0:00:02 > 0:00:07This has got to be the perfect way to travel to a valuation day, on the famous Gypsy Moth IV.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10I'm going to tell you a bit more about this historic vessel later,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13but right now it's off to the marina, just over there.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Welcome to Flog It! from the Isle of Wight!
0:00:37 > 0:00:42The waters around the Isle of Wight are a haven for water sports enthusiasts and beginners alike.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Windsurfing, kayaking and kite surfing are just
0:00:44 > 0:00:49some of the popular sports that people flock to this island for.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Then, of course, there's sailing.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56The regatta that takes place every year in Cowes now claims
0:00:56 > 0:00:59to be the biggest international yachting event in the world.
0:00:59 > 0:01:05And diving into the crowd today at our nautical location, the Cowes Yacht Haven, are our two experts,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Kate Bateman and Will Axon, hoping to navigate their way to all
0:01:09 > 0:01:12the quality items and avoiding all the tat!
0:01:13 > 0:01:18And the crowds are flooding into place with items of all shapes and sizes.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22But who'll have the gems that will be whisked off to auction?
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Here's a clue as to what's coming up.
0:01:25 > 0:01:31Joan shows off her celebrity friends and Sue's little bowl creates an emotional roller coaster.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33First, there's good news.
0:01:33 > 0:01:3639p? That was a good buy!
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Then there's bad.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41There's a hairline crack just there.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45But starting us off today is Will. He's a little baffled
0:01:45 > 0:01:48about how Fiona and Eileen got hold of these boys' toys.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53Who do these belong to and why have you brought them along to us today?
0:01:53 > 0:01:54They belong to my partner, Clive.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58He's at work so he's asked us to come along.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01This is Eileen, Clive's mother.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03OK. So you brought the mother-in-law!
0:02:03 > 0:02:10- I did.- You're both most welcome, and you've brought with you today some Matchbox Series toys.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- These are things that your partner had as a child?- Yes.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17They're in very good condition.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20He's had them boxed up, has he, in the loft?
0:02:20 > 0:02:27- They've been boxed up in my loft. - Has he got his own loft to fill up? - Yes.- But you let him fill yours up!
0:02:27 > 0:02:32I've still got all the rest of his toys boxed up in my loft.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Let's go back to what you've brought in today.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36These are Lesney Matchbox Series.
0:02:36 > 0:02:42When you first think of, say, toys and die-cast cars particularly, you think of Dinky, don't you?
0:02:42 > 0:02:46That's the main manufacturer and they're the most collected.
0:02:46 > 0:02:54But Lesney was a firm that was set up in the late '40s, really in competition with Dinky.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56They really hit
0:02:56 > 0:03:01the sort of peak when they produced in 1952
0:03:01 > 0:03:05a scale model of the Coronation coach.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07It was such a success that it prompted them
0:03:07 > 0:03:10to bring out this series, the Matchbox Series.
0:03:10 > 0:03:17The whole idea was you've got miniature scale models and they were presented in these cardboard boxes.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Have you any idea of value? Has your partner had them valued in the past?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- No.- You don't remember what you paid for them originally?
0:03:24 > 0:03:26No. Shillings and pence.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Well, for this little group here...
0:03:29 > 0:03:33What have we got? We have the fire station in its box, which is nice.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37And the fire station itself looks to be in very good condition.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42You've got four various fire vehicles at the front, together with their four boxes,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46which again are in reasonable condition, fair condition.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49If I said to you I suspect they're going to
0:03:49 > 0:03:54be worth in the region of £60-£100 at auction, would that surprise you?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Is that something you thought they might be worth?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- Didn't think about it at all, to be honest.- Really?
0:04:01 > 0:04:05You just want them out of the loft, don't you?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08OK. Shall we reserve them at £50 just to protect them?
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- That would be good, yes. - Let's reserve them at £50.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15What's the reason? Is it your partner who's decided to sell these or is it you?
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Or perhaps Eileen.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20It's Clive who decided to get shot of them.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24We're hoping to move soon so we haven't got the space.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26So you've gotta move. You can't take them with you.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Eileen, you want them out of your loft,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31so you brought them to Flog It! today. That's what we're here for!
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- Thank you.- Fingers crossed.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Mike, it's good to see you. You look like a seafaring chap.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Well, I was.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- Living on land now? - Living on land now.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50What have we got here?
0:04:50 > 0:04:51An aneroid barometer
0:04:51 > 0:04:54and a ship's clock.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56They were given
0:04:56 > 0:05:00to my godfather, who was Captain Angus George Brown.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Right, OK.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06You have here his master's ticket, which is the equivalent of a...
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- Driving licence.- Yes.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11That's a copy of it.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14It's fairly unique because on the
0:05:14 > 0:05:19extreme left-hand side it also states that Captain Brown
0:05:19 > 0:05:23is entitled to act as the skipper of a square-rigged sailing vessel.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Not only of a motor vessel but of a sailing vessel.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- That's right.- He was a good seaman.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Fantastic.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Excellent. This is dated 1913.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33That's when he got his ticket.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Is it plausible that these two bulkhead instruments have come from...?
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Came from a yacht that he served on as a captain.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47- Which yacht, do you think? - I suspect it was the Jeannette, owned by Sir Harry Livesey.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49What a lovely piece of history.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Also, what quality instruments!
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Absolute quality. Let's look at the eight-day clock.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Made by Negretti and Zambra of London.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00They started making these instruments around the 1850s.
0:06:00 > 0:06:06They were known back then in their catalogues as, "philosophical instruments".
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Obviously for the academic!
0:06:08 > 0:06:11They're beautiful instrument makers.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Rich man's instruments.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Very expensive in their day.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- Renowned worldwide.- Absolutely.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20How much have you spent on this? You had it restored.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- 97 quid.- It means a lot to you.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Have you been using this as a clock in the house?- Yes.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32It was on the boat and, when I went ashore, it's been my main timepiece.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Aww, how lovely.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Also, a matching size, a ship's barometer, bulkhead barometer.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40It's really nice to have the pair together.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Are you sure you want to part with these?
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Yes, I do. I'm 80 now.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Time is getting slightly shorter.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I'd hate these just to go anywhere.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- And when I snuff it, they will go anywhere.- Don't talk like that!
0:06:57 > 0:06:59That's why I'm here today.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I hope they stay on the island actually.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- I hope they will.- Value.
0:07:05 > 0:07:11Can we put them into auction as a pair with the ticket, copy of the ticket, with a value of £200-£300?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- Yep.- Fixed reserve at 200.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- Fixed reserve.- Yes? I know you've spent a bit recently.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Spent exactly half that.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23So £200-£300, fixed reserve at £200.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Whoever buys them will get a bit of provenance because we know what vessel they came off.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31And both instruments are still working perfectly.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33All credit to such a good maker.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41So. David and Judith, you've brought me
0:07:41 > 0:07:45a sweet little piece of Clarice Cliff. What's its history?
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Well, it was my mother and father's.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50They kept it under the stairs.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53What?!
0:07:53 > 0:07:59I was working away at the time and one day Judith called in on them when they were preparing to move.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02She just had it in her hand and she said, "D'you want this?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04"Otherwise it's going in the bin."
0:08:04 > 0:08:07I thought, "I'm sure that's Clarice Cliff."
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Looked at the bottom and it said it was?
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Yes, so we've had it for 25 years.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Do you use it?- I don't like it.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18It must run in the family!
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Well, I quite like it.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23There are plenty of collectors that do.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Let's just take the lid off.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29It's a sugar bowl, with sugar nips for your sugar lumps.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33It's quite strange to have metal on top of the ceramic.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37You'd think it would damage it but it doesn't seem to have made a lot of difference.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41There are a few chips on the rim, but that's more to do with the thickness of the paint.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44It tended to always be very thick and chip anyway.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47So we see this on pieces that haven't got metal on.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49It's quite a sweet little thing.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Obviously on the bottom you've got the Clarice Cliff marks.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56"Bizarre Fantasque", which is the series for Newport Pottery.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58The design is hand-painted.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02It's the oranges and lemons pattern.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07For an estimate, I'd probably say somewhere between £80 and £120.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Is that the sort of figure you'd be happy to get?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I wouldn't like to see it go for less than 100.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15You could reserve at 100 and put an estimate at £100-£150, if you like.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19That means obviously if it doesn't reach £100, it's not sold.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- You'd be happy with that?- Yes.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- We'll put it into the sale. Ever been to an auction before?- No.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28First-timers - brilliant!
0:09:28 > 0:09:31It'll be exciting anyway, whether it goes or not.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I think it should go, so I'll see you there.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Looking forward to it. Thank you.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Well, Miriam, thank you for coming along today to Flog It! here on the Isle of Wight.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Tell me, are these both yours? Have you been engaged twice, perhaps?
0:09:50 > 0:09:54No. This one is my mother's engagement ring
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and she unfortunately died many years ago.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00This is my engagement ring.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04But unfortunately my fingers have got somewhat fat
0:10:04 > 0:10:12and I don't carry it. The idea is that my two nieces will inherit the rings,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15but really and truly, they're not that interested.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18They've got their own rings. Now, if we can do it this way,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21I can just split the whole thing and they get whatever there is each.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Well, that's quite a sensible way to do it, isn't it?
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Because, I suppose value-wise
0:10:26 > 0:10:30they're going to be in a similar ballpark figure as rings.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34I'll just get my loop out of my pocket here so I can have a closer look.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Let's take this one. This is the one that belonged to your mother.- Yes.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42So, if we have a look at this. This is a nice sort of flower-set
0:10:42 > 0:10:46diamond ring, of course, as you probably know.
0:10:46 > 0:10:53These look like nice clean stones in this flowerhead setting.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55And the ring itself is gold.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58So if I have a look here for the hallmark,
0:10:58 > 0:11:02it should tell me that it's 18 carat gold.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07And your mother's engagement date was...?
0:11:07 > 0:11:091929.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Got the receipt to prove it.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Of course, you've brought along the original receipt for that ring.
0:11:16 > 0:11:23This is from a jeweller's in London and we can see 10 and five paid in 1929.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27I was really pleased to find that, actually.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Was it something you just came across?
0:11:29 > 0:11:34It was amongst all their papers when we cleared them out after they died.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37So that's nice. We've got that. And then we move on to yours.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- And you were engaged in...?- 1959.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44You're very good with all your dates. Well done.
0:11:44 > 0:11:50This is now a solitaire diamond, this one here, in a claw setting
0:11:50 > 0:11:54with these sort of pierced shoulders there. And it's platinum.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57It's on a platinum ring.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Quite different, though they are both diamond rings.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Have you got an idea of what you think they might be worth?
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Well, for insurance purposes, they were valued at £500 each.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14But I'm quite sure that they're probably nearer £150-£200.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Something like that. - I think you're spot on.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I mean, I could have handed it over to you from the start.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24I think around £150 each is about right.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- You want them to sell, don't you? - Yes.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30So if you put them at £200-£300 for the two,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I think they're bound to find buyers
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and hopefully £300 plus would be the plan.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Sort of money you would be happy to sell them at, do you think?
0:12:39 > 0:12:40Yes, I think so.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44See you on the day and fingers crossed for you, Miriam. Well done.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49So now it's time to head off to the auction room.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Here's a quick reminder of what's cruising into the sale.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59Clive is ready to let go of his childhood by putting this Matchbox fire station and trucks up for sale.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03They were brought in by his wife and mother, who are also happy to see them go.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08You're not interested. You just want them out the loft, don't you?
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Judith stopped her in-laws binning this sugar bowl, not because she liked it,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14but because of the Clarice Cliff name.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17And I think this little pot deserves an appreciative owner.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22And local boy, Michael, was keen to tell me all about the life
0:13:22 > 0:13:25of the ship's clock and barometer that he got from his godfather.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29I suspect it was a Jeannette and it was owned by Sir Harry Livesey.
0:13:29 > 0:13:36I estimated £200-300 for these fascinating pieces of local maritime history.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40And completing our first catch are these gold and platinum diamond engagement rings.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45Any money raised will be split between Miriam's two nieces.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57For today's sale, we've headed south on a very breezy day to Island Auctioneers in Shanklin.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02And with our auctioneer, Warren Riches already on the rostrum,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05it's time to see what will happen to the sugar bowl that nobody loved.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Judith and David are our next two owners
0:14:09 > 0:14:13and possibly not for long because going under the hammer right now,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17it's that all-time Flog It! favourite, Clarice Cliff.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21I think it's here to sell, do you know that? £100-£150 now.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Are you a Clarice Cliff fan? Would you have it at home?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27I'm not. I love it to go into a saleroom, but it's just not for me.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- I don't like that kind of thing myself.- Nor me.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- But you like Troika.- Yeah. - Oh, I like Troika.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35LAUGHTER
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- Each to his own.- It would be boring if we all collected the same stuff.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42But there's lots of collectors who like it.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Millions of people love Clarice Cliff, and hopefully we've got
0:14:45 > 0:14:48half a dozen here because it's about to go under the hammer.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Clarice Cliff Bizarre patterned sugar bowl with plated lid.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Showing at the back there.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Good condition. Someone start me at 75. 75 with Tim. 80, can I say?
0:14:57 > 0:15:0480. And five. 90. And five. And 100.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06And five.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08It's 100. 100 at the back.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10All done at 100?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13A bid of £100 at the back of the room. All done and selling.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Just got it away.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Clarice didn't let us down, once again. We're all happy with that.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24It's found a new owner. Someone's going to love it.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25What are you going to do with £100?
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Enjoy!
0:15:27 > 0:15:3055 and 60 and five.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33And 70.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Going under the hammer right now, two engagement rings.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39They belonged to Miriam. One was yours and one was Mother's.
0:15:39 > 0:15:45That's correct, yes. Mum's ring, I used to try on as a child.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47Dressing up?
0:15:47 > 0:15:51And I always swore it was going to be mine.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56And then she had the effrontery to have it enlarged, so it didn't fit me any more, as a child.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Hey, that's clever. We've got £200-£300 on the rings.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02That's right. There's two rings.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07One's platinum, the other 18 carat solitaire diamond, decent sized stone.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- Sounds good value.- Exactly.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Solitaire diamond ring, over a quarter of a carat, together with
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- a nine stone cluster ring in an 18 carat setting.- Here we go, Miriam.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21130. 130.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25140 anywhere?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27130, 140, 150.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31160. 160. 170. 170, 180.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- Yes!- 190. - There's someone in the room, Miriam.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39180. 190 anywhere? 180 then.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41All done at 180. Selling at 180...
0:16:41 > 0:16:43190 behind.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45195? 190 then with the gentleman.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48At 190, all done and selling at 190?
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Yes, well they've gone. We just got them away. Well done, Will.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Within estimate.- Yeah, just.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57That's all right. I'm quite happy with that.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08Right, it's my turn to be the expert now and next up is the nautical clock and barometer.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Michael, thank you for bringing it along. £200-£300.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Fingers crossed we're going to get the top end of that because they are quality.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19So hopefully they won't leave the island and they'll be re-used again.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Even better.- Here we go. Look.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23It's going under the hammer now.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Negretti and Zambra eight day ship's clock
0:17:27 > 0:17:29with separate second hand, together with a matching
0:17:29 > 0:17:31compensated barometer.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34And it's also with a certificate of competency.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40- Nice lot. Someone start me at...? - 110.- 110 here. 120 anywhere? 120.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43130. 140. 150. 160.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- 170. 180.- More!
0:17:47 > 0:17:49190. And 200.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52210.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54It's 200 on the stairs.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57210 anywhere? Selling at 200, on the stairs.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00That's £200, less commission, of course,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03but what will you put the money towards?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- Grandchildren, I suppose.- Lovely.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- How many have you got?- Five.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- Wow!- How many have you got? - None!- Time yet.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21Next up, we've got the Matchbox fire station and trucks. We've got that in the sale.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24We've also got Eileen here, but unfortunately Fiona's missing.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- Where is she?- She's working today.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- She couldn't get the day off.- No. - At least you can make it.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33We've got Will, our expert. We're looking at £60-£100.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36That's right. You brought them in on the valuation day.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38They belong to your son, I believe, didn't they?
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Fairly good condition,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42so let's give them a go.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Matchbox series fire station, together with
0:18:44 > 0:18:48the fire chief's car, his truck, another truck
0:18:48 > 0:18:49and the chief's new model.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Someone start me at £50.- 30.
0:18:52 > 0:18:5930 here. And five. 40. And five. 50. And five. 60. And five. 70.
0:18:59 > 0:19:0170 behind.
0:19:01 > 0:19:0470 in your new place. And five.
0:19:04 > 0:19:0880. And five. 90. And five.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12100. 110. 120. 130.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- 140. 150.- Hey, this is good!
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Selling at 150.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- £150.- Fantastic!
0:19:21 > 0:19:23That's good news, isn't it?
0:19:23 > 0:19:26And you're definitely going to keep that then!
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Well, listen, that was a really good price.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33They've done really well here. They've got a few other toys in which is good.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Always brings the buyers in, but that's a great price.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- Really well done.- I never expected that. That's terrific.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- Makes the rest left in your loft worth a bit more now, doesn't it? - Thank you very much.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Well, how about that? So far so good.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52That concludes our first visit to the auction room.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57Before I head back to the valuation day to find some more antiques to put under the hammer,
0:19:57 > 0:20:02I'm going to need one of these because I'm going to take a trip on a very special boat.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09On 28 May 1967 Sir Francis Chichester, aged 65,
0:20:09 > 0:20:15cruised into the history books, when he sailed into Plymouth Docks on Gipsy Moth IV.
0:20:15 > 0:20:21He had just become the first person to sail solo around the world with only one port of call.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25As well as breaking many records, this achievement turned him into a national hero.
0:20:28 > 0:20:34Coming up - I get the chance to sail in that record-breaking yacht, the Gipsy Moth IV.
0:20:36 > 0:20:43And this is the actual vessel which spent 226 days at sea on that epic historic voyage.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48Sir Francis Chichester had a history of daring solo adventures.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53As a young man, he crossed continents by plane as a pioneering aviator.
0:20:53 > 0:20:59His interests moved from the sky to the sea and soon he was claiming many solo sailing records.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05But it wasn't until he neared retirement that he set off
0:21:05 > 0:21:09to circumnavigate the world solo in this very special boat.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18The Gipsy Moth IV now resides in the Cowes Marina and that's where I caught up with Richard,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23an experienced sailing instructor, who had sailed the Gipsy Moth many times.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Hi, Richard. Pleased to meet you.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- Can I come on board?- Yeah, come on.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32Before we could set sail, Richard was keen to fill me in on the amazing life
0:21:32 > 0:21:33of this unique vessel
0:21:33 > 0:21:35and how she could have ended up as scrap.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39So, what was the story? How did she arrive here?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Well, when Sir Francis Chichester finished his round-the-world trip,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45he donated the boat to the country, to the nation.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47And she was then based in London, next to the Cutty Sark.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50I saw her with my dad at Greenwich.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55And she just fell into disrepair a bit and the trust that owned it
0:21:55 > 0:21:59were looking for somebody to take the boat on,
0:21:59 > 0:22:04so we bought the boat from them for £1 and a gin and tonic and then...
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- She must have been bad.- She was.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09There was a hell of lot of rot.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14You could pretty much stand here and see the ground underneath, right the way down through the boat.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Because she'd been sat there for a long time.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20We spent about 300,000 on her to get her restored over six months.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Sir Francis had Gipsy Moth IV designed
0:22:24 > 0:22:27specifically for the challenge, and she was built in Gosport.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31She's an iconic yacht, using pioneering construction techniques
0:22:31 > 0:22:32available in the 1960s,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35combining traditional materials of wood
0:22:35 > 0:22:39with the newest materials of the time, aluminium and plastic.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41After four years of preparations,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44the Gipsy Moth IV was ready to set sail.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Shall we take this opportunity to look at his living quarters?
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Yeah, absolutely.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53'The boat today still has many of the original features
0:22:53 > 0:22:57'that allowed this large vessel to be sailed single-handedly.'
0:22:57 > 0:22:59So he'd have read all his charts here?
0:22:59 > 0:23:04Yeah. This is the chart table area, so what we have here
0:23:04 > 0:23:07is a lot of the original instruments that he had on board.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11This is his radio that he used to communicate with the rest of world.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13So he would report in with that.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18But there's a bit of a cheat in that we have a lot of modern equipment hidden away in here.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Now you've got GPS!
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Yes, all mod cons.
0:23:24 > 0:23:30This is a VHF radio which does a similar thing to what this does.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Was he in charge of the spec when this boat was being built?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Yeah, there was a lot of things that he got involved with
0:23:38 > 0:23:43which maybe weren't so good, but the boat has got two loos
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and has six berths.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48His wife played quite a role in it as well.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52She kind of had visions of using the boat as a cruising boat when they got back.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Oh, right. Which makes sense, really.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Yeah, she designed the galley area and all that sort of stuff.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Well, it is a decent sized galley. I mean, you could see yourself cooking here.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08- I like the fact everything is on a gimble.- It has to be at sea.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09This is a good size.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13There's quite a lot of room in here. For one person.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16There's a lot of original features here.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19This is the original Primus stove that runs off paraffin.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24The galley layout is exactly the same.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25These are all the original taps.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28There's an interesting bit about this whole area here.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30That wasn't there when we took the boat over.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35What he actually had was a chair that he sat in and it gimbled like this,
0:24:35 > 0:24:40so he could sit there with a little table and he had a barrel of beer underneath the floor.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- He made it home, didn't he? - Yeah, absolutely.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Well, that was what life was like back then for Sir Francis Chichester,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50but let's go back up on deck and talk about life today.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Well, she's not just a floating museum. You use her.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- What for? - Absolutely. We use her all time.
0:24:58 > 0:25:05She's based here at the UKSA and what we do is we do personal development through maritime training.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10- It's an academy for sailing. - We do a lot of youth work.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14The main use for the Gipsy Moth was to go and take her around the world
0:25:14 > 0:25:20with some of these younger people to experience the Sir Francis Chichester experience, which is now completed.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26She's now based back in Cowes and we take her out chartering.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29And we also use her with kids.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- That's so exciting. You must feel really proud of this vessel? - Absolutely.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38I know we can't put her on to sail today as it's a bit blowy, but can we at least have a potter?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Absolutely. I think what we'll do is just go out into the river
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- and have a little cruise around and show you what she can do.- OK.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52We're under way.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54- Do you want to have a steer?- Yeah.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58When Chichester neared retirement, he was diagnosed with cancer,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02but that blow didn't dampen his adventurous spirit.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05He began to plan a voyage of a lifetime.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08To circumnavigate the world, single-handed.
0:26:08 > 0:26:15Sir Francis Chichester set off from Plymouth on 27th August 1966.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Many thought he would fail.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20In the 1960s, when it was almost unthinkable for anyone
0:26:20 > 0:26:24to sail solo around the world, Chichester established the record
0:26:24 > 0:26:27for the fastest voyage around the world by any small vessel with just one stop.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36Gosh, just think, Sir Francis Chichester back in the '60s was doing this single-handed.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39He broke the mould of what the a solo sailor could achieve
0:26:39 > 0:26:43and threw down a gauntlet to future generations of sailors.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Many have taken up the challenge and, aided by technical advances,
0:26:47 > 0:26:53the current record stands at 57 days, held by French sailor Francis Joyon.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Great feeling to think I'm actually at their helm of Gipsy Moth IV.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02I never thought in my life I would be doing this.
0:27:02 > 0:27:09After 226 days at sea, Gipsy Moth IV, with a defiant Chichester at the helm, sailed into Plymouth.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12He'd done it!
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Upon his return, Sir Francis Chichester was a national hero.
0:27:15 > 0:27:22Newspaper reports from the day quote crowds of 250,000 turning up to welcome him home.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Sir Francis Chichester's epic voyage on Gipsy Moth IV
0:27:26 > 0:27:29was a milestone in the history of world sailing
0:27:29 > 0:27:33and definitely deserves a special place in all our hearts.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's so fitting that Chichester's boat here still continues
0:27:36 > 0:27:44to give future generations the experience on the sea, training sailors to follow where he led.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51There's still plenty of action back on dry land
0:27:51 > 0:27:53at the Cowes Yacht Haven,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56where Kate's getting carried away with the fairies.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Sue, tell me what you've brought in.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02This is a piece of Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04I bought it
0:28:04 > 0:28:0810 years ago in a charity shop for 39p.
0:28:08 > 0:28:1139p! That was a good buy!
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- It certainly was. - What possessed you?
0:28:13 > 0:28:17It was just so pretty and I'd never seen anything like it before.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18It was just so unusual.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Yeah, it's fantastic. I mean it's the word of the moment.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Fairyland Lustre, Wedgwood is the main proponent of that,
0:28:25 > 0:28:30and it's transfer-printed, hand-painted and decorated in gold and it's really sweet.
0:28:30 > 0:28:36I mean, you've got all these pixies and elves and gnomes and goodness knows what all over it.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40And on the bottom you've got the name and the patent number.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45So, Wedgwood. It's actually designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones,
0:28:45 > 0:28:50who did this particular pattern and she's one of the more collectable people.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56So, you liked it. Bought it in a charity shop. Do your family like it?
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Well, my daughter will be very upset
0:28:59 > 0:29:04because she always thought I was going to leave it to her.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07But I think it's too nice just to sit in a box.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12- Is that what you do with it? You don't display it? What a shame. - In a cupboard.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16- So you're happy to sell it. Any idea of value?- Absolutely not.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20It's not a piece of rubbish, but I don't know what it's worth.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23I've had a look at it and a couple of the other valuers
0:29:23 > 0:29:26have had a look at it and we can't decide on a price either.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Because nothing really similar has sold.
0:29:29 > 0:29:35I'm going to go with my really conservative estimate, which I think is between £100-£150.
0:29:35 > 0:29:42A reserve of perhaps £90, a bit of discretion for the auctioneer, so make it a discretionary reserve.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47I'm hope I'm wrong and the other valuers are right, cos they value it a bit higher than I do.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50But we'll let the auction decide. Are you happy to let it go?
0:29:50 > 0:29:56- Not happy but...- We'll wait and see. All right, fingers crossed.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08Joan, what a wonderful selection you've brought in today to show us,
0:30:08 > 0:30:12and I'm not going to pretend that I recognise these people that you've brought along,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16but I do recognise one, and that's this chap here at the front.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Now, that Norman Wisdom, isn't it?
0:30:18 > 0:30:22- That's right.- Who's this beautiful companion of his?- That's me.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25No! Really? That was you and Norman?
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Yeah, in the '50s.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- You were obviously quite close there.- We were at a party.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34At a party, excellent, and what was your job working in the shows?
0:30:34 > 0:30:37I was in the wardrobe, and I was a dresser.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42Right, so you had access to all the sort of backstage
0:30:42 > 0:30:46and all the sort of changing of costumes, which can be quite hectic.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47It is very hectic, yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48Looking down here,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50you've got others of Norman here,
0:30:50 > 0:30:52and again they're signed also.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Those at the front
0:30:53 > 0:30:55are from the ice show.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56Oh, yes, look,
0:30:56 > 0:30:57they've got skates on as well,
0:30:57 > 0:31:02and it's a camel on ice, and there's Norman at the front, look.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04And again, is this also the ice show?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- What date was that, for example? - That was in the '50s.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10In the '50s, yes. This one here as well, we move on to...
0:31:10 > 0:31:15Well, after I went to the ice show, I got a job at the London Palladium,
0:31:15 > 0:31:19and Norman Wisdom got me a job there,
0:31:19 > 0:31:24and did the variety shows, which was Johnnie Ray and...
0:31:24 > 0:31:26That's where these programmes come from,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28this is a Royal Performance
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Variety Show programme.
0:31:29 > 0:31:35And again you've collected a pile of photographs which are nearly all signed, aren't they?
0:31:35 > 0:31:40- Most of them are, yes.- Most of them are signed in pen, which is what you want as a collector.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43And then I move over to here, this is different.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45This is from the Cunard liners, the Queen Elizabeth.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47That's right, the first one.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51- And this one here.- Yes, my brother was a steward on the boats,
0:31:51 > 0:31:57and he got the autographs from Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Todd.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Well, I saw here, Elizabeth Taylor I know, Michael Todd is...
0:32:01 > 0:32:05She was married to him before she was married to Richard Burton.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08And then we've got Bill Haley on that one.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13Bill Haley, that's a very sought-after signature as well as Elizabeth Taylor.
0:32:13 > 0:32:20- Yeah.- I would thank, value-wise, if we put a figure on the whole collection of £200-£300,
0:32:20 > 0:32:22- would you be happy with that? - Yes, I would.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26- Yes?- Yes, I would.- Shall we put a reserve...on them?- Yes, yes, please.
0:32:26 > 0:32:31You'd like a reserve at that bottom figure - with a bit of discretion perhaps for the auctioneer?
0:32:31 > 0:32:35So 200 with discretion. And is there any reason for selling them?
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I mean, it's part of your life, isn't it?
0:32:38 > 0:32:42Yes, but then it's not my children's memories, they don't want them.
0:32:42 > 0:32:43They're not interested in them.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47No, not really. So I thought I'd just have some money to...
0:32:47 > 0:32:51And you're going to hold on to that one, aren't you? You should get that framed.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54If that was my mum dancing with Norman Wisdom, I'd want a copy.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- Martin!- Yes, Kate.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05This painting caught my eye. Tell me a bit about it.
0:33:05 > 0:33:12Well, it's a painting which my grandfather purchased in about the mid-1930s.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17It was then handed to my father, and then it was handed to me,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21and it's a painting which has actually survived the last war.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Right. What happened to it? It was bombed or...?
0:33:24 > 0:33:29It was stored in a wardrobe on the third floor of a house,
0:33:29 > 0:33:32and then the property was bombed.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37The wardrobe and the frame were destroyed, and the picture survived.
0:33:37 > 0:33:43Ah-ha! So, yeah, it's come a long way, and you've brought it here today, and what else do we know?
0:33:43 > 0:33:47- It's got a signature, William Banks.- William Banks.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50And also there's a label verso, so you can just about read that.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56You can read on the back, "The hero of the encounter by William Banks from Edinburgh,"
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and it's about the late 1800s.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01- Late, so 1890 something.- 1890, yes.
0:34:01 > 0:34:08OK, and it's obviously these two cavaliers regaling this poor serving girl with their antics,
0:34:08 > 0:34:14and he's drawn her a little picture about what's going on and how he defeated his enemy.
0:34:14 > 0:34:20It's not great condition in the sense of the paintwork, there are some bubbling up bits.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22But it also looks like it's been cleaned.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26That's correct, yes. No, I had it professionally done.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30It's a good job, I have to say, and if it's survived that long,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34it's in pretty good shape for what's happened to it.
0:34:34 > 0:34:40I mean, there's not very many areas of paint loss, it is just this area here with that raised section.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44It's beautifully painted, if you look at the faces and the fabric
0:34:44 > 0:34:48here, I mean, I love paintings, so this has really made my day.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Why do you want to sell it?
0:34:50 > 0:34:53I have nowhere to put it, nowhere to display it properly.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- I would like to, but I have nowhere. - It would go back in a wardrobe?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00It would go in the wardrobe to store.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03So what were your thoughts on price?
0:35:03 > 0:35:09- About the...£250 for reserve and anything upwards.- Upwards for that.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12OK, so if we maybe put the estimate a little bit higher,
0:35:12 > 0:35:19- sort of £300-£400 estimate and the reserve at 250 as a firm reserve, we'll try it at a sale.- Yes.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23'And as I keep an eye out for a gem,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26'Will has already found a duo.'
0:35:26 > 0:35:30So, Robin, you brought in two very different pieces
0:35:30 > 0:35:32of Poole pottery for us. Are they both yours?
0:35:32 > 0:35:35No. This one's mine and that one's my nephew's.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37He's asked me to sell it. He lives on the mainland.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Oh, he lives on the mainland, not on the island.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45- Not on the island. No.- So he's come over on the ferry for us to have a look at and sell for him.- Yes.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47And you own this one here.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- I own this one here. Yes.- OK. Well, let's have a look at them now.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52This one's going to be the later example.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55So we'll look at the earlier example here.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00This is a typical Poole charger, typical colours.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Designed by Truda Carter.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07And if we turn it over, let's have a look at the back which tells us more about it.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12We can see here a rather interesting stencil. We've got W T L & S...
0:36:12 > 0:36:151939 and the date.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20So I suspect that I've seen these before and these are chargers that
0:36:20 > 0:36:25- have been produced and commissioned by a firm called Lamb & Sons.- Yes.
0:36:25 > 0:36:31These were pieces that they were having produced and stencilled on the back and given away as -
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- shall we say? - corporate gifts. - Yes.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36How's it come to be in your nephew's hands?
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Has he got a connection, perhaps, with someone who was presented this?
0:36:40 > 0:36:42No. I believe he bought it at a boot sale.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Did he? Well, we hear that a lot on this programme.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Any ideas what he paid for it?
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Wouldn't have been any more than about £50, I should imagine.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Well, you're suggesting that he may be a bit tight or a bit mean...
0:36:54 > 0:36:56- Knowing Michael, yes.- Really.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- Well, he's done well if he bought it for that.- Yeah.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02And we move on to this one here, the later Poole vase.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06This one here, I don't know hardly anything about it.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- I found it in a skip.- Did you?- Yes.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12You've done well cos I mean the condition looks good, as well.
0:37:12 > 0:37:13It is. It's beautiful.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15It's bright. It's brash.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18It's this sort of flaming oranges and reds with this almost,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22- It's almost like... They're like mistletoe leaves. - It does look like that. Yes.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27I think it's sort of mistletoe and then you've got the middle berries, that sort of thing.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31- So there's going to be at least 50 years between them.- Yeah.- Same firm.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Do you have any idea which one's going to be worth more?
0:37:34 > 0:37:37I'd imagine that one there is going to be worth more than this.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41I mean, generally, when you're in this sort of business, the older the better...
0:37:41 > 0:37:46unless you are talking about specific 20th century designers and signed pieces.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50And what sort of value does your nephew expect it to be valued at?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- I don't really know.- No.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- He just said, "Sell it."- Did he?- Yes. - I might come in really low, then.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00But I would say that the Poole charger, on its own,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03is going to be worth in the region of £100-£150.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Do you think he would give us the go-ahead with that?- Yes.- Good.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- And then the Poole vase which is your find...- Yes.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14..what I'd like to do is put it with the charger.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19Makes an interesting lot. Two pieces, perhaps, for the price of one, so it's bound to find a buyer.
0:38:19 > 0:38:26- Do you think he wants a reserve or shall we just let it make what it makes?- Just what it makes.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Oh, he's my kind of guy. I like that. As an auctioneer, we like no reserve.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34Puts a bit of pressure on me, though, cos I'm hoping it's not going to go for less than £100.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36So it's down to what it's going to make on the day.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I predict 100-£150, but we shall see.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Come with me for just a few minutes up the road
0:38:58 > 0:39:04to meet an award-winning artist whose paintings prove small IS beautiful.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24The story of miniature paintings dates right back to the 1500s, but their popularity really flourished
0:39:24 > 0:39:29in the 17th and 18th centuries when they became fashionable with the monarchy.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33They were the photographs of the day and, traditionally, a king
0:39:33 > 0:39:40would receive these small portable paintings from far and wide in order to choose a prospective wife.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Rumour has it that King Henry VIII was very pleased
0:39:43 > 0:39:48by a miniature of Anne of Cleves, but when he met his fourth bride in the flesh,
0:39:48 > 0:39:53the King felt that the royal artist had flattered Anne a little too much.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57Painting miniatures is by no means a dying art.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00I'm here, today, to meet Elizabeth Meek. Hi, Elizabeth.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Hi, Paul.- Great to see you.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08'President of the Royal Miniature Society, she's been painting miniatures for over 20 years.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12'But her career as an artist very nearly didn't happen.'
0:40:15 > 0:40:19- Incredible. Really good. Big fan of your work.- Thank you.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21So, did you go to art school?
0:40:21 > 0:40:22What made you become an artist?
0:40:22 > 0:40:26As a child, I was just passionate about drawing all the time.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31I spent most of my childhood drawing to the detriment of my schoolwork.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36And I had said I wanted to go to art college but it was just not possible
0:40:36 > 0:40:38so I went to be a nurse in London,
0:40:38 > 0:40:45but I still had that need to draw and I spent all my off-duty days making
0:40:45 > 0:40:49my colleagues sit down and sit for me so I could sketch them and draw them.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54And finally, after about six years of nursing, I decided that I really did want to be an artist.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57That was what was inside me, although I loved being a nurse,
0:40:57 > 0:41:02so that's what I did and just taught myself and worked doggedly.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04The detail is absolutely incredible.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06You've obviously got great eyesight.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09What attracted you to becoming a miniature portrait artist?
0:41:09 > 0:41:14My drawings were always larger than paintings...
0:41:14 > 0:41:20but always quite detailed. I've always gone for some more detailed work, that's just my natural bent.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25And it just happened that I was in a bookshop one day and I saw a book on sale.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30It was reduced from 45 to £5 and I just bought it cos I thought it would be a bargain.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33And I was flicking through it, it was all about miniatures.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35I'd never heard of miniatures.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Knew nothing about the history and it was from that moment,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I thought, "Gosh, I'd love to have a go at these."
0:41:41 > 0:41:43And were you successful? Did it happen straightaway for you?
0:41:43 > 0:41:47I discovered the Royal Miniature Society and within two years,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51I was exhibiting with the Royal Miniature Society.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55And then started winning awards pretty well after that.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57After two years, you were winning awards!
0:41:57 > 0:42:02I probably, overall, won about... I'm not quite sure, but about 20 awards for my miniatures.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- Unbelievable.- Now I'm President of the Royal Miniature Society.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10So having gone from a completely self-taught unknown,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12I ended up being the President.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15That is an incredible achievement, isn't it?
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- Is a lot of your work now commission-based?- Yes.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Most of my work is commission-based. It's my bread and butter.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27I usually have a backlog of people waiting for me to do their commission.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31And do most people want the portrait done in the traditional manner
0:42:31 > 0:42:35like these in an old acorn frame, you know, head and shoulders?
0:42:35 > 0:42:39It varies. Some people like to have the little ovals.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I can do slightly larger ovals.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44- I can do rectangular.- Three-quarter length.- Whatever they want.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48- Talk me through some of these because you've travelled a lot. - I've travelled a fair bit.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Actually, this was the first miniature I ever did.
0:42:51 > 0:42:57- Oh, really?- Yes. I was in Rhodes and she was sitting right at the back of this sort of cafe place
0:42:57 > 0:43:01selling old tablecloths and I just thought she had the most wonderful little old apple face.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- Oh, she has!- Yeah. - So round, but it's just so happy.
0:43:04 > 0:43:09And just a really happy face and I just thought she was absolutely stunning.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13So these two were actually in my first miniatures.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16He was a swimming pool attendant where I used to go swimming.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- Incredible. - This man was a very interesting man.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24When I lived in London, he was always dressed in the most extraordinary clothes
0:43:24 > 0:43:28and he was a great character, so I asked if I could do his portrait.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32- You capture the very essence of the moment.- That is the most important thing for me.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34I don't want a photograph.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37- I want to capture the personality and character.- Yeah.
0:43:37 > 0:43:42And when I'm doing my commissions, that for me, is absolutely imperative that I spend a bit
0:43:42 > 0:43:47of time with people, just discovering who they are and what they're about.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51And do you go out and about on the island here, finding subject matter?
0:43:51 > 0:43:54When I go out on my walks for a bit of a recce for a subject,
0:43:54 > 0:44:01I'm looking for a really interesting face, people who are wearing vibrant clothes,
0:44:01 > 0:44:05anybody that captures my interest at that moment.
0:44:05 > 0:44:11It may not capture other people's and they may not see what I'm seeing but just somebody that I want to paint.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15So let's start the process off, where does it all start with a miniature?
0:44:15 > 0:44:22I start by going in my studio which is my sacrosanct place which I don't really like people going in.
0:44:22 > 0:44:29And I put my classical music on which gets me nicely calm and relaxed
0:44:29 > 0:44:30and I sit down at my easel.
0:44:30 > 0:44:35And take my Ivorine and my very small brush.
0:44:35 > 0:44:41I use tiny, tiny brushes, four noughts, and lay on my paints.
0:44:41 > 0:44:46And have my magnifying glass. I've only actually just started using a magnifying glass all the time.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50With old age, the eyesight's going a bit.
0:44:50 > 0:44:55I'm very, very careful in my studio not to create any dust.
0:44:55 > 0:45:00That is one of the things that is most detrimental to your miniature.
0:45:00 > 0:45:05I would probably just make somebody sit for an hour and a half, something like that, maximum, cos they've got
0:45:05 > 0:45:10to sit absolutely dead still and that's quite hard.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13My portraits take about 90 hours.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17When a client comes to you for a commission, what do they want, what do they ask you for?
0:45:17 > 0:45:25They want, obviously, a very good likeness, but sometimes they want to be flattered a little, too...
0:45:25 > 0:45:27so, softened, shall we say?
0:45:27 > 0:45:29- Can I have a look at the studio? - Yes. Of course.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34- So, come this way.- Very nice.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36Very nice.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40I pinched the dining room but that was the best room for me.
0:45:40 > 0:45:44- It's got good natural light. - It has. Yeah.- What's on the easel? What are we looking at here?
0:45:44 > 0:45:46That's one of my favourites.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48- OK.- And it's won me awards.
0:45:48 > 0:45:55This one was a guy I saw in Tunisia and it's just never worked for me. It's very flat.
0:45:55 > 0:46:01The colour's not right. I struggled with that one and it shows. I've never exhibited that anywhere.
0:46:01 > 0:46:07So this is kind of a good example of what you think is a great sitting and one that you're not happy with?
0:46:07 > 0:46:10Yes, and I was very unhappy. I've never exhibited that anywhere.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12I'm sure you don't have many that you're not happy with.
0:46:12 > 0:46:18I don't have many but there's the odd one or two and I mean, you can't create a fantastic one every time.
0:46:18 > 0:46:20- No.- It just doesn't happen.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- But as long as you're sort of relatively happy...- Consistent.- Yeah.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28- These are definitely antiques of the future.- Oh, definitely.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32And we have massive collectors, but, of course,
0:46:32 > 0:46:37there are the antique miniatures which go like hot cakes, as I was told by somebody at Bonhams.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40And they sell out at their auctions.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43And one recently went for 1 million.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46- And who was that of? - It was a George Washington.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48So the sitter is very important, as well.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51I think it is. Yes. Possibly.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56- Have you had any famous clients lately?- I've done work for the Prince of Wales,
0:46:56 > 0:47:00- Princess Michael of Kent. - Were you nervous when you were painting Prince Charles?
0:47:00 > 0:47:03I was excessively nervous, yes, but he was very, very nice.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05He was very reassuring and he understood.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08- He was happy, was he? - He was very happy. Yes, he was.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10Good for you. I would be as well, I think.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13I think you're a remarkable talent, you really are.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17Elizabeth, thank you for showing me around your house and your studio.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19It's been a real pleasure and an eye-opener.
0:47:21 > 0:47:27Elizabeth's incredible skill and patience has enabled her to capture the most exquisite miniatures,
0:47:27 > 0:47:30a technique that dates back some 500 years
0:47:30 > 0:47:34and hopefully that legacy is now going to last another 500 years.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43And it's now time to return to the auction and here's what we're taking with us.
0:47:43 > 0:47:47Martin's painting survived a war, safely stored in a wardrobe,
0:47:47 > 0:47:51and I'm confident this William Banks oil painting won't bomb at auction.
0:47:53 > 0:47:58And it will be accompanied by Joan's maritime and Palladium memorabilia.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01Now, that's Norman Wisdom, isn't it?
0:48:01 > 0:48:05- And who's this beautiful companion of his?- That's me.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08Joan is hoping her famous friends will take the saleroom limelight.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12We're selling this duo of Poole pottery belonging to Robin and his nephew.
0:48:12 > 0:48:16Will thinks the charger is the star that will get this pair sold.
0:48:19 > 0:48:23And finally, Sue's excellent find, the Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre sugar bowl.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27It's bound to make her a profit on her 39p outlay.
0:48:32 > 0:48:37But back at the saleroom, it's not all good news, as the auctioneer has spotted something.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40I picked up on something that your experts didn't.
0:48:40 > 0:48:45There is a small hairline in it, so under normal circumstances I would have said
0:48:45 > 0:48:51that the valuation was spot-on, but there's a hairline crack just there, if you can see it.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Oh, yeah, I can see it.
0:48:53 > 0:48:58- And as you know, that's going to halve the value, I should think. - So have you told her?
0:48:58 > 0:49:00I did, I rang her up and gave her the bad news,
0:49:00 > 0:49:06but she's still going to get a good return on her 39p, so we're guiding it now at £50-£80.
0:49:06 > 0:49:11Right, OK, so fingers crossed we'll get that top end still and it's going to sell.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19I must show you this. It's so exciting. We're on an island.
0:49:19 > 0:49:20We're surrounded by sea.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23There's lots of maritime history here. And look what I've spotted.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25I'll show you...
0:49:25 > 0:49:30Hasn't that got the wow factor? It's called a sailor's valentine.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33This sailor would have been on a voyage,
0:49:33 > 0:49:38maybe taking two or three months at sea on a big old tea clipper.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42And he's collected these seashells to relieve the boredom over those three months.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45He's made up this diorama for his sweetheart back at home.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47Condition is fantastic.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51You'd expect to pay something between £1,500 and £2,000
0:49:51 > 0:49:55for a diorama like this, circa 1850. It's beautiful.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58Now, let's get the sale started.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03First up, an old Flog It! favourite. A bit of Poole pottery.
0:50:03 > 0:50:07A vase and a plate and the motto here is, don't skip it,
0:50:07 > 0:50:09put it in an auction room because it is worth money.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12- And that's exactly what you've done, haven't you?- Yes. I have.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Yeah. Well, done to you, Robin.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16We've got a valuation of £100-£150.
0:50:16 > 0:50:21That's right. We've got sort of an earlier charger and then a later Poole vase
0:50:21 > 0:50:26which is a bit more sort of modern and a bit more stylish, but again, we've gone for a no reserve
0:50:26 > 0:50:31cos things you find in a skip don't owe you anything so you might as well get what you can for them.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33This is classic recycling.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37You can't get greener than antiques really, can you, cos it's not second-hand,
0:50:37 > 0:50:39it's fifth, sixth, seventh... 20th-hand even.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44Good recycling. And somebody's going to take pleasure in this.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47Decorative Poole pottery plate with marks to the base, dated 1939,
0:50:47 > 0:50:50together with a Poole pottery vase. Two bits together.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53Nice lot. Someone start me at 40. £40, anywhere?
0:50:53 > 0:50:5540 bid. Two, can I say?
0:50:55 > 0:50:5840 in the centre and 42. 44. 46. 48.
0:50:58 > 0:51:0250. Five. 60. Five. 70. Five.
0:51:02 > 0:51:0580. Five. 90. Five.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08100. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10One more?
0:51:10 > 0:51:14One last one. You said that last time. 140. 150.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18- Yes. - In the centre and selling at 150.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21Top end. £150.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25- Satisfied with that.- Got to be, haven't you?- Yes.- Classic recycling.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28- That's what the antiques industry is all about, isn't it?- Yes.
0:51:28 > 0:51:3055. And 60. Five.
0:51:30 > 0:51:35Right, time to break the news to Kate. Kate, at the valuation day,
0:51:35 > 0:51:40we had a value of £100-150, and since there's been a detection of a hairline crack,
0:51:40 > 0:51:47which has reduced the value, and I know the auctioneer's talked to you about this.
0:51:47 > 0:51:53So now we've got a value of around about £50-£80, but I still think
0:51:53 > 0:51:56- this will do what you originally wanted, Kate.- Well, I hope so.
0:51:56 > 0:52:00It's nice to have a perfect piece, but it's still a rare pattern
0:52:00 > 0:52:03and a great designer, so we'll wait and see.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06Small Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre sugar bowl
0:52:06 > 0:52:09designed by...Daisy Jones.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11Someone start me at £40.
0:52:11 > 0:52:1340 here, two can I say?
0:52:13 > 0:52:1642, 44, 46, 48.
0:52:16 > 0:52:1950, five...
0:52:19 > 0:52:2355, 60, five. Nice piece of lustreware, 70...
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Look, someone's holding their card up, they're not putting it down.
0:52:26 > 0:52:2980, madam, and five, and 90...and five.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32And 100, madam.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35110, 120. One more, 120. 130, sir?
0:52:35 > 0:52:41- Yes!- 140, madam. 150, 160, 170, 180.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- It's flying, isn't it?- 170, then.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47180, new bidders, 180, 190, 200.
0:52:47 > 0:52:53200 at the back, 210, 220. 230, 240.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55250, 260.
0:52:55 > 0:52:59270, 280. 290, 300.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02310, 320? 320, yes, 330?
0:53:02 > 0:53:06- I might need a taxi.- It's right at the back with you, madam, at 320,
0:53:06 > 0:53:08and selling at 320, all done?
0:53:08 > 0:53:09At 320, all done.
0:53:09 > 0:53:15- Wow!- Yes! Fantastic, £320, Sue!
0:53:15 > 0:53:19You see, we didn't need that revised estimate all along, did we?
0:53:19 > 0:53:21Just imagine if it didn't have a crack.
0:53:21 > 0:53:26- It was a good job by the auctioneer! - It was, wasn't it?- Unbelievable.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28As you said, away with the fairies!
0:53:34 > 0:53:38This next item about to go under the hammer is a cracking bit of memorabilia.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41It's been collected by Joan, and you were a wardrobe dresser
0:53:41 > 0:53:43- at the London Palladium. - That's right.
0:53:43 > 0:53:49Seen it all, heard it all, can tell us a few stories but not on camera.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52But you met lots of stars, lots of autographs,
0:53:52 > 0:53:57and we've also got the menu from the QE, the Queen Elizabeth I.
0:53:57 > 0:54:01- And the Earl's Court ice show as well.- Yes, with Norman Wisdom.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03We've got £200-£300. There's a lot there.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06Autographs can sometimes be a little tricky to sell.
0:54:06 > 0:54:11They need to be in the right sale with the right people, but I've seen autographs
0:54:11 > 0:54:13make well into the hundreds.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17Photographs from the Royal London Palladium and Earl's Court,
0:54:17 > 0:54:20some signed, including Johnnie Ray and others.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23Someone start me at £100. 100 here with Tim, 110 anywhere?
0:54:23 > 0:54:28100 here with Tim, 110 can I say?
0:54:28 > 0:54:31It's at £100, then.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33All done at 100? All done at 100.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36I'm afraid that's not reached reserve.
0:54:36 > 0:54:38It needs a specialist sale, really.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42There are specialist auctioneers who just sell autograph material,
0:54:42 > 0:54:47go on the internet, have a look at one of those and just contact them direct.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52We thought about taking them to America, especially the Elizabeth Taylor one.
0:54:52 > 0:54:57A different market, it's on their doorstep if you take them to them.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00Oh, that's a shame, I was hoping for a new shed.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Oh, dear!
0:55:02 > 0:55:05If you don't have any luck searching for the right auction,
0:55:05 > 0:55:08get in contact and we'll help you find that auction.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Oh, right, fine, thank you very much.
0:55:12 > 0:55:17Going under the hammer right now, a late Victorian painting by William Banks.
0:55:17 > 0:55:22It belongs to Martin, and all the money is going towards little Sam. Tell us all about little Sam.
0:55:22 > 0:55:27Little Sam is a rescue dog from the RSPCA,
0:55:27 > 0:55:31and he was in a dog fight and he lost his leg.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Is he a little dog?
0:55:33 > 0:55:39- He's a medium-sized dog, weighs about 10 or 15 kilos.- What is he, then, a terrier or something?
0:55:39 > 0:55:42He's a terrier cross, a black and tan terrier cross.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45And it just goes towards his vet bills.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49Well, thank goodness you've rescued him. You obviously love animals.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53We've got £300-£400 on this wonderful bit of artwork
0:55:53 > 0:55:56with a fixed reserve of 250.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Yeah... It's a good example of late Victorian painting.
0:55:59 > 0:56:04- I don't know if it's everybody's taste at the moment, but we'll wait and see.- Well, hopefully.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07We've got a packed auction room, I think this could sell.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10Late 19th century oil on canvas.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13Painting by William Banks.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15Friend being served wine by housemaid.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18Lot 100, we've got interest level.
0:56:18 > 0:56:24150, we've got 150 here, 160 can I say? 150, 160, 170, 180?
0:56:24 > 0:56:27180, 190, 200?
0:56:27 > 0:56:31200, 210, 220, 230, 240.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34- 240, 250, 260...- We've sold it.
0:56:34 > 0:56:40270, 280, 280? Yes, 290, 300, 310.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42- Yep.- Yep, 320...
0:56:42 > 0:56:47320, yes, 330, no. 320. On my left, 320, 330, phone bidder?
0:56:47 > 0:56:50330.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53330, yes, 340, 350.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55350, yes, 360?
0:56:55 > 0:56:58- Oh, brilliant. - Keep going, phone bidder.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02380? 390.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05Yep, 390, 400, Bob.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07410... 420.
0:57:07 > 0:57:12430. 440.
0:57:12 > 0:57:17440? Yep, 450. 450, 460. 470.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22480. 490.
0:57:22 > 0:57:25500. 500, yes, 520.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29540. 560.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32- This is great!- 580, 600.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35620, 640.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40660. No, he's out. It's 640 to the phone bidder.
0:57:40 > 0:57:44£640 to the phone bidder, are we all done?
0:57:44 > 0:57:47Selling to the phone at 640, all done?
0:57:47 > 0:57:50Yes! How about that? £640!
0:57:50 > 0:57:54Unbelievable! If little Sam was here right now, he'd be wagging his tail!
0:57:54 > 0:57:58- What a great result! Happy? - Yes.- Great.
0:57:58 > 0:57:59We've taken care of some vet bills.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03Thank you for finding that, Kate. I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:58:03 > 0:58:08There's plenty more to come on Flog It!, but from the Isle of Wight, it's cheerio.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:18 > 0:58:21E-mail us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk