0:00:02 > 0:00:08All the clues are here, the deck chairs, the pleasure parks, the beach, the pier,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11in fact, the longest pier in the world.
0:00:11 > 0:00:17Today, Flog It is at the nearest seaside resort outside of central London. Welcome to Southend-on-Sea.
0:00:37 > 0:00:44Southend-on-Sea in Essex has to be one of England's most renowned seaside resorts.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Wow, that looks a lot of fun!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Though international air travel has made a dent on visitor numbers here,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Southend still remains very popular
0:00:53 > 0:00:59with day-trippers all wanting to escape that hectic city life and long may it continue!
0:01:02 > 0:01:09Inland from the Costa del Southend is our very fine venue for today - Southend High School for Boys.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13I've been joined by our two experts, Thomas Plant and Will Axon.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19We have got a fantastic queue here today. It disappears right down the end of the car park.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24It's now 9.30. It's time to get the doors open and get this massive class inside.
0:01:34 > 0:01:40As well as hunting for antiques from here, later on, I'll be out and about.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44I'll be meeting a local lady who can give me an insight into a factory
0:01:44 > 0:01:47that not only produced some award-winning designs,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50but also put Southend on the map.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54But right now, everybody is safely seated at the blue tablecloths
0:01:54 > 0:01:59and it looks like Thomas has already spotted something. Let's take a closer look.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- Ruth...- Hello.- Thank you for coming to Flog It.- You're welcome.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07This is a fantastic album of autographs. How did you get them?
0:02:07 > 0:02:12I was a film extra in the '70s and '80s. I used to collect the signatures for my son.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16- I've got some very interesting names in there.- You have.- Yes.
0:02:16 > 0:02:22- I've got it open at a page which is lovely. It's Christopher Reeve. He's done a little Superman.- He has, yes.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I heard that he's a very nice man.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30He was. I worked with him on two Superman films and he was a fantastic person, really friendly.
0:02:30 > 0:02:37- Then I just turn the page and there's Sean.- Yes. - What was he like?- He was lovely.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- Yeah?- He was a really nice man. A bit flirty, but he was very lovely
0:02:41 > 0:02:46I worked with him on a film called Outland, an outer space type thing. He knew everybody.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50He was very, very friendly as well, so it's nice, really.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56And for me especially... I've just put my eyeglass chain here, so I can turn it over.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Talk about this one here. "Follow the force, Mark Hamill."
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- That's a very rare signature. - Right, OK.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07My understanding is Mark Hamill does not like the limelight now.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- Yes, yes.- He did the three Star Wars films and nothing else after that.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- There must have been a few roles for him.- Yes.- Where did you meet him?
0:03:15 > 0:03:22I worked on a film called Return Of The Jedi, which was one of the Star Wars... I think it was 1985
0:03:22 > 0:03:26He was also very, very friendly. He was lovely to work with.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32I just went up, "Can I have your autograph?" He obliged and put, "Follow the force," which was great.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35That's great. You've got plenty of other signatures.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- Oh, yes.- Burt Reynolds I've seen in there.- Yes.- What was he like?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- Was he a big man, a big bear? - Just lovely.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- Really nice. - You must have had such a good time. - It was a wonderful time in my life.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50I collected some great names.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55- You did. Why are you selling it? - I used to collect them for my son. He doesn't really want it.
0:03:55 > 0:04:02It's a shame. Somebody who would appreciate some of those signatures could keep it in their collection.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08- The auctioneers will have to go through it and make a list of who's in there.- Right.
0:04:08 > 0:04:15Signatures are not worth huge amounts of money, but somebody like Mark Hamill will be worth £30, £40,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- Sean Connery 20 to 30, Christopher Reeve 40 to 60.- Yes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25- We're already at £80.- Yes. - I think we've got some quite good signatures here.- Good.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Now, I think it could make £120 to £180.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- That would be wonderful. - I'd like to fix the reserve at 80.
0:04:32 > 0:04:38- We've got a good chance of making some money there.- Good.- Will you be there at the auction?- Definitely.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- Victoria, hi.- Hi.- I love this piece that you've brought in today.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51It's just the sort of piece that I would go for at an auction.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57- Is this something you inherited or bought for yourself?- It's my mum's and it's come down from her family.
0:04:57 > 0:05:04- Is he passing it on to you or are you selling it on her behalf? - I'm taking the money.- Are you?- Yes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08It's a lovely thing. Any idea what we would call this type of bowl?
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- Old?- An old bowl. You could get a jo cataloguing if you're not careful(!)
0:05:13 > 0:05:18It's an old piece of English Delft, dating from the 18th century,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21probably circa 1770, 1780, something like that.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Really, it's a nice, genuine piece.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Delftware is an earthenware pottery, so it's not porcelain, it's an earthenware body,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33covered in this tin glaze to try and make it look like porcelain.
0:05:33 > 0:05:39It's cheaper and easier to produce than porcelain and because of that, it found a ready market.
0:05:39 > 0:05:47From the colours used in this piece and the smooth glaze, I can decipher that it is English, not Dutch.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52The Dutch had a much thicker glaze and it was a bit pitted, the glaze itself.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56This bluish glaze is a bit more English, rather than Dutch.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01The decoration, you might say, isn't English at all. It's a sort of chinoiserie decoration,
0:06:01 > 0:06:07the Chinese blue and white that was being exported from China, very popular at the time.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13The imperial kilns in China were out of order because of internal fighting.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18The Dutch jumped on the opportunity of producing chinoiserie-decorated Delftwares
0:06:18 > 0:06:22to replace the porcelain that wasn't coming out of China.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27I've told you what I know about it. Have you any idea what you think it might be worth?
0:06:27 > 0:06:33- Has your mum told you, "Don't accept anything less than X?"- No. - She's left it up to you?- Yes.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38I've had a close look at it to look for any damage. I notice if I give it a little ring...
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It doesn't ring true, does it?
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It's got a little hairline crack. That will affect it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It won't make as much as one that was in perfect condition,
0:06:50 > 0:06:56but even so, a nice piece like that, I think it's worth between 100 and maybe 200, something like that.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00If it had been in perfect condition, you could at least double that.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- How do you feel about that? - That's really good.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08Let's reserve it at £100 with a bit of discretion for the auctioneer.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- What will the money go towards? - Medical textbooks as I'm a medical student.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- You have a lot of study to do?- Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21- Hopefully, we can raise some money to go towards your personal medical library.- Thank you very much.
0:07:27 > 0:07:33Tony and Linda, thank you so much for bringing in a maritime connection as we are in Southend.
0:07:33 > 0:07:40- We're by the sea. What can you tell me about this?- My uncle was given it by Henry Scott, a friend of his.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- What did your uncle do?- He was a boatbuilder in his early years.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Say no more. Say no more.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54- That's obviously how he met Henry Scott.- Through boats, yeah. He gave it to him as a gift.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58We didn't know anything about it until he died this year.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- My mum knew about it. He gave it to her.- Why does Mum want to sell this?
0:08:02 > 0:08:08I don't think it's something she'd like to have on the wall. She's got some nice pictures.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14I think she'd rather have the money and buy something nice to remember her brother by.
0:08:14 > 0:08:20When you talk about art, there are very few marine painters that can capture what Henry Scott can do.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26He has a great maritime knowledge and I think he spent months on board these wonderful tea clippers.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- He's got to understand how these vessels move through the water.- Yeah.- He captures that.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Something's going on here. He started something. It's quite loose.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41That's too impressionistic for Scott, so that leads me to believe that this is a study.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45This is done hurriedly on canvas card, put together
0:08:45 > 0:08:50and back in the studio, he would use this to paint something that size.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Yeah.- But at least it's signed, which is great.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57But just the movement in the water, that swell.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Can you see the wash coming off the side of the hull?- Yeah.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05The water, as it's hitting it, it's sliding back down.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08It's just alive, it's moving, it's rolling the waves.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11That's very hard to do. Have you any idea of value?
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- No, really. - I've looked on the art price guides
0:09:15 > 0:09:21- and something about four times the size of that is fetching around £3,000 to £4,000.- Right.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- Let's put it into auction with a valuation of £900 to £1,200.- Right.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- I'm pretty sure we'll find somewhere in the middle.- OK.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- Fingers crossed. We'll put it in with a fixed reserve at £900.- Right.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38And see what happens. It's tucked in the £1,000 mark.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Myra, thank you very much for bringing along Bruin the bear.
0:09:51 > 0:09:58I call him Bruin because Alas, Poor Bruin is the bear of Germany and he's commonly called Bruin.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- Does he have a name?- Yeah, Bruno. - Was he Bruno, was he?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Tell me about him.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09Well, my father brought him back when he came back from the war.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I was four years old.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16It was the first time I'd seen my father because he'd been away
0:10:16 > 0:10:22and I didn't even recognise him when he came up the path to the front door.
0:10:22 > 0:10:28I saw him and screamed and went running in, but my mother went out and put her arms round him.
0:10:28 > 0:10:34- That was when... And he gave us that - That was the little present he brought back?- Yeah.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Was this 1940s? 1945? - Yeah, '45, '46, something like that.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43So do you think... When he brought this, did it look in this condition?
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- Was it a little bit better? - It was probably better, but it was second-hand.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- It was second-hand?- Yes.
0:10:51 > 0:10:57I think this could be a Hermann bear. I don't think it's a Steiff because it doesn't have a button.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59But it could be a Hermann one.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04I'm not 100% convinced because it's very difficult to date.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08It's certainly before the bears we see normally which are jointed.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12It's like a carpet bear or a pull-along bear.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16I would say certainly 1900s, late 19th century, early 1900s,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20first part of the 20th century, when this bear was made.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26- And he's straw-filled, isn't he? - Yeah.- With this mohair. He's rather handsome.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28I think it could make £100.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33I don't think there's a problem with making 100 at all.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37I would like to estimate it at 100 to 150.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40I think it's delightful. It's just so fun.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And he's such a nice-looking bear.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48And I think we should reserve it at sort of, you know, £80.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Now, when we do sell him, it will be quite sad, I know.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56But you can take solace that he will be amongst other furry friends.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Yes, he will have somebody to talk to.- Absolutely.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11Ellen, this is a rather attractive brooch you've brought in today.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Is this something you would wear?- No.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18I bought it to put in a little frame so that I could have it on the wall.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21That's what I intended, but that was over a year ago.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- You haven't got round to it?- No. - I've got plenty of jobs like that.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- You think, "I know what that's for." - "I'll do it later."
0:12:28 > 0:12:32So you bought it from a shop or you saw it at a fair?
0:12:32 > 0:12:37- I bought it on an auction on the internet.- On an auction site on the internet?- Yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- You would have framed her and hung her on the wall?- Yeah.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44That's interesting. I suspect she's from Germany.
0:12:44 > 0:12:50- Oh, right.- I think she's a German porcelain brooch, Berlin, well-known factory in Germany.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- It was renowned for making these porcelain plaques.- Oh.
0:12:54 > 0:13:01They were instrumental as a factory that treated porcelain as a surface to be painted like a picture.
0:13:01 > 0:13:08The real zenith of their production of these plaques was around the early 19th century, 1830, 1840.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13Later in the 19th century, the subject matter became a little less formal, shall we say?
0:13:13 > 0:13:17You started getting more scantily clad maidens, as you have here,
0:13:17 > 0:13:24sort of topless young ladies who would be, I suspect, hanging in the gentleman's study or...
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Rather than sort of... - Nicer to look at.- Exactly.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34They do say in this business that if you've got young, naked ladies, they're commercial and they sell.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- She's been mounted in this brooch frame.- Yeah.- I had a quick look.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- I couldn't see any hallmarks. Have you had a look?- Yeah.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46But I can't see no marks on it, no.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49When you bought it, was it listed as in a gold frame?
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- It said "rolled gold".- OK. - No, not rolled gold.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- Rose gold?- Rose gold, yeah.
0:13:55 > 0:14:02Looking at the colour and the quality of the painting, I'm pretty happy that that's a gold frame.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07I've given you my opinion of what it is, where it's from and what it dates from.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10What did you end up having to pay for it?
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- If I remember, it was about 150. - OK. £150.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- Yeah.- Ideally, if I could have come in without knowing that and given you a value,
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- I would have probably said around the £100 mark.- Right.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- How does 120, 150...?- Yeah, that's OK.- With a reserve at 120?- Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33Then at least we've got that 150 in the picture, as it were. What will you buy with the money from this?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- I do collect Royal Doulton little dog figurines.- Good.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43Ellen, we'll put the money towards your collection, an eclectic mix of various whatever-you-fancies.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45That's a good way to collect.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51120 to 150, 120 fixed reserve, and I'm confident there'll be a couple of gentlemen in the crowd
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- that are going to want this. - Hopefully.- I'll see you there.- OK.
0:14:55 > 0:15:01With Ellen's pretty brooch on board, we're ready to take our first trip to the auction,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04so here's what we've collected to tempt the bidders.
0:15:04 > 0:15:11Firstly, Thomas was seeing stars before his eyes on the pages of Ruth's autograph book.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I've got it open at a page which is rather lovely.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- It's Christopher Reeve and he's done a little Superman.- He has, yes.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Will this super little collection fly at auction?
0:15:22 > 0:15:28And Will's enthusiasm for this English Delftware bowl was just the tonic for Victoria
0:15:28 > 0:15:32as she needs to raise funds to put towards her medical career.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36The maritime painting by Henry Scott has the best provenance
0:15:36 > 0:15:42as it was given to Tony's uncle by the artist himself. It now belongs to his mum.
0:15:42 > 0:15:48I think she'd just rather have the money and buy something nice to remember her brother by.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51I dived in with a £900 to £1,200 estimate.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Myra's father gave her this German bear on his return from the Second World War.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Although steeped with sentimental value, with three grandchildren,
0:16:00 > 0:16:06it's hard to decide who should have him, so now she feels the time is right to sell him.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09And finally, Ellen's painted porcelain German brooch.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14Will thinks the glamorous lady should catch the eye of a bidder
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and valued it at £120 to £150.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Here we are at Stacey's Auctioneers and Valuers in Rochford.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Let's get inside and catch up with the action.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Before the sale gets under way,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I want to get some local knowledge about one of Will's valuations.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Now it's time for our auctioneers' chat and this is a first on Flog It
0:16:40 > 0:16:45because we have two auctioneers and they're both brothers - Mark and Paul Stacey.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- So no quibbling and no fighting. - We'll try not to.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Let's start with Victoria's lovely 18th century bowl.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58She's putting all the money towards medical books for her university course.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- You know how much students need the money.- It won't be a problem.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05One thing that's so good about this is its condition.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11Often with Delftware of the mid-18th century, it's in much worse condition and there's more damage,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15but the condition here is very good and the colours are very bright.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I feel it will exceed the estimate.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- What by?- I'm going to say it will exceed the estimate by £100. - Brilliant.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28- It's a nice thing.- Lovely thing. We've got no problem selling this.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31You know the collectors are really fussy. Watch this space.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34'Great news. The bowl will be sold shortly,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38'but first, we "brooch" the subject of Ellen's internet purchase.'
0:17:38 > 0:17:43Fingers crossed. I've been joined by Ellen. We're selling the porcelain brooch.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48- It's wonderful. It's very decorative.- Yes.- You bought this for £150 not long ago.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- We've got to try and get you your money back.- At least.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56At least! I think that's putting pressure on our expert.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02- Why have you decided to sell it? - I wanted to frame it, but that was going to cost a bit too much money.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- I think this is going to go.- I'm glad, a vote of confidence there.
0:18:07 > 0:18:13We discussed the reserve. You were looking for 150, I was looking at 100. We met in the middle - 120.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17A little rose gold frame, German porcelain brooch, hand-painted.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20A lot of work has gone into that.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24What you're buying is a work of art. That's what you're investing in.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27I'm sure someone will do that right here, right now.
0:18:27 > 0:18:3219th century, German porcelain brooch. Where are we going to be?
0:18:32 > 0:18:35£100 to start? £100 in? £100?
0:18:35 > 0:18:3780 then, let's get going. £80. 85.
0:18:37 > 0:18:4090. 95. 100.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- 110...- Sometimes people bide their time before they bid.- £120 now.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- Back of the room, are we all done? I'm selling at £120...- £120.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Last time then... 120.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- Just got it away. That's good news. - Yeah.- Well, we got it away.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- That's all right.- Happy?- Yeah.- Good.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04Maybe a learning experience. To you, it was worth 150. In the room today, it was worth 120 to someone.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10Swings and roundabouts. We all know being a dealer is not easy. You can't always make a profit.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20I've been looking forward to this next lot. I've been joined by Ruth.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25We've got that autograph book full of great names. We've got £120 to £180.
0:19:25 > 0:19:31- Yes, we have.- Why are you selling? - It's been stuck in a drawer for 10, 11 years since I moved.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I just came across it. I haven't even looked at it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:40That's the good thing about moving. You come across things that you'd forgotten or lost.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- There's lots of memories. They're in the book, but they're up here too - Which was the favourite?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Probably Sean Connery. - Very suave, very sexy man.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- Good value for money, this. - Really good value.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55You've got some wonderful signatures there.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- It's like an end of an era for you, all these memories.- Yes, it is.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- But they're all up here still. - That's the main thing.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- You can treasure those.- Yes. - You can't sell those.- No.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11The autograph album as catalogued, plenty of autographs there.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Commission bids, two of them, and I'm clearing the book at £100.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19£100. Are we all done? Here with me at 100. And 10.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- 120. 130. 140.- That's good.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- 150. 160.- That's very good.- 170 beats me.- Yes!- In the room at £170.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Against you on the phone at 170.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Are we all done then at £170?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Last time at £170...
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Well done, auctioneer. Yes, 170. Good valuation, Thomas.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- I'm very happy.- I've spent half of it already today.- On what?
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- I bought a lovely locket for myself. - Today?- Yes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50That's what we like to see - putting the money back in the trade.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Go and visit the antique shops and the fairs.- Yes, exactly.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- Thank you very much. I'm really pleased.- Thank you.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07It's my turn to be the expert. I fell in love with this little oil on board.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13It's by Henry Scott, great maritime artist. It's got everything going for it, value - £900 to £1,200.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19It belongs to Tony and Linda. Tony can't be here today, but Linda, you are, and of course...
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Tony's mum.- Tony's mum. There, introduced herself!
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- It's yours, really, isn't it? - Yes, yes.
0:21:25 > 0:21:32- Really, I'd like to have got this in at round about £700, just to get the ball rolling.- I see.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- To generate the bidding frenzy that you get in an auction room. You know what I mean.- 800 then.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40We can't reduce it any more.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- It's too late now. - Oh, is it?- Yeah.
0:21:43 > 0:21:49Fingers crossed, OK? He's a recognised artist and you know that his works sell for thousands.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- Yes.- The big canvases.- That's right.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56"Clipper Homeward Bound", signed by Henry Scott. Nice picture, that one.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59£700 starts trading? £700?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02£700 I'm bid, thank you. 720.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04740. 760. 780.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08800. At £800 now. Are we all done at £800?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Last time then at 800...
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- Didn't sell.- Never mind. I'll take it home.- Take it home and enjoy it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Yeah.- Put it back on that wall. - That's right.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Let's see what happens to Myra's German bear.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31We've got £100 to £150 on this gorgeous little toy.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35I don't think he's a toy any more. He's more of a collector's item.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- But he's been a toy for you since you were four years old.- Yes.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44- Thomas, you fell in love with him. So did I.- He's lovely.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48A lovely bear. I can understand why you want to sell him,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52but he's such a family piece now, isn't he?
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- Poor chap.- Yeah. - Pastures new.- I know.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Moving on, lot 580, we have a pull-along bear. Lot 580.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Nice little bear. Two bids I have. I'm clearing the book at £90.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- The bid's here with me at £90.- 90.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09The bid's here with me. I'm selling at £90.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Maiden bid and going at £90.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Last time then...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- Just did it.- Sold on discretion. - Sneaked him in.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- He's gone off to a new home, Myra. £90.- Yeah.- It's a sad moment.- Yes.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26It is, isn't it? Oh, bless you!
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Victoria, it's great to see you again. Going under the hammer, it's 18th century,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38a Delft bowl and we've got £100 to £200 on this.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43It's in perfect condition. I had a chat to the auctioneer and he loved it.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47- It could fly through the roof. The collectors will be wanting this.- OK.
0:23:47 > 0:23:53- You're selling this because all the money is going to...? - Medical textbooks.- OK.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58I agree with the valuation. This is almost mint condition and the colours are so vibrant.
0:23:58 > 0:24:04Lovely colours, typical of that London Delft. To find a piece in good condition is really nice.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Small, dinky size. Not too big. Nice piece.
0:24:07 > 0:24:14- I'd have it.- I would as well. It's too late. It's going under the hammer now. Good luck, everybody.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18London Delftware bowl. Interesting lot. Lots of interest here.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22To clear the book, I must start the bidding at £180.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Are we all done...- 180. Come on. - 190. 200.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- 210. 220.- We're in the room.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30230. 240. 250.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32260. 270.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- It's a nice lot, this. - 290. 300.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40At £300 now. Still on the book. Are we all done at £300?
0:24:41 > 0:24:46- Yes, £300!- Brilliant. Excellent. - Well done, Will, and well done, you!
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- Thank you for bringing that in. That was a good result. Happy?- Yeah.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54'We'll be back later to throw some more antiques under the hammer.'
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- This could fly through the roof. - No? Really?- Ssh!
0:24:58 > 0:25:02- I think that's a great celebration coming up.- Yes.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08- Yes, fantastic! Well done, Thomas. - Thank you.- You've got to be pleased with that.- I'm really pleased.
0:25:10 > 0:25:16But now time for the story of a 20th century collectable that was once made here in Southend.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24In 1922, Mr EK Cole started a small business making wireless sets.
0:25:24 > 0:25:30By the 1950s, his range of EKCO-branded products, made right here in Southend, multiplied.
0:25:34 > 0:25:40The company became one of the largest of its kind in the UK and the town's biggest employer.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43EKCO had become a household name.
0:25:43 > 0:25:50Sadly, a takeover in the early '70s meant the original factory was forced to close its doors.
0:25:50 > 0:25:56But I can still explore Southend's industrial heritage here at the Central Museum
0:25:56 > 0:26:01where many of EKCO's now iconic pieces and memorabilia have been brought together.
0:26:01 > 0:26:08In the 1930s, the EKCO factory used high-speed presses to produce these cabinets for their early radios.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11They're made of Bakelite, one of the first plastics.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16During World War Two, the government enlisted factory expertise
0:26:16 > 0:26:20to produce military items including dummy bombs and radar equipment.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23After the war, Bakelite was replaced with new plastics
0:26:23 > 0:26:29and mass-produced domestic items and injection-moulded industrial parts from other companies
0:26:29 > 0:26:34were flying off the production line and popping up in almost every home in the UK.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39The 1950s saw rationing coming to an end
0:26:39 > 0:26:43and Britain was entering a period of increased affluence and freedom.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47The American way of life heavily influenced British buying habits.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52People now expected to have items once considered a luxury.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57EKCO's products poured off the production line to supply this new demand.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02By the mid-1950s, the company introduced its Gold Seal domestic wares.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Design was key and these innovative ideas were starting to win awards.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09The company was having success after success.
0:27:09 > 0:27:16In 1966, chief designer David Harman Powell came up with the novel stackable dinner service.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19A few years later, this award-winning design,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22known as Novaware, was flying off the production line.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28'To work at a factory at the forefront of contemporary design must have been pretty exciting,
0:27:28 > 0:27:33'but what made working at EKCO very special was the strong sense of community
0:27:33 > 0:27:36'amongst the Southend employees.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39'They still meet at the EKCO Social Club
0:27:39 > 0:27:44'and proud member Minnie Bunn is keen to tell me all about factory life.'
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Take a seat and let's have a chat. - Thank you.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- That's better, isn't it? - Yeah, much better.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- I've got a lot of memories. - I bet you have.
0:27:52 > 0:27:58I want to ask you about your first day at work. When was it and how old were you?
0:27:58 > 0:28:03It was in 1934 and I was 14 years of age. I was only three foot six in height when I left school.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08So they had to make me a little thing, so I could reach some of the benches.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12I was a bit nervous, but we were doing components for radios.
0:28:12 > 0:28:18I worked my way up to a supervisor, then during the war years, I went into plastics.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22I was working on the biggest machine there called Big Bertha.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28- What was the atmosphere like during the war years?- We were all happy and we worked together.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31We enjoyed our life and made the most of it. You had to.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36- Was it a hard day's work?- It was. We had shift work during the war.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40- Two to ten, six to two and all night.- Really?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Sometimes 12 hours at weekends.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- Did you meet Mr EK Cole?- Yes, I did. He was a very nice man.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51He did a lot of work and he didn't take a lot of credit for what he did
0:28:51 > 0:28:53So how important for Southend was EKCO?
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Very important to Southend.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02If it wasn't for Mr Cole, a lot of people would have had to go elsewhere to look for work.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07- At one time, we got up to 8,000 people.- That's a lot. - It was a lot of people.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13- He did Southend proud.- What did you and your colleagues think of the products you were making?
0:29:13 > 0:29:16We thought they were very good. We had a staff shop,
0:29:16 > 0:29:21so we could buy any of the items a bit cheaper than you would in the shops.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25And we were able to buy blueprints and make your own things.
0:29:25 > 0:29:31I bought a blueprint of a television and made my own television. It lasted me for 15 years.
0:29:31 > 0:29:37- Does it bring back memories, seeing this?- It does. I was really sad when they pulled the building down.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41That would have made a lovely museum that building that they pulled down,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44a solid marble staircase...
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- Wow!- It was wonderful. - How long did you work there for?
0:29:47 > 0:29:52I worked there until 1966, but I broke service in between...
0:29:52 > 0:29:57- So basically, most of your working life?- Yes, nearly all my life I worked there.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00I was very happy and I enjoyed every minute of it.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- I wish I could do it today.- I bet you do. Do you miss it?- Very much.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09- It wasn't all about work. There was a good social club. - It was very good.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13We used to have tuppence docked out of our wages to be in the club.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17It was in the canteen because we never had a proper clubhouse
0:30:17 > 0:30:23until Mr Cole presented us with one on July the 16th, 1951.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25In the factory, Christmas time,
0:30:25 > 0:30:32I put a cardigan over my legs cos I didn't want to show my knickers and did cartwheels and splits.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36- Did you get a round of applause? - Definitely. - You'll remember that well.- Yes.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Now I go down practically every evening.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44Sometimes I have Saturdays off because I like to watch the telly.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46And I call the bingo for them.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52- You call bingo?- I book the DJs for Thursdays and Saturdays because we have ballroom dancing.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- Monday nights, we have jazz. - All this at the age of 88?- Yes.
0:30:56 > 0:31:02- You're a great example to all of us, a good role model. It's been lovely meeting you.- Lovely meeting you too.
0:31:02 > 0:31:08The unique company that Mr EK Cole created may have sadly closed its doors,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12but as well as leaving its mark on the design world,
0:31:12 > 0:31:17it's clearly earned a special place in the hearts and minds of many people in Southend.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25Now it's time to rejoin the action back at Southend High School for Boys.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Tony, I like this little piece you've brought in today.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38What can you tell me about this?
0:31:38 > 0:31:44It was given to myself and my wife by a close friend of ours. She now and again gives us bits and pieces.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49I think she's just clearing her clutter out, but she just gave us this box.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- That's a nice friend to have.- Yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55It has a continental feel to it to me.
0:31:55 > 0:32:01- I don't think this is an English piece. I think this could be French or such like.- Yeah, yeah.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Let's have a closer look at it.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Interesting sort of lozenge shape, this sort of diamond shape.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13- A little trinket box, I suppose, a little casket.- I would think so.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- The colour looks very right to be gold.- Yeah.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19But I don't think it is.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24The various factors that suggest to me that it might not be
0:32:24 > 0:32:30is the overall sort of quality of the whole...as a whole.
0:32:30 > 0:32:35It is nice, but it's not that sort of premier league of quality.
0:32:35 > 0:32:41- French craftsmen, if they were using the gold and silver, it would have been top-notch work.- I see.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43And then these panels...
0:32:43 > 0:32:48It's had a bit of damage, obviously. We can seen that on the piece now.
0:32:48 > 0:32:54- Are they leather?- I think this is. This is like a red leather, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58You've got these cherub figures and above one, I see a little lever.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01If I press that, we can open up the lid
0:33:01 > 0:33:05and then it's got this rather nice sort of lined interior
0:33:05 > 0:33:09which leads me to think that it is a little trinket box.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14- Yeah, yeah.- Is that how it's used now? Where does it live?- No.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16We just keep it in a glass cabinet.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21- So it's on display?- Yeah. My wife shows it to everybody who comes around.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- Does she? - Yeah, she's quite keen on it.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- And she's quite keen for us to sell it?- I am.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30- You are?- Yeah. - Don't you like it?- I don't mind it.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32I just try and clear out clutter.
0:33:32 > 0:33:38- We collect things and accumulate things, but we need to make room for others.- That's the way to do it.
0:33:38 > 0:33:44You sell the bits that you've had a while and use the money that you get to buy better bits.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48I was hoping with this to pay my mortgage off and emigrate(!)
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- And invite me on a world cruise. - It won't happen.- I'm afraid not.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- Have you thought about value? - Yes, of course. Definitely, yeah.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01- The fact that some people thought it may have been gold-mounted... - That was our hope.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07- That was going to make a big difference to the value. - Yeah.- I think it's worth...
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- I would suggest £40 to £60 as an estimate.- Yeah, yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15We won't put a reserve on it. It's something I would be tempted on buying.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19I can't, but hopefully, there'll be two other people who think like me
0:34:19 > 0:34:22and they'll push it up past the top estimate.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Pat, Kim, thank you very much for coming in.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Tell me about this plate. Where did it come from?
0:34:33 > 0:34:37I've had it since about the '60s, 1960.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40We had moved into a new council flat
0:34:40 > 0:34:46My mother-in-law came and saw all the lovely white walls because we hadn't decorated.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52- She said, "I've got a lovely plate for you."- Really?- She brought it and we put it up on the wall.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- Why did you bring it today?- I watch Flog It and the Antiques Roadshow.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Not that I've got any antiques, but I'm interested.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05- Not that you've got any antiques, but you brought this? - Yeah, but that's an odd thing.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10But when we knew Flog It was on today, I said, "Shall we take that plate?"
0:35:10 > 0:35:13And exciting it is to see.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18We must clarify. It's a Worcester plate and this decoration is called pate-sur-pate.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23It's French, but layer on layer, wet clay. It's called slip.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27And they've painted it on there, layer and layer and layer.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30It's been glazed in white, so it feels raised.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Oh, right.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Feel how raised it is against the dark blue.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39We know it's Worcester and we know the artist. It's TJ Bott.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42And it's dated "1882".
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- Right.- It looks like.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Very attractive. Do you remember it, Kim?
0:35:47 > 0:35:51I remember the plate on the wall when we were small,
0:35:51 > 0:35:55then when my mum and dad moved, we had it on the wall down here.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00- You told me you've done some work on the artist?- I looked up TJ Bott.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03I found out he died at a young age. I think it was 41.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07- Yeah.- Of the arsenic poisoning from licking the paintbrushes.
0:36:07 > 0:36:13- Absolutely.- I said it might be worth something because of what happened to the artist.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18- It said on the internet that he was a favourite of Queen Victoria's. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Do you have an idea of value?
0:36:20 > 0:36:24- No.- No.- Not at all.- It was that that livened us up, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28We said, "If that's the case, it must be worth something."
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- Oh, yeah.- More than boot sale price. We don't know.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36- If I said £200, what would you say? - That's good.- That's good.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40- If I said £300, what would you say?- Better.- Four?
0:36:40 > 0:36:42- Better still.- Five?- No?
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Yeah. I reckon I can put this in at £600 to £800.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47- Oh!- Never!
0:36:47 > 0:36:50THEY LAUGH EXCITEDLY
0:36:50 > 0:36:52- You like that?- I love it.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54- Well, you know...- Really?
0:36:54 > 0:36:58There are records of his work selling very, very well.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Oh!- There is a bit of damage. That's why I haven't gone really high.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06- Where's the damage? - A bit of scratching just here.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08I think we should put a reserve on it.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13I think we should fix it at £450 to give the auctioneer a big bit of discretion,
0:37:13 > 0:37:18but estimated at 600 to 800, you've got a jolly good chance of it doing well.
0:37:18 > 0:37:24If you're saying 600 to 800, can I put a reserve of a straight 500 then?
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- I think if you offer it at 500 with discretion...- That's fine.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- It's more than we thought, anyway. - Yeah.- Unbelievable.
0:37:31 > 0:37:37It's a nice thing and it's got an extremely good chance of maybe achieving the upper end.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- Well done.- Lovely. - Thank you very much.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44- You'll come along to the auction? - Yes.- Both of you?- Yes.- Good.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- Valerie...- Hello. - Thank you for coming in today
0:37:53 > 0:37:57- and for bringing in this rather good-looking bronze.- He is nice.
0:37:57 > 0:38:03- How have you come by it? - My son bought it for me at least 20 years ago
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- because Mum liked pussycats. - A very nice present.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11You know the bronze is signed "Barye" who was Antoine-Louis Barye,
0:38:11 > 0:38:16a very famous French sculptor who specialised in these animalier bronzes,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- mainly actually of big cats. - That's right.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24He's got this real skill of capturing the sinewy muscles
0:38:24 > 0:38:28and the rippling effect of this animal as they should be in life.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Antoine-Louis Barye was renowned for not letting bronzes go
0:38:32 > 0:38:36because he wasn't 100% happy with the detail, how crisp they were.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41He got into so much trouble because of this, he had to declare himself bankrupt
0:38:41 > 0:38:46- because he wasn't selling any bronzes as he was such a perfectionist.- He was fussy.- Very.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51So to pay for the bankruptcy, the Barye moulds were sold on
0:38:51 > 0:38:57which is why he lost a bit of control about what happened to the moulds and what was cast of them.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01If you have a bronze, you can take a mould of it and then cast more,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03so it's very difficult with bronzes.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08It's really down to various factors such as the crispness of the piece.
0:39:08 > 0:39:14You can really see the difference between a well-worked bronze and one that is taken from a flat cast.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19So I'll just point out to you the various areas that raise a bit of doubt in my mind.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24If I pick him up and we have a look, his face, for example, is a little bit loose...
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- I know what you mean. - ..to be an original Barye bronze.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33That makes alarm bells go off. Also if we look along his back,
0:39:33 > 0:39:37the definition of the muscle is not quite naturalistic enough.
0:39:37 > 0:39:43And we've got his signature here on the front, which is fine, but that doesn't mean anything.
0:39:43 > 0:39:51And this base as well. You can't take it off and look underneath. That makes you suspicious as well.
0:39:51 > 0:39:57I don't mean for you to kindly bring along your present from your son and I've shot it down in flames,
0:39:57 > 0:40:02- but I'd like to explain to you... - I see quite clearly what you mean.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06I'm explaining the way I'm thinking so you understand me.
0:40:06 > 0:40:12- Then we get to the valuation.- Yes. - You've told me what your son paid for it. £100.
0:40:12 > 0:40:18- I think it is, yes.- We know that a real 19th-century Barye bronze would be well into four figures.
0:40:18 > 0:40:24- Yes.- Even one of this sort of size. How do you feel about going in at £100-£150?
0:40:24 > 0:40:28- Yes.- Are you happy?- Yes. But no less than 100.
0:40:28 > 0:40:34- We want a fixed reserve.- I don't mind a discretion if it's only 10%. - That's good.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38- That helps the auctioneer.- I don't want somebody to pay 50 quid.
0:40:38 > 0:40:45- So let's put £100 with discretion, £100-£150 estimate.- You can tell I've watched the programme!
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- Valerie, pleasure to meet you. - And you.
0:40:48 > 0:40:55- Hopefully he'll find a new home on the auction.- I hope so. - Well done.- OK, thank you.
0:41:00 > 0:41:06- I have a pair of sisters here. - You have.- Jenny and Susan. Thank you for coming.
0:41:06 > 0:41:13I want to know all about this Dunhill lighter. Why and when and who owned it. And why bring it?
0:41:13 > 0:41:18We found it in a drawer. It's my uncle's lighter. We came across it.
0:41:18 > 0:41:25I noticed the Dunhill name, asked him about it and he couldn't really remember how it got there.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30He said, "If you like it, take it." I said I'd find out more about it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35- Which is why we're here. - And you've brought it along today.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- How old is your uncle?- Uncle's 86 and he's always telling me
0:41:39 > 0:41:46- that he gave up smoking 30 years ago.- Right.- So it probably went into the drawer 30 years ago
0:41:46 > 0:41:52- and hasn't emerged since. - It's a rather nice thing. A Dunhill aquarium lighter.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56Made in about the 1950s. This is a good large-sized one.
0:41:56 > 0:42:02We've got the two tropical fish on one side and then, if we turn it, one swimming upwards.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07And it's in very nice condition. We can see the Dunhill mark here.
0:42:07 > 0:42:13These are very popular with a lot of collectors. It's good to have three fish.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16- Are they real fish?- No!
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- No!- It looks plastic. - It is. It's acrylic.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- Like a polished acrylic. - Something's been tucked in there.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30Like they're reverse painted and then foiled and decorated.
0:42:30 > 0:42:36You've got a brief idea of what you want for it and I think we can achieve that.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41But if we put it in at £800-£1,200, with a fixed reserve of £800, that's what you thought about.
0:42:41 > 0:42:47- Yes.- But I've got a feeling that it could surpass that.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50But let's keep it at £800-£1,200,
0:42:50 > 0:42:57with the reserve at £800. And let's see what happens. The auctioneer will work his socks off for us.
0:42:57 > 0:43:04It will be well publicised, well marketed, on the internet and we'll have interested people.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08- Thank you for coming. - You're welcome.- Our pleasure.
0:43:08 > 0:43:14So Thomas's find completes our final line-up heading off to our Rochford sale room.
0:43:24 > 0:43:30For hundreds of years, people living on the east coast of Essex have been harvesting this stuff.
0:43:30 > 0:43:36That's sea salt. The first documented evidence of salt being extracted from the sea
0:43:36 > 0:43:38was in the Domesday Survey of 1086
0:43:38 > 0:43:44when it listed a total of 45 salt patterns here in the Maldon area.
0:43:44 > 0:43:49The conditions are perfect in this part of the country for making salt,
0:43:49 > 0:43:56due to the relatively low annual rainfall, as there is less rain water to dilute the sea water.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00As well as this, as the tide recedes, exposing the mudflats,
0:44:00 > 0:44:06a combination of the sun and wind evaporates the water, leaving salt deposits on the vegetation.
0:44:06 > 0:44:12The salt that dries across the marshes is then reabsorbed by the spring tide,
0:44:12 > 0:44:16thus making the concentration of salt even higher.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20For hundreds of years, salt was skilfully harvested from the sea,
0:44:20 > 0:44:26but during the 19th century a combination of heavy taxes and cheaper methods of production
0:44:26 > 0:44:30meant the Essex salt traders soon began to disappear.
0:44:30 > 0:44:35Today the Maldon Crystal Salt Company is one of only four sea salt manufacturers in England.
0:44:35 > 0:44:43It's still a family-run business and headed up by Clive Osborne, who knows these salt marshes very well.
0:44:44 > 0:44:50It is absolutely stunning here. You must love it. You were brought up here.
0:44:50 > 0:44:57- Absolutely. Spent all my life here. - Most people think of natural sea salt as white flakes on your food,
0:44:57 > 0:45:04- but there's a lot more to it than that.- Oh, the annual production, world production of salt,
0:45:04 > 0:45:09- is approximately 110 million tonnes a year.- Gosh, really?
0:45:09 > 0:45:13The vast majority, though, is used in the chemical industry
0:45:13 > 0:45:19for the making of chlorine, caustic soda and other chemicals to produce many man-made things.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21It's a massive industry.
0:45:21 > 0:45:29But we at Maldon, we produce a very small quantity of salt exclusively for food.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33- Tell me how salt was used in the past.- Well, salt was around...
0:45:33 > 0:45:39- The Egyptians were using it. - Absolutely. The Egyptians used it to preserve their meat.
0:45:39 > 0:45:45Campaigning Romans were paid in salt money called salarium,
0:45:45 > 0:45:51and that's how we get our word salary in today's language.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54- So it was used an awful lot. - I never knew that.
0:45:54 > 0:46:01- So how do you get the salt from here?- What we do at Maldon is the spring tides are high tides.
0:46:01 > 0:46:07If conditions are absolutely right, we siphon off the water on the high tides.
0:46:07 > 0:46:12And then it goes into large tanks where it's allowed to settle.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14And after settling, we then filter.
0:46:14 > 0:46:20And from there we put it into large, stainless steel salt pans.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24- Why don't you come and have a look? - I'd love to.
0:46:27 > 0:46:31Maldon Salt has been a family-run company ever since 1882.
0:46:31 > 0:46:37Clive's grandfather passed it on to his son Cyril who ran the company for 50 years
0:46:37 > 0:46:40before passing it himself on to Clive.
0:46:40 > 0:46:45Although the production of sea salt has become more efficient,
0:46:45 > 0:46:49the basic skills and process remain the same today.
0:46:56 > 0:47:02- So what's going to happen here? - The water's pumped into these stainless steel pans.
0:47:02 > 0:47:07- The water is then brought up to a galloping boil.- OK.
0:47:07 > 0:47:12Then the heat's reduced and then we get down to a saturated solution.
0:47:12 > 0:47:20As more water comes off, the water gets saturated and the salt crystals start to form on the surface.
0:47:20 > 0:47:26- What are you holding there? - I've got some salt crystals that form on the surface.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29These crystals are formed in a pyramid shape.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33As they grow in size, they get heavier
0:47:33 > 0:47:37and the water then flows in the top and they sink down to the bottom.
0:47:37 > 0:47:43What's happening is the level of the crystals gradually build up on the bottom of the pan
0:47:43 > 0:47:47as the water level drops. So you come to a period of time
0:47:47 > 0:47:53where the level of the crystals meets the level of the water and the process is finished.
0:47:53 > 0:47:58- So these guys work 24/7? - They're here from six in the morning until six at night.- OK.
0:47:58 > 0:48:06Then it's on automatic. But one of us will come down at night and look to see it's going according to plan.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09So what happens next?
0:48:09 > 0:48:15Well, the salt makers come in early in the morning and the draw the salt pans,
0:48:15 > 0:48:17- which you see over here.- Yeah.
0:48:17 > 0:48:25They're still using the same, traditional, long-handled rakes to hand harvest the salt.
0:48:25 > 0:48:31The salt has been manufactured the day before. He's drawing it up into piles here.
0:48:31 > 0:48:36Once he's drawn the pans, the salt gets shovelled into the bins
0:48:36 > 0:48:42- and then more water is put in... - And the process is repeated. - It's repeated again.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45So what happens after that? It goes in that bin?
0:48:45 > 0:48:50The salt goes into the draining bins and is drained for 24 hours.
0:48:50 > 0:48:57- OK.- And then it's put into a low-temperature oven to adjust the moisture and finely dry
0:48:57 > 0:49:04- before it goes up to be packed. - Incredible.- Nothing added, nothing taken away.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06Naturally harvested like this.
0:49:06 > 0:49:11- How much salt do you produce a year? - It's about 1,500 tonnes a year.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15- That's a lot! - It's a lot of small little boxes.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19- Yeah.- About 65-70%, though, of what we produce is exported.
0:49:19 > 0:49:24- Is it? Where to, mainly? All over the world?- Literally, yes.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28Our biggest markets would be Scandinavia, Australasia,
0:49:28 > 0:49:33- but we go to South Africa and America.- Good for you.
0:49:33 > 0:49:40- I can't wait to have some on my salad tonight for supper.- Great. - I'm looking forward to that.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50So the next time you sprinkle some natural sea salt on your meal,
0:49:50 > 0:49:56spare a thought for its journey from these wonderful marshes here in Essex to your plate.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05Let's have a quick reminder of all the items we're taking to auction.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09This Worcester plate was a surprise housewarming gift.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13And Thomas has got some more stunning news.
0:50:13 > 0:50:17- I reckon I can put this in at £600-£800.- Never!
0:50:20 > 0:50:25- You like that?- Oh, I love it! - Let's hope the bidders like it, too!
0:50:25 > 0:50:30And will they go for Valerie's big bronze cat. Is it by Antoine Barye?
0:50:30 > 0:50:35I'll just point out the areas that raise a bit of doubt in my mind.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39His face, for example. It's maybe a little bit loose.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43Will the bidders be more convinced of its Barye pedigree? I wonder.
0:50:43 > 0:50:50Tony is hoping his diamond-shaped trinket box will make enough money to completely change his life.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53I hope to pay my mortgage off, give my notice and emigrate.
0:50:53 > 0:50:58I'm pretty sure it won't fetch that much, but we'll soon find out!
0:50:58 > 0:51:06And no one knows the fishy story of how this aquarium lighter got in Susan and Jenny's uncle's drawer.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09Let's hope there's a happy ending to this tale at auction.
0:51:09 > 0:51:16And it's brother Mark Stacey's turn on the rostrum ready to sell our next lot.
0:51:16 > 0:51:21- I like the hat, Tony.- Yes.- Suits you. What do you do for a living?
0:51:21 > 0:51:26- Park ranger.- Are you? And you do that on horseback?
0:51:26 > 0:51:30Em...I'd like to! Not quite, no.
0:51:30 > 0:51:36Anyway, going under the hammer is a diamond-shaped trinket box. £40-£60. Good value for money.
0:51:36 > 0:51:42A nice little trinket box. We were looking at it and it's got something about it.
0:51:42 > 0:51:48- A little touch of quality. - I was hoping it was gold!- Mark tested it. It isn't - it's brass.
0:51:48 > 0:51:55- But even so, it's got touches. - It's got the look.- Yeah.- That'll get it away.- And no reserve helps!
0:51:55 > 0:51:59It's here to sell. Good luck. You don't need it. This is it.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03Lot 460. 19th-century trinket box of diamond shape.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06A nice trinket box there.
0:52:06 > 0:52:12I've got to start the bidding at £90. At £90. 95. 100.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16Against you. 105. 110. 115.
0:52:16 > 0:52:21120. At £120. It's with me on commissions. Any advance on £120?
0:52:21 > 0:52:24Last time at 120.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28- Cracking result! £120! - Good price, good price.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31- We didn't need that "no reserve"! A bit cheeky.- Just in case!
0:52:31 > 0:52:36- Just in case.- You've got to be happy with that.- Yeah, it's brilliant.
0:52:44 > 0:52:49Right, I've been waiting for this one and I expect you have as well.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53Yes, it's that Worcester plate. It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:52:53 > 0:52:58- Here to go at £600-£800 and it belongs to Pat and...- Kim.- Kim. I got that right, just!
0:52:58 > 0:53:06- What do you think of this plate? - I'm really surprised. We liked it, but not that much.- Not 600-800.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10- No way, no.- Well, let me whisper in your ear a bit of a secret.
0:53:10 > 0:53:18- I had a chat to the auctioneer and he said this could fly through the roof. Well over £800.- No!
0:53:18 > 0:53:23- Really?- Ssh!- So he was right. We didn't believe him. - No, we didn't!
0:53:23 > 0:53:28- What does Thomas think? - It's a lovely thing.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31It's so comical. That cherub whipping the other ones.
0:53:31 > 0:53:36And they're saying, "Oi! Stop that!" I hope it should do well for you.
0:53:36 > 0:53:42- There's only one snag with Kim. - What?- She's just had her bedroom decorated in blue.
0:53:42 > 0:53:47And she said, "That plate would have looked nice, wouldn't it?"
0:53:48 > 0:53:54The porcelain plaque. Worcester one, very nice, too. Let's start the bidding at £400.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58£400 I'm bid. Thank you. 410. 420.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01430. 440. 450.
0:54:01 > 0:54:07- At £450 now. Are we all done? - Oh, come on...- 460. 470.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11- 480. 490.- It's on the phone.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13500.
0:54:13 > 0:54:18Against you. At £500 now. On the telephone at £500.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22- Are we all done? Last time. - He's selling.- At £500 only.
0:54:22 > 0:54:27- At £500.- That's not bad. - He sold on the reserve.
0:54:27 > 0:54:33- He sold on the reserve. That's all right.- Sorry I built that up.- Yes, you're very naughty.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37- He got really excited.- We're happy with that.- I'm naughty, aren't I?
0:54:37 > 0:54:42I'm an optimist! My glass is always half full.
0:54:47 > 0:54:53Valerie, I love this little bronze. Now Will put a valuation of £100-£150.
0:54:53 > 0:54:58- I'm pretty sure it will do quite well.- I hope so.- Why sell it now?
0:54:58 > 0:55:04I wanted to get on Flog It, I'm de-cluttering so there's not too much rubbish for my sons.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08- What? Time's not ticking away for you!- Oh, yes, it is.
0:55:08 > 0:55:13- There's no rush!- I'm 80 in the spring.- You're not!- I am.
0:55:13 > 0:55:1880 years old. What's the secret? How do you look so fresh?
0:55:18 > 0:55:22- Good living! Laziness! - Let's introduce Will here.
0:55:22 > 0:55:26- Will's 70! - I don't look bad, do I?
0:55:26 > 0:55:30I had to grow this so they'd serve me in the bars!
0:55:30 > 0:55:36- No, but I know you're a good liver. You like champagne, nice pieces, fine art.- That's right.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41- A discerning eye we've got here. - Yes.- Hence the Barye bronze.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45- Nice quality, good name. - Going under the hammer right now.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49A good quality bronze. A recumbering lioness on a rocky base.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53A bit of interest in this. Let's not waste time.
0:55:53 > 0:56:00I have bids on the book and must start the bidding at £280. Are we all done? On the book.
0:56:00 > 0:56:05At £280. The hammer's up and I'm selling.
0:56:05 > 0:56:10- £280!- That's lovely. - That's a great celebration.- Yes!
0:56:10 > 0:56:14- It'll go towards that. Enjoy it!- We will, we will.
0:56:14 > 0:56:18- Raise a glass to us When you celebrate.- We will indeed!
0:56:22 > 0:56:28We all love this next lot. Is there a flicker of hope at £800-£1,200?
0:56:28 > 0:56:34I think so. Susan, Jenny, great to see you. I'm talking about that gorgeous aquarium Dunhill lighter.
0:56:34 > 0:56:40We've seen one on Flog It before, a few years ago, and it sold for £800. So fingers crossed.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45- Hopefully a bit more.- Yes!- I love the story. It was your uncle's.- Yes.
0:56:45 > 0:56:51He gave up smoking for 30 years, put it in a drawer and hadn't seen it for 30 years.
0:56:51 > 0:56:58- Isn't that a great story?- Wonderful. - It's like jeans in a wardrobe with a £20 note in the pocket.
0:56:58 > 0:57:03You go to put your hands in and you go, "Look at that!"
0:57:03 > 0:57:09But £800 in a drawer we've got! That's just brilliant. And he'll split it?
0:57:09 > 0:57:13- Oh, yes!- The nieces have to have something, don't they?
0:57:13 > 0:57:17- We'll take him to the pub. - Surely he'll have most of it?
0:57:17 > 0:57:20And then he shares it with us!
0:57:20 > 0:57:23Cor, tough cookies!
0:57:23 > 0:57:30The Dunhill aquarium table lighter circa 1953. Lots of interest here, ladies and gentlemen.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33Straight in at £800. It's here with me.
0:57:33 > 0:57:37Any advances on 800? 820. 850. 880. 900.
0:57:37 > 0:57:42At £900 now. The bid's on the book and the hammer's up at £900.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45920. 950.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Come on.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50980.
0:57:50 > 0:57:53- 980.- Yes! Four figures now.
0:57:55 > 0:58:00At £1,000 now. The bid's on the book. The hammer's up. I'm selling.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02At £1,000.
0:58:03 > 0:58:10- Yes! Fantastic! Mid-estimate. Well done, Thomas. You've got to be pleased.- Excellent.
0:58:10 > 0:58:14Take him down the pub, buy him a pint and a pie.
0:58:14 > 0:58:18- But I guess the shoes and clothes are coming your way.- They might do!
0:58:18 > 0:58:23Thanks so much for coming in. We've had a fabulous day here.
0:58:23 > 0:58:28Join us again for many more surprises next time. Cheerio.
0:58:46 > 0:58:50Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012