0:00:31 > 0:00:36Today, Flog It is in St Albans which, even now, is based
0:00:36 > 0:00:40on the medieval town that grew up around the abbey.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Many of the medieval buildings still exist and at its heart
0:00:43 > 0:00:47was the market which has continued since those times, giving the town
0:00:47 > 0:00:50its lively atmosphere.
0:00:50 > 0:00:56There is no market today - the bustle you can hear behind me is this magnificent Flog It queue.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- You ready for this?- Yeah!
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Thumbs up. An excitable bunch.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03We've got two great experts, today. Kate Bliss and Mark Stacey.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06They'll be setting their stalls up inside, valuing all the wonderful
0:01:06 > 0:01:10antiques that are brought into the splendid Georgian town hall.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18Kate's up first and it looks like it's tea for two.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Sue, we're all set for a rather grand tea party.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- Just need the cucumber sandwiches, eh?- Indeed.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26What can you tell me about this?
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Really, that it's been handed down in the family
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- and I'm the last one to have it. - Right.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36So, really, we now just don't have any room for it.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38The boys don't want it.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- Your boys?- Yes. I've asked them.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- Not quite their sort of thing! - Definitely not their thing. No.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49- They're very minimalist.- Are they? So you're sort of having a declutter.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53I'm definitely having a declutter. Yes. This is the start of it.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Well, I have to tell you, unfortunately,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59tea sets and coffee sets have gone down in value, I'm afraid,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02in the auction market in the last few years,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06whether they're in porcelain or in pottery or in silver, cos people just
0:02:06 > 0:02:10really don't want to use them anymore, at the end of the day.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13This is a lovely period part set.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18I would put it probably at early Victorian, late 1830, 1840, probably.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23And it's hand-painted decoration, so all the flowers on the inside
0:02:23 > 0:02:27is all done by hand and then the gilt is overlaid over the top.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Now, you're going to ask me what factory this is, aren't you?
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- Yes.- And I'm not going to be able to tell you.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36There were all sorts of factories in England,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39producing this sort of thing in the early 19th century.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44The best quality botanical painting is normally signed.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49And you see it at on the top class factories like Chelsea and Derby.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51This isn't quite in that league
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- and I have noticed we've got quite a bit of damage, haven't we?- Yes.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- So we've got the little finial here. It's been reglued?- It has.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- On the coffee cups, we've got a bad crack there and another here.- Yes.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- And the sugar bowl's had a bit of a knock?- Just a little.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07There's a nasty crack there.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13So all that, I'm afraid, is going to bring it down. It's also incomplete.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15So we've got, I think it's three teacups?
0:03:15 > 0:03:19And one, two, three little, four little, coffee cans.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22I would have thought there would have been six of each...
0:03:22 > 0:03:24or even more.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28But, nevertheless, it's a lovely period part tea set.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The sort of thing that should go in a cabinet, really, on display.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- That's where it was living.- Right.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35So, have you any idea of value?
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- None at all.- OK.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Well, I think the major thing is the damage, I'm afraid.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45That's going to affect it quite a lot and I think several years ago,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48this would have made several hundred pounds.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53Unfortunately, today, I'm going to say, at auction, anything from £80
0:03:53 > 0:03:56to perhaps 150, on a good day.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- That's fine.- The milk jug is probably one of the nicest pieces.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Undamaged. And just looking at that on its own, you can see
0:04:03 > 0:04:05it's a really pretty thing, isn't it?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Typically Victorian. Quite elaborate, really.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- It's quite an eyeful, isn't it? Perfectly...- A little over the top.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- So, do I take it it's not quite your taste, Sue?- Definitely not.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21No. So will you be quite pleased to see the back of this?
0:04:21 > 0:04:24To flog it? Yes. I think that would be a very good idea.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- Well, we'd better get a good price for you.- That would be nice.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Hello, Philip.- Hi, Mark.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Now, we see a lot of pocket watches on the show but none quite like this.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- Where did you get it from? - Well, it belongs to my mother
0:04:42 > 0:04:47and has been in my mother's family for a good number of years,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49but quite its origin, we're not absolutely sure.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- Now, you've looked the hallmarks up cos it is silver?- Yes.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- What have you found out? It's hallmarked.- The case is hallmarked Birmingham,
0:04:57 > 0:04:591828 and the watch is Birmingham 1840.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02So it's obviously a bit of a marriage, there.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- Yes. I think so. - Maybe the original case broke
0:05:05 > 0:05:08and they put it in to one that was hanging around the house.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12The nice thing about this is we've got this very nice sort of enamelled
0:05:12 > 0:05:16face here, which is The Society of Oddfellows.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- Have you found out any information on it?- Not a lot, really.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26I did look up the Order of Oddfellows on the web and it seems
0:05:26 > 0:05:29to have American origins, probably Salem and New York.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30It's very nicely done, actually.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33You've got some masonic symbolism, there.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Unfortunately, we have got a little bit of damage on the enamel around the rim, but not too much.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41And also, we can see that the movement, itself,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44was made by Richard Sullen of Nottingham.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48And you've got this lovely chaste, nice fusee movement.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Now, what about value? Have you got any ideas, yourself?
0:05:51 > 0:05:56Well, not really, other than that I did see one on your programme
0:05:56 > 0:06:01a few weeks back and I think it was valued around the £100 mark,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05but it made about £400 when it was sold and I think that was probably
0:06:05 > 0:06:09because of the interest that somebody had in the Masons, really.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13I'd still be tempted to keep it lowish - I didn't see that one
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and it might have been something particular about it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Yeah.- Maybe a complicated movement or it was signed by the right maker,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23or something like that, you know what I mean, which can often
0:06:23 > 0:06:29change the value. I would still keep it around the £100-150 mark.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Why have you decided to sell it now?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Well, as I say, it belongs to my mother.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36It's one of those items that sits in a drawer that nobody looks at.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38We don't really know the history
0:06:38 > 0:06:43so it's no real sentimental value to us, so we might as well just convert
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- it into the cash, I think. - Have a bit of fun.- Yep.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48We'll put it in with a 100 reserve, so we don't give it away.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52I look forward to seeing you at the auction and time will tell.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Time will tell whether it's worth anything. Thank you very much.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- Les and Geoff, you're interested in all sorts of antiques and collectables?- We are.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- It's a bit of a hobby?- It is.- So what do you most like doing of a weekend?
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Normally, we'll find our way out to the boot sales on a Sunday morning.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20- Geoff, is it pottery you're interested in, or do you have a specific area?- No.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Myself, I collect carnival glass, but Les here, he collects Wade.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- But you've also got an eye for a bargain.- Oh, yeah.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Tell me about where this came from.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35Right. We was walking round the boot sale about two years or so ago, now.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37It was quite late in the morning.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I looked down in the grass and saw it laying there.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- In the grass?- In the grass. Yes.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I thought, it looks like Troika but it can't be.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Somebody would have bought it by now. So, when I picked it up and saw it was Troika,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54I asked the gentleman how much it was, he said he didn't like it,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56said I could have it for £2. I said well,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00if you don't like it, what about £1 and he said take it away now.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05So when he said £2, you even bartered him down to half price?!
0:08:05 > 0:08:06That's right. That's a boot sale.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08You have to make a bargain.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11So what about you, Geoff? Did you know it was Troika?
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Straightaway. As soon as we saw it, we knew exactly what it was.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- Bargain of the day.- I should say! Cor, I wish I'd been with you.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Well, yes, it is Troika, but it is what's known as a mask
0:08:25 > 0:08:29which is slightly more unusual among the Troika wares that you see
0:08:29 > 0:08:31available on the market today at auction.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35And they are purely ornamental, but they show
0:08:35 > 0:08:38the influence, really, of the very architectural
0:08:38 > 0:08:41forms that some of the wares took.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45And really, the forms of a very early civilisation, similar
0:08:45 > 0:08:47to the Aztec empire in South America.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50You can really see this here in the face.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I have seen them with a slightly more interesting kind of glaze,
0:08:53 > 0:08:58with the bluey-green glazes, whereas this, for me, is slightly duller.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02We've got this, sort of, beigey-brown and lighter green, so there isn't
0:09:02 > 0:09:05a huge contrast. Well, not until you turn him over, anyway,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and you've got this striking orange
0:09:07 > 0:09:10picking out what looks like this abstract nose, doesn't it?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Yes.- Which is quite striking.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Again, the same beige and green.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19And also, if we turn it over, we can see the mark in the base here,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23just as it should be, but we have got a little monogram.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Did you notice that?- Yes. Yeah.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Just by the name, there.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30And I'm pretty sure it's the monogram for a lady called Honor Curtis,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33who was actually head decorator at the factory,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37so she had a pretty important position and was highly respected,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40so that's going to give it a bit of help for a collector to have that.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42So, do you like it?
0:09:42 > 0:09:46To be honest, not really, no.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- You liked it for £1! - Well, I like it for £1. Yes!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53And there's obviously people out there who do like it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56It's hard to come by now. So you look at it and think,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58let somebody have it who likes it.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00So, what would you like to get for it?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- You tell me.- £7 or 800.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Yeah.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08I think I would value it, conservatively, at 6-800.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- I can see it making 800, 1,000 on a good day.- Yeah.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15So, what a find!
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- That's it.- Lovely.- Just hope it can go to some nice home, somewhere.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Hello, Rosemary.- Hello.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30What a nice object you brought to show us? Have you had it a long time?
0:10:30 > 0:10:31It's been passed through the family,
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- back to my great-great grandmother. - Where did she get it from?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37The family'd descended from the Comptons.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41And one of the female members ran away with the coachman.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Oh.- And she brought that with her.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49- So she ran away with the coachman and that?- Yeah.- Lucky woman!
0:10:49 > 0:10:52It's a very interesting object. Where does it live at home?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55It's been wrapped in bubblewrap under my bed.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Oh, that's a shame, isn't it?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Cos it's meant to go on the wall.- Yes.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- And then you'd put dried flowers, or flowers, in here.- Yes.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07What I particularly like about it, that distracted me in the queue,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- actually, are these wonderful posureness colours.- Yes.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14You know, this iridescent, this lovely, sort of, ruby lustre.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18The blue, very much copying that, sort of, Middle Eastern style
0:11:18 > 0:11:20of several hundred years ago.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- They've wrapped it in this wonderful sort of Persian shawl, as well.- Yes.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30Now, in terms of dating this, it's very highly Victorian.
0:11:30 > 0:11:37I suppose we're looking at maybe 1860, 1870, something like that.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40It isn't marked so it's difficult to decide where it's from.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44I think it might be continental, but it's a lovely object.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Sadly, of course, over the years, it's had a bit of a bash.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50We've got several little chips and a bigger one on the edge, here.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55Yes. I think that's where grandmother had it in the fireplace.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- She had it in the fireplace?- Yes.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- And she kept flowers in it and it dropped over?- Yes.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03But none of the family like it now? Is that why you decided to sell it?
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Well, mum hasn't got room for it anywhere.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I don't like it.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- So you decided to flog it?- Yes.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14We should put it into auction with a sensible estimate.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18If it had been in perfect condition, it would have been more desirable.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Yes.- But with the damage, I think we should put the estimate somewhere
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- like £80-100.- Right.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29- With an 80 discretion reserve on it. Would you be happy with that? - Yes. That's fine.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I think it's got great visual appeal.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- Yes.- And if you want something quite unique on the wall, this is it.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- And you won't be sad to see the back of it, then?- No!
0:12:39 > 0:12:42That's good. I look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Thank you very much for coming in. - OK. Lovely. Thank you.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52So many people and so many wonderful items,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54but right now, it's time to up the tempo.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57It's time for our first visit to the auction room,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01so here's a quick recap of all the items we're going to be selling.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06Even with the damage, I love Susan's hand-painted 19th century tea set,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08though she can't wait to flog it!
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It's time, too, for Philip's Birmingham silver pocket watch
0:13:11 > 0:13:12to head off to the sale room.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Kate spotted this unusual Troika mask.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18I think Les and Geoff are going to make an excellent return.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20They only paid £1 for it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Mark is showing his taste for the exotic
0:13:22 > 0:13:25with this Victorian wall pocket but will the buyers agree?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Next stop, Tring, which is the location of today's sale room,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33with auctioneer Steven Hurn on the rostrum.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37He knows the crowd well here at Tring Market Auction.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Fancy a cup of tea, Steven?
0:13:39 > 0:13:43I think that's too good to drink a cup of tea out of, Paul, don't you?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46It's not just a 19th century tea service.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48It's in fact a bit of fine art for sale.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Well, yes, it's very interesting. It's not easy to identify
0:13:52 > 0:13:56the factory, but I think by the shape and the handle shape, as well,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59and the quality of the decoration, I think it's late New Hall.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03And it's one of the tea sets that are presently doing quite well.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07It's very decorative and it's one that the trade could split.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Yes.- That's where its value lies. - Into little trios.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Into little trios. Selling them off.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- I can see it, actually. I can see that.- Sure. That's right.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Do you know, we've got £80-150 on this.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23I think there's a lot of people that would like to buy it between 80 and 150.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26But you'd like to sell it for a lot more than that!
0:14:26 > 0:14:29I think it will fetch quite a lot more than that.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32OK. Let me ask you to stick your neck out because I know
0:14:32 > 0:14:34you want considerably a lot more.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I'd like to see more and so would Susan, cos she's decluttering
0:14:37 > 0:14:40so the money's going to come in very useful.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Well, I'm going to, as you say, stick my neck out
0:14:44 > 0:14:49and I'm going to tell you that that will fetch over £300.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Right, time's up. No, it's not the end of the show.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04Time is up for Philip's pocket watch and we've got £100-150 put on this?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Yes.- Should do this quite easily. Bit of quality.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09It's been in a drawer. You don't want it?
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- A long time. The family don't want it, so let's hope we can sell it. - It's going under the hammer.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17If we had a key, we could test if it was working or not.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Oh, yes, but I think the collectors will know that.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22And it's lovely with the masonic cresting on it
0:15:22 > 0:15:25which is great. That should really help boost it a bit.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28It's going under the hammer now.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Good watch. Richard Sulley. It's also decorated with the arms to the face.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36What shall we say for this one? Shall we say 150 for it? £100. £80.
0:15:36 > 0:15:3890. 100. 100, I'm bid.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Ten, I've got.
0:15:39 > 0:15:4120, I'm bid. 30, I'm bid. 40.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Are you 50, 60?
0:15:44 > 0:15:46160 I'm bid. 70 now.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49£160. 70, is it?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51At £160, then.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Yes! Top estimate.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- All right, I think.- £160.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- Hammer's down. Happy with that? - Very pleased.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- Brilliant. Less the commission. That's not bad!- No. It's very good.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I've been waiting for this one, the Troika mask.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10We've got £8-1,200 on this.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14I've just been joined by Kate, our expert and Les and Geoff.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Originally we got an estimate by Kate of £6-800, but these guys have
0:16:18 > 0:16:20upped the reserve to 800.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Do you do this all the time, buy stuff at car boots
0:16:23 > 0:16:24and put it into auction?
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- No.- No.- No. I collect Wade and he collects carnival,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31so we just look for what we want, but we saw this thing and well,
0:16:31 > 0:16:32you're not going to leave it.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34And here we are on Flog It!
0:16:34 > 0:16:36What a great story. You see, it is out there.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39You've got to get up early and go shopping for it.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Right now, it's going under the hammer.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Now this important piece of Troika. The mask, this time, lot 242.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48We ought to be looking somewhere around 8-900 for this,
0:16:48 > 0:16:49I would have thought.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52What about 500 for it, then? Shall we say four? Yes.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Madam says 400. Thank you.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57400, we're bid for it. At 420 now.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59At 450 bid. 480 bid.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02500. 520, I'm bid for it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03550, I'm bid for it. 580.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08At 580. £600. £620.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12At £620. At £650.
0:17:12 > 0:17:1780 now. At £680. 700, is it? At 680.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20At £680, £700, is it?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22At £680, then?
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Down we go, then. At £680.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29We're just a few bids away from selling it.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32We've got a fixed reserve of £800.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34I think that just two more bids away,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- we'd have had it.- I think so. Yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- With a bit of discretion, that would have gone today.- That's right.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41But you wanted a fixed reserve.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- Win some, lose some.- Yeah.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50This wall pocket is Rosemary's. It was her grandmother's.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54And it was gran's, wasn't it? It's been right through the family.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- It's not going to be yours for much longer.- No.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Not with the valuation Mark's put on it!
0:17:59 > 0:18:00I think it will exceed that.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03We're got to do well over 150, haven't we, surely?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Well, there is a bit of damage on it, Paul,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- this is the thing.- I didn't see that.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11And also, these sort of things, I mean, it's very highly Victorian.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16I mean, I'd love to see it making 200 cos I think it's worth it. It's a lovely piece.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- That's what I'm rather hoping.- It's quirky.- I think this is a classic
0:18:20 > 0:18:24decorator's piece and it's hard to put a value on that, isn't it?
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- Yeah.- You're flogging it because of what?- I don't like it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30You don't like it! Well,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33that's a damned good reason, isn't it, to sell it, so good on you.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Let's hope we get top dollar. Going under the hammer now.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40That's certainly a different shape, isn't it, that one?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43There you are. Lot 365. What shall we say for this piece?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46I think, possibly, we might ask £200 for it.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47£200 for it.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49£50. That's a start, then.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51£50, I'm bid for it. 60, I have now.
0:18:51 > 0:18:5470, I'm bid. 80. £80.
0:18:54 > 0:18:5790, is it? £90. £100 is bid for it.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02110, I have. 110. 120. 120. And 30.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05And 40. 150. And 60, I have now. 170.
0:19:05 > 0:19:1080, is it? 180. 90. 190. And 200.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13At £200. And 210, now? At £200.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16No more? OK, then. 200, I shall sell.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19It's going, I sell then, for £200.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Yes! I'm loving it.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- That's so good, isn't it?- Very nice.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It really deserved 200. So quirky.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Quirky, the better.- Yes.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32It's gone. You've got your £200, less a bit of commission.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- What are you going to do with that? - Give it to my mum.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42Right. Susan's tea set.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44We've got a fixed reserve of £50.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Top end 150, hopefully. Be happy with that, wouldn't you?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Fingers crossed.- It's beautifully hand-painted and decorated.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Had a chat to the auctioneer just before the sale and he said he can
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- see this doing upwards of £300 plus, so what do you think of that?- Yummy.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Yummy. Yummy. Yummy.- Definitely.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05You're buying a bit of fine art, here.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Every single little panel is so different. It's so uniquely painted.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Bit of damage, of course, but might put the collectors off.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Well, we set the reserve low cos Susan just wants it gone,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19But I have to say, I think that's pretty optimistic, 300,
0:20:19 > 0:20:23looking at the damage. Cos if you look carefully, it's quite difficult
0:20:23 > 0:20:25to find a piece that is perfect.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27There's some tiny chips and tiny cracks.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30We've got a feeling it's going to be split up,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33not kept as a set and sold in trios.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It is beautiful.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- Oh, well. We'll wait and see. - What's the money going towards?
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- A tap.- A tap. Well, I think you can get a complete bath suite.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44We're going to find out right now,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- because I'm quite excited about this.- That'll be nice. Me too!
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Now we come to something very interesting. There you are.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53A pretty part service. Now, where do we start on those?
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Are we going to start at £200 for it?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58It's a very pretty one. £200 for it.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01150. I'm bid 150 for it.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02150, I'm bid for it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Thank you. 160 I'm bid now.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07170, I'm bid for it. 180.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09180, 190.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11190. £200 is bid for it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17210, I'm bid now. £220. £230.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19240.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Surely you're 50? Thank you. 260.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Reserve. I want to see a big smile!
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Yes? 280.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28290. 300.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31And 10 now. 310, is it? Yes. 310.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33And 20. Are you 30?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36330. I want 40.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Yes. This is good!
0:21:38 > 0:21:39£340. 50?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42£340. One more? No?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45At 340 then, I shall sell. It's going down and I sell.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49For £340, then.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- Wow.- That's great, isn't it?
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Hand basin, couple of taps. Plumber can fit that for you!
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Yeah. Brilliant.- Well, well, well.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59It was quality, through and through, despite the damage.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03You're buying a work of art. Lovely little hand-painted panels
0:22:03 > 0:22:04and that's so unique.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Maybe somebody can restore it.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It'll get split up. It'll get split up into trios.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12That did exceed my expectations. That's a great price.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15That's the beauty of auctions. You can't put a price on something!
0:22:21 > 0:22:23If you come to Tring during the school holidays,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27you're going to find this building full of excited schoolchildren.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29And they're absolutely loving this place.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33They've been brought here by family that are in the know,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35because this place, it's a real hidden gem.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38It's part of the Natural History Museum.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Coming here to the Natural History Museum at Tring,
0:22:45 > 0:22:50is like stepping back in time and visiting a museum straight out of the Victorian era.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57The museum was built in 1889 for the second Baron Rothschild,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Walter, who turned out to be one of the country's greatest
0:23:00 > 0:23:02collectors of natural history.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Walter had been obsessed by the natural world from an early age
0:23:07 > 0:23:11and by the time he was ten, he had amassed a collection of insects
0:23:11 > 0:23:15and birds large enough to start his first museum in a garden shed.
0:23:15 > 0:23:21But before long, his collections were filling rented rooms and sheds all over Tring.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24The museum was built as a 21st birthday present from his father,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28to provide a permanent place for them all to be housed.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30For the next 18 years, under duress,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Walter went to work for the family's banking business,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36but during that time, he spent all his money, his energies
0:23:36 > 0:23:40and his enthusiasm on this place, creating possibly
0:23:40 > 0:23:44the greatest ever natural history collection ever assembled
0:23:44 > 0:23:46by one man.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50His collections included thousands of mammals, reptiles and fish.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53It had everything from gorillas through to hummingbirds
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and even a group of domestic dogs.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I'm here to meet Katrina Cook, who's a curator here
0:24:00 > 0:24:02at the museum's ornithological department,
0:24:02 > 0:24:06whose passion with animals also started when she was really young. Pleased to meet you.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09So, when and where did it all start?
0:24:09 > 0:24:12It was my mother's fault! When I was very, very young,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14she'd bring me here to the museum
0:24:14 > 0:24:17at least every week of every school holidays.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19I can't remember the first time I came cos every time,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23as you walk in the door, there's that great wow factor, when you walk in
0:24:23 > 0:24:26and see the polar bear. Even now, I've spent a lifetime coming,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29there's always new exhibits to see that you hadn't noticed before.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34But also, I draw and I was obsessive about drawing. In fact, at 11,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I tried to draw all the birds on the British list.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- Oh, wow. Did you get through them? - I've got about halfway. Not too bad.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Always obsessed with animals. My room was a museum.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47It was full of skins and wings and pinned insects and things.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- Fantastic.- I stuffed my first bat at seven.- Did you really?- I did. Yeah.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- At home?- At home.- What did your friends think of you doing this,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59cos they're all into their dolls, probably?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02I don't actually think I had many!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Most young girls get into ponies and horses.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06You got into bats and taxidermy!
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Walter must have been quite an incredible man.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Possibly, slightly eccentric, don't you think?
0:25:14 > 0:25:18I think all natural historians have a slight tendency towards eccentricity
0:25:18 > 0:25:20and Walter had the dangerous combination
0:25:20 > 0:25:24- of, sort of, money with the madness. - He's got a lot in common with you!
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- If only you could have met! - We would have got on like a house on fire.- Yes!
0:25:28 > 0:25:30# Wild thing... #
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Walter was a complete eccentric.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35He had kept an extraordinary menagerie of exotic animals
0:25:35 > 0:25:40at his home in nearby Tring Park. Among them were kangaroos,
0:25:40 > 0:25:44a tame wolf, 64 cassowaries and a giant tortoise.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48He could often be seen in his coach, being drawn by zebras, both locally
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and on the occasional trip to the capital.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Some of the animals which Walter brought back, both alive and dead,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05from his travels and the collecting expeditions that he financed,
0:26:05 > 0:26:07you know, had never been seen before.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10It's really important to remember that not only was he an
0:26:10 > 0:26:15eccentric scientist and a man who did crazy things, but he was also a very
0:26:15 > 0:26:19very, very serious natural historian and made an enormous contribution
0:26:19 > 0:26:22to the understanding of science at that time.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Your department, the ornithological department, that's not open to the general public,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29so can I have a sneak behind the scenes, please?
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- I think we can arrange that. - OK. This way?
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Follow me.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39The Natural History Museum moved its ornithological collection
0:26:39 > 0:26:41from London to Tring in the 1970s.
0:26:41 > 0:26:49There are 17,000 specimens preserved in jars. And 16,000 bird skeletons.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Most impressively, there are almost 700,000 bird skins,
0:26:52 > 0:26:5795% of the world's species.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00How do the birds vary from the mounts, then?
0:27:00 > 0:27:02What's the difference in stuffing them?
0:27:02 > 0:27:07Well, these are what we call skins as opposed to mounts. So they're all
0:27:07 > 0:27:10prepared just lying flat.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13They've got just cotton wool for eyes. They don't need glass eyes.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16They don't have to be wired into a lifelike position.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21This way, they're easier for scientists to look at and measure and compare one with another.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Can I have a look at that? Is that a parakeet?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26That certainly is. That's not just any old parakeet.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Why? What's different about it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31This is a Carolina parakeet, which is now extinct in the wild.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35And this is also prepared by the famous artist, John James Audubon,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38who produced a mammoth book of the birds of America.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- And you do this as well here, don't you?- Actually prepare specimens?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- Part of your job remit? - Oh, yes. It certainly is. Yep.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49We're adding to the collection all the time. Nowadays, we're not going out and shooting.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53We rely on people to bring birds in to us that they found dead.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56How do you go about preserving this bird?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58OK. When the bird's freshly dead,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01you make an incision from here, mid-sternum,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05down to the vent and then prise the skin away from the actual body.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Some of the bones stay in. The bones of the legs and the wings.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- OK.- Skull, that's the original skull in there, as well.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15So you're literally just taking the skin off the carcass of the bird
0:28:15 > 0:28:17and then when it's all off,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- make a false body the same size to go back into the skin again.- Right. OK.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24It's not as gory as people think.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Now, I believe in this section somewhere,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29there's something quite special you're going to show me?
0:28:29 > 0:28:32- They're all special.- To you, they are, aren't they?- Yes.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I think you're probably referring to these little chaps.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Gosh.- These are Galapagos finches.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Some of these were actually collected by Charles Darwin, himself.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Is that his handwriting, as well?
0:28:42 > 0:28:45No, none of these bear Darwin's original labels,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48but I can show you a bird, not a Galapagos finch,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52but it is one of Darwin's. Most of Darwin's specimens
0:28:52 > 0:28:55don't actually have his own labels on, anymore. They were taken off.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00- But this chappy, this is a bobolink, an American bird. It's...- 3374.
0:29:00 > 0:29:033374, in Darwin's own fair hand.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Absolutely incredible. It is such a fascinating place, Katrina.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Thank you so much for showing me around and especially behind the scenes.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12You're welcome. My pleasure.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21Back to St Albans Town Hall now, where Mark is getting very excited.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- Hello, Robert. - Hello.- You've bought this absolutely
0:29:27 > 0:29:31exquisite piece of porcelain in. Tell me about it.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36Well, my father-in-law was a polo pony trainer
0:29:36 > 0:29:39and he was employed by a wealthy man
0:29:39 > 0:29:41in the south of France, in the 1930s.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45And he married a local French lady
0:29:45 > 0:29:50and they lived down there quite comfortably until the war.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54And at that stage, all English people were advised to get out
0:29:54 > 0:29:56of the country within 24 hours.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59When they knew they had to get out of France,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01they decided to hide a few things,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- cos you couldn't take it with you.- Quite.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07So they dug a hole in the garden, put that in it,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- but obviously with packing, of course...- And buried it.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- In 1946, they went back for a holiday, dug it up.- Oh, God.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19So between burying it and digging it up,
0:30:19 > 0:30:20that's where the damage occurred.
0:30:20 > 0:30:26There is a little bit of damage to two of the legs and also to some of the beading.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28If we actually look at the piece,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31it's like a jewelled golden egg, isn't it?
0:30:31 > 0:30:36- Yes.- You know, with this wonderful finial on the top and this wonderful
0:30:36 > 0:30:41turquoise enamelling, forming these graduated beading decoration with
0:30:41 > 0:30:44tiny, tiny bits at the top to larger bits at the bottom.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46All this decoration behind it.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51And then these, sort of, almost pearl-like beading down the side.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54And when we open it up, we've got the mark
0:30:54 > 0:30:57of one of Britain's finer porcelain makers, Worcester.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03This is the Kerr and Binns mark for the last quarter of the 19th century.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04But it's a lovely object.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07It just screams quality.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09I know. It does. Yes.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11The whole thing is fabulous.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Now, value.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15It must be worth a fortune.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16They all say that, don't they?!
0:31:16 > 0:31:19I think it's a very difficult thing to value.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21I think in perfect condition,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- we could be looking for something like 500, £1,000.- Yes.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28The damage will hold it back, so I think what we've got to do is put
0:31:28 > 0:31:32an estimate at auction which reflects the fact that we know it's damaged,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34- but it won't put off the buyers. - No, no.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40I would like to put, maybe, 150 to £200 on it, with 150 reserve.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- It wouldn't surprise me if it doubled.- Oh, good.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Cos I think there'll be a lot of people who are saying, well,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- actually, I can have that restored better.- Yes.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Have you had it out on display all these years since you've had it?
0:31:53 > 0:31:57It's been on my wife's dressing table all these years and it hasn't
0:31:57 > 0:32:01come in the way of any damage or accidents,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- but you never know. And I would hate to knock that over.- Yes. Exactly.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06- Your wife is happy to sell? - Yes, indeed.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- Fantastic. - That's why she sent me along today.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Our experts are working flat out upstairs at the Flog It blue tablecloths and downstairs,
0:32:19 > 0:32:24there's still 100s of people sitting waiting patiently. And one of them
0:32:24 > 0:32:27is Thelma, here, who's clutching, I believe, an accordion.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- Is that right?- That's right.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Squeeze box, my dad called them. Can I have a look? Is this yours?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35- No. It's my son's.- It's your son's.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36And where is he today, then?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- In Spain.- Is he on holiday, is he? - No. He lives there.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Oh, nice. Why hasn't mum gone out to join him, then?
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- Somebody's got to sell it, haven't they?- Oh, I see.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Do you know much about it? - No, not really.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- Where did he get it from? - I have no idea, cos when
0:32:51 > 0:32:54he moved out to Spain, he just left it behind at home.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56I phoned him last night and I said
0:32:56 > 0:32:58to him where did you get it and how much?
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- "I'm on my way to see Flog It!" - He can't remember.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03He didn't think it was worth anything.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Wow. The box is rosewood.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11- It is.- Yeah. So this is quite a nice instrument and it needed protecting.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- That's quite fortunate you've still got this little case.- Yes.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19The first thing to check on these accordions is the bellows.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22You can see they're in pretty good condition.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25There's one little split there, but that shouldn't deter too much
0:33:25 > 0:33:27from the value, cos there's only one.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29It can be repaired, probably, yes.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Yes. Yeah. Again, we've got rosewood here, with pierced fretwork.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34That's quite nice.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- There's a bit of damage.- Can that be repaired?- That can be sorted.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40That's not too much trouble.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45And, that's what I was looking for, a maker's label. Rock Chidley.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48135. High Holbourn. London.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50So it's a good London maker. Yes.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56Yeah. And I'd put this at the turn of the 1900s, about 1910, 1920.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58I wish I could play them.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- So do I.- Yeah.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Any requests?!
0:34:05 > 0:34:10Sadly, I can't play. But I've valued a few of these on Flog It before
0:34:10 > 0:34:12and to my surprise, they do quite well.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15- Good.- And a little trick I learnt about valuing them was,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18count up the little pegs.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- Yeah.- Yeah. We've got 24 there.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- That's a pretty good one. - Is it?- Yes.- Oh, good.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26One recently sold in auction
0:34:26 > 0:34:29and I think it had something like 32 pegs on it.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33- And that got £1,200, in auction. - My goodness, me.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Yes. Lesser ones will fetch around about £80-100. If I said
0:34:37 > 0:34:40that's half decent, despite the bit of damage,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43I'm pretty sure we're going to find a collector that will want that.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- Yeah.- I was surprised when I valued my first one
0:34:46 > 0:34:51and I put £80-120 on it and it was a speculative sort of estimate.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54I'm surprised it sold for £200.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57- That was jolly good. - Yeah. So you might get that, Thelma.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- That would be rather nice!- Yeah. Shall we put it
0:35:00 > 0:35:04into auction with a value of £150-200 and see what happens?
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- That would be super.- Yeah.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09But I wouldn't be surprised if it made somewhere around
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- the 200, £240 mark.- Oh, wonderful.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Marion and Jim, a lovely little period jewellery box.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Always nice to see jewellery in its original case. But what's inside?
0:35:24 > 0:35:25Let's have a little look.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27We've got a super little dress ring there.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31- Now, tell me, is this a family piece? - Yes.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35It was a family piece of my mother's at one time, we possibly believe.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38So, do you remember your mother wearing this, Jim?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41I remember my mother wearing a ring similar to that.
0:35:41 > 0:35:46Because it was so long ago, I can't swear that was the actual ring.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- OK.- So I'm now thinking that is too large.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52So we're not sure whether this is her engagement ring or not?
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- No. We're not.- OK. Well, certainly, looking at it
0:35:55 > 0:35:57from a jeweller's point of view,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59it certainly could well be an engagement ring.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04I would think, probably, between the wars. Possibly 1930s.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06Maybe a little bit earlier.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10We've got old cut diamond, what we call old cut.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12These ones are slightly duller.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15And diamonds are also graded according to their colour.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19These are slightly tinged with a browney colour,
0:36:19 > 0:36:23so that they're towards the lesser good quality end of the scale.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26What you would expect from stones of this sort of size
0:36:26 > 0:36:27in this sort of quality ring.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30And then we've got a sapphire in the centre.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34And the sapphire is called trap cut, or step cut.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37You can see why with that square
0:36:37 > 0:36:41shape and then the step up to what we call a table, the top of the stone.
0:36:41 > 0:36:47And that's actually quite a good cut for an engagement ring.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50It's in a rubover setting so it doesn't sit too proud.
0:36:50 > 0:36:55So you could wear it every day as engagement rings were designed to be.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Even do the washing-up in that one. Having said that,
0:36:58 > 0:37:02I think this one has been worn an awful lot as an everyday ring,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06cos you can see the facet edges of the sapphire are really worn down.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08You can see it with the naked eye.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- Yes. - So it's been much loved, I think.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12That's good.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16It's a lovely combination having a sapphire and diamond.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Typical combination for an engagement ring.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Sapphires vary a lot in their blue tone.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Sapphires from Burma and Sri Lanka and India tend to be
0:37:25 > 0:37:28slightly lighter in colour and you can see that in mine.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30That much lighter blue colour.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34And that we call the more inky stones are generally from Australia
0:37:34 > 0:37:38and from Thailand. What about value?
0:37:38 > 0:37:40- Any ideas?- Haven't got a clue.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44I think the condition of this sapphire will affect the value quite a bit.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49At auction, I think we've got to be looking at probably 150 to 200.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52I would hope it would make the 200, possibly 250 on a good day,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54if two people like it.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57It would be sensible to set a reserve at 150, if you're happy with that.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59- Yes.- Yes.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- So no regrets about getting rid of it?- No.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- No. Don't think so.- No?- No.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Right now, let's jog our memories of our final three items
0:38:08 > 0:38:10before we head off to the sale room.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14First, the fabulous Worcester egg with its unforgettable story
0:38:14 > 0:38:17of being buried during the Second World War.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Then Thelma's son's Rosewood accordion,
0:38:19 > 0:38:24which I tuned into the moment I saw it. I've a feeling it'll do well.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26Or will Kate's choice,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29the sapphire and gold ring, turn out to be the real jewel in the crown?
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Let's find out.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Jim and Marion, Kate, good luck.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38It's just about to go under the hammer.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41It's that gold and sapphire ring. We've got £150 on this.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43You never thought of wearing it, did you?
0:38:43 > 0:38:46- Too small.- Too small. Wouldn't get past the knuckle.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48With jewellery, you have to wear it.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- There's no point sticking it in the bank.- No, no. No.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54So, hopefully, someone's going to fall in love with it.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55It's going under the hammer.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Good-looking gold, sapphire and diamond ring.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Are we going to bid £200 for it?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02£100 bid. 100, I'm bid there now.
0:39:02 > 0:39:0510. Thank you. 120, I've got. 130.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07And 40, I'm bid. 140. And 50 now.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10At 150. And 60?
0:39:10 > 0:39:13A bit more. A bit more. A bit more.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14No more? £160, then.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19I'm selling at £160.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Yes! £160. The hammer's gone down.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Good valuation. It's a hard pitch, isn't it?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Yeah. I think it's cos that sapphire is really quite worn.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31It's obviously been worn and loved and the wear on the stones
0:39:31 > 0:39:34is going to count against it, but it's a fair price.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Robert, I don't know. How could he sell this after
0:39:43 > 0:39:46that story we've just heard back at the valuation day?
0:39:46 > 0:39:49This little egg has been through hell and high water.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51The story's wonderful.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55It's just so touching and it's lovely. It's absolutely lovely.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- It really is.- It's a pity it's damaged but otherwise,
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- it'd have been triple the figure, I suppose.- Yeah.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04But it is Worcester at its height of opulence.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07The wonderful quality of that pearl beading.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11And everything is decorated. I love it to bits.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Every little facet of it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Any way you look at it, it just smacks quality.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20Let's find out what this lot here in Tring think of it, shall we?
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Because here it is, going under the hammer.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Lot 290, this time.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26This is interesting, this one.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Worcester jewel ovoid vase and cover, there you are.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33I think we ought to be looking for £200 for this one. At £200 for it.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37200. At £100. Are we a £100 bid? 100, I'm bid for that one, then.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Thank you. 110, I'm bid for it.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43120. And 30. 140. And 50.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Are you 60, sir?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48160. And 70, is it? 180.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53£180. At £180. At 190, now.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56No? 180, I'm selling then. At 180.
0:40:56 > 0:40:5890, is it? I'm selling at 180.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02- Yes? £180, then.- Happy with that?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Oh, absolutely. Yes.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- Will the wife be pleased? - She's there.- Is she?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09What the buyers have taken
0:41:09 > 0:41:12into account, of course. they've got to get it restored.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15That will take a bit of money, but it's a beautiful thing.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19- A great story and it's wonderful to have something like that.- It is.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Guess what's up next. If I went like this -
0:41:27 > 0:41:31give you a quick clue, wouldn't it? Thelma's accordion.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- This is exciting, isn't it? - Isn't it just exciting!
0:41:33 > 0:41:36What does your son think? Have you phoned him?
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Yeah, when you gave me the estimate. Yeah. He had to sit down.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42- Did he? Did he really?- Yeah.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46Have a couple of beers, putting his feet up in the sun out in Spain!
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Yeah. I don't blame him, really.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Let's hope we do you both proud
0:41:51 > 0:41:53and he treats you for sorting it all out, Thelma.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- Oh, yes. That'd be lovely. - He'll get you out to Spain?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Well, of course. That's it.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Going under the hammer now.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01This is it, Thelma. Good luck.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Interesting one. There you are.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Rock Chidley. Not too many Rock Chidley concertinas there.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09There you are. Where shall we say?
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Are you going to bid 200 to start me for it? 100, then. 100 is bid.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Thank you. 100, I'm bid for that one.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19120 is bid for it. 150. At 150.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22At 180. 200. 200, I'm bid for it.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26220. At £250. 280.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29300, I'm bid. 300.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31At 320, I'm bid. 350, I'm bid.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35380. At 400. 20. Is it?
0:42:35 > 0:42:38No. £400. 20 now.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41No more? At £400. You lose it, sir.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43At 400, then, I'm selling.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Yes? At £400, then. Thank you.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51- Oh, Paul, that's super! - Isn't that good?- That's smashing.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Yeah. I got a tingle out of that.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56- 400!- Yeah.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- Oh!- 400 quid.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59Instead of 100.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- Yeah.- Cos that it was, the other one, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Well, we hedged our bets, didn't we?
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- We did, indeed. - We were hoping for 250.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- Well, they loved it.- I can't wait to get home and tell him, now!
0:43:10 > 0:43:15- I bet you can't. I bet you can't! - Oh, lovely.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- I think we made Thelma's day there...- You have indeed!
0:43:18 > 0:43:20..and I hope we've made your day, as well.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24We thoroughly enjoyed being at Tring. Everyone's gone home happy.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26There's plenty more to come on "Flog It!" in the future,
0:43:26 > 0:43:27so join us next time.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31For more information about Flog It, including how the programme was made,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34visit the website at bbc.co.uk
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:52 > 0:43:55E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk