0:00:04 > 0:00:06There's nothing like the thrill of an auction room.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11Whether you're buying or selling, it really does get right under your skin.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Hopefully, lots of you this afternoon are going to feel the buzz
0:00:14 > 0:00:16as you join me from this sale room to flog it.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52To find the items for today's sale, we've come to Northampton's beautifully decorated Guildhall.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Everybody's now safely seated inside, thank goodness,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00and our two experts, Mark Stacey and James Lewis, are hard at work
0:01:00 > 0:01:03delving through all the belongings looking for all the gems.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Hey, guys, save something for me. What have you found so far?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- Obviously, he's forgotten to shave this morning.- He has! I'll hold him!
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Of course, we only send things off to auction if our owners agree with
0:01:17 > 0:01:21the experts' valuations and then we can get excited about the sale.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24But right now there's work to be done, so let's get on with it.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- # Have a nice day - Dum dum da dum dum
0:01:28 > 0:01:29# Have a nice day. #
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- Hello, Max.- Hello, Mark.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35A nice silver basket here. Can you give us a bit of the history of it?
0:01:35 > 0:01:40It was about 30 years ago, something like that.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45An elderly lady, she was about 90 at the time, gave me two pieces.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48This, and I don't know what the wooden cane is...
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- snake wood cane.- Oh, right.
0:01:51 > 0:01:58Her maiden name, I believe, was Hoffman and I believe she was the great aunt of Dustin Hoffman.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Oh, really? Gosh, how interesting.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02She was a lovely lady.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06You know what it is. It's quite straightforward. It's a little table silver basket.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11You put bread, fruit, bon-bons, anything you like really, into it.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16It's a very nice shape, a very classical shape, this sort of boat shape...
0:02:16 > 0:02:21- Boat shape, yes.- ..with this sort of laurel wreath type decoration on it there.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Quite a nice turned handle, little hallmarks on the side of there and on the base.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27We've had a look at the hallmarks.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31It's by James Dixon, a very prolific maker in Sheffield.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34The mark is for 1913/14.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37So it's getting on for 100 years old.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42And it weighs around about 15 ounces, so it's a nice object.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Why have you decided to sell it?
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Well, it's been in a cabinet.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It's the old story, everyone says it's in a cabinet.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53But this really has been in a cabinet and it's been on the third shelf down,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56so we decided that we'll just see...
0:02:56 > 0:03:01I mean it's quite a nice thing and if somebody could put it on display and utilise it...
0:03:01 > 0:03:06If you do want something to use on the dining table, it's very nice. It's got that classical shape.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09One thing I do particularly like about it actually
0:03:09 > 0:03:13is this sort of foot on it, which is very Regency looking.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14- Is it?- The style of it is.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19It's got a bit of a combination of styles. But it's a jolly nice item.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25In terms of value, silver is up and down and it will depend on who wants it on the day.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31- I would put £100-150 on it, with a 100 fixed reserve.- Absolutely.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- So we won't sell it below 100.- No...
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- I'd hope that it settles somewhere between those two figures. If we can get more, wonderful.- Wonderful.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45Can you tell me, is it sterling or is it Britannia? I can never work that out.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47This is sterling. Britannia's a much higher standard.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But is it a cutoff? Is Britannia...
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Britannia standard is mainly 18th century, but you do actually get
0:03:54 > 0:03:59some Britannia standard reissued in the Victorian and in the 20th century.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- But this is sterling. - This is sterling. This is 925.- 925.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Wonderful, that's brilliant. You've answered all my questions.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Fantastic. I aim to please, as they say.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- You do please.- We look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- I look forward to seeing you. - Let's hope we can toast our success.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Hilary, I have to say, we see a lot of pocket watches on Flog It,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26but not many Rolexes.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Obviously, it is the king of watches, isn't it?
0:04:30 > 0:04:32It's the name that everybody knows.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35But I have to say, we don't see many from this period.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38So, tell me about the history.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41My mother-in-law had to go to a retirement home, a care home,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45and we were sorting through the house and found it in one of the wardrobes.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48This is what we call a gentleman's pocket watch.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50It's an open-faced pocket watch.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55During the 18th and 19th centuries, pocket watches came in various forms.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00If they didn't have a cover on the dial, they were known as an open face.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04If they had a cover both sides like that, so you open that up
0:05:04 > 0:05:07to reveal the dial, they were known as a hunter pocket watch.
0:05:07 > 0:05:13And if they had a little window in the centre of the dial, then they were known as half hunters.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19But this is a straightforward 20th century, Rolex, open-faced, gentleman's pocket watch.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21If we open the back...
0:05:23 > 0:05:27..we can see here a very good Rolex movement.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Swiss-made. Just marked on the edge there, Swiss-made.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36But what Rolex did was they made the movements and they exported them.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And the watch retailer in England would say,
0:05:39 > 0:05:45"OK we have a Rolex movement, we can put that into an 18 carat gold case,
0:05:45 > 0:05:50"a nine carat gold case, a silver case or a gun metal case
0:05:50 > 0:05:51"or steel."
0:05:51 > 0:05:54In this case, we've got a silver case
0:05:54 > 0:05:56marked with the anchor for Birmingham,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59the lion for sterling standard silver,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and the K is the date letter for 1934.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04It's interesting also
0:06:04 > 0:06:06because the mark at the bottom
0:06:06 > 0:06:08is what we call the duty mark
0:06:08 > 0:06:12and that duty mark was put on to say tax had been paid on the silver.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But that was used from the Georgian period in the 18th century
0:06:15 > 0:06:20right the way through until almost the end of Queen Victoria's reign in 1890.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26Then it wasn't used apart from one year, 1934,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30and that was this one. Just as a little commemorative mark.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33So an English silver case.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36So, how to date a pocket watch when you're looking at it?
0:06:36 > 0:06:43If you've got a winder on the top, the general rule is that it will be a 20th century watch.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49Generally, watches were wound with a little key until about 1900.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53And here we have the Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial here.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55The dial itself is made of enamel.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Then we move away from the watch and look at the chain.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04This is known as an Albert, because Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert made them fashionable.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08This one has seen better days, I'm afraid.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11If it wasn't a Rolex and it was a standard silver pocket watch,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15it would be worth about £30, something like that.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19But isn't. It is a Rolex, and it's a good name.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24I think that this will make around £150, something like that. Is that all right for you?
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- Yeah, that's great.- And a reserve of 120? Are you happy with that?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Yes, lovely, thanks.- Let's take it along and see how we do.- OK.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Jacqui and Ron, we've struggled in with this. We've got it on the table.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Let's open the box!
0:07:40 > 0:07:43We know what's inside. Look at that.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47It is a tool chest and it's absolutely jam packed full of tools.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- Are you a carpenter?- Yes, I am.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Why do you want to flog these then?
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Because I'm not using them any more now.- Retired now?- Retired, yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Are you a local lad? - I'm a local lad, yeah.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02And you've always used your hands for a living. It's a really nice thing
0:08:02 > 0:08:07to look at tools knowing that somebody has actually, you know,
0:08:07 > 0:08:12had a livelihood from these, from holding these gouges, these chisels
0:08:12 > 0:08:14and making something, and turning something.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17It's quite a comprehensive set.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20How did you come by these? Did you buy all of these individually?
0:08:20 > 0:08:23No, I bought them altogether. It was when I was in hospital
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and a bloke next to me was talking about hobbies
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and things we used to do and he said, "You're gonna use it,"
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- and I did use it.- How much did you buy them for?
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- 70 quid.- How long ago was that? - About 14 years ago.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Looking at it,
0:08:38 > 0:08:47it does look like there's an awful lot of large gouges, which would have been used on a lathe.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- Did you do much wood turning? - A little bit. A fair bit of wood turning and all that.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Turning things out.- Different sizes.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I've counted all the chisels.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59In there, there's 24 or 25.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Is there really? Lock at that. All these date back to the early 1900s.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Most of them have got maple handles
0:09:06 > 0:09:12and maple is the ideal wood for a handle on a tool, because it absorbs all the shock.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- Can I take this drawer out as well? - You can take that one out. - It's a fantastic tool chest.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19It's one of the best tool chests I've seen.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23So many different gouges and chisels. There's paring chisels,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26mortise chisels. Are you sure you want to sell this?
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Yeah, cos I don't use it now at all.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- It's sitting in the garage.- Is it?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Sitting in the garage and I thought...
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- Did the kids go into the trade? Any sons?- They're in the trade, but they don't want it.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42This day and age, it's all electrical. They don't want to do anything like this now.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- I find it fascinating, because there's history in this box. - Yeah, there is.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49There really is. A bit of your history as well.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- Look, shall we put the whole thing into auction...- And see what happens. - ..and put a value of...
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- ..I think, £175-275?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04And a bit of discretion on the reserve.
0:10:04 > 0:10:11- Yeah.- So if it gets anywhere near £175, you can use the 10% discretion and hopefully we'll get this away.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12PAUL INHALES
0:10:13 > 0:10:17I love that smell. I love that smell of oil, I love that smell of wood.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19There's mixed woods here, all sorts of hard woods.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25- What's it like being married to a carpenter? Has he done the up.- No.- Or has he started and not finished it?
0:10:25 > 0:10:29He spends hours wood carving, which is smaller chisels.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33A lot smaller, yes. Smaller gouges, so you don't need these, do you?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- Not at all now. - I can see why you're selling them.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- What about your lathe? Have you sold it?- Yeah, the lathe's gone. Sold it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- It's bowling now.- Bowling.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- Hello, Janice.- Hello.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Now, these Whitefriars, where did you get them from?
0:10:50 > 0:10:54I got them from a departmental store in Southampton.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- It was called Tyrrell and Green. - Oh, I know Tyrrell and Green. It was a lovely store.- It was.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- But it's not there any more.- No.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- It's closed down.- Yes.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03So you bought them when? In the '70s?
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- No, in the '60s.- So you bought them brand new?- Oh, yes.- Wonderful.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Tell us what room they sat in and give us the flavour of that room.
0:11:12 > 0:11:19They were in a sitting room on a fire surround, which was very popular then with a gas fire.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- That's right.- And I picked the orange out because it matched a Cyril Lord carpet that I'd bought.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Wonderful. So there was orange in the carpet?
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Yes.- What about the curtains and things like that? Did they...?
0:11:31 > 0:11:36They were like a gold brocade and that was in the carpet as well. It was a multicoloured carpet.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Fantastic. Sounds very psychedelic.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- Did you partake of anything at the time?- No!
0:11:45 > 0:11:47So you bought them and they took pride of place there.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51We went through the '70s and '80s and '90s and all the rest of it
0:11:51 > 0:11:55and they've gradually gone off the fireplace. You're not in the same house...
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Oh, they went a lot time ago off the fireplace and I've moved around since then.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Work has taken me here, there and everywhere.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08This one, I think, is called the guitar shape because of this curvaceous body.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12This one, I think, is known as the television vase
0:12:12 > 0:12:16because it's kind of like that sort of '60s television screen.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Today... The prices do vary and the larger ones we see
0:12:19 > 0:12:23on the show a lot and they can still make high hundreds.
0:12:23 > 0:12:31- These ones are slightly more modest. So I would say let's say 150-200... - Mm-hm.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36..if that's all right with you? And we'll put the reserve just a little bit below at 130,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39which means that we won't sell them for nothing.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- So, Janice, it's time to get shot of them.- I think so.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44And to buy something more contemporary for your home.
0:12:44 > 0:12:50- No, I want to take my grandson to New York. He's into basketball. - Right.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53So it's to go towards his fare.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Oh, wonderful.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- A very worthwhile cause. We need to make as much money as we can then. - Yes, absolutely.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01CHEERING
0:13:01 > 0:13:06Yes, there are hundreds of people inside the building, all waiting for valuations.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Our experts have been hard at work.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12We're halfway through the day, so it's our first trip to the auction room.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15They've selected some wonderful gems and here's a recap of what we're taking.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Although silver isn't all that popular at the moment,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Max's bon-bon dish is good quality. It should do well.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30A name like Rolex always conjures up
0:13:30 > 0:13:35something classy and Hilary's watch, I'm sure, is no exception.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Ronald's beautiful tool chest just wreaks of history and character,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43but will it be of interest in today's market?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47And trendy Janice invested in two Whitefriars vases in the 1960s.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Fortunately, they're back in fashion.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55We're off down the road to Market Harborough to Gilding's auction house where, today,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59Mark Gilding is presiding on the rostrum.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Max is first in line to sell his silver basket.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10Max, this is a classic bit of silver, I love the shape as well. Why do you want to flog it?
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Well, I'm quite desperate, actually.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16There was a rumour that my wife married me for my money.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19There wasn't any money then, there hasn't been any money since
0:14:19 > 0:14:22and there's no money now, so we're going to call THIS the money.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25We'd better come up trumps with 100 quid, Mark!
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- No pressure then is there?! - It should do it.- It should do. It's an honest little piece.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33I think it will attract some of the private buyers.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- It's a nice thing to have on the side.- Good luck, Max.- Thanks.- Let's see if we can money for the wife.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42George V silver basket on four cast feet, James Dixon and Son, Sheffield
0:14:42 > 0:14:461912. Bids start here at £85. 95.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48100. In the room at £100. At £100.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52100. 110. 120. 130. New bid in at 140.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Ooh, fresh legs.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58At 140. Your turn at 150. At 150. At 150 now. 160.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01160. Still left at 160. Shaking his head at 160.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Retirement is looming. - Second house and grounds.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07£160.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- Not quite a second house, but... - Saving towards it.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14At least you can hold your head up high when you go home. £160.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Right, time's up. It is for Hilary and her pocket watch.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Lovely Rolex movement.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24£150 is riding on this.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- Let's see if we can get a bit more for you.- Yeah, lovely.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31It's a lovely piece of kit, with the Rolex movement.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- Rolex ones are unusual, so, yeah, it's the name you want. - It is, isn't it?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Marked Rolex, Dennison case, Birmingham 1934,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41on a silver graduated watch chain.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Commission bids straight in at £120.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47120. 130. I'm out at 130 in the room. Commission's lost. 130.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52- 140. 150.- Brilliant. - 150. You're out at the back at 150.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57It's forward at 150. 60 if you like? 150. Sold at 150.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Yes we're gonna take that.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01That's good. Spot-on valuation.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- Happy?- Yes.- What are you putting the money towards?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Into the kitty for my mother-in-law's care.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- Ah, bless her. What's her name? - Olive.- Olive, I hope you're watching right now.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Hilary's done us proud, haven't you? Well done.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Ooh, Ronald, Jacqui.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24I don't know about you, but I'm on the edge.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27So am I, to be honest.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32£175-250. Something like that we would really like for this chest.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36I've seen lots of people pulling the trays out. It doesn't look much, does it?
0:16:36 > 0:16:41When you look down on it and see that black dome lid, it looks, "What's in the box?"
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- But it's like Pandora's box, because it all comes out.- That's lovely.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Having a good day so far?- Yeah.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Hopefully, I'm not going to spoil it.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Let's flog it, shall we? Let's see what we can do. Here we go. It's going under the hammer now.
0:16:55 > 0:16:581970, stained wood tool chest.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00I have to start at £180.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Ooh, we've sold it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- Ooh, ever so pleased. - At 180?- Gosh, I was scared.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10180, on commission. Watching you in the room at 180. 190, looking for.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14£180, on commission and selling. Just the one bidder.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15Quality all the way.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19OK, you've got 180 quid. It's gone, a little bit of commission to pay.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24Jacqui... I'm going to ask Jacqui, because she'll end up spending it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- She'll spend it all for me. - What are you gonna do with £170?
0:17:29 > 0:17:33We're going on holiday in June to Tenerife, so it's towards our spending money.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Bit of spending money. Well, you take care and have a good time.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39We'll go with friends, so we'll have a few drinks on it.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Good old knees up.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Right now, we've got a bit of 20th century modern and two lovely ladies here.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Geoffrey Baxter Whitefriars glass.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Janice and Angela, good to see you again.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Let's hope we get the top end of Mark's estimate, £250.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Baxter, so I think
0:18:03 > 0:18:05these are classics, especially the guitar shape.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08They are and they're that lovely tangerine colour. I love them.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12I just moved in to Brighton, so I'd love some on my window ledge.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- Spotlit.- The light coming through.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19Let's hope that the bidders here fall in love with them. They're going under the hammer.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20Two Whitefriars here.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Bids start at £100.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26110. 120. 130. And I'm out at 130.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28140. 150. 160.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Anyone else? 160. 170.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32170 now. Forward at 170.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Come on, a few more.- 180 at the back.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- 190. 190. 200, do I see? It's 190. 200.- Gosh!- It's fantastic.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44210. Forward at £210. 20 anywhere?
0:18:44 > 0:18:48210. Selling away at £210.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49Yes, £210.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Geoffrey Baxter is definitely worth investing in. Whitefriars glass.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56What will the money go towards?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58We're going to America soon.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- So who's getting it?- Er...
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- The grandson?- Probably.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20I don't know about you, but I've got a soft spot for a good pair of shoes. I love my shoes.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25So while I'm in Northampton, which is incidentally the shoe capital of Europe, I'm gonna pop in
0:19:25 > 0:19:33to the upmarket and classy Crockett and Jones to find out exactly how a good pair of shoes is made.
0:19:33 > 0:19:41In 1879, James Crockett and Charles Jones, both a bit strapped for cash, set up in business with just £100.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45They started with 20 staff, built the business up and in 1924
0:19:45 > 0:19:50were rewarded with Royal patronage and a visit from King George VI.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00And the company is still family run after all these years.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05So let's go and meet the managing director, Jonathan Jones, who's a direct descendant
0:20:05 > 0:20:09of one of the original co-founders of the company, Charles Jones.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Jonathan, it's good to see you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18What a marvellous factory. Surrounded by shoes as well. I am in shoe Heaven.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- It's wonderful to see a family-run business still. - Yes, we are a family business.
0:20:22 > 0:20:28Four generations and we're still making shoes the way that we have been for the last 100 years.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- You've selected a pair for me here, haven't you?- That's right.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35They look very practical and the weight in them, that's real quality, isn't it?
0:20:35 > 0:20:39This is a jackboot from our current stock range.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42It's quite a long involved process, shoe-making.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46When people go around the factory they're surprised how long it takes to make a pair of shoes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- We're talking about something like 200 different processes...- 200?! - ..something like that.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54It takes around about eight weeks from start to finish in our factory
0:20:54 > 0:20:59because, although we can take advantage of modern technology in certain areas,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01there is an awful lot of hand work involved.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06Making shoes like this, it's a bit of an art as well as a manufacturing process.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Do you know, they are very, very smart, aren't they?
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- They look as though they fit you quite well.- Beautiful colour.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- You can feel the difference. - We often find that once people have our shoes on
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- they don't worry so much about the price and become loyal customers. - I'm going to hide my cheap ones.
0:21:22 > 0:21:29In the Middle Ages, Northampton became the most important centre in England for the tanning trade.
0:21:29 > 0:21:35Mostly because the town was conveniently placed for the north, London and east and west routes.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39In addition, Northampton was surrounded by forests
0:21:39 > 0:21:44which provided an abundance of oak bark, an essential tanning ingredient.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50And where tanning and leather is readily available, it wasn't long before the shoe-makers gathered.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- And this is where it all starts. Steve is it?- Yes. - Hello, pleased to meet you.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01They told me I could find you here.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04You're the guy in charge of all the hide, all the skins?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07This area controls all the quality for the business.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Incoming goods and we have to make sure
0:22:09 > 0:22:13it meets all the qualifications and standards and quality.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17You have some mixed hide here. I can just see by the finish. What's this?
0:22:17 > 0:22:22This is American pull up leather. Older animal, natural scars.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Big scars, healed scars.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28This is a calf, which most high class manufacturers use now.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32This is what we start with and this is when we've antiqued it.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36That's the basic colour. You steep it in a liquid?
0:22:36 > 0:22:42No, what we do is, in the final stages of the shoes, we apply antique creams, polish.
0:22:42 > 0:22:48- Very much like a woodworker. - To enhance the grain and the anonymity of the product.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Where is that scar again?
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Did you have to repair that scar? - No, you can't use that.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59That'll split eventually, won't it? Right, Steve, where do I go next?
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Point me in the right direction.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04You have to go that way for the clicking.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05The clicking? Sounds good.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Thanks very much.- OK, bye.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Hi, Graham. You're one of the clickers. Why do they call you that?
0:23:16 > 0:23:21It stems back from a long time ago, when the knife comes from the pattern, it clicks.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- Show me what you mean by that.- Here we go, round the pattern.- Oh, yes.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- Just a little click off the leather. - A little click as it comes out.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- So you're given a load of patterns and you've got to cut the leather out.- That's right.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Obviously, you get the best part of the leather, the prime part,
0:23:40 > 0:23:45- for the best part of the shoe, then you work away for the rest of the shoe.- To the edges, yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Very sharp knife. That just cut through that like butter.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- Let's have a look.- Hack saw blades. - Old hack saw blades!
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Just grind the teeth off them and sharpen them to the shape you want.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01That looks difficult to do, because I know that's hard to cut as quick as that.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Where do I go from here? - Down to the closing room.- Thank you.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06See you again.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- Is that difficult? - Very.- It looks difficult.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Just hope I don't mess up.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19- That's very clever. Are the ladies shoes harder to work on than the men's?- Yeah, cos they're smaller.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Sorry to stop you in your work. - That's fine.- You're in perforation.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27I can see now exactly what you are doing.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- Yes, I've been doing it for 25 years.- Wow.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- 25, yes.- You must be very good at what you do.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It's looking more like a shoe.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Sorry to butt in. So what's that then?
0:24:43 > 0:24:48That's a leather softener, just to put it on the toes, to help the stain, help to moisten it,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50then put it in the machine...
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- ..which pulls it over.- That's clever!
0:24:56 > 0:24:59It'll stop in that last now for two or three weeks.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- I'm impressed with that. Thanks a lot.- That's all right.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06One of the unique Crockett and Jones features is the cork filled sole
0:25:06 > 0:25:13which provides wonderful insulation. It was used for an early Ernest Shackleton polar expedition.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19And it proved so successful it was used for a further voyage in 1914.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Dave, hello.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30- Hello.- Welting process, talk me what you are doing now.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36We've put a strip of welting and we sew it through the ribbon on the shoe.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38OK.
0:25:38 > 0:25:44Which then gives us the foundation for sticking the sole and stitching through the welt.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46That looks hard to do.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49They told me it was good money when I started.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54- How many do you do a day then? - About 300 pairs. It's technically a skilled job.
0:26:05 > 0:26:12Its uniqueness is that once you put it in, if you want to mend this at any stage,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- you can simply do that.- Ah.
0:26:15 > 0:26:23It's a chain stitch so you can remove the whole process to mend the shoe, unlike a stuck-on.
0:26:23 > 0:26:29- Yes, exactly. Unlike my stuck-ons. You noticed that.- Always notice what somebody's got on their feet.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35Basically, I've got to treat myself to a new pair of shoes while I'm here.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38You should go in the factory shop, mate.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43Down the factory shop. I'm going to do that, Dave, treat myself to a new pair of shoes.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Mention my name, you get a 10% discount.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58That was incredible. And here... well, here's the finished product.
0:26:58 > 0:27:04Now who would have thought that there's over 200 different processes into making a single shoe?
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Wouldn't have believed that.
0:27:06 > 0:27:12But they don't come cheap, mind you. The average price is £250 to £350.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15But they will last you a good 10 to 20 years.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18So you could say a bit of a bargain.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33It's back to the valuation. It looks like James is having afternoon tea.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39Sandra, one of the nightmare things for an auctioneer is seeing somebody unpack a tea service,
0:27:39 > 0:27:44because time after time, people unwrap a cup and saucer
0:27:44 > 0:27:50that's been a treasured belonging for generations and we have to say, unfortunately, it's worth nothing.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Generally, today, tea services are very hard to sell. People don't use them.
0:27:55 > 0:28:01Society has changed so much that tea services are just out of vogue.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03But this one I absolutely love.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08Two reasons. It's a great design and I love fish.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13So tell me, is this something that you've used every afternoon...?
0:28:13 > 0:28:17- I've never used this.- Haven't you? - No, I like looking at it though.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19I think it's too delicate to use.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24- I'd have liked to have put it in a display cabinet but I haven't got one.- OK.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27And I moved to Australia and this all came with me.
0:28:27 > 0:28:33- Really?- Then I moved back again and it's been sitting in a suitcase in the attic.- So how was Australia?
0:28:33 > 0:28:38- It was nice.- As good as Britain? - No.- Brilliant.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40I like Australia but I like Britain too.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Well, the tea set is lucky to have survived.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45I've been very careful.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49So obviously, the fact it's here means you're wanting to sell it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- Yes.- So have you fallen out of love with it?
0:28:52 > 0:28:54No, but I'm frightened of damaging it.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57OK, it's got some advantages.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02The gilding and the decoration on this is absolutely fantastic.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07It's an unusual design and it's something that's going to appeal to collectors
0:29:07 > 0:29:11as well as somebody who will want to display it in a china cabinet.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13It's by a factory,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15if we have a look, Carlton China.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Very similar script mark to the famous Carlton Ware.
0:29:19 > 0:29:25But this is by Burke Rawlins and Co. This would have been produced around the 1930s.
0:29:25 > 0:29:31- It has the Made In England mark, and that was put on in 1925 and later.- Right.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Before 1925, it was England.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35But it's missing its teapot, sadly.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39- It's teapot, I think, is in my loft. - In your loft?- It is, somewhere.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43- You need to go home and go through the loft and see if you can find it.- I will.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47But you must do that before the catalogue goes to print.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53The most important thing, in some ways. We need to come to a conclusion of value.
0:29:53 > 0:29:58- I think, without the teapot, we ought to put an estimate of £50 to £80 on it. OK?- Yes.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03If you can find the teapot, that will up it to £80 to £100.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Is that OK for you?- That's fine.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10- See if you can find that teapot - it'd be lovely to keep it together. - I'll try.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19- Dermott, Hello.- Hello.- Now, tell me about this clock garniture.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24Well, we were left them by a friend about 14 years ago.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28We haven't got much room for them now. We're getting a bit cluttered.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31They're not in pride and place on your mantelpiece?
0:30:31 > 0:30:34No, they're on a shelf on the stairs.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38I think they're rather fun. Do you know what they're made out of?
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Not really, no.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Because normally people assume this is going to be bronze.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45But when you pick them up, they're very light.
0:30:45 > 0:30:52They're made out of spelter, which is a combination of metals, which gives the effect of bronze,
0:30:52 > 0:30:57- particularly if you paint them with a bronze colouring.- Are they hollow?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Yes, they are. They are cast, but they are hollow inside.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03So they're very delicate. It's a very fragile metal.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08If you were to hit it, it would just break, whereas bronze, of course, is quite a strong metal.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11These have been painted. What really attracts me to this is,
0:31:11 > 0:31:17normally these are going to date to the end of the 19th century, the beginning of the 20th century.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Late Victorian, Edwardian.
0:31:20 > 0:31:27And they're normally classical subjects - Diana, the Huntress, Apollo, Mercury, that kind of thing.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32But here we've got one of the early representations of the fire brigade.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- With their old helmets. - It's all-action.
0:31:35 > 0:31:41It's all-action. You've got, obviously, the chap here standing on the roof with flames billowing out.
0:31:41 > 0:31:47And he's got his hose in his hand. The other one is about to break into somewhere to save somebody.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49And then on the clock, you've got the chap with his ladder,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52saving a young child.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57And he's just saved her, presumably from the fire that he's getting away from.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01From that point of view alone, they're quite unusual.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03I've certainly never seen them before.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- They're probably French, rather than English.- Yes, they've got...
0:32:07 > 0:32:11There's some plaques on them that show that they are titled in French,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13but these are normally made in France.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17And the clock movement itself would be very basic.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21Intrinsically, I don't think they're worth a huge amount of money.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25What I like about them is I think they're quite rare
0:32:25 > 0:32:32If there's two collectors out there who want them, we might set the saleroom alight. Excuse the pun.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34There's a little bit of damage on this one.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38- A part of his pick or whatever he's holding.- An axe, I should think.
0:32:38 > 0:32:43It's broken off, which is a bit of a shame, because the rest of them are in quite good condition.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47The colour's quite good. If we were to put them into auction,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51we'd probably be looking at £50 to £80, but who knows?
0:32:51 > 0:32:54If two collectors want them, we might even get over the hundred.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58- Just being the right day.- Absolutely. Do you want a reserve on them?
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- No, not really. - I think we'll just let them go.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03I think that's wise of that sort of level.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06I think they're great and I certainly could live with them.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11- I hope we get a good price on the day and I look forward to the auction.- Lovely.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18David, when I first saw this in the box, I thought,
0:33:18 > 0:33:20"We'll have at least half an hour while you set it up,"
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- but you put it together like a real expert. You've done it a few times? - Two or three.
0:33:24 > 0:33:30Whenever we're looking at optical instruments, in particular microscopes or telescopes,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34there is one name that really does ring out above all the others.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36And that's Dollond of London.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40I don't know how much history you know, but I'll tell you a bit about what I know.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44John Dollond, the first John Dollond,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47was born in 1706, died in 1761.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52But he was the grandson of a French silk Huguenot weaver
0:33:52 > 0:33:58and in the late 17th century, a lot of the French came over because they were being persecuted in France,
0:33:58 > 0:34:03and they were often very skilled workers, either silk weavers or silversmiths and jewellers.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08So John Dollond's parents came over, had him in 1706,
0:34:08 > 0:34:13and he started one of the most famous optical instrument makers that Britain has ever seen.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- Where did you get your glasses from? - Specsavers.- Specsavers!
0:34:17 > 0:34:19But you could have got them from Dollond and Aitchison,
0:34:19 > 0:34:26and they are the great, great, great, great grandchildren of John Dollond, the person who made this.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30And Dollond of London were optical instrument makers
0:34:30 > 0:34:32for King George the Third and also for Queen Victoria.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35They made telescopes and they made microscopes mainly.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38If we look at the box this microscope came in,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41we see these wonderful flush brass handles on the sides.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46And that indicates that it was made to be packed away and for travelling.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48And look at that box - wonderfully fitted.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53This takes into - what would you say - about 10 or 15 pieces, at least?
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- Yeah.- And all fits together beautifully into this box.
0:34:57 > 0:35:03Then we've got other bits in here as well. We've got little turned ivory cases.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05We've got slides made in bone.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08You often find the most gruesome things. What's that?
0:35:08 > 0:35:11A leg of something by the looks of it.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14But there we go. These aren't labelled.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17They're contemporary with the microscope, so...
0:35:17 > 0:35:21It's what we call a monocular microscope, for obvious reasons - it has one lens.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Binocular or monocular.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26And this alters a rack and pinion.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- There we go. But we've got a couple of bits missing, haven't we?- Yeah.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- So tell me how you came to have it. - My son gave it me three years ago.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Nice gift. Spend a lot of money on it?
0:35:37 > 0:35:40No. It came out of a skip.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44- Who on earth would put this in a skip?!- My son.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48- Your son put it in the skip?- Yeah, when they cleared the house.- No!
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Yeah. Then he took it back out and said, "My dad would like that,"
0:35:51 > 0:35:54so he said, "Here's part of your Christmas present."
0:35:54 > 0:35:58I mean, really, it is the most fantastic quality thing.
0:35:58 > 0:35:59You've saved it and I'm so pleased.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03So, having done the research, what do you think it's worth?
0:36:04 > 0:36:09- Couple of hundred quid, I suppose. - It's going to be more than that.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11We've got bits missing, so that's a slight problem.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16But it is the best of makers in its original box.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20And, OK, we've got a few bits missing, but you've got a lot left.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23So I think we ought to put an estimate of 400 to 600.
0:36:23 > 0:36:29- Mmm.- I've seen them sell before, complete, at £1,000 to £1,500.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35And if it's a rare model - and I'm not sure because, obviously, on a day like Flog It!,
0:36:35 > 0:36:40we're here in Northampton Town Hall and we haven't got a reference library with us at all.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45- But this is a lovely thing and thank you very much for bringing it in. - Been nice being here. Love it.
0:36:45 > 0:36:52That's it for the valuation day, and all our items seem to have something missing.
0:36:52 > 0:36:58Sandra hasn't been able to find the teapot for her unusual Vichy tea service.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Dermot's clock garniture is also unusual, but it's spelter rather than bronze,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06and one of the firemen has lost his axe.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Will the pieces missing from Dave's microscope blur the bidders' vision?
0:37:10 > 0:37:14Well, auctioneer Mark should be able to tell us.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16This is a nice little lot.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18A good brass microscope. London maker, as you've seen.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23Belongs to Dave. What you don't know is his son found this in a skip.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Wow! OK, yeah, that's a surprise!
0:37:25 > 0:37:31Well, this is a brass monocular microscope by Dollond, London maker.
0:37:31 > 0:37:37At the time, these were classed as amongst the finest of the optical instruments.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41This would date from 1820, something like that.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43I'll tell you what our experts have said.
0:37:43 > 0:37:50- James has put a valuation of £400-600 on this. - Right.- That's not bad, is it?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I think that's quite conservative, actually.
0:37:53 > 0:37:59- I would like to think that this would make quite a lot more than that. - Really? How much more?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02I would like to be closer to 1,000.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Very good. It's a comprehensive set.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08It's virtually all there. There's a couple of items missing.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13Yes, but having been found in a skip, I don't think we can hold too much against it, really.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Just a fantastic item and should do well.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- Had a lot of interest in the viewing so far.- Fingers crossed.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- Let's hope we get it up there, then. - Let's hope so.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24And next to tempt the bidders is Sandra's tea service.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29James, there's no teapot.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- There is....- But we can't find it.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- Have you had a good look?- I've had my loft inside out and back to front.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41- But it's there somewhere, isn't it? - I think so.- What have you done with it?- I know.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Well, we've got a valuation of £60 to £80
0:38:44 > 0:38:49and the teapot would have crept that up to about 120, a complete set.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51- What a shame.- I know.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Unusual design for Carlton Ware, though.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57It's a stylish set, but that gilding and those fish are brilliant,
0:38:57 > 0:39:02- but not what you'd expect with Carlton Ware. - No. Why are you selling this?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04This is to go towards my central heating. My boiler broke down.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09Oh, gosh, that's expensive. Right, we've got to help you out.
0:39:09 > 0:39:14We need to get a new boiler for Sandra, so fingers crossed, a bit of money towards it. This is it.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Carlton china tea service decorated with carp
0:39:16 > 0:39:19in gilt and coloured enamels. 21 pieces.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20Unfortunately, no teapot.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Here we go.- Lot number 35.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24I have to say £30. Bid 30 here.
0:39:24 > 0:39:2635, 40.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29He's got a commission bid on the book. That's good.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31- There's interest in the room now. - £60 in the room.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- 65, new bidding, at 65. - We've sold it anyway.
0:39:34 > 0:39:3965 right at the back, at 65. 70 do I see? 65 and selling.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44- Yes, the hammer's gone down. £65. - Spot-on.- Spot-on.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49- Great.- That's £65 less a bit of commission towards the new boiler. Keep you warm.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- Right, Dermot, your clock, rather unusual.- It is.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Typical French spelter clock.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- But I've not seen firemen decorated...- Never.- Never, ever.
0:40:04 > 0:40:09Well, we've got a valuation of £50-80, so it's cheap to me.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Well, it's spelter. Also, there is a bit of damage.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16One of the firemen's lost the end of his chopper, which of course is going to react a bit.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20But there must be people that collect fire brigade memorabilia.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Exactly. That's why it should put the price up.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25That's what I'm thinking, anyway. That's my reckoning.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28- We'll find out soon.- In fact, we're gonna find out right now.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31460 is the spelter three-piece clock garniture.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Starting at £50 for this.
0:40:33 > 0:40:3450...
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- £60...- Oh, come on!
0:40:38 > 0:40:42..And will be sold then. Away at £60.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- We've sold it.- Yeah.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- But there we are.- No world cruise.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Didn't set the saleroom alight, did it?
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- What can I say?- It didn't set the room alight.- It didn't.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57It was that one chopper.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01A damaged chopper is always the kiss of death!
0:41:01 > 0:41:03It was missing.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10What are you hoping for? Secretly, deep down, what have you been thinking about?
0:41:10 > 0:41:13I'd like £500 or £600, yeah.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Within James's estimate. We're talking about Dave's microscope - a boxed set.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I had a chat to the auctioneer earlier.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22He said, yes, top end of that estimate. What do you think, James?
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Come on, you've had a bit more time to sort of do a bit more research now.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31It's always difficult in these circumstances because Dave found it in a skip.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36- His son did.- So it owes him nothing. I don't ever like to get people's hopes up.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41I know, but come on, just stick your neck out. We're friends!
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- I think it should make 1,200, 1,500.- Right.
0:41:45 > 0:41:51- Really?- Dave, are you shaking? - Yeah.- Wouldn't that be nice?
0:41:51 > 0:41:52I'm gonna feel awful if it doesn't!
0:41:52 > 0:41:58Thinking about £400 or £500 last week, now he's all of a sudden going, "Ker-ching, ker-ching!"
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Early 19th-century monocular compound brass microscope
0:42:02 > 0:42:05by Dollond of London in a fitted mahogany box.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- Listen to the buzz in the room. - Lots of interest here.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Have to start at £380.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14380. 400. Now 420. At 440?
0:42:14 > 0:42:16440 on telephone one. At 440.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19460. 480 in the room, at 480.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21480, at the back, at 480.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22500.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26And 50. 600. And 50.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29700. And 50.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- Oh, yeah, keep going.- 800...
0:42:31 > 0:42:34It's gonna be a good, steady climb, this one.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- 900. And 50.- Yeah.
0:42:37 > 0:42:391,000. 1,100.
0:42:39 > 0:42:431,200. 1,300. 1,300 in the room.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47At £1,300. Away at £1,300.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Yes! £1,300!
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Put it there. What a lovely Christmas present.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55- Well done.- Thank you.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57What comes to mind?
0:42:57 > 0:43:00A drink for my son. Bit more than a drink, really, I suppose.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Treat yourself. Holiday?
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Do the brakes on my car.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- Go to Skeggy for a week. - Go to Skeggy for a week!
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Rent a caravan!
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Dave, thank you so much for coming, and James.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14What a cracking day we've had. That's auctions for you.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Join us again on Flog It! for plenty more surprises coming your way.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk