0:00:02 > 0:00:04We're in Melksham in Wiltshire.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07This town was a playground for the Norman kings.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12Today, we're going to have some fun, because Flog It is in town.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34On the west of the county of Wiltshire,
0:00:34 > 0:00:39Melksham was once a clearing in the middle of a vast royal forest
0:00:39 > 0:00:45where, for hundreds of years, England's monarchs came to hunt.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50The chase is still alive and kicking.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54With this queue and our experts Philip Serrell and David Barby,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56we're in for a sporting chance
0:00:56 > 0:00:59of uncovering some fantastic antiques.
0:00:59 > 0:01:05It's 9.30, time to get the doors open. Let's see what we can uncover.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Ready to go inside? Yeah! Come on.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13The people are pouring in, and some are in for an emotional ride.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17I shall start crying!
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Well, that was good!
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Ooh, what have I done?
0:01:22 > 0:01:28So, without further ado, let's crack on with the first valuation.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- Jan, how are you?- Fine, thanks.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Jan, what are your views on this housekeeping lark?
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Do you like polishing?
0:01:36 > 0:01:42- I clean and polish what I have to. - It's not in the "have to" category?
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- They're not on my shelf. - Where are they?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47I found them in a box.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49I thought, "Ooh!"
0:01:49 > 0:01:52They've got a hallmark on the back.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- You think that's a hallmark? - Oh. Yeah.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00- That's what I see on Flog It. - What would a hallmark tell us?
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- Where it was made. - OK. The first one...
0:02:03 > 0:02:09- the leopard's head, that tells us it was assayed in London.- Oh. OK.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- What else do they tell us? - Then, the date.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15That's that letter C.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19That tells us that it was assayed in London in 1898.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- There's another two. What are they for?- The quality of the silver?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28That's that lion passant, a lion looking sideways.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30That tells us that it's silver.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Then that's the maker's stamp, which is Gibson and Langman.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- And they're well known? - They're a good firm.- Reasonable.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44The thing I like about these is there's a bit of weight to them.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- They're not hugely valuable.- No. - Or hugely collectable.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- Jan, there are lots of people like you...- Don't want to clean them.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57- It's work to clean them. - With all these bits, yes.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- What do you think they're worth? Given it any thought?- Not really.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- Ten quid?- Well...- Well! - If you told me truthfully...
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Have I got an honest face?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12I'm not so sure. You look as though... You look a bit grumpy.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Grumpy? - (LAUGHING) Yeah, you did.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18I'd believe you if you said £10 each.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- You want to flog them, don't you? - I do.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- We should put them into auction with an estimate of £50 to £80.- Lovely.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- We should put a fixed reserve on them of £40.- That would be super.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- I have to say I think that's cheap. - You do?- I do.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38If you went to buy these new now,
0:03:38 > 0:03:44- I suspect they might cost you £400. - Oh, my gosh!- I'd like to own them.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Of their type, they're a very good example.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- You happy with that, then?- Oh, yes. - No more polishing?- No!
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- You know what would happen if I took them home.- Back in the box.- Yeah.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- Let's get them sold.- Yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09These are quite unusual for a chap to bring in, little doll figures.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14- Where do they come from?- I believe they're my father's mother's.
0:04:14 > 0:04:21When Dad passed away, we found these in a cardboard box in the loft.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26My wife put them in a china cabinet, where they don't match anything.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30I think they're quite charming, in inverted commas.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- I personally wouldn't want to own them.- Nor do I.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38Hence, flogging it! I find them rather fussy.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44Today's fashion is for more streamlined Art Deco 1950s style.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47The heyday for these
0:04:47 > 0:04:50was 10 or 15 years ago.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52They're known as "piano dolls".
0:04:52 > 0:04:58They'd sit on pianos as decorative elements. Where were they made?
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I think they were made in Germany.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06There is a mark, but it's difficult to see. It's impressed.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10The impressed mark is like the mark on the back of a doll's head,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13for a company called Heubach.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16This is the mark for 1882, 1886.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20That sort of period. Heubach produced some very attractive dolls.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I like the pulling off the socks!
0:05:23 > 0:05:27How many times have you seen babies pull their socks off?
0:05:27 > 0:05:28There is damage.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31This hand has been glued back,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and we've lost a finger.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37We've got to put a price to attract people.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42These will find a market. There are collectors of piano dolls.
0:05:42 > 0:05:48I think if we put a price in the region of, say, 80 to 100.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Maybe a reserve of about 60? Is that going to make you happy?
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- That's fine.- Is it just a matter of getting rid of them?- Bit of both!
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- £60's not life-changing. - A tank of petrol.- That's about it.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- I hope, at the auction, we'll get piano doll collectors.- So do I. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Mary, how are you?- All right. - Who's this?- My grandson, Ben.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- How old are you?- 11.- Are you interested in antiques?- A bit.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Hopefully, a bit more after this. What have you got in here?
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- It's a ring which was left to me by my mother.- Can I look?- Please do.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- Do you know what this is? - Opal. Fire opal.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37A fire opal. People call these Mexican fire opals.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42They're called because of the colour they transport through light.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46If you move it around, you see that luminescent fire.
0:06:46 > 0:06:53It's simply polished. Not cut but set into this clamp-like setting.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56That's really exactly what it is.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59It's an Edwardian fire opal ring.
0:06:59 > 0:07:06- One of the things that amazes me is how small their fingers were. - Mmm.
0:07:06 > 0:07:13- I don't think I've got podgy hands. Their fingers were minute.- Very slim.- Why do you want to sell it?
0:07:13 > 0:07:19It doesn't fit me, and when it did, you're frightened of losing it.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Yeah.- My daughter doesn't want it, so...
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- You're not going to wear it?- No! - Certainly not.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30In terms of value, we can estimate it at £100 to £150.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35- Right.- And you might get a pleasant surprise at the auction.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37A fixed reserve on it of £80.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Right.- And let's hope it does really well.
0:07:40 > 0:07:47- Say it does £150, what would you spend it on?- Probably the grandchildren. They'd be treated.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52Ben, if it was yours and it made £150, what would you spend it on?
0:07:52 > 0:07:57- Probably some new football things. I love football.- Who do you support?
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- Man United.- Blimey! Good job I don't understand football.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05- I hope it goes really well for both of you.- Thank you.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Joan, these are remarkably clean vases.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Have you taken great pride in cleaning these over the years?
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- No.- Oh.- I cleaned them yesterday. - Specially for us?- Yeah.- Well done.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- What were they like before?- Black.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- So where had they been? - In a cupboard wrapped up.
0:08:32 > 0:08:38- Where did they come from? - I inherited them from a relation.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- They were black.- And remained black until a few days ago!- Yeah!
0:08:42 > 0:08:46These are unbelievably elegant.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Lovely, lovely silver pieces.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52They were, I suppose, exclusively
0:08:52 > 0:08:58produced for ladies who wanted delicate flower arrangements.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Maybe orchids from the hothouse.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04These come from a well-to-do
0:09:04 > 0:09:07middle-class home of the Edwardian period.
0:09:07 > 0:09:15- Right.- Think in terms of an Edwardian table.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Set for supper. These at either end.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- Probably, candles in between.- Yeah. - Today, people put candles in.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24Those sort of oasis rings, then flower arrangements around.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27There's a market for these.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- They're lovely.- Yeah.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32There is slight damage here and there.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Not too detrimental, but it is there.
0:09:36 > 0:09:42- I think we're looking at about £60 to £80. I hope more.- Right.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44That sort of market.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- Would you be interested in selling them at that?- I would, yes.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53You're fed up with cleaning them once every 40 years?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55That's right. Yeah.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59I'm not certain whether we want to put a reserve on,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03or whether we just let them run at the sale?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Um... Just let them go. - Let them go?- Please, yeah.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- So whatever we get, you'll be happy? - Yes. Thank you very much.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- If they don't reach that price, you'll give me "what for".- Yeah!
0:10:20 > 0:10:26- This is yours? - It belonged to my mother, well, my mother and father.- Yeah.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Not entirely sure when they got it or whether it was a present or...
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Yeah. But do you like it?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33I love it. I do love it, but...
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Why have you brought it along today to Flog It!?- Well, we've inherited a lot of things
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- since my mum passed away...- Yeah. - And we can't keep everything.- Yep.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44And although it's absolutely gorgeous, it's very difficult
0:10:44 > 0:10:46to display, being a plate.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Right. Any why do you think I should get excited about this?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Well, it's Lalique.- Yeah.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- And the iridescence on it is absolutely gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56And the pattern, so...
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- Well, all of these designs were sort of themed upon water.- Yeah.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06And his marks, if I can just hold it up, you can see his signature just there,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08R Lalique, and that's a stencilled mark.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Sometimes it's moulded so it's in relief and sometimes it's in script
0:11:12 > 0:11:17as a signature. He died in 1945, and I would think that
0:11:17 > 0:11:21this particular plate would date to about 1925 or there or thereabouts.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Really? That early?- Yeah.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I think to display these properly, rather than put them down like that,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29you should actually mount them up and perhaps have a light...
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Absolutely.- ..shining through them.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33This opalescence or iridescence,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36if you feel the back of it, it's different levels and layers.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Yes, it's quite tactile, isn't it?
0:11:38 > 0:11:43It is, but this milky colour at the back here, the thickness of the glass
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- as it cools...- Mmm.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- ..clearly the thin bits cool a lot quicker than the fat bits.- Yeah.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53And that's what makes these milkier and it causes this iridescence.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55So it's nothing actually in the glass?
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- No, it's just the speed at which it cools.- Right.- OK?
0:11:58 > 0:12:06So you've got here a plate by Rene Lalique, 1925, what is it worth?
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Well, we really didn't have any idea.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12We obviously saw the Lalique stamp, so knew that, you know...
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- It's worth something, yes.- Yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19I think that you should put an estimate on this of £120 to £180.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- Mm-hm.- And I think that it could go and sell, and sell quite well,
0:12:22 > 0:12:27but I think you need to put a fixed reserve on it of £90. Clearly,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30if it doesn't make £90, you want it back and you should have it back.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I think it'll just do fine, particularly if we can illustrate it
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- and the catalogue's on the web.- Yeah. - How does that sound?- Lovely.- Yeah?
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- Sounds great.- Good. What are you going to spend the money on?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Well, maybe a bit of a family get-together in memory of my mum.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Oh, that's nice.- Yeah, that would be nice.- That's nice.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Before we head off to the auction with our first batch of valuations,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53here's a brief reminder of what we're taking with us.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Passed on to her by her parents, Jo's decided
0:12:58 > 0:13:02to let her unwanted Lalique plate head straight to the saleroom,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05knowing that a famous name commands a good price.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09We obviously saw the Lalique stamp, so knew that...
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- ..it's worth something.- Yeah.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Jan's hoping she'll never have to polish those silver dishes again.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18But will they clean up at the auction?
0:13:20 > 0:13:23David had mixed feelings about Rob's piano dolls.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I personally wouldn't want to own them.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29Nor do I.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Will Phillip be right about Mary's fire opal ring?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Will it set the room alight?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42And David's definitely putting his neck on the line
0:13:42 > 0:13:44when it comes to Joan's silver vases.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47If they don't reach that price, you can give me what for.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48I will do, yeah.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Will he end up regretting those words?
0:13:50 > 0:13:55For today's auction, we're guests of Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00Let's hope it's a full house and they'll be bidding on our lots.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05Our auctioneers are father and son team Alan and Andrew Aldridge.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Fair warning.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10We've got some real quality for you right now.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14It's the top name in glass, Rene Lalique, and it's a wonderful plate.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- It belongs to Jo.- That's right. - What I want to know is,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19why are you selling this? It's so gorgeous.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22They're difficult to display though, aren't they?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25And it's a bit vulnerable being glass, so...
0:14:25 > 0:14:29somebody else will want it and will know how to display it properly.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Great name.- Lalique glass, it's the one to have isn't it?- Yes.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33- Fingers crossed?- Yes.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Now you're going to have a big party with the money, aren't you?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Well, I don't know about a big party,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- but go towards some drink at a party wouldn't it?- Why is that?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Well, my mother passed away last year and it was her plate,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47so it'll go towards something for the family.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- The family.- Yeah.- Good idea.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Fingers crossed, Jo. - Yeah.- This is it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55The Rene Lalique piece of art glass.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Very pretty little piece, this.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Very simple, very nice piece.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Right, 50 I've got. 50, I've got 60, 60.
0:15:04 > 0:15:0770, 80, 90, 100.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13110? 100, 110 seated,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16120, 130?
0:15:16 > 0:15:20120. 130 anywhere else quickly?
0:15:20 > 0:15:21130, 140...
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- More, come on.- 150?
0:15:23 > 0:15:26What about 145?
0:15:26 > 0:15:30145, 150, 155?
0:15:30 > 0:15:34150, 150 on my left.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Any more? At 150.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39£150, that is great.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- Yeah.- Now it's down to have a good party?- Absolutely, yes.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- That's wonderful. Thank you both very much.- Enjoy.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- Thank you.- I expect our invites will be in the post, Paul.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Hopefully.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Joan's playing a dangerous game.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04Two silver vases, £60 to £80 valuation, but no reserve.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Oh! What have I done?
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- You're obviously confident they're going to do well.- Yes.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15They're nice tapering vases for freesias or carnations.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- So why are you selling them? - I don't like them.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- You don't like cleaning silver?- No.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25You don't have to cos they're going under the hammer right now.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29385, the silver bud vases.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33These are very pretty. Birmingham 1909, very elegant.
0:16:33 > 0:16:40Somewhere around about £80. 50? 50 I've got. 50 I've got.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44On the maiden, they shan't dwell. 55. 60.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Five? 70...?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48They've reached estimate.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51..at £70.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Hammer went down quickly. Blink and you'll miss that.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- I know. Gosh!- Great estimate!
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- Bang-on. Yes.- It was, yeah. - £70.- Thank you very much.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Mary, Ben, it's good to see you. The tension's building.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It's your lot coming up.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- Is he a good grandson? - Yes. He's great.- He's the best!
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- Yes, he is.- It's an opal ring. Wouldn't suit you.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Philip put a classic £80 on this.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- Good luck.- Thank you.- Here we go. Watch the auctioneer.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31What about this little pretty? A gorgeous little fire opal.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36I know you ladies like fire opals. 150 start me. 150?
0:17:36 > 0:17:39100? 100 I've got.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42110? 120? 130? 140? 150?
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- 160...?- That's good, isn't it?
0:17:46 > 0:17:50170? 170. Is there 180, quickly?
0:17:50 > 0:17:54At 170. At 170. At 170, am I done?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Hammer's gone down. £170. That was quick, wasn't it?
0:17:59 > 0:18:03All this waiting around for one minute.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- It was worth it.- Yes. Very much.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17Rob, we're looking at £80 to £100 for the porcelain three piano figurines.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- Which- I- like.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- We've seen these figurines on the show before.- Much larger ones.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26This big, to sit over the edge of the piano.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32- I must say, the vogue for these was some years ago.- Yes.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- It's not now. - What are you saying, David?
0:18:35 > 0:18:40They're slightly fussy but there are still collectors of piano dolls.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42I think Rob feels the same.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- They don't suit any of the collection at home.- Not at all.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- Under orders of the missus to get rid of them?- Something like that.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56- They've got to go. You don't want to take them back, do you?- Not really.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00We're going to find out what they make. Here we go.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Lot 120.
0:19:02 > 0:19:0619th-century continental porcelain piano dolls.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08I'd like £100 for these.
0:19:10 > 0:19:1380? 60?
0:19:13 > 0:19:1550? 40? 30?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18£30 I have. £40 with me.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22We're not quite close enough on this one. £40 with me?
0:19:22 > 0:19:2645 anywhere else? 45, thank you.
0:19:26 > 0:19:2850? 55? Thank you.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- 60? 65...?- Yes!
0:19:30 > 0:19:34..Yes? Thank you. £65. 70 anywhere else?
0:19:34 > 0:19:3765 in the middle of the room.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42I was about to say you'll have to take a bunch of flowers home.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45You don't have to now. Tell her the good news.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Thank you so much for coming in. - I'm pleased about that.- So am I!
0:19:49 > 0:19:50That was close.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Two silver dishes now. They belong to Joan.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- They've come from America, haven't they?- Well, they went to...
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Went to America then come back. You lived in the States.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- My husband owns a business there. - He's still there?- Off and on.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14You were in the hurricane in New Orleans.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Yes. We had a lovely house near Lake Pontchartrain.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21It had a 25-foot tidal surge.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26But, luckily, we weren't flooded, cos of the levee saving it.
0:20:26 > 0:20:32But the roof came off, so everything inside got wet and went mouldy.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36You couldn't get to it to rip the walls out.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- That's why it went mouldy. - Where does he live now?
0:20:40 > 0:20:43In a trailer in Mississippi, just over the border.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- Are you fixing the house up?- No.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49We did do some repairs and then we sold it.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53I have grandchildren here so I spent more time here.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- But you are going back? - Yeah. And he's just been here.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- He would have been here today. - What a story!- It was horrendous.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- You could do with the money. Let's hope we get top dollar.- I hope so.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- Top dollar! Oh! - It's going under the hammer.
0:21:11 > 0:21:18Again, lovely little piece. Bonbon dish and its companion.
0:21:18 > 0:21:2150 start me? 40 get me away? 40.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Good.- 50?
0:21:23 > 0:21:2660? 70? 80?
0:21:26 > 0:21:29At £70. 80...
0:21:29 > 0:21:34- Yes!- ..Five? 90? Five? - THEY WHISPER
0:21:35 > 0:21:38100? And five?
0:21:38 > 0:21:40And ten?
0:21:40 > 0:21:44At 105. All going? And ten, he's back.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47115? 120?
0:21:47 > 0:21:49No.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- 15 and gone.- That's so exciting.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- £115.- Wonderful.- That's great. - That's a good price.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Mind you, a lot of people are investing in silver right now.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- It's the time to put your money into precious metals. - Beats bits of paper.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Beats bits of paper! It does! Beats pensions.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- I'm really excited! - That's good.- Yes.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14I thought if I got 40 it would be wonderful. I'm really pleased!
0:22:14 > 0:22:19Thanks for coming in. I hope all goes well in New Orleans.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Thank you ever so much. - Thank you, my love.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I'm glad you're smiling.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Later, a family face up to a tough decision.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Would you like to keep one in case it does sell?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35No, cos I shall cry all the time!
0:22:39 > 0:22:43The market town of Devizes lies in the heart of Wiltshire.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Just outside this picturesque rural market town
0:22:47 > 0:22:50lies stunning landscape and scenery.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53I'm sounding a little biased because I live in the county,
0:22:53 > 0:22:58but believe me, there's no other place like it.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12I'm privileged to meet an artist whose captivating landscapes
0:23:12 > 0:23:16manage to portray this magical, mystical part of the world.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18He does it so perfectly.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23He's one of our leading contemporary artists and his name's David Inshaw.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26He's perhaps known for being a founding member
0:23:26 > 0:23:28of the Brotherhood of Ruralists,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32a group of artists including Peter Blake and Graham Ovendon,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34who came together in 1975,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37reacting against the abstract expressionism and pop art
0:23:37 > 0:23:39of the post-war period.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44They sought to return to a more traditional pastoral style,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46celebrating nature and rural life.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50David's love affair with the English countryside has endured,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53but how does it continue to inspire his work?
0:23:57 > 0:24:03Looking at your work, I can clearly see you're a British romantic.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07You love the countryside and landscape, especially Wiltshire.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08Yes.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12What year did you move to Devizes and did it influence your career?
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Well, it did I suppose. Yes.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I moved to Devizes in 1971.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21It did in funny ways, really.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27The landscape has been fundamental. It's such a magical landscape.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31It's near Avebury, Silbury, Stonehenge.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36The Vale of Pewsey's one of my favourite places on Earth.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Can we talk about Silbury Hill?- Yes.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I've driven along the A4. I came there this morning.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54I live three miles down the road. Is it the mystique?
0:24:54 > 0:24:57It's a complete mystery. Nobody knows why it's there.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01So, to me, it's an enigma.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05It's constantly changing. Its shape is constant, obviously.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10But in all the weather conditions, day and night, it's different.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- Every moment you see it, it's different.- Due to the elements.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17It marks the passing of time.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20How many times have you painted Silbury Hill?
0:25:20 > 0:25:24I painted it quite a lot when I first came to live here,
0:25:24 > 0:25:25cos it did fascinate me.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30And I did some quite big, powerful landscape paintings of it.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38It was in the early 1970s, when David moved to the town,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42that his work captured the public's imagination.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44His 1972 painting, The Badminton Game,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46remains one of his most famous.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52That was the second painting I did when I came to Devizes.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56It's all about sex and being in love with two women at the same time.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00It was a personal diary, as most of the paintings are.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06That's where the whole collage idea of painting comes from.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10All the things in that painting come from various sources...
0:26:10 > 0:26:11The texturing and layering.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13..to add up to an image.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16All the paintings I did in the70s
0:26:16 > 0:26:18had that intensive quality.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Just like The Badminton Game, The Cricket Match is a rural scene
0:26:23 > 0:26:27with astonishing, painstaking attention to detail.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31The landscape is a primary character with its curved hills
0:26:31 > 0:26:34looking like they might envelop the players at any moment.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38David has been inspired by the work of Thomas Hardy,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42particularly the way Hardy used landscapes to reflect human emotion.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Hardy was the key to it all, really.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52The way he dealt with landscape fascinated me.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56This path in the painting is between the River Frome here
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and these on the left are the water meadows.
0:26:58 > 0:27:03This is the path that Hardy used to walk along to school,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07from where he used to live and on to Dorchester.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09It's a magical path. I've known it for years.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I liked it best when the water meadows flooded.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16It's very dramatic. The light's low and it's dark.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20I started painting this and it seemed OK
0:27:20 > 0:27:24but it needed something to sort of spark it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29I suddenly thought of Hardy's thrush, a poem called The Darkling Thrush
0:27:29 > 0:27:33about a thrush high in a tree on a winter's day,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37belting out its song in an optimistic fashion.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Hardy says, "How could this bird know more about life than I do?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42"I just see the dark side of things."
0:27:44 > 0:27:46So I put a thrush flying through it.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51- It gave it a tremendous kind of life.- It really does.
0:27:51 > 0:27:57I like that there's no resolution in the path. It goes into blackness.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58So I quite like that as well.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03That's a very Hardy thing. Going into this darkness.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16There's work in progress all around us, isn't there?
0:28:16 > 0:28:17That's definitely finished, though.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21That's definitely finished. Finished quite a long time ago.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26It depicts the cliffs at West Bay, in Dorset near Bridport.
0:28:26 > 0:28:32That painting depicts the death of a friend and falling in love.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36The firework represents falling in love, and the bonfire the death.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41They happened simultaneously, so it's a homage to life and death.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45There was a series on the beach with the cliffs behind.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49I've taken photographs of people on the beach, but I've used friends.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54I get them in the studio, into a pose and put it in a painting.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56I just collect pictures, I collect images.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I put them together in a collage-like way.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03I want that feeling that, if you looked away and looked back,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05it would be different, the people have moved on.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07But it's frozen and I love that.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11And I want to capture that feeling in a painting.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Back at the valuation day in Melksham, the queue keeps on coming.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32And David's spotted something rare.
0:29:32 > 0:29:38- Bob and Peggy.- Yes.- Which side of the family did this come from?
0:29:38 > 0:29:40BOB: It came from my side.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- Right.- We believe it belonged to my grandfather.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49He worked in the china trade for a shop in Dorchester.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52We think, sometime along the way, he collected that.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57How long ago are we talking about, the late 19th century?
0:29:57 > 0:30:03- Yes, he must have started work around 1890?- About 1890.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- This is much earlier.- Oh, yes.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08This dates probably 100 years earlier.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- Oh, does it?- Yes.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- He must have had some fascination, like myself, with ceramic art.- Yes.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17You know what this is for?
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- We think it's for a pocket watch. - I've got one in my pocket.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23There we are.
0:30:23 > 0:30:29So, to all intents and purposes, it's a miniature long-case clock.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34This is an attractive piece of pottery and it is so early.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40It was made in Staffordshire at the turn of the 18th and 19th century.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44This would have been made for wealthy farmers,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46well-to-do merchant class.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50The sort of person that could afford a pocket watch.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55It has a lovely naive quality.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Here we have two robed figures
0:30:58 > 0:31:00with crowns or coronets.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03They could represent figures of time.
0:31:03 > 0:31:09We have this figure holding a little hourglass and a lyre.
0:31:09 > 0:31:16The other one could represent the hours, the seconds, time passing.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19We've got to talk price. Any ideas?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22We thought it might be worth perhaps £100?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Is that because of its age?- Yes.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- We thought it was old.- It is old.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32It is quite rare. It is quite rare.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37I would think we're looking at a price range between £350 and £500.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- That sort of level.- Yes.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44The auctioneer will put a reserve, hopefully you'll agree, of £300.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49- Yes.- And that would be agreeable? - Yes.- Would that be a fixed reserve?
0:31:49 > 0:31:52I suggest it's a fixed reserve.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57That's minus this watch, which goes in my pocket!
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Everybody says, "What are you going to do with the money?"
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Are you going to buy a real clock or what?
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- Have you a large family? - We'll spend it.- Yes!
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Chris, I'm a big shell collector.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20- I spotted that nautilus from over there.- Oh, right.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23But I don't have shells with incredible pen work like that.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Tell me how you got it.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Well, it's been in the family for four generations now.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33Major James Carruthers Best acquired it during his travels.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- In the mid-1800s?- Exactly, yeah.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38But look at the detail on it
0:32:38 > 0:32:42and look what it attributes to, the Great Western and SS Great Britain.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- That's right. Which is very local for Bristol.- Yes.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48I think you've got something very rare.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Do you know a nautilus shell that size would
0:32:51 > 0:32:54have had to have lived to about 100 years old to grow that big?
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- Really?- If you put that into a good maritime sale,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- you might get £400 to £500 for that. - Wow. OK.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10You can call me Charlotte.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Do people abbreviate your name? Do they give you another name?
0:33:13 > 0:33:15They don't dare. My parents call me Carlotta.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17That sounds very exotic.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20I get the occasional "Shurlettes", because round here, it's...
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- What do you do for a profession? - I've got my own gardening business.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- It's a lovely area to be in.- It is.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Around here is just a beautiful place to work.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34I've a job where I make things beautiful, you have a job where you look at beautiful things.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- I'm looking at something now.- I know.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Did you buy this recently?
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I bought it about a year ago at a junk shop in Bath.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- I fell in love with it. - Do you have a spaniel?
0:33:44 > 0:33:47No, I just loves spaniels, and I have always wanted one.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52I don't have room for a dog. Sadly, I don't have room for this picture either. It was a bit bonkers.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Oh, right. I think it's extraordinary.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57You rarely see this type of work.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01- Do you know anything about it? - All I know is it said on the label, "Crossley mosaic."
0:34:01 > 0:34:05I was interested to know what on earth a Crossley mosaic is.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- Basically, it's a form of carpet. - Oh, right!
0:34:08 > 0:34:12It was a technique that was developed in the middle of the 19th century.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- The actual finish is rather like a carpet pile.- Yes.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20I'm not certain whether in fact they produced a huge block,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- and sliced it off rather like... - Like sticks of rock.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- Exactly.- Yeah.- We're talking in terms of the 19th century.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29It was very industrial at that particular time.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31They were trying to create new novelties.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36This is one of the sort of novelties that was produced for a short period.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40The only other one I've seen is a Leamington Spa art gallery.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43That's in a dilapidated state.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46It's quite rare to find them in this condition.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48So I've found something fairly rare?
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- Well, yes, for its condition.- Yeah.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- Whether in fact it has a great demand or not...- Yeah.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59People have to have a period house, or be very, very keen on spaniels.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03I think it's very nice. I can't imagine that you paid a terrific amount of money for it.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- I probably paid too much. I paid £60 for it.- Oh, come on,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08that's not a lot of money, is it?
0:35:08 > 0:35:11I thought I'd pay up to 150 for it when I saw it.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16Then I saw 60, and I thought, "Oh, that's half," you know, so...I don't know...
0:35:16 > 0:35:18I think it's going to be in the region of
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- probably 90 to 140, that sort of price range.- Right.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- If it does more, I shall be delighted.- Right.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29Obviously, you want to cover it, because you don't want to make a loss on this.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31I'm happy to put a reserve of about 75 on it.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33A small profit, just to turn it over.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I thought you were going to say 150, or something like that.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39There's no room for it in my house and it's a responsibility,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41so let somebody else deal with it.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- What would you buy? Would you buy another image?- This is very silly.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46I hate it when people say it on this programme,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49I'm putting it towards a holiday rather than another antique.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53I'm going on a cruise and I can't find anyone to share my cabin with me!
0:35:53 > 0:35:56So I've got to fill up the single supplement.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Well, that was an opening gambit!
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- If anyone wants to come along... - Where is the cruise going?
0:36:01 > 0:36:03It's Eastern Mediterranean.
0:36:03 > 0:36:04- Oh!- Venice, Dubrovnik, Split.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- You'll enjoy it. - I can't wait, it's my first time.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- Let's hope you get 500 for it. Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Karen and Martin, this is a wonderful album.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Absolutely beautiful. Condition's fantastic.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25You're brother and sister, so who owns it now?
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- Well...- Us.- All of our family. - Our brothers and sisters.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32There's seven of us altogether.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- Right. Was this Gran's?- Yes.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Who was fighting in the First World War?
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- Grandfather?- Grandfather, yeah. - And Grandmother's brother.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Right, so there's two soldiers corresponding to their loved ones.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- Do you have a favourite?- I do.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51This one. That was my nan's name.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56Rose. Ah. This one alone is worth about £7 to £9.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Look at the colours of the Union Jack.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02That's a lovely sentiment.
0:37:02 > 0:37:08- These were made by French women in occupied France.- Were they?
0:37:08 > 0:37:12And sold to our troops. They sent them to their loved ones.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16I know that my elder sister Marcelle
0:37:16 > 0:37:20was named Marcelle because of somebody
0:37:20 > 0:37:24- that had helped...- One of the Frenchwomen in the villages.- Yes.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- She was named after somebody there. - Have you any idea of the value?
0:37:28 > 0:37:32No. We've never looked at it as a value thing.
0:37:32 > 0:37:38It's a sentimental thing, but recently our mum passed away.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41She was the last one that looked after it.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Predominantly, they're First World War.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46A narrower market, but is sellable.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51If they were topographic scenes from the 1800s to the First World War,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54- they might fetch us £600.- Yeah.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57I don't think we'll get £600.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01That's my gut feeling as they're predominantly First World War.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06- I would like to put a value of £200 to £300.- Yeah.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11- Does that sound good?- Yeah.- Were you expecting that?- Around there.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16- Put a reserve of £200? - We'd all be happy on that.- Yeah.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Fingers crossed for over 300.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- You've got a tear in your eye. - They are really sentimental.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29- I shall start crying. - Please don't cry.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- You can change your mind. - We don't want to change our mind.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Some of the things are lovely.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38The verses, they don't do that nowadays.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41That is one of the things that is really nice.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Would you like to keep one? In case it does sell?
0:38:44 > 0:38:47No. Cos I shall cry all the time.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51I'm fine. I'm just a little sentimental.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- We'll see you at the auction. - That'll be lovely.- Yeah.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04John, it's been a long old day.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07We finish with a battered old sauce boat. Where's it from?
0:39:07 > 0:39:10It was a present from a cousin.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14They'd moved into an old house on the south coast
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and found it in their loft.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It wasn't their style.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23It's not really my style, but they brought it as a present.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26And we've kept it in a crockery cupboard ever since,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29in case they ever visit us, we've got to bring it out.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32What if they watch television?
0:39:32 > 0:39:34I promised them a meal if it fetches anything.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37We'll come to what it might be worth in a minute.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- Do you know what it is? - I thought it was a gravy boat.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45I've looked at the marks on the bottom, I don't know the factory.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47If that's what it is.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52I think that we have a piece of 18th-century English porcelain.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57I think this is, in all probability, a piece of Worcester.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00- I think it dates to about 1755.- Wow.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03When you think that the Worcester porcelain factory
0:40:03 > 0:40:04was set up in 1751.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08It's right there at the forefront of English porcelain making
0:40:08 > 0:40:11from one of England's greatest factories.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14It's decorated in underglazed blue.
0:40:14 > 0:40:21These Chinese pagodas are very reminiscent of Chinese influence.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25You said there was a mark - I think that's a painter's mark.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29The person who decorated this, that would have been their mark.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33I think that's a lovely thing, something I'd love to own.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36In terms of value, if I said £30 to £50, you'd be happy with that?
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Yeah. I think so.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41What meal would we get for that?
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Kebab. Takeaway.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46What if it made a bit more? What would you treat him to?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49We'd go up the market.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Maybe we're talking an Indian, Chinese.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- What about £400? - Now you're talking serious money.
0:40:57 > 0:41:03- I think we should estimate this at £300 to £500.- OK.- Right?- Yeah.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06And I think that you could well find
0:41:06 > 0:41:11- that it goes considerably over our top estimate.- Really?- Yeah.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15It's becoming more and more attractive as I look at it!
0:41:15 > 0:41:20- Fingers crossed that I'm not horribly wrong.- We'd better.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24The sauce boat joins the other items at auction.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30But first, I'm off on my travels across Wiltshire.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Here in Devizes, the art of brewing dates back to 1885.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Now, whilst the production process
0:41:43 > 0:41:47has changed over the years, the art of barrel making hasn't.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50These wooden casks have been made by hand since Roman times.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55However, the ancient craft of cooperage is almost dying out.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Although there are still coopers in Scotland and France,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01in England only one master cooper remains.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05He works here at the town's Wadsworth Brewery and his name
0:42:05 > 0:42:10is Alistair Simms, and he's been plying his craft for 30 years.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13So how long does it take to make a cask?
0:42:13 > 0:42:15If you make them from scratch, it takes about,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17for a nine-gallon size, about three hours.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20If you're remaking, about two or two-and-a-half hours.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Probably make 20, 30 a year, something like that,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26to keep the stocks up. There's about 700 casks in trade all the time.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Constantly in trade.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31- So I guess it's more about repairing them, is it?- It is repairing,
0:42:31 > 0:42:35and we also do remaking, which is cutting the larger casks down.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36We predominantly use 108 gallons,
0:42:36 > 0:42:41- which we're buying in from the whisky trade.- Right. They're these big, big ones?
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Yeah. 52 inches tall, which as, you say,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46has been spending up to 20 years around the whisky industry,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48probably up to another 110 years.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50- Yeah.- So they're 136 years old.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53We know that we'll get another 80 years out of it. So it's recycling.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57We give them a service every three months, so they come in and out
0:42:57 > 0:43:00of trade and when you look at them, they're like your kids.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05You often see them being filled with beer and think, "I'll have to catch that one when it comes back,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08- "it looks tired." - Historically, barrels were used
0:43:08 > 0:43:10for the transportation and storage of items.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15Shaped with a curve or bilge, the design meant that the barrel
0:43:15 > 0:43:18could be spun easily to control the direction.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Great workshop. It's like being transported back in time.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24I want to do something, I want to get hands-on. What am I going to do?
0:43:24 > 0:43:27I'll show you where you're going to start.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30This is called dressing out, and this is levelling the insides of the cask.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Just up against there, and against your knee,
0:43:33 > 0:43:35and I'll give you an apron in a minute.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44- OK, What... - And it works on pushing down here.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47- That's all tar, is it? Can I have a go with that?- You can. Hang on.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51Before we do, we'd better give you a piece of health and safety equipment,
0:43:51 > 0:43:55- you'd better wear an apron.- Cor, it's a big leather apron, isn't it?
0:43:55 > 0:43:57Yeah, that's nice buffalo hide.
0:44:07 > 0:44:08I love that smell.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11'Removing the tar inside this barrel
0:44:11 > 0:44:14'really takes a great deal of effort.'
0:44:14 > 0:44:15Yeah, I can see what it does now.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19It makes those seams really tight and level.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22- It does.- Keeps you fit.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28No, I can't do that.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- Yeah, you've got it now. - Got it now, yeah.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43- And the next job, you want to... - Hang on, let's have a rest.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46- What do you mean, have a rest?! - Right. Next job.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50'And now onto the last part of the levelling-off process.'
0:44:50 > 0:44:53Loosen your wrist up.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03- How did I do? - Not bad for the first time.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06- Not that bad. - I just love working with wood.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08It's good stuff to work with, isn't it?
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Yeah, and even walking over the offcuts and shavings,
0:45:11 > 0:45:14when you crunch them and the aromas come up.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19And after all that hard work, time to put my feet up.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22Well, I'd like to say that's the one I made earlier, but it's not.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25Why is the art of coopering dying out?
0:45:25 > 0:45:28- Dying out? It's dead. - Is it?- Yeah.- It's not.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32You're alive and functioning, keeping the flag flying.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35There's only four of us in the country now, working.
0:45:35 > 0:45:40- Not many, is it?- No. - In the trade's heyday, how many were there, do you think?
0:45:40 > 0:45:44In the trade's heyday in 1900, Bass in Burton
0:45:44 > 0:45:48had 400 coopers working for 'em, and that was just one brewery.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52Do you think one of the nails in the coffin was the introduction
0:45:52 > 0:45:54of the alloy casks, you know, the metal ones?
0:45:54 > 0:45:56It was the biggest nail.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59We were first introduced to that in the Second World War,
0:45:59 > 0:46:03- when the American government brought it over for their troops. - Really?- Yeah.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- Because...- Way back then.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08Yeah, because when the pilots landed a plane,
0:46:08 > 0:46:09they rushed a cask of beer out
0:46:09 > 0:46:12so the crew in the bomber could have a drink.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15Well, imagine putting a wooden cask on the back of a Willis jeep,
0:46:15 > 0:46:18what the beer would be like by the time it got to the plane!
0:46:18 > 0:46:21- So how do you become a cooper? - Well, I started at 16
0:46:21 > 0:46:25and by the time I was 20 and a half, I had become what they call...
0:46:25 > 0:46:28- Gone from an apprentice to a journeyman cooper.- Yeah.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32But you are a master cooper now, so how do you get to the next level?
0:46:32 > 0:46:37A master cooper is a journeyman that's had an apprentice that's successfully come out of his time.
0:46:37 > 0:46:41- You come out with a proper, old-fashioned trussing-in ceremony. - What does that mean?
0:46:41 > 0:46:46It means that you've got to make a hogshead 54-gallon cask
0:46:46 > 0:46:49and then it's put in a steam bell and when it comes out,
0:46:49 > 0:46:53when they're actually bending it, they chuck the apprentice inside it
0:46:53 > 0:46:55and it's bent with the apprentice inside,
0:46:55 > 0:46:59and then when the last hoop goes on they chuck in stale ale, stale yeast,
0:46:59 > 0:47:03hops, soot out of the boiler, shavings off the cooperage floor,
0:47:03 > 0:47:07they tip the cask over, take it for a trundle round the cooperage...
0:47:07 > 0:47:11- You inside still?- You inside still!
0:47:11 > 0:47:14- How would I fare?- You're all right, you'll get another go!
0:47:14 > 0:47:17You'd get to the next interview stage!
0:47:17 > 0:47:20I'd be the oldest apprentice in town, wouldn't I!
0:47:20 > 0:47:24We can't age-discriminate now!
0:47:27 > 0:47:31Now it's time to test our valuations as we head off to auction,
0:47:31 > 0:47:34but before they go under the hammer, let's have a chat with Alan
0:47:34 > 0:47:37- about the postcard collection.- £200?
0:47:38 > 0:47:41Alan, I spotted this album at the valuation day.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44It belongs to Martin and Karen, brother and sister.
0:47:44 > 0:47:49This collection of First World War photographs and postcards
0:47:49 > 0:47:52has been in the family a long time with the great-grandparents
0:47:52 > 0:47:55and there's six children left,
0:47:55 > 0:47:59they can't divide it up because obviously, you've got to keep this album as a complete package.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03It should never be split up, so I think they've put it into the sale
0:48:03 > 0:48:08hoping that a member of the family's going to bid against each other and one of them can own it.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12Whoever pays the most is obviously going to get it.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14I've put a 2,000-3,000 come-and-buy-me on this.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16We've seen a lot of albums in the past
0:48:16 > 0:48:19with good-quality First World War cards like this
0:48:19 > 0:48:23- and they have done well, so fingers crossed this will do the same. - Yeah, I'd agree with you, Paul.
0:48:23 > 0:48:28I think it's a lovely album. The estimate is very sensible.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32It is come-and-buy-me. I actually like, at the beginning...
0:48:32 > 0:48:36- Let's have a look.- I love these.
0:48:36 > 0:48:40- Sent back from sweethearts.- Yes, yes. - Very lovely little things.- They are.
0:48:40 > 0:48:44Beautiful. Very collected in this area.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47Anything that has a Wiltshire connection
0:48:47 > 0:48:48is always very, very strong.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52We've got some very, very strong postcard buyers.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Have people handled this? Has it had a good deal of interest?
0:48:55 > 0:48:58- I've probably had 30 people actually look at it.- That's good, that's good.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01- They can all bid against each other. - Hopefully. Yeah, hopefully.
0:49:01 > 0:49:02D'you know what, though?
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Deep down, I really want it to stay in the family.
0:49:05 > 0:49:10- I wouldn't let this go. - There are a lot of things like that I feel exactly the same on.
0:49:10 > 0:49:15It's been a difficult decision for the Dorset family to part with their grandmother's postcard collection
0:49:15 > 0:49:19but they feel that selling at auction is the fairest way
0:49:19 > 0:49:21for the six brothers and sisters.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26David's got more riding on the sale of Charlotte's spaniel than normal!
0:49:26 > 0:49:27I'm going on a cruise
0:49:27 > 0:49:30- and I can't find anyone to share my cabin with me!- Oh!
0:49:30 > 0:49:33So I've got to fill up the single supplement!
0:49:33 > 0:49:37Also, David was quite taken with Bob and Peggy's watch stand.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40This is quite an attractive piece of pottery
0:49:40 > 0:49:41and it is so early.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44John wasn't quite so enamoured with his sauce boat...
0:49:44 > 0:49:47To be honest, it's not really my style.
0:49:47 > 0:49:48..but it soon grew on him.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51- £400.- It's becoming more and more attractive
0:49:51 > 0:49:54- as I look at it! - THEY LAUGH
0:49:56 > 0:49:58Fair warning!
0:49:58 > 0:50:00Well, we've just been joined by Charlotte,
0:50:00 > 0:50:01who looks absolutely fabulous
0:50:01 > 0:50:04and loves to wear vintage clothing and I think - look at that,
0:50:04 > 0:50:08give us a twirl. What sort of reaction do you get from people in general?
0:50:08 > 0:50:12It's actually quite nice. You feel quite nervous going out, you think,
0:50:12 > 0:50:15"I'm a bit overdressed," but then everyone compliments you.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19- And it's fun, isn't it? - It's wonderful, yes!- You always look very nice.- Oh, thank you very much!
0:50:19 > 0:50:24Now, Charlotte is just about to flog the spaniel carpet.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26David, you liked this and you picked this.
0:50:26 > 0:50:32I did, this is such a rich, coloured piece that I think it's an interior decorator's. Needs a new frame.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Let's see what it does, it's going under the hammer right now.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38521, 19th-century wool-work of a spaniel on a cushion.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40Very attractive, very, very decorative item there.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42£70 I have with me.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45£70 I have with me. 80!
0:50:45 > 0:50:4790. 100.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49100 with me. 100 with me.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53110 anywhere else? Fair warning at £100...
0:50:53 > 0:50:55- There we go. - GAVEL BANGS
0:50:55 > 0:50:57Yes! And there it is, look, it's right behind us.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59You can say goodbye now.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01Bye!
0:51:09 > 0:51:10It's Worcester, it's a sauce boat -
0:51:10 > 0:51:14who better to value it than our Worcester expert, Mr Worcester!
0:51:14 > 0:51:17No pressure, Paul, no pressure.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20John, it's a cracking item, it really is.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22Why are you flogging this?
0:51:22 > 0:51:24Well, we didn't know the value of it to start with, Paul.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27- Were you happy with what Philip said?- Yeah, very happy.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31Now we know it's worth a few pounds, we'll never be able to use it as a sauce boat.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35We'd be too frightened of someone breaking it, so it's got to go.
0:51:35 > 0:51:40and now I have a pretty little piece of Worcester.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44Start me somewhere around about £400?
0:51:44 > 0:51:453 get me away?
0:51:45 > 0:51:482? 150 I've got.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50150 I've got. 180.
0:51:50 > 0:51:532. 220, 250.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55- It's sold now.- 270.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57At 270.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59At 270 on the telephone. At 270.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01Is there 300?
0:52:01 > 0:52:02At 270.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04300.
0:52:04 > 0:52:05320?
0:52:05 > 0:52:07340?
0:52:07 > 0:52:08360?
0:52:08 > 0:52:09380?
0:52:09 > 0:52:11400.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13Good.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15420?
0:52:15 > 0:52:18At 400 on the phone. At 400.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21Are we all done at 400?
0:52:21 > 0:52:24- I'm happy with that.- I'm delighted. - You've got to be happy with that.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26Tell us what the money's going towards.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28Er, driving lessons for my daughter.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Oh, brilliant. Hope she passes first time.
0:52:31 > 0:52:35- So do I! I don't have any more sauce boats.- Keep the cost down.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47You could say time's up for the Staffordshire watch stand.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48It belongs to Peggy and Bob here.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51A lovely piece of 18th-century pottery.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53Well, why are you selling this?
0:52:53 > 0:52:57Well, really, it's just in the cupboard
0:52:57 > 0:53:04and nobody looks at it and nobody appreciates it, so hopefully someone will buy it and appreciate it.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07- David fell in love with this.- Paul, of all the things in the sale...
0:53:07 > 0:53:09- You could own.- It would be this.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12I love early pieces of pottery. This is super.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14You had a massive collection, didn't you?
0:53:14 > 0:53:17At one stage, yes, then I downsized, the whole lot sold.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Which everybody does eventually.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24We downsized, but we're gradually building up again.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27It is quality. And I'm hoping it really doubles the top end here.
0:53:27 > 0:53:32- That's what I'd like to feel.- Yes. - You just don't know at auctions.
0:53:32 > 0:53:33I hope it's going to take off.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36This is a lovely lot, this.
0:53:36 > 0:53:39Pratwell pocket watch stand.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Lovely thing.
0:53:41 > 0:53:42250.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45250 I've got.
0:53:45 > 0:53:46300 on the phone.
0:53:46 > 0:53:47350?
0:53:47 > 0:53:49400.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51450?
0:53:51 > 0:53:53500.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55550?
0:53:55 > 0:53:58600. 650?
0:53:58 > 0:54:00700.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02- Oh, Peggy, Peggy.- Someone's waving.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04750? 800.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07850? At 800 on the phone.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09Is it 50 in the room?
0:54:09 > 0:54:10At 800.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14At 800. Any more? All going.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16- Gosh!- £800.
0:54:16 > 0:54:18- I'm pleased about that. - Good buy on a high, isn't it?
0:54:18 > 0:54:21- Yes. Yes, thank you very much. - What do you think, Bob?
0:54:21 > 0:54:24- Smashing.- What are you going to put the £800 towards?
0:54:24 > 0:54:27Less a bit of commission, don't forget.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- I didn't think we'd get that much. - No.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32- Change of plan? - Well, I'm very fond of Lalique.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35- Ah!- I was going to buy a piece of... - There was a plate here earlier.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39I don't want a plate. I like the figurines or things like that.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41So possibly a nice, small piece of Lalique.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44I like that. Reinvesting the money back in the antiqued trade.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48That's good, isn't it? Are you going to buy a modern piece or an old?
0:54:48 > 0:54:50- An old piece.- Good for you.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59It's my turn to be the expert now in this packed sales room in Devizes.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02I've been joined by brother and sister Martin and Karen here.
0:55:02 > 0:55:07We're selling that wonderful First World War silk card album.
0:55:07 > 0:55:09It's wonderful. Are the rest of the family here?
0:55:09 > 0:55:11Yeah, there's a few of them here.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13Are they going to be bidding on this.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17- Maybe.- Maybe. One of them might. - Yeah, one's definitely.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20Well, we've got a come and buy me of £200-£300 on this.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23I've had a chat to Alan just before the sale started.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26He said, yes, good local connections.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30There's people in Devizes that collect postcards, so...
0:55:30 > 0:55:35and First World War ones as well. So they're going to be here, hopefully bidding on them
0:55:35 > 0:55:38along with one of your brothers or sisters.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41Let's hope we can get that £400 mark, which would be really nice.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45- That would be nice.- Yeah. - We'll see how it goes.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49We'll find out now cos this is it. We've got our own battle on our hands.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52Lot 105, a very, very interesting lot.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56First World War postcards, a lovely selection of silks.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58150 I have.
0:55:58 > 0:55:59160, 170, 180,
0:55:59 > 0:56:01190. 200?
0:56:01 > 0:56:03190, 200.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06- She's bidding.- Yeah, she is.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08210, 220,
0:56:08 > 0:56:09230, 240,
0:56:09 > 0:56:11250, 260,
0:56:11 > 0:56:14- 270...- She's keeping her hand up in the air.
0:56:14 > 0:56:19- Go, girl, go! What's your sister's name?- Bridget.- Bridget loves them.
0:56:19 > 0:56:20..310, 320,
0:56:20 > 0:56:22330, 340,
0:56:22 > 0:56:24350, 360,
0:56:24 > 0:56:26370, 380, 390,
0:56:26 > 0:56:29400. Lady in the middle, £400.
0:56:29 > 0:56:31Thank you. 410. 410?
0:56:31 > 0:56:34420, 430,
0:56:34 > 0:56:36440, 450,
0:56:36 > 0:56:40460, 470? 460 in the middle.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42460 in the middle.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45Fair warning at £460.
0:56:45 > 0:56:46Lot's being sold.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48They've gone. £460.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51- They've gone to Bridget, haven't they?- They've gone to my sister.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53- Oh, bless her!- Which is good.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55They're staying in the family.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59- What a happy ending.- Yeah.- What do you think about that, Martin?
0:56:59 > 0:57:02It's nice that they're back in the family, be kept in the family.
0:57:02 > 0:57:08- And it was done fair and square. - It was. That's the only way to sort it out, with six of you.
0:57:08 > 0:57:14- You don't want to divide that album up.- No.- It's got to stay intact to retain the value of the collection.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18I'm going to call Bridget over. She's behind us. Bridget, come here.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23- Hello.- Well done, congratulations. - Thank you.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26- It's going to stay in the family now.- It is, yeah.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29- And they can come round and have a look.- Yeah.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31They'll be there for them to see.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33I might put them in a nice album.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35- That'd be nice.- Yeah.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37You couldn't let them go, could you?
0:57:37 > 0:57:40- No.- No, don't blame you, I don't blame you.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43A bit of competition from the other side of the room.
0:57:43 > 0:57:47Yes, I thought we'd have some competition, but we kept them.
0:57:47 > 0:57:49- Didn't we?- Well done.- Yeah.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51Yeah.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53£460 in the middle.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55- She's bidding.- Yeah.
0:57:58 > 0:58:02That's it, it's all over. As you can see, the auction's still going on,
0:58:02 > 0:58:04but what a cracking day we've had.
0:58:04 > 0:58:09All credit to our experts. Everything's sold and everyone's gone home happy.
0:58:09 > 0:58:13But the highlight had to be Karen and Martin's First World War postcard album.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17It sold for a staggering £460, but it went to another family member.
0:58:17 > 0:58:20Protect your heritage, that's what I say.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22Look after it and be proud of it.
0:58:22 > 0:58:25So, until next time, from Devizes, it's cheerio.
0:58:41 > 0:58:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd