Isle of Wight Flog It!

Today, we're on an island that's just 23 miles by 13 miles across

and it boasts spectacular unspoilt scenery

with a rich, historical heritage.

Where else could we be? Welcome to Flog It! from the Isle of Wight.

More than half the island is an area of outstanding natural beauty,

with over 500 miles of award-winning public footpaths and bridleways

and almost 30 miles of seashore has been designated heritage coast.

A little later, I'll be looking at this unique landscape

and trying my hand at some sand art. I'm going to enjoy this.

And checking out all the bags and boxes, today, are our two experts, Kate Bateman and Will Axon.

With the wind in our sails, we'll be taking the best items off to auction later on in the show, but right now,

it's time to get the doors of the Cowes Yacht Haven well and truly open. Ready to go inside?

-ALL: Yes.

-Come on, then.

'So as the crowds rush in, it appears Kate has unearthed a great story about a painting.'

Mary, you have made my day by bringing in this wonderful portrait.

What do you know about the painting?

It's obviously a beautiful lady but do we know who she is?

She's Rene Kimber, the wife of Cecil Kimber, who designed the MG.

-The MG motorcar?

-The MG motorcar. Yes.

-Oh, all right.

And how have you ended up with her?

Well, I was very friendly with their daughter, Jean,

who gave it to me in a filthy condition. She'd been in a garden shed.

-This had been in the shed?

-Yes. Absolutely filthy.

You couldn't see it was a portrait.

-Right.

-Of course, I am an artist, she gave it to me to paint over and paint another picture on it.

-To use as a canvas?

-Yes.

-Oh, my goodness!

That's ridiculous, but luckily for everybody, you didn't.

Well, I looked at it and I thought, I can't do that.

No. So you've cleaned this off yourself?

-Yes. Yes.

-And presumably, recognised it as not something to paint over.

Yes, cos you can only work very, very gingerly in case you wipe out something vital underneath it.

It was so filthy you couldn't see what was underneath it.

That must have been brilliant to see it all emerge from the gloom.

-It's an absolutely beautiful portrait and obviously a very attractive lady, as well.

-Oh, yes.

Now, there's no signature on it, but do you know who painted it?

-No. I wish I did.

-No. I mean, it's very much of its age.

The period is sort of late 1920s, 1930s.

That sounds just about right.

So you're not going to use it as a canvas, but why are you selling it?

Don't you love her?

Well, I do but I've got some very nice pictures of my own at home.

OK. So you're willing to put her into a sale.

The problem, obviously, is we don't know who the artist is, but it is beautifully painted.

Have you any idea, pricewise, what you want to make for it?

-I have an open mind.

-Right.

OK. My gut reaction is telling me between sort of £300-£500, something around that mark,

bearing in mind there is no signature. Is that the kind of figure you'd be happy with?

I think so...or even possibly a little more, you never know.

I also thought that the MG Owners' Association should be notified that it's coming up for auction.

Yes, there is that contact.

Hopefully, the auctioneers will be able to catalogue it well enough for people to find it.

-I'm sure that they will be interested.

-OK.

-So would you be happy if we put an auction estimate of £300-£500 on it and a reserve of £250?

-I think so.

Well, it's better than being in the shed, or painted over, heaven forbid!

I'm so glad you didn't do that, but thank you for bringing her in.

Mark, tell me all about the doll.

It's a doll presented to my great aunt

from Queen Victoria, in 1899.

-A couple of years before she died, then?

-Yeah.

And it says, "Presented by Her Gracious Majesty The Queen to Baby Joy," who is your great aunt.

-That's my great aunt. Yeah.

-So, how did your great aunt meet Queen Victoria?

At the age of six months, she was in the Isle of Wight hospital with TB.

-Oh, really.

-Yeah.

-Did she survive?

-Yeah. She survived.

-But I would imagine, then, Queen Victoria was doing a hospital visit.

-Probably. I would imagine so.

And young Joy was in hospital at that particular time. How lovely.

-And it's been in the family ever since.

-That's right. My mother passed away four years ago.

-So your mum's had it and looked after it.

-Yeah.

-And where have you had it?

I've had it in my bedroom, hidden away on the top of a wardrobe.

Tucked out of harm's way, really.

It's museum quality. The condition is very, very good.

And I would say they're the original clothes, as well, the original costume.

It's sort of circa 1850, 1860. I think it's wonderful.

I'm quite excited about this.

Normally, a bisque-head doll of this period, this size, but unfortunately,

with no maker's label, it's going to realise round about £150 in auction.

-The glass dome is contemporary with the period.

-Yeah.

-I like that. That's worth £50.

So, already, we're up against £200 which I think we're going to get, easily.

-Now, with the connection of Queen Victoria, who knows.

-Yeah.

Let's put it into the sale with a value of £300-£400, discretion on the 300.

-Would you be happy with that?

-Yeah.

-Why do you want to part with her now, though?

Well, it's just sat on top of the wardrobe, collecting dust.

-At least she's been out of harm's way.

-Yeah.

-You've looked after her.

-Yeah.

-Well, look, fingers crossed, we get a lot more than £300.

-Yeah.

-Happy?

-Yeah. Very happy. Yeah.

What an amazing piece of history, but now it seems Will has spotted something a little more modern

to take off to auction.

John, this really caught my eye when I saw it across the room,

you brought in today to show us this rather wonderful sort of art pottery vase.

How have you come by it?

-Literally, last year, local car boot sale.

-Really?

-Like you, it caught my eye.

-You know, the colours.

-Great. Mind me asking how much you paid for it?

-No. Not at all. 15.

-£15.

-Yeah.

You've got a great eye cos it really stands out, doesn't it, the colours, the decoration, the shape.

I mean, it's typical of what it is which is Brannam Ware.

Nice and easy for us.

We like it with pieces like this and if I say turn it upside down,

we can see along the bottom here, we've got various marks...

"CH Brannam", that's Charles Hubert Brannam, the son of Thomas Brannam who founded the pottery...

Ah, I didn't know that.

..back in 1847, in Barnstaple.

And we've got a date here... 1909.

Charles Hubert, who was artistically inclined, eventually persuaded his

father to let him do a bit of experimenting with shapes and colours and glazes and hence we get this

series of wares, the Brannam Wares, which most people would recognise...

and a lot of people collect. And I would call it a tyg.

-Anything with three handles.

-That's what it's called, a tyg.

-A tyg. Exactly. T-Y-G.

And then we've got this wonderful green glaze which really evokes

-the sort of image of sea-green, isn't it, almost.

-Very much so. Yeah.

And then I think that's sort of been echoed in these wonderful fish. Now, there's a bit of damage, isn't there?

Yes. I didn't actually notice until I bought it.

-Until after you bought it?

-Yeah.

-Oh, well.

But once I got home, I did notice that obviously...

-I can see this bit here, isn't there.

-There's a couple of marks.

We've just got a little chip here that someone's coloured in green...

-It looks like that. Yeah.

-..just to disguise it.

-But, you know, that's not the end of the world cos I think it still works as a piece, doesn't it.

-Yeah.

What made you decide to bring it along today?

-I've redecorated my flat and although I collect, myself...

-Yes.

..it doesn't quite sit with the new decor...

so I thought I'd sort of bring it along and...

-Cash in your buy.

-Yes. Thought it might be worth something.

Yes. Well, you know, it's definitely worth something.

The only thing that'll hold me back on my valuation is the small areas of damage.

-I'm going to say let's go for that £50 mark. OK. £40-£60?

-Yeah.

-Something like that.

-Sounds good.

-And a reserve? Do you want it reserved?

I wouldn't mind, if that's OK.

-What shall we reserve? £40?

-£40 sounds good.

-Fix it at 40?

-Fixed or a bit of discretion.

-OK. We will go for the discretion.

-But I'm confident we're going to get it away for you. I'll see you at the auction.

-Thank you.

Mark, are you a seafaring man?

No, but it runs in my family.

Right, cos you've brought in this naughty but nice, or nautical but nice, I should say, mug or cup.

-What do you know about it?

-I acquired this...

My brother was moving into his new house and part of clearing out all the rubbish and wood and junk,

he asked me to throw this away and I asked if I could have it.

-He was throwing it out?

-He was just throwing it away.

Oh, right. OK. And you said, fishing or boating runs in the family?

My dad used to row for Cowes Sea Cadets in whalers of all things.

-Which is what we've got on the front here.

-Yes.

-OK.

Strictly coincidental but a nice touch.

-But you fancied it, at the time.

-I did. It sort of stood out.

That's the word for it. It's quite unusual.

You've got all this craziness with all these ropes.

It's silver-plated, it's not solid silver, so it's not got a hallmark on it.

But you've got all this lunacy with the engraving, you've got the ropes,

you've got the anchors making the support.

It's a classic late 19th century, so sort of Victorian piece.

What's nice about it, if we look on the back, there's no inscription and often we get it, you know,

to somebody for winning a race, or whatever, and that makes it slightly

-less saleable because unless you're related to that person, it's not of interest.

-I see.

But this is like a blank canvas for a buyer which has got it going on. You want to sell it.

-Yes.

-You got it for nothing.

-Yes.

So anything is a profit. So what kind of value were you thinking of?

Well, I sort of thought if I put a reserve of £80.

That's a bit higher than I probably would have put, myself.

-I would go for £50-£80, 80 being the high end of the estimate.

-Right.

But if you want to try it, it's your item.

There's no point selling it for less than you'd be happy with.

-OK.

-So if we put a reserve of £80 and the estimate at 80-120... shall we give it a go?

I think we should.

Fingers crossed. I'm sure it will go in this seafaring community.

-Thanks for bringing it in.

-Thank you.

-Hello, Hugh.

-Hi.

-Thank you for coming along today.

Being on the Isle of Wight

I expected to perhaps see some seafaring vessels,

but you've brought along some landlocked examples in these Hornby Dublo train set.

-Indeed.

-How have you come by this? Is this something that was played with by you?

Yes, it was...

It goes back to the mid '50s, childhood toys bought as Christmas presents, birthday presents

and I played regularly with them until, probably, my early teens.

-I thought you were going to say last week there...

-No, no, no!

-Where have they been since then? Tucked away in the loft?

-In several lofts in all the house moves, yes.

-Because we've got a small selection on the table here in front of us.

-We have.

-But you came with quite a variety of pieces including a lot of track.

-Yes, indeed.

Hornby, of course, is a name that everyone's familiar with.

-Sure.

-It was started back sort of in the 1920s.

-Yeah.

These were good quality die-cast models realistic to scale,

there were no corners cut, shall we say?

These were proper models and it just so happened that they were made for playing with.

Have you any idea what it is worth, have you had a thought?

Have you had it valued in the past?

I have never had it valued, no.

I mean, I've... I've looked on the internet from time to time and see obviously some...

-Some items selling individually.

-Yes, yes.

Yes. I'd like to think it was probably sort of in the low hundreds, the value.

Well, yeah. I think you're in the right sort of ballpark figure.

-I can certainly see it, especially as you've got a decent quantity of it.

-Yeah.

My suggestion would be £200 to £300, perhaps, as an auction estimate.

-OK, sounds good.

-I think it could stand making a little bit more.

Why are you selling them? To raise funds for another investment?

Yes, it's...

-I'm a supporter and volunteer of the Ellen MacArthur Trust...

-Wonderful.

..and I'd like to split between the trust

and I also have a little daughter called Ellen, of course.

-Oh, do you?

-Yes.

-Named after Ellen?

-After Ellen MacArthur.

-Really?

-Indeed, yeah.

-She's based on the island now, is she?

-She lives on the island.

-It sounds like a very worthwhile cause.

-It is.

So I think if we estimate at £200 to £300, and reserve it at 150...

-Right.

-Then I think hopefully we'll be able to get some money on the day

-and that's going to go towards a great cause.

-Yes.

Hugh may have decided to sell up his Hornby collection,

but I'm going to visit a man who's made model railways a hobby for life.

Mention Hornby and most people in the street are more than likely to know what you're going on about

because the name and the product is so popular, and I bet, up and down the country,

there's thousands of houses that have given over their attics, garages and spare bedrooms

to provide the setting for tiny station guards to operate these miniature signals.

Hornby is one of the celebrated names in miniature railways,

designed by Frank Hornby of Meccano and Dinky toy fame.

They first came onto the market in 1920 as construction kits.

Later they were sold ready-assembled and shot to prominence in those little red boxes.

I've always been fascinated by miniature railways and how this hobby has gripped old and young

in equal measures and inspired many collectors.

Now, I'm not much of a train spotter, but when I see Hornby train sets at weekend fairs

and auction rooms all over the country it does put a smile on my face.

What is it about these diminutive carriages that reduce grown men

to sitting cross legged in their attics?

One train enthusiast who's taken his boyhood passion into adulthood is collector Alan Leavy.

And where better to set up his tracks than in the back garden of his London house?

This is absolutely marvellous, Alan!

I like this whole set up being alfresco, especially at this elevated height

you can really enjoy it,

but why didn't you decide to put this in the attic or the shed like most railway enthusiasts?

It just gives you more freedom and when you invite people it's much nicer

-to take them in the garden rather than up in a loft.

-It is more fun, let's face it, yes.

I love how you've planted things around, growing in and out of the track, it's great.

Any problems with leaves on the line?

Yes, they have to be cleared off and all this lot's come down so far

and so every year, we'll have that problem.

-We're all hands to the deck and that's it.

-What about the elements?

Are you slightly worried about snow and rain?

No. No, I mean the system goes back to the turn of the century.

Occasionally you might have to wipe over some of the tracks, whatever the weather is, you can run.

Have you got some of your earliest locomotives and carriages?

Yes, 80, 90 years old. They still run and I have those and we can run them at any stage,

but, like anything else, like vintage cars, you know, you don't want to overdo it.

-So there's a timetable all year round, basically?

-I'm not into timetables, no.

-It's whatever is out...

-When the mood takes you.

Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.

So what gauge system is this?

This is gauge 0, which was very popular from the turn of the century up to the Second World War.

-Yeah.

-It's twice the size of the popular model railway that most kids get.

A lot of collectors would prefer to keep these inside and especially in boxes and keep them intact.

I can understand people not wanting to run a 90-year-old locomotive

where one chip or two chips off it will probably reduce the price by 25%.

I like your attitude because you're still a true boy at heart,

you want to use and play with these. That's what they were designed for.

Absolutely, totally. When you get things at auction which are in their original boxes

and the original paper and the original receipt, it's an absolute miracle they've survived.

-We do see a lot on the road when we're filming and some are in museum condition.

-I know, I know.

What drew you to collecting model railways?

I think it was the lack of having them when I was a child.

-Yeah.

-I was always interested in steam trains. I first saw the sea on a steam train journey

and when I was able to, in my mid 20s, I started collecting one or two.

Yeah.

It might seem like a simple pleasure, but for many the fascination of model trains

and the business of playing with them isn't just a case of getting the toys out,

it's a walk down memory lane.

During the 1930s the steam locomotive experienced something of a golden era

romanticised in countless black-and-white movies.

Train platforms were fog bound and fashionable young lovers waited to board mysterious carriages.

During the Second World War young evacuees were sent to the country,

perhaps travelling by train for the very first time.

It set in motion feelings of trepidation and excitement

that wouldn't diminish with the passing of time.

It's the nostalgia that accompanies these train sets that still delights countless collectors today.

What do some of your colleagues and friends think of this passion?

-Do you worry that they may think you're slightly...nerdy?

-No, I don't worry about what they think.

-You've had it all before.

-Yes, they think I'm barmy and very few of them share it.

I've met a whole new group of people who are...

There's the local postman who's interested.

It's all gravitated towards you now you've got this outside.

-Absolutely.

-People can see it in this built-up area.

-Oh, absolutely. In Central London this is unique.

Yeah. What does your wife think of your passion?

I think it's like...

-something that has grown around her...

-Yeah.

-And she's gradually...

She's had to give up this little garden that we've had for this, but now I think the fact that she can...

-She's embracing it!

-She can see the railway from her kitchen window. What a lucky girl she is!

She's in love with the railway by a process of osmosis, really, by default!

-Very accepting of it, yes.

-You're a lucky man, aren't you?

-Yeah.

-What does this particular collection mean to you?

Well, I think this railway means the realisation of a dream of a boy who didn't even have a circle of track...

to lay down and now one's master of one's universe!

Universe or otherwise, it's nice to see a collection being used and enjoyed.

Woah!

Well, we've had a busy morning, so far, and guess what,

it's time to take our first excursion to the auction room,

so here's a reminder of the items that are going under the hammer.

There's a bit of damage, isn't there.

Yes. It was a couple of pieces...

£15 was all Jonathan paid for this damaged Brannam tyg at a car boot sale.

Is Will's estimate at £40-£60 all it's cracked up to be?

Local artist, Mary, was given this beautiful painting, in disrepair.

-It's a fantastic portrait.

-She gave it to me to paint over and paint another picture on it.

-To use as a canvas?

-Yes.

-Oh, my goodness.

But after some TLC, let's hope it will clean up at the auction room.

'Mark's Great Aunt Joy was presented with this Victorian doll by none other than Queen Victoria, herself.

'I gave it a royal estimate of £300-£400.'

He asked me to throw this away and I asked if I could have it.

And will Mark's salvaged nautical trophy cruise to the £80-£120 set by Kate?

And, finally, Hugh's Hornby train set.

He played with it as a young lad, in the 1950s, but it's been ignored since his teens.

I think Will is on track with his £200 to £300 valuation.

Well, now it's time to see how today's antiques fare as we head off to auction.

We've driven just a few miles south from Cowes here to the Island Auction Rooms, in Shanklin.

But, before the sale gets underway, I wanted to chat to today's auctioneer, Warren Riches,

about that 1950s train set.

Warren, I bet you had a train set like this, didn't you?

-I did.

-I did, as well.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Everyone had the Hornby.

-They did.

This belongs to Hugh. He was a lot more careful than I was

-playing with trains. I never kept the boxes.

-No.

-Did you?

-No.

The first thing to get thrown out.

I think that's 30% of the value now, a good box.

It is, yeah. You can even sell the boxes without the innards now.

We've put a value of £200 to £300...

-Right.

-..on the lot...

-Yeah.

..with the track and the station. What do you think?

I think it's a good lot. Condition is good, the boxes are good,

there's a lot of it so I think it should sell for the top end.

-We're on the right track.

-We are.

Well, that's good news for Hugh's charity.

But let's see if there are any picture enthusiasts, as Mary's painting is about to be sold.

Next up, that wonderful, the beautiful portrait of Rene Kimber and it belongs to Mary.

And thank goodness, Mary didn't paint over it. Beautiful woman.

They sell much better than crusty old men.

-They do, actually.

-Makes a change.

-I know who I'd rather have on my wall. I'm in love with her.

Well, hopefully, we can get that sold then because it has caused a bit of interest

-and the auctioneer's contacted the MG Owners' Club...

-Oh, good.

-Which is great, really.

-Yes, it is. Yes.

Hopefully, this is going to do good.

216. Oil on canvas. The portrait of Rene Kimber.

That's the wife of Cecil Kimber, the designer of the MG.

Someone start me at... 160. 160 here. 170 anywhere?

-Slow. Come on.

-170. 180.

-Come on.

-200. 210.

220. 230?

230. 240.

One more. 250. Yes. 260.

250. It's 250 and selling. All done.

On the reserve. £250, Mary.

Better than a poke in the eye.

It is, isn't it. And it's better than painting over it.

If only it had a signature. That's the one thing it had against it was no signature.

Well, John is just about to find out if that car boot find of £15 is going to pay dividends.

We've got a wonderful Brannam tyg. It's something for the purists. I love this kind of thing.

The damage might hold it back, that's the only problem, isn't it,

but at £40-£60, I'm pretty sure it will do the top end. But still a big return on £15.

-Can't complain.

-No. You can't.

-No.

-You've got a good eye.

Well, it's just many years collecting.

Yeah, exactly, but you know what to look for.

-That's half the battle.

-Yeah.

-That's half the battle.

-Most of the time.

-We all make mistakes, don't we.

-Well, let's hope I haven't, this time.

-I don't think so.

Good. I tried to keep the estimate down cos of the damage.

You know that ceramic condition is everything.

If it had been perfect, it might have been 200 cos it's really got the look.

-It's got that arts and craftsy feel to it.

-William Morris kind of thing.

With the fish decoration. Exactly.

Well, let's find out what this lot think, cos that's what it's all about. Here we go.

449. Green glaze Brannam tyg.

Circa 1909. 449, then.

Someone start me at £30.

32. 34. 36. 38.

40. 42. 44.

46...

-OK. Creeping up.

-..48. 50.

And five. 60.

It's 55 here. 60, anywhere?

55 in front. 60. New bidder.

Top end.

And five. And 80. It's 75.

Right in front of the rostrum at 75. Selling at 75. All done.

-That's good.

-That's good.

-It's a result.

-Yeah. That's very good.

Very happy with that. That is really good.

And next up, a silver-plated nautical trophy, just the sort of thing you'd expect to find

-on an island! Thank you, Mark, for bringing it along. We've got £80-£120 on this.

-Yes.

-And I gather your brother found it.

-My brother had it in his house.

-Oh, did he.

-So, he was just going to throw it away so I asked him if I could have it.

-He says yes.

-Yes. He said yes.

-Does he know you're putting it into auction?

-Not at the moment.

Not at the moment, but he's going to find out when

-he watches Flog It! so you might have to split the money.

-Yeah.

Well, that's a good shout anyway.

Good for you though, for recycling it and not chucking it out.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Lot 234.

An unusual late 19th century silver-plated nautical trophy.

It's got the rope and anchor design.

£60. Five, anywhere?

65. 70. Five. 80. Five. 90. Five.

100. 110. 120. 130.

140. 150.

160.

150. 160. 170...

-That's good.

-..180. 190. 200.

210. 220.

230.

£220, then. All done at 220.

We're selling at £220. All done.

Yeah. That's more like it. 220 quid.

-Very nice.

-That's good, isn't it?

-Yes.

-For something that was about to be thrown. You've got to be chuffed to bits.

-Yes. I am.

-You are going to have to come clean to your brother...

-Oh, yes.

-On national TV.

-I'll bung a few quid his way. He'll be all right.

-You hope!

So, now the moment of reckoning for the doll, given as a gift by Queen Victoria.

Well, I've just been joined by Mark. We've got a packed auction room here

in Shanklin and this next lot to go under the hammer, the little doll, is all down to Great Aunt Joy,

who was in hospital and well, we've got some great provenance, as well.

The auctioneer's done you proud, hasn't he?

-Yeah. I think he has.

-He's hit the press with this.

-Yeah.

All the local news. Are you excited?

-I am a bit. Yeah.

-So am I. I'm very nervous, as well.

I'm just hoping everybody is going to put their hand up for this doll and it's going to fly away.

It's going under the hammer now.

Lot 370. 19th century bisque-head doll.

This doll as presented by Queen Victoria to the lady that owned

it when she was a baby at the Royal National Hospital, for tuberculosis.

Lot 370. We've had a lot of internet interest and we're coming in at...

-360.

-360. 370, anywhere? 370. 380.

390. 400. 410.

420. 430. 440.

450. 460.

470. 480.

490. 500. 510.

500 here on commission. 510, anywhere? 500, then.

We're selling to the commission bidder at 500. All done at £500.

Yes. We're going to settle for that.

£500. That was over the top end and I'm so pleased for you.

-You've got to be happy.

-Very happy with that.

Yeah. There's commission to pay but what will you put the money towards?

-I'll buy some video games with it.

-That's really good for the computer.

He sold a Victorian doll for something high tech.

Now, I'm really intrigued to see how those Hornby pieces do.

It's certainly turning into a family event here in Shanklin.

I've just been joined by Hugh and his daughter Ellen and we're about to sell the Hornby train set,

which I had the exact model, and I had a chat to the auctioneer before the sale started and so did he.

We've got £200 to £300, Will.

That's right, yeah. Reserve at 150, so there's a lot there for your money.

-There's a lot of kit.

-Good condition and the money's going towards a good cause,

-as you've mentioned at the valuation day, Hugh. It's all getting split.

-Ellen MacArthur charity.

-It is, yes.

And you share the same name, don't you, Ellen?

Well, she'll share a little bit if we make any money.

-I'm sure you will.

-It's a great cause and it helps kids get out and sail, which is what it's all about.

-Indeed.

-Yeah. Good luck.

Good luck, wish daddy good luck, won't you? Here we go.

It's going under the hammer now. Bless!

That's better, we got a smile!

Large collection of Hornby 00 train and accessories, over 30 pieces.

Lots and lots of interest. Two commissions. £330.

We're straight in at 330 on two commissions. 330. 340 anywhere?

330 commission. 340 can I say? 340, phone.

350? 350. 360. 370. 380?

380. 390.

400?

-It's 390 here. 390.

-You'll be going home via the toy shop!

390. All done at 390 and selling.

Very good. Very good result! £390.

Half of it's going towards you.

Good luck with the Ellen MacArthur charity because it's such a fantastic cause.

Get out there and get sailing!

Well, that concludes our first visit to the auction room.

Now, before I head off back to the valuation day

to find some more antiques, I'm going to do some sightseeing.

I'm going to visit one of the island's most famous attractions.

The Isle of Wight really is a picture postcard location,

just under an hour's sailing from Southampton.

And sandwiched between the Solent and the English Channel,

it's hardly surprising that half this island has been

designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. Just look at that.

I mean, what a backdrop.

Over an astonishing 120 million years, the island was formed on layers of sedimentary rocks

which were originally on the seabed.

And that very geology which has helped mould this dramatic coastline,

can be seen in the cliff faces that contain it.

Whilst the island's natural rugged beauty is a draw for holidaymakers, birdwatchers and walkers,

there's a landmark on its westerly point which is, by far,

the most iconic and famous attraction...

The Needles.

This row of three distinctive stacks of chalk were formed over millions of years of water erosion.

They get their name, the Needles, from the former fourth needle-shaped pillar called Lot's Wife,

which collapsed into the sea in 1764.

The remaining rocks are all short and squat

and not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck.

But Alum Bay is more than just the Needles.

The sand colours here are quite spectacular and are an acknowledged art form in their own right.

So, to take a closer look at them, I've got to get down the 140-foot cliff face to the beach.

There's a couple of options. You can either walk or you can jump on one of these - a chairlift.

Now, I think that's far more exciting, don't you?

HE GASPS

I caught up with Mike who works at the Needle Park,

to find out more about the area and in particular, those coloured sands.

So what makes the cliff so special?

Well, the cliffs at Alum Bay are famous for,

really, the 21 different shades of colours in one small stretch of cliffs.

That is incredible, isn't it and you can identify those different hues.

How did that come about?

It's a build-up of minerals over millions of years.

The plates of the Earth have come together, at the time the Alps were formed,

this was around the same time. Something like an earthquake.

They've pushed all the cliff from a horizontal position to an upright one

which means the quarter of an hour, or 15-minute walk from the beach

takes you through millions of years of time.

Well, really, from about 35 million years to around 65 million years in time.

So you've got all those millions of years of different mineral deposits bringing out the colours.

That really is... Just looking around, you can actually see those different colours, can't you.

-Yeah. Absolutely stunning.

-This is definitely the way to see the cliff face, that's for sure.

On the beach, you can really see the cliffs in their full glory and Mike is keen to tell me more.

Today we've brought a selection of the coloured sands

of some of the colours that have been collected from here at Alum Bay.

They vary so much, don't they?

There's a nice selection and coming down to here, we've got one of the pieces.

People...right from when glass bottles were being made, really...

used to bring them here, probably on their trip

to the island holiday, used to fill them.

Sand collecting and sand art, in Victorian times, was so popular.

Very much so but it is known that the glass sand ornaments go back before those times, too.

-The older pieces, nowadays, are becoming very valuable. They're worth hanging onto nowadays.

-Yeah.

-And this is a great example of a sand ornament, isn't it?

-Absolutely.

That is incredible. This is the picture of the bay, here.

How they do that, I do not know.

In times past, people used to come to Alum Bay to collect the sands to create their own sand art.

However, in the 1970s, that had to stop due

to the vast numbers attracted here and the new safety regulations that prevented climbing and collecting.

These days, a specialist team collects the sand at the end of each season

and it's available for visitors to create a lasting memento of their trip here.

-So people can buy the sand...

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

-Have a go...

You can still fill your own sand souvenir in the safe environment

in one of the sand souvenir shops

with all the natural Alum Bay coloured sands, still from here.

Right... which brings me to my next question.

I can see we've got an empty vessel in the shape of a ship's bell just here. Can I have a go at this?

Not a problem. We've brought along a spoon for you, today.

So away you go. Not too much of each colour.

I'm going to enjoy this. I'm going to start with a dark base.

I'll take this out your way. There you go.

I should actually do that in there, shouldn't I, so it catches the waste. Is that deep enough?

-That's great for your first colour.

-I'll go for something more beige.

Right, there's a couple of spoonfuls in there. Now, if I...

-Give it a shake. Yeah. That's good.

-Just a shake?

Is that OK? Have I done all right?

-Keep filling up.

-I'll do this colour now.

There we go.

-That's good so if you fill that... and then with the tool that you have on the board here...

-OK.

..if you take your bell to there.

You put the tool in, down against the glass on the way in, mainly to hold the bell, slightly.

Down against the glass, and then once you're down to the very bottom,

-in the middle, and then pull it up, gently.

-Pull it towards the middle?

Yeah. Pull the spike apart, into the middle of the bell itself,

as you pull it up, gently. And that should leave a pattern on the outside.

Then you turn the bell round, slightly, and then slight gap, and then down for the next one.

That's good. In the middle, again. And up.

And you work your way round the bell to leave your pattern.

-Oh, yeah.

-And that's what we call a stripy pattern.

I'm getting the idea of it now.

-It's looking good, eh?

-It's great.

-I'm quite pleased with that.

That's good, Paul, but you're not quite finished yet.

You've got this knitting needle here. Needs to go down in the middle of the shape.

Right down inside, right to the bottom.

OK. And you'll find you start to compact the sand now

and that's taking all the air out of the sand so it's compacting the sand.

Making it drop slightly, isn't it.

Now you need some water, so there's your water, look, ready.

-OK. And just fill it.

-Right up to the top. And you'll see how that disappears.

The water works its way through and dampens the sand down.

Also helps to bring the colours out.

And then the next part is the modelling clay

and you just pop that inside the top, there.

In as far as it will go, then just push your thumb across the top...

-..just to take the...

-Excess off.

There. You can tidy that up, slightly, on the top.

And finally, we have a small paintbrush...

-To dust it off?

-Just to dust it off...

around your glass item.

A unique souvenir of Alum Bay sand... which will last for years and years.

-Will it?

-Probably in around 100 years time, be worth a fortune, if not before, as you've filled it.

Hey, do you know what, I think that is fabulous fun.

It's hardly surprising that these magnificent beaches

continue to attract thousands of visitors each year.

People from all over the world come to marvel at this natural rock formation.

And if you're planning a visit to the Isle of Wight, do put this on your must-see list.

It's so inspirational.

'Back now to our valuation day in Cowes and Will has become involved with the long arm of the law.'

Tony, welcome to Flog It! today, here on the Isle of Wight.

And, well, I don't know about a policeman's truncheon which you've kindly brought, but I think you

could be done for carrying an offensive weapon, bringing this to us.

That's some weight to it, isn't it, on these old truncheons. I wouldn't like to be hit by one.

-No.

-How have you come by this?

Is this something that maybe a family member has nabbed from a policeman back in the day?

No. No. I inherited it from my stepfather...

-Yes.

-Whose father was a village policeman, between the wars.

-On the island, here?

-No. In the Midlands.

-OK. There is a market for these truncheons. I don't know if you're aware of that.

They're not rare, rare items but people like them.

They have a sort of tactile quality about them.

It's quite a sort of a pleasing sort of feel, isn't it, to have that sort of weight in your hand.

Well, you feel as though it was made to do a job, don't you.

Exactly. Dense wood, here. Probably mahogany, I would say, judging by the weight and the density of the wood.

-Yeah. I wondered about that.

-And we've got some clues here to

the age of it with the little royal cipher that's been sort of decorated on there. Again, these vary.

You get Georgian ones.

This is William IV. "W R" - William Rex.

1830-1837.

You get them through to the Victorian ones, also.

And really, that tends to be the key to how valuable these pieces are.

The more fancy decorated, shall we say...

-Yes.

-..and the more intricate the decoration and the painting and the transfer printing, the better.

Any ideas, yourself, on what it would be worth?

-Have you had it valued before in the past?

-No.

-No.

Well, I've seen them vary in price, depending on how decorative they are.

I've seen them make 100.

I've seen them make 200.

This one, I think, is fairly sort of subdued, shall we say, in decoration.

It's a fairly plain example. I would value it in the region of around the sort of £50 mark,

I would think, and perhaps put an estimate on it at £40-£60.

-Yeah.

-Do you think your family forebears would be happy with that?

-Do you think they'll be pleased?

-Quite happy.

-Fingers crossed for you and we'll see you on the day.

-Thank you.

And now from the low down on the old bill, now it's curtains up time for Kate.

Caroline and Evelyn, you've brought the piece de resistance, here.

-For one night only, what have we got?

-We've got the Pelham Puppet Theatre.

-Woo-hoo! Look at this.

-Yes. He waves.

-Oh, wow.

-And the cat sort of...

Oh, wow. You're an old hand at this.

This is years of practise.

Years of playing. Years of practise.

Fantastic. Well, come round and tell me all about it. This is your, presumably, a childhood toy, is it?

Yes. Yes. It belonged to my brother and I and we used to stand

on the dining room table and do plays for my parents, all the time.

Your dear parents must have been so pleased.

-Now, we've got donkey, cat... and dragon, is it?

-A dragon.

Baby dragon.

-Muffin the mule.

-And behind here, look, we've got even more.

-Yes. A skeleton.

-A skeleton.

-Oh, my goodness.

-The scary one.

I'm almost afraid to get him out.

Look. He comes apart and his head...

-D'em bones, you know.

-Right.

OK. Well, here he is.

How many have you got in total?

-In total, we've got nine puppets.

-And also, the theatre itself.

-Yes. That's right.

-It would be impolite to ask their age, I suppose, wouldn't it?

-Around the early '70s.

Well, let's date them vaguely.

They're very collectable. Are any of them boxed, the ones that you've got?

I've got six in total that are boxed and three that are not, so yes.

So, why are you selling it?

Well, my brother lives in Australia now and unfortunately, his wife's not very well with leukaemia

and we want to try and raise some money to get some airfares so that we can go out and see them.

So the grandchildren can all go and join up together.

I mean, pricewise, it's difficult cos some are more collectable than others cos they'll be of different dates.

-Some are a little bit later than others.

-Yes.

But I guess, valuation wise, maybe £80-£120, you know, straddling the £100 mark.

You look disappointed.

I think it's over the 100 when you think

that they're in boxes, most of them, which is usually the thing that people are interested in, isn't it.

I think it depends if there's some individual puppets that people are really keen on.

Well, the skeleton is one of the rarer ones.

And it's nice... Is he boxed?

-Yes. He's boxed.

-Right.

-Yes. He's in a box.

-OK. Let's compromise.

We'll put a £90 reserve, £100-£150 estimate,

which is a little bit higher than I would have liked, but we'll see.

-They are charming.

-Exactly.

-You like them, somebody else will, too.

Somebody will enjoy playing with them at some point. Yes.

Shall we make them wave goodbye?

Oh, brilliant. Well, done.

Goodbye, everybody.

Thank you so much for bringing it in.

That's all right.

-Good night.

-Show's over. Thank you.

Well, Miriam, you've brought along some gold for us to look at.

What can you tell me about these pieces?

Do these all belong to you?

-Yes. No. They're all mine.

-Are they?

The gold charm bracelet was a wedding present from my husband.

-Very nice.

-And the Isle of Wight charm was because we spent our honeymoon on the Isle of Wight.

-So you're back where you spent your honeymoon.

-Yes.

-Great.

The various Spanish ones were different holidays in Spain.

I can see the flamenco dancer here, and the donkey and cart.

The key was my 21st birthday.

Very nice. You've got a little fiddle locket here.

Did you play the violin, perhaps?

-No. No. Nothing like that. I was told I was always on the fiddle, so I got it.

-Outrageous!

-Was that your husband again?

-Yes.

-Why don't you wear it any more?

Mainly cos it catches on things, from my point of view.

And it was nice when I used to go out to those sort of disco-y places

but I've got a little bit past it now.

Knocked all that on the head now. You're never too old, in my eyes.

But the good thing about it is obviously that it's in gold, and as you're probably well aware,

gold prices go up and go down and at the moment,

-they seem to be quite high which is good if you're selling gold.

-Yes.

Sometimes, perhaps, it can be a little bit sad to think that these

pieces sometimes do get melted down, I'm afraid. But, you know,

-as long as you get what it's worth.

-I've had the pleasure.

Exactly. I think that's a good way of looking at it.

And then moving on, you've got a full sovereign, here, in this sort of mounted frame and on a chain.

-Was that something you wore, also?

-I used to wear that a lot...

-but of recent years, I haven't really worn any jewellery, to speak of.

-No.

And it's just sat in the drawer.

Yes. And then the last piece you brought here

looks to me like a wedding band.

-You'd be correct.

-Is that your wedding band?

-Yes.

-It's too small for me plus my husband died and I haven't worn it for a very long time.

-Right.

And because it's such soft gold... it just...

-as you can see...

-It's slightly misshapen.

The reason it's softer gold is because it's a high grade of gold.

It's a 22-carat gold band. Most of the charms on here are going to be nine-carat.

So, really, coming at it from a valuation side,

we more or less know what a sovereign is worth, sort of say 120, that sort of figure.

With the nine-carat charm bracelet, it's really all down to weight.

-Now, we weighed it earlier and the charm bracelet comes out at about 25 grams.

-Right.

So you're looking at around the sort of £180-200 mark, just for that on its own because of the weight.

Added to the sovereign, you're already up to the say £300 mark.

And then I would say let's leave the band cos the wedding band really is scrap value.

People generally don't buy them to reuse them as wedding bands.

So you're looking at around the £300 mark and the wedding band as a bonus.

Is that the sort of figure you had in mind?

I didn't have an idea, at all.

We've said £300 mark. Can we straddle that with the estimate? Say 250-350.

-Yeah. OK.

-Yes.

-And reserve it at £250?

-Yep.

-Yeah.

-Yeah. That'll be fine with that.

We're agreed. 250 reserve.

-Yes.

-250-350. And you'll be coming along to the auction, I hope.

I certainly hope so.

-Excellent. I'll see you then, Miriam.

-Thank you very much.

Now it looks like Kate has found something weighty on her table.

-So, Patrick...

-Yes.

-You've brought in a classical lady artistically draped over some kind of big cat here.

-I have, yes, yeah.

How did you end up with her?

Originally it was my grandmother's.

-She owned an antique shop in Canterbury...

-Right.

..which was the Penny Theatre, and she obviously passed it on to my mother

and when my mother passed away she passed it on to me.

-And do you like it?

-I do like it, yes, yeah.

-You like it up to a certain point at which you would sell it?

-Well, I've got two daughters.

-Right.

-They've both got children and they like it, but they're scared that it will get damaged.

-She is in very good condition.

-She is.

-What she is is Minton and she's Parian ware,

which is this unglazed porcelain, also known as blanc de Chine, so Chinese white.

-Right.

-And the date letter on the underneath, which I've had a quick look at, is 1858.

-Right.

-So classic mid-Victorian. Obviously quite an unusual pose.

It's got a feel of almost Egyptian about it, but also classical, so sort of Egyptian, Greek.

All her fingers and toes are in good condition, and that's one of the things we see a lot on Parian ware,

it's very delicate, but even her ribbons and toes and everything's perfect, so that's a good sign.

-Yeah.

-Do you like her?

I remember it from when I was a little boy on the piano, so...

-Right.

-Yeah.

-And pricewise, do you have any idea what you would like to sell it for or...?

-I don't. Not really, no.

-Not really.

I think she's probably the low hundreds, so if we were putting a price for auction estimate

-I would probably put £150 to £200 on her.

-Right.

Obviously she's over 100 years old and she's in very good condition,

but they're not the most popular of things at the moment in terms of subject matter.

-Right.

-So is that the kind of figure you'd want to sell her for?

-That's fine.

Now, you would normally put a reserve on an item if you don't want it to sell below a certain point.

-What were you thinking?

-150, something like that?

-You'd want a 150 reserve. Would you give the auctioneer any discretion?

-Yes, yeah.

-So maybe if you put the reserve at 140, but a discretionary reserve.

-Right, OK.

-And an estimate of 150 to 200.

-Yeah, yeah.

OK. Well, let's see if we can get her away at the auction.

-OK, then.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

'Let's lift the anchor and set sail to the auction for the final time.'

Hello, hello, hello. What have we here?

Anthony's truncheon was judged at £40-£60.

Let's see if Will ends up in the dock with this one.

Let's get the show on the road with our next lot.

-What have we got?

-We've got the Pelham Puppet Theatre.

It's Caroline and Evelyn's Pelham Puppet Show.

Will it get the encore it deserves at auction?

And it's a golden opportunity for Miriam to get rid of some of her personal keepsakes.

But will the sale room take a shine to the collection?

And last, but not least, will we get a roaring success with Patrick's Parian ware Minton figure

dating back to 1858?

Next under the hammer, or should I say under the cosh, is Tony's policeman's truncheon.

It's great to see you again. Now, I detected a Brummie accent.

-Am I right?

-That's correct.

-So have you retired on the island, now?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-We moved to the island about ten years ago.

It's a wonderful spot to retire to.

Lucky thing. Lucky thing.

So, we've got £40-£60 on this one which Will has put on our estimate.

I've seen these fly as long as they're beautifully decorated.

You've got to take that into account.

How early they are and how decorated and if they refer to specific regiments or

constabularies, but yours is a nice good, honest William IV one, isn't it, I think, from memory.

You know, at £40-£60, it's a good starter for a collection.

Lot 26. Nice William IV policeman's truncheon, shown with Steve.

Commission's at 55. 56 anywhere?

I've got 55 here. 56 can I say?

56. 58. 60. 62. 64.

-It's creeping up.

-66.

68.

66, then. It's 66, on a commission bid.

66 and selling.

-Yes. Top end of the estimate. He was right, wasn't he.

-Yes.

-Happy with that?

-Very.

We've just been joined by Evelyn and Caroline.

We've got nine Pelham puppets going under the hammer.

What fun. So, did you go touring with your little troop?

No. It got home ground.

-Just home shows.

-Yes.

-That's great fun, isn't it.

-Oh, yes.

-It was very good fun.

-Pulling all the strings.

-Absolutely.

-Creating little stories.

We've got £100-£150.

That sounds about right, doesn't it?

Yeah. Anything that has kids using their imagination and not just sitting in front of a TV

has got to be worth that kind of money, surely.

-It's creative.

-Yeah.

Good creative entertainment.

Hopefully, we've got some Pelham puppet enthusiasts here.

I know they sell well. We see a lot on the show.

-Oh, do you?

-And we've only ever had, in eight years of Flog It! one other stage, so that's quite rare.

-There you go, then.

-But there's nine of them, so there's a lot for your lot, here.

-Let's hope we upstage the other one.

-Yes.

272. Nine collectable Pelham puppets,

together with a Pelham puppet theatre. It's a good lot.

-Someone start me at...

-55.

-55.

55, with Tim. 60 anywhere?

60. Five. And 70.

And five.

And 80. And five. And 90. And five.

And 90 here. Five anywhere?

All over the place. 95. 100. 110.

-We're going to do it.

-130.

140. 150. 160?

No. 150 in the centre. 160 anywhere? In the centre at 150.

And we're selling at £150. All done.

We did it. We did it. £150.

They've gone. That was their last performance, wasn't it?

Well, we're just one lot away because Miriam is just about to sell all her gold.

You don't wear it any more, do you?

No. I haven't worn it for a long time so I decided to get rid of it.

-Get rid of all the bling.

-Yeah.

-What are we going to put the money towards?

Well, it looks like a nice piece of glass, but depends what it fetches. We will see.

We've got 250-350.

It's got to be worth that. The charm bracelet's worth £200 on its own.

You've got the full sovereign in there at what, 120.

I've seen it make 180, recently... so it's got to be.

So we could be looking at 200-400.

Don't bid it up too much, you know, let's keep realistic.

Don't let's get excited.

Lot 116 is 1920s gold sovereign pendant mount,

with a 22-carat wedding band, and gold charm bracelet.

Got to start me at £200. Got £200.

-210.

-We're in.

One more. 220. 230. 240.

250. 260.

250 here. 260 anywhere?

260. 270.

280. 290. 300.

310. 320. 330.

340. 350.

360. 370. 380.

390. 400. 410.

No. It's at the top of the stairs at 400. 410 in a new place. 420. 430.

430. No. 420.

Top of the stairs, then, at 420.

All done at 420.

-430 in a new place.

-That's good.

Back in. 440. Yes. 450?

440, then. Top of the stairs at 440.

We're selling at 440. All done.

£440.

Absolutely brilliant. Really is.

Miriam, that's out of this world, isn't it?

-You'll get your glass now.

-I certainly will.

-Take your time.

Might even get something else, as well.

-You never know.

-Well, happy shopping cos that's the fun really, isn't it, going out and looking.

Well, I say... I'm speechless.

-And that's very unusual for me.

-Great time to sell gold.

Well, that's the luck of the auction room.

Kate valued the next item with a reserve of £150.

Now I'm hoping it will create a bit of interest amongst those Victoriana devotees.

Well, next up is Patrick who's selling one of his family heirlooms.

It's that lovely Minton figure, but it was grandmother's.

-That's right, yes. Yeah, going back to Canterbury she owned The Penny Theatre antique shop.

-Wow!

Is there a sentimental attachment here, cos it is a nice thing?

It's a nice thing, yes, but then again I'm scared of getting broken

-because with six grandchildren when they come around it's a bit...

-Yeah.

The daughters didn't want it.

-The kids don't want it.

-The kids don't want it.

-You can't split it six ways, can you?

No, well, not really. No, not six ways, no.

-We've got £150 to £200.

-Yeah.

-We should do that top end, shouldn't we?

-You'd hope so.

The condition is brilliant, which is what you ask for for a collectable, so, yeah.

We were debating if it was a lion or a tiger, but the auction room settled on panther.

It's a mythological beast, it doesn't matter!

-Who cares?

-It's a matter of opinion, really, isn't it?

-I think whoever buys it is going to call it something different!

-Oh, God.

-That's true!

Fingers crossed they're going to buy it and it's going under the hammer right now.

Ariadne on panther.

That's got a date for 1845.

-A nice piece of Parian ware, 314. Someone start me at 100.

-Yes.

£100 here. 110 anywhere? £100 here.

110 can I say? 110. 120. 130.

140. 150. 160?

160. 170. 180. 190? 190.

-Yeah.

-200. 210. 220.

230. 240. 250.

-They absolutely love it.

-250, yes.

260. 270? 270. 280. 290.

300, come on! 300, come on!

-300. 310.

-Yes.

-Yeah!

320. 330? 330. 340. 350.

There's two people and they've got stuck in now.

They do want to let it go.

380. 390.

400. 410. 420. 430.

440. 450.

460. 470.

470!

460 then. It's in the room.

It's a really rare panther!

470, new bidder. 480.

-No more? Not one more?

-Oh, come on.

-No?

-470.

-470 then.

-470!

It's on the left hand side in the room at 470. New bidder at 470.

And selling at 470.

£470.

-Excellent.

-That's a lot better than the 150 at the lower end!

Gosh, you've got to be over the moon with that!

I am, yeah. Very much so, yeah. Yeah, very much so.

Well, I know you've got to divide up with a lot of kids.

We have!

At least it'll be a good proportion each now.

-It's a purr-fect result!

-Exactly, and that's the end to a perfect day here on the Isle of Wight.

We've all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I hope you've enjoyed watching.

Join us again soon for many more surprises on Flog It!, but for now, it's cheerio.

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