Clacton Flog It!

Ice creams, miles of sandy beach and, of course, a pier!

The perfect recipe for traditional British antiques spotting.

Welcome to Flog It! from Clacton-on-Sea.

'Clacton's pier was constructed in 1871

'and it now reaches over 1,000 feet into the sea.

'It's survived a fire and storms

'and helped this Essex seaside resort become the attraction it is today.

'And like most seaside resorts,

'Clacton has a history of glitz, glamour and showbiz.'

We've set up in the heart town, at the Princes Theatre.

It looks like word has got out

that Flog It! is in town - look at this massive queue!

I can't wait to see what's in all these bags and boxes.

-APPLAUSE

-And later on in the show, we're dipping into the world of variety

here at Clacton's oldest theatre.

This stage has provided a springboard for many well-known British entertainers.

First, helping me sort through all the bags and boxes

are today's experts, Elizabeth Talbot and Will Axon,

looking for today's star attractions.

Will has found an item to put a smile on his face.

Heather, thanks for coming along.

-I love this! The wacky world of Victorian majolica.

-Yes.

You knew what it was. How have you come by it?

-Is it something you collect or have bought?

-It was my grandmother's.

And then my mother had it, and then me.

So it's come through the family. No-one to pass it on to?

I've got two sons and a daughter and they're not really interested.

We hear that a lot in this business.

It gets to a certain point and then no-one's interested in it.

Do you know what it is, what it should be used for?

-Only recently. It's a spoon warmer.

-You're right.

That's exactly what it is.

Fill it with hot water, put the spoons in, warms the spoons.

I knew it was majolica as soon as I saw it across the room.

You've got these wonderful bold colours.

This nice turquoise, the green, the blue -

real deep, rich colours.

Typical of the majolica palette.

They tend to be by a chap called George Jones.

He was one of three big majolica producers.

You had Minton's, Wedgwood and George Jones.

-Minton and Wedgwood, I'm sure you've heard of.

-Yes.

George Jones, interesting this,

probably why you haven't heard of him -

all he did was make majolica.

So when the fashion for this waned at the end of the 19th century,

we turned into the 20th century, he had nothing to fall back on.

As soon as people stopped buying it, he went out of business.

I've had a close look over it and, generally, it's in good condition.

But there is a hairline crack. It's not the end of the world.

It kind of gets disguised in with the crazing you get on the glaze.

It goes through to the other side,

so that would be classed as a crack rather than a hairline glaze flaw.

-That's going to have to be taken into consideration when we come to value.

-Yeah.

Have you come with a figure in your mind today?

It's only because I took it to the Antiques Roadshow

and they said about £200, but that was over ten years ago.

You've stolen my thunder now!

That's exactly where I was going to come in, at 200 to 300.

I sold a few bits in the last antiques sale, which we estimated cautiously

and they made a lot of money.

You had Americans bidding, as well as English collectors and dealers.

I'm going to be cautious and stick to my guns.

While it hasn't appreciated much from your last valuation,

-I'm going to say 200 to 300. Would you be happy with that?

-Yes.

-Georgina, I love this tea service.

-Oh, thank you.

-I feel like we should pour ourselves a refreshing cup of tea.

-Oh, yeah.

What can you tell me about this set?

-It's obviously a silver tea set.

-Yes. It belonged to my husband.

-It belonged to his father.

-Right.

-I don't know where he...

-So it might have been family via him, then?

-Through the family.

-That's right.

-They're Victorian pieces.

-They will pre-date your husband's father by some way.

-Yes.

Interestingly, the teapot and milk jug are London 1844,

but the sugar bowl is dated London 1850.

If you look closely and compare them, there are subtle differences.

Well, I've always thought it was over-sized.

I'm not too fretful about the over-sizing.

The Victorians did like their sugar and it often came in large bowls.

It's more a question of the design.

Whereas these two are floral between the vacant cartouches,

this one has more of a crest in the middle.

I can see what you mean, but I never noticed it

-until your expert eye pointed it out.

-There you go! Live and learn!

Interestingly, this melon-fluted shape with a baluster outline

reflects the William IV period, which just preceded Victoria.

There's a transition into the Victorian era.

The Victorians threw everything else at it.

They threw the floral design and all the lavishness of it.

The Victorians loved more, rather than less.

All in all... Well, you tell me. What do you think it might fetch?

-375.

-Oh, my goodness! We'd better make a note of that to see how...!

-GEORGINA LAUGHS

-I like decisive suggestions!

I think, given the weight alone, it should make £300.

I would hope it should make somewhere between £300 and £450.

-You're quite in the middle there.

-Yeah.

Between us, we should have success.

-We put on a £300 reserve?

-Yes.

-You comfy with that?

-Yes.

It's a lovely set. Thank you for bringing it in.

Do attend the auction. You can buy it!

-I SHALL be at the auction, but I cannot buy it!

-No. I know!

-But someone will, I'm sure. Thank you for bringing it in.

-Thank you.

-Corina, Sue, welcome to Flog It!

-Hello.

-Hello.

-You're sisters?

-No!

-Tell me I'm right! Mother and daughter?

-Yes.

You're looking great on it, both of you.

You've brought in... We're hidden behind these

because neither of us are gifted in the height department.

..a pair of corner chairs.

-Yes.

-Sue, are these pieces that you've inherited through the family?

-No. A friend gave them to me.

-Very nice friend. Yes.

You've had them on display in the house? Do you use them?

They were in my conservatory, but they didn't look quite right.

-So...

-Don't tell me they're in the loft.

-In the loft.

The number of times we hear that on this show. "They're in the loft!"

At least you've held on to them and haven't chucked them in the skip.

-Corina, you're not tempted?

-No.

-They don't do anything for you?

-I'm afraid not. They've got to go.

-They've got to go.

-So we've got to flog 'em.

-Yes.

-Well, I like them.

Because, they're "a pair of".

Anything that comes in pairs tends to be well-received

in the auctions.

And another thing, this shape of them, this corner chair,

it really harks back to the earliest chairs they used to make

in the late 17th century, mid 17th century.

They used to call them "throne chairs".

"Throne" being another word for "turned".

These spindles and the top rail, all this is done by turning.

So they hark back to the late 17th century. They're not that old.

They're going to be late Victorian.

1890s. Maybe into the 1900s perhaps. Late Victorian, early Edwardian.

They look, to me, as if they're made in beech wood,

which is a reasonable wood. It's not Premier league!

It's not Jewson's league either. It's second division, shall we say?

-Value wise, they're not going to be hugely valuable.

-OK.

I would say, let's put these in at an auction

-with an estimate of 100 to 150.

-That's all right.

-Yes.

£100 in your pocket. Hopefully, a bit more.

What about reserve? Are you going to want them back if they don't sell?

What do you think?

-What do you...?

-What do you think? What do I think?

I'm always a bit cheeky on reserves. I like to go in without reserve.

But they're not mine. Let's protect them at £180.

-What about 100?

-He's valued them at 100.

-Do you think 100?

-With discretion?

-Yes.

-So, 90. Meet me halfway.

-Yes. OK.

-What do you reckon, Corina?

-Yeah. Fine.

-£100 discretionary reserve.

At £90, they'll go. And if they don't reach that, they'll be in the boot of your car back to Clacton.

-Claudia, Mary, it's good to see you. That's Grandma, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Is this yours, Claudia?

-It's my nan's and my granddad's.

-This dog needs a new home, then.

-Yeah.

It does. It's been in the family for a while now.

But my nan and granddad have just moved.

They're going to sell a few things

and split the money with the grandchildren.

-You get to benefit?

-Yeah.

-It was yours, Mary? You had a paint shop?

-Yes. Wallpaper and decorating.

-What a lovely little business. Was that based in Clacton?

-In Old Road, Clacton.

-Is it still in the family? Are you going to take over, Claudia?

-No.

-The business isn't there any more.

-What happened to the business?

-You sold it?

-Yes.

-And now it's a block of flats.

-It's a block of flats?

-Yes.

-Aw!

-Nevertheless, you managed to hang on to this.

-Yes.

-You know it's made by Beswick.

-Yes.

There's a registration mark underneath, just there.

These were first issued in 1964.

They stopped issuing them in 1970.

So it was a short spell of time that Beswick were making them.

A few times, we've had these and they've been full of cement.

The shop owners have filled this hole with sand and cement.

It's left to set so it weighs an absolute ton.

And they've used this little dog as a door stop for the shop.

-We've also seen little holes cut in here.

-We saw that one.

Where the little paint tin's been used as a money box.

This is in perfect, perfect condition. All credit to you, Mary.

-Thank you.

-For looking after this little dog.

There are a lot of fakes on the market now.

Because these peaked at around £300

four or five years ago, a lot of fakes have been reproduced.

-Which has now devalued the good ones.

-Oh!

Even though this one is in perfect condition, I'd say mint condition,

we might struggle to get that £300 today, purely because of the fakes.

So, if you're willing to sell this,

we could put it into auction with a value of £180 to £280.

-Wow.

-And hope for that top end. That sounds good, doesn't it?

-Very good.

-Sounds good.

-Happy?

-Very.

What would you spend your half of the money on?

-Well, a fifth!

-A fifth?

-MARY LAUGHS

Oh, crikey! We need £500 for this dog!

A camel in Clacton is a comparatively rare sight, Paul.

-Tell me your story behind it.

-Well, a long story, really.

I started off getting involved in antiques about 20 years ago.

A friend introduced me to the subject.

I've been going to boot sales, antique fairs,

auctions on and off for the last 20 years.

This one, I picked up about two years ago at auction in Brentwood.

I was taken by the size of it and the fact that it's a bit quirky.

I'm quite a quirky person and I was taken to it instantly.

It's by the Royal Dux factory,

which was founded in Dux in Czechoslovakia in 1860.

They do favour Arabian and desert type subjects.

In their heyday, during the late 19th century,

they were very, very influenced, and influential,

within the Art Nouveau period.

They did some very romantic stylised figural groups,

particularly shepherds and shepherdesses in artful poses.

They were large because they were intended to be statuettes,

the equivalent, almost, of painted marble statues, the bigger figures.

You do find smaller ones, more elegant ones,

Royal Worcester or Doulton size figures, but most are quite large size.

In the 19th and early 20th century

a lot of their figures were brighter, more colourful.

They used a lot of browns and greens.

This one is later. It comes further into the 20th century.

It retains all the elements

of the large figures that they were making several decades earlier.

-It looks to be in good condition.

-I've not seen any damage.

I've had a really good look over it. It looks to be in perfect condition.

-So you bought it at auction. What did you pay for it?

-I paid £200.

Well, you get a lot for your money at £200.

It probably will be a little steep

for where the market would support it at the moment.

A more realistic estimate is £120 to £160, I'd have said.

I expected it to have gone down.

Obviously, if you get two bidders buying, it may reach the 200.

You're obviously a realist and know the marketplace well enough to understand that.

A lot of people, that's where they fall short.

-Making a profit is nice, but it's not always possible.

-Well, who knows?

Good condition, quality piece, well-known factory. All the elements of a good day.

-Let's go and flog it.

-Fingers crossed.

'The port of Harwich on the Essex coast is a bustling trade centre

'with passenger ships and container vessels coming and going.

'But 200 years ago, this was a vital part of England's defences against invasion.

'Proof of that importance is a little-known gem,

'hidden close to the town's harbour entrance.'

FANFARE

This is it - Harwich Redoubt Fort,

built to defend Britain from Napoleon's invading army.

You can see it's such a solid fortress!

'When work started on the fort in 1808,

'there was a perceived threat that Napoleon might invade at any time.

'So Harwich Redoubt was one of four redoubt forts

'built along the east coast of England.'

Each was manned with 250 soldiers.

The idea was, traditionally, it was built to be undefeatable, to withstand any attack.

The fort was made circular, so it had a 360-degree defence

against any attack from land and sea, as well as squatting low,

to make it a very difficult target.

There's a wonderful feeling of security down here.

All the bricks were made locally.

Thank goodness they didn't have far to travel cos there's millions!

The thickness of the walls is so deep - look at that!

Considering this was built so rapidly, the attention to detail is second to none.

Look at these wonderful brick lintels over all of the windows.

That's aptly called the "soldier course".

Then the fort had this - a six-metre wide dry moat to protect it

from invading armies on foot.

Imagine, once you're down here, it would be virtually impossible

to scale these massive high walls.

The only way in would be by working drawbridge.

All of these design features made the fort a formidable defence.

But all that preparation was for nothing.

By the time the fort was finished in 1810,

Napoleon's attention had turned elsewhere

and the feared invasion never happened.

However, despite the lack of frontline action,

the fort was manned by an army of 200 to 300 soldiers

that were billeted here

and ate and slept here.

A century later, in the First World War, the fort was used as a lookout.

When peace came in 1918,

Harwich Redoubt had still seen no frontline action.

In all that time, in over a century of military service,

not a single shot was fired in anger from these walls.

In the 1920s, the fort was abandoned and left to fall into disrepair.

Houses were built nearby and land was given over to allotments.

The fortified embankments became lost in the landscape,

but one man who remembers this fort as a little boy

is Bernie Sadler, from the Harwich Society which rescued the fort.

-Good to meet you, Bernie, on a rather breezy day.

-Very breezy.

-When was the first time you discovered the fort?

-As a small boy, just after the war.

I used to play round here.

This was part of our adventure playground.

-It must have been exciting.

-It was, but fairly inaccessible.

It was in such a state, particularly dumping.

Most of the staircases, there was no access,

but it was an exciting place as a young lad.

-Did it feel like a special place?

-Even in those days. Yes.

One knew there was something special about it.

Not only because of the size, but because of the construction.

What could have happened here if it hadn't been restored?

We'd already seen the lower parts,

we'd already seen those developed during the 1930s.

The concern was that the allotments would be taken for housing as well,

and this would be demolished.

But it was "discovered" by the Society in the late '60s.

It was very quickly listed.

It wasn't even a listed building until 1969.

Then the Harwich Society started its renovation work.

'From 1969 until the present day, the people of the Harwich Society

'have worked tirelessly to save the fort.

'The volunteers cleared the rubble and in doing so,

'they unearthed an original cannon.

'They have shored up the structure of the fort

'and have turned the lower rooms into a museum.'

What does the future hold now?

Well, we're glad that we've got the structure stabilised now.

Even that's a continuing process.

We have chaps working up here every Sunday throughout the year.

All done on a voluntary basis.

There's also a lot of space up here

so we do need to fill the various rooms,

particularly downstairs,

with various artefacts.

-I expect the local community are really proud of this.

-Oh, yes.

Of all the ancient monuments in the town, this is certainly the largest and one of the most attractive.

Your people, when they came up here this morning, it almost took their breath away.

'It is amazing what can be done when a group of volunteers work together.

'Thanks to the Harwich Society, the fort continues to stand

'as an important monument to England's military history.'

Everybody's working so hard. Our valuations are well under way.

We've found our first items to take off to auction.

While we make our way over there,

we'll leave you with a recap of the items going under the hammer.

'Paul's Royal Dux camel has outgrown his flat.

'After two years together, he's ready to let go of the reins.

'Sue and daughter Corina might have banished these chairs to the loft,

'but Will's interest has upped their expectations.'

-Do you think 100?

-With discretion?

-Yes.

-90, meet me halfway.

-Yes, OK.

'With the price fixed, the corner chairs are heading to auction.

'I love the Beswick sheepdog brought in by Mary and Claudia.

'I gave it a broad estimate of 180 to 280. This should get it away.

'Joining the Beswick dog

'is Heather's inherited majolica spoon warmer,

'which is one of the most unusual items of the day.

'And finally, Georgina's Victorian silver tea set.

'It may be a mix 'n' match, but Elizabeth loved the detailing

'and is confident the bidders will, too.

We've travelled inland to Reeman & Dansie auction rooms

on the outskirts of Colchester,

the old Roman capital of Britain.

The car park's full, which means there's going to be a lot of bidders inside.

And it looks like somebody's got an eye for quality.

'In charge of this arena is our auctioneer, James Grinter,

'who's almost ready to sell our first lot.'

At the centre of the action is this gorgeous table centrepiece.

It's the Royal Dux, the figures with camel.

It belongs to Paul. I know you're a bit of a buyer and a seller.

I like to make a bit of money, if I can.

Hopefully, we'll get your money back today. Elizabeth put 120 to 160 on it.

-How much did you pay for it?

-£200.

-Not long ago.

Two years ago. I bought it on a whim. I really liked it.

It's pretty big. It's impressive.

That's what you want for a centrepiece, something that's "Wow!"

Hopefully, the quality will get it away.

At the top end? We're going to find out.

The impressive Royal Dux porcelain camel table centre with Arab rider.

-£100 start me. £100 I have.

-Yes. Come on!

110? £100 is bid. Your bid, madam. £100.

Any advance? 110 down here. 120.

130. At £130 down here now at £130. Are you all done?

-130 it is.

-Mid estimate.

-Fair enough.

-Sorry about that.

-That's fine.

-Are you going to reinvest the money into antiques?

I collect Poole Pottery so I'm hoping to buy one or two pieces.

-Fingers crossed.

-Early Poole?

-1920s.

-Ah, good period.

-Nice designs, yeah.

-You'll pick up something for £120.

-Yeah.

Sue and Corina, it's great to see you again.

-You both look absolutely stunning.

-Thank you.

Your corner chairs are about to go under the hammer.

£100 to £150 riding on this.

Will, plenty of dealers here and there's lots of good kit.

-Hopefully, they will get snapped up.

-They're nice. They're small.

They're easily accommodated. We love a pair.

I'm sure there's going to be someone here who'll fall in love with these.

Number 557 is the pair of Edwardian corner chairs. £80 for these?

80? 60? 60's bid. At 60.

-Come on.

-Where's 65?

At £60 is bid only. £60. Is there 65 anywhere? No?

At £60 only. Are you all done?

No. Hammer's gone down. He didn't sell them.

-Oh, no!

-They'll have to go back in the loft.

-No, they're not going back in the loft!

-No, they won't.

-What a shame. There is another auction room on another day.

-OK.

-I'm just sorry it wasn't your day today.

-That's all right.

It's my turn to be the expert. The Dulux sheepdog made by Beswick going under the hammer.

It belongs to Mary. Unfortunately, we don't have Claudia with us today.

-Let's say hello to her, anyway.

-Yes. Thank you.

-I put 180 to 280 on this. Let's hope we can break that top end.

-Yes.

It's going under the hammer now.

Number 100 is the Beswick Dulux dog, the advertising figure there.

I start the bidding with me at £260.

-Lovely.

-With me now at 260. At 260 with me.

270. 280.

290. 300.

At £300 with me now. At 300.

At 320. 340. 340. With me.

On the book at £340. All done, now, at 340? All done?

-Yes!

-Very good.

-Well done.

-That's going to be split between five grandchildren?

-What are their names? Is Claudia the oldest?

-No.

-Jonathan.

-OK.

-Chloe, Ellie.

Oh, I've forgotten Claudia in the middle! And Evie.

Evie's 11 months. All lovely names. Wish them all well, won't you?

-Have fun. Get them together and spend the money.

-Yes.

It's that time of day when you're thinking about a cup of tea.

Don't rush to put the kettle on.

We are selling Georgina's silver tea set. Why are we selling this?

There's a lot of silver. It's worth a lot of money.

-I've had my pleasure out of it and I need a new bathroom.

-OK.

-How much money have you got saved up?

-Towards the bathroom? 4,000.

-4,000?

-Yes.

-This is going to be a posh bathroom!

The shower is over £700. It's a steam shower.

-It's got a radio in.

-Ooh!

It's a two-bedroom bungalow but, boy, is that going to be a good shower?

Number 186 is the Victorian silver teapot and two items with it.

I have three commissions with me and I start the bidding at...

-£360 with me. 360.

-Fantastic.

At £360 with me. 380.

400. 420.

440. 460.

480. 500. £500 over here now.

500. 520. 540.

560. 580.

At £580. On my left at £580. Are you all done?

-Excellent. Well done.

-Fantastic!

That's gone a long way towards that walk-in shower.

-Two-thirds.

-Instead of the radio, you could get a TV put in there.

-Stop being silly, Paul.

-You could watch Paul!

Going under the hammer, we've got some majolica,

one of the top names to be reckoned with, and it belongs to Heather.

It's that wonderful egg-shaped spoon warmer. I absolutely love it.

It's so typical of the period. Lovely bright colours.

-We're looking at 200 to 300, Will.

-That's right.

You either love it or hate it, majolica - wacky shapes, bright colours.

I'm hoping someone here loves it as much as I do.

Why have you decided to sell this now, Heather?

Because I'm getting older and I don't know who to leave it to.

Ooh! You're not! I think it's a bit of fun, actually.

Number 81 is the Victorian majolica spoon warmer in the form of an egg.

Quite a lot of interest in this lot. I start the bidding with me...

-at £300. 320. 340.

-Straight in at the top end.

At 340 with me now. At 340. With me at £340.

360 on the internet. 380.

-At 380 on the internet. 400 on the internet.

-420...

The internet comes into its own - overseas buyers.

-At 460.

-480.

-480.

-Five.

-500. At £500 on the internet.

-520 with me on the book.

-They love this.

540. 560. 560 back with me on the book.

-580.

-580. 600...

Must be quite a rare piece.

..620. 640. At 640 with me on the book.

660. I'm out. At £660 on the internet.

At 660, are you...

-Yes! One more.

-Internet bidders bidding against each other.

..£700 on the internet now. At £700. At £700. I'm going to sell it.

-Are you all done? That's £700.

-£700!

The hammer's gone down. And we were worried about that hairline crack!

-Heather! £700!

-Yes. That's wonderful.

-Unbelievable! Bet you never dreamed of that sort of money.

-No. I didn't.

Great result. Brilliant. I'm really pleased for you.

-I'd have been happy to get 200.

-I thought you'd get the top end.

The Americans had stopped buying this a couple of years ago, but maybe they're starting to buy back.

It seems to be the trend. Majolica is making good money again.

You saw it here first! If you've got anything like that, bring it along.

We'd love to see you. All I can say is enjoy the spending!

There is commission to pay. What will you put the money towards?

I was going to put it to bills, but I might treat myself to something.

Pay a few bills and treat yourself. Thank you so much for coming in.

'What a great result! And coming up...

'Jacqueline was not impressed to find out her plastic box is ivory.'

I honestly thought it was plastic.

When I bought it, all I was looking for was a jewellery box.

'Until she gets to the auction.'

I don't believe this. I honestly don't believe this!

'Before all of that, it's showtime at the oldest venue in town.'

Welcome to the West Cliff Theatre,

home for over 80 years to the variety show.

The curtain is about to rise so I'm going to get myself ready for a very special performance.

'By day, Bill Graham was a civil servant.

'By night, he was a talented performer.

'In 1894, he gathered some friends together

'and they started giving open-air concerts on a piece of wasteland.

'The first permanent theatre, the West Cliff Gardens Theatre,

'was established on this site in 1898.

'Open to the elements initially, it developed in stages as a marquee,

'a timber building and finally to its current design in 1928.'

FLOURISH OF VIOLINS

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

at enormous expense,

stars of stage, screen and the local JobCentre,

for one night only, Bob and Reg - the Young Brothers!

PIANO INTRODUCTION

# Oh, I'd give the world to start all over

# Back in the old routine APPLAUSE

# To live my life in fields of clover

# Back in the old routine... #

'Bob and Reg Young have come from a long tradition of acts

'that have developed the variety show from its beginnings on the Victorian stage.

'It's a collection of musical and comedy performances

'knitted together by a compere or host.'

# ..all calling "encore" We'll walk in a wonderful glow

# Oh, gee, the joy to be there pluggin'

# Back in the old routine

# You're up, you're down

# You're in there sluggin'

# Back in the old routine Oh...! #

Tell me a bit about your career.

-Well, we've been performing 59 years this year, Robert.

-Yeah.

We're getting on a bit now. We started in 1950.

We started in the young people's club.

We thought we'd go in the drama group but it didn't turn out that way, did it, Bob?

It certainly didn't, because two chaps arrived,

who were obviously ex variety performers,

and instead of a drama group, we found ourselves in a concert party.

He picked out his "talent" from our members at the club

and there was no talent at all, which was rather difficult for him.

He had a couple of singers and he said, "That's a start.

"We could do some chorus work." Then he said, "We want some comedy."

-And he looked at us.

-He said, "You and you will be the comedians."

We said, "We haven't done anything like this before."

"Don't worry. I'm writing a script for you."

-ALL LAUGH

-Which he did.

Straight in at the deep end. You must know all the old gags.

-Please!

-Oh, yes.

Actually, we are now older, Paul, than some of the gags!

-Between you and I.

-Yeah.

-I've got a little bit of trouble downstairs.

-Downstairs?

-Yeah.

-How can that be?

-You live in a bungalow.

-No!

-LAUGHTER

People say, "It looks as though you're making it up as you go along." I wish that were true.

We spend hours rehearsing. Like all comics, it's timing, isn't it?

Course it is. And you've both got great timing.

When we first started doing professional work,

at the Savoy Theatre in Clacton...

-Big gig!

-Oh, it was a biggy! And Max Miller,

the famous variety star of the music hall, came down for one week.

He was supposed to be the man

that you used to look at and say, "It's the timing."

-He said, "I'm going to ask you a leading question."

-Leading question.

-A leading question.

-"I want you to answer this truthfully. Have you passed water lately?"

-Had you?

I had to admit I walked along the river bank

-on the way to the surgery.

-LAUGHTER

'It's also wonderful to think of the wonderful performers'

-that have been on this stage.

-Yeah.

-Tommy Trinder was one.

-Oh, Tommy Trinder.

Don Maclean.

-Oh, Jimmy Cricket.

-Roy Hudd.

They all say, "It's wonderful. The acoustics are great."

It's a wonderful little theatre.

It's like, really, performing in somebody's front room.

When I went to see the doctor, you know what he's like.

He said, "What's the matter this time?" I said, "I've got a touch of the old lumbago again."

He said, "Go and stand by the window and stick your tongue out."

I went and stood by the window, stuck me tongue out.

"Why am I doing this?" I said. "Does it help the lumbago?"

-He said, "No, I've had a row with the bloke over the road."

-Oh!

We'd better go home now.

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

'The theatre is now managed by a charitable trust.

'There's an army of volunteers but only one employee, Mike Bareham,

'who's also very passionate about this theatre.'

-Why is the theatre so special?

-It was built as a variety theatre,

seaside variety theatre,

and that's what it's remained, right the way through its history.

-Besides, it has got a special feel.

-There IS a nice feel in here.

You can imagine when it's packed there's a wonderful atmosphere.

Let's talk about the future. What does that hold for the theatre?

I think we look to the future very optimistically.

We have a very strong following in Clacton

and the surrounding areas.

The thing that worries me most of all would be

where are the big names of tomorrow coming from?

There are no longer the holiday camps.

We don't have the variety shows on TV that we used to have,

which were the proving ground for so many of the stars of stage, so that is a worry.

I believe there is a bit of bad news because this year, there is no summer season.

This year, it was just not possible for us to stage a summer season.

So we're, basically, working away to see what we can possibly do next year.

One of the things we have to face now

is that seaside resorts do not draw the sort of crowds they used to.

-We have put entertainment on every week, mind you.

-That's good.

Oh, yes. We haven't closed our doors. Far from it.

PIANO PLAYS

# Gee, the joy to be there pluggin'

# Back in the old routine

# You're up, you're down

# You're in there sluggin'

# Back in the old routine, oh!

# Give me the jazz, the razzamatazz and we'll tread on heaven's scene

# Back in the old routine

# That's where the corn is green

# Back in the old routine. #

APPLAUSE

'There's still plenty of entertainment at the Princes Theatre.

'Will has found some diamonds to put in the spotlight.'

Jan, you've brought in a rather showy watch!

-Yes.

-Is this something that you've worn and had enough of

or have you inherited it?

No, I inherited it from my mother's jewellery

about ten years ago.

It's been in my drawer ever since, I'm afraid.

It's very pretty, but hasn't been worn.

-It's unlikely to be worn.

-Do you remember your mother wearing it?

No, I don't remember her wearing it at all.

-So it hasn't got a lot of sentimental value.

-It hasn't.

No. To be honest, it hasn't. No.

There's not a lot to say about it. It really is what it is.

It's an Art Deco cocktail watch, diamond-set. They ARE diamonds.

-Yes.

-It's on platinum, which is nice also. Good quality.

But the trouble with these is,

you're selling it for the very reason people don't buy them.

-Yes.

-They're hard things to wear. They're not terribly commercial.

-Not something you'd wear every day.

-Well, some people might.

-But not in my circles! Now...

-JAN LAUGHS

The other problem that we come up against when we see these...

They get brought into valuation days at work and at Flog It.

We see a fair amount of them cos they were fashionable at one stage.

People often think they're worth a lot more than they actually are.

-Yes.

-Usually, because they see diamonds, platinum.

-Exactly.

-Pound notes!

-Exactly.

It's a little bit tricky. We have to try and talk people down.

Have you got any idea? Did you have a figure in mind?

"I'm not going to let it go for less"?

Well, I thought it would be a four figure, but I've...

Realistically looking at it, I realise it probably won't be a four figure. A three figure.

Let's go for three figures. Two figures would be cheap!

-So let's go for three figures.

-Yes.

I've seen these sell. We do see them in the saleroom quite often.

Not so good quality ones can make a couple of hundred.

The better quality ones can make 400 or 500.

It's that sort of price bracket. What I'm going to suggest is...

I think it's better than a £200-er. I don't think it's a £1,000-er.

-I hope I'm wrong on the day.

-That would be nice.

I suggest an estimate of £300 to £400. How do you feel about that?

Yes, I'd be happy to go along with that.

I'm not going to try and force you into it.

-Like you say, it sits in a drawer. What does it do there? Nothing.

-No.

It's got no real sentimental value to you.

As long as you're happy,

let's put it in £300 to £400, reserve it at 300.

Can we give the auctioneer discretion, just in case?

-Yes. Why not?

-Once you've decided to sell...

-It's got to go.

You should go for it. Hopefully, it'll make a little bit more.

Are you going to reinvest it in a piece of jewellery perhaps?

Probably not, no. I might split it between my son and daughter

and they can treat the family to a day out.

-Are they aware of this treat?

-No. They don't know I'm here.

-Are you going to leave it as a surprise?

-My husband won't be able to not tell them.

-Blame the husband! He let the cat out the bag.

-Exactly.

It's been a pleasure meeting you.

Let's hope we can get as much money to hand out as we can.

-That'd be great.

-See you at the auction.

-Thanks very much.

-Alastair, you've made my day!

-That's good.

I've seen a lot of Black Forest carving.

We've seen a lot on Flog It! but I think...

this has got to be the best I've seen.

That's for sure. And the biggest! How did you come across this?

The earliest recollection is when I went to my grandmother's house.

-I was about five or six.

-You were about that high?

-This high.

The bear used to come up and stare me in the face!

I was quite frightened sometimes.

That's my earliest recollection. It's been in the family a long time.

-Did they use this as a stick stand?

-It was an umbrella stand.

My mother inherited it and now she's given it to me.

-I don't know how old it is.

-It's quite old. Late Victorian.

-OK.

And it is absolutely gorgeous. It's got its original glass eyes.

It's chip-carved, as you can see.

-I love chip-carving.

-This is hand-carved?

-Yes.

-With a tiny little gouge. This was one great lump of beech.

-Wow.

He'd have been working on this for days on end.

The problem is, wood dries out.

If it's not seasoned properly and you put it inside next to radiators,

-it splits.

-That's what's caused it?

-That's what's happening.

-I love Mr Bear.

-I do as well.

And you can see the colour.

You can see where everyone's walked past him and stroked him.

I think he's got the potential to do an awful lot of money.

Had you any figure in mind? What do you think he's worth?

Well, I'd like to get about £1,000 for him, I think.

I thought, before you said you wanted £1,000,

I'd put this into auction with a valuation of £1,000 to £2,000.

-Because you want to go home with £1,000...

-Be nice.

There's commission to pay, so let's call the valuation £1,100.

Fixed reserve. 1,100 to 1,900.

Instead of 1,000 to 2,000, 1,100 to 1,900.

If I could get 1,000 for him, I'd be very happy.

Barbara, your vase caught my eye. What can you tell me about it?

I work at the St Helena Hospice shop in Clacton.

When I turned up for work on a Tuesday morning, as I always do,

it was sitting on the shelf and I thought it was very beautiful.

I thought I'd bring it along to see what it's worth

and if you can tell us anything about it.

I noticed that at the bottom, on the foot rim,

is the mark for WMF,

which is a foundry established in Germany in 1880.

They specialised in pewter ware, silver and silver-plated items.

This is a piece of silver-plated ware.

They were very design-orientated,

specifically for the Art Nouveau market of the period,

which lasted from the late 19th century into the early 20th century.

They made metal, which is obviously very solid, into such a fluid,

decorative form.

The sinuous handles flow from the top down, baluster shape body,

incorporating these lovely poppies, is so evocative of that period.

It's a lovely example.

I do think, from looking inside,

being hollow all the way through and with no bottom to it,

I think it probably had some form of liner at some point.

-Right.

-But in general terms, it's in very good condition.

-Have you, in the shop, been wondering what the vase might be worth?

-Yes.

Have you had any thoughts?

Well, the chap did say that because it doesn't have its liner,

he thought around about £25 is realistic.

I, personally, thought it was worth a little bit more than that.

-It's just something that I like.

-It appeals to you?

-Yes.

I think that a realistic pre-auction estimate would be £30 to £50.

I side with you. I think it's slightly higher than £25.

-Would you like a reserve on?

-I think for £30.

We'll put £30 reserve on, but would you allow auctioneer's discretion?

-Yes.

-We'll have £30 discretion. £30 to £50 estimate.

And we'll take it to auction.

-You can go back to the shop and tell them the good news!

-Straight away.

-Excellent. Thank you for bringing it in.

-You're welcome.

-Jackie, thank you for coming in to Flog It!

-That's all right.

And bringing along your item today.

Now, from the outside, I can do a bit of guessing as to what this is.

I would suspect that it's made of ivory, from where I'm sitting.

I haven't had a look inside, so it could be a jewellery box?

A little trinket box? Maybe even a tea caddy.

Let me just have a look inside, so I can make a decision from that.

Looking at the interior, nicely lined in this felt,

I would say that's a jewellery box. Is that what it's used as at home?

That's what I bought it as, to use as a jewellery box.

-That's what I've been using it as up until today.

-So you do use it.

-I did use it, yes.

-You did use it. Not any more.

-No.

-What was the reason for that?

-Well, I thought...

I didn't realise it was ivory. I thought it was plastic.

My husband thought it was ivory, and a friend of ours.

Does that put you off a little bit?

I've never owned anything in ivory so I wouldn't know, really.

It's an interesting area in the auction world.

You have to be SO careful as to dating these pieces.

The cut-off date is 1947.

-Right.

-So anything pre-1947 is OK to sell.

-Oh, I see.

Anything after 1947, you have to have a licence to sell it.

Generally, most places will say, "No, we're not selling that."

Looking at this trinket box...

These Chinese - what we would call Chinoiserie - panels,

just Chinese figures amongst pagodas in a Chinese garden.

I would suggest it's come out of Canton.

Canton-carved ivory.

Around that late 19th century, turn of the century,

which is when I think this dates from,

there was a lot of export ivory carvings from Canton.

So now you know it's ivory.

-You thought it was plastic.

-I honestly thought it was plastic.

When I bought it, all I was looking for was a jewellery box.

Now you're giving me clues and I don't think you probably paid

the sort of money that you'd pay for an ivory box.

-Come clean with me. What have you paid for it?

-£1.

You're s...

-It never happens to me.

-I honestly bought it as a plastic box.

-And where did you buy it from?

-A boot sale.

The boot sales are pretty handy down here in Clacton.

I would estimate this, maybe a little conservatively,

it could make a bit more, at £100 to £200.

Are you happy with that sort of investment for £1?

-Who wouldn't be?

-We'll reserve it at £100, with discretion, 10%.

Let's just hope it gets away on the day. I'm sure it will.

Whatever happens, you're going home with a profit, aren't you?

-Yes.

-For £1 shell-out you've done well.

-Can't go wrong.

-I'll see you there.

-Thank you very much.

'Now it's time to take our final trip to the auction.

'Here's a reminder of what we're pinning our hopes on.

'Jan inherited this Art Deco diamond cocktail watch from her mother,

'who never wore it.

'Jan's followed suit but hopes that some bidders will want to wear it.

'I just loved Alastair's inherited Black Forest umbrella stand.

'Let's hope the bidders will feel the same.

'Elizabeth valued this WMF vase at £30 to £50.

'We're all hoping for the top end,

'as the funds raised are going to the hospice where Barbara works.

'And finally the ivory jewellery box

'that Jacqueline thought was plastic.'

-Come clean with me. What have you paid for it?

-£1.

'Ivory is not her thing,

'but Will thinks this piece should set the auction alight.

'Before it goes under the hammer, let's catch up with the auctioneer and get his expert opinion.'

Gorgeous little ivory jewellery box. It belongs to Jacqueline.

A wonderful fitted interior as well.

-£100 to £200.

-I think it's going to do very well.

The Chinese market is very strong.

They're buying back a lot of their works of art, particularly ivory.

They've gone up a lot in the last two years.

-What will it do?

-Hopefully, it's going to do at least £200 to £300.

-That's fantastic.

-So, I think it'll be all right.

You're not giving much away. You've got this grin that says, "300 plus!"

-Can I tell you what she paid for it?

-Please do.

-£1.

-That much?

-She thought it was plastic.

-BOTH LAUGH

-I think she'll be very happy.

-Especially if it excedes 300.

-We'll see.

-Well, it's down to you.

-Right. No pressure(!)

-Time to get on the rostrum and weave your magic. I look forward to watching it.

-I'll do my best.

If you love the combination of platinum and diamonds, you'll love this next item.

It belongs to Jan and it's that gorgeous cocktail watch. I love it.

Good Art Deco piece. £300 to £400.

-Not a lot of money for the quality.

-No. I'm hoping it'll go higher.

Oh, so do we. Even Will is, our expert.

-Did you ever wear this?

-No.

-Bit too dressy?

-It was in my mum's jewellery that was left to me.

-I never had the occasion to wear it.

-Ah, beautiful!

-It's good quality.

The trouble, like I said to you,

with these is that people think they're worth more than they are.

Doesn't stop it making more, if a couple of people fall in love with it, but we put the value sensible.

-With the platinum and the number of stones, it seems good value.

-Yeah.

Number 326 is the 1930s lady's platinum and diamond cocktail watch.

I have two commissions with me.

I start the bidding at £320 with me.

-That's a start.

-340. 360.

380. 400. 420.

I'm out. 420 in the room now. At 420.

Do I hear 440? At £420, are you all done?

What are you going to put the money towards?

I've got a son and a daughter, Gina and Simon.

-They'll have a day out, hopefully, with the family.

-Brilliant.

Barbara, the time has come.

We're about to put that gorgeous WMF Art Nouveau vase under the hammer.

I'm a big fan of that Art Nouveau style, with naturalistic handles.

This suits the shape of the vase itself, so it's a nice piece.

Not too big. Suits it very well. We'll see.

Number 278 is the early 20th-century WMF silver-plated vase.

I have two commissions with me. I start the bidding at £60. At 65?

65. 70. 75. 80.

85. 90. 95.

100. At £100 at the back now. 110 another place. Against you.

At 110. 120. 130. The lady's bid, now, at £130.

140 on the internet. It's against you. 140. 150.

150 is bid. 160. 170 is bid here. At 170.

At 170 is bid here now. 180? 180.

At 180 is bid. Are you sure?

At £180 are you all done?

-How about that?

-That's wonderful.

LAUGHS: Pleased for the shop.

Well spotted for you, though. You'd have let it go to somebody else.

Well, that's the point, yes. That was the point.

Brilliant. Thank you very much.

My turn to be the expert and I fell in love with this Black Forest bear.

He's big. He's beautiful, but he is damaged, so it'll hold it back.

-I've just been joined by Alastair, Big Bear's owner.

-Yes. Big Bear's owner!

At the valuation day, you said you didn't want this to go below £1,100.

-Yeah.

-We've got commission to pay and you wanted 1,000.

-That's right.

You've had a change of heart and you want it to go, so we've dropped the reserve to 800.

Which is sensible, but I still feel it stands a chance of doing what we suggested.

The late 19th-century Black Forest bear umbrella stand.

A very handsome stand. What do you say to start me?

£600, start me. 600 I have. £600 now. At 600. 620?

At £600 now. 620 anywhere?

-At £600. Any advance?

-It's sticking.

All done now at £600? All done?

I'm sorry, that lot didn't sell.

I didn't think it would.

-Didn't make any difference, did it?

-I had this awful feeling it wasn't going to sell.

-Why?

-I don't know. I just had a gut feeling when I woke up this morning.

I don't understand that. That was quality.

It was a bit damaged, but there's enough in it for somebody to make it work, give them some profit.

-It's their loss.

-Yeah, exactly. Big Bear's going home with you.

-Yeah.

-It's not meant to be parted.

-No!

This next item came from a car boot sale and it cost £1.

It belongs to Jacqueline and it's this lovely ivory jewellery box,

-and you thought...

-It was plastic.

I expect the person that sold it thought it was plastic.

I take it they did. They wouldn't have sold it as cheap as that. No.

It's going to attract a lot of buyers, especially from the Orient.

I had a chat to the auctioneer, James, before the sale started.

-YOU know what he said.

-Tell us, Paul.

-Could fly away. There's been a lot of interest.

-That's what he said?

-Yeah.

Number 491 is the good quality 19th-century Cantonese ivory casket.

-I have four commissions on my book.

-Four!

I start the bidding at £500.

At £500 with me now. 520.

540. 560. 580.

600. 620. 640.

At 640 with Ian now. 640...

-What's going through your mind?

-I don't know.

I didn't think it'd sell.

..720. 740.

760. 780.

-£780 is bid now. 780.

-I don't believe this.

At £780. I'm going to sell it. All done, now, at 780?

£780! That was bought for just one quid at a car boot.

It is out there!

Jacqueline, that's a lot of money. What are you going to do with that?

Well, I expected 100, cos we're going to France in November to see my mother-in-law. She's 92.

-Wow.

-I thought it would be nice...

-Is she living in France?

-Yeah.

She's had to live with her daughter, so we go over twice a year.

-And...

-That's going to pay for the trip!

-Oh, my goodness!

-Spending money as well!

-Spend, spend, spend!

-France is good!

Thank you so much for bringing it and giving everybody the most wonderful surprise.

If you've got anything like that, Will and I want to see it.

Until next time, from Colchester, it's cheerio.

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