0:00:03 > 0:00:09# Let all the world In every corner sing... #
0:00:09 > 0:00:12There's heavenly music in the air. Today, we're the guests
0:00:12 > 0:00:15of the magnificent Ely Cathedral, in Cambridgeshire.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19What a fantastic turnout we've got here today.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Historically, the nave was used as a meeting place
0:00:22 > 0:00:25for local people so it's quite fitting that today
0:00:25 > 0:00:27scores have turned up for our valuation day.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:49 > 0:00:50For 900 years,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Ely Cathedral has stood out proud from the surrounding marshlands.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56And today, it's a rallying point for us.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58HANDBELL CHIMES
0:00:58 > 0:01:01OYEZ!
0:01:01 > 0:01:05OYEZ!
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Being summoned for duty are our saintly antiques experts,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Elizabeth Talbot, and the wicked valuer, Charlie Ross.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17Bring out your wares for valuation and sale.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21It's about to rain so I think we should get everybody inside,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25safely at the blue tablecloth, and hope we can find some real gems.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28They've been queuing for a while now so let's shake off the rain
0:01:28 > 0:01:30and get those bags unpacked.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Coming up, I'll be going behind the scenes
0:01:34 > 0:01:37at this beautiful building. Also, small is beautiful,
0:01:37 > 0:01:42especially when it's worth a fortune and costs almost nothing.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- How much did you pay for this in your yard sale?- Pound.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- A pound?- Yeah.- You see, it is all out there.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50You've just got to be lucky on the day.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And that's not even today's star item.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Hold on to your seat as everyone gets excited at the auction.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Any number you like, madam, as big as you like.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Now I'm shaking. Rupert, this is fantastic.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Are you all out down here?
0:02:07 > 0:02:11But before that, the calm of the evaluation and his charm.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Quality, quality, and more quality.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Donald and Janet... Janet, does this belong to you?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Yes. It does. Yes. - How did you get it?
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- I bought it a good many years ago, about 30 years ago.- Did you?- Yes.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Did you buy it to use, or just because you like looking at it?
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I just like looking at it. They were so decorative.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- Beautifully carved, the workmanship. - Do you do needlework yourself?
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- I did, years ago.- Did you? - Yes.- Yeah. Apprentice.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- Apprentice dressmaker, years ago.- Oh, really?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It served my purpose when I had twin girls.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Right. Did you buy it in a shop? - Yes. I did. Yes.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Can you remember which shop? - I think it was down Magdalene Street
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- the shop I bought it from. - How interesting.- Been gone years.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- Do you remember what you paid for it?- I can't remember.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- I paid about £30-odd. That was a lot of money in those days.- Yeah.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04It's called a necessaire, i.e., every woman should have one,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08it is necessary to have one, to repair anything that might
0:03:08 > 0:03:13be damaged, in terms of clothing. This would be for instant repairs.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16If you went to a ball or something, and you were a smart lady,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and you thought, "Blimey, my hem's gone." Out with your necessaire.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Sometimes they were on little chains and you kept them about your person.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26This would have been kept in a handbag.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- The case is made of?- Ivory. - Correct. And I've had a quick look.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34They're not silver, or silver gilt, but they are gilt metal.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And because you've kept it so beautifully,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40the gilding is still on there, which is wonderful.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43If it had been used much, the gilding would have rubbed off,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- and it would have lost some of its value.- I kept it shut.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50The other thing that I particularly like, and makes it so rare,
0:03:50 > 0:03:51is the fact that it's all there.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- Yes.- Needle. Scissors. Thimble. And needle case, I think, there.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01I would put that at 1860 or 1870. So, Donald, why is it being sold?
0:04:01 > 0:04:04We want to buy our granddaughter's wedding dress.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- It'll go towards the wedding dress? - Yes.- Yeah.- So valuation,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09what would you like it to be worth?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Well over £100.- Over 100?
0:04:12 > 0:04:16I don't think you're unrealistic, there, because you said it cost £30.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- And that was a lot of money when you bought it.- Yes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- I would like to estimate it at £100-£150.- Yeah.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I would like to put a fixed reserve of £100 on it.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And I'd dearly like to see it make 150 or £160.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Lovely. Yes.- Thank you very much. It's lovely to see you both.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Thank you very much. Thank you. Yes.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42June, you've brought a couple of pieces
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- of Noritake porcelain for me today. - Yes.- What can you tell me about it?
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I've had it quite a long time. I've enjoyed it. It's time to go.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54- Where did you acquire these? Do you remember?- A reclamation person.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56You had them both together or did they come at separate times?
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- I think separately. - I don't know how much you know
0:05:00 > 0:05:04about the Noritake factory, but it was opened in Japan in 1904,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08and it very quickly became THE leading factory in the early 20th century in Japan,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12making very fine quality porcelain for the Western export market.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17So they looked, very cleverly, to the 18th-century Chinese strategy,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19which was to adopt Western shapes
0:05:19 > 0:05:24and then apply Western decoration and style to them,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27so that it would be lapped up by either the travellers or the people
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- buying in the high-quality shops back in Britain and elsewhere.- Yeah.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But what you have achieved here are two quite distinct pieces, aren't they?
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- Different. Yes.- Do you have a favourite?- I like the plate as the better of the two.- Yeah.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- That is a higher quality item, was intended to be a better piece.- Yes.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49Interestingly, one of the factories that they copied or were influenced by mostly, was Royal Worcester.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53And I think, if you can see in the colours and the subject matter here,
0:05:53 > 0:05:54it's very much a Worcester theme
0:05:54 > 0:05:59with this very rich gilding, which again, Worcester specialised in
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- in the late 19th, early 20th century.- Yeah.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04In contrast, this one is also hand painted, little vase,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07which is a little bit more, sort of, predictable in shape.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10But that scene and the colours they've chosen to use
0:06:10 > 0:06:13is almost Mediterranean and it's got the freshness about it,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17a sort of warmer climate. The two pieces are in lovely condition.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19So they're lovely examples of their time.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- Do you have any hopes or thoughts about value achievable?- No idea.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28No. I think in the current market, the value at auction should be between £40 and £60.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33And most of that 40 to 60 will be actually by this piece which I think is particularly nice.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37We'll keep the two together to make it worth your while putting together in auction.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Yeah.- Would you like a reserve? - Oh, definitely.- Yes, reserve.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43So if we put the bottom estimate of £40 with auctioneer's discretion.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Yes. That's right.- They'll be looked after and we'll see how we do.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Yeah. That's fine. Thank you for bringing them in. OK.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51I'll see you at the auction.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- Ron, I don't think boxes come in much better condition than this.- No.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- It's absolutely wonderful. Do you know what wood it is?- Not at all.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- It's walnut.- Is it really?- Yup.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Do you know what this funny stuff is that's inlaid?- Not at all. - It's brass!
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- Oh, right!- Well, I'm going to open it up.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- You know what it is, don't you?- Yes.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19It's a writing slope and it's Victorian.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23It's 1860, 1870.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27There it is in all its glory.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Do you know, it's got its original leather on?- Really?- I think so.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34And I think it's got its original inkwells.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Pens went in here. We'll just pull an inkwell out.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Just want to see if they've got silver tops.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44No, they're silver-plated tops.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- But beautiful cut glass.- Hm.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52And the condition is astonishing, for 120, 130-years-old.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53So why are you selling it?
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Well, it's been in the cupboard for two years and never come out, so...
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- So, how long have you had it? - About three years.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- So where did you get it? - From an auction.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Why did you buy it?- On a whim.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- So my wife said.- You were just sitting in a sale room?
0:08:11 > 0:08:14And I just thought, "That's a good price" and put a bid in.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17I won't ask you what the price is yet, but I will do later on.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Have you looked in here?- Yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21If I pull this up...
0:08:24 > 0:08:26CLUNKING
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Hey, presto! It's on a spring, this panel comes out,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- and there are the secret drawers. - They're the ones.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- It's a great design, isn't it. - Wonderful.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39I'm afraid that's as good as it gets.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40That's the good news.
0:08:40 > 0:08:48Bad news, I think people have finally realised, after 40-50 years of collecting these things,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52that they are completely useless, or more or less. Now...
0:08:52 > 0:08:54You bought it...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Ta-da!
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Three years ago?- Yup.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- At auction?- At auction.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Go on then.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- £75.- £75. What do you think's happened to this in three years?
0:09:07 > 0:09:08About the same, I would think?
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Ho-ho! Not many things have stayed the same over three years!
0:09:13 > 0:09:18- I reckon you bought this, well worth the money.- Really?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21And I think it's worth now, what you paid for it then.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- So, I'm going to put an estimate of £60-£100.- Mm-hmm.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Fix a reserve at £60.- Mm-hmm.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30If it doesn't make more than 60, it's only a small loss.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35If it makes 100, it's a profit. And you can say to your wife what a sound investment it was,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- wish I'd bought three more.- Exactly.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Sheila, I love Austrian cold painted bronzes.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Since I've been doing Flog It! for the last eight years,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I've actually learnt a lot and fallen in love with them,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51and I think you've got a little gem here. Tell me how you came by this?
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- A yard sale.- Really.- Yes. Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56And how much did you pay for this in your yard sale?
0:09:56 > 0:09:57- £1.- £1.- Yeah.- £1.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01You see, it is all out there. You've just got to be lucky on the day.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04I want to go to a yard sale now and buy something like this for £1.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07And what have you done with this in the last year?
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I've just had it sitting on the shelf.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11But there's a little surprise, isn't there...
0:10:11 > 0:10:15because it's a little desk inkwell, still with the glass vessel inside.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Is that the original?- Yes, it is. Yeah. This is a little bear
0:10:19 > 0:10:24by the stump of an oak tree with oak leaves and little acorns. Look.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26That's what I liked. Yeah.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- And from the little acorn, the mighty oak grew.- Yes. Lovely.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Gorgeous, gorgeous little bear.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- Do you watch Flog It! regularly? - Yes. Every day.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Have you seen us talking about cold painted bronzes?- Yeah.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40In particular, a modeller called Franz Bergman,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43who was probably the best of all the Venetian artists and sculptors.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48Used the lost wax method, which means these were modelled in wax
0:10:48 > 0:10:54- and then cast in bronze, but it's the best way to capture realistic detail.- Yes. Lovely.
0:10:54 > 0:11:00Franz Bergman flourished in the early 1900s and, looking at that, it looks like it is a Bergman.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- But he normally has this sort of urn shape with a B inside.- Yeah.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08And we'll just have to look underneath to see that.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10But I'm going to go with a Bergman.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14It's definitely Austrian and it's definitely that period because the quality is so good.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- Right. You want to know how much... - Yes, please.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20..we're going to put this into auction for, and what you might go home with.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26- If we put this into auction with a value of £150-£250, would you be happy?- Definitely. Yeah.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29How about £250-£350?
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- That'd be better. - That's a lot better, isn't it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Now you're getting excited.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Right. OK. Well, I think on a good day, £350-£450.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44- You're going to be jumping through hoops, aren't you?- Definitely. Yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48But I'd like to put it into auction with a fixed reserve of £250,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- with the value at 250-350.- Yes. - Entice the bidders in.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54There's a lot there for your money.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57And I bet it goes over that 350 mark.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Oh, lovely. That's a surprise.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02£1! Well, there you go. Hey, get out to those yard sales.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04We're going to follow you around now.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19Well, our experts have found their first batch of items, so we're off to the saleroom.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22This is where it gets exciting. It's my favourite part of the show.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Somebody could be going home with a lot of money. Who's it going to be?
0:12:26 > 0:12:29And what's it worth? Well, stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Here's a quick rundown of all the items coming with us to auction.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Once upon a time, every lady had a necessaire,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40but now Janet's is quite rare because it's a complete set.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42What would you like it to be worth?
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Well over £100.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Over 100. I don't think you're unrealistic, there.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51And the realistic value for June's Noritake porcelain pieces?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Well, we're hoping for £40-£60.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Ron is hoping to get back his £75 spent
0:12:57 > 0:13:00on this 19th-century writing slope,
0:13:00 > 0:13:02bought on a whim.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06And if the bidders agree with my instinct, that Sheila's inkwell
0:13:06 > 0:13:11is a Franz Bergman bronze, it should roar away at the auction.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Today, we're just over the border in the historic town of Stamford,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19in Lincolnshire, at Batemans Auctioneers.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Well, this is what it's all about, a jam-packed auction room
0:13:22 > 0:13:26and hopefully, all these bidders are going to put their hands up and buy our lots.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Well, that's the theory, anyway. On the rostrum is auctioneer, David Palmer.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32So I'm going to get myself into place
0:13:32 > 0:13:34because, coming up, will be our first lot.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Janet and Donald, it's great to catch up with you again.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46What a fabulous item you brought in to the valuation day.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50We're talking about the necessaire, that gorgeous little sewing kit in the ivory case.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52And they're rare to be so complete, aren't they?
0:13:52 > 0:13:55There's always something missing. You got this quite a long time ago.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57I did. Over 30 years ago.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Well, we're going to get you your money back, you know that.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01You bet your life, there.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- 30 quid you paid, did you? - Yes.- Something like that.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08It had to go, cos my girls are not interested in needlework, at all.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Are they having some money from this? Are you going to treat them?
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Well, my granddaughter's getting married so it might buy a button or two for her wedding dress.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- Or a hat for you, hat for you.- Yeah. - Well, all the talking's over with.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21It's now down to the bidders. OK. Here we go.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- It's going under the hammer now. Good luck, both of you.- Right.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26The continental cased sewing thing.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Pretty little lot, that. Very nice.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Straight in. £50 for it. 50, I'm bid.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- 50. Five. 60.- Couple of ladies down the front, look.
0:14:33 > 0:14:3675. 80. 85. 90. 95. 100, now.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39At 100. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44150. 160. 170. 180. 190. 200. 210.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- 220. 230. 240.- This chap hasn't put his hand out.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50He's just standing there with his hands in the air.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54270. 280. 290. 290, I sell down here.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Done, then. With the lady at 290.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59300. 300, I've got in the room. 310.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Back here at 310. I sell with the lady, at £310.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05You are out. 320.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10- 330. Here in the room, at £330. - This is good, isn't it?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13You are out. Bid now, or I sell.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- 340. With the internet at £340. - Going to a rich home.- Yes.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19350. With the lady at 350.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23At £350. It goes, then, at 350.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Is that a bid? Here at 350.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Janet, fantastic. £350. Well, there is commission to pay.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Obviously you've got to do that in any auction room.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- But that's going towards the wedding...- Yes.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39The wedding dress, and hopefully, come on, a new hat for you, maybe.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- I've already got one. - You've got the hat? OK. Shoes.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- You've got to treat yourself.- Yes. The hat I got, but nothing else.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49You can't go to a wedding in just a hat!
0:15:51 > 0:15:53At 35, the lady at 35.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Well, things are going along quite well, I think.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59So let's add to it, shall we?
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Right now, we've got some hand painted Noritake porcelain going under the hammer.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It belongs to June, here. Why are you selling the Noritake?
0:16:05 > 0:16:10I'm frightened of it because if it tips forward, because I have it on a stand, it's going to break.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- Oh, dear. Elizabeth.- And I've got two Jack Russell puppies.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15I can understand why you're selling them now.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18I think these are good value for money at £40-£60.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23They're quite unusual examples and again, quite a contrast of Noritake styles of painting.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- But, it's a bit of a difficult market, at the moment.- Is it?
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Sometimes it's going up, sometimes it's as flat as a pancake.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32I want to be realistic and fair, so hope we do achieve a sale, that's the important thing.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- Yeah. But they are quality. - Yeah. And in good order, very good order, at the moment. Yes.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- And we mustn't let those Jack Russells get to them, must we? - No.- They've got to go.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Anyway, they're going right now under the hammer. This is it. Good luck.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Small Noritake porcelain vase.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48And the little dish, there.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Fun little lot. £10 to start. Nice and low. Tenner. Tenner bid.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Ten. 12. 15.
0:16:53 > 0:16:5515. 18. 20. Two.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58At 25. 28. At 28 now.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00The lady's out. At 28. Take 30 now.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Finished and done at 28. Is that it?
0:17:02 > 0:17:03No. It's not selling.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06I wonder why they didn't like it.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09I don't know but I wouldn't have dropped it any lower than that.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10I think that was very fair.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12As I say, the market is erratic at the moment,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15it's probably a bit flat but it is very sort of yo-yoish.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19So it's worth hanging on and not giving up at that sort of level and try it again, I think.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21OK. Another auction room on another day.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- Just keep it away from those Jack Russells.- In a cabinet.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- Naughty boys. What are their names? - Smudge and Fudge.- Smudge and Fudge.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Well, there you go. Sound like trouble.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Going under the hammer right now is the walnut writing slope
0:17:41 > 0:17:45with a fitted mahogany interior with a value of £60-£100.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47There's a lot riding on this and all will be revealed.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50It belongs to Ron who's putting it under the hammer,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- and you've brought...- My grandson, Ryan.- Ryan, how do you do?
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- OK.- Do you love antiques or football?
0:17:56 > 0:17:57- Yeah.- Both?
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- What's your favourite football team then?- Liverpool.- Liverpool, ooh!
0:18:01 > 0:18:05The money is going towards young Ryan's present for Christmas.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- Xbox 360.- He wants an Xbox 360.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- Right, we need 100 quid or so.- Yes, we do, Paul.- That's what we want.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Do you know, on a good day, two people falling in love with this,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19it could get 120, I don't know.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- Ryan, this is the excitement of the auction room. Are you ready for this?- Yeah.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Here we go, it's going under the hammer now. Good luck, both of you.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31Lot 180 is the large writing slope.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34What shall we put in at to start? 60, 65?
0:18:34 > 0:18:3670, 75?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- 80, 85?- It's gone.
0:18:38 > 0:18:4090, new money, 95?
0:18:40 > 0:18:41100, 110?
0:18:41 > 0:18:45110, 120, 130,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47130, 140,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- 160.- 160? I'll take your 70, sir. 170, 180.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- 180.- I was right.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54200!
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- 200's a world record! - 200 here, seller seated at 200.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58You're out of the bank at £200.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- Fantastic. - Net, you can come in if you want.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04At 200, I sell seated at 210.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07210, up there, 220?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10220? You sure?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12220, seated? 230, if you want.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16She said yes!
0:19:16 > 0:19:18£250!
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- They jumped the bid by £40. - I'll sell down here at 250.
0:19:20 > 0:19:26The seated bidder, he wants that box! At £250...
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- £250! You got your Xbox.- Yay!
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- £250.- How good is that, Ron? - Fantastic.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36It's quality. It's all there, it's complete.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39The condition was great as well.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42You're all out down here?
0:19:42 > 0:19:47Remember the cold painted bronze, that lovely little bear, that naturalistic setting, the inkwell?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Well, it's going under the hammer.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51It belongs to Sheila, and I tell you what, not for much longer.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- I think this is priced to sell. - You do? Oh, good.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- And you picked this up for next to nothing, didn't you?- Yes. Yeah.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- Who have you got with you? - My brother, Arthur.- Arthur. - Hi there, Paul.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Your sister has got a great pair of eyes for spotting things, that's all I can say.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06I'm hoping this'll do the top end and I know it's going to
0:20:06 > 0:20:09find a bidder here because things are flying out the room.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- They're not sitting on their hands, are they?- No. No.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14The painted bronze inkwell.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I feel I need to put a lucky waistcoat on for this one.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I reckon this one's worn out all its charm.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24So we need a lucky waistcoat to make this make lots of money.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28There we are, the bear and the tree stump. Straight in. 100 for that.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31100, I'm bid. At 100 now. 110. 120.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36At 120. 130. 140. 150. 160. 170.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40180. 190. 200. At 200. 210.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45220. 230. 240. 250. 260. 270. 280.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- 290. 300. 320.- Flying away, now.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53380. 400. 420. 450. 480. 500.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56500, now.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00At £500. 520. 550. At 550.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03580, I'll take. 600 I'm bid.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04See, I told you it was lucky.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09- At 600. Down here on the phone, now. - Sheila, you've got the gift.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11At 600, it goes on the phone, then.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- At 600.- Yes. £600. That's fantastic.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Give us a hug.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- 600 quid.- Thank you.
0:21:21 > 0:21:27Well, well spotted, you, that's all I can say. Tensions were building.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29We hit the roof there, didn't we?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Unexpected, wasn't it? - I know. You said 250.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Well, we kind of, you know, we knew it had a bit of class to it.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- I didn't know it was that much. - It did say 250-350, didn't it? Yeah.- Yeah.- It's good.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43They loved it. Two or three people really wanted it.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44- Yeah.- Simple as that.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46At 190. 200 now.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54'We're back at the auction later when rumours that this silver was made for a tsar, cause a stir.'
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Has there been any interest from Russia?- Yeah, there has.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01In fact, all over the place, cos obviously, collectors of silver like Faberge
0:22:01 > 0:22:05and there's not that much Faberge to go round, so this is one of the next best things.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Any phone lines booked? - I think we've got a couple.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11'Before that, we're going to change the pace a little
0:22:11 > 0:22:14'because I think I can hear the voice of an angel.'
0:22:17 > 0:22:20HE SINGS
0:22:21 > 0:22:24When Ely Cathedral is not playing host to Flog It!,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26it is, of course, a place of worship,
0:22:26 > 0:22:32and a place of music. And both have a fascinating and enduring history
0:22:32 > 0:22:34which is well worth exploring.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39The new head chorister, Alex Tune, may only be just 12 years old,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43but the choir has a history dating back nearly 500 years.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Choristers are chosen from all over the region
0:22:48 > 0:22:50but to fulfil the tough rehearsal schedules,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52they have to board at a nearby school.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56And the man who can explain how it all works is Canon James Garrard,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59head of music and precentor here at Ely.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Jim, thank you for talking to me today.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Absolutely beautiful voice.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06How are the choirboys chosen?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09They apply and they're auditioned and sometimes
0:23:09 > 0:23:11we have plenty of candidates wanting a place in our choir.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Yeah. What about the impact on their lives with the schedule?
0:23:14 > 0:23:19It's totally overwhelming and these days I suppose it's surprising to people.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22They have to board in the King's School next door, here.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25They are being worked six days a week and they're rehearsing
0:23:25 > 0:23:28at eight in the morning, even on Saturdays, so it's a huge commitment.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30How many hours a day are they putting in, roughly?
0:23:30 > 0:23:33They are putting in a full day at school.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35They are rehearsing every day in term time.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39They are preparing for Evensong. And that doesn't finish until 6.15
0:23:39 > 0:23:42and then there's a small matter of homework and food and bed.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- That's dedication, isn't it?- Indeed.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47HE SINGS
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Tell me about the history of the choir.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00There's always been a choir here because when the cathedral was first a monastery, before the Reformation,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03the young monks were those singing the services with the old.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06And since the Reformation, since it's been a cathedral proper,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08there's always been an establishment, a choir, boys and men,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11to sing the services every day of morning and evening prayer.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14And they're very committed to it. Indeed, now, in the last few years,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18there's also been a girls' choir who are also boarders at the nearby school.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Right. Do you go off on tours and things like that?
0:24:20 > 0:24:24The boys, and we hope also the girls will tour, but the boys have toured
0:24:24 > 0:24:28America, Canada, round Europe in recent years with great success.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32One of the lovely things, at the moment, is that some of the places
0:24:32 > 0:24:35we visited on tour, send their choirs to come and sing with us.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Aw, that's wonderful, isn't it?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40It's great for the summer, too, and it means that our musical tradition
0:24:40 > 0:24:42continues all the way through the year.
0:24:42 > 0:24:48The sound of the choir in full voice must be so uplifting because the acoustics are brilliant, as well.
0:24:48 > 0:24:49It's absolutely fantastic.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52There he is. There's the young man himself. Here's Alex.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Alex, let me shake your hand. What a beautiful voice.- Thank you.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57How long have you been singing?
0:24:57 > 0:25:02I've been singing since I was eight, and I love to do it, so I'll just continue doing it up to year eight.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04I know you put in a lot of hours, you're very dedicated.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09- Does it leave any other time to see your mates or get on the PlayStation or on your bike?- Yeah.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- I do do singing because I enjoy it. - Yeah.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15But I still have time to see my friends, play around, play football and stuff like that.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Who's your favourite football team? - My favourite football team is Hull City.- Really?- Yeah.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Did your dad make you say that?
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- Yeah.- Alex, thank you so much.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- Keep up the good work, as well. - Thank you. I will.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Well, 500 years of the choir is one thing,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32but the building itself is much, much older.
0:25:32 > 0:25:39It took an astonishing 106 years to build and was completed in 1189.
0:25:39 > 0:25:46But disaster struck in 1322 when the central stone bell tower collapsed, crashing down into the nave.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50It must have been devastating but they took it as a sign.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55From the ruins, they created an incredible piece of architecture in its place.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01And this is it. Ely's staggering octagonal tower.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Now this is unusual for two reasons.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Firstly, because of its shape and, secondly, like no other tower built,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10this one is made entirely of wood.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Eight huge oak trees act as its main support.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18And if you look up there, you can see all those stained glass windows
0:26:18 > 0:26:21where they create this wonderful lantern-like effect.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26'And if you take the cathedral tour, you can get an even closer look.'
0:26:29 > 0:26:33And here is one of the mighty oaks that I was talking about.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37When this was felled in 1322, it was a mature tree.
0:26:37 > 0:26:43Each length is 63 feet long, and that was some 300 years old before it was cut down.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47That forms the backbone, the superstructure of the lantern
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and then the whole thing is suspended by these beams,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and there's 16 of them, which go right around the perimeter.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56And you're not going to find anything harder
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and more unyielding than English oak.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59Thank goodness, too.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Well, that is just so inspiring.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12This ornate artwork was done during the Victorian restoration of the cathedral.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16The theme is Psalm 150, angels praising the Lord.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19The stained glass was also installed in 1863.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Before that, it would have just been plain.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25It's a kaleidoscope of colour.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28It's breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32It's just the most wonderful viewing platform.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37The cathedral's ancient structure and the changes it's undergone
0:27:37 > 0:27:40show this is a living, breathing testament
0:27:40 > 0:27:43to those who first built it, and those who've worked on it,
0:27:43 > 0:27:47and also, those who've worshipped in it over many centuries.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55And the story of this incredible building goes on.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Only last year, during restoration work,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02builders discovered this love letter addressed to Miss Sarah Peacock,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04an 18-year-old local servant girl.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09And it's actually dated here, 16th November 1740.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13It's signed from one William Simpson, who was a local man,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17who left the area to become an apprentice watchmaker in London.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22"My dear life, your absence gives me the greatest uneasiness in this life.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26"To think that I must so soon part with you, my dear soul,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30"who, and only you, are the object of my passion."
0:28:30 > 0:28:32He was asking Sarah to join him there.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36"I hope you will, if possible, be at London ere long,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39"whereby I may have the pleasure of your sweet company,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42"which I assure you, without flattery,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45"I prefer beyond anything in this life."
0:28:45 > 0:28:47The letter was found under floorboards.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Sarah probably hid it there and took it out secretly at night to read it.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56What an incredible discovery.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58It really brings together the life of the cathedral
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and the people who lived and worshipped here over the past 900 years.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05And I wonder if William ever did get together with Sarah.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14Let's head back inside now, where there's still a good crowd unpacking
0:29:14 > 0:29:17yet more treasures, and Charlie is trying out our next item.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20David and Ann, shall we dance?
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- We shall.- Put the music on.- Right.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25I love your phonograph. How long have you had it?
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- About 55 years.- 55 years.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Yeah. Well, in the family. It was my father's originally.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- You inherited it, did you? - From Father. Yeah.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Do you remember it being played as a child?
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Oh, yes. I played with it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Really. And how did he get it?
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Well, he built lightweight touring bicycles.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44- Yeah.- And he built this particular man one.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47It was £7, 15 shillings and sixpence.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48- Yeah.- Went home to get the money.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- His wife wouldn't let him have the money.- What?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54No. Said it's a waste of money buying a bicycle.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58He brought this phonograph and asked Father if he'd have this in lieu
0:29:58 > 0:30:02of the bicycle till he could save the money, then he would come up,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04pay Dad, and take his phonograph home.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- He never came back.- He never came back.- No. Never came back for it.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11So you've still got the phonograph. And you know who made it, don't you?
0:30:11 > 0:30:16- Yeah. Edison.- Edison. It's the Edison Gem which was his, sort of, standard model, if you like.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- It was.- First patented in about 1900.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23- Yeah.- And this, I would think, dates from about 1910.- Yeah.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24What I really like about it...
0:30:24 > 0:30:28not only, obviously, is the carrying case here
0:30:28 > 0:30:31but that is the original sound box, or trumpet,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33and nobody's fiddled with it.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38The absolutely marvellous quirky thing I like about this
0:30:38 > 0:30:42is the original cord that held it up from the stanchion,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45I see someone has replaced with a chain
0:30:45 > 0:30:50which looks distinctly like a gold watch chain, to me.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Are you guilty of that? - I'm fully guilty.
0:30:53 > 0:30:54Well, may I say congratulations.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57You've considerably added to the value of it.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00I tied an old bit of wire on there last night and the wife said
0:31:00 > 0:31:03you cannot take that to Flog It! with a bit of wire...get a chain.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06The Do It Yourself shop was closed.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09So I thought... "Chain, ah, a watch chain."
0:31:09 > 0:31:12I mean, the actual pocket watch, I haven't got.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- No.- So it didn't matter. - I think that's charming.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17How many cylinders have you got?
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- We've got...- Ten.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22About nine or ten four-minute cylinders.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Yes. Could we have a quick go?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27- The three I've got left are all chipped and scratched.- Yeah.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29PLAYS A RECORDING
0:31:32 > 0:31:33Harry Lauder.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- He's being rude. Can you put him off?- Yeah.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42We can't have him on Flog It!
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- I thought it was going to be a national Scottish ballad.- No.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- I'm sorry.- You naughty man, David. How much do you think it's worth?
0:31:48 > 0:31:50£200 or £300.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55£200-£300. Do you know, I think it would have been 200-300 a few years ago, possibly a bit more.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I think it's now 150 to 200. Well, that would do fine.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00- Will that do for you? - Yeah. No problem...
0:32:00 > 0:32:03150-200, with a reserve at 150. We'll tell the auctioneers.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04I'm sure it'll do well.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Thank you very much indeed for bringing it along, David.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- No problem.- Jolly nice to see you. - Thank you.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- So, father, Graham, and daughter, Kate.- That's right.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- Who owns this beautiful charm bracelet?- I do.- You do.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- You're the lucky lady. - It's been passed down to me now.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28- What, from yourself?- From my mother. - Right.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32And prior to that, it was my dad's cousin on his side of the family.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Right. OK. But it's reached you. And do you like it?
0:32:35 > 0:32:38It's not my sort of thing that I'd wear, my taste.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- So you're thinking of selling it? - Yeah.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Well, charm bracelets are all very varied by definition and they're amassed by people,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48usually gifted little charms or by travelling around,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51sometimes they're souvenirs from around the world, around the country.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Do you know any stories behind any of the charms?
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Not really. I know that when they used to go travelling,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59they used to add the charms to the bracelet, as they went abroad.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02It does explain why there is a mixture of English gold
0:33:02 > 0:33:06and items that bear continental and foreign gold hallmarks. That would explain
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- if they bought something in this country and travelling, as well.- Yeah.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12And do you remember any of your relatives wearing it?
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Was it a feature of your boyhood, jingling in your ear, at all, or anything?
0:33:16 > 0:33:19My father's cousins used to wear it, one of the cousins,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22all the time, really, when they were going out anywhere, you know.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26- Yes.- Yeah. So that did get quite a bit of use, but not now.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28These things go in and out of fashion.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30I do notice there's a wonderful selection of items here,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33from the very sort of straightforward little pig there,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35who's just trotting along,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39to a very charming little gypsy caravan which I think is very sweet.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41I notice one or two items have got a tiny bit of damage.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44The little lantern there looks as though it's seen better days.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46But, there are some very sweet things.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50There's a little staved pail there. A little sort of Swiss chalet.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- So you're thinking of selling it? - Yeah.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Do you have hopes and aspirations as to how much it might fetch?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- Have you kind of got any thoughts? - Not really, have we.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- Not really. No.- We have an idea. - We've got a rough idea.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Go on, then. Tell me.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05I was hoping we'd get probably 500 for it, but I don't know.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08What you might like and what I think the market would support
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- is different, I think that's a bit high.- Right.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Gold is selling well at the moment,
0:34:13 > 0:34:18but you've got to bear in mind that if you put a £500 bottom figure, it makes it sound expensive to people
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- and a bit off-putting, if you make it £500-£600.- OK.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26So, if you're comfortable, I suggest £350-£500 estimate. Reserve of £350.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31I may be proved slightly wrong, but I think it's more realistic, that sort of figure.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35- Yeah. OK.- What are you going to spend the money on? - I have to save it.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36Oh, good girl.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40I promised that if I was going to sell it, I'd save the money.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- And perhaps reinvest in something else to treasure. - Something a bit different.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48Even I feel better, looking at this curiosity,
0:34:48 > 0:34:51which has certainly grabbed my attention.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55What do you think this is? Anybody know? No?
0:34:55 > 0:34:59No? It belonged to a craftsman and it is NOT an eyebrow tweezer!
0:34:59 > 0:35:01PAUL LAUGHS
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Definitely not an eyebrow tweezer!
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Tony, you've brought something of local interest, and this would be used by a saddler,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10as a vice.
0:35:10 > 0:35:17Let's say, you could put one of the reins through there, where a few inches of stitching had come undone,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- cos that leather's always moving. - That's right.- Tighten this,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22grip it fast...
0:35:24 > 0:35:27And then you could stitch away.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Would that be made by the bloke himself or the local carpenter?
0:35:29 > 0:35:32This would've been made by a local carpenter.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36I'd say this is circa 1800-1820.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38It's a very early one.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44I want to know how you came across that. Are you in the equine business?
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Not at all. I bought it at a car boot sale with a saddle stand.
0:35:48 > 0:35:55- Right.- And they didn't cost an awful lot of money. I paid £55 for the two pieces.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57I think you did rather well, Tony.
0:35:57 > 0:36:04I think a realistic auction guideline would be about £30-£50.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08- Isn't it lovely, though?- Absolutely beautiful that is.- Gorgeous.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18- Rupert, there must be a story behind all this cutlery.- Yes. There is.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22My family had it since 1912.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26- Right.- It was given to my mother in 1916 on the date of her birth.
0:36:26 > 0:36:31- So I do know that there's some family history, to say the least.- Fantastic.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35So, for example, how many of each have we got? This is very important.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39- Well, we've got 12 of each of the spoons.- Have you? Yeah.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40And 12 of each of the forks.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Fantastic. - And 12 of each of the knives.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- Both sets of knives? - Both sets of knives.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49May I congratulate you on having such a complete service.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- Thank you very much.- Where has it been for the last few years?
0:36:52 > 0:36:54In a drawer, upstairs, in my bedroom.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- Well, we've got a name on it here, haven't we. Joseph Marchak.- Yes.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59And what can you tell me about that?
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Well, I didn't know a lot about him until I heard that you were coming down,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07then I did a little research and I gather that he was known as the Cartier of Kiev.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11I love that expression. He was the Cartier of Kiev.
0:37:11 > 0:37:17And I'm told, also, that Marchak made cutlery for the tsar.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19- Oh, right. Yeah.- He was the business.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Yes. So he was high class.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Yeah. High class. Also, they do have a monogram on there.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- Yes.- Now, is that a family one?
0:37:27 > 0:37:31That, actually, is from, I believe, my great-grandfather, again.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34- This looks a pretty frightening tool.- I wondered what that was for.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- I think that's a cake fork. - Oh, that's cake.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38For cutting the cake and for serving it.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- And this one here? For caviar? - What a marvellous question.
0:37:41 > 0:37:42Caviar. You'd have to be joking.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- I think that one, possibly, for caviar.- Yeah.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50You'd have to be a multi-billionaire to use that one for caviar, that end one.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- I just wondered about that. - Have you thought about a value?
0:37:52 > 0:37:58Well, no, I mean, you know, I came in hoping to raise as much...
0:37:58 > 0:38:00What are you raising money for?
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Well, I'm actually raising it to help my mother with a stairlift
0:38:04 > 0:38:07and new bathroom because she's getting elderly now.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- Is she?- It would be rather nice to sort something out for her.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Well, if this is in a drawer and you're not using it.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- Exactly.- It might as well go towards a stairlift.- That's right.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- What I'm going to do here, they're going off to Batemans to be auctioned.- Yes.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22And I've had a chat with a colleague
0:38:22 > 0:38:27and we think £800-£1,200 is a sensible estimate.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31But to be absolutely certain, I'm going to ring up Kate Bateman
0:38:31 > 0:38:33and ask her to do a little bit more research
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- so that we don't get it wrong. - Right.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37There is a chance we've undervalued.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42So at the moment, it's 800-1,200. Reserve, 800, with discretion.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43- OK.- How does that seem?
0:38:43 > 0:38:46That's fine. I was hoping it would be on the lower side
0:38:46 > 0:38:51so if a couple of people are interested, they might push it up a bit.
0:38:51 > 0:38:52- Steam up a bit.- Yeah.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Well, it shouldn't be a problem. Thank you very much.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- Thank you for bringing such an interesting piece of history along. - Thank you very much.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02We're heading back to Batemans Auctioneers in Stamford now,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04to sell those items.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Right now I'm off to find out how one local fish
0:39:12 > 0:39:16has wriggled its way into the very lifeblood of this region.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18It's even slithered into the name.
0:39:18 > 0:39:25Ely means the Isle Of Eels and was so named because of the city's trade in this little writher.
0:39:29 > 0:39:35Many monarchs from Saxon times onwards have tickled their taste buds with this local delicacy.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39A valuable commodity, eels have earned the nickname "Fenman's gold".
0:39:44 > 0:39:49Every Cambridgeshire village paid taxes in this aquatic animal
0:39:49 > 0:39:55and much of the stonework of Ely Cathedral, our valuation day location, was paid for in eels.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58This may seem quaint to modern sensibilities,
0:39:58 > 0:40:02but these fish were literally worth as much as gold in their day.
0:40:07 > 0:40:14Someone who knows all about eels and how to catch them is Cambridgeshire man Peter Carter.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17His family have a long tradition of trapping eels
0:40:17 > 0:40:21and Peter still uses traditional methods and materials.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26- Peter?- Hi, are you all right? Sit down here, then.- Good to meet you. I've come to have a chat with you.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31Gosh, a lovely place you've got. I've caught you in the middle of making an eel trap, I guess, yeah?
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Yeah, or an eel hive as they're known by their proper name.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Hive means something made of basketry.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- You're making this out of willow. - Yeah, split willow.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44That's what this is. It's a fast-growing willow.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- And you just split that with a penknife?- No, no.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50You use a little tool, a little tool like that.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It splits into three. The way it works...
0:40:54 > 0:40:56You just drive it right down the shaft.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Yeah.- Look at that.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00How clever is that?
0:41:00 > 0:41:04It's a tool that hasn't changed for centuries, it does the job so well.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06That's incredible, isn't it?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09So quick. Why do you use willow for eel traps, then?
0:41:09 > 0:41:13- Because on the Fen there's so much willow tree. - And it's there.- It's there, yeah.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15So how does an eel trap work?
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Well, you can see I've just made the first of the chairs,
0:41:19 > 0:41:24- chair is an old Fen word meaning a narrow gap, and if you look in there they've got the spikes.- Yeah.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29So the eel can squeeze in, he'll push these apart, but can't return to come back again.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- So they're trapped.- Then there's a second set further down.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35How long will it take you to make this trap?
0:41:35 > 0:41:37It takes about three hours to make a trap.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40You're very good with your hands. Who taught you?
0:41:40 > 0:41:46It's an old family trade that's been passed down generations, well, 500 years that we know of.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48And every family had their own design.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51There were slight differences, but they all work the same way.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Is it easy to do?- It's not too bad.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Do you want to have a go? You're welcome to have a go if you want.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06- Oh, I've got to, really. I can't just sit here and watch, can I? - There you go.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12Turn the trap so that when you're going round the outside it's always the one nearest to you.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- So, like that.- That's it.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18- Of course, yeah, under and over, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Under and over.
0:42:21 > 0:42:28- So, were these eels caught just for eating?- No, they used to use the skins a lot for making clothing,
0:42:28 > 0:42:33footwear, because they couldn't afford silver and gold and, well, eel was their gold. They used to...
0:42:33 > 0:42:36- I've come to the end there. - They used to
0:42:36 > 0:42:41dry the skins out and cut them, plait them and make wedding rings.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Even today they still make clothing out of eel skin.
0:42:43 > 0:42:48- Do they?- Yeah. You can get shoes and things like that made of it. - Tough old things, aren't they?
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Very, very strong leather when it dries, yeah. Very strong.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55And this is a tradition that hasn't changed for 200, 300 years?
0:42:55 > 0:43:01- Well, I was told by an archaeologist that they haven't changed for 5,000 years.- Wow!
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- If something works why change it?- Exactly.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07Look at that. That's one that's finished, is it, there?
0:43:07 > 0:43:09- Yeah.- Can I have a look?
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- So, do you try and make two or three on the go all at once?- Yes, yeah.
0:43:13 > 0:43:18- It stops the boredom, then.- It would get boring, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:43:19 > 0:43:25That's incredible. Fantastic use of local resources and that's what it's all about, really.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29Well, I'll leave you to set some traps and I'm going to catch up with you later.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32OK, see you later.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41Peter usually sets his traps in the evening.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Bait may be live worms, fish or dead animals.
0:43:44 > 0:43:50Eels are a bloodthirsty fish and love nothing more than a good bit of roadkill.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53The eel season lasts from March until October.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11Well, we're filming this coming towards the end of the eel season,
0:44:11 > 0:44:14so it's going to be touch and go whether we catch any.
0:44:14 > 0:44:18And I can hear Peter coming now in his little boat, so I'm going to climb aboard,
0:44:18 > 0:44:20have a chat to him and see what he's got.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30Perfect day for this, Peter.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34- Beautiful, isn't it? - Yeah, and we've got the water to ourselves, as well.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46So, eels have quite an incredible life history.
0:44:46 > 0:44:52Yeah, they start off in the Sargasso Sea, which is about 4,000 miles away near New Mexico,
0:44:52 > 0:44:58and they start off as tiny little flatfish, they look like little willow leaves,
0:44:58 > 0:45:02and they drift across on the currents in their millions
0:45:02 > 0:45:06and when they get here they come up round the coastline.
0:45:06 > 0:45:07They'll then come up on to the Fen.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11They'll live here 20, 30 years, nobody really knows,
0:45:11 > 0:45:16and then they make the six year trip back again where they lay their eggs and die. They're fantastic.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18And what sort of life span is that?
0:45:18 > 0:45:23They think 20 years, but there were two eels caught at Wisbech which were over six foot in length
0:45:23 > 0:45:29and weighed in at 28 pounds and they reckon there must have been on the Fen a good 80 years to get that big.
0:45:37 > 0:45:39The first trap is just here.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41- Ah.- Now you can see it.
0:45:41 > 0:45:46- I can see it now.- So, we just go beyond it.- So, you put this one in last night?
0:45:46 > 0:45:49- Yeah.- Shall I grab this?
0:45:52 > 0:45:54- Here she comes.- There you go.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03No, nothing. Shall we try another one, then?
0:46:03 > 0:46:04Yeah, let's try another one.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15- No.- Got anything? - No, nothing in there.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17The traps are very quiet today.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19No luck again.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22It looks as though we're not going to have any luck today,
0:46:22 > 0:46:25so we've gone back to a trap where one was caught earlier.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27- Is there one in there? - We've got one in here.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30I think you can see him right at the bottom.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34Oh, yeah, I can. Yes, I can. That's quite big, isn't it?
0:46:34 > 0:46:37It's a nice-sized one. Not one of the biggest.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42And how much is one eel worth, then?
0:46:42 > 0:46:48- Oh, it's all done on weight.- It's just in weight, is it?- Yeah, it's about £4.50 a pound for eels.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50What about eel stocks, are they declining?
0:46:50 > 0:46:53Massively, especially since the '80s.
0:46:53 > 0:46:55- Why's that?- Several reasons.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59On the Fen especially, we noticed, when they changed the sluice gates,
0:46:59 > 0:47:01- they took the wooden one's out... - Yes.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05- ..which used to let the little elvers through, and put metal in.- Which is kind of watertight in a way.
0:47:05 > 0:47:09- Yeah. And because eels couldn't get through any more...- Oh, gosh.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12What sort of decline was there in stocks?
0:47:12 > 0:47:14They say about 95%.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16Ooh, that's a lot, isn't it?
0:47:16 > 0:47:18- It is, yeah.- That would affect your livelihood a lot.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20Oh, it's made a big difference.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24Some days we don't get anything in the traps now, where years gone by
0:47:24 > 0:47:27you couldn't pull a trap out with them being full of eels.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32Happily, new ramps are being installed to allow the elvers through.
0:47:32 > 0:47:38That's surely good news, as this ancient industry is an important part of the character of the Fens
0:47:38 > 0:47:43and it would be tragic indeed to imagine Ely without its eels.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52We've returned for the auction.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54Fingers crossed for all our lots today.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56Here's a quick reminder of them.
0:47:57 > 0:48:02This phonograph is in excellent condition, and David's DIY repair,
0:48:02 > 0:48:05with its gold watch chain, is a bonus.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07I tied an old bit of wire on there last night
0:48:07 > 0:48:11and the wife said you cannot take that to Flog It! with a bit of wire,
0:48:11 > 0:48:13- get a chain. - Well, may I say congratulations.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16You've considerably added to the value of it.
0:48:16 > 0:48:20Kate says this gold charm bracelet is not her style.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24Dad Graham's happy to donate the proceeds to her bank account.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27And we've got Rupert's collection of silver cutlery.
0:48:27 > 0:48:32Further investigations suggest it might have belonged to a member of the Russian royal family.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35There's no way to prove its provenance
0:48:35 > 0:48:38but auction valuer, Kate Bateman, has had interest.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42Kate, this silver caused a real stir at the valuation day.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44Charlie fell in love with it.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47It belongs to Rupert and it's been in his family since 1912.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50His great-great-grandfather bought it in Russia.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53And I know Rupert's quite excited about this.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56The scrap value, alone, has got to be £1,200, surely.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00You would think so. And it's a lovely story if we can prove the background of it.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02I mean, it's got tantalising clues.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06There is this Russian emigres selling off the family silver.
0:49:06 > 0:49:10It would be lovely to think that it is part of that Romanov dynasty
0:49:10 > 0:49:15and this KP is really exciting because it could be somebody called Konstantinovich,
0:49:15 > 0:49:19whose penname, as a writer, was KP, if you translate it from the Cyrillic.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22- You've obviously done a lot of research here, Kate.- We have.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24Marchek is still going, so we contacted them
0:49:24 > 0:49:27and they got quite interested and said there's no record of this
0:49:27 > 0:49:30but they fled the revolution themselves, and moved to Paris,
0:49:30 > 0:49:32so they lost quite a lot of their records.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34It's solid silver. It was made for somebody who had some money
0:49:34 > 0:49:37and who was fairly influential and liked to show off their wealth.
0:49:37 > 0:49:43Whether or not that was somebody connected to the royal family is very hard to prove.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45What have you raised the estimate to now?
0:49:45 > 0:49:48We've changed it slightly so we've put it from £800 to £1,500 as a fixed reserve,
0:49:48 > 0:49:53because it's worth that for silver, silver's going up at the moment anyway, like gold.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55If it catches somebody's imagination...
0:49:55 > 0:49:58hopefully, two Russians that really want their silver back again.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02- I was about to ask you, has there been interest from Russia? - Yeah, there has.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05All over the place because the collectors of silver like Faberge
0:50:05 > 0:50:08and there's not that much to go round, so this is one of the next best things.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11- Any phone lines booked? - I think we've got a couple.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14- I can't wait to watch these go under the hammer.- I have no idea.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16It's all down to you, Kate. Well, that's what auctions are about.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20That's why they're so perfect, really. You don't know what's going to happen.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23But stay tuned and you can find out.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26First up, it's that 100-year-old phonograph.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29I've just been joined by Ann and David in the nick of time.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33It's packed in here. You can't actually get through the door any more.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35Hopefully, we're going to be in for a good result.
0:50:35 > 0:50:40- Going under the hammer right now is the Edison gramophone with original rolls and the horn.- Yes.
0:50:40 > 0:50:44And that's great, as well, because it makes it complete. Why do you want to sell it, though?
0:50:44 > 0:50:47I don't particularly want to now, but it's too late.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51Charlie's twisted your arm. He's our expert. That's a sign of a good auctioneer.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53- I've got quite a few reptiles and orchids.- Have you?
0:50:53 > 0:50:56- And with the electric costs, it's a large building.- Right.
0:50:56 > 0:51:00So we need to get some money for the electricity, don't we, basically.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03Hopefully, we'll hit that £200 target because it is complete.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07And you must have been so over the moon when you saw it, completely original.
0:51:07 > 0:51:13I was. I was surprised. I think for every 20 phonographs you see, only one's got a horn, probably every 50.
0:51:13 > 0:51:17- Yeah. Yeah.- And the great thing is, the horn needs holding up
0:51:17 > 0:51:22and what he's done, he's found an 18-carat gold watch chain to hold it up with.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24And that's still there, isn't it?
0:51:24 > 0:51:27That's probably going to add £20, £30...
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Sounds like a come and buy me. It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33An Edison Gem phonograph with all the bits and pieces to it.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37Interesting little lot, this. Start at £100. Straight in. 100.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40100, I'm bid. 100. 110. 120.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44130. 140. 150. 160. 170.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47180. 190. 200. 210. 220. 230.
0:51:47 > 0:51:52240. 250. 260. 270. 280. 290. 300.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54- Fantastic. Fantastic.- 320. 330.
0:51:54 > 0:51:55We're making sweet music, now.
0:51:55 > 0:52:00350. 360. 370. At 370.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02You in on the phones?
0:52:02 > 0:52:05At 370. 380. Back at 380.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07At £380. I sell at the very back.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09We had a rhythm going there.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12- Wonderful stuff. - You're all out down here.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14- Yes.- Yeah.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17- Thank you.- That's superb.- Yes.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20- Thank you very much.- It's a pleasure.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23Ann, there is commission to pay, don't forget, you two.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25That's how they earn their wages, here.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29- There's still collection there.- Yes. - That's incredible, isn't it.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31- It is. Wonderful. - Reptiles will be happy.
0:52:31 > 0:52:33They certainly will. They'll be too hot.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36200 to start. At 200 now.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43- Graham and Kate, it's great to see you again.- Thank you.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46Going under the hammer right now we've got a charm bracelet.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51It's a mixture of things going on there. It's been in the family a long time. Why are you selling this?
0:52:51 > 0:52:55Well, it was my mother's and when she passed away, it was given to Kate.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58She's not very keen on it, to be honest with you.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00It's not very fashionable.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03- You wouldn't want to wear it. - No.- It is a collectable.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05There's a lot of people out there that collect these charms.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07Obviously, your mum did over the years.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09- Yeah. - And it's a lovely little collection.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11Hopefully, we'll get that sort of high 300.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13- I'm hoping so.- Maybe £400.
0:53:13 > 0:53:17- Even since the valuation day, the market for gold has continued to strengthen.- Shot up.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20I've got to hope that we do very well on this.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23Good news, isn't it? It's the right time to sell precious metals.
0:53:23 > 0:53:27- I'm sure it is.- As Elizabeth said, gold and silver is right up there.
0:53:27 > 0:53:31Charm bracelet. Gold one. Showing there. 300. 320. 350. 380.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34380. 400. 420. 450.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36This side of 450. 480.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40500. 520. I have 520, in the doorway.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44At £520. Sell in the doorway, then. Done at 520.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47- That was quick. That was short and sweet.- That was good.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50- £520. Who's getting all the money? - I am.- Kate.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53- What are you going to do with it? - Put it towards a new car.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56- Well...- Saving up.- Yeah.- Yeah. - Good for you. Good for you.
0:53:56 > 0:53:58- Well done.- Thank you. - Thank you for coming in.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02- That was a great result. - Yes. I was really pleased with that. Excellent all round.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05At last, that collection of silver
0:54:05 > 0:54:09and Rupert's now so sure of the Russian royal connection,
0:54:09 > 0:54:13he's taking the risk of raising the reserve to £3,000.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16Well, this is the one we've all been waiting for.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20I've just been joined by Rupert and Charlie, our expert. It's the Russian silver.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22There's a lot of it. It's going under the hammer.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24Charlie originally put £800-£1,200 on this.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27Why do you want to sell this now at this stage?
0:54:27 > 0:54:31Well, really, it's for my mother's benefit because, now she's in her 90s,
0:54:31 > 0:54:35I want to make her life more comfortable at home so I want to get a few things sorted out there.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39- Good for you. OK. Well, that's a good start, isn't it? - Yeah.- It's a good start.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43Charlie, you've done lots of homework and research. Tell us what you've come up with.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46- The more research I do, the less I know.- Well, yes.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49- That's the trouble.- That's the name of the game, isn't it, though?
0:54:49 > 0:54:50It is Marchek.
0:54:50 > 0:54:54Possibly it's retail by Marchek rather than made by Marchek,
0:54:54 > 0:54:56so it's very easy to get too excited about this lot.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59And it's not a complete set either, is it?
0:54:59 > 0:55:02- No, but it's pretty well close to it.- OK.- I mean, it's not far away.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05No. And we've got a new reserve now of £3,000, which is fixed.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08- Yeah.- So you're happy with that, aren't you?
0:55:08 > 0:55:11And we're hoping for three to four in the room, somewhere around there.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13- Praying.- Praying. Well, you never know, do you?
0:55:13 > 0:55:15Hey, you never know. This is auction, you know.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18Anything can happen in an auction. You're about to find out.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21I have a phone bid on this. It's the Russian silver cutlery service.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23Very interesting service, this.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26Got a nice little story to it, as described in the catalogue.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28Let's start at £1,000.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30Straight in. 1,100, here.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32At 1,100. 1,200.
0:55:32 > 0:55:341,300. 1,400.
0:55:34 > 0:55:39- Good. Go on. Go on.- 16. 17.- Halfway.
0:55:39 > 0:55:4318. 19. 2,000? 2,000. 2,100.
0:55:43 > 0:55:472,200. 2,300. 2,400.
0:55:47 > 0:55:512,500. 2,600. 2,700.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54- Nearly there.- 2,800. 2,900.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56- 3,000.- We've done it.
0:55:56 > 0:56:003,000 now. The bid's seated on the phone. At £3,000. 3,100.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- 3,200. 3,300.- This is good.
0:56:03 > 0:56:073,400. 3,500. 3,600.
0:56:07 > 0:56:093,600 on the phone. 3,600.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11It goes on the phone, then. You're bidding 3,700.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13- New money. At 3,700.- Oh, great.
0:56:13 > 0:56:153,800. 3,900.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18- This is great.- 4,000.
0:56:18 > 0:56:194,100. 4,200.
0:56:19 > 0:56:24- Rupert, how are you feeling? - Better now.- Better now. Yeah.
0:56:24 > 0:56:264,400. 4,500. 4,600.
0:56:26 > 0:56:284,700. 4,800.
0:56:28 > 0:56:314,900. 5,000.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34- My valuation was wrong.- 5,100.
0:56:34 > 0:56:375,200. 5,300. 5,400.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40- 6,000.- At £6,000.
0:56:40 > 0:56:436,100. Any number you like, madam. As big as you like.
0:56:43 > 0:56:466,100.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48- 6,500.- 6,500.
0:56:48 > 0:56:506,600 if you want, on the phone.
0:56:50 > 0:56:526,500, it's in the room.
0:56:52 > 0:56:556,600. Down here at 6,600.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59At 6,600... Oh, come on, you're being really bold.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Don't lose it now. 6,600.
0:57:01 > 0:57:046,700.
0:57:04 > 0:57:066,800.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08These were the real McCoy.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10- 7,000.- 7,000.
0:57:10 > 0:57:137,100. At 7,100 down here.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17£7,100. Now, I'm shaking.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19Rupert, this is fantastic.
0:57:19 > 0:57:227,150. 7,200.
0:57:22 > 0:57:237,200.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26- At 7,200. You sure you're finished?- Yeah.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28Cracking result.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31One last chance to think about it, madam.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34At £7,200 on the phone. Done at 7,200.
0:57:34 > 0:57:367,500.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40Unbelievable. 7,500. Rupert.
0:57:40 > 0:57:44At 7,500. 7,600.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46Down here at 7,600.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49This is what auctions are all about...when it goes like this.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51You just can't beat it. Incredible tension.
0:57:51 > 0:57:537,700.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56Goes then at £7,600.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59Yes. £7,600.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Thank you very much, indeed. Thank you.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04Put it there. Put it there. Well done.
0:58:04 > 0:58:05Well done. Charlie.
0:58:05 > 0:58:09We said there was going to be a few surprises.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11I hope you enjoyed that.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13Well, there's nothing more we can say, is there?
0:58:13 > 0:58:18That's what auctions are all about. When it goes like that, it's the best thing in the world.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:58:20 > 0:58:23Rupert, you've got a lot of money there. Enjoy it, won't you?
0:58:23 > 0:58:25- My mother will. - She will. Look after her.
0:58:25 > 0:58:27See you very soon for plenty more surprises on Flog It!
0:58:27 > 0:58:28Goodbye from Stamford.
0:58:33 > 0:58:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:36 > 0:58:39E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk