Brighton Flog It!

This seaside resort was once just a small fishing village.

But that all changed back in 1750, when Doctor Richard Russell

declared, drinking and bathing in salt water was jolly good for you.

And visitors started to flock here, and a resort was born.

Welcome to Flog It from Brighton.

Brighton may have started out as the place to visit for unhealthy people,

but it soon became the place to see and be seen in.

And this transformation was helped by the Prince Regent, who came to visit in 1783.

And he was so enamoured with Brighton, that he built his splendid home here. Look at this...

The Royal Pavilion. Absolutely stunning piece of architecture.

But the place to be seen today is our Flog It venue, The Corn Exchange.

And the flamboyant Mark Stacey, and elegant Catherine Southon,

are already on the hunt to find something to tickle their fancies.

Andrea, welcome to Flog It.

And thank you for bringing along all your little piggy banks.

Now, tell me, where did you get these little piggies from?

My parents opened me a bank account, when I was younger.

And every time you saved a certain amount of money, you received the piggies.

-I think Woody was the first one, wasn't he?

-Woody, yup.

He's got his little nappy on at the front.

The little baby piglet. So, first of all you got Woody.

-And then you moved on...

-Up to Annabelle.

-Up to Annabelle and then onto this other chap, the brother, I guess.

-Yes.

And the Mummy pig, and then the Daddy pig.

So, I guess the more money you saved,

the higher up the chart you went, and you got the next piggy bank.

That's quite amazing that you managed to get all five in the set.

I mean, I opened the same account as well, with the high street bank.

But I actually only got as far as Woody, and then the novelty wore off.

-So, I think you did very well to collect all five of them.

-Yeah. Yes.

And they're in absolute perfect condition. So, that was very good.

Did you not have them displayed in your bedroom?

I did for a while, and then they went away, into the cupboard.

I think I went off them for a while and...

I'm not surprised. They're not exactly that charming, are they?

Now, because they were actually given out by a high street bank, they were really massed produced.

But they were made by a good factory.

And they are actually collected today.

A few years ago they were highly collectable but the price has dropped slightly.

Because so many of them have recently come out of the... come out of the woodwork.

But they do still have value.

-Right.

-Now, I would probably say in today's market, they would fetch between about £60-£80.

-OK.

-How does that sound to you?

-Yup.

-It's not a vast sum of money but nevertheless. What would you do with the money?

I just passed my driving test on Friday.

Oh, congratulations!

-Gosh, very recent.

-Yeah.

And I'm saving up to buy a car, so...

-Right. What car are you hoping to buy?

-Just a little one.

Just a little run around?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Well, I can't say that we're going to buy the car for you.

Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to get that much cash.

But maybe we can buy you a wheel, or perhaps a few CDs to put in a car stereo, or something.

-Who knows?

-Yup.

-But £60-£80, not bad.

-Yup, not bad.

Let's put a fixed reserve on of £50, and hope there's lots of piggy collectors in the audience.

I hope so, yeah.

Thank you.

-Hello, Paul.

-Hello.

-Thank you for coming to see us in Brighton.

-Happy to come.

Before we talk about your Edwardian tantalus, you've got a little bit of family history about it, haven't you?

Well, it belonged to my great uncle, Uncle Will, who died in the 50s.

And the story is that he won this, as third prize, in a bowls tournament.

And I know this is featured here in the little clipping from the paper.

It dates from 1912 and it states the fact that he won third prize in this tournament.

-And to reinforce that, of course, we've also got a little plaque on the front.

-That's right.

-Which mentions him.

-His name there, yeah.

Third prize. You don't often find this.

It's really nice to see something like this that ties in.

Now, looking at it, it's a fairly straight forward produced tantalus.

And we've got an oak case, with silver plated mounts.

This is quite nice. This is quite a nice feature, the handle there.

And, of course, it was meant, really, to protect your valuable alcohol.

-Absolutely, yeah.

-So, when you went out for the evening, you locked this up.

-That's right.

-And the servants

then couldn't get their hands on any of your port or sherry or whiskey.

As you're closer than me there, can you show us the mechanism?

-Yeah, sure.

-So, if you open that.

-You have a couple of keys here. You simply just turn it, it opens,

-and that allows that to come out.

-Absolutely.

But it's so closely fit that once it's closed, you can't do anything about it. It's, you know, secure.

Now, we do see these quite a lot and they're always reasonably popular items.

We know, actually, that it was made around 1912.

I think it was relatively new at the time.

Could be a few years older than that.

It could have been donated as the prize.

In terms of the value, I think we're probably looking at something like £100-£150. Something like that.

It might make a bit more, because we've got the family history there.

-And I think it would sell very well at auction. Are you happy to put it in?

-I think so, yes.

Wonderful. Well, if I tell you what, if it makes a good price,

perhaps we should go and have a quick tipple after the sale?

OK, yes. We won't use this, though, I don't think.

-No, we won't use that.

-Look forward to that.

Pat and Ted, it's great to see you.

-Hello, Paul.

-I absolutely love this.

-It is nice, isn't it?

-Condition is fantastic...

The Guinness Toucan, with original lampshade, look at that?

So, tell me its story.

I'll leave it my wife.

Well, in the 60s, the Guinness Clock used to come to Brighton, on the old fish market hard, on the sea front.

-When you say the Guinness Clock, you mean the big promotional clock?

-Yes.

-Full of characters on it.

-Yup.

And the guys who looked after the clock used to go into Ted's mother's...mum and dad's...

restaurant for tea and coffee and sandwiches and things.

-So, Mum and Dad had a restaurant on the sea front?

-Right next to the fish market.

-So, you're a local boy, born and bred?

-Yeah. Since the '20s they were there.

-Gosh.

So, when they finished, at the end of one of the seasons, they just gave that to my father in law.

These were promotional gifts?

-To anybody that had a bar, or a restaurant.

-That's correct.

-Or would sell Guinness.

-You used to see them in the pubs.

-Yes, they were always on the counter.

-Yes.

But this is quite rare, to see the original shade.

I think that's fantastic.

-If that Toucan drank all that Guinness he'd be a little light headed, wouldn't he?

-Very good!

"How grand to be a Toucan. Just think what Toucan do.

"If he can say as you can Guinness is good for you."

And that was the whole slogan. "Guinness is good for you."

That came around in the around the late 1920s.

-I think about 1927.

-Really?

-The Toucan came on a little bit later.

Sort of early 1950s... 1954, 55.

-This is from about the early 60s.

-Yes, this would be.

This is quite rare, because it's got its original shade and the condition is 100%.

-Any idea of its value?

-Got no idea at all, no.

-Not really.

Well, I saw one recently sell in auction,

about 7 months ago, and it made £390.

-Really?

-Good Lord!

And it didn't have the shade.

I never realised it would be as high as that. That's incredible.

It wasn't really from the money point of view, was it?

-No.

-It's just we didn't know how much it was worth, anyway.

But it just seemed such a shame being sat in the loft, and not going anywhere.

I'd like to put £250-£350 as a valuation on this.

-Put a reserve of £250 on it.

-That's good.

-Just to tempt some people.

And if there are two bidders bidding against each other, we should do that high end.

-Oh, good. Go towards our holiday.

-And where are going to go?

-Don't know yet.

-You could go to Dublin?

Very good. That's a good idea, yeah.

Maria, welcome to Flog It. This is a rather beautiful Arts & Crafts brooch

that you've brought along today. Tell me, how did you come by this?

It was a gift from my mother, actually.

You know, she's a very sweet lady.

And, you know, I'm appreciative of it

-but it's not a style that I'd wear.

-Does she collect brooches at all?

No, no. I do, I have, you know. Which is I suppose why she put it my way.

But, ah, no, I just thought it's quite sweet.

And I think it'd be nice if I could wear it.

But seeing as it's not the style I like, then I thought well,

might as well put it to auction.

-And see what happens.

-Well, it doesn't appeal to you.

But it rather appeals to me. I think it's a rather attractive brooch.

I like the lovely colours here.

And obviously the sort of Arts & Crafts style.

We've got these synthetic stones here and this lovely, wonderful amethyst in the centre.

I'd probably like to date this, as an Arts & Crafts piece, as around the, sort of, 1920s, 1930s maximum.

-But probably about 1924-1925.

-Yes.

I was speaking to a colleague about this, because it really attracted me, and he said

that it's in the in manner of one that he sold last year.

And he sold that for £200. It was very, very similar to this.

And I would like to think that this would probably make around £100-£150.

It is also very similar to another Arts & Crafts maker, a lady called Dorothy Nossiter.

And her brooches are...really go for quite good prices at auction.

So, let's hope that it's on that sort of level.

Now, would you be happy to sell at £100-£150?

150 would be very nice.

-Well, I can't guarantee...

-Top rather than bottom, yes!

Well, I can't guarantee that I'll get that for you. But I think if we put 100-150, with a reserve of £80.

-How does that sound?

-Well, perhaps a reserve of, maybe, the 100?

-£100?

-Yes, yes.

Now you're thinking big. You want big prices, now I've said the 150.

Well, it's a very nice brooch and...

Oh, you like it, now?

Well, yes, if it was less than 100, then I think I'd rather keep it myself.

OK. Well, let's put an estimate on of £100-£150, reserve of 100,

-and I hope, for your sake, it makes top money.

-Yes, I hope so too.

Let's keep our fingers crossed. I'll see you at the auction.

Yes, we'll see you then. Bye!

And Maria won't have to wait long, as it's already time for our first trip to the sale room.

So, let's have a quick reminder of what lots we've got.

Andrea saved hard to collect these piggy banks from the NatWest bank.

So, let's hope they pay dividends at the auction.

The bidders are bound to be knocked over by this fantastic tantalus,

which Paul's great uncle won as a prize, at a bowls tournament.

And I really love this Guinness table lamp. It's a real piece of 60s nostalgia.

Maria's pretty Arts & Crafts brooch doesn't fit in with the rest of her collection.

So it's time for it to go.

For our sale today, we've travelled a few miles down the coast line to Southwick, to the home

of Worthing Auction Galleries and Scarborough Fine Art.

So, let's go inside and hopefully, the room's packed full of potential bidders.

Auctioneer Nick Hall is the man with the gavel today.

A full set of Wade piggies has finally made it market.

And I've been joined by their owner, Andrea, and we've got our expert Catherine. Valuation of £60-£80.

Now, little birdie tells me the money's going towards a new car.

-Yes.

-Yes. A brand new car?

It's going to be a small little car.

-Small little car.

-As much as I can afford, really.

-You've just passed your test, then?

-Yes, yes.

-How many...

-did you pass first time?

-No.

-How many times? Tell us.

-Three times. Third time.

What did you fail on the first time?

Safety, going round the roundabout at the wrong time...

Oh, my word, there's a list! Really?

-Yup, yup.

-I failed the first time, as well, on the roundabout.

-I got a dangerous.

-A dangerous?

-A dangerous.

-A dangerous what?

Not just a minor, it was a dangerous.

-Oh, dear.

-Did you pass first time?

I still haven't passed, actually.

Oh, haven't you? Gosh.

I've abandoned.

Really?

-I never knew that.

-Shh.

I wondered why you always came by train. My word.

-OK, let's move on, shall we?

-Yes, quickly.

-OK, we're going to buy a little car, so you can get around.

-Yes.

Let's just hope these piggies make top money.

Fingers crossed... they're going under the hammer.

Lot 50 is the 5 Wade NatWest piggy banks.

Good conditions with stoppers. No cash in them...I've checked.

-What are we going to say... £50 this lot?

-30, sir.

30 I'm bid, thank you. Gent's at 30. New bidder at 35,

-40, 5, 50, 55, 55 it is.

-Excellent.

-You're out.

-New bidder at 60.

-Someone down the front putting their hand up, waving.

-65 seated here. 70, 75.

-Oh, look, she's very keen.

-Wonderful!

-£80. 85 against you.

90, 95, 100.

-I'm really pleased.

-Yes!

£100, all sure?

That is absolutely fantastic.

-Another £100 to put towards the car fund.

-Yes.

-Great result.

-Well, done.

-They were really keen out there.

-They were.

You'll soon be motoring all around Brighton.

At £100-£150, it's drinks all round with Paul afterwards.

It's a cracking tantalus.

We've sold them before. Condition's spot on.

-Been in the family a long, long time.

-Yeah, my great uncle's.

-Won in a game of bowls.

-He did, absolutely, third prize.

All featured in the paper. Local paper.

-And do you play the game, as well?

-I'm not a bowler yet.

No. Well, we're going to find out exactly what the bidders here think.

Lot 280. The Victorian oak tantalus. Nice quality lot again, this one.

Bowling club inscription on it. Start me at 80?

-100 straight in.

-110 against you.

120, 130? 130 it is, this gent standing in the room. At £130.

-New bid at 140. 150 here.

-Oh, wow.

160, 170, 180, 190.

-That's brilliant.

-I like it, I like it.

At 190. Can I round it off to 200? Thank you. £200, it's with you.

Lady seated at £200. Are you all done? You're out at the back.

At £200 to the front.

-Great, sold. Who said dining rooms are out of fashion?

-Exactly.

The trouble is, what am I going to do with my lemon barley water now?

Oh, wow, yes. What are you going to do with that?

-Oh, yes.

-But, to be more precise, what are you going to do with £200, less a bit of commission?

Well, well, well...

-I think maybe I'll put it in the piggy bank.

-In the piggy bank.

Towards a holiday cottage in the Lakes, which I positively love.

-Stella and I love the Lakes.

-Oh, beautiful.

A quick change of auctioneers now, as Nick's partner, Andrew Scarborough, takes to the rostrum.

Well, we're pinning all our hopes on £150.

Which is the top end, for Maria's Arts & Crafts and brooch.

Which is lovely, absolutely divine.

And you are a bit of a brooch collector, aren't you?

I am, I must admit. I do have somewhat of a fetish.

-How many have you got?

-Oh, I don't know.

Maybe possibly 30-40.

Wow, that is a lot. But this one's just not your taste, then?

No. Well, it's a very pretty brooch.

-Yes, it's gorgeous.

-Very pretty.

-It attracted you?

-It appealed to me.

-I think we should get near that target.

-Do you think so?

Yeah, it's good. It's very good.

330 is the Arts & Crafts white metal brooch.

Set with the semi-precious stones.

Shall we say 60?

-Yes, we're in.

-Thank you, 60.

5, 70, 5,

80, 5,

-90 in front, 5.

-Come on, come on.

100, front row now.

Are you all done at 100? 110 new place. Standing at 110.

-£110.

-£110.

We just scraped in there. You happy with that?

I am quite happy with that.

Right, now it's my turn to be the expert. It's that lovely Guinness Toucan lamp with original shade.

That is what's going to make it sell well, and the condition.

-Really, the shade, makes all that difference?

-Yeah.

-So many of the shades are missing or ripped up and crushed.

-I see.

-And people change the shades. That's the problem.

-Yes, quite, yeah.

-Because you saw one with a different design, didn't you?

-That's right.

So, let's find out what the bidders think of this, right now.

Lot 70 is a bit of Guinness memorabilia there.

The Toucan advertising lamp base.

It's got the original shade with it.

You don't often see that. £200 to start me?

150 I'm bid, thank you. On the side at 150. Any advance on £150?

New bidder at 160.

170 here, 180, 190, 200, 210.

-Good, isn't it?

-240 I'll take, thank you.

240, you bidding in the corner, sir?

It's 240 against you. Are you going one more?

-Come on, let's have one more.

-In the corner at 250.

At £250 right in the far corner, on my left. At 250, if you're all sure?

-You're all out at 250, I'm selling.

-Selling.

What are you going to do with £250? Less a bit of commission, of course.

Well, we've got a trip already booked for Lisbon.

Oh, off to Portugal.

Not on the strength of this.

-No. Just a little treat. A treat for Pat.

-That's right, yes.

-A treat, yes. Bit of sunshine.

-Well, enjoy it, won't you?

-Thank you.

I think a swim in the sea is one of the great pleasures of coming to the seaside.

And it all took off really in the early 18th century, when doctors encouraged their patients

to have a dip in the salt water to improve their health and wellbeing.

Now, early bathers were encouraged to bathe naked.

But that wasn't as straightforward as it sounds.

It wasn't appropriate to have people walking naked along the beach.

So a more discreet solution was needed.

Bathing machines... which were basically beach huts on wheels...

were invented to provide the occupant with the modesty,

and as a way of getting from the top of the beach down to the water.

But fashions changed and by the turn of the 20th century,

it became acceptable to wear a bathing costume and be seen in it.

But people still needed a place to change in, and the answer was static beach huts.

And these soon became a sought after accessory to any seaside holiday.

And, nowadays, these brightly painted

beach huts are an iconic symbol of the great British seaside resort.

We tend to take their presence for granted.

So, I'm here to find out a little bit more.

And a person to tell me is Dr Catherine Ferry, seaside historian, who's an expert on beach huts.

Catherine, you're so passionate about beach huts.

-You've even written a book on them.

-That's right.

-Do you have a beach hut?

Oh, I wish I did! I don't. I feel a bit of a fraud, admitting that.

But there's something that appeals to me about these tiny buildings, on the margin between the land and the sea.

They could get blown away, but they're bright and cheerful.

They do put a smile on your face.

I mean, what a backdrop we've got. Bit of golden sunshine?

-Exactly, exactly.

-That keeps you snug.

On some of our summers days, you know, you want to be in there. if the sun doesn't come out.

I think that's why the British love them so much. Cos when the rain comes down, it doesn't matter.

You just go inside and you can make yourself cosy.

And you can see all the other poor people walking in the rain.

But you're, sort of, snug inside your hut.

-Your research has taken you all over the country, studying beach huts.

-That's right. Absolutely.

You spent months on the road, going around to, well, virtually a tour of the coast, haven't you?

That's right. I did actually count the beach huts as I went.

OK, come on. Let's, let's hear it.

There were... I counted just over 19,000.

But I think I missed a few...

and, actually, that's quite a surprisingly low number.

There's so much interest in beach huts these days,

-you imagine there'd be hundreds of thousands.

-I like the brightly painted ones.

-So do I.

They remind you of a stick of rock, kids playing in the sand

-and put a smile on your face.

-They do. They're summery, aren't they?

-Even in winter, they look summery.

-I think that's what it's all about.

Lots of people do lots of different things in them, don't they?

They do. It depends what your idea of the beach is, I suppose.

I mean, a lot of people use them as a place to relax.

Surfers use them these days.

It's a great place to change into your wetsuit, isn't it?

-Write a book in them?

-Well, absolutely.

PD James has a beach hut at Southwold, where she writes her books.

I think, really, most people don't do very much in their huts.

Because they get here with good intentions.

-They bring a book or...

-They just want to relax.

Yeah. And you can just... It's a perfect place to watch the world go by, isn't it?

-Look out to sea, and why would you want to do anything?

-You wouldn't!

Yeah. It's a nice glass of wine.

I'm having this image now... Yeah, I'd have my glass of wine.

Mine would be like a little artist studio.

I'd do all my painting and stick it on the walls in there.

-A little gallery space.

-A gallery!

-That would be perfect, yeah.

Beach huts aren't just places to relax in.

They're also highly sought-after pieces of real estate.

Prices have rocketed in recent years, with some

in popular locations now selling for well over £100,000.

So, I'm keen to have a look inside a hut and meet some of the owners.

This is what I like to see. Look, a whole family together enjoying their beach hut.

-Hello, how do you do?

-Hi, Paul.

-Is it Paul?

-Yeah.

-Hello, what's your name?

-Sarah.

-Sarah. What's his name?

-Alfie.

-Even the dog's come along!

Hello, everyone. Can we see what you've done to your beach hut?

Yeah, delighted. Yeah, yeah.

So, what have you managed to do in here?

-I rebuilt it about five years ago.

-Yeah.

-It was falling to pieces.

And rebuilt it in my garden, assembled it down here,

-and painted it.

-You've done a really good job!

How much did you pay for this?

about 12 years ago I paid £300 for it.

I think that was a bargain, don't you?

Best investment I've ever made, considering they're worth between £8,000-£10,000 now.

It's a family heirloom. Hey, you two.

-Yeah.

-This is your inheritance here.

Hope you look after it.

-Would you ever sell it?

-No, we'd never sell it.

-The idea is to keep it in the family.

-Yeah.

Children, grandchildren, forever. This is our bolthole.

Paul, thank you very much for showing me around. Thank you.

Enjoy the rest of the day. Thanks a lot.

Oh, Christine and Ian, this is the life, isn't it?

-Just the business.

-Sun shining down on us, outside your own beach hut.

What could be better? Well, apart from a chocolate biscuit.

-There we go.

-Do you mind?

So, how long have you had this one?

We've had it six months. We moved to Brighton in October, last October.

And we decided we'd like to retire by the sea.

Can't get any closer to the sea than this, can you! It's just there.

I come down when the weather's nice like this and, if it's windy, then I just sit in the hut.

-Yup.

-Just inside, out of the wind. Otherwise, out here. Sandwiches, food, wine.

-Oh, lovely.

Champagne. You know, just have a lovely time.

It's no wonder you look so happy.

-It's a good life.

-I've got to try some of this.

-I've got to try some of this.

-You have to.

Yeah. Slow your ageing process down.

Relax, you know, sit and look at the water shimmering.

That low sunlight coming down on us. So, where's that champagne, then?

-Coming up.

-It's chilling down, right now.

Well, I've got to say, this definitely is the life.

I've just had a fascinating insight into what life is like,

owning a beach hut, by a few very, very enthusiastic owners.

And I can honestly say, if I lived anywhere near the coast, I would definitely invest in one of these.

And my dogs? They would absolutely love it.

That's enough relaxation for me, as there's plenty of antiques to find back at our valuation day,

where Mark has found a couple of ladies.

-Hello, Fred.

-Hello, Mark.

-It's nice to meet a Brightonian.

-You're born and bred, aren't you?

-That's right, yes.

-Wonderful.

Now, tell me what these pictures are all about?

Well, I was looking in our loft

and I just came across them in a carrier bag.

And I think they must have belonged to my mother.

-But I never saw them in her lifetime, I'm sure.

-Oh, really?

So, I don't really know much about them.

Do you think they're family members, or not?

They possibly could be.

Great aunt or somebody like that.

Something like that, yes. So, they were just lying in a carrier bag and you hadn't seen them?

-That's right, for years.

-Gosh.

And you decided to bring them today for what purpose?

-To get them valued or...

-Well, I've often thought about valuing them.

I didn't think they were worth anything.

And when I saw this was at Brighton, and we watch it every week, I thought an ideal chance.

Well, we like you a lot because you say you watch it every day.

So, that's fantastic for us.

I don't think they are worth a huge amount at the end of the day.

They're both quite primitive.

They're from the early part of the 19th century, the early Victorian period.

This one is signed, but it's a watercolour,

by probably an amateur hand.

-I see, yes.

-This one is unsigned and it's an oil on canvas.

And they do vaguely look similar, actually, in some ways.

-They do, yes.

-And I quite like them.

The frame is a bit damaged on here.

-Yes, yes.

-Well, I think... if we're looking at the two...

I would suggest putting them in as one lot,

into the sale. I'm being quite conservative.

-Yes.

-Because I think these sort of pictures, really, are going to make their own level on the day.

I would see them making around maybe £100 or so.

-As much as that?

-Well, yes. 80-120.

If we put 80-120 on them, I'm sure we'd find a buyer for them.

-Well, I never!

-And, on a good day with a fair wind behind it, we might even get up to the top end.

-Well, I never.

-So, tell me, Fred, they've obviously been in your family for some time.

-Yes.

-Why have you decided to sell them now?

I thought it was time we had a clear out, you know.

-The usual thing.

-If they're not hanging on the wall, and people aren't enjoying them, I suppose.

That's right. They've just been in this bag all the time.

-We wouldn't have a show if people didn't want flog the things.

-No, that's true.

So, let's hope we get a good result.

Thank you very much indeed.

Hi, Ted.

Thanks for coming along today.

I can't say that this Beswick figure

is my cup of tea, but...

-It really appealed to me.

-But you like him. Where did you get it from?

Well, in the '80s, I... We'd moved into a little bungalow. And my wife and I...

my late wife and I... were going to buy some furniture.

-And I tend to haggle prices.

-Good for you.

And we got to a certain level, and I saw that in a bookcase,

-in the furniture store. I said I'd agree a price if they threw it in.

-Oh, really?

-So, that was it.

-Oh, so he was part and parcel of the furniture?

-Yeah, yup.

So to speak.

We've got a cheetah here, climbing on the rock, with this water feature at the bottom.

-It was the pool that attracted me.

-Really?

Yeah. I think it's so realistic, it's so good.

-So, you saw that actually in the display case?

-Yes, I did.

Oh, fantastic.

You've obviously got a good eye. You know what you like.

It just doesn't appeal to me, personally.

But Beswick collectors, they go mad for this kind of thing.

So, I know that it will be a popular piece.

Did you like it as an object? Do you think it's striking?

-I do, yes, indeed.

-You do. So, why are you getting rid of it now, then?

I've nobody to leave it to and I'm just, sort of, getting rid of some stuff now.

-De-cluttering?

-Yes, basically.

-Why not? Well, value-wise, I would say it's probably going to be in the region of about £60-£80.

-Right.

I would put that on as an estimate. But I can probably see it topping that and perhaps doing a bit more.

It'd probably claw up a bit?

Ha! I like your sense of humour.

I mean, really, it should make around £80-£100.

But I think 60-80 is a safe bet.

-Right.

-In order to try and entice the buyers and get people going.

Fine. Understand that.

It's got the Beswick stamp on the bottom, so no problems with that.

It looks to be in great condition.

Unfortunately, it didn't attract my attention, but it attracted yours.

Let's hope it attracts people at auction.

-It's a masculine piece, isn't it?

-It is. It's a man's piece.

-Thank you very much.

-Thanks, Ted.

-Thank you.

Firstly, hello, Margaret.

-Hello, Mark.

-Welcome to Brighton Flog It.

-Thank you.

-What a wonderful treasure you've brought in.

-Yeah.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Where did you get it from?

Well, it belonged to my father.

But the strange thing was that, we none of us saw it when we were children. We only, unfortunately,

discovered it after he'd died and we were going through his things, to sort through them.

-No! It was hidden away, was it?

-Yes, that's right. Bottom of the wardrobe and we'd never seen it before.

He never got it out at Christmas, so all the family could play along?

-No, no.

-And what did you think when you first saw it?

I was just amazed, that he'd actually had something.

And we didn't know anything about it.

But yes, I thought it was lovely. So...

And did he have a lot of antiques?

Not... A few things, which are mainly from his father, I think.

-So, this probably would have been passed down the family?

-I think so, yeah.

-Your father died when?

-1987.

So, about 20 years ago or so? And what was it probated at then?

I think it was £150, if I remember.

-Not a lot of money.

-No.

The other nice thing to see, straight away, is the little inset brass plaque here.

-Engraved with the maker's name, which is?

-Tourmin and Cale from Cheapside in London.

Well, there's nothing cheap about this box, is there?

-Because the other thing you see immediately is the case is made of rosewood.

-Right.

Rosewood is one of those very expensive, exotic woods that was used only for very good quality pieces.

And you can tell this with that lovely, sort of, black fleck in the graining.

Then, of course, we've laid it out here, just to touch on some of the pieces that are in the set.

We've naturally got a full set of chess. We've got a set of dominos,

-a full set of draughts, of course. This one I can never remember.

-I think it's the cribbage board.

Cribbage, that's the one. Cribbage board.

Then we've got a bezique game, which I never know how to play.

No, I know, no.

But my favourite, I have to say, and I'm not a betting man...

Is the horse racing.

-But I love this horse racing game.

-Yes, it's lovely.

We've only put a few horses out there, and a few of the jumps, but there's more fitted inside here.

-There's more there.

-And even the, sort of, beakers for shaking the dice.

-It's just absolutely superb. It's wonderful.

-It's lovely.

So, we've got to think of a price.

We're quite excited about this.

We've got to think of a price.

If I was putting it into auction, I would put it in with a come and get me estimate.

Which means you're telling people it's private.

-It hasn't been out of the same family for a number of years.

-Right.

-And it's to get their taste buds watering, if you like.

-Yes.

-So, I would put something like £400-£600 on it.

-OK. That's good.

With a £400 fixed reserve.

And I think that will really tempt the bidders in. How do you feel about that?

-I'd be happy with that.

-Is that OK?

-Yes.

-I wouldn't be surprised if we got a lot more than that.

-Really? That would be nice!

-Are you happy to do that?

-Yes, absolutely.

I'm thrilled you're putting it in with us.

I'm glad you're such a game thing and I look forward to seeing you at auction.

-Absolutely.

-And let's hope we get the right price.

-Absolutely.

Thank you very much.

So, what are we taking with us for our final visit?

Fred found these two portraits in a carrier bag in the loft.

But now they're out in the light of day, will they sell?

This cheetah may not be to everybody's taste.

So, I hope there are some Beswick collectors in the auction room.

And Mark may not be a gambling man, but my money is on this magnificent games compendium,

which is in superb condition.

Auctioneer Nick Hall

has been casting his experienced eye over one of our lots. And I wonder if Mark has got his valuation right.

This could keep you amused for hours and hours and hours, couldn't it?

Kept me busy all last week. Fantastic, isn't it?

Yeah. It belongs to Margaret. It was her father's.

-We've put £400-£600 on this.

-It's not dear, is it?

-Not at all. Look what you get.

Just add up all the different games you've got there.

The chess set alone has got to be £100 before you start.

We've sold the horse racing separately before. Got good money.

Yeah. You could take any one component out of it, and it would be a nice lot on its own.

But combined together and complete, it's just fantastic.

That's the unusual thing. I mean, there is no damage.

When you talk about damage, really, there's a pin missing in the hinges.

-That's minimal.

-You're right.

If there was one, one counter missing, one chess piece missing, one domino missing.

Spoilt, wouldn't it? But it's all there.

Could you see this doing more than the £600?

Well, we used to value these at £1000 plus.

The market's softened, as we all know, in recent years.

And £400-£600 is a sensible estimate, and I wouldn't be at all

surprised if it made top end plus, though.

Because it is just such nice quality. And it's all there.

Game on.

Coming up now, two portraits of ladies.

One a watercolour, one an oil on canvas. Value of £80-£120.

-They both belong to Fred. And you've come prepared, haven't you?

-That's right. I've brought my bag.

He's brought his bag with him, because he thinks he might be taking them home.

I think the portrait of the lady, the oil on canvas.

-I think there's something about her.

-Oh, yes?

-That'll sell the two.

-Oh, good.

-It's kind of like buy one, get one free. There's a bit of damage, isn't there?

There is a bit of damage, but it's got something about it.

I think when you clean that, and bring it back up to life,

it could be quite a nice little oil painting.

Yes. Well, let's hope Fred doesn't need his carrier bag.

Good luck. Let's hope we get Mark's top end of the estimate, plus a bit.

-Where do I look now?

-That way, at the auctioneer.

Two in the lot.

The Stuart watercolour of the lady

and the Victorian school portrait.

Shall we say 50?

-Oh, come on.

-Thank you. 50, 5, 60, 5, 70, at 5.

At 75?

Oh, come on, one more.

Oh, please, it's been a long day.

No, it's not selling.

We were one bid away from selling that.

-So close, wasn't it?

-He was calling on 75, he didn't have it.

Such a shame, you know.

For two as well, Paul.

No money, is it, really?

That carrier bag's coming in handy, isn't it? I'm so sorry.

Look on the bright side. It wasn't a chest of drawers!

-No.

-That's fair enough.

-It's quite light to carry home.

What a shame for Fred.

So near and yet so far.

Let's hope Ted's cheetah does better.

I like this. £60-£80.

I'm glad you do, Paul. My expert, my expert didn't like it.

Oh, really? Well, I liked the rock pool.

But I didn't really like, I'm not...

-I wasn't a big fan.

-I like the cheetah.

-Do you?

-I'm an animal lover. And you're a dog lover.

-Absolutely.

-Tell us what you did for a living?

I used to be a police dog handler.

-25 years.

-Lots of German Shepherds?

Ah, yeah. For the last nine years I had a Labrador for explosive detection.

-Did it get you into interesting places?

-I used to do my job,

then watch the Six O'clock News, to see if I've done it properly.

You're a very brave man.

Now we've put him in the auction arena. Now he's really frightened.

Will it sell? Well, we're going to find out, right now.

Lot 16, bit of Beswick this time.

The prowling cheetah. Nice model this lot, shown on the side there.

What are we going to say... 60 for it? Start me at 60? 50? £40 then.

Do I hear £40? 40 with you, sir, thank you. 40 I'm bid.

Any advance on 40? 5 seated.

45 in front, to my right at 45.

50, 5,

55 seated in front. Any advance?

New bidder at 60? With you, madam, at £60 seated.

-It's sold anyway.

-Yup.

Any advance at 60? All done? New bidder at 65. Thank you, sir.

On the very end, 65 gent's bid.

With you, madam, you still in?

£70, thank you. Lady's back in at 70.

At £70 offered... all done?

At £70, you're sure?

We'll take that. Mid estimate.

That's not bad.

-Well, done.

-Good.

-£70. That'll buy you a meal out.

No, it's going to my favourite charity.

-Oh, is it?

-Sainsbury's.

-Sainsbury's!

Three shopping bags full for £70.

Yeah, exactly.

I've been waiting for this moment!

That wonderful rosewood games compendium. It's all there, Margaret.

-£400-£600. It's got to sell.

-It's got to.

-It's got to sell.

I had a chat to Nick, the auctioneer, just before the sale started. You know what he said.

Agreed with Mark totally. Hopefully we'll get there...

-top end of the estimate.

-I hope so. It's worth it.

-That would be nice.

-But it's not going for a penny less, is it?

-Nope, absolutely not.

-Than £400.

-Nope.

-Margaret put her foot down.

-Quite rightly so.

It's a lovely... My only, I suppose, slight criticism, is the box is actually quite plain. It's lovely.

-I mean, a nice rosewood, but it is wonderful to see all those pieces untouched.

-Yup.

-It's a real collector's item.

-It is.

And it's here to sell right here and right now. This is it.

Lot 240. Nice quality lot this Victorian games compendium.

What we going to say? Start me at £300? 250's a start.

Thank you, sir. A little low, but I'll take it at 250.

Come on, where are all these hands?

260 bid. 280 now, 300, 320 bid.

340 against you in the room.

-We're climbing.

-360, 380, 400. With you at £400.

At £400 on commission. 420 the lady.

-440, 460 now, 480.

-That's a bit better.

-This is better.

500, 520, 540, 560 against you, madam. Are you still in?

580, £580, 600 on my right.

You going 620? 620 with you, thank you.

-This is great.

-640.

-Doing all right, isn't it?

660 now, 680. 700, 720, 740,

800 offered. Against you at 800.

800.

-820 now.

-On the phone still at 850.

-At 850, go 860? 860 I'll take.

880 on the phone. At 880 now.

900, 900 seated. Latest bid at £900.

-This is absolutely brilliant.

-920 offered, 940 the lady.

At 940 I'm bid.

This is absolutely brilliant.

-940, 960.

-Still going, Paul.

-Oh, please, let's do a 1,000.

We might get to it. We might get there.

Lady's bid at 980. 1,000.

-1,000!

-Yes! Fantastic.

-It's £1,000 against you. Lovely lot.

Don't let it go. £1,050, thank you.

1,050, I'm bid. I'm looking for 1,100?

It's 1,050 in the room.

-Wow!

-Lady seated. At £1,050.

All out at the back? If you're all done, at 1,050 I'm selling.

-How amazing!

-Crack! £1,050.

-Margaret, I'm tingling.

-Amazing.

I am absolutely tingling all over.

-You must be as well.

-Yeah. That's amazing.

What a great feeling that is? That's a surprise, isn't it?

That's more than I thought it was going to be.

Wow. What comes to mind?

What's the first thing that comes to mind? Gosh!

I'm giving it to the children. It would have been their inheritance.

I'm giving it to the children, so they can buy something they like.

-OK, how many children?

-Two.

-Two. What are their names?

Claire, there, and Antony.

What a lovely present!

I wish I was one of the children.

-Have to adopt you.

-Thank you.

That was game on. I certainly hope you've enjoyed today's show.

-We've enjoyed it here, haven't we?

-Absolutely.

So, until the next time. Join us again for many more surprises on Flog It.

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