0:00:02 > 0:00:09Today we've come to one of Britain's oldest cathedrals, known as the Ship Of The Fens.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11That is just so inspiring!
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Welcome to Ely, welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:37 > 0:00:40The name Ely means The Island Of Eels and is so called
0:00:40 > 0:00:47because until the Fens were drained in the 17th century, it was surrounded by water and marshes.
0:00:47 > 0:00:53The Domesday survey in 1087 records thousands and thousands of eels being caught in the waters.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00And later I'll see if I can catch any of these slippery customers.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01Let's try another one.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- No, nothing in there.- No luck again.
0:01:04 > 0:01:11But perhaps I'll have better luck later, after all eels were once a form of currency in the Fens.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And, in fact, helped pay for the stonework
0:01:14 > 0:01:16for today's magnificent venue.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Look at that! Ely Cathedral.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Our experts, Charlie Ross and Elizabeth Talbot,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25are already trawling the queue hoping to net a good catch to take to auction.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Well, it's now 9.30.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31I suggest we get this massive queue inside and get the show on the road.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37As our owners settle themselves under the hallowed roof of this ancient building,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Charlie has found something decidedly more modern.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45Liz, this chap must have a name.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- Well, he was always known in our house as Scary Cat.- Scary Cat?
0:01:49 > 0:01:53- Yeah, because my children were petrified of him because of his scary eyes.- Oh, right.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59- But he's got a lovely smile, he's got the most beautiful smile.- Are your children still scared of him?
0:01:59 > 0:02:03No. Well, they're not scared any more, but I think my grandchildren probably are.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- So, I'm afraid, he's... He's... - He's reached the end of the line. - He's reached the end of the line.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Scary end of the line.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12- Do you know who made him? - I know nothing about him.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17He was bought by my great uncle, who was a bit of a collector...
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- Right.- In London off the Portobello Road somewhere.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- Oh, it looks a bit Portobello Road. - Turn of the century.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26But I was given him when I was about six or seven years old, I think.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Yeah.- I've had him ever since.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Now, it's made by the Aller Vale Pottery...
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- Right.- Which is Torquay Pottery.
0:02:34 > 0:02:42- Was at Torquay Pottery, sadly no longer going, but was started in 1865.- Gracious.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45However, this cat is not 1865.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47He's a 20th-century cat.
0:02:47 > 0:02:54- Is he?- But Aller Vale were quite well thought of in so much that their work was stocked by Liberty's...
0:02:54 > 0:02:56- Really?- No less.- Right.- So, posh!
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- He's quite a posh cat! - He's a posh cat!- He's a posh cat.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- We might change the name from Scary Cat to Posh Cat.- Posh Cat.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06So, because he's Aller Vale he does have a value.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- I'd like to think he was worth £100.- Right. - Would that be satisfactory?
0:03:10 > 0:03:16I'm happy with the hundred as long as whoever pays the £100 loves him as much as I do.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19And when we've sold him have you got anything to put the money towards?
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Well, my daughter is an athlete.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24She throws the javelin for Great Britain.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26How proud you must be!
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I am very proud. So I follow her all over the world.
0:03:28 > 0:03:35- Yes.- So, the cat, the Scary Cat money would go to my... - Posh Cat money, please.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Posh Cat money! Posh Cat money would go to my Olympic travelling fund.
0:03:39 > 0:03:46Wonderful. So, Liz, we're going to aim at 80 to 120 and I think we'll put a reserve at 80.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- Right.- Thank you very much for bringing him along.- Thank you.
0:03:56 > 0:04:02So, Marion and Ronnie, hello and thank you for bringing this wonderful selection of ceramics,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and I believe it's only part of the set.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- Yes.- Is that right?- Yes, yes. There are, I think, 16 cups and saucers, a dozen plates...
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- Right.- And six fruit bowls.- OK.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15So, this is by the Kirkham's factory.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- What can you tell me about the history of it?- Well, our parents had a china and glass...
0:04:20 > 0:04:26glass department in their shop and I don't think the design sold very well.
0:04:26 > 0:04:32- Right.- So, they were having a new beach hut built down at Brancaster on the Norfolk coast
0:04:32 > 0:04:37and it went down to the beach hut because my mother liked giving cups of tea to everybody.
0:04:37 > 0:04:44- Entertaining in a beach hut! - Two doors away Princess Diana's father, and indeed the family,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46it was their beach hut.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- Oh, really?- And as my mother liked giving cups of tea to everybody,
0:04:50 > 0:04:55Lord Althorp, as he was then, he became Earl Spencer later, was given a cup of tea,
0:04:55 > 0:05:00- so Princess Diana's father has actually had a cup of tea out of this.- Well, my goodness!
0:05:00 > 0:05:03It's a great sort of accolade for it, then. Do you like it?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05- Is it something that you... - Not very much.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10- No, I mean, it's fun, but I wouldn't want it.- So, where is it now? Is it all wrapped... Wrapped away?
0:05:10 > 0:05:12It's all wrapped up in the roof, yes.
0:05:12 > 0:05:18OK. I mean, it's so evocative of sort of, I suppose, the late 1940s, certainly 1950s.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21The Kirkham's factory started I think in the late 19th century
0:05:21 > 0:05:25and certainly went through the wartime producing quite merrily.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29In 1962, interestingly, the factory was then amalgamated
0:05:29 > 0:05:33with Gray's and then subsequently became the Portmeirion factory.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- Portmeirion, yes.- You knew that.
0:05:35 > 0:05:42Well, I think with the quantity and the condition and, I think, very much
0:05:42 > 0:05:45the in vogue look at the moment will lead to a fairly good demand.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49But I... I haven't seen any precedent at auction, I have to say,
0:05:49 > 0:05:50so it's a stab in the dark,
0:05:50 > 0:05:57- but I think a fair estimate would be between £120 and £160, so that sort of level.- Yes, yes.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- That's not too bad, is it?- Yes, yes. - No.- If we put a reserve on it... - Yes.- Yes, I think so.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Then, should the right people not be at that auction and maybe it needs to be in a more specialist,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08sort of modern-design auction at least you've got that option.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13- Yes.- So we'll put a 100... A bottom estimate, a 120 reserve on it, would you be happy?
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- Yes, I would have thought so. - Yes, I think so. Or 100, shall we say?- 100?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Shall we say 100?- Yes, yes. - Well, that sounds fair.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26We'll put 120 to 160 estimate, we'll put £100 reserve on it to look after it.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Thank you so much for bringing it in. I think it's absolutely delightful.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Pam, can I have a sneak look? - Yes, you can.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- Oh, look at that, it's a little chalice.- It is. It's a communion set.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- Isn't that lovely? - Yes, it is. It's very beautiful.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- And how long have you had this? - We've had it quite some time now.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51It came from my father in law who was a lay reader
0:06:51 > 0:06:57in Anglesey in North Wales and it belongs to my husband now.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- Can we take this out and have a closer look?- Yes, yes, do.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02OK. If I hold the little cup, you hold the base.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- OK.- Let's have a look at this.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08There's the assay mark. Let's have a look.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Definitely sterling silver and that's a leopard's head
0:07:12 > 0:07:17and the dateline tells us it's 1845 or 1846, off the top of my head.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- Yes, yes. - I can't work it out that quick.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- Yes, well, it is engraved to a vicar... Rector...- Yeah.
0:07:25 > 0:07:32Who had his parish in Denbighshire, North Wales, near Ruthin.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Yes, all these assay marks correspond with this one, as well.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- Yes.- So, I would imagine it would be right. It's never been separated.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42No, no. And I think presented by a parishioner.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44So, there's a lot of history and I know...
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- I know why you don't want to sell this.- No, we don't want to.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49No. There's a lot of weight there, as well.
0:07:49 > 0:07:54I think a realistic auction guideline
0:07:54 > 0:07:59- would be round about £400 to £600 for this.- OK.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And if you wanted to insure it,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04well, I would say around £1,000 because it's going to be hard
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- to go out and find another one that quickly.- Absolutely, yes.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Happy?- OK. That's lovely.- Oh, thank you for showing me that.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's quite fitting that we're here in a cathedral.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Ron, I don't think boxes come in much better condition than this.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- No.- It's absolutely wonderful.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Do you know what wood it is? - No, not at all.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29- It's walnut.- Is it really?
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Yeah. And do you know what this funny stuff is that's inlaid?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Not at all.- It's brass.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Oh, right. - Well, I'm going to open it up.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- You know what it is, don't you?- Yes.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43It's a writing slope and it's Victorian.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48It's 1860, 1870.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- And there it is in all its glory. And, do you know, I think it's got its original leather on.- Really?
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I think so.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58And I think it's got its original inkwells.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Your pens went in here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02We'll just pull an inkwell out.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06I just want to see if they've silver tops.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10No, they're silver-plated tops, but beautiful cut glass.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15And the condition is astonishing for 120, 30 years old.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17So, why are you selling it?
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Well, it's been in the cupboard for about two years...
0:09:20 > 0:09:22A year and a half, two years and never come out, so...
0:09:22 > 0:09:24So how long have you had it?
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- About three years. - So where did you get it?
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- From an auction. - Well, why did you buy it?
0:09:29 > 0:09:31On a whim.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- So my wife... - You were just sitting in a saleroom?
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Yeah, and I just thought that's a good price and I put a bid on.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I'm not going to ask you what the price is yet, but I will do later on.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Have you looked in here?- Yes.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45If I pull this up...
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Hey presto! It's on a spring.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- This panel comes out and there are the secret drawers.- They're the ones.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58It's a great design, isn't it?
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- Wonderful.- Frankly, it's as good as it gets, really, in terms of a box.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Now, that's the good news.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10Bad news is I think people have finally realised after 40 or 50 years
0:10:10 > 0:10:14of collecting these things that they are completely useless, or more or less.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Now, you bought it...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Ta-dah!
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Three years ago...- Yeah.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- At auction.- At auction.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- Go on then.- £75.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30£75. What do you think's happened to this in three years?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32About the same, I would think.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37Oh, ho! Not many things have stayed the same over three years.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40I reckon you bought this well worth the money.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Really?- And I think it's now worth now what you paid for it then.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49So, I'm going to put an estimate of £60 to £100, fix a reserve at 60.
0:10:49 > 0:10:55- If it doesn't make more than 60, well, it's only a small loss, and if it makes 100 it's a profit.- Profit.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00And you can say to your wife, "What a sound investment it was, I wish I'd bought three more!"
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Exactly.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Well, that's it for our opening set of lots
0:11:06 > 0:11:10as we head over the border for our first visit to the auction room.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15Just off the A1 lies the delightful town of Stamford in Lincolnshire.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18In the 13th century it was one of the 10 largest towns in England.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26But can it still deliver the big profit based on its medieval past?
0:11:26 > 0:11:32Well, we're about to find out as our lots are going under the hammer here at Batemans Auctioneers.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39Liz's posh Aller Vale cat is off to auction and Liz knows just what she'll do if she makes any money.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42My daughter throws the javelin for Great Britain,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46so the Posh Cat money would go to my Olympic travelling fund.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53Sisters Marion and Ronnie's tea set has come from the beach hut with a royal seal of approval.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58Princess Diana's father has actually had a cup of tea out of them.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Well, my goodness! A great accolade for it, then.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04And, finally, Ron is hoping to get back his £75 spent
0:12:04 > 0:12:10on this 19th-century writing slope bought on a whim.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16On the rostrum today is auctioneer David Palmer and first up is that piece of Torquay pottery.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23It belongs to Liz who, can't be with us today, she's just recovering from a hip operation,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26but we have her daughter Goldie with us. So, thanks for stepping in.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- No problem.- Now, 80 to 120 we've got on this and I'm pretty sure it's going to do that.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- It's going to do about that.- Yeah. - There's no rocket science here.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- No.- It's not worth 50 and it's not worth 200, so...
0:12:37 > 0:12:39But the cat lovers will like it.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- Yeah.- They will. - And they're welcome to it.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- Yes!- And we're going to find out now because it's going under the hammer.
0:12:46 > 0:12:52Right, lot 315 is the pottery glazed cat.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54£50 for this. 50 I'm bid. 50.
0:12:54 > 0:12:575. 60. 65 now. 70.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01At £70. Back 75. 80. 85. At 85.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- 90 if you want, either of you two. - Well, we sold it.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06At 85. 90. 95. Make it the hundred.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10See, there are cat lovers that are fighting for this.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- Can I sell then at 100? 110.- 110. - It will scare the children!
0:13:12 > 0:13:15120. 130.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18140. 150.
0:13:18 > 0:13:24160. 170. 180. And 5. 185. 190?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27190. Back down here at £190 now.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29And I sell here at 190.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30With the phone at 190.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32I'll take the 5 again.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35At 190. 5. 200.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It'll cost you 10 this time. 210.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- At 210.- Fantastic.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41At 210. 220.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46230. 240. 250.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Two people have fallen in love with this.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51At 260. Are you sure? I'll take your 5. 265? 265.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It came from a good home.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- 265.- What did I know?- 270.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59At 270. Down here at £270.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01I sell on the phone.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03£270.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Yes! Liz will be so pleased!
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- That was the purrrfect result. - Oh, very good.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- Wasn't it?- No, it was fantastic, yeah.- Incredible!
0:14:13 > 0:14:18You see, what we don't like sometimes thousands of you out there absolutely love.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Yeah, it was fantastic.- Great.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23What will the money go towards, what's Liz planning to do?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I'm in training for the Commonwealth Games but they're in Delhi.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31The money's going towards that. The javelin. The javelin!
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- And you were injured when mum was with me.- Yes.- Are you better?
0:14:35 > 0:14:36- I'm better now, so...- Good, good.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39And Goldie's going to go to the Olympics. Yeah.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43We're going to watch. How about Charlie and I, free tickets? Are you going to wangle that?
0:14:43 > 0:14:45We need a few more ugly cats to sell!
0:14:55 > 0:14:56I've been looking forward to this.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00We have now, Elizabeth and I, have been joined by Marion and Ronnie,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03whose mum and dad owned a department store.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Now, they were the shops, weren't they?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- Every market town had one.- Oh, yes.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- And you must have had so much fun. - Oh, yes.- We did.- Working as schoolgirls in the shop.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Yes, school holidays, things like that, yes. Sold Beswick horses by the...
0:15:16 > 0:15:18You could certainly do that again now.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Yes! We watch them come up for sale.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27Hopefully, we'll give you some money to come home with, or you might even buy something in auction here. OK?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- Here we go.- Wow!
0:15:29 > 0:15:32This is seriously cool. Put it in.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35£50? Straight in. 50 quid?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Oh.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41One day you will appreciate this.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43It's really quite sophisticated.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46£20 to start? 20 I'm bid. 20. 22.
0:15:46 > 0:15:4725. 28. At 28 now.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Started low.- Very low.
0:15:50 > 0:15:5532. 35. 38. 40. 45. 50. 55. Back here at 55.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Take 60 now. At £55. Is that it?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Done then at £55. Done and finished, then.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04There aren't beach huts in Stamford, that's your problem.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09You know, I was just about to say, "We need somebody with a beach hut."
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Oh, Elizabeth, I'm ever so sorry.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- I'm sorry to you.- I didn't think it would sell.- It didn't sell.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Bit of a dilemma because you both own it, who's going to keep it?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21What do you think, Elizabeth?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Half and half? Be fair! You know, we've got to be fair on these things.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26We'll put it in another sale.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Going under the hammer right now we've got a walnut writing slope
0:16:36 > 0:16:40with a fitted mahogany interior with a value of £60 to £100.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42There's a lot riding on this and all will be revealed.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- It belongs to Ron. Pleased to meet you. And you've brought? - My grandson Ryan.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- Ryan, how do you do?- OK. Did you love antiques or football?
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- Yeah.- Both? What's your favourite football team, then?
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- Liverpool.- Liverpool! The money is going towards young Ryan's present for Christmas.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- Xbox 360.- He wants an Xbox 360.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Right, we need 100 quid or so, don't we?
0:17:08 > 0:17:09- Yes, we do, Paul. - That's what we want.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Do you know though, on a good day, two people falling in love with this, it could get 120.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- I don't know. Ryan, this is the excitement of the auction room. Are you ready for this?- Yeah.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Here we go, it's going under the hammer now. Good luck, both of you.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27Lot 180 is the large writing slope.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31What shall we put it in at? 60 to start? 65. 70. 75.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- 80.- It's gone.- 85. 80. 90.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37New money. 95. 100. 110?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40110. 120. 130?
0:17:40 > 0:17:42130. 140.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- 160.- 160. I'll take your 70, sir. 180? 180.- I was right.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52- 190. 200.- 200's a world record! - 200 down here. Sell seated at 200.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54You're out at the back. At £200 now.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Fantastic. - Net, you can come in if you want.
0:17:57 > 0:18:03- At £200. I sell seated.- Hammer down! - Yeah.- 210 up there. 220. 220.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Are you sure?
0:18:05 > 0:18:09220, seated. 230 if you want.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- She said, "Yes".- 250.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- He's jumped the bid by 40 quid. - I sell down here at 250.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20The seated bidder, he wants that box. At £250.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- £250! You've got your Xbox.- Yay!
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- £250!- How good is that, Ron?
0:18:29 > 0:18:34Fantastic. It's quality. It was all there, it was complete. The condition was great, as well.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35So, they loved it.
0:18:36 > 0:18:42That was one determined bidder, and let's hope we reel in some more top bids later on.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47Coming up, one family with high hopes for their pictures.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49But had you got a figure in mind at all?
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Well, we were hoping for, sort of, four for the pair, 4,000 for the pair.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57But are they being too ambitious?
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Right now I'm off to find out how one local fish
0:19:04 > 0:19:07has wriggled its way into the very lifeblood of this region.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09It's even slithered into the name.
0:19:09 > 0:19:16Ely means the Isle Of Eels and was so named because of the city's trade in this little writher.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Many monarchs from Saxon times onwards have tickled their taste buds with this local delicacy.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31A valuable commodity, eels have earned the nickname Fenman's Gold.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41Every Cambridgeshire village paid taxes in this aquatic animal
0:19:41 > 0:19:46and much of the stonework of Ely Cathedral, our valuation day location, was paid for in eels.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49This may seem quaint to modern sensibilities,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53but these fish were literally worth as much as gold in their day.
0:19:59 > 0:20:05Someone who knows all about eels and how to catch them is Cambridgeshire man Peter Carter.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09His family have a long tradition of trapping eels
0:20:09 > 0:20:13and Peter still uses traditional methods and materials.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- Peter?- Hi, are you all right? Sit down here, then.- Good to meet you. I've come to have a chat with you.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Gosh, a lovely place you've got. I've caught you in the middle of making an eel trap, I guess, yeah?
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Yeah, or an eel hive as they're known by their proper name.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Hive means something made of basketry.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- You're making this out of willow.- Yeah, split willow.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36That's what this is. It's a fast-growing willow.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38And you just split that with a penknife?
0:20:38 > 0:20:42No, no. You use a little tool, a little tool like that.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45It splits into three. The way it works...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48You just drive it right down the shaft.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49- Yeah.- Look at that.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52How clever is that?
0:20:52 > 0:20:56And it's a tool that hasn't changed for centuries, it does the job so well.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57That's incredible, isn't it?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00So quick. Why... Why do you use willow for eel traps, then?
0:21:00 > 0:21:05- Because on the Fen there's so much willow tree. - And it's there.- It's there, yeah.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07So... So how does an eel trap work?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Well, you can see I've just made the first of the chairs,
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- chair is an old Fen word meaning a narrow gap, and if you look in there they've got the spikes.- Yeah.
0:21:15 > 0:21:21So, the eel can squeeze in, he'll push these apart, they can't return to come back again.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- So they're trapped. - Then there's a second set further down which are even tighter.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Yeah.- And that holds them still then and they can't move.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31How long will it... How long will it take you to make this trap?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33It takes about three hours to make a trap.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36You're very good with your hands. Who taught you?
0:21:36 > 0:21:42That's an old family trade, so that's been passed down generations, well, 500 years that we know of.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44And every family had their own design.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47There were slight differences, but they all work the same way.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- Is it easy to do?- It's not too bad.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Do you want to have a go? You're welcome to have a go if you want.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- Oh, I've got to, really. I can't just sit here and watch, can I? - There you go.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09Turn the trap so that when you're going round the outside it's always the one nearest to you.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- So, like that.- That's it.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Oh, have I...
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- Have I just ruined that?- No, you want to go over the top of that one. - Oh, sorry.- That's right.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Of course, yeah, under and over, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Under and over.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- So, were these eels caught just for eating?- No, they used to use the skins a lot for making clothing,
0:22:31 > 0:22:37footwear, because they couldn't afford silver and gold and, well, eel was their gold. They used to...
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- I've come to the end there. - They used to
0:22:40 > 0:22:45dry the skins out and cut them, plait them and make wedding rings.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Even today they still make clothing out of eel skin.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- Do they?- Yeah. You can get shoes and things like that made of it. - Tough old things, aren't they?
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Very, very strong leather when it dries, yeah. Very strong.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And this is a tradition that hasn't changed for 200, 300 years?
0:22:59 > 0:23:05- Well, I was told by an archaeologist that they haven't changed for 5,000 years.- Wow!
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- If something works why change it?- Exactly.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Look at that. Is that... That one's that finished is it, there?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- Yeah.- Can I have a look?
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- So, do you try and make two or three on the go all at once?- Yes, yeah.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- It stops the boredom, then.- It would get boring, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29That's incredible. Fantastic use of local resources and that's what it's all about, really.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Well, I'll leave you to set some traps and I'm going to catch up with you later.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36OK, see you later.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Peter usually sets his traps in the evening.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Bait may be live worms, fish or dead animals.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53Eels are a bloodthirsty fish and love nothing more than a good bit of roadkill.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57The eel season lasts from March until October.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Well, we're filming this coming towards the end of the eel season,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18so it's going to be touch and go whether we catch any.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22And I can hear Peter coming now in his little boat, so I'm going to climb aboard,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24have a chat to him and see what he's got.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Perfect day for this, Peter.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- Beautiful, isn't it? - Yeah, and we've got the water to ourselves, as well.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- Yeah.- So, eels have quite an incredible life history.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56Yeah, they start off in the Sargasso Sea, which is about 4,000 miles away near New Mexico,
0:24:56 > 0:25:02and they start off as tiny little flatfish, they look like little willow leaves,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06and they drift across on the currents in their millions
0:25:06 > 0:25:09and when they get here they come up round the coastline.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11They'll then come up on to the Fen.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15They'll live here 20, 30 years, nobody really knows,
0:25:15 > 0:25:20and then they make the six year trip back again where they lay their eggs and die. They're fantastic.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22And what sort of life span is that?
0:25:22 > 0:25:28They think 20 years, but there were two eels caught as Wisbech which were over six foot in length
0:25:28 > 0:25:34and weighed in at 28 pounds and they reckon there must have been on the Fen a good 80 years to get that big.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43The first trap is just here.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44- Ah.- Now you can see it.
0:25:44 > 0:25:50- I can see it now.- So, we just go beyond it.- So, you put this one in last night?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Yeah.- Shall I grab this?
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Here she comes.- There you go.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07No, nothing. Shall we try another one, then?
0:26:07 > 0:26:08Yeah, let's try another one.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- No.- Got anything? - No, nothing in there.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21The traps are very quiet today.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23No luck again.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26It looks as though we're not going to have any luck today,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29so we've gone back to a trap where one was caught earlier.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- Is there one in there? - We've got one in here.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I think you can see him right at the bottom.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Oh, yeah, I can. Yes, I can. That's quite big, isn't it?
0:26:38 > 0:26:40It's a nice size... A nice-sized one. Not one of the biggest.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45And how much is one eel worth, then?
0:26:45 > 0:26:52- Oh, it's all done on weight.- It's just in weight, is it?- Yeah, it's about 4.50 a pound for eels.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54What about eel stocks, are they declining?
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Massively, especially since the 80s.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- Why's that?- Several reasons.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04- On the Fen especially we noticed when they changed the sluice gates, they took the wooden one's out...- Yes.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09- Which used to let the little elvers through, and put metal in.- Which is kind of watertight in a way.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13- Yeah. And because eels couldn't get through them any more...- Oh, gosh.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16What sort of decline was there in stocks?
0:27:16 > 0:27:18They say about 95%.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19Ooh, that's a lot, isn't it?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- It is, yeah.- That would affect your livelihood a lot.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Oh, it's made a big difference.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Some days we don't get anything in the traps now, where years gone by
0:27:28 > 0:27:30you couldn't pull a trap out with them being full of eels.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Happily, new ramps are being installed to allow the elvers through.
0:27:36 > 0:27:42That's surely good news as this ancient industry is an important part of the character of the Fens
0:27:42 > 0:27:47and it would be tragic indeed to imagine Ely without its eels.
0:27:58 > 0:28:04Back at our valuation day Elizabeth has pulled in a namesake with an offering of her own.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- Well, from one Elizabeth to a Liz. - Yes.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Thank you for bringing in this charming little figure. What can you tell me about her?
0:28:12 > 0:28:20Well, I used to occasionally look after an elderly lady and she'd had various hip operations, etc,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23and I'd admired this in her front room and she said, "Oh, well have it."
0:28:23 > 0:28:26- So I did.- Very nice.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28But I got it home and it's really...
0:28:28 > 0:28:34- It's in a cupboard. It's been in a cupboard the whole time and it just seems a shame.- It is a shame.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37So, I thought I'd get her out today and see what you thought.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41OK. Well, it's by the Royal Worcester factory and it's a little...
0:28:41 > 0:28:44A charming little girl seated on a little hillock
0:28:44 > 0:28:48surrounded by probably what are intended to be pansies in a dress
0:28:48 > 0:28:50which sort of simulates the pansies as well.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56And she's cuddling her little black kitten, which is really rather a charming and endearing subject.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57Yeah.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01She's modelled by Anne Acheson, who has signed it underneath.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06Now, Royal Worcester had one or two very high-profile modellers
0:29:06 > 0:29:09who had different subjects that they specialised in.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13- Oh, yes.- Some did historical figures, some did equestrian figures.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18The most well known of their children figures
0:29:18 > 0:29:22were modelled by Dorothy Doughty and her sister Freda
0:29:22 > 0:29:25and they were working from the 1930s to the 1950s.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28And I believe that Anne was actually a contemporary
0:29:28 > 0:29:31or worked alongside in the similar period.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- She's in lovely condition. - Yes, well, she's just sat there, poor love.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Yes. I mean, she's obviously had a very happy life
0:29:39 > 0:29:44so I think realistically she should sell to a collector for between £100 and £150.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- Oh, how very nice. - £100 discretionary reserve?
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- Oh, lovely.- That all right? - Yes, lovely. That's all right. Thank you very much.
0:29:52 > 0:29:53Oh, bless her. Yes.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Well, she's a charmer, I like her.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- Mr and Mrs Ross, isn't it?- It is. - Lovely to meet you.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- Lovely to meet you. - We're probably related.- Hi, Charlie.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Well, we're probably related. I don't know about you, you married into the family...
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- Yes, that's right.- You married into a great name, if I may say so.- I did.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19You brought me a cardboard box which is frankly less than exciting.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21- May I have a butcher's?- Yes.- You can.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26What an extraordinary mixture!
0:30:26 > 0:30:27Where did all this lot come from?
0:30:27 > 0:30:31One of my closest friends wanted to bring it along to the show
0:30:31 > 0:30:34and that but she can't make it because she's not very well.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- Oh, dear. So, you've been left the job of doing it.- Yes.- So we've been left the job to do it.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43- Delighted to.- Delighted to represent her.- Absolutely. - Well, let's have a look in here.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Let's start at the bottom.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50- That looks fabulous, but frankly is a load of nonsense.- Right.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- OK.- This looks even more fabulous and is marginally less nonsense,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59but we then go on to two very nice
0:30:59 > 0:31:02silver continental silver fob watches,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05lady's fob watches, small, dainty,
0:31:05 > 0:31:10- beautifully decorated enamel dials.- Very pretty aren't they?
0:31:10 > 0:31:18But I'm thinking, well, I'm praying, that this watch here is gold.
0:31:18 > 0:31:25Ah, it's got three figures on there, 585.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29It tells you it's gold and it's 14-carat gold.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- Right.- If it had got 750 on there it would be 18 carat-gold.- OK.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37It's not... 14 carat gold's not so heard of though, is it?
0:31:37 > 0:31:40No it isn't. You're quite right, gold is normally 9 carat...
0:31:40 > 0:31:42- Yes.- Or 18 carat.- Yes.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46Now, it's 20th century and the movement will be Swiss-made.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- Right.- It's where they may be good movements.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51But the fact that it's gold means it's got some value.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- Yes.- Beautifully dainty hands,
0:31:53 > 0:31:59an enamel dial which has no cracks or chips on it, second hand,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- but I think we've got to take into consideration these dents.- Yeah.
0:32:02 > 0:32:09Now, the only well to sell this lot, frankly, is to sell your complete cardboard-box worth I think.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13- OK.- Because if you start trying to sell these things individually
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- you're looking at a pound here and a pond there and a couple of...- Yeah. - A waste of time. Value?
0:32:17 > 0:32:21Come on, the Rosses, let's have a valuation.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Mr Ross.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- £60?- £60. Mrs Ross?
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- 75?- £75.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Well, I've got some great news.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- You're both wrong.- Ah!
0:32:32 > 0:32:40- I reckon that that watch itself is worth £150 to £200 even in that condition.- Marvellous.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- That's good news, isn't it? - Great news.
0:32:42 > 0:32:48And then you've got a few bits of nonsense, but you've also got another 20 there and probably 20 there,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50so 150, 160, 170, 180, 190.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- I think we're quite safely up to £200 to £300.- Wow!
0:32:53 > 0:32:58- Wow.- And we'll put a reserve on, tell your friend.- Yes.- What's the name of your friend?- Sue.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03Tell Sue that we're going to put a reserve on and I think we'll make that the £200
0:33:03 > 0:33:06with a little discretion. So, that will be good for Sue.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- Excellent.- And that will make her feel better.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- Yes.- I hope so. It would make us all feel better, with any luck.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:33:13 > 0:33:19And even I feel better looking at this curiosity, which has certainly grabbed my attention.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23What do you think this is? Anybody know? No? No?
0:33:23 > 0:33:28It belonged to a craftsman and it is not an eyebrow tweezer.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Definitely not an eyebrow tweezer!
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Tony, you've brought something of local interest.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39This would be used by a saddler as a vice.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42You could put one of the reins through there
0:33:42 > 0:33:44where two or three inches of stitching had come undone...
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- Yeah.- Because that leather's always moving.
0:33:46 > 0:33:52- That's right.- Tighten this, grip it fast.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55And then you could stitch away.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Do you think that would be made himself or the local carpenter or...
0:33:59 > 0:34:01- This would have been made by a carpenter.- Yeah.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07- And I'd say this is circa 1800, 1820. It's a very early one.- Yes.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09And I want to know how you came across that.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14- Are you in the equine business? - No, not at all.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- I bought it at a car boot sale along with a saddle stand.- Right.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21And they didn't cost an awful lot of money, I didn't consider it is a lot of money.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24- I paid £55 for the two pieces.- OK.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27I think you did rather well, Tony.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32I think a realistic auction guideline would be around about £30 to £50. Isn't it lovely, though?
0:34:32 > 0:34:36- Absolutely beautiful. - Absolutely gorgeous.
0:34:43 > 0:34:44We have a real family affair.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48We have Cherry, Mary and Sophie who have brought some beautiful paintings along
0:34:48 > 0:34:51and I think there must be a story behind these, is there?
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- My father was a builder-cum-film director.- Oh, right.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59And we used to buy up houses and redo them and do them up and this
0:34:59 > 0:35:03was part of the contents of one of the houses we acquired.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05So, he came back one day clutching two paintings.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08And some other things, yes.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- Do you remember them actually arriving at home?- I do, yes.
0:35:11 > 0:35:17- Right.- Yes, yeah, when I was little, very little. So now there are three of you, who owns them at the moment?
0:35:17 > 0:35:22Well, when he died one was left to my husband and one to Cherry,
0:35:22 > 0:35:26so that both families got one of the paintings, but with small children around the house,
0:35:26 > 0:35:30it got to the point where it was, "Hmm, they're going to get damaged."
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- Right, OK. So now you're contemplating selling them.- Yeah.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36OK. So, Mummy's thinking of selling them, Sophie, what do you?
0:35:36 > 0:35:41I sort of like the geese and the duck and the river.
0:35:41 > 0:35:48I quite like the river because it's got, like, two sections.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I like that one better, I have to say.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Well, they are both helpfully signed AA Glendening.
0:35:54 > 0:36:01It's helpful up to the point that it now tells us it's from the Glendening family.
0:36:01 > 0:36:07The awkward thing is there are two AA Glendenings, one is Alfred Augustus Glendening,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- and his son also Alfred Augustus Glendening.- Oh, helpful(!)
0:36:11 > 0:36:14But it is very difficult to be categoric as to who
0:36:14 > 0:36:19was painting which painting at what time because... If that makes sense.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22They are in good condition.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25They could do with a clean, but I like to see paintings look their age
0:36:25 > 0:36:30and I think wherever you've had them hanging they've been very happy, so that's good.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Original frames and nice honest work straight onto the market.
0:36:35 > 0:36:41Have you sort of a hope about what you might realise from offering them for sale?
0:36:41 > 0:36:44- We'd like enough to go on a decent holiday, each.- Yes, not together.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47- No.- Not together!- Not together.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- Oh, this harmony will only last for a short time!- No, no!
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Take the money and run. OK. But had you got a figure in mind at all or...
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Well, we were hoping for sort of four for the pair, 4,000
0:36:58 > 0:37:03for the pair, because we thought, you know, that way there's enough to have a decent holiday
0:37:03 > 0:37:06and have the memory of having them and thinking, "We've had good out of it."
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Had something substantial out of it.- Yeah.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13At the end of the day, it's going to be the luck of the draw on the day in the marketplace,
0:37:13 > 0:37:21but I think given the average value that seems to be achievable I don't think 4,000 is unrealistic.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It might be a little bit steep, but I think it's worth trying
0:37:24 > 0:37:27and I think if you try you can at least see how... how you get on.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32So if we place a reserve of £4,000, we will try and satisfy your requirements,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36hopefully we might get a more, but that will mean that the auctioneer
0:37:36 > 0:37:41will then place an estimate to reflect that of perhaps £4000 to £6000, say, and see.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45We'll take them in, £4,000 reserve and fingers crossed.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52I think that's right, fingers crossed for all our lots today.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Liz has had this figures stuck in a cupboard the whole time
0:37:54 > 0:37:58she's owned it, but is pleased with Elisabeth's valuation.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Charlie's found the gold treasure lurking in this box.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07The Rosses are delighted for their friend.
0:38:07 > 0:38:14And, finally, if their pictures sell sisters in law Mary and Cherry are planning to go on holiday.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- Yes. Not together, no.- Not together! - Not together!
0:38:17 > 0:38:20At least these pictures may end up reunited
0:38:20 > 0:38:26as we head back for our second visit to the auction room in Stamford, Lincolnshire,
0:38:26 > 0:38:31one of England's oldest coaching towns, so let's hope the bidders are going to be galloping in.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Going under the hammer we've got a bit of Royal Worcester.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41It's a lovely figure, it is well marked, £100 to £150 Elizabeth put on it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:47And, Liz, I have got to say, a sparkle of colour! Love the shoes!
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Look at that!
0:38:49 > 0:38:54The bracelet, the brooch... It's all going on, isn't it? This is it.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59458 is the Royal Worcester figurine.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01At 55. 60. 65.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03At 65. 70. 75.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Yes, look, there's a commission bid down there at the front.
0:39:06 > 0:39:0985 in the room. 90 now, net.
0:39:09 > 0:39:1290. 95. I've got 95.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13Net, you're going to have to go 100.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18100. With the internet at £100. 110.
0:39:18 > 0:39:19Keep going, net.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21It's got a black cat in there.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- Look, she's...- 120.- 120. At 120.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27She's cuddling a black cat. 130.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- The cat makes the difference.- It does. That's what you've always said.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- Yes.- At 130. I sell to the net at £130.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35All done at 130?
0:39:35 > 0:39:40- £130, Liz!- That's good.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- That's brilliant, isn't it? - That is delightful.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46You'll be able to put that towards all these day trips out
0:39:46 > 0:39:47you're going on now you're retired.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- A bit of Huntingdon races. - Are you?
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Because I belong to Elite Racing Club.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- Oh, I say!- I went to York the other week, that was nice.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- Do you have a flutter at all? - A little flutter, a little profit.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02- Not much! She's the lady to know, obviously.- I think so.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Well, let's see how this next lot goes, shall we?
0:40:11 > 0:40:12It's that box of watches.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15It's a mixed lot, £200 to £300, we're hoping to get the top end.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17There's a lot there, Charlie.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Well, it's going under the hammer now. Good luck.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Lot 590, a little collection of assorted watches,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26pocket watches etc. Straight in, 100 for these?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28£100? 100? At 100 only.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Done then at 100. 110. 120. 130.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36140. 150. 160. 170. At 170. 180.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39At 180 now. Back here at £180.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- I want you to do better than this. - This is good.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- Are you bidding? At 180. 180. I sell over here.- Yes!
0:40:44 > 0:40:47190 on the net. 200 now.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49200. At £200. 210 on the net?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Net, go 210?
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Are they? 210.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59With the internet at £210. I sell to the net at 210.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Yes. The hammer's gone down. £210. That went to the trade, didn't it?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04- Yes.- Because there's a lot there.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06They can split that up.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Well, I think you've done the hard work.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Go back and report 210, less commission, but I think that's...
0:41:11 > 0:41:15- That was fine.- A meal out for you two.- Yes, absolutely.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Great gathering, packed auction room, this is what I love to see.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Hopefully, one or two surprises.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30I've been joined by Mary, Cherry and Sophie.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32And we're selling the two Glendening oils.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37Wonderful. I take it one of you owns one and one owns the other.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Elizabeth, we've got £4,000 to £6,000 on this.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46It sounds frightening in cold light of day, but, it's worth the money for the artist.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48- It is, exactly.- Hope so. - I'm quite excited, aren't you?
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Very excited! It's going under the hammer now.
0:41:51 > 0:41:57Lot 290, the Alfred Augustus Glendenings, the pair of these.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Put them in at 2,000 to start.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Straight in at £2,000. At 2,000.
0:42:02 > 0:42:072,1. 2,2. 2,3. 2,4. 2,5, new bidder.
0:42:07 > 0:42:092,6. 2,7.
0:42:09 > 0:42:122,8. 2,9.
0:42:12 > 0:42:153,000. 3,1. 3,2.
0:42:15 > 0:42:20- Here we go, look. 3,2.- 3,3. At 3, 3 now. This side at 3,3.
0:42:20 > 0:42:26- 3,3.- At 3,3. 3,4. 3,5. 3,6. 3,7.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- That was on the phones.- 3,8.
0:42:29 > 0:42:333,9. 4,000. At 4,000 now.
0:42:33 > 0:42:384,1. 4,2.
0:42:38 > 0:42:44- 4,3. 4,4.- He's drawing the bids out. - 4,5.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49- Sophie, 4,600.- 4,7. 4,8?
0:42:50 > 0:42:544,8. 4,9.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Do you know what? In a way, it's going to be nice
0:42:57 > 0:42:58whoever buys these is keeping them...
0:42:58 > 0:43:01They'll be able to display them as a pair coupled together,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04which is really nice, which is something you couldn't do.
0:43:04 > 0:43:065,4.
0:43:06 > 0:43:085,5.
0:43:09 > 0:43:125,6.
0:43:12 > 0:43:155,7. 5,8.
0:43:15 > 0:43:185,9. 6.
0:43:21 > 0:43:246,1. 6,2?
0:43:24 > 0:43:276,1. At 6,100. Is that it?
0:43:27 > 0:43:32- You're all out in front.- £6,100.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35- Yes.- Yes!- £6,100.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Spot on valuation, Elizabeth. There's your holidays.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40- Yes.- There's commission to pay, but all credit
0:43:40 > 0:43:43to the man on the rostrum. He worked the bids up.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46Sophie, you've got that dream holiday and I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:46 > 0:43:52Sadly, we've run out of time from Stamford, so until the next time for plenty more surprises, it's cheerio.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:44:12 > 0:44:15E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk