0:00:07 > 0:00:13In 1927, this building, the Winter Gardens, was opened as a venue to entertain the townsfolk
0:00:13 > 0:00:18and the holidaying masses that came to this resort of Weston-Super-Mare,
0:00:18 > 0:00:23but today this glamorous building is going to be packed full of antiques,
0:00:23 > 0:00:26because Flog It! is in town.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Over the years, the Winter Gardens has played host to dances, concerts
0:00:52 > 0:00:54and orchestras, and it's even featured
0:00:54 > 0:00:57in the movie Remains Of The Day.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Let's get inside and see if today's headliners, Anita Manning
0:01:00 > 0:01:05and Michael Baggott, our two experts, have drawn the big crowd.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Well, the Pavilion Ballroom is already packed out, and it looks
0:01:09 > 0:01:12as if we're in for quite a performance today.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Later I'll be visiting Tyntesfield, a historic property
0:01:16 > 0:01:19that was rescued from the gavel at the eleventh hour.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24It even got to the stage where they called in London auctioneers Sotheby's and Christie's
0:01:24 > 0:01:28to come down here and catalogue the entire contents of the house.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Over at the Winter Gardens, it's our job to hunt out
0:01:31 > 0:01:36valuables to go under the hammer, and Michael is already stealing the limelight with his first find.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Valerie, thank you for bringing this very interesting dish in today.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Before I tell you anything about it,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45can you tell me, where does it come from?
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Well, my father would have bought it about 1945, '46.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53He used to go round the antiques and collectables shops in those days
0:01:53 > 0:01:57and he bought it there, and we've had it in the family ever since.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Did he have a passion for early ceramics?
0:01:59 > 0:02:02No, no. He was interested in all things.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Oh, marvellous, marvellous - true antiquarian collector!
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Yes, indeed, yes.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11The first time I saw this, my heart nearly stopped.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- Unfortunately, it wasn't what I thought it was.- Yes?
0:02:15 > 0:02:19To all intents and purposes, this appears to be a Majolica dish.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- Yes.- Now, this isn't the Majolica that we're familiar with that's made by Minton's and Wedgwood.
0:02:24 > 0:02:31- No.- This is the original tin-glazed earthenware that those designs and feel were based on.- Yes.
0:02:31 > 0:02:37The shape of this dish should be 1580 to 1600,
0:02:37 > 0:02:43if not a little earlier, and this decoration around here is basically
0:02:43 > 0:02:49- grotesques, and when you think of grotesques, you think of grottos. - Yes.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55But what basically happened is in the middle of the 16th century, there were excavations
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- in Nero's Palace in Rome. - Oh, yeah, yeah.- And as they dug down into the "grottos",
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- they uncovered the fabulous decoration on the walls... - Ah, I see.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09..which were these Bacchic and classical figures with very fine leaf-scroll work, and of course,
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- that is a Roman hanging lamp, that is a Roman vase.- Oh, I see!
0:03:14 > 0:03:18So all of this decoration, people went mad in Italy at the time.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- Oh, I see! - They were enthralled by it.- Yes.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26And this is typical of what a Majolica dish of that period would look like.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32Unfortunately, she was the first thing to strike a chord of worry,
0:03:32 > 0:03:38because the originals are very stark and geometric and completely in profile.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Now, this with figure, we can see the curls rolling down, and the necklace
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and the locket, which is more in keeping with a Victorian lady.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49The next thing we have to do is turn it over,
0:03:49 > 0:03:54and we've got a factory mark there, which I'm not familiar with.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- The finish here, this pancake glaze isn't all that it should be.- Right.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03It should be a little bit paler, and there should be slightly more marks
0:04:03 > 0:04:08coming through, so I think this falls into this category
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- of an 1850s-1860s Italian copy meant to deceive.- Yes.
0:04:13 > 0:04:20- I hesitate to say what it had been worth were it right.- Oh, well...
0:04:20 > 0:04:22we won't worry about that.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- I'll have to tell you, it would have been about £15,000 to £20,000.- Yes!
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Have you got any ideas what it might be worth as a 19th-century copy?
0:04:31 > 0:04:37No. I've been vaguely told it could be £350 to £500.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39I think it's certainly in that area.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45I think if we were to put it into auction, we would put an estimate of £300 to £500.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- Yes.- And we put a reserve of £300, possibly with a little auctioneer's discretion if it creeps up
0:04:50 > 0:04:54to that figure, but it's certainly a lovely thing.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Thank you, yes.- But why now have you decided to sell it?
0:04:57 > 0:05:02Well, I'm getting to the stage where I need a bit of money, I'm afraid!
0:05:02 > 0:05:07We've enjoyed it, we've loved it, and I do admire the artistry, but...
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- The work is fabulous. - There you are, yes.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14It's time to move on, but we'll put it in the auction and hope it does very well for you.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- Thank you very much. - Thank you for bringing it along.
0:05:17 > 0:05:23It's turning out to be a really busy day at the Winter Gardens, and the ballroom is still filling up.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27Mary, welcome to Flog It!
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Thank you.- It's a delight to have you along,
0:05:30 > 0:05:35and it's also lovely to see this pair of Worcester jugs.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Yes, they're nice!- I love Worcester. - So do I.- When you see it,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41you know that it's always quality.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Tell me, where did you get them?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Well, they were my grandmother's, and I expect she had them
0:05:46 > 0:05:50as a wedding present, so they've been in the family for,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53well, nearly a hundred years, I suppose.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56I see. Well, why are you wanting to sell them?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59It's the usual case that my daughter won't want them,
0:05:59 > 0:06:06the grandchildren won't want them, so I thought I'd sell them and then I'd give the proceeds to my daughter.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- Good idea.- She'll be thrilled, yes!
0:06:08 > 0:06:14That's wonderful and that's the thing to do if you don't love them or don't have them on display.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Yes. Well, I've got lots of other bits at home.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Oh, I see, a Worcester collector?
0:06:18 > 0:06:23- Yes, yes.- So you've kept perhaps the best pieces?
0:06:23 > 0:06:24I have, yes.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29Well, I mean these are still very bonny. They aren't actually a pair.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- No, I realise that.- They are two different types of vases.- Yes.
0:06:32 > 0:06:40But Worcester, these vases are hand-painted, so each one is an individual work on its own.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- They look nice together! - Yes, well, they're from the same mould.
0:06:44 > 0:06:50I particularly like this very sweet handle with the rosette here.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52I think that's a lovely part of it.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Well, let's look underneath.
0:06:57 > 0:07:03Now, I had a wee glance at these earlier on, and we have the back stamp for Royal Worcester here,
0:07:03 > 0:07:08and we have, as you probably know as a collector of Worcester, you will be able to date it
0:07:08 > 0:07:15from these little dots on either side of the back stamp,
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- so we can date these from 1903.- Mm.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Little Edwardian vases, pretty, nice quality.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Price...now, what do you think?
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- I was hoping for about £100. - Well, I think that's fair enough.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- To estimate it, probably £100 to £150.- Oh, well, that would be nice.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Yes, that would be nice, but they are not exceptional pieces.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- No, no, I understand that. - They're fairly standard Worcester.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50I would feel that a reserve of about £80 might be the most reasonable.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- Yes, I'd like a reserve. - We'll put a reserve on it of £80, if you're happy with that.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- I'm happy with that.- Let's hope that they do well at the auction.- Yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03£100 to £150, reserve of £80, but let's hope it goes much further than that.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05We'll see, won't we?
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Well, Carl, there's no need for me to tell you what it is...
0:08:15 > 0:08:17it's a banjo!
0:08:17 > 0:08:20No, it's a lovely bed-warming pan.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- Has it been in the family a long time?- Yeah. My great-grandma had it,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28and then my nan had it, and she had it displayed as an ornament, and then my mum had it
0:08:28 > 0:08:34displayed as an ornament as well, and then I took it on, and unfortunately, it's not been on display, so...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36So where has it been, tell me?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- In the shed!- In the shed! Shame on you!- I know, I know.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45It's really, really quite incredible to think that these bed-warming pans
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- were used in the mid 1600s. - Yeah, it's a long time ago.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54Well, this one's not that early - it's sort of around 1780, somewhere around there.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58You'd have got the servants to put hot coals in here from the fire,
0:08:58 > 0:09:04run that upstairs, put it straight underneath the blankets and warm the bed up,
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- and once it's warmed the top of the bed up, you normally put it underneath the bed.- Oh, I see.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12So it just sort of gives a little more heat throughout the night.
0:09:12 > 0:09:19What lets it down, unfortunately, is good quality ones would have had a lovely walnut or fruitwood handle
0:09:19 > 0:09:22with some nice rich turnings on the shaft.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24This one is quite crude.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29It's of ash, and somebody has stripped it, because they've stripped it of its patina.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34The decoration is nice. All this is punch-work - somebody sat there
0:09:34 > 0:09:37with a hammer and a punch and punched that out.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42The good ones, towards the end of the 16th century, would have had this lovely
0:09:42 > 0:09:45sort of riddle work, armorials put on it.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- The collectors want those ones.- Yes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52Sadly, this doesn't fall into that category. Any idea of its value?
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- No, not really.- If we put this into auction, I would expect to get around £40 to £60.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- That's fine.- It's not a lot of money for a lot of history.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04But at least, if I sell it, somebody will appreciate it.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06And put it on the wall, not in the shed.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12- It's not appreciated at home, so... - Let's put it into auction with a value of £40 to £60
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- and let the auctioneer use discretion at the lower end on the 40, OK?- OK.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21I'm hoping it will get the top end plus a bit more, but you never know with auctions, you just don't know.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25It's a gamble, but we're going to find out, that's for sure!
0:10:31 > 0:10:35Anne, what a pleasant rural setting.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39That's idyllic, what a lovely place. I wonder where it is?
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Tell me, where did you get this picture?
0:10:42 > 0:10:49I got it from a lady who lived next door to me and I used to look after her and take care of her,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51so she let me have the picture.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- But this is a lovely picture.- It is. - These figures pull me into the picture immediately.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01And you've got the little dog. So you've got a very pleasant group of people here.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05We're pulled into the picture, and then the eye starts to wander round
0:11:05 > 0:11:09and look at this lovely countryside, hills in the background there,
0:11:09 > 0:11:14these wonderful trees and a very pleasing skyline.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18A wee bit of damage along here...
0:11:18 > 0:11:23a wee bit of staining, but that's not bad, it's not too bad at all.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27And if we look at the back of the picture - let's turn it round here...
0:11:29 > 0:11:34..we can see that it's Walter H W Foster,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38and the subject is Hambledon in Surrey.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43My initial reaction to it would perhaps be in the region of...
0:11:44 > 0:11:48..£250 to £350, in that sort of area.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Would you be happy to sell it
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- within that estimate?- Yes, yes.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58So if we say £250 to £350
0:11:58 > 0:12:04- with a firm reserve, a firm reserve of £250.- OK.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- Shall we go for it?- Yes.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Anne, what would you put the money to?
0:12:09 > 0:12:13It would help to pay for a trip to Florida for my family.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16That's lovely. Are you all going together as a family?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Yes, yes, yes.- Wonderful!
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Well, let's hope it's sourced.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23We need it!
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Chris, thank you for making my day today and bringing along
0:12:31 > 0:12:35almost my thing in the world - silver spoons. I couldn't believe it
0:12:35 > 0:12:37when I saw you in the queue with these. Now, tell me,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40how do you get such a wonderful assortment of spoons?
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- Just rummaging in auctions. - Rummaging in auctions? Yes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Through piles and piles of spoons, knives and forks and everything else.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- You must be a very good rummager... - We try.- ..to get these together.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57The star of the show is this wonderful, large example.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01And I can tell you where it was made before looking at the hallmarks
0:13:01 > 0:13:04by one feature. Do you know what that feature is?
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- The rat tail.- The rat tail.- Yes. - It's a late fiddle pattern spoon
0:13:08 > 0:13:15and you only get rat tails on English silver up to about 1750.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- Mm.- Then the rat tail goes away.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- And even in Channel Island silver to about 1770.- Right.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25But for some peculiar reason that nobody knows,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28it persists on Irish flatware.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Without much doubt I can tell you that's Dublin.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35And if we look at the marks, we've got the date letter for 1822,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37so it's George IV.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Rather curiously, we've got two maker's marks.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44And that's something you also get with Irish silver.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46You get a maker's mark, in this case LK,
0:13:46 > 0:13:51but then you get a retailer's mark and that, in this case,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55is TWY with a plus sign which is for Edward Twycross.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01- And you get his mark on quite a lot of flat ware at this period.- Right.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Then we rush from Dublin,
0:14:04 > 0:14:09closer to home, and we've got this lovely Exeter pair of sugar tongs.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12And they were made in Exeter in 1835
0:14:12 > 0:14:16and they were made by a man called John Stone.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20And we can see here, we've got lovely period initials on the bow.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25They're wonderful things. Then we're north of the border to Glasgow
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and we've got a set of six teaspoons here.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33They're from 1836. And we finish off and we're back over to Ireland.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38We've got a pair of spoons from Dublin, but this time 1885.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- So you've encapsulated all the parts of the UK, nearly.- That's right.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45And nearly the whole of the 19th century.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50Um, any idea what this as a group at auction is going to be worth?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- Maybe 50 plus.- Maybe 50? Yeah.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57I think that on its own is £20 to £30 because it's Irish.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02Those, bizarrely, are only about £10.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05That set of six is nice, being Scottish.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10They're about another 20 to 30. And those two are probably 10 to 15.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- So if we put it all together and say £50 to £100...- Yes. - ..to excite interest.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Oh, that's fine.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20And if we set a reserve at £50 on them so, you know,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24if it doesn't make that on the day, you can take them home and maybe
0:15:24 > 0:15:30pin them on a map of where they've come from over the British Isles. But thank you so much for bringing them.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Hopefully the silver buyers will be there on the day. - Fingers crossed.- Fingers crossed.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43What a marvellous day this is turning out to be here in Weston-Super-Mare.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49We've found our first batch of items to take to auction but which will be the stars when the hammer falls.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54Well, before that all happens, let's quickly remind ourselves of what's going under the spotlight.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Valerie's Majolica style dish
0:15:56 > 0:16:01was a Victorian copy but it didn't stop Michael from admiring it.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05The first time I saw this, my heart nearly stopped.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Unfortunately, it wasn't what I thought it was!
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Mary's Worcester jugs have been in the family for years,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14but she wants to sell them and pass the proceeds on to her daughter.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Will Anne's inherited painting of a rural scene
0:16:17 > 0:16:20add funds to her holiday pot?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I thought Carl's bed-warming pan was hot property
0:16:23 > 0:16:28and I'd like to see a bidder rescue it from the shed at £40 to £60.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- Not a lot of money for a lot of history!- At least if I sell it,
0:16:32 > 0:16:33somebody will appreciate it.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38And Chris's silver spoons took Michael on a journey across the British Isles.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42With an estimate of £50 to £100, where will they go next?
0:16:45 > 0:16:49And this is where all our items will end up, the Clevedon Sale Rooms.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50It's a packed house.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Let's hope we're going to get some cracking prices!
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Wielding the gavel this morning is Mark Burridge,
0:16:56 > 0:17:02and the first item to go under the hammer is the Majolica style dish. It belongs to Valerie.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- I shall miss it!- Ooh!
0:17:04 > 0:17:05Why do you want to sell it, then?
0:17:05 > 0:17:10It's just standing there, that's it, isn't it? I will pass it on.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15- You can't withdraw it now, it's a bit late, isn't it?- No, no. - £300 to £500, though.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- That would be very useful. - It would be, wouldn't it?
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- That's what we've got on it. I like it!- It's a beautiful thing.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- It is, it is gorgeous, and the condition is so good.- Yes.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Fingers crossed we get the top end of that estimate.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33And lot 280 is the Italian Majolica dish there,
0:17:33 > 0:17:37it's lot number 280 and £280 my bid on the book.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39£280 straight in!
0:17:39 > 0:17:43£300. 300 on the phone, 320...
0:17:43 > 0:17:49340, 340, 360, 380, 380, 400, 420?
0:17:49 > 0:17:55No? 420, thank you, fresh bidder in the room. Anyone else 440?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Selling then, make no mistake, on £420.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02It's gone. £420, Valerie!
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Lovely! Very useful, very useful.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06What are you going to do with that?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- Keep it in the savings...- Oh...
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- My niece has to have half of it because it's a bit of her inheritance.- Yes.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- So she'll have half. - All right. That's generous of you.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- Thank you very much. - It was one of the nicest bits of ceramics I've ever seen on Flog It!
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Well, this oil painting going under the hammer belongs to Anne,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33and we've got a valuation put on by Anita of £250 to £350.
0:18:33 > 0:18:39Good artist, exhibited RA over a dozen times, so the artist has form!
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- And that's going to sell it! - And people like that.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Yes, they'll like that, won't they? Anything with a RA initial
0:18:45 > 0:18:50makes things sell. That's the provenance and that's what the collectors look for.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Lot 140, Walter Foster's oil there,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Hambledon in Surrey.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Full title and signature is what people like.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03What can we say for lot 140?
0:19:03 > 0:19:06150, 60 here, 170?
0:19:06 > 0:19:11170 now, 170 now, 170 now, 170 now. Thank you.
0:19:11 > 0:19:18170 in the room, 180 on the book, 190, 190, 190, 200, and now 10.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- 210, 220, 230...- Oh, it's going.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25230, 240, 250, 260, 260
0:19:25 > 0:19:29260. Sat down at £250, anyone else?
0:19:29 > 0:19:33All done then at £250.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Got that away, got that away, what a great result!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- It is a lovely little picture. - Oh, yes, yes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44What are you putting the money towards? There is commission to pay.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45Yes, yes. Going for holidays.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Just putting it into a holiday fund?
0:19:47 > 0:19:51How lovely, well enjoy it, that's a good result, isn't it?
0:19:55 > 0:19:57I'm here with Chris. Remember the silver?
0:19:57 > 0:20:03We're selling that at £50 to £100 because we want to buy hat pins!
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Hat pins!- What's that all about? Do you collect?
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- Charles Horner, yeah.- Oh, only... Only the best make, Michael!
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- Fingers crossed!- If you collect anything, only collect the best! - How many have you got?
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- 11.- 11?- And a pair of gold ones as well.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20All right, OK. Nice collection!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23We've got to get you up to 12 today then, haven't we?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- You took the words out of my mouth!- Even numbers!
0:20:25 > 0:20:30Lot 540, we've got the silver as in the catalogue there.
0:20:30 > 0:20:3450 I'm bid on the book, five now, 55, 55, 55.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36£50 on the book, and five, five, five we look.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39At £50 a maiden bid, five, five, five, anyone else?
0:20:39 > 0:20:44All done selling on £50 then.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Got away at the lower end. - Oh, just, didn't we!
0:20:47 > 0:20:49It's a start, though, it's a start, OK.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51You had to get rid of them, didn't you?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Oh, well yes, because I don't collect them.- No, no. It's...
0:20:54 > 0:21:00You go the right sale room, you will find a Charles Horner hat pin for £50 so we'll do it that way!
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Right! I'll send you to buy one!
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- Good luck, anyway.- Thank you. - Thank you for coming in.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Things have been a bit hot and cold right now but this one certainly is going to be
0:21:18 > 0:21:22bang in the middle - it's going be lukewarm, because it's Carl's bed-warmer.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Now, we said on the day, didn't we, we've got a reserve of £40
0:21:26 > 0:21:29but we've relaxed that because you don't want to take this home?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- No.- You've made up your mind?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33I would be taking it home if it didn't sell
0:21:33 > 0:21:39for anything under £40, but that's your decision, because I know what you're going to do.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Put it back in that shed, aren't you?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Unfortunately, yeah, unfortunately.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Well, fingers crossed, OK, someone is going to love it.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49And lot 20 is the engraved copper warming pan there,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52lot number 20. Who's got £10 to start me?
0:21:52 > 0:21:56£10, £10, £10, £10. Ten bid, 12 now, will you?
0:21:56 > 0:22:0012 will you, 12 will you? Maiden bid of £10, who's got 12?
0:22:00 > 0:22:01All done. Are you all done?
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- All done and selling on £10 only, then.- Oh...
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Well, you're not taking it home!
0:22:06 > 0:22:12- No, but...- But you're not going home with much money, either!
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- No, no, unfortunately!- A tenner!
0:22:14 > 0:22:16It was worth the experience. I enjoyed the experience.
0:22:21 > 0:22:27I've just been joined by Mary and we've got some quality going under the hammer, and we say on Flog It!,
0:22:27 > 0:22:33if you want to invest in antiques, invest in quality, condition, good name, this lot has got the lot.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37There's a premium on this - Worcester jugs, £100 to £150.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- We've got a fixed reserve at £100. You've just upped that? - I did.- I don't blame you.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45If they're going to sell at £80, they were going to sell at £100 anyway.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- Yes, hopefully. - Protect them, protect your interest.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Why do you want to sell them?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54I just wanted to come to Flog It!, actually!
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- Have a bit of a gamble!- Yes!
0:22:58 > 0:23:00480, the two Royal Worcester jugs,
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- both the same shape there, 1903, what can we say, 55 with me?- Oh!
0:23:05 > 0:23:08£60, will you, in the room?
0:23:08 > 0:23:15- Good start.- 60, five, 70, five, 80, five, 90, five, 100. Now ten.
0:23:15 > 0:23:21- 110 behind you, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160...- Oh, my gosh!
0:23:21 > 0:23:24£150 behind you, madam. 160 is it?
0:23:24 > 0:23:28All done at £150 then.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Yes, top end of the estimate! - Excellent!- Worth the gamble!
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Good valuation. - The quality came through.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38- Good valuation as well.- 150! My daughter's sitting over there!
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- That's a nice result. - Yes! I'm so pleased!
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Anything else you'd like to bring in future?
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- Lots of things! - We'll see you, details in the local press, don't forget.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- We're coming to an area near you soon and we'd like to see you!- Yes.
0:23:52 > 0:23:58Later I'll be back in the auction room, when I find myself outnumbered two to one...
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- I think you look great! - I'll be wearing it again tonight!
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- He's a bonny laddie! - He looks a bonny laddie!
0:24:03 > 0:24:08It's a good job he's married, he could be going home to Glasgow as husband number four!
0:24:15 > 0:24:20This magnificent country house, Tyntesfield, lies just up the road from Weston-Super-Mare
0:24:20 > 0:24:23in a small village called Wraxall, and just looking at its facade,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26it is an architectural triumph - the detail is superb,
0:24:26 > 0:24:31but behind closed doors, it's a property with a difference.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Not only is there an insight into Victorian family life,
0:24:34 > 0:24:40but there's also a genuine piece of conservation work in progress,
0:24:40 > 0:24:46and it's the side of a National Trust property we rarely, if ever, get to see.
0:24:46 > 0:24:51The story of the house begins in 1843 with William Gibbs.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56He made his fortune from importing guano, solidified bird-droppings,
0:24:56 > 0:24:58from South America, to be used as fertiliser.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02The great wealth he accumulated enabled William to purchase
0:25:02 > 0:25:05a Regency property, which was on this site.
0:25:05 > 0:25:12William Gibbs re-modelled the house into the ornate Gothic revival building which is in evidence today.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17At its height as a family home, Tyntesfield would have been a grand, thriving property
0:25:17 > 0:25:22with a host of staff working in the house and on the surrounding land.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25It had its own farm, slaughter house and even a quarry.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32In 2001 with the death of Lord Wraxall, William's great grandson,
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Tyntesfield as a family home sadly came to an end.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Lord Wraxall, who was a reclusive bachelor, lived here all alone
0:25:40 > 0:25:45and he bequeathed the mansion to 19 of his family members,
0:25:45 > 0:25:53giving them instructions to sell the estate, the land, the house and all its contents.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56As one of the last intact Victorian grand houses,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00the National Trust had a considerable interest in the property,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03but not the funds to secure the purchase.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05So, with the clock ticking away,
0:26:05 > 0:26:10they launched a vigorous campaign to raise the £25 million required.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14It even got to the stage where they called in Sotheby's and Christie's
0:26:14 > 0:26:18to come down here and catalogue the entire contents of the house,
0:26:18 > 0:26:23give everything lot numbers ready to be auctioned off.
0:26:24 > 0:26:30But at the eleventh hour, with considerable donations from the general public, private donations
0:26:30 > 0:26:33and even a promise from the Heritage Lottery Fund,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36the National Trust were able to buy Tyntesfield for the nation
0:26:36 > 0:26:40so we could all enjoy it but in a first for the National Trust,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44they decided they wanted to renovate the property to its former glory,
0:26:44 > 0:26:49but not behind closed doors - they wanted the doors open immediately
0:26:49 > 0:26:56so we could all enjoy the conservation work in progress and watch the whole thing unfold.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I've come to talk to Sarah Schmitz, who is the House Manager here,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03to find out a little bit more about this unique project.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Sarah, thank you for meeting up with us this afternoon.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Hello.- What I've seen so far I'm very impressed with.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13This is what you expect from a National Trust property - it's magnificent!
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Absolutely! It's big with lots of gold and beautiful furniture
0:27:17 > 0:27:21and things like that but it's not really how a lot of the house looks.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23It's really a work in progress,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27so whereas in many places the National Trust might perhaps close the house down
0:27:27 > 0:27:33to complete the project works, what we're trying to do here is to do it on display so that people can see
0:27:33 > 0:27:37what we're doing and be involved and engage - that's what's important to Tyntesfield.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Can we have a little tour?
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Yes, certainly. Come on through.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Our first stop was Tyntesfield's grand library.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Well, it certainly looks different in here.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Why did the National Trust choose this particular house for this unique project?
0:27:54 > 0:28:00Something to do with timing, really, through having so many donations,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04over 70,000 people donated to the Trust to save Tyntesfield.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06There was a lot of interest.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- I guess you want to see how your money is spent.- Absolutely!
0:28:09 > 0:28:14So open the doors up, let them in and let them enjoy it and they'll keep coming back!
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Yes! Our vision for Tyntesfield is about access, involvement and engagement,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22it's about doing as much as we can for as many people as we can.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26What kind of condition was it in when the National Trust took this over?
0:28:26 > 0:28:33It was the favourite haunt, a country haunt of the ancestors of Lord Wraxall, so although some bits
0:28:33 > 0:28:38were covered up and some things were closed down and so on, and areas were off-limits,
0:28:38 > 0:28:43- the house wasn't completely kind of dead and quiet and full of cobwebs and spiders.- Where did you start?
0:28:43 > 0:28:47For the Trust, in this property, it's been looking at the risks
0:28:47 > 0:28:50and priorities. So, for instance, putting enough lighting in
0:28:50 > 0:28:54so that people can see when they come to visit.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Keeping on top of the woodworm and things like that!
0:28:56 > 0:29:00Yes, woodworm and a significant moth population, all that side of things,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03the things that kind of growl at us, more often.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06What are some unusual items that you've uncovered?
0:29:06 > 0:29:11Well, all sorts of things still come to light, even now while the inventory team are working.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16In the basement recently we came across some theatre sets
0:29:16 > 0:29:20and we're hoping to maybe use them in the future. We don't know yet.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- It must be so exciting for the National Trust members to see this. - Yes.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29- It's fascinating!- We think so, and we like everyone else to think so.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34What a beautiful ceiling! What was this room?
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Believe it or not, it's the dining room.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41We normally display it with a dining table and dining chairs.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46However, in the move of collections we have to designate spaces for storage
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- while other rooms are cleared. - It would be nice for the public
0:29:49 > 0:29:53to see the conservation works, see all this storage racked up,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56sort of organised chaos, but also come back
0:29:56 > 0:30:02- and see it come to light, see it come to fruition and see that gorgeous dining table.- Yes, indeed.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07It is a beautiful dining table and it will come up out of storage just like everything else
0:30:07 > 0:30:11with the end of the project, part of the attraction of a historic house
0:30:11 > 0:30:13is that close proximity to the objects,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17it's seeing them in context, it's not just about a set of vases
0:30:17 > 0:30:21or a set of beautiful tablecloths or anything like that,
0:30:21 > 0:30:25it's about seeing them perhaps in the way they were used and feeling the ambience around them.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29So you won't mind cross-pollinating with things from the 1960s
0:30:29 > 0:30:34and '70s with things that the family collected from Queen Anne to George I?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Definitely not, no.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42- It's part of the family history, the accumulation of each generation on top of each other.- I like that.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45I'd like to think that you can hear the echoes of the people
0:30:45 > 0:30:47that sort of laughed and danced drank and so on in here,
0:30:47 > 0:30:53or maybe ate their dinners at the tables and had banquets and so on.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58It's part of imagining the people that were here and the families and servants and so on.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00So far, has it been a success?
0:31:00 > 0:31:07Very much so, yes. We've managed to pass our half million visitor mark last season and we're looking to
0:31:07 > 0:31:12really expand on that successfully this season and engage with lots and lots more people in what we're
0:31:12 > 0:31:17trying to do, so we think it's been a success thus far and we think it will continue to be in the future.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19I think it's a wonderful project.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23It shows a lot of initiative and I think you're going to succeed.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24Thank you!
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Welcome back to our valuation day here at the Winter Gardens.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39There's still so many people which means lots of antiques to see,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41but right now let's catch up with our experts
0:31:41 > 0:31:43and see what else they've found.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Over at Michael's table, David is keen to discover
0:31:47 > 0:31:51whether his lucky finds have any history to them.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53So how did you get them?
0:31:53 > 0:31:58I was working on a house, oh, about 40 years ago, we were re-roofing it.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- Oh, OK.- And the lady's husband had died a few years before,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04and in the attic was his workshop.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09We noticed there were some quite nice bits and pieces in there
0:32:09 > 0:32:11so we said, "Is there anything in there you want?"
0:32:11 > 0:32:14She said, no, she just wanted to empty the room,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17so we agreed to clear out the room and not charge her.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21And, you know, we would make our money on what we found in there.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23These wonderful things were part of that.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- We've got B for brandy, G for gin and R for rum.- Yeah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31So have you had a chance to look at them and look at the hallmarks?
0:32:31 > 0:32:32At the time I did,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36and realised they were, you know, 1808 I think it was, is it?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39These are fully marked for Birmingham.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44- And with Birmingham wine labels at this period, you always get a full set of assay marks.- Yes.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- In this case the JW is for Joseph Willmore.- Yeah, yeah.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- He made all sorts of small work. - Uh-huh, yeah.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56He made boxes, caddy spoons, all manner of things will bear his mark.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57And he's quite a large firm.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00We've got the date letter for 1807, 1808 on those.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- Yeah.- So they're a pair.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Then we get this one, you had trouble identifying it?
0:33:06 > 0:33:10Because there's no town mark, I couldn't work out the date letter.
0:33:10 > 0:33:16Small articles at this time don't necessarily bear the town mark
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- and you get stud marking. The maker is JS.- Yeah, I got that.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- There are a couple of makers, it's probably Josiah Snatt.- Uh-huh.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25He was also a caddy spoon maker.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28And that's for London 1812.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Oh, right. So that really confirms what I thought then,
0:33:31 > 0:33:35maybe that one had been made up to go with the other two.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Well, this is it. Even though these are made
0:33:37 > 0:33:41in Birmingham and this is made 100 miles away in London,
0:33:41 > 0:33:43it's still got exactly the same script.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Yes.- So someone has obviously bought these
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- and four or five years later... - Yeah, decided to have a...
0:33:49 > 0:33:52..commissioned that. So have you had any idea of value of them?
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Not really, no.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58They've just been stuck in a drawer, I haven't looked at them for the last 30 years.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Good lord. Is that why you've decided to part with them?
0:34:02 > 0:34:06What's the point of sticking them in a drawer? Somebody will love them.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- Well, there's either a wine label collector, of which there are many.- Yeah.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- Or there's somebody with three decanters.- Well, yeah!
0:34:14 > 0:34:16That's right.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21- I think we should put them into auction for £70 to £100.- Yes, yes.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Because they are interesting but fairly standard.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28Put a fixed reserve of £70 on them, and on a good day they'll make over the £100 mark.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31So if you're happy to do that?
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Yeah, yeah.- Thank you so much for bringing them in.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Excellent. Lovely. Thank you very much.
0:34:40 > 0:34:46- Jean, you've heard the old saying "diamonds are a girl's best friend"! - Yeah!
0:34:46 > 0:34:50This is a pal that I would really like to have! I like diamonds.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53I'll sell it to you!
0:34:53 > 0:34:57And I think this is a gorgeous one. Is it your own ring, Jean?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Well, it is mine but it was given to me, you know.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03An elderly friend gave it to us, so...
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- Was it a lady or was it a gentleman friend?- A lady!
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Have you worn it? - No, no, not at all.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Are you not into diamonds?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Well, it would only fit my little finger anyway, it's a bit small.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18It is actually quite a small ring.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21It would have to be resized for most people.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26- And it's quite thin.- It's quite thin, it's been well-worn.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Now, we have measured this diamond and we have
0:35:30 > 0:35:370.70 carats in it so it's between a half and three-quarters of a carat.
0:35:37 > 0:35:43When we look at diamonds, there are several things which we have to take into consideration -
0:35:43 > 0:35:47size, clarity and cut.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51The cut of this is a round brilliant.
0:35:51 > 0:35:58It indicates that this is probably from the beginning of the 20th century,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02so it's quite an old diamond.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07The clarity of it, we have quite a big inclusion.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Yes, I've been told that.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12And that's going to hold it back a wee bit.
0:36:12 > 0:36:18Difficult to see with the naked eye, but once you look through it with a magnifying glass,
0:36:18 > 0:36:23you can see this inclusion, but it's still quite a desirable item.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Now, it was given to you by a friend.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Is there a wee bit of sentiment, do you feel sort of...?
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Well, not really because it's a long time ago
0:36:31 > 0:36:37- when she gave it to us and she said "If you want to sell it, do."- Yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39If we wanted the money, sell it.
0:36:39 > 0:36:47Price-wise, I would estimate it possibly £450 to £650.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- That's fine.- Would you be happy to sell it at that?
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- Yes.- We'll put a firm reserve of £420 on it.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58- Well, I'll be at the auction to hold your hand.- Oh, lovely!
0:36:58 > 0:37:04And let's hope that there are plenty of women there who fancy having
0:37:04 > 0:37:08- a nice substantial diamond like that.- Let's hope so!
0:37:15 > 0:37:21Maureen, thank you for bringing this wonderful collection of tiles along.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Can I ask you, where did you get them from?
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Well, they were in the house.
0:37:25 > 0:37:31My mother-in-law had them and she said they came from a washstand.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36Ah, well, I can believe that because there's two things with these.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Firstly, we've got an odd number.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42If you see them in a fireplace you usually have four and four
0:37:42 > 0:37:45or five and five, so you always have an even number of tiles,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49so it's highly suggestive that they were in a wooden frame, probably running
0:37:49 > 0:37:55along the back as a splashguard and they are, of course, Minton tiles
0:37:55 > 0:38:02and all we have to do is turn them over and there we've got the Minton globe back stamp
0:38:02 > 0:38:07and emblazoned Minton's Chinaworks, Stoke on Trent.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12And they really were the premier quality of tile manufacturers
0:38:12 > 0:38:18and often artist/designers would buy their blanks and at home decorate them.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22In this case we've got the various biblical scenes
0:38:22 > 0:38:26that would have been popular in the late Victorian period.
0:38:26 > 0:38:34I don't know if you ever noticed in the speckling by the water jug, we've got the initials IMS
0:38:34 > 0:38:37and the I should be a J
0:38:37 > 0:38:42and it's for J Moyr Smith, who did a lot of the aesthetic designs.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- Really you would hope for something a little bit more upbeat.- Yes.
0:38:46 > 0:38:52We've got turning the water into wine, and I'm all for that!
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Gets a plus.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56And then we've got probably the most risque -
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden
0:38:59 > 0:39:04and Eve seems to be taking it slightly better than Adam,
0:39:04 > 0:39:10and then, of course, we've got various scenes from the life of Christ.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Now, have you ever given any thought to what they might be worth?
0:39:14 > 0:39:18No. In fact, this is the first time I've really looked at them.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23They were in a cupboard in my mother-in-law's house when I knew about them.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29- She died 13 years ago at the age of 97...- Good grief!
0:39:29 > 0:39:35And I remember her saying to my husband, "don't forget the tiles in the back sitting room cupboard"
0:39:35 > 0:39:38and then they came and they went in yet another cupboard
0:39:38 > 0:39:42where the electricity meter is and they just sat there.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47Fabulous! I mean, the severe biblical nature of them will hold them back
0:39:47 > 0:39:54- to probably a restricted market of simply tile collectors that want these designs.- Yes.
0:39:54 > 0:40:00And I would imagine that this is seven from maybe a series of 12.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05I think they're worth between £10 and £15 each.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06That's about their level.
0:40:06 > 0:40:13Had they been polychrome or scantily-clad ladies or even Shakespearean scenes, which he did,
0:40:13 > 0:40:18or seasons, then they might have been sort of £30 to £40, so I think if you're happy,
0:40:18 > 0:40:24we'll put them into the auction for £60 to £100, put a fixed reserve of £60
0:40:24 > 0:40:28and, you know, if you get two tiling enthusiasts that really want them,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32they might make £120, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- Yes, I'm happy.- Splendid, and see how they do on the day.- Thank you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:53Mike, I was so excited when I looked at these lovely little figures.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Tell me, where did you get them?
0:40:55 > 0:40:59My father got them about late '40s
0:40:59 > 0:41:04and happened to be walking past the shop, spotted them and went back in and bought them.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09I wonder what he paid for them, all those years ago. Do you know?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Well, a figure of around 45, something like that.
0:41:12 > 0:41:1445 shillings?
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Well, it could have been, especially the wages then!
0:41:17 > 0:41:22- So, they were obviously passed down to you?- Yeah.
0:41:22 > 0:41:30Let's look at them closely because something of this quality deserves to be looked at closely.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Do you know who the carver was?
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- Yes. Ferdinand Preiss. - Yes, that's excellent, excellent!
0:41:36 > 0:41:42Well, he was one of the most prestigious ivory carvers
0:41:42 > 0:41:45of the Art Deco period.
0:41:45 > 0:41:51I would date these from maybe 1915/1920.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54His figures are highly prized.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58If we look at them, they're on an onyx base
0:41:58 > 0:42:03and the quality of the carving is so fine
0:42:03 > 0:42:07and so beautiful and so precise.
0:42:07 > 0:42:13We have a little girl figure here holding a box, possibly Pandora's box
0:42:13 > 0:42:19and we have the little boy who is holding a ball.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25Now, if you look at the beautiful features in their face and the wonderful hair,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29we can really see the quality of the carving
0:42:29 > 0:42:32in these figures. If we look at the back,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35we see his signature here...
0:42:35 > 0:42:37F Preiss.
0:42:37 > 0:42:43They are in beautiful condition, the artist is highly-prized.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46You can understand why I'm delighted!
0:42:46 > 0:42:50Now, why do you want to sell them?
0:42:50 > 0:42:55Well, my children are grown-up and neither of them are interested as such.
0:42:55 > 0:43:02I would put an auction estimate of £1,500 to £2,500 on them.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07I think that's a reasonable and perhaps conservative estimate
0:43:07 > 0:43:10and we'll put our reserve price on them,
0:43:10 > 0:43:15a fixed reserve of £1,200 but we want them to get more.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17- I hope so!- I hope so, too!
0:43:17 > 0:43:18I love them, I love them!
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Now, from family treasures to a treasured collection,
0:43:23 > 0:43:26I'm off to play with some rather large toys over in Bristol.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40As a boy I loved tractors, and do you know what? I still do today.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44They're clunky, they're cumbersome, they're Steady Eddies, they get the job done.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47If you look at the front of any tractor, you can see
0:43:47 > 0:43:50they've almost got the expression of a little face.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53They've got their own characters, that's why I love them.
0:43:53 > 0:43:55And they're full of nostalgia.
0:43:55 > 0:44:00Show me a boy who doesn't like tractors and I'll show you where you can catch a bus to the moon.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02This is wonderful.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06Do you know, a lot of us don't have anything to do with the land.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08People don't know where their food comes from.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11We don't get involved with planting or picking.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15Maybe the odd pick your own during the summer season, getting the strawberries,
0:44:15 > 0:44:19and if you haven't done that, it is quite back-breaking.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22So spare a thought for the humble farmer
0:44:22 > 0:44:25before one of these things came along.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31People have long cultivated the soil.
0:44:31 > 0:44:36Before the industrial revolution, farming was limited to the physical endurance of man
0:44:36 > 0:44:41and his beast of burden. The horse, the ox and the weary farmer
0:44:41 > 0:44:43toiled relentlessly over a crop
0:44:43 > 0:44:47until steel and mechanical engines were available to the masses.
0:44:47 > 0:44:52By the late 1800s, farm labour had become mechanised
0:44:52 > 0:44:57and for the first time, increased production meant smaller human endeavour.
0:45:02 > 0:45:07At last, a tireless alternative to sheer muscle power was available to food producers.
0:45:07 > 0:45:12By 1910, the gasoline engine had pushed steam engines aside.
0:45:12 > 0:45:17These machines were smaller and a lot more affordable and, of course,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21the model for the tractor that we love and know today emerged.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24There's been many revelations in farming machinery,
0:45:24 > 0:45:27but none have enabled man to take such a leap forward
0:45:27 > 0:45:31in harvesting our food as the way the old tractor has.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34And today I've come here to meet a man in Bristol
0:45:34 > 0:45:36who's got a fantastic collection of tractors.
0:45:36 > 0:45:42His name's Keith Sherrell and his tractors date back to the early part of the 20th century.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44And he said to me in this field...
0:45:44 > 0:45:49about now. Hope I've got the right field. Yeah, any moment now.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51- ENGINE APPROACHES - Ah, there he is.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01- Keith?- Hello. Are you Paul? - Yes, I am.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03- How are you? Sorry I'm a bit late. - That's OK.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- You've come to see my tractors? - I have, yeah.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09- Well, we'll walk on down the shed then.- OK.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- Good drive up?- Yes. Yes.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16Keith has been working the land ever since he can remember.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19If you're born into an agricultural family,
0:46:19 > 0:46:22tractors and machinery are an integral part of growing up.
0:46:22 > 0:46:26Keith started collecting his own agricultural machinery in 1966
0:46:26 > 0:46:31and has now an impressive collection that's open to the public.
0:46:31 > 0:46:37Oakham Treasures is the result of his appreciation for the utilitarian charm of the mechanical workhorse.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44What an incredible space, Keith. It's a great warehouse, massive.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46How big is it?
0:46:46 > 0:46:48About 20,000 square feet.
0:46:48 > 0:46:52- How many tractors have you got in your collection?- About 60.
0:46:52 > 0:46:57You are a passionate man about your farming equipment. What's the dateline of the tractors?
0:46:57 > 0:47:02Anything from about 1920 up to 1976.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06- So this is one of the earliest, this is 1920.- '20, yeah.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10It's a solid lump, isn't it? So is that the birth of the tractor?
0:47:10 > 0:47:13Yes. Previous to that, it was the steam engine type.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15So you're always out on the hunt?
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Always on the hunt for something different, unusual.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21You've got tractors from all over the world.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25Yes. Plenty from America, Australian...
0:47:25 > 0:47:28- Some big Aussie ones. - Some big Aussie ones.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30Beautifully displayed, the really are.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33Oh, I've just spotted my favourite one, that grey Massey.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- That's a mid-1950s, isn't it?- Yes.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39I saw one for sale, the farmer was selling it, I had to ask my wife
0:47:39 > 0:47:42but she said no, so I had to let the chap down.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45- Well, I didn't use to ask my wife, I came home with it.- I can see that!
0:47:45 > 0:47:49- I think there's a lot more through there, isn't there?- Yes.
0:47:49 > 0:47:50Wow, incredible.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01- That's unusual. - This is a bit of a special.
0:48:01 > 0:48:06It was a war-time tractor on airports and aerodromes.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10It's stripped back to the bare essentials. It's small and squat.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13It was basic, and that's what just made it unusual
0:48:13 > 0:48:17to the one which is next to it which is an agricultural.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- Same make.- Same make.- You can see the difference, can't you?- Yes.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24- That's designed for the fields.- Yes. - So these came into their own during the war.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28- We had to produce food...- Yes. - ..for the war effort.
0:48:28 > 0:48:33For those who lived through World War II, it's a different world now
0:48:33 > 0:48:38to the one that existed during Hitler's ransack of Europe.
0:48:38 > 0:48:43That was a time of rationing, and the steel used for arms and munitions was in short supply.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45The humble tractor came into its own.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49Mottoes like Dig For Victory provoked a spirit that united the nation.
0:48:49 > 0:48:54As 5 million British men were called upon to serve their country and fight abroad
0:48:54 > 0:48:57a hole in the labour force emerged.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01Around 80,000 women were drafted in to become farm labourers,
0:49:01 > 0:49:05driving tractors and harvesting crops.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07They worked the fields and managed the machinery,
0:49:07 > 0:49:10taking the place of the men who were away fighting.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14For many the smell of a tractor still brings back intense memories
0:49:14 > 0:49:18of a time when they were called to work the land for the good of the nation
0:49:18 > 0:49:21and the pride they felt for having served their country.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28This one's interesting, this International.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32It's a bit special to me because there's a photograph of me with my father on it
0:49:32 > 0:49:34when I was about five years old,
0:49:34 > 0:49:37and that's probably where it all started.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41- Would your father be proud of this collection?- Oh, I think so, yes.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44There is just so much here to see. I could spend all day here.
0:49:44 > 0:49:48Well, I've definitely rediscovered my love for tractors.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51The next time you're stuck behind one on a small country road,
0:49:51 > 0:49:56why not just sit back and marvel at all they've done for you.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02Over at the auction room, what will Mark Burridge make of those figures?
0:50:02 > 0:50:07They belong to Mike and he inherited them from his father who bought them
0:50:07 > 0:50:11in Bristol in the '40s and paid £45 for them.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15It's a nice story because they hadn't been on the market before then,
0:50:15 > 0:50:19they do appeal to modern tastes, very good name, Ferdinand Preiss.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22It's got everything you want in an investment piece -
0:50:22 > 0:50:26- condition, maker's name and fresh to the market. - And fresh to the market.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29It was a lot of money back then in the '40s, £45!
0:50:29 > 0:50:33£45 would have bought you a very good motor car, if not a deposit on a house!
0:50:33 > 0:50:35Probably a third of a house, I think!
0:50:35 > 0:50:37A third of a house, yes!
0:50:37 > 0:50:38Will we get the top end?
0:50:38 > 0:50:43We have had interest and I think we may well have telephone bidding on this lot.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47- Great, great! - It's the best lot in the sale.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49At the moment, best lots are selling very well.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53And it's on the front page of the catalogue, which is undoubtedly going to help.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57Also going under the hammer today is Jean's diamond ring.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Will it find a new best friend in the sale room?
0:51:00 > 0:51:03Well, this is a pal that I would really like to have!
0:51:03 > 0:51:07Next, those silver bottle labels. David hasn't looked at them in 40 years.
0:51:07 > 0:51:12With a reserve of £70, he hopes someone will take a shine to them.
0:51:12 > 0:51:19And Michael is praying that someone will splash out £60 to £100 on Maureen's Minton washstand tiles.
0:51:19 > 0:51:24Now it's time to put our final round of valuations to the test.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27But will Michael be on the money with the wine labels?
0:51:27 > 0:51:29Let's find out.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35David, now is the time of reckoning. We've got a packed auction room.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38We've got three silver Georgian bottle labels going under the hammer.
0:51:38 > 0:51:42I've seen these do well before. People collect these so hopefully,
0:51:42 > 0:51:46that room is jam-packed, there's some collectors out there,
0:51:46 > 0:51:49and Michael put our estimate of £70 to £80?
0:51:49 > 0:51:52- 70 to 100, it's come hither. I've seen them do more.- So have I.
0:51:52 > 0:51:57Really they should make £40 each, but there are such a number of wine label collectors.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59- Yeah. - There's a whole circle of them.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01Yeah, the wine label circle,
0:52:01 > 0:52:05so we just need one or two members today and they could fly.
0:52:05 > 0:52:10- How did you come by these?- I found them up in a loft 40 years ago now.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12- There weren't lots of wine labels, were there?- No, no.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14You've hung onto them for 40 years.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16- You've enjoyed them?- Yeah.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18They've been in a drawer most of the time.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20t least you've kept them safe.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23I haven't got a decanter to hang them on.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26They'll look the part in the right place and let's hope
0:52:26 > 0:52:28today's the right place to sell them. Here we go.
0:52:28 > 0:52:33The three silver decanter labels there
0:52:33 > 0:52:35and interest with me starting with 70 on the book.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37Give me 80, 80, 80 now.
0:52:37 > 0:52:3980, 80, 80 now. 80, 80, 80.
0:52:39 > 0:52:4580, 90, 100, bid's still with me at £90.
0:52:45 > 0:52:46Give me a hundred bid.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49- Oh, go on.- With me then and selling, make no mistake.
0:52:49 > 0:52:50All done at £90.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53- £90.- £30 each.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55That's not bad, is it? Mid-estimate there.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58- You've got to be happy with that.- Oh, yeah.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01- Don't forget there's a bit of commission to pay.- Yeah.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04It's going to go towards a holiday in north Scotland so...
0:53:04 > 0:53:08- Wonderful.- Visiting the Orkney, Shetland islands.- Lovely, lovely.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10Well enjoy that, won't you?
0:53:10 > 0:53:13Yeah, exactly. Every little penny helps.
0:53:13 > 0:53:14- Exactly.- That's what we say.
0:53:20 > 0:53:25This really is a sparkler... £450 to £650...
0:53:25 > 0:53:27- and you've never worn it!- No!
0:53:27 > 0:53:31It's too small! Oh dear, that's just such bad luck, isn't it?
0:53:31 > 0:53:36The diamond's not too small - it's nearly three quarters of a carat!
0:53:36 > 0:53:38Ooh, we could do something with that!
0:53:38 > 0:53:41Do you think it'll get remounted, or bought by the trade?
0:53:41 > 0:53:43I think it probably will.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47But the diamond there is a good size and it's in nice condition.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50Well, let's hope it goes this time. We have tried before.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53- Have you, in auction? - Yes.- Yes, and what did it reach?
0:53:53 > 0:53:55I've forgotten. It was a long time ago!
0:53:55 > 0:53:58It was a long time ago! Times have moved on, now!
0:53:58 > 0:54:03Here we are in Clevedon, we've got a packed house, so fingers crossed we're going to get that top end.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07600 is a solitaire diamond ring, what can we say there?
0:54:07 > 0:54:11- I've only got £400 to start me. 400...- Good!- 400.
0:54:11 > 0:54:17Give me £300 then. £300, nice solitaire ring there, £300?
0:54:17 > 0:54:20Doesn't look like you want it today.
0:54:20 > 0:54:21I'm sorry, we'll move on, then.
0:54:21 > 0:54:25- Aw!- There's me saying "times have moved on"!
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Aw, I'm so sorry.
0:54:27 > 0:54:28That's all right.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32We haven't got the value wrong, though, have we? The price is right?
0:54:32 > 0:54:39I think the fact that it was a small shank may have influenced private buyers.
0:54:39 > 0:54:44It wouldn't have influenced trade but the private buyers, if a lady tries it on and it doesn't fit her,
0:54:44 > 0:54:48does she want to go and get the shank changed? That may have influenced it.
0:54:48 > 0:54:49Oh, well.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57Next up, the Minton tiles...
0:54:57 > 0:55:01great name, great lot and they belong to Maureen.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04They're worth at least £12 each and we've got seven of them.
0:55:04 > 0:55:05- Yes.- Hence, Michael...
0:55:05 > 0:55:08- Hence the estimate! - Hence the estimate!
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Minton is such a good name. The only trouble is the subject matter being biblical.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16- Yes.- Even though it's biblical, they managed to get some scantily-clad ladies in
0:55:16 > 0:55:19- so there's hope, isn't there! - There is hope!
0:55:19 > 0:55:21Lot 100, seven blue and white Minton tiles
0:55:21 > 0:55:25biblical scenes, lot 100, interest here.
0:55:25 > 0:55:33£90 on the book, 100 in the room, ten with me, 20, 30, 40, 50, 50...
0:55:33 > 0:55:38Gentleman here at £140, selling on £140 then.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40Yes, that got our blessing!
0:55:40 > 0:55:43- £140, Maureen!- Wow!
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Surprised!
0:55:45 > 0:55:49I think there was a higher force at work here today!
0:55:54 > 0:55:56Mike and Anita have been looking forward to this.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59It's the Preiss figures about to go under the hammer.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02We've got £1,500 to £2,500.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04It's down to the bidders in the room.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08Hopefully we've got some phone lines as well and there's some bids on the book.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10And the photograph on the front!
0:56:10 > 0:56:14- And of course he's done us proud, yes, with a picture on the catalogue.- Yeah.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16I've got to say,
0:56:16 > 0:56:20I'm being surrounded by the Scottish clan!
0:56:20 > 0:56:22You're ganging up on me!
0:56:22 > 0:56:27- You're not Scottish, are you? - No.- What's the connection? Have you got... What clan is this?
0:56:27 > 0:56:31- Campbell of Argyll.- Right, OK. - But my grandmother was a Thompson.
0:56:31 > 0:56:37- Oh!- And that's where it ties in. There's a set to the Campbells.
0:56:37 > 0:56:38And do you dress like this often?
0:56:38 > 0:56:41- I wore it last night! - I think you look great!
0:56:41 > 0:56:43- I'll wear it again tonight! - He's a bonny laddie!
0:56:43 > 0:56:45He is! It's a good job he's married,
0:56:45 > 0:56:49he could be going home to Glasgow as husband number four!
0:56:49 > 0:56:55580, you've got the two Preiss ivory figures, both signed.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58Not been on the market since the vendor's father
0:56:58 > 0:57:03bought them in 1945, so they haven't been about before.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06What can we say, who will start me, please £1,500?
0:57:06 > 0:57:10£1,000 here, £1,100, 1,200,
0:57:10 > 0:57:141,300, 1,300, 1,400 in the room.
0:57:14 > 0:57:191,500, 1,600, 1,700,
0:57:19 > 0:57:25- 1,800, 1,900...- More!- 2,000, 2,100.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28£2,000 in the room, 2,100 sat down,
0:57:28 > 0:57:342,200, 2,200 fresh bidder, 2,300, 2,400, 2,500, 2,600...
0:57:34 > 0:57:37- Oh, strong bidding in the room. - Yes!- 2,800, 2,900, £3,000.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39£2,900 in the room, sat down.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42£3,000, anyone? At £3,000, fresh bidder.
0:57:42 > 0:57:453,100? 3,100?
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Are you all done, then?
0:57:47 > 0:57:50Selling on £3,000.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52- Yes!- Yes!
0:57:52 > 0:57:54£3,000! Mike!
0:57:54 > 0:57:57- Well, done, Dad!- Well, done, Dad!
0:57:57 > 0:57:59Yeah, what a clever dad, eh?
0:57:59 > 0:58:04- Oh, that was...- And well done for you for looking after them as well! Anita, a great item as well...
0:58:04 > 0:58:06- Oh, thank you!- Perfect valuation!
0:58:06 > 0:58:08I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11What a wonderful end, and obviously quality always counts.
0:58:11 > 0:58:16If you've got something like that, we want to see it, so from Clevedon until the next time, it's cheerio.
0:58:35 > 0:58:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:39 > 0:58:41E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk