0:00:03 > 0:00:07Well, just looking at this, you wouldn't believe busy Central London
0:00:07 > 0:00:11is less than an hour away by train, would you? But it is.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14We've headed out to the Essex coastline. Today, "Flog It!"
0:00:14 > 0:00:17is on a day trip to Southend-on-Sea.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Southend Pier is the town's historical icon.
0:00:42 > 0:00:48It stretches just over 1.3 miles and it is literally the world's longest pleasure pier.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53Not only is it a great tourist attraction but it's also put Southend in the record books.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58Southend's pier is so long there's a train that transfers holidaymakers
0:00:58 > 0:01:00from the seafront out to the pier head.
0:01:00 > 0:01:07Since the present iron pier was first opened in 1889, it's had a very interesting history, surviving
0:01:07 > 0:01:10a boat crash and two fires, the most recent of which was in 2005
0:01:10 > 0:01:16when the fire severely damaged much of the Victorian pier head.
0:01:16 > 0:01:24Today, it's still undergoing restoration but remains a major part of Southend's seafront.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And talking of the sea, later on in the show I'll be taking a look
0:01:30 > 0:01:36at harvesting sea salt, a craft the east coast of Essex has been famous for for well over 2,000 years.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48But right now it's back to another type of PIER, and that's peering in
0:01:48 > 0:01:51all those bags and boxes, and there's literally thousands of them.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53And that job is down to our two experts today, and
0:01:53 > 0:01:58here's the first, Mr Thomas Plant, and of course joined by Will Axon.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00We've got a huge crowd here.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Their job is to pick up the best items to take off to auction later on in the show.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07But right now I think it's time to get this massive crowd
0:02:07 > 0:02:12inside our venue for today, Southend High School for Boys.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26As the crowds rush in, something special has already caught Will's eye.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Tony, I like this little piece you've brought in today. What can you tell me about this?
0:02:31 > 0:02:36It was given to myself and my wife by a close friend of ours.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39She now and again gives us bits and pieces.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43I think she's just clearing her clutter out, but she just gave us this box.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Really? Well, that's a nice friend to have, isn't it?
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- Yeah. Yeah.- This has a sort of continental feel to it, to me.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52I don't think this is English.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57- I think this could possibly be French or suchlike.- Yeah, yeah.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- Let's have a closer look at it, shall we?- Yeah.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04Interesting sort of lozenge shape, this sort of diamond shape.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Little trinket box, I suppose, little casket, that sort of thing.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- The colour looks very right to be gold, doesn't it?- Yeah. Yeah.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13But I don't think it is.
0:03:13 > 0:03:20Various sort of factors that sort of suggest to me that it might not be
0:03:20 > 0:03:25is the overall sort of quality of the whole as a whole.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30I mean, it is nice, but it's not that sort of premier league of quality that French craftsmen...
0:03:30 > 0:03:33If they were using the gold and the silver,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- it would have been top-notch work. - Yeah, I see.- And then these panels.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I see it's had a bit of damage, obviously.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44We've seen that and we can see that on the piece now.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45- Are they leather? - Well, that's what I think.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48I think this is like a red leather, isn't it?
0:03:48 > 0:03:52But you've got these cherub figures, and then above one of them I see a little lever here.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54So if I press that,
0:03:54 > 0:04:01we can open up the lid, and then it's got this rather nice sort of lined interior, which
0:04:01 > 0:04:04leads me to think that it is a little trinket box.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Yeah. Yeah.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Is that how it's used now? Where does it live?
0:04:08 > 0:04:10No, we just keep it in a glass cabinet.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12OK, so it's on display.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Yeah, it's on display. Yeah.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- My wife shows it to everybody who comes around.- Does she?
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Yeah, she's quite keen on it.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- Is she? And she's quite keen for us to sell it, is she?- I am.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- You are?- Yeah.- Don't you like it?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I don't mind it, but I just try and clear out clutter.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31We collect things and accumulate things, but then I think we need to make room for others.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Well, that's the way to do it.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36You sell the lesser bits or the bits that you've had a while
0:04:36 > 0:04:39and use the money that you get to buy better bits.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Well, I was hoping with this to pay my mortgage off, give my notice in at work and emigrate, but...
0:04:43 > 0:04:45And you can invite me on a world cruise!
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- Yeah!- I'm afraid not. - No.- Have you thought about value?
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Well, yes, of course.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- Obviously, the fact that perhaps some people thought it may have been gold-mounted...- That was our hope.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- ..that was obviously going to make a big difference to the value.- Yeah.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I think it's going to be worth...
0:05:01 > 0:05:05I would suggest £40 to £60 as an estimate.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10We won't put a reserve on it, and it's the sort of thing that I would be tempted on buying.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14I can't, unfortunately, but hopefully there'll be two other people out there who think like me
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- and they'll push it up past the top estimate for you.- OK.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Les?- Yes?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Thank you for coming along and bringing your little friend...
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- Glad to do it. - ..this little piggy-wig. Tell me, how did you come by him?
0:05:32 > 0:05:38Well, at an auction, looking at other objects, it just caught my eye,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- and, looking at it closely, I had to have it.- Really?
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- Yes.- Why are you selling it, then? - It doesn't go with the rest of my stuff, which is bronze.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50It's the only silver item in the cupboard,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and because "Flog It!"
0:05:52 > 0:05:56was in town, I thought, "I've got to bring something", and it had to be the pig.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Yeah. Quite good fun, isn't it?
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Pig pin cushions are quite collectable,
0:06:01 > 0:06:06- because pin cushions are collectable and pigs are collectable.- Yes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10And it's a silver one, which is nice, as well. And it's quite early.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14It's Birmingham, and the date letter for it is 1903.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- As early as that?- Edward VII. It's a nice thing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- It takes you back well into history. - So what took your fancy about it?
0:06:20 > 0:06:24It just seemed so perfectly formed as a pig.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27It was just a beautiful-looking animal.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- Mm.- The face, the curly tail, it just sits nice, or stands nice, in the cupboard.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- And I'm glad you didn't polish him, as well.- No, I wouldn't dare.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40- Because the tempting thing is to give it a clean.- Not with me.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46And silver cleaning is fine, there's nothing wrong with that,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48but that tarnish is quite nice.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54It shows that it's nice and private and not sort of been fiddled with, and I like that about that,
0:06:54 > 0:06:59I like that it hasn't been lovingly polished, and it means that the definition is still there.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05- That's right. - I think silver's quite popular at the moment, it's doing very well.
0:07:05 > 0:07:11We're not looking at weight value or anything like that, we're looking at its pure collectorship value,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14and I would put it in at,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I'd like to say, £100 to £150.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I would be pleased with that.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Yeah? What did you pay for it?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24With commission, 115.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- Oh, well, we're nearly there, aren't we?- Nearly there.- Nearly there.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Obviously, if we sell it for 100, we might lose a bit of commission on that.- That's all right.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37I think we should have a discretionary reserve at 100 just to give the auctioneer a bit of leeway.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Yes.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- But I'd love to do that. - On the other hand, pigs might fly.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Well, it's not Pandora's box, it's Barbara's box, isn't it?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Certainly is.- And I love your tan!
0:07:56 > 0:07:58That's the garden that does that!
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Can I take a closer look and open it this way? Because I know it's full.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06If I open this,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08look at that.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Isn't that superb?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16What a surprise inside!
0:08:16 > 0:08:19And it looks on first inspection - I'm just going to open the wings...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22These fold out.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24This is continental, isn't it?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- I had an idea it might be. - Yes, it is. It's French.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I'm pretty sure it's French. It's all cut glass.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It's all crystal. Yeah.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35That's superb!
0:08:35 > 0:08:38It's got a beautiful fitted interior.
0:08:38 > 0:08:44And these were for spirits, kept under lock and key, the liqueurs and the brandies.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Where did you come across this?
0:08:46 > 0:08:52Well, it's been in our family, or my husband's family, actually, for a while.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56We've actually owned it for about 20 years, something like that.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Well, this dates back to around about 1850, 1860.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04The coromandel has been ebonised on the outside, which gives you
0:09:04 > 0:09:08this lovely black finish, and the lock actually works, doesn't it?
0:09:08 > 0:09:10It does. What is that on the top?
0:09:10 > 0:09:11That's also inlaid brass.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- That's brass as well?- Yeah, with a little bit of mother-of-pearl.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Can you see that on the four corners? That's mother-of-pearl.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22So, why do you want to sell something so beautiful?
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Because it's in perfect condition, and it's the kind of thing you should keep forever.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- Well, we do have quite a large family...- Right.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- ..fifteen grandchildren...- Oh, gosh!
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- ..so if you can imagine...- You can't divide it up, can you?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38I can't divide it up, and also...
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Fifteen grandchildren?!
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Yes. And one great-grandchild.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Oh, wow. I bet Christmas is a happy time in your house.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47It certainly is, yeah!
0:09:47 > 0:09:50So, any idea of the value?
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Not really, no, none at all.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56If I said £400 to £600, would you be happy?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- As much as that?- Yeah.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Yeah. And I think if we put it into auction with a value of 400 to 600,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06put a reserve of 400 with just a bit of discretion,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- and you'll find a buyer.- Right!
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Avis, I love this bowl you've brought in for us today to have a look at.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Is this from your own collection
0:10:23 > 0:10:25or is this something you've happened upon through the years?
0:10:25 > 0:10:29No, this was inherited from my late husband's aunt.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34She always had a plant pot placed in it with a lovely plant, and I always loved it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- And when I first had it, that's what I did as well.- Put the plant in it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41That's invariably what happens.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Over the years, it's been put away. - Has it?
0:10:44 > 0:10:50I'll tell you what it is first. It's what we would call a Sunderland lustre bowl. So, the "lustre"
0:10:50 > 0:10:55we call it because of this lovely sort of iridescence you get from the glaze that's used, and "Sunderland"
0:10:55 > 0:10:59because that's the part of the world where these were made.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Now, what makes this a little bit more interesting, a little bit more
0:11:03 > 0:11:10different, is the Crimean coat of arms, the Crimean crest that refers to the Crimea war.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Do you know the dates?- Would you like me to tell you the dates?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- You know them, do you?- I do.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- What were they? - Crimean War, 1853 to 1856.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Very good. I'm impressed.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26I'm very impressed. Well, a bit of a dark horse on the history!
0:11:26 > 0:11:28You're right, of course.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32It looks to me on this bowl... I'm going to pick it up and have a good look at it now, turn it round.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36So, looking though it, we've got "Now weigh the anchor, hoist the sail".
0:11:36 > 0:11:39But generally, the last line tells you what it's about - "Deliver us, good Lord, we pray".
0:11:39 > 0:11:42So it's looking to be looked after.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46And here again you've got the sailor's return with his sweetheart,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49The Token, or Jack's Safe Return To His True Love.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53And then we've got this rather fine Crimea sort of crest here.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58The colours are good on here, because if I look inside the bowl, you said that you had kept
0:11:58 > 0:12:04a plant pot and your late husband's aunt had kept a plant pot, that has affected the interior a bit,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07because if we look, we can see we've got a bit of staining, haven't we?
0:12:07 > 0:12:12And that staining gets into and under the glaze, which can be a problem. It's very hard to get out,
0:12:12 > 0:12:18which also, turning over, now we're on that point, you've got a bit of a star crack to the base here.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21So you don't need it, you don't use it, you've brought it to us here today.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24You probably want to know what I think it's worth.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Have you got any ideas? - I've got no idea at all.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28I would say...
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Let's keep it sensible. I'm going to say keep it under £100.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34I'm going to say let's put it in at sort of £60 to £80.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- That's fine.- Yeah?- That's fine.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38You don't need it, do you? You don't use it, like you say.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- What's the money going to go towards?- Probably spend it on my grandchildren.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- I've got three grandchildren.- Yes?
0:12:45 > 0:12:47So 60 to 80, £40 reserve.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50We'll fix it at 40, so at least then you know you've got something.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54At least it's going to be a tenner and a bit more each for the grandchildren, isn't it? Yeah?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05We're halfway through our day and there are still hundreds of people to see.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09In fact, the queue still goes all around the block, back into the car park.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12But right now it's time for our first visit to the auction room.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14We've found some fantastic items.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17It's time to put those valuations to the test.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21So while we make our way over there, we're going to leave you with a quick recap just to jog your memory
0:13:21 > 0:13:24of all the items going under the hammer.
0:13:24 > 0:13:30Tony is hoping his diamond-shaped trinket box will make enough money to completely change his life!
0:13:30 > 0:13:34I was hoping with this to pay my mortgage off, give my notice in at work and emigrate, but...
0:13:34 > 0:13:39Well, I'm pretty sure it's not going to fetch that much, but we'll soon find out.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Les wants to extend his collection of bronzes by flogging this silver
0:13:43 > 0:13:48pig pin cushion, and Thomas thinks it could make between £100 and £150.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51And I absolutely loved Barbara's decanter set.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It really deserves to be on display.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57But with such a large family, it's been safely tucked away.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02And finally, Avis's Sunderland lustre bowl was used as a plant pot,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06but now she wants to treat her three grandchildren, so it's going under the hammer.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22For today's auction, we've headed just up the coast from Southend
0:14:22 > 0:14:29to Stacey's Auctioneers in Rochford, and on the rostrum are brothers Mark and Paul Stacey.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32First up, it's the Sunderland lustre bowl.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37It's a Crimean war theme, and it should fly away.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40It belongs to Avis, who's just joined me in the nick of time.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- It's absolutely packed here.- It is. - You have to barge your way through!
0:14:44 > 0:14:48We haven't seen an auction like this for ages! Why are you selling the bowl?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Well, it was something that had been put away I don't use.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I just wanted to come along to "Flog It!" anyway...
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Come and meet Will, get a valuation.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59I've got to say, doesn't Avis look fabulous?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Great. You did on the valuation day as well. Perfect.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- And that's all for the auction world.- Definitely!
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Lot 400, Sunderland pink lustre bowl, Lot 400. Plenty of interest here with me, ladies and gentlemen.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11One, two, three, four bids.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13I'm clearing the book at £90.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- 90?!- Yeah, straight in!
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Here with me, commission bid at 90. 95. 100. Against you. 105. 110.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23115. 120.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- A lot of people collect this.- 125.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29130. At £130. It's still here with me, commissions at £130.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Coming in at £130. Last time.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I'm selling at 130.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Yes! Brilliant!- I can't believe it!
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Got to be happy with that! That was a good result, wasn't it?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- That was brilliant.- Don't forget, there's commission to pay.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- Mm.- Yeah? If you sell something in auction or if you buy something, there's always commission to pay.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50So they're going to deduct that. But there's a bit of spending money.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51Mm. How much will I get?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I'm not sure, because I haven't worked it out yet!
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- Exactly! Where's the accountant? - Yeah!
0:16:04 > 0:16:07It's my time to be the expert, and I'm joined by Barbara.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- And who have you brought along with you?- I've brought my son Peter.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- Hi, hello.- Pleased to meet you. - What do you think of this decanter?
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- I think it's very lovely. - It's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:16:15 > 0:16:17I fell in love with this.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I don't know why you want to sell this.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21For the children's sake.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26It's not large enough for them to get their lagers in, you know, those little glasses?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28No, I suppose it isn't, really, is it?
0:16:28 > 0:16:30How many kids have you got?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I've got five children
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- and fifteen grandchildren. - And fifteen grandchildren!
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Well, try dividing that up, then!
0:16:37 > 0:16:44Lot 560. We come now to the fine 19thC French ebonised brass-inlaid decanter box, Lot 560.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45There it is, nice one there. Where are we going to be?
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Let's not waste time. £300 start straight in. £300 anywhere?
0:16:49 > 0:16:52£300 I'm bid. Thank you. 310.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56320. 330. 340. At £340 now.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Are we all done at £340?
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Any advance? At 340.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Last time, then, at £340.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09I'm ever so sorry. It's just short of that reserve.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12There's another auction room on another day, or you can re-enter it here.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Have a word with the auctioneer, see if you can find that underbidder.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Well, this little piggy went to market, and who brought him along?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Yes, Les, who's standing right next to me.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- I know we've got £100 to £150 on this, and there's a fixed reserve of 100, isn't there?- I think so.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Yeah, you're not
0:17:37 > 0:17:39letting it go for nothing, are you?
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- I think it's discretionary. - Don't blame you. Thomas, it should get that top end.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- It's quality.- It should do. It's a nice-looking object.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Let's hope it does get away at 100 and do a little bit more.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52Moving now to Lot 160,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55we have the silver pin cushion in the form of a pig.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59A bit of interest in this, ladies and gentlemen, straight in at £90.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Any advances on £90?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04At £90. 95. 100. Back on the books.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- There we are! - At £100. Are we all done?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10I'm selling, then, at £100.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- Well, it's gone. It's gone. - That's not bad, is it?
0:18:13 > 0:18:14No. A bit of money towards the bronze. Well, good luck.
0:18:14 > 0:18:21- I know there's some bronzes in the saleroom, and hopefully you'll get one.- I hope so, too.- Thanks, Les.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Like the hat, Tony.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Suits you, actually. Really good. What do you do for a living?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Park ranger. I'm the lone ranger for a local authority.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- And you do all that on horseback, do you?- Erm...! I'd like to!
0:18:41 > 0:18:43No, not quite, no.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Anyway, going under the hammer is a diamond-shaped trinket box, £40 to £60.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Sounds good value for money.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50A nice little trinket box.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54We were looking at it - it's got something about it, hasn't it?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56It's got a touch of quality about it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- I was hoping it was gold.- Yeah. I had a word with Mark earlier.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01He tested it for gold. It wasn't, unfortunately, it is brass.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- But even so, it's just got little touches of...- It's got the look.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- Yeah.- That's what's going to get it away.- It's no reserve, that helps.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10He's here to sell! Good luck!
0:19:10 > 0:19:12You don't need it. This is it.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Lot 460, 19thC trinket box
0:19:14 > 0:19:18of diamond shape. Nice trinket box there.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20To prove it, I have one, two, three bids,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and I start the bidding here with me at £90.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25It's here with me at £90. 95.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28100. Against you. 105. 110.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32115. 120. At £120, it's here with me.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Commissions at 120. Any advance at £120?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Last time at 120.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Cracking result! £120!
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- Good price! Good price!- We didn't need that "no reserve", did we?
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Just in case, just in case!
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- Got to be ever so happy with that. - Yeah, it's brilliant.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I wasn't expecting that.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56Stay with us, because later on in the programme, Will has a difference of opinion over a creamware mug.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- You don't like it?- No.- Don't you?
0:19:59 > 0:20:01No! What does it match?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03It's right up my street, I must say.
0:20:17 > 0:20:23For hundreds of years, people living on the east coast of Essex have been harvesting this stuff.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28That's sea salt. The first documented evidence of salt being extracted from the sea
0:20:28 > 0:20:32was in the Domesday survey of 1086,
0:20:32 > 0:20:37when it listed a total of 45 salt pans here in the Maldon area.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43The conditions are perfect in this part of the country for making salt
0:20:43 > 0:20:48due to the relatively low annual rainfall, as there is less rain water to dilute the sea water.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54As well as this, when the tide recedes, exposing the marshlands and mudflats, a combination of the sun
0:20:54 > 0:20:59and wind evaporates the water, leaving salt deposits on the vegetation.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03The salt that dries across the marshes is then re-absorbed by the
0:21:03 > 0:21:09higher spring tide, thus making the concentration of salt even higher.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13For hundreds of years, salt was skilfully harvested from the sea.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16But during the 19th century, a combination of heavy taxes and more
0:21:16 > 0:21:22economical methods of production meant that the Essex salt traders soon began to disappear.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28Today, the Maldon Crystal Salt Company is one of only four sea salt manufacturers left in England.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33It's still a family-run business, and it's headed up by Clive Osborne,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35who knows these salt marshes very well.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It is absolutely stunning here, Clive, isn't it?
0:21:40 > 0:21:43You must love it, because you were brought up here as a young lad.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Absolutely. Spent all my life here, yeah.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47How many acres do these marshes cover?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Well, Essex is notorious for its salt marshes.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54There's literally thousands of acres of marshland.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59Most people think of natural sea salt as the white, flaky things you sprinkle on your food, don't they?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Let's face it. But there's a lot more to it than that.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Oh, I mean, the annual world production of salt
0:22:06 > 0:22:10is approximately 110 million tonnes a year. Gosh! Really?
0:22:10 > 0:22:17Yeah. The vast majority, though, is used in the chemical industry for the making of chlorine, caustic
0:22:17 > 0:22:24soda and other chemicals to produce many man-made things, from rubber to paper to plastics.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26It's a massive industry. Yes, it is, indeed.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32But we at Maldon, we produce a very small quantity of salt exclusively
0:22:32 > 0:22:38for food, for the home and for sprinkling on your food, yes.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Tell me a little bit of the way salt was used in the past, though.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- Well, salt was around... - Because the Egyptians were using it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50Absolutely, yeah. The Egyptians used it to preserve their meat.
0:22:50 > 0:22:59Campaigning Romans were paid in salt money called salarium, and that's how we get our word "salary"
0:22:59 > 0:23:01in today's language.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- So it was used an awful lot. - I never knew that!- Yeah, yeah.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07So how do you get the salt from here onto the plate?
0:23:07 > 0:23:13What we do at Maldon is during the spring tides, the high tides,
0:23:13 > 0:23:20we're testing, monitoring the water, and if the conditions are absolutely right, we siphon off
0:23:20 > 0:23:27the water on the high tides, and then it goes into large tanks, where it's allowed to settle.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30And after settling, we then filter,
0:23:30 > 0:23:36and from there we put it into large stainless-steel salt pans.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- Why don't you come along and and see how we do it?- I'd love to!
0:23:42 > 0:23:48Maldon Salt has been a family-run company ever since 1882.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Clive's grandfather passed it on to his son Cyril, who ran
0:23:51 > 0:23:56the company for 50 years before passing it himself on to Clive.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Although the production of sea salt has become
0:23:58 > 0:24:04more efficient and streamlined over the years, the basic skills and process remain the same today.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14So, what's going to happen here?
0:24:14 > 0:24:18The water's pumped into these stainless steel pans here.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23- The water is then brought up to a galloping boil.- OK.
0:24:23 > 0:24:29Then the heat's reduced and then we get down to a saturated solution.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35As more water comes off, the water gets saturated and the salt crystals then start to form on the surface
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- of the water, as you see here. - What are you holding there?
0:24:38 > 0:24:42I've some salt crystals that can form on the surface of the water.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45These crystals have formed in a pyramid shape.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49As they grow in size, they get heavier, and as they get heavier,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53- the water then flows in the top and they sink down to the bottom.- Right.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58In its place, another crystal starts to form, and what's happening is the level of the crystals
0:24:58 > 0:25:05gradually build up from the bottom of the pan as the level of the water through evaporation drops.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08So you come over a period of time to where the level of the crystals
0:25:08 > 0:25:11meet the level of the water, and then the process is finished.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13So these guys work on shifts 24/7?
0:25:13 > 0:25:20They're here from six in the morning till six at night, and then they're setting it on an automatic, but one
0:25:20 > 0:25:25of us will come down at night to have a look, see that everything is going according to plan.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Right. So what happens next, once it's got to that stage?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Well, the salt makers come in early in the morning, and then
0:25:32 > 0:25:36they will be drawing the salt pans, which you will see over here.
0:25:38 > 0:25:45So, what it is, they're still using the same traditional long-handled rakes to hand-harvest the salt,
0:25:45 > 0:25:49the salt that's been manufactured the day before.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51He's drawing them up into piles here.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56And once he's drawn the pans, the salt gets shovelled out into the bins
0:25:56 > 0:26:02and then more water is poured in and the process is repeated again.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05So what happens after that, then? That's all going into that bin.
0:26:05 > 0:26:13Yeah. Salt goes into the draining bins there, where it's drained for 24 hours, and then it's
0:26:13 > 0:26:21put into a low-temperature oven to adjust the moisture and finally dry it before it goes up to be packed.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26And that's Maldon salt. Nothing added,
0:26:26 > 0:26:30nothing taken away, and naturally harvested like this.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33That's fantastic, isn't it? How much salt do you produce a year?
0:26:33 > 0:26:37It's about 1,500 tonnes a year.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- That's a lot!- Well, it's a lot of small little boxes.- Yeah.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45About 65, 70 per cent, though, that we produce is exported.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- Is it?- Yep.- Where to, mainly? All over the world?
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Literally all over the world.
0:26:49 > 0:26:55I suppose our biggest markets would be Scandinavia, Australasia, but we go
0:26:55 > 0:26:58to South Africa and America.
0:26:58 > 0:27:03Good for you. I can't wait to have some on my salad tonight for supper, I really can't.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- Great.- Looking forward to that!
0:27:12 > 0:27:17So the next time you sprinkle some natural sea salt on your meal, spare a thought for its journey
0:27:17 > 0:27:20from these wonderful marshes here in Essex straight to your plate.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Now it's back to Southend High School for Boys,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30to see if our experts can find any classic pieces
0:27:30 > 0:27:34amongst the hundreds of people still queuing for their valuations.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Myra, thank you very much for bringing along Brun the bear.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I call him Brun, because alas, poor Brun
0:27:47 > 0:27:51is this bear of Germany, and he's commonly called Brun.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Does he have a name?- Yeah, Bruno.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Was he Bruno, was he? Tell me about him.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01Well, my father brought him back when he came back from the war.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06I was four years old, and it was the first time I'd seen my father,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09because he'd been away, you know.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14And I didn't even recognise him when he came up the path to the front door.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18I saw him and screamed, and went running in, but my mother went out
0:28:18 > 0:28:22and put her arms round him, and he gave us that.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- And that was the little present he brought back?- Yeah.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30- Was this 1940s...? 1945? - Yeah. '45, '46.
0:28:30 > 0:28:36So, do you think... When he brought this, did it look in this condition?
0:28:36 > 0:28:37Was it a little bit better?
0:28:37 > 0:28:42I think it was probably better. But it was second-hand, he said.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Because I think this could be a Hermann bear.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I don't think it's a Steiff, because it doesn't have a button.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51But it could be a Hermann one.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56Not one hundred per cent convinced, because it's very difficult to date.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01- It's certainly before the bears we see normally, which are jointed, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04So it's like a carpet bear or a pull-along bear, and I would say certainly 1900s,
0:29:04 > 0:29:10late 19th century, early 1900s, first part of the 20th century,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12when this bear would have been made.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16- And he's straw-filled, isn't he? - Yeah.- With this mohair.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18He's rather handsome.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21I think it could make £100.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25I don't think there's a problem with making 100, at all.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29And I would like to estimate it at 100 to 150.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I think it's delightful. It's just so fun.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36And he's such a nice-looking bear,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40and I think we should reserve it at sort of, you know, £80.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44Now, when we do sell him, it will be quite sad, I know...
0:29:44 > 0:29:49but you have to take solace that he will be amongst other furry friends.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- Yes, he'll have somebody to talk to. - He will have somebody to talk to.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Victoria, thank you for coming along today
0:30:04 > 0:30:09and bringing for me, I think, one of my favourite little pieces today.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10What can you tell me about this,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13is it something that's been handed down to you?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Yeah. It came from my grandma.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19When I was nine she passed away, and it's been in the back of my wardrobe.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20The back of your wardrobe?
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- Yeah. It doesn't look very pretty. - You don't like it?- No.- Don't you?
0:30:24 > 0:30:26No! What does it match?
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Well, it's right up MY street, I must say.
0:30:28 > 0:30:35It's a piece of genuine English 18th-century pottery,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38a bit of creamware, which is a type of pottery
0:30:38 > 0:30:41that was developed in Staffordshire.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44One of the most famous names associated with creamware
0:30:44 > 0:30:49is Josiah Wedgwood - a name you've probably heard of, Wedgwood.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53He developed this type of earthenware,
0:30:53 > 0:30:58which was then covered with this thin lead glaze
0:30:59 > 0:31:01to try and create the feel and look of porcelain,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05because we in England didn't know how to make porcelain.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Certainly in the Staffordshire regions
0:31:07 > 0:31:10they weren't making porcelain until the very late 18th century.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Another point is this rather attractive
0:31:13 > 0:31:15little sprig decoration.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Now, I don't know who that is,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21I haven't had a lot of time to do any research on it today.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25But what is going to make a huge difference to the value
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- is the condition of it.- Yeah.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Now, you tell me it's at the back of your wardrobe.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34It's got a bit of a chip up here. It's got a bit of a hairline crack.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Well, it's 200 years old. I mean, if I look that good in 200 years, I'll be quite happy!
0:31:38 > 0:31:44I think if it had been perfect - and it's quite rare to find creamware in perfect condition,
0:31:44 > 0:31:48because it is susceptible to the odd crack and the odd chip
0:31:48 > 0:31:54just because of the way the body itself is made, it's not like hard porcelain -
0:31:54 > 0:31:58it would have been worth a few hundred pounds, say £200 to £300.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Maybe more, actually. But you'd put it in at two to three,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and it's so nice I think it would do well.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Because of the damage, I'm going to have to rein in my valuation a little bit, I'm afraid.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- You just want shot of it, don't you? - Yeah.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15I'm going to say to you, let's put it in at...
0:32:15 > 0:32:18£100 with discretion.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- So what should we put the reserve at?- 80?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22OK, that sounds fair to me.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- Should it go at 80?- I thought I'd ask you, because if you come back and say,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29"I want it away", I would have hit you for the "no reserve".
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- But I'm happy for you to say it's £80 reserve.- OK.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34So let's put it in 100-150. £80 reserve.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37That's impressive for a cracked mug.
0:32:37 > 0:32:38- You're happy at that?- Yeah.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- Peter, thank you very much for coming to "Flog It!"...- No problem.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54..and bringing along some toys which don't belong to you...?
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- No, they're my wife's uncle's.- Right.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00And we've just been into her grandmother's loft,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03as she's gone into a home,
0:33:03 > 0:33:07and these were literally in a dusty box in a corner of the loft,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10and he said he didn't want them, so here we are.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15He's got no use for them. Children have been and gone,
0:33:15 > 0:33:19so he hasn't got sons that would have played with them himself,
0:33:19 > 0:33:21so he's got no use.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24He'd sooner have someone that would appreciate them more
0:33:24 > 0:33:27in THEIR collection, rather than sitting in a box.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29- Who gets the money?- He does. - Really?- He does.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34- But you've been here, you've queued...- I know.- ..you've waited.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36He might buy me a beer.
0:33:36 > 0:33:42Now, the important thing with Dinky cars - which are not an antique,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46they're collectables - are condition, and also boxed.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50So we have the crane, the tank transporter
0:33:50 > 0:33:56- and the eight-wheel Foden lorry, all boxed.- Yeah.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00The two pieces which aren't are the tank
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and the Hornby 00 flatbed truck.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06The climate for this is really good.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Ah...- I sell a lot of toys, I sell a lot of diecast,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- and these objects are always popular.- Oh, right.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- Reason being, they're in good condition...- Yeah.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18OK, the boxes are a bit tatty.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23There's a lot of people in their fifties, sixties,
0:34:23 > 0:34:25who remember these as toys.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Nostalgia washes over them, and nostalgia wants to buy back.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31So I think it's a good time to sell.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Oh, right. Excellent. - And they are in good condition.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36There's a little bit of paint chipping.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39The boxes I would give a six out of ten for.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44Today's money, what I would see is you're looking at
0:34:44 > 0:34:48£40 to £60 for this beast here, the crane,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50similar sort of money for the Foden,
0:34:50 > 0:34:56similar sort of money for the actual flatbed, the tank transporter.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01The tank, without a box, in that condition, probably 20 to 30,
0:35:01 > 0:35:05and the Dinky 00 and also the tractor, small value -
0:35:05 > 0:35:08looking at sort of £15 to £20, £25 each.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12And I think you should get between £150 and £250
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- for this collection as it stands now.- Excellent.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20As well as selling the collection of Dinky toys, here are the other items
0:35:20 > 0:35:24that are going under the hammer at the auction room.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29Myra's father gave her this German bear on his return from the Second World War.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Although steeped with sentimental value, with three grandchildren
0:35:33 > 0:35:35it's hard to decide who should have him,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38so now she feels the time is right to sell him.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43And finally, Victoria's 18th-century creamware mug,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45which has taken a few knocks.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Well, it's 200 years old.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50If I look that good in 200 years, I'll be quite happy!
0:35:50 > 0:35:55Will this affect how much our auctioneers Mark and Paul Stacey think it could fetch?
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Let's head back to the auction house in Rochford to find out.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Right, let's talk about this lovely creamware jug.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05It belongs to Victoria. She inherited it from her grandmother
0:36:05 > 0:36:06when she was eight or nine,
0:36:06 > 0:36:11and Will, our expert, has put £100 to £150 on this.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15And I think it's got charm. It's 18th-century, and it's got the look,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17it's really got the look.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Definitely. Probably dating to somewhere between 1760 and 1780.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Possibly Wedgwood, but unmarked.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30The thing I like about it is the tortoiseshell decoration.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33It's a little bit unusual on creamware.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38And also even more unusual is this little bit of sprig decoration,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41the portrait on it. And the mystery is who is the portrait?
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Very unusual to find that on a piece of creamware like this.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48Downside, obviously... a little bit of damage on it.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51We saw that, I think that's reflected in the value
0:36:51 > 0:36:54that Will's put on this - 100, 150.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58If it was in museum condition... well, possibly £1,000 plus.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Yeah, I'd go along with that.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02So what do you think, Mark?
0:37:02 > 0:37:06This morning, I've seen two separate collectors look at this,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09so I've got a feeling that it might just do above the estimate.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13So it's been handled, it's been viewed. OK, stick your necks out.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15200...?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- Just under for me. - I'm going to go just over, I think.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21- Brilliant. - I think it'll do a little bit more.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24See, his cup's half full, yours is half empty!
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Not all the time!
0:37:26 > 0:37:32But before we find out how much it does sell for, let's see what happens to Myra's German bear.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37We've got £100 to £150 on this gorgeous little toy.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39I don't think he's a toy now, he's a collector's item.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44But he's been a toy for you for most of your life, in fact since you were four years old.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45Yes, that's right!
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Thomas.- Hello, Paul. - You fell in love with him. So did I.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Aaah, he's lovely! Lovely bear!
0:37:52 > 0:37:58I can kind of understand why you want to sell him, but also, he's such a family piece now, isn't he?
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- Poor chap.- Yeah.- Pastures new.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Moving on, Lot 580, we have a pull-along bear, Lot 580.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07Nice little bear, that.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Two bids I have, and I'm clearing the book at £90.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Bid's here with me at £90. Any advance?
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Bid's here with me, I'm selling at £90...
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Maiden bid...and going at £90.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Last time, then...
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- Just did it!- Sold on discretion.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Sneaked him in. He's gone off to a new home, Myra.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- £90.- Ah.- Oh, a sad moment.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It is, isn't it? Aw, bless you.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Right, something for the boys right now -
0:38:42 > 0:38:45it's a boxed set of Dinky Supertoys.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49150 to 250 we've got riding on this lot, and they belong to Peter.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54- How long have you had them? - They're the wife's uncle's, they've been stuck in a loft for years.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55- Have they really?- Yes.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58And when was the last time you saw them, do you think?
0:38:58 > 0:39:05He hasn't seen them since the '50s, when he played with them, so they've literally been kept in dust.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- They've been preserved!- Yes. - That's the best thing, really.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Forgotten about and left.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Well, let's hope we get the top end.
0:39:12 > 0:39:18- Thomas?- Yeah, well, they're Dinky Supertoys, so they would be early '60s, so that's probably
0:39:18 > 0:39:21the last time he would have played with them.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25But I sell a lot of toys, as you know, and they should do quite well, actually.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27It's the lorries which fetch big bucks.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32They do, the Fodens et cetera. I mean, there's all these intricacies to the Dinkys themselves.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34You've got to be in the know.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Lot 420, collection of three boxed Dinky Supertoys.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40There we are, nice collection of toys there, Lot 420.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43One, two bids I have, and I'm clearing the book at £140.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Here with me at £140, any advance at 140?
0:39:46 > 0:39:48145.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49150. Against you, sir.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51155. 160.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54165 beats me. At £165 now,
0:39:54 > 0:39:56in the room at 165.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58170. New bidder.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- That's good.- 175. 180.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04At £180 now. One more, sir?
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- Come on, come on.- Shakes his head.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09At £180, then, last time at 180...
0:40:10 > 0:40:13£180, Peter. We'll settle for that, won't we?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15That's good. Yes.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19I think her uncle will be as well, because the money will be his.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- Exactly. I was just about to ask that.- Yes...
0:40:21 > 0:40:25- Hopefully, you'll get something for doing the day's work here.- Hope so.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36Good luck, Victoria. This is my favourite lot.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37It's not a lot of money,
0:40:37 > 0:40:39but it's something from the 18th century.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42The purists will love this, little creamware mug.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Mm-hm.- And I know why you're selling it. You need the money.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47You're going back to university,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- and you've had a bit of time off lately, haven't you?- Yeah.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52We've got £100 to £150 on this.
0:40:52 > 0:40:58I had a chat to the auctioneer a little earlier, and you know what he said. ..I'll tell you.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01If it was in perfect condition,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04it could possibly do four figures. It's that rare.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08It's got the tortoiseshell markings on it. But we're being realistic -
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- I agree with Will, who's joined us now. ..Hi, Will.- Hi there.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15I agree with your valuation. The bit of damage might hold it back.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19But if there's two purists, two collectors and they fight for this -
0:41:19 > 0:41:22and this is what auctions are all about, people are here to buy -
0:41:22 > 0:41:26they're going to stick their hands up, and they could get carried away.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Lot 190, we have the late 18th-century creamware mug
0:41:30 > 0:41:32with the loop handle. Interesting little thing.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34Lots of interest here.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I'll start the bidding here with me
0:41:36 > 0:41:37at £200. Are we all done?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40It's here with me at £200.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41210. 220.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44230. 240. 250.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48260. 270. 280. 290.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51300. 320. 340.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52360.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54At £360 now. Are we all done?
0:41:54 > 0:41:55Against you on the phone...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- 380.- He's come in again.- 400.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01420, if you like.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02At £420 now
0:42:02 > 0:42:05on the telephone, against you all in the room...
0:42:05 > 0:42:06440. Against you.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10- This is what we want, a battle. - Yeah, let's get £500.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- You've got to round that up to 500, haven't you?- 480...
0:42:14 > 0:42:16500...
0:42:18 > 0:42:19520...
0:42:21 > 0:42:23At £520 now. The bid's on the telephone.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27Are we all done? And I'm selling at £520...
0:42:29 > 0:42:31You see? If the collectors find it,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34they'll push that price right up. Victoria?
0:42:34 > 0:42:35- I'm shocked!- That's a lot of money.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38That's going to go a long way to those university books.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40I can't believe that at all!
0:42:40 > 0:42:42No, it was worth every penny.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Lovely lot. And fair play to Mark -
0:42:44 > 0:42:48he's got the PR out there, he's got the right buyers interested.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50In perfect condition it would have been 1,000.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- That's a shock, isn't it? - I'm not going to be greedy! - No, we'll take that!
0:42:54 > 0:42:58- Good work!- Congratulations. Thank you for bringing that in.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01And what a fabulous day we've had here. Unfortunately it's at an end.
0:43:01 > 0:43:06But there's going to be another "Flog It!" very soon, with plenty more surprises.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09So from Rochford in Essex, it's cheerio.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:30 > 0:43:32E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk