0:00:03 > 0:00:09# Let all the world In every corner sing. #
0:00:09 > 0:00:12There's heavenly music in the air. Today, we're the guests
0:00:12 > 0:00:15of the magnificent Ely Cathedral, in Cambridgeshire.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19What a fantastic turnout we've got here today.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Historically, the nave was used as a meeting place
0:00:22 > 0:00:25for local people so it's quite fitting that today
0:00:25 > 0:00:27scores have turned up for our valuation day.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:49 > 0:00:50For 900 years,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Ely Cathedral has stood out proud from the surrounding marshlands.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56And today, it's a rallying point for us.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58HANDBELL CHIMES
0:00:58 > 0:01:01OYEZ!
0:01:01 > 0:01:05OYEZ!
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Being summoned for duty are our saintly antiques experts,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Elizabeth Talbot, and the wicked valuer, Charlie Ross.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17Bring out your wares for valuation and sale.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21It's about to rain so I think we should get everybody inside,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25safely at the blue tablecloth, and hope we can find some real gems.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28They've been queuing for a while now so let's shake off the rain
0:01:28 > 0:01:30and get those bags unpacked.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Coming up, I'll be going behind the scenes
0:01:34 > 0:01:37at this beautiful building. Also, small is beautiful,
0:01:37 > 0:01:42especially when it's worth a fortune and costs almost nothing.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- How much did you pay for this in your yard sale?- Pound.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- A pound?- Yeah.- You see, it is all out there.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50You've just got to be lucky on the day.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And that's not even today's star item.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Hold on to your seat as everyone gets excited at the auction.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Any number you like, madam, as big as you like.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Now I'm shaking. Rupert, this is fantastic.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Are you all out down here?
0:02:07 > 0:02:11But before that, the calm of the evaluation and his charm.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Quality, quality, and more quality.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Donald and Janet... Janet, does this belong to you?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Yes. It does. Yes. - How did you get it?
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- I bought it a good many years ago, about 30 years ago.- Did you?- Yes.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Did you buy it to use, or just because you like looking at it?
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I just like looking at it. They were so decorative.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- Beautifully carved, the workmanship. - Do you do needlework yourself?
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- I did, years ago.- Did you? - Yes.- Yeah. Apprentice.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- Apprentice dressmaker, years ago.- Oh, really?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It served my purpose when I had twin girls.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Right. Did you buy it in a shop? - Yes. I did. Yes.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Can you remember which shop? - I think it was down Magdalene Street
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- the shop I bought it from. - How interesting.- Been gone years.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- Do you remember what you paid for it?- I can't remember.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- I paid about £30 odd. That was a lot of money in those days.- Yeah.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04It's called a necessaire, i.e., every woman should have one,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08it is necessary to have one, to repair anything that might
0:03:08 > 0:03:13be damaged, in terms of clothing. This would be for instant repairs.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16If you went to a ball or something, and you were a smart lady,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and you thought, "Blimey, my hem's gone." Out with your necessaire.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Sometimes they were on little chains and you kept them about your person.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26This would have been kept in a handbag.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- The case is made of?- Ivory. - Correct. And I've had a quick look.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34They're not silver, or silver gilt, but they are gilt metal.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And because you've kept it so beautifully,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40the gilding is still on there, which is wonderful.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43If it had been used much, the gilding would have rubbed off,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- and it would have lost some of its value.- I kept it shut.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50The other thing that I particularly like, and makes it so rare,
0:03:50 > 0:03:51is the fact that it's all there.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- Yes.- Needle. Scissors. Thimble. And needle case, I think, there.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01I would put that at 1860 or 1870. So, Donald, why is it being sold?
0:04:01 > 0:04:04We want to buy our granddaughter's wedding dress.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- It'll go towards the wedding dress? - Yes.- Yeah.- So valuation,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09what would you like it to be worth?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Well over £100.- Over 100?
0:04:12 > 0:04:16I don't think you're unrealistic, there, because you said it cost £30.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- And that was a lot of money when you bought it.- Yes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- I would like to estimate it at £100-£150.- Yeah.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I would like to put a fixed reserve of £100 on it.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And I'd dearly like to see it make 150 or £160.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Lovely. Yes.- Thank you very much. It's lovely to see you both.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Thank you very much. Thank you. Yes.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42June, you've brought a couple of pieces
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- of Noritake porcelain for me today. - Yes.- What can you tell me about it?
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I've had it quite a long time. I've enjoyed it. It's time to go.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Where did you acquire these? Do you remember?- A reclamation person.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57And you had them both together or did they come at separate times?
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- I think separately. - I don't know how much you know
0:05:00 > 0:05:04about the Noritake factory, but it was opened in Japan in 1904,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08and it very quickly became THE leading factory in the early 20th century in Japan,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12making very fine quality porcelain for the western export market.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17So they looked, very cleverly, to the 18th century Chinese strategy,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19which was to adopt western shapes
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and then apply western decoration and style to them,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27so that it would be lapped up by either the travellers or the people
0:05:27 > 0:05:30buying in the high-quality shops back in Britain and elsewhere.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- Yeah.- But what you have achieved here are two quite distinct pieces, aren't they?
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- Different. Yes.- Do you have a favourite?- I like the plate as the better of the two.- Yeah.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- That is a higher quality item, was intended to be a better piece.- Yes.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49Interestingly, one of the factories that they copied or were influenced by mostly, was Royal Worcester.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53And I think, if you can see in the colours and the subject matter here,
0:05:53 > 0:05:54it's very much a Worcester theme
0:05:54 > 0:06:01- with this very rich gilding, which again, Worcester specialised in the late 19th, early 20th century.- Yeah.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04In contrast, this one is also hand painted, little vase,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07which is a little bit more, sort of, predictable in shape.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10But that scene and the colours they've chosen to use
0:06:10 > 0:06:13is almost Mediterranean and it's got the freshness about it,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17a sort of warmer climate. The two pieces are in lovely condition.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19So they're lovely examples of their time.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- Do you have any hopes or thoughts about value achievable?- No idea.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28No. I think in the current market, the value at auction should be between £40 and £60.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33And most of that 40 to 60 will be actually by this piece which I think is particularly nice.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37We'll keep the two together to make it worth your while putting together in auction.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Yeah.- Would you like a reserve? - Oh, definitely.- Yes, reserve.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43So if we put the bottom estimate of £40 with auctioneer's discretion.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Yes. That's right.- They'll be looked after and we'll see how we do.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Yeah. That's fine. Thank you for bringing them in. OK.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- I'll see you at the auction. - Lovely.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Sheila, I love Austrian cold painted bronzes.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Since I've been doing Flog It! for the last eight years,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I've actually learnt a lot and fallen in love with them,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and I think you've got a little gem here. Tell me how you came by this?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- A yard sale.- Really.- Yes. Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13And how much did you pay for this in your yard sale?
0:07:13 > 0:07:14- £1.- £1.- Yeah.- £1.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18You see, it is all out there. You've just got to be lucky on the day.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21I want to go to a yard sale now and buy something like this for £1.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24And what have you done with this in the last year?
0:07:24 > 0:07:26I've just had it sitting on the shelf.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28But there's a little surprise, isn't there...
0:07:28 > 0:07:32because it's a little desk inkwell, still with the glass vessel inside.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- Is that the original?- Yes, it is. Yeah. This is a little bear
0:07:36 > 0:07:41by the stump of an oak tree with oak leaves and little acorns. Look.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43That's what I liked. Yeah.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- And from the little acorn, the mighty oak grew.- Yes. Lovely.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Gorgeous, gorgeous little bear.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Do you watch Flog It! regularly? - Yes. Every day.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- Have you seen us talking about cold painted bronzes?- Yeah.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57In particular, a modeller called Franz Bergman,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00who was probably the best of all the Venetian artists and sculptors.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05Used the lost wax method, which means these were modelled in wax
0:08:05 > 0:08:11- and then cast in bronze, but it's the best way to capture realistic detail.- Yes. Lovely.
0:08:11 > 0:08:17Franz Bergman flourished in the early 1900s and, looking at that, it looks like it is a Bergman.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- But he normally has this sort of urn shape with a B inside.- Yeah.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25And we'll just have to look underneath to see that.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27But I'm going to go with a Bergman.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32It's definitely Austrian and it's definitely that period because the quality is so good.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Right. You want to know how much... - Yes, please.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37We're going to put this into auction for, and what you might go home with.
0:08:37 > 0:08:44- If we put this into auction with a value of £150-£250, would you be happy?- Definitely. Yeah.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46How about £250-£350?
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- That'd be better. - That's a lot better, isn't it.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Now you're getting excited.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Right. OK. Well, I think on a good day, £350-£450.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- You're going to be jumping through hoops, aren't you?- Definitely. Yeah.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05But I'd like to put it into auction with a fixed reserve of £250,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- with the value at 250-350.- Yes. - Entice the bidders in.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11There's a lot there for your money.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14And I bet it goes over that 350 mark.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Oh, lovely. That's a surprise.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19£1! Well, there you go. Hey, get out to those yard sales.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21We're going to follow you around now.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36Well, our experts have found their first batch of items, so we're off to the saleroom.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39This is where it gets exciting. It's my favourite part of the show.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43Somebody could be going home with a lot of money. Who's it going to be?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46And what's it worth? Well, stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Here's a quick rundown of all the items coming with us to auction.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Once upon a time, every lady had a necessaire,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57but now Janet's is quite rare because it's a complete set.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59What would you like it to be worth?
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Well over £100.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Over 100. I don't think you're unrealistic, there.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08And the realistic value for June's Noritake porcelain pieces?
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Well, we're hoping for £40-£60.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15And if the bidders agree with my instinct, that Sheila's inkwell
0:10:15 > 0:10:19is a Franz Bergman bronze, it should roar away at the auction.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Today, we're just over the border in the historic town of Stamford,
0:10:25 > 0:10:29in Lincolnshire, at Batemans Auctioneers.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Well, this is what it's all about, a jam-packed auction room
0:10:32 > 0:10:36and hopefully, all these bidders are going to put their hands up and buy our lots.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Well, that's the theory, anyway. On the rostrum is auctioneer, David Palmer.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41So I'm going to get myself into place
0:10:41 > 0:10:43because, coming up, will be our first lot.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Janet and Donald, it's great to catch up with you again.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55What a fabulous item you brought in to the valuation day.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59We're talking about the necessaire, that gorgeous little sewing kit in the ivory case.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01And they're rare to be so complete, aren't they?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04There's always something missing. You got this quite a long time ago.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06I did. Over 30 years ago.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Well, we're going to get you your money back, you know that.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10You bet your life, there.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- 30 quid you paid, did you? - Yes.- Something like that.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17It had to go, cos my girls are not interested in needlework, at all.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Are they having some money from this? Are you going to treat them?
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Well, my granddaughter's getting married so it might buy a button or two for her wedding dress.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- Or a hat for you, hat for you.- Yeah. - Well, all the talking's over with.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30It's now down to the bidders. OK. Here we go.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- It's going under the hammer now. Good luck, both of you.- Right.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35The continental cased sewing thing.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Put it in a lot, then. Very nice.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Straight in. £50 for it. 50, I'm bid.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- 50. Five. 60.- Couple of ladies down the front, look.
0:11:42 > 0:11:4675. 80. 85. 90. 95. 100, now.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48At 100. 110. 120. 130. 140.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53150. 160. 170. 180. 190. 200. 210.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- 220. 230. 240.- This chap hasn't put his hand out.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59He's just standing there with his hands in the air.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03270. 280. 290. 290, I sell down here.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Done, then. With the lady at 290.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08300. 300, I've got in the room. 310.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Back here at 310. I sell with the lady, at £310.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14You are out. 320.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- 330. Here in the room, at £330. - This is good, isn't it.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22You are out. Bid now, or I sell.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- 340. With the internet at £340. - Going to a rich home.- Yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28350. With the lady at 350.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32At £350. It goes, then, at 350.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Is that a bid? Here at 350.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Janet, fantastic. £350. Well, there is commission to pay.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Obviously you've got to do that in any auction room.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- But that's going towards the wedding...- Yes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48The wedding dress, and hopefully, come on, a new hat for you, maybe.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- I've already got one. - You've got the hat? OK. Shoes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- You've got to treat yourself.- Yes. The hat I got, but nothing else.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58You can't go to a wedding in just a hat!
0:13:00 > 0:13:02At 35, the lady at 35.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Well, things are going along quite well, I think.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08So let's add to it, shall we?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Right now, we've got some hand painted Noritake porcelain going under the hammer.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It belongs to June, here. Why are you selling the Noritake?
0:13:14 > 0:13:19I'm frightened of it because if it tips forward, because I have it on a stand, it's going to break.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Oh, dear. Elizabeth.- And I've got two Jack Russell puppies.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I can understand why you're selling them now.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I think these are good value for money at £40-£60.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32They're quite unusual examples and again, quite a contrast of Noritake styles of painting.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- But, it's a bit of a difficult market, at the moment.- Is it?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Sometimes it's going up, sometimes it's as flat as a pancake.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41I want to be realistic and fair so hope we do achieve a sale, that's the important thing.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- Yeah. But they are quality. - Yeah. And in good order, very good order, at the moment. Yes.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- And we mustn't let those Jack Russells get to them, must we? - No.- They've got to go.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Anyway, they're going right now under the hammer. This is it. Good luck.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Small Noritake porcelain vase.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57And the little dish, there.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Fun little lot. £10 to start. Nice and low. Tenner. Tenner bid.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Ten. 12. 15.
0:14:02 > 0:14:0415. 18. 20. Two.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07At 25. 28. At 28 now.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09The lady's out. At 28. Take 30 now.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Finished and done at 28. Is that it?
0:14:11 > 0:14:12No. It's not selling.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I wonder why they didn't like it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18I don't know but I wouldn't have dropped it any lower than that.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19I think that was very fair.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21As I say, the market is erratic at the moment,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24it's probably a bit flat but it is very sort of yo-yoish.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28So it's worth hanging on and not giving up at that sort of level and try it again, I think.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30OK. Another auction room on another day.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Just keep it away from those Jack Russells.- In a cabinet.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- Naughty boys. What are their names? - Smudge and Fudge.- Smudge and Fudge.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Well, there you go. Sound like trouble.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44Are you're all out down here?
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Remember the cold painted bronze, that lovely little bear, that naturalistic setting, the inkwell?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Well, it's going under the hammer.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It belongs to Sheila, and I tell you what, not for much longer.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- I think this is priced to sell. - You do? Oh, good.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- And you picked this up for next to nothing, didn't you?- Yes. Yeah.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- Who have you got with you? - My brother, Arthur.- Arthur. - Hi there, Paul.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Your sister has got a great pair of eyes for spotting things, that's all I can say.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I'm hoping this'll do the top end and I know it's going to
0:15:08 > 0:15:11find a bidder here because things are flying out the room.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- They're not sitting on their hands, are they?- No. No.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16The painted bronze inkwell.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I feel I need to put a lucky waistcoat on for this one.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I reckon this one's worn out all its charm.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26So we need a lucky waistcoat to make this make lots of money.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30There we are, the bear and the tree stump. Straight in. 100 for that.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33100, I'm bid. At 100 now. 110. 120.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38At 120. 130. 140. 150. 160. 170.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42180. 190. 200. At 200. 210.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47220. 230. 240. 250. 260. 270. 280.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- 290. 300. 320.- Flying away, now.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55380. 400. 420. 450. 480. 500.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58500, now.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02At £500. 520. 550. At 550.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05580, I'll take. 600 I'm bid.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06See, I told you it was lucky.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- At 600. Down here on the phone, now. - Sheila, you've got the gift.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13At 600, it goes on the phone, then.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- At 600.- Yes. £600. That's fantastic.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Give us a hug.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- 600 quid.- Thank you.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29Well, well spotted, you, that's all I can say. Tensions were building.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31We hit the roof there, didn't we?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- Unexpected, wasn't it? - I know. You said 250.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Well, we kind of, you know, we knew it had a bit of class to it.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- I didn't know it was that much. - It did say 250-350, didn't it? Yeah.- Yeah.- It's good.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45They loved it. Two or three people really wanted it.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46- Yeah.- Simple as that.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48At 190. 200 now.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56'We're back at the auction later when rumours that this silver was made for a zsar, cause a stir.'
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- Has there been any interest from Russia?- Yeah, there has.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03In fact, all over the place, cos obviously, collectors of silver like Faberge
0:17:03 > 0:17:07and there's not that much Faberge to go round, so this is one of the next best things.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Any phone lines booked? - Think we've got a couple.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13'Before that, we're going to change the pace a little
0:17:13 > 0:17:16'because I think I can hear the voice of an angel.'
0:17:19 > 0:17:22HE SINGS
0:17:23 > 0:17:26When Ely Cathedral is not playing host to Flog It!,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28it is, of course, a place of worship,
0:17:28 > 0:17:34and a place of music. And both have a fascinating and enduring history
0:17:34 > 0:17:36which is well worth exploring.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41The new head chorister, Alex Tune, may only be just 12 years old,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45but the choir has a history dating back nearly 500 years.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Choristers are chosen from all over the region
0:17:50 > 0:17:52but to fulfil the tough rehearsal schedules,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54they have to board at a nearby school.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58And the man who can explain how it all works is Canon James Garrard,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01head of music and precentor here at Ely.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Jim, thank you for talking to me today.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Absolutely beautiful voice.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08How are the choirboys chosen?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11They apply and they're auditioned and sometimes
0:18:11 > 0:18:13we have plenty of candidates wanting a place in our choir.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Yeah. What about the impact on their lives with the schedule?
0:18:16 > 0:18:21It's totally overwhelming and, these days, I suppose it's surprising to people.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24They have to board in the King's School next door, here.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27They are being worked six days a week and they're rehearsing
0:18:27 > 0:18:30at eight in the morning, even on Saturdays, so it's a huge commitment.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32How many hours a day are they putting in, roughly?
0:18:32 > 0:18:35They are putting in a full day at school.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37They are rehearsing every day in term time.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41They are preparing for Evensong. And that doesn't finish until 6:15
0:18:41 > 0:18:44and then there's a small matter of homework and food and bed.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- That's dedication, isn't it?- Indeed.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49HE SINGS
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Tell me about the history of the choir.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02There's always been a choir here because when the cathedral was first a monastery, before the reformation,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05the young monks were those singing the services with the old.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08And since the reformation, since it's been a cathedral proper,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10there's always been an establishment, a choir, boys and men,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13to sing the services every day of morning and evening prayer.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16And they're very committed to it. Indeed, now, in the last few years,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20there's also been a girls' choir who are also boarders at the nearby school.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Right. Do you go off on tours and things like that?
0:19:22 > 0:19:26The boys, and we hope also the girls will tour, but the boys have toured
0:19:26 > 0:19:30America, Canada, round Europe in recent years with great success.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34One of the lovely things, at the moment, is that some of the places
0:19:34 > 0:19:37we visited on tour, send their choirs to come and sing with us.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Aw, that's wonderful, isn't it?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42It's great for the summer, too, and it means that our musical tradition
0:19:42 > 0:19:44continues all the way through the year.
0:19:44 > 0:19:50The sound of the choir in full voice must be so uplifting because the acoustics are brilliant, as well.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51It's absolutely fantastic.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54There he is. There's the young man, himself. Here's Alex.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- Alex, let me shake your hand. What a beautiful voice.- Thank you.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59How long have you been singing?
0:19:59 > 0:20:04I've been singing since I was eight, and I love to do it, so I'll just continue doing it up to year eight.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06I know you put in a lot of hours, you're very dedicated.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- Does it leave any other time to sort of see your mates or get on the Playstation or on your bike?- Yeah.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- I do do singing because I enjoy it. - Yeah.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17But I still have time to see my friends, play around, play football and stuff like that.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- Who's your favourite football team? - My favourite football team is Hull City.- Really?- Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Did your dad make you say that?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- Yeah.- Alex, thank you so much.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Keep up the good work, as well. - Thank you. I will.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Well, 500 years of the choir is one thing,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34but the building itself, is much, much older.
0:20:34 > 0:20:41It took an astonishing 106 years to build and was completed in 1189.
0:20:41 > 0:20:48But disaster struck in 1322 when the central stone bell tower collapsed, crashing down into the nave.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52It must have been devastating but they took it as a sign.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57From the ruins, they created an incredible piece of architecture in its place.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03And this is it. Ely's staggering octagonal tower.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Now this is unusual for two reasons.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Firstly, because of its shape and, secondly, like no other tower built,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12this one is made entirely of wood.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Eight huge oak trees act as its main support.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20And if you look up there, you can see all those stained glass windows
0:21:20 > 0:21:23where they create this wonderful lantern-like effect.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28'And if you take the cathedral tour, you can get an even closer look.'
0:21:31 > 0:21:35And here is one of the mighty oaks that I was talking about.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39When this was felled in 1322, it was a mature tree.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45Each length is 63 feet long and that was some 300 years old before it was cut down.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49Now that forms the backbone, the super structure of the lantern
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and then the whole thing is suspended by these beams,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55and there's 16 of them, which go right around the perimeter.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58And you're not going to find anything harder
0:21:58 > 0:22:00and more unyielding than English oak.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Thank goodness, too.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Well, that is just so inspiring.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14This ornate artwork was done during the Victorian restoration of the cathedral.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18The theme is Psalm 150, angels praising the Lord.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21The stained glass was also installed in 1863.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Before that, it would have just been plain.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's a kaleidoscope of colour.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It's breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34It's just the most wonderful viewing platform.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39The cathedral's ancient structure and the changes it's undergone
0:22:39 > 0:22:42show this is a living, breathing testament
0:22:42 > 0:22:45to those who first built it, and those who've worked on it,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49and also, those who've worshipped in it over many centuries.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57And the story of this incredible building goes on.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Only last year, during restoration work,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04builders discovered this love letter addressed to Miss Sarah Peacock,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06an 18-year-old local servant girl.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11And it's actually dated here, 16th November 1740.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15It's signed from one William Simpson, who was a local man,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19who left the area to become an apprentice watchmaker, in London.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24"My dear life, your absence gives me the greatest uneasiness in this life.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28"To think that I must so soon part with you, my dear soul,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32"who, and only you, are the object of my passion."
0:23:32 > 0:23:34He was asking Sarah to join him there.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38"I hope you will, if possible, be at London ere long,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41"whereby I may have the pleasure of your sweet company,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44"which I assure you, without flattery,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47"I prefer beyond anything in this life."
0:23:47 > 0:23:49The letter was found under floorboards.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Sarah probably hid it there and took it out secretly at night to read it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58What an incredible discovery.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00It really brings together the life of the cathedral
0:24:00 > 0:24:04and the people who lived and worshipped here over the past 900 years.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07And I wonder if William ever did get together with Sarah.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Let's head back inside now where there's still a good crowd unpacking
0:24:16 > 0:24:19yet more treasures and Charlie is trying out our next item.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22David and Ann, shall we dance?
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- We shall.- Put the music on.- Right.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27I love your phonograph. How long have you had it?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- About 55 years.- 55 years.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Yeah. Well, in the family. It was my father's originally.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- You inherited it, did you? - From Father. Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Do you remember it being played as a child?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Oh, yes. I played with it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Really. And how did he get it?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Well, he built lightweight touring bicycles.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- Yeah.- And he built this particular man's one.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It was £7, 15 shillings and sixpence.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50- Yeah.- Went home to get the money.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- His wife wouldn't let him have the money.- What?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56No. Said it's a waste of money buying a bicycle.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00He brought this phonograph and asked father if he'd have this in lieu
0:25:00 > 0:25:04of the bicycle till he could save the money, then he would come up,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06pay Dad, and take his phonograph home.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- He never came back.- He never came back.- No. Never came back for it.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13So you've still got the phonograph. And you know who made it, don't you?
0:25:13 > 0:25:18- Yeah. Edison.- Edison. It's the Edison Gem which was his, sort of, standard model, if you like.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- It was.- First patented in about 1900.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- Yeah.- And this, I would think, dates from about 1910.- Yeah.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26What I really like about it...
0:25:26 > 0:25:30not only, obviously, is the carrying case here
0:25:30 > 0:25:33but that is the original sound box, or trumpet,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35and nobody's fiddled with it.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40The absolutely marvellous quirky thing I like about this
0:25:40 > 0:25:44is the original cord that held it up from the stanchion,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47I see someone has replaced with a chain
0:25:47 > 0:25:52which looks distinctly like a gold watch chain, to me.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- Are you guilty of that? - I'm fully guilty.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56Well, may I say congratulations.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59You've considerably added to the value of it.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02I tied an old bit of wire on there last night and the wife said
0:26:02 > 0:26:05you cannot take that to Flog It! with a bit of wire... get a chain.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08The Do It Yourself shop was closed.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11So I thought... "Chain, ah, a watch chain."
0:26:11 > 0:26:14I mean, the actual pocket watch, I haven't got.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- No.- So it didn't matter. - I think that's charming.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19How many cylinders have you got?
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- We've got...- Ten.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24About nine or ten four-minute cylinders.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Yes. Could we have a quick go?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- The three I've got left are all chipped and scratched.- Yeah.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31PLAYS A RECORDING
0:26:34 > 0:26:35Harry Lauder.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- He's being rude. Can you put him off?- Yeah.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44We can't have him on Flog It!
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- I thought it was going to be a national Scottish ballad.- No.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- I'm sorry.- You naughty man, David. How much do you think it's worth?
0:26:50 > 0:26:52£200 or £300.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57£200-£300. Do you know, I think it would have been 200-300 a few years ago, possibly a bit more.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I think it's now 150 to 200. Well, that would do fine.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- Will that do for you? - Yeah. No problem...
0:27:02 > 0:27:05150-200, with a reserve at 150. We'll tell the auctioneers.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06I'm sure it'll do well.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Thank you very much indeed for bringing it along, David.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11- No problem.- Jolly nice to see you. - Thank you.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- So father, Graham, and daughter, Kate.- That's right.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Who owns this beautiful charm bracelet?- I do.- You do.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- You're the lucky lady. - It's been passed down to me now.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30- What, from yourself?- From my mother. - Right.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34And prior to that, it was my dad's cousin on his side of the family.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Right. OK. But it's reached you. And do you like it?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40It's not my sort of thing that I'd wear, my taste.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- So you're thinking of selling it? - Yeah.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Well, charm bracelets are all very varied by definition and they're amassed by people,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50usually gifted little charms or by travelling around,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53sometimes they're souvenirs from around the world, around the country.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Do you know any stories behind any of the charms?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Not really. I know that when they used to go travelling,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01they used to add the charms to the bracelet, as they went abroad.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04It does explain why there is a mixture of English gold
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and items that bare continental foreign gold hallmarks.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- That would explain if they bought something in this country and travelling, as well.- Yeah.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14And do you remember any of your relatives wearing it?
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Was it a feature of your boyhood, jingling in your ear, at all, or anything?
0:28:18 > 0:28:21My father's cousins used to wear it, one of the cousins,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24all the time, really, when they were going out anywhere, you know.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28- Yes. Yes.- Yeah. So that did get quite a bit of use... but not now.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30These things go in and out of fashion.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I do notice there's a wonderful selection of items here,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35from the very sort of straightforward little pig there,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37who's just trotting along,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41to a very charming little gypsy caravan which I think is very sweet.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43I notice one or two items have got a tiny bit of damage.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46The little lantern there looks as though it's seen better days.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48But, there are some very sweet things.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52There's a little staved pale, there. A little sort of Swiss chalet.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54- So you're thinking of selling it? - Yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Do you have hopes and aspirations as to how much it might fetch?
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- Have you kind of got any thoughts? - Not really, have we.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- Well, not really. No.- We have an idea.- We've got a rough idea.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Go on, then. Tell me.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07I was hoping we'd get probably 500 for it, but I don't know.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10What you might like and what I think the market would support
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- is different, I think that's a bit high.- Right.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Gold is selling well at the moment,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18but I think you've got to bear in mind that if you put a £500 bottom figure,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21it then makes it start to sound expensive to people
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- and a bit off-putting, if you make it £500-£600.- OK.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28So, if you're comfortable, I suggest £350-£500 estimate. Reserve of £350.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33I may be proved slightly wrong but I think it's more realistic, that sort of figure.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Yeah. OK.- So what are you going to spend the money on, then?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- I'm going to have to save it. - Oh, good girl.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42I promised that if I was going to sell it, then I'd save the money.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Right. And perhaps reinvest in something else to treasure.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46Something a bit different.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- Rupert, there must be a story behind all this cutlery.- Yes. There is.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01My family had it since 1912.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Right.- It was given to my mother in 1916 on the date of her birth.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10- So I do know that there's some family history to say the least.- Fantastic.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14So, for example, how many of each have we got? This is very important.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- Well, we've got 12 of each of the spoons.- Have you. Yeah.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20And 12 of each of the forks.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Fantastic. - And 12 of each of the knives.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- Both sets of knives? - Both sets of knives.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28May I congratulate you on having such a complete service.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- Thank you very much.- Where has it been for the last few years?
0:30:31 > 0:30:33In a drawer, upstairs, in my bedroom.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- Well, we've got a name on it here, haven't we. Joseph Marchak.- Yes.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39And what can you tell me about that?
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Well, I didn't know a lot about him until I heard that you were coming down,
0:30:42 > 0:30:46then I did a little research and I gather that he was known as the Cartier of Kiev.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51I love that expression. He was the Cartier of Kiev.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57And I'm told, also, that Marchak made cutlery for the zsar.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59- Oh, right. Yeah.- He was the business.
0:30:59 > 0:31:00Yes. So he was high-class.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05Yeah. High-class. Also, they do have a monogram on there.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07- Yes.- Now, is that a family one?
0:31:07 > 0:31:10That, actually, is from, I believe, my great-grandfather, again.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- This looks a pretty frightening tool.- I wondered what that was for.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- I think that's a cake fork. - Oh, that's cake.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18For cutting the cake and for serving it.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- And this one here? For caviar? - What a marvellous question.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Caviar. You'd have to be joking.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24- I think that one, possibly, for caviar.- Yeah.
0:31:24 > 0:31:29You'd have to be a multi-billionaire to use that one for caviar, that end one.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- No. I just wondered about that. - Have you thought about a value?
0:31:32 > 0:31:38Well, no, I mean, you know, I came in hoping to raise as much...
0:31:38 > 0:31:40What are you raising money for?
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Well, I'm actually raising it to help my mother with a stairlift
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and new bathroom because she's getting elderly now.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- Is she? Yes.- It would be rather nice to sort something out for her.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Well, certainly, if this is in a drawer and you're not using it.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- Exactly.- It might as well go towards a stairlift.- That's right.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- What I'm going to do here, they're going off to Batemans to be auctioned.- Yes.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02And I've had a chat with a colleague
0:32:02 > 0:32:06and we think £800 - £1,200 is a sensible estimate.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10But to be absolutely certain, I'm going to ring up Kate Bateman
0:32:10 > 0:32:13and ask her to do a little bit more research
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- so that we don't get it wrong. - Right.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17There is a chance that we've undervalued.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22So, at the moment, it's 800 - 1,200. Reserve, 800, with discretion.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- OK.- How does that seem?- That's fine.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27I mean, you know, I was hoping that it would be on the lower side
0:32:27 > 0:32:30so if a couple of people are interested, they might push it up a bit.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31- Steam up a bit.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Well, it shouldn't be a problem. Thank you very much.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38- Thank you for bringing such an interesting piece of history along. - Thank you very much.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42We're heading back to Batemans Auctioneers in Stanford now,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46to sell those items and here's a quick reminder of what we're taking.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50This phonograph is in excellent condition and David's DIY repair,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53with its gold watch chain, is a bonus.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56I tied an old bit of wire on there last night
0:32:56 > 0:32:59and the wife said you cannot take that to Flog It! with a bit of wire,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- get a chain. - Well, may I say congratulations.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05You've considerably added to the value of it.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Kate says this gold charm bracelet is not her style.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13Dad Graham's happy to donate the proceeds to her bank account.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16And we've got Rupert's collection of silver cutlery.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21Further investigations suggest it might have belonged to a member of the Russian royal family.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23There's no way to prove its provenance
0:33:23 > 0:33:26but auction valuer, Kate Bateman, has had interest.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Kate, this silver caused a real stir at the valuation day.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33Charlie fell in love with it.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36It belongs to Rupert and it's been in his family since 1912.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39His great great grandfather bought it in Russia.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42And I know Rupert's quite excited about this.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45The scrap value, alone, has got to be £1,200, surely.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49You would think so. And it's a lovely story if we can prove the background of it.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51I mean, it's got tantalising clues.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54There is this Russian emigres selling off the family silver.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58It would be lovely to think that it is part of that Romanov dynasty
0:33:58 > 0:34:04and this KP is really exciting because it could be somebody called Konstantinovich,
0:34:04 > 0:34:08whose penname, as a writer, was KP, if you translate it from the Cyrillic.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11You've obviously done a lot of research here, Kate.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13We have. Marchek is still going so we contacted them
0:34:13 > 0:34:16and they got quite interested and said there's no record of this
0:34:16 > 0:34:19but they fled the revolution themselves, and moved to Paris,
0:34:19 > 0:34:20so they lost quite a lot of their records.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23It's solid silver. It was made for somebody who had some money
0:34:23 > 0:34:26and who was fairly influential and liked to show off their wealth.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31Whether or not that was somebody connected to the royal family is very hard to prove.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34What have you raised the estimate to now?
0:34:34 > 0:34:37We've changed it slightly so we've put it from 800 to 1,500 as a fixed reserve,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40because every day of the week it's worth that for silver,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42but silver's going up at the moment anyway, like gold.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44If it catches somebody's imagination...
0:34:44 > 0:34:47hopefully, two Russians that really want their silver back again.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- I was about to ask you, has there been interest from Russia? - Yeah, there has.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53All over the place because the collectors of silver like Faberge
0:34:53 > 0:34:57and there's not that much to go round, so this is one of the next best things.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59- Any phone lines booked? - I think we've got a couple.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- I can't wait to watch these ones go under the hammer.- I have no idea.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05It's all down to you, Kate. Well, that's what auctions are about.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07That's why they're so perfect, really.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09You don't know what's going to happen.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12But stay tuned and you can find out.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15First up, it's that 100 year old phonograph.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18I've just been joined by Ann and David in the nick of time.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22It's packed in here. You can't actually get through the door any more.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24Hopefully, we're going to be in for a good result.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29- Going under the hammer right now is the Edison gramophone with original rolls and the horn.- Yes.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33And that's great, as well, because it makes it complete. Why do you want to sell it, though?
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I don't particularly want to, now, but it's too late.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37Well, Charlie's twisted your arm.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40He's our expert. That's a sign of a good auctioneer.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- I've got quite a few reptiles and orchids.- Have you?
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- And with the electric costs, it's a large building.- Right.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49So we need to get some money for the electricity, don't we, basically.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Hopefully, we'll hit that £200 target because it is complete.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55And you must have been so over the moon when you saw it, completely original.
0:35:55 > 0:36:02I was. I was surprised. I think for every 20 phonographs you see, only one's got horn, probably every 50.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06- Yeah. Yeah.- And the great thing is, the horn needs holding up
0:36:06 > 0:36:11and what he's done, he's found an 18-carat gold watch chain to hold it up with.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13And that's still there, isn't it?
0:36:13 > 0:36:16That's probably going to add £20, £30...
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Sounds like a come and buy me. It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22An Edison gem phonograph with all the bits and pieces to it.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Interesting little lot, this. Start at £100. Straight in. 100.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29100, I'm bid. 100. 110. 120.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33130. 140. 150. 160. 170.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36180. 190. 200. 210. 220. 230.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41240. 250. 260. 270. 280. 290. 300.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43- Fantastic. Fantastic.- 320. 330.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44We're making sweet music, now.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49350. 360. 370. At 370.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51You in on the phones?
0:36:51 > 0:36:54At 370. 380. Back at 380.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56At £380. I sell at the very back.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58We had a rhythm going there.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- Wonderful stuff. - You're all out down here.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- Yes.- Yeah.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- Thank you.- That's superb.- Yes.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Thank you very much.- It's a pleasure.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Ann, there is commission to pay, don't forget, you two.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14That's how they earn their wages, here.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- There's still collection there.- Yes. - That's incredible, isn't it.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- It is. Wonderful. - Reptiles will be happy.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22They certainly will. They'll be too hot.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25200 to start. At 200 now.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- Graham and Kate, it's great to see you again.- Thank you.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Going under the hammer right now, we've got a charm bracelet.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40It's a mixture of things going on there. It's been in the family a long time. Why are you selling this?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Well, it was my mother's and when she passed away, it was given to Kate.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47She's not very keen on it, to be honest with you.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49It's not very fashionable.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51- No. You wouldn't want to wear it. - No. No.- It is a collectable.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54There's a lot of people out there that collect these charms.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Obviously, your mum did over the years.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58- Yeah. - And it's a lovely little collection.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Hopefully, we'll get that sort of high 300.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- I'm hoping so.- Maybe £400.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Even since the valuation day, the market for gold has just continued to strengthen...
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- Shot up.- I've got to hope that we do very well on this. Yes.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12That's good news, isn't it. It's the right time to sell precious metals.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- I'm sure it is.- As Elizabeth said, gold and silver is right up there.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Charm bracelet. Gold one. Showing there. 300. 320. 350. 380.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23380. 400. 420. 450.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25This side of 450. 480.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29500. 520. I have 520, in the doorway.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33At £520. Sell in the doorway, then. Done at 520.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- That was quick. That was short and sweet.- That was good.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- £520. Who's getting all the money?- I am.- Kate.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- What are you going to do with it? - Put it towards a new car.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45- Well...- Saving up.- Yeah.- Yeah. - Good for you. Good for you.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- Well, done.- Thank you. - Thank you for coming in.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51- That was a great result. - Yes. I was really pleased with that. Excellent all round.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54At last, that collection of silver
0:38:54 > 0:38:58and Rupert's now so sure of the Russian royal collection,
0:38:58 > 0:39:02he's taking the risk of raising the reserve to £3,000.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Well, this is the one we've all been waiting for.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09I've just been joined by Rupert and Charlie, our expert. It's the Russian silver.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11There's a lot of it. It's going under the hammer.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Charlie originally put £800 - £1,200 on this.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Why do you want to sell this now at this stage?
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Well, really, it's for my mother's benefit because now she's in her 90s,
0:39:19 > 0:39:24I want to make her life more comfortable at home so I want to get a few things sorted out there.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- Good for you. OK. Well, that' s a good start, isn't it. - Yeah.- It's a good start.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32Charlie, you've done lots of homework and research. Tell us what you've come up with.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- The more research I do, the less I know.- Well, yes.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- That's the trouble.- That's the name of the game, isn't it, though.
0:39:38 > 0:39:39I mean, it is Marchek.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Possibly it's retail by Marchek rather than made by Marchek,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45so it's very easy to get too excited about this lot.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47And it's not a complete set either, is it?
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- No, but it's pretty well close to it.- OK.- I mean, it's not far away.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54No. And we've got a new reserve now of £3,000, which is fixed.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- Yeah.- So you're happy with that, aren't you?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00And we're hoping for three to four in the room, somewhere around there.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Praying.- Praying. Well, you never know, do you?
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Hey, you never know. This is auction, you know.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Anything can happen in an auction. You're about to find out.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10I have a phone bid on this. It's the Russian silver cutlery service.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Very interesting service, this.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Got a nice little story to it, as described in the catalogue.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Let's start at £1,000.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Straight in. 1,100, here.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21At 1,100. 1,200.
0:40:21 > 0:40:231,300. 1,400.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28- Good. Go on. Go on.- 16. 17.- Halfway.
0:40:28 > 0:40:3218. 19. 2,000. 2,000. 2,100.
0:40:32 > 0:40:362,200. 2,300. 2,400.
0:40:36 > 0:40:402,500. 2,600. 2,700.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- Nearly there.- 2,800. 2,900.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- 3,000.- We've done it.
0:40:45 > 0:40:493,000 now. The bid's seated on the phone. At £3,000. 3,100.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52- 3,200. 3,300.- This is good.
0:40:52 > 0:40:563,400. 3,500. 3,600.
0:40:56 > 0:40:573,600 on the phone. 3,600.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00It goes on the phone, then. You're bidding 3,700.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- New money. At 3,700.- Oh, great.
0:41:02 > 0:41:043,800. 3,900.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- This is great.- 4,000.
0:41:07 > 0:41:084,100. 4,200.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13- Rupert, how are you feeling? - Better now.- Better now. Yeah.
0:41:13 > 0:41:154,400. 4,500. 4,600.
0:41:15 > 0:41:174,700. 4,800.
0:41:17 > 0:41:204,900. 5,000.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22- My valuation was wrong.- 5,100.
0:41:22 > 0:41:265,200. 5,300. 5,400.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- 6,000.- At £6,000.
0:41:29 > 0:41:326,100. Any number you like, madam. As big as you like.
0:41:32 > 0:41:356,100.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- 6,500.- 6,500.
0:41:37 > 0:41:396,600 if you want, on the phone.
0:41:39 > 0:41:416,500, it's in the room.
0:41:41 > 0:41:446,600. Down here at 6,600.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48At 6,600... Oh, come on, you're being really bold.
0:41:48 > 0:41:49Don't lose it now. 6,600.
0:41:49 > 0:41:536,700.
0:41:53 > 0:41:546,800.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57These were the real McCoy.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- 7,000.- 7,000.
0:41:59 > 0:42:027,100. At 7,100 down here.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06£7,100. Now, I'm shaking.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Rupert, this is fantastic.
0:42:08 > 0:42:107,150. 7,200.
0:42:10 > 0:42:127,200.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- At 7,200. You sure you're finished?- Yeah.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16Cracking result.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20One last chance to think about it, madam.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23At £7,200 on the phone. Done at 7,200.
0:42:23 > 0:42:257,500.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Unbelievable. 7,500. Rupert.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33At 7,500. 7,600.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34Down here at 7,600.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38This is what auctions are all about... when it goes like this.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40You just can't beat it. Incredible tension.
0:42:40 > 0:42:427,700.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Goes then at £7,600.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Yes. 7,600.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Thank you very much, indeed. Thank you.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Put it there. Put it there. Well, done.
0:42:53 > 0:42:54Well, done. Charlie.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58We said there was going to be a few surprises.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00I hope you enjoyed that.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02Well, there's nothing more we can say, is there?
0:43:02 > 0:43:07That's what auctions are all about. When it goes like that, it's the best thing in the world.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Rupert, you've got a lot of money there. Enjoy it, won't you?
0:43:11 > 0:43:14- Well, my mother will. - She will. Look after her.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16See you very soon for plenty more surprises on Flog It!
0:43:16 > 0:43:17Goodbye from Stanford.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:25 > 0:43:28E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk