Dunstable Flog It!


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Today we're in the Chiltern Hills in a town that can lay claim to be the home of English theatre.

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Welcome to Flog It from Dunstable.

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"All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players."

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Shakespeare's words are true at Dunstable Priory.

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It was on this piece of grass that the first play ever written in English was performed,

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also in English. It was penned in the 12th century about the martyrdom of St Catherine.

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I'll be coming back here later to learn more about this priory and its unique place in our history.

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-So Henry definitely made his mark on Dunstable.

-Very much so, for good or ill.

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But it's not here the crowds are gathering today.

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It's here at Whipsnade Zoo to see a very different show with Michael Baggott and Thomas Plant.

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It's time to raise the curtain and start Act One.

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So as everyone takes their seats we've got plenty of antiques and collectibles to look through.

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But it's Michael who is first to take centre stage with a really exciting find.

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Carol, thank you for bringing in this small metal disc today.

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Before I tell you about it, what can you tell me?

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Not very much, I'm afraid. When my mother-in-law died, it was found in a box with other items.

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It's just stayed in the box.

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-What were the bits and pieces with it? Coins and medals?

-No, they were more religious items.

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It's probably the nicest thing I've ever seen on a Flog It valuation day.

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It's a very fine, very early Dutch wedding medal.

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-What we've got is a silver disc.

-Silver?

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It is. It's not marked, but that's not unusual. It's superbly engraved with the wedding couple.

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-Oh, right.

-So you've got them here in this hallway,

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in this classical hallway. you've got a checkerboard floor,

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you've got little cherubs here, parting the clouds with a wreath.

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And rays of sunlight coming down on their union. A blessing from heaven.

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The lovely thing is if we turn it round, probably the explanation of why it was with religious items

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-is we've got a scene there that is the wedding at Cana.

-Oh, right.

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That relates to it being a wedding medal.

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Very difficult to pin an exact date on it, but I would say

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-anywhere from about 1650 up to 1700.

-Really?

-So, Carol, any idea of how much it's worth?

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About £75?

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It's only a little bit of silver, isn't it?

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I think I'd be remiss in putting it into the auction with a reserve less than £500.

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I think we'll set that as a reserve.

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-Really?

-And we'll put £500-£800 as an estimate.

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-I wasn't going to bring it in.

-Don't say that, Carol! Don't say that.

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It is a gem and a delight.

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It will, I think, by far be the finest silver in the sale.

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-Thank you so much for bringing it in. Let's hope it does really well for you.

-Thank you.

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Margaret, I think I've found something really quite delightful.

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I must admit, I'm quite attached to them!

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-So tell me about them.

-They were a gift to my partner from his brother.

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-His brother actually made them.

-Where was he from?

-Oh, Germany.

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-When do you think these were made?

-Probably 30, 35 years ago.

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-Mid-'70s.

-Yes.

-And they look very '70s. Retro cool.

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-I put it more sort of Art Deco style.

-Yes, I know what you're thinking.

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They're geometric with the offset of the pearl,

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but I think it's more Modernist retro style, post-modern.

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In my opinion, these look brilliant.

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-Have you seen these markings?

-Yes.

-833, it says. Doesn't it?

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That's the German gold mark.

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833 means 833 parts of gold

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to every 1,000 parts of metal.

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-But don't they look handsome?

-Yes.

-Unfortunately, rules are rules and I can't bid at the auction.

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-That's a shame!

-It is a huge shame!

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-Why are you selling them?

-They're knocking around in a jewellery box.

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I have no children to leave them to. Let's see if I can make money to put towards a Christmas holiday

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-in Cyprus.

-In Cyprus?

-Yes.

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-Well, I think we might get you there a little bit. £200-worth.

-Yes?

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And hopefully a bit more, but £200-£300 is a sensible estimate.

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-As regards a reserve, which we should have...

-I think so.

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-I think £200 discretion is sensible.

-Yes, I agree.

-Brilliant.

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-I'm now going to take them off and put those into the auction.

-Thank you.

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Peter, thank you for bringing this pocketbook. How did you get it?

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People throw out boxes of rubbish when they move.

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"That lot over there is junk."

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-And we used to sort through it.

-And divvy it up. And you came up with this.

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A tiny little pocketbook. Gorgeous.

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It's quarter-bound in calf leather. Can you see that on the corners?

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This is known as marbleized card. The way they get this is with a shallow tray of water

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which they drop different inks into.

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That floats on the water. Then they lay their card on it

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and draw it up. And that's how you get the marbleized pattern.

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-Very clever, isn't it? How long have you had this?

-About 40 years.

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That's what I love about this - that engraving.

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The book is The English Hero or Sir Francis Drake Revisited.

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Now he was THE English hero, wasn't he?

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-Look, isn't that gorgeous? This is a copper engraving.

-Not wood?

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No, that's cut into a sheet of copper and then rolled with ink, then the paper is pressed on.

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That's a quality copper engraving that collectors look for.

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-Have you seen the date here?

-Yes, 1716.

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It's printed, it says, in London. "Printed for Nathan Crouch

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"at the Bell against the Grocer's Alley in the Poultry, near Cheapside." So you can find it!

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That's where the printing press was!

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-A nice clear address.

-Yeah. 1716.

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Of course, condition is all-important for book collectors.

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Looking at this...

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The pages are, unfortunately, slightly dog-eared and damaged at the front.

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There's another engraving. I'm looking to see how many. That's where the value is.

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I think there would have been an engraving at the back. That's missing. It was cut out.

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If this book was in good condition, given the subject matter as well,

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this book would be worth around about £300.

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-Not many books from that time...

-Survive.

-..have survived in perfect condition. We could put a value

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of around about £50-£70. Put the reserve at 50.

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-Would you be happy to put it in?

-Yeah.

-You sure?

-Yes.

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-See you at the auction.

-Thank you.

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So, Di, you've brought along this tea service.

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-Tell me the story behind it.

-I was given it when I was 4 or 5.

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My mother used to keep it under my father's wardrobe.

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Then, on a Sunday afternoon, we'd get it out and have tea.

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My mother made small cakes to put on the plates.

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Really? We'd better get this straight. First of all, it's a "Bes-wick" tea service.

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I've got to say it the correct way. It's a complete service, which is quite rare.

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We don't normally see them in this condition. If you look inside,

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the service is a little crazed, but it's not too bad at all.

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-Do you remember getting it?

-Yes, for Christmas. I had to be very good to get it on a Sunday.

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-What's your favourite bit?

-The plates.

-They are pretty.

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They've got the leaping deer.

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Beswick has got quite a following. Because they're famous cartoon figures, transfer-printed,

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-that will also add kudos to the finished product.

-Right.

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And it's cased as well.

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-Why are you selling it?

-It's been in the loft for years.

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-I don't really use it and afternoon tea is not our thing.

-It would be a little bit odd.

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-Little cups!

-Exactly.

-And little cakes!

-Exactly.

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Now we're coming to valuation time. What do we believe it's going to make? Beswick, very popular.

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Famous cartoon characters, very popular. Bad box brings it down,

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-but I still believe it'll make £60-£80.

-Really?

-What do you think?

-Not bad at all.

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-That's more than I thought!

-I think we should do that for you.

-Right.

-As regards to reserve,

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-I would suggest £40.

-OK.

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-Happy with that?

-Yes, happy.

-Great. We'll put that in for you.

-Lovely. I'll look forward to it.

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We're having a great time here, but it's time for Act Two

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as we make our way to the auction room to test those valuations.

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Here's a quick rundown of the items.

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Carol was in two minds whether to bring her Dutch silver wedding medal, but it made Michael's day.

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That's probably the nicest thing I've ever seen on a Flog It valuation day.

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They've just been lying in a drawer, so Margaret wants to swap her German gold and pearl cufflinks

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for a holiday.

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I loved this 18th-century leather-bound copy of The English Hero, rescued from the rubbish.

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Let's hope it finds a more suitable home. And Di has fond memories of her Beswick child's tea set

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used on high days and holidays.

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I had to be very good to have it out on a Sunday.

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That's what we hope to sell and this is where the drama unfolds.

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Tring Market Auctions. Let's take our places before the action starts.

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Directing proceedings today is auctioneer Stephen Hearn, and here comes our first lot.

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Just about to go under the hammer is a Beswick tea set that belongs to Di. We've got £40-£60 on this.

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-You've had this since you were 4 or 5. That's a long time.

-It is.

-Why do you want to sell it?

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-You never use it?

-No. It's in the loft.

-Thomas, will we get that top end?

-It's a famous name.

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-It's got great cartoon characters. It should do well.

-Fingers crossed. Let's see what the bidders think.

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We've got the 1950s Beswick Disneyland tea set.

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£100? £50? £40.

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-We're in.

-£50. £60. 70.

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-£80.

-There's two or three.

-£90.

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£100. 110.

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120. 130.

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140?

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-No?

-130 we're on now.

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-1...

-Yes! 140.

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160.

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Your bid, sir.

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I'll sell on my left for £160. Yes.

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-Yes! The hammer's gone down. They loved it. £160, Di!

-Really good!

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-Was that a "come and buy me"? Or was it the right people?

-Yes.

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-You've got to be happy with that.

-Ecstatic!

-You can treat yourself.

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It's my son's 21st coming up so money will go on that.

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Now it's my turn to be the expert.

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Next up is that pocketbook, first printed in 1716.

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It's a bit of quality, with some damage, but it's about Sir Francis Drake, The English Hero.

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Hopefully I can be Peter's hero. I put the value onto this.

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-I'm having my doubts, but you don't know with auctions.

-No, never do.

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-I hope there's a few collectors here. We're going to find out.

-Yep.

-It's going under the hammer now.

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A little early 18th-century book. The English Hero, Sir Francis Drake.

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A nice pocketbook. What about £100 for it? 50.

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We're bid £50 for it. £60. £70.

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-Yes, it's gone.

-£80. 90, perhaps? At £80.

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90 for you, sir. 90, is it?

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-They are interested.

-I'm surprised.

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At £80. 90, anyone?

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Are you coming in? If not, we close.

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At £80. Are you sure? Want to be 90? No.

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At 80, then, down it goes.

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Yes! The hammer's gone down. £80. Gosh, I was getting hot there.

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-That's a great result, £80.

-Yeah.

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There is commission to pay, but that's a good meal out, a little celebration?

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-I'm going to New Zealand next year, so that'll help towards the fare.

-Good for you. Enjoy that holiday.

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-How long are you going for?

-Three months.

-Luxury!

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If you like retro, you'll love these. They're German cufflinks, Margaret's, and we've got £200-£300.

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-We have.

-By our expert Thomas, who would love to have worn them!

-Yes.

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-I was under the impression that cufflinks were definitely a thing of the past.

-No.

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-Everybody's wearing them. They're smashing and made by a member of the family?

-My partner's brother.

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-Going under the hammer now. Good luck.

-A pair of continental gold baroque pearl-set cufflinks.

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£200 for them? 200 or do we start at 100?

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Yes, we start at 100. 110. And 20.

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And 30. And 40.

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-150. And 60.

-Yes, we're getting there.

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170. And 80.

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At 190. 190. Are you going 200?

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200 we're bid now.

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At £200 for those. A bid of 10, is it?

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At 210. At 220.

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You're out. At 220, the room is out.

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220. I'm selling. At 220, make no mistake.

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It's going down. I sell, then, for £220. Thank you.

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That's good, that's good.

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Good estimate, Thomas. Thank you so much as well.

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Your niece is here for moral support. You've had a long day. Maybe you should treat her as well.

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-What will you put the money towards?

-Oh, I don't think so!

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Now is Michael in for a treat with the silver wedding medal, his favourite ever Flog It find?

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Next up is that wonderful Dutch medal. Will it be a winner? We'll find out.

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-It's got a value of £500-£800, Carol. Now this you found in a box, didn't you?

-Yes.

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-Of your mother's belongings. Were you surprised...

-Absolutely.

-..at the value?

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I wasn't going to bring it and then when he said how much...

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I had to stop my eyes popping out of my head. It's a splendid thing.

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-Hopefully we've got one or two bidders.

-A telephone bidder from Amsterdam would be ideal!

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-That's what we're looking for!

-OK, this is it.

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A wedding token. 17th century.

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Do we start at 5? Do we start at 4? 3? I think so.

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£300, yes. 300 I'm bid for it.

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At £300 I'm bid. At £320.

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At £350. At £380.

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Are you 400? 400, I've got it now.

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£400 the bid. At £400.

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420 bid for it. At 420.

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450. 480.

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The room's out at 480. At 480 bid.

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£500 bid. At £500.

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500. 20, sir? 520.

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Perhaps even 50? 550 bid for it now.

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550 I am bid for it. 580 I am bid for it. Am I?

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-Can you see the bidding?

-No!

-Nor can I!

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Secret bidding, nods and winks.

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20, sir? At 620.

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-And 50, is it? At 650.

-This is good.

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You're travelling well. 680.

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-At 680. 700 now. 700 is bid.

-Wow.

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At 700. Is that it?

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At £700, then. I'm going to sell it.

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It's going away, I'm afraid. I'm selling away from the room.

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It's going to be sold. Do I sell at £700?

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Well done, Carol's mum. That's all I can say. Good on her.

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And on you for hanging on to it. You know what we get like.

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-You rummage through and chuck things away.

-If you hadn't brought it into an auction

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and someone recognised it for what it was, it would have been £20.

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What a great result for Carol. And there are still plenty more smiles to come.

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We're loving this.

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I am very, very happy.

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Before all that, I'm off to find out about a right royal drama.

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This church is all that is left of Dunstable's medieval priory.

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It's a wonderful mixture of architectural styles, but that's not what I'm here to see today.

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From its humble beginnings, it has carved out a unique place in English history.

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It marked the beginning of a religious revolution and signalled a literary milestone.

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Dunstable Priory was founded in 1131 by Henry I

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and it took 80 years to complete.

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It was part of a widespread church building programme and quickly became an integral part of the town.

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Over the years, the priory slowly established its importance within the realm.

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However, it was the events surrounding the end of two very different royal marriages

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that helped seal this church's place in history, events depicted in these windows.

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In the royal window, you see the body of Eleanor, laid out here,

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on her final journey from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey in 1290.

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You can see Edward kneeling just there beside her.

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Above her coat of arms are the initials of the king and queen, linked with a lovers' knot.

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But we have to fast forward more than 200 years after Eleanor to the turbulent reign of Henry VIII

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for this priory's defining moment, which is hinted at in this window. The lovers' knot is now broken.

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And that break illustrates Henry's divorce, or the annulment of his marriage, from Catherine of Aragon,

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which was finalised here in the priory's Lady's Chapel -

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a turning point in English history, which led to reformation of the church and eventual dissolution

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of the priory, along with most other religious houses in England.

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I've come to meet local historian Hugh Garrod to learn more about the priory's pivotal role.

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-Why did Henry want the annulment?

-He wanted it because he was desperate to have a male heir.

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Catherine had many miscarriages. Their only son died at two months.

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The only surviving child was a daughter called Mary, later queen.

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-He was sure that God was punishing him for marrying his brother's widow.

-Right.

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-Also, he thought that Anne Boleyn would oblige him with a son.

-Yes.

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-So that was why he wanted this settled.

-Why did the annulment happen here in Dunstable

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-and not in London and Rome?

-If it happened in Rome, he knew the Pope would influence the outcome.

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In London, the people would be very upset. They liked their queen and were very fond of Catherine.

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-So it had to happen somewhere in-between.

-Not to cause a big fuss.

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-Somewhere nice, quiet and peaceful.

-So what happened?

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The Court of Annulment was called here. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer came

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and many of the bishops and legal people of the day. They met in the Lady Chapel in 1533.

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They spent a week discussing the pros and cons of it, but I think it was a foregone conclusion.

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If they sided with the King, the Pope would excommunicate them.

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-If they sided with the Pope, the King would have them beheaded. No contest.

-No!

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-And was the significance far-ranging?

-Yes, it had long-term implications for the church.

0:23:100:23:17

I'm sure that Henry himself was a Catholic until the day he died.

0:23:170:23:22

He wanted to be head of the English Catholic church and break from Rome,

0:23:220:23:26

but the long-term significance was that it led to the Reformation and establishing the Protestant church.

0:23:260:23:33

So how did the church survive, attached as it was to the priory?

0:23:330:23:37

That's a very interesting question. It's all to do with the roof.

0:23:370:23:42

At the end of the 15th century,

0:23:510:23:54

the wealthy families of Dunstable formed a fraternity, the Fraternity of St John.

0:23:540:23:59

They were responsible for the upkeep of the roof. So they took the roof off and lowered it

0:23:590:24:05

to a manageable level. So at the time of the dissolution, Henry VIII's men came

0:24:050:24:11

to take the roof off everything, which was the standard practice,

0:24:110:24:16

and the locals said, "You can't. Our parents and grandparents paid for this."

0:24:160:24:22

This is why it was left.

0:24:220:24:24

-A lovely story. So Henry definitely made his mark on Dunstable.

-He did. Very much so, for good or ill.

0:24:240:24:30

But it was his Catholic daughter Mary who was to leave a more lasting impression on this church.

0:24:310:24:38

This is a Marian screen, which was put here in about 1555.

0:24:400:24:45

Mary is now Queen. She remembers what happened here.

0:24:450:24:49

-This is where her mother's marriage was annulled and she was declared illegitimate.

-So she's upset.

-Yes.

0:24:490:24:56

She's going to have her say.

0:24:560:24:58

-How is this her comment?

-The symbols are across these pillars.

0:24:580:25:03

-We have the fleur de lis...

-That's Catholic.

-A Catholic symbol.

0:25:030:25:08

We have the pomegranate, her mother's symbol and, on the end,

0:25:080:25:12

the double-headed eagle was the symbol of the Pope.

0:25:120:25:16

Was it just this small screen or did it go right along?

0:25:160:25:20

-It originally went all the way across the church.

-So it was in your face.

-It was.

-It was a big statement.

0:25:200:25:27

This is all we've got left of it.

0:25:270:25:31

The priory certainly had a turbulent time in the Tudor times.

0:25:350:25:39

-Any other notable moments in history?

-We had our problems during the English Civil War.

0:25:390:25:45

It wasn't Catholics and Protestants. It was Roundheads and Cavaliers.

0:25:450:25:50

-What was Dunstable?

-On the side of the Roundheads.

0:25:500:25:54

Neighbouring Buckinghamshire was for the Cavaliers. One Sunday in 1644,

0:25:540:26:00

a detachment of royal soldiers came with their pistols and stormed it,

0:26:000:26:04

-took potshots at the rector...

-Did he survive?

-Yes. And the congregation. Nobody was hurt.

0:26:040:26:10

-That was lucky!

-We have the bullet holes. But the first claim to fame of the priory is outside.

0:26:100:26:17

It's of a literary nature.

0:26:170:26:19

-This is about where the cloisters would have been originally.

-OK.

0:26:190:26:24

And it was here in the early days of the priory that Geoffrey de Gorham put on a play

0:26:240:26:30

about the martyrdom of St Catherine, the first play in vernacular English that we know of in England.

0:26:300:26:38

-Another first for Dunstable.

-Hugh, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

0:26:380:26:44

-It's well worth a visit, definitely.

-Thank you.

0:26:440:26:47

So although the priory no longer exists, this place is home

0:26:490:26:53

not only to a first in English literary history, but also the beginning of the Reformation.

0:26:530:27:00

Who would have thought this unassuming church

0:27:000:27:04

would have played such a pivotal role in our past?

0:27:040:27:09

Back at the zoo, the animals enjoy a lazy day in the sun,

0:27:130:27:17

but with plenty of antiques still to see, there's no rest for Michael.

0:27:170:27:22

Brian, thank you for bringing along this very interesting painting, even though it's distressed.

0:27:240:27:29

-Can you tell me where you got it?

-Yes, my father-in-law passed away a few years ago.

0:27:290:27:35

He got it from an auction, I believe, from a restaurant in London.

0:27:350:27:40

-Oh!

-As far as I know, that's the original frame.

0:27:400:27:44

Well, it's what might be termed a furnishing picture.

0:27:440:27:48

No tremendous artistic merit to it, so we'll stick it in a big, decorative frame

0:27:480:27:54

and someone, probably at the restaurant at the time, has gone over it with the gold spray paint!

0:27:540:28:00

-I don't know.

-So you get this peculiar finish.

0:28:000:28:04

Sadly, I think, when they spray-painted the frame,

0:28:040:28:08

they also tried to clean the picture.

0:28:080:28:12

-Right.

-And what we've got, actually, is an oil on board, an oak board.

0:28:120:28:18

-If we turn it round, we've got a single oak panel there.

-Right.

0:28:180:28:22

It's beautifully hewn, pared down to a thickness,

0:28:220:28:27

then chamfered at the edge so it doesn't split. However, at some point it has split!

0:28:270:28:33

If we have a look at the front of it...

0:28:330:28:37

We've got three gentlemen in 17th-century costume -

0:28:380:28:43

two on horseback and one, unfortunately, the horse has given up the ghost.

0:28:430:28:49

-The costumes are round about the correct date for the picture.

-Which is?

-This would be painted

0:28:490:28:55

towards the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century.

0:28:550:28:59

-So, broadly speaking, 1650 to 1700, 1710.

-Oh, right.

0:28:590:29:05

-OK.

-As I say, it's got faults.

0:29:050:29:08

It's got that big crack through it, it's been overcleaned at the top so much that the board shows through.

0:29:080:29:16

-Cos this lower part isn't... as bad as the top, is it?

-No. You've got half a good painting.

0:29:160:29:22

-Any idea what the value would be?

-Not really.

-Well...

0:29:220:29:26

In better condition, I could see it being several hundred or £1,000,

0:29:260:29:31

but it does have its faults.

0:29:310:29:33

-I think if we put it into the auction at £100-£200...

-OK.

0:29:330:29:38

And I'd suggest we put a reserve on it of 80. We'll see how it goes.

0:29:380:29:43

-Paintings are very speculative things.

-At a distance...

-At a distance it's wonderful!

0:29:430:29:50

-Depends what distance that is!

-Four miles?

-Four miles.

0:29:500:29:54

-We'll put it into the sale for you and hope it does really well.

-Fine. Thank you.

0:29:540:30:00

You've brought along a Flog It favourite. A bit of Moorcroft.

0:30:110:30:16

But Moorcroft with a slight twist. It's MacIntyre Moorcroft, which is the very early Moorcroft.

0:30:160:30:24

How did you come to have it?

0:30:240:30:26

It was acquired from my wife through her father passing away.

0:30:260:30:32

-So it's an inheritance.

-You thought it was 1950s?

-Yes.

0:30:320:30:36

-It's actually earlier than that. 1913.

-Right.

-This factory was taken over, the MacIntyre factory,

0:30:360:30:43

by the Moorcroft family in 1913, when it became MacIntyre Moorcroft.

0:30:430:30:49

-It's a gorgeous pattern, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Do you know what it is?

-I believe it's a cornflower.

0:30:490:30:55

-Absolutely.

-Revived cornflower, because it's green, not blue.

0:30:550:30:59

From the point of view of being green, it works very well.

0:30:590:31:03

-It stands out.

-It does. These reds, the very dark mauve on the cornflowers themselves.

0:31:030:31:10

And this wonderful Art Nouveau frame. You can see the way the tube lining has been done.

0:31:100:31:16

It's very fine, isn't it? What's quite unusual is the stand.

0:31:160:31:21

We can see the marks on the stand. MacIntyre Moorcroft.

0:31:210:31:25

It's just signed MacIntyre and Co, but the actual teapot itself

0:31:250:31:29

has got the Moorcroft signature, which obviously adds value.

0:31:290:31:33

The one problem is this crack here. Have you been doing some research into value?

0:31:330:31:39

I had a look at the values.

0:31:390:31:41

-Approximately £600-£800?

-You're quite right. £600-£800 is very sensible.

0:31:410:31:47

We'll fix a reserve at £600 and, yes, it could do better.

0:31:470:31:51

But let's be conservative and look forward to a result.

0:31:510:31:56

-If it were completely perfect we'd think of a different figure.

-Yes.

0:31:560:32:01

Everyone knows I love silver, so this is right up my street.

0:32:070:32:12

So, Paul, how did you come by this?

0:32:120:32:15

It was just passed down from my grandad. He died a few years ago.

0:32:150:32:20

He used to collect everything.

0:32:200:32:22

Carriage clocks, musical boxes...

0:32:220:32:25

This was in part of his collection and given to me.

0:32:250:32:29

-It's got this marvellous ship engraved on it.

-I've got a letter

0:32:290:32:34

-which just basically says a little bit...

-Oh, marvellous.

0:32:340:32:38

"Dear Sir, with reference to your letter, dated 5th December, 1971..."

0:32:380:32:43

-1971. So you weren't writing...?

-I'd have written it in crayons.

0:32:430:32:49

"The Bittersweet," which is this ship, "is a Corvette, belonging to the Royal Canadian Navy.

0:32:490:32:56

"Launched on 12 September, 1940." We know that's absolutely right

0:32:560:33:01

because there we have got Port of Quebec, September 12th, 1940.

0:33:010:33:08

It's very unusual, during the Second World War,

0:33:080:33:13

-for silver to be manufactured.

-Oh, right.

-In this country, there were restrictions.

0:33:130:33:19

The same people that could make silver could be made to make munitions

0:33:190:33:26

and components for the war effort.

0:33:260:33:28

I think we need to turn it over and that will give us... Birks. Sterling.

0:33:280:33:34

And we've got some punches here. Birks is one of the largest firms

0:33:340:33:38

-of Canadian silversmiths.

-Right.

0:33:380:33:41

They weren't subject to the same restrictions that we were over here during WWII.

0:33:410:33:47

It's a lovely tray

0:33:470:33:49

and it's a super weight, but I think it's the engraving that really lifts it out of the ordinary.

0:33:490:33:55

So why have you brought such a super thing in today?!

0:33:550:33:59

I'd no idea of the value or much about it. I thought it was interesting and nice to bring along.

0:33:590:34:05

It's pretty difficult to value. If it were an English silver tray of that size,

0:34:050:34:11

it would probably be worth more.

0:34:110:34:14

I think if we pitch it somewhere between £500 and £800...

0:34:140:34:19

-Oh! Oh, right.

-It's a big tray! You feel the weight of that.

0:34:190:34:24

We'll put the reserve at £450 fixed.

0:34:240:34:27

If we get a couple of telephone bidders from Canada, as this is our first piece of Canadian silver...!

0:34:270:34:34

-Hopefully it will cause interest. It could do much more.

-Fantastic. I'm absolutely amazed at that.

0:34:340:34:40

-Thank you for bringing it in

-A pleasure.

-Well, that's it. Now it's all down to the bidders.

0:34:400:34:47

Before we learn the fate of our items, here's a reminder.

0:34:470:34:50

Sadly, overcleaning has damaged Brian's oil on board late-17th century painting,

0:34:500:34:56

-but viewed the right way it still has merit.

-At a distance.

0:34:560:35:00

-Depends what distance that is!

-About four miles!

0:35:000:35:05

Paul knew nothing about the engraved 1940s Canadian silver tray he inherited from Grandfather,

0:35:050:35:12

-but was pleasantly surprised.

-Fantastic! I'm absolutely amazed.

-Thank you for bringing it on.

0:35:120:35:18

And Mike's early Moorcroft MacIntyre tea pot and stand was a real find

0:35:180:35:22

and should attract the collectors.

0:35:220:35:25

I just hope the damage to the lid doesn't put the bidders off.

0:35:250:35:30

What does Stephen Hearn think?

0:35:300:35:33

Quality. Real quality and a great name as well. Moorcroft. MacIntyre period, 1913-ish.

0:35:330:35:40

Belongs to Mike. Thomas, our expert, has put £600-£800 on this.

0:35:400:35:46

It was £600-£800, but the owners have moved it up to £800 reserve.

0:35:460:35:51

-How do you feel?

-It probably would have fetched nearer £1,000,

0:35:510:35:57

-but I'm sure Tom took into account a nasty crack in the lid.

-Yes.

0:35:570:36:02

A nasty crack in the lid. I think his price was very fair.

0:36:020:36:06

Now we've got to 800, it's not going to be that easy.

0:36:060:36:10

-It's down to you now!

-It's down to me, I'm afraid. Magic wand time.

0:36:100:36:14

-Fingers crossed. You can do it. I know you can do it.

-We will do our very best.

0:36:140:36:20

But we'll just have to wait and see if Stephen can work his magic.

0:36:200:36:24

First up is Brian's picture.

0:36:240:36:27

Somebody in this saleroom has got a chance to buy something from the latter part of the 17th century.

0:36:270:36:34

An oil on board. A lovely painting. Could it be the lost master?

0:36:340:36:38

-We'll find out. It belongs to Brian. And you've brought the wife.

-Jan.

-Jan, hello. Is this yours?

0:36:380:36:44

-It was my father's.

-Do you like it?

-No!

-Because the purists will love this. Michael did.

0:36:440:36:51

There's been a little overcleaning, which is the nightmare with early pictures. They get very black.

0:36:510:36:57

-Then you lose the overpaint.

-Could be that lost master.

0:36:570:37:03

-Let's see what the auctioneer thinks.

-Interesting.

0:37:050:37:08

This oil painting. There's been a little interest. £100?

0:37:080:37:12

Shall we star at £100? Yes, thank you.

0:37:120:37:16

120 I am bid. 150 now.

0:37:160:37:18

Are you 180? Yes.

0:37:180:37:20

-It's got bids.

-200 is bid now.

0:37:200:37:24

At 220. 250 are you?

0:37:240:37:27

Yes? 280. £300.

0:37:270:37:30

-At £300 on my right. £300.

-They're loving this!

0:37:300:37:34

£320? £300 on my right.

0:37:340:37:37

-310.

-Fantastic.

0:37:370:37:40

320, then? I'll take another tenner.

0:37:400:37:43

No? At £310, I'm selling.

0:37:430:37:46

It's going down, then, for £310. Thank you.

0:37:460:37:51

Brilliant result. And well worth it.

0:37:510:37:54

-You've got to be happy.

-Well pleased.

0:37:540:37:58

Quality, with a lot of age.

0:37:580:38:00

-My dad will be pleased.

-Why's that?

-He was always trying to find something worth a lot for a bargain.

0:38:000:38:08

To think we found that and someone thought it was worth something.

0:38:080:38:13

-There's a bit of commission to pay, but enjoy spending the money.

-Thanks.

-Thank you.

0:38:130:38:19

Now going under the hammer is a wonderful piece of quality. It's Moorcroft, a great name.

0:38:280:38:34

A tea pot on a stand. An early one that belongs to Mike, but for how much longer?

0:38:340:38:39

At the valuation day, Thomas gave you a valuation of £600-£800.

0:38:390:38:45

-Now I know Mike's had a rethink.

-Yeah.

-He wasn't happy with the reserve at 600.

0:38:450:38:50

-He's now upped it to £800. So that's our starting price now.

-It's his. He can do what he wants.

0:38:500:38:57

I had a chat to the auctioneer.

0:38:570:39:00

He was umming and ahhing, "Oh, it might put a few off. There's damage to the lid."

0:39:000:39:06

But we all know on a good day it is worth that £800,

0:39:060:39:10

-even with the cracked lid.

-You are right to protect it. It's attractive.

0:39:100:39:16

-You don't want to give it away!

-It's been in the family a long time.

-Yes, it was my wife's mother's.

0:39:160:39:22

-She bought it originally when it first came out.

-This is it.

0:39:220:39:27

MacIntyre Moorcroft teapot and stand.

0:39:270:39:29

What about 500 for it? At £500.

0:39:290:39:33

-Yes, I thank you. 500 is bid.

-We're in.

-For £500.

0:39:330:39:37

£520 now for it. For £520.

0:39:370:39:41

550 bid. 580.

0:39:410:39:44

£600. £620. Important piece, you know.

0:39:440:39:49

-Some serious collectors here.

-I hope so.

0:39:490:39:53

£700. And 20 now.

0:39:530:39:55

£720 I'm bid. £750.

0:39:550:39:59

£780.

0:39:590:40:01

-£800. £820.

-Phone's come in now.

0:40:010:40:05

850, is it? £820.

0:40:050:40:07

£850. £880.

0:40:070:40:10

-900, is it?

-This is good.

0:40:100:40:13

£900. 920.

0:40:130:40:15

-950?

-Yes, I'm sure. 950.

0:40:150:40:19

At 950 on my right. 950.

0:40:190:40:22

950, I'm selling. Away from the room.

0:40:220:40:25

It's going to be sold for £950, then. Thank you.

0:40:250:40:29

Yes! 950. Well done, Mike. Well done, Thomas.

0:40:290:40:34

That was good. Very good.

0:40:340:40:36

-It was a lovely thing. Nice pattern, great colours.

-Very rare.

0:40:360:40:41

-Yeah, very rare. I'm pleased for you.

-What's the money going to go towards, Mike?

0:40:410:40:47

Towards my children's education.

0:40:470:40:50

What a great result for Thomas. Will Michael be as lucky with the Canadian silver tray?

0:40:500:40:57

Serving up right now a silver tray. Lots of weight and history. £500-£800. It belongs to Paul.

0:40:570:41:03

-That is some hunk of silver.

-It is.

-Were you surprised at the value?

0:41:030:41:08

-I was, I must admit.

-It's a lot of money.

0:41:080:41:11

-Also, it's the history.

-It's not a lot for a large Canadian tray!

0:41:110:41:17

You've got silver collectors and militaria collectors. Hopefully, a battle.

0:41:170:41:23

It's going under the hammer.

0:41:230:41:25

The two-handled tea tray. A rather grand piece.

0:41:250:41:29

500 for it? 300 bid.

0:41:290:41:32

At £300. 320.

0:41:320:41:34

-And 50. At 350. And 80.

-Come on!

0:41:340:41:37

380. At £400. A bid of 420 now.

0:41:370:41:40

At 420. 450 I am bid for it.

0:41:400:41:44

480 we're bid now. 480. £500 I'm bid.

0:41:440:41:49

520 I'm bid. At £520 I'm bid.

0:41:490:41:53

-Bit of a war going on now.

-At 520.

0:41:530:41:58

I'll sell to sir. It's going. You're out? I sell at £520, then.

0:41:580:42:04

Gone. 520.

0:42:040:42:06

Hopefully it's gone to Canada.

0:42:060:42:09

-Are you happy with that?

-Very, very.

0:42:090:42:12

-There's commission to pay. What will you put it towards?

-I haven't thought.

0:42:120:42:17

The other half will want to decorate the house. She can't stop doing it.

0:42:170:42:22

-Well, it'll pay for something.

-Certainly will!

-You never stop when you start the house!

0:42:220:42:28

Put a small battleship in the corner to remember it by and who paid for the paint.

0:42:280:42:34

Sadly, we're coming to the end of the show. The auction's going on, but our owners have gone home happy.

0:42:420:42:49

We've sold everything! Our experts were on the money today.

0:42:490:42:54

I hope you've enjoyed the show. See you next time for more surprises on Flog It.

0:42:540:42:59

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0:43:160:43:20

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0:43:210:43:23

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