Melksham Flog It!


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Over the years, the people of this town have

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turned their hands too many trades - dealing in wool, delivering milk and making money out of old rope.

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Today, it's all about the antique business.

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Welcome to Flog It! From Melksham in rural Wiltshire.

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It was back in the beginning of the 19th century when Melksham witnessed

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its most ambitious money-making scheme - the attempt to turn it into a spa town to rival nearby Bath.

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Springs rich in iron and saline were discovered and it was believed that

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the worst tasting the water was, the better it was for you.

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Apparently Melksham's was even fouler tasting than most.

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The scheme failed when a day out to the seaside became a lot more favourable,

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but these Regency townhouses are a reminder of that spa project, and they are gorgeous buildings.

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Our venue is the Assembly Hall and our experts taking the plunge are Mr Philip Serrell and David Barby.

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Let's hope the good people of Melksham succeed in the business of turning antiques into cash.

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Philip's first to take a dip with two unusual decanters.

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-Chris and Bob, how are you both doing?

-Fine, thank you.

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It isn't really a great deal of use bringing me these at this time of the day, empty.

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-Should we go home and fill them for him?

-What normally sits in them?

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-At our house, nothing.

-How did you come by them?

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Got them from my parents.

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How they got them, I don't know. We believe that my father bought them, but that's all.

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-Was he a collector?

-No, not at all.

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-How long have they been in your possession?

-Three years.

-So you don't like them?

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They live in a bedroom on a ledge under the dressing table and you don't see them.

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My parents had two types of sherry in there,

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but we are not sherry drinkers, except at Christmas, and it stays in the bottle.

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-Excuse me, a big bottle.

-It's not that big a bottle.

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-I think port would sit in the one, and...

-Sherry in the other.

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-A good malt whisky in the other. Do you how to clean these?

-No, I don't.

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-You get a shotgun cartridge from someone who shoots.

-Don't know anybody, do you?

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And you cut the end of and take the lead shot out, and then just

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drop them in a water solution with soap, and just keep swirling them round and round.

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-It will clean the glass.

-I'd never have thought of using that for a cleaning agent.

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-Trust me, lead shot does the trick.

-Don't know of anybody who does that.

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These are little decanters and we've got a silver collar here that is hallmarked in London, 1905.

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The maker's mark is William Hutton.

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I just think they are really good things. Not hugely valuable.

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A lot of people don't use decanters today, whether it's because

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the contents don't stay in there for long enough...

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Or they don't get too many visitors.

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I think we can put a real good estimate on these of 60 to £90 for the pair.

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We will put a fixed reserve on them of 50.

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If you have a good day at the office, they could make a couple hundred of

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-pounds, but we got to pitch them at the right money. What do you reckon?

-Fine.

-That sounds fine to me.

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I'm rather surprised that you haven't got family photographs in these.

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Edwardian ladies wearing big hats or something like that. Are they family pieces?

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-Yes, they came from an old relation of mine.

-Right.

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And I've never used them.

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And I think they've been little used in the past, because looking

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at the back, the wood

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is incredibly new. There's no indication of polishing fingers,

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where you would carry the polish onto the back, or any rag marks.

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They are brand spanking new, except the date marks will tell me they are not.

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-They all date from the early part of the 20th century.

-They do, yeah?

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What's extraordinary, we've got two contrasts of style.

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This very ornate one here with lots of scrolls and birds

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is in a style that we call Rococo revival.

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It's very ornate, and scroll work would enhance the image beautifully.

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And then round about the latter part of the 19th century, there was a

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new style of art called Art Nouveau, which is French for new art.

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This one here, the square one, is in that new style.

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What I like about this is the way that they've used plant forms here, the iris, and then they have

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created a sort of wave line, as though ripples in a stream, interlacing all the way through.

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So these are beautiful examples of simple silversmithing.

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-When I say simple, because they've been press moulded and could do as many as, say 100 an hour.

-Right.

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They are so collectible, that now you can get copies made

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as far afield as Mexico and China.

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-Right.

-But these are pure English examples, dating from the early part of the 20th century.

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And I would reckon that they're going to sell for £40 to £50 each.

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But we'll sell them together. A lovely contrast. If you'd be happy, we'll put a reserve of £60 on them,

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-and hopefully get 80 to 100.

-That would be fine.

-You would be quite happy?

-I would, thank you.

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It's not a lot of money, but do you have it set-aside? You brought these into sell.

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Not really, I shall just go out and spend it.

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-That's a good idea, on something you really want.

-It is, yeah.

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-I shall offer to go shopping with you.

-Thank you, I'll take you up on that.

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I've just joined the crowd and it's Guess What It Is time, because look what I've found.

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What do you think that is?

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It's made of galvanised pressed steel,

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it's coopered with a bit of brass ring there,

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any ideas?

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Let's ask someone in the crowd. What do you think?

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Town crier, ring out the bell.

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-I like it. Sir, any ideas?

-I couldn't bet on an answer.

-Haven't got a clue.

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-How about this side?

-A candle.

-You think a candle could go in there?

-The other way up.

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-Any idea?

-I thought it was a medieval torch.

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It could be.

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Carrying it through the streets.

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I can tell you what it is, as soon as Philip has done this valuation.

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-Nancy, how are you?

-Fine, thank you.

-What's a young girl like you doing in a place like this?

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-It's the best place to be.

-Why's that?

-Something going on, isn't it?

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-I even missed church to be here.

-You missed church? Goodness me.

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-Do you miss church often?

-No.

-Good.

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-Are you an avid collector?

-Yes, I am.

-Sovereigns?

-I love the sovereigns.

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-Why?

-Because I'm adopted, I have no history of my own and I love the history of them.

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There's not too much you can say about them. You tell me, because you know all about them.

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-I'm going to listen to you.

-You tell me. I know there are four reigns there.

-Yes, we've got Victoria,

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we've got Edward, we've got George and we've got dear Elizabeth.

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Yes. I love the Royal Family.

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Are you a big royal fan?

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-A big royal fan.

-The value of these things is totally governed by the price of gold bullion.

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-Because they are pure gold, aren't they?

-Yes.

-You've got them mounted

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but these mounts don't deface the coin, because a lot of people solder little hoops onto them.

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-Awful, yes.

-Yeah. So you've got these four, what do you think they are worth?

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-I don't know.

-Gold's good at the minute.

-Gold's good at the moment, that's why I brought them.

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Well, I think that we can put an auction estimate on them of £300 to £400.

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-Lovely.

-And we'll put a fixed reserve of £250.

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Right.

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So, if you go and sell those for £300, what would you spend the money on?

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Well, my granddaughter is 18 next week so we are thinking of a champagne supper at the local hotel,

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and then driving lessons and perhaps university.

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I hope they make more than £300 to £400!

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-I know!

-I think you're gonna be a very interesting lady to talk to at the auction.

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-Thank you.

-Well done, Nancy.

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Thank you very much.

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-Ooh.

-There we are.

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Well, here we are. Have you guessed?

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Some of you probably have.

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You offer it up to an apple or a pear,

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it's on a long pole, so you can get the really high ones.

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You drop the apple in there, the stalk is resting over the edge and you twist.

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It's a fruit catcher and it catches the apple or the pear.

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I love it. How crazy is that?

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Judith, you don't like silver and you don't like cleaning, do you?

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I don't like cleaning, no.

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I can tell from the condition of these absolutely delicious spoons.

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Where did they come from and why did you hold on to them if you don't like silver?

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They were from my uncle who died about four years ago.

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They've been in my cupboard ever since.

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And you've never felt inclined to use them for dessert or strawberries?

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No.

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Well, these are quite attractive.

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Why I like them is because of this finial at the top of each spoon.

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They are interlaced, very much in a sort of Celtic design.

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This design was prevalent at the beginning of the 20th century,

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so you often see this incorporated into silver work of that particular period.

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We call them Art Nouveau, other people might say, "They are very much in the arts and crafts style."

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The two became almost linked at that particular time.

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Because of those designs, it puts them into a different class.

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If it was a normal set of teaspoons, probably £30 to £40.

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This just shoves them up into a price range around about £80 to £100.

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-Oh, right.

-Hopefully more.

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Now, they're going up to auction and I think the auctioneer might say,

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well, I'd like a reserve of £80 with discretion.

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That means he has 10% discretion.

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-Would she be happy at that sort of level?

-Yeah, definitely.

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I shall be delighted if these go up for sale and if we get the top end of the estimate.

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-Brilliant.

-Thank you very much for bringing them along.

-Thank you.

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The good people of Melksham have brought in some great items

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and we'll be uncovering some more little gems later.

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-I think we've got the oldest things here today in the room.

-Really?

-Yes!

-It glimmers.

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It shimmers. This is brilliant, it's like a jewel.

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But before all that, we're heading just east of Melksham to Devizes,

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where Henry Aldridge and Son Auctioneers will be our host today.

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It'll be father and son Alan and Andrew who'll be wielding the gavel, let's catch up with Alan

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and see what he has to say about one of our lots.

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Here is lot 401, Nancy's gold sovereigns.

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Philip has put a value of £300 to £400 on the whole lot.

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She's selling them because the money is going towards her granddaughter's 18th birthday,

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and the rest for some driving lessons.

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-Hopefully, we'll get her on the road.

-I know Nancy.

-Do you?

-Yeah, she's a lovely lady.

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I would agree with what Philip has said. Right on the money.

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Gold at the moment is very strong.

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People buying it purely for investment, to put it away. I've changed them slightly.

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What have you done?

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I've split them, and the reason I've split them is these three are just purely investment gold weight.

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But I think this one has got a lovely chain, so it's a very pretty thing, and

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I think that some gentleman is going to buy it for his lady, or some lady is going to buy it for herself.

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-You can wear that one?

-It will push it up slightly.

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If we get that to work we'll get a 25, maybe 50% premium

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on top of the sovereign price, so hopefully we are talking £150.

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-I see what you're doing, well worth doing, then?

-Hopefully, yes.

-We're gonna find out in a moment.

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Will splitting the sovereigns be the right move?

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Here's a reminder of the other items we're selling.

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Bob and Chris brought in some decanters but Philip wasn't impressed.

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It isn't really a great deal of use bringing me these at this time of the day, empty.

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David's convinced Joan's picture frames will appeal to the room.

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They are so collectible,

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that now you can get copies made as far afield as Mexico and China.

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And Judith's keen to get rid of her spoons.

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You don't like silver and you don't like cleaning, do you?

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I don't like cleaning, no.

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So, will our items cause a stir in the auction room?

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First to go under the hammer are the decanters.

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We've got the glass decanters, we've got Robert, but where's his wife?

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She's a care assistant, she's had to go to a client.

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-She can't make it today?

-She's been here, she's had to disappear off and she's coming back to collect me.

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We've got our expert Philip here.

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Glass decanters. £60, 70, 80 maybe?

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I'd like to own these and pay that for them, and that's the best way of valuing something.

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-They're a nice thing.

-Do it from the heart.

-Yeah.

-So hopefully, 100 plus.

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-Because I'm mean.

-We'll see what gives.

-Fingers crossed, they are going under the hammer.

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233, a very pretty pair of shaped decanters with silver collars.

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it should be somewhere around about £100, this pair.

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80 to start me.

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50 to get me away, then. OK.

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I'll be kind, 30 quid.

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30, I've got. 35, 40, 5, 50, 5, 60.

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-55.

-I'll lend them a fiver.

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60, anywhere else? At 55, they've got silver collars.

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60, she's back. 65?

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At £60. £60, it is.

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65, quickly? At £60, am I done?

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He sold them.

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It is a struggle, but that's the market at the minute, isn't it?

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-They are a bit yesterday's antiques.

-Yeah, fashion dictates market rates right now, that's the problem.

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-Whatever we got, I'm not disappointed.

-It's a shame cos they are quality.

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-But they've gone, and you wanted to sell them.

-That's the way it goes.

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-I hope Christine won't be too disappointed.

-No, I don't think so.

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She basically wasn't interested in the price.

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Sell them and...whatever we get.

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-I guess that's the spirit, really.

-Absolutely.

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I like that. He's good, this boy, you know.

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-Right now Joan is in the frame with two silver picture frames. I like these, Joan.

-You do?

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I do. Why are you selling them?

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Erm, I don't want them any more, I'm fed up with cleaning them.

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-And someone told me you wanted to go shopping.

-Yeah.

-What are you going to spend your money on?

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-I shall put it towards a new television.

-It depends how much money we get.

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-The Art Nouveau one...

-Is gorgeous.

-..is gorgeous.

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I love the contrast with that ornate one of the Edwardian period.

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-They should do quite well, I hope.

-But they're here to go at that price.

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They're going under the hammer now.

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And next a nice little piece of silver,

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two pretty piccie frames, one of them arts and crafts,

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the other just standard, but both very pretty.

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100 to start me. 60 to get my away.

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60, I've got, 60, I've got, 70. 70?

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80. 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140...

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Oh, this is more like it, Joan?

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180, 190... 200.

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At 190, at 190, at 190, at 190 I'm going...

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-Yes!

-190, that's good, isn't it?

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£190! When the bidding got going then, it was great,

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-it was going very quickly, but those sticky patches get you worried, don't they?

-They do, yeah.

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-It's when it plunges down, and you're up again like that.

-That was a bit of fun, wasn't it?

-Thank you.

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It's nearly time, the spoons are going under the hammer.

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-Is this your first auction?

-Yeah, it is.

-Really? And yours, Alison?

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

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-Exciting.

-It's a great day, isn't it?

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There's lots to see, lots of fun. Has Mum bought anything?

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-No.

-You haven't had your eye on anything. We're here to sell!

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-Definitely not buying, cos you've got four children and they all want to go shopping.

-They do.

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So we need top money, David.

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-Ooh! Right.

-Six spoons.

-Silver's doing very well today.

-Yes.

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-The saving grace is they've got wonderful twisted sort of...

-Art Nouveauy.

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Yeah, Celtic-style finials.

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They are very nice.

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-Why are you selling them?

-We won't use them, to tell you the truth.

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They've been stuck in a cupboard, so we'd like the money instead.

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At least they're a complete set, and they're here to go right now. Good luck, you two.

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The set of teaspoons in the arts and crafts manner.

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Very pretty.

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Start me at £90, then.

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£90, get me away.

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60. Right, 60, I've got.

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-70, 80, 5, 90, 5...

-They've sold.

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At £90 on my left, £90.

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Is there five anywhere else quickly? At £90...

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-Spot-on estimate.

-Yes.

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Well done. £90 to go shopping with!

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-There's a commission, so you'll lose a bit. But that's good news, isn't it?

-Great.

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Nancy, it's good to see you. Your four gold sovereigns are going under the hammer.

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Now, I know your son Roger, cos he's got a record shop in Marlborough where I buy my CDs from.

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Are you flogging Roger's inheritance?

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No, it's going to his daughter.

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-Is it?

-For her insurance for a car.

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She's just passed her driving test, and she's there.

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I had a chat to the auctioneer earlier, and Philip

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doesn't know this yet, but he's split the lots.

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The sovereign with the chain he's selling as a separate lot

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cos he feels it's an independent thing, you might get £30 or £40 more.

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I hope it gets a bit more.

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I hope it gets a bit more as well.

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But precious metal is where the money's going right now, everybody's investing in it.

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Great time to sell, so good on you, Nancy, OK? They're going under the hammer now.

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Lot 401, sovereigns.

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We have, in the first lot, two sovereigns and a half sovereign.

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Let's have £300 for these three.

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250 to get me away.

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Two I've got, thank you.

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210, 220, 230, 240.

0:20:070:20:10

250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310...

0:20:100:20:17

310, 320. At 310, 310. 312?!

0:20:170:20:23

314? At £312. £312, am I done?

0:20:230:20:31

Great result. Funny figure, but it was £312 and the hammer went down.

0:20:310:20:36

Again, a very nice sovereign,

0:20:360:20:40

set on a beautiful chain.

0:20:400:20:43

I think this one should be a couple of hundred pounds. Couple of hundred?

0:20:430:20:45

150 to start me?

0:20:450:20:48

150 I have, straight in at 150.

0:20:480:20:51

150, 160. 170, 180. 190, 200.

0:20:510:20:55

Oh, this is going well, £200.

0:20:550:20:58

215, 220,

0:20:580:21:00

225, 230. 240, 245?

0:21:000:21:06

250, 260.

0:21:060:21:08

At 250, the gentleman in the middle.

0:21:080:21:11

At 250. At 250 am I done?

0:21:110:21:15

Well, do know something, Nancy, I make that a grand total of £562.

0:21:150:21:20

Wonderful, wonderful!

0:21:200:21:22

-Thank you so much.

-Oh, that's OK, thank you for bringing them in.

-It's been great fun.

0:21:220:21:27

It's my "Sit down and have a cup of tea" time, Flog It.

0:21:270:21:30

-I think you deserve it. Oh, you watch Flog It with a cup of tea.

-Every day.

0:21:300:21:35

-We've had a great result, but will our luck continue?

-50...

0:21:350:21:40

Oh, my goodness.

0:21:400:21:42

I'm tingling, are you?

0:21:420:21:44

But whilst I'm in Wiltshire, I can't resist popping down the road

0:21:440:21:48

to catch up with some unusual local celebrities.

0:21:480:21:51

Dating back to the 11th century, Devizes is filled with history from

0:22:010:22:06

its medieval street plan, its Norman churches, Georgian architecture and of course the Kennet and Avon Canal.

0:22:060:22:12

All your fresh fruit and veg today for a pound!

0:22:150:22:18

At the heart of the town lies this imposing red-brick building,

0:22:180:22:21

home to Wadworth Brewery, and it's thanks to this family-run business that the streets of this quaint town

0:22:210:22:28

echo to the sound of a most picturesque tradition.

0:22:280:22:32

Dray horses. They get their name from the cart they pull, and they've served Wadworth for over 100 years.

0:22:320:22:38

They're amongst the last in a long history of working horses,

0:22:380:22:43

and over the centuries, horsepower has pulled barges along canals,

0:22:430:22:45

ploughs across fields and even been used down mines.

0:22:450:22:50

Despite their resurgence during the two wars,

0:22:500:22:54

the internal combustion engine put an end to horses in harnesses

0:22:540:22:58

in all but a very few places, like here in Devizes.

0:22:580:23:02

For Charles Bartholomew, the great-great nephew of the Wadworth founder, who's also the chairman

0:23:070:23:12

and current managing director, horses are still a very big part of the brewery's tradition.

0:23:120:23:18

Very pleased to meet you, thank you for taking time out to talk to us today.

0:23:180:23:22

Magnificent horses, aren't they?

0:23:220:23:24

-They are indeed.

-They really are.

0:23:240:23:27

How long has the brewery been using shire horses?

0:23:270:23:29

Well, we've been using shire horses all the time the brewery's been going.

0:23:290:23:34

We had a slight period in the late Sixties when we were down to one horse, but other than that

0:23:340:23:39

we've had horses forever, and then of course my father brought them back in

0:23:390:23:43

1971-72 properly to do the deliveries in the town.

0:23:430:23:47

And the town really lends itself to these horses, doesn't it?

0:23:470:23:50

I think it does, the streets are quite wide, it doesn't hold the traffic up too much,

0:23:500:23:54

although some people would say probably it does.

0:23:540:23:57

Well, I don't think so, it's a proper market town.

0:23:570:24:00

And I think people love them in Devizes.

0:24:000:24:03

They're VIPs, really, aren't they, in Devizes?

0:24:030:24:06

I like to think so, yeah - they're certainly more important than I am!

0:24:060:24:10

What makes a good shire? Let's just point out some of the attributes.

0:24:100:24:15

Obviously, strong legs, nice feathers.

0:24:150:24:17

Well, what we like is a nice compact horse with strong legs, good shoulders, a good head.

0:24:170:24:23

When you look at his head, do they have to have a slightly rounded forehead like that?

0:24:230:24:28

Cos it is quite round, it's like Andalucian, isn't it?

0:24:280:24:30

Well, I'm not so sure that's a sort of trait of shires.

0:24:300:24:35

-That's just Max, is it?

-Yeah, I mean it shows a bit of arrogance, doesn't it, that sort of rounded...

0:24:350:24:43

He's so beautiful, he really is.

0:24:430:24:46

Will this tradition last?

0:24:460:24:48

-Will it keep going?

-Yes, Paul, of course.

0:24:480:24:50

We're really keen,, I mean we like horses, the town likes horses,

0:24:500:24:55

and we'll absolutely keep it going.

0:24:550:24:57

We like traditional things, but we use them properly.

0:24:570:25:00

They deliver in the town as they used to pull the canal boats along and things like that,

0:25:000:25:05

so they're actually put to proper use, they're not just for show.

0:25:050:25:09

Well, they're fantastic.

0:25:090:25:10

I'm gonna take them out later, join the lads for a delivery.

0:25:100:25:14

Great, I hope you have a good day.

0:25:140:25:16

Thank you very much for talking to me.

0:25:160:25:19

Barry Petherick has been looking after the Wadworth dray horses for 20 years,

0:25:190:25:24

and he'll be showing me the ropes today.

0:25:240:25:26

Gosh, he's gorgeous! He's beautiful, look at the size of him.

0:25:290:25:33

-What is he, 19 hands?

-He's 18-1.

0:25:330:25:35

Cor, that's big, isn't it? How old is he?

0:25:350:25:37

He's six years old.

0:25:370:25:38

Oh, he's got a lovely temperament, hasn't he? Give us a kiss!

0:25:380:25:42

Oh, gosh! Right, I want to help, Barry, what can I do?

0:25:420:25:45

As long as it's not mucking out.

0:25:450:25:47

We've got a few barrels to shift.

0:25:470:25:50

-You can give us a hand with that if you like.

-Right, OK.

0:25:500:25:52

Each horse weighs approximately a tonne, and a team can pull up to two tonnes of weight.

0:26:000:26:05

Now, that's real horsepower.

0:26:050:26:06

Ready, Barry?

0:26:110:26:13

Tom, Max, walk on.

0:26:130:26:15

Well, here we are at the Castle.

0:26:290:26:32

-This is a convenient bit of courtyard, Barry.

-It is, yeah.

0:26:320:26:36

Do these horses always work in the same team, or do you swap them over?

0:26:360:26:39

We do swap them different pairs, but we find which ones go better together.

0:26:390:26:43

So you try and keep them together.

0:26:430:26:45

And also these two opened the show this year as a pair, so we work them as a pair as well.

0:26:450:26:51

What sort of reaction do you get?

0:26:510:26:53

We haven't met many people today, cos it's too busy.

0:26:530:26:56

There's always a lot of interest, especially with people that haven't seen them before.

0:26:560:26:59

Local people see it every day,

0:26:590:27:02

but you get people on holiday or new to the area, they can't believe that we're still delivering with horses.

0:27:020:27:07

You two must be familiar faces around the town, "There's Barry and Martin, wahey!"

0:27:070:27:12

Oh, well, look, this is our first drop, the Castle, so are we getting the metal ones off or the oak ones?

0:27:120:27:17

We'll get the metal ones off now, yeah.

0:27:170:27:19

Are you all ready?

0:27:220:27:25

This is empties coming out now.

0:27:340:27:35

Weather permitting, the horses deliver to pubs within a two-mile radius

0:27:380:27:43

every morning, five days a week, and they are given a two-week holiday every summer.

0:27:430:27:48

Now, that's a sight I'd really love to see,

0:27:480:27:50

but right now we've still got work to do.

0:27:500:27:54

It's the last drop of the day.

0:27:540:27:55

Barry?

0:28:080:28:09

It's a good job it's not this size, isn't it?

0:28:090:28:11

It is, Paul. It wouldn't do my back a lot of good, I don't think.

0:28:110:28:14

There's your last one, Barry. And I'm going to leave you and say goodbye now, shake your hand.

0:28:160:28:21

Many thanks to you and Martin for letting me join you on your round.

0:28:210:28:24

-You're welcome.

-It's been a real thrill.

0:28:240:28:26

I've actually delivered beer to a boozer in Devizes.

0:28:260:28:30

Well, one or two boozers, but I must thank Max and Tom,

0:28:300:28:34

these magnificent shire horses doing what they do best.

0:28:340:28:37

That's what they're bred for, and it's a tradition that's kept

0:28:370:28:40

well and truly alive here in Devizes, and long may it last.

0:28:400:28:45

We've already managed to find some great items at our valuation day in Melksham, but can we do any better?

0:28:560:29:03

Philip's hoping so with this painting.

0:29:030:29:06

Kathy, how are you? Are you well?

0:29:060:29:08

-I'm well, thank you.

-Excellent, excellent. So is this your painting?

0:29:080:29:11

-No, it belongs to my mother.

-And Mum doesn't want it any more?

0:29:110:29:13

No, she's downsizing with stuff in the house, so she thought she'd...

0:29:130:29:18

-She thought she'd flog it!

-She thought she would.

0:29:180:29:20

Right. And it's not your cup of tea?

0:29:200:29:22

I do like it, but I don't think I've got room for it.

0:29:220:29:24

And has it been in the family long?

0:29:240:29:26

No, she bought it about 18 years ago from a local charity shop because she liked it.

0:29:260:29:32

That's the best way to buy anything, isn't it?

0:29:320:29:35

I looked up Alfred Ward earlier.

0:29:350:29:38

I found out very little about this artist, other than that he was a Royal Academy artist.

0:29:380:29:42

-But I really, really... I like that a lot.

-Mmm.

0:29:420:29:46

Interestingly, 1900, 1920 period is quite in vogue at the moment.

0:29:460:29:51

One of the things that I really like about it, you've got the vibrancy of these flowers here,

0:29:510:29:56

which sort of reflect with this mass of green, and the dark storm clouds coming beyond.

0:29:560:30:03

I just think it's quite sweet.

0:30:030:30:05

I think at auction,

0:30:050:30:08

we could perhaps put a £200 to £400 estimate on it.

0:30:080:30:13

I think we ought to reserve it at £150. Would you be happy with that?

0:30:130:30:17

Or more importantly, would Mum be happy with that?

0:30:170:30:20

-She'd be happy with that.

-Now, she bought this 18 years ago?

0:30:200:30:23

-Yes.

-What did she pay for it?

0:30:230:30:25

£150.

0:30:250:30:29

So, 18 years later, she's going to let me sell it for what she paid for it?

0:30:290:30:35

-Yes.

-I think that's good, that demonstrates the real value of antiques.

0:30:350:30:39

Your mum has had 18 years of pleasure out of looking at this.

0:30:390:30:42

If she can sell it and get her money back, ownership has cost her nothing.

0:30:420:30:47

-Is Mum coming to the auction?

-Hopefully she will.

0:30:470:30:49

-So you and Mum will be there?

-Yes, and I think she'll be with me.

0:30:490:30:53

No pressure there, then. I hope it sells!

0:30:530:30:55

-Pat.

-Yes, David.

0:31:040:31:06

Are you a local girl?

0:31:060:31:08

I do live locally, but I was actually born in Birmingham.

0:31:080:31:13

And does this come from Birmingham as well?

0:31:130:31:16

Is this part of your family inheritance?

0:31:160:31:19

Well, it was actually my mother's.

0:31:190:31:21

She actually kept a pub in a place called Bishop's Castle in Shropshire.

0:31:210:31:26

There were two brothers that came to the pub.

0:31:260:31:30

The one brother passed away, and the other one went into a home.

0:31:300:31:34

There were several items that they actually left for my mum, and this was one of them.

0:31:340:31:40

This was a lovely gift. Do you not rate it?

0:31:400:31:43

-I don't very much. It's, I think, a little bit dull.

-A little bit dull?

0:31:430:31:47

I know you're going to disagree with that.

0:31:470:31:50

I'd say this is absolutely brilliant.

0:31:500:31:53

-It's like a jewel.

-You think so?

0:31:530:31:55

And I love this lustre decoration, which was perfected by Wedgwood.

0:31:550:31:59

This is a Wedgwood piece.

0:31:590:32:01

If you think in terms of the Fairyland lustre, which is the very expensive Lustre

0:32:010:32:05

with little goblins and fairies all over it, this is in the same tradition

0:32:050:32:09

but this is in the Chinese manner.

0:32:090:32:12

First of all, it glimmers.

0:32:120:32:14

It shimmers.

0:32:140:32:16

One expects that with anything exotic or Oriental.

0:32:160:32:20

We have this lovely dragon that's inside, this curling dragon,

0:32:200:32:24

based, of course, on Chinese designs.

0:32:240:32:27

The whole piece, I think, hangs together beautifully.

0:32:270:32:32

We have these lovely little sponge decorations of gilt,

0:32:320:32:37

which emphasize the gilt surround, and the actual dragon.

0:32:370:32:40

And the very fact that the dragon is not drawn in detail, it's almost

0:32:400:32:44

-in shadowy form, it's emerging from that sort of shimmering.

-Flows.

0:32:440:32:49

You want to sell this. What are we going to get for it at auction?

0:32:490:32:52

Lots of money!

0:32:520:32:54

I wish I could say lots of money.

0:32:540:32:55

We're looking at this piece as a decorative item of lustreware,

0:32:550:32:59

and I'd think at auction, and I'm going to give you

0:32:590:33:03

a wide margin, I'm going to think in terms of around £80 to £150.

0:33:030:33:09

-I think we should reserve it. Would you like that?

-Yes, definitely.

0:33:090:33:13

-Let's reserve it at £80, fixed.

-OK.

0:33:130:33:17

I'd hate to see it go below.

0:33:170:33:20

No, I wouldn't like it to go below that, either.

0:33:200:33:23

I'm sure there's going to be somebody at that auction

0:33:230:33:25

that's keen on ceramics and lustre decoration as much as I am.

0:33:250:33:29

-I'm just going to watch that go sky-high.

-Thank you very much.

0:33:290:33:32

-How are you?

-I'm fine, thank you.

0:33:400:33:42

-Is this a childhood memory?

-The memory is, the game's not.

0:33:420:33:47

-Is it not?

-No, I had a version when I was a child,

0:33:470:33:50

-went to a car-boot sale, saw this one for sale for £2, and snapped it up.

-£2? Why did you buy it?

0:33:500:33:55

Purely nostalgia. I remembered the game from when I was small.

0:33:550:33:59

-It reminded you of your youth?

-Yeah.

0:33:590:34:01

-So, how old is it, do you think?

-I think it's post Second World War.

0:34:010:34:06

-How do you know that?

-Because this version's got metal horses.

0:34:060:34:10

The version I had in the first game had plastic horses.

0:34:100:34:14

So we looked on the web and saw that there are those two versions and also a version with paper horses.

0:34:140:34:19

Who's the expert here, you or me?

0:34:190:34:21

I've no idea about its value. I suspect it's worth more than £2.

0:34:210:34:26

-Why?

-Because that's all I paid for it.

0:34:260:34:29

-You don't think it might be a faller at the first fence?

-Could be.

0:34:290:34:33

Well, I think it's a bit of fun.

0:34:330:34:35

It's by Waddingtons and Totopoly clearly was a successor to Monopoly.

0:34:350:34:40

We've got rules. The thing that got me when I was a kid, you'd open this at Christmas or your birthday...

0:34:400:34:45

-It was so complicated.

-Did you really want to start reading all this stuff?

0:34:450:34:49

Well, we started it, and then we just made up our own version.

0:34:490:34:52

-Really?

-Yeah, and I think that's probably why this version's in quite good condition.

0:34:520:34:57

-Too complex for kids.

-Yes.

0:34:570:34:59

That's a good game, isn't it? Too Complex For Kids.

0:34:590:35:01

So, you went to a car-boot sale?

0:35:010:35:05

You bought it for £2.

0:35:050:35:08

-That's right.

-How much do think it's worth now?

0:35:080:35:11

I think about £20.

0:35:110:35:13

I think, what we've got to do is go to an auction,

0:35:130:35:17

-and we got to put a reserve on it of...£10.

-That sounds fair.

0:35:170:35:23

I think if you're really, really lucky...you might get £30 for it.

0:35:230:35:30

-Great.

-But if you come in at 100-1 with a red hot winner, you might get 50 quid.

-I'll be amazed.

0:35:300:35:38

-Are you happy with that?

-Absolutely.

0:35:380:35:40

-Good girl. Let's get it sold!

-Wonderful. Thank you.

0:35:400:35:44

Jo, think you so much for bringing in three lovely wine bottles from the 18th century.

0:35:510:35:56

I think we've got the oldest things here today in the room.

0:35:560:35:58

-Really?

-Yes.

-I'm surprised.

0:35:580:36:01

Something for the purists.

0:36:010:36:02

So, tell me. How did you come across these?

0:36:020:36:05

They're part of my late husband's collection.

0:36:050:36:08

It was started by a friend of his called Bob Gee, who worked on the dredgers on the Avon River.

0:36:080:36:15

He sold part of his collection to my husband in the early 1970s.

0:36:150:36:21

And then your husband started collecting from there on?

0:36:210:36:24

Either from the river, or digging up middens,

0:36:240:36:28

old rubbish tips.

0:36:280:36:31

It makes sense that they're dredged up from the river. I tell you why,

0:36:310:36:34

because most inns and taverns would have been situated

0:36:340:36:40

along canals and rivers.

0:36:400:36:43

It was really the only means of transport, getting goods from A to B.

0:36:430:36:47

-Makes sense.

-And of course,

0:36:470:36:49

you're sitting there at the tavern with the river in front of you.

0:36:490:36:51

If you do if a few of those, you tend to chuck it in the river.

0:36:510:36:56

And it gets preserved in the mud.

0:36:560:36:58

I love them. I love the onion glass shape, typical. That's why they're called onion glass.

0:36:580:37:02

And that's all hand blown through a big metal rod.

0:37:020:37:08

There's a lot of discolouring from iron and silt.

0:37:080:37:11

It's obviously been lying in water, but doesn't it look beautiful?

0:37:110:37:16

I love the fact that it's lopsided.

0:37:160:37:19

You could never make these even, because they're all hand-made.

0:37:190:37:23

This one is of bell form.

0:37:230:37:25

That's an interesting shape as well. Typical of the 18th century.

0:37:250:37:30

Again, lots of discolouring, which I quite like.

0:37:300:37:32

There is a fair bit of damage at the top of the neck.

0:37:320:37:36

This one,

0:37:360:37:38

again this is early 18th century, and this one has its own seal.

0:37:380:37:43

That's something to look out for on any onion glass wine bottle.

0:37:430:37:47

The seal will put more value on it.

0:37:470:37:51

Especially if it's got a date.

0:37:510:37:53

This is definitely 18th century, but let's say if it had a date of 1785 or something,

0:37:530:38:00

that one bottle

0:38:000:38:02

would be worth around £600 to £800.

0:38:020:38:04

-Oh, right.

-So, it's a shame it doesn't have the date.

0:38:040:38:07

But it's stunning, that one.

0:38:070:38:09

I think that's a £200 bottle alone.

0:38:090:38:12

I would be happy to group them all together.

0:38:120:38:16

I know they'll do £300. I know that.

0:38:160:38:20

But in order to get that,

0:38:200:38:23

I'd like to put them into auction with a value of £250 to £350.

0:38:230:38:29

And a reserve at £250. I don't know how you feel about that.

0:38:290:38:32

I think I'd prefer it if the reserve was a little higher, say £300.

0:38:320:38:36

Would that work?

0:38:360:38:37

OK, let's put a fixed reserve on them then at £300, OK?

0:38:370:38:42

And hopefully, they'll do £100 more than that.

0:38:420:38:45

-That'll be nice.

-That would be nice, wouldn't it?

0:38:450:38:47

The top end of 300.

0:38:470:38:49

Jean, of all the silver items that have come through the door today,

0:38:540:38:58

these are the most exciting.

0:38:580:39:03

-And why on earth do you want to part with them?

-They're my brother's.

0:39:030:39:07

And he doesn't like them?

0:39:070:39:08

No. He doesn't want them.

0:39:080:39:10

These are by one of the most famous makers of the 20th century.

0:39:100:39:15

-Good grief.

-Georg Jensen,

0:39:150:39:19

silversmith, and these were

0:39:190:39:21

sold from his New Bond Street address in London.

0:39:210:39:25

-The design is called Cactus.

-Cactus.

-Because when you look at this design

0:39:250:39:31

it looks like a cactus plant, you know, one of the succulents,

0:39:310:39:36

and the actual silversmith that produced these is Gundorph Albertus,

0:39:360:39:42

and he produced these around about 1932.

0:39:420:39:47

Think in terms of the period.

0:39:470:39:48

These are all part and parcel of that exciting

0:39:480:39:52

movement between the two world wars, which we call the art deco.

0:39:520:39:58

-The value of these, have you any idea?

-Not a clue. Not a clue.

0:39:580:40:02

Because I don't think they've ever been used.

0:40:020:40:05

I don't think they have either. I've never known them be used.

0:40:050:40:08

There's no wear or tear or scratches or anything,

0:40:080:40:11

they're in perfect condition. And this does help

0:40:110:40:14

with regard to the price.

0:40:140:40:15

Plus it's got its original box.

0:40:150:40:17

-Mmm-hmm.

-Now I would like to see them do £120 to £150.

-Mmm-hmm.

0:40:170:40:23

If not a wee bit more because they are Georg Jensen.

0:40:230:40:27

We need to put a reserve on these.

0:40:270:40:29

-Uh-huh.

-And I'm going to suggest the reserve is round about £100.

-Right.

0:40:290:40:34

-Fixed.

-Fine, yeah.

0:40:340:40:35

Now, you're selling these on behalf of your brother.

0:40:350:40:38

-Yes.

-Will he agree to that figure?

0:40:380:40:40

Yes, I have rung him actually.

0:40:400:40:42

-He just wants to get rid of them does he?

-Yeah, yes, yes, yeah.

0:40:420:40:45

What's he going to do with £100?

0:40:450:40:48

Give half to me, I hope.

0:40:480:40:50

Yes, you've been waiting some time haven't you?

0:40:500:40:53

I'm just wondering if he had them as a christening present.

0:40:530:40:55

-When was he born?

-33.

0:40:550:40:58

How interesting. So that adds a certain...

0:40:580:41:00

-Yeah.

-..poignancy to that doesn't it?

0:41:000:41:03

-That's right, yeah.

-Yes. And do you think you still want to sell them?

0:41:030:41:06

-We shall do our very best for them.

-OK. Thank you very much.

0:41:060:41:10

That's the last of our valuations. We've had a great turnout and some cracking items.

0:41:110:41:16

Hopefully, everyone is leaving with a smile on their face.

0:41:160:41:19

This is Hartham Park, a charming Georgian mansion just 10 miles from Melksham.

0:41:250:41:33

Hartham Park is something both intriguing and out of the ordinary.

0:41:330:41:38

Lurking amongst this Georgian grandeur is a precious piece of Edwardian England.

0:41:380:41:43

An enigmatic structure with a fascinating history.

0:41:430:41:47

Here it is, just look at that.

0:41:590:42:02

It's perched perfectly on the rise so it dominates the whole estate.

0:42:020:42:06

It was built in 1904.

0:42:060:42:09

It was all the rage at the time but now it stands defiantly

0:42:090:42:13

as the oldest remaining building of its kind in the world.

0:42:130:42:18

It's constructed primarily of wood and its shape and size is dictated

0:42:250:42:30

by the measurements of artillery targets.

0:42:300:42:33

It was used for a popular recreational pursuit during the Edwardian period. Let's take a look.

0:42:330:42:40

It's a sticke court. Sticke is a form of indoor tennis,

0:42:540:43:00

not unlike the historic real tennis.

0:43:000:43:03

It draws its influences from a number of different racquet sports played during the 19th century.

0:43:030:43:09

It was popular both here and abroad right up until the First World War.

0:43:090:43:14

Now, sadly, the court here at Hartham is only one of two remaining active sticke courts in the world.

0:43:140:43:21

Alan Bosley is the honorary secretary of the club that still play regularly at the court.

0:43:290:43:35

Alan, what a remarkable court.

0:43:350:43:38

It's a wonderful building.

0:43:380:43:40

-It's very austere, but I like that - it's quite evocative.

-I think it's wonderfully Edwardian.

0:43:400:43:45

It creates that impression that you've been playing the game for the last 100 years.

0:43:450:43:50

It's the simplicity of the place.

0:43:500:43:52

How did you get involved with the sport and this particular building?

0:43:520:43:55

Well, this building sits at the back of a business park

0:43:550:43:59

that I came to join leaving London 10 years ago.

0:43:590:44:03

To discover this in the grounds of the house was quite extraordinary.

0:44:040:44:08

At first you look through the windows and...just mesmerised by the inside.

0:44:080:44:14

Eventually found that there were a very small number of players who kept this place going.

0:44:140:44:19

-So it wasn't run down so much, it was still going.

-It was still going but it was in a dreadful state.

0:44:190:44:25

A lot of remedial work has been done on the building.

0:44:250:44:28

The whole roof has been replaced.

0:44:280:44:31

And over 100 years - it's a completely wooden structure -

0:44:310:44:34

it's obviously going to decay but it's in a fantastic state now.

0:44:340:44:37

Tell me a little bit about the game itself.

0:44:370:44:39

It goes back to the beginnings of lawn tennis.

0:44:390:44:43

Lawn tennis was originally known as sphairistike, that was the name it was patented under in 1874.

0:44:430:44:50

-The end bit has stuck to this game. It's now known as sticke tennis.

-Sticke tennis.

-From sphairistike.

0:44:500:44:57

Instead of playing on a court, as lawn tennis is, this was enclosed in a box.

0:44:570:45:02

-It creates a fantastic game.

-What about the military?

-It started...

0:45:020:45:08

the very first originators of the game were the military

0:45:080:45:12

and it was played at Shoeburyness, a gunnery range in Essex.

0:45:120:45:16

They built the courts out of artillery targets.

0:45:160:45:19

-999 artillery targets and played within that.

-So that's the footprint for this size court, is it?

0:45:190:45:26

It's pretty much the same.

0:45:260:45:28

How many are left, do you know?

0:45:280:45:31

We know exactly how many are left that are playable.

0:45:310:45:33

-Right, how many's that?

-Two in this country, one here at Hartham and the other at Knightshayes in Devon.

0:45:330:45:39

There is one court that is still playable

0:45:390:45:43

at the Rashtrapati Nivas which is in Shimla in the Himalayan foothills.

0:45:430:45:48

Do you have to be a good tennis player...?

0:45:480:45:51

No, in fact, it's often a disadvantage because it confuses people.

0:45:510:45:56

You're playing off so many different planes that it's just a very, very different game.

0:45:560:46:00

Although you've got the hand-eye co-ordination and can play with a racquet, it's a surprising game.

0:46:000:46:08

-Why don't we show you?

-OK.

0:46:080:46:09

Hartham sticke court is a fabulous building, a window to a bygone age and a vivid memory of times past.

0:46:140:46:21

It was conceived and built by one of the estate's more infamous

0:46:210:46:25

and colourful owners, a gentleman that delights in the name Sir John Poynder Dickson-Poynder.

0:46:250:46:31

He was just one of many influential people to build a court on their own estate

0:46:310:46:37

as the game was readily adopted by the landed gentry.

0:46:370:46:40

At the time, a charming description praises the game for providing a level of pleasant tiredness.

0:46:400:46:48

-Describe the court the way it's marked out.

-Well, there's a serving box

0:46:510:46:57

-which you can see marked out in front of you there.

-This big one?

0:46:570:47:01

Yeah. And there's a corresponding serving box at the other end.

0:47:010:47:04

Every serve has to be served from within that box and has to hit the penthouse roof.

0:47:040:47:08

-By the penthouse, you mean that 45 degree lean-to?

-That's the one.

0:47:080:47:12

-So you've got to serve off of that?

-Yes.

-OK. That is quite tricky.

0:47:120:47:16

Well, it makes it difficult because the game slows down.

0:47:160:47:19

The instant that you start hitting that, it slows down.

0:47:190:47:22

-You've got to wait for the ball to roll and then drop.

-Absolutely.

0:47:220:47:26

Because you're dealing not just with going up and down - you're using the walls as well -

0:47:260:47:31

the aim is to try and confuse your opponent. It's an evil game played well.

0:47:310:47:35

-Rallies last so much longer.

-Do they?

-You can have a 30- or 40-shot rally.

0:47:350:47:40

We haven't reached squash proportions yet but you can certainly have rallies that go 30 or 40 shots

0:47:400:47:46

-because it's so much harder to get the ball out of play.

-Yes.

0:47:460:47:51

Let's have a look at the ball, it's very soft and spongy.

0:47:510:47:55

It's a standard sized tennis ball but it is slightly softer than the normal ones.

0:47:550:47:59

-That's not a high impact ball.

-It's not a high impact ball.

0:47:590:48:02

-You couldn't really whack that.

-No.

0:48:020:48:04

You're relying on a lot of spin.

0:48:040:48:05

-Absolutely! We have had people playing with a power ball and the results were disastrous.

-I bet!

0:48:050:48:11

-Is membership strong? Is it picking up more interest?

-As more people play the game and discover it,

0:48:110:48:18

there are more people who want to play on a regular basis.

0:48:180:48:21

One of the things we want to make sure is that this court is well used.

0:48:210:48:26

Not just because of its rarity, but it's such a great fun game.

0:48:260:48:31

Brilliant. Thank you so much for introducing me to sticke tennis.

0:48:310:48:35

I'd never heard of it before. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be one of your new members!

0:48:350:48:39

It's been a pleasure meeting you and showing you a very rare game.

0:48:390:48:43

Now it's time to head to the auction room.

0:48:550:48:57

We know from earlier that the bidders of Devizes

0:48:570:49:00

are keen to invest their money in precious metals.

0:49:000:49:03

You know something, Nancy, I make that a grand total of £562.

0:49:030:49:08

Wonderful!

0:49:080:49:10

But will they feel the same about our next lot of offerings?

0:49:100:49:14

This Wedgwood bowl lacks a lustre for Pat.

0:49:140:49:18

-I think it's a little bit dull.

-That's the complete opposite, I'd say this is like a jewel.

0:49:180:49:22

So, will the bidders agree with David?

0:49:220:49:25

It's just amazing to think that these bottles had that have spent a century at the bottom of a canal.

0:49:250:49:31

I think that's a £200 bottle alone.

0:49:310:49:33

Philip hedged his bets on Gill's Totopoly board game.

0:49:330:49:37

If you come in at 100-1, you might get 50 quid.

0:49:370:49:40

This collection of Georg Jensen silver spoons were given to Jean's brother for his Christening.

0:49:400:49:45

Now they want to scoop up some cash and split the earnings.

0:49:450:49:48

Philip is feeling the heat with Cathy's painting.

0:49:480:49:51

-So, you and Mum will be there?

-Yes, and I think she'll be with me.

-No pressure, then. I hope it sells!

0:49:510:49:57

Time to put him and everyone else out of their misery.

0:49:570:50:01

I like this next lot.

0:50:010:50:03

For all of you fine art lovers, this is for you. It's Alfred Ward.

0:50:030:50:07

-Correct.

-And it is an oil on board.

0:50:070:50:09

That kind of rhymes, doesn't it?

0:50:090:50:11

But it's quality, it really is.

0:50:110:50:12

-It's Mum's, and she got this in a charity shop.

-About 18 years ago.

0:50:120:50:17

Why is she selling this?

0:50:170:50:19

She wants to downsize trinkets, and some of the things she's got in the house.

0:50:190:50:23

-It's not that big, you know!

-I know, it's quite small.

0:50:230:50:26

I think it's a lovely little picture and it'll suit any bedroom wall or hallway. It's the right size to sell.

0:50:260:50:33

It's got something going for it.

0:50:330:50:35

I think it's great technique.

0:50:350:50:37

-I wish it had more in terms of composition - it would have made a lot of money.

-Foreground interest?

0:50:370:50:42

It still might do very well, because it's technically very good.

0:50:420:50:45

We're looking at £200 to £400?

0:50:450:50:48

-Yes.

-It should do that. It should do that, for an original piece.

-It would be good if it did.

0:50:480:50:55

Fingers crossed, it's going under the hammer right now.

0:50:550:50:57

509, Alfred Ward, the British School.

0:50:570:51:01

Early 20th century, oil on board, a wood with flowering shrubs. A lovely, decorative painting.

0:51:010:51:06

I'd hope for somewhere in the region of £300 for this lot. 2?

0:51:060:51:12

150? 100?

0:51:120:51:14

110, 120, 130. 140, 140?

0:51:140:51:20

We're not quite close enough to the reserve on this one. £150 anywhere?

0:51:200:51:26

-Yes? Thank you, very much. £150.

-Sold it.

-Skin of our teeth, mind.

0:51:260:51:29

160 anywhere else?

0:51:290:51:31

£150, yes? No?

0:51:310:51:35

Gosh, just!

0:51:350:51:36

Skin of the teeth, wasn't it?

0:51:360:51:38

-Well, at least it sold, that's the good thing.

-Thank goodness.

0:51:380:51:43

We're going to stir things up right now, Jean.

0:51:530:51:55

We've got your silver spoons all boxed up.

0:51:550:51:57

-I'm hopeful.

-They were your brother's christening present.

0:51:570:52:00

Yes. My brother lives with us, yeah.

0:52:000:52:02

-He wants me to...

-Flog 'em.

0:52:020:52:04

-Flog 'em.

-Because he needs the money.

0:52:040:52:06

-Yeah.

-Well, hopefully we'll get the top end of David's estimate plus

0:52:060:52:09

a little bit more. Because silver is the thing to invest in right now.

0:52:090:52:12

-It's making good money.

-Particularly leading 20th century artists

0:52:120:52:17

and designers. Georg Jensen. If somebody asks you the major designer

0:52:170:52:22

of silver during the 1930s, 40s,

0:52:220:52:24

you'd immediately think of Georg Jensen.

0:52:240:52:28

-Yes.

-Such a definitive style.

0:52:280:52:30

Coffee spoons, a case set.

0:52:300:52:32

I think these are absolutely beautiful, the design is lovely.

0:52:320:52:36

One will start me then. One I do.

0:52:360:52:38

-One I've got. 110.

-Good.

0:52:380:52:41

120, 130, 140...

0:52:410:52:43

It's the name, it's the name, isn't it?

0:52:430:52:46

170, 180,

0:52:460:52:48

190, 200.

0:52:480:52:52

I'll take 195, it's 190 with me.

0:52:520:52:55

At 190. At 190. Is there 195?

0:52:550:52:58

At £190,

0:52:580:53:01

all done?

0:53:010:53:03

-Yes.

-Lovely.

0:53:030:53:05

Quality always stands.

0:53:050:53:07

-Yes.

-Oh, that was good.

0:53:070:53:09

Yes. Very pleased.

0:53:090:53:11

-You must be ever so happy with that.

-Yes. I think he will be.

0:53:110:53:14

I bet he will be. Is he getting all the money...

0:53:140:53:17

-Oh, no.

-Or will you get a little bit for doing the work?

0:53:170:53:19

-I'll get a bit of it. I think we'll split it in half.

-Will you?

-Yes.

0:53:190:53:22

-That's very generous of him.

-He lives with us anyway so...

-OK.

0:53:220:53:25

Gill - your Totopoly game.

0:53:330:53:35

-Philip, you put £20 to £40 on it.

-It'll race away.

-What do you do for a living?

0:53:350:53:39

I'm a tax inspector.

0:53:390:53:41

-Oh!

-Sorry!

0:53:410:53:44

Someone's got to be.

0:53:440:53:46

All our work is done by cheque, we get paid by invoice...

0:53:460:53:51

168 - very interesting game of Totopoly.

0:53:510:53:56

The horse racing version of Monopoly. A really nice item...

0:53:560:54:00

Give me £30 for it.

0:54:000:54:02

£30 anywhere? Start me at a tenner.

0:54:020:54:04

It's not where we start it's where we finish. £10 anywhere?

0:54:040:54:08

-Thank you very much, 15.

-Yes.

-20, 25?

0:54:080:54:11

£20 to my right. Fair warning, the lot is being sold for £20...

0:54:110:54:18

You were right, Philip, weren't you?

0:54:180:54:21

No capital gains liability on that!

0:54:210:54:24

Top name, Wedgwood. Bit of Lustre.

0:54:290:54:32

It's a great name, Pat!

0:54:320:54:35

I think we'll sell this. This came from a pub, didn't it?

0:54:350:54:37

-My mum's pub, yeah.

-Why are you flogging it?

0:54:370:54:40

I've never really liked it.

0:54:400:54:42

It wasn't in the cupboard, it was out, but...

0:54:420:54:45

On display but fallen out of favour.

0:54:450:54:47

David said if it had had fairies in it, it would have been...

0:54:470:54:50

-Fairies or goblins.

-Then we're talking big bucks.

-But not dragons!

0:54:500:54:54

But you never know, the Welsh might buy it.

0:54:540:54:58

I think the whole thing smacks of quality.

0:54:580:55:03

I hope there are people in this room that appreciate it.

0:55:030:55:06

We're going to find out right now. Good luck, Pat.

0:55:060:55:09

On to the Dragon Lustre bowl.

0:55:100:55:12

I'd have liked you to give me fairy lustre, but I'll make do with dragon at a push.

0:55:120:55:16

150? 100, to start me?

0:55:160:55:19

100, 110, 120, 130...

0:55:190:55:24

140, with me.

0:55:240:55:25

150?

0:55:250:55:27

At 140, 140 with me. Is there 150?

0:55:270:55:31

I shan't dwell on it? At 140, at £140... 150, she's back.

0:55:310:55:37

160, 170?

0:55:370:55:40

At 160? At £160, am I all done?

0:55:400:55:44

-At £160.

-I'm very pleased with that.

0:55:440:55:47

-So am I.

-You were a bit pessimistic.

0:55:470:55:51

Good news, isn't it?

0:55:510:55:53

-It is, it's very good.

-What are you going to do with that?

0:55:530:55:56

That's hopefully going to pay for... My husband and I are off to Australia next week,

0:55:560:56:01

for six weeks, so it'll pay for us to walk the Sydney Bridge.

0:56:010:56:05

-How lovely!

-The trip of a lifetime.

0:56:050:56:09

-Do you go there often?

-No, first time.

0:56:090:56:12

-Enjoy it, won't you?

-Hope to.

0:56:120:56:14

Now, for my favourite lot of the whole sale.

0:56:220:56:25

I fell in love with these, Joe's 18th century wine bottles.

0:56:250:56:28

We've got three of them, two onion glass, one mallet shape.

0:56:280:56:31

Beautiful, beautiful.

0:56:310:56:34

Thank goodness Alan has decided to keep them in a group.

0:56:340:56:36

We're selling them as a group.

0:56:360:56:38

We've got £300 to £400 on them, with a fixed reserve at £300.

0:56:380:56:41

We've had lots of interest.

0:56:410:56:44

223, very rare bottles.

0:56:440:56:47

Start me somewhere around about...

0:56:470:56:50

Let's have 600 quid.

0:56:500:56:52

600? Five? Four?

0:56:520:56:56

Four, I'm in.

0:56:560:56:58

That's good, 400.

0:56:580:57:00

450. Five, with me. 50?

0:57:000:57:03

Six? 50. Seven?

0:57:030:57:06

50. Eight?

0:57:060:57:08

Eight, off the book. In the room now at eight. 850?

0:57:100:57:14

Nine. 50?

0:57:140:57:16

-1,000, 11.

-I'm tingling. Are you?

0:57:160:57:19

-Mmm.

-12, 13, 14.

0:57:190:57:22

15, 15 on the telephone?

0:57:220:57:25

16? 16, 17?

0:57:250:57:30

1,700, 18?

0:57:300:57:33

At 1,700 on the phone.

0:57:330:57:36

Ladies and gentlemen, in the room?

0:57:360:57:38

Anywhere else at 1,800? Am I going?

0:57:380:57:42

Gosh!

0:57:420:57:44

Fantastic! I'm ever so pleased for you.

0:57:440:57:47

£1,700. Obviously, there's commission to pay.

0:57:470:57:51

My husband would have been delighted.

0:57:530:57:56

He had a great eye. What are you going to put the money towards?

0:57:560:57:59

It's going to Portland Bird Observatory, where he was the secretary for 20 years.

0:57:590:58:04

That's it, it's all over for our owners.

0:58:100:58:12

We've had a great day here in Devizes.

0:58:120:58:14

We sold everything, so all credit to our experts.

0:58:140:58:17

If you've got any antiques and collectibles you want to flog, we want to see you.

0:58:170:58:20

You can find details in your local press, because we'll be coming to your town very soon.

0:58:200:58:24

Until next time, from Devizes, cheerio.

0:58:240:58:28

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0:58:480:58:52

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