0:00:04 > 0:00:07This marketplace dates back to the 13th century
0:00:07 > 0:00:08and it's in the heart of a town
0:00:08 > 0:00:11with its roots deep in the lace-making industry.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Welcome to Flog It! from Loughborough.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36In the middle of Loughborough's marketplace stands
0:00:36 > 0:00:37the Fearon Fountain.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40It marks the spot where Archdeacon Fearon
0:00:40 > 0:00:43brought the first pipe water to Loughborough town centre
0:00:43 > 0:00:47in the 19th century. Today, it's a common meeting place.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48And look who I've just spotted -
0:00:48 > 0:00:52today's experts, Elizabeth Talbot and Adam Partridge.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I'll tell you what, I am running a bit late. Ooh!
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Come on, Paul - we've got valuing to do.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Later in the show, I'll find out how a train journey to Loughborough,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05organised by a local man, Thomas Cook,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07started the travel company we know today.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I wonder if any of this crowd have travelled by train
0:01:11 > 0:01:14to today's venue, Loughborough Town Hall,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17where all the action will soon be taking place.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Well, the room is filling up.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Most people are safely seated inside, raring to go,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25and I think Elizabeth has already spotted something.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Let's take a closer look.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- Andrew.- Hello. - What a magnificent item.- Thank you.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Do tell me about it.
0:01:35 > 0:01:41Er, my father and his partner ran a jeweller's/clock-watch repair shot.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45One day, while I was a teenager, it just appeared on the mantelpiece.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- Oh, right - like these things do? - That's right, yes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52It stayed there ever since, until he passed away,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- when my mother passed it on to me. - Right.
0:01:55 > 0:01:56And I'm afraid it's been stuck
0:01:56 > 0:01:59on top of the wardrobe gathering dust since then.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02OK. Do I take it that your mother didn't like it,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05or did she think you'd appreciate inheriting it?
0:02:05 > 0:02:06I think so, yes.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09OK, but you didn't like it, so it's lived its life hidden away?
0:02:09 > 0:02:11That's right, just gathering dust, yes.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15I think the fact that it's been kept out of...
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Sort of the polishes and dusting and hands of anybody doing housework
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- means that it's retained its freshness and its crispness.- Yes.
0:02:22 > 0:02:28The detail on the, er, panels and on the clock have not been worn.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31The gilding and the burnishing has not been worn,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34so it looks today as it probably would have done - or close to -
0:02:34 > 0:02:36when it was first manufactured, and that,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40I think, will have been in the very early 20th century.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41Yes.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44On the face, it says that it's an English case,
0:02:44 > 0:02:45which itself is surprising,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- but an English case with a German movement.- Yeah.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Now, to start with the movement itself,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53it's actually a very basic clock movement.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55- It tells the time.- Yep.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58But it also strikes, so it is a clock, rather than a timepiece.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- Horologically, there is very little intrigue in that.- Yeah.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- So the value of it is in the condition and the style.- Yes.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09It's also rather nice - you know this is called a garniture,
0:03:09 > 0:03:10when you have more than one piece.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12You have the clock and the matching vases,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and it's nice that they've remained together.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18The clock and the vases are fundamentally made of brass,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21and then they have introduced panels of base metal,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25which have been cast to take the very fine details of the animals.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- Yes.- And these fascinating hunting subjects and themes,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33which take you, apparently around the world, as far as Africa.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36But are then combined with a very, sort of,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39north African, Islamic, er, sort of Eastern look.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- That's right.- It's a very interesting cross-section.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- So therefore, we have a piece which is not to everybody's taste.- Yep.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48But is very dramatic.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It's not important as a clock but it is a very stylish
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- and good furnishing piece.- Yes.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I think that's where the market will receive it,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57in terms of what we have here.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01I think, on a fairly average day,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04it should do £400 to £600 without really trying.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- Good grief!- I would recommend an estimate in that sort of region.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- Would you be happy at that sort of level?- Yes. Yes, yes.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- And if we put a reserve on, certainly at 400.- Yes.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19So if the worst thing happens and nobody bids,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22you've still got your... desirable clock garniture.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25But I think that's fair and I think, in this current market,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28it has a fair chance to tempt people to bid and then we'll see how we do.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- OK, that's wonderful. Yeah, that's wonderful.- Oh, good. Excellent.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35That's all right. Thank you for bringing it in so carefully.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42What we love to see on Flog It! is things of regional interest -
0:04:42 > 0:04:46local interest - that really sparks an awful lot of civic pride.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49We're in Loughborough, in the marketplace, and I'll tell you,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51it doesn't get any better than this.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Look at that. It's the Labour Exchange sign,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57which hung in the marketplace over 100 years ago.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- It's a wonderful enamel sign and it belongs to John here. Hi.- Hi.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06If you put this into auction now, with the local interest,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09in a local auction room, you've got to be looking at £200 to £300.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- That's very nice to hear. - Look after it.- I certainly will.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- Thank you for bringing it in. - Thanks very much.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- Good afternoon, Brenda.- Hello. - How are you today?- Fine, thank you.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24What's a lady doing with trains?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27It's normally associated with a boys' hobby, isn't it?
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- It belongs to my husband's father. - So it's been in the family a while?
0:05:31 > 0:05:35We found it ten years ago, when we cleared the house out,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37and so we didn't know it was there.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- Oh, really? So your husband didn't even know about its existence?- No.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Was it tucked away somewhere? - It was, in the attic.- Was it?- It was.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- It was an attic find.- Yes. - Excellent.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Well, I'm sure these original boxes have helped preserve it.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52And what a nice example, really.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56It's by the Bowman firm from Dereham in Norfolk.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Obviously, it says that on the lid and on the side of the boxes,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02so no great prizes for that.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06But Bowman was run by a chap called Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09and it was established in the mid-1920s
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and they made trains throughout the '20s and '30s.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I think they went out of business in about 1935.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19They made trains that were described as "durable" -
0:06:19 > 0:06:22apparently they even worked in the garden -
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and very robust and efficient.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Some people were quite unkind and said they were quite ugly.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- Oh, right.- This one is the steam loco, model 234,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and that's the tender model 250.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39They've obviously been used - you've got signs of use there.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Some smoke damage or marks there,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- because it's a real, live thing, isn't it?- Yes.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46They are growing in popularity.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48They were sniffed upon by train collectors,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51who went for the more glamorous manufacturers,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53the better-looking examples.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56But I think Bowman models have got better in recent years.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00What's your impression of the value? Have you got any idea yourself?
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- Well, apart from this man offering £200 unseen.- Oh, you've had an offer?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Well, ten years ago, when we first had it.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- We thought it must be worth more. - Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- Well, I mean, that probably was quite a good offer, actually.- Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Because that was the sort of figure I was thinking of
0:07:17 > 0:07:20when you took them out earlier.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22So my suggestion would be to put an estimate of £200 to £300 on them.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- Yes.- And a reserve of 200, so they don't make any less.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Well, I thought about 250 reserve. - Right.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32If we put 250, we have to up the estimate,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34which may scare people off.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38It may not, but my recommendation would be £200 to £300.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39It's up to you.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Well, I'll go with your recommendation - £200.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46I don't want you disappointed, but if we put 200 as the very least.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49And then let's hope it goes to make the 250 or the 300
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- that we're really hoping to get. - Yes. Yes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54As I say, the market for Bowman models has improved,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57so let's hope that it'll do that.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Are you a photographer, Diana? - Not at all.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I know nothing about cameras
0:08:11 > 0:08:14and even less about the old cameras like the Leica.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Fantastic camera, what can I say?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Leica sort of pioneered the 35mm lens. So whose is it?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21It was my husband's.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24You were obviously this side of the camera - you're the model, basically.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Well, no, he didn't actually photograph me, it was other things of interest.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- He travelled quite a lot. - And used this widely?
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Yes, he used it quite a lot when he had the time
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- because it isn't something you would take an instant picture.- No.
0:08:38 > 0:08:45He bought it in 1988 and it cost about £225 from a dealer,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47I think, in Cambridge.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52- This camera dates back to 1925, basically.- Really?- Yes.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- Yes.- And he paid about the right amount of money for it.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- You can use it today, that's the great thing about it.- Yes.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01I think you'll easily get your money back
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- if we put this into auction.- Good.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10My only concern is we're selling something with moving parts,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12and a lot of people tend to shy away
0:09:12 > 0:09:16from buying something like this in auction.
0:09:16 > 0:09:23- I'd like to put an auction price guide of £250 to £350.- OK, yep.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- With a reserve at £225. - That's fine, yes.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- Which is...- What I paid for it, yes.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Let's face it, the auctioneer's going to give this full exposure.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- Yes.- It'll be in the catalogue, it'll be on the internet.- Yep.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Dealers and collectors will find this.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41People all over the world will want a camera like this.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Because you can use it and it's still quality.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- That's right. Well, thank you, that would be wonderful.- Happy?- Yes.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- Well, welcome, Gillian, and welcome, James.- Thank you.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- Two generations of the same family. - Exactly, yes.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Bringing what I think are very exciting items.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Tell me all about your glass.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12Well, it was when we used to go out for the day, my husband and I.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Right.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18- And we thought we'd treat ourselves to a little bit of something.- Right.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- We did - we went to London and we bought a piece of glass.- Uh-huh.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24And then, when we went another time, we bought another piece.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Now, did you buy them knowing what they were? Did you know...?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Not at the time I bought them.- OK.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32But subsequently, you've seen them on Flog It! and so on.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35James, before we go any further, do you like this?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38I like the orange one, cos it's really bright
0:10:38 > 0:10:40and I like bright things.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Yeah? OK. So why are you wanting to sell them?
0:10:43 > 0:10:48I need to pay for my skating boots, and to go abroad.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- So you're a skater? - Yes, I ice skate.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Are you nationally known, internationally?
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Do you compete, or...?- Er, at the moment, I'm second in the country.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Congratulations. I've never met a real ice skater! Congratulations.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- Thank you.- So second in the country,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07with aspirations to do bigger and better things?
0:11:07 > 0:11:08Definitely.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Well, I'll tell you that these are by the Whitefriars glass factory,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16which is now looked upon as one of the leading lights
0:11:16 > 0:11:19in terms of design of glass in the mid-20th century.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22These two pieces were designed by Geoffrey Baxter.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25You have probably one of the most famous shapes,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28which is called the Drunken Bricklayer shape,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30and this was in a pewter colour.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35It's part of the mould-blown series. In fact, both of them are.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38And the tangerine one is commonly referred to
0:11:38 > 0:11:40as a television-shaped vase.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And in both cases, I've seen them both in different colours
0:11:43 > 0:11:44and different sizes.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48The Bricklayer, actually, can be made quite... Quite a large example.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Do you have them out and about, still?- Oh, yes!- Excellent.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54So they'll leave a big, gaping hole somewhere if you...
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- Well, they will, but I can move the glass a bit further along.- OK, OK.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02They're in good condition, you've looked after them over the years,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05which is superb. In terms of value,
0:12:05 > 0:12:10I quite confidently believe that they should fetch £100 to £150 each.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11Wonderful!
0:12:11 > 0:12:13So if we look at a combined minimum of £200,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16so that they don't sell for less than that.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Yes.- And we'll see how we do on the day.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20- That's lovely.- Wonderful.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- I'm Adam.- Yes.- And you're Pat.- Yes. - Welcome to Flog It!
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- So, you brought in this very pretty Shelley set here.- Yes.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- What can you tell me about it? - Well, not much, really.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I was given it just over 20 years ago by a late aunt...
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- Well, auntie-in-law.- Right.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45After she gave it me, I just put it in a cabinet.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- It's been there ever since. - Ever used it?- Never.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51D'you know, these are quite fun to use - shall I tell you why?
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- Cos you drink out of it and it runs down the side of your face.- Yeah.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- They're very pretty, but they're quite an impractical shape.- Yeah.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- As with many people, they haven't got the full set.- No.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05You've got five cups and saucers.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07But you've got the six tea plates
0:13:07 > 0:13:11and you've got the bread-and-butter plate, and you've got the two pots.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12Yes.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18- The pattern is number 11607.- Yes.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- That's called the My Garden pattern. - Yeah.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24And, you can see, decorated with a garden scene.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27So the pattern is called My Garden.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29The shape is called the Queen Anne shape
0:13:29 > 0:13:31with that octagonal, fluted shape.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- And it's typically 1930s in its date.- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37So there we are - we've got it.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40A 1930s Shelley tea service - part tea service -
0:13:40 > 0:13:42in the My Garden pattern.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- Why are you selling it? - Well, I... I don't need it any more.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50- I've loved it, but now I thought it was time to go.- Time to go?- Yeah.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56- So you do like it?- I've always liked it, but what with the grandchildren.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- OK, so it might end up as fragments if you're not careful?- Yes.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- Any idea of the value?- Well, no, I've never had it valued at all.- No.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06I only mentioned it once to an antique dealer
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and he said it was worth £20.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Oh! I'd like to meet him and give him a piece of my mind.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Yeah. And he said, "use it."
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It's worth a lot more... Well, a good deal more than that.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Because it's a part set, I'm going to be a bit cautious,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22but I'd put 100 to 150 on it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- Yeah, that's about right.- I'd expect it to make that, if not a bit more.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- So, er, are you happy with that? - Yes.- Excellent. Bottom line of 80.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Yeah.- Estimate, 100 to 150.- Yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Put it in the auction, see how it goes.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- I reckon it'll make it, and hopefully a bit more.- Yes.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42We've still got lots of people to see,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44but we've found our first gems to take off
0:14:44 > 0:14:49to Gilding's Auction House, just down the road in Market Harborough.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Our experts' valuations are just about to be put to the test
0:14:52 > 0:14:55under the watchful eye of auctioneer Mark Gilding
0:14:55 > 0:14:56on the rostrum behind me.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59But before that, here's a quick reminder of what we're selling.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Elizabeth had a lot of time for Andrew's garniture set
0:15:03 > 0:15:08that came from his dad's shop, and valued it at between £400 and £600.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10But will the bidders agree with her?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Will they also be tempted by Brenda's boys' toys?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16This 1920s train set is steaming into the auction
0:15:16 > 0:15:18with an estimate of £200 to £300.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I thought Diana's camera was in great condition
0:15:23 > 0:15:25and I feel sure she'll make her money back,
0:15:25 > 0:15:30with an estimate of £250 to £350.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31- It's going to be on the internet. - Yes.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Dealers and collectors will find this.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36While valuing Gillian's Whitefriars glass,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Elizabeth got a bit starstruck!
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- At the moment, I'm second in the country.- Congratulations!
0:15:42 > 0:15:46I've never met a real ice skater! Congratulations!
0:15:46 > 0:15:47Well, now, you have, Elizabeth!
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Any money raised will help grandson James
0:15:50 > 0:15:52keep winning his ice-skating trophies.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54And finally, it's not a full set
0:15:54 > 0:16:00but Adam is still hoping for £100 to £150 for Pat's Shelley tea set.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02But it's a pretty pattern,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04so I wonder if he's slightly underestimated his china.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07Well, we'll soon find out,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10because these items are about to go under the hammer.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16I've been looking forward to this, Gillian.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I love Geoffrey Baxter, I love Whitefriars.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20We've got two items here, £200 to £300,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24and all the money's going towards ice-skating equipment.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Hopefully, we can get the top end. - I'm hoping so.- Yeah.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Geoffrey Baxter's a great designer - a good name to look for.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- These are two classics. - They are classics.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Depends if the colourways are right.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35If the collectors already have these,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38they may not want them, but they may want to make up a set.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- Absolutely.- Here we go - let's find out what they make.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Two Whitefriars in lot 160, then, and bidding starts here.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48With me at £160. 160 I'm bid.
0:16:48 > 0:16:49170, 180, 190, 200.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51210, 220, 230.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53240.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- What a flurry!- 240 bid right at the back. 250, new bidding.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57Yes, more hands.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59260, 270. 270 right in the middle.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Oh, there's another one. Telephone.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04£300, at 300. 320.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08320, bid at 320. I'll take 40 if you like. 340.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10The telephone's in at 340.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13All out in the room at 340 and selling.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- £340.- We should be waving a national flag, shouldn't we?- Yeah.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19James, I hope you enjoyed watching that.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Unfortunately, poor old James - he's at school today.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- Couldn't get the time off, could he? - No, not allowed.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- So how much were the boots, were you saying?- 500.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29HE MOUTHS
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Do they have to be specially made? - Yes. They do.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- Well, we wish him luck. James, win us a medal!- Yes.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Now it's my turn to be the expert, and in the frame
0:17:46 > 0:17:48we've got Diana here, who's looking radiant,
0:17:48 > 0:17:49and I love the colours.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- Thank you, Paul.- And it's that wonderful Leica camera.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Precision personified, that is, in the original case.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59We need two collectors here that really understand good lenses.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Yes, exactly. Well, let's hope they're here.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- I do as well.- Yes. - Let's find out. Here we go.- Indeed.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10100, a Leica DRP camera with the original leather case.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Lot number 100, bidding starts at 180...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15£200, £220 I am bid...
0:18:15 > 0:18:18220 bid here, all out at 220...
0:18:18 > 0:18:22I'll take 40 if you like, 240 on the telephone...
0:18:22 > 0:18:26240, 240 on the telephone. All out on the room...
0:18:26 > 0:18:30at 240 and selling now at £240.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Yes, the hammer's gone down at £240.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Great.- We just did it. - I'm happy with that.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- Fixed reserve at 225 so...phew! - Yes, I'm relieved.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It was bought by phone. If there was somebody else to push him,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44he may have gone the extra two or three.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47But we're never going to know that. That's the beauty of auctions.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Right. Next up, we've got a live spirit-powered locomotive,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57in original box, made by Bowman's.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58It belongs to Brenda.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01And I hope we're on the right track, here, Adam, £200 to £300.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Full steam ahead, Paul.- Ooh!
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Why are you selling this? - I just don't collect trains.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Time to let it go?- Yes. - It's in good company.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Have you seen over there? There's a lot of locomotives.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- There's more than one.- That's always good news.- It is, isn't it?
0:19:16 > 0:19:19They may not come for just one, but if there's a whole load of them,
0:19:19 > 0:19:23they should be all right. I think we'll be all right.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Good. Here we go. Let's enjoy the ride.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Bowman steam locomotive and the tender,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30both of them in the original wooden cases.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32170, 170 here. 170?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34170, 180, 190 bid there.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37190? I'll take 100. 190 bid here.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39200 on the telephone. £200 bid.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41We're in.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45210. Bidding at 210. 210.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46Telephone two at 210.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49And selling away £210.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- That was good.- Not bad.- Got it within the estimate.- Very good.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54It was touch and go for a minute.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We got there in the end. There is commission to pay.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- What will you put the money towards? - Probably a holiday.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Where do you fancy going? - We're going to Ireland.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- Lovely.- Going to go there on the train?
0:20:06 > 0:20:08SHE LAUGHS
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Andrew's about to put the family heirlooms under the hammer.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- What have we got? A lovely mantel clock?- Yes.- Matching pair of vases.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23And the clock strikes on a gong. We've got £400-£600 on this.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28It's a real looker. It's unusual, but it's a real decorative piece as well.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- Be pleased to see the back of this, will you?- Oh, definitely!
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Free up a bit more space on top of the wardrobe.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Right, well, find out what the bidders think right now.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Early 20th-century garniture with a mantel clock.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41More bidding with me here.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42£240 I'm bid.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45240 bid here. At 240. All out in the room.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47260, 280 now, at 280. 280 with me.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49At 280? 300.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51It's on the telephone.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54320, 340, 360. 360 Bid at 360.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55At 360? 380 on the telephone.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I'm out at 380.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01And selling away now at £380.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Yes! 380. I know we had a fixed reserve of 400,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07but I think the auctioneer's going to make the difference
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- of the £20 up to you.- OK.- He's not going to let it go for £20.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- I think you'll be pleased with that. - Yes, I'm pleased.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16I know Elizabeth will be disappointed.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18I am. I thought it would make more than that.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21It was a real, good-quality, unusual piece. Nonetheless, happy new home.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- Yes.- Exactly.- That's right. It won't be stuck on the wardrobe.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- It's GONG!- It's gone.- Oh, very good!
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Next up, it's time for tea. No, don't run out to the kitchen.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36It's time to put the Shelley tea set under the hammer.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39It belongs to Pat here. Great to see you.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Now we've had some good results from Shelley before.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- We've got 150, Adam?- 100-150. - That's right. OK.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- And you're going to treat the grandchildren?- Yes.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Now, guess how many grandchildren there are?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- Three.- Ten.- Ten.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- Well, you've enjoyed this for 20 years, this tea set.- Yes.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- It's time to let go.- Yes. - Shelley's always popular.- Yes.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Highest percentage of bone in any bone china. Did you know that?
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- No, I didn't know that. - 52% bone, I believe.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Let's hope all the bidders know that as well.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12It's going under the hammer now.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Lovely decoration on this one and bidding starts...
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Look at all of these commissions!
0:22:17 > 0:22:19180, 200, 220, £240.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23240 bid with me. At 240?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- 240, Pat, what do you think? - 260. 280 bid now. At 280?
0:22:26 > 0:22:27At 280, I'm in.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29300, I'm out.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32300 on the telephone. I'll take 20.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Always popular, the Shelley.- Yes.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37320. New bidding at 320.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39320, telephone two. Internet's out as well at 320.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Selling online. 340 on the internet.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42340.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- That's a good price.- Very good. - 340 bid.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49340, 350, at £350. 350 on the telephone.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52They know there's a lot of bone in the china!
0:22:52 > 0:22:58At 350? Telephone two then at 350. Internet's out and selling at £350.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Yes! £350!- Good price.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Shelley is always a little winner, isn't it?
0:23:04 > 0:23:09If you've got something like that, look after it, or bring it to us to flog it for you.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13I think that's a minibus down to the seaside for all ten kids.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Well, after the drama of the auction,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I think I need a break and I'm not the only one.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Last year, we made 50 million trips abroad
0:23:23 > 0:23:26to discover different parts of the world.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29But did you know this is largely due to one man -
0:23:29 > 0:23:33a Bible salesman born at the beginning of the 19th century?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38CHOIR SINGS
0:23:42 > 0:23:49On 9th June in 1841, one man set out on a 15-mile walk to Leicester to attend a meeting.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52While he was doing it, he had a brainwave, a brilliant idea.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55He had to do this again, there were a lot of people involved,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57so he thought, "Why don't I charter a train?"
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Little did he know that that trip
0:23:59 > 0:24:01would launch a brand-new type of company
0:24:01 > 0:24:04that would change the way Britons saw the world,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06and his name was Thomas Cook.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Today, the travel company that started from these humble beginnings here in Leicestershire
0:24:11 > 0:24:14is now one of the UK's largest.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19And to find out how Thomas Cook went from organising one little excursion
0:24:19 > 0:24:22to planning package holidays all over the globe,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26I've come to talk to company archivist Paul Smith.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29And where better than the Great Central Railway in Loughborough,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31close to where our story starts?
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Thomas Cook had assistants ready to assist at all stations around the world
0:24:38 > 0:24:40and I've just spotted mine.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- Hello, Paul.- Hi.- Pleased to meet you. I love the uniform.- Thank you.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- Thomas Cook & Sons Ltd.- Absolutely. - When does this date to?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51This particular uniform dates from about 1930.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Tell me about Thomas Cook and his background.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59What was his desire to help open the world to the working classes?
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Thomas Cook was very working class himself.
0:25:01 > 0:25:07He was the son of a labourer and the grandson of a Baptist preacher.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11His father actually died when Thomas was only three.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15His mother remarried and his stepfather died when he was only ten.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Gosh!- Thomas, basically, was taken out of school, erm, and began...
0:25:19 > 0:25:22He was the main breadwinner for the family.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- He had a lot on this shoulders at such a young age.- He did.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27He originally worked as a gardener's boy
0:25:27 > 0:25:29and, at the age of 14,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33he was apprenticed to his uncle as a wood-turner, a cabinet maker.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34Interesting.
0:25:34 > 0:25:40But really it was the religious side to his upbringing
0:25:40 > 0:25:41which was more important.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46At the age of 20, he went off and became an itinerant Baptist preacher.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49He covered more than 2,000 miles on foot,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53travelling round the villages of Leicestershire, Rutland, as far as Stamford,
0:25:53 > 0:25:58just promoting the Bible, encouraging people to set up Sunday schools, that sort of thing.
0:25:58 > 0:26:04It was on one of these tours in the village of Barrowden in Rutland that he met his wife-to-be.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Tell me about that life-changing trip, that walk to Leicester.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13Basically, Thomas had the idea to use these new-fangled trains
0:26:13 > 0:26:17to promote temperance, to promote social improvement, as he saw it.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20He believed that all problems in Victorian England were down to alcohol.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25Anything he could do to encourage people to explore the world, do something different,
0:26:25 > 0:26:30would improve society, so his idea essentially was to charter a train
0:26:30 > 0:26:33to take people to a temperance meeting.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- And that was successful in itself? - Yes, it was.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37About 500 people went on that first trip.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40They paid a shilling a head, travelled in open carriages
0:26:40 > 0:26:43and there were two newspaper reports on the trip as well.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48So 500 people became the first to experience a Thomas Cook excursion,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50but Cook didn't stop there.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54He arranged a succession of trips allowing thousands of people
0:26:54 > 0:26:58to experience rail travel for the first time around the UK.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00On moving to Leicester in 1841,
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Cook began printing his first small leaflets to accompany his tours.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Along with letters and timetables, these survive today.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11What was Thomas Cook's first commercial venture?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Well, his first commercial venture, believe it or not,
0:27:13 > 0:27:15was actually a trip to Liverpool,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18which took place in the summer of 1845.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- He actually produced a little handbook.- A little guide.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Yep, which is his very first travel-related publication.
0:27:26 > 0:27:32Now this was a far more adventurous trip than anything he'd planned before.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Not only did it involve an overnight stay,
0:27:35 > 0:27:40but also it involved negotiations with three different railway companies.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42- Linking them together to make the journey.- Yes.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47In the back of this handbook, it does give a list of hotels within Liverpool where people can stay.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- Like a little tourist guide?- Yeah.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51How many people were on the train?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Well, it caused a sensation in Leicester, this trip.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57He managed to sell 1,200 tickets initially.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59- That's a big train. - That's a big train.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02But even that didn't satisfy demand
0:28:02 > 0:28:05and he had to organise a second trip two weeks later
0:28:05 > 0:28:07for a further 800 people.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10That's 2,000 people from Leicester went to Liverpool.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12I guess with all this success in mind,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14he would soon be ready to cross the Channel.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Well, he was. By the end of the 1840s,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Thomas had been to Ireland
0:28:20 > 0:28:24and his tickets covered the whole of the British Isles, more or less.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27He was contemplating trips to places within Europe,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29to America, to the Holy Land.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34So where would Cook decide to go on his first venture off the mainland?
0:28:34 > 0:28:39Well, the Paris Exhibition of 1855 beckoned,
0:28:39 > 0:28:43but simply organising a trip direct to Paris was far too easy for Thomas Cook.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49He then decides to organise a Grand Circular Tour, as he calls it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- Well, it would make sense, wouldn't it?- Absolutely.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56It encompassed a trip to Brussels, a river trip down the Rhine,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59visits to Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02and finally to Paris, so he had a circular tour.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06His original intention was just to sell a travel ticket,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10but so many people were asking him about accommodation,
0:29:10 > 0:29:16about foreign exchange - what do they do, how do they cope?
0:29:16 > 0:29:20So he offered to organise all their accommodation for them for a £5 note.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23This really was the birth of the package holiday right here.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28It was. You got accommodation, food and travel all paid for in advance - that's the package.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33So in 1872, Cook was the first to lead a commercial trip around the world.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36He was absent for 222 days in total.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- Long time.- And wrote lots of letters as he travelled.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42He wrote a series of letters to The Times and other newspapers,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44which he published on his return in a little book,
0:29:44 > 0:29:48but he also wrote, every Sunday, to his wife.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50We have one of those on display there.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- That's Thomas's own handwriting.- How charming.- It is. They're wonderful.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03By the time Thomas Cook returned from his globetrotting,
0:30:03 > 0:30:07his son sat firmly in the company's driving seat.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09He built an impressive head office in London
0:30:09 > 0:30:12and was ready to move the company forward.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17Thomas Cook continued to travel the globe by sea, rail and foot,
0:30:17 > 0:30:19right up until retirement in 1878,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21at the age of 70.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25But what it's left us with is the name, 130 years later,
0:30:25 > 0:30:30that still conjures up images of sun, sea and sightseeing.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Back in the town hall,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Elizabeth has been confronted with a strange item made out of bones.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44Well, we do say we're happy to value most things on the show.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49So, Janet, how did you acquire this set?
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Well, I had it from a friend about 17 years ago.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57And unfortunately she passed away just recently.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- At 98 years old.- Wow.- Yes.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05So you're looking to find a new home for it, is that your intention?
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Yes, I am.
0:31:06 > 0:31:12Because it is such a beautiful thing, delicate, so new and so different,
0:31:12 > 0:31:16that I think it deserves to have more show.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19You're quite right. Very unusual set, Janet.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Made of, principally, chicken wishbones,
0:31:22 > 0:31:27and the little bones which have been stained to imitate mahogany.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30And this has been upholstered by a very skilful needle woman.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34And it has now created a late Victorian/Edwardian parlour suite,
0:31:34 > 0:31:37which copies the furniture which was very popular
0:31:37 > 0:31:40at the end of the 19th, early 20th century.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42It's a magical little set.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46As a novelty on its own, it's a one-off, a real one-off,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- A lot of love and attention has gone into it.- It has too.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52It's actually almost suitable for a museum of childhood.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54- It's that kind of calibre.- Yes.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58And also, it's not the finest child's toy from the period,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00it never has been, but that's what's charming about it.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03The very fact it has survived for a century as well as it has,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05is a credit to the original makers.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07It is, isn't it? It's lovely.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- Almost like a folk art collector would be interested in this.- Yes.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14So if I said £20 to £30, would that surprise you?
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- Erm...- Disappoint you?- Yeah.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20- I think so.- How about £40 to £60?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22- Hmm...- Still disappointed?
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- Well, yeah. - I think it should fetch £60.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29I think it should fetch minimum of £60, it might do £60 to £80.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- Yes.- It might, because it's so quirky,
0:32:32 > 0:32:34go for more than that.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38But I think to be realistic, to be fair to you and your friend,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41but to price it so that we can encourage serious people
0:32:41 > 0:32:43who would give it a good home,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47we need to pitch it at a level that they feel they could afford.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50So I think we should enter this for auction at an estimate
0:32:50 > 0:32:52of £60 to £80, we'll put a reserve of £60 on it,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56so you can rest assured that it has a safety net,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59fingers crossed, pull a wishbone or two, we hopefully make more.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Is that all right?- That's lovely. Thank you very, very much.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Thank you.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10You've brought three very interesting pieces of silver
0:33:10 > 0:33:14that span quite a period of time.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Can you tell me how you came to own them,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19and what's the story behind them?
0:33:19 > 0:33:21They came through my family
0:33:21 > 0:33:26and my aunt actually took them on to a TV programme almost 50 years ago.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31- Really?- Yes. - What was the TV programme?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- Lunchbox.- Lunchbox?- Yes.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38And they've been in the family, but now they just really sit there.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41I thought it might just be fun that after 50 years
0:33:41 > 0:33:43they were still of interest.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- So you're saying these have been on telly before!- Yes!
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- About 50 years ago?- Almost.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- So there's a chance that most people won't remember them?- Maybe!
0:33:53 > 0:33:58Cos those that do may be of an age that they may not remember anyway!
0:33:58 > 0:34:03So you've got three pieces there, the earliest being this one.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06This little Queen Anne silver box,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09with the profile portrait of Queen Anne on the top.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Of course she was on the throne at the beginning of the 18th century.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Chronologically, the next one is this one here.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Georgian cream jug,
0:34:19 > 0:34:24which is a London hallmark, there, 1771.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29- 1771.- Yes.- So there we go. That one's been around a bit as well.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31I'd love to know where it came from.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35I know! Wouldn't it be nice? All these things tell a story.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36And you never know.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39This one of course is the...
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Sounds funny to say it, the most modern one!
0:34:41 > 0:34:45But it's still a Georgian piece of silver.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49A Georgian vinaigrette by a well-known maker, Thomas Shaw.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Thomas Shaw of Birmingham.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56We'll just have a little examine of that. A silver grill here.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00And underneath that, if we just remove it for a minute,
0:35:00 > 0:35:01is the original sponge.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Does it still smell?
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- Sometimes. Sometimes they still do. - Really?
0:35:05 > 0:35:08But I can't get much out of that.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11And of course this would be carried around by a lady,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14to freshen up, or if she didn't like the smell of the streets,
0:35:14 > 0:35:17the streets used to stink, and she would just open it up,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20have a little whiff of the vinaigrette.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Very nice, the form of a little satchel. Cute little item there.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Down to the value,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28I think it would be irresponsible to sell them as three.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31You've got different appeals to collectors for each.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Firstly, the vinaigrette, easy thing to value,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I would put £60 to £80 on that.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39And a reserve of £50 so it doesn't go for less.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43That'll make £60, £80, maybe even £100 on a good day.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47This one, I reckon should make £100 to £150,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50and I'd put a reserve at about £90 on that one.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53To stop that one from under-selling.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55This one I'd like to look into further.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59We haven't had a chance to properly find out about that one,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02so I don't want to quote something that isn't accurate.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06So either we do a bit more research or we ask the auction house
0:36:06 > 0:36:08to come up with an estimate on that one,
0:36:08 > 0:36:12tell us before the show, and see what you think.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- Is that OK?- That's fine.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Let's see what happens.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Whatever happens, you're going to get a few hundred pounds.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22Oh, lovely. Yes. Part of the programmes!
0:36:26 > 0:36:29We see a lot of Moorcroft on the show.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33But I think this is possibly one of the best pieces I've ever seen.
0:36:33 > 0:36:34- Really?- Yes.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39It's not like the usual Iris, or Pomegranate or things like that,
0:36:39 > 0:36:40this is beautiful.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43Tell me a little bit about its history.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48I believe that my father bought it for my mother as a present.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50- OK.- It's always been... - In the family?
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Yes. And it's always been well used.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58By my mother. She always had flowers in it.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- Oh, how lovely!- Yeah.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Well, what can I say about this?
0:37:02 > 0:37:06It's William Moorcroft, it's a very early piece,
0:37:06 > 0:37:10it's a wonderful example of their slipware, it really is.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14But isn't it stunning? Look at the colour.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16And you can tell it's an early one.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18You can see there the markings.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21They were highly associated with the McIntyre factory.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Up until the early 1900s, when they broke away from them.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28You were right that's it been used,
0:37:28 > 0:37:33because somebody... Who put the chip on it?
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- There's a little chip... - Yes, my mother.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38- It's been coloured, hasn't it? - Yes, she had.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Just painted it with ink.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Moonlit Blue fetches a great deal of money.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- It's one of the most sought-after patterns.- Is it really?
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Yes. We've only had one or two other examples on the show before.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50And nothing of this size.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54If I said to you, I've just looked on a computer,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57and done some research on this particular size,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59this particular vase,
0:37:59 > 0:38:03in Moonlit Blue, in perfect condition,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06has sold recently in auction...
0:38:06 > 0:38:07for £3,000.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09SHE GASPS No!
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- That's incredible! - It's a lot of money, isn't it?
0:38:13 > 0:38:15The downside is...the chip.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17- It's very hard to value this.- Is it?
0:38:17 > 0:38:20I mean, the chip can get sorted out, that's not a big deal.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23But it's always going to be not perfect, have restoration,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26and never going to reach another £3,000.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- Could I put this in with a reserve? - Yeah.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33A price guide of something like £500 to £700?
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Yes. I'd be happy with that.- Yeah?
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Let the auctioneer use a bit of discretion at £500.
0:38:40 > 0:38:41Would you be happy with that?
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Very happy.- Are you sure?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- Yes. Positive. - But if we catch them at £500,
0:38:48 > 0:38:53hopefully three or four people in the room will bid it up to £1,000.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56It's worth trying if you're prepared to let it go at £500.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00- Yes.- Watch it fly away!
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Welcome to Flog It. I'm Adam, and you are...?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Susan.- Susan. Very interesting item you've brought here.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Wonderful piece of music, the Moonlight Serenade.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Absolutely.- Are you going to sing it for me?- No way!
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- Go on! It's a lovely song, isn't it? - Yes, beautiful song.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Glen Miller, of course, the very famous Glen Miller.- Yeah.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33- And what we've got on here is, "To Ron, from..."- "Glen Miller."
0:39:33 > 0:39:35How did you come to own this?
0:39:35 > 0:39:39My father was a musician, he played with lots of big bands,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42and they saw Glen Miller, playing at Hyde Park,
0:39:42 > 0:39:44and one of his friends got that for him.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- Really?- And he gave it to me.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49So I presume this holds a few memories for you, does it?
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Yeah, mainly because my father was in a band
0:39:51 > 0:39:55and he played a lot of that music. It does have a lot of memories.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- Yeah. Happy memories.- Very happy memories, very happy memories.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01And was your father a saxophonist?
0:40:01 > 0:40:06- He was. Played the saxophone and clarinet.- Did he?- Yeah, and flute.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09I presume... Why are you selling it? Because you don't need it?
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Well, it just sits there on the shelf,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14so if somebody else could appreciate it, that would be nice.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18- I think there will be some interest in this.- Cos it's very special.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Well, valuation isn't great, it's 20 to 40 in my opinion.- That's OK.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25- There's always the chance it'll make more.- Yeah.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28- Do you want to put a reserve to protect it?- Yes, please.- £20?- Yeah.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31So if it doesn't make £20, it can go back.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33And if the bidders are In The Mood...
0:40:33 > 0:40:34Oh, very good. Yeah.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36..then hopefully it'll make more.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38It'll be A String Of Pearls.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- Thanks for coming to "Flog It!" - You're welcome.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Well, that's it - we've got our last items to take to auction.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54'I've left the busy valuation day behind and taken to the towpath.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58'These days, we think of canals as a place for fun and relaxation,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00'but at the end of the 18th century,
0:41:00 > 0:41:04'these were the motorways of the Industrial Revolution,
0:41:04 > 0:41:09'vital for moving goods and raw materials in bulk across the country.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13'And situated just outside of Market Harborough,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15'this stretch of the canal network
0:41:15 > 0:41:17'has a particularly interesting history.'
0:41:18 > 0:41:19I've come to Foxton Locks,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22one of the longest flights of locks in the English canal system,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25to find out how engineers in past times
0:41:25 > 0:41:31ingeniously solved the age-old problem of moving water uphill.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36And how did they solve it? Well, by this -
0:41:36 > 0:41:41a staircase of locks, ten of them, a flight of them going up the side of the hill.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Now, the front gate of each lock
0:41:43 > 0:41:46created the back gate of the next one and so forth.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49And assisted by these ponds and reservoirs, that helped
0:41:49 > 0:41:53regulate the water flow as the narrow boats were passing through.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Here at Foxton - that was a brilliant design,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58considering this was the age of horse and cart
0:41:58 > 0:42:00and pulley and tackle, no mechanical diggers.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03So you can imagine the blood, sweat and tears
0:42:03 > 0:42:06that went into building this flight of locks.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13'Navigating the locks can be a challenge, even for the most experienced.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15'Bill Smith works on site here.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19'This morning, he's kindly offered to be my guide.'
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- Hi, Bill.- Hi.- Pleased to meet you. What a lovely day.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Yeah, it's fantastic.- How long have you been lock-keeper here?
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- I've been here four years now. - Gosh, what a lovely job, eh?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Des res here, look, and what a view from the office!
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- Yeah, fantastic both ways, isn't it? - When was this established?
0:42:37 > 0:42:40The locks opened in 1814, the lock-keeper would have lived here
0:42:40 > 0:42:43in the house and he wouldn't have got his two days off a week,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- he'd have just been here and that would have been his job working. - 24/7?- Yeah.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50I mean, it was the height of the Industrial Revolution
0:42:50 > 0:42:52and trade was flowing backwards and forwards.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54So what's the main difference today?
0:42:54 > 0:42:56The emphasis is more on leisure
0:42:56 > 0:42:59and we're getting many people come here, some of the people we know.
0:42:59 > 0:43:04One of the differences is that the working boaters would have been regular.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06It would have been the same group of people
0:43:06 > 0:43:11so the old-time lock-keepers would have probably known their customers
0:43:11 > 0:43:16far better than we ever get the chance to, given the turnover we get now with the holiday boaters.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20- And you end up giving the novices lots of tips and helping them out? - Yeah.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- Beginners perhaps need a lot more instruction and a lot more time.- A little bit of guidance.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29- Bill, I think we should take to the water now and you can show me the ropes along the way.- Great.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42Paul, this is Terry and he'll help us take the boats through the locks.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45- Hello, Paul.- Pleased to meet you, Terry. Can I come aboard?
0:43:45 > 0:43:46- Yes.- Thanks.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52Ever since the locks were completed,
0:43:52 > 0:43:55a huge variety of cargo, from coal and iron
0:43:55 > 0:43:59to everyday items such as beer, flour, milk, and cabbages,
0:43:59 > 0:44:02have been transported through here.
0:44:02 > 0:44:03At the canal's height,
0:44:03 > 0:44:0750 or 60 working boats a day moved through the locks,
0:44:07 > 0:44:11passing between the busy industrial Midlands, London and the South.
0:44:14 > 0:44:19We're in position now, we're at the top of the lock staircase.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22- You'll need one of these, which is a windlass.- Shall I go this side?
0:44:22 > 0:44:26Yeah, we both step off this side and take a walk on down there.
0:44:27 > 0:44:33Right. OK, this is the first lock then for us, what do you want me to do?
0:44:33 > 0:44:36These things here in front of us are called paddles,
0:44:36 > 0:44:39and there are two paddles to operate at each lock.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41It's straightforward - we wind the red one up
0:44:41 > 0:44:44and then we go back to the other side of the beam and wind the white one up.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49So with the windlass, you start to wind it up.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54Push the windlass onto the spindle, nice tight fit, and then turn it clockwise.
0:44:54 > 0:44:59- OK.- This one in particular you'll certainly need both hands to be able to wind it up.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03When we wind this one up, it opens up a channel that connects
0:45:03 > 0:45:06- the pond to our right to the lock below us.- Yep.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10We lift that up and the water starts coming to fill the lock ahead of us.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13So this is a reservoir and they're dotted all the way down from each lock.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17- Each lock has its own side pond. - Ingenious, isn't it, really?
0:45:17 > 0:45:22- We'll keep turning this till it won't go any further.- That happens pretty fast, doesn't it?
0:45:22 > 0:45:25- Yeah.- You can hear the water gushing in. It's filling up.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28What a lovely sound as well.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34OK, Paul. Now it's time to do this one
0:45:34 > 0:45:38and we're going to do exactly the same. Do you want to turn that clockwise?
0:45:38 > 0:45:40You probably need both hands.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43Actually, it's a lot easier than it looks, it really is.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45The one I did wasn't.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47You're doing the easy one, I think.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50- There you go.- If you look behind you...- Look at that!
0:45:50 > 0:45:53And obviously that's now letting the water out
0:45:53 > 0:45:57and the boat is dropping quite rapidly down. Look at this.
0:45:57 > 0:45:58That is so quick.
0:46:00 > 0:46:06You can see the narrow boat is now almost level with my feet in about...eight seconds.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Unlike lots of locks where the water travels through the gates,
0:46:11 > 0:46:14- here the water travels via the side ponds.- Exactly.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19It means we're going to take this boat all the way down the locks on one lock full of water.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33Look at that, what a smooth operation.
0:46:33 > 0:46:38It looks so easy in the sunshine but obviously in the middle of winter with the rain pouring down...
0:46:38 > 0:46:44- It is a bit bleak up here then, yeah.- In past times, this narrow boat full of coal or something
0:46:44 > 0:46:48and horses everywhere, it would have been hard work. Hard work.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58- What's next? - Well, that was easy, Paul.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01We've got another nine to go now, so on we go.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04Should we get winding?
0:47:04 > 0:47:07The journey through the locks takes a minimum of 45 minutes,
0:47:07 > 0:47:11but when the canal gets busy, people can wait up to five hours.
0:47:11 > 0:47:16In the late 1800s when working boats plied the canals, bottlenecks were affecting business
0:47:16 > 0:47:21and competition from road and rail meant a more efficient way
0:47:21 > 0:47:24to move boats up and down the hill had to be found.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27So while Terry and Bill carry on down through the locks,
0:47:27 > 0:47:32I'm off to see what an engineer called Gordon Cale Thomas came up with.
0:47:32 > 0:47:33And this is it.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37It's the site where the Foxton Inclined Plane once stood.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40It was a brilliant piece of Victorian technology.
0:47:40 > 0:47:48It was opened in 1900 and it was designed to take bigger boats more quickly and effectively up the hill.
0:47:49 > 0:47:56Built by a workforce of 300 men, the lift had two tanks which carried boats suspended in water.
0:47:56 > 0:48:03Each tank could carry two narrow boats or, for the first time, one widebeam barge.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07The whole system was powered by an engine house at the top of the hill.
0:48:07 > 0:48:12It's marvellous. You can just imagine what this would have looked like back then.
0:48:12 > 0:48:19The inclined plane journey time was just 12 minutes - it was a vast improvement on the flight of locks.
0:48:19 > 0:48:23And of course it was a lot greener as well because in the lock system,
0:48:23 > 0:48:27when you let a narrow boat pass through, all the water was flowing downhill.
0:48:27 > 0:48:33This way, you use the same amount of water in a large tank going up the hill
0:48:33 > 0:48:38as you did coming down the hill, so it saved a lot of this vital resource.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42Sadly, the lift wasn't operating for long.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45After just ten years, it was closed
0:48:45 > 0:48:48and in 1928, it was demolished and sold for scrap.
0:48:48 > 0:48:54A team of fundraisers here at Foxton is now at work to restore it.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Well, until it's back in operation - and let's hope that's soon -
0:48:57 > 0:49:02the only way to travel through this stretch of canal is via the historic lock system.
0:49:02 > 0:49:07And I've had a great time this morning travelling through it with Bill and Terry.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11Our journey's almost come to an end, we've got one more lock to go through.
0:49:20 > 0:49:21Terry, thanks very much!
0:49:21 > 0:49:23- Bill, it's been a pleasure. - Cheers, Paul.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27Thank you. I'm going to jump off now before I end up in Leicester.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35'So we have another batch of great items going off to the saleroom.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36'Let's take another look.
0:49:36 > 0:49:38'Susan's signed Glenn Miller music
0:49:38 > 0:49:41'brings back lots of happy family memories
0:49:41 > 0:49:44'and Adam thinks it might serenade the saleroom.'
0:49:44 > 0:49:46If the bidders are...In The Mood...
0:49:46 > 0:49:50- Oh, very good. - ..then hopefully it'll make more.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53Yes, it'll be A String Of Pearls.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55'Well, if anyone at the auction is wishing
0:49:55 > 0:49:58'they had a set of furniture made out of chicken bones,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01'Janet's selling one with an estimate of £60-£80.
0:50:04 > 0:50:08'Then there's Sue's family silver - it was first on TV 50 years ago
0:50:08 > 0:50:11'and Adam's hoping that splitting them into three lots
0:50:11 > 0:50:12'will get them sold.
0:50:13 > 0:50:14'Finally...'
0:50:14 > 0:50:17- Pat, we see a lot of Moorcroft on the show.- Yeah.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21But I think this is possibly one of the best pieces I've ever seen.
0:50:21 > 0:50:22Really?
0:50:22 > 0:50:25'It's fresh to the market, having always been in Pat's family,
0:50:25 > 0:50:27'so how will the bidders react?
0:50:28 > 0:50:29'Let's find out,
0:50:29 > 0:50:33'as it's time to see these items make their debut in the auction room.'
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Next up, we've got a lot of silver going under the hammer,
0:50:36 > 0:50:40split into three lots. It belongs to Sue. And the first lot...
0:50:40 > 0:50:42I know Adam was doing our valuations, but you said,
0:50:42 > 0:50:45"Let's let the auctioneer do a little bit of work on this."
0:50:45 > 0:50:47- Yeah. - "See what value he can put on it."
0:50:47 > 0:50:50- And I think we got £60-£80.- Yeah. - It's a patch box.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53Little Queen Anne, silver, un-hallmarked patch box.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56He catalogued it as white metal, which is understandable.
0:50:56 > 0:50:57Yeah, it won't be hallmarked.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00This is the first of the three lots under the hammer now.
0:51:00 > 0:51:01Let's see what it does.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03- Good luck, Sue. - Thank you.- Here we go.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06Early 18th-century white metal pill box and cover.
0:51:06 > 0:51:11Bidding starts here at £40. £50, £60 I'm bid.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13- £60 I'm bid.- We've sold it. - Are you all out at £60?
0:51:13 > 0:51:15With me on commission. 5, 70.
0:51:15 > 0:51:165, 80 now. At 80.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19- 80, commission's in at £80. I'll take 5.- That's good.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21At 85, £90.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24- You bidding? 90, 5, 100. - It's an early little thing.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27100, I'll take 10 if you like. At 100, still on commission.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29Selling away now on commission at £100.
0:51:29 > 0:51:30Well done.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32- Brilliant! Great start.- Good start.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35That's the first one down and here's the second.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39A cream jug with a C-scrolled handle. And bids start here, £65.
0:51:39 > 0:51:44- 65 I'm bid. 75, 85.- That's low.- 95.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46- One more.- 100, new bidder.- Good. - Behind you now at 100.
0:51:46 > 0:51:51At £100 now, it will sell in the room and away at £100.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54- Good result, that's OK.- Yes.- That's good, isn't it?- Yeah, that's fine.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58- One more to go and it's the vinaigrette.- Two out of three.
0:51:58 > 0:51:59Ain't bad.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02William IV silver vinaigrette, Thomas Smith, date mark is worn,
0:52:02 > 0:52:05possibly London 1834.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Lots of bids here, £50 I'm bid.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09£60, £70 bid.
0:52:09 > 0:52:1370 bid. 70. You're out. It will sell.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15And away selling now at £70.
0:52:15 > 0:52:19£70. Yes! £270! That's very, very good.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22- Thank you very much.- What will you put the money towards?
0:52:22 > 0:52:24Don't forget, there's 15% commission.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27Yes, yes, well, I'm sure we'll have a good day out for the family.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29- Will you?- Yes, a meal.- Somewhere.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32- Silver dealers were here. - £70 just about the right money.
0:52:32 > 0:52:37- Spot on. Mid-estimate there. - I love it when that happens.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44I love this next item. It puts a smile on my face. It's a bit of folk art.
0:52:44 > 0:52:49It's a little bit quirky. It's a miniature set of tables and chairs made out of chicken bones,
0:52:49 > 0:52:52stained to look like mahogany and they belong to Janet here,
0:52:52 > 0:52:56who's looked after them and I think they are so funny.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59- Why are you selling them? - I'm selling them because I think lots of other people
0:52:59 > 0:53:02want to have the right to be able to look at them.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05It's certainly a museum piece, not huge value, but as you say...
0:53:05 > 0:53:08- Yeah, definitely. - ..social times gone by.
0:53:08 > 0:53:13This is what antiques are all about and these kind of things are so hard to value, they really are.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15There's no book price, you can't do your comparisons.
0:53:15 > 0:53:20- This is something that puts a smile on your face and that's hard to value.- Yes.- Isn't it?
0:53:20 > 0:53:24- I think so.- You've got a great smile as well, so hopefully we'll keep you smiling...
0:53:24 > 0:53:28- Yes, thank you very much. - ..when we make lots of money. - Lovely.- Here we go.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32A part suite of dolls' furniture. An unusual lot this one.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34Bidding starts with me at £45.
0:53:34 > 0:53:3545 I'm bid.
0:53:35 > 0:53:3845, 55,
0:53:38 > 0:53:3960. Bid at 60. In the room at 60?
0:53:39 > 0:53:41I'll take 5 if you like.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43It's 60 right at the back.
0:53:43 > 0:53:44I will sell now.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47It's £60 in the room
0:53:47 > 0:53:49and away at £60.
0:53:49 > 0:53:50They've gone within estimate.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53- We know how to value it. You see? We're good.- You were. Yes.
0:53:53 > 0:53:54I think they bought it
0:53:54 > 0:53:58- cos they like it. You wouldn't buy it otherwise. - Oh, no.- Definitely not.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01Hopefully, they're going to make their own little room sets up
0:54:01 > 0:54:06- and backdrops and things like that as well.- You're getting quite enthusiastic about this.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10I love things like this, the quirkier the better.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12- It's very human. - Oh, wonderful. Yeah.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15It needs to be shown about more, doesn't it?
0:54:15 > 0:54:18People need to be able to use it and look at it.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21Yes, and thanks to you, you've looked after it
0:54:21 > 0:54:25so we've all been able to appreciate it and enjoy something quirky,
0:54:25 > 0:54:28which we'll probably not ever see again on Flog It!
0:54:35 > 0:54:41Now we've got an original valuation - a signed autograph from Glenn Miller, £20 to £40 from Adam.
0:54:41 > 0:54:47Had a chat to the auctioneer before the sale and he said they've revised the valuation.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49He's now put £100 to £150 on this.
0:54:51 > 0:54:57- Thinks it's very collectable.- Right. - Let's hope we hit the right notes. - Hope it doesn't scare them off.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00- Oh, well done! - And ends in a big crescendo.
0:55:00 > 0:55:06A musical score, Moonlight Serenade, pencil inscribed
0:55:06 > 0:55:09"To Ron from Glenn Miller", £75 I am bid.
0:55:09 > 0:55:1275...85,
0:55:12 > 0:55:16- 95... £100.- He's done it.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18110 on the internet...
0:55:18 > 0:55:21- at 110, room's out now... internet's in at 110...- 115.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23115. 115, new bid in.
0:55:23 > 0:55:28115... I'll wait for you, internet, at 20 if you like, 115...
0:55:28 > 0:55:31in the room then, please be quick at 115...and selling...
0:55:33 > 0:55:34£115, the hammer's gone down.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37- Great!- That was good. That's wonderful.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39- That was really, really good. - Brilliant.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43Next is that beautiful Moorcroft vase but, before we put my
0:55:43 > 0:55:47valuation to the test, here's what the auctioneer had to say about it.
0:55:48 > 0:55:51Patricia's Moorcroft moonlit blue vase.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54It's absolutely stunning, isn't it? Caught my eye, anyway.
0:55:54 > 0:55:59- Yes, I can see why. - I've given this a value of £500-700.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02I did tell her, if it was in mint condition, £2,000-3,000.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06Sure, yes, I agree with that.
0:56:06 > 0:56:07Since the valuation day,
0:56:07 > 0:56:11Patricia has removed the flexibility from the reserve.
0:56:11 > 0:56:15We now have a 500 fixed reserve to work to.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18- But I don't think that should be a problem.- No.- It should do well.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25Right, my turn to be the expert now. Moorcroft, moonlit blue.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27It's the most beautiful vase.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30It's got a little chip on it, it belongs to Pat here,
0:56:30 > 0:56:31but not for much longer.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34- No.- We put £500-700 on this, with a bit of discretion.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38I know it's now changed to fixed - I don't blame you.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Had a chat to the auctioneer.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43He says there's been some interest and he agrees with the valuation.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44Oh, good.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47Fingers crossed, we both said, on a good day,
0:56:47 > 0:56:49it's going to do four figures.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52Now, Patricia, we're going to find out.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56- Here we go.- Moorcroft moonlit blue baluster vase.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58I can start the bidding at £380.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02At 380, I'm bid. 400, 420, 440, 450.
0:57:02 > 0:57:07460, 480. 500 bid, at 500. 520.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10- Come on.- 540. 560, 580.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13600.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17- Got a few phones on this.- 650.- How many?- Three.- Really?- I can see them.
0:57:17 > 0:57:23- Unless they're talking to friends at home!- Telephone one at 700.
0:57:23 > 0:57:29- 750, new bidding. Telephone two at 750. £800.- Ooh!- 800 bid, at 800.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32850, I'm bid.
0:57:32 > 0:57:37- 850, come on.- £900. £900, 950.- We're going to get those four figures.
0:57:37 > 0:57:44- £1,000.- Ooh, wow!- £1,100 bid. £1,200?- I can't believe it.
0:57:44 > 0:57:471,200 bid. Telephone one at 1,200.
0:57:48 > 0:57:541,300 new bidding. At 1,300. Telephone three at £1,300. At 1,300.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57Any more? 1,300 and selling at 1,300.
0:57:57 > 0:58:02- Wow!- Settle for that, won't we? - Yes!- £1,300.- Excellent.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04What will you put the money towards?
0:58:04 > 0:58:08- I'd like to buy another piece of Moorcroft.- Would you really?- I would.
0:58:08 > 0:58:09A small piece. Yes.
0:58:09 > 0:58:14Fantastic. This is what we love to see. Reinvesting back in the trade.
0:58:14 > 0:58:17That's what it's all about, making people happy. Enjoy it, Patricia.
0:58:17 > 0:58:20It's been great. We've loved making this show here today.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22Join us again for many more surprises on Flog It!
0:58:22 > 0:58:26So, from Market Harborough, until the next time, it's cheerio.
0:58:46 > 0:58:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd