0:00:34 > 0:00:41Today Flog It is in Harlow, a town made to house some of the post-war population moving from London.
0:00:41 > 0:00:48Harlow's design was the vision of chief architect and town planner Sir Frederick Gibberd.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53In 1951 he was responsible for this building, The Lawn.
0:00:53 > 0:01:00That is so iconic because it is Britain's first-ever tower block.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04But this isn't where today's action is happening.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09It's here, across town at the Latton Bush Centre.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14We've got a massive turnout here with their antiques.
0:01:14 > 0:01:21Mark Stacey and Charlie Ross are raring to go, so let's get this huge crowd inside.
0:01:27 > 0:01:33- Hello, Anthony.- Good afternoon. - Thank you so much for waiting and bringing this lovely coffee set.
0:01:33 > 0:01:39We all know what it is, but before we examine it, give us the family history.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44- Well, we know it's been in our family since 1939.- Right.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49I would think it was a wedding present for our parents.
0:01:49 > 0:01:55They were difficult times and it's not a thing you would buy with war coming on.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01- You've always used it as a coffee set?- The last time, and I can only remember using it once,
0:02:01 > 0:02:07- I think I drank tea out of these. - The cups would take tea, but it is a coffee set.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10This is known as the Bonjour set.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15This is definitely a coffee pot in the long oval pattern.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21The teapot is much shorter and circular. I would say it is a little bit earlier than 1939.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27So it was probably second-hand, which often happened generations ago.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31I would have thought it tends to date to mid-1930s.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35The best period for Clarice Cliff is from the end of the 1920s
0:02:35 > 0:02:38up to 1935, 1936.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43After that, the patterns went a little bit...less quality.
0:02:43 > 0:02:50Less dynamic. I'm not absolutely sure of the pattern. I'm calling it pomegranate.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56These look like pomegranates. But what we will do is look out for the pattern
0:02:56 > 0:03:04and I'll let the auctioneers know. What I like is this lovely, open, triangular handle,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06which is so 1930s.
0:03:06 > 0:03:13I think there will be quite a lot of interest, even though it's not very bright and bold.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18It's complete and, more importantly, perfect, which is the nice thing.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22In terms of value, I would say, if we put it into auction,
0:03:22 > 0:03:28I would keep it slightly on the conservative side so that we tempt people.
0:03:28 > 0:03:36- But I would have thought £500-£800.- Really?- How do you feel about that?- All right.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- And we'll put a reserve of 500. - Fine.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- I suspect it will make the high end on a good day.- Thank you.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48It's so nice to see a complete set in such good condition.
0:03:48 > 0:03:56- Thank you for being patient with us and I'll see you at the auction. Let's hope for a top price.- Thanks.
0:04:05 > 0:04:11- Right. Henry and Mark here, whose are the candlesticks?- Mine. - He's giving moral support?- My son.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- So who's getting the money if we flog them?- We all are!
0:04:16 > 0:04:22- How many is all? - Two, four.- Four of you? They'll need to make some money!
0:04:22 > 0:04:29- Where did they come from? - A friend left them to me. - And what do you know about them?
0:04:29 > 0:04:35- Nothing. Nothing at all. - Do you know they're candlesticks? - Oh, yes!- Good!
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- What are they made of? - Silver.- Correct!
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- Top of the class. Have they got a hallmark?- Yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I think it's a lion on it.
0:04:46 > 0:04:54The great thing about a bit of silver is you can tell who made it, where it was made and when.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58The lion you were talking about is the lion passant.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04The moment you see the lion, you know they're silver. Next to the lion is an anchor.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09It is an assay mark, so they were made in Birmingham.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15If they had a leopard's head, they were made in London. A crown was Sheffield, et cetera.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17There's a letter N.
0:05:17 > 0:05:23Now the letter N on there tells you that they were made in 1912.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28So they're post-Victorian. Corinthian column candlesticks.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Probably the most popular design.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37And they are dwarf candlesticks. Sometimes they make 10 or 11-inch ones.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43And these are sort of 7 inches. I quite like the squat format.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- They would clean up beautifully. You haven't cleaned them?- No.
0:05:47 > 0:05:54A lot of people don't clean silver. If you rub them too much, you rub through the silver.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56B) You'll destroy the decoration.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01C) Worst of all, you can clean off the hallmark.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06- What are they worth?- A couple of hundred?- What do you reckon?
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- Two, three hundred? - You should be doing my job!
0:06:11 > 0:06:16Know what I think they're worth? 200-300!
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- It's not as if they're the rarest things in the world.- No, no.
0:06:21 > 0:06:28But of all silver objects, candlesticks are the most popular. I think 200-300 is spot on.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- We'll put a reserve of 175 on them. Happy with that?- Yeah.
0:06:33 > 0:06:41- Thank you for bringing them along. That's 50 quid each. Or will you get most of it?- I like that!
0:06:51 > 0:06:58Chris and Jean, thank you so much for struggling in on this hot day with a great lump of furniture.
0:06:58 > 0:07:06I'm very proud of you. Give me a bit about your background. You're both involved with a charity.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08That's right. Rainbow Services.
0:07:08 > 0:07:16And it is a charity to fill unmet need of one sort or another, and one of the projects we run
0:07:16 > 0:07:20is to take furniture and donate it to people on low income
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- or on benefits.- To furnish their bedsits or flats?- Absolutely.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30This was donated by someone who said, "I'm not sure if it's any good,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33"but if not, please sell it."
0:07:33 > 0:07:39- And this isn't what people want? They want beds and wardrobes? - That's right.
0:07:39 > 0:07:45Things we get a quick turnover with, to go in a house in Harlow.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48We don't get much call for these desks!
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- Writing desks! - We need practical things for people.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57They need wardrobes, beds, sofas. We pick up good quality furniture.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Well, carry on the good work. Let's hope this adds to the kitty.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- Do you like it? Would you fancy buying it?- Not in my house, no!
0:08:06 > 0:08:10It wouldn't necessarily go. I can see its charm.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14As a writing desk, it is very usable.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16It's quite small.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21This would fit into a large Victorian house or a small cottage.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26It's not got a great deal of age. It looks like an 18th-century piece,
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- but in fact it's early 20th century. - Oh, right?- Yeah.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35I'd put this around 1930s and it's Dutch.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40- Oh, is it?- Yes. If you start at the floor,
0:08:40 > 0:08:45it's on lovely flattened ball feet, so typical of the Dutch craftsman.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48It's well-made, hand-made.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52It's not machine-made, which is really nice.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57The colour of the oak is very good. If I take one drawer out,
0:08:57 > 0:09:04you can see the whole construction, even the drawer linings, it's all made of oak.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10They've taken pride in it because all the drawer faces are veneered in oak
0:09:10 > 0:09:17and reversed to make a chevron. They didn't need to do that, but it's nice and adds value.
0:09:17 > 0:09:26Those little architectural details make it a little bit more expensive than it would normally be.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Right. I expect you want to know roughly what it's worth.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35If this was an 18th-century piece, it would be £1,600-£2,000,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39for a continental writing desk.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41But it's early 20th century.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46I think it's got a value of around £200-£300.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51I'd like to see it get to £300, but we need two people. That's all.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Hopefully, we'll have half a dozen fighting for it! But...
0:09:56 > 0:10:03I think if we put this into auction we've got to put it on with a valuation of £100-£200
0:10:03 > 0:10:09- and a reserve at £100.- That's all right.- More than we anticipated.
0:10:09 > 0:10:16- And hopefully two people will fight over this.- Great.- It's lovely to know about, to get the history.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31Martin, HMS Ganges Association? You must be a naval man.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- Ex-naval man.- Ex? - I joined when I was 15.- Good time?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Very tough time. Very strict.
0:10:38 > 0:10:45- Is that where you found the pot?- No. - Where's it from?- When I came out of the navy, I lived in Chelsea.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51- Right.- And the lady above me said, "Could you clean my windows?" So I said, "Certainly I will."
0:10:51 > 0:10:55- She said, "I'll pay you." I said no.- A gentleman.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00In 1966, just after the World Cup, she called me up and said, "I'm moving."
0:11:00 > 0:11:08She said, "I'd like you to have that." I used to pick it off the windowsill very carefully,
0:11:08 > 0:11:13- put it on the chest of drawers. - And you never dropped it.- No.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- And?- It's been in the cupboard ever since!
0:11:17 > 0:11:23- So you don't actually like it? - No, I...- No use for it? - No use for it at all.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Know anything about it?- Nothing. - Wonderful, isn't it?
0:11:27 > 0:11:33- I will now appear to be wildly knowledgeable about it! I've looked at the bottom!- You have!
0:11:33 > 0:11:41I think I can tell it was Doulton, Doulton Lambeth. That factory started in the 129th century,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- making drains.- Oh, right? - Pottery drains.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51Then they got a bit more refined and started making jardinieres and all sorts of pots
0:11:51 > 0:11:57- and went on to become the Royal Doulton company.- Right. - In about 1920.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02What I think is most interesting is the decoration of it.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- A lot of Doulton Lambeth wares weren't glazed.- They weren't?
0:12:06 > 0:12:12No. And this is glazed and, across the middle, looks just like a piece of Wedgwood
0:12:12 > 0:12:18- and yet it's Doulton. As if they were influenced by Wedgwood. - I'm with you.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Looking at the bottom, it's stamped 1881.
0:12:22 > 0:12:29- That is 130 years old.- My God. - Of moving it backwards and forwards. Not by you for 130 years!- No!
0:12:29 > 0:12:32In that windowsill.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36And all the rosettes, the glazing, is in perfect condition.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42- And it's got a value.- Has it? - Any ideas?- 30 quid? - You could certainly double that.
0:12:42 > 0:12:48And add a bit more, hopefully. It's certainly £50-£100.
0:12:48 > 0:12:55- Right.- I would want to put a reserve of £50 on it.- That's fair enough. Absolutely, yeah.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00On a really good day, if somebody likes the way it's glazed,
0:13:00 > 0:13:06it might well trickle on to £100. Thank you very much for bringing it along.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- My pleasure.- Well rescued!- Thank you!
0:13:11 > 0:13:15We've seen some cracking items, but can we flog them?
0:13:16 > 0:13:23This 1930s Clarice Cliff coffee set has languished in the sideboard. Could it be a hidden gem?
0:13:23 > 0:13:28They're small, but are these silver candlesticks beautiful enough to attract an admirer?
0:13:28 > 0:13:34Will the bidders turn out for this Dutch desk? It's all in the aid of charity.
0:13:34 > 0:13:41And can this gift for Martin's window-cleaning skills sparkle and shine today?
0:13:41 > 0:13:47All our lots will be going under the hammer here at Reeman Dansie Auctions in Colchester.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51The man on the rostrum is James Grinter.
0:13:59 > 0:14:05This pair of silver candlesticks should light up the saleroom. We're looking for £200-£300.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10They belong to Henry and Mark here. This could be your inheritance!
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- Dad's not passing them on?- No! - And you don't want them.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20So, £200-£300. I love the Corinthian columns. Little mini columns.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- Lovely.- They'll always sell well. - Yes. They'll dress any dinner table.
0:14:25 > 0:14:32- You should have had a dinner party before the valuation day! - Take a bit of cleaning, though.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- They do.- Have Flog It in for dinner.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Nothing wrong in that!- No, true.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50Lot 219 is a pair of George V silver candlesticks. A handsome pair of sticks here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Start me at 150? 150 to start me?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57140? 140 is bid there. At 140. At 140.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Do I hear 150? 150. 160.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04170. 170 is bid down here now. At 170.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08180? At £170, I'm going to sell them.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11All done now at 170.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17You've got £170. We had a reserve at 175, so he's used a little bit of discretion.
0:15:17 > 0:15:24- I'm sure he'll make the money up. We didn't light the room up! - They weren't expensive.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29No. That's auctions for you. They've gone!
0:15:37 > 0:15:43Now it's the Clarice Cliff! It wouldn't be Flog It without Clarice.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49Fingers crossed we get top money today. Now, Mark, you said it was pomegranate at the valuation day.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55- Well, it looks like them. - I had a chat to James. He thinks it might be passion fruit.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00I'm happy for it to be whatever fruit makes the most money!
0:16:00 > 0:16:08OK! Well, we've got £500-£800 riding on this. Let's hope for Anthony's sake we get the top end.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Good luck.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15Now the 1930s Clarice Cliff passion fruit pattern coffee set.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18£400 to start me? 400 I have.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21At £400 now. 420. 420.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25440. 460. 480.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- At 480 in the corner now. - Come on!
0:16:29 > 0:16:32500 anywhere? At £480.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36It's going to be sold. Are you all done?
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- 480.- 480.- We were just above the reserve.- Just.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- That's how these things happen. - It is. We needed two more people to push that bid.
0:16:48 > 0:16:54- Disappointing slightly. - But I did say on the day that the pattern isn't the most exuberant.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00If it had been the melons or something a bit more exotic, we might have got a bit more,
0:17:00 > 0:17:07- but there you go. - Watch out for your patterns. - Watch out for your fruit!
0:17:16 > 0:17:22Martin saw some wonderful things window cleaning in Chelsea! One was the Doulton jardiniere!
0:17:23 > 0:17:29- What a spot that was! And you've brought your wife, Mary, for moral support.- Yeah.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35- Do you like the jardiniere? - It's all right. I'm not...- No.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41- Not really my thing. - We'll flog it anyway. We hope for £50-£100 put on by Charlie.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46I want to know more about this window cleaning!
0:17:46 > 0:17:52- I used to live in Flood Street. - Where Margaret Thatcher lived. - She lived at the top of the road.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- I never cleaned her windows. - Well, a security risk!
0:17:57 > 0:17:59She wouldn't pay me my money!
0:18:01 > 0:18:07Number 100 now is the Doulton Lambeth jardiniere with applied frieze.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Say for it 50? £50? 40?
0:18:10 > 0:18:1340 I have. 40. At £40.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Do I have 45? 45. At 45. 50.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- We're selling it.- At 50. 55?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22At £50 bid.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Are you all done?
0:18:24 > 0:18:29- Bang on the lower end. £50. That's OK, isn't it?- Yes.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- It's been in the wardrobe!- I've earned a bit of interest on it!
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Yes!
0:18:44 > 0:18:50Right. My turn to be the expert. Remember that lovely Dutch desk? It's a bit of quality.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54We've got £100-£200 on it. It belongs to Rainbow Services,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58who help furnish houses for underprivileged people.
0:18:58 > 0:19:05- We're not here with Chris today, but we do have Jean. And?- Jacquie, the director of Rainbow Services.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Pleased to meet you. What a lovely charity.- Wonderful.
0:19:09 > 0:19:16- It's a really good idea. Things we don't need can furnish people's houses.- Absolutely.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19It's a cracking piece of furniture.
0:19:19 > 0:19:26We're going to turn it into cash. It's not a period piece, or it would be worth a lot more,
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- but hopefully, you never know, we'll get more than £200.- Lovely.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- We've got everything crossed. - Here we go. This is it.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Number 732 is a 1920s oak desk.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43- £100 to start me? 100?- Come on.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45£100 I have. At £100.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Do 110? At £100 bid...
0:19:49 > 0:19:52110. 120. 130.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- 140.- This is more like it.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59160. At 160 on my right. All done now at 160? All done.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04That wasn't bad, was it? I got very worried for a second!
0:20:04 > 0:20:11We got stuck on £100. In auctions, you need two people on something to push the bid.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- That's going to Rainbow Services. - Fantastic.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Are you all done?
0:20:30 > 0:20:36We've all seen period dramas on TV where two very well-spoken and distinguished gentlemen
0:20:36 > 0:20:41have a disagreement and, before you know it, it's pistols at dawn.
0:20:41 > 0:20:48It looks very dramatic in the movies, but did duels really happen like that? Let's find out.
0:20:49 > 0:20:56Duelling with flintlock pistols was at its height between 1780 and 1820.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00For centuries swords and lances were used to settle disputes,
0:21:00 > 0:21:07but pistols became the weapon of choice because they gave older and younger gentlemen an equal chance.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13I've come to meet Geoff Walker, who has one of the best collections in the country.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20What a wonderful collection! This is just a small part of it.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23What got you interested in duelling pistols?
0:21:23 > 0:21:30I've always been fascinated by guns. Duelling pistols show the cutting edge of the gunmaker's craft.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35These are, you know, the work of gunmakers at their zenith.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- Yes.- There are some famous names represented here.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Are we looking at English guns? - All of them.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- I only collect English guns. - They're the best?- Yes.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51By the time the duelling pistol was in this sort of form,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55English makers were the best in the world.
0:21:55 > 0:22:02- Would they have been made in pairs? - Nearly all. You've only got one shot. They're muzzle-loading.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Of course.- And so two shots were better than one.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11Let's find out the differences between some of the guns here.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15This is a set of duelling pistols.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20These are very mean pistols - they've got no sights, no decoration.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24They would have been made for a particular customer.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- So the gunsmith would have measured his hand.- They were custom-fit?- Yes.
0:22:29 > 0:22:36They should be an extension of your arm, so you could feel it come up... It would be very natural.
0:22:36 > 0:22:43- Pick one up and they've got a beautiful balance and weight to them.- They are so tactile.- They are.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- What should I look for when I buy a duelling pistol?- The maker.
0:22:47 > 0:22:53- A good English maker?- You cannot get better than that name.- Manton.
0:22:53 > 0:22:59Two brothers - John and Joseph. I prefer John, but a lot of people prefer Joseph.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02At least they didn't settle it in a duel!
0:23:02 > 0:23:07- There was lots of honour at stake back then?- Yes, there was.
0:23:07 > 0:23:14They vied with each other. There was no real advertisements about guns. They had to have a good reputation.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19A set of pistols, late 18th century, what would they cost then?
0:23:19 > 0:23:25- This is a good example. - These are Manton, top of the range. - John Manton at his very best.
0:23:25 > 0:23:31And these pistols in 1790, I have the receipt, cost £23.
0:23:31 > 0:23:37- That's including the case and the flask.- That's a lot of money. - A lot of money in 1790.
0:23:37 > 0:23:44I mean, really entry level for a half-decent cased pair of duelling pistols,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47could you get a pair for £6,000 to £7,000?
0:23:47 > 0:23:52- Yes, certainly, that's about where you'd start.- Entry level.- Yes.
0:23:52 > 0:23:58But if you want the top names and the top quality, you've got to go further than that.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03Anything from £5,000 to £100,000 for something very rare and very special.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08'Duels were fought over everything and anything
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'from revenge for a violent crime
0:24:11 > 0:24:13'to defending a lady's honour.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17'In the 18th century, honour was more valuable than life itself.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21'The motivation was not to kill the other person,
0:24:21 > 0:24:26'but to gain satisfaction by proving you were willing to risk your life.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:33In the movies, we see two gentlemen back to back, taking paces away from each other.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- Maybe 20 yards.- It's by arrangement between the parties.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Minimum distance was ten paces. Those would be 30-inch paces.
0:24:41 > 0:24:48- 8.5 yards would be a minimum distance.- That's quite close. You can't miss, can you?- Not really, no.
0:24:48 > 0:24:55But very often they were fought at quite close quarters. 10, 12, 14 paces was quite common.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05They pace out, turn round and take aim. Do they fire straight away?
0:25:05 > 0:25:12Not necessarily. Quite often they would have to decide who should fire first.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19- I didn't know that. I thought it was the first person to get a sensible aim.- No.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- The quickest aim, quick draw? - Some duels were fought like that,
0:25:24 > 0:25:31but more often than not, one gentleman would have to stand and receive fire before it was his turn.
0:25:32 > 0:25:38Or it might have been that they got ready and a handkerchief was dropped as a signal,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42then they could fire at will.
0:25:43 > 0:25:50And gentlemen didn't cheat, or did they? Did they turn after five paces? That's what seconds were for.
0:25:50 > 0:25:58They were umpires, but it's quite tricky with two armed protagonists for a second to say, "Don't do that."
0:25:59 > 0:26:05And there are instances of seconds having to fire a gun to prevent any skulduggery.
0:26:05 > 0:26:13But generally, they were fought with the utmost bravery, chivalry and as gentlemen should.
0:26:22 > 0:26:28I absolutely love these guns. They're so tactile and extremely beautiful to look at.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Even though they're lethal weapons, they are true antiques.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Lovely things to own and enjoy the workmanship.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42- Geoff, thank you so much. - Thank you.- I've learnt a lot. - They're wonderful things.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59Back to the valuation day in Harlow, there's, well, magic in the air.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04- Hello, Michael. Hello, Sarah.- Hi. - Hi.- We know what's inside the box,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07but give us a bit of the history first.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11I've had this for about 34 years.
0:27:11 > 0:27:17I used to do table-top magic shows and my aunt in Aberdeen bought it in an auction.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- I think she paid £20 for it.- Gosh!
0:27:20 > 0:27:25- 34 years ago, you must have been quite young.- Thank you very much.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I was about 14 at the time.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33- Have you continued that?- It fell by the wayside when I was about 20.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38- Sarah, where has it been for the last 20 years?- In various lofts.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43- You haven't magicked it out of the loft until today?- No.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Let's have a look at it. It's in a nice, leather fitted case.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Oh, it's in nice condition, isn't it?
0:27:50 > 0:27:56Not a lot of damage at all. Normally, you get the odd bit of scuffing.
0:27:56 > 0:28:03I'm always tempted to go like that because a lot of them are opera top hats
0:28:03 > 0:28:10where you fold them and you flick them and they open when you want to wear them, but this isn't like that.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14We've got a nice London maker, Christys' of London,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16and then the Edinburgh retailer.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Then we've got a nice mark, "Imperial Quality", as well.
0:28:20 > 0:28:28Back when these were popular, in the late Victorian, Edwardian period, heads were a lot smaller.
0:28:28 > 0:28:35Most of the time, they sit on the top of your head, but this is quite a good size. It's too big for me.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38I think it's quite a good size.
0:28:38 > 0:28:46- It's been in various lofts. Your aunt bought it for 20 quid. What is it worth today?- I don't know.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50We've sold them before on the show. They're not very rare items.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55It's nice that it's got the fitted box, but we must be realistic.
0:28:55 > 0:29:01I'm gonna say that auctioneer's cliche. I think it is probably worth £80 to £100.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06- OK.- And hopefully on the day, we'll get 100, maybe even 120.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12- Are you happy with that?- Yeah. - So we'll put a reserve of £80 on it.- OK.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17Thanks for coming in. I look forward to meeting you both at the auction.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22- Let's hope we pull a magic price out of the hat on the day.- Excellent.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34I like this. This is typical of what we find at our valuation days.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39It's a watercolour, English, early 20th century, signed by the artist.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42It's a lovely maritime scene, a seascape.
0:29:42 > 0:29:48At auction, this will be worth around about £40 to £60 maximum.
0:29:48 > 0:29:55What I like about it is it's a bit of affordable fine art and I'm gonna put these people to the challenge.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00How many of you buy a print framed and stick it on the wall?
0:30:00 > 0:30:05- Yes.- Yes.- All of you. And you spend about £80 to £100 doing it possibly.
0:30:05 > 0:30:12- How many of you have a bit of fine art, signed by the artist, a watercolour or oil painting?- None.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Well, you can pick up a piece of art like this.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21It's a good investment, put it on the wall and enjoy it.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25It's got real integrity, heart and soul, and it's a one-off.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29I challenge you all to go out and buy some fine art.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33If you like it, that's an even better investment.
0:30:44 > 0:30:51- John, you've brought a complete history of a man's record in the army.- Looks like it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55- Who was he?- He was my grandfather on my mum's side.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58He fought in the Second World War.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03He was a rifleman in the Scottish Cameronians, in the First Battalion.
0:31:03 > 0:31:09- There he is.- Yeah. - Weren't they smart in their kilts? - He was.- Wonderfully smart.
0:31:09 > 0:31:14- Did he get through the war?- Yeah, he died when I was about seven.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17He must have seen a huge amount.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- He travelled a bit as well? - He certainly did, yeah.
0:31:21 > 0:31:28What I really love is that he's written here, chronologically, everything he's done with the army.
0:31:28 > 0:31:36So he was in the beginning of the war. In 1939, he was in Calcutta, then he was in France.
0:31:36 > 0:31:41And then subsequently sent to Africa and then Italy, Palestine, Lebanon,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44and finished the war in Egypt.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49- That's right.- Just that tells you all about the war,
0:31:49 > 0:31:53how the war moved, and that guy saw it all.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57- Yeah.- Not many of them would have been able to do that.
0:31:57 > 0:32:04- Moving on through here, we've got some very early aeroplanes here, some biplanes...- That's right.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09..which he caught in flight. There's a wonderful page of recreation.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13And there's a game of polo going on here.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18Keeping fit - look at that for a bit of gymnastics! Extraordinary.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23We haven't got time to go through all these pages,
0:32:23 > 0:32:27but this, I think, is my favourite page.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- There's a wonderful picture of Gandhi.- Yeah, that's Gandhi.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35He looks very thoughtful, a man of principles.
0:32:35 > 0:32:42- Now, why are you going to sell it? Your children aren't interested in this?- Not really, no.
0:32:42 > 0:32:50If you're not keeping them and your children won't use them, what better than to put them into auction?
0:32:50 > 0:32:57- If somebody is gonna pay money for this, they are not gonna throw it away.- It's gonna be looked after.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01The medals are worth £30 to £50, £40 to £60.
0:33:01 > 0:33:07The album must be worth £100 of anybody's money, £150, I think.
0:33:07 > 0:33:15- That's fine.- So, 150 to 250, with a reserve of £150. Happy with that? - That's great.- Jolly good.
0:33:15 > 0:33:21Thank you very much for bringing it along. This is a real history lesson in one album.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24It certainly is. Thank you very much.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35- Hi, Chris.- Hi.- As soon as I saw you holding this, I thought, "I've got to film this."
0:33:35 > 0:33:40It's a wacky, bizarre item. Where on earth did you get it from?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I inherited this from my grandfather
0:33:43 > 0:33:47via my aunt who has sadly passed away
0:33:47 > 0:33:49and it's resting itself in my house,
0:33:49 > 0:33:54trying to avoid damage from the assorted kids and pets that we have.
0:33:54 > 0:34:00I'm just interested in finding out about it and if it's worth anything.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05A lot of people will be interested in it. I think it's Austrian.
0:34:05 > 0:34:11And late 19th century, so any time between 1880 and 1900. And she's made of pottery.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15These were produced in large numbers, normally figures.
0:34:15 > 0:34:21Or busts. I've never quite seen one so elegant as this.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26Have you always known it like this or has it had other pieces with it?
0:34:26 > 0:34:30- There was a stool. - A little china stool?- Yeah.
0:34:30 > 0:34:37But that, I believe, got broken. And it's been sitting on a wooden chair that my grandad made.
0:34:37 > 0:34:43- Originally, these would have been made in pairs.- I did wonder if it was staring at somebody else?
0:34:43 > 0:34:47There would've been a gentleman with her.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49It's just so ridiculously camp.
0:34:49 > 0:34:57You've got a wonderful plumed hat. The quality is very good. Lovely, delicate expressions on her face.
0:34:57 > 0:35:04And she's holding this wonderful, oversized fan. It's a fantastically outrageous item really.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10Chris, we come now to the crucial point of how much is she worth.
0:35:10 > 0:35:17If we were putting it into auction, we've got to bear in mind some minor damage, the odd chip here and there.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23But with something as complicated and as old as this, you have to expect that.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27I would suggest £300 to £400. Would you be happy with that?
0:35:27 > 0:35:34- Yeah, that's fine. - And we'll put a reserve of 300 with 10% discretion on that.- That's fine.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37On the day, it might be a surprise and fly away.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42- Hopefully, not off the shelf until they've paid for it!- Yeah.
0:35:42 > 0:35:49- Thank you for bringing such a memorable item in.- Thank you very much for giving me the information.
0:35:54 > 0:36:00Can the auctioneer magic up some interest in this top hat, complete with fitted box?
0:36:00 > 0:36:05These wartime photos and medals are a picture book of social history,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09but can it win a place in someone's heart?
0:36:09 > 0:36:13And can this lady turn enough heads to win a suitor?
0:36:13 > 0:36:18The auctioneer James Grinter thinks she's got potential.
0:36:19 > 0:36:25I don't know what to say. Mass-produced Victoriana. Massive, great big pottery figure.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29This belongs to Chris. It was his grandfather's.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35And I think it's time to go. We've got £300 to £400 on her.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40- You get a lot for your money.- It's the largest figure I've ever seen.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- And me.- In 27 years, I haven't seen another one like it.
0:36:44 > 0:36:50- It was one of a pair originally. - There'd be a gentleman.- A dandy. - Courting her.- Exactly.
0:36:50 > 0:36:57- Where would you have displayed it? - I don't know.- Perhaps on top of a Victorian upright piano?
0:36:57 > 0:37:01- One either side.- Or a purpose-made piece of furniture.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06A small chair or little settee made for the two of them to sit together.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- It's quite fascinating.- It is.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13The condition is absolutely remarkable. It's perfect.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18It's High Victorian taste, but I think it will appeal to people.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21It's a very decorative thing.
0:37:21 > 0:37:26Not necessarily in fashion today, but I still think it'll do quite well.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31- I'm glad it's the lady. A single gentleman won't sell so well.- True.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- £300 to £400?- It stands a chance.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40- How much more?- I've never seen one before, so it's difficult to gauge.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- So we could get more.- Yes. - A lot more.- We could do.
0:37:53 > 0:37:59- Sarah, Michael, good to see you again. Can you do any magic tricks? - I'm not prepared, sorry.
0:37:59 > 0:38:05Hopefully, your last one will be turning this top hat, valued at £20 35 years ago,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09into £100 right now in the next couple of minutes.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14- We've got a value of £80 to £100. - It's in good condition.- It is.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19It's in a nice leather box and top hat size is important.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- A lot of them are very small. - They don't fit your head.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28This one does fit, so hopefully we'll be able to get £80 to £100.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Before that, Michael has one last little magic trick.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Yeah!
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Hang on.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- No, there's nothing there. - You know that already.
0:38:47 > 0:38:53No.415 is the Edwardian, black, silk top hat by Scott. Original box.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57£60 to start me? 60 I have down here. At 60.
0:38:57 > 0:39:0065. 70. 75.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04- 80. 85... - We're getting there.- We are.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06100. £100.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Down here at £100. Are you all done?
0:39:09 > 0:39:13We did it. We got that magical £100. Well done.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18There's a bit of commission to pay, but it's a nice meal out.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Lots of memories for you have gone.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26- Yes, but I've had a good time with it.- Has he still got the cape at home and the wand?
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- He's got the wand. - I like the wand.- Yeah.
0:39:37 > 0:39:43This next lot is a cracking item. Not a lot of monetary value, but there's a lot of history here.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48It belongs to John. And all this social history is the contents
0:39:48 > 0:39:54- of your grandfather's campaign throughout the Second World War. - That's right.
0:39:54 > 0:40:01- Have you got other things that he left you?- There are photographs that I'm definitely keeping.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04No.504 is a group of five Second World War medals.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08And the photograph album. £100 to start me?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- Fingers crossed.- £100 I'm bid.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14At £100. 110? At £100.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18- 110 anywhere? At £100. Any advance? - There's no bidding.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Are you all done...?
0:40:21 > 0:40:26- Grandad's looking down, giving you a bit of a ticking off.- Yeah.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- John, please hang on to them. - Definitely.
0:40:39 > 0:40:45Next, that wonderful Austrian pottery figure. She's big, blousy and beautiful.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47She's late Victorian and very rare.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52We talked to the auctioneer about it. We don't have the owner Chris.
0:40:52 > 0:40:59- But we do have his son Robert. Hello. Is Dad on holiday?- Yeah, but I don't really know where he is.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04- And you don't care.- No, party time! - Which means it's party time!
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Yeah, why not?
0:41:06 > 0:41:13- Seriously, if we do really well on this, you will get on the phone to Dad and let him know.- Sure.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18We're looking for £400-plus. James agreed with your valuation.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21It's lovely. It's very televisual.
0:41:21 > 0:41:27- And as you say, she's blousy, a lot there for £300 to £400.- Yeah.
0:41:27 > 0:41:33- I think this lot will agree with your valuation. We've got the nod of approval.- And a wink!
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Good luck, everybody.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41No.63 is the very large, 19th century German ceramic figure of a lady.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46Very unusual. I have two commissions and I start the bidding at £280.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49300 with Ian. At £300. 320.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52340. 360. 380.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55400. 420. 440.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58At 440. The lady's bid now at 440.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- We're happy with that.- 460.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03480. 500. 520.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05- 540.- This is great!
0:42:05 > 0:42:08560. 580. 600.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10620. 640.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- 660.- Gosh!- 680. 700.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17- 720. 740. 760. - That's unbelievable!- 780.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21800. 820. 840. 860.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- 880. 900.- We might get £1,000!
0:42:23 > 0:42:26920. 940. 960.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29980. 1,000. 1,100.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- 1,100?!- 1,200. 1,300...
0:42:31 > 0:42:35- What have we missed, Mark? - I don't know!
0:42:35 > 0:42:381,500. At £1,500.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41On my right now at £1,500...
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Are you all done...?
0:42:43 > 0:42:48- £1,500!- I do believe they're gonna be extremely happy with that!
0:42:48 > 0:42:52They've got to be happy with that. I'm tingling all over!
0:42:52 > 0:42:56What do you think of her? You've seen her around the house.
0:42:56 > 0:43:02- I really don't like her.- But you like the £1,500.- I like the 1,500 quid!
0:43:02 > 0:43:05You should phone Dad. That'll make his holiday!
0:43:05 > 0:43:12- He'll probably stay away for another two weeks, so it's more partying!- Definitely.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- Thank you so much.- Thank you. - I'm amazed.- That's incredible.
0:43:16 > 0:43:24I thought 300 to 400 was a little on the conservative side, but it is best to tease the bidders in.
0:43:24 > 0:43:30- But 1,500, you can't beat it!- What a fine lady! She had a fine figure and she achieved a fine figure.
0:43:30 > 0:43:37We've had great fun here, so until the next time, there's plenty more surprises to come on Flog It!
0:43:46 > 0:43:50Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2008
0:43:50 > 0:43:53Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk