0:00:02 > 0:00:04I love animals and today I couldn't be happier.
0:00:04 > 0:00:08I'm in one of Europe's largest wildlife conservation parks.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Welcome to Flog It! from Whipsnade Zoo
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Coming over. Oh, good catch.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Situated just outside Dunstable in Bedfordshire
0:00:37 > 0:00:42this 78-year-old zoo attracts around half a million visitors each year
0:00:42 > 0:00:47and it's run by the Zoological Society of London with military precision.
0:00:49 > 0:00:55And talking of the military, later on in the show I'll be taking a look at Halton House officers' mess,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58first built by Alfred de Rothschild as a country residence.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02But it's been home to the Royal Air Force since 1919.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06What a fabulous crowd we've got here today.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09The sun is shining, everybody is in a fantastic mood
0:01:09 > 0:01:12and boasting their animal magnetism today
0:01:12 > 0:01:16are our two experts, Michael Baggott and Thomas Plant here,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19already working the queue looking at every single item
0:01:19 > 0:01:23and the lucky owners will be whisked off to auction later on in the show.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Well, it's now 9:30. I think it's time to get the gates open.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Do you want to hear the roar of the crowd? Everyone ready to go in?
0:01:29 > 0:01:30CROWD: Yes!
0:01:33 > 0:01:38Well, the clock's ticking, so as the crowds rush in to the Discovery Centre here at Whipsnade
0:01:38 > 0:01:42it looks like Michael has uncovered a little gem.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Sam, there are some things we usually expect to see on Flog It!
0:01:47 > 0:01:50like the odd bit of Carlton Ware or Clarice Cliff,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54but I was completely unprepared for this magnificent clock,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58which I've got to be very careful of because it is incredibly fragile,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02this carved wooden frame, so we've laid it down on the table.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Can you tell me, where did it come from?
0:02:05 > 0:02:10Well, I work for a local hospice, the Hospice of St Francis,
0:02:10 > 0:02:15and this was donated by the wife of one of our patients
0:02:15 > 0:02:19who sadly passed away a few years ago to try to raise funds for the hospice.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24Well, what a magnificent donation and it's a cartel clock,
0:02:24 > 0:02:30which simply means it is meant to go up against the wall.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36We've got a signature here of Jacob Koch of Stockholm
0:02:36 > 0:02:40and he was quite a famous Swedish clockmaker
0:02:40 > 0:02:44and it's not work that you see very much over here.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50These pieces tend to stay and be sold in Sweden and Scandinavia.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52He was born in the 1730s,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56but was working from 1762 right up to 1803,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58two years before he died
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and he was of such high quality
0:03:01 > 0:03:06that he actually produced items for King Gustav III of Sweden.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11Really the mechanism is a fairly standard 18th century mechanism.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16The worth with all of these things is in the carved gilt wood surround.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19The style of this is very much early neo-classical
0:03:19 > 0:03:26so I think in terms of date it is 1765 up to about 1780,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29so the early part of his career.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- There have been a few breaks.- Yeah.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Leaves have gone and sadly, of course, as these always were,
0:03:36 > 0:03:41it's been re-gilded and not tremendously sympathetically.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45It's a little bit garish and it's been a little bit retouched here.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48So it's a question now of value.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Have you had any idea or been suggested a figure?
0:03:52 > 0:03:57Not really. You know it struck us as being something...
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- Something special.- Something special. - It's a big clock, isn't it?
0:04:01 > 0:04:03But no we, we...
0:04:03 > 0:04:05I think certainly
0:04:05 > 0:04:10£1,500 to £2,500 is a fair estimate.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15And I think if we set the reserve with a little bit of discretion,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17say at £1,400 fixed.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I think that gives the auctioneer some room for manoeuvre.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Well, let's hope it chimes to perfection at the sale.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Thank you so much for bringing it in. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33So, Tony,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- you've come along with a collection of postcards.- Absolutely.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38So who do they belong to?
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- Originally they belonged to one of my great uncles.- Yeah?
0:04:42 > 0:04:46He sent them to his family when he was travelling while he was in the army mostly.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48He was the chap there with the...
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- The one with the fag.- Cigarette hanging out of his mouth, yes.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- So there he is and he was a sergeant there.- Yeah.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- So what rank did he get to, do you know?- I don't know, to be honest.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03Well, obviously he travelled around the world with the British army to the empire and beyond
0:05:03 > 0:05:08visiting different places, and I found this card here and it's sort of a boys' band
0:05:08 > 0:05:12and there's a naughty boy up there in the window
0:05:12 > 0:05:17and actually this is quite good because we've got a date there, we've got ten, that must be for 1910.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23It's interesting, all those boys there, it's 1910,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25some of them have either got toy rifles
0:05:25 > 0:05:27or they're sitting there with real rifles.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31But 1910 and four years later some of those boys would be sent to the front.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- Absolutely.- So, you know, it's quite sobering in that way.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39You've got sort of... There are some First World War cards here as well
0:05:39 > 0:05:42and sweetheart cards and the like.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44There's lots to go through...
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- Yes.- But I love postcards, I love the social history about them, I love why they were sent.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Obviously it's very personal to you.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54What's the idea of selling it?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Well, my sons have no interest in the cards,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59they've been passed down to me from my father
0:05:59 > 0:06:04and I'd rather someone else had them to appreciate the cards
0:06:04 > 0:06:06rather than see them go to waste.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09And they do command a price certainly.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I mean we're not talking megabucks a card.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14You know, some cards are worth £1, some are worth only 50 pence,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18but some are worth £10 and some worth more than that.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22In a general rule of thumb, you need to sort of keep the figures low
0:06:22 > 0:06:25for collectors then to be interested in buying it.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27If I put an estimate of £40 to £60 on it,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- I would imagine it to go a lot better than that.- Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34But I believe a fixed reserve of 40 would be the best way forward.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- OK, that's fine.- Look forward to seeing you.- OK. Thank you.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Derek, I'm a big Beatles fan and Rolling Stones.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50You're either one or the other, but I was both.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Could never make my mind up,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- but John Lennon has got to be one of my all-time heroes.- Yeah.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58How did you come by this little book?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00It was left to me
0:07:00 > 0:07:01by my grandmother who passed away
0:07:01 > 0:07:03when I was in my early teens,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06it was left to me and I've had it ever since.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- How did your grandmother get hold of it?- She worked at Jonathan Cape, the publishers.- OK.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- That's where she met him and got his autograph.- I don't doubt the signature at all.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16It's so hard...
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- Yes.- ..because there are so many fakes, to tell whether or not it's genuine.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I've seen enough in my time to go, "I'm pretty sure,"
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- but obviously the auctioneer will want to do a little more research. - Obviously, yeah.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31It's the first publication so...
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Yeah.- That's going to carry a little bit of weight to the value as well. - Oh, good.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39But it is quite interesting to read it isn't it?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- Yes.- It's almost madness in a way. It's goobledegook.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Well, it is. It's hard to make sense of.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- And he drew all the illustrations as well.- Yeah.- The wrestling dog, look at this.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Incredible.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55And all credit to you because at the age of 13
0:07:55 > 0:07:57I would have got my felt-tip pen out.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- I'm not joking, I would have coloured them all in.- Yeah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- Very neatly, mind you.- Yeah, well...
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- And accurately.- Of course.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07But I would have devalued this.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11With the signature, though, that's what made me sort of a bit more keen to look after it.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Yes, exactly. Yeah.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Any idea of the value?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Have you done any research?
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Slightly.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Around the £1,000 mark.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26It depends as well if he's signed to somebody...
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Exactly.- That can devalue the signature.- That devalues them.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33Because it's not personalised, it's worth a little bit more money.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- Right.- Also, funnily enough, signatures in pencil last longer.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- Oh, do they?- Because pencil lead won't fade so much, whereas the ink will gradually fade over time.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Oh, right.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I would like to get this into auction with a value of around about £800 to £1,200.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- That's where I feel it's going to find its own level.- Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- So we could be looking, hopefully, in the middle at £1,000.- Yeah.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Which is what you want, isn't it?
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- Yes.- Could I get that reserve a little lower?
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Um, I'd really like to...
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- You want £1,000.- I'd like £1,000, please, yeah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Do you mind if we set the reserve at 1,000?
0:09:13 > 0:09:14No, no, I don't mind.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18OK, all right, then, I'll go with you on this one.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Right, OK.- Let's call the valuation £1,000 to £1,200.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- OK, lovely. - I think it will just get away.- Yeah.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Only just.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- It's right on the borderline.- Yeah.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33It's great.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37I just need a couple of hours to sit down and read this.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49Barbara and John, thank you for bringing in almost a Flog It! staple,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51the wonderful gold watch and chain.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55I was a little disheartened not to see you sort of sporting it, John.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Well, apparently it's very popular.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- It's coming back and you... - Weddings and things.- Weddings.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- Yes.- It's very difficult to find one for a wedding nowadays.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- Yes.- So why, if it's coming back into fashion, haven't you decided
0:10:06 > 0:10:10either to wear it or convert it into a necklace for Barbara?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Well, it is Barbara's, actually.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Well, it is actually through my family, as it has come down
0:10:16 > 0:10:20and we've got three daughters and so who do you pass it on to?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- It's the eternal question, isn't it? - That's right.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25How do you split up a watch and chain between three daughters?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Yes.- Exactly. - Well, it is a very masculine object.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32If we just look at the watch, it's obviously what we call a half-hunter.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- Yes.- Because we've got this aperture in the outer case
0:10:36 > 0:10:39that allows you to look broadly at the hour.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- Right.- Basically it's a hangover from when these were used for hunting
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- and they could be pulled out without any fiddling to see the time.- Really? - Hence the name, yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Half-hunter.- Right. - Half-hunter. Wow.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54And the full overcase protects the cover.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- But really by this stage nobody was hunting with them...- No.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It was just a more fashionable way...
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- Yes.- The blue enamel numerals on the case is a nice feature as well,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- as they often tend to be black Roman numerals.- Oh, really?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08And if we open it up,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12again you've got the Arabic numerals running round.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Sadly, it doesn't have any features, it's not a repeater or a stopwatch,
0:11:16 > 0:11:21but it's a good, honest nine-carat gold half-hunter,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24hallmarked in London in 1925,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- although it's almost certainly a Swiss movement.- Right.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Bizarrely the value is more in the chain now than the watch these days.- Really?
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Oh.- Because the price of gold has kept on rising for such a long time.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38So there's more weight on the chain.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42There's more weight. And as I say, you could, if they're long enough,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46have them converted into either a double bracelet or a necklace.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- It's sad...- It's a bit sad. - ..to break it up from the original.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51I couldn't agree with you more.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Any idea now of what the value might be?
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Well, I think we had it valued some time ago and it was sort of...
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- For insurance purposes.- ..round about a hundred-ish.- 150, hundred, something like that. Long time ago.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05I wouldn't go back there again unless it was a very long time ago.
0:12:05 > 0:12:11Insurance values can be wildly off, but yours is wildly low, so that's the good news.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Oh, that sounds good.
0:12:13 > 0:12:20I think we should proceed and put these into auction at about £350 reserve
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- and put a £400 to £600 estimate on them.- Gosh, really?
0:12:23 > 0:12:29That little bit of discretion between the reserve and the lowest just will account for the gold price.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- Yes.- If it just fluctuates a little.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- That's amazing, isn't it? It's just...- They're very sought-after.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- If you're happy for us to do that, we'll...- Sounds lovely.- ..pop it into the auction.- Wonderful.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- Thank you very much indeed. - It's a pleasure.- Yes, thanks a lot.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Well, we're certainly having a roaring time here
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and we've now found our first batch of antiques to take off to auction.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57So while we make our way over there, here's a quick gander at what's coming with us.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Time to sell this Swedish clock, a donation to a local hospice
0:13:02 > 0:13:05that will hopefully assist in much-needed fund-raising.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07You know, it struck as being something...
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Something special.- Something special. - It's a big clock, isn't it?
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Can the collection of postcards from around the world that once belonged
0:13:14 > 0:13:18to Tony's uncle get the stamp of approval from the saleroom?
0:13:18 > 0:13:23Acquired at the age of 13, Derek wants to sell his John Lennon book.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- I would have coloured them all in. - Yeah.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- Very neatly, mind you.- Yeah, well...
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- And accurately.- Of course.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37And can this golf half-hunter watch and chain wind up the saleroom and go for a sparkling price?
0:13:40 > 0:13:44That's all our items and now it's time to put those valuations to the test
0:13:44 > 0:13:45and this is where we're doing it.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48We've travelled south to Tring Market Auctions.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Let's go inside and catch up with the action.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Time is ticking away, but before the Swedish clock goes under the hammer,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I want to see what auctioneer Stephen Hearn makes of it.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04I think this has got the look, I wouldn't mind that on my wall.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06You're a man of taste, aren't you, Paul?
0:14:06 > 0:14:09But I'm not keen on sort of gilding the lily
0:14:09 > 0:14:13and I know this is a bit over the top, but it's fun as well.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- It's Continental, it's Swedish, as you know...- Yeah, it's typical cartel.
0:14:16 > 0:14:23Yeah. Late 18th century. Michael, our expert, has put £1,500 to £2,500.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27The clock itself is a fine example of Jacob Koch.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32There were one or two repairs amongst it, but one comes to expect that of a clock of this age.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Yeah, definitely on the swags, it's quite delicate, lots of undercuts.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38But the face hasn't been interfered with either.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Fantastic.- Original clock.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- I do hope it will sell.- Oh, this has got to sell, not "do hope".
0:14:45 > 0:14:46- I do hope...- It's got to sell.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- The decorators and the trade I think will love this.- Yes.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53I know English clocks sell really, really well, but this is a bit different.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56It is different and that's why it might sell.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I will only say might.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Well, we're just going to have to wait and find out, that's all I can say.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Time will soon be up and you'll be on the rostrum and you'll be knocking this out.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08Maybe to you.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11No, we're not allowed to buy, unfortunately.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Well, we'll see how we get on selling the clock in a little while,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but first up it's the John Lennon book.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21It belongs to Derek here and just imagine that top end.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24£1,200, that's what we're looking for.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- I have been slightly worried because it is a general sale.- Yes.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- And really we need, you know, we need a music memorabilia sale or at least 20th century modern.- Yes.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- There is a bit more Beatles memorabilia around the place so fingers crossed.- Yeah.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- Fingers crossed the Beatles fans will find this today. - I'm nervous, really.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- Are you?- Yeah, I'm wondering if it'll go or not, to be honest.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Fingers crossed.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Let's not end up being jealous guys, shall we? Let's get on with it, here we go.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Signed by John Lennon as well, there it is. Shall we start at 500?
0:15:55 > 0:16:00Thank you very much. 500 we're bid, then, 520 we have now.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04550, 580, 600. Let's move on.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09650, 700, and 750,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13800, 850, 900 bid. At 900 I am bid, £900.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Madam, 950, thank you.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18At £950, at £950, £1,000.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22We've got it, then, thank you. £1,000 is bid for it now.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27At 1,000, 1,050, are you going to be the level?
0:16:27 > 0:16:311,050, you'll never get another chance. 1,100, that's the way.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33At £1,100, then.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35OK, I shall sell it, then.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Yes! That hammer went down so quickly.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Well done to the auctioneer, he's a good man. £1,100.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- Yeah. Not bad.- Not bad was it?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- Not bad.- Happy?- Yes.- I am.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47I'm certainly very, very happy.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50What are you going to put the money towards?
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Some of it's going to go towards helping with the cost of my son's driving lessons.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56The rest I don't know yet. I haven't made plans for it.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- Enjoy it, won't you? - Thank you very much.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Quality and that always sells and what a name as well, John Lennon.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Right, I expect you've all been waiting for this one, haven't you? The Swedish clock.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19It looks fabulous and we've got a cracking price on it, £1,500 to £2,500.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- I've been joined by Samantha and who have you brought with you? - This is Claire de Silva.- Hi, Claire.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- Hi there.- Do you work for the same charity as well?- Yes, we do.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31So tell me a bit more about the charity, because I know you need to raise £3.3 million,
0:17:31 > 0:17:36- which is a lot of money.- It is. The hospice is based in Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire and we...
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- What's it called?- The Hospice of St Francis and we look after terminally ill adults so we are, um,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46caring for people from across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and we've only got 14 beds at the moment
0:17:48 > 0:17:53and we really need to increase the amount of care that we can give our patients across that area.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- And how long have you both been working for the charity? - I've been working for two years.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- Two years.- And about a year.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04Right, OK, well, look, good luck. Let's hope we can hit that top end that Michael put on, £2,500.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Well, I've done a bit more research.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Late 18th century, top Swedish maker.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- Jacob Koch is sought-after in the salerooms both here and in the States...- Good.
0:18:13 > 0:18:19And an almost identical one went in America with the same amount of distress for 2,200.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- Well, that's good.- So we're in the right ballpark, so fingers crossed.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- Let's do it proud. It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31By Jacob Koch, 1737. What about that one?
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Shall we start at £1,000, then?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35£1,000 I'm bid for it, at a 1,050, is it?
0:18:35 > 0:18:381,050, £1,100 is bid for it.
0:18:38 > 0:18:431,150. £1,200. And 50.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47At 1,250 and 13 is it? At £1,300.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52At £1,300 and 50. £1,300. A 50 anywhere?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56At £1,300, then, it's going down. Away from you all.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- It's not going to sell.- At £1,300. And 50 there? No?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02At £1,300, then. Not sold.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04It didn't sell. I'm ever so sorry.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Gosh, you need the money as well. That's really disappointing.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12It's got to go really into a specialist clock auction.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I mean, we've protected it with the right reserve,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19just in case there wasn't someone in the room today.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22We didn't want to let it slip away for £800 or £900.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25If it goes in the right sale it should be making £2,000 all day long
0:19:25 > 0:19:28so you've got a bit of a wait, but it will get there in the end I'm sure.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Yeah. And then the charity...
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- Gets what it can. Yes, absolutely. - Yes.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- That's a blow.- Tricky things at auctions.- That's a blow.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43Hopefully we'll fare better with the next lot. Fingers crossed.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46We've got the postcards, valued at £40 to £60.
0:19:46 > 0:19:52Unfortunately, Tony cannot be with us today, Thomas. He's on holiday so he's going to send us a postcard.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53- Is he?- Yes.- I wonder where he is.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Bulgaria, I think. We'll phone and let him know what happens.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Absolutely. - Going under the hammer.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03All the way round the world in one album. Are we going to say 50?
0:20:03 > 0:20:05We're going to say yes. Thank you. 60 I'm bid now.
0:20:05 > 0:20:0770. Is there £80 in the room?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Oh, 80, oh, he's doing well.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- This is it.- At £90 a bid, £100 is there?
0:20:12 > 0:20:17£100 I'm bid, £100 pound and £10. At £110 pound.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19And 20 now, 120 perhaps. Yes, or no?
0:20:19 > 0:20:21£120.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Better than I thought.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Yes, OK, then I sell at £130, then.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- Yes, he'll be pleased.- Gosh.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30£130. They always do well.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33I think you can get on the phone and give him the good news.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34I will. Thank you, Paul.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46Barbara and John, things are going so well, it's running along smoothly here.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48The auction room is packed, people are buying.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52They're not sitting on their hands. And let's hope there's no exception for this next lot
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- because it's yours.- It is.- It's that half-hunter, nine-carat gold watch and chain
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and we've got £400 to £600 put on this.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Yes.- Why are you selling it and how did you come by it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:08Well, it was my family's. It came through my father, but he didn't ever wear it, it was my uncle's.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12We've got some photographs of him wearing it, forgot to bring them.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17But it's just sitting in a safe at home, nobody's using it so...
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Three daughters and we can't split it between them.- Oh, you've got three daughters!
0:21:20 > 0:21:26Well, we'll find out what their names are after the sale just in case, you never know, do you?
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Gold watches and chains are just flying out of salerooms at the moment.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I've probably put the kiss of death on it saying that, but they are.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I mean, everybody seems to want them.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- This is quality as well.- It's quality, it's weight, it's condition,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43so it's got everything you really want in a lot and it's privately entered
0:21:43 > 0:21:47so there should be, and I think there are, some good jewellery dealers here today.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- Yes, there are.- Good. - Hopefully.- Here we go. Good luck.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Gold half-hunter pocket watch, and a nice one too.
0:21:53 > 0:21:59400, 300 bid. Yes, I have my 300, I'm bid £320 now.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04At 320, I'm bid at 350, I've got it at 350 and 80. At 380...
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Oh, creeping up, yes. It's gone.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- 420 we're bid now, 420...- Gosh.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13450, I've got a new bidder at 450.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- They're waving to bid on it, that's a good sign.- Good grief.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18£480, at 480.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Now the five, yes, or no?
0:22:20 > 0:22:25Yes. £480, 500 we're bid.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26- Gosh.- At £500. We're out now.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32At £500, I'm selling, away from you. £500. Thank you.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Yes.- Brilliant. - Gosh that's wonderful.- £500.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- We're well pleased with that. - That is amazing.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Everybody wants them.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41My uncle would be ever so pleased.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Oh, that's great news, isn't it?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47OK, treat the daughters. What are there names? Let's hear them.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Debbie, Sandra and Lisa.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- OK, and don't forget, treat yourselves. - No. We will do, won't we?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- We will, we'll include ourselves. - Yes, we will.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04Coming up later we'll be heading back to the zoo, where Carol will be revealing a family secret.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- Did you tell your father-in-law? - Never.- Really? - Never ever. Till the day he died.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Oh, my!
0:23:13 > 0:23:18This magnificent house behind me was never built as a family home.
0:23:18 > 0:23:25It was completed in 1883 and it was designed purely as a country weekend retreat for entertaining in.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30Today it's home to the officers based at RAF Halton
0:23:30 > 0:23:33and it comes with quite a history.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Halton House, or Halton Mansion as it was first known, was built
0:23:38 > 0:23:42between 1880 and 1883 by Alfred de Rothschild,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46a member of the famous and wealthy banking family.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Impressed by nearby Waddesdon Manor, Alfred decided to create
0:23:50 > 0:23:54what he called an English chateau modelled on French lines.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Working for the family bank, Alfred was quite a character.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05He was sociable, flamboyant and above all a great diplomat.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09He was also friends with a lot of A-list stars of the day.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13People like the Prince of Wales who went on to become King Edward VII,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18politicians like Asquith and Disraeli and, of course, actresses like Lillie Langtry.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22He had such a generous nature and it was here, underneath this wonderful covered porch
0:24:22 > 0:24:29that his invited guests would arrive, ready to be entertained in the most lavish style.
0:24:31 > 0:24:37Walking in from the entrance hall on the way into the grand salon you instantly get a feeling of grandeur.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Opulence surrounds you everywhere, it's quite overwhelming.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44One of the historians here at Halton House
0:24:44 > 0:24:47is Squadron Leader Colin Baker and he's going to tell me a bit more.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Colin, thank you for meeting up with me today and being my guide.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54You're more than welcome and welcome to Royal Air Force Halton.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56I've got to say, it's got the wow factor, hasn't it?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59How did this end up being in the hands of the Royal Air Force?
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Well, Alfred passed away in 1918 and obviously that was the year that
0:25:03 > 0:25:04- the Royal Air Force was actually formed.- Yes.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08We were looking for a home obviously for the Royal Air Force
0:25:08 > 0:25:13and this was ideal because the Royal Flying Corps already had workshops here for air mechanics.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19Unfortunately Alfred didn't have any heirs because he never married so it was passed to his nephew Nathan,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23who didn't want the place because he couldn't grow rhododendrons in the ground.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27- Is that because the soil's quite chalky here?- Very, very much so.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- Yeah.- So we then sort of bought this whole estate,
0:25:30 > 0:25:36which was absolutely massive, about 120,000 acres for about £125,000.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40- That's the bargain of the century. - Oh, I think so.- So how is the house used today?
0:25:40 > 0:25:45Well, obviously it's the home for serving officers at Halton who either come here for a short stay,
0:25:45 > 0:25:49i.e. on a training course, or it's a permanent residence for our single officers
0:25:49 > 0:25:54and for those that decide they want to leave their families in a more stable environment
0:25:54 > 0:25:56and they use this as a sort of a week residence.
0:25:56 > 0:26:02- In addition to that, lots of film companies and TV companies come here to make films.- Oh, such as? Tell me.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07- Well, at the moment you're standing in the casino area of The World is Not Enough.- Wow. Gosh.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12We've had The Duchess filmed here, we've had The Queen here...
0:26:12 > 0:26:14It's the backdrop to many movie scenes.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19- I'm ever so excited. Where do we start the tour?- I will start by showing you one of the anterooms.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- So if you'd like to go this way. - OK. Thank you.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27When the house was sold so too were most of the contents.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33Now furnished minimally by the RAF, the architecture really takes centre stage.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Just such fabulous ceiling heights.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42Absolutely beautiful here. And of course this is one of our anterooms.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Gosh, just standing here looking at that arched doorway, you see the perfect symmetry
0:26:46 > 0:26:48with all the arched windows looking onto the grounds.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52It's absolutely gorgeous and if you look notice it's very, very light in there.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58The house itself if you cut it in two, the north side would look exactly the same as the south side.
0:26:58 > 0:27:03It's like a big ballroom. You could start dancing at that end and sort of work your way over to this.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07And that room we're just talking about, Alfred had his own salon orchestra.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12- Really?- Yeah and he used to conduct his orchestra with a diamond-studded baton.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13Oh, that's decadent, isn't it?
0:27:13 > 0:27:15I think it's very appropriate, actually.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18This is how sort of flamboyant he was.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20It was one of the first houses, believe it or not,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24to have an elevator, which they used to take all the luggage up to the rooms.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29He had an artificial lake, quite shallow, which used to freeze over
0:27:29 > 0:27:35- in winter, which acted then as a skating rink.- Oh, gosh. Total entertainment.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40- They were way ahead of their time. Actually, I would like to show you what these doors come to.- Just here?
0:27:40 > 0:27:44Yes, indeed, just here. If you notice they've all got pop-out handles on them...
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Yeah.- And not only do the doors slide out to close the room up,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50but if we keep tugging, here we go, but they actually...
0:27:50 > 0:27:56- They're also hinged.- ..hinged, which is very unusual for its time and this is 1883 technology.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58I've never seen that before.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- That is so clever, Colin. - I think it's amazing.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12And just look at this magnificent staircase.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15One of the features I can actually show you here is
0:28:15 > 0:28:18the Rothschild arrows here face upwards,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22but the original Rothschild arrows, as you can see over there,
0:28:22 > 0:28:23point downwards.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26- Now we know...- Why is that? Why are these pointing upwards?
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Well, these are actually imported from France and the French arrows
0:28:29 > 0:28:33go up, the British arrows go down and that's the reason behind it.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42This room, the former billiard room, is currently being used as a temporary bar for the officers here.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46Quite a spectacular venue in which to enjoy a swift half.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50But on with the tour.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54- The Gold Room.- I can see why it's called the Gold Room.- Very much so. - Look at that.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Well, they used this as a smokers room so if you can imagine
0:28:57 > 0:29:01these partygoers used to come in, have their cigars and their brandy...
0:29:01 > 0:29:05- The nicotine wafting upwards. - Well, you couldn't see it because the ceiling's gold.- Yeah.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10When they first installed it, it was about £80,000, but the value has gone up to about 2.8 million now.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15So quite an expensive way of hiding your nicotine, really.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19But as you can probably see it's very much based on, um...
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- It's Spanish, it's like that Moorish... - Very Moorish.- Sort of Byzantium.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26But this room's been used for very special occasions.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Margaret Thatcher, for example, had some of the Irish peace talks
0:29:29 > 0:29:34in here and, of course, a lot of the plans for the Falklands campaign were actually conducted in this room here.
0:29:34 > 0:29:41- On this table.- On this table, yeah. - I love the Arabesque sort of arches over the mirrors and the doors.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44I think it's adorable. This has to be my favourite room.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51What an incredible house this is.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54It's normally open for one day of the year, in September
0:29:54 > 0:29:58to coincide with the RAF's Heritage Day celebrations.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Come and see it, it's an architectural delight.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Back now to our valuation day at Whipsnade Zoo
0:30:13 > 0:30:18and Thomas has found a couple of paintings he's keen to get his teeth into.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Betty, thank you for coming.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24How did you come to own these watercolours?
0:30:24 > 0:30:31They were my mothers, she gave them to me and they were given to her by her mother.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36My grandmother got them from a doctor that she used to work for, she was his housekeeper.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Right. So that obviously ties in with the artist, Garman Morris...- Yes.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46- He was a prolific artist of the 1900s and 1930s.- Yes.- Do you like them?
0:30:46 > 0:30:51I think the artistic work on them, the shadows under the boats
0:30:51 > 0:30:57and the barrel are very, very attractive, but actual subject-wise, no.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- OK.- They're not the sort of thing that I would want in my house
0:31:00 > 0:31:05- and they've not been out on show that I can remember. - Where have they been?
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- I've kept them in a wardrobe... - Really?- In a polythene bag, yes.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Because they've certainly seen some sun, they're very faded.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13- They have, yes. - But they are delightful.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16They are scenes of obviously fishing vessels,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18um, either coming in or leaving port.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21They probably look like they're leaving port, actually.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25In the grand scheme of things I think if they were in tip-top condition
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- they'd do at least sort of £50 each...- Mm-hm.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33But, and there's a big but, these pictures have seen better days.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38Yes, they could do with a re-frame, a re-mount, a clean and they'd come up
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- and they'd look a million times better.- Yes.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42But in the condition they're in,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45I'm valuing them at £40 to £60 for the two.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- You don't want these back?- No. - Is that my feeling I'm getting?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- Yes, yes, I don't want them back, no.- This is Operation Get Rid.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Yes, definitely.- So put the reserve at £20, are you happy with that?
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- That's fine, yes.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- That's brilliant, that's really quick. We'll put it in.- Thank you.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12Vivian, thank you for bringing along this,
0:32:12 > 0:32:14what we would describe provisionally
0:32:14 > 0:32:17as a part tea and coffee service today.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- Right.- Are these things you use on a regular basis?
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Are you going to be short of a cup of tea at home now you've brought these in?
0:32:23 > 0:32:26No, they've been under the bed for about ten years now.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30- Not really the best place for a teapot and a coffee pot. - It's the safest place.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Before they went under the bed, where were they?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36They were given to my mother by her great uncle, they were left to her.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- And did she use them on a regular basis?- No.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41She kept them in a cupboard as well.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I'm only asking this because I'm yet to find anybody
0:32:43 > 0:32:47that used one of these services when they were presented with it.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50I think the idea was that you were given this at your wedding
0:32:50 > 0:32:51or your anniversary, you went,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54"Oh, thank you very much," and it went on the mantelpiece
0:32:54 > 0:32:56and it was never touched again.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Although having said that, if we look at it,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02there are little panels of wear starting
0:33:02 > 0:33:06because rather than being solid silver
0:33:06 > 0:33:10they are in fact the much more economical and much more abundant electroplated versions.
0:33:10 > 0:33:17- Right. - Still, electroplate should still have a series of marks and we've got
0:33:17 > 0:33:25I, D and S in Gothic punches, which may be one of the punches for James Dixon & Sons of Sheffield
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- or possibly James Deakin & Sons of Sheffield...- Right.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32So it's quite confusing, but they were definitely produced in Sheffield
0:33:32 > 0:33:35and we can take them from the style of them,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37they're very bold and very decorative.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- They're very good-looking things, aren't they?- Mm.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42All these scrolls.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47They're going to be no later than about 1850, 1855, so mid-Victorian.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52- Right. Quite old.- So they were, they had considerable age before your mother was given them.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Where's the sugar bowl and the cream jug?
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I don't know, I don't know.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59They're more sought-after when they're a complete set.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Yes.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03I do remember them on his sideboard when I was little.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07- Oh, oh, so they were...- Yes.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Well, if you find them between now and the auction, please do bring them in.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15Um, electroplate you'll always get a lot of bang for your buck.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18And these, I mean, to be clear, five years ago
0:34:18 > 0:34:22you probably couldn't even have given these away in a saleroom.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27- Right.- But things have picked up slightly and people are starting to
0:34:27 > 0:34:32buy tea services and coffee sets in particular, again.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35So I think if we put them into the auction at £40 to £60
0:34:35 > 0:34:38and we give the auctioneer a little bit of discretion
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- and say a reserve of 35.- Right.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43And if they don't go for £35,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46they'll have to go back under the bed.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47I'd say, "Why are you selling them?"
0:34:47 > 0:34:51- but under the bed they're not much use to man nor beast.- No.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- Thank you for bringing them along today.- Thank you very much. - Thank you.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Carol has brought along an item that was once owned by her father-in-law.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- Hello, Carol.- Hello.- So was your father-in-law a dealer or was he...
0:35:07 > 0:35:09No, he was a greengrocer by trade.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Really?- Yeah. - Well, let's look at the object...
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- OK.- And see it working.- All right.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20BIRDSONG So it sort of flips up and then you've got this pretty songbird
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- which actually should be moving and flapping its wings.- Yes.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Yeah, and when I go like that it stops and finishes, end of story.
0:35:26 > 0:35:34It did have lovely little wings and it was a lovely colour, but my son at about four decided to,
0:35:34 > 0:35:39- um, pour some oil in it, some hair oil that my father used to use many years ago.- Hair oil.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- Literally poured it in, yeah.- Did he think he was feeding the bird? - He may well have done.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- He's destroyed it, hasn't he? - Absolutely.- It does still work.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52- Yes.- That's the wonderful thing, it does still work. Did you tell your father-in-law?
0:35:52 > 0:35:56- Never.- Really?- Never ever. If he ever used to say, you know to bring it out,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58my mother-in-law used to make an excuse.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02So, in actual fact, to the day he died he never knew that it was damaged.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06- Oh, my!- We were on tenterhooks every time we went to tea.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- Really?- Yeah. In case he... Yeah. - In case he got it out.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13Well, first of all, these are singing bird boxes
0:36:13 > 0:36:18and they are part of the sort of automaton tradition...
0:36:18 > 0:36:23- Yeah.- Which come from France or the Continent and this is a Continental box.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26They are highly prized,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29especially when they are in silver gilt or gold.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33- Right.- This looks gold, but I'm afraid it's metal. - No, I didn't think it was, yeah.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37I'm sorry about that. But what is pretty about it is this lovely,
0:36:37 > 0:36:40- lovely enamel around here.- Yeah.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Now, the other thing you don't have is the key.
0:36:42 > 0:36:47- Not with me, no, I didn't bring it with me.- Do you have a key with it? - I do have a key.- Oh, you do?- Yeah.
0:36:47 > 0:36:48Oh, that would be really helpful.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- OK, so let's come down to the crux, you want to sell it.- Yes.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56- My estimate for this would be £500 to £700.- Yes.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- Of anybody's money.- Yes.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03If it was silver, I'd have no hesitation in putting 1,000 to 1,500 on it
0:37:03 > 0:37:07- and also if your son hadn't put the oil in it and destroyed the bird... - Mm.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10..that would certainly change my valuation.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14So in this instance, let's be cautious, let's be conservative.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Right.- I don't want to over-egg it and it not to sell.- Yeah.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21Put a £400 reserve on it and make that fixed
0:37:21 > 0:37:23so you've got a bit of cushion,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26the auctioneer's got a good bit of stuff to work with
0:37:26 > 0:37:27and let's leave it at that.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- OK, that's lovely. - Yeah?- Yes. Thank you very much.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38So with a mix of valuations we head off for the auction room for the second time.
0:37:38 > 0:37:45Not to Betty's taste, she can't wait to get rid of her two maritime paintings.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- I don't want them back, no.- This is Operation Get Rid.- Yes, definitely.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52They've been under Vivian's bed for years, but can this tea and coffee set
0:37:52 > 0:37:54brew up some interest in the saleroom?
0:37:54 > 0:38:00I'm yet to find anybody that used one of these services when they were presented with it.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04And finally, her father-in-law never knew about the damage
0:38:04 > 0:38:08to this musical box. But Carol now wants to turn into cash.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20Next up, two watercolours.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25They've been in the family a long time and in the cupboard a long time. What's going on, Betty?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- Have you seen them?- Yes, I have!
0:38:28 > 0:38:31I quite like them, though. I know we got a low valuation
0:38:31 > 0:38:35and I know Thomas has certainly seen them. That's why he's put £40 to £60 on them.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- Pretty low, isn't it?- It is pretty low, for a named artist.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40But it reflects their condition and style.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42They're going under the hammer.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46There you are, Garman Morris, boats in sunset.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Ready to sail away.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50- Anybody got 20 for them? - Yes, we've sold them.
0:38:50 > 0:38:5420 I'm bid, thank you very much. 20 on my left, £20, then.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Five anywhere, then? At £20, madam, surely she's not going to stop
0:38:57 > 0:39:01with them at £20. They're going to have to be sold.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- He's selling. - I've sold them, then, for £20.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08There you go, 20 pounds, that's £10 each, that was a bargain.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- I think £20, it was sensible to set a little reserve...- Yes.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- because otherwise they're going to be sold for five.- Yes.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Next up, Vivian's tea and coffee pots, with a value of £40 to £60.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28They're electroplate and they've been under the bed for ten years.
0:39:28 > 0:39:29- Yes.- What's that all about?
0:39:29 > 0:39:33I had young children when they came to me so it's the safest place to keep them.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- Stashed and away.- Yes.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- For ten years?- Yes.- Here we go.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41A nice Victorian teapot and coffee pot in plate. Shall we say 30?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44- Thank you very much. - Yes, we've got £30.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47£30 we're bid, 35, and 40 to you, sir.
0:39:47 > 0:39:53At £45, 45, 45, at £50, £50. And five for you, £60...
0:39:53 > 0:39:55- Wow.- Five for you and £70.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Another one for you, can we ask you?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59No? OK, then, at £70, I am bid at £70.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- Yes, fresh legs on the phone. - Telephone bid on it. Unexpected.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Five now, at £80, at five, 85 and 90's bid.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11£90 and five, yes. 100.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Well, we've done it, £100.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17I think someone's got the milk jug and the sugar bowl, don't you?
0:40:17 > 0:40:18At 100, then, I sell.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Away from the room, on my left, 105.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27He's come in with his fiver. I'm selling at £105.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Yes. Crack. £105. That's a good result.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33- That's fantastic.- A very good result. - That is.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- Better than what we would have expected.- Stunning.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39- What are you going to put the money towards?- We're going to have a kids' day out.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44- Are you? How many kids have you got? - Just two.- And what are their names? - Helen and Hugh.- They're here today?
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- Yes, they are.- Helen and Hugh, over there?- Yes.- Can we have a wave?
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- There's Helen, anyway. - There's Hugh over there.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54- Well done, you.- Lovely, thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01Well, Carol, I certainly hope that little birdie makes us £500 to £700, don't you?
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- I hope so, yes.- It's just about to go under the hammer.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06It's a gorgeous thing, very popular in France,
0:41:06 > 0:41:08and I know Thomas loved the enamel work.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- It's great, isn't it, Paul?- Yeah. - I think it's going to fly off.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13That little bird is going to make it take off.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16We're going to find out because it's going under the hammer now.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Whistling, singing bird.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20There it is, enamel to it.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23What about that? A good box. Are we going to start at 300? Thank you.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29300 is bid, then, 320 I'm bid for it, 350, I'm bid 380,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- there's two of you. £400. £420. - They're both together.
0:41:32 > 0:41:40£450, £480. At 480 at the back, £500, £520.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42It's a lovely thing, isn't it?
0:41:42 > 0:41:46£550, £580.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Are you sure?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52£580 on my right.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54600, 600 I am bid.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- 600 on the phone.- Gosh.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00650 perhaps? 650. £680.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02- Not bad.- This is great.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05At 700 now.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08£700. At 720 are we back in the room?
0:42:08 > 0:42:11At 720, 750, £780.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14We've got a real auction fight on our hands, haven't we?
0:42:14 > 0:42:19- I can't believe it.- 800 I am bid, then. 820's got it now.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25850 now. At 850, £880, 900.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32- £900. £920. - Carol, 920, they love it.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- I can't believe it. - Now we're on the phones, look.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39£1,000. It's got to be 1,100, I'm afraid now.
0:42:39 > 0:42:421,100 we're bid, then. At £1,100.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45No? You lose it, then.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47At £1,100 I'm selling in the room.
0:42:47 > 0:42:53- It's going to be sold in the room at £1,100.- Yes.- Yes, £1,100.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Carol, fantastic.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Gosh, what a good result.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59- Absolutely.- Wasn't expecting that.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- Were you, Thomas? - No, I wasn't expecting four figures.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05I think that is above and beyond.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08- Brilliant, well done.- Don't forget there's commission to pay...- Yeah.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12- But what are you going to do with that?- I haven't even thought about it. I don't know.
0:43:12 > 0:43:13Well done, Thomas as well,
0:43:13 > 0:43:16and I hope you've had great fun watching the show as well.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Unfortunately we're running out of time from Tring
0:43:18 > 0:43:24so until the next time when there's going to be plenty more surprises to come, see you then.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:43 > 0:43:46E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk