here.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Geoffrey Baxter Whitefriars glass.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Janice and Angela, good to see you again.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Let's hope we get the top end of Mark's estimate, £250.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Baxter, so I think
0:28:06 > 0:28:08these are classics, especially the guitar shape.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12They are and they're that lovely tangerine colour. I love them.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16I just moved in to Brighton, so I'd love some on my window ledge.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- Spotlit.- The light coming through.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Let's hope that the bidders here fall in love with them. They're going under the hammer.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Two Whitefriars here.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Bids start at £100.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29110. 120. 130. And I'm out at 130.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32140. 150. 160.
0:28:32 > 0:28:33Anyone else? 160. 170.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35170 now. Forward at 170.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- Come on, a few more.- 180 at the back.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43- 190. 190. 200, do I see? It's 190. 200.- Gosh!- It's fantastic.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47210. Forward at £210. 20 anywhere?
0:28:47 > 0:28:51210. Selling away at £210.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Yes, £210.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Geoffrey Baxter is definitely worth investing in. Whitefriars glass.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59What will the money go towards?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01We're going to America soon.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- So who's getting it?- Er...
0:29:03 > 0:29:05- The grandson?- Probably.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Glenys, let's see if we can get you to Australia, shall we?
0:29:13 > 0:29:16A lot riding on this, with all those silk cards.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21There's a lot of them and if you break it down to £2 or £3 a card, that's where our valuation is.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24I totally agree with you, James. £200 to £300.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Let's hope we're in for more of a surprise.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28- Let's hope so.- Let's do it.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32170, a collection of World War I silk postcards, a handkerchief,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and a Northampton Territorial Force certificate, framed. Lot 170.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37A low start here, £110 I'm bid.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41At 110 for these. 110, 120, 130?
0:29:41 > 0:29:42140, 150. 160, 170.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46180, 190. £200 bid.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- Hooray!- Right, we're in.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50220. 230.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53240. 250.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- Come on.- Yes!
0:29:55 > 0:29:57270.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- 290, £300.- We're going to do it.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02320 do I see? 320 back in.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04330. 330. At 330 he's out.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09At 330. Selling at £330.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13We're going to take that. That's sold at £330.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- Brilliant, thank you so much. - That'll get you over there.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20I've got the ticket, I just need my spending money.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21A few dollars there.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- A few dollars indeed.- Beauty, mate!
0:30:43 > 0:30:47I don't know about you, but I've got a soft spot for a good pair of shoes. I love my shoes.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52So while I'm in Northampton, which is incidentally the shoe capital of Europe, I'm gonna pop in
0:30:52 > 0:31:00to the upmarket and classy Crockett and Jones to find out exactly how a good pair of shoes is made.
0:31:00 > 0:31:09In 1879, James Crockett and Charles Jones, both a bit strapped for cash, set up in business with just £100.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13They started with 20 staff, built the business up and in 1924
0:31:13 > 0:31:17were rewarded with Royal patronage and a visit from King George VI.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28And the company is still family run after all these years.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32So let's go and meet the managing director, Jonathan Jones, who's a direct descendant
0:31:32 > 0:31:37of one of the original co-founders of the company, Charles Jones.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Jonathan, it's good to see you.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45What a marvellous factory. Surrounded by shoes as well. I am in shoe Heaven.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48It's wonderful to see a family-run business still.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Yes, we are a family business. Four generations and we're still
0:31:52 > 0:31:56making shoes the way that we have been for the last 100 years.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- You've selected a pair for me here, haven't you?- That's right.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03They look very practical and the weight in them, that's real quality, isn't it?
0:32:03 > 0:32:07This is a jackboot from our current stock range.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09It's quite a long involved process, shoe-making.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14When people go around the factory they're surprised how long it takes to make a pair of shoes.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- We're talking about something like 200 different processes...- 200?! - ..something like that.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22It takes around about eight weeks from start to finish in our factory
0:32:22 > 0:32:26because, although we can take advantage of modern technology in certain areas,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28there is an awful lot of hand work involved.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33Making shoes like this, it's a bit of an art as well as a manufacturing process.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Do you know, they are very, very smart, aren't they?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- They look as though they fit you quite well.- Beautiful colour.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44- You can feel the difference. - We often find that once people have our shoes on
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- they don't worry so much about the price and become loyal customers. - I'm going to hide my cheap ones.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56In the Middle Ages, Northampton became the most important centre in England for the tanning trade.
0:32:56 > 0:33:03Mostly because the town was conveniently placed for the north, London and east and west routes.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06In addition, Northampton was surrounded by forests
0:33:06 > 0:33:12which provided an abundance of oak bark, an essential tanning ingredient.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17And where tanning and leather is readily available, it wasn't long before the shoe-makers gathered.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26- And this is where it all starts. Steve is it?- Yes. - Hello, pleased to meet you.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28They told me I could find you here.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32You're the guy in charge of all the hide, all the skins?
0:33:32 > 0:33:34This area controls all the quality for the business.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Incoming goods and we have to make sure
0:33:37 > 0:33:40it meets all the qualifications and standards and quality.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44You have some mixed hide here. I can just see by the finish. What's this?
0:33:44 > 0:33:49This is American pull up leather. Older animal, natural scars.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Big scars, healed scars.
0:33:51 > 0:33:56This is a calf, which most high class manufacturers use now.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59This is what we start with and this is when we've antiqued it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04That's the basic colour. You steep it in a liquid?
0:34:04 > 0:34:09No, what we do is, in the final stages of the shoes, we apply antique creams, polish.
0:34:09 > 0:34:15- Very much like a woodworker. - To enhance the grain and the anonymity of the product.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Where is that scar again?
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- Did you have to repair that scar? - No, you can't use that.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26That'll split eventually, won't it? Right, Steve, where do I go next?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Point me in the right direction.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31You have to go that way for the clicking.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33The clicking? Sounds good.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35- Thanks very much.- OK, bye.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Hi, Graham. You're one of the clickers. Why do they call you that?
0:34:43 > 0:34:49It stems back from a long time ago, when the knife comes from the pattern, it clicks.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54- Show me what you mean by that.- Here we go, round the pattern.- Oh, yes.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58- Just a little click off the leather. - A little click as it comes out.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02- So you're given a load of patterns and you've got to cut the leather out.- That's right.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07Obviously, you get the best part of the leather, the prime part,
0:35:07 > 0:35:13- for the best part of the shoe, then you work away for the rest of the shoe.- To the edges, yeah.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Very sharp knife. That just cut through that like butter.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- Let's have a look.- Hack saw blades. - Old hack saw blades!
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Just grind the teeth off them and sharpen them to the shape you want.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28That looks difficult to do, because I know that's hard to cut as quick as that.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- Where do I go from here? - Down to the closing room.- Thank you.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33See you again.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Is that difficult? - Very.- It looks difficult.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Just hope I don't mess up.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47- That's very clever. Are the ladies shoes harder to work on than the men's?- Yeah, cos they're smaller.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- Sorry to stop you in your work. - That's fine.- You're in perforation.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55I can see now exactly what you are doing.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Yes, I've been doing it for 25 years.- Wow.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- 25, yes.- You must be very good at what you do.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04It's looking more like a shoe.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Sorry to butt in. So what's that then?
0:36:11 > 0:36:17That's a leather softener, just to put it on the toes, to help the stain, help to moisten it,
0:36:17 > 0:36:18then put it in the machine...
0:36:21 > 0:36:23- ..which pulls it over.- That's clever!
0:36:23 > 0:36:27It'll stop in that last now for two or three weeks.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- I'm impressed with that. Thanks a lot.- That's all right.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34One of the unique Crockett and Jones features is the cork filled sole
0:36:34 > 0:36:41which provides wonderful insulation. It was used for an early Ernest Shackleton polar expedition.
0:36:41 > 0:36:47And it proved so successful it was used for a further voyage in 1914.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Dave, hello.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59- Hello.- Welting process, talk me what you are doing now.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05We've put a strip of welting and we sew it through the ribbon on the shoe.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06OK.
0:37:06 > 0:37:12Which then gives us the foundation for sticking the sole and stitching through the welt.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15That looks hard to do.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17They told me it was good money when I started.
0:37:17 > 0:37:23- How many do you do a day then? - About 300 pairs. It's technically a skilled job.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Its uniqueness is that once you put it in,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40if you want to mend this at any stage,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- you can simply do that.- Ah.
0:37:43 > 0:37:51It's a chain stitch so you can remove the whole process to mend the shoe, unlike a stuck-on.
0:37:51 > 0:37:58- Yes, exactly. Unlike my stuck-ons. You noticed that.- Always notice what somebody's got on their feet.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Basically, I've got to treat myself to a new pair of shoes while I'm here.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06You should go in the factory shop, mate.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11Down the factory shop. I'm going to do that, Dave, treat myself to a new pair of shoes.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Mention my name, you get a 10% discount.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26That was incredible. And here... well, here's the finished product.
0:38:26 > 0:38:33Now who would have thought that there's over 200 different processes into making a single shoe?
0:38:33 > 0:38:34Wouldn't have believed that.
0:38:34 > 0:38:40But they don't come cheap, mind you. The average price is £250 to £350.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44But they will last you a good 10 to 20 years.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46So you could say a bit of a bargain.
0:38:56 > 0:39:02It's back to the valuation. It looks like James is having afternoon tea.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Sandra, one of the nightmare things for an auctioneer
0:39:05 > 0:39:07is seeing somebody unpack a tea service,
0:39:07 > 0:39:12because time after time, people unwrap a cup and saucer
0:39:12 > 0:39:19that's been a treasured belonging for generations and we have to say, unfortunately, it's worth nothing.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24Generally, today, tea services are very hard to sell. People don't use them.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29Society has changed so much that tea services are just out of vogue.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32But this one I absolutely love.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36Two reasons. It's a great design and I love fish.
0:39:36 > 0:39:42So tell me, is this something that you've used every afternoon...?
0:39:42 > 0:39:45- I've never used this.- Haven't you? - No, I like looking at it though.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48I think it's too delicate to use.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- I'd have liked to have put it in a display cabinet but I haven't got one.- OK.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55And I moved to Australia and this all came with me.
0:39:55 > 0:40:01- Really?- Then I moved back again and it's been sitting in a suitcase in the attic.- So how was Australia?
0:40:01 > 0:40:06- It was nice.- As good as Britain? - No.- Brilliant.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08I like Australia but I like Britain too.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Well, the tea set is lucky to have survived.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14I've been very careful.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17So obviously, the fact it's here means you're wanting to sell it.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- Yes.- So have you fallen out of love with it?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23No, but I'm frightened of damaging it.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25OK, it's got some advantages.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30The gilding and the decoration on this is absolutely fantastic.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35It's an unusual design and it's something that's going to appeal to collectors
0:40:35 > 0:40:39as well as somebody who will want to display it in a china cabinet.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41It's by a factory,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43if we have a look, Carlton China.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48Very similar script mark to the famous Carlton Ware.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53But this is by Burke Rawlins and Co. This would have been produced around the 1930s.
0:40:53 > 0:40:59- It has the Made In England mark, and that was put on in 1925 and later.- Right.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Before 1925, it was England.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04But it's missing its teapot, sadly.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- It's teapot, I think, is in my loft. - In your loft?- It is, somewhere.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11- You need to go home and go through the loft and see if you can find it.- I will.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16But you must do that before the catalogue goes to print.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21The most important thing, in some ways. We need to come to a conclusion of value.
0:41:21 > 0:41:26- I think, without the teapot, we ought to put an estimate of £50 to £80 on it. OK?- Yes.
0:41:26 > 0:41:32If you can find the teapot, that will up it to £80 to £100.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34- Is that OK for you?- That's fine.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- See if you can find that teapot - it'd be lovely to keep it together. - I'll try.
0:41:42 > 0:41:48- Dermott, Hello.- Hello.- Now, tell me about this clock garniture.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Well, we were left them by a friend about 14 years ago.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56We haven't got much room for them now. We're getting a bit cluttered.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59They're not in pride and place on your mantelpiece?
0:41:59 > 0:42:03No, they're on a shelf on the stairs.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06I think they're rather fun. Do you know what they're made out of?
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Not really, no.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Because normally people assume this is going to be bronze.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13But when you pick them up, they're very light.
0:42:13 > 0:42:20They're made out of spelter, which is a combination of metals, which gives the effect of bronze,
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- particularly if you paint them with a bronze colouring.- Are they hollow?
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Yes, they are. They are cast, but they are hollow inside.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31So they're very delicate. It's a very fragile metal.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36If you were to hit it, it would just break, whereas bronze, of course, is quite a strong metal.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39These have been painted. What really attracts me to this is,
0:42:39 > 0:42:46normally these are going to date to the end of the 19th century, the beginning of the 20th century.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Late Victorian, Edwardian.
0:42:49 > 0:42:56And they're normally classical subjects - Diana, the Huntress, Apollo, Mercury, that kind of thing.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01But here we've got one of the early representations of the fire brigade.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- With their old helmets. - It's all-action.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09It's all-action. You've got, obviously, the chap here standing on the roof with flames billowing out.
0:43:09 > 0:43:15And he's got his hose in his hand. The other one is about to break into somewhere to save somebody.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18And then on the clock, you've got the chap with his ladder,
0:43:18 > 0:43:20saving a young child.
0:43:20 > 0:43:26And he's just saved her, presumably from the fire that he's getting away from.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29From that point of view alone, they're quite unusual.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31I've certainly never seen them before.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36- They're probably French, rather than English.- Yes, they've got...
0:43:36 > 0:43:39There's some plaques on them that show that they are titled in French,
0:43:39 > 0:43:42but these are normally made in France.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46And the clock movement itself would be very basic.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Intrinsically, I don't think they're worth a huge amount of money.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53What I like about them is I think they're quite rare
0:43:53 > 0:44:01If there's two collectors out there who want them, we might set the saleroom alight. Excuse the pun.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03There's a little bit of damage on this one.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06- A part of his pick or whatever he's holding.- An axe, I should think.
0:44:06 > 0:44:12It's broken off, which is a bit of a shame, because the rest of them are in quite good condition.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15The colour's quite good. If we were to put them into auction,
0:44:15 > 0:44:19we'd probably be looking at £50 to £80, but who knows?
0:44:19 > 0:44:23If two collectors want them, we might even get over the hundred.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26- Just being the right day.- Absolutely. Do you want a reserve on them?
0:44:26 > 0:44:29- No, not really. - I think we'll just let them go.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31I think that's wise of that sort of level.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35I think they're great and I certainly could live with them.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39- I hope we get a good price on the day and I look forward to the auction.- Lovely.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46David, when I first saw this in the box, I thought,
0:44:46 > 0:44:49"We'll have at least half an hour while you set it up,"
0:44:49 > 0:44:53- but you put it together like a real expert. You've done it a few times? - Two or three.
0:44:53 > 0:44:58Whenever we're looking at optical instruments, in particular microscopes or telescopes,
0:44:58 > 0:45:02there is one name that really does ring out above all the others.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04And that's Dollond of London.
0:45:04 > 0:45:09I don't know how much history you know, but I'll tell you a bit about what I know.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12John Dollond, the first John Dollond,
0:45:12 > 0:45:15was born in 1706, died in 1761.
0:45:15 > 0:45:20But he was the grandson of a French silk Huguenot weaver
0:45:20 > 0:45:26and in the late 17th century, a lot of the French came over because they were being persecuted in France,
0:45:26 > 0:45:31and they were often very skilled workers, either silk weavers or silversmiths and jewellers.
0:45:31 > 0:45:36So John Dollond's parents came over, had him in 1706,
0:45:36 > 0:45:41and he started one of the most famous optical instrument makers that Britain has ever seen.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45- Where did you get your glasses from? - Specsavers.- Specsavers!
0:45:45 > 0:45:48But you could have got them from Dollond and Aitchison,
0:45:48 > 0:45:54and they are the great, great, great, great grandchildren of John Dollond, the person who made this.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58And Dollond of London were optical instrument makers
0:45:58 > 0:46:00for King George the Third and also for Queen Victoria.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04They made telescopes and they made microscopes mainly.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06If we look at the box this microscope came in,
0:46:06 > 0:46:10we see these wonderful flush brass handles on the sides.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14And that indicates that it was made to be packed away and for travelling.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17And look at that box - wonderfully fitted.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21This takes into - what would you say - about 10 or 15 pieces, at least?
0:46:21 > 0:46:26- Yeah.- And all fits together beautifully into this box.
0:46:26 > 0:46:31Then we've got other bits in here as well. We've got little turned ivory cases.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34We've got slides made in bone.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37You often find the most gruesome things. What's that?
0:46:37 > 0:46:40A leg of something by the looks of it.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42But there we go. These aren't labelled.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45They're contemporary with the microscope, so...
0:46:45 > 0:46:50It's what we call a monocular microscope, for obvious reasons - it has one lens.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52Binocular or monocular.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55And this alters a rack and pinion.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58- There we go. But we've got a couple of bits missing, haven't we?- Yeah.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02- So tell me how you came to have it. - My son gave it me three years ago.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05Nice gift. Spend a lot of money on it?
0:47:05 > 0:47:08No. It came out of a skip.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12- Who on earth would put this in a skip?!- My son.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16- Your son put it in the skip?- Yeah, when they cleared the house.- No!
0:47:16 > 0:47:20Yeah. Then he took it back out and said, "My dad would like that,"
0:47:20 > 0:47:22so he said, "Here's part of your Christmas present."
0:47:22 > 0:47:26I mean, really, it is the most fantastic quality thing.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28You've saved it and I'm so pleased.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31So, having done the research, what do you think it's worth?
0:47:33 > 0:47:37- Couple of hundred quid, I suppose. - It's going to be more than that.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40We've got bits missing, so that's a slight problem.
0:47:40 > 0:47:44But it is the best of makers in its original box.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48And, OK, we've got a few bits missing, but you've got a lot left.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52So I think we ought to put an estimate of 400 to 600.
0:47:52 > 0:47:57- Mmm.- I've seen them sell before, complete, at £1,000 to £1,500.
0:47:57 > 0:48:03And if it's a rare model - and I'm not sure because, obviously, on a day like Flog It!,
0:48:03 > 0:48:09we're here in Northampton Town Hall and we haven't got a reference library with us at all.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14- But this is a lovely thing and thank you very much for bringing it in. - Been nice being here. Love it.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24- Hello, Anita.- Hello. - Or should I say Joan Rivers?
0:48:24 > 0:48:29Because we've all commented on it, you do look like Joan Rivers.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32- You're not a relation, are you? - No, I don't tell rude jokes!
0:48:32 > 0:48:34Oh, good, neither do I.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Now, moving on to something much more important,
0:48:37 > 0:48:40this lovely little butter boat, or cream jug.
0:48:40 > 0:48:44- Where did you get it from? - I got it from a table top for 20p.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48Now, tell us, what's a table top, like a jumble sale?
0:48:48 > 0:48:51- It's a bit upmarket to a jumble sale. - Right.
0:48:51 > 0:48:56- This was here in Northampton? - Yes, yes.- For 20p?- Yes.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58When was that?
0:48:58 > 0:49:00It was about a year ago.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04- And can we have the address of the next one?- No!
0:49:04 > 0:49:06- You're keeping it a secret, aren't you?- Yes!
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Well, did you have any idea what you were buying?
0:49:09 > 0:49:12- I thought it was very pretty. - The shape and the flowers.
0:49:12 > 0:49:16Yes, the shape. I'd never seen anything like it before.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20I thought it's really pretty, so I bought it, because I like pretty things.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24- I collect different things. - It's a lovely object. I want to tell you about it.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27- It's 18th century. - Really, that old?
0:49:27 > 0:49:30Yeah. It's over 200 years old.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32- I'm amazed. - It's a wonderful little thing.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37It's a little butter boat, for melted butter or a little cream jug, something like that.
0:49:37 > 0:49:44It's wonderfully modelled, as a leaf, with these lovely little sprays and sprigs of flowers on it
0:49:44 > 0:49:47and this lovely body, moulded with the leaves.
0:49:47 > 0:49:52It's got a little bit of a firing fault there, but that's absolutely fine.
0:49:52 > 0:49:55Minute damage on it, incredible.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59I'd love to be able to tell you the factory but I've been racking my brains
0:49:59 > 0:50:01and I've been asking colleagues here.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04There's so many different possibilities.
0:50:04 > 0:50:10I don't think it's Worcester, but it could be Lowestoft, it could be any number of the Liverpool factories.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14It could be any number of Staffordshire factories.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17What I've done is taken some digital photographs of it,
0:50:17 > 0:50:21and I'll have a word with a few colleagues when I get home
0:50:21 > 0:50:26and whatever we find out we'll put it in their catalogue description, and maybe boost it up a bit.
0:50:26 > 0:50:32Now, from 20p, how much do you think it's worth?
0:50:32 > 0:50:36- No idea.- £20, £50?
0:50:36 > 0:50:38Possibly. Possibly.
0:50:38 > 0:50:44I think you're going to be quite pleased, actually, because I think we should put it in at £200 to £300.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47- £200 to £300?- Yes.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50- Really?- 200 to 300. - I don't believe that.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52We'll put a reserve on it.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55- Yes.- Maybe £150.- Really?!
0:50:55 > 0:51:00I don't know, if two collectors want it... It's in such lovely condition, I'd love it at home.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03It's in such lovely condition it could really fly.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06- It's a lovely little object. - Thank you very much.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09- What a very good eye you've got. - Yes, I have, actually.
0:51:11 > 0:51:17That's it for our valuations today, so let's have one last look at what's going off to auction.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21Only 20p for an upmarket table-top sale.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24Let's hope Anita's blue and white butter boat
0:51:24 > 0:51:27is the creme de la creme in the sale room.
0:51:27 > 0:51:32Sandra hasn't been able to find the teapot for her unusual Vichy tea service.
0:51:32 > 0:51:37Dermot's clock garniture is also unusual, but it's spelter rather than bronze,
0:51:37 > 0:51:41and one of the firemen has lost his axe.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45Will the pieces missing from Dave's microscope blur the bidders' vision?
0:51:45 > 0:51:49Well, auctioneer Mark should be able to tell us.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57How do you turn 20p into £200?
0:51:57 > 0:52:01Well, just watch this, because Anita here has just brought along
0:52:01 > 0:52:05that lovely little Bow cream jug, we've got £200 to £300 on it.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07You bought it for 20p!
0:52:07 > 0:52:10- Amazing, isn't it? - I've never had bargains like that.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14- Have you?- No, I haven't. I normally spend £200 and it's worth 20p!
0:52:14 > 0:52:15THEY LAUGH
0:52:15 > 0:52:20I tried to be fair and double our money and offer her 40p for it but she wouldn't take it!
0:52:20 > 0:52:24Have you had any other good finds like that?
0:52:24 > 0:52:26- Not really.- No.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28No. Because I collect things.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31- A bit of a one-off, is it? - Yes, really, yes.
0:52:31 > 0:52:35Let's see what we can do for you, shall we? 20p into 200, here we go.
0:52:35 > 0:52:40185 is an 18th-century porcelain leaf moulded butter boat,
0:52:40 > 0:52:43plain leaf handle, unmarked but possibly Bow.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47I have to start on commission here at £120. 120, I'm bid here at 120.
0:52:47 > 0:52:55- 120, 120...- Come on. - 120, 130, 140 now, at £140, 140 bid,
0:52:55 > 0:52:58150, 160, 170 on the telephone, 180, new bidder.
0:52:58 > 0:53:03- At 180, 190 now. £200.- Yes.- At 200.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05- 210.- It's going on a bit!
0:53:05 > 0:53:09220, at 220 now, at 220, 230, at 230 on the telephone.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11Don't you love auctions?
0:53:11 > 0:53:16The telephone wins, £230, all out in the room, selling at £230.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18Yes, made estimate, that's good.
0:53:18 > 0:53:23- That's excellent, really. - £230 towards the holiday, Anita.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25What place springs to mind?
0:53:25 > 0:53:27- Egypt, maybe?- Egypt.
0:53:27 > 0:53:28I haven't decided, really.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33And next to tempt the bidders is Sandra's tea service.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37James, there's no teapot.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40- There is....- But we can't find it.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44- Have you had a good look?- I've had my loft inside out and back to front.
0:53:44 > 0:53:50- But it's there somewhere, isn't it? - I think so.- What have you done with it?- I know.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52Well, we've got a valuation of £60 to £80
0:53:52 > 0:53:57and the teapot would have crept that up to about 120, a complete set.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59- What a shame.- I know.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Unusual design for Carlton Ware, though.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05It's a stylish set, but that gilding and those fish are brilliant,
0:54:05 > 0:54:10- but not what you'd expect with Carlton Ware. - No. Why are you selling this?
0:54:10 > 0:54:13This is to go towards my central heating. My boiler broke down.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17Oh, gosh, that's expensive. Right, we've got to help you out.
0:54:17 > 0:54:23We need to get a new boiler for Sandra, so fingers crossed, a bit of money towards it. This is it.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25Carlton china tea service decorated with carp
0:54:25 > 0:54:27in gilt and coloured enamels. 21 pieces.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29Unfortunately, no teapot.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31- Here we go.- Lot number 35.
0:54:31 > 0:54:32I have to say £30. Bid 30 here.
0:54:32 > 0:54:3435, 40.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37He's got a commission bid on the book. That's good.
0:54:37 > 0:54:39- There's interest in the room now. - £60 in the room.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43- 65, new bidding, at 65. - We've sold it anyway.
0:54:43 > 0:54:4765 right at the back, at 65. 70 do I see? 65 and selling.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52- Yes, the hammer's gone down. £65. - Spot-on.- Spot-on.
0:54:52 > 0:54:58- Great.- That's £65 less a bit of commission towards the new boiler. Keep you warm.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- Right, Dermot, your clock, rather unusual.- It is.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08Typical French spelter clock.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12- But I've not seen firemen decorated...- Never.- Never, ever.
0:55:12 > 0:55:17Well, we've got a valuation of £50-80, so it's cheap to me.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19Well, it's spelter. Also, there is a bit of damage.
0:55:19 > 0:55:24One of the firemen's lost the end of his chopper, which of course is going to react a bit.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28But there must be people that collect fire brigade memorabilia.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31Exactly. That's why it should put the price up.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34That's what I'm thinking, anyway. That's my reckoning.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36- We'll find out soon.- In fact, we're gonna find out right now.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39460 is the spelter three-piece clock garniture.
0:55:39 > 0:55:41Starting at £50 for this.
0:55:41 > 0:55:4350...
0:55:44 > 0:55:46- £60...- Oh, come on!
0:55:46 > 0:55:51..And will be sold then. Away at £60.
0:55:51 > 0:55:53- We've sold it.- Yeah.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55- But there we are.- No world cruise.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59Didn't set the saleroom alight, did it?
0:55:59 > 0:56:04- What can I say?- It didn't set the room alight.- It didn't.
0:56:04 > 0:56:05It was that one chopper.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08A damaged chopper is always the kiss of death!
0:56:08 > 0:56:10It was missing.
0:56:13 > 0:56:18What are you hoping for? Secretly, deep down, what have you been thinking about?
0:56:18 > 0:56:21I'd like £500 or £600, yeah.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24Within James's estimate. We're talking about Dave's microscope - a boxed set.
0:56:24 > 0:56:26I had a chat to the auctioneer earlier.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30He said, yes, top end of that estimate. What do you think, James?
0:56:30 > 0:56:34Come on, you've had a bit more time to sort of do a bit more research now.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38It's always difficult in these circumstances because Dave found it in a skip.
0:56:38 > 0:56:44- His son did.- So it owes him nothing. I don't ever like to get people's hopes up.
0:56:44 > 0:56:49I know, but come on, just stick your neck out. We're friends!
0:56:49 > 0:56:53- I think it should make 1,200, 1,500.- Right.
0:56:53 > 0:56:58- Really?- Dave, are you shaking? - Yeah.- Wouldn't that be nice?
0:56:58 > 0:57:00I'm gonna feel awful if it doesn't!
0:57:00 > 0:57:06Thinking about £400 or £500 last week, now he's all of a sudden going, "Ker-ching, ker-ching!"
0:57:06 > 0:57:09Early 19th-century monocular compound brass microscope
0:57:09 > 0:57:12by Dollond of London in a fitted mahogany box.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15- Listen to the buzz in the room. - Lots of interest here.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Have to start at £380.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21380. 400. Now 420. At 440?
0:57:21 > 0:57:24440 on telephone one. At 440.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26460. 480 in the room, at 480.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28480, at the back, at 480.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30500.
0:57:30 > 0:57:34And 50. 600. And 50.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37700. And 50.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39- Oh, yeah, keep going.- 800...
0:57:39 > 0:57:41It's gonna be a good, steady climb, this one.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44- 900. And 50.- Yeah.
0:57:44 > 0:57:471,000. 1,100.
0:57:47 > 0:57:511,200. 1,300. 1,300 in the room.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55At £1,300. Away at £1,300.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58Yes! £1,300!
0:57:58 > 0:58:01Put it there. What a lovely Christmas present.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03- Well done.- Thank you.
0:58:03 > 0:58:04What comes to mind?
0:58:04 > 0:58:08A drink for my son. Bit more than a drink, really, I suppose.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10Treat yourself. Holiday?
0:58:10 > 0:58:12Do the brakes on my car.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15- Go to Skeggy for a week. - Go to Skeggy for a week!
0:58:15 > 0:58:17Rent a caravan!
0:58:17 > 0:58:19Dave, thank you so much for coming, and James.
0:58:19 > 0:58:22What a cracking day we've had. That's auctions for you.
0:58:22 > 0:58:26Join us again on Flog It! for plenty more surprises coming your way.
0:58:39 > 0:58:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd