0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today we are surrounded by our furry and feathered friends.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08And noisy ones, just look at these flamingos. Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:08 > 0:00:10from Whipsnade Zoo near Dunstable.
0:00:32 > 0:00:38Whipsnade has around 70 different species of birds and these scarlet macaws here, well, they're possibly
0:00:38 > 0:00:43the loudest and the most intelligent of the exhibits. If you want to see
0:00:43 > 0:00:46more beautiful feathered creatures, this is the place to visit.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48You could say the sky's the limit.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51BIRDS SQUAWK
0:00:52 > 0:00:55And from one flying machine to another, later on the programme,
0:00:55 > 0:01:00I'll be reaching for the skies as I visit RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Whey!
0:01:05 > 0:01:08But our main business today is on the ground.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11And keen to get their paws on all the bags
0:01:11 > 0:01:15and boxes today are our experts, the fabulous Thomas Plant and Michael Baggott.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20They will be looking at every item in the queue and whisking the best off to auction later on.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Well, it's now 9:30, it's time to get this massive queue
0:01:23 > 0:01:26through the gates and on with the show.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33So, as the crowds rush in it appears Thomas has already clocked a great item.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38- Paul, thank you for coming along to Flog It!- Pleasure.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- This is a family piece? - Yeah, passed down from my granddad.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45He had quite a large collection of carriage clocks.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- But this is surplus to requirements?- Yeah.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50This is an English carriage clock
0:01:50 > 0:01:55and it looks like, from the front of the dial, if we can see here,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00it's got Benson on it. Benson a good London maker.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02A good white enamel face there.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06There's a slight crack on the corners, which you do expect to see,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- which does affect the value.- Right. - But what's appealing to it
0:02:10 > 0:02:13is the actual design of the case. It's a lovely-shaped case.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- Mmm.- Normally they're very straight,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20but these have got these sort of nice mouldings to the brass.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23And what I do like about it is that
0:02:23 > 0:02:27it hasn't been polished too much which is a good sign.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Or is that a bad thing?- No, it's a good sign, it's a good sign.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Now if I press this button...
0:02:34 > 0:02:35it does repeat.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Look, you can see the hammer going backwards...
0:02:38 > 0:02:42And it's 19th century. Now that's a broad hundred years,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- Later part of the 19th century so we're looking at the late Victorian period.- Oh.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Late 19, it could age towards the Edwardian period, but with the style
0:02:50 > 0:02:53of the piece, it's looking at Victorian.
0:02:53 > 0:03:00- They always have a very static value at auction...- Yeah. - ..items like this, and, um...
0:03:00 > 0:03:05it's always in the low hundreds, so my estimation for this
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- is we're looking at £300 to £500. - Really?- Yes.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13- Now that surprised me. I thought it would be a lot less. And I'm quite gobsmacked by that.- Really?
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Yes.- Well, I think if we say 300 to 500,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- but if we say a reserve of £200, is that all right?- Brilliant, yeah.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- If it doesn't sell, there's another day, there's another auction.- Right. - I look forward to seeing you.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Fantastic. Thank you very, very much.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40Valerie, thank you for bringing in what looks like a very promising box.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- Let's hope so. - I know what should be in here,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45from the shape of the case, but let's see.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Oh, marvellous! And there we go.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- Wonderful Victorian three-piece christening set.- Right.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Really almost the wrong version that you get.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- Really?- Often you will get a spoon and a fork, then you will get
0:03:57 > 0:04:00the spoon, fork and knife.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02And then maybe you'll get a napkin ring thrown in.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05But the very best ones, you get the christening mug as well.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Look at the wonderful condition.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- Never been out of that case, has it?- No, it's lovely, isn't it?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12So where does it normally live?
0:04:12 > 0:04:17It used to be in my mother's house and obviously when she passed away,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I laid claim to it because I liked it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Well, unusually it isn't - wonderfully, I might add -
0:04:23 > 0:04:25isn't inscribed with anybody's name so...
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- No.- Do you know who it was presented to in the family?
0:04:29 > 0:04:35To be honest, I'm not certain, but I think it was probably one of the grandparents.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Look here, we've got RM over EH as the maker's mark,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41That's Martin Hall and Company.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- Right.- And they're a large Sheffield manufacturer.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- But sometimes they had their work assayed in London.- Oh, right.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- And alongside it we've got London marks for 1875.- Ah.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58And what's lovely is we've also got those same marks
0:04:58 > 0:05:02on the knife, fork and spoon so it all ties in together.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- Mmm.- Wonderful set and I'm sure it's a set
0:05:05 > 0:05:09that two collectors would fight over. Any idea of the value?
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Oh, 100-ish.- 100-ish?
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Where's my wallet when I need it.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- I think we can safely put a reserve of £150 on it.- Oh, lovely.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- And an estimate of £150 to £250. - Yeah? Oh, that's good.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27And to be honest I'd be disappointed if we weren't reaching
0:05:27 > 0:05:31nearer the top end of that because we've got the original case.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33But let's close it back up
0:05:33 > 0:05:37and hope that somebody loves it as much as I do at the auction.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- Thank you so much for bringing it in. - You're very welcome.- Thank you.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50- Dave.- Yes, Tom.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Look at these. Tell me, are you a pot-lid collector?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57I'm not. My father was a pot-lid collector
0:05:57 > 0:05:59And when did he collect them?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01About 20, 25 years ago.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06Now, these are lids that you would have on the top of bases
0:06:06 > 0:06:09which would contain gentleman's relish,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12anchovy paste, toothpaste...
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- They are late Victorian, second half, and these are the lids.- Yes.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21The bases are normally white and not interesting to people
0:06:21 > 0:06:24so we have just got a collection of Staffordshire Prattware pot lids.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- How many have we got?- 73 in total. - We've got a fraction
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- we're showing on the table.- Yes. - Something you're interested in?
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- I like them, but I'd rather see a collector or someone else have them for their collection.- Absolutely.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Laid out on the table, they look stunning.- Does.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41And these are transfer printed.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46It's quite a difficult process to transfer the print on there and then to colour it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51So the ones where the decoration, the transfer and the colours
0:06:51 > 0:06:55all match. And when you get a really crispy lid in condition
0:06:55 > 0:06:59and the transfer is great then the premium is seen
0:06:59 > 0:07:02in the price. They go for mega money.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Are there any of them which you fancy, which you think are your favourites?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- I like the first and second... - These two, the one with the...?
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- The gentleman and the lady in front of a window.- Yes.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15They are much clearer as you said, they do look clearer.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- They look nice and crisp, don't they?- Yes. - And it's quite a fun story.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23The first proposal rejected, so he goes out for a walk,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27you know, pretty gutted, he goes in for a second one.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I don't know if she rejects it again but maybe
0:07:29 > 0:07:32they get married and there should be another lid for...
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- The divorce, perhaps! - A divorce lid.- Lovely!
0:07:36 > 0:07:41These lids, being a pair, actually do command quite a bit of money.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43They're probably worth £100 each.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Another two which are nice are these ones here.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49"Our Pets", which is a collection of... Which is children.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Obviously, children in things do sell a lot better,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- and these ones here are worth probably about £100 each.- Yes.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03The more general pot lids are worth between £20 and £50 for a really crispy lid.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07So you say you've got 73 and I've actually seen all 73.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12And I believe that we should get between...
0:08:12 > 0:08:16£2,000, at the least, up to about £4,000.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22It's a really wide bracket between 2,000 and 4,000 and I think we'll fall in between that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Are you happy with that?- Yes.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Well, fix the reserve at two.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- They are going to do better, don't worry about that.- OK.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35They should do a lot better. But let's give the auction house
0:08:35 > 0:08:38a chance to maybe split them up or keep them as a whole.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Best to sell them on the one day cos they'll all turn up.- Right.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- With the power of the internet, they'll be there. Happy with that? - Yes, I am.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Charles, this is a marvellous little seal
0:08:56 > 0:09:00that you've brought along today. Sadly something's happened to it today, hasn't it?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03I'm afraid so, it's melted in my pocket, I think.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08That's not a major disaster, the old glue's just given way.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11But is this a family piece, something you've had for...?
0:09:11 > 0:09:16No, I bought it, ah, 25 or slightly longer years ago.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- Oh, right.- I bought it from a second-hand jeweller's in St Albans
0:09:21 > 0:09:26and I had an extra band put on the top and had it made into a necklace
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- for my wife. That's the hand in hand.- That's lovely.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34If we take a closer look here, I mean, none of this is hallmarked...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- No.- But from the colour of the gold,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- we can tell that it's certainly 18 carats.- Yes.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44And we've got this armoured hand here with the gauntlet coming down
0:09:44 > 0:09:48and we've got this more genteel, feminine hand
0:09:48 > 0:09:51with the beautiful embroidery there, clasping it.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56So it's of course a clasp of friendship and of loyalty.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00"From Queen Victoria," which is marvellous.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03The seal itself is a piece of bloodstone
0:10:03 > 0:10:08which has been mounted with this floral wrapped gold collar
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and on the base we've got the initials of the person
0:10:11 > 0:10:15you imagine to whom it was presented, beneath the coronet.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Now, when you've got four balls on your coronet, that makes you a baron.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Oh, right. - So he was Baron Somebody.- Yes.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Probably not Baron Hardup with a wonderful seal like that!
0:10:26 > 0:10:31The slight difficulty when it comes to royal presentation inscriptions
0:10:31 > 0:10:35is that I've seen quite a few pieces
0:10:35 > 0:10:40over the years and they tend always to have Queen Victoria's monogram
0:10:40 > 0:10:47on them as well, so you'll get VR either on its own or conjoined under the royal crown.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52The fact that isn't there puts a slight seed of doubt in my mind.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- Had it been presented by Queen Victoria...- Yes.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- ..you're between £2,000 and £4,000 for it.- Mm-hm.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05Really today we've just got to look at it as just a very fine,
0:11:05 > 0:11:10early to mid-19th century, gold and bloodstone seal.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15- Right.- Realistically at auction I think it's going to make between £400 and £600.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19I would love to be proved wrong and have two royal collectors taking it
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- over the 1,000 and 1,800...- Yes. - But I think that's realistic.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Right.- If we put a fixed reserve of £400 on it
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- and hope that somebody in the auction...- Really likes it.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33..is a seal collector with a tube of superglue to put it back together!
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- But it's a marvellous thing and thank you so much for bringing it. - Lovely. Nice to have met you.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48So, Di, you've brought along this tea service.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- Tell me the story behind it.- I was given it when I was four or five.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57My mother used to keep it under my father's wardrobe.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Then, on a Sunday afternoon, we'd get it out and have tea.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05My mother made small cakes to put on the plates.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10Really? We'd better get this straight. First of all, it's a "Bes-wick" tea service.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16I've got to say it the correct way. It's a complete service, which is quite rare.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21We don't normally see them in this condition. If you look inside,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25the service is a little crazed, but it's not too bad at all.
0:12:25 > 0:12:33- Do you remember getting it? - Yes, for Christmas. I had to be very good to get it on a Sunday.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- What's your favourite bit? - The plates.- They are pretty.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41They've got the leaping deer.
0:12:41 > 0:12:48Beswick has got quite a following. Because they're famous cartoon figures, transfer-printed,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- that will also add kudos to the finished product.- Right.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54And it's cased as well.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- Why are you selling it? - It's been in the loft for years.
0:12:58 > 0:13:05- I don't really use it and afternoon tea is not our thing. - It would be a little bit odd.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Little cups!- Exactly. - And little cakes!- Exactly.
0:13:09 > 0:13:16Now we're coming to valuation time. What do we believe it's going to make? Beswick, very popular.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Famous cartoon characters, very popular. Bad box brings it down,
0:13:20 > 0:13:27- but I still believe it'll make £60-£80.- Really? - What do you think?- Not bad at all.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33- That's more than I thought! - I think we should do that for you. - Right.- As regards to reserve,
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- I would suggest £40.- OK.
0:13:37 > 0:13:44- Happy with that?- Yes, happy. - Great. We'll put that in for you. - Lovely. I'll look forward to it.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03This church is all that is left of Dunstable's medieval priory.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09It's a wonderful mixture of architectural styles, but that's not what I'm here to see today.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14From its humble beginnings, it has carved out a unique place in English history.
0:14:14 > 0:14:21It marked the beginning of a religious revolution and signalled a literary milestone.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Dunstable Priory was founded in 1131 by Henry I
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and it took 80 years to complete.
0:14:28 > 0:14:36It was part of a widespread church building programme and quickly became an integral part of the town.
0:14:39 > 0:14:45Over the years, the priory slowly established its importance within the realm.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51However, it was the events surrounding the end of two very different royal marriages
0:14:51 > 0:14:57that helped seal this church's place in history, events depicted in these windows.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12In the royal window, you see the body of Eleanor, laid out here,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16on her final journey from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey in 1290.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21You can see Edward kneeling just there beside her.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27Above her coat of arms are the initials of the king and queen, linked with a lovers' knot.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33But we have to fast forward more than 200 years after Eleanor to the turbulent reign of Henry VIII
0:15:33 > 0:15:41for this priory's defining moment, which is hinted at in this window. The lovers' knot is now broken.
0:15:44 > 0:15:50And that break illustrates Henry's divorce, or the annulment of his marriage, from Catherine of Aragon,
0:15:50 > 0:15:55which was finalised here in the priory's Lady's Chapel -
0:15:55 > 0:16:01a turning point in English history, which led to reformation of the church and eventual dissolution
0:16:01 > 0:16:05of the priory, along with most other religious houses in England.
0:16:08 > 0:16:14I've come to meet local historian Hugh Garrod to learn more about the priory's pivotal role.
0:16:14 > 0:16:21- Why did Henry want the annulment? - He wanted it because he was desperate to have a male heir.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Catherine had many miscarriages. Their only son died at two months.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30The only surviving child was a daughter called Mary, later queen.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- He was sure that God was punishing him for marrying his brother's widow. - Right.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- Also, he thought that Anne Boleyn would oblige him with a son.- Yes.
0:16:41 > 0:16:48- So that was why he wanted this settled.- Why did the annulment happen here in Dunstable
0:16:48 > 0:16:54- and not in London and Rome? - If it happened in Rome, he knew the Pope would influence the outcome.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00In London, the people would be very upset. They liked their queen and were very fond of Catherine.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05- So it had to happen somewhere in-between.- Not to cause a big fuss.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- Somewhere nice, quiet and peaceful. - So what happened?
0:17:08 > 0:17:13The Court of Annulment was called here. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer came
0:17:13 > 0:17:19and many of the bishops and legal people of the day. They met in the Lady Chapel in 1533.
0:17:19 > 0:17:25They spent a week discussing the pros and cons of it, but I think it was a foregone conclusion.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29If they sided with the King, the Pope would excommunicate them.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- If they sided with the Pope, the King would have them beheaded. No contest.- No!
0:17:34 > 0:17:41- And was the significance far-ranging?- Yes, it had long-term implications for the church.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46I'm sure that Henry himself was a Catholic until the day he died.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50He wanted to be head of the English Catholic church and break from Rome,
0:17:50 > 0:17:58but the long-term significance was that it led to the Reformation and establishing the Protestant church.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02So how did the church survive, attached as it was to the priory?
0:18:02 > 0:18:06That's a very interesting question. It's all to do with the roof.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18At the end of the 15th century,
0:18:18 > 0:18:23the wealthy families of Dunstable formed a fraternity, the Fraternity of St John.
0:18:23 > 0:18:29They were responsible for the upkeep of the roof. So they took the roof off and lowered it
0:18:29 > 0:18:35to a manageable level. So at the time of the dissolution, Henry VIII's men came
0:18:35 > 0:18:40to take the roof off everything, which was the standard practice,
0:18:40 > 0:18:46and the locals said, "You can't. Our parents and grandparents paid for this."
0:18:46 > 0:18:48This is why it was left.
0:18:48 > 0:18:55- A lovely story. So Henry definitely made his mark on Dunstable.- He did. Very much so, for good or ill.
0:18:56 > 0:19:02But it was his Catholic daughter Mary who was to leave a more lasting impression on this church.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09This is a Marian screen, which was put here in about 1555.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Mary is now Queen. She remembers what happened here.
0:19:13 > 0:19:20- This is where her mother's marriage was annulled and she was declared illegitimate.- So she's upset.- Yes.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22She's going to have her say.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27- How is this her comment?- The symbols are across these pillars.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32- We have the fleur de lis... - That's Catholic.- A Catholic symbol.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37We have the pomegranate, her mother's symbol and, on the end,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40the double-headed eagle was the symbol of the Pope.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44Was it just this small screen or did it go right along?
0:19:44 > 0:19:51- It originally went all the way across the church.- So it was in your face. - It was.- It was a big statement.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55This is all we've got left of it.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04The priory certainly had a turbulent time in the Tudor times.
0:20:04 > 0:20:10- Any other notable moments in history?- We had our problems during the English Civil War.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14It wasn't Catholics and Protestants. It was Roundheads and Cavaliers.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- What was Dunstable? - On the side of the Roundheads.
0:20:18 > 0:20:24Neighbouring Buckinghamshire was for the Cavaliers. One Sunday in 1644,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28a detachment of royal soldiers came with their pistols and stormed it,
0:20:28 > 0:20:34- took pot shots at the rector... - Did he survive?- Yes. And the congregation. Nobody was hurt.
0:20:34 > 0:20:41- That was lucky!- We have the bullet holes. But the first claim to fame of the priory is outside.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43It's of a literary nature.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49- This is about where the cloisters would have been originally.- OK.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54And it was here in the early days of the priory that Geoffrey de Gorham put on a play
0:20:54 > 0:21:02about the martyrdom of St Catherine, the first play in vernacular English that we know of in England.
0:21:02 > 0:21:08- Another first for Dunstable. - Hugh, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- It's well worth a visit, definitely. - Thank you.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17So although the priory no longer exists, this place is home
0:21:17 > 0:21:24not only to a first in English literary history, but also the beginning of the Reformation.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Who would have thought this unassuming church
0:21:28 > 0:21:33would have played such a pivotal role in our past?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Right now it's time to put those valuations to the test.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48So while we make our way over to the auction room, we'll leave you
0:21:48 > 0:21:53with a little reminder, just to jog your memory, of all the items going under the hammer.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Paul is pleased with the valuation Thomas placed
0:21:55 > 0:22:00on his late grandfather's Victorian carriage clock.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01We're looking at £300 to £500.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Really? I'm quite gobsmacked by that.- Really?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Found in her mother's attic,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Valerie doesn't think her silver christening set is worth a fortune.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Any idea of the value?- 100-ish?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Where's my wallet when I need it most?!
0:22:16 > 0:22:19And Di has fond memories of her Beswick child's tea set,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23which was only used on high days and holidays.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Will Charles receive the stamp of approval from the saleroom
0:22:26 > 0:22:30for his gold seal marked "from Queen Victoria"?
0:22:30 > 0:22:32It's melted in my pocket, I think!
0:22:33 > 0:22:36And will the lids prised off Dave's Staffordshire pots
0:22:36 > 0:22:39produce a prize pot of gold in the auction room?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50For today's auction we've travelled to Hertfordshire
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and we're the guests of Tring Market Auctions. On the rostrum
0:22:53 > 0:22:56is old "Flog It!" favourite Stephen Hearn.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06First up is the Victorian carriage clock.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11It belongs to Paul here and we got a value of £300 to £500.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Well, I hope we get that top end that Thomas put on.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Chance would be a fine thing! No...
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Should I say, I'm hoping for that lotto win, then? 300.
0:23:19 > 0:23:25300 would be a really good, really good price. 500 is, it would be doing really, really well.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29And obviously with the money, are you going to buy another clock or...?
0:23:29 > 0:23:34- I'll take the children out, I think. - Take the kids out.- Yeah. About time.- How many have you got?
0:23:34 > 0:23:35- Three.- And what are their names?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Rebecca, Abigail and Joshua.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Lovely names, lovely names.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Let's see what we can do for them. It's going under the hammer now.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48Carriage clock retailed by Benson's and a jolly good example, too.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50A bid at £200.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55£220 I'm bid for that and 50 now.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58At £250, £250 and 80's in.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03£280 it's got to be. £280, £280...
0:24:03 > 0:24:05£300, a bid at £300.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09£320, thank you.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Brilliant. That has gone for £320 so you were both right.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17You both kind of agreed it would get the bottom end, didn't you?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- I think that's about right for it. - You know your stuff.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23He does, he knows his stuff. Want a job?
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Don't tempt me.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Well, I hope the kids enjoy the money.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Thank you. So do I.
0:24:34 > 0:24:40Just about to go under the hammer is a Beswick tea set that belongs to Di. We've got £40-£60 on this.
0:24:40 > 0:24:47- You've had this since you were 4 or 5. That's a long time.- It is. - Why do you want to sell it?
0:24:47 > 0:24:54- You never use it?- No. It's in the loft.- Thomas, will we get that top end?- It's a famous name.
0:24:54 > 0:25:01- It's got great cartoon characters. It should do well.- Fingers crossed. Let's see what the bidders think.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05We've got the 1950s Beswick Disneyland tea set.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07£100? £50? £40.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11- We're in.- £50. £60. 70.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- £80.- There's two or three.- £90.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17£100. 110.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21120. 130.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23140?
0:25:23 > 0:25:27- No?- 130 we're on now.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- 1...- Yes! 140.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32160.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Your bid, sir.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38I'll sell on my left for £160. Yes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:44- Yes! The hammer's gone down. They loved it. £160, Di!- Really good!
0:25:44 > 0:25:49- Was that a "come and buy me"? Or was it the right people?- Yes.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53- You've got to be happy with that. - Ecstatic!- You can treat yourself.
0:25:53 > 0:25:59It's my son's 21st coming up so money will go on that.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Next up, a three-piece christening set belonging to Valerie.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08Been looking forward to this?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- Yes, but I'm nervous. - Is this your first auction?
0:26:10 > 0:26:15- It is.- Really? Have you had a chance to look around and see if you want to buy anything?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- Oh, I don't want to buy anything. - We're only here to sell, aren't we?
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- Oh, yes.- It's the christening set.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- Yes.- Why did you decide to sell this, then?
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Well, we found it in my mother's house after she died...- Yeah.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31- So I'd never, ever seen it before so it had no sentimental value.- No.
0:26:31 > 0:26:37So we just thought on the valuation day we hopefully bring something nice, and it turned out to be OK.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- And Michael spotted this.- He did. - Well, he is our silver expert.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- Swooped in.- You did swoop in. - Like a hawk onto the christening set.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- It's a lovely thing.- It's a good one.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's very unusual to get the mug in with them.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51It's going under the hammer now.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Christening set, always useful to have a set available.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56What about 150 for them? £100.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Bid. £100 I am bid, then. 110 we have.
0:27:00 > 0:27:06120, 130, £140. No?
0:27:06 > 0:27:09150 I've got, 150 now. 160...
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Ah! Good.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13170 I am bid 80, 180.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17180, 190. £190. In the room with 190.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- It's sold.- Yes.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24200 now. 190 then I am selling. £200.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26210 we've got now. At 210.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29220?
0:27:29 > 0:27:30220, madam?
0:27:30 > 0:27:35- No? 210 gets it then. £210.- Yes. 210.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- We'll know next time, won't we? - That's fantastic.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- Oh, great.- 210.- Yeah.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42- Valerie, happy?- Very happy.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45There's commission to pay but what will you spend the money on?
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Well, I'll buy some euros because I'm going on holiday.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Oh, where are you going?- Ibiza. - Oh, lovely.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52- I hope so.- Lovely.- Fingers crossed.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Mind you, it's hot enough in here today isn't it?
0:27:54 > 0:27:59- Yes. Trial run I think.- Good practice for it. Enjoy the holiday.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Thank you.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07Right now it's time to sell those 73 Staffordshire pot lids.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12Was it the right decision to sell them as an entire collection rather than splitting them up?
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Let's find out. We haven't got Dave but we've got Dave's Aunt Marilyn.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- Hello, pleased to meet you. - Hello.- So where's Dave today?
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- He's in Cyprus on holiday. - Oh, is he? Nice place to go.- Lovely.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Be hot out there right now. - I should think so.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29So, being his aunt, have you seen this collection grow?
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Um, I've seen some of it but not all of it.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33No? Doesn't fascinate you?
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- No, not at all. - Not really. Not in the least!
0:28:36 > 0:28:40- No.- It's a great collection.- It is. I went and had a look at it now.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Lot of money too. £2,000 to £4,000 we've got on this, Thomas.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Had a chat with the auctioneer - Marilyn doesn't know this -
0:28:46 > 0:28:51he was a bit disappointed that he couldn't separate them because there's such a lot there...
0:28:51 > 0:28:55- Yes.- And as Thomas knows, there's some good ones and some poorer ones.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58He wanted to separate them to let the collectors have a fair share
0:28:58 > 0:29:01of the fight but unfortunately Dave said no, they have to go in one lot.
0:29:01 > 0:29:07Yes, that's kind of disappointing because if they were separated, you would get that money, if not more.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10We need £2,000 and that's the fixed reserve as well.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Here we go. Good luck, both of you.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Now we have the collection of pot lids
0:29:14 > 0:29:17and no doubt you have all done your calculations.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20500 I am bid for them then, at 550 I am bid. At 600.
0:29:20 > 0:29:26At 600 I'm bid, £600, 650 I'm bid for them. 700 I am bid...
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- She's keen over there. - 800 I'm bid, and 50.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Are you going to be 900? 900 we're bid, at 950.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39It's got to be 1,000, 1,000 bid. 1,000 I am bid for them then, £1,000.
0:29:39 > 0:29:451,050, 1,150. And £1,200 then. No? At £1,200...
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- No they're not going to sell. - At 1200 pound all finished.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- Not selling.- No they're not selling. - They're going too slow, aren't they?
0:29:51 > 0:29:52At £1,200.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57- I'm sorry, not sold.- Oh, well.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- You've got to wrap them up.- I know.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01- At least it's not a grand piano is it?- No you're right there.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Wrap them and put them on edge, that way they'll travel easier. - OK, thank you.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09I guess get on the phone to Dave and say, look it's been disappointing..
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- Have a great holiday.- ..but have a great holiday, yeah, exactly. Yeah.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- OK.- Yes. Thank you very much.
0:30:16 > 0:30:17- Thank you, Marilyn.- Thank you.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Although Dave wanted to keep the pot-lid collection complete,
0:30:20 > 0:30:25in pure market terms I am sure he would have been better taking the auctioneer's advice.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30Hopefully we can do better with our next item.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Right let's see if this next lot gets the seal of approval, if you know what I mean.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39It's the Queen Victoria seal belonging to Charles with a value of £400 to £600.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- Who have you brought along? - My wife, Patricia.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Hi, hello. Can I call you Patricia or is it Pat?
0:30:43 > 0:30:45- It's Pat.- Pat. Oh, is it?
0:30:45 > 0:30:47- What do you think of the seal? - I love it.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- You love it. - And I've had it 25 years.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Oh, it's yours, is it?- Yes.- Ah.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57- Charles bought it for me. - Since the valuation day, you've put the reserve up, haven't you?
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- Yes.- You've had a chat to the auctioneer. Did you know that, Michael?- No.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- It's not four to six any more, it now starts at six.- Crikey.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06That's put a bit of pressure on.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09It really has got to make an impression in the saleroom today!
0:31:09 > 0:31:10- Oh, dear!- Oh, I like that line!
0:31:10 > 0:31:12I didn't think of that one!
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Oh, you have to be quick on your feet!
0:31:14 > 0:31:19It might get there, it's just that we haven't got the back-story for the Queen Victoria inscription.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- With that, we're £2,000 to £3,000.- Yes.
0:31:21 > 0:31:26So it's going to struggle and I don't know... I don't know if you'll get it clear but I hope...
0:31:26 > 0:31:30We're going to find out. Why did you want to sell it again, Patricia?
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Our dog was sick for many years and we couldn't go on holiday abroad
0:31:33 > 0:31:36and she died last year, so I'm taking him on holiday.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38OK, the money's going towards a holiday.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- Yes.- Well, good luck, this is it.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45And it's got the inscription on there, "from Queen Victoria".
0:31:45 > 0:31:47What a lovely item this one is. There you are.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50What about £600 for it or 500 or 400?
0:31:50 > 0:31:56400 bid for it now, £400, at 400 bid, I am bid 420, I am bid 50 now, sir.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59500 he says, 520 I am bid, and 50, sir.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04- Oh, it's close.- 520 and 50 is it?
0:32:04 > 0:32:06550, yes? 550 bid.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Come on, yes. Come on Steven, work it.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12At 550. You won't see another one. 600, I've got it now.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14He's got a bid over there.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Yes, he's sold it.- At 600 bid, at £600 I'm bid. And 20 to you, sir.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21600's on my left then, if there's no further bid, I'm selling.
0:32:21 > 0:32:28You want it now? 620. I'm selling on my right then at £620, then.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Yes, it's gone very quickly there.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- Patricia, £620.- Delighted.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I've just got to say, it's all down to Michael here.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- Well, and Charles. And Charles.- Put a bit of extra pressure on you there.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42I was sweating at 550 I can tell you.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- So was I.- There was a long pause between 550 and 6.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48But it was 4 to 6 and we got the top end and that's what counts.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- Perfect, yeah.- Thank you, Michael. - Enjoy the holiday.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- We certainly will, thank you. - Thank you.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00Later on we will be back at the zoo and there's a four legged theme running inside AND out.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03This is the Rolls Royce of rocking-horse makers.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12RAF Halton is one of the larger air force stations in the United Kingdom and it's considered
0:33:12 > 0:33:17to be the gateway to an exciting and challenging career in the Royal Air Force.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21This place has a great reputation as a training centre for excellence.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23You can see why, can't you?
0:33:23 > 0:33:26By the right!
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Quick march!
0:33:29 > 0:33:32While it has never been a pilot-training centre,
0:33:32 > 0:33:37Halton in Buckinghamshire has been the location for RAF support services
0:33:37 > 0:33:39like catering and dentistry.
0:33:41 > 0:33:47In 1919 Lord Trenchard established a number one school of technical training here.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50For over 70 years the skills of air mechanics were taught
0:33:50 > 0:33:55to over 40,000 apprentices before the school moved elsewhere in the 1990s.
0:34:00 > 0:34:06Today RAF Halton is the first port of call for all new airmen and airwomen.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Recruits do all their nine-week basic training here
0:34:09 > 0:34:14before moving on to specialise in the many divisions of the air force.
0:34:17 > 0:34:23To tell me more, I've come to meet Squadron Leader Colin Baker.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Colin, tell me a bit more about RAF Halton.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30RAF Halton is a nontechnical training base and here we probably get something like 21,000 students
0:34:30 > 0:34:33a year on a variety of courses such as catering,
0:34:33 > 0:34:39health and safety, recruit training, of course, professional training and management training.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42So there is a lot that goes on here that people don't realise about.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Gosh, that is, isn't it? You cover all sorts of careers here. - Yes, very much so.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50If I went on this nine-week course what would you put me through?
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Well, what is very important, we're very much a mobile air force nowadays
0:34:54 > 0:35:00so we go out on operations quite a lot and we've got to start that training somewhere so what
0:35:00 > 0:35:05we do is we teach them how to look after a weapon, how to look after their colleagues if they got injured,
0:35:05 > 0:35:10- and other things such as team work, communication skills.- Bonding.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Yeah, very much bonding.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15And I think if you talk to a lot of these youngsters and say to them,
0:35:15 > 0:35:20"Do you think you've changed?" they'd go, "Yes, I'm more confident, I'm working as a team player..."
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- Yes.- You know. "..And I haven't touched my Playstation for weeks."
0:35:23 > 0:35:26You're developing their character. They're doing drill at the moment.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31I mean, this goes back centuries, doesn't it, in terms of military discipline?
0:35:31 > 0:35:38They do. Drilling in effect is a way of bringing people together to actually act and work together.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Drill looks absolutely rubbish if people have got tick-tock arms,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45if they're not in sequence, and as you can hear behind me here...
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- Oh, yes, that's incredible. The unison there, they're so perfectly in time.- It is.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53And as you can probably hear now they're calling the times in so they all get it all together.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58- On the day they won't be doing this. - Yes.- So it will be much, much more professional.
0:35:59 > 0:36:05For over 90 years the RAF has played a major part in protecting our country.
0:36:05 > 0:36:11In fact their efforts against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain prompted Winston Churchill
0:36:11 > 0:36:19to famously say, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
0:36:19 > 0:36:23And included amongst those were the support staff that made it all possible.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Whilst the camp at Halton doesn't train pilots as such,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37there is a grass airfield which is used for light aircraft.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42As part of the basic nine-week training period, all new recruits
0:36:42 > 0:36:46are given a taste of flying in a microlight.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I managed to avoid basic instruction on the drill parade earlier
0:36:49 > 0:36:54but I haven't been able to duck out of this one, and quite frankly I wouldn't want to.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58A trip up in a state-of-the-art microlight aircraft. And I'm ready for this.
0:36:58 > 0:37:04I'm in safe hands, I'm with Flight Lieutenant Keith Watson and he's going to look after me.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- Are we ready?- Let's go. - Let's take her up.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21- Look at that.- Incredible speed! What lift just then!
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Flaps up.
0:37:31 > 0:37:38- This is so incredible. - So, what happens with the trainees is each trainee, up to 1,200 a year,
0:37:38 > 0:37:42gets to experience this for half an hour and that includes hands-on
0:37:42 > 0:37:45so they can get experience how it feels to move the aeroplane
0:37:45 > 0:37:48and essentially get to feel what it's like to fly.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50- Yeah.- And that kind of adventurous training as well.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54And that's just amazing to experience this at such a young age.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59That's a stunning view.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- With me?- Whey!
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Wow. Oh, dear!
0:38:15 > 0:38:18We're coming in for landing.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Oh, Keith, that was perfect, absolutely perfect.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Well, it wasn't THAT good!
0:38:29 > 0:38:31You didn't feel the wheels touch the grass.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34I was expecting a lot of bouncing.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36You're making me blush!
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Woah! That was incredible, just amazing!
0:38:44 > 0:38:49It's wonderful to see these professional guys at work, and the training here is second to none.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52I believe we've got the best air force in the world.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57And RAF Halton has had a motto since it was first formed, "Teach, learn and apply," and I tell you what,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01that's as appropriate today as it was back in the early 20th century.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06And thank you so much, Keith, best day of my life. It was brilliant!
0:39:11 > 0:39:18Back at Whipsnade Zoo we're hunting for more valuations and Thomas has pounced on a rather nice painting.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20So Carole, you've brought along a picture today.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22It's been hanging in the house?
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Yes. Behind the door.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- Is it something that is a family favourite?- I quite like it.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29My husband's not really that keen.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31He prefers watercolours.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36OK well this is definitely not a watercolour, this is an oil on panel or board.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- Yeah.- How did you come by it? - My father-in-law collected antiques.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44So, by looking at this, he certainly did, you know, have an eye to it as well.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49It does have a little bit of crazing, but let's talk about the artist and what it is.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Pictures are helpfully signed and there's JP there.- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57And this man was called John Thomas Peel and he was a Victorian British
0:39:57 > 0:40:03artist and this is a typical genre scene, what we call genre of life.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06There's a man, a gentleman here playing his tin whistle.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Maybe he plays in pubs and he's in between pubs
0:40:09 > 0:40:13and he's just practising before he goes into his next pub,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- and his hat's off or whatever, I don't know.- Yeah.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20But it's got that lovely sort of look to it
0:40:20 > 0:40:24and, you know, the light on his face and the hands,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27it's a dark night and the street light's just got him
0:40:27 > 0:40:29and Peel has captured this image.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33But let's have a look at the reverse of it, and there we can see,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37if we turn it round, it's quite a nice panel, isn't it?
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- Yeah.- Good panel and it's got some stretchers across here.- Some dust.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44Some dust, yeah, a bit of dust, but that all adds value.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48But here, this is quite fun. I don't know...
0:40:48 > 0:40:53"A study from life, a man who has seen better days.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57"Painted by JT Peel, May 1866."
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Yeah.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Now, why do you want to sell it?
0:41:01 > 0:41:07- It doesn't really go with what we've got in the house I'm afraid.- Really?
0:41:07 > 0:41:08And what do you think it's worth?
0:41:08 > 0:41:14Well, I think, because I like it, I think about £300, I would pay for it.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18- You'd pay 300?- Yes, cos I like it, but as I say it's...- OK.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22Well, I think you're a little bit low.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25I would like to put this in at auction at £800 to £1,200.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27800 to 1,200 !
0:41:27 > 0:41:32- Yes!- Do you like that?- Very much. Yes. Would you like to do that?
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Absolutely. Yes.- I think you better have a reserve on it.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Yes.- Sort of 700.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39It's a good-looking picture.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41I like it even more now!
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Dave, thank you for bringing these...
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- You're welcome.- ..wonderful plaques.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- Did you bring the Brasso and the rag as well?- Yes,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59- been rubbed to death, I'm afraid. - Where do they originally come from?
0:41:59 > 0:42:02These came from my aunt who left them.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06She was lady-in-waiting and when she left they were given to her as a present.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08What a marvellous present.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- And she's passed them on to you. - She did, yes.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13So why now have you decided to part with them?
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Well, cos they're not on display so somebody else might enjoy them.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21- Get them framed or set into something.- A horsey person would probably enjoy them more than me.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25A horsey person would love them. How long have you had them?
0:42:25 > 0:42:27About, about 30 years.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Looking at them, you might think it's a couple of brass plaques...
0:42:31 > 0:42:32I did, yes.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Or even copper in a certain light,
0:42:35 > 0:42:40but they are supposed to be a deep rich nut brown.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42- Oh, right. - Because they're both bronze.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46And thankfully we've got a signature, which makes life tremendously easy
0:42:46 > 0:42:49- when you're doing bronzes, of Georges Gardet.- Right.
0:42:49 > 0:42:54And he was working in France and he was one of the animalia school.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59- Right.- And it's a French school and basically they cast figural bronzes
0:42:59 > 0:43:02of animals in a naturalistic setting.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04They are very finely done.
0:43:04 > 0:43:11I imagine that they were produced anywhere from about 1860 up to 1890
0:43:11 > 0:43:16and the sad thing is that every time they were polished,
0:43:16 > 0:43:20- it's like rubbing away... - Pound notes.- Pound notes.- Right!
0:43:20 > 0:43:23It really is because it doesn't just rub the surface off,
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- it starts to wear away at the detail.- Right.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29So any idea what they're worth?
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Not really, no.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35I mean certainly these in their polished state, I think we should
0:43:35 > 0:43:39- pitch them at £100 to £200. - Well, that's fine.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42- Give it a broad sweep.- That's fine.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45And if we set the reserve slightly under that, at 80,
0:43:45 > 0:43:47- to give the auctioneer a little bit of discretion.- Yes.
0:43:47 > 0:43:52- Then hopefully there'll be a couple of horse lovers at the auction... - That would be lovely, yes.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55..who'll get carried away with them and not polish them any more!
0:43:55 > 0:43:58I won't touch them! Well, they'll be gone, hopefully.
0:43:58 > 0:44:02- If you're happy, we'll pop them into the sale.- Lovely, thanks.- Marvellous.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05- Thank you for bringing them along. - That's lovely. Thanks.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12I've just been told there's something I need to see outside.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Gosh, and they were right as well.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17Look at this, a rocking horse!
0:44:17 > 0:44:19- Hello. What's your name? - Jonathan Dick.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Jonathan, thank you so much for coming here today.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25Well, I thought this was an unusual thing to bring
0:44:25 > 0:44:27but it's so beautiful, I thought you might be interested.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30I'm so pleased you left it on the trailer, it just looks great.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33I bet everybody when you were driving here was...
0:44:33 > 0:44:35- Tooting!- "Ooh, look at that!"
0:44:35 > 0:44:37I was getting worried in case I caused an accident!
0:44:37 > 0:44:39Well, stop the traffic.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41It's magnificent.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44Tell me a bit about its history, has this been in the family long?
0:44:44 > 0:44:49Yeah, I've had it 45 years and I bought it because we show horses
0:44:49 > 0:44:54and carriages, and I was told about some carriages in a barn,
0:44:54 > 0:44:57and I went down there to buy the carriages.
0:44:57 > 0:45:02I pulled one of the carriages out and the horse was underneath one.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05- Hey presto! - Just lying there on its side.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09I said, "I've got two children and they are going to love this."
0:45:09 > 0:45:12- And they have used it? - Well, I've got pictures.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16They've rode it and loved it. But I had the old boy from Sotheby's
0:45:16 > 0:45:19that told me what type it was, a hunter.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23It is a hunter. The ears are pricked forward, the nostrils are flared.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27But I like the way the head is kinking to one side, not full on.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31That's it. And I didn't know there were so many different types
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- of rocking horses. - Oh, yes. This is lovely
0:45:34 > 0:45:36because it's the traditional height,
0:45:36 > 0:45:40this is circa 1860 to 1880, in original condition.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43- Yes.- I'm so pleased you haven't fiddled with this
0:45:43 > 0:45:45or touched it or repainted it.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47- No.- And it's on sleigh bow rockers.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51- Yes.- That's what the collectors and dealers are looking for.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54- Yes.- This is a rocking horse for the purist. And it's 50 inches high,
0:45:54 > 0:45:56it's a standard configuration.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01Um, obviously it's had some wear and tear but, for its age,
0:46:01 > 0:46:05the condition is fantastic because it's completely original,
0:46:05 > 0:46:08you've not repainted this or restored it.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12And that's what I'm looking for and there it is, "FH Ayres".
0:46:12 > 0:46:16Now, that stamp mark underneath gives us the maker's name.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18- This is the Rolls Royce...- Is it?
0:46:18 > 0:46:21..of rocking-horse makers. You can't beat Ayres.
0:46:21 > 0:46:26The American market will go potty for this if we can get this on the internet.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30I've sold these ten years ago for £2,000.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33- It's got its original glass eyes. - They're beautiful, aren't they?
0:46:33 > 0:46:36Oh, I don't know what to say! It's one of the nicest ones
0:46:36 > 0:46:41- I've seen and I'd like to put this into auction with a value of £2,000 to £3,000.- Thank you.
0:46:41 > 0:46:46- I know it's looking tatty, but I wouldn't be surprised if we got that top end.- Oh, good.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49- A fixed reserve at £2,000...- Yes.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53Which means it's not going to sell for anything under that, OK?
0:46:53 > 0:46:55But you're not going to have to worry about that.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58- I can see this doing 2,600 or 2,700.- Marvellous. - It's going to gallop away.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01- And I look forward to seeing you in the auction room.- Pleasure.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17You've brought along a Flog It favourite. A bit of Moorcroft.
0:47:17 > 0:47:25But Moorcroft with a slight twist. It's MacIntyre Moorcroft, which is the very early Moorcroft.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28How did you come to have it?
0:47:28 > 0:47:33It was acquired from my wife through her father passing away.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37- So it's an inheritance. - You thought it was 1950s?- Yes.
0:47:37 > 0:47:44- It's actually earlier than that. 1913.- Right.- This factory was taken over, the MacIntyre factory,
0:47:44 > 0:47:50by the Moorcroft family in 1913, when it became MacIntyre Moorcroft.
0:47:50 > 0:47:56- It's a gorgeous pattern, isn't it? - Yes.- Do you know what it is? - I believe it's a cornflower.
0:47:56 > 0:48:01- Absolutely.- Revived cornflower, because it's green, not blue.
0:48:01 > 0:48:05From the point of view of being green, it works very well.
0:48:05 > 0:48:11- It stands out.- It does. These reds, the very dark mauve on the cornflowers themselves.
0:48:11 > 0:48:17And this wonderful Art Nouveau frame. You can see the way the tube lining has been done.
0:48:17 > 0:48:22It's very fine, isn't it? What's quite unusual is the stand.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26We can see the marks on the stand. MacIntyre Moorcroft.
0:48:26 > 0:48:31It's just signed MacIntyre and Co, but the actual teapot itself
0:48:31 > 0:48:35has got the Moorcroft signature, which obviously adds value.
0:48:35 > 0:48:40The one problem is this crack here. Have you been doing some research into value?
0:48:40 > 0:48:43I had a look at the values.
0:48:43 > 0:48:48- Approximately £600-£800? - You're quite right. £600-£800 is very sensible.
0:48:48 > 0:48:53We'll fix a reserve at £600 and, yes, it could do better.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57But let's be conservative and look forward to a result.
0:48:57 > 0:49:02- If it were completely perfect we'd think of a different figure.- Yes.
0:49:07 > 0:49:08This is where it gets exciting.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12We're moving over to the auction room and taking all our items with us.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17And just to jog your memory, here's a recap of all the items that are going under the hammer.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21It doesn't suit her home but Carole is pleasantly surprised
0:49:21 > 0:49:25at the valuation of her Victorian painting.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28I would like to put this in at auction at £800 to £1,200.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31£800 to £1,200! Yes!
0:49:31 > 0:49:35Acquired from his aunt, let's hope Dave can clean up
0:49:35 > 0:49:37with his cleaned-up brass plaques.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39Every time they were polished,
0:49:39 > 0:49:44it's like rubbing away pound notes, it really is.
0:49:44 > 0:49:50And Mike's early Moorcroft MacIntyre teapot and stand was a real find and should attract collectors.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54And I just hope the damage to the lid doesn't put the bidders off.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57Finally, this rocking horse was found in a barn.
0:49:57 > 0:50:02Jonathan knows I'm backing it to win but will it rock the sale room?
0:50:07 > 0:50:12So, first up, how will Carole's painting get on under the hammer?
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Carole, this is real quality.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18I think Victorian art is undervalued right now.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21We've got £800 to £1,200 on this put on by our expert Thomas.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23- Yes.- It's got to sell, doesn't it?
0:50:23 > 0:50:25It's delightful, it's so delightful.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28- Why are you selling this? - My husband doesn't really like it.
0:50:28 > 0:50:34- Do you like it?- I quite like it, yes.- Have you been bullied into this?- Sort of, yeah.- Sort of.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37Well, hopefully it'll get a little more than the top end.
0:50:37 > 0:50:38Fingers crossed.
0:50:38 > 0:50:43We need a good day and we need a room full of art lovers because it's going under the hammer right now.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46"A man who has seen better days." A good artist, though.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Is there £1,000 out there somewhere for it?
0:50:49 > 0:50:52500 for it? 400? £400. £400.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54Tumbleweed.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57It really is not enough money for this artist. £400.
0:50:57 > 0:51:02- At £450, £500, 550... - Come on, Steven, work it!
0:51:02 > 0:51:06There ought to be a one in front of this, you know. 700 bid for it?
0:51:08 > 0:51:11650 on the left. 680, sir?
0:51:11 > 0:51:13680, sir? 680?
0:51:13 > 0:51:15650? No?
0:51:15 > 0:51:17650, there you go.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19You see, if you try hard enough...
0:51:19 > 0:51:21- At £650.- I don't believe it!
0:51:21 > 0:51:24At 650.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28- Yes, we've got a bidder. Well, done. - I wondered where you'd gone!
0:51:28 > 0:51:30At £700, then.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32Fresh legs in the room. Fresh legs.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35Another peep. No?
0:51:35 > 0:51:38At 750 then, at 750, I'm going to sell it, then...
0:51:38 > 0:51:39He's selling at 750.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41At £750.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44- Yes. We sold it at £750.- Lovely. - They got it at a good price.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48They got it at a good price but it's the subject matter, that's what...
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- Yes.- It was the old dude with his tin whistle.- Absolutely.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54If it was a pretty young girl with a flute,
0:51:54 > 0:51:56you know, zeroes on the end! But no.
0:51:56 > 0:52:02- But it was quality.- Beautiful. - Quite happy with that.- You've got to be happy with that.- Oh, yes.- Yeah.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05There is commission to pay but what will you put that money towards?
0:52:05 > 0:52:08I've got some friends here and it looks like I shall be buying...
0:52:08 > 0:52:13- Lunch.- ..the evening meal.- Oh, the evening meal?- Yes. Fish and chips!
0:52:18 > 0:52:20Right, now, something for all you horse lovers.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23We've got two bronze plaques with a value of £100 to £200.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27It sounds like a real bargain and they belong to Dave. Hi, hello..
0:52:27 > 0:52:29- Who have you brought along with you? - Gwyneth, my partner.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31Hello, Gwyneth, lovely to see you.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Do you agree with him selling these? Because I think they're gorgeous.
0:52:34 > 0:52:39Well, they are gorgeous but things have changed these days and we're going for the minimalist look.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43- You don't like the brass, you don't like the shiny.- Cleaning.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Well, at £80 reserve I think we've sold them, don't you?
0:52:45 > 0:52:47- Absolutely. - They're going to gallop off.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50Right now they're under starters orders. This is it.
0:52:50 > 0:52:54There it is, horse scenes in the paddocks. There we go.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57They're rather nice. I think we ought to get to £100 without trying.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01£50? Thank you, yes. 60 I have now, do I? 70.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03£80, madam? Yes. 90.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05On the reserve.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09At £90, and 100 for you. £100 bid. 100 I am bid.
0:53:09 > 0:53:15Are you going to be 10, sir? 110. At £120, and 30, £130.
0:53:15 > 0:53:20- Come on.- £140 now, 140 bid. At 140, I am bid for those.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24And 50, is it? 150 we've got now.
0:53:24 > 0:53:26- This is more like it. - And 60? No? At 150, then.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30I sell them for £150, then.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Yes, the hammer's gone down. £150. The bidders were in fine fettle.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35- Thank you.- Happy?- Thank you, yes.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- No more polishing. - No more polishing.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41What are you going to do with £150? There is commission to pay, though.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44Yes. Put it towards a holiday.
0:53:44 > 0:53:46Yes, and don't buy any more polish!
0:53:55 > 0:54:01Now going under the hammer is a wonderful piece of quality. It's Moorcroft, a great name.
0:54:01 > 0:54:07A tea pot on a stand. An early one that belongs to Mike, but for how much longer?
0:54:07 > 0:54:12At the valuation day, Thomas gave you a valuation of £600-£800.
0:54:12 > 0:54:18- Now I know Mike's had a rethink. - Yeah.- He wasn't happy with the reserve at 600.
0:54:18 > 0:54:25- He's now upped it to £800. So that's our starting price now. - It's his. He can do what he wants.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28I had a chat to the auctioneer.
0:54:28 > 0:54:33He was umming and ahhing, "Oh, it might put a few off. There's damage to the lid."
0:54:33 > 0:54:38But we all know on a good day it is worth that £800,
0:54:38 > 0:54:43- even with the cracked lid. - You are right to protect it. It's attractive.
0:54:43 > 0:54:49- You don't want to give it away! - It's been in the family a long time. - Yes, it was my wife's mother's.
0:54:49 > 0:54:54- She bought it originally when it first came out.- This is it.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57MacIntyre Moorcroft teapot and stand.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00What about 500 for it? At £500.
0:55:00 > 0:55:05- Yes, I thank you. 500 is bid. - We're in.- For £500.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09£520 now for it. For £520.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12550 bid. 580.
0:55:12 > 0:55:17£600. £620. Important piece, you know.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21- Some serious collectors here. - I hope so.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23£700. And 20 now.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26£720 I'm bid. £750.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28£780.
0:55:28 > 0:55:32- £800. £820. - Phone's come in now.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35850, is it? £820.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37£850. £880.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41- 900, is it?- This is good.
0:55:41 > 0:55:43£900. 920.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46- 950?- Yes, I'm sure. 950.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50At 950 on my right. 950.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53950, I'm selling. Away from the room.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57It's going to be sold for £950, then. Thank you.
0:55:57 > 0:56:02Yes! 950. Well done, Mike. Well done, Thomas.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04That was good. Very good.
0:56:04 > 0:56:09- It was a lovely thing. Nice pattern, great colours.- Very rare.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11Yeah, very rare. I'm pleased for you.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17Earlier on in the show I said it was going to rock your afternoon.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19It's just about to start. I've been joined by Jonathan
0:56:19 > 0:56:23and you've probably guessed by now - yes, we're selling the rocking horse.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27Great to see you again. This is causing a stir in the sale room.
0:56:27 > 0:56:31Well, I've had it a long time, you know 50, 60 years,
0:56:31 > 0:56:35and I love the old thing but, ah, I think it's in good hands with you.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38It is in good hands. It's been fed and watered!
0:56:40 > 0:56:42- This is it.- Right.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45One of the foremost makers, Frederick Ayres.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49Shall we start at £1,000 or £1,500? £1,000 I am bid, then.
0:56:49 > 0:56:541,100 we are bid now. 1,200 is bid. 1,300 I am bid, at 1,400 is bid.
0:56:54 > 0:57:00At 1,500, 1,600, 1,700 we are bid now.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04At 1,700, 1,800. 1,900 is bid, 2,000 I am bid now.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06At 2,000, 2,000...
0:57:06 > 0:57:08Let's see if we can get the top end.
0:57:08 > 0:57:12..At 2,100, it's in the room, at 2,200,
0:57:12 > 0:57:172,300, at 2,400, now at 2,400, we're not in the home straight yet.
0:57:17 > 0:57:202,500, 2,500.
0:57:20 > 0:57:222,600, I am bid.
0:57:22 > 0:57:242,700 now. 2,700 bid.
0:57:24 > 0:57:282,800, 2,800, 2,900 now.
0:57:28 > 0:57:33- At 2,900 I am bid, at 2,900, at 3,000 bid...- Yes!- Get in there!
0:57:33 > 0:57:36- We're just into the home straight, I think.- It is.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40- 3,000, 3,100...- The auctioneer's got the bit in his mouth now.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43At 3,100, 3,200 I am bid.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46One last push. 3,300.
0:57:46 > 0:57:503,400, is it? At £3,300, then. 3,400 now?
0:57:50 > 0:57:53I am selling on my left, then, at £3,300.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57Love it, love it, love it, yes!
0:57:57 > 0:57:58£3,300.
0:57:58 > 0:58:02- Thank goodness you brought that to Whipsnade Zoo, Jonathan.- Yes.
0:58:02 > 0:58:05Oh, it's been a real pleasure selling that, honestly.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08Well, how do you feel?
0:58:08 > 0:58:09I'm thrilled because my wife
0:58:09 > 0:58:12will be delighted, because all I hope it gets a good home.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15It's going to. It's going to go to a good home.
0:58:15 > 0:58:21If they're prepared to spend that much money on that rocking horse, that's going to a good home.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23- I hope you've enjoyed yourself. - A pleasure.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26I've enjoyed selling that and I hope you've enjoyed watching the show.
0:58:26 > 0:58:29Sadly, we've run out of time from Tring, but until next time,
0:58:29 > 0:58:33take care, and there's going to be plenty more surprises to come.
0:58:50 > 0:58:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd